Histopathological findings of inflammatory activity in patients with subclinical carditis / Achados histopatológicos de atividade inflamatória em pacientes com cardite subclínica

In patients with Chronic Rheumatic Carditis, active carditis is an often underdiagnosed condition. Rheumatic attacks promote the aggravation of existing lesions, leading to a deterioration of the patient's clinical condition. Thus, reducing the morbidity and mortality of the disease depends, in part, on controlling relapses through secondary prophylaxis. Underdiagnosis is due in part to the occurrence of subclinical rheumatic attacks. This study was carried out with data from patients who were diagnosed with Chronic Rheumatic Carditis and who underwent cardiac surgery for valve replacement or repair, without clinical or laboratory evidence of rheumatic outbreak. A fragment of myocardium was sent for histopathological analysis. Data on the frequency of histopathological alterations compatible with a rheumatic outbreak were analyzed. After analysis, 80% of patients showed changes compatible with inflammatory activity. Of these, 87.5% had lymphocytic infiltrate; 25% had Aschoff's nodules. The most frequent histopathological findings of chronic disease were myocardial hypertrophy in 56.7% of patients and fibrosis in 53.3% (AU).

Nos pacientes com Cardite Reumática Crônica, a cardite em atividade é uma condição frequentemente subdiagnos-ticada. Os surtos reumáticos promovem o agravamento das lesões já existentes, levando a uma deterioração da condição clínica do paciente. Dessa forma a redução da morbimortalidade da doença depende, em parte, do contro-le de recidivas a partir da profilaxia secundária. O subdiagnóstico deve-se em parte a ocorrência de surtos reumáti-cos subclínicos. Este estudo foi realizado com dados dos pacientes que tiveram o diagnóstico de Cardite Reumática Crônica e foram submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca para troca ou plastia valvar, sem evidência clínica ou laboratorial de surto reumático. Um fragmento de miocárdio foi enviado para análise histopatológica. Foram analisados os dados de frequência de alterações histopatológicas compatíveis com surto reumático. Após análises, 80% dos pacientes apresentaram alterações compatíveis com atividade inflamatória. Desses, 87,5% apresentavam infiltrado linfocitá-rio; 25% apresentavam nódulos de Aschoff. Os achados histopatológicos de doença crônica mais frequentes foram hipertrofia miocárdica em 56,7% pacientes e fibrose em 53,3% (AU).

La cardio-oncología como una visión multidisciplinaria en el enfoque y tratamiento de la patología oncológica contemporánea / Cardio-oncology as a multidisciplinary vision in approaching and treating contemporary oncological pathology

Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte en el mundo, y las enfermedades oncológicas están aumentando en prevalencia. Los medicamentos oncológicos pueden tener efectos secundarios cardiovasculares, y la cardiooncología es una subespecialidad de la cardiología que se ocupa de la prevención y el tratamiento de las complicaciones cardiovasculares relacionadas con el cáncer. Puntos importantes del editorial: Las antraciclinas son un grupo de medicamentos oncológicos que pueden causar cardiotoxicidad, lo que puede causar una variedad de síntomas, incluyendo fatiga, disnea, edema y dolor en torácico. En casos graves, la cardiotoxicidad puede provocar insuficiencia cardíaca. Otros medicamentos oncológicos que pueden causar cardiotoxicidad incluyen los anticuerpos anti-HER2, el fluorouracilo y la gemcitabina. Los inhibidores de la tirosinkinasa y los inhibidores del factor de crecimiento derivado del endotelio también pueden causar problemas cardiovasculares, como hipertensión, formación de coágulos sanguíneos y arritmia. Los pacientes con cáncer también tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones tromboembólicas venosas en miembros inferiores. Conclusión: El diagnóstico temprano y el tratamiento de las complicaciones cardiovasculares relacionadas con el cáncer son esenciales para mejorar la supervivencia de los pacientes con cáncer. La cardiooncología es una especialidad emergente y multidisciplinaria que requiere la participación de oncólogos, hematólogos, radiooncólogos y cardiólogos. El equipo de cardiooncología trabaja en conjunto para evaluar el riesgo cardiovascular de los pacientes con cáncer, prevenir las complicaciones cardiovasculares y tratar las complicaciones cardiovasculares que ocurren.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death in the world, and oncological diseases are increasing in prevalence. Cancer drugs can have cardiovascular side effects, and cardio-oncology is a subspecialty of cardiology concerned with preventing and treating cardiovascular complications related to cancer. Important points from the editorial: Anthracyclines are a group of cancer drugs that can cause cardiotoxicity, which can cause various symptoms, including fatigue, dyspnea, edema, and chest pain. In severe cases, cardiotoxicity can lead to heart failure. Other cancer drugs that can cause cardiotoxicity include anti-HER2 antibodies, fluorouracil, and gemcitabine. Tyrosine kinase and endothelium-derived growth factor inhibitors can also cause cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, blood clot formation, and arrhythmia. Cancer patients are also at increased risk of developing lower limb venous thromboembolic complications. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer-related cardiovascular complications are essential to improve the survival of cancer patients. Cardio-oncology is an emerging, multidisciplinary specialty that requires the participation of oncologists, hematologists, radiation oncologists, and cardiologists. The cardio-oncology team works together to assess cardiovascular risk in cancer patients, prevent cardiovascular complications, and treat cardiovascular complications that do occur.

Analysis of clinical phenotype and variant of RAG1 gene in a child with B-cell-negative Severe Combined Immunodeficiency / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To report on a child with B-cell-negative severe combined immunodeficiency (B-SCID) manifesting as fulminant myocarditis and carry out genetic testing for her.@*METHODS@#A child with B-SCID who presented at Fujian Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital on January 31, 2021 was selected as the subject. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for her. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#The female infant had developed recurrent skin and lung infections soon after birth, and was admitted due to fulminant myocarditis. Serological examination has disclosed a remarkable reduction in immunoglobulins. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that her peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes and NK cells were significantly reduced. Whole exome sequencing revealed that she has harbored a homozygous c.C3007T (p.Q1003X) nonsense variant of the RAG1 gene, for which both of her parents were heterozygous carriers. The variant has not been recorded in normal population databases. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the variant was predicted to be pathogenic.@*CONCLUSION@#A case of RAG1 gene associated B-SCID has been diagnosed. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of RAG1 gene variants and enabled early diagnosis and intervention of the disease.

A review of COVID-19 vaccination and the reported cardiac manifestations

In Singapore, 9.03 million doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been administered, and 4.46 million people are fully vaccinated. An additional 87,000 people have been vaccinated with vaccines in World Health Organization's Emergency Use Listing. The aim of this review is to explore the reported cardiac adverse events associated with different types of COVID-19 vaccines. A total of 42 studies that reported cardiac side effects after COVID-19 vaccination were included in this study. Reported COVID-19 vaccine-associated cardiac adverse events were mainly myocarditis and pericarditis, most commonly seen in adolescent and young adult male individuals after mRNA vaccination. Reports of other events such as acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmia and stress cardiomyopathy were rare. Outcomes of post-vaccine myocarditis and pericarditis were good. Given the good vaccine efficacy and the high number of cases of infection, hospitalisation and death that could potentially be prevented, COVID-19 vaccine remains of overall benefit, based on the current available data.

Current insights into Covid-19 vaccination

@#Almost a year after the worldwide appearance of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), several novel vaccines of diverse platforms have been successfully developed and administered. Two mRNA vaccines represented a new type of vaccine that comprised of synthetic mRNA molecules containing the code sequence necessary to build the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. These mRNA vaccines almost single handedly carried the brunt of the US COVID-19 immunization strategy during the past three years. The known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the risks and adverse complications. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated unprecedented research on aspects of the vaccines’ ability to reduce the risk of severe infection and death. Likewise, basic immunological studies are pivotal to unraveling the potential and long-term effects of the vaccines as well as to be able to make adjustments to new vaccine development. As the circulating virus strain continues to evolve, updated vaccines will be critical to protecting the population, particularly the elderly and immune compromised.

Viral myocarditis serum exosome-derived miR-320 promotes the apoptosis of mouse cardiomyocytes by inhibiting AKT/mTOR pathway and targeting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (Pik3r1) / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of viral myocarditis serum exosomal miR-320 on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and its mechanism. Methods The model of viral myocarditis mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of Coxsackie virus B3. Serum exosomes were extracted by serum exosome extraction kit and co-cultured with cardiomyocytes. The uptake of exosomes by cardiomyocytes was detected by laser confocal microscopy. Cardiomyocytes were transfected with miR-320 inhibitor or mimic, and the expression level of miR-320 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Flow cytometry was used to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate, and the expression levels of B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2-related X protein (BAX) were tested by Western blot analysis. The prediction of miR-320 target genes and GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were tested by online database. The relationship between miR-320 and its target gene phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1(Pik3r1) was examined by luciferase reporter gene. The effect of miR-320 on AKT/mTOR pathway protein was detected by Western blot analysis. Results Viral myocarditis serum exosomes promoted cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and increased the level of BAX while the level of Bcl2 was decreased. miR-320 was significantly up-regulated in myocardial tissue of viral myocarditis mice, and both pri-miR-320 and mature of miR-320 were up-regulated greatly in cardiomyocytes. The level of miR-320 in cardiomyocytes treated with viral myocarditis serum exosomes was significantly up-regulated, while transfection of miR-320 inhibitor counteracted miR-320 overexpression and reduced apoptosis rate caused by exosomes. Pik3r1 is the target gene of miR-320, and its overexpression reversed cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by miR-320 up-regulation. The overexpression of miR-320 inhibited AKT/mTOR pathway activation. Conclusion Viral myocarditis serum exosome-derived miR-320 promotes apoptosis of mouse cardiomyocytes by inhibiting AKT/mTOR pathway by targeting Pik3r1.

Immunoadsorption therapy for a meningococcemia patient with myocarditis, adrenal hemorrhage, and purpura fulminans: a case report

Abstract Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus, is a relatively uncommon cause of invasive infection, but when it occurs, it is frequently severe and potentially life-threatening. A ten-year-old female patient developed a purpuric rash with fever. Upon arrival to the pediatric intensive care department, she was unconscious and in a poor general condition. We combined treatment with antibiotics, volume resuscitation, hydrocortisone, and CytoSorb® therapy resulted in a stabilization of hemodynamics, as well as control of hyperinflammation. We observed a significant decrease in vasopressor dosage in this patient.

Miocarditis lúpica: reporte de un caso / Lupus myocarditis: a case report / Miocardite lúpica: relato de um caso

El término miocarditis hace referencia a una inflamación del miocardio, que puede tener diversas causas (infecciones, tóxicos, enfermedades autoinmunes). Su diagnóstico es desafiante debido al gran espectro de presentaciones clínicas que puede adoptar, muchas veces imitando patologías más prevalentes como el infarto agudo de miocardio. La miocarditis asociada a enfermedades autoinmunes es poco frecuente, y la importancia de reconocerla radica en que el diagnóstico e inicio temprano del tratamiento son cruciales para mejorar su pronóstico. Presentamos aquí un caso clínico de una perimiocarditis lúpica.

Myocarditis refers to an inflammation of the myocardium, which can have various causes (infections, toxic substances, autoimmune diseases). Its diagnosis is challenging due to the wide spectrum of clinical presentations, often mimicking more prevalent pathologies such as acute myocardial infarction. Myocarditis associated with autoimmune diseases is rare, and the importance of recognizing is that early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial to improve its prognosis. We present here a clinical case of lupus perimyocarditis.

O termo miocardite refere-se a uma inflamação do miocárdio, que pode ter várias causas (infecções, substâncias tóxicas, doenças autoimunes). Seu diagnóstico é desafiador devido ao amplo espectro de apresentações clínicas que pode ter, muitas vezes mimetizando patologias mais prevalentes como o infarto agudo do miocárdio. A miocardite associada a doenças autoimunes é rara, e a importância de reconhecê-la reside no fato de que o diagnóstico precoce e o início do tratamento são cruciais para melhorar seu prognóstico. Apresentamos aqui um caso clínico de perimiocardite lúpica.

Predictive Value of Myocardial injury in Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to a Quaternary Hospital in the City of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract Background In Brazil the factors involved in the risk of death in patients with COVID-19 have not been well established. Objective To analyze whether elevations of high-sensitivity troponin I (hTnI) levels influence the mortality of patients with COVID-19. Methods Clinical and laboratory characteristics of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were collected upon hospital admission. Univariate and binary logistic regression analyzes were performed to assess the factors that influence mortality. P-value<0.05 was considered significant. Results This study analyzed192 patients who received hospital admission between March 16 and June 2, 2020 and who were discharged or died by July 2, 2020. The mean age was 70±15 years, 80 (41.7%) of whom were women. In comparison to those who were discharged, the 54 (28.1%) who died were older (79±12 vs 66±15years; P=0.004), and with a higher Charlson´s index (5±2 vs 3±2; P=0.027). More patients, aged≥60years (P <0.0001), Charlson´s index>1 (P=0.004), lung injury>50% in chest computed tomography (P=0.011), with previous coronary artery disease (P=0.037), hypertension (P=0.033), stroke (P=0.008), heart failure (P=0.002), lymphocytopenia (P=0.024), high D-dimer (P=0.024), high INR (P=0.003), hTnI (P<0.0001), high creatinine (P<0.0001), invasive mechanical ventilation (P<0.0001), renal replacement therapy (P<0.0001), vasoactive amine (P<0.0001), and transfer to the ICU (P=0.001), died when compared to those who were discharged. In logistic regression analysis, elevated hTnI levels (OR=9.504; 95% CI=1.281-70.528; P=0.028) upon admission, and the need for mechanical ventilation during hospitalization (OR=46.691; 95% CI=2.360-923.706; P=0.012) increased the chance of in-hospital mortality. Conclusion This study suggests that in COVID-19 disease, myocardial injury upon hospital admission is a harbinger of poor prognosis.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment after COVID-19 Infection before Resuming Sports Activities - Practical Flowchart and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background: The risk of sports-related sudden cardiac arrest after COVID-19 infection can be a serious problem. There is an urgent need for evidence-based criteria to ensure patient safety before resuming exercise. Objective: To estimate the pooled prevalence of acute myocardial injury caused by COVID-19 and to provide an easy-to-use cardiovascular risk assessment toolkit prior to resuming sports activities after COVID-19 infection. Methods: We searched the Medline and Cochrane databases for articles on the prevalence of acute myocardial injury associated with COVID-19 infection. The pooled prevalence of acute myocardial injury was calculated for hospitalized patients treated in different settings (non-intensive care unit [ICU], ICU, overall hospitalization, and non-survivors). Statistical significance was accepted for p values <0.05. We propose a practical flowchart to assess the cardiovascular risk of individuals who recovered from COVID-19 before resuming sports activities. Results: A total of 20 studies (6,573 patients) were included. The overall pooled prevalence of acute myocardial injury in hospitalized patients was 21.7% (95% CI 17.3-26.5%). The non-ICU setting had the lowest prevalence (9.5%, 95% CI 1.5-23.4%), followed by the ICU setting (44.9%, 95% CI 27.7-62.8%), and the cohort of non-survivors (57.7% with 95% CI 38.5-75.7%). We provide an approach to assess cardiovascular risk based on the prevalence of acute myocardial injury in each setting. Conclusions: Acute myocardial injury is frequent and associated with more severe disease and hospital admissions. Cardiac involvement could be a potential trigger for exercise-induced clinical complications after COVID-19 infection. We created a toolkit to assist with clinical decision-making prior to resuming sports activities after COVID-19 infection.

Mechanical circulatory support combined with immunomodulation treatment for patients with fulminant myocarditis: a single-center real-world study / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) combined with immunomodulation and the prognosis of patients with fulminant myocarditis. Methods: This is a retrospective study. A total of 88 patients with fulminant myocarditis admitted to Dongguan Kanghua hospital from Aug. 2008 to Dec. 2020 were included. Medical histories, results of laboratory tests, treatment regimens and clinical outcomes of these patients during their hospitalization were collected from the medical record system. According to the treatment methods, the patients were divided into MCS+immunomodulation group (38 cases), MCS group (20 cases) and traditional treatment group (30 cases). Patients in the MCS+immunomodulation group received intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) or IABP combined with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and immunoglobulin or glucocorticoid. Patients in the MCS group only received mechanical circulatory support. Patients in the traditional treatment group received neither mechanical circulatory support nor immunomodulatory therapy, and only used vasoactive drugs and cardiotonic drugs. The in-hospital mortality and length of stay were compared among the three groups. Results: A total of 88 patients with fulminant myocarditis aged (35.0±10.8) years were included, and there were 46 males (52.3%). The mortality of MCS+immunomodulation group (7.9% (3/38) vs. 56.7% (17/30), P=0.001 2) and MCS group (30.0% (6/20) vs. 56.7% (17/30), P=0.002 8) were lower than that of traditional treatment group. Compared with the MCS group, the in-hospital mortality in the MCS+immunomodulation group was lower (P=0.005 4). The most common cause of death was multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The constituent ratios of death in MCS+immunomodulation group, MCS group and traditional treatment group were 3/3, 4/6 and 12/17, respectively. The incidence of MODS in the MCS group (20% (4/20)) and the traditional treatment group (40% (12/30)) was significantly higher than that in the MCS+immunomodulation group (7.9% (3/38)) (both P<0.01). In discharged patients, the hospitalization time of MCS+immunomodulation group was shorter than that of traditional treatment group ((13.4±5.5)d vs. (18.5±7.4)d, P<0.05) and MCS group ((13.4±5.5)d vs. (16.9±8.5)d, P<0.05). Conclusion: MCS combined with immunomodulatory therapy is associated with lower in-hospital mortality and shorter hospital stay in patients with fulminant myocarditis.

Early effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and factors related to early outcome in adult patients with fulminant myocarditis / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy within the first 24 h post extracorporeal membrane pulmonary oxygenation (ECMO) and the impact of early efficacy on the prognosis of adult patients with fulminant myocarditis (FM). Methods: This retrospective case analysis study included hospitalized patients (age≥18 years) who were diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis from November 2016 to May 2021 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. Patients were divided into survival or non-survival groups according to treatment outcomes. The age, sex, treatments, drug use, ECMO use, clinical and laboratory data (before and 24 h after the use of ECMO) were analyzed. The change rate of clinical and laboratory data after 24 h use of ECMO was calculated to find differences between two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the related factors with in-hospital death and complication between the two groups. Results: A total of 38 FM patients treated with ECMO were included. There were 23 cases (60.5%) in the survival group, aged (39.6±13.7) years, and 17 (73.9%) cases were female. The total ECMO time was (134.4±71.3)h. There were 15 cases (39.5%) in non-survival group, aged (40.0±15.8) years, and there were 12(80.0%) female, the ECMO time was (120.1±72.4) h in this group. The proportion of tracheal intubation and continuous renal replacement therapy in the survivor group and dosage of norepinephrine within 24 h after ECMO implantation were significantly less than in non-survival group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in all efficacy related biochemical indexes between two groups before ECMO use. The levels of lactic acid, procalcitonin, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin I and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide prosoma were significantly less in survival group than in non-survival group at 24 h after the use of ECMO (all P<0.05). Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher 24 h change rate of creatinine (OR=0.587, 95%CI 0.349-0.986, P=0.044) and creatine kinase-MB (OR=0.177, 95%CI 0.037-0.841, P=0.029) were positively correlated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality. The central hemorrhage and acute kidney injury in survival group were less than in non-survivor group (P<0.05). Conclusions: After 24 h early use of ECMO in FM patients, the improvement of various efficacy related biochemical test indexes in the survival group was better than that in the non-survival group. Faster reduction of creatine kinase-MB and creatinine values within 24 h ECMO use is positively correlated with reduced risk of in-hospital mortality in adult patients with FM.

Long term prognosis of fulminant myocarditis and predictors related to impaired cardiac function post discharge / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare the long-term prognosis of fulminant myocarditis (FM) and non-fulminant myocarditis (NFM) patients who survived and discharged from hospital, and to explore the factors associated with the long-term prognosis and impaired cardiac function. Methods: This study was a retrospective study. Consecutive patients with acute myocarditis hospitalized in Tongji Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were enrolled and divided into FM group and NFM group according to the type of myocarditis. Then, patients in the FM group were further divided into normal cardiac function group and impaired cardiac function group according the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). All patients with acute myocarditis were treated with antiviral, immunomodulatory, immunosuppressive medications and symptomatic and supportive treatment, while FM patients were treated with comprehensive treatment plan. Clinical data at admission of enrolled patients were collected through the electronic medical record system. Patients were clinically followed-up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, then once a year after discharge by clinical visit. The primary endpoints included major cardiovascular events, impaired cardiac function was defined by LVEF<55%. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the occurrence of LVEF<55% and left ventricular enlargement during the follow-up of patients in FM group and NFM group, and Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of impaired cardiac function in patients with FM during follow-up. Results: A total of 125 patients with acute myocarditis were enrolled (66 in FM group and 59 in NFM group). Compared with NFM group, the proportion of FM patients with the lowest LVEF<55% during hospitalization was higher (P<0.01), and the recovery time of normal LVEF during hospitalization was longer (P<0.01). The proportion of LVEF<55% at discharge was similar between the two groups (P=0.071). During the follow-up of 12 (6, 24) months, 1 patient (1.5%) died due to cardiac reasons in FM group after discharge, 16 patients (24.2%) had sustained LVEF<55% after discharge, and 8 patients (12.1%) had left ventricular enlargement. In NFM group, 3 patients (5.1%) had sustained LVEF<55%, and 1 patient (1.7%) had left ventricular enlargement. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the incidence of sustained LVEF<55% in FM group was higher than that in NFM group (P=0.003), and the incidence of left ventricular enlargement was also higher than that in NFM group (P=0.024). Subgroup analysis of patients in the FM group showed that, compared with the normal cardiac function group, the time from onset to admission was shorter (P=0.011), the proportion of LVEF<55% at discharge was higher (P=0.039), the proportion of coronary angiography was higher (P=0.014), and the LVEF recovery time during hospitalization was longer (P=0.036) in FM patients with impaired cardiac function. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that longer LVEF recovery time during hospitalization was an independent risk factor for cardiac function impairment after discharge of FM patients (HR=1.199, 95%CI 1.023-1.406, P=0.025). Conclusions: The incidence of reduced LVEF is significantly higher in FM patients than that in NFM patients. Longer LVEF recovery time during hospitalization is an independent risk factor for cardiac function impairment in FM patients after discharge.

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid in treatment of viral myocarditis (Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome) with TreeAge Pro / 中国中药杂志

To evaluate the pharmacoeconomic value of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid in the treatment of viral myocarditis(Qi-Yin deficiency syndrome) by supplementing Qi, nourishing the heart, calming the mind, and relieving palpitation, the present study performed the Meta-analysis based on the published papers on Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid by AMSTAR and carried out pharmacoeconomic evaluation using TreeAge Pro by the cost-effectiveness analysis. The results showed that the quality of the included papers was good. After four weeks of treatment, Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid combined with the conventional treatment regimen was superior to the conventional treatment in improving creatine kinase isoenzyme, and the difference was statistically significant. Furthermore, the treatment cost was also higher than that of conventional treatment, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of CNY 95.89, accounting for 0.30% of per capita disposable income. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the research results were robust. Therefore, based on the assumption that the per capita disposable income in 2020 was the threshold of patients' willingness to pay, it is more economical for patients with viral myocarditis to use Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid combined with conventional secondary prevention regimen than conventio-nal secondary prevention regimen alone. The economic evaluation of Qidong Yixin Oral Liquid in the treatment of viral myocarditis will help physicians and patients choose optimal treatment options, improve rational clinical medication, and provide references for the efficient allocation and utilization of medical resources in China.

Expression and Significance of Circulating microRNA-29b in Adult Fulminant Myocarditis / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the expression profiles of circulating microRNA(miRNA)and potential markers for the diagnosis of adult fulminant myocarditis(FM). Methods The expression profiles of circulating miRNA were determined by microarray analysis and verified by real-time quantitative PCR.The key role of circulating miRNA in FM was determined via KEGG pathway enrichment.The correlations between miRNA and cardiac function parameters in patients with FM were analyzed.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was established to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of circulating miRNA in the diagnosis of FM. Results Compared with healthy controls,the FM patients had up-regulated expression levels of miR-29b(t=18.925,P<0.001)and miR-125b(t=5.981,P=0.029)in the plasma.After treatment,the expression levels of miR-29b(t=12.943,P<0.001)and miR-125b(t=14.016,P<0.001)were significantly down-regulated.KEGG pathway enrichment showed that the targets of miR-29b were involved in inflammatory response and apoptosis pathways.The results of cell proliferation and apoptosis assay demonstrated the transfection of miR-29b mimic had a more significant inducing effect on cardiomyocyte apoptosis than that of miR-125b mimic(χ 2=6.168,P=0.047),whereas there was no significant difference in the inhibition of cell proliferation between the two groups(χ2=1.452,P=0.417).The expression levels of miR-29b and miR-125b were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction(r=-0.67,P=0.071;r=-0.49,P=0.003).They were positively correlated with cardiac troponin I level(r=0.61,P=0.019;r=0.52,P=0.016),interferon β level(r=0.42,P=0.014;r=0.36,P=0.021),and myocardial edema area(r=0.86,P=0.005;r=0.73,P=0.013).The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that miR-29b had higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of FM(93.6% vs.89.2%;t=0.896,P=0.795)and specificity(72.4% vs.59.6%;t=9.478,P=0.002)than miR-125b. Conclusion The circulating miR-29b may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of FM.