Assessment of subtle cardiac dysfunction induced by premature ventricular contraction using two-dimensional strain echocardiography and the effects of successful ablation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the effects of successful ablation on impaired left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) in patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). We also evaluated the potential risk factors of impaired LV-GLS. METHODS: Thirty-six consecutive patients without any structural heart disease, who were treated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation due to frequent PVCs, were included in the study. All patients were evaluated with standard transthoracic and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. RESULTS: Mean LV-GLS before ablation was 17.3±3.7 and 20.5±2.6 after ablation; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). Patients were categorized into two groups: those with LV-GLS value >-16% and those ≤16%. Low PVC E flow/post-PVC E flow and PVC SV/post-PVC SV ratios were associated with impaired LV-GLS. CONCLUSION: In symptomatic patients with frequent PVCs and normal left ventricular ejection fraction, we observed significant improvement in LV-GLS value following successful RF ablation. Patients with impaired LV-GLS more often display non-ejecting PVCs and post-extrasystolic potentiation (PEP) compared to patients with normal LV-GLS.

Effectiveness of Handmade "Jacky-Like Catheter" As a Single Multipurpose Catheter in Transradial Coronary Angiography: A Randomized Comparison With Conventional Two-Catheter Strategy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate safety and efficacy of specialized hand-modified "Jacky-Like" catheter (JLC) as a single dual-purpose catheter in transradial coronary angiography. METHODS: Patients over 18 years undergoing diagnostic CAG through right radial artery (RRA) were prospectively enrolled. Procedures were performed with a single JLC modified from a left Judkins (JL) 3.5 catheter or by using 2-catheter approach (2C). Procedures with coronary artery bypass grafts or ventricular angiographies were excluded from the study. Three hundred and eighty-seven transradial procedures were performed successfully. One hundred and ninety-four procedures were performed with 2C and 193 procedures with a JLC. Inability to use intended catheters, total fluoroscopic time in minutes, the consumption of contrast medium in milliliter, development of radial artery spasm (RAS), and radial artery occlusion (RAO) were evaluated. RESULTS: In the 2C group, angiography was successfully performed on the RCA of 191 patients (98.9%) and on LCA in 192 patients (99.4%). In the JLC group, angiography was successfully performed on the RCA and LCA of 193 (99.4%) and 174 (89.6%) patients, respectively. Utilization of supplemental catheters was significantly greater in the JLC group (21; 10.8%) versus the 2C group (3; 1.5% P = 0.001). Mean fluoroscopy time was shorter in the JLC group (2.0 ± 2.3 min vs. 2.3 ± 1.5 min; P = 0.043). Mean procedure time was also decreased with JLC but did not reach statistical significance (5.7 ± 3.1 min vs. 6.2 ± 2.5 min; P = 0.081). When additional time for reshaping the JLC was not taken into account, mean procedure time was significantly decreased in the JLC group (5.6 ± 2.9 min vs. 6.2 ± 2.4 min; P = 0.031). There was a trend toward lower incidence of consumption of contrast medium in the 2C group (49 ± 13 mL vs. 52 ± 18 mL; P = 0.061). RAS was observed more frequently in the 2C group (11.3% vs. 21.7%, P = 0.005). There was a trend toward high incidence of RAO in the 2C group (4.1 vs. 8.3% P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: In transradial procedures from RRA, a JLC catheter can be very effective when dedicated dual-purpose catheter is not available.

Impact of transesophageal echocardiography during transseptal puncture on atrial fibrillation ablation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to demonstrate the added value of routine transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for correctly positioning the transseptal system in the fossa ovalis (FO), thus potentially preventing complications during fluoroscopy-guided transseptal puncture (TP), and for assessing the optimal puncture site within the FO according to the expected procedure type. METHODS: Ninety-one patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures by cryoballoon technique for drug-resistant paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) were prospectively included. In 57 patients, the TP procedure was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and septal localization was confirmed by contrast injection through the needle and demonstration of septal tenting in both the anteroposterior and left lateral fluoroscopic projections. In 34 patients, TP was performed under TEE guidance and positioning was targeted to perform the TP procedure in the more anterior and inferior locations of the FO. Two patient groups were compared according to the incidence of complications directly attributable to transseptal catheterization, thromboembolic complications, recurrence rates after the ablation procedure, total procedural time, and fluoroscopy time. RESULTS: Fluoroscopy time (p<0.001), total cryoablation time (p=0.002), and total procedural time (p<0.001) were shorter in the TEE-guided group. Left inferior pulmonary vein (LIPV) cryoablation time (p=0.007) and right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) cryoablation time (p=0.004) were significantly shorter and the number of applications to the LIPV (p=0.007) and RIPV (p=0.005) were significantly fewer in the TEE-guided group. Although there was a trend toward higher complication rates (20.6% vs. 31.6%, p=0.37) and recurrence rates (11.8% vs. 20.1%, p=0.26) in the fluoroscopy-guided group, the differences between the groups were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: TEE-guided TP for AF ablation is associated with shorter fluoroscopy time, shorter total cryoablation time, and shorter total procedural time. Importantly, TEE-guided TP facilitates cryoablation of the inferior pulmonary veins.

Amount of ST wave resolution in patients with and without spontaneous coronary reperfusion in the infarct -related artery after primary PCI: an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a patent infarct-related artery (IRA) on initial angiography was associated with better angiographic results and improved prognosis compared with patients without spontaneous reflow. The role of systematic emergency PCI in patients with spontaneous reperfusion during myocardial infarction is debated. We compared the amount of ST wave resolution (STR) in patients with and without spontaneous coronary reperfusion (SCR) in the infarct related artery. METHODS: This study was designed as an observational cohort study. One hundred sixty-one consecutive patients (121 males, 40 females, with a mean age of 56±10 years) who had STEMI and treated with primary PCI without previous thrombolytic therapy were included in the study. All patients were treated with primary PCI within 12 hours from the onset of the symptoms and had stent implantation in the culprit lesion. ST wave resolution was measured as percent resolution of ST segment elevation from electrocardiogram (ECG), before and after PCI, classified as complete (>70%), partial (30% to 70%), or absent (<30%). SCR was defined as a TIMI grade III flow in the IRA on baseline coronary angiogram. The amount of ST wave resolution (STR) in patients with and without SCR in the IRA was compared. We used Chi-square test, Student's t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test for statistical analysis. RESULTS: At the baseline coronary angiography 40 (25%) patients had SCR and 121 patients (75%) had TIMI flow grade 0, 1 or 2 (non-SCR group). ST segment resolution amount was significantly higher in patients without SCR (53±17 versus 13±23 mm; p<0.001). In fact; in five patients whom had patent infarct related artery in initial angiography, ST segment elevation increased according to pre-PCI ECG. CONCLUSION: Mean ST wave resolution was lower in patients with spontaneous coronary reperfusion who were treated with primary PCI compared to their counterparts who did not have spontaneous coronary reperfusion on initial coronary angiography.

Acute myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction associated with pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza A virus.

The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 11% depending on the diagnostic criteria used to define myocarditis. Whether such an association holds for the novel influenza A strain, pandemic-2009-H1N1, remains unknown. The clinical presentation of myocarditis varies and often mimics myocardial infarction. Although history, physical examination, laboratory data points, and electrocardiogram are helpful in distinguishing myocarditis from myocardial infarction, differential diagnosis can sometimes be difficult. Here, we present the first known report of acute myocarditis mimicking acute myocardial infarction associated with the pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1) infection.

Poor-quality sleep score is an independent predictor of nondipping hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether there was any association between the nondipping status and sleep quality in relatively young patients with an initial diagnosis of hypertension. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three consecutive patients, diagnosed to have stage 1 hypertension by their primary physicians, were referred to our study. Patients with a history of use of any antihypertensive medication were excluded. Eligible patients underwent the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) survey, which has an established role in evaluating sleep disturbances. All patients underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: There were 71 nondipper patients (mean age 44.3+/-5.3 years, 33 male/38 female) and 62 dipper hypertensive patients (mean age 43.3+/-6.3 years, 27 male/35 female). The PSQI scores, globally, were significantly higher in the nondippers compared with the dippers. It was noticed that all the components of the PSQI (sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction) were significantly higher in the nondippers. Correlation analysis showed that systolic blood pressure fall at night was inversely and significantly related with the PSQI (r=-0.46, P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the PSQI score is an independent determinant for nondipping hypertension (HT) {odds ratio=0.842 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.748-0.947; P=0.004]}. CONCLUSION: We showed that poor sleep quality was related with a nondipping pattern, and furthermore, it was an independent predictor of nondipping in newly diagnosed stage 1 hypertensive patients.

Effect of dipping status on QRS morphology in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Prolongation of the QRS complex on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular outcomes in selected populations. A 'nondipper' blood pressure (BP) profile is currently regarded as a risk factor in its own right for cardiovascular events and target organ damage. The predictive value of ECG parameters in hypertensives with nondipper profile has not been established. METHODS: A total of 750 consecutive patients with hypertension who had been evaluated with ambulatory BP monitoring were screened for this study. One hundred and thirty-six patients who had fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. Dipper and nondipper patterns were detected and the maximum QRS duration (QRSd) measured on a 12-lead ECG was recorded. RESULTS: There were 70 nondipper and 66 dipper hypertensives. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the daytime systolic and diastolic mean BPs, number of medications taken, and the proportion of each class of antihypertensive medications. Other variables were similar between the two groups. QRSd was significantly higher in nondippers than dippers (P=0.006). Correlation analysis revealed that the systolic BP fall at night was inversely and significantly related with QRSd (r=-0.482, P<0.001). Regression analysis further showed that the systolic BP fall at night and age were independent correlates of QRSd. CONCLUSION: QRSd on the standard-surface 12-lead ECG was increased in patients with nondipper pattern and furthermore the systolic BP fall at night was independent correlate of QRSd in patients with hypertension.

Echocardiographic manifestations of pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza a virus infection.

UNLABELLED: SUMMARY AIM: The prevalence of myocardial involvement in influenza infection ranges from 0% to 12% depending on the diagnostic criteria used to define myocarditis. Whether such an association holds for the novel influenza A strain, pandemic-2009-H1N1, remains unknown. The aim of this present study is to evaluate the cardiovascular manifestations of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A (pH1N1) by using standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS: Twenty-eight young patients who had been hospitalized for at least 24 h due to an influenza-like illness and tested positive for pH1N1 by real-time polymerase chain reaction were included in the study. All patients underwent echocardiographic studies during the first 72 h of admission. Echocardiographic studies of thirty gender and age matched control subjects were performed and the results were compared. RESULTS: Heart rate was significantly higher in patients infected with pH1N1 virus. Other clinical variables were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Echocardiographic variables were also similar except left ventricular end-systolic dimension, which was significantly increased in the patient group (P = 0.042). Left ventricular tissue Doppler assessment at mitral annulus showed that mean systolic velocities of pH1N1 infected patients and control group were statistically similar. However, early diastolic velocity was decreased and late diastolic velocity was increased in the patient group. Therefore early diastolic/late diastolic velocity ratio was significantly decreased in pH1N1 infected patients. Also, isovolumetric contraction time and isovolumetric relaxation time were prolonged and ejection time was significantly shortened in pH1N1 infected patients. As a result, global myocardial performance index was significantly higher in pH1N1 infected patients (p < 0.001). Right ventricular tissue Doppler assessment at tricuspid annulus showed similar results with the left ventricular measurements. CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest an association between hospitalized pH1N1 and subclinical cardiac dysfunction as measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Outcome of primary percutaneous intervention in patients with infarct-related coronary artery ectasia.

Data related to the incidence and clinical outcome of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with preexisting coronary artery ectasia (CAE) are limited. We assessed whether infarct-related artery ectasia (EIRA) indicates an untoward clinical outcome in patients with AMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Consecutive patients (n = 643) who presented with AMI and were treated with pPCI were analyzed retrospectively; 31 patients (4.8%) had EIRA. Patients who had EIRA were significantly younger and had higher incidence of hypertension, previous stroke, smoking, inferior wall AMI, and Killip score >1. Infarct-related artery ectasia was more frequent in the right coronary artery (RCA). Impaired epicardial arterial flow, thrombus burden score of infarct-related artery (IRA), impaired Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) Myocardial Perfusion Grade, and distal embolization were significantly higher whereas ST-segment resolution and collateral vascular development were significantly lower in patients with EIRA. Infarct-related artery ectasia was an independent predictor of adverse outcome (odds ratio: 0.197; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.062-0.633; P = .006).