Application of tele-neuropsychology and tele-mental health before and during COVID-19 era: a bibliometric analysis.

Background: Telehealth use was previously limited by strict regulations and financial constraints. However, the pandemic prompted some countries to ease their telehealth laws. Thus, we conducted a bibliometric analysis and network visualization to gauge changes in tele-neuropsychology (Tele-NP) and tele-mental Health (Tele-MH) trends with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The authors conducted a literature search on SCOPUS and included relevant articles pertaining to Tele-NP and Tele-MH, which were published before the COVID-19 pandemic (2017-2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022). The authors presented publication patterns on psychiatric disorders, mode of administration, journals, active countries, authors, affiliations, funding sponsors, keywords, publication, and citation output. Results: Three hundred forty-one articles were included in our study with 80 articles before the pandemic and 261 during the pandemic. Our analysis revealed the greatest increase in publications and citations output was from the year 2020 to 2021. A greater number of journals published tele-NP and tele-MH-related research, with higher frequency, during the COVID-19 pandemic with Telemedicine and E-health leading the way. WHO regional analysis revealed that the Region of the Americas (AMRO) was the leading contributor in terms of publications. Harvard Medical Center remained the number one contributor both before and during the COVID-19- pandemic. Publications by funding sponsors, particularly by those that were US-based, increased twice as much during the pandemic. Conclusion: The increase in research output following the COVID-19 outbreak reflects the growing interest and relevance of telemedicine for the delivery of mental health services.

Comparing pyridoxine with dopaminergic agonists (cabergoline and bromocriptine): Unveiling the strategy for lactation inhibition - A systematic review of clinical trials.

This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Pyridoxine compared to Dopaminergic agonists (cabergoline and bromocriptine) in post-partum lactation inhibition. Cochrane Central, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, ScienceDirect, ClinicalTrials.gov, Web of Science, CINAHL and Google Scholar, covering the period from inception to November 2023. Additionally, the bibliographies of included articles and previous meta-analyses were screened for any relevant articles. The systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The outcomes of interest encompassed inhibition of lactation, breast pain/tenderness, breast engorgement, milk secretion, fever, mastitis, prolactin level and adverse events related to pyridoxine, cabergoline and bromocriptine. Methodological quality assessment was conducted using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool for rigorous evaluation. Three clinical trials assessed the effectiveness of pyridoxine and dopaminergic agents (cabergoline and bromocriptine) for lactation inhibition. It was assessed by using different assessment methods such as a scale for milk secretion, serum prolactin levels, and questionnaires for assessing breast engorgement, breast pain, and milk leakage. On the global assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of dopaminergic agents, it was found that there was significant inhibition of lactation as compared to pyridoxine (p < 0.001). In conclusion, this systematic review contributes significant insights into lactation inhibition interventions. Dopaminergic agonists, specifically cabergoline and bromocriptine, stand out as more effective and tolerable choices compared to Pyridoxine. These findings provide a foundation for informed clinical decisions and underscore the need for careful consideration of lactation inhibition strategies in diverse clinical contexts.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic marker for cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been considered a prognostic biomarker of mortality and other major cardiac events. This study investigates NLR's efficacy in predicting in-hospital and long-term outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Electronic databases (PUBMED, Cochrane CENTRAL, ERIC, Embase, Ovid, and Google Scholar) were searched till June 2022 to identify studies having STEMI patients who underwent PCI. Risk ratios and mean differences (MDs), along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (Cis) and standard deviations (SDs), were pooled using a random-effect model. This meta-analysis has been registered on Prospero (ID: CRD42022344072). RESULTS: A total of 35 studies with 28,756 patients were included. Pooled estimates revealed an increased incidence of primary outcomes; in-hospital all-cause mortality (RR = 3.52; 95% CI = 2.93-4.24), long-term all-cause mortality (HR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.00-1.14), (RR = 3.32; 95% CI = 2.57-4.30); in-hospital cardiovascular mortality (RR = 2.66; 95% CI = 2.04-3.48), long-term cardiovascular mortality (RR = 6.67; 95% CI = 4.06-10.95); in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (RR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.17-1.46), long-term MACE (RR = 2.92; 95% CI = 2.16-3.94); length of hospital stay (WMD = 0.60 days; 95% CI = 0.40-0.79) in patients with high NLR compared to those with a low NLR. CONCLUSION: NLR might be a valuable tool for prognostication (in-hospital) and stratification of patients with STEMI who underwent PCI.

The role of tissue Doppler imaging in predicting left ventricular filling pressures in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: an intraoperative study.

INTRODUCTION: The perioperative management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery usually requires the accurate assessment of left ventricular filling pressures (LVFP). The gold standard for determining LVFP involves the use of pulmonary artery catheters (PAC). Using tissue Doppler indices (TDI) obtained by transthoracic echocardiography, the ratio of early transmitral filling velocity to the corresponding early mitral annular velocity (E/E') has a strong correlation with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Little is known, however, on whether this relationship between E/E' and PCWP is valid intraoperatively using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during cardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine whether TDI obtained by intraoperative TEE during cardiac surgery can accurately estimate PCWP using PAC as the gold standard. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (26 males, mean age 64 ± 9 years) undergoing cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled between 2010 and 2011 at a single tertiary care center. Conventional diastolic and tissue Doppler parameters were evaluated using intraoperative TEE with concurrent PAC monitoring before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. At both pre- and post-CPB, there was no significant correlation between lateral, septal, and mean E/E' obtained by TEE and PCWP. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative TEE was unable to accurately predict LVFP in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. PAC may continue to be the gold standard in the assessment of LVFP for this patient population.

"Efficacy and safety of oteseconazole in recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) - A systematic review and meta-analysis".

Background: Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC) is defined as 3 or more episodes of symptomatic Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (VVC) within a year. Out of 75 % of women with VVC, this debilitating infection is experienced by 9 % of women. Although standard guidelines recommend oral and topical fluconazole as its treatment regimen, approval of another drug Oteseconazole has drawn the attention because of its better safety profile and lower recurrence rate by its use. Aim: The purpose of our Meta-analysis is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Oteseconazole (Vivjoa) (VT-1161) in the treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC). Methodology: Four databases namely PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane CENTRAL and Clinical Trial.gov were used from inception till June 2023. Studies that met the predefined inclusion criteria were statistically analyzed on RevMan (Version 5.4). A random effect model was used to pool the studies. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant and results were presented as Odds ratio with 95 % Confidence Intervals (CIs). Result: The pooled analysis of our selected studies showed that Oteseconazole was associated with significantly reduced incidence of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (OR = 0.07; 95 % CI = 0.05-0.11; p < 0.00001, I2 = 0 %) through week 48. Additionally, Vivjoa has also been shown by our analysis to reduce incidence of RVVC through week 24. (OR = 0.05; 95 % CI = 0.03-0.09; p < 0.00001, I2 = 0 %) Furthermore, Oteseconazole was non-significantly associated with developing serious adverse effects during the treatment for Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in comparison to the placebo (OR = 0.79; 95 % CI = 0.33-1.89; p = 0.60, I2 = 0 %). Conclusion: The available evidence suggests Oteseconazole to be safer and more efficacious. However, limited patient population points towards the need of further large and dedicated trials for definitive conclusion.

Role of soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in predicting mortality, readmission, length of stay and discharge in emergency patients: A systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an inflammatory biomarker that is used to predict mortality, readmission, early discharge, and LOS, thus, serves as a useful tool for ED physicians. Our study aims to analyze the efficacy of suPAR in predicting these prognostic markers in ED. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search on 6 databases from the inception to 30th November 2022, to select the following eligibility criteria; a) observation or triage trial studies investigating the role of suPAR levels in predicting: 30 day and 90-day mortality, 30-day readmission, early discharge (within 24hr), and LOS in patients coming to AMU. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included, with a population size of 35,178, of which 52.9% were female with a mean age of 62.93 years. Increased risk of 30-day mortality (RR = 10.52; 95% CI = 4.82-22.95; I2 = 38%; P < .00001), and risk of 90-day mortality (RR = 5.76; 95% CI = 3.35-9.91; I2 = 36%; P < .00001) was observed in high suPAR patients. However, a slightly increased risk was observed for 30-day readmission (RR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.16-1.94; I2 = 54%; P = .002). More people were discharged within 24hr in the low suPAR level group compared to high suPAR group (RR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.40-0.53; I2 = 41%; P < .00001). LOS was thrice as long in high suPAR level patients than in patients with low suPAR (WMD = 3.20; 95% CI = 1.84-4.56; I2 = 99%; P < .00001). CONCLUSION: suPAR is proven to be a significant marker in predicting 30-day and 90-day mortality in ED patients.

Odds of HIV among incarcerated drug users: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Asian countries.

Background: HIV makes up a large portion of infectious diseases globally. People injecting drugs in prisons are at high risk for contracting HIV infection. Prisons house ~10.2 million people globally, making them a high-risk setting for HIV transmission. This systematic review summarizes the available data on the odds of developing HIV infection among imprisoned people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Asian regions. Methods: The authors electronically assessed published studies from January, 2000 to December, 2022, including studies that investigated the odds of HIV in imprisoned PWIDs. We extensively searched PubMed, ERIC, and Cochrane Central and Google Scholar with no constraints in language or time. All the observational studies evaluating the chances of HIV in Asian prisoners with an exposure group of PWIDs and a control group of non-injecting-drug users were included in our analysis. Results: The databases search yielded 254 potential studies, 10 observational studies of which having a total of 17 333 participants were included. A low or moderate risk of bias was reported in all the studies except one case-control. The pooled analysis showed a significant association between PWIDs and the chances of contracting HIV infection (Odds ratio=6.40; 95% CI=3.89-10.52; P<0.00001; I2=53%). Conclusion: This study found a vital correlation between injecting-drug usage during imprisonment and HIV transmission speed. The results of this meta-analysis support the need to prevent HIV and conducting treatment programs in high-risk settings like prisons.

The impact of repeated marathon running on cardiovascular function in the aging population.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have correlated elevations in cardiac biomarkers of injury post marathon with transient and reversible right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction as assessed by both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Whether or not permanent myocardial injury occurs due to repeated marathon running in the aging population remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent and severity of cardiac dysfunction after the completion of full marathon running in individuals greater than 50 years of age using cardiac biomarkers, TTE, cardiac computed tomography (CCT), and CMR. METHODS: A total of 25 healthy volunteers (21 males, 55 ± 4 years old) from the 2010 and 2011 Manitoba Full Marathons (26.2 miles) were included in the study. Cardiac biomarkers and TTE were performed one week prior to the marathon, immediately after completing the race and at one-week follow-up. CMR was performed at baseline and within 24 hours of completion of the marathon, followed by CCT within 3 months of the marathon. RESULTS: All participants demonstrated an elevated cTnT post marathon. Right atrial and ventricular volumes increased, while RV systolic function decreased significantly immediately post marathon, returning to baseline values one week later. Of the entire study population, only two individuals demonstrated late gadolinium enhancement of the subendocardium in the anterior wall of the left ventricle, with evidence of stenosis of the left anterior descending artery on CCT. CONCLUSIONS: Marathon running in individuals over the age of 50 is associated with a transient, yet reversible increase in cardiac biomarkers and RV systolic dysfunction. The presence of myocardial fibrosis in older marathon athletes is infrequent, but when present, may be due to underlying occult coronary artery disease.

The effect of total spinal anesthesia on cardiac function in a large animal model of brain death.

Brain death (BD) causes cardiac dysfunction in organ donors, attributable to the catecholamine storm that occurs with raised intracerebral pressure (ICP). However the direct contribution of the spinal sympathetics has not been well described. We examined the effect of total spinal anesthesia (TSA) on cardiac function in a large animal model of BD. Eighteen pigs were allocated to 3 experimental groups: Group 1, the saline-treated control group; Group 2, TSA administered prior to BD; and Group 3, TSA administered 30 min after BD. Inflation of an intracerebral balloon-tipped catheter was used to induce BD. Ventricular function was assessed using a pressure-volume loop catheter and magnetic resonance imaging. Serum catecholamine levels were assessed with high performance liquid chromatography. Inflation of the intracerebral balloon-tipped catheter was associated with a dramatic rise in heart rate and blood pressure, along with increased concentrations of serum epinephrine and norepinephrine. This phenomenon was not observed in Group 2. In Group 1, there was a significant decline in contractility, whereas groups 2 and 3 saw no change. Group 2 had greater contractile reserve than groups 1 and 3. Our data demonstrate the central role of spinal sympathetics in the hemodynamic response to raised ICP. Further work is required to determine the utility of TSA in reversing cardiac dysfunction in BD donors.

The utility of tissue Doppler imaging for the noninvasive determination of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with septic shock.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) is an important indicator of volume status in septic patients. Although it requires invasive pulmonary artery catheterization (PAC), a noninvasive method to assess PAWP would be clinically useful in this select patient population. Diastolic indices using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) may provide an accurate estimate of PAWP. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether echocardiographic Doppler assessment is accurate in estimating PAWP in patients with septic shock. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 320 patients admitted with a diagnosis of septic shock from 2007-2008. Of the total patient population, 40 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, having undergone both TTE and PAC within 4 hours. Spectral Doppler indices including peak early (E) and late (A) transmitral velocities, E/A ratio, and E-wave deceleration time were measured. Tissue Doppler indices including S', E' and A' velocities were determined. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure values measured invasively were compared to the dimensionless index of E/E' in each patient. RESULTS: The mean age was 68 +/- 12 years with 28 males (70%). On echo assessment, 28% of patients had evidence of mild left ventricular diastolic dysfunction while 17% of patients had moderate diastolic dysfunction. Pulmonary artery wedge pressures ranged from 7 to 31 mm Hg with a mean of 18 +/- 5 mm Hg. The mean E/E' was 11 +/- 8. Linear regression analysis between PAWP and E/E7apos; demonstrated a strong correlation (r = .84, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Tissue Doppler indices using TTE is a feasible and strong predictor of PAWP in patients with septic shock.

A Province-Wide Analysis of the Epidemiology of Thoracic Aortic Disease: Incidence Is Increasing in a Sex-Specific Way.

BACKGROUND: The contemporary incidence and prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) remains understudied. Epidemiological research on TAAD has been limited by incomplete case identification within administrative data sources. The objectives of this study were to develop a case identification method and determine the incidence and prevalence of TAAD, based on data from Manitoba, Canada. METHODS: Hospital records and medical claims housed at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, and data from the Manitoba Thoracic Aortic Diseases Clinic were used to develop a case definition and identify patients with TAAD in Manitoba, Canada. The age-standardized incidence and prevalence of thoracic aortic disease was determined and stratified by sex from 1998 to 2016. RESULTS: We identified 4264 patients with TAAD, of whom 63% were male. The age standardized incidence was 2 times higher in men, peaking at 42 cases per 100,000 in 2013. Although the overall incidence was lower in female patients, the number of incident cases increased 68% compared with 25% in male patients. In hospitalized patients, the incidence and prevalence of aneurysms increased over time, whereas the incidence of dissection and rupture has remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a novel case identification method provided a more complete description of the epidemiology of TAAD. The incidence and prevalence of TAAD is rising, more so in female patients over time. These data support increased resource allocation to thoracic aortic diseases clinics to ensure appropriate monitoring, treatment, and follow-up for the growing number patients with thoracic aortic disease.

Impact of brain protection strategies on mortality and stroke in patients undergoing aortic arch repair with hypothermic circulatory arrest: evidence from the Canadian Thoracic Aortic Collaborative.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various brain perfusion techniques and nadir temperature cooling strategies on outcomes after aortic arch repair in a contemporary, multicentre cohort. METHODS: A total of 2520 patients underwent aortic arch repair with hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) between 2002 and 2018 in 11 centres of the Canadian Thoracic Aortic Collaborative. Primary outcomes included mortality; stroke; a composite of mortality or stroke; and a Society of Thoracic Surgeons-defined composite (STS-COMP) end point for mortality or major morbidity including stroke, reoperation, renal failure, prolonged ventilation and deep sternal wound infection. Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching were performed for cerebral perfusion and nadir temperature practices. RESULTS: Antegrade cerebral perfusion was found on multivariable analysis to be protective against mortality [odds ratio (OR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-0.86; P = 0.005], stroke (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.81; P = 0.006), composite of mortality or stroke (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45-0.72; P = 0.0001) and STS-COMP (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.41-0.67; P < 0.0001), as compared to HCA alone. Retrograde cerebral perfusion yielded similar outcomes as compared to antegrade cerebral perfusion. When compared to HCA with nadir temperature <24°C, a propensity score analysis of 647 matched pairs identified nadir temperature ≥24°C as predictor of lower mortality (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.98; P = 0.04), stroke (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.84; P = 0.008), composite of mortality or stroke (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43-0.89; P = 0.01) and STS-COMP (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.49-0.85; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Antegrade cerebral perfusion and nadir temperature ≥24°C during HCA for aortic arch repair are predictors of improved survival and neurological outcomes.

Pseudo cardiac tamponade in the setting of excess pericardial fat.

Cardiac tamponade is the phenomenon of hemodynamic compromise caused by a pericardial effusion. Following a myocardial infarction, the most common causes of pericardial fluid include early pericarditis, Dressler's syndrome, and hemopericardium secondary to a free wall rupture. On transthoracic echocardiography, pericardial fluid appears as an echo-free space in between the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium. Pericardial fat has a similar appearance on echocardiography and it may be difficult to discern the two entities. We present a case of a post-MI patient demonstrating pseudo tamponade physiology in the setting of excessive pericardial fat.

Prehabilitation: The Right Medicine for Older Frail Adults Anticipating Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft, and Other Cardiovascular Care.

The wait before elective cardiac intervention or surgery presents an opportunity to prevent further physiologic decline preoperatively in older patients. Implementation of prehabilitation programs decreases length of hospital stay postoperatively, decreases time spent in the intensive care unit, decreases postoperative complications, and improves self-reported quality of life postsurgery. Prehabilitation programs should adopt multimodal approaches including nutrition, exercise, and worry reduction to improve patient resilience in the preoperative period. High-quality research in larger cohorts is needed, and interventions focusing on underrepresented frailer populations and women. Creative ways to improve accessibility, adherence, and benefits received from prehabilitation should be explored.

Blockade of 5-HT(2A) receptors by sarpogrelate protects the heart against myocardial infarction in rats.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is involved in exacerbating vascular abnormalities; however, its role in mediating changes in cardiac function due to myocardial injury has yet to be established. This study examined the effect of sarpogrelate, a 5-HT(2A) receptor blocker, in preventing cardiac dysfunction due to myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Rats were treated 3 days before surgery with or without 5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) sarpogrelate, and the left coronary artery was ligated for 3 weeks to induce MI. Sarpogrelate reduced the mortality from 40% to 30%, infarct size from 35% to 25%, and left ventricular end diastolic pressure from 15 mm Hg to 10 mm Hg in MI rats. Electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings showed a marked deviation in the ST-segment and prolongation of the QTc interval in MI rats during the 3 weeks; these changes were attenuated by sarpogrelate pretreatment. In another set of experiments, MI rats were treated with 5 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) sarpogrelate 1 hour after the surgery, and the hemodynamic and electrocardiograph changes were assessed at 3 weeks. This posttreatment was also found to reduce infarct size, improve cardiac function, and attenuate ECG changes. CONCLUSIONS: Sarpogrelate attenuates cardiac dysfunction, infarct size, and changes in the ECG due to MI. These results also support the view that serotonin and 5-HT(2A) may contribute to the deleterious effects of ischemic injury in the heart.

The benefits of 24/7 in-house intensivist coverage for prolonged-stay cardiac surgery patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of 24/7 in-house intensivist care for patients requiring prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay following cardiac surgery. METHODS: A propensity-matched retrospective before-and-after observational study comparing 2 models of ICU physician staffing was undertaken. Previously, residents (with intensivist backup) provided care for patients after cardiac surgery (surgical ICU cohort). ICU physician staffing was modified with the implementation of 24/7 in-house board-certified intensivist coverage in a cardiac surgery ICU (cardiac surgery ICU cohort) for postoperative care. Patients with a prolonged ICU stay (ie, >48 hours) were identified and their outcomes analyzed for both models of care. RESULTS: Propensity matching between cohorts was successful for 271 patients (75.7%), with matched patients being used for comparison. There was no difference in ICU or 30-day mortality. There was also no difference in ICU length of stay (LOS); however, the median hospital LOS was significantly shorter in the cardiac surgery ICU cohort (12.3 vs 11.0 days; P < .01). There was a decrease in the proportion of patients receiving transfused red blood cells in the cardiac surgery ICU cohort (80.8% vs 65.7%; P < .001). The cardiac surgery ICU cohort had reduced complications relating to sepsis (4.7% vs 0.7%; P < .01) and renal failure (22.5% vs 12.5%; P < .01); however, the identification of neurologic dysfunction was significantly higher (11.1% vs 20.7%; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: For patients requiring a prolonged ICU stay, our model of 24/7 in-house intensivist coverage was not associated with changes in ICU LOS, nor ICU and 30-day mortality. However a reduction in blood product use, ICU complications, and total hospital LOS was observed.

Infective endocarditis in the intensive care unit.

Infective endocarditis has many facets and various expressions depending on the site of infection, microorganism, underlying heart lesion, immune status of the host, and remote effects such as emboli, organ dysfunction, and the condition of the host. Diagnosis depends on meticulous clinical examination, blood cultures results, and echocardiographic findings. The management of the patient with endocarditis in the intensive care unit is complex and needs a multidisciplinary team, including an intensivist, cardiologist, experienced echocardiologist, infectious diseases specialist, and cardiac surgeon. The medical and surgical management of such patients is complex, and timely decisions are important.

Influenza myocarditis and myositis: case presentation and review of the literature.

Myocarditis, a general inflammatory condition of the heart muscle, can result from a variety of etiologies, the most common being viral. Despite common pathogens, concomitant myocarditis and myositis remains a rare event. Although a common cause of respiratory illness, extrapulmonary infections with influenza are infrequent. We describe the case of a patient who presented to our centre with concomitant "seasonal" H1N1 influenza A myocarditis further complicated by pan-myositis. The patient's condition rapidly declined, eventually requiring biventricular mechanical support, in addition to multilimb fasciotomies. The cardiac support required was progressive, from a percutaneous left ventricular assist device, to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, to eventual biventricular assist device support for bridge-to-transplantation. This case motivated a detailed review of the literature (a total of 29 cases were identified), in which we found that patients with influenza myocarditis/myositis were predominantly female (63%) and young (mean age 33.2 years) and continue to have a high incidence of morbidity and mortality (27%). As a result of its atypical pattern, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic strain has gained attention. From our review, we found 7 patients with of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza myocarditis. Serial serum cytokine analysis did not demonstrate a "cytokine storm," which has been associated with other virulent influenza strains. The PB1-F2 marker in particular has been associated with a vigorous cytokine response. The 2009 H1N1 and "seasonal" influenza strains lack this marker. In those patients with community-acquired influenza, interleukin-6 has been shown to correlate with symptoms. For patients with myocarditis resulting in shock, mechanical circulatory support has gained acceptance as a means to recovery or transplantation.

The role of three-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of right ventricular dysfunction after a half marathon: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Although marathon running is associated with transient right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction as detected by two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, quantitative assessment of the right ventricle is difficult because of its complex geometry. Little is known about the use of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) in the detection of cardiac dysfunction after a half marathon. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of RV dysfunction after the completion of a half marathon using cardiac biomarkers, RT3DE, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). METHODS: A prospective study was performed in 15 individuals in 2009 participating in the Manitoba Half Marathon. Cardiac biomarkers (myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB and cardiac troponin T) were assessed and RT3DE and CMR were performed 1 week before, immediately after, and 1 week after the race. RESULTS: At baseline, cardiac biomarkers and ventricular function were within normal limits. Immediately following the half marathon, all patients demonstrated elevated cardiac troponin T levels, with a median value of 0.37 ng/mL. RV ejection fraction, as assessed by RT3DE, decreased from 59 ± 4% at baseline to 45 ± 5% immediately following the race (P < .05). On CMR, RV end-diastolic volume increased after the half marathon, and the RV ejection fraction was reduced, at 47 ± 5% compared with 60 ± 2% at baseline (P < .05). There were strong linear correlations between RV ejection fraction assessed by RT3DE and CMR at baseline and after the half marathon (r = 0.69 and r = 0.87, P < .01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CMR, RT3DE is a feasible and reproducible method of assessing transient RV dysfunction in athletes completing a half marathon.