Left atrial function and volume by magnetic resonance in patients with hereditary amyloidosis

ABSTRACT Background Left atrial (LA) enlargement is a reliable predictor of adverse cardiovascular events, and reduced atrial function is an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with amyloidosis. The objective of this study was to characterize the LA function in Mexican patients with a confirmed diagnosis of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (amyloid transthyretin [ATTR]) Methods All consecutive patients with diagnosis of hereditary ATTR who underwent a cardiac magnetic resonance study in the period from March 2016 to June 2017 were included in the study; the volumes and function of the left atrium were evaluated Results Patients were divided into two groups, one with and one without cardiac amyloidosis. Statistically significant differences were observed between both groups in terms of indexed maximal LA volume, 26 mL versus 35.9mL, p = 0.03; indexed minimal LA volume, 10.7 mL versus 13.6mL, p = 0.03; and indexed LA pre-contraction volume, 17 mL versus 22.4mL, p = 0.03. No statistically significant differences were observed between both groups when comparing neither different ejection volumes nor the different ejection fractions Conclusions Patients with hereditary ATTR with cardiac involvement have remodeling of the left atrium, with increased atrial volumes, without diminishing its function.

Prevalence of pericardial effusion in systemic diseases / Prevalencia de derrame pericárdico en enfermedades sistémicas

Abstract Introduction: The presence of 50 ml of fluid or more in the pericardial sac is known as pericardial effusion. Objective: To determine the prevalence of pericardial effusion in patients with systemic diseases. Method: Echocardiographic studies performed at the National Medical Center Siglo XXI Specialty Hospital Cardiology Department between 2006 and 2016 were reviewed. According to Weitzman's criteria, pericardial effusion was classified as mild, < 10 mm, moderate, 10 to 20 mm and severe, > 20 mm. Results: In total, 10,653 studies were reviewed; the prevalence of pericardial effusion was 3.5 % (380), in 209 women (55 %, 45.9 ± 19.0 years) and 171 men (45 %, 41.9 ± 18.5 years). Etiology was uremic in 227 (59.7 %), lymphatic drainage reduction in 73 (15.8 %), autoimmune diseases in 30 (7.9 %), neoplastic in 26 (6.8 %), infectious in 19 (5 %), idiopathic in 14 (3.7 %), hypothyroidism in two (0.5 %), iatrogenic in one (0.3 %) and post-infarction in one (0.3 %). Severity was mild in 87 (22.9 %), moderate in 147 (38.7 %) and severe in 146 (38.4 %). Conclusions: The prevalence of pericardial effusion was 3.5% in patients with systemic diseases.

Evaluación postquirúrgica por ecocardiografía del paciente sometido a cambio valvular aórtico: ¿Se aplican las recomendaciones de las guías? / Echocardiographic evaluation of patients after aortic valve replacement: Do we follow the guidelines?

Objetivo: Determinar la metodología de evaluación ecocardiográfica empleada en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología (hospital de tercer nivel) en pacientes operados de cambio valvular aórtico. Método: Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes consecutivos mayores de 18 años con estenosis aórtica que fueron llevados a cirugía de cambio valvular aórtico en el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", durante el periodo de enero del 2011 a junio del 2012. Se determinó la fecha de cirugía, tipo de prótesis y el número y fecha de ecocardiogramas realizados después del evento quirúrgico. Resultados: Se encontró que en el 81% de los pacientes el primer ecocardiograma postquirúrgico se realizó durante su internamiento. Esta primera evaluación fue realizada dentro de las primeras 24 a 48 horas a 42 pacientes (51.8%); entre los 3 y los 7 días a 27 pacientes (33.3%); entre los 8 y los 14 días a 7 pacientes (8.6%) y posterior a los 14 días a 5 pacientes (6.1%). A 19 pacientes no se les realizó ecocardiograma. Conclusiones: En el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", se realiza una evaluación y seguimiento ecocardiográfico de los pacientes operados de cambio valvular aórtico distinto a las recomendaciones internacionales.

Objective: To determine the methodology for the echocardiographic evaluation of patients with aortic valve replacement at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología. Method: We included all consecutive patients, 18 years old or more with aortic valve replacement secondary to aortic stenosis at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", between January 2011 and June 2012. We described the date of the surgery, type of prosthetic valve and the number and date of the echocardiograms after the valve replacement. Results: Between January 2011 and June 2012, 100 patients underwent aortic valve replacement. In 81% the first echocardiogram was made during hospitalization. The first evaluation was made within the first 24-48 hours in 42 patients (51.8%), between the 3rd and 7th day in 27 patients (33.3%), between the 8th and the 14th day in 7 patients (8.6%) and after 14 days in 5 patients (6.1%). No echocardiogram was made in 19 patients. Conclusions: At the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez" we made an echocardiographic evaluation and follow up different from the international recommendations for patients with valve replacement.