The association of hematological indices with the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: a single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an established therapeutic option for patients with heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35 % who meet specific criteria according to current guidelines. However, up to 40 % of patients have no response to CRT. Our study aimed to investigate the association between different hematological and biochemical indices and response to CRT. METHODS: Patients with HF due to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy referred to our hospital for CRT implantation from January 2013 to November 2017 were included in the study. Response to CRT was defined as an increase in LVEF ≥10 % or a decrease in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) ≥15 % at six months of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients (mean age: 66.2 ± 9.5 years, 81.3 % males) were included in the study. Of these HF patients, 29 (60.4 %) had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 19 (39.6 %) had dilated cardiomyopathy. At six months of follow-up, 37 patients (77.1 %) had responded to CRT. Ten patients (20.8 %) had ventricular tachycardia (VT), 24 (50 %) patients were hospitalized, and two patients (4.2 %) died during the follow-up period. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age (p =0.03) and creatinine levels (p =0.02) were independent predictors of the response to CRT. No significant associations between hematological markers (white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, red blood cells distribution width) and CRT response were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A smaller increase in LVEF and a smaller decrease in LVESV were predictive for VT occurrence and hospitalizations in patients receiving CRT. No significant association between hematological markers and response to CRT was found. HIPPOKRATIA 2019, 23(3): 118-125.

Intermuscular implantation technique for subcutaneous cardioverter-defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: The conventional technique for subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) implantation has been associated with pocket complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an alternative intermuscular technique for S­ICD implantation. METHODS: S-ICDs were implanted in ten consecutive patients (ten males, mean age: 46.8 ± 14.7 years). The pocket for the pulse generator was made above the serratus anterior muscular fascia and beneath the latissimus dorsi muscle by detaching the fibrous tissue between the muscles. Electrode implantation was performed using the three- (n = 4) or the two-incision technique (n = 6). RESULTS: All S­ICDs were successfully implanted in the absence of any procedure-related complications with a successful 65-J standard polarity defibrillation threshold testing, apart from one patient with Brugada syndrome who needed device repositioning more dorsally. During a mean follow-up of 16.5 ± 7.3 months, no major complications requiring surgical repair were encountered, while patients demonstrated high levels of comfort and satisfaction with the cosmetic result. One patient experienced an inappropriate shock due to noise detection, which was resolved after reprogramming to a different sensing vector. CONCLUSION: The intermuscular technique is a safe and efficacious approach for S­ICD implantation. This technique could lead to fewer pocket-related complications and better cosmetic results.

Fractures of hamate: a clinical overview.

Hamate fractures are exceedingly rare clinical entities. However, the diagnosis and treatment of these injuries are often delayed and can severely handicap the performance of affected laborers or athletes. This review focuses on fractures of the hamate and provides an update on the current consensus as to mechanism, diagnosis, management, and complications after such injuries.

Arrhythmogenic response to isoproterenol testing vs. exercise testing in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy patients.

Aims: To compare the arrhythmic response to isoproterenol and exercise testing in newly diagnosed arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) patients. Methods and results: We studied isoproterenol [continuous infusion (45 µg/min) for 3 min] and exercise testing (workload increased by 30 W every 3 min) performed in consecutive newly diagnosed ARVC patients. Both tests were evaluated with regard to the incidence of (i) polymorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and couplet(s) or (ii) sustained or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) with left bundle branch block [excluding right ventricular outflow tract VT]; and compared to a control group referred for the evaluation of PVCs without structural heart disease. Thirty-seven ARVC patients (63.5% male, age 38 ± 16 years) were included. The maximal sinus rhythm heart rate achieved during isoproterenol testing was significantly lower compared to exercise testing (149 ± 17 bpm vs. 166 ± 19 bpm, P < 0.0001). However, the incidence of polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias was much higher during isoproterenol testing compared to exercise testing [33/37 (89.2%) vs. 16/37 (43.2%), P < 0.0001]. Interestingly, isoproterenol testing was arrhythmogenic in all 15 patients in whom baseline PVCs were reduced or suppressed during exercise testing. During both isoproterenol and exercise testing, control group presented a low incidence of ventricular arrhythmias compared to ARVC patients (8.1% vs. 89.2%, P < 0.0001 and 2.7% vs. 43.2%, P < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: The incidence of polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias is significantly higher during isoproterenol compared to exercise testing in newly diagnosed ARVC patients, suggesting its potential utility for the diagnosis.

Impact of baseline renal function on all-cause mortality in patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves both morbidity and mortality in selected patients with heart failure and increased QRS duration. However, chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have an adverse effect on patient outcome. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the existing data regarding the impact of baseline renal function on all-cause mortality in patients who underwent CRT. METHODS: Medline database was searched systematically, and studies evaluating the effect of baseline renal function on all-cause mortality in patients who underwent CRT were retrieved. We performed three separate analyses according to the comparison groups included in each study. Data were analyzed using Review Manager software (RevMan version 5.3; Oxford, UK). RESULTS: We included 16 relevant studies in our analysis. Specifically, 13 studies showed a statistically significant higher risk of all-cause mortality in patients with impaired baseline renal function who underwent CRT. The remaining three studies did not show a statistically significant result. The quantitative synthesis of five studies showed a 19% decrease in all-cause mortality per 10-unit increment in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) [HR: 0.81, 95% CI (0.73-0.90), p<0.01, 86% I2]. Additionally, we demonstrated that patients with an eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m2 had an all-cause mortality rate of 66% [HR: 1.66, 95% CI (1.37-2.02), p<0.01, 0% I2], which was higher than in those with an eGFR≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSION: Baseline renal dysfunction has an adverse effect on-all cause mortality in patients who underwent CRT.

Stercoral perforation of the sigmoid colon. A case report and brief review of the literature.

Stercoral perforation of the colon due to fecaloma is a rare disease and less than 100 cases have been described in the literature. The disease mainly involves the rectosigmoid colon. The condition is correlated with longstanding decubitus, chronic constipation, abuse of laxatives and/or constipating agents (anticholinergics, neuroleptics, etc). We report a case of 82-year old woman who presented a covered colonic perforation due to fecaloma, related with a history of longstanding decubitus because of senile dementia, chronic constipation and use of anticholinergic drugs.

Multicystic nephroma in an elderly man. Case report.

Multicystic nephroma is a relatively rare tumor of the kidney presenting unclear histological origin. Abdominal mass is a common onset sign in children while abdominal flank pain or abdominal discomfort, hematuria and recurrent urinary tract infections usually affect adults. Preoperative diagnosis is impossible especially in the adult variant of the tumor where clear cells carcinoma with cystic degeneration must always be suspected. We herein report a case of a 77 year old man complaining of flank abdominal pain and recurrent episodes of urinary tract infection due to a right-sided multicystic nephroma successfully treated with nephrectomy.

Seasonality of violent suicides in the Athens greater area.

The aim of the study was to ascertain suicide seasonality in the Greek population and to associate this seasonal variation with age, sex, and suicide method. Studying seasonality can be of help in establishing a public health policy, related with suicide prevention. This is an epidemiologic study based on forensic evidence. We studied the deaths caused by self-injury (trauma), namely deaths by violent suicide (not self-poisoning). Statistically significant suicide seasonality was established with a peak in May. This seasonal variation is attributed mainly to males. As for the method, suicide by hanging peaks in June and by shooting in April. It was also observed that seasonality for individuals above the age of 45 peaks in early May.

Ruptured aneurysm at the trunk of the accessory middle cerebral artery.

We present a 32-year-old woman with intracranial haemorrhage due to rupture of a saccular aneurysm arising from the trunk of an accessory middle cerebral artery. This is the first report of an aneurysm arising distally to the anomalous vessel's origin from the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery.

Optical clock repetition-rate multiplier for high-speed digital optical logic circuits.

Repetition-rate multiplication has been shown by use of a fiber ring oscillator with a semiconductor optical amplifier as the gain medium and by use of fast saturation and recovery of the amplifier from an external optical pulse train. Repetition-frequency multiplication up to 6 times and up to 34.68-GHz frequency have been achieved.

20-GHz broadly tunable and stable mode-locked semiconductor amplifier fiber ring laser.

We present an actively mode-locked fiber ring laser that uses a single active semiconductor optical amplifier device to provide both gain and gain modulation from an external optical pulse train. The laser source generated 4.3-ps pulses at 20 GHz over a 16-nm tuning range and is stable against environmental changes and simple to build.

Increased frequency of HLA B17 antigen in girls with Turner syndrome and their fathers.

HLA-A, -B and -DR antigen distribution was studied in 49 girls with Turner Syndrome (TS), in 43 of their parents, as well as in 433 controls. No increased frequency of DR3, DR4 was found in our group. However, an increased frequency of HLA B17 antigen was disclosed (18.3% in TS versus 6.4% in the controls, p < 0.001 and pc < 0.01). Furthermore, the HLA B17 antigen was of paternal origin in 77.7% of the cases. The interpretation of the present findings is quite difficult. Most likely, the findings are related to the chromosomal abnormality rather than to autoimmunity. It is quite possible that genes within the region of class I genes create unfavorable circumstances leading to the loss of the sex chromosome or, alternatively, genes in this region confer protection and prevent miscarriage of the affected fetus.

Hexamethylmelamine as second-line therapy in platin-resistant ovarian cancer.

A total of 61 patients with recurrent or persistent clinically measurable platin-resistant epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with 260 mg/m2 oral hexamethylmelamine daily for 14 days, repeated at 4-week intervals. Platin resistance was defined as progression or stable disease during cis- or carboplatin treatment (used alone or in combination with other drugs), or relapse within 6 months after the end of that therapy. Fifty patients were evaluable for response and 57 for toxicity. The objective response rate was 14% (3 complete and 4 partial responses). The response rate was higher in patients with relapse within 6 months than in patients with progression or stable disease on platin-based therapy. This observation underscores the importance of defining response and time to progression after first-line chemotherapy. The median duration of response was 8 months and the median survival in responding patients was 9+ months versus 5 months for patients with progression on hexamethylmelamine. Nausea and vomiting requiring antiemetic treatment occurred in 8 (14%) patients and reversible peripheral neuropathy in 3 patients. Two patients developed agitation, insomnia, and depression during hexamethylmelamine therapy. In conclusion, the 14% objective response rate and the occurrence of complete responses with oral hexamethylmelamine treatment in a group of ovarian cancer patients with true platin resistance are noteworthy.