Unmasking Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia Using a 4-Chamber 3-Dimensional Volume/Strain Analysis.

Lower respiratory infection was reported as the most common fatal infectious disease. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and myocardial injury are associated; yet, true prevalence of myocardial injury is probably underestimated. We assessed the rate and severity of myocardial dysfunction in patients with CAP. Admitted patients diagnosed with CAP were prospectively recruited. All the patients had C-reactive protein (CRP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnl) tests added to their routine workup. 2D/3D Doppler echocardiography was done on a Siemens Acuson SC2000 machine ≤ 24 h of diagnosis. 3D datasets were blindly analyzed for 4-chamber volumes/strains using EchobuildR 3D-Volume Analysis prototype software, v3.0 2019, Siemens-Medical Solutions. Volume/strain parameters were correlated with admission clinical and laboratory findings. The cohort included 34 patients, median age 60 years (95% CI 55-72). The cohort included 18 (53%) patients had hypertension, 9 (25%) had diabetes mellitus, 7 (21%) were smokers, 7 (21%) had previous myocardial infarction, 4 (12%) had chronic renal failure, and 1 (3%) was on hemodialysis treatment. 2D/Doppler echocardiography findings showed normal ventricular size/function (LVEF 63 ± 9%), mild LV hypertrophy (104 ± 36 g/m2), and LA enlargement (41 ± 6 mm). 3D volumes/strains suggested bi-atrial and right ventricular dysfunction (global longitudinal strain RVGLS = - 8 ± 4%). Left ventricular strain was normal (LVGLS = - 18 ± 5%) and correlated with BNP (r = 0.40, p = 0.024). The patients with LVGLS > - 17% had higher admission blood pressure and lower SaO2 (144 ± 33 vs. 121 ± 20, systolic, mmHg, p = 0.02, and 89 ± 4 vs. 94 ± 4%, p = 0.006, respectively). hs-cTnl and CRP were not different. Using novel 3D volume/strain software in CAP patients, we demonstrated diffuse global myocardial dysfunction involving several chambers. The patients with worse LV GLS had lower SaO2 and higher blood pressure at presentation. LV GLS correlated with maximal BNP level and did not correlate with inflammation or myocardial damage markers.

Effect of Telemedicine Dietary Intervention for Endothelial Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Mediterranean Diet.

BACKGROUND: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a high rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The Mediterranean diet is preferred for CVD prevention. Endothelial dysfunction is demonstrated early in T2DM. OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of dietary intervention of T2DM patients without known CVD on endothelial function and vascular inflammation. METHODS: A prospective study enrolled 22 patients with T2DM. Patients were divided randomly into two groups: an intervention group with 12 patients (55 ± 7 years old, 6 women) and a control group with 10 patients (59 ± 10 years old, 5 women). Clinical evaluation included body mass index (BMI) and endothelial function measured by the flow mediated percent change (FMD%). Fasting blood was drawn on entry to the study and 3 months later, measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C%). The intervention was based on weekly telephone calls by a clinical dietitian for 3 months. RESULTS: In the intervention group CRP and ICAM-1 were reduced (from 4.2 ± 3.3 mg/dl to 0.4 ± 0.5 mg/dl, P = 0.01 and from 258.6 ± 98.3 ng/ml to 171.6 ± 47.7 ng/ml, P = 0.004). Endothelial function (FMD%) was improved (from 0.5 ± 8.0% to 9.5 ± 11.5%, P = 0.014). No change was observed in BMI, HbA1C%, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with T2DM on the Mediterranean diet who received a weekly telephone call for 3 months improved their endothelial function with reduction of markers of inflammation.

Vibrio Vulnificus Necrotizing Fasciitis Associated with Acupuncture.

Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe life-threatening infection of the deep subcutaneous tissues and fascia. Infection with Vibrio vulnificus, a halophilic Gram-negative bacillus found worldwide in warm coastal waters, can lead to severe complications, particularly among patients with chronic liver diseases. We herein present an unusual case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by V. vulnificus triggered by acupuncture needle insertion. The patient, who suffered from diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and worked at a fish hatchery, denied any injury prior to acupuncture. This is the first ever reported case of V. vulnificus infection triggered by acupuncture needle insertion, clearly emphasizing the potential hazards of the prolonged survival of V. vulnificus on the skin. The potential infectious complications of acupuncture needle insertion are discussed.

Endothelial dysfunction and procoagulant activity in acute ischemic stroke.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilator function may be regarded as an index of inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction has been observed in stroke patients and has been related to stroke physiopathology, stroke subtypes, clinical severity, and outcome. Our aim was to measure systemic vascular function directly (using forearm flow mediated dilatation) in patients with acute ischemic stroke and to clarify whether recent acute ischemic stroke is associated with impaired vascular function. Patients who were not eligible for thrombolytic therapy because of delayed arrival were randomly recruited to the study after signing a consent form. All 43 patients were conscious and had an acute ischemic stroke. Brain CT was performed on admission, and clinical evaluation was carried out by a neurologist on admission and four days later. Vascular responsiveness was evaluated by ABI and by endothelial function measurements on admission. Levels of P-selectin were measured during the first 24 hrs and on day 4. Forty-three patients (28 men and 15 women) and 23 healthy men (control) were enrolled in the study. Patients were older (62.4±12.5 y vs 44.2±11.6 y, p=0.001), had worse endothelial dysfunction (-4.4±7.4% vs 16.6±7.6%, p=0.001), and had a higher BMI (28±6 vs 24±5, p=0.001). No gender effect was found in endothelial function (-5.1±7.8% vs -2.5±6.6%, p=0.25) and ABI (1.0±0.26 vs 1.0±0.5, p=0.29). However, men had lower BMIs compared to women (26.8±5.8 vs 31.4±5.5, p=0.01). The neurological scale decreased from 4.9±3.4 to 3.2±3.0 on day 4 (p=0.001). In men, it was 4.8±3.8 on admission, and decreased to 3.2±3.4 on day 4 (p=0.001). In women, it was 5.0±2.7, and decreased to 3.3±2.3 on day 4 (p=0.001). P-selectin levels were high on admission (68.0±55.5 pg/ml) and increased 4 days later (102.3±72.0 pg/ml) (p=0.01). Men had higher levels on admission (79.1± 66.7 pg/ml vs 48.9± 15.4 pg/ml, p=0.02) and rose on day 4 to 113.6±82.6 pg/ml (p=0.05); in women P-selectin increased from 48.9± 15.4 pg/ml to 83.5±46.4 pg/ml (p=0.01), without gender effect on day 4 (113.6±82.6 pg/ml [men] vs 83.5±46.4 pg/ml [women] (p=0.08)). None of the univariate models seemed statistically significant---gender (p=0.448), age (p=0.100), BMI (p=0.607), ABI (p=0.103), FMD% (p=0.456), and P-selectin (p=0.195). Patients with acute stroke had severe endothelial dysfunction during the first 24 hrs with high P-selectin levels that further increased over the first week. Vascular instability and procoagulant activity are still in progress in the first days following acute stroke and patients are at risk to develop more vascular events at that time.

Esophageal varices: evaluation with esophagography with barium versus endoscopic gastroduodenoscopy in patients with compensated cirrhosis--blinded prospective study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of esophagography with barium in diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) in patients with compensated cirrhosis, with endoscopic gastroduodenoscopy as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, which was approved by the local Helsinki Committee and in which all patients consented to participate, 61 patients with cirrhosis (34 men, 27 women; mean age, 61 years; range, 36-76 years) received a diagnosis clinically or with liver biopsy. In 87% (n = 53) of patients, Child-Pugh classification was A; in 13% (n = 8), Child-Pugh classification was B. They were evaluated with endoscopic gastroduodenoscopy, according to Japanese general criteria. Esophagography was performed within 3 weeks of endoscopic gastroduodenoscopy, and EV were assigned grades as follows: 0, no EV were seen; 1, EV manifested as very mild irregularities of the folds; and 2, the irregularity of the folds (EV) was clearly present. They were also assigned grades for shape and size: grade F0, no EV detected; grade F1, small straight EV; grade F2, slightly enlarged tortuous EV occupying less than one-third of esophageal lumen; and grade F3, large coil-shaped EV that occupied more than one-third of esophageal lumen. The sensitivity and specificity and positive and negative predictive values of esophagography for identification of each grade of EV were calculated separately, as was the 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: All large EV (grades F2 and F3) were diagnosed at esophagography. Sensitivity declined with small EV (grade F1) to 71. The overall sensitivity of esophagography was 89% (95% confidence interval: 75.9%, 96.5%), the overall specificity was 83% (95% confidence interval: 64.5%, 94.7%), the overall positive predictive value was 89%, and the overall negative predictive value was 83% (95% confidence interval: 64.5%, 94.7%). Overall accuracy was 87%. CONCLUSION: Esophagography is highly accurate in diagnosis of EV and can be considered a viable noninvasive alternative for determination of patients who should be selected for prophylactic treatment.