Atrial fibrillation and QT corrected. What is the best formula to use?

BACKGROUND: QT interval varies with the heart rate (HR), so a correction in QT calculation is needed (QTc). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with elevated HR and beat-to-beat variation. AIM: To find best correlation between QTc in atrial fibrillation (AF) versus restored sinus rhytm (SR) after electrical cardioversion (ECV) (primary end point) and to determine which correction formula and method are the best to determine QTc in AF (secondary end point). METHODS: During a 3-month period, we considered patients who underwent 12-lead ECG recording and received an AF diagnosis with indication for ECV. Exclusion criteria were as follows: QRS duration >120 ms, therapy with QT-prolonging drugs, a rate control strategy and a nonelectrical cardioversion. The QT interval was corrected using Bazzett's, Framingham, Fridericia and Hodges formulas during the last ECG during AF and the first one immediately after ECV. QTc mean was calculated as mQTc (average of 10 QTc calculated beat per beat) and as QTcM (QTc calculated from the average of 10 raw QT and RR for each beat). RESULTS: Fifty consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Bazett's formula showed a significant change in mean QTc value between the two rhythms (421.5 ± 33.9 vs. 446.1 ± 31.9; p < 0.001 for mQTc and 420.9 ± 34.1 vs. 441.8 ± 30.9; p = 0.003 for QTcM). On the contrary, in patients with SR, QTc assessed by the Framingham, Fridericia, and Hodges formulas was similar to that in AF. Furthermore, good correlations between mQTc and QTcM are present for each formula, even in AF or SR. CONCLUSIONS: During AF, Bazzett's formula, seems to be the most imprecise in QTc estimation.

Left ventricular endocardial longitudinal dysfunction persists after acute myocarditis with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The aim of present study was to assess left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation and changes over time in patients with acute myocarditis (AM) with preserved ejection fraction detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Thirty-five male patients with AM diagnoses and preserved systolic function based on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were prospectively enrolled. On admission, echocardiography with measurements of global and segmental longitudinal (LS) strains was performed both at the endocardial (ENDO) and epicardial (EPI) levels. Findings were compared to 25 control subjects. Twenty-six patients were also monitored over a 22-month follow-up (FU group). RESULTS: On admission, global ENDO-LS was poorer in magnitude in AM (-19.2 ± 3.1) than in controls (-24.0 ± 1.05) (P < 0.0001), whereas EPI-LS was not different (-20.6 ± 3.4 vs -19.7 ± 6 P = NS). A functional increase in magnitude in both ENDO-LS (-20.8 ± 5.4, P = NS) and EPI-LS (-22.6 ± 4.6, P = 0.02) was found in FU vs AM patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a steady ENDO-LS impairment in infarct-like AM during a 2-year follow-up period, despite a preserved LV ejection fraction.

Cardiovascular maladaptation to exercise in young hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Impairment of the adaptive mechanisms that increase cardiac output during exercise can translate to a reduced functional capacity. We investigated cardiovascular adaptation to exertion in asymptomatic hypertensive patients, aiming to identify the early signs of cardiac and vascular dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled 54 subjects: 30 patients (45.1±11.9years, 19 males) and 24 age-matched healthy controls (44.4±9.6years, 14 males). Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) and echo-tracking were performed at rest and during exertion to assess myocardial deformation and arterial stiffness. RESULTS: E/E' increased from rest to peak exercise more in patients than in controls (peak stage: p=0.024). Global longitudinal strain increased significantly from rest to peak stage in controls (p=0.011) whereas it remained unchanged in patients (p=0.777). Left atrial (LA) reservoir was significantly increased throughout the exercise only in controls (p=0.001) whereas it was almost unchanged in patients (p=0.293). LA stiffness was significantly higher in patients than in controls both at rest (p=0.023) and during exercise (p<0.001). Beta index and pulse wave velocity (PWV) increased during exercise in both groups, showing higher values in patients in each step. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a more pronounced maladaptation during exercise, with respect to rest, of the cardiovascular system with impaired cardiac-vessel coupling in hypertensive patients compared to healthy subjects. Exercise echocardiography implemented by STE and echo-tracking is invaluable in the early detection of these cardiovascular abnormalities.

Protective Effects of Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) in Myocardial Ischaemia and Reperfusion Injury in VIVO.

Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death, occurs after prolonged ischemia of the coronary arteries. Restore blood flow is the first intervention help against heart attack. However, reperfusion of the arteries leads to ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). The fatty acid amide palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous compound widely present in living organisms, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study evaluated the effect of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) treatment on the inflammatory process associated with myocardial I/R. Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 2 h of reperfusion. PEA-um, was administered (10 mg/kg) 15 min after ischemia and 1 h after reperfusion. In this study, we demonstrated that PEA-um treatment reduces myocardial tissue injury, neutrophil infiltration, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, P-selectin) expression, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß) production, nitrotyrosine and PAR formation, nuclear factor kB expression, and apoptosis (Fas-L, Bcl-2) activation. In addition to study whether the protective effect of PEA-um on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury is also related to the activation of PPAR-α, in a separate set of experiments it has been performed myocardial I/R in PPARα mice. Genetic ablation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-α in PPAR-αKO mice exacerbated Myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury when compared with PPAR-αWT mice. PEA-um induced cardioprotection in PPAR-α wild-type mice, but the same effect cannot be observed in PPAR-αKO mice. Our results have clearly shown a modulation of the inflammatory process, associated with myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, following administration of PEA-um.

Usefulness of atrial function for risk stratification in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of left atrial (LA) mechanics and stiffness over global left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (GLS) for risk stratification in severe aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS: From a cohort of 89 prospective asymptomatic patients with severe AS and normal LV ejection fraction, 82 (32 men, mean age 73±10 years) truly asymptomatic patients, scheduled after a negative exercise echocardiogram, were enrolled. Forty age- and gender-matched prospective, asymptomatic subjects served as controls. Predefined end points were the occurrence of symptoms (dyspnea, angina, syncope), and death during follow-up. RESULTS: At study entry, patients had: impaired LV GLS (p=0.001), reduced LA reservoir (p<0.001), high LA stiffness (p<0.001), and increased valvulo-arterial impedance (p<0.001) compared to controls. During follow-up [16±14.9 months (ranging from 1 month to 4.2 years)], 53 patients (64.6%) reached one of the endpoints. Patients with events showed lower LV GLS (p>0.001), lower LA reservoir (p<0.001), and greater LA stiffness (p<0.001) than those asymptomatic. On univariate Cox regression analysis, LV GLS (p<0.001), LA reservoir (p<0.001), and LA stiffness (p=0.004) were strong predictors of adverse events. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that event-free survival was significantly higher in patients with a LV GLS ≥16.8% [p<0.001; area under the curve (AUC)=0.922; sensitivity=86%, specificity=80%], a LA reservoir ≥19.8% (p=0.001; AUC=0.860, sensitivity=71%, specificity=84%), and a LA stiffness <0.78 (p<0.001; AUC 0.819, sensitivity 70%, specificity 89%). On multivariate analysis, only LV GLS remained significantly associated with patients' prognosis (hazard ratio=1.49, 95% CI=1.11-2.01, p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic patients with severe AS, an efficient cardiovascular system is based on an effective atrial-ventricular interplay. LA function assessment is useful for early identification of risk in these patients. LV GLS however was confirmed to be the best predictor of patients' outcome.

A Case of Brugada Pattern Migrant from Right Precordial Leads to Peripheral Leads.

Since the first report in 1992, Brugada pattern (BP) diagnosis is mainly based on analysis of the precordial leads. In cases with no clear BP evidence in the conventional right precordial leads (4th intercostal space), limb leads analysis resulted helpful in suspecting BP. Fluctuations within right precordial leads between the diagnostic ECG pattern and nondiagnostic ECGs are well known. For the first time, in the patient herewith reported, the transformation of BP phenotype involves both precordial and peripheral leads, confirming that the analysis of all the 12 leads has a key role in BP diagnosis.

Usefulness of Left Atrial Reservoir Size and Left Ventricular Untwisting Rate for Predicting Outcome in Primary Mitral Regurgitation.

The present study proposed to evaluate whether analysis of cardiac mechanics through speckle-tracking imaging is useful for risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with chronic primary mitral regurgitation (MR). We prospectively enrolled 67 patients (mean age 57 ± 18 years) and followed them over time. MR was mild in 20 patients (30%), moderate in 24 (36%), and severe in 23 (34%). After a mean time of 24.8 ± 17 months, 34 patients (51%) remained asymptomatic, whereas 33 (49%) developed events (19 underwent mitral valve surgery, 9 required hospitalization for acute heart failure, and 5 patients died). Compared to asymptomatic patients, those with events at baseline showed more severe MR, larger and spherical ventricles, diastolic dysfunction, and greater systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. Moreover, patients with events had decreased left atrial (LA) reservoir (p <0.001) and left ventricular (LV) untwisting rate (p <0.001). On univariate Cox regression analysis, effective regurgitant orifice area (p <0.001), vena contracta (p <0.001), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (p = 0.003), LV end-systolic diameter (p <0.001), E/E' ratio (p = 0.004), LA volume (p = 0.001), LA reservoir (p <0.001), and LV untwisting rate (p <0.001) were associated with an increased risk of events. On multivariate analysis, only LA reservoir (p = 0.013) and LV untwisting rate were independent predictors (p = 0.017) of outcome. Moreover, LA reservoir evaluation significantly improved (p = 0.013) risk stratification compared to recommended parameters. In conclusion, impaired cardiac mechanics is more closely associated than severity of MR with the occurrence of events in asymptomatic chronic primary MR.

Extrinsic pulmonary stenosis in primary mediastinal B-cellular lymphoma.

We describe the case of a 34-year-old man with a history of asthenia and excessive fatigability. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a mass in the right ventricular outflow tract with a peak systolic gradient of 52 mmHg. Contrast-enhanced CT confirmed the presence of a lobulated mass, which extensively filled the anterior mediastinum, infiltrating the pulmonary artery trunk up to occupying the right ventricular outflow tract. CT-guided biopsy revealed primary mediastinal B-cellular lymphoma. The patient underwent chemotherapy, achieving complete remission of the disease at the 12-month follow-up, while the gradient across the pulmonary artery dropped from 52 mmHg to 14 mmHg.

Recurrent Supraventricular Arrhythmias as the First Clinical Warning of a Right Atrium Infiltrating Pulmonary Carcinoma.

We report the case of a 45-year-old Caucasian male with negative cardiovascular history, heavy-smoker, who was referred to our Cardiology Unit for recurrent inexplicable tachycardia. Chaotic atrial tachycardia with intermittent fibrillation was observed at ECG, whereas a smoothed mass (approximately sized 8 × 8 cm) was unexpectedly found at echocardiography likely infiltrating the right atrial wall. Multi-detector computed tomography confirmed the mediastinal mass and the digital post-processing clearly identified its anatomic characteristics and invasivity. This study demonstrates that recurrent and refractory atrial arrhythmias can be early signs of cardiac infiltrating mediastinal masses. The combined approach by echocardiography and computed tomography was confirmed to provide precise anatomical and functional characteristics of the arrhythmogenic disease in this patient.

Interplay between arterial stiffness and diastolic function: a marker of ventricular-vascular coupling.

AIMS: We evaluated the interplay between left ventricular diastolic function and large-artery stiffness in asymptomatic patients at increased risk of heart failure and no structural heart disease (Stage A). METHODS: We divided 127 consecutive patients (mean age 49 ±â€Š17 years) with risk factors for heart failure who were referred to our laboratory to rule out structural heart disease into two groups according to presence (Group 1, n = 35) or absence (Group 2, n = 92) of grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Doppler imaging with high-resolution echo-tracking software was used to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness of carotid arteries. RESULTS: Group 1 had significantly higher mean age, blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, carotid IMT and arterial stiffness than Group 2 (P < 0.05). Overall, carotid stiffness indices (ß-stiffness index, augmentation index and elastic modulus) and 'one-point' pulse wave velocity each showed inverse correlation with E-wave velocity, E' velocity and E/A ratio, and direct correlation with A-wave velocity, E-wave deceleration time and E/E' ratio (P < 0.05). Arterial compliance showed negative correlations with the echocardiographic indices of left ventricular diastolic function (P < 0.05). On logistic regression analysis, age, hypertension, SBP, pulse pressure, left ventricular mass index, carotid IMT and stiffness parameters were associated with grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (P < 0.05 for each). However, on multivariate logistic analysis, only 'one-point' pulse wave velocity and age were independent predictors (P = 0.038 and P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSION: An independent association between grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased arterial stiffness is demonstrated at the earliest stage of heart failure. Hence, assessment of vascular function, beyond cardiac function, should be included in a comprehensive clinical evaluation of these patients.