Metabolic Syndrome Components in a Nondiabetic Afro-Caribbean Population: Influence of Gender and Age.

Background: Our aim was to describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among Afro-Caribbean adults without diabetes and cardiovascular complications. Methods: Participants were recruited from a Health Center in Guadeloupe, French West Indies. MetS was defined according to the NCEP ATP III. Prevalence of MetS and MetS components were compared across age groups and sex. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were obtained using logistic regression. Results: There were 1011 participants (68.8% women, mean age 47.8 ± 11.8 years). Prevalence of MetS was 17.9% (21.1% women, 10.8% men) and increased by age in women. High blood pressure had the highest prevalence among men and among women ≥60 years. Prevalence of abdominal obesity (AbO) was higher in women than in men. High triglyceride levels were uncommon at all ages and, men and women <40 years, compared with the other groups had higher prevalence of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. With multiple logistic regression, compared with adults <40 years, those ≥60 years had the highest OR for prevalent hypertension 7.8 (4.8-12.8); P < 0.001, AbO 2.1 (1.3-3.3); P = 0.002 and high fasting blood glucose levels 5.5 (3.1-9.8); P < 0.001. They also had lower odds for having low HDL-C than the younger ones (G1: age <40 years). Among persons ≥60 years, OR for MetS was 1.9 (1.1-3.6); P = 0.013 compared with the referent group. Compared with men, women had higher odds of MetS 2.2 (1.5-3.3); P < 0.001. Conclusion: Women were more likely to have MetS than men and persons ≥60 years were significantly more likely to have MetS than persons <40 years. Preventive measures are required to reduce the prevalence of MetS.

Correlation between left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and 5-year stroke/death in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) can be used to detect the presence of left atrial thrombus and left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (LASEC). AIM: To evaluate the prognostic value of TTE and TOE in predicting stroke and all-cause death at 5-year follow-up in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS: This study included patients hospitalised with electrocardiography-diagnosed NVAF in Saint-Antoine University Hospital, Paris, between July 1998 and December 2011, who underwent TTE and TOE evaluation within 24hours of admission. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to identify predictors of the composite outcome (stroke or all-cause death). RESULTS: During 5 years of follow-up, stroke/death occurred in 185/903 patients (20.5%). By multivariable analysis, independent predictors of stroke/death were CHA2DS2-VASc score (hazard ratio [HR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-1.47; P<0.001), left atrial area>20 cm2 (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.08-2.35; P=0.018), moderate LASEC (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.13-2.62; P=0.012) and severe LASEC (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.16-3.58; P=0.013). Independent protective predictors were dyslipidaemia (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.43-0.83; P=0.002) and discharge prescription of anti-arrhythmics (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40-0.87; P=0.008). Adding LASEC to the CHA2DS2-VASc score modestly improved predictive accuracy and risk classification, with a C index of 0.71 vs. 0.69 (P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective monocentric study, the presence of moderate/severe LASEC was an independent predictor of stroke/death at 5-year follow-up in patients with NVAF. The inclusion of LASEC in stroke risk scores could modestly improve risk stratification.

Does layer-specific strain using speckle tracking echocardiography improve the assessment of left ventricular myocardial deformation? A review.

An increasing number of studies of left ventricular myocardial deformation have been published. Layer-specific strain using speckle tracking echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular function is not recommended in clinical practice. However, evaluation of myocardial mechanics using longitudinal and circumferential layer-specific strain enables the detection of subclinical impairment of myocardial deformation in various diseases. Unfortunately, normal values for longitudinal and circumferential strain have not been clearly defined. In normal subjects, layer-specific strain decreases from the endocardial to the epicardial layer, and from the apex to the base of the left ventricle. Although various studies have tried to define normal values for each layer in healthy subjects, studies with more subjects are needed. This tool has good reproducibility in terms of intraobserver and interobserver variability, but, as with monolayer strain, it has poor intervendor variability. Efforts that aim for standardization between vendors will be required before widespread use of this technique can be advocated.

HIV Infection and Long-Term Residual Cardiovascular Risk After Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background It is unclear whether HIV infection affects the long-term prognosis after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of the current study was to compare rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events after a first ACS between people living with HIV (PLHIV) and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) patients, and to identify determinants of cardiovascular prognosis. Methods and Results Consecutive PLHIV and matched HIV- patients with a first episode of ACS were enrolled in 23 coronary intensive care units in France. Patients were matched for age, sex, and ACS type. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (cardiac death, recurrent ACS, recurrent coronary revascularization, and stroke) at 36-month follow-up. A total of 103 PLHIV and 195 HIV- patients (mean age, 49 years [SD, 9 years]; 94.0% men) were included. After a mean of 36.6 months (SD, 6.1 months) of follow-up, the risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was not statistically significant between PLHIV and HIV- patients (17.8% and 15.1%, P=0.22; multivariable hazard ratio [HR], 1.60; 95% CI, 0.67-3.82 [P=0.29]). Recurrence of ACS was more frequent among PLHIV (multivariable HR, 6.31; 95% CI, 1.32-30.21 [P=0.02]). Stratified multivariable Cox models showed that HIV infection was the only independent predictor for ACS recurrence. PLHIV were less likely to stop smoking (47% versus 75%; P=0.01) and had smaller total cholesterol decreases (-22.3 versus -35.0 mg/dL; P=0.04). Conclusions Although the overall risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events was not statistically significant between PLHIV and HIV- individuals, PLHIV had a higher rate of recurrent ACS. Registration URL: https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00139958.

[Cardiovascular imaging in heart failure]. / L'imagerie cardiovasculaire dans l'insuffisance cardiaque.

Transthoracic echocardiography remains the first-line cardiac imaging for diagnosis, management and screening of heart failure, whatever its phenotype (heart failure with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction). It allows anatomic characterization, systolic and diastolic functions of left and right ventricles assessment, intracardiac hemodynamic evaluation and for the assessment of valve disease. Myocardial deformation imaging (strain) is indicated in patients with heart failure for the assessment of systolic ventricles function and the diagnosis of specific heart diseases. Strain is indicated for the screening of preclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients at risk or exposed to cardiotoxic treatment. Altered global longitudinal strain is associated with a poor prognosis in heart failure. Cardiac magnetic resonance is recommended for the assessment of myocardial structure and function in subjects with poor acoustic window and patients with complex congenital heart diseases, in order to distinguish between ischemic and non-ischemic myocardial damage in patients with dilated cardiopathy and to characterize myocardial tissue in case of suspected specific heart disease.

Biatrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation: A three-dimensional and strain echocardiography insight.

BACKGROUND: Atrial remodelling has been poorly investigated in atrial fibrillation (AF), and few studies have focused on biatrial remodelling. AIM: To evaluate right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) remodelling in AF using global atrial reservoir strain and three-dimensional (3D) atrial volumes, according to rhythm outcome at mid-term follow-up. METHODS: Two-dimensional and 3D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed within 24hours after admission (M0) and at 6-month follow-up (M6) in patients admitted for AF. RA and LA variables were assessed: body surface area-indexed maximum 3D volume (Max 3D RA Voli, Max 3D LA Voli) and minimum 3D volume (Min 3D RA Voli, Min 3D LA Voli); atrial emptying fraction (3D RAEF, 3D LAEF); atrial expansion index (3D RAEI, 3D LAEI); and global RA and LA reservoir strain. RESULTS: Forty-eight consecutive patients were included prospectively. Three groups were identified depending on rhythm at M0 and M6: AF at M0 and sinus rhythm (SR) at M6 (AF-SR) in 25 (52.1%) patients; AF at M0 and AF at M6 (AF-AF) in 13 (27.1%) patients; and SR at M0 (spontaneous cardioversion before first TTE) and SR at M6 (SR-SR) in 10 (20.8%) patients. Between M0 and M6 in the AF-SR group, we found: significant decreases in Max 3D RA Voli (P=0.020), Min 3D RA Voli (P=0.0008), Max 3D LA Voli (P=0.001) and Min 3D LA Voli (P=0.0021); significant increases in 3D RAEF (P=0.037) and 3D RAEI (P=0.034); no significant differences in 3D LAEF and 3D LAEI; and significant increases in global RA and LA reservoir strain (both P<0.0001). There was no significant difference with regard to these variables in the AF-AF and SR-SR groups. CONCLUSION: 3D volume and strain analyses were useful in the evaluation of RA and LA reverse remodelling in successfully cardioverted patients with AF.

Distal-to-proximal delay for ablation of premature ventricular contractions.

INTRODUCTION: Ablation of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment in patients experiencing a high PVCs burden. Mapping of PVCs origin may sometimes be challenging. We sought to evaluate the accuracy of a new electrophysiological criterion, the distal-to-proximal (DP) delay, at localizing the optimal site for ablation of ventricular ectopic foci. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients with ablation attempts of symptomatic PVCs were included. Prematurity and DP delay-that is, the time duration between the onset of ablation catheter distal bipolar electrogram and the onset of proximal bipolar electrogram-were measured at successful and unsuccessful ablation sites by three blinded experienced electrophysiologists. Mean DP delay at effective ablation sites (N = 30) was significantly higher than at ineffective sites ( N = 55) (23 ± 9 vs 11 ± 8 milliseconds; P < 0.0001). DP delay had good-to-excellent interrater reliability. A DP delay greater than or equal to 15 milliseconds had the highest accuracy at predicting a successful ablation site (sensitivity 0.97, the area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.87; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: DP delay is an additional, simple, and effective electrophysiological parameter to accurately localize PVCs foci.

[Is cancer a factor or a marker of cardiovascular risk in women?] / Cancer : facteur ou marqueur de risque cardiovasculaire chez la femme ?

Cardiovascular diseases and cancers are the 2 main causes of mortality in industrialized countries. Cancer and cardiovascular disease share molecular and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in both cardiovascular disease and cancer development. Some prescribed therapies for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (statin, aspirin) may have effects on the cancer plan. Physical activity would be particularly beneficial in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, breast and endometrial cancer in women. The control of risk factors is associated with a reduction in the incidence of cancers.

Is von Willebrand factor associated with stroke and death at mid-term in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation?

BACKGROUND: Heart failure and atrial fibrillation share common mechanisms that may contribute to hypercoagulability and thrombotic risk. Elevated von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentration has been associated with increased risk of thromboembolism and cardiovascular events. AIM: To investigate whether increased vWF plasma concentration predicts occurrence of a composite endpoint (all-cause death and stroke) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS: We prospectively studied 122 patients (mean age 70±14years; 46% men) hospitalized with NVAF, and followed over a median (interquartile range) of 5.4 (2.3-9.0)years. Cox proportional models were used to estimate the association of vWF concentration with time to stroke and death. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (35%) had at least a stroke or died during the 5-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves using vWF plasma concentration tertiles (≤191IU/dL;>191 to≤295IU/dL;>295IU/dL) showed that vWF plasma concentrations discriminated groups of patients with higher cardiovascular event rates (log-rank P=0.01). In the multivariable analysis, higher vWF concentrations (middle tertile hazard ratio [HR] 4.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-13.50 [P=0.006]; upper tertile HR 4.10, 95% CI 1.43-11.75 [P=0.009]), age≥75years (HR 5.02, 95% CI 1.53-16.49; P=0.008), heart failure (HR 2.05, 1.01-4.19; P=0.048), C-reactive protein, log2 per unit increase (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.04-1.61; P=0.021), no warfarin at discharge (HR 4.96, 95% CI 2.02-12.20; P<0.0001) and no aspirin at discharge (HR 4.41, 95% CI 1.71-11.97; P=0.002) were independently associated with an increased risk of stroke and all-cause death, whereas female sex was a protective factor (HR 0.35, 0.16-0.78; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: High vWF plasma concentrations may discriminate patients with NVAF at greater risk of stroke or all-cause death.

Multilayer global longitudinal strain in patients with cancer: A comparison of two vendors.

BACKGROUND: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has several sources of variation. Strain multilayer tracking is a new tool that has not yet been validated in clinical practice. AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate intervendor variability when measuring multilayer strain in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer. METHODS: Patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer, who were referred for echocardiography, were included prospectively. First, the same operator performed two-dimensional echocardiography on each patient using the Vivid E9™ (General Electric, Fairfield, CT, USA) and the ACUSON SC2000™ (Siemens, Munich, Germany) ultrasound systems. Second, we assessed myocardial deformation by using their respective speckle-tracking software. Third, we compared absolute values of GLS for the two vendors in each apical view (four-, three- and two-chamber) and for each layer (endocardial, mid-myocardial and epicardial). RESULTS: Eighty patients with cancer were included prospectively between February and June 2015. For a given vendor, GLS values decreased from the endocardial layer to the epicardial layer. For a given view, GLS values obtained with the ACUSON SC2000 platform were systematically lower than those obtained with the Vivid E9 platform (P<0.0001). We observed a significant difference between the two platforms, irrespective of the layer, interlayer gradient or chamber view considered (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There was poor agreement for layer-specific strain evaluation between the Vivid E9 and ACUSON SC2000 platforms, using their dedicated software for strain multilayer assessment. These results suggest that, in clinical practice, the same system and software from the same vendor should be used for longitudinal follow-up.

[Cardiac and vascular toxicity of chemotherapies]. / Toxicité cardiaque et vasculaire des chimiothérapies.

Cardiac and vascular toxicity of chemotherapies. Cardiovascular complications due to oncologic management are multiple including left ventricular systolic dysfunction, acute myocarditis, hypertension, and QT interval prolongation. Their frequencies are variable depending on the drugs administered. Anthracycline, molecular targeted agents and immune check points inhibitors could lead to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Anthracyclines could provoke left ventricular systolic dysfunction, which is considered in most of cases as dose-dependent, cumulative and generally irreversible (type 1 toxicity). Targeted molecular agents could lead to left ventricular systolic dysfunction and/or congestive heart failure, which does not appear to be dose dependent, usually reversible at the cessation of treatment and/or the introduction of a cardio-protective treatment (type 2 toxicity).

Toxicité cardiaque et vasculaire des chimiothérapies. Les complications cardiovasculaires secondaires aux prises en charge oncologiques sont multiples, comprenant les dysfonctions systoliques du ventricule gauche et/ou l'insuffisance cardiaque, les myocardites aiguës, l'hypertension artérielle, et l'allongement de l'intervalle QT. Les fréquences et de mécanismes de ces toxicités sont variables, dépendant de la chimiothérapie administrée. Les anthracyclines peuvent entraîner une dysfonction systolique du ventricule gauche et/ou une insuffisance cardiaque ; cette toxicité est considérée comme dépendant de la dose, cumulative et en général irréversible - toxicité de type 1. Les thérapies moléculaires ciblées peuvent entraîner une dysfonction systolique du ventricule gauche, qui ne semble pas être dépendante de la dose administrée, le plus souvent réversible à l'arrêt du traitement et/ou à l'instauration d'un traitement cardioprotecteur adapté - toxicité de type2.

Foreign body causing superficial venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) is common, but often perceived to be a non-serious condition. This pathology should not be overlooked as it can lead to complications that may require anticoagulation. We present a case of SVT complicated by pulmonary embolism (PE) revealing an unexpected cause. CASE SUMMARY: A 41-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency department for chest pain and intense sudden pain of the left groin, revealing an extended great saphenous SVT associated with a PE. Further investigation showed that the thrombosis was caused by a sewing needle located between the superficial femoral artery and the femoral vein. Successful extraction was performed in a vascular surgery unit. DISCUSSION: Superficial venous thrombosis can be associated with deep venous thrombosis and PE, and can be caused by local inflammation, direct compression, and foreign bodies. These aetiologies should be investigated if no evident cause to SVT is found.

Evaluation of 5 Prognostic Scores for Prediction of Stroke, Thromboembolic and Coronary Events, All-Cause Mortality, and Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Stenting.

Management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary stenting remains challenging, and there is a need for efficient tools to predict their risk of different types of cardiovascular events and death. Several scores exist such as the CHA2DS2-VASc score, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score, the Synergy between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score, the Anatomical and Clinical Syntax II Score and the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health score. These 5 scores were investigated in patients with AF with coronary stenting with the aim of determining which was most predictive for stroke/thromboembolic (TE) events, nonlethal coronary events, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Among 845 patients with AF with coronary stenting seen from 2000 to 2014, 440 (52%) were admitted for acute coronary syndrome and 405 (48%) for elective percutaneous coronary intervention. The rate of cardiovascular complication was at 14.1% per year, and nonlethal coronary events were the most frequent complications with a yearly rate of 6.5%. CHA2DS2-VASc score was the best predictor of stroke/TE events with a c-statistic of 0.604 (95% CI 0.567 to 0.639) and a best cut-off point of 5. SYNTAX score was better to predict nonlethal coronary events and MACE with c-statistics of 0.634 (95% CI 0.598 to 0.669) and 0.612 (95% CI 0.575 to 0.647), respectively, with a best cut-off point of 9. GRACE score appeared to be the best to predict all-cause mortality with a c-statistic of 0.682 (95% CI 0.646 to 0.717) and a best cut-off point of 153. In conclusions, among validated scores, none is currently robust enough to simultaneously predict stroke/TE events, nonlethal coronary events, death, and MACE in patients with AF with stents. The CHA2DS2-VASc score remained the best score to assess stroke/TE risk, as was the SYNTAX score for nonlethal coronary events and MACE, and finally, the GRACE score for all-cause mortality in this study population.

[Early detection of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction]. / Stratégie de dépistage précoce de la toxicité cardiaque secondaire aux anthracyclines et thérapies moléculaires ciblées.

Anthracyclines and molecular targeted agents have improved prognosis of patients undergoing chemotherapeutics for malignancy. However, the use of these therapies is limited because of risk of cardiac toxicity. The severity of the cardiomyopathy can range from an asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction to a severe congestive heart failure. Cardiomyopathy can be reversible or irreversible according to the type of chemotherapy, modality of administration and patient's characteristics. Several studies aimed to early detection and the evaluation of tools to characterize patients at risk to develop cardiac side effects in order to prevent severe LV dysfunction. According to this literature, it is recommended that initial assessment and follow-up of patients undergoing these chemotherapies be performed using troponin dosage, assessment of left ventricle ejection fraction and evaluation of LV myocardial deformation assessing LV global longitudinal strain.

Could quantitative longitudinal peak systolic strain help in the detection of left ventricular wall motion abnormalities in our daily echocardiographic practice?

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography is the most commonly used tool for the detection of left ventricular wall motion (LVWM) abnormalities using "naked eye evaluation". This subjective and operator-dependent technique requires a high level of clinical training and experience. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), which is less operator-dependent, has been proposed for this purpose. However, the role of on-line segmental longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) values in the prediction of LVWM has not been fully evaluated. AIM: To test segmental LPSS for predicting LVWM abnormalities in routine echocardiography laboratory practice. METHODS: LVWM was evaluated by an experienced cardiologist, during routine practice, in 620 patients; segmental LPSS values were then calculated. RESULTS: In this work, reflecting real life, 99.6% of segments were successfully tracked. Mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) segmental LPSS values for normal basal (n=3409), mid (n=3468) and apical (n=3466) segments were -16.7% (-16.9% to -16.5%), -18.2% (-18.3% to -18.0%) and -21.1% (-21.3% to -20.9%), respectively. Mean (95% CI) segmental LPSS values for hypokinetic basal (n=114), mid (n=116) and apical (n=90) segments were -7.7% (-9.0% to -6.3%), -10.1% (-11.1% to -9.0%) and -9.3% (-10.5% to -8.1%), respectively. Mean (95% CI) segmental LPSS values for akinetic basal (n=128), mid (n=95) and apical (n=91) segments were -6.6% (-8.0% to -5.1%), -6.1% (-7.7% to -4.6%) and -4.2% (-5.4% to -3.0%), respectively. LPSS allowed the differentiation between normal and abnormal segments at basal, mid and apical levels. An LPSS value≥-12% detected abnormal segmental motion with a sensitivity of 78% for basal, 70% for mid and 82% for apical segments. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental LPSS values may help to differentiate between normal and abnormal left ventricular segments.

Antithrombotic management in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing coronary stent implantation: What is the impact of guideline adherence?

AIMS: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting require triple antithrombotic therapy according to current ESC guidelines. The purpose of this study was to assess guideline implementation and predictive factors of the prognosis related to ESC guideline adherence. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled consecutive AF patients referred for PCI with stent from 2011 to 2014. Among 371 patients (72% male; mean age 76 ± 11) followed up for 505 ± 372 days (median 391, interquartile range 550 days), 118 (45%) undergoing elective coronary stenting and 41 (31%) among those with acute coronary syndrome were guideline adherent. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) before hospitalization was the only factor independently associated with guideline adherence (OR, 0.45; 95% CI 0.26-0.77; p=0.003). OAC underuse and antiplatelet therapy (APT) underuse were independently associated with increased risks of death (OR 5.55; 95% CI 2.42-13.47; p<0.0001 and OR 5.56; 95% CI, 2.17-14.65; p=0.0004, respectively) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (OR 4.18; 95% CI 2.05-8.79; p<0.0001 and OR 4.81; 95% CI, 2.09-11.18; p=0.0002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Guidelines for antithrombotic therapy in patients with AF who undergo PCI and stent implantation are still poorly followed in clinical practice. OAC and APT underuse were both associated with an increased risk of death and MACE in this population.