Omega-3 intake is associated with attenuated inflammatory response and cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) elicits an intense acute inflammatory response that is essential for cardiac repair. However, an excessive inflammatory response also favors myocardial apoptosis, cardiac remodeling, and cardiovascular mortality. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3) bear anti-inflammatory effects, which may mitigate the inflammatory response during MI. This study investigated whether ω-3 intake is associated with attenuation of the MI-related inflammatory response and cardiac remodeling. METHODS: ST-elevation MI (STEMI) patients (n = 421) underwent clinical, biochemical, nutritional, 3D echocardiogram, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance imaging (CMRi) at 30 days and 3D echocardiogram imaging at six months after the MI. Blood tests were performed at day one (D1) and day five (D5) of hospitalization. Changes in inflammatory markers (ΔD5-D1) were calculated. A validated food frequency questionnaire estimated the nutritional consumption and ω-3 intake in the last 3 months before admission. RESULTS: The intake of ω-3 below the median (< 1.7 g/day) was associated with a short-term increase in hs-C-reactive protein [OR:1.96(1.24-3.10); p = 0.004], Interleukin-2 [OR:2.46(1.20-5.04); p = 0.014], brain-type natriuretic peptide [OR:2.66(1.30-5.44); p = 0.007], left-ventricle end-diastolic volume [OR:5.12(1.11-23.52)]; p = 0.036] and decreases in left-ventricle ejection fraction [OR:2.86(1.47-6.88); p = 0.017] after adjustment for covariates. No differences were observed in the extension of infarcted mass obtained by CMRi. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a reduced daily intake of ω-3 may intensify outcome-determining mechanisms after STEMI, such as acute inflammatory response and late left ventricular remodeling. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry number and website: NCT02062554 .

Low HDL cholesterol but not high LDL cholesterol is independently associated with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in healthy octogenarians.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Although low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been consistently demonstrated a predictor of atherosclerotic disease in a large spectrum of clinical settings, among individuals aged of 80 years or older this concept is uncertain. This study was evaluated in a carefully selected population if the association between LDL-C and coronary atherosclerotic burden remains significant in the very elderly. METHODS: Individuals aged of 80 years or older (n = 208) who spontaneously sought primary prevention care and have never manifested cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, neoplastic or consumptive disease were enrolled for a cross-sectional analysis. Medical evaluation, anthropometric measurements, blood tests and cardiac computed tomography were obtained. RESULTS: In analyses adjusted for age, gender, diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, smoking and statin therapy, no association was found between coronary calcium score (CCS) and LDL-C [1.79 (0.75-4.29)]. There was no association between triglycerides and CCS. The association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and CCS was significant and robust in unadjusted [0.32 (0.15-0.67)] as well as in the fully adjusted analysis [0.34 (0.15-0.75)]. CONCLUSION: The present study confirms in a healthy cohort of individuals aged of 80 years or more that while the association between LDL-C and coronary atherosclerosis weakens with aging, the opposite occurs with the levels of HDL-C.

Osteopontin in bone mineral density of very old Brazilians.

Recent evidence suggests that changes in plasma levels of osteopontin (OPN) may be a promising marker for early diagnosis of bone disorders. We hypothesized that a frequent OPN gene polymorphism may be useful for identifying very old individuals with alterations in plasma OPN levels and consequently at risk of abnormal bone density scores. Men and women (80 years or older) living in the Brazilian Federal District underwent assessments with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry for bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck, femoral head and lumbosacral (L1 to S5) regions. Clinical inspection was performed to assess other physical traits and to exclude co-morbidities (cardiovascular, autoimmunity, infections or neoplastic diseases). Serum concentrations of OPN were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas the A7385G polymorphism (rs1126772) was determined by direct sequencing of a polymerase chain reaction product. Among the two hundred and ten subjects enrolled, no differential scores for bone mineral density could be observed across genotypes, but a greater content of circulating OPN was found among carriers of the A allele (P ≤ 0.05) even after adjustments. Serum OPN levels were negatively correlated with femoral neck density (P = 0.050 for BMD; P = 0.032 for T scores) but not with scores of the other regions investigated. Analyses with the sample dichotomized to age and body mass revealed that this inverse relationship was noticeable only among those aged within the highest and weighing within the lowest intervals. Our findings indicate elevated circulating osteopontin levels in patients with decreased bone mineral density, consistent with a modest contribution of an OPN allelic variation to its expression. Assessing the clinical relevance of our findings demands forthcoming studies.

Timing and dose of statin therapy define its impact on inflammatory and endothelial responses during myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical trials of statins during myocardial infarction (MI) have differed in their therapeutic regimes and generated conflicting results. This study evaluated the role of the timing and potency of statin therapy on its potential mechanisms of benefit during MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: ST-elevation MI patients (n=125) were allocated into 5 groups: no statin; 20, 40, or 80 mg/day simvastatin starting at admission; or 80 mg/day simvastatin 48 hours after admission. After 7 days, all patients switched their treatment to 20 mg/day simvastatin for an additional 3 weeks and then underwent flow-mediated dilation in the brachial artery. As of the second day, C-reactive protein (CRP) differed between non-statin users (12.0±4.1 mg/L) and patients treated with 20 (8.5±4.0 mg/L), 40 (3.8±2.5 mg/L), and 80 mg/day (1.4±1.5 mg/L), and the daily differences remained significant until the seventh day (P<0.0001). The higher the statin dose, the lower the elevation of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α, the greater the reduction of 8-isoprostane and low-density lipoprotein(-), and the greater the increase in nitrate/nitrite levels during the first 5 days (P<0.001). Later initiation of statin was less effective than its early introduction in relation to attenuation of CRP, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, 8-isoprostane, and low-density lipoprotein(-), as well as in increase in nitrate/nitrite levels (P<0.0001). At the 30th day, there was no longer a difference in lipid profile or CRP between groups; the flow-mediated dilation, however, was proportional to the initial statin dose and was higher for those who started the treatment early (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the timing and potency of statin treatment during MI are key elements for their main mechanisms of benefit. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00906451.

Adverse outcome has a U-shaped relation with acute phase change in insulin sensitivity after ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Although stress hyperglycemia after myocardial infarction (MI) is consistently associated with increased mortality, recent studies suggest that the addition of upstream markers of glucose metabolism may improve risk identification. Hence, our aim was to evaluate the association between insulin sensitivity changes during MI hospitalization and outcomes. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 331 consecutive ST-Elevation MI (STEMI) patients without insulin provision therapy was used for the analyses. Blood samples were collected upon admission (D1) and after 5days (D5) of the inciting event. We measured blood glucose and insulin to estimate insulin sensitivity using the updated Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA2S). Patients were assessed for intra-hospital death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) during follow-up. RESULTS: HOMA2S was 62%±52% on D1 and 86%±57% on D5 (p<0.001). Total follow-up was a median of 2 (0.9-2.8) years and found a U-shaped relation between the change in HOMA2S from D1 to D5 (ΔHOMA2S) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (p=0.017). Fully adjusted cox-regression models showed that patients from T1 and T3 were about 2.5 times more prone to suffer from MACE than those in T2. Net Reclassification Index adding ΔHOMA2S as a categorical variable dichotomized as T2 and T1 or T3 to a model of GRACE risk score with glucose D1 yielded a better predictive model (0.184 [95% CI 0.124-0.264]; p=0.032). CONCLUSION: A U-shaped curve describes the relation between insulin sensitivity change and MACE during acute phase STEMI and, thus indicating that acute dysglycemia must be appreciated in light of a time spectrum and insulin levels.

Sarcopenia, but not excess weight or increased caloric intake, is associated with coronary subclinical atherosclerosis in the very elderly.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Excess weight is a widespread condition related to increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Sarcopenia is a catabolic pathway common of the aging process and also associated with CHD. In the elderly, both changes occur concurrently and it remains unclear the relative contribution on CHD risk. We aimed to investigate whether sarcopenia, excess weight, or both are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and/or endothelial dysfunction in very elderly individuals. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of cohort enrolled individuals, aged 80 years or older (n = 208), who had never manifested cardiovascular diseases. Blood tests, medical and nutritional evaluations, cardiac computed tomography, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and physical performance tests were obtained at the study admission. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated by multivariate regression models using coronary calcium score (CCS) categories and FMD as dependent variables. Adjustment for potential confounders was done. RESULTS: Muscle mass, but not fatty mass, was inversely associated with CCS categories [OR:2.54(1.06-6.06); p = 0.018]. The lowering of gait speed was negatively related to CCS>100 [OR:2.36 (1.10-5.06); p = 0.028] and skeletal muscle index was directly associated with FMD [OR:5.44 (1.22-24.24); p = 0.026]. Total caloric intake was positively related to fatty mass [OR:2.71 (1.09-6.72); p = 0.031], but was not related to CCS. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals that sarcopenia - comprised by reduction of muscle mass and its strength - is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Surprisingly, the excess of fatty mass seems not to be related to atherosclerotic burden in very elderly individuals.

Atheroprotective Properties of Serum IGF-1 in the Carotid and Coronary Territories and Beneficial Role on the Physical Fitness of the Oldest Old.

Our aim was to investigate whether physiological levels of soluble insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) associate with coronary and carotid atherosclerotic burden and physical fitness in the oldest old by means of a cross-sectional study including 100 community-dwelling individuals with no previous cardiovascular events. Linear correlation was found between IGF-1 and intima-media thickness, number of carotid plaques, and walking speed. Individuals in the upper IGF-1 tertile had smaller right and left intima-media thickness compared with the intermediate and lower tertiles, along with reduced atherosclerotic plaques. Also, walking speed was greater in the upper IGF-1 tertile. On the other hand, a nonlinear correlation was observed between IGF-1 and coronary calcification scores, with the intermediate IGF-1 tertile associated to the lowest scores of calcification and participants with lower circulating levels of IGF-1 showing higher frequency of high-risk morphology plaques. All in all, our report supports a territory-dependent, atherorefractory phenotype in the oldest old carrying middle and/or higher serum levels of IGF-1.

TCF7L2 polymorphism is associated with low nitric oxide release, endothelial dysfunction and enhanced inflammatory response after myocardial infarction.

BACKGOUND: The favorable effects of insulin during myocardial infarction (MI) remain unclear due to the divergence between mechanistic studies and clinical trials of exogenous insulin administration. The rs7903146 polymorphism of the transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) gene is associated with attenuated insulin secretion. METHODS: In non-diabetic patients with ST-elevation MI (STEMI), using such a model of genetically determined down-regulation of endogenous insulin secretion we investigated the change in plasma insulin, C-peptide, interleukin-2 (IL-2), C-reactive protein (CRP), and nitric oxide (NOx) levels between admission (D1) and the fifth day after MI (D5). Coronary angiography and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) were performed at admission and 30 days after MI, respectively. Homeostasis Model Assessment estimated insulin secretion (HOMA2%ß) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA2%S). RESULTS: Although glycemia did not differ between genotypes, carriers of the T-allele had lower HOMA2%ß and higher HOMA2%S at both D1 and D5. As compared with non-carriers, T-allele carriers had higher plasma IL-2 and CRP at D5, higher intracoronary thrombus grade, lower FMD and NOx change between D1 and D5 and higher 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: In non-diabetic STEMI patients, the rs7903146 TCF7L2 gene polymorphism is associated with lower insulin secretion, worse endothelial function, higher coronary thrombotic burden, and higher short-term mortality. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: During the acute phase of MI, a lower capacity of insulin secretion may influence clinical outcome.

Enhanced parathyroid hormone levels are associated with left ventricle hypertrophy in very elderly men and women.

Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been found to be associated with cardiovascular mortality in the elderly, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. This study investigated the association between PTH and structural and functional changes of the heart and arterial wall in a cohort of very elderly individuals. Healthy individuals aged 80 years or more (n = 90) underwent evaluation of serum PTH, cardiac morphology and function by Doppler echocardiography, endothelium dependent and independent vasodilatation by brachial reactivity, carotid stiffness and intima-media thickness by ultrasound, and coronary calcification by computed tomography. Participants with PTH levels above the median 5.8 pmol/L had higher left ventricular mass index (P = .02), relative wall thickness (P = .02), left atrial volume index (P = .03), and shorter deceleration time of E mitral wave (P = .04). Serum PTH levels (odds ratio, 1.027; P = .032) and systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, 1.032; P = .008) were independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. No difference was found between PTH groups in flow- or nitrate-mediated brachial artery dilatation, coronary artery calcification, intima-media thickness, or arterial stiffness. Elevation of serum PTH in the very elderly is associated with concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, but no association with arterial wall structure or function was found in this study.

Apoliprotein E genotype is associated with apoliprotein B plasma levels but not with coronary calcium score in very elderly individuals in primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological surveys indicate the influence of polymorphisms of apolipoprotein (apo) E on plasma lipids and triglyceride-rich lipoprotein levels, with impact on atherosclerotic phenotypes. AIM: We studied the association of classic genotypes of the apoE gene with clinical and biochemical risk factors for atherosclerosis in a segment of the very-old Brazilian individuals, with emphasis on the lipemic profile. METHODS: We performed cross-sectional analyses of clinical and laboratory assessments, including cardiac computed tomography, across ε2, ε3 and ε4 carriers of the apoE gene with a convenience sample of 208 participants eligible for prevention against cardiovascular events. RESULTS: When non-ε4 carriers were compared with ε4 carrying subjects, lower levels of ApoB as well as ApoB/ApoA ratios were observed in the former group. Tests between apoE polymorphisms with other clinical/biochemical variables and those with arterial calcification showed no significant differences between groups. CONCLUSION: The study suggests a possible atherogenic role of the ε4 allele attributable to increased ApoB levels and ApoB/ApoA ratios among very-old subjects in primary care setting.

HDL levels and oxidizability during myocardial infarction are associated with reduced endothelial-mediated vasodilation and nitric oxide bioavailability.

OBJECTIVE: Acute phase response modifies high-density lipoprotein (HDL) into a dysfunctional particle that may favor oxidative/inflammatory stress and eNOS dysfunction. The present study investigated the impact of this phenomenon on patients presenting ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Plasma was obtained from 180 consecutive patients within the first 24-h of onset of STEMI symptoms (D1) and after 5 days (D5). Nitrate/nitrite (NOx) and lipoproteins were isolated by gradient ultracentrifugation. The oxidizability of low-density lipoprotein incubated with HDL (HDLaoxLDL) and the HDL self-oxidizability (HDLautox) were measured after CuSO4 co-incubation. Anti-inflammatory activity of HDL was estimated by VCAM-1 secretion by human umbilical vein endothelial cells after incubation with TNF-α. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed at the 30(th) day (D30) after STEMI. RESULTS: Among patients in the first tertile of admission HDL-Cholesterol (<33 mg/dL), the increment of NOx from D1 to D5 [6.7(2; 13) vs. 3.2(-3; 10) vs. 3.5(-3; 12); p = 0.001] and the FMD adjusted for multiple covariates [8.4(5; 11) vs 6.1(3; 10) vs. 5.2(3; 10); p = 0.001] were higher than in those in the second (33-42 mg/dL) or third (>42 mg/dL) tertiles, respectively. From D1 to D5, there was a decrease in HDL size (-6.3 ± 0.3%; p < 0.001) and particle number (-22.0 ± 0.6%; p < 0.001) as well as an increase in both HDLaoxLDL (33%(23); p < 0.001) and HDLautox (65%(25); p < 0.001). VCAM-1 secretion after TNF-a stimulation was reduced after co-incubation with HDL from healthy volunteers (-24%(33); p = 0.009), from MI patients at D1 (-23%(37); p = 0.015) and at D30 (-22%(24); p = 0.042) but not at D5 (p = 0.28). CONCLUSION: During STEMI, high HDL-cholesterol is associated with a greater decline in endothelial function. In parallel, structural and functional changes in HDL occur reducing its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

Low zinc levels is associated with increased inflammatory activity but not with atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis or endothelial dysfunction among the very elderly.

BACKGROUND: Reduced zinc intake has been related to atherogenesis and arteriosclerosis. We verified this assumption in very old individuals, which are particularly prone to both zinc deficiency and structural and functional changes in the arterial wall. METHODS: Subjects (n = 201, 80-102 years) with uneventful cardiovascular history and who were not in use of anti-inflammatory treatments in the last 30-days were enrolled. Daily intake of zinc, lipid profile, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), plasma zinc, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), carotid ultrasonography and cardiac computed tomography were obtained. Young's Elastic Modulus, Stiffness Index and Artery Compliance were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in clinical or laboratorial data between subjects grouped according to plasma zinc tertile, except for CRP (p = 0.01) and blood leukocytes (p = 0.002), of which levels were higher in the upper tertiles. The average daily intake of zinc was not significantly correlated with zinc or CRP plasma levels. The plasma zinc/zinc intake ratio was inversely correlated with plasma CRP levels (- 0.18; p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between the plasma zinc tertiles and FMD, carotid intima-media thickness, coronary calcium score, carotid plaque presence, remodeled noncalcified coronary plaques, or low-attenuation noncalcified coronary plaques. CONCLUSION: Although plasma zinc level is inversely related to systemic inflammatory activity, its plasma levels of daily intake are not associated to alterations in structure or function of the arterial wall. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the very elderly plasma concentrations or daily intake of zinc is not related to endothelial dysfunction, arteriosclerosis or atherosclerotic burden at coronary or carotid arteries.

Elevated CETP activity during acute phase of myocardial infarction is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction and adverse clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Recent data suggests that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity may interact with acute stress conditions via inflammatory-oxidative response and thrombogenesis. We investigated this assumption in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Consecutive patients with STEMI (n = 116) were enrolled <24-h of symptoms onset and were followed for 180 days. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), 8-isoprostane, nitric oxide (NOx) and CETP activity were measured at enrollment (D1) and at fifth day (D5). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed by ultrasound and coronary thrombus burden (CTB) was evaluated by angiography. RESULTS: Neither baseline nor the change of CETP activity from D1 to D5 was associated with CRP, IL-2, TNFα, 8-isoprostane levels or CTB. The rise in NOx from D1 to D5 was inferior [3.5(-1; 10) vs. 5.5(-1; 12); p < 0.001] and FMD was lower [5.9(5.5) vs. 9.6(6.6); p = 0.047] in patients with baseline CETP activity above the median value than in their counterparts. Oxidized HDL was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in isolated HDL particles and increased from D1 to D5, and remaining elevated at D30. The change in TBARS content in HDL was associated with CETP activity (r = 0.72; p = 0.014) and FMD (r = -0.61; p = 0.046). High CETP activity at admission was associated with the incidence of sudden death and recurrent MI at 30 days (OR 12.8; 95% CI 1.25-132; p = 0.032) and 180 days (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.03-10.7; p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: An enhanced CETP activity during acute phase of STEMI is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction and adverse clinical outcome.

Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring with a deflectable esophageal temperature probe and intracardiac echocardiography may reduce esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures: results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring is one strategy to minimize esophageal injury during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. However, esophageal ulceration and fistulas have been reported despite adequate LET monitoring. The objective of this study was to assess a novel approach to LET monitoring with a deflectable LET probe on the rate of esophageal injury in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-five consecutive patients undergoing an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure followed by esophageal endoscopy were included in this prospective observational pilot study. LET monitoring was performed with a 7F deflectable ablation catheter that was positioned as close as possible to the site of left atrial ablation using the deflectable component of the catheter guided by visualization of its position on intracardiac echocardiography. Ablation in the posterior left atrial was limited to 25 W and terminated when the LET increased 2°C from baseline. Endoscopy was performed 1 to 2 days after the procedure. All patients had at least 1 LET elevation >2°C necessitating cessation of ablation. Deflection of the LET probe was needed to accurately measure LET in 5% of patients when ablating near the left pulmonary veins, whereas deflection of the LET probe was necessary in 88% of patients when ablating near the right pulmonary veins. The average maximum increase in LET was 2.5±1.5°C. No patients had esophageal thermal injury on follow-up endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: A strategy of optimal LET probe placement using a deflectable LET probe and intracardiac echocardiography guidance, combined with cessation of radiofrequency ablation with a 2°C rise in LET, may reduce esophageal thermal injury during left atrial ablation procedures.

Association of systemic inflammatory activity with coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in the very elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the existence of association between plasma levels of pro- or anti-inflammatory mediators and atherosclerotic burden at coronary and carotid arteries in individuals aged of 80 or more years old. METHODS: Healthy individuals aged between 80 and 102 years old (n = 178) underwent evaluation of plasma cytokines and acute phase proteins, intima-media thickness (IMT) and presence of plaques in carotid arteries by ultrasound and coronary artery calcification (CAC) by cardiac computed tomography. RESULTS: There was no association between CAC and carotid plaques (p = 0.8), maximum (p = 0.06) or mean IMT (p = 0.2). No association was found between the presence of carotid plaques and CRP (p = 0.4), TNF-α (p = 0.8) or IL-10 (p = 0.2). Likewise, individuals in the first three quartiles for CRP, TNF-α or IL-10 had similar values of CAC, mean and maximum IMT. In contrast, individuals above the 75th percentile for CRP or for TNF-α had enhanced maximum IMT (p = 0.017 and p < 0.0001) and CAC (p = 0.026 and p = 0.01) and subjects with IL-10 levels above the 75th percentile had lower maximum IMT (p = 0.027) and CAC (p = 0.006) as compared with those below this percentile. There was no difference in mean IMT for individuals above or below the 75th percentile for CRP, TNF-α or IL-10. CONCLUSION: In very old individuals, CAC and maximum IMT were positively associated with systemic inflammatory activity only in those above the 75th percentile. The markers of atherosclerotic burden at coronary and carotid arteries were not related to each other and were distinctly associated with pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators, suggesting that atherosclerosis development is different in these vascular beds.

Most of the patients presenting myocardial infarction would not be eligible for intensive lipid-lowering based on clinical algorithms or plasma C-reactive protein.

OBJECTIVE: The study we assessed how often patients who are manifesting a myocardial infarction (MI) would not be considered candidates for intensive lipid-lowering therapy based on the current guidelines. METHODS: In 355 consecutive patients manifesting ST elevation MI (STEMI), admission plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured and Framingham risk score (FRS), PROCAM risk score, Reynolds risk score, ASSIGN risk score, QRISK, and SCORE algorithms were applied. Cardiac computed tomography and carotid ultrasound were performed to assess the coronary artery calcium score (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and the presence of carotid plaques. RESULTS: Less than 50% of STEMI patients would be identified as having high risk before the event by any of these algorithms. With the exception of FRS (9%), all other algorithms would assign low risk to about half of the enrolled patients. Plasma CRP was <1.0mg/L in 70% and >2mg/L in 14% of the patients. The average cIMT was 0.8±0.2mm and only in 24% of patients was ≥1.0mm. Carotid plaques were found in 74% of patients. CAC ≥100 was found in 66% of patients. Adding CAC ≥100 plus the presence of carotid plaque, a high-risk condition would be identified in 100% of the patients using any of the above mentioned algorithms. CONCLUSION: More than half of patients manifesting STEMI would not be considered as candidates for intensive preventive therapy by the current clinical algorithms. The addition of anatomical parameters such as CAC and the presence of carotid plaques can substantially reduce the CVD risk underestimation.

Life-threatening cardiac manifestations of pheochromocytoma.

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal glands, usually with benign manifestations, whose typical clinical presentation includes the triad of headache, palpitations and diaphoresis. However, a wide range of signs and symptoms may be present. In the cardiovascular system, the most common signs are labile hypertension and sinus tachycardia. Systolic heart failure and ST-segment deviations mimicking myocardial infarction have also been reported, as well as QT interval prolongation and, rarely, ventricular tachycardia. We describe a challenging diagnosis of pheochromocytoma with many cardiovascular manifestations, which could have been missed due to the absence of typical symptoms.

Utility of intracardiac ultrasound imaging to guide pulmonary vein ablation using laser balloon catheter.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with balloon catheter has been used as the endpoint for AF ablation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of intracardiac ultrasound (ICUS) to guide PVI using laser balloon catheter. METHODS: 59 PVs were ablated in 27 dogs. Doppler imaging was used to identify blood flow leaks between PV and balloon. After each energy delivery, the circular mapping catheter was repositioned to check if isolation had been achieved. The leak position was then correlated with the gap position at the pathological study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: 59 PV were ablated. Mean burn time was 279+/-177 sec, mean balloon diameter was 23+/-3 mm, and mean balloon length was 25+/-4 mm. Complete isolation was achieved in 38/59 (64%) cases, and it was significantly more common when there was no leak: [30/38 (79%) versus 8/23 (35%), p<0.001]. This occurred regardless of time of laser application (302+/-223 sec. vs. 266+/-148 sec., p=ns), laser power (3.5 W/cm, 4.5 W/cm, and 5.5 W/cm), balloon diameter (24+/- 3 mm vs. 22+/- 3 mm, p=ns) and length (27+/-4 mm vs. 24+/-4mm, p=ns). The positive predictive value for predicting incomplete isolation was 65% and the negative predictive value was 83%. CONCLUSION: An identifiable leak between PV and the LBA device seen at the ICUS is predictive of lower PV isolation rates. ICUS may be useful for leak detection to avoid ineffective energy application during circumferential PV ablation. This could also be helpful when other types of energy are used.