Diabetic foot ulcer: A comprehensive review of pathophysiology and management modalities.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a debilitating and severe manifestation of uncontrolled and prolonged diabetes that presents as ulceration, usually located on the plantar aspect of the foot. Approximately 15% of individuals with diabetes will eventually develop DFU, and 14%-24% of them will require amputation of the ulcerated foot due to bone infection or other ulcer-related complications. The pathologic mechanisms underlying DFU are comprise a triad: Neuropathy, vascular insufficiency, and secondary infection due to trauma of the foot. Standard local and invasive care along with novel approaches like stem cell therapy pave the way to reduce morbidity, decrease amputations, and prevent mortality from DFU. In this manuscript, we review the current literature with focus on the pathophysiology, preventive options, and definitive management of DFU.

Same day discharge after structural heart disease interventions in the era of the coronavirus-19 pandemic and beyond.

With recent advancements in imaging modalities and techniques and increased recognition of the long-term impact of several structural heart disease interventions, the number of procedures has significantly increased. With the increase in procedures, also comes an increase in cost. In view of this, efficient and cost-effective methods to facilitate and manage structural heart disease interventions are a necessity. Same-day discharge (SDD) after invasive cardiac procedures improves resource utilization and patient satisfaction. SDD in appropriately selected patients has become the standard of care for some invasive cardiac procedures such as percutaneous coronary interventions. This is not the case for the majority of structural heart procedures. With the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, safely reducing the duration of time spent within the hospital to prevent unnecessary exposure to pathogens has become a priority. In light of this, it is prudent to assess the feasibility of SDD in several structural heart procedures. In this review we highlight the feasibility of SDD in a carefully selected population, by reviewing and summarizing studies on SDD among patients undergoing left atrial appendage occlusion, patent foramen ovale/atrial septal defect closure, Mitra-clip, and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement procedures.

Utility of the Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplantation in Patients Undergoing Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

PURPOSE: Psychosocial assessment of patients comprises an important element in the selection process of appropriate candidates for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We sought to determine the association of the well-validated psychosocial assessment of candidates for transplantation (PACT) scale to clinical outcomes post-LVAD implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PACT scale was used retrospectively to reconstruct psychosocial profiles of all patients who underwent a continuous-flow LVAD implantation for all indications at our institution between March 2008 and August 2012 (N = 230). Psychosocial elements including social support, psychological health, lifestyle factors, comprehension of the operation, and follow-up were evaluated. The primary outcome was overall survival, and the secondary outcomes were hospital readmission, pump thrombosis, hemolysis, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and LVAD driveline infections. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 55.3 years, with 83% being male; 58% (N = 135) were bridge to transplant and 42% (N = 95) were destination therapy. Up to 1-year post-LVAD implant, there were no statistical differences among the 5 PACT candidate groups in terms of survival ( P = .79), hospital readmissions ( P = .55), suspected or confirmed pump thrombosis ( P = .31), hemolysis ( P = .43), GI bleeding ( P = .71), or driveline infections ( P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center retrospective review, post hoc reconstruction of psychosocial profiles using the PACT scale and independent assessment of postimplant outcomes, including survival and adverse events, did not show any association. However, given the small number of patients in the low score PACT groups as well as limited duration of follow-up, further studies are required to elucidate the association.

Accurate Prediction of False ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Ready for Prime Time?

The incidence of inappropriate cardiac catheterization lab activation for treatment of a false ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been reported to be 2.6%-36%. Excessive inappropriate catheterization lab activation may be associated with risks to patients, provider fatigue and improper resource usage. HYPOTHESIS: To derive and validate a prediction score to more accurately classify patients with STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 1144 consecutive patients initially diagnosed with STEMI between September 2008 and January 2013. The incidence of catheterization laboratory activation for false STEMI was 21.4%. Multiple logistic regression identified 8 factors as important for prediction of false STEMI. Using a prediction rule derived from these factors, the area under the curve for differentiating false from true STEMI patients was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75-0.84). Using objective standards, criteria were defined that had 95% specificity for detecting patients with an incorrect diagnosis of STEMI. IN CONCLUSION: A prediction rule has been derived and validated in a large, racially diverse group to identify false STEMI patients with an incorrect classification rate of 5%, which is an improvement over current clinical practice. Prediction rules may be particularly useful in patients with atypical presentations in which emergent catheterization cannot be achieved rapidly or carries significant patient risk.

Renal denervation in the treatment of resistant hypertension: Dead, alive or surviving?

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic clinical problems encountered by physicians. The prevalence of resistant hypertension is estimated at 9% in the US. Patients with resistant hypertension have been shown to be at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular events, hence the need for greater efforts in improving the treatment of hypertension. The renal sympathetic nerves play an important role in the development of hypertension, mediated via sodium and water retention, increased renin release and alterations in renal blood flow. The proximity of the afferent and efferent renal sympathetic nerves to the adventitia of the renal arteries suggested the feasibility of an endovascular, selective, minimally invasive approach to renal denervation; a potential treatment option for resistant hypertension. While the RAPID, Reduce-HTN, EnligHTN, DENERHTN and Symplicity HTN-1 and -2 studies showed significant benefit of renal denervation in the treatment of resistant hypertension, the results of Oslo RDN, Prague-15 and Symplicity HTN-3 were not so favorable. Future well-designed clinical trials are needed to ascertain the benefits or otherwise of renal denervation in treatment-resistant hypertension.

Complete heart block and asystole following blunt cardiac trauma.

Cardiac contusion is a well-recognized complication of blunt chest trauma. Various conduction system disorders have been reported in association with this condition, the most common being right bundle branch block. Complete heart block (CHB) is seen rarely. Most cases of CHB are transient. We present the case of an 80-year-old woman who developed CHB and asystole following blunt cardiac trauma. Malignant cardiac arrhythmias such as CHB can be associated with blunt cardiac trauma. In most cases, CHB is transient resolving in days to weeks. In rare cases, however, CHB leads to asystole. Close monitoring and prompt intervention is thus required.

An objective comparison between bivalirudin and heparin during peripheral vascular interventions.

Patients undergoing percutaneous peripheral interventions are at increased risk for thrombotic complications hence the routine use of periprocedural anticoagulants. There is currently no American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for periprocedural anticoagulants use in percutaneous peripheral interventions. Historically, unfractionated heparin has been the most common periprocedural anticoagulant used during percutaneous peripheral interventions. There may be a role for more predictable periprocedural anticoagulants in percutaneous peripheral interventions as has been demonstrated in percutaneous coronary interventions. Our review focuses on the evidence supporting the use of bivalirudin in percutaneous peripheral interventions.

Zinc and the prooxidant heart failure phenotype.

Neurohormonal activation with attendant aldosteronism contributes to the clinical appearance of congestive heart failure (CHF). Aldosteronism is intrinsically coupled to Zn and Ca dyshomeostasis, in which consequent hypozincemia compromises Zn homeostasis and Zn-based antioxidant defenses that contribute to the CHF prooxidant phenotype. Ionized hypocalcemia leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid hormone-mediated Ca overloading of diverse cells, including cardiomyocytes. When mitochondrial Ca overload exceeds a threshold, myocyte necrosis follows. The reciprocal regulation involving cytosolic free [Zn]i as antioxidant and [Ca]i as prooxidant can be uncoupled in favor of Zn-based antioxidant defenses. Increased [Zn]i acts as a multifaceted antioxidant by: (1) inhibiting Ca entry through L-type channels and hence cardioprotectant from the Ca-driven mitochondriocentric signal-transducer effector pathway to nonischemic necrosis, (2) serving as catalytic regulator of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase, and (3) activating its cytosolic sensor, metal-responsive transcription factor that regulates the expression of relevant antioxidant defense genes. Albeit present in subnanomolar range, increased cytosolic free [Zn]i enhances antioxidant capacity that confers cardioprotection. It can be achieved exogenously by ZnSO4 supplementation or endogenously using a ß3-receptor agonist (eg, nebivolol) that enhances NO generation to release inactive cytosolic Zn bound to metallothionein. By recognizing the pathophysiologic relevance of Zn dyshomeostasis in the prooxidant CHF phenotype and by exploiting the pharmacophysiologic potential of [Zn]i as antioxidant, vulnerable cardiomyocytes under assault from neurohormonal activation can be protected and the myocardium spared from adverse structural remodeling.

Rate and predictors of blood pressure control in a federal qualified health center in Michigan: a huge concern?

Hypertension (HTN) is particularly burdensome in low-income groups. Federal-qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide care for low-income and medically underserved populations. To assess the rates and predictors of blood pressure (BP) control in an FQHC in Michigan, a retrospective analysis of all patients with HTN, coronary artery disease, and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) seen between January 2006 and December 2008 was conducted. Of 212 patients identified, 154 had a history of HTN and 122 had DM. BP control was achieved in 38.2% of the entire cohort and in 31.1% of patients with DM. The mean age was lower in patients with controlled BP in both the total population (P=.05) and the DM subgroup (P=.02). A logistic regression model found only female sex (odds ratio, 2.27; P=.02) to be associated with BP control and a trend towards an association of age with uncontrolled BP (odds ratio, 0.97; P=.06). BP control in nondiabetics was 47.8% vs 31.1% in diabetic patients (P=.02). We found that patients who attended the FQHC had a lower rate of BP control compared with the national average. Our study revealed a male sex disparity and significantly lower rate of BP control among DM patients.

An unusual case of autoimmune pancreatitis presenting as pancreatic mass and obstructive jaundice: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare chronic inflammatory pancreatic disease that is increasingly being diagnosed worldwide. As a result of overlap in clinical and radiological features, it is often misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer. We report the case of a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis that was initially misdiagnosed as pancreatic cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old Caucasian man presented to our hospital with epigastric pain, jaundice and weight loss. His CA 19-9 level was elevated, and computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound revealed a pancreatic head mass abutting the portal vein. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography showed narrowing of the biliary duct and poor visualization of the pancreatic duct. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealed atypical ductal epithelial cells, which raised clinical suspicion of adenocarcinoma. Because of the patient's unusual age for the onset of pancreatic cancer and the acuity of his symptoms, he was referred to a tertiary care center for further evaluation. His immunoglobulin G4 antibody level was 365 mg/dL, and repeat computed tomography showed features typical of autoimmune pancreatitis. The patient's symptoms resolved with corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSION: Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare disease with an excellent response to corticosteroid therapy. Its unique histological appearance and response to corticosteroid therapy can reduce unnecessary surgical procedures. A thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team is important in rendering the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.