Hyperthyroidism secondary to a hydatidiform mole.

The case presented in the article is that of a 47-year-old female patient with hyperthyroidism induced by a hydatidiform mole. Attention was drawn to the necessity of preparing the patient for a procedure with drugs that stabilize the hormonal activity of the thyroid. The removal of the hydatidiform mole resulted in gradual normalization of thyroid hormone levels. The trophoblast has a hormonal activity, secrete hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin).The hCG partial structural homology causes affinity to the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) receptor. The higher the weight of the trophoblast, the higher the production and concentration of hCG in the blood. Therefore, gestational trophoblastic disease may be accompanied by hyperthyroidism. The problem is frequently described, however, due to the risk of developing thyroid storm, it cannot be overlooked [1].

Implantation of the Micra transcatheter pacing system: Single Polish center experience with the real costs of hospitalization analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Micra transcatheter pacing system (TPS) is a miniaturized, single-chamber pacemaker system. Study reported herein is an initial experience with implantation of the Micra TPS. METHODS: The leadless pacemaker was implanted in 10 patients with standard indications for a permanent pacemaker implantation. All hospitalization costs were calculated for all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 75 ± 7.1 years, 6 were men and 4 were women. Four patients had permanent atrial fibrillation as the basal rhythm and 6 patients had sinus rhythm. All patients had at least one relative contraindication that precluded the use of a traditional pacing system. Mean intraoperative ventricular sensing amplitude was 10.6 ± 5.4 mV, impedance 843 ± 185 ohms, and pacing threshold at 0.24 ms was 0.56 ± 0.23 V. At discharge, those values were 13.9 ± 5.6 mV, 667 ± 119 ohms and 0.47 ± 0.17, respectively. The mean duration of implantation procedure was 82 min, while mean fluoroscopy time was 3.5 min. Two patients developed hematoma at the groin puncture site post-implantation. In 1 case there was a need for erythrocyte mass transfusion and surgical intervention. Mean total time of hospitalization was 26 days and time from procedure to discharge 12 days. Average cost of hospitalization per 1 patient was 11,260.15 EUR minimal cost was 9,052.68 EUR, while maximal cost was 16,533.18 EUR. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of leadless pacemakers is feasible, safe and provides advantages over the conventional system. Hospitalization costs vary for individual patients in wide range.

Diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders in obese patients - what do we know?

Obesity-related changes in the composition of the body interfere with the proper functioning of the thyrotropic axis, leading to its disturbances and changes in the structure of the thyroid gland. Distinguishing what is related to obesity and what constitutes pathological changes is crucial for the proper treatment of patients. In this paper authors present a case of a patient with a diet-induced obesity, whose only abnormalities in thyroid assessment included an elevated level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and hypoechoic thyroid gland on ultrasound. Based on this clinical situation, we reviewed literature in order to establish rules regarding management of thyroid disorders in obese individuals. The most common obesity-related thyroid abnormality is an isolated increase of TSH, without clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism, defined as hyperthyrotropinaemia. In obese adults, autoimmune thyroid disease is found equally often as in the normal-weight population. Thyroid enlargement, increased risk of nodules, and decreased echogenicity, not related to autoimmunity, is frequent among obese individuals. Weight loss leads to the normalisation of TSH levels and thyroid echogenicity. Excessive weight can influence both the TSH level and ultrasound image of the thyroid gland; however, these findings can be reversed by weight reduction. Therefore, in asymptomatic obese patients elevated TSH should not be treated with thyroid hormone replacement.

Genetic Variability of SRC Family Kinases and Its Association with Platelet Hyperreactivity and Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Platelet hyperactivity has been implicated in many cardiovascular (CV) events such as ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and CV death. Genetic variability of platelet receptors has been shown to impact Src family kinases (SFKs) activation and in turn influence platelet activation. SFKs are important signal transmitters in platelets, interacting with several receptors as GPIIB/IIIa, GPIb, PEAR 1, GPIa, GPVI, PECAM and CD148. METHODS: In this review, we focused on genetic variants of platelet receptors whose signals are transmitted mainly by SFKs and may be associated with clinical manifestations of platelet hyperactivation like MI or IS. RESULTS: The genetic variants of platelet receptors, the signals of which are transmitted by SFKs, and the associated clinical manifestations in platelet hyperactivation, have been examined. The most extensively studied receptors were glycoprotein polymorphisms. The greatest numbers of genetic variants were analyzed in GPIb. GPIIb/IIIa receptor polymorphisms were also well analyzed and many studies highlighted their associations with ischemic stroke (IS) and myocardial infarction (MI). However, there are a number of conflicting studies finding that GPIIb/IIIa receptor polymorphisms may not influence platelet hyperactivity. Moreover, variability within some other receptors like GPVI, PECAM, PEAR1, and CD148 was analyzed only in single studies. CONCLUSIONS: Src family kinases are one of the most important signal transmitters in platelets. Some receptors have well documented interactions with SFKs, while other have not been examined in humans or data about its association originated from single studies. Further studies are necessary to confirm the findings and reduce falsepositive associations.

Can prasugrel decrease the extent of periprocedural myocardial injury during elective percutaneous coronary intervention?

INTRODUCTION    Periprocedural myocardial injury may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. There is limited evidence on the safety and efficacy of more potent P2Y12 antagonists in the reduction of the incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury among patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with inadequate response to clopidogrel. OBJECTIVES    The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of prasugrel on the incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury among patients undergoing elective PCI with inadequate response to clopidogrel, diagnosed by point­of­care genotyping and platelet function testing (PFT). PATIENTS AND METHODS    This was a prespecified interim analysis of the randomized, open­label ONSIDE TEST study. Patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) scheduled for PCI were randomized to one of the following study arms: 1) genotyping, 2) PFT, or 3) control, and evaluated by the CYP2C19 allele genotyping and PFT with the P2Y12 assay. Patients with poor response to clopidogrel by genotyping or PFT were loaded with 60 mg of prasugrel before PCI. The incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury was analyzed. RESULTS    A total of 94 patients (genotyping, 34; PFT, 34; control, 26) were analyzed. Of the 25 patients (26.6%) with inadequate response to clopidogrel, 13 were switched to prasugrel while 12 continued dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel. While similar rates of any periprocedural myocardial injury were found in the genotyping, PFG, and control arms (76.5%, 73.5%, and 73.1%, respectively), the incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury tended to be lower in the subset of patients with poor response to clopidogrel who were treated with prasugrel (61.5% vs 91.7%, P = 0.078). CONCLUSIONS    Guided early prasugrel administration may decrease the extent of periprocedural myocardial injury during PCI in patients with stable CAD.

Implantation of stents for postsurgical recoarctation of the aorta in adolescents and adults.

BACKGROUND: Results of stent implantation (SI) of postsurgical recoarctation of the aorta (ReCoA) are not frequently published. AIM: This study sought to retrospectively evaluate results of SI in ReCoA in older children and adults. METHODS: Twenty-eight SIs were performed on 26 ReCoA patients with a median age of 23 (10-65) years. Dependent upon availability, the following stents were applied: Palmaz, Cheatham Platinum (CP), Andrastents XL/XXL (AS), Covered CP (CVCP) stents, and self-expanding stents (Smart). Generally, high-pressure balloons were applied to dilate stents. RESULTS: The procedure was effective in 20/26 patients (77.7%). The mean peak systolic gradient reduced from 40.5 ± 18.7 mm Hg to 13.1 ± 12.1 mm Hg (p < 0.05), and the diameter of the stenosed segment increased from 7.5 ± 3.02 mm to 13.1 ± 3.32 mm (p < 0.05). In six cases (including a patient treated with a Smart stent) transaortic pressure gradient after SI remained > 20 mm Hg (stiff postsurgical lesion). For one patient (40-year-old male), an acute dissection of the aorta occurred during balloon predilatation. Immediate CVCP implantation resolved this problem. Two more CVCPs were used - one to close a small aortic aneurysm that appeared five years after a Palmaz SI and another to stabilise a broken CP bare metal stent. There were no deaths or aortic dissections during follow-up, and most patients were able to reduce or suspend their medication for systemic hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular stenting of ReCoA in adults and adolescents appears to be an acceptable method of treatment in experienced hands. However, for some patients the presence of a stiff lesion can provoke suboptimal results. Considering the serious complications that can occur after SI, all patients should have regular follow-up (including an imaging study). Covered stents should always be available in the cathlab as a rescue device when implanting stents in coarctation of the aorta patients.

Optimal aNtiplatelet pharmacotherapy guided by bedSIDE genetic or functional TESTing in elective PCI patients: A pilot study: ONSIDE TEST pilot.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is recommended after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients; however, still one-third of patients do not obtain adequate platelet inhibition that may result in increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of the ONSIDE TEST study is to evaluate the clinical impact of point-of-care genotyping- and platelet function-based personalized dual antiplatelet strategies in SCAD individuals undergoing PCI. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomized to one of the three study arms: 1) genotyping, 2) platelet function testing (PFT) and 3) control. Patients were tested with point-of-care Spartan RX CYP2C19 System (group 1) and VerifyNow P2Y12 assay (group 2). In cases of inadequate response to clopidogrel, a loading dose of prasugrel was administered before PCI. The main clinical endpoint is the incidence of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI). RESULTS: Five (32%) patients in the genotyping arm and two (13%) in the in the PFT arm were identi-fied as poor clopidogrel metabolizers. The periprocedural platelet reactivity was significantly lower in the genotyping (80 ± 49.0 PRU) and PFT (36.5 ± 47 PRU) arms as compared to the control arm (176 ± 67.8 PRU), p = 0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively. PMI appeared in 17 (37%) patients of the entire study population. CONCLUSIONS: Personalized DAPT results in an improved platelet inhibition. Apart from genotyping and aggregometry, it is feasible to integrate into everyday clinical practice PMI rates which are relevant when comparing different strategies.

Sprint Fidelis implantable cardioverter-defibrillators lead patient management and survival: Single center study.

BACKGROUND: Over the last several years significant rises in the use of implanted cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have also resulted in a number of associated complications. This number includes lead failure. Sprint Fidelis (SF) ICD lead is regarded as a lead with elevated failure risk. Every center acting in accordance with the guidelines should observe patients more thoroughly especially with recalled leads and run a registry of their follow-up. The aim of this research was to present follow-up of the patients with SF leads (types 6948, 6949) from a single implantation center. METHODS: There were 36 SF leads implanted in 36 patients. Mean follow-up period was 76 months (IQR 40.3-86.8). Patients were subjected to regular check-ups in 3 to 6 month intervals. RESULTS: Patients were implanted at a median age of 66.5 years and majority of them had ischemic cardiomyopathy (72%). A majority of the studied population were men (72.2%). Predominantly dual-chamber ICD (ICD-DR) were implanted (50% ICD-DR vs. 47.2% ICD-VR). The guidelines for management of patients implanted with SF were fully implemented. During the follow-up 14 (38.9%) patients died. No deaths were noted that could be attributed to lead failure. In 5 cases lead failure was identified and of these 4 leads were replaced. Median time from implantation to the detection of lead dysfunction was 52 months (IQR 49; 83). The symptoms of failure consisted of: inappropriate shocks, alternating ventricular lead signal, or loss of ventricular stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up of patients with recalled SF leads in a single center supports that implementation SF management guidelines could be effective in clinical practice.

Risk factors for depressive symptoms in early postpartum period and after puerperium - are they the same?

OBJECTIVES: Correlation between the occurrence of postnatal depressive symptoms at 5 days and 6 weeks postpartum is well established. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of psychosocial and perinatal factors on the occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms 2 to 5 days and 6 weeks after delivery. METHODS: 373 women in early postpartum (EPG) and 107 women 6 weeks after delivery (late postpartum group - LPG) completed a questionnaire including questions concerning mothers' characteristics, obstetric and neonatal complications during pregnancy, psychiatric factors and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). RESULTS: 21.6% of mothers from EPG and 14.2% in LPG achieved ≥10 points in EPDS. In both groups patients with ≥10 points reported stressful situations during pregnancy, sedative agents usage and a history of suicidal attempts. In EPG women with ≥10 points significantly more frequent delivered preterm, were hospitalized during pregnancy and their newborns had more health problems. In LPG mothers with ≥10 points more often reported several obstetric complications. Maternal comorbidity or sociodemographic factors did not correlate with the risk of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The risk factors for depressive symptoms after delivery vary in different time intervals. Therefore screening for PD should not be performed once in a single selected risk group.

Most Recent Evidence Behind Aggregometry and Genotyping Methods as Platelet Function Testing for Tailored Anti-Platelet Treatment Among PCI Patients.

Aggregometry and genotyping are methods of platelet function testing, which can be beneficial for high-risk patients undergoing invasive cardiac procedures. An optimal level of platelet reactivity (PR) should be maintained. There are discrepancies between individuals and their response to clopidogrel, accounting for the incidence of poor responders from 5% to 44%. This phenomenon predisposes the patients to increased risk of ischaemic events and thereby overall poorer clinical outcome. Prasugrel and tricagrelor are newer without genetic correlation to their action, however associated with increased bleeding risk. Aggregometry methods assess platelet reactivity at the exact moment of blood sampling. They reflect "phenotype" of the patient and vary after drug administration or dose change. The most popular tests are Light Transmission Aggregometry, Vasodilator-Stimulated Protein, VerifyNow, Multiple Electrode Aggregometry and Thrombelastography. There is proven genetic correlation between some cytochrome enzymes on clopidogrel response. The most widely tested is gene CYP2C19, which produces the enzyme transforming clopidogrel into an active metabolite. The CYP2C19*2 allele carriers have higher PR which can result in more thrombotic events. The manuscript shows the most recent evidence behind platelet function testing. Aggregometry is shown to be beneficial in 5 trials and 1 meta-analysis, while one paper was of different opinion. Ten studies show a positive clinical effect of genotyping on patients' outcome, while one does not support it. The best method of identifying high-risk individuals could be both methods and personalisation of antiplatelet therapy may decrease adverse ischaemic outcomes.

Influence of left atrial size on the outcome of pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is one of the options used to prevent the recurrence of AF. Despite thorough studies, the relation between left atrial (LA) size and the results of RF ablation remains controversial. AIM: To estimate the relation between LA size assessed by echocardiography and the AF recurrence rate after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). METHODS: Our analysis comprised 175 AF patients subjected to PVI between June 2011 and March 2012. Inclusion criteria comprised: symptomatic AF with no reversible cause, and age < 70, LA < 5.5 cm (anteroposterior). PVI was performed with a 4-mm non-irrigated catheter or irrigated catheter and circular mapping catheter (electroanatomic mapping with LocaLisa or CARTO systems). Recurrence was defined as any atrial tachyarrhythmia episode that lasted more than 30 s after three months of blanking period. Standard echocardiographic post-ablation anteroposterior LA measurements were performed with additional parameters such as systolic and diastolic LA area and volume (on sinus rhythm). RESULTS: The analysis included 198 procedures performed in 175 patients. Median follow-up time was 17 months. Median age was 56 years. After the first procedure, AF recurred in 88 (52.4%) patients. Efficacy after the last procedure was 55.2% (43.5% for persistent AF and 59.7% for paroxysmal AF). No significant relation between any of the LA parameters and the recurrence rate was found. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis revealed only very early AF recurrence as a prognostic factor for AF recurrence in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF, no relation could be observed between the recurrence rate after PVI and the echocardiographic LA measurement parameters.

Evaluation of the usefulness of coronary catheters and 4 Fr insertion sets for transradial access coronarography in comparison with catheters and 5 Fr sets.

INTRODUCTION: Application of transradial arterial access during coronarography, besides pain, means faster patient mobilization and fewer complications. During those procedures, vascular sheaths and 5/6 Fr catheters, and lately 4 Fr catheters, are used. AIM: To assess the usefulness of 4 Fr catheters and sheaths in comparison to 5 Fr in diagnostic coronarography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period from 5.12.2010 to 27.02.2012, a group of patients who had coronarography with a 4 Fr catheter (n = 20) and a 5 Fr catheter (n = 20) were studied. Technical issues and potential problems related to the use of each catheter were analyzed. Morphology, biochemical parameters, and local complications were analyzed. The assessment included pain intensification during catheter removal and insertion in the VAS/numerical (0-10)/verbal scales and the quality of image obtained during the coronarography. RESULTS: All the angiograms obtained during all the interventions were of diagnostic value and in invasive cardiologists' opinions, they did not differ statistically in clarity. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in radiation/fluoroscopy time, amount of contrast medium, or morphological and biochemical parameters. The size of hematomas in the 4 Fr group was 17.55 ±14.6 cm(2), and in the 5 Fr group 31.07 ±32.11 cm(2), p = 0.12. The average intensity of pain felt during the intervention/at the time of its removal and insertion in the numerical scale was in the 4 Fr group 0.65 ±0.93/0.55 ±0.94 and in the 5 Fr group 1.88 ±1.64/1.42 ±1.61, p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Application of 4 Fr catheters allows one to perform a diagnostic procedure with a small number of local and hemorrhagic complications comparable with 5 Fr catheters. Due to reduced pain, it is appropriate to continue studies with the use of 4 Fr catheters and sheaths.