Echocardiographic and Electrocardiographic Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis who develop Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) suffer from cirrhotic cardiomyopathy which is characterized by impaired contractility in response to stress despite a relatively normal resting cardiac output. We hypothesized that electrocardiographic and echocardiographic information would help prognosticate patients developing SBP in addition to existing scoring systems. METHODS: Cirrhotic patients admitted to Einstein Medical Center from 01/01/2005 to 6/30/2012 for SBP, and did not receive a transplant within one year, were included. Patients were classified as QTc low vs. high, and E/E' low vs. high at cut points ≥480 ms for QTc and ≥10 for E/E' ratio. We estimated 1-year survival using Kaplan Meier curves. Regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards model were used for QTc and E/E' ratio, respectively, for assessing 1-year survival. RESULTS: Among 112 patients with electrocardiogam, 78 were classified as QTc low. Among 64 patients with echocardiograms, 23 were classified as E/E' low. Higher QTc was associated with increased in-hospital acute kidney injury. QTc and E/E' ratio predicted worse 1-year survival (HR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.29-3.49; HR 2.65, 95% CI 1.31-5.35, respectively) on univariate and multivariate analysis (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03; HR = 3.26, 95% CI 1.22-9.82 respectively) after adjusting for both Child Pugh stage, MELD score among other risk factors. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, cirrhotic patients with SBP who present with a prolonged QTc interval are at a greater risk for acute renal failure during hospitalization. High QTc duration and an E/E' ratio of ≥10 independently predict increased mortality at 1-year follow-up.

Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Suspected Poststroke Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can complicate acute ischemic stroke, causing significant morbidity and mortality. To date, literatures that describe poststroke acute coronary syndrome and its morbidity and mortality burden are lacking. METHODS: This is a single center, retrospective study where clinical characteristics, cardiac evaluation, and management of patients with suspected poststroke ACS were compared and analyzed for their association with inpatient mortality and 1-year all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Of the 82 patients, 32% had chest pain and 88% had ischemic ECG changes; mean peak troponin level was 18, and mean ejection fraction was 40%. The medical management group had older individuals (73 versus 67 years, p < 0.05), lower mean peak troponin levels (12 versus 49, p < 0.05), and lower mean length of stay (12 versus 25 days, p < 0.05) compared to those who underwent stent or CABG. Troponin levels were significantly associated with 1-year all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Age and troponin level appear to play a role in the current clinical decision making for patient with suspected poststroke ACS. Troponin level appears to significantly correlate with 1-year all-cause mortality. In the management of poststroke acute coronary syndrome, optimal medical therapy had similar inpatient and all-cause mortality compared to PCI and/or CABG.

Psychiatric conditions as predictors of rehospitalization among African American patients hospitalized with heart failure.

INTRODUCTION: African Americans (AAs) have the highest risk of developing heart failure (HF) among all ethnicities in the United States and are associated with higher rates of readmissions and mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence and relationship of common psychiatric conditions to outcomes of patients hospitalized with HF. HYPOTHESIS: Psychiatric conditions lead to worse outcomes in HF patients. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study enrolled 611 AA patients admitted to an urban teaching community hospital for HF from 2010 to 2013. Patient demographics, clinical variables, and history of psychiatric disorders were obtained. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess impact of psychiatric disorders on readmission rates and mortality. RESULTS: The mean age was 66 ± 15 years; 53% were men. Median follow-up time from index admission for HF was 3.2 years. Ninety-seven patients had a psychiatric condition: 46 had depression, 11 had bipolar mood disorder (BMD), and 40 had schizophrenia. After adjustment of known risk factors and clinical metrics, our study showed that AA HF patients with a psychiatric illness were 3.84× more likely to be admitted within 30 days for HF, compared with those without (P < 0.001). Individually, adjusted Cox multivariable logistic regression analysis also showed that, for 30-day readmission, schizophrenia had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.92 (P < 0.001); BMD, an HR of 3.44 (P = 0.02); and depression, an HR 3.15 (P = 0.001). No associations were found with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatric conditions of schizophrenia, BMD, and depression were significantly associated with a higher 30-day and overall readmission rate for HF among AA patients.

Cardiac Calcifications on Echocardiography Are Associated with Mortality and Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Calcium deposits in the aortic valve and mitral annulus have been associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there is no accepted standard method for scoring such cardiac calcifications, and most existing methods are simplistic. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a semiquantitative score, one that accounts for all visible calcium on echocardiography, could predict all-cause mortality and stroke in a graded fashion. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 443 unselected subjects derived from a general echocardiography database. A global cardiac calcium score (GCCS) was applied that assigned points for calcification in the aortic root and valve, mitral annulus and valve, and submitral apparatus, and points for restricted leaflet mobility. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was stroke. RESULTS: Over a mean 3.8 ± 1.7 years of follow-up, there were 116 deaths and 34 strokes. Crude mortality increased in a graded fashion with increasing GCCS. In unadjusted proportional hazard analysis, the GCCS was significantly associated with total mortality (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.35; P < .0001) and stroke (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.40; P = .003). After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors (age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, family history of coronary disease, chronic kidney disease, history of atrial fibrillation, and history of stroke), these associations remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: The GCCS is easily applied to routinely acquired echocardiograms and has clinically significant associations with total mortality and stroke.

QRS duration and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

BACKGROUND: Non-traditional EKG parameters such as QRS pattern and QRS duration (QRSd) are being investigated in acute coronary syndrome as prognostic markers. Following an infarction, the heart attempts to compensate for myocardial loss through remodeling which eventually lowers the ejection fraction (LVEF). Our objective is to evaluate the relationship between the QRSd at the time of NSTEMI and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) and changes in LVEF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients admitted with NSTEMI between 08/01/2006 and 9/30/2012 were included. Patients were classified into high or low QRSd at cutoff value of 90ms noted on initial EKG after excluding bundle-branch block. A total of 536 patients with mean age of 66±14years were included. 49% were male and majority were African American (73%). Patients within the higher QRSd group had a lower LVEF at the time of the NSTEMI compared to those with QRSd <90ms (47±15% vs. 50±13%; p<0.038). The LVEF remained lower in the high QRS group on follow up to 12months (47±15% vs. 52±11%; p<0.001). The high QRSd group had a higher incidence of severe LV dysfunction at baseline (27% vs. 18%; p<0.045). Logistic regression analysis revealed that a QRSd ≥90ms was also independently associated with a severely reduced LVEF on follow-up (OR=2.7; CI 1.55-4.69; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: QRSd ≥90ms at the time of NSTEMI is predictive of three-vessel/left main coronary artery involvement and a lower LVEF. This depression in LVEF is maintained for up to 12months. Thus, the QRSd at time of NSTEMI has additional prognostic significance.

Hypertension in young adults.

Hypertension remains a major societal problem affecting 76 million, or approximately one third, of US adults. While more prevalent in the older population, an increasing incidence in the younger population, including athletes, is being observed. Active individuals, like the young and athletes, are viewed as free of diseases such as hypertension. However, the increased prevalence of traditional risk factors in the young, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, and renal disease, increase the risk of developing hypertension in younger adults. Psychosocial factors may also be contributing factors to the increasing incidence of hypertension in the younger population. Increased left ventricular wall thickness and mass are increasingly found in young adults on routine echocardiograms and predict future cardiovascular events. This increasing incidence of hypertension in the young calls for early surveillance and prompt treatment to prevent future cardiac events. In this review we present the current epidemiological data, potential mechanisms, clinical implications, and treatment of hypertension in young patients and athletes.

Atrial myocardial infarction: A tale of the forgotten chamber.

It has been almost a century since atrial infarction was first described, yet data describing its significance remain limited. To date, there are still no universally accepted criteria for the diagnosis of atrial infarction. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of atrial infarction but it has also been described in cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension. Atrial infarction almost always occurs concomitantly with ventricular infarction. Its clinical presentation depends largely on the extent and site of ventricular involvement. Atrial infarction can present with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for diagnosing atrial infarction have been described but none have yet to be validated by prospective studies. Atrial ECG patterns include abnormal P-wave morphologies, PR-segment deviations, as well as transient rhythm abnormalities, including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, wandering atrial pacemaker (WAP) and atrioventricular (AV) blocks. Complications of atrial infarction include thromboembolic events and cardiogenic shock. There are no specific additional recommendations in the management of myocardial infarction with suspected involvement of the atria. The primary goal remains coronary reperfusion and maintenance of, or conversion to, sinus rhythm.

Prognostic significance of abnormal P wave morphology and PR-segment displacement after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial infarction is uncommonly diagnosed and data on its significance are limited. Its incidence in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reportedly ranges from 0.7-42%. Certain atrial ECG changes, such as abnormal P wave morphology suggestive of atrial involvement have been associated with 90-day mortality after STEMI. However, whether atrial ECG changes are associated with short (30-day) or long-term (1-year) mortality have not been studied. METHODS: We examined index ECG in 224 consecutive STEMI. Demographics, clinical variables, peak troponin I, ejection fraction, and angiographic data were collected. Atrial ECG patterns were examined and correlated with mortality. RESULTS: Length of stay was longer with abnormal P waves (p=0.008) or PR displacement in any lead (p=0.003). Left main coronary disease was more prevalent with abnormal P wave (p=0.045). Abnormal P wave morphology in any lead was associated with higher 30-day (OR 3.09 (1.35-7.05)) and 1-year mortality (OR 5.33 (2.74-10.36)). PR displacement in any lead was also associated with increased 30-day (OR 2.33 (1.03-5.28)) and 1-year mortality (OR 6.56 (3.34-12.86)). Abnormal P wave, PR depression in II, III and AVF, and elevation in AVR or AVL were associated with increased 1-year mortality (OR 12.49 (5.2-30.0)) as was PR depression in the precordial leads (OR 21.65 (6.82-68.66)). After adjusting for age, ejection fraction, peak troponin I, and left main disease, PR displacement in any lead was associated with increased 1-year mortality (adjusted OR 6.22 (2.33-18.64)). CONCLUSION: PR segment displacement in any lead, found in 31% of patients with STEMI, independently predicted 1-year mortality.

Utility of the QT interval in predicting outcomes in patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether prolongation of the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) is an independent risk factor for predicting future acute coronary syndrome (ACS) occurrence or mortality in patients with at least one cardiac risk factor presenting with chest pain to the emergency department (ED). METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective study of patients presenting with chest pain to the ED of Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, between 2011 and 2012. Proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for occurrence of ACS or death within 1 year. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine the time to event for QTc low (< 460 ms) versus QTc high (≥ 460 ms) groups. RESULTS: A total of 595 patients met the inclusion criteria. Older age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were more common in the QTc high group. Patients in the QTc high group were more likely to experience subsequent ACS or death (HR 8.12, 95% confidence interval 4.00-16.72), even after adjusting for traditional cardiac risk factors (HR 7.68, 95% confidence interval 3.57-16.61). CONCLUSION: QTc prolongation at ED presentation with chest pain and at least one cardiac risk factor predicts subsequent ACS and death.