Sex differences in presenting symptoms of acute coronary syndrome: the EPIHeart cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Prompt diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a challenge, with presenting symptoms affecting the diagnosis algorithm and, consequently, management and outcomes. This study aimed to identify sex differences in presenting symptoms of ACS. DESIGN: Data were collected within a prospective cohort study (EPIHeart). SETTING: Patients with confirmed diagnosis of type 1 (primary spontaneous) ACS who were consecutively admitted to the Cardiology Department of two tertiary hospitals in Portugal between August 2013 and December 2014. PARTICIPANTS: Presenting symptoms of 873 patients (227 women) were obtained through a face-to-face interview. OUTCOME MEASURES: Typical pain was defined according to the definition of cardiology societies. Clusters of symptoms other than pain were identified by latent class analysis. Logistic regression was used to quantify differences in presentation of ACS symptoms by sex. RESULTS: Chest pain was reported by 82% of patients, with no differences in frequency or location between sexes. Women were more likely to feel pain with an intensity higher than 8/10 and this association was stronger for patients aged under 65 years (interaction P=0.028). Referred pain was also more likely in women, particularly pain referred to typical and atypical locations simultaneously. The multiple symptoms cluster, which was characterised by a high probability of presenting with all symptoms, was almost fourfold more prevalent in women (3.92, 95% CI 2.21 to 6.98). Presentation with this cluster was associated with a higher 30-day mortality rate adjusted for the GRACE V.2.0 risk score (4.9% vs 0.9% for the two other clusters, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: While there are no significant differences in the frequency or location of pain between sexes, women are more likely to feel pain of higher intensity and to present with referred pain and symptoms other than pain. Knowledge of these ACS presentation profiles is important for health policy decisions and clinical practice.

Antidiabetic therapy at admission and survival in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction.

HIGHLIGHTS: Anti-diabetic drugs used at admission in myocardial infarction patients were studied.195 admissions corresponding to different patients were under analysis.No difference in survival was seen in patients using or not using DPP-4 inhibitors. INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is frequently associated to cardiovascular disease. We aimed at studying the relations between anti-diabetic drugs in use at admission by diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction and survival after a period of at least 36 and up to 52 months after admission. METHODS: Retrospective study based on electronic records. Data from a total number of 195 admissions corresponding to different patients were under analysis. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier analysis, as well as Cox analysis, failed to show a difference in survival associated to the use of DPP-4 inhibitors (n = 35 patients). A non-significant trend toward increased survival was seen with metformin (n = 92 patients), and in the opposite direction with both insulin (n = 51 patients) and sulfonylureas (n = 51 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The use of DPP-4 inhibitors at admission, in patients with Diabetes mellitus admitted for acute myocardial infarction, was not associated to a different survival after no less than 36 months and up to 52 months after admission.

Plasma alkaline phosphatase and survival in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) removes phosphate groups from many types of molecules. The aim of the present research was to study the relation between plasma ALP and survival in diabetic patients with myocardial infarction. METHODS: Retrospective study: from 954 admissions (15 months period) in a coronary care unit, we selected 200 admissions corresponding to 195 patients with myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus. Survival after no less than 48 months, and up to 61 months, after the myocardial infarction episode, was under study, in association with ALP levels. RESULTS: A relatively weak but significant correlation was seen between the peak plasma cardiac troponin I and ALP levels (r: 0.21, significance level: 0.003). Using the median value for ALP as cut-off (74 IU/L), plasma creatinine was significantly higher in patients with higher values for ALP. Patients with elevated ALP had decreased survival in Kaplan-Meier analysis (significance level in log-rank test: 0.032). This finding was noted for male patients (significance level in log-rank test: 0.035), but not for female patients (significance level in log-rank test: 0.497). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated ALP acts as a prognostic indicator of decreased survival in diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction, possibly in association to decreased renal function. This finding is limited to male patients, pointing to a possible different role for phosphatase activity in cardiovascular disease in male and female diabetic patients.

Massive hemoptysis as an unusual complication of right heart catheterization: Successful treatment with percutaneous stent.

The authors present a case report of successful treatment of pulmonary artery perforation by endovascular stent graft implantation.

Permanent pacemaker implantation after aortic valve replacement: Long-term dependency or rhythm recovery?

INTRODUCTION: Conduction disturbances requiring permanent pacemaker (PM) implantation occur in 3-12% of patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Our aim was to assess long-term PM dependency and its predictors in these patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive patients undergoing permanent PM implantation after AVR between January 2004 and December 2010. Absence of sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation with appropriate ventricular response at a pacing rate of 30 bpm for 10 s was defined as pacemaker dependency. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients underwent permanent PM implantation and during follow-up (1026.6 ± 732.0 days) 64% of them did not recover rhythm. Age, conduction disorders on the preoperative ECG, negative chronotropic medication before surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times did not influence rhythm recovery. In multivariate analysis, valvular disease etiology related to endocarditis, prosthetic dysfunction and bicuspid valve were associated with long-term PM dependency (OR 5.05; CI: 1.43-17.75). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients undergoing permanent PM implantation after AVR did not recover from conduction disorders during follow-up. The etiology of valvular disease was an independent predictor of late PM dependence.

Perception of illness symptoms in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a need to improve.

BACKGROUND: Interpretation of the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) can influence the time of hospital admission and negatively affect patients' prognosis. We decided to explore illness perception and its predictors among patients with ACS. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with ACS admitted to the cardiology department of a tertiary hospital between January and September 2011. Data were obtained from patients' medical records and telephone interviews. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-six patients with ACS (mean age 64 ± 12 years; 70% male) were included. The majority (62.6%) had no perception of ACS until informed by their doctor. Only 26% of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction had perception of cardiac disease. Among those who had perception, 82.6% were men and 58% had a previous diagnosis of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Gender and previous diagnosis of IHD were independent predictors of ACS perception, with male gender and patients with previous IHD having greater illness perception. No association was found between ACS perception and age or residence area (rural vs. urban). CONCLUSIONS: The illness perception of ACS patients needs to be improved, independently of sociodemographic factors. An educational program for the general population, but particularly for women and individuals without a past history of IHD, focusing on the alert signs for ACS, may help to improve illness perception in this setting.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy associated with ipratropium bromide therapy in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as 'broken heart syndrome' or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is characterized by transient systolic dysfunction of the apical and/or mid segments of the left ventricle, in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. We report the case of a 56-year-old male patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with stress-induced cardiomyopathy associated with the use of ipratropium bromide, administered in the context of an acute exacerbation of COPD.

Desfecho de Curto e Longo Prazo na Cardiomiopatia Induzida por Estresse: O que Podemos Esperar? / Short and Long-Term Outcome of Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy: What Can We Expect?

Fundamento: A cardiomiopatia de estresse/Takotsubo (CT) é uma entidade diagnóstica cada vez mais reconhecida. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência e os preditores clínicos de complicações de curto e longo prazo de pacientes (pts) com CT. Métodos: Foram incluídos todos os pts consecutivamente admitidos no nosso centro, entre novembro de 2006 e agosto de 2011, que preenchiam os critérios diagnósticos da Clínica Mayo. Resultados: Analisaram-se 37 pts (35 mulheres), com idade média de 63 ± 13 anos. A CT foi precipitada na maioria dos casos por eventos de estresse emocional (57%) e dor torácica foi o sintoma de apresentação mais frequente (89%). O electrocardiograma na admissão mostrou supradesnivelamento do segmento ST em 12 pts (32%) e inversão da onda T em 15 casos (41%). Verificou-se disfunção sistólica ventricular esquerda (VE) grave em 16 pts (45%) e a elevação média de troponina I foi de 2,6 ± 1,8 ng/mL. A taxa de complicações intra-hospitalares foi de 30%, sendo o choque cardiogênico a situação mais comum. O estresse físico, a disfunção sistólica grave do VE e o valor de pico do peptídeo natriurético cerebral (BNP) foram preditores de complicações agudas. Não foi encontrada associação entre o pico de troponina I e a apresentação eletrocardiográfica. Trinta e cinco pacientes foram acompanhados por um tempo médio de 482 ± 512 dias, sem recorrência clínica. Conclusão: Na nossa série de pacientes, a CT foi associada a uma alta taxa de complicações intra-hospitalares. O estresse físico, a disfunção sistólica do VE e o valor de pico do BNP foram preditores de desfechos adversos agudos. .

Background: Stress-induced/Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is an increasingly recognized diagnostic entity. Objective: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical predictors of short and long-term outcome of patients (pts) diagnosed with TC. Methods: We included all consecutive pts admitted in our department, from November 2006 to August 2011, who met the Mayo Clinic criteria for TC diagnosis. Results: We evaluated 37 pts (35 women) with a mean age of 63 ±13 years. TC was precipitated by a stressful emotional event in the majority (57%) and chest pain was the most common symptom (89%). Twelve pts (32%) had ST-segment elevation and 15 pts (41%) had T-wave inversion on the electrocardiogram at admission. Severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was found in 16 pts (43%) and the mean troponin I level was 2.6±1.8 ng/mL. The in-hospital complication rate was 30%, with cardiogenic shock being the most common situation. Physical stress, severe LV systolic dysfunction and peak brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were predictors of acute complications. On the other hand, we found no association between peak troponin I and electrocardiographic presentation. Thirty-five pts were followed for a mean time of 482 ± 512 days, without clinic recurrence. Conclusion: In our cohort of pts, TC was associated with a high in-hospital complications rate. Physical stress, LV dysfunction and peak BNP could predict acute adverse outcomes. .

Short and long-term outcome of stress-induced cardiomyopathy: what can we expect?

BACKGROUND: Stress-induced/Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is an increasingly recognized diagnostic entity. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical predictors of short and long-term outcome of patients (pts) diagnosed with TC. METHODS: We included all consecutive pts admitted in our department, from November 2006 to August 2011, who met the Mayo Clinic criteria for TC diagnosis. RESULTS: We evaluated 37 pts (35 women) with a mean age of 63 ± 13 years. TC was precipitated by a stressful emotional event in the majority (57%) and chest pain was the most common symptom (89%). Twelve pts (32%) had ST-segment elevation and 15 pts (41%) had T-wave inversion on the electrocardiogram at admission. Severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was found in 16 pts (43%) and the mean troponin I level was 2.6 ± 1.8 ng/mL. The in-hospital complication rate was 30%, with cardiogenic shock being the most common situation. Physical stress, severe LV systolic dysfunction and peak brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were predictors of acute complications. On the other hand, we found no association between peak troponin I and electrocardiographic presentation. Thirty-five pts were followed for a mean time of 482 ± 512 days, without clinic recurrence. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of pts, TC was associated with a high in-hospital complications rate. Physical stress, LV dysfunction and peak BNP could predict acute adverse outcomes.

Paradoxical embolism associated with Ebstein's anomaly in an adult: case report.

Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is a rare congenital malformation of the tricuspid valve, often associated with other cardiac malformations, especially atrial septal defect, which is present in 80-90% of patients and predisposes to paradoxical embolization. We describe the case of a 47-year-old male, a drug abuser, with a known but not investigated cardiac murmur. He presented to the emergency department with worsening exertional dyspnea and fatigue associated with recent recurrent transient ischemic attacks. On brain computed tomography there were multiple non-recent ischemic infarctions. Transthoracic echocardiography showed EA with severely dilated right cardiac chambers, right systolic dysfunction and severe tricuspid regurgitation. Contrast and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a patent foramen ovale with right-to-left shunt. After exclusion of other potential causes of the neurologic events, they were assumed to be the consequence of paradoxical embolism.

[Prevalence of late complications and survival of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation: a single-center experience]. / Complicações tardias e sobrevivência após transplantação cardíaca: análise de um centro hospitalar.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplantation is the treatment of choice in severe heart failure despite maximal medical therapy, which has no other surgical alternatives and exhibiting no contraindications. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of late complications and survival of patients undergoing cardiac transplantation at our Hospital Center. METHODS: We evaluated 78 patients (mean age 43 ± 15 years) transplanted at our center between February 1987 and December 2011, with a mean follow-up of 6 years. RESULTS: Of late complications after heart transplantation, allograft vascular disease was detected in 10 patients ( 12.8%), was the one with impact on mortality, being responsible for four deaths. The most frequent complication was hypertension in 54.6% of cases, followed by dyslipidemia (47.4%), renal failure (47.4%), diabetes mellitus (21.8%) and neoplasms (11.5%). Atrial tachyarrhythmias was observed in eight patients (10.3%). The overall survival of our population at first and tenth year after heart transplantation was 81% and 69%, respectively. The mean survival of patients was 15.6 years (Cl 95%: [12,6-18,7]).. There were 23 deaths (29.5%), nine (11.5%) of which occurred within the first 30 days after transplantation. CONCLUSION: Cardiac transplantation remains a valid therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart disease. Our center had a heart transplant survival rate and incidence of late complications similar to those seen in international registries.