Clinical characteristics, etiological profile, treatment and long term outcomes in patients with non ischemic systolic heart failure; Himachal Pradesh heart failure registry (HP–HF registry)

Background: The data on clinical characteristics, treatment practices and out comes in patients with Nonischemic Systolic Heart Failure (NISHF) is limited. We report clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes in patients with NISHF. Methods: 1004 patients with NISHF were prospectively enrolled and their demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment were recorded systematically. Patients were followed annually for a median of 3 years (1 year to 8 years) for allcause death, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE); composite of all-cause death, hospitalization of heart failure, and or for stroke. Results: Patients of NISHF were middle-aged (58.8±16.2 years) population with severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (29.3±7.02%) and 31.1% had symptoms of advanced Heart failure. Hypertension (43.6%), obesity and or overweight (28.0%), Diabetes (15.0%), and valvular heart disease (11.8%) were the common risk factors. The guideline directed medical treatment was prescribed in more than 80% of the study cohort. Incidence of all cause death and MACE was 7 (6.8, 8.8) per 100 person years and 11(10, 13) per 100 person years respectively. The cumulative incidence of deaths and MACE was 35% (30%, 40%) and 49% (44%, 53%) at 8 years of follow-up. Conclusions: Patients of NISHF were middle-aged population with severely depressed LV systolic function with significant incident morbidity and mortality. Early detection of risk factors and their risk management and enhancing the use of guideline directed treatment may improve the outcomes. Keywords: Non-ischemic systolic heart failure, risk factors, outcomes, guideline directed treatment

Incidence, determinants, and outcomes of recovered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure; a hospital-based cohort study

Background: The data on incidence of recovered Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and outcome in patients with non ischemic systolic heart failure is limited. We report the incidence, determinants and mortality in patients with recovered LVEF. Methods: The 369 patients with HFrEF with LVEF of less than 40% of non ischemic etiology with available follow up echocardiography study at one year were enrolled. The baseline data of clinical characteristics and treatment was recorded prospectively and were followed up annually for mean of 3.6 years (range 2 to 5 years) to record all cause death and LVEF measured echocardiographically. The recovered, partially recovered and no recovery of LVEF was defined based on increase in LVEF to 50% and more, 41% to 49% and to persistently depressed LVEF to 40% or lower respectively. Results: The LVEF recovered in 36.5%% of the cohort at 5 years. The rate of recovery of LVEF was slower in patients with no recovery of LVEF at one year compared to cohort with partially recovered LVEF (18% vs.53%) at five year. The Baseline LVEF was significantly associated with recovered LVEF, odd ratio (95% C.I.) 1.09(1.04, 1.14). The cumulative mortality at five years was significantly lower in cohort with recovered LVEF (18.1% vs. 57.1%). Conclusions: One third of the patients had recovered LVEF and was significantly associated with baseline LVEF and lower mortality rate.

Valor Prognóstico de Níveis Elevados de Troponina I Isolados em Pacientes sem Síndrome Coronariana Aguda Admitidos no Serviço de Emergência / Prognostic Value of Isolated Elevated Troponin I Levels in Patients without Acute Coronary Syndrome Admitted to the Emergency Department

Resumo Fundamento: Embora a elevação não isquêmica da troponina seja frequentemente observada em pacientes admitidos no pronto-socorro (PS), não há consenso quanto ao seu manejo. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os pacientes admitidos no PS com elevação da troponina não-isquêmica e identificar potenciais preditores de mortalidade nessa população. Métodos: Este estudo observacional retrospectivo incluiu pacientes do PS com resultado positivo no teste da troponina entre junho e julho de 2015. Pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de síndrome coronariana aguda (SCA) foram excluídos. Os dados demográficos dos pacientes e as variáveis clínicas e laboratoriais foram extraídos dos prontuários médicos. Os dados do seguimento foram obtidos por 16 meses ou até a ocorrência de morte. O nível de significância estatística foi de 5%. Resultados: A elevação da troponina sem SCA foi encontrada em 153 pacientes no PS. A mediana (IIQ) de idade dos pacientes foi de 78 (19) anos, 80 (52,3%) eram do sexo feminino e 59 (38,6%) morreram durante o seguimento. A mediana do período de seguimento (IIQ) foi de 477 (316) dias. Os sobreviventes eram significativamente mais jovens 76 (24) vs. 84 (13) anos; p=0,004) e apresentaram uma maior proporção de elevação da troponina isolada (sem elevação da creatina quinase ou mioglobina) em duas avaliações consecutivas: 48 (53,9%) vs. 8 (17,4%), p<0,001. Os sobreviventes também apresentaram menor taxa de tratamento antiplaquetário e internação no mesmo dia. Na regressão logística multivariada com ajuste para variáveis significativas na análise univariada, a elevação isolada da troponina em duas avaliações consecutivas mostrou hazard ratio = 0,43 (IC95% 0,17-0,96, p=0,039); hospitalização, tratamento antiplaquetário anterior e idade permaneceram independentemente associados à mortalidade. Conclusões: A elevação isolada da troponina em duas medidas consecutivas foi um forte preditor de sobrevida em pacientes no PS com elevação da troponina, mas sem SCA.

Abstract Background: Although non-ischemic troponin elevation is frequently seen in patients admitted to the emergency department (ED), consensus regarding its management is lacking. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize patients admitted to the ED with non-ischemic troponin elevation and to identify potential mortality predictors in this population. Methods: This retrospective observational study included ED patients with a positive troponin test result between June and July of 2015. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were excluded. Data on patient demographics and clinical and laboratory variables were extracted from medical records. Follow-up data were obtained for 16 months or until death occurred. The statistical significance level was 5%. Results: Troponin elevation without ACS was found in 153 ED patients. The median (IQR) patient age was 78 (19) years, 80 (52.3%) were female and 59(38.6%) died during follow-up. The median (IQR) follow-up period was 477(316) days. Survivors were significantly younger 76 (24) vs. 84 (13) years; p=0.004) and featured a higher proportion of isolated troponin elevation (without creatine kinase or myoglobin elevation) in two consecutive evaluations: 48 (53.9%) vs. 8 (17.4%), p<0.001. Survivors also presented a lower rate of antiplatelet treatment and same-day hospitalization. In the multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for significant variables in the univariate analysis, isolated troponin elevation in two consecutive evaluations showed a hazard ratio= 0.43 (95%CI 0.17-0.96, p=0.039); hospitalization, previous antiplatelet treatment and age remained independently associated with mortality. Conclusions: Isolated troponin elevation in two consecutive measurements was a strong predictor of survival in ED patients with troponin elevation but without ACS.

Comparison of the therapeutic effect and safety of anti-VEGF drugs on macular edema secondary to non-ischemic retinal vein occlusion / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of ranibizumab and conbercept on macular edema secondary to non-ischemic retinal vein occlusion.<p>METHODS: Totally 80 cases(80 macular edema eyes)with macular edema secondary to non-ischemic retinal vein occlusion patients enrolled into our hospital from March 2014 to May 2018 were collected into our study and randomly divided into the group A(40 cases)and the group B(40 cases). The patients in the group A and group B underwent ranibizumab and conbercept intravitreal injections, respectively. The intraocular pressure, central macular thickness(CMT), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular volume(CMV), the number of injections and the occurrence of ocular complications before and after treatment of 2 groups were recorded and compared.<p>RESULTS: After treatment 2wk to 3mo, compared with the group A, the CMT, BCVA, CMV and the cases of intravitreal injections had decreased(<i>P</i><0.05), meanwhile the visual acuity had increased in the group B(65% <i>vs</i> 38%, <i>P</i><0.05), however, there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(5% <i>vs</i> 0%, <i>P</i>=0.999).<p>CONCLUSION: Compared with the ranibizumab, the conbercept has advantage in treatment of macular edema secondary to non-ischemic retinal vein occlusion by improving the visual acuity, reducing the CMT, CMV and the times of intravitreal injections.

Considerations on priapism / 中华男科学杂志

Priapism is a rare pathological penile erection, and there are some inadequacies in its definition, classification, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. In this article, we sum up our years of experience with priapism and put forward some new views and ideas about its definition, classification, pathophysiologic process, pathological change, diagnostic essentials, therapeutic measures, indications of successful treatment, and post-therapeutic rehabilitation of erectile function. We also describe the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of some special types of priapism, such as intermittent seizure, sleep-related painful erection, and tumor-related priapism, hoping to help urologists and andrologists in the further understanding and management of priapism.

Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator for Primary Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy / 대한내과학회지

The insertion of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) has been recommended by recent guidelines. However, current evidence shows limited benefits to inserting ICDs in patients with NICM. Recently, the defibrillator implantation in patients with non-ischemic systolic heart failure (DANISH) trial, a large randomized trial of more than 1,100 patients with NICM, was conducted to compare the primary prevention of all-cause mortality between optimal medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and ICD implantation. The DANISH trial revealed no differences in all-cause mortality between the groups after 5 years. However, in patients younger than 68 years of age, the rate of death from any cause was significantly lower in the ICD group compared to the control group. In addition, the rate of sudden cardiac death was lower in the ICD group compared to the control group in patients under 68 years. The results of DANISH will likely change guidelines about the insertion of ICD in patients with NICM, and encourage the use of ICD in patients with NICM.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scar Imaging for Sudden Cardiac Death Risk Stratification in Patients with Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

In patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), risk stratification for sudden cardiac death (SCD) and selection of patients who would benefit from prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators remains challenging. We aim to discuss the evidence of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived myocardial scar for the prediction of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in NICM. From the 15 studies analyzed, with a total of 2747 patients, the average prevalence of myocardial scar was 41%. In patients with myocardial scar, the risk for adverse cardiac events was more than 3-fold higher, and risk for arrhythmic events 5-fold higher, as compared to patients without scar. Based on the available observational, single center studies, CMR scar assessment may be a promising new tool for SCD risk stratification, which merits further investigation.

Non-mass-forming Lymphoma of the Left Ventricle Mimicking Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy on MR Imaging: A Case Report

We report a case of cardiac lymphoma in a 40-year-old man, who had a mediastinal mass which was diagnosed as sclerosing mediastinitis pathologically. The mediastinal mass caused right pulmonary arterial stenosis. The patient developed myocardial hypertrophy and echocardiography showed restrictive physiology and severely decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, 6 months later. MRI showed global left ventricular myocardial hypertrophy and diffuse late gadolinium hyperenhancement after administration of contrast material. Thus, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy was suspected on MRI. However, pathology confirmed the myocardial abnormality as lymphoma after myocardial biopsy. Because a basal part of the left ventricle and global subendocardial myocardium were not involved on contrast-enhanced delayed MRI, the MRI abnormalities could be differentiated from amyloidosis and other myocardial diseases. The peculiar non-mass forming diffuse hypertrophy pattern of cardiac lymphoma has not been known in the MRI literature.

Vitreous hemorrhage and fibrovascular proliferation after laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To describe a case in which vitrectomy was required for vitreous hemorrhage and fibrovascular proliferation after laser-induced chorioretinal venous anastomosis (LCVA) for non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).METHODS: Observational case report.RESULTS: A 72-year-old man complained of central scotoma in the left eye, and was diagnosed as suffering from non-ischemic CRVO. LCVA was performed in another hospital. Although favorable visual function was briefly maintained postoperatively,severe vitreous hemorrhage developed in his left eye, necessitating vitrectomy. CONCLUSION: Considering that LCVA carries a risk of serious complications, we must apply this treatment with caution, especially in ethnic groups, such as the Japanese, in whom pigmentation reacts to photocoagulation excessively.

Value of ischemia modified albumin detection method in the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome / 中国综合临床

Objective To discuss the value of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) in the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods The IMA,cTnI, CK-MB and ECG were detected in 103 patients with suspected ACS (45 cases of NICP and 58 cases of ACS) within 5 hours of acute chest pain onset respectively. 30 healthy subjects were served as normal controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff of this assay for identifying individuals with ACS from non-ischemic individuals (nonischemic chest pain, NICP). Results of IMA,cTnI,CK-MB and ECG were correlated with the final diagnosis and their diagnostic sensitivities for ACS were evaluated. Results The results suggested that acute phase IMA values between those with ACS and NICP were (89.66 ± 25.82) U/ml, (46.79 ± 17.20) U/ml respectively and showed significant difference. Area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC was 0.935. As the Cut-off point was 71.6 U/ml, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of IMA were 90.6%, 71.4% , 82.8% and 83.3%, respectively. The simutanious positive rate of IMA for ischemia origin were 29.3% of cTnI,27.6% of CK-MB and 48.3% of ECG(P＜ 0.01). Conclusions Plasma IMA assessment is valuable for early diagnosis of acute coronary ischemia, and will improve the early diagnostic sensitivity of ACS significantly.

The Role of Carotid Atheroscleros is in the Distinction BetweenIs chemic and Non-is chemic Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUNDS: Ischemic cardiomyopathy in the elderly bears a worse prognosis than non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, and may show an improved outcome after myocardial revascularization. The noninvasive techniques which can reliably distinquish between ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy have been tested. As ultrasonographically assessed carotid atherosclerosis is being used as a surrogate measure of coronary atherosclerosis, non studies to date have used carotid atherosclerosis to distinguish between ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy in the elderly. METHODS: One hundred forty eight patients(61 women, 87 male) greater than 65 years of age who have dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular enddiastolic inner dimension 55mm and fractional shortening 25% were evaluated by B-mode ultrasound imaging of carotid artery for measurement of atherosclerotic plaque. Also coronary angiography was done, and ischemic cardiomyo- pathy was defined as the presence of any 2 or more epicardial coronary vessels with 75% stenosis. and then the value of carotid athe rosclerosis in the distinction between ischemic and non-ischemic etiology in the elderly with dilated cardiomyopathy was examined. RESULTS: Ischemic etiology of dilated cardiomyopathy in the elderly can be defined as the presence of carotid atherosclerosis with 25% stenosis. Carotid stenosis 25% had sensitivity 82.5%(74% in women, 91% in male), specificity 85.5%(92% in women, 79% in male), positive predictive value 90.5%(93% in women, 88% in male) and negative predictive value 78.5%(73% in women, 84% in male) as whole in the identification of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSION: Carotid stenosis by B-mode ultrasonography is noninvasive and useful in the distinction between ischemic and nonischemic etiology in the elderly patients with clinically unexplained cardiomyopathy

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome associated with non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a disease producing vascular thrombosis with antiphospholipid antibody and usually associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is called primary antiphospholipid syndrome(PAPS) if it does not have the clinical features of collagen vascular disorder. Ocular manifestations of antiphospholipid syndrome include retinal vascular disorder, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, and amaurosis fugax. Ocular manifestations are much less common in primary antiphospholiped syndrme than antiphospholipid syndrome associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. We experienced two cases of non-ischemic central retinal vein occlusion which were associated with primary anti phospholipid syndrome in two female patients, who complained sudden decrease of visual acuity in one eye. We report the cases with review of the literatures.

Clinical Evaluation for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

It is known that branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) is related with systemic vascular diseases. From January 1987 to December 1990, we experienced 46 patients who were diagnosed as BRVO among 18,057 patients who visited eye department during the same period, We evaluated 29 patients of BRVO who were followed up over 1 year. The incidence of BRVO was 026%. Male were 11(38%) and female were 18(62%), and there were no significant difference in morbidity between male and female. The average age of affected patients was 5:3 years. The average distance between the disc margin and the site of occlusion was 0.86 disc diameter. The type of BRVO was non-sichemic in 18 patients and that of remainders was ischemic. Most common site of occlusion was the crossing between the first branch of artery and the first branch of vein. The most common systemic disease associated with BRVO was hypertension. The visual prognosis was not affected by the factors including the associated systemic diseases, the type of BRVO and the site of BRVO. However, there was a significant correlation (p