Diagnostic and Outcome Prediction Value of Transthoracic Impedance Cardiography in Heart Failure Patients During Heart Failure Flare-Ups.

BACKGROUND This study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic and outcome prediction value of transthoracic impedance cardiography (ICG) in heart failure (HF) patients admitted for in-hospital treatment due to flare-ups of their condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 120 patients of intensive care units who were admitted due to HF flare-ups were involved to the study. The findings of ICG were compared to data obtained by other methods used for diagnosing HF. RESULTS Statistically significant (p<0.001) results were obtained when evaluating differences in ICG data between admission and discharge from the intensive care unit. In addition, a correlation was detected between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and thoracic fluid content index (r=0.4, p<0.001). Differences in ICG values, and BNP data emerged after the participants were grouped according to NYHA classes (p<0.05). The evaluation of lethal outcome during 6 months after the discharge yielded statistically significant results: BNP ≥350 pg/mL (Odds Ratio (OR) 4.4), thoracic fluid content ≥34 1/kOhm (OR 4.3), and systolic time ratio ≥0.55 (OR 2.9), p<0.05. CONCLUSIONS ICG data might be applied for the diagnosis and prognosis of HF, although the links between ICG and HF need further evaluation.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and interleukin-6 response to high-volume mechanically demanding exercise.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to follow circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in response to severe muscle-damaging exercise. METHODS: Young healthy men (N = 10) performed a bout of mechanically demanding stretch-shortening cycle exercise consisting of 200 drop jumps. Voluntary and electrically induced knee extension torque, serum BDNF levels, and IL-6 levels were measured before and for up to 7 days after exercise. RESULTS: Muscle force decreased by up to 40% and did not recover by 24 hours after exercise. Serum BDNF was decreased 1 hour and 24 hours after exercise, whereas IL-6 increased immediately and 1 hour after but recovered to baseline by 24 hours after exercise. IL-6 and 100-Hz stimulation torque were correlated (r = -0.64, P < 0.05) 24 hours after exercise. DISCUSSION: In response to acute, severe muscle-damaging exercise, serum BDNF levels decrease, whereas IL-6 levels increase and are associated with peripheral fatigue. Muscle Nerve 57: E46-E51, 2018.

Applicability of Impedance Cardiography During Heart Failure Flare-Ups.

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) accounts for about 5% of all causes of urgent hospital admissions, and the overall mortality of HF patients within 1 year after hospitalization is 17-45%. Transthoracic impedance cardiography (ICG) is a safe, non-invasive diagnostic technique that helps to detect various parameters that define different cardiac functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of ICG parameters in patients hospitalized due to HF flare-ups. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 60 patients (24 women and 36 men) who were admitted to intensive care units because of an acute episode of HF without signs of myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of HF as the main reason for hospitalization was verified according to the universally accepted techniques. ICG data were compared to those obtained via other HF diagnostic techniques. RESULTS A moderately strong relationship was found between the ejection fraction (EF) and the systolic time ratio (STR) r=-0.4 (p=0.002). Findings for STR and thoracic fluid content index (TFCI) differed after dividing the subjects into groups according to the EF (p<0.05). A moderately strong relationship was found between brain natriuretic peptide and TFCI r=0.425 (p=0.001), left cardiac work index (LCWI) r=-0.414 (p=0.001). Findings for TFCI, LCWI, and cardiac output differed after dividing the subjects into groups according to HF NYHA classes (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Transthoracic impedance cardiography parameters could be applied for the diagnostics and monitoring of HF, but further studies are required to evaluate the associations between ICG findings and HF.

Impedance plethysmography as an alternative method for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD), the ankle-brachial index (ABI) is considered as the standard, and other noninvasive methods have received too little attention. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of impedance plethysmography in diagnosing PAD and to compare this method with other methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 66 patients with a mean age of 76.1±9.6 years who had been treated for various cardiovascular diseases at Kaunas Clinical Hospital during 2011-2012 were enrolled into the study. All the patients were screened for PAD. Impedance plethysmography was performed with a new-generation Niccomo™ device. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was employed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 4 parameters of impedance plethysmography: crest time (CT), crest width (CW), pulse amplitude (Pampl), and alternating blood flow (ABF). RESULTS: There were a significant correlation between the ABI and the CT (r=-0.699, P<0.001), between the ABI and the ABF (r=0.552; P<0.001), and between the ABI and the Pampl only among men (r=0.652; P<0001). No correlation was found between the ABI and the CW. Among all the parameters, the CT had the highest sensitivity and specificity (73.2% and 96.0%, respectively). Other parameters had the following sensitivities and specificities: ABF, 61.0% and 96.0%; and Pampl, 90.0% and 20.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Impedance plethysmography, especially its parameter CT, is an alternative noninvasive method in diagnosing PAD and could be used for the screening of patients with PAD.

Tuberculosis complications after BCG treatment for urinary bladder cancer.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis that has been effectively used in the treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder carcinoma. The complications of this treatment are uncommon, and the causes of dissemination are still discussed. We report a case of disseminated tuberculosis in a 66-year-old smoking man without a history of pulmonary diseases, who underwent immunotherapy with BCG after the initial surgical treatment of bladder cancer. After the last BCG instillation, he developed a fever. The diagnosis of sepsis was not confirmed, and miliary pulmonary tuberculosis was suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed by clinical manifestation, computed tomography of the lungs, and histological examination.

[Diagnostic capabilities of impedance cardiography method in pulmonary hypertension]. / Impedanskardiografijos metodo galimybes diagnozuojant plauciu hipertenzija.

UNLABELLED: THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS STUDY was to investigate the associations among clinical, impedance cardiography, echocardiography, and chest roentgenography data in diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension for patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pulmonary artery pressure was measured by impedance cardiography method in 181 patients: 80 patients with cardiovascular pathology when pulmonary hypertension was determined by echocardiography, 69 patients with cardiovascular pathology when pulmonary hypertension was not observed using echocardiography, 19 patients with pulmonary pathology when pulmonary hypertension was determined by echocardiography, and 13 patients with pulmonary pathology when pulmonary hypertension was not observed using echocardiography. Clinical data, parameters of impedance cardiography, echocardiography, and chest roentgenography were evaluated. RESULTS: Pulmonary hypertension (impedance cardiography) was diagnosed by computed mean blood pressure in pulmonary artery with a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 90%, respectively, and by systolic blood pressure with a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 90%, respectively. A mathematical model of binary regression was developed with a 96.7% accuracy to diagnose pulmonary hypertension. The most important parameters of impedance cardiography were systolic blood pressure in pulmonary artery and systolic time index. CONCLUSIONS: Mean and systolic blood pressures in the pulmonary artery, assessed by a computerized impedance cardiogram, are diagnostically valuable parameters. In diagnostic algorithms of pulmonary hypertension, the following features can be used: atrial fibrillation; thrombosis of deep veins; dyspnea; cyanosis; accent of II tone at the auscultation point of the pulmonary valve; systolic murmur at the tricuspid valve area; increased diameter of the pulmonary artery more than ≥ 18 mm on chest x-ray; increased diameter of the right ventricle; systolic blood pressure in the pulmonary artery and systolic time index measured by impedance cardiography method.

[Relationship of renal cell carcinoma and hypertension]. / Inkstu lasteliu karcinomos sasaja su arterine hipertenzija.

The morbidity and mortality due to renal cell carcinoma has increased worldwide over the last 30 years. Renal cell carcinoma accounts for about 90-95% of all renal tumors. The mean age of patients with this type of tumor ranges between 50 and 70 years. It is important to note that primary arterial hypertension as well as obesity and smoking are considered as independent risk factors for renal cell carcinoma. The increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as the severity of arterial hypertension may have an impact on development of renal cell carcinoma. We describe the case of a 45-year-old male patient with hypertensive crisis. Computed tomography scan revealed renal cell carcinoma, which was confirmed histologically after surgical treatment.

[Treatment and prophylaxis of deep venous thrombosis with low molecular weight heparins (meta-analysis of clinical trials)]. / Giliuju venu trombozes gydymas bei profilaktika mazos molekulines mases heparinais (klinikiniu studiju metaanalize).

Deep-vein thrombosis is a relevant problem of today's medicine, because the risk to fall ill with this pathology is 2-5%; it increases in senior age. Direct and indirect acting thrombin inhibitors are used for treatment and prevention of vein thrombosis. Though great efficiency and safety of new anticoagulants (especially factor Xa inhibitors) were proven in clinical studies, unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparins are still most widely used in clinical practice. Low molecular weight heparins are obtained by depolymerizing heparin: its molecular weight is being decreased to 3-7 kDa, or 18-20 monosaccharides. Low molecular weight heparins strongly inhibit Xa coagulation factor and faintly - IIa, that's why their anti-Xa/anti-IIa proportion is >1 (unfractionated heparin = 1); enoxaparine and nadroparine show up the highest proportion. The low weight of these heparins determines good pharmacodynamic characteristics: excellent assimilation from subcutaneous layer, long circulation in plasma, infrequent side effects. Due to these characteristics they are convenient, safe and economically worth using (used by subcutaneous injections, prescribed only 1-2 times per day, coagulation control not required, possibility for patient to be treated at home); therefore low molecular weight heparins are more and more often used in treatment of deep-vein thrombosis and also in primary and secondary prevention. They are one of the most efficacious contemporary anticoagulants, which allow to decrease the deep-vein thrombosis treatment and prevention costs. This article presents literature review about low molecular weight heparins, their appliance in treatment and prophylaxis of deep-vein thrombosis.