Association of renal systolic time intervals with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity.

Aims: The renal systolic time intervals (STIs), including renal pre-ejection period (PEP), renal ejection time (ET), and renal PEP/renal ET measured by renal Doppler ultrasound, were associated with poor cardiac function and adverse cardiac outcomes. However, the relationship between renal hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness in terms of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) has never been evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between renal STIs and baPWV. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 230 patients. The renal hemodynamics was measured from Doppler ultrasonography and baPWV was measured from ABI-form device by an oscillometric method. Results: Patients with baPWV ≧ 1672 cm/s had a higher value of renal resistive index (RI) and lower values of renal PEP and renal PEP/ET (all P< 0.001). In univariable analysis, baPWV was significantly associated with renal RI, renal PEP, and renal PEP/renal ET (all P< 0.001). In multivariable analysis, renal PEP (unstandardized coefficient ß = -3.185; 95% confidence interval = -5.169 to -1.201; P = 0.002) and renal PEP/renal ET (unstandardized coefficient ß = -5.605; 95% CI = -10.217 to -0.992; P = 0.018), but not renal RI, were still the independent determinants of baPWV. Conclusion: Our results found that renal PEP and renal PEP/renal ET were independently associated with baPWV. Hence, renal STIs measured from renal echo may have a significant correlation with arterial stiffness.

The Current Status of Performing Left Ventriculography in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Left ventriculography (LVG) is a gold standard examination of left ventricular function, although it also involves a small but significant risk of complications. However, it was recently reported to be overused in the USA in comparison to an alternative imaging modality. In this study, our aim was to analyze the real-world use of LVG in Taiwan. METHODS: This cohort study analyzed the data in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Bureau database for patients undergoing coronary angiography from 1996-2008. The most recent imaging modalities were used to evaluate left ventricular function including echocardiography and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) within 30-day. The primary outcome was the concomitant use of LVG during coronary angiography. RESULTS: Of 8653 patients who underwent coronary angiography, LVG was performed on 4634 (53.6%) of those study participants. The frequency of LVG use was lower in the groups indicating left ventricular function evaluation, including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and shock (49.5 vs. 57.1%, p < 0.001). In the population that had undergone a recent left ventricular assessment, the use of LVG was lower (52.2% vs. 54.7%, p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis found that 30-day imaging tests are not a predictor for use of LVG. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwan, about one half of those patients whose data we reviewed actually received coronary angiography and LVG at the same time. Ultimately, we found that there was no overuse of LVG in those patients with recent alternative imaging modality performed. KEY WORDS: Angiography; Coronary; Ventriculography.

Longitudinal Stent Deformation Caused by Retraction of the Looped Main Branch Guidewire.

A 66-year-old male was treated percutaneously for a bifurcation lesion of the left anterior descending coronary artery by provisional stenting using the jailed wire technique. After successfully stenting the main branch, retraction of the looped main branch guidewire was impossible. After using an intravascular ultrasound we discovered the guidewire was entangled with a stent strut. Thereafter, the proximal stent elongated after retraction. With the support of an over-the-wire microcatheter, we finally pulled out the entrapped guidewire. This rare complication should remind physicians that it is important to prevent the distal guidewire from being looped while retracting it through a stent, regardless of whether it is in the side branch or main vessel. If the guidewire becomes entangled with a stent, a microcatheter or low-profile balloon can be advanced to rescue it before the stent is damaged. Furthermore, the microcather should be maintained after successful retraction of the entangled guidewire to facilitate further wiring and subsequent rescue angioplasty as necessary.

Anemia as an Independent Predictor of Adverse Cardiac Outcomes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Anemia and echocardiographic systolic and diastolic parameters are useful predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, no studies have evaluated the use of anemia for predicting cardiovascular outcome in AF patients when the important echocardiographic parameters are known. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate whether low hemoglobin is a useful parameter for predicting poor cardiac outcome after adjustment for important echocardiographic parameters in AF patients. METHODS: Index beat method was used to measure echocardiographic parameters in 166 patients with persistent AF. Cardiac events were defined as death and hospitalization for heart failure. The association of hemoglobin with adverse cardiac events was assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: The 49 cardiac events identified in this population included 21 deaths and 28 hospitalizations for heart failure during an average follow-up of 20 months (25th-75th percentile: 14-32 months). Multivariable analysis showed that increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and decreased body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hemoglobin (hazard ratio 0.827; P = 0.015) were independently associated with increased cardiac events. Additionally, tests of a Cox model that included important clinic variables, LVMI, left ventricular ejection fraction, and the ratio of transmitral E-wave velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity showed that including hemoglobin significantly increased value in predicting adverse cardiac events (P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: Hemoglobin is a useful parameter for predicting adverse cardiac events, and including hemoglobin may improve the prognostic prediction of conventional clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with AF.

Heart rate significantly influences the relationship between atrial fibrillation and arterial stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and vascular disease share several risk factors and the two diseases often coexist. Heart rate (HR) is reported to be a major determinant of arterial stiffness. AF patients often have a transiently or persistently rapid HR. Hence, this study was to assess whether AF was significantly associated with arterial stiffness and HR could significantly influence the relationship between AF and arterial stiffness. Besides, we also determine the main correlates of arterial stiffness in AF patients and see whether HR was correlated with arterial stiffness in these patients. METHODS: We included 166 AF and 1336 non-AF patients from subjects arranged for echocardiographic examinations. Arterial stiffness was assessed by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). RESULTS: Compared to non-AF patients, AF patients had a higher baPWV (p <0.001). In a multivariate model, including covariates of age, sex, blood pressures and so on, the presence of AF was significantly associated with baPWV (ß = 0.079, P = 0.001). However, further adjustment for HR made this association disappear (ß = 0.005, P = 0.832). In addition to age and systolic blood pressure, increased HR (ß = 0.309, p <0.001) was a major determinant of increased baPWV in our AF patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the presence of AF was associated with increased baPWV, but this association became insignificant after further adjustment for HR, which suggested HR could significantly influence the relationship between AF and baPWV. Besides, HR was positively correlated with arterial stiffness in our AF patients.

Recurrent Thrombosis in a Case of Coronary Ectasia with Large Thrombus Burden Successfully Treated by Adjunctive Warfarin Therapy.

UNLABELLED: Coronary ectasia (CE) is an uncommon disease. Most patients with CE have coexisting coronary artery stenosis, which can easily lead to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The current standard treatment for AMI is well-established. However, for CE patients, the standard treatment might fail because of the large thrombus burden. We report a case of CE suffering from AMI twice during a two week period. Percutaneous coronary intervention with aspiration thrombectomy was performed but failed to restore adequate blood flow. Heparin and antiplatelet treatment including glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor was given for pharmacological management, but follow-up angiography still revealed a poor result. This patient was finally treated with dual antiplatelet therapy in combination with warfarin treatment. Follow-up coronary angiography a few months later showed restored TIMI 3 flow. This patient reminds us that in CE patients with large thrombus burden, if standard treatment fails, long-term warfarin in combination with antiplatelet might be a good alternative choice to decrease thrombus burden and enhance blood flow. KEY WORDS: Acute myocardial infarction; Anticoagulation; Aspiration thrombectomy; Coronary ectasia; Warfarin.

Gender differences in major adverse cardiovascular outcomes among aged over 60 year-old patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A population-based longitudinal study in Taiwan.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) including cerebrovascular disease (CVD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), contributes to the major causes of death in the world. Although several studies have evaluated the association between gender and major adverse cardiovascular outcomes in old ASCVD patients, the result is not consistent. Hence, we need a large-scale study to address this issue.This retrospective cohort study included aged over 60 year-old patients with a diagnosis of ASCVD, including CVD, CAD, or PAD, from the database contained in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Bureau during 2001 to 2004. The matched cohort was matched by age, comorbidities, and medical therapies at a 1:1 ratio. A total of 9696 patients were enrolled in this study, that is, there were 4848 and 4848 patients in the matched male and female groups, respectively. The study endpoints included acute myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, vascular procedures, in-hospital mortality, and so on. In multivariate Cox regression analysis in matched cohort, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for female group in predicting acute myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, vascular procedures, and in-hospital mortality were 0.67 (P < .001), 0.73 (P = .0015), 0.78 (P < .001), 0.59 (P < .001), and 0.77 (P = .0007), respectively.In this population-based propensity matched cohort study, age over 60 year-old female patients with ASCVD were associated with lower rates of acute myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, vascular procedures, and in-hospital mortality than male patients. Further prospective studies may be investigated in Taiwan.

Upstroke Time as a Novel Predictor of Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Upstroke time (UT), measured from the foot-to-peak peripheral pulse wave, is a merged parameter used to assess arterial stiffness and target vascular injuries. In this study, we aimed to investigate UT for the prediction of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This longitudinal study enrolled 472 patients with CKD. Blood pressure, brachial pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and UT were automatically measured by a Colin VP-1000 instrument. During a median follow-up of 91 months, 73 cardiovascular and 183 all-cause mortality instances were recorded. Multivariable Cox analyses indicated that UT was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.010, p = 0.007) and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.009, p < 0.001). The addition of UT into the clinical models including traditional risk factors and baPWV further increased the value in predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (both p < 0.001). In the Kaplan-Meier analyses, UT ≥ 180 ms could predict cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (both log-rank p < 0.001). Our study found that UT was a useful parameter in predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in CKD patients. Additional consideration of the UT might provide an extra benefit in predicting cardiovascular and all-cause mortality beyond the traditional risk factors and baPWV.

Tricuspid Regurgitation Pressure Gradient as a Useful Predictor of Adverse Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) is reportedly a predictor of cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients without atrial fibrillation (AF); its relationship with cardiac outcomes in patients with AF has never been evaluated. This study aimed to examine the ability of TRPG to predict CV events and all-cause mortality in patients with AF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive echocardiography was performed in 155 patients with persistent AF. Combined CV events were defined as CV mortality, stroke and hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: During an average follow-up period of 27 months, 57 CV events and 31 all-cause deaths occurred. According to multivariate analysis, predictors of CV events included diuretic use, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), increased ratio of transmitral E velocity (E) to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') and TRPG. Predictors of all-cause mortality included old age, decreased LVEF, increased E/E' and TRPG. Notably, the addition of TRPG to a model containing clinical significant parameters, LVEF and E/E' significantly improved the values in predicting adverse CV events and all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The TRPG is not only a useful predictor of adverse CV events and all-cause mortality in patients with AF, it may also provide additional prognostic values for CV outcome and all-cause mortality over conventional parameters in such patients.

Renal systolic time intervals derived from intra-renal artery Doppler as a novel predictor of adverse cardiac outcomes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of renal systolic time intervals measured by electrocardiographic gated Doppler ultrasonography for predicting adverse cardiac events. This longitudinal observation study enrolled 205 patients. Renal systolic time intervals, including pre-ejection period (PEP) and ejection time (ET), and ratio of renal PEP to ET, were measured by electrocardiographic gated Doppler ultrasound. The 14 adverse cardiac events identified in this population included 9 cardiac deaths and 5 hospitalizations for heart failure during an average follow up of 30.9 months (25th-75th percentile: 30-33 months). Renal PEP (hazard ratio = 1.023, P = 0.001), renal ET (hazard ratio = 0.975, P = 0.001) and renal PEP/ET (per 0.01 unit increase, hazard ratio = 1.060, P < 0.001) were associated with poor cardiac outcomes. The addition of renal PEP/ET to a Cox model containing important clinical variables and renal resistive index further improved the value in predicting adverse cardiac events (Chi-square increase, 9.996; P = 0.002). This study showed that parameters of intra-renal hemodynamics were potential predictors of adverse cardiac outcomes. However, the generalizability of these indicators need to be investigated in future large-scale studies.

Prognostic role of left atrial strain and its combination index with transmitral E-wave velocity in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Left atrial (LA) strain can reflect LA remodeling and is reduced in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with prior stroke. This study sought to examine the ability of LA strain in predicting subsequent stroke event in AF and also evaluated whether E/LA strain could predict cardiovascular (CV) events in these patients. In 190 persistent AF patients, we performed comprehensive echocardiography with assessment of LA strain. There were 69 CV events including 19 CV death, 32 hospitalizations for heart failure, 3 myocardial infarctions, and 15 strokes during an average follow-up of 29 months. Multivariate analysis showed old age, chronic heart failure, increased left ventricular (LV) mass index, and increased E/LA strain were associated with CV events and decreased LA strain was associated with subsequent stroke event. The addition of E/LA strain and LA strain to a model containing CHA2DS2-VASc score and LV function significantly improved the values in predicting CV events and subsequent stroke event, respectively. In conclusion, E/LA strain and LA strain were respectively useful in predicting CV events and subsequent stroke event in AF. E/LA strain and LA strain could provide incremental values for CV outcome and subsequent stroke outcome prediction over conventional clinical and echocardiographic parameters in AF, respectively.

Atrial fibrillation per se was a major determinant of global left ventricular longitudinal systolic strain.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may cause systolic abnormality via inadequate diastolic filling and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a very sensitive method for detecting subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate whether AF patients had a more impaired GLS, AF was a major determinant of GLS, and determine the major correlates of GLS in AF patients.The study included 137 patients with persistent AF and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) above 50% and 137 non-AF patients matched according to age, gender, and LVEF. Comprehensive echocardiography with GLS assessment was performed for all cases.Compared with non-AF patients, AF patients had a more impaired GLS, a larger left atrial volume index, higher transmitral E wave velocity (E), and early diastolic mitral velocity (Ea) (all P < 0.001) but comparable E/Ea. After adjustment for baseline and echocardiographic characteristics, the presence of AF remained significantly associated with impaired GLS (ß = 0.533, P < 0.001). In addition, multivariate analysis of AF patients indicated that faster heart rates and decreased E, Ea, and LVEF were associated with more impaired GLS.This study demonstrated that AF patients had a more impaired GLS than non-AF patients, although LVEF was comparable between the 2 groups. AF was a major determinant of GLS even after adjustment for relevant clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Systolic Time Intervals in Risk Stratification for Increased Left Ventricular Mass Index and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

Either decreased renal function or increased systolic time interval is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and poor cardiac outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate combination of renal function and brachial systolic time intervals were associated with increased left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).In total of 990 patients were consecutively included in this study from January 2011 to December 2012. All study participants were further classified into 4 groups by the values of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and ratio of brachial preejection period (bPEP) to brachial ejection time (bET). The classification of 4 groups were eGFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m and bPEP/bET < 0.38 (group 1), eGFR ≥ 45 ml/min/1.73 m and bPEP/bET ≥ 0.38 (group 2), eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m and bPEP/bET < 0.38 (group 3), and eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m and bPEP/bET ≥ 0.38 (group 4), respectively. Patients in groups 1 and 4 had the lowest and highest LVMI among 4 groups, respectively (P < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, increased LVMI and LVH were significantly associated with patients in groups 2, 3 and 4 (vs group 1) (P ≤ 0.019).Our study demonstrated that joined parameter of renal function and systolic time intervals, in terms of eGFR and bPEP/bET, might be an alternative method in risk stratification for increased LVMI and LVH.

Association of Increased Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness With Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

The thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) was reported to be highly associated with the incidence and severity of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study was conducted to analyze the ability of EAT thickness in predicting adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in AF. In 190 persistent AF patients, we performed a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic examination with assessment of EAT thickness. The definition of CV events included CV mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke. There were 69 CV events including 19 CV deaths, 32 hospitalizations for heart failure, 3 myocardial infarctions, and 15 strokes during a mean follow-up of 29 (25th-75th percentile: 17-36) months. The multivariable analysis demonstrates that chronic heart failure, increased left ventricular (LV) mass index and the ratio of transmitral E-wave velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity, decreased body mass index, and increased EAT thickness (per 1-mm increase, odds ratio 1.224, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.096-1.368, P < 0.001) were associated with adverse CV events. Additionally, the addition of EAT thickness to a model containing CHA2DS2-VASc score, left atrial volume index, and LV systolic and diastolic function significantly improved the values in predicting CV events (global χ increase 14.65, P < 0.001 and integrated discrimination improvement 0.10, 95% CI 0.04-0.16, P < 0.001). In AF, EAT thickness was useful in predicting adverse CV events. Additionally, EAT thickness could provide incremental value for CV outcome prediction over traditional clinical and echocardiographic parameters in AF.

Systolic time intervals derived from electrocardiographic gated intra-renal artery Doppler waveform associated with left ventricular systolic function.

The aims of this study were to investigate the correlation between renal and cardiac STIs, including pre-ejection period (PEP), ejection time (ET), and PEP/ET, and to assess the diagnostic values of renal STIs in predicting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%. The cross sectional observation study enrolled 230 participants. The renal STIs, including renal PEP (rPEP), renal ET (rET), and rPEP/rET, were measured from electrocardiographic gated renal Doppler ultrasound and cardiac PEP, ET, and PEP/ET were measured from echocardiography. Renal STIs were correlated with cardiac STIs (all P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that rPEP/rET was independently associated with LVEF (unstandardized coefficient ß = -0.116, P = 0.046) and LVEF <50% (odds ratio = 2.145, per 0.11 increase; P = 0.017). The areas under the curve for rPEP, 1/rET, and rPEP/rET in predicting LVEF <50% were 0.773, 0.764, and 0.821, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of rPEP/rET > 0.46 in prediction of LVEF <50% were 76.7% and 78.1%, respectively. Our study demonstrated that the novel parameters of renal STIs were significantly associated with cardiac STIs. However, the clinical application of renal STIs needs to be investigated in future studies.

Myocardial performance index derived from pre-ejection period as a novel and useful predictor of cardiovascular events in atrial fibrillation.

PURPOSE: The pre-ejection period-derived myocardial performance index measured from tissue Doppler echocardiography (PEPa-derived MPI) was reported to be associated with left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, its relationship with cardiovascular outcomes in AF has never been evaluated. This study sought to examine the ability of PEPa-derived MPI in predicting adverse cardiovascular events in AF patients. METHODS: In 196 persistent AF patients, we performed comprehensive echocardiography with measurement of PEPa-derived MPI using index beat method. The index beat was defined as the beat following the nearly equal preceding (RR1) and pre-preceding (RR2) intervals. The cycle length of index beat and RR1 and RR2 must be >500ms and the difference between RR1 and RR2 must be <60ms. Cardiovascular events were defined as cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. RESULTS: In the multivariate analysis, chronic heart failure and increased ratio of transmitral E-wave velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/Ea) and PEPa-derived MPI (per 0.1 increase, hazard ratio, 1.104; 95% confidence interval, 1.032-1.182, p=0.004) were associated with increased cardiovascular events. The addition of PEPa-derived MPI to a Cox model containing chronic heart failure, systolic blood pressure, age, diabetes, prior stroke, left ventricular ejection fraction, and E/Ea provided an additional benefit in prediction of adverse cardiovascular events (p=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In AF patients, the PEPa-derived MPI was a useful predictor of adverse cardiovascular events and could offer an additional prognostic benefit over conventional clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

Association between the CHADS2 score and an ankle-brachial index of ＜0.9 in patients without atrial fibrillation.

AIM: The ankle-brachial index(ABI) is an easy-to-use, non-invasive and reliable diagnostic tool for assessing peripheral arterial occlusive disease(PAOD). The CHADS2(congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≧75 years, diabetes, prior stroke) score is a simple and popular clinical parameter that is used to assess the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Because all five components of the CHADS2 score are risk factors for PAOD, the score should have a strong correlation with the presence of PAOD. However, there are limited studies regarding the association between the CHADS2 score and PAOD in patients without AF. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether the CHADS2 score is positively associated with PAOD in patients without AF. METHODS: A total of 1,320 patients without AF were included in this study. The ABI was measured using an ABI-form device. PAOD was defined as an ABI of ＜0.9 in either leg. RESULTS: Among the 1,320 subjects (mean age: 60.3±13.4 years), the prevalence of an ABI of ＜0.9 was 5.7%. A multivariate analysis showed that an increased age(odds ratio [OR], 1.054; p＜0.001), decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR, 0.971; p＜0.001) and increased CHADS2 score (OR, 1.861; p＜0.001) were independently associated with an ABI of ＜0.9. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that the CHADS2 score is significantly associated with an ABI of ＜0.9 in non-AF patients. Further prospective studies are needed to examine the ability of the CHADS2 score to predict the incidence of PAOD.

Nicorandil-induced hyperkalemia in a uremic patient.

Nicorandil is an antianginal agent with nitrate-like and ATP-sensitive potassium channel activator properties. After activation of potassium channels, potassium ions are expelled out of the cells, which lead to membrane hyperpolarization, closure of voltage-gated calcium channels, and finally vasodilation. We present a uremic case suffering from repeated junctional bradycardia, especially before hemodialysis. After detailed evaluation, nicorandil was suspected to be the cause of hyperkalemia which induced bradycardia. This case reminds us that physicians should be aware of this potential complication in patients receiving ATP-sensitive potassium channel activator.