Pre-Heart Failure Longitudinal Change in a Hispanic/Latino Population-Based Study: Insights From the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos.

BACKGROUND: Pre-heart failure (pre-HF) is an entity known to progress to symptomatic heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize pre-HF prevalence and incidence among Hispanics/Latinos. METHODS: The Echo-SOL (Echocardiographic Study of Latinos) assessed cardiac parameters on 1,643 Hispanics/Latinos at baseline and 4.3 years later. Prevalent pre-HF was defined as the presence of any abnormal cardiac parameter (left ventricular [LV] ejection fraction <50%; absolute global longitudinal strain <15%; grade 1 or more diastolic dysfunction; LV mass index >115 g/m2 for men, >95 g/m2 for women; or relative wall thickness >0.42). Incident pre-HF was defined among those without pre-HF at baseline. Sampling weights and survey statistics were used. RESULTS: Among this study population (mean age: 56.4 years; 56% female), HF risk factors, including prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, worsened during follow-up. Significant worsening of all cardiac parameters (except LV ejection fraction) was evidenced from baseline to follow-up (all P < 0.01). Overall, the prevalence of pre-HF was 66.7% at baseline and the incidence of pre-HF during follow-up was 66.3%. Prevalent and incident pre-HF were seen more with increasing baseline HF risk factor burden as well as with older age. In addition, increasing the number of HF risk factors increased the risk of prevalence of pre-HF and incidence of pre-HF (adjusted OR: 1.36 [95% CI: 1.16-1.58], and adjusted OR: 1.29 [95% CI: 1.00-1.68], respectively). Prevalent pre-HF was associated with incident clinical HF (HR: 10.9 [95% CI: 2.1-56.3]). CONCLUSIONS: Hispanics/Latinos exhibited significant worsening of pre-HF characteristics over time. Prevalence and incidence of pre-HF are high and are associated with increasing HF risk factor burden and with incidence of cardiac events.

Longitudinal change in cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy is associated with non-reassuring fetal status and increased risk of cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in low-risk pregnancies if longitudinal change in cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy is associated with cesarean section (CS) for non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) during labor. METHODS: This is a prospective observational study of women with singleton low-risk pregnancies who underwent an ultrasound scan at 36 + 0 to 37 + 6 and 39 + 0 to 41 + 6 weeks of pregnancy, when the CPR was calculated from the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility indices. Managing professionals were kept blinded to the Doppler results. The association of the longitudinal change between both CPR (z-velocity) to CS for NRFS was evaluated by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 401 pregnancies were included. The mean time interval between both CPR evaluations was 21 days (SD 7). A CS for fetal distress was performed in 7% of pregnancies. Independent of the CPR at 37 weeks, the likelihood of CS for fetal distress was significantly decreased by the longitudinal changes from 37 to 40 weeks (OR 0.61, 95%CI 0.4-0.92; p=.018). This association remained significant after further adjustment for potential confounders (nulliparity, maternal weight at booking and estimated fetal weight at 37): (OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.41-0.98; p=.044). CONCLUSIONS: The longitudinal change of CPR between 37 and 40 weeks is associated with the need for CS for NRFS during labor.

Echocardiographic Investigation of Low-Flow State in a Hispanic/Latino Population.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of low-flow state (LFS) with left ventricular (LV) stroke volume index of less than 35 mL/m2 and the demographics, clinical and echocardiographic characteristics associated with LV remodeling and function in a Hispanic/Latino population. Participants and Methods: The study included 1346 asymptomatic participants from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos with normal LV ejection fraction (≥55%) and no valvular heart disease. LV volume, mass and left atrial volume, LV ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain, and myocardial contraction fraction were measured by echocardiography. The participants were divided into LFS or normal flow state (NFS: stroke volume index ≥35 mL/m2). Demographics, clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, and measures of LV remodeling and function were compared between the LFS and NFS groups. Results: The prevalence of LFS was 41%. In comparison with NFS, the LFS had lower LV mass index (77.2±0.96 g/m2 vs 84.6±0.86 g/m2; P<.001), left atrial volume index (20.6±0.35 mL/m2 vs 23.5±0.37 mL/m2; P<.001), global longitudinal strain (-16.8±0.16% vs -17.7±0.17%; P<.001), and myocardial contraction fraction (43.3±0.63% vs 55.7±0.64%; P<.001). There was no significant difference in the relative wall thickness (LFS: 0.40±0.004 vs NFS: 0.40±0.005; P=.57). The LFS group had significantly higher hemoglobin A1c (6.18±0.07% vs 5.97±0.04%; P=.01) than the NFS group. Conclusion: A high prevalence of LFS associated with echocardiographic characteristics reflecting unfavorable LV remodeling and function was observed in a Hispanic/Latino population. Further studies of the prognostic significance of LFS in a large multiethnic population are warranted.

Associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and left ventricular structure and function from the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (ECHO-SOL).

OBJECTIVE: The cross-sectional association between accelerometer-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour (SB) and cardiac structure and function is less well described. This study's primary aim was to compare echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function with accelerometer measured PA and SB. METHODS: Participants included 1206 self-identified Hispanic/Latino men and women, age 45-74 years, from the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos. Standard echocardiographic measures included M-mode, two-dimensional, spectral, tissue Doppler and myocardial strain. Participants wore an Actical accelerometer at the hip for 1 week. RESULTS: The mean±SE age for the cohort was 56±0.4 years, 57% were women. Average moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was 21±1.1 min/day, light PA was 217±4.2 min/day and SB was 737±8.1 min/day. Both higher levels of light PA and MVPA (min/day) were associated with lower left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI)/end-diastolic volume and a lower E/e' ratio. Higher levels of MVPA (min/day) were associated with better right ventricular systolic function. Higher levels of SB were associated with increased LVMI. In a multivariable linear regression model adjusted for demographics and cardiovascular disease modifiable factors, every 10 additional min/day of light PA was associated with a 0.03 mL/m2 increase in left atrial volume index (LAVI) (p<0.01) and a 0.004 cm increase in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p<0.01); every 10 additional min/day of MVPA was associated with a 0.18 mL/m2 increase in LAVI (p<0.01) and a 0.24% improvement in global circumferential strain (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the potential positive association between the MVPA and light PA on cardiac structure and function.

Underuse of Cardiovascular Medications in Individuals With Known Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: HCHS/SOL.

Background Underuse of cardiovascular medications for secondary prevention among individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) has been reported. Little is known about PAD treatment status in the Hispanic/Latino population in the United States, who may have limited access to health care and who have worse clinical outcomes than non-Hispanic individuals. Methods and Results We studied the use of cardiovascular therapies in 1244 Hispanic/Latino individuals recruited from 4 sites in the United States, including 826 individuals who reported diagnosis of PAD by physician and 418 individuals with coronary artery disease alone, in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. We compared the prevalence of using antiplatelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy and antihypertensive therapy by PAD and coronary artery disease status. Among those with PAD, we studied factors associated with taking cardiovascular medications, including demographic and socioeconomic factors, acculturation, access to health care and comorbidities, using multivariable regression models. The overall prevalence for individuals with PAD taking antiplatelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy and, among hypertensive individuals, antihypertensive therapy was 31%, 26% and 57%, respectively. Individuals of Mexican background had the lowest use for all classes of cardiovascular medications. Older age, number of doctor visits and existing hypertension and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with taking cardiovascular therapies in adjusted models. Compared with those with PAD alone, individuals with PAD and concurrent coronary artery disease were 1.52 (95% CI, 1.20-1.93) and 1.74 (1.30-2.32) times more likely to use antiplatelet agents and statins according to multivariable analysis. No significant difference of antihypertensive medication use was found among PAD patients with or without coronary artery disease. Conclusions Hispanic/Latino individuals with known PAD underuse cardiovascular medications recommended in clinical guidelines. More efforts should be directed to improve treatment in this important group.

Association Between Sleep Disordered Breathing and Left Ventricular Function: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the ECHO-SOL Ancillary Study.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have found that sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common among those with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and heart failure. Few epidemiological studies have examined this association, especially in US Hispanic/Latinos, who may be at elevated risk of SDB and heart failure. METHODS: We examined associations between SDB and LV diastolic and systolic function using data from 1506 adults aged 18 to 64 years in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos ECHO-SOL Ancillary Study (2011-2014). Home sleep testing was used to measure the apnea-hypopnea index, a measure of SDB severity. Echocardiography was performed a median of 2.1 years later to quantify LV diastolic function, systolic function, and structure. Multivariable linear regression was used to model the association between apnea-hypopnea index and echocardiographic measures while accounting for the complex survey design, demographics, body mass, and time between sleep and echocardiographic measurements. RESULTS: Each 10-unit increase in apnea-hypopnea index was associated with 0.2 (95% CI, 0.1-0.3) lower E', 0.3 (0.1-0.5) greater E/E' ratio, and 1.07-fold (1.03-1.11) higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction as well as 1.3 (0.3-2.4) g/m2 greater LV mass index. These associations persisted after adjustment for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In contrast, no association was identified between SDB severity and subclinical markers of LV systolic function. CONCLUSIONS: Greater SDB severity was associated with LV hypertrophy and subclinical markers of LV diastolic dysfunction. These findings suggest SDB in Hispanic/Latino men and women may contribute to the burden of heart failure in this population.

Cardiac structure and function with and without metabolic syndrome: the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (Echo-SOL).

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the hypothesis that metabolic syndrome is associated with adverse changes in cardiac structure and function in participants of the Echocardiographic Study of Latinos (Echo-SOL). METHODS: Non-diabetic Echo-SOL participants were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 2009 Joint Scientific Statement. Survey multivariable linear regression analyses using sampling weights were used adjusting for multiple potential confounding variables. Additional analysis was stratified according to the presence/absence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) and the presence/absence of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Within Echo-SOL, 1260 individuals met inclusion criteria (59% female; mean age 55.2 years). Compared with individuals without metabolic syndrome, those with metabolic syndrome had lower medial and lateral E' velocities (-0.4 cm/s, (SE 0.1), p=0.0002; -0.5 cm/s (0.2), p=0.02, respectively), greater E/E' (0.5(0.2), p=0.01) and worse two-chamber left ventricular longitudinal strain (0.9%(0.3), p=0.009), after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Increased left ventricular mass index (9.8 g/m2 (1.9), p<0.0001 and 7.5 g/m2 (1.7), p<0.0001), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (11.1 mL (3.0), p=0.0003 and 13.3 mL (2.7), p<0.0001), left ventricular end-systolic volume (5.0 mL (1.4), p=0.0004 and 5.7 mL (1.3) p<0.0001) and left ventricular stroke volume (10.2 mL (1.8), p<0.0001 and 13.0 mL (2.0), p<0.0001) were observed in obese individuals with and without metabolic syndrome compared with individuals with normal weight without metabolic syndrome. In sensitivity analyses, individuals with normal weight (BMI <25 kg/m2) and metabolic syndrome had worse left ventricular global longitudinal strain (2.1%(0.7), p=0.002) and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (-3.5%(1.4), p=0.007) compared with normal-weight individuals without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of US Hispanics/Latinos metabolic syndrome was associated with worse left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Adverse changes in left ventricular size and function were observed in obese individuals with and without metabolic syndrome but decreased left ventricular function was also present in normal-weight individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Impact of Ethnicity, Sex, and Socio-Economic Status on the Risk for Heart Failure Readmission: The Importance of Context.

Background: Hispanics are a fast-growing minority in the United States and have a high risk for the development of heart failure (HF). Hispanics have higher HF-related hospital readmission rates compared with non-Hispanics. However, the risk of readmission in a largely disadvantaged and majority Hispanic population has not been evaluated. Methods: We analyzed data for patients discharged with a principal discharge diagnosis of HF from the University of New Mexico Hospital from 2010-2014. Student t-test and chi-square analysis were used to assess the unadjusted associations between baseline characteristics and 30-day readmission rate. Multivariable logistic regression modeling evaluated the associations between 30-day hospital readmission rate, socio-demographic characteristics, and clinical variables. Results: A total of 1,594 patients were included in our analysis. Mean age (SD) was 63.1 ± 14 and 62.9 ±13.8 (P=.07) for Hispanics and non-Hispanics, respectively. Sixty percent of Hispanics had HF with reduced ejection fraction compared with 53.9% of non-Hispanics (P=.012). In unadjusted analysis, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a two-fold increase in HF readmission rate compared with non-Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.7). In fully adjusted models, Hispanic ethnicity showed an 80% increase in HF readmission rate compared with non-Hispanic ethnicity (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.6). Conclusion: Among patients from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background living in a Hispanic-majority area, being Hispanic is associated with higher odds of 30-day hospital re-admission after adjusting for demographic, clinical and socioeconomic covariates. Our findings show that further research is needed to understand disparities in Hispanic's heart failure-related outcomes.

Entrapped devices after PCI.

In contemporary practice, entrapped devices are rarely encountered during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but can be associated with serious morbidity and mortality. We present a case of a 62 y/o male who presented with an acute coronary syndrome. Revascularization was performed and complicated by guide wire entrapment and fracture. Cardiologists should be aware of this complication and the treatment options available.

Beaded necklace-like image observed by real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiograhy as evidence of bacterial vegetations in a dialysis catheter.

We present images observed in a patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia from a hemodyalisis catheter and demonstrate the superiority of real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) over 2D-TEE at identifying catheter-associated infected vegetations. Other studies have reported RT3D-TEE as an improved modality to identify and characterize intracardiac structures. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports describing the specific characteristics of bacterial vegetations in a dialysis catheter. RT3D-TEE could have a central role in the diagnosis of catheter-related blood stream infections, especially given the increased number of hemodyalisis-dependent patients and increased incidence of infections.

Sleep disturbances in the rotenone animal model of Parkinson disease.

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the presence of intracytoplasmatic inclusions known as Lewy bodies. Chronic administration of rotenone (RT) produces Parkinson's-like symptoms in rats. Because PD patients have disrupted sleep patterns, we determined if chronic RT administration produces similar changes in rat sleep. RT was administered for 28 days to rats. Basal and vehicle (VH) rats received saline or dimethyl sulfoxide and polyethylene glycol (1:1), respectively. VH infusion induced a progressive decrease in non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) during the 4-week period of VH infusion and REMS was reduced in the third and fourth week of VH infusion. VH infusion did not induce dopaminergic cell degeneration. Rats receiving RT infusion also showed decreased NREMS during the treatment. REMS was dramatically reduced on day 7 although subsequently on days 13 and 20 REMS was similar to basal values. After 4 weeks of RT infusion, time in REMS was decreased again. In RT-treated rats, progressive dopaminergic cell degeneration occurred in the SNc. After 4 weeks of daily injections of L-dopa in RT-infused rats, NREMS values remained similar to those values obtained after RT alone. L-dopa therapy did, however, induce a recovery of REMS in weeks 3 and 4 of RT infusion. Dopaminergic cell damage persisted in the L-dopa-RT-infused rats. We conclude that the RT-PD rat model is associated with large long-term sleep disruption, however, the vehicle, DMSO/PEG had as large an effect as RT on sleep, thus changes in sleep cannot be ascribed to loss of dopaminergic cells. Such results question the validity of the RT-PD rat model.