Left ventricular function assessment after aortic and renal intervention in Takayasu arteritis by speckle tracking echocardiography: A pilot study

Background: Overt left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and congestive heart failure are known entities in Takayasu arteritis (TA). Subclinical LV dysfunction may develop in these patients despite normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Moreover, effect of treatment of aortic or renal artery narrowing in such patients is unknown. Methods: This study included 15 angiographically confirmed TA patients undergoing aortic and/or renal intervention. A comprehensive clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic (2-dimensional, speckle tracking and tissue doppler imaging) evaluation were done at baseline, 72 h, and six months post intervention. Results: Six patients (40%) had reduced LVEF (<50%) at baseline while rest 9 (60%) patients had reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) but normal EF. Diastolic filling pattern was abnormal in all the patients. In patients with baseline reduced EF, mean EF improved from 24.62 ± 12.14% to 45.6 ± 9.45% (p ¼ 0.001), E/ e’ ratio decreased from 15.15 ± 3.19 to 10.8 ± 2.56 (p ¼ 0.005) and median NT pro BNP decreased from 1673 pg/ml (970e2401 pg/ml) to 80 pg/ml (40e354 pg/ml) (p ¼ 0.001) at 6 months after interventional procedure. In patients with baseline normal EF, median NT pro BNP decreased from 512 pg/ml (80 e898.5 pg/ml) to 34 pg/ml (29e70.8 pg/ml) (p < 0.01), mean GLS improved from 8.80 ± 0.77% to 16.3 ± 0.78% (p < 0.001) and mean E/e’ decreased from 12.93 ± 2.63 to 7.8 ± 2.73 (p ¼ 0.005) at 6 months follow up. Conclusion: LV dysfunction is common in patients with TA and obstructive lesions in aorta or renal arteries. GLS can be used to assess subclinical systolic dysfunction in these patients. Timely intervention can improve LV dysfunction and can even reverse the subclinical changes

Relação entre Velocidade de Onda de Pulso e Biomarcadores Cardiovasculares em Pacientes com Fatores de Risco / Relationship between Pulse Wave Velocity and Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients with Risk Factors

Resumo Fundamento A relação entre velocidade de onda de pulso (VOP) e biomarcadores de mudanças estruturais do ventrículo esquerdo e artérias carótidas ainda é pouco elucidada. Objetivo Investigar a relação entre VOP e esses biomarcadores. Métodos Estudo transversal, retrospectivo e analítico. Revisamos prontuários médicos de pacientes com diabetes mellitus, dislipidemia, e pré-hipertensão ou hipertensão, que realizaram medida de pressão arterial central (PAC) utilizando o Mobil-O-Graph®, e doppler de carótida ou ecocardiografia três meses antes ou após a medida da PAC. Análise estatística realizada por correlação de Pearson ou de Spearman, análise de regressão múltipla e de regressão bivariada, e teste t (independente) ou de Mann-Whitney. Um p<0,05 indicou significância estatística. Resultados Prontuários de 355 pacientes foram avaliados, 56,1 ±14,8 anos, 51% homens. A VOP correlacionou-se com espessuras da íntima média (EIM) das carótidas (r=0,310) do septo do ventrículo esquerdo (r=0,191) e da parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo (r=0.215), e com diâmetro do átrio esquerdo (r=0,181). A EIM associou-se com VOP ajustada por idade e pressão sistólica periférica (p=0,0004); uma EIM maior que 1mm aumentou em 3,94 vezes a chance de se apresentar VOP acima de 10m/s. A VOP foi significativamente maior em indivíduos com hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo (p=0,0001), EIM > 1 mm (p=0,006), placa de carótida (p=0,0001), estenose ≥ 50% (p=0,003), e lesões de órgãos-alvo (p=0,0001). Conclusões A VOP correlacionou-se com a EIM e com parâmetros ecocardiográficos, e se associou independentemente com EIM. Essa associação foi mais forte em pacientes com hipertrofia do ventrículo esquerdo, EIM aumentada, placa de carótida, estenose ≥ 50%, e lesões de órgãos-alvo. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1125-1132)

Abstract Background The relationship between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and biomarkers of structural changes of the left ventricle and carotid arteries remains poorly understood. Objective To investigate the relationship between PWV and these biomarkers. Methods This was an analytical, retrospective, cross-sectional study. Medical records of patients with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and pre-hypertension or hypertension, who underwent central blood pressure (CBP) measurement using Mobil-O-Graph®, and carotid doppler or echocardiography three months before and after the CBPM were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson or Spearman correlation, linear bivariate and multiple regression analysis, and the t test (independent) or Mann-Whitney test. A p <0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results Medical records of 355 patients were analyzed, mean age 56.1 (±14.8) years, 51% male. PWV was correlated with intima-media thickness (IMT) of carotids (r=0.310) and left ventricular septal thickness (r=0.191), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r=0.215), and left atrial diameter (r=0.181). IMT was associated with PWV adjusted by age and peripheral systolic pressure (p=0.0004); IMT greater than 1 mm increased the chance of having PWV above 10 m/s by 3.94 times. PWV was significantly higher in individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.0001), IMT > 1 mm (p=0.006), carotid plaque (p=0.0001), stenosis ≥ 50% (p=0.003), and target-organ damage (p=0.0001). Conclusion PWV was correlated with IMT and echocardiographic parameters, and independently associated with IMT. This association was stronger in individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy, increased IMT, carotid plaque, stenosis ≥ 50%, and target organ damage. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 115(6):1125-1132)

A Case of Tacotsubo Cardiomyopathy - How We Uncovered the Diagnosis

Introduction:Tacotsubo cardiomyopathu (TTC)is a stress-induced condition characterized by transient appical hypokinesia and is usually caused by stress-induced catecholamine release with toxic action that leads to stunningmyocardium.Methods and Results:The patient was a 62 year old woman without any history of heart disease and she admitted with chest pain and electrocardiography (ECG)with ST segment elevation in the precordial leads and troponins suggesting acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI). Emergency coronary angiography which is performed showed no significant coronary artery disease. Echocardiography showed reduced LV ejection fraction with left ventricularapical ballooning and (LV) thrombus. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed localized hypokinesia of the mid septal segments and akinesis of all segments of the apex of the left ventricle and T2 hyperintesity consistent with myocardial transmural oedema in the same area with diffuse involvement. During the hospitalizasion patient was treated with single antiplatelet, anticoagulation therapy, diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and beta blockers for treatment of heart failure reduced Ejection fraction (HFrEF). At 3 months follow up ECG was normal with reversal of symptoms and regression of wall motion abnormalities at echocardiography. According to investigation results, a diagnosis of takotsubo syndrome (TTS) was established Conclusion:Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy often presents as an acute coronary syndrome with ST segment changes, as ST-segment elevation and/or T-wave inversion. Clinical presentation is characterized by acute coronary artery disease, in the absence of obstruction, verified by coronarography.Diagnostic methods are very important to make true decision of Tacotsubo cardiomyopathy