Could We Predict POAF With a Simple Ambulatory Oscillometry Evaluating Aortic Stiffness?

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the relationship between aortic stiffness and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: This study included 110 patients undergoing elective isolated CABG. Aortic stiffness was measured using a noninvasive oscillometric sphygmomanometer before surgery. Characteristics of patients with and without POAF were compared. Results: POAF developed in 32 (29.1%) patients. Patients with POAF were older (63.7±8.6 vs. 58.3±8.4; P=0.014). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was more common in patients with POAF (11.5% vs. 37.5%; P=0.024), whereas the frequency of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and previous coronary artery disease did not differ. C-reactive protein and cholesterol levels were similar between patients with and without POAF. Left atrial diameter was greater in patients with POAF (35.9±1.6 vs. 36.7±1.7; P<0.039). Peripheral (p) and central (c) systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also similar between the groups, whereas both p and c pulse pressures (PP) were greater in patients with POAF (pPP: 44.3±11.9 vs. 50.3±11.6; P=0.018, cPP: 31.4±8.1 vs. 36.2±8.9; P=0.008). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was significantly higher in POAF (8.6+1.3 vs. 9.4+1.3; P=0.006). PWV, pPR and COPD were independent predictors of POAF in multivariate regression analysis. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, PWV and pPP have similar accuracy for predicting POAF (PWV, area under the curve [AUC]: 0.661, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.547-0.775], P=0.009) (pPP, AUC: 0.656, 95% CI [0.542-0.769], P=0.012). Conclusion: COPD, PWV, and PP are predictors of POAF. PP and PWV, easily measured in office conditions, might be useful for detecting patients with a higher risk of POAF.

Index of cardiac-electrophysiological balance and the effects of thrombolytic therapy on the electrocardiogram of patients with pulmonary embolism

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Different parameters on electrocardiograms (ECG) have been investigated to predict arrhythmia and mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE). The acute effect of thrombolytic therapy (TT) on these parameters has not been investigated yet. METHODS: We examined the data of 83 patients who were evaluated as high-risk APE and discharged from the hospital after TT. First, the high-risk APE patients' ECGs were compared with healthy control subjects (n = 55). After their admission and 24 hours later, the ECGs of patients with APE were compared. Heart rate, P-wave morphology, QRS duration, QT distance, Tp-e, and the index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB) were analyzed. RESULTS: Although P maximum was not different between the groups' ECGs, heart rate, QT, QTc (corrected QT) interval, Tp-e intervals, Tp-e/QT ratio, and P wave dispersion were significantly higher in the APE group ( P values < 0.031). iCEB or iCEBc (corrected iCEB) values were lower in APE group ( P < 0.001). After TT, we determined a decrease in heart rate, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT ratio ( P < 0.001). Although we detected a decrease in the QT and QTc interval and QT dispersion (QTd), QTd had no statistical significance (respectively P -value 0.013, 0.029, and 0.096). The iCEB and iCEBc levels were lower after TT ( P -value was 0.035 and 0.044 respectively). CONCLUSION: The QT, QTc, Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QTc ratio, iCEB, and iCEBc values significantly decreased after TT. It may be thought that effective TT causes partial improvement in ventricular repolarization in an early period.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Diferentes parâmetros de eletrocardiograma (ECG) têm sido investigados para predizer mortalidade e arritmia em pacientes com embolia pulmonar aguda (EPA). O efeito agudo da terapia trombolítica (TT) nesses parâmetros ainda não foi investigado. MÉTODOS: Examinamos os dados de 83 pacientes avaliados com EPA de alto risco e que receberam alta hospitalar após TT. Primeiramente, comparamos os ECGs dos pacientes com EPA de alto risco com os de indivíduos saudáveis (n = 55). Os ECGs dos pacientes com EPA foram comparados logo após a internação e 24 horas mais tarde. A frequência cardíaca, a morfologia da onda P, a duração do QRS, o intervalo QT, Tp-e e o índice de equilíbrio eletrofisiológico cardíaco (iCEB) foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Embora o valor máximo de P não tenha sido diferente entre os grupos no ECG, a frequência cardíaca, QT, intervalo QTc (QT corrigido), intervalos Tpe, razão TP-e/QT e dispersão da onda P foram significativamente mais elevados no grupo de EPA (valores de P < 0,031). Os valores do iCEB ou iCEBc (iCEB corrigido) foram inferiores no grupo de APE (P < 0,001). Após a TT, observamos uma diminuição da frequência cardíaca, do intervalo TP-e e da razão TP-e/QT ( P < 0,001). Apesar de termos observado uma diminuição do intervalo QT e QTc e da dispersão do QT (QTd), o valor de QTd não apresentou uma diferença estatisticamente significativa (respectivamente, valor de P 0,013, 0,029 e 0,096). Os níveis do iCEB e iCEBc foram menores após a TT (valor de P 0,035 e 0,044, respectivamente). CONCLUSÃO: Os valores de QT, QTc, intervalo Tp-e, razão Tp-e/QTc, iCEB e iCEBc diminuíram significativamente após TT. Pode-se concluir que a TT eficaz causa uma melhora parcial da repolarização ventricular no período inicial.

Papillary Muscle Free Strain in Patients with Severe Degenerative and Functional Mitral Regurgitation / Free Strains de Músculos Papilares em Pacientes com Insuficiência Mitral Funcional e Degenerativa Grave

Abstract Fundamento: The role of papillary muscle function in severe mitral regurgitation with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and the method of choice to evaluate PM have still been the subjects of controversy. Objectives: To evaluate and compare papillary muscle function in and between patients with severe degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation by using the free strain method. Methods: 64 patients with severe mitral regurgitation - 39 patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR group) and 25 patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (FMR group) - and 30 control subjects (control group) were included in the study. Papillary muscle function was evaluated through the free strain method from apical four chamber images of the anterolateral papillary muscle (APM) and from apical three chamber images of the posteromedial papillary muscle (PPM). Global left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential strains were evaluated by applying 2D speckle tracking imaging. Results: Global left ventricular longitudinal strain (DMR group, -17 [-14.2/-20]; FMR group, -9 [-7/-10.7]; control group, -20 [-18/-21] p < 0.001), global left ventricular circumferential strain (DMR group, -20 [-14.5/-22.7]; FMR group, -10 [-7/-12]; control group, -23 [-21/-27.5] p < 0.001) and papillary musle strains (PPMS; DMR group, -30.5 [-24/-46.7]; FMR group, -18 [-12/-30]; control group; -43 [-34.5/-39.5] p < 0.001; APMS; DMR group, (-35 [-23.5/-43]; FMR group, -20 [-13.5/-26]; control group, -40 [-32.5/-48] p < 0.001) were significantly different among all groups. APMS and PPMS were highly correlated with LVEF (p < 0.001, p < 0.001; respectively), GLS (p < 0.001, p < 0.001; respectively) and GCS (p < 0.001, p < 0.00; respectively) of LV among all groups. No correlation was found between papillary muscle strains and effective orifice area (EOA) in both groups of severe mitral regurgitation. Conclusions: Measuring papillary muscle longitudinal strain by the free strain method is practical and applicable. Papillary muscle dysfunction plays a small role in severe MR due to degenerative or functional causes and papillary muscle functions in general seems to follow left ventricular function. PPM is the most affected PM in severe mitral regurgitation in both groups of DMR and FMR.

Resumo Fundamento: O papel da função do músculo papilar na regurgitação mitral grave com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo preservada e reduzida e o método de escolha para avaliar PM ainda são objetos de controvérsia. Objetivos: Avaliar e comparar a função dos músculos papilares entre pacientes com insuficiência mitral funcional e degenerativa pelo método free strain. Métodos: 64 pacientes com insuficiência mitral grave - 39 pacientes com insuficiência mitral degenerativa grave (grupo IMD) e 25 com insuficiência mitral funcional grave (grupo IMF) - e 30 indivíduos controle (grupo controle) foram incluídos no estudo. A função dos músculos papilares foi avaliada pelo método free strain a partir de imagens apicais quatro-câmaras do músculo papilar anterolateral (MPA) e imagens apicais três-câmaras do músculo papilar posteromedial (MPP). Strains circunferenciais e longitudinais globais do ventrículo esquerdo foram avaliados por meio de imagens bidimensionais a partir do rastreamento de conjunto de pontos de cinza (speckle tracking). Resultados: O strain longitudinal global do ventrículo esquerdo (grupo IMD, -17 [-14,2/-20]; grupo IMF, -9 [-7/-10,7]; grupo controle, -20 [-18/-21] p < 0,001); strain circunferencial global do ventrículo esquerdo (grupo IMD, -20 [-14,5/-22,7]; grupo IMF, -10 [-7/-12]; grupo controle, -23 [-21/-27,5] p < 0,001) e strains de músculos papilares (MPP; grupo IMD, -30,5 [-24/-46,7]; grupo IMF, -18 [-12/-30]; grupo controle; -43 [-34,5/-39,5] p < 0,001; MPA; grupo IMD, (-35 [-23,5/-43]; grupo IMF, -20 [-13,5/-26]; grupo controle, -40 [-32,5/-48] p < 0,001) mostraram-se significativamente diferentes nos grupos. MPA e MPP mostraram-se altamente correlacionados com a FEVE (p < 0,001, p < 0,00; respectivamente), SLG (p < 0,001, p < 0,001; respectivamente) e SCG (p < 0,001, p < 0,001; respectivamente) do VE entre todos os grupos. Não foi encontrada correlação entre os strains de músculos papilares e área eficaz do orifício (AEO) nos grupos de insuficiência mitral grave. Conclusões: A medição do strain longitudinal de músculos papilares pelo método free strain é prática e aplicável. A disfunção dos músculos papilares tem um papel pequeno em IM grave devido a causas degenerativas e funcionais, e a função dos músculos papilares, em general, parece seguir a função ventricular esquerda. O MPP é o MP mais afetado na insuficiência mitral em ambos os grupos, IMD e IMF.