Increased risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with psoriasis: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Background: Several epidemiological studies have shown that psoriasis increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation but evidence of this is still scarce. Aims: Our objective was to systematically review, synthesise and critique the epidemiological studies that provided information about the relationship between psoriasis and atrial fibrillation risk. Methods: We searched through PubMed, EMBASE and the bibliographies for articles published between 1 January 2000, and 1 November 2017, that reported on the association between psoriasis and atrial fibrillation. All abstracts, full-text articles and sources were reviewed with duplicate data excluded. Summary relative risks (RRs) with 95% CI were pooled using a random effects model. Results: We identified 252 articles, of these eight unique abstracts underwent full-text review. We finally selected six out of these eight studies comprising 11,187 atrial fibrillation patients. The overall pooled relative risk (RR) of atrial fibrillation was 1.39 (95% CI: 1.257–1.523, P < 0.0001) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 80.316, Q = 45.723, ?2 = 0.017, P < 0.0001) for the random effects model. In subgroup analysis, the greater risk was found in studies from North America, RR 1.482 (95% CI: 1.119–1.964, P < 0.05), whereas a moderate risk was observed in studies from Europe RR 1.43 (95% CI: 1.269–1.628, P < 0.0001). Limitations: We were only able to include six studies with 11,178 atrial fibrillation patients, because only a few such studies have been published. Conclusion: Our results showed that psoriasis is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Therefore, physicians should monitor patient’s physical condition on a timely basis.

Association of cardiac disease with the risk of post-lung transplantation mortality in Chinese recipients aged over 65 years / 医学前沿

The current organ allocation rules prioritize elderly and urgent patients on the lung transplantation (LT) waiting list. A steady increase in the threshold at which age is taken into consideration for LT has been observed. This retrospective cohort study recruited 166 lung transplant recipients aged ≽ 65 years between January 2016 and October 2020 in the largest LT center in China. In the cohort, subgroups of patients aged 65-70 years (111 recipients, group 65-70) and ≽ 70 years (55 recipients, group ≽ 70) were included. Group D restrictive lung disease was the main indication of a lung transplant in recipients over 65 years. A significantly higher percentage of coronary artery stenosis was observed in the group ≽ 70 (30.9% vs. 14.4% in group 65-70, P = 0.014). ECMO bridging to LT was performed in 5.4% (group 65-70) and 7.3% (group ≽ 70) of patients. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that recipients with cardiac abnormalities had a significantly increased risk of mortality. After adjusting for potential confounders, cardiac abnormality was shown to be independently associated with the increased risk of post-LT mortality (HR 6.37, P = 0.0060). Our result showed that LT can be performed in candidates with an advanced age and can provide life-extending benefits.

Cardiac abnormalities in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiac abnormalities. METHODS: Patients with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who attended an outpatient clinic in Southern Brazil were prospectively evaluated. Patients should be older than 18 years and have steatosis. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 63±12 years, 65% were women, 71% white, 82.2% hypertensive, 52.3% diabetic, 56.3% obese, and 30% dyslipidemic. There was no association between Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiac abnormalities, even after adjusting for age, sex, and metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The present study did not show a direct correlation between Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiac abnormalities, regardless of metabolic syndrome.

Reseach progress on the role of ErbB2 in cardiac disease / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Cardiac disease is the general term of diseases, caused by damage to the structure or abnormal function of the heart. Its morbidity and mortality have remained high, seriously threatening the lives and health of people. The tyrosine kinase receptor ErbB2 (also known as EGFR2 or HER2) was originally discovered for its oncogenic activity, however, recent studies have found that ErbB2 have protective effects in various heart diseases. Therefore, this article reviews the role and underlying mechanism of ErbB2 in myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxic injury and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, this article also preliminarily discusses the application prospects, limitations and development directions of ErbB2 as a clinical diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for heart disease.

Progress in RIPK3-mediated necroptosis involved in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury / 中国药理学通报

Aim Timely re establishment of coronary blood How in patients with myocardial infarction is the cornerstone of their treatment; however, substantial amount of damage can oecur as a consequence of reperfusion.In recent years it has been found that receptor interacting protein kinase 3 ( RIPK3 ) contributes remarkably to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI).RIPK3 can regulate necroptosis through RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL and CaMKII, respectively, and participate in the MIRI process.This artiele reviews the researeh progress of RIPK3-mediated ne¬ croptosis involved in MIRI from endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial fragmentation disturbanee, cardiac microvascular dysfunction and inflammation, and focuses on whether RIPK3 can be used as a new target for anti-MIRI, so as to provide a new strategy and choice for improving the clinical treatment effect and prognosis of ischemic heart disease.

A tertiary care centre profile of heart diseases among diagnosed cases of chronic kidney disease

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD. There is limited data on cardiovascular diseases among CKD patients from developing countries including India. With the present study, the prevalence and patterns of cardiac diseases among patients with CKD were profiled.Methods: This was a cross sectional study in which 217 patients with CKD were studied over a period of two years and six months. Data on demographic characteristics and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Cardiac evaluation was done using resting ECG and echocardiography.Results: One hundred eighteen (54.4%) patients had either eccentric or concentric LVH. Patients with LVH were more likely to be hypertensive (p<0.001) or anemic (p=0.034). Up to 9.2% of study subjects had valvular heart disease (rheumatic or degenerative) and 22% had pericarditis. Patients with pericarditis were more likely to have a serum urea concentration greater than 60mg/dl (p=0.327). Forty-one patients (18.9%) had left ventricular systolic failure (EF<50%). There was a statistically insignificant higher prevalence of systolic failure in patients with LVH (21% vs. 16%), (p=0.346). Thirty-eight participants (17.5%) had diastolic failure while 2% had cardiac rhythm abnormalities.Conclusions: Cardiac abnormalities are common in a relatively young Indian population with CKD. Clinicians should routinely screen and manage cardiovascular disease in CKD patients.

Obstetrics outcome in pregnant women with cardiac disease in tertiary care center, Dehradun, India

Background: Incidence of heart disease in pregnancy is about 1%. Pregnant patient with cardiac disease can present with lot of challenges for the obstetrician, paediatrician and the cardiologist. With improvement in diagnostic, medical, surgical management, more patient with cardiac diseases especially congenital are able to reach reproductive age. Therefore, still a cardiac disease remains a significant cause of maternal death. Maternal and fetal prognosis both is affected by the care given and the skills used in the treatment of the individual patient. Hospital has resulted in majority of cardiac disease patient being managed in a tertiary care center and this provide an opportunity to report on clinical experiences of pregnancy with cardiac disease, their management and obstetrical outcomes.Methods: This was a retrospective study, with all the patients detailed demographic information, diagnosis, course in the hospital, management, maternal and fetal outcome was obtained from the medical records and files.Results: Incidence of cardiac disease was found to be 0.7%, 47% of pregnant women fell in age group of 26-30 years, 38.2% were primigravida, only 23.53% were booked, and half of them belonged to NYHA II class. 73.5% had Rheumatic heart disease and the most common obstetrics complications were preterm labor and anemia. LSCS was done in 29.4% cases and 38.2% of the newborns were premature.Conclusions: Prematurity anaemia, IUGR, are the common obstetrical complication in pregnant patient with cardiac disease which can be taken care with increased awareness and pre-conceptional counselling especially in patient with congenital heart disease. For optimization of maternal and neonatal outcomes in these patients, dedicated team of obstetrician, fetal medicine specialist, pediatricians, cardiologist and anesthesiologist is the prime requirement.

An integrated design of fields in IMRT for post-radical mastectomy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective@#To investigate the dosimetry differences of target and OARs of an integrated design of fields in IMRT and the mainstream IMRT technique for post-radical mastectomy.@*Methods@#A total of 41 patients with post-radical mastectomy who received IMRT were eligible, the conventional fixing two-degrade collimator and the integrated IMRT fields were designed respectively. The dosimetry parameters of target and OARs, monitor units and delivery time of both plans were compared.@*Results@#The dose distribution for targets and OARs of both plans met clinical requirements. The dosimetry parameters of target of both plans showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Compared with the conventional technique, the integrated IMRT plans showed significant advantages, the ipsilateral lung V5 decreased by 9.7%(t=2.407, P<0.05), V10 11.2%(t=2.160, P<0.05), V20 17.3%(t=2.465, P<0.05), V30 13.4%(t=2.119, P<0.05), Dmean 13.8%(t=2.258, P<0.05). And the heart V30 decreased by 28.4%(t=2.589, P<0.05), Dmean 23.2%(t=2.409, P<0.05). The dosimetric differences of other OARS were not statistically significant(P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#The new method can effectively reduce exposed volume and exposed dose of ipsilateral lung and heart without affecting the target dose coverage. The method has universal applicability to patients with post-radical mastectomy who received IMRT, with important clinical significance.

An integrated design of fields in IMRT for post-radical mastectomy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the dosimetry differences of target and OARs of an integrated design of fields in IMRT and the mainstream IMRT technique for post-radical mastectomy.Methods A total of 41 patients with post-radical mastectomy who received IMRT were eligible,the conventional fixing two-degrade collimator and the integrated IMRT fields were designed respectively.The dosimetry parameters of target and OARs,monitor units and delivery time of both plans were compared.Results The dose distribution for targets and OARs of both plans met clinical requirements.The dosimetry parameters of target of both plans showed no statistically significant difference (P＞0.05).Compared with the conventional technique,the integrated IMRT plans showed significant advantages,the ipsilateral lung V5 decreased by9.7％ (t=2.407,P＜0.05),V10 11.2％ (t=2.160,P＜0.05),V20 17.3％ (t=2.465,P＜0.05),V30 13.4％ (t=2.119,P＜0.05),D 13.8％ (t=2.258,P＜0.05).And the heart V30 decreased by 28.4％ (t =2.589,P＜0.05),D 23.2％ (t=2.409,P＜0.05).The dosimetric differences of other OARS were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).Conclusions The new method can effectively reduce exposed volume and exposed dose of ipsilateral lung and heart without affecting the target dose coverage.The method has universal applicability to patients with post-radical mastectomy who received IMRT,with important clinical significance.

Study of spectrum of cardiac disease complicating pregnancy and the maternal and foetal outcome

Background: Heart diseases are the most important non obstetrical causes of maternal deaths during pregnancy, accounting for almost 10% of maternal deaths. They complicate 1-3% of all pregnancies.Methods: The study was conducted at Cheluvamba Hospital from January 2015 till July 2016. All pregnant women with cardiac disease were included in the study. Pregnant women with cardiac disease were followed up during antenatal period, evaluated and maternal and foetal outcome was studied.Results: Total number of deliveries in the one and half year study period was 18,803 cases and the total number of women with cardiac disease was 90. Most of the subjects belonged to NYHA grade I and II (95.5%), whereas NYHA grade III and IV constituted only 4.4% of cases. Rheumatic heart disease was the principal cardiac lesion (62.22%) among the pregnancies, while congenital heart disease (33.33%) was the second most common cause. 16.7% had cardiac complications and there were 2(2.22%) maternal mortality. 91.86% were live births with 5.88% IUDs and 2.35% neonatal deaths. 15.29% of the babies were Preterm, 8.14% were IUGR babies and 2.35% had congenital anomalies. It was noted NYHA grade III/IV cases had more preterm babies compared to NYHA grade I/II. NICU admissions were also more with NYHA grade III/IV.Conclusions: The results suggest the need for pre-pregnancy counselling, early diagnosis, correction of cardiac lesions where indicated, close surveillance during pregnancy and a team approach comprising of obstetricians, cardiologists, neonatologists and nursing personnel for a successful pregnancy outcome.

Effect evaluation of blood component transfusion combined with recombinant activated factorⅦa in treatment of severe active hemorrhage after cardiac surgery / 中国综合临床

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and complications of component blood transfusion combined with recombinant activated factorⅦa(rFⅦa)in treatment of severe active hemorrhage after cardiac surgery??Methods Fifty patients who suffered from severe active hemorrhage after cardiac surgery were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from July 2015 to May 2017??All patients were divided into GR group ( component blood transfusion combined with rFⅦa) and GA group (component blood transfusion combined with tranexamic acid) by random number table method,25 cases in each group??The changes of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were screened on admission(D1), after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass ( D2 ), and 2 h ( D3 ), 6 h ( D4 ) and 12 h ( D5 ) after medication??The difference of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), international normalized ratio (INR),fibrinogen,hemoglobin and platelet of the two groups at each time point of D1,D2,D3,D4 and D5 were analyzed??Meanwhile, the postoperative drainage, postoperative blood transfusion, postoperative plasma transfusion volume, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, ICU retention time, the 30 d mortality and complications were compared between the two groups??Results There were significant differences in APTT, INR,fibrinogen,hemoglobin and platelet between the two groups ( all P＜0??05)??There was no significant difference in the indices of DIC screening between the two groups at D1, D2 and D5 time points ( all P＞0??05),but at D3 time point,APTT in GR group was significantly shorter than that in GA group((50??3 ±6??6)s vs??(60??1±6??5)s,P＝0??027),and INR in GR group at D4 time point was also significantly lower ((1??3 ± 0??3) vs??( 1??5 ± 0??3), P＝0??041)??In addition, the amount of red blood cells transfusion after treatment in GR group and GA group (( 3??2± 1??0) U vs??(4??1 ± 1??0) U,P＝0??005),the amount of fresh plasma transfusion ((303??2±98??5) ml vs??(469??6± 190??5) ml,P＝0??000),the amount of 24 h drainage after operation ((519??9±107??5) ml vs??(657??2±100??1) ml, P＝0??000) were significantly decreased,the differences were statistically significant??Conclusion Blood component transfusion combined with rFⅦa can significantly improve APTT and INR of severe active hemorrhage after cardiac surgery,at the same time,it can reduce the amount of red blood cells transfusion and plasma transfusion??

Evaluation for airway obstruction in adult patients with stable ischemic heart disease

Background Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and chronic airway disease (COPD and Asthma) are major epidemics accounting for significant mortality and morbidity. The combination presents many diagnostic challenges. Clinical symptoms and signs frequently overlap. There is a need for airway evaluation in these patients to plan appropriate management. Methods Consecutive stable IHD patients attending the cardiology OPD in a tertiary care centre were interviewed for collecting basic demographic information, brief medical, occupational, personal history and risk factors for coronary artery disease and airway disease, modified medical research centre (MMRC) grade for dyspnea, quality of life-St. George respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ), spirometry and six-min walk tests. Patients with chronic airway obstruction were treated as per guidelines and were followed up at 3rd month with spirometry, six-minute walk test and SGRQ. Results One hundred fourteen consecutive patients with stable cardiac disease were included (Males-88, Females-26). Mean age was 58.89 ± 12.24 years, 53.50% were smokers, 31.56% were alcoholics, 40.35% diabetics, 47.36% hypertensive. Twenty five patients had airway obstruction on spirometry (COPD-13 and Asthma-12) and none were on treatment. Thirty-one patients had cough and 48 patients had dyspnea. Patients with abnormal spirometry had higher symptoms, lower exercise tolerance and quality of life. Treatment with appropriate respiratory medications resulted in increase in lung function, quality of life and exercise tolerance at 3rd month. Conclusion Chronic respiratory disease in patients with stable IHD is frequent but often missed due to overlap of symptoms. Spirometry is a simple tool to recognize the underlying pulmonary condition and patients respond favorably with appropriate treatment

Matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in rabbits with doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy / Metaloproteinases de matriz 2 e 9 em coelhos com cardiomiopatia induzida pela doxorrubicina

Some studies have shown the role played by matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. In this study, we sought to investigate how plasma and myocardial MMP 2 and 9 perform in rabbits with doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, searching for a correlation between the activity of these collagenases and cardiac remodeling. Cardiomyopathy was induced by doxorubicin given intravenously twice a week for six consecutive weeks. Plasma MMP activity and the echocardiogram were assessed at baseline, and at 15 and 45 days after first injection of doxorubicin. The myocardial activity of these enzymes was solely evaluated in nine rabbits at 45 days, and results were compared with nine healthy controls. We only identified the full-length forms of both MMP 2 and 9 throughout the study. The plasma pro-MMP 2 reduced along the deterioration of cardiac function, while the pro-MMP 9 increased significantly at T45 as compared to baseline and T15. A negative significant correlation was found to exist between the plasma activity of pro-MMP 2 and mitral E-to-mitral septal annular early diastolic velocity ratio, which is an estimate of mean left atrial pressure and congestion. Only pro-MMP 2 was found in myocardial samples, and mean activity of such enzyme was statistically lower than that recorded for healthy controls. Although no active form was documented for either collagenase, the duration of the treatment with doxorubicin played a role in the alteration of plasma pro-forms activity. However, these changes could not be associated with most echocardiographic parameters that are supportive of cardiac remodeling.(AU)

Alguns estudos já demonstraram o papel exercido pelas metaloproteinases de matriz e seus inibidores na cardiotoxicidade promovida pela doxorrubicina. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o comportamento das MMPs 2 e 9 plasmáticas e miocárdicas em coelhos com cardiomiopatia induzida pela doxorrubicina, buscando determinar se há correlação entre a atividade dessas colagenases e o remodelamento cardíaco. A cardiomiopatia foi induzida pela doxorrubicina aplicada por via intravenosa duas vezes por semana ao longo de seis semanas consecutivas. A atividade plasmática das MMPs e o ecocardiograma foram avaliados no momento basal e aos 15 e 45 dias após a primeira aplicação da doxorrubicina. A atividade miocárdica dessas enzimas foi quantificada em apenas nove coelhos aos 45 dias e os resultados comparados com outros nove controles saudáveis. Foram identificadas apenas as formas inativas das MMPs 2 e 9 durante todo o estudo. A pro-MMP 2 plasmática reduziu à medida que a função cardiaca se deteriorou, enquanto a pro-MMP 9 aumentou significativamente em T45 quando comparada aos momentos basal e T15. Houve correlação negativa significativa entre a atividade plasmática da pro-MMP 2 e a relação entre E mitral e a velocidade anular mitral no início da diástole, um parâmetro que permite estimar a pressão atrial esquerda média e a congestão. Apenas a pro-MMP 2 foi documentada nas amostras miocárdicas dos coelhos com cardiomiopatia e atividade media dessa enzima foi estatisticamente menor que aquela observada nos controles saudáveis. Embora a forma ativa de ambas as colagenases não tenha sido identificada, o tempo de tratamento com doxorrubicina interferiu na atividade das formas inativas plasmáticas. Contudo, essas alterações não se associaram com a maioria dos parâmetros ecocardiográficos que indicam remodelamento cardíaco.(AU)

Percepção da doença em pacientes cardíacos: uma revisão sistemática / Iilness perception in cardiac patients: a systematic review / Percepción de la enfermedad en pacientes cardíacos: una revisión sistemática

A presente revisão sistemática da literatura teve por objetivo investigar estudos publicados entre 2009 e 2015 que examinaram a percepção da doença em pacientes cardíacos a partir do Modelo do Senso Comum. As buscas foram feitas nas bases de dados PsycInfo, Medline e PubMed. Foram utilizados os descritores: cardiac disease, illness perception, illness representation e illness beliefs. Os resultados mostraram que a percepção da doença cardíaca é associada a consequências graves à vida do paciente, com causas atribuídas a fatores independentes dos comportamentos do indivíduo (causas psicológicas, hereditariedade, vírus, má sorte etc.). Além disso, os pacientes cardíacos acreditam mais no tratamento para o controle da doença do que no seu controle pessoal (AU)

This systematic review of literature aimed to investigate articles published between 2009 and 2015 about illness perception in cardiac patients, based on the Common Sense Model (CSM). Searches were performed at the databases PsycInfo, Medline e PubMed. The descriptors used were cardiac disease, illness perception, illness representation and illness beliefs. The results showed that cardiac disease is associated to serious consequences to patient's life, with causes attributed to factors regardless of the individual's behavior (psychological causes, hereditary, virus, bad luck, etc.). Furthermore, cardiac patients tend to believe more in treatment to control than in personal control (AU)

La presente revisión sistemática de la literatura tuvo el objetivo de analizar artículos publicados entre 2009 y 2015 que examinaron la percepción de la enfermedad en pacientes cardíacos a partir del Modelo del Sentido Común. Las búsquedas fueron realizadas en las bases de datos PsycInfo, Medline e PubMed. Fueron utilizados las palabras-clave: cardiac disease, illness perception, illness representation e illness beliefs. Los resultados mostraron que la percepción de la enfermedad cardíaca está asociada a consecuencias graves a la vida del paciente, con causas atribuidas a factores independientes de las conductas de la persona (causas psicológicas, hereditariedade, virus, mala suerte, etc). Además, los pacientes cardíacos creen más en el tratamiento para el control de la enfermedad que en su control personal (AU).

Avances en la construcción del inventario de patrón de conducta tipo A y D (IPAD) / Progress in the construction of the type A and D behaviour profile inventory (IPAD)

Un Patrón de Conducta es una forma habitual de ver y reaccionar ante el entorno y las circunstancias. El Patrón de Conducta Tipo A tiene su origen en la descripción presentada por Friedman y Rosenman en 1959, quienes lo relacionaron con un riesgo aumentado de sufrir una afección cardíaca. A partir de este aporte, numerosas investigaciones consideraron que este patrón constituye un factor de riesgo independiente tanto en el inicio como en el desarrollo de los trastornos cardíacos. Más recientemente, se ha propuesto un nuevo patrón, llamado de Personalidad Tipo D, relacionado con este fenómeno. Denollet y colaboradores, plantearon que la personalidad tipo D puede ser una influencia importante en el desarrollo de patología cardiovascular. Este trabajo investigativo tiene por objetivo presentar la construcción del Inventario de Patrón de Conducta A y D (IPAD). Este instrumento constituirá una herramienta validada en nuestro medio, específicamente con población cardíaca, que permitirá evaluar conjuntamente ambos patrones. Los análisis realizados permiten afirmar que todos los ítems presentan adecuados valores de simetría y curtosis así como una correlación adecuada ítem test. El coeficiente Alpha de Cronbach indicó un valor elevado de confiabilidad para las escalas que componen la técnica. Se presentan las distintas fases en el proceso de construcción y las características del instrumento en su etapa actual.

The Type A Behaviour Profle arises from the description of behaviors presented by Friedman and Rosenman in 1959, who linked it to an increased risk of suffering a heart condition. From this input, numerous investigations considered as type A Behaviour independent risk factor both in the beginning and in the development of cardiovascular disorders. More recently, it has been proposed a new profile, type D personality, concerning this phenomenon. Denollet and colleagues argued that type D personality may be an important influence on the development of cardiovascular disease. This paper presents the construction of the Inventory of A and D type Behaviour (IPAD). This instrument is a validated tool in our environment, specifically for cardiac population that jointly evaluates both profiles. The analyzes support the conclusion that all the items have appropriate symmetry and curtosis and adequate correlation test item. The Cronbach alpha coefficient shows high reliability regarding every dimensions of the instrument. It is shown the methodology followed in the designing process and the psychometric characteristics of the instrument.

Presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in saliva and cardiac tissue samples of children with congenital heart disease.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyze the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in saliva and cardiac tissue samples of children requiring cardiac surgery in Istanbul, Turkey. Subjects and Methods: Twenty‑five patients (mean age: 6.24 ± 2.93) undergoing surgery for congenital heart defects (CHDs) and an age/gender‑matched control group of 25 healthy children were enrolled in the study. Saliva samples were collected from all children; plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were also determined. In CHD group, cardiac tissue samples were received during surgery. All samples were evaluated for the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its highly leukotoxic JP2 clonal strains using polymerase chain reaction. The findings were analyzed by Mann–Whitney U, Chi‑square, and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: No significant differences were found in PI and GI values between the groups. A. actinomycetemcomitans was not detected in cardiac tissue samples. A. actinomycetemcomitans in saliva was detected in 2 (8%) of the CHD and 5 (20%) of the control children (p > 0.05). A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 clonal strains were determined from 1 (4%) of the control group while it was not determined from the samples of the CHD group. Conclusions: Early colonization of A. actinomycetemcomitans in oral cavities could be assessed as a risk marker for periodontal disease. Periodontal pathogens may enter bloodstream through bacteremia; thus, the presence of periodontal pathogens in the oral cavity of children should be assessed as a risk marker for cardiac diseases in older ages.

Is heart rate variability a feasible method to determine anaerobic threshold in progressive resistance exercise in coronary artery disease?

ABSTRACT Background Recent studies have shown that the magnitude of the metabolic and autonomic responses during progressive resistance exercise (PRE) is associated with the determination of the anaerobic threshold (AT). AT is an important parameter to determine intensity in dynamic exercise. Objectives To investigate the metabolic and cardiac autonomic responses during dynamic resistance exercise in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Method Twenty men (age = 63±7 years) with CAD [Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) = 60±10%] underwent a PRE protocol on a leg press until maximal exertion. The protocol began at 10% of One Repetition Maximum Test (1-RM), with subsequent increases of 10% until maximal exhaustion. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indices from Poincaré plots (SD1, SD2, SD1/SD2) and time domain (rMSSD and RMSM), and blood lactate were determined at rest and during PRE. Results Significant alterations in HRV and blood lactate were observed starting at 30% of 1-RM (p<0.05). Bland-Altman plots revealed a consistent agreement between blood lactate threshold (LT) and rMSSD threshold (rMSSDT) and between LT and SD1 threshold (SD1T). Relative values of 1-RM in all LT, rMSSDT and SD1T did not differ (29%±5 vs 28%±5 vs 29%±5 Kg, respectively). Conclusion HRV during PRE could be a feasible noninvasive method of determining AT in CAD patients to plan intensities during cardiac rehabilitation.

Correlación entre la resonancia magnética y la ecocardiografía transtorácica en la evaluación de la insuficiencia pulmonar en pacientes pediátricos con cardiopatía congénita / Correlation between magnetic resonance and transthoracic echocardiogram for the assessment of pulmonary insufficiency in pediatric patients with congenital heart disease

Objetivo: Establecer la correlación y la concordancia del grado de severidad de insuficiencia pulmonar entre la ecocardiografía y la resonancia magnética en la población pediátrica de un hospital de tercer nivel de atención. Métodos: Se estudiaron 20 pacientes con diagnóstico de cardiopatía congénita con insuficiencia pulmonar, a quienes se les realizaron ecocardiograma transtorácico y resonancia magnética. Se calculó: relación de la vena contracta y el chorro de insuficiencia pulmonar, tiempo de hemipresión, presencia de flujo diastólico reverso en tronco pulmonar e índice de insuficiencia pulmonar; en cuanto a la resonancia magnética: la fracción y el volumen regurgitante. Se realizó análisis de correlación mediante coeficiente de correlación de Spearman y prueba de Tau B. Resultados:La tetralogía de Fallot corregida representó el 60% de la muestra. La correlación fue significativa en la fracción y el volumen regurgitante de la resonancia magnética, así como en las variables ecocardiográficas índice de insuficiencia pulmonar en modo M, vena contracta y porcentaje de vena contracta/arteria pulmonar. La correlación entre los grados de insuficiencia pulmonar por resonancia magnética y ecocardiografía fue 0,85 (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La vena contracta y el porcentaje VC/AP son variables que tienen alta correlación con la fracción y el volumen regurgitante de la resonancia magnética nuclear para evaluar la insuficiencia pulmonar en pacientes en posoperatorio de cardiopatía congénita.

Motivation: To establish the correlation and concordance of the degree of severity of pulmonary insufficiency between echocardiography and magnetic resonance in pediatric population of a third level hospital. Methods: 20 patients diagnosed with congenital heart disease and with pulmonary insufficiency were studied, they underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram and a magnetic resonance. The relationship of the vena contracta, the pulmonary regurgitation jet, the pressure half-time time, the presence of reversed end-diastolic flow and the pulmonary insufficiency index were calculated. With regards to the magnetic resonance, both fraction and regurgitant volume were measured. An analysis of the correlation was conducted.by means of the Spearman correlation and the Tau B. Results: Corrected Fallot's tetralogy represented 60% of the sample. The correlation was significant in the fraction and the regurgitant volume of the magnetic resonance, as well as in the echocardiographic variables of M-mode pulmonary insufficiency, vena contracta and vena contracta/pulmonary artery percentage. The correlation between the degrees of pulmonary insufficiency by magnetic resonance and echocardiogram was 0.85 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Vena contracta and the VC/PA percentage are variables that present high correlation with the fraction and the regurgitant volume of nuclear magnetic resonance to assess pulmonary insufficiency in patients after a congenital cardiac disease surgery.

Aneurismas y divertículos cardíacos congénitos: reporte de una serie pediátrica / Congenital cardiac aneurysms and diverticula: a pediatric series

Introduccion: Los aneurismas y divertículos cardíacos congénitos constituyen malformaciones poco frecuentes y generalmente comprometen el ventrículo izquierdo. Pueden presentarse en forma asintomática, causar embolización, arritmia, insuficiencia cardíaca, rotura o muerte súbita. La ecocardiografía Doppler color realiza el diagnóstico y detecta malformaciones asociadas. La terapia puede ser médica o quirúrgica dependiendo de la presentación clínica y de los hallazgos en cada paciente. Método: Estudio retrospectivo de 5 pacientes durante un período de diez años, uno con divertículo, cuatro con aneurismas, en los cuales se analizó sexo, edad, motivo de consulta, sintomatología, hallazgos al examen físico, malformaciones extracardíacas o cardíacas asociadas. La ecocardiografía confirmó el diagnóstico y analizó la localización, efecto sobre la función cardíaca y presencia de complicaciones. Se estudió el tipo de tratamiento elegido como terapia antiplaquetaria, antiarrítmica o quirúrgica, además del seguimiento. Resultados: De un total de 5 pacientes, tres eran hombres, la mediana de edad al diagnóstico fue de 13 meses; dos de diagnóstico antenatal. Soplo cardíaco (3/5) fue el principal hecho que motivó el estudio. La ubicación más frecuente fue en el ventrículo izquierdo y la malformación cardíaca asociada la comunicación interventricular (2 pacientes). La terapia elegida fue médica en todos los pacientes con aspirina y en un caso se agregó atenolol por taquicardia ventricular no sostenida. Ningún paciente falleció. Conclusion: Constituye la primera publicación sobre esta patología en nuestro país; si bien es una serie pequeña, aporta aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y de seguimiento que ayudan a sospechar esta rara malformación en el paciente pediátrico.

Introduction: Congenital cardiac aneurysms and diverticula are rare cardiac malformations which mainly affects the left ventricle. Clinically, most are asymptomatic or may cause systemic embolization, arrhyth-mia, heart failure, ventricular wall rupture or sudden cardiac death. Doppler echocardiography establishes the diagnosis and can detect associated malformations. Treatment may be medical or surgical, depending on findings. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of 5 patients followed for ten years. One patient presented with a diverticulum and four with aneurysms. We analyzed sex, age at diagnosis, symptoms, physical examination, and associated cardiac and extracardiac malformations. Echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis and established location, cardiac function, and presence of complications. We analyzed the treatments used: antiplatelet, anti-arrhythmic or surgical therapy, and follow up. Results: Three were males, the median age at diagnosis was 13 months; in two patients the diagnosis was made before birth. Heart murmur in 3 of 5 patients was the main presenting finding. The most frequent location was the left ventricle and the associated cardiac malformation was ventricular septal defect in 2 patients. All patients were treated with aspirin. One patient with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia received ateno-lol. There were no deaths. Conclusion: This is the first report of this disease in our country. Although it is a small series it provides important clinical aspects for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up that help us suspect this rare malformation in pediatric patients.