Predictive factors of heart failure in acute coronary syndrome: Institutional cross-sectional study.

Background: Heart failure complicating acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a challenge because it is associated with a high risk of mortality at 1 year.Our objective is to highlight the factors frequently associated with heart failure following an ACS and thus deduce the predictive factors for the occurrence of heart failure. Methods: ACS patients who were managed between 01/01/2021 to 06/30/2021 at the authors' institution were included retrospectively in the analysis. Results: One hundred twenty-one patients (121) included. Eighty-seven were males (72%), and the mean age was 59.4 ± 8.8. Most patients were smokers (58.7%),40% were diabetic, and 40.5% were hypertensive. Dyslipidemia was found in 37.2% of cases. 75% of patients were admitted for STEMI, and 25% for NSTEMI. The majority of patients (67.5%) were admitted out of time. The anterior electrical territory was found as a factor in the occurrence of heart failure (OR = 5.47, 95% CI (2.16-15.26), P = 0.0005). Among the patients who presented a heart failure, 64% had an LVEF <40%, and only 3% with an LVEF >50% (P < 0.001). Also, 76% had a Wall Motion Index Score (WMSI) of 1.5 (P < 0.001). Angioplasty was the treatment of choice in 65%, aortocoronary bypass in 7% of cases, and medical treatment alone, associated or not with ischemia/viability tests in 28% of cases. Patients admitted out of time (>12 h) were found to be a factor in the occurrence of HF (OR = 3.31,95% CI (1.21-10,60), P = 0.02). The outcome was favorable in 93% of cases. We observed 9 cases of complications including 4 deaths from cardiogenic, septic, and hemorrhagic shock. Conclusions: This study allows us to identify patients at risk of developing heart failure and patients with a more reserved prognosis. Besides, our findings will allow our peers and colleagues to be able to detect early these factors and optimize adequate management to avoid heart failure.

Delayed presentation of pacemaker Reel Syndrome and lead damage: Coincidence or consequence?

Reel syndrome is a pacemaker lead early dislodgment, characterized by reeling-in of the lead(s) without being damaged. We herein present a case of an 86-year-old woman, with medical history of single chamber pacemaker implantation two years ago, admitted in cardiology department with complete AV block. Chest-Xray revealed ventricular lead coiling around and behind the pacemaker device. Urgent extraction of the previous pacemaker was performed; however, the lead damage made its repositioning unfeasible. Successful implantation of single-chamber pacemaker has been made. This clinical case highlights the importance of adequate follow-up to timely identify lead dislodgement, avoid lethal complications and lead fracture.

Anomalous origin of right coronary artery with interarterial course revealed by effort angina: case report.

Anomalous origin of coronary artery with interarterial course is recognized as a rare congenital heart disease. Its main manifestation is myocardial ischemia related to systolic compression of coronary arteries positioned between the great arteries. We report a case of a middle-aged man admitted in our department for an effort angina during nordic walking. A coronary angiography was performed showing an anomalous coronary artery with a birth defect giving a right common trunk of the circumflex artery and the right coronary artery. We proceeded to a multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography (MDCTCA) to describe this variant of an anomalous coronary arteries which revealed a birth defect in the left anterior sinus of the right coronary and the circumflex artery from a right common trunk passing between the aorta and the trunk of the pulmonary arteries. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), exercise stress test and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were performed in order to objectify an ischemia. Despite the positivity of myocardial scintigraphy, we recommended to our patient to limit exercise with a regular follow-up since he is only symptomatic during a major effort. There are many types of anomalous coronary arteries and the anatomic variant of a right coronary artery that course between the great vessels represents a risk of adverse event and sudden death in young athletes. The choice of therapy is controversial and depends especially on the variant of anomalous coronary artery and the symptoms.

Conservative management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a case report.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) that mainly occurs in young women with no risk factors and no coronary atherosclerosis. Diagnosis is made by invasive coronary angiography (CA), computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The rarity of this entity as well as the complications of invasive treatment make it difficult to choose therapy between conservative management, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We report a case of a 36-year-old woman presented with non ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) related to spontaneous dissection of coronary arteries (left main trunk, left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery) treated medically with spectacular results at 2 months, controlled by CTCA.

Primary cardiac hydatid cyst presenting with massive pericardial effusion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac hydatidosis is a rare manifestation of Echinococcus infection. It represents 0.5 to 2% of hydatic disease (Mustafa et al., Can J Cardiol 22:2, 2006). The most common localization is the myocardium of the left ventricle but can also touch the right ventricle, atrium, pericardium, interventricular septum, and pulmonary artery. Clinical presentation is varied ranging from clinical latency or minor symptoms to cardiogenic shock and sudden death. The present case describes a primary pericardial hydatid cyst, a very exceptional localization of cardiac hydatidosis, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis or to an erroneous treatment that can expose the life of the patient to complications and death if it is not considered. Diagnosis can be established by cardiac imaging and hydatid serology. Therapy management should combine both surgery and medical treatment by albendazole or mebendazole. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 70-year-old woman from Sale, who was admitted for dyspnea New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV evolving in a febrile context with signs of right heart failure related to a rupture of a primary pericardial hydatid cyst with pre-tamponade. The diagnosis was confirmed by echocardiography, computed tomography scan (CT scan), and hydatic serology, and the patient was operated and put on albendazole for 3 months with favorable clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: The aims of this article are to consider the diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cysts in the presence of pericardial effusion, especially if there is a prior history of hydatid disease, a contact with animals, or when it occurs in an endemic country, and to be able to make a differential diagnosis with cardiac imaging in order to avoid its complications and to guide the management.

Mitral aneurysm: a rare complication of subaortic diaphragm infective endocarditis / Aneurisma mitral: una complicación poco frecuente de la endocarditis infecciosa del diafragma subaórtico

Abstract Mitral valve aneurysm is a rare and uncommon complication of infective endocarditis leading to a weakened mitral tissue. The most feared mitral valve aneurysm's complications are: perforation and severe mitral regurgitation. Multiple mechanisms have been suggested to explain the development of mitral valve aneurysm in aortic infective endocarditis including: local extension of the infection, the mitral kissing vegetation and aortic regurgitation. We report the case of a 29-year-old man who had infective endocarditis of a native aortic valve and the sub-aortic diaphragm complicated by a perforated mitral valve aneurysm diagnosed only by transesophageal echocardiogram. The patient had no sign of heart failure. We hypothesized that all those mechanisms lead to the developing of the mitral valve aneurysm in this case, but also the presence of the diaphragm favored the spread of the infection.

Resumen Una de las complicaciones poco comunes e inusuales de la endocarditis infecciosa son los aneurismas de la válvula mitral. Las complicaciones más temidas de estos últimos son la perforación y la insuficiencia mitral severa. Diferentes mecanismos pueden explicar el desarrollo de dicha insuficiencia en el contexto de una endocarditis infecciosa, incluyendo una extensión local, una vegetación sobre la válvula mitral y una insuficiencia aórtica. Nuestro caso clínico es el de un joven de 29 años diagnosticado de endocarditis infecciosa sobre su válvula aortica nativa con un diafragma subaortico complicado con un aneurisma de la válvula mitral perforado. El paciente no presentaba signos de insuficiencia cardíaca. Hemos supuesto que todos los mecanismos que hemos evocado anteriormente han llevado al desarrollo de dicho aneurisma, junto con la presencia del diafragma, elemento en favor de la diseminación de la infección.

Corrigendum: Kounis syndrome induced by oral intake of aspirin: case report and literature review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2018.30.301.14948.].

Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of organ donation in Morocco: A cross-sectional survey.

In any health system, public awareness of organ donation fundamentally affects the organ transplantation programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and perception of the people in Morocco toward organ donation as well as to identify the reasons and determinants for refusal of organ donation. This opinion survey included a representative sample of 2000 participants in Morocco, and data related to sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and self-opinion about organ donation, and reasons behind refusal were collected. Statistical analysis showed that 55.2% of the participants were women, the median age was 21 years, and 60.8% of included participants had secondary education. Almost two-thirds of surveyed participants (62.3%) showed a low to mid-level of knowledge about organ donation and transplantation in Morocco. About half of the interviewed participants (48.8%) refused to donate their organs. Concern about risk of medical error and the belief in trafficking of procured organs were the main reasons for refusal, seen in 66% and 62% of the interviewees, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models showed that the older, the less educated and the less informed a person is, the less he accepted organ donation. Therefore, promotion of organ donation in Morocco should involve a regular information and awareness among the general population.

Relationship between poor quality sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness and low academic performance in medical students.

Purpose: Poor quality of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness affect cognitive ability and have a negative impact on the academic performance of medical students. This study aims to determine the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep quality and psychological distress as well as assess their association with low academic performance in this population. Participants and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 457 medical students from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Morocco, who completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to determine the quality of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness, respectively. Sociodemographic variables and psychological distress (Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) were also measured. Multivariate linear regression was performed in order to evaluate the link between low academic performance and sleep quality after adjusting for other covariates. Results: Among the included students, the median age was 20 (19; 21) years; 70.7% of the participants were females. Almost one-third of the students (36.6%) had excessive daytime sleepiness and this was more frequently observed in female students (43% vs 20.1%, <0.001). Furthermore, 58.2% of the students were poor sleepers (PSQI ≥5), while 86.4% of them had psychological distress. The bivariate analysis showed that psychological distress was associated with decreased risk of low performance (ß=0.04; 95% CI=0.005-0.07; P=0.024). Being a poor sleeper was statistically associated with poor academic performance (ß= -0.07; 95% CI=-0.14 to -0.002; P=0.04) in the multivariate analysis. In our study, daytime sleepiness was not statistically associated with academic performance. Conclusion: A poor sleep quality determined by PSQI ≥5 was related to poor academic achievement at the end of the study year in medical students.

Kounis syndrome induced by oral intake of aspirin: case report and literature review.

The Kounis-Zavras syndrome is defined as the coincidental occurrence of acute coronary events and hypersensitivity reactions following an allergic reaction including a mast-cell degranulation of vasospastic mediators. This report describes a case of Kounis-Zavras syndrome in the setting of aspirin-induced asthma also known as Samter-Beer triad combining nasal polyps, asthma, and aspirin allergy leading to vasospasm and myocardial infarction. All physicians should be aware of The Kounis syndrome and always keep that unique clinical entity in mind to recognize it promptly and direct the therapy at suppressing the allergic reaction.

Delayed right ventricular lead perforation complicated by tamponade in biventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

This report highlights the importance of a more cautious approach in a patient with a history of implanted cardiac leads presenting with chest pain or dyspnea, to prevent overlooking cardiac lead perforations especially in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which seems to be not absolutely protective.

Right Ventricle Outflow Obstruction in Biventricular Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Amyloidosis.

Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis is the most common type of amyloidosis; cardiac involvement is rare but has a poor prognosis. Biventricular hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an exceptional finding in amyloidosis and its association with obstructive right ventricular gradient is even rarer. We report the case of a male patient with biventricular hypertrophy suggesting amyloidosis, with an obstructive gradient in the right ventricle. LEARNING POINTS: Consider amyloidosis in a patient presenting with signs of congestive heart failure and low or microvoltage on ECG.It is important to examine right ventricle myocardium thickness, as hypertrophy not only occurs in the left ventricle, and look for a right ventricle outflow tract gradient.Analysis of speckle tracking of the myocardium will show deterioration of the basal and medium segments with normal apical segment motion.

Comparison of the Effects of Dialysis Methods (Haemodialysis vs Peritoneal Dialysis) on Diastolic Left Ventricular Function Dialysis Methods and Diastolic Function.

INTRODUCTION: In patients undergoing chronic dialysis, several factors appear to influence the occurrence of cardiac abnormalities. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of two different methods of renal replacement therapy (chronic haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 63 patients: 21 patients on CAPD, and 42 age- and gender-matched patients on HD; 35 patients were men (55.6%). Median of age was 46.4 (35-57) years. The median duration of renal replacement therapy was 3(2-5) years. RESULTS: The two groups (HD vs PD) were similar concerning body mass index, dialysis duration and cardiovascular risk factors. The comparison of echocardiographic parameters showed statistically significant differences between two groups, regarding the presence of calcification, cardiac effusion, severely abnormal left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) and the ratio of mitral velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e') >13 (p= 0.001, p= 0.003, p= 0.02, p= 0.004, respectively). In multivariate analysis, an E/e'>13 was higher in PD group ( OR= 5.8, CI [1.3-25.5], p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The method of dialysis seems to influence LV diastolic function. We observed a higher prevalence of diastolic LV dysfunction in the PD group. Echocardiographic follow up is essential as this could improve the management of cardiovascular complications in dialysis patients.

Evaluation of the effect of duration on dialysis on echocardiographic parameters: a preliminary study.

The excessive cardiovascular mortality seen in patients with end-stage renal disease seems to be closely related to accelerated coronary atherosclerosis. Some echocardiographic parameters such as left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction are implicated in ventricular dysfunction and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of duration on dialysis on some echocardiographic parameters. We enrolled 75 patients on hemodialysis, including 34 women, in our prospective study. The mean age was 42.5 ± 13.8 years. The echocardiographic parameters were all measured within 2 h after a dialysis session. The study population was divided into two groups: Group-1 consisted of patients on dialysis for < 5 years and group-2 included patients on dialysis for >5 years. The two groups were similar regarding demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk factors. On univariate analysis, a statistically significant difference was seen in the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P = 0.002), left ventricular end-syslotic diameter (P = 0.008), left ventricular mass (P = 0.006), inter-ventricular septum (P = 0.024), mitral flow deceleration time (P = 0.03), tricuspid anteroposterior systolic excursion (P = 0.01), inferior vena cava diameter (P = 0.04), left atrial size (P = 0.02), valvular calcification (P = 0.01) and pericardial effusion (P = 0.01) between the two groups. We conclude that the duration on dialysis is associated with changes in several echocardiographic parameters. Frequent follow-up with echocardiogram is recommended in the management of these patients.

Electrocardiographic findings in correlation to magnetic resonance imaging patterns in African patients with isolated ventricular noncompaction.

OBJECTIVE: Isolated ventricular noncompaction is a rare primary genetic cardiomyopathy characterized by persistent embryonic myocardial morphology without any other cardiac anomalies. Arrhythmias are frequently present, including both tachyarrhythmia and conduction disturbance. Our study aimed to describe the electrocardiographic findings and to correlate them with the clinical presentation and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients diagnosed with isolated ventricular noncompaction (IVNC) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Correlations were investigated between arrhythmias and the site of ventricular noncompaction, number of noncompacted segments, presence of fibrosis, and left ventricular dysfunction. RESULTS: The mean age was 42.7±13.1 years. Patients were first presented with heart failure in 41.7% and arrhythmia in 45.8%. Electrocardiogram was abnormal in 91.6% of patients; the most common anomaly was left bundle branch block (LBBB) (41.7%), followed by supraventricular arrhythmias (29.1%), repolarization abnormalities (29.1%), and ventricular tachycardia (20.8%). A normal left ventricular systolic function was frequently observed in patients who first presented with rhythm disorders than heart failure (p=0.008). There was also a delayed diagnosis of IVNC when presented with arrhythmia versus heart failure (p=0.02). We found no correlation between arrhythmias and the noncompaction site or fibrosis, except for LBBB, which was associated to left ventricle lateral wall involvement (p=0.028). No correlation between systolic dysfunction and the number of noncompacted segments, fibrosis, or arrhythmia was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: While electrocardiographic abnormalities are frequent in isolated ventricular noncompaction, no specific patterns were identified. More large studies are needed for stratification of arrhythmic risk of this highly arrhythmogenic substrate.

Simple D-transposition of great arteries operated at the age of 11 years.

The simple transposition of the great arteries is a lethal congenital heart disease. The life expectancy of unoperated patients is about 9 months. We report the original observation of a girl with unoperated simple transposition of the great arteries, who survived until the age of 11 years. An atrial switch was successfully performed according to the technique of Senning-Mustard.

Stress echocardiography: safety and tolerability.

BACKGROUND: Stress echocardiography is a valuable tool for the noninvasive diagnosis of ischemic heart disease. Despite its widely use in the clinical practice, safety and side effects profile have never been evaluated in Moroccans. THE AIM: To assess the safety and tolerability of the two stress echo modalities in Moroccans. METHODS: The study was made by 311 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease, 203 underwent exercise echocardiography and 108 underwent dobutamine echocardiography, major and minor rhythmic complications and side effects were recorded for the two groups. RESULTS: We registered 3 (2, 8%) major rhythmic events in the dobutamine group (2 sustained supraventricular tachycardia and 1 sustained ventricular tachycardia), there was no major rhythmic events in the exercise group. Minor rhythmic events were frequent (43, 5% in the dobutamine group and 19, 2% in the exercise group with a p = 0, 0001). Severe hypotension occurs in 4 (3, 7%) patients during a dobutamine stress, there was no significant drop in the blood pressure during exercise stress procedures. Non cardiac side effects were more common among patients who underwent a dobutamine stress echo (13, 9% vs. 3, 4% with p = 0,001). CONCLUSION: Exercise is safer than dobutamine stress echocardiography, complications and adverse effects with the use of dobutamine are usually minor and self-limiting.