Electrocardiogram changes and wall motion abnormalities in the acute phase of Tako-Tsubo syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Tako-Tsubo syndrome is still rarely diagnosed in patients presenting with symptoms of acute myocardial ischaemia. It is accompanied by wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle but significant narrowings or occlusions of epicardial coronary arteries are absent. We investigated a potential relationship between electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, wall motion abnormalities and gender influence of Tako-Tsubo syndrome in an Austrian cohort of Tako-Tsubo syndrome patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We were recently able to describe four different anatomical types of Tako-Tsubo syndrome in 153 patients of the Austrian Tako-Tsubo syndrome registry. In the present retrospective analysis we investigated ischaemia-related changes in the first diagnostic ECG for the different types of Tako-Tsubo syndrome: the apical and the combined apical-midventricular type showed most frequently a ST elevation (41.1% and 35.3%), whereas the midventricular type of Tako-Tsubo syndrome was more often accompanied by T wave inversion (60%). ECG changes in relation to the Tako-Tsubo syndrome type were similar in women and men. There was no difference in the prevalence of clinical complications among patients presenting with ST elevation or left bundle branch block (14.5%) compared with patients without ST elevation (10.4%) (p=0.476). CONCLUSION: Patients with Tako-Tsubo syndrome show characteristic ECG changes in the first diagnostic ECG which are associated to some extent with the anatomical type of Tako-Tsubo syndrome, but these ECG changes were not related to clinical outcome.

Heart rate, ejection duration and subendocardial viability ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared to controls.

AIM: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In the general population, an increased heart rate is associated with increased mortality. Only a few studies have investigated heart rate in RA patients and compared the results with patients that do not have RA (n-RA). Therefore, little is known as to whether an increased heart rate, at least in part, could explain the increased mortality found in RA patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether heart rate is increased in RA patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, heart rate was determined in a total of 282 patients (131 RA, 151 n-RA). In addition, non-invasive pulse wave analysis of the radial artery was performed to determine cardiac ejection duration using the Sphygmocor apparatus. Furthermore, the subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), a marker of cardiac workload, was investigated, whereby higher values indicate a more favorable supply/demand relationship for the myocardium. Patients using chronotropic drugs were not included in the study. RESULTS: Heart rate was virtually the same in RA patients (71.9 ± 11.2 beats/min [bpm]) as compared with controls (72.3 ± 11.7 bpm; P > 0.05). Also SEVR (RA 144 ± 25% vs. n-RA 147 ± 27%; P > 0.05) and ejection duration (RA 321 ± 24 ms vs. n-RA 318 ± 24 ms; P > 0.05) were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSION: It could not be shown that heart rate in RA patients differs significantly from heart rate in controls. Therefore, heart rate does not appear to explain or contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk found in RA patients.

Will antirheumatic treatment improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

In recent years, the scientific community has gained significant insight into the complex interaction between inflammation and the cardiovascular system in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which leads to increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in these patients. Our common understanding of this association is that persistent inflammation contributes to the development of premature atherosclerosis. Consequently, the question arises whether control of inflammation with antirheumatic treatment will be able to improve CV outcome. While there are a lot of data that demonstrate improvement of numerous CV surrogate markers in patients treated with virtually all antirheumatic drug classes, there is much less information about the possible translation of these beneficial effects into improved CV outcome. In summary, the published evidence suggests that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha inhibitors may improve CV outcome. The same is true for methotrexate (MTX). However, it is not clear whether MTX works via suppression of inflammation or through drug specific mechanisms. For other traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic therapies, there are no convincing data for improved CV outcome. Only a few drugs (glucocorticoids and NSAIDs) have been associated with increased CV risk. Treating RA aggressively, as recommended by current guidelines, is likely to have a beneficial effect on CV outcomes.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Tako-Tsubo syndrome) in Austria.

BACKGROUND: Tako-Tsubo syndrome (TS) is a still rarely diagnosed clinical syndrome, which is characterized by acute onset of chest pain, transient cardiac dysfunction with (frequently) reversible wall motion abnormalities (WMAs), but with no relevant obstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 179 consecutive patients with proven diagnosis of TS that were retrospectively analysed in this multicentre registry, women represented the majority of patients (94%) while only 11 men (6%) developed TS. Mean age was 69.1±11.5 years (range 35-88 years). Cardinal symptoms of TS, which led to admission, were acute chest pain (82%) and dyspnoea (32%), respectively. All patients demonstrated typical WMAs, whereby four different types of WMAs could be defined: (1) a more common apical type of TS (n=89; 50%); (2) a combined apical and midventricular form of TS (n=23; 13%); (3) the midventricular TS (n=6; 3%); and (4) an unusual type of basal WMAs of the left ventricle (n=3). Only in 101 patients (57%), a clear causative trigger for onset of symptoms could be identified. In-hospital cardiovascular complications occurred in 25 patients (14%) and consisted of cardiac arrhythmias in 10 patients (40%), cardiogenic shock in six patients (24%), cardiac decompensation in eight patients (32%) and cardiovascular death in one patient, respectively. Echocardiographic control of left ventricular function after the initial measurement was available in almost 70% of the patients: complete recovery of WMAs was found in 73 patients (58.87%); 49 patients (39.52%) showed persistent WMAs. Recurrences of TS were only seen in four patients. During the follow-up period, 13 patients died: three of cardiovascular causes and 10 of non-cardiac causes. In-hospital mortality was 0.6%, 30-day mortality was 1.3% and 2-year mortality was 6.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents to date the largest series of patients suffering from TS in Austria and worldwide. Similar to others, in our series the prevalence of TS was significantly higher in women than in men, while in contrast to other studies, the apical type of TS was detected most frequently. The similar clinical presentation of TS patients to the clinical picture of acute myocardial infarction demonstrates the importance of immediate coronary angiography for adequate differential diagnosis of TS. TS is not necessarily a benign disease due to cardiovascular complications as well as persistent WMAs with delayed recovery.

Are there differences in LDL-C target value attainment in Austrian federal states? Yes!

UNLABELLED: Low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) levels determine the cardiovascular risk. Previous studies indicated an LDL-C target attainment of around 50%, but no Austrian wide analysis on results for the federal states was available. We therefore sought to detect potential differences. DESIGN: Open-label, non-interventional, longitudinal study, registered: www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT 01381679. In all, 746 statin treated patients not at LDL-C goal received intensified therapy for 12 months. The sample was split into nine subgroups, representing the federal states of Austria.We detected an east-west gradient for baseline LDL-C. Individual target values were achieved by 37.2% (range: 26.1-57.7%). After 12 months, LDL-C < 70 mg/l was achieved by 13.5% (5.9-38.5%). Univariate ANCOVA retrieved significant differences within the states (Upper Austria and Salzburg, p = 0.001 and p = 0.0015, respectively). Furthermore, the capacity of intensified lipid lowering therapy applied in practice was as high as -42% as compared to previous standard therapy (additional LDL-C reduction after switch from baseline therapy in Vorarlberg).

Can LDL-cholesterol targets be achieved in a population at high risk? Results of the non-interventional study ACT II.

OBJECTIVE: Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels can reduce vascular clinical endpoints in outcome studies. Despite this evidence, previous cross-sectional analyses reported a mean LDL-C target attainment of <50%. This non-interventional, longitudinal study aimed to asses the rate of target attainment by intensified LDL-C lowering therapy in a high-risk population under routine medical care. DESIGN: This was an open-label, non-interventional, observational, non-comparative longitudinal study. METHODS: A total of 1682 outpatients at high cardiovascular risk, not at LDL-C target despite statin therapy, were documented. Treating physicians administered an intensified therapy at their discretion. In all, 794 patients completed all the examinations at baseline after 3 and 12 months. The achieved LDL-C reductions was evaluated based on expert consensus reflecting the 2007 guidelines issued by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) on cardiovascular disease prevention. REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov , identification number NCT 01381679 RESULTS: In the study, 40.3% achieved the individual LDL-C target of <.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dl) or <2.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl); 73% received a simvastatin/ezetimibe fixed-dose combination; 3% received add-on ezetimibe and 23% statin therapy at maintained or increased doses; 1% received no drug treatment at all. LDL-C declined after 12 months by -31.0% (ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.67-0.71, p<0.001), triglycerides by -11.8% (ratio 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91, p<0.01) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased by 11.9% (ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.10-1.14, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Intensified therapy was effective, but target attainment was still low at 40.3% or 13.9% with regard to the new 2011 guidelines issued by the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the ESC on dyslipidemias. Enhanced screening of LDL-C levels and the use of statins at highest tolerated dose and concomitant combination therapy is recommended in order to achieve LDL-C targets outlined by current guidelines. Limitations include the design as a non-interventional study. However, this study reflects real life conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an independent risk factor for an increased augmentation index regardless of the coexistence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. It was previously shown that the augmentation index (AIx), a marker of vascular dysfunction, is higher in RA patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors than in healthy controls. In this study we determined whether the impact of RA on the AIx is diminished in the context of coexisting, strong cardiovascular risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 411 participants were included [203 with RA; 208 in the non-RA (n-RA) group]. Pulse-wave analysis was performed on the radial artery using applanation tonometry. The impact of RA on the AIx was determined in a single and in a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: The mean unadjusted AIx was 30.5 ± 9.0% for RA patients and 24.0 ± 11.0% for the n-RA group (P < 0.001). In the regression model, the following variables are statistically significant at approximately the same level (P < 0.001); the order of impact of these variables is age > diastolic blood pressure > sex > RA > height > smoking status. RA, height, and smoking had a nearly equal impact on the AIx. CONCLUSIONS: The AIx is increased in RA patients regardless of the coexistence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, thereby reflecting vascular dysfunction in this population. The impact of RA on the vascular system is comparable to that of smoking.

Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing in elderly internal-medicine patients in Austria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy and inappropriate drug use in elderly internal-medicine patients in one Austrian center and to define the impact of these and other identified predictors on the occurrence of adverse drug events. METHODS: All patients>or=75 years admitted to selected internal wards of a university hospital were included in a monocentric prospective cohort study over a period of three months. The pre-admission medication of the patients was analyzed with respect to appropriateness by a multidisciplinary team consisting of pharmacists and physicians trained in internal medicine. The medication was evaluated for the occurrence of adverse drug events. RESULTS: A total of 543 patients were analyzed (median age 82 years; 60.2% female). The mean number of drugs taken was 7.5+/-3.8, with women taking significantly more drugs than men (7.8 vs. 6.8, P=0.013). Overall, 58.4% of the patients fulfilled the given criteria for polypharmacy (>6 drugs). The following factors were associated with polypharmacy: female sex, need for nursing care, high number of discharge diagnoses and high Charlson comorbidity score. Unnecessary drugs were found prescribed in 36.3% of all patients, drugs to avoid (Beers criteria) in 30.1%, duplication in 7.6%, wrong dosage in 23.4% and possible drug-drug interactions in 65.8%. Adverse drug events were identified in 17.8% of the patients (97/543), among whom the adverse drug event was the reason for hospital admission in 56.7% of the cases and a drug-drug interaction was involved in 18.7%. Risk factors for adverse drug events were female sex, polymorbidity, renal dysfunction and inappropriate prescribing. CONCLUSION: Polypharmacy, inappropriate prescribing and adverse drug events were highly prevalent in a cohort of elderly internal-medicine patients in Austria. To improve drug safety in this high-risk population, appropriate prescribing might be more important than simply reducing the number of prescribed drugs.

Evaluation of atrial conduction time at various sites of right atrial pacing and influence on atrioventricular delay optimization by surface electrocardiography.

Cardiac function and electrical stability may be improved by programming of optimal AV delay in DDD pacing. This study tested the hypothesis if the global atrial conduction time at various pacing sites can be derived from the surface ECG to achieve an optimal electromechanical timing of the left heart. Data were obtained from 60 patients following dual chamber pacemaker implantation. Right atrial septal pacing was associated with significantly shorter atrial conduction time (P < 0.0005) and P wave duration (P < 0.005), compared to standard right atrial pacing sites at the right atrial appendage or at the right free wall. The last two pacing sites showed no significant difference. In a group of 31 patients with AV block, optimal AV delay was achieved by programming a delay of 100 ms from the end of the paced P wave to peak/nadir of the paced ventricular complex. Optimization of AV delay resulted in a relative increase of echocardiographic stroke volume (SV) (10.9 +/- 13.7%; 95% CI: 5.9-15.9%) when compared to nominal AV delay (170 ms). Optimized AV delay was highly variable (range 130-250 ms; mean 180 +/- 35 ms). The hemodynamic response was characterized by a weak significant relationship between SV increase and optimized AV delay (R2 = 0.196, R = 0.443, P = 0.047). The study validated that septal pacing is advantageous for atrial synchronization compared to conventional right atrial pacing. Tailoring the AV delay with respect to the surface ECG improved systolic function significantly and was superior to nominal AV delay settings in the majority of patients.