Comorbidities and clinical symptoms can modify myocardial function: a cross-sectional study with PET/CT / Comorbilidades y síntomas clínicos que pueden modificar la función miocárdica: estudio transversal con PET/TC

Abstract Objective: Associating comorbidities and cardiac symptoms that alter myocardial mechanical function could help clinicians to correctly identify at-risk population. Methods: We conducted a functional open population cross-sectional study of patients referred to a positron emission tomography/computed tomography unit in Mexico City for evaluation of myocardial function, perfusion, and coronary circulation. Ischemia was defined as a sum difference score ≥ 2. Association between comorbidities and cardiac symptoms was tested using logistic regression models and trend analysis. We performed an interaction analysis to evaluate the addition of any accompanying symptoms to comorbid conditions on impairment of myocardial function. Results: One thousand two hundred and seventy-three patients were enrolled, 66.1% male, with a mean age of 62.4 (± 12.7) years, 360 (28.7%) with ischemia, 925 (72.7%) with at least one comorbidity, and 676 (53.1%) had at least one associated cardiac symptom. Patients without ischemia, type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, and adverse cardiac symptoms were associated with adverse mechanical, perfusion, and coronary flow parameters. We observed a trend of a cumulative number of comorbidities and cardiac symptoms with increased ischemia and decreased coronary flow. Only in decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, we demonstrated an interaction effect between increased comorbidities and adverse symptoms. Conclusion: The high burden of comorbidities and symptoms in our population alters myocardial function regardless of the level of ischemia.

Resumen Objetivo: La asociación de comorbilidades y síntomas cardíacos que alteran la función miocárdica podría ayudar a los médicos a identificar correctamente a poblaciones de riesgo. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en población abierta de pacientes referidos a una unidad de PET/CT en la Ciudad de México para evaluación de la función miocárdica, perfusión y circulación coronaria. La isquemia se definió como una suma de diferencia de puntuación (SDS) ≥ 2. La asociación entre las comorbilidades y los síntomas cardíacos se fundamentó mediante modelos de regresión logística y análisis de tendencias. Realizamos un análisis de interacción para evaluar la adición de cualquier síntoma acompañante a condiciones comórbidas en el deterioro de la función miocárdica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1.273 pacientes, 66,1% del sexo masculino, con una edad media de 62,4 (± 12.7) años, 360 (28,7%) con isquemia, 925 (72,7%) con al menos una comorbilidad y 676 (53,1%) con al menos una menos un síntoma cardíaco asociado. En pacientes sin isquemia, la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, la hipertensión arterial y los síntomas cardíacos adversos se asociaron con parámetros mecánicos, de perfusión y de flujo coronario adversos. Se observó una tendencia con el número acumulado de comorbilidades y síntomas cardíacos con aumento de la isquemia y disminución del flujo coronario. Solo en la disminución de la FEVI se demostró un efecto de interacción entre el aumento de las comorbilidades y los síntomas adversos. Conclusión: La alta carga de comorbilidades y síntomas en nuestra población altera la función miocárdica independientemente del nivel de isquemia.

Estudios de imagen cardiaca en la pandemia COVID-19 / Cardiac imaging studies in the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen El COVID-19 es un síndrome respiratorio agudo ocasionado por el coronavirus-2 (SARS COV2). Los diferentes métodos de imagen cardiaca han dictado recomendaciones específicas de los diferentes métodos de imagen en esta pandemia, por lo que es indispensable recalcar las recomendaciones para la realización de estos estudios.

Abstract COVID-19 is an acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus-2 (SARS COV2). The different cardiac imaging methods have issued specific recommendations for the different imaging methods in this pandemic, so it is essential to emphasize the recommendations for carrying out these studies.

Strategic evaluation of silent myocardial ischemia in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and traditional cardiovascular risk factors / Evaluación estratégica de la isquemia miocárdica silenciosa en un grupo de pacientes con artritis reumatoide y factores de riesgo cardiovascular tradicionales

Abstract: Introduction: IHD has become an important long-term end point for RA patients independent of traditional CVRF. Therefore, cardiovascular injury and mortality might be due to the presence of a chronic systematic inflammatory response. Nonetheless, there is a gap in its diagnosis since symptoms remain silent until major events occur. Objective: We aimed to evaluate by gated single-photon emission computed tomography (g-SPECT). Myocardial perfusion in asymptomatic Mexican patients with RA and at least one traditional CVRF, and without history of angina. Patients and methods: A prospective study with a total number of 91 patients was conducted. We evaluated CVRF and RA characteristics. We non-invasively assessed them with g-SPECT to reveal ischemia, territories and severity. We calculated relative risks and 95% CI of ischemia given the associated variables. Results: 22 (24.2%) patients presented ischemia, half of them in the LAD territory. Regarding CVRF and disease's characteristics; only smokers and patients under a steroid treatment were at more risk to present ischemia (0.49 [0.24 to 0.98] and 2.04 [1.01 to 4.14], respectively) with a p = 0.046. Conclusion: We have contributed with additional evidence to strategically diagnose IHD in patients with RA even if they have no symptoms and independently of the existence of cardiovascular risk factors to prevent and reduce cardiovascular mortality.

Resumen: Introducción: La IC se ha convertido en un importante punto de partida a largo plazo para los pacientes con AR independientemente de los FRCV tradicionales. Por lo tanto, las lesiones cardiovasculares y la mortalidad podrían deberse a la presencia de una respuesta inflamatoria sistemática crónica. Sin embargo, hay una brecha en su diagnóstico ya que los síntomas permanecen en silencio hasta que ocurren eventos importantes. Objetivo: Evaluar mediante tomografía computarizada de emisión de un solo fotón (g-SPECT). Perfusión miocárdica en pacientes mexicanos asintomáticos con AR y al menos un FRCV tradicional, sin antecedentes de angina. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo con un número total de 91 pacientes. Se evaluaron las características FRCV y AR. Los evaluamos de forma no invasiva con g-SPECT para revelar isquemia, territorios y severidad. Se calcularon los riesgos relativos la isquemia de 95% dadas las variables asociadas. Resultados: Veintidós (24.2%) pacientes presentaron isquemia, la mitad de ellos en territorio LAD. Respecto a los FRCV y características de la enfermedad; sólo los fumadores y los pacientes sometidos a un tratamiento con esteroides presentaron mayor riesgo de presentar isquemia (0.49 [0.24 a 0.98] y 2.04 [1.01 a 4.14], respectivamente) con p = 0.046. Conclusión: Hemos aportado pruebas adicionales para diagnosticar la isquemia estratégicamente en los pacientes con AR, incluso si no tienen síntomas y con independencia de la existencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular para prevenir y reducir la mortalidad cardiovascular.

Optimization of OSEM parameters in myocardial perfusion imaging reconstruction as a function of body mass index: a clinical approach / Otimização de parâmetros OSEM na reconstrução de cintilografias de perfusão do miocárdio em função do índice de massa corporal: uma escolha clínica

AbstractObjective:The present study is aimed at contributing to identify the most appropriate OSEM parameters to generate myocardial perfusion imaging reconstructions with the best diagnostic quality, correlating them with patients' body mass index.Materials and Methods:The present study included 28 adult patients submitted to myocardial perfusion imaging in a public hospital. The OSEM method was utilized in the images reconstruction with six different combinations of iterations and subsets numbers. The images were analyzed by nuclear cardiology specialists taking their diagnostic value into consideration and indicating the most appropriate images in terms of diagnostic quality.Results:An overall scoring analysis demonstrated that the combination of four iterations and four subsets has generated the most appropriate images in terms of diagnostic quality for all the classes of body mass index; however, the role played by the combination of six iterations and four subsets is highlighted in relation to the higher body mass index classes.Conclusion:The use of optimized parameters seems to play a relevant role in the generation of images with better diagnostic quality, ensuring the diagnosis and consequential appropriate and effective treatment for the patient.

ResumoObjetivo:O presente trabalho visa contribuir para identificar quais os parâmetros OSEM que geram as reconstruções na cintilografia de perfusão do miocárdio com o maior valor clínico de diagnóstico, relacionando-os com as classificações de índice de massa corporal.Materiais e Métodos:Foram selecionados 28 pacientes adultos que realizaram cintilografia de perfusão do miocárdio em um hospital público. Cada paciente teve seu exame processado com o método OSEM em seis combinações diferentes de número de iterações e subsets. As imagens foram analisadas por especialistas em cardiologia nuclear, que consideraram o valor clínico de diagnóstico delas e indicaram quais as imagens que mais se adequavam à qualidade diagnóstica.Resultados:Em análise global da pontuação conforme as avaliações médicas, o arranjo de quatro iterações e quatro subsets gerou as imagens com melhor qualidade diagnóstica em todas as classes de índice de massa corporal, porém o arranjo com seis iterações e quatro subsets se destacou nas classes de maiores índices de massa corporal.Conclusão:A utilização de parâmetros otimizados parece ter papel importante em proporcionar reconstruções de melhor qualidade diagnóstica, garantindo-se assim que o paciente tenha o seu diagnóstico e consequente terapêutica encaminhados de forma mais adequada e eficaz.