Assessment of left atrial function by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and cardiovascular diseases have mutual risk factors that contribute to pathogenic processes, increasing mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate variations in left ventricular (LV) structure and diastolic function among different subtypes and severity degrees of MAFLD patients, allowing early identification, intervention, and prevention of severe cardiac outcomes in high-risk populations. RESULTS: The cross-sectional study included 142 MAFLD patients and 142 non-MAFLD participants as a control group. All participants underwent abdominal ultrasound, transient elastography, transthoracic echocardiography, tissue Doppler, and strain imaging. The results showed a significant impairment in the diastolic left ventricular function, as assessed with tissue Doppler, and the left atrial (LA) function, as evaluated with strain imaging, in the MAFLD group. Additionally, the left atrial stiffness was significantly higher in the MAFLD group. CONCLUSION: The use of strain imaging facilitated the detection of subtle impairments of the left atrial reservoir, contraction, conduit function, and left ventricular diastolic function in MAFLD patients.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Outcomes of Resistant Hypertension in Egyptian Population.

Background: Hypertension is a leading problem; it affects around thirty million adult Egyptians, according to the last national registry. The exact prevalence of resistant hypertension (RH) in Egypt wasn't spotted before. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, predictors, and impact on adverse cardiovascular outcomes among adult Egyptians with RH. Methods: The present study examined a cohort of 990 hypertensive patients who were divided into two groups based on their blood pressure control; group I (n = 842) patients who achieved blood pressure control and group II (n = 148) patients who met the RH definition criteria. All patients underwent a close follow-up for one year to evaluate the major cardiovascular events. Results: The prevalence of RH was 14.9%. The main predictors impacting the cardiovascular outcomes of RH were advanced age (≥65 years), the presence of chronic kidney diseases, a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, and NSAID use. After one year of follow-up, the RH group displayed noticeably higher rates of major cardiovascular events, including new-onset atrial fibrillation (6.8% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.006), cerebral stroke (4.1% vs. 1.2%, P = 0.011), myocardial infarction (4.7% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.004), and acute heart failure (4.7% vs. 1.8%, P = 0.025). Conclusion: The prevalence of RH in Egypt is moderately high. Patients with RH have a far higher risk of cardiovascular events than those whose blood pressure is within control.

The Value of Intermittent Fasting and Low Carbohydrate Diet in Prediabetic Patients for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. / Papel do Jejum Intermitente e da Dieta Restrita em Carboidratos na Prevenção de Doenças Cardiovasculares em Pacientes Pré-Diabéticos.

BACKGROUND: Prediabetic patients are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Intermittent fasting (IF) and low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) are promising dietary plans. OBJECTIVES: Our aims to analyze the benefits of IF combined with LCD on microvascular and macrovascular outcomes in prediabetic patients. METHODS: The study included 485 prediabetic patients with no history of cardiovascular diseases divided into group I: (n = 240 patients) who underwent IF (16 h IF 3-4 days per week) combined with LCD (<130 g of carbohydrate per day), and group II: (n = 245 patients) with ad libitum calorie intake. The two groups were followed-up for two years for assessment of micro and macrovascular complications. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: There was a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage and glycated hemoglobin in group I. The incidence of progression from prediabetes to diabetes was significantly lower in group I (2.1% vs. 6.9% in group II, p = 0.010). In addition, a significant increase in the incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications was observed in group II, including retinopathy, neuropathy and unstable angina. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that increased body weight, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein were independent risk factors impacting microvascular and macrovascular outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In prediabetic patients, IF, combined with LCD, was associated with lower progression to diabetes mellitus and lower incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications.

FUNDAMENTOS: Pacientes pré-diabéticos têm alto risco de doenças cardiovasculares e complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares. O Jejum Intermitente (JI) e a dieta restrita em carboidratos (dieta low-carb, DLC) são estratégias dietéticas promissoras nesse grupo. OBJETIVOS: Analisar os benefícios da combinação do JI com DLC sobre desfechos microvasculares e macrovasculares em pacientes pré-diabéticos. MÉTODOS: O estudo incluiu 485 pacientes pré-diabéticos sem história de doença cardiovascular. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo I (n = 240) submetidos ao JI (16 horas de JI, F 3-4 dias por semana) combinado com DLC (<130 g de carboidratos por dia), e grupo II (n = 245) que consumiram alimentos à vontade (grupo controle). Os dois grupos foram acompanhados por dois anos para avaliação de complicações macrovasculares e microvasculares. Um valor p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Houve uma redução significativa no peso corporal, índice de massa corporal, porcentagem de gordura corporal e hemoglobina glicada no grupo I. A incidência de progressão de pré-diabetes para diabetes foi significativamente menor no grupo I (2,1%) que no grupo II (6,9%) (p = 0,010). Ainda, um aumento significativo na incidência de complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares foi observado no grupo II, incluindo retinopatia, neuropatia e angina instável. A análise de regressão multivariada revelou que peso corporal aumentado, e níveis elevados de glicemia de jejum, hemoglobina glicada e lipoproteína de baixa densidade foram fatores de risco independentes de desfechos microvasculares e macrovasculares. CONCLUSÕES: Em pacientes pré-diabéticos, o JI, combinado com DLC, associou-se com menor progressão para diabetes mellitus e menor incidência de complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares.

Detection of right ventricular dysfunction by three - dimensional echocardiography and two - dimensional speckle tracking in breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline- based chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Despite the cardiotoxic effect of anthracycline on the left ventricle (LV) was totally identified. The assessment of the anthracycline effect on the right ventricle(RV) by conventional echocardiography was a challenge due to its complex geometry. We aimed to evaluate the impact of anthracycline on the RV volume and function using 3 dimensional -echocardiography (3DE) and 2 dimensional -speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 66 female patients with breast cancer receiving anthracycline chemotherapy, in addition to full echocardiography, 2D-STE and 3DE evaluation of RV function and volume were done at baseline, after 4th cycle of chemotherapy, six and nine months after the end of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Cardiotoxicity from anthracycline occurred in 18 patients whose LV ejection fraction became significantly reduced after 9 months of therapy according to that, the patients were divided into the non-cardiotoxic group (n:48) and the cardiotoxic group (n:18). At cardiotoxic group, 3D RV end-systolic volume, and 3D RV end-diastolic volume increased significantly at 6 months and continued till 9 months after the therapy end compared to baseline values (42.50 ± 5.98 vs. 50.44 ± 7.01, p = 0.005) and (86.78 ± 9.16 vs. 95.78 ± 9.23, p = 0.021).LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) showed a significant reduction early after 6 months of therapy, 2D GLS and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) of RV were significantly decreased at 6 months and continued till 9 months after therapy (-22.54 ± 0.79 vs. -19.53 ± 1.32, p = 0.001) and (-24.67 ± 1.27vs. -22.22 ± 1.41, p = 0.001) respectively. The variation of RV FWLS was a predictor of cardiotoxicity, the relative drop of RV FWLS > 19.3% had 83% sensitivity and 71% specificity, (AUC = 0.82) to identify patients who developed cardiotoxicity. CONCLUSION: 3DE is a promising modality in recognizing the early changes in RV volumes and minute alteration in RV function and 2D-STE is a reliable predictor of RV systolic dysfunction which identify the subclinical affliction.

Papel do Jejum Intermitente e da Dieta Restrita em Carboidratos na Prevenção de Doenças Cardiovasculares em Pacientes Pré-Diabéticos / The Value of Intermittent Fasting and Low Carbohydrate Diet in Prediabetic Patients for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

Resumo Fundamentos: Pacientes pré-diabéticos têm alto risco de doenças cardiovasculares e complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares. O Jejum Intermitente (JI) e a dieta restrita em carboidratos (dieta low-carb, DLC) são estratégias dietéticas promissoras nesse grupo. Objetivos: Analisar os benefícios da combinação do JI com DLC sobre desfechos microvasculares e macrovasculares em pacientes pré-diabéticos. Métodos: O estudo incluiu 485 pacientes pré-diabéticos sem história de doença cardiovascular. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo I (n = 240) submetidos ao JI (16 horas de JI, F 3-4 dias por semana) combinado com DLC (<130 g de carboidratos por dia), e grupo II (n = 245) que consumiram alimentos à vontade (grupo controle). Os dois grupos foram acompanhados por dois anos para avaliação de complicações macrovasculares e microvasculares. Um valor p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Houve uma redução significativa no peso corporal, índice de massa corporal, porcentagem de gordura corporal e hemoglobina glicada no grupo I. A incidência de progressão de pré-diabetes para diabetes foi significativamente menor no grupo I (2,1%) que no grupo II (6,9%) (p = 0,010). Ainda, um aumento significativo na incidência de complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares foi observado no grupo II, incluindo retinopatia, neuropatia e angina instável. A análise de regressão multivariada revelou que peso corporal aumentado, e níveis elevados de glicemia de jejum, hemoglobina glicada e lipoproteína de baixa densidade foram fatores de risco independentes de desfechos microvasculares e macrovasculares. Conclusões: Em pacientes pré-diabéticos, o JI, combinado com DLC, associou-se com menor progressão para diabetes mellitus e menor incidência de complicações microvasculares e macrovasculares.

Abstract Background: Prediabetic patients are at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and the development of microvascular and macrovascular complications. Intermittent fasting (IF) and low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) are promising dietary plans. Objectives: Our aims to analyze the benefits of IF combined with LCD on microvascular and macrovascular outcomes in prediabetic patients. Methods: The study included 485 prediabetic patients with no history of cardiovascular diseases divided into group I: (n = 240 patients) who underwent IF (16 h IF 3-4 days per week) combined with LCD (<130 g of carbohydrate per day), and group II: (n = 245 patients) with ad libitum calorie intake. The two groups were followed-up for two years for assessment of micro and macrovascular complications. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: There was a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage and glycated hemoglobin in group I. The incidence of progression from prediabetes to diabetes was significantly lower in group I (2.1% vs. 6.9% in group II, p = 0.010). In addition, a significant increase in the incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications was observed in group II, including retinopathy, neuropathy and unstable angina. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that increased body weight, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin and low-density lipoprotein were independent risk factors impacting microvascular and macrovascular outcomes. Conclusions: In prediabetic patients, IF, combined with LCD, was associated with lower progression to diabetes mellitus and lower incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications.

Comparison of mitral annulus geometry between patients with ischemic and non-ischemic functional mitral regurgitation: implications for transcatheter mitral valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is a new therapeutic option for high surgical risk patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). Mitral valve (MV) geometry quantification is of paramount importance for success of the procedure and transthoracic 3D echocardiography represents a useful screening tool. Accordingly, we sought to asses MV geometry in patients with functional MR (FMR) that would potentially benefit of TMVR, focusing on the comparison of mitral annulus (MA) geometry between patients with ischemic (IMR) and non ischemic mitral regurgitation (nIMR). METHODS: We retrospectively selected 94 patients with severe FMR: 41 (43,6%) with IMR and 53 (56,4%) with nIMR. 3D MA analysis was performed on dedicated transthoracic 3D data sets using a new, commercially-available software package in two moments of the cardiac cycle (early-diastole and mid-systole). We measured MA dimension and geometry parameters, left atrial and left ventricular volumes. RESULTS: Maximum (MA area 10.7 ± 2.5 cm2 vs 11.6 ± 2.7 cm2, p > 0.05) and the best fit plane MA area (9.9 ± 2.3 cm2 vs 10.7 ± 2.5 cm2, p > 0.05, respectively) were similar between IMR and nIMR. nIMR patients showed larger mid-systolic 3D area (9.8 ± 2.3 cm2 vs 10.8 ± 2.7 cm2, p < 0.05) and perimeter (11.2 ± 1.3 cm vs 11.8 ± 1.5 cm, p < 0.05) with longer and larger leaflets, and wider aorto-mitral angle (135 ± 10° vs 141 ± 11°, p < 0.05). Conversely, the area of MA at the best fit plane did not differ between IMR and nIMR patients (9 ± 1.1 cm2 vs 9.9 ± 1.5 cm2, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ischemic and non-ischemic etiology of FMR have similar maximum dimension, yet systolic differences between the two groups should be taken into account to tailor prosthesis's selection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: N.A.