Clinical and Radiographic Predictors of Successful Coronary Angiography Through Right Radial Artery Access.

Background: One of the limitations of the right radial access approach is complex vessel anatomy, such as subclavian tortuosity. Several clinical predictors have been proposed for tortuosities, such as older age, female sex and hypertension. In this study, we hypothesised that chest radiography would add predictive value to the traditional predictors. Methods: This prospective blinded study included patients who underwent transradial access coronary angiography. They were classified into four groups according to difficulty: Group I, Group II, Group III and Group IV. Different groups were compared according to clinical and radiographic characteristics. Results: The study included 108 patients (54, 27, 17 and 10 patients in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively). The rate of crossover to transfemoral access was 9.26%. Age, hypertension and female sex were associated with a greater difficulty and failure rates. Regarding radiographic parameters, a higher failure rate was associated with a higher diameter of the aortic knuckle (Group IV, 4.09 ± 1.32 cm versus Groups I, II and III combined, 3.26 ± 0.98 cm; p=0.015) and the width of the mediastinum (Group IV, 8.96 ± 2.88 cm versus Groups I, II and III combined, 7.28 ± 1.78 cm; p=0.009). The cut-off value for prominent aortic knuckle was 3.55 cm (sensitivity 70% and specificity 67.35%) and the width of mediastinum was 6.59 cm (sensitivity 90% and specificity 42.86%). Conclusion: Radiographic prominent aortic knuckle and wide mediastinum are valuable clinical parameters and useful predictors for transradial access failure caused by tortuosity of the right subclavian/brachiocephalic arteries or aorta.

Evaluation of 3D Vulnerable Objects' Detection Using a Multi-Sensors System for Autonomous Vehicles.

One of the primary tasks undertaken by autonomous vehicles (AVs) is object detection, which comes ahead of object tracking, trajectory estimation, and collision avoidance. Vulnerable road objects (e.g., pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) pose a greater challenge to the reliability of object detection operations due to their continuously changing behavior. The majority of commercially available AVs, and research into them, depends on employing expensive sensors. However, this hinders the development of further research on the operations of AVs. In this paper, therefore, we focus on the use of a lower-cost single-beam LiDAR in addition to a monocular camera to achieve multiple 3D vulnerable object detection in real driving scenarios, all the while maintaining real-time performance. This research also addresses the problems faced during object detection, such as the complex interaction between objects where occlusion and truncation occur, and the dynamic changes in the perspective and scale of bounding boxes. The video-processing module works upon a deep-learning detector (YOLOv3), while the LiDAR measurements are pre-processed and grouped into clusters. The output of the proposed system is objects classification and localization by having bounding boxes accompanied by a third depth dimension acquired by the LiDAR. Real-time tests show that the system can efficiently detect the 3D location of vulnerable objects in real-time scenarios.

Global longitudinal strain detects subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and carriers.

BACKGROUND: With the continuous improvement of the respiratory care of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, cardiac manifestations (heart failure and arrhythmias) become the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Early identification of cardiac muscle affection is crucial to start anti-failure drugs that reverse remodeling and improve prognosis. This study aimed to detect subtle cardiac changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and carriers using electrocardiography and echocardiography. RESULTS: This study included genetically diagnosed Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients (28 males) and carriers (25 females) and compared them to healthy gender-matched control groups. All study participants underwent clinical assessment, 12-lead electrocardiography, and global longitudinal strain augmented echocardiography. In the current study, Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients had higher heart rates, smaller left ventricular internal diameters, left atrial diameter, lower ejection fraction, and worse left ventricular global longitudinal strain in comparison with the control group. The global longitudinal strain inversely correlated with the age of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. The number of exon mutations did not affect electrocardiography and echocardiographic findings. Exon mutations 45-47 and 51-54 were significantly associated with an ejection fraction less than 60%. Duchenne muscular dystrophy carriers had smaller left ventricular wall diameters, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial diameter, and worse left ventricular global longitudinal strain in comparison with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular global longitudinal strain could detect subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and carriers before the decline of left ventricular ejection fraction.

Red blood cell distribution width and coronary artery disease severity in diabetic patients.

Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the relationship between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and coronary calcium score in diabetic patients. Methods: Hematological parameters of 100 diabetic (Type II) patients were assessed. Computed tomographic angiography was used to asses coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. Results: Mean age of the study cohort was 55 years (males: 60%). Mean RDW was 12.7%. Mean CAC score was 243. There was a significant correlation between RDW and each of: CAC scores (r = 0.53; p < 0.001) and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD; r = 0.25; p = 0.047). A cut-off value >14.2% (receiver operating characteristic curves) predicted CAC score >400. A cut-off value >-14.6% predicted the presence of significant CAD. Conclusion: Diabetic patients with high-CAC scores and significant CAD had higher RDW.

A Multi Center Experience: Is Valve Replacement Safe for Patients with Hugely Dilated Left Ventricle?

BACKGROUND: Dilated left ventricle occurs in chronic aortic and mitral regurgitations. We describe the early outcome of mitral and aortic valve replacement for patients with severely dilated left ventricle in different surgical interventions. METHODS: From March 2014 to December 2018, 620 patients with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) of ≥ 70 mm underwent valve replacement procedures in 8 cardiac surgery centers in Egypt. One hundred ninety four cases (31.3%) underwent aortic valve replacement, 173 cases (27.9%) underwent mitral valve replacement, 123 cases (19.9%) underwent double valve replacement, 59 cases (9.5%) underwent double valve replacement with either tricuspid valve repair or replacement, 33 cases (5.3%) underwent mitral valve replacement with either tricuspid valve repair or replacement, 20 cases (3.2%) underwent mitral valve replacement with CABG, 10 cases (1.6%) underwent aortic valve replacement with CABG, while 8 cases (1.3%) underwent aortic valve replacement with ascending aortic aneurysm repair. RESULTS: Four patients (0.6%) developed new postoperative renal failure, which required dialysis. Twenty-nine patients (4.7%) required reoperation for bleeding. One patient (0.2 %) developed sternal dehiscence. Five patients (0.8%) postoperatively developed stroke. Twenty-five patients (4%) died, and the main causes of death were low cardiac output and sepsis with eventual multi-organ failure. CONCLUSION: Valve replacement in patients with hugely dilated left ventricle are safe operations with satisfactory outcomes even if combined with other procedures, especially with proper preoperative preparation, intraoperative preservation of posterior mitral leaflet, and meticulous postoperative follow up in the surgical ICU.

Accidental Pyrethroid Ingestion in Toddler: Near-Fatal Atypical Presentation and Successful Recovery.

We are reporting a case of pyrethroid poisoning with atypical presentation in a 21-month-old toddler who was transferred to us from a peripheral center. Signs and symptoms at presentation were predominantly of cardiopulmonary dysfunction contrary to more common presenting features of gastrointestinal and neurological impairment. The reason for this seems to be the aspiration pneumonitis as a consequence of vomiting induced by parents at home, rather than the toxin itself even though a rather rapid progression of lung injury does not rule out the possibility. He had developed decreased level of consciousness and increased work of breathing after ingestion, which had progressed to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, septic shock, and multi organ failure. He even had a brief cardiac arrest with Return of Spontaneous Circulation after 5 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, immediately after arrival at our unit, which seemed more likely to be a consequence of inappropriate management during transfer of the child. In addition to antibiotics and vasopressors, he required high frequency oscillatory ventilation and prone positioning initially, and lung-protective conventional ventilation later. His cardiopulmonary status improved gradually and he was successfully extubated after 12 days. Other organ systems also showed complete recovery. Even though Magnetic Resonance Imaging of brain done a few days after cardiac arrest showed features suggestive of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy he showed complete neurological recovery. He was thriving well at three-month follow-up with no neurological deficits, good exercise tolerance, and normal renal and liver function. Atypical presentation of pyrethroid poisoning is associated with significant morbidities and there seems to no reliable parameters in children to identify the risk of the same. Considering that there is no specific antidote, prompt, and aggressive supportive therapy is necessary for a favorable outcome. This case highlights several important aspects in the care of the pediatric patient after ingestion of insecticides. First, attempt to induce emesis, especially outside of a healthcare facility is not only ineffective but also highly dangerous, and should not be done. Second, unstable patients require inter and intrahospital transfer by experienced and trained personnel; and lastly, management for these complex and atypical cases should be done as early as possible in a center which is equipped to provide high level of circulatory and ventilatory support while prioritizing neuro-protective measures, and neurologic recovery and rehabilitation.

Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Systolic Excursion and Fractional Shortening: Can These Echocardiographic Parameters be Used for the Assessment of Right Ventricular Function?

BACKGROUND: Echocardiographic right ventricular (RV) function assessment is difficult and still a gray area despite rapid advancement of imaging modalities. The aim of this study is to assess the role of echocardiographic RV outflow tract (RVOT) function in the form of RVOT fractional shortening (RVOT FS) and RVOT systolic excursion (RVOT SE) for the assessment of RV function. METHODS: We studied ninety individuals divided equally into two groups. The control group included 45 normal healthy individuals and age-matched patient group included 45 patients with RV dysfunction which was defined by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) <16 mm and RV fractional area change (RV FAC) ≤35%. Echocardiography was performed to measure RVOT FS and RVOT SE and correlate them with other parameters of RV function including TAPSE, RV FAC, peak systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus (S') using pulsed tissue Doppler, and pulmonary acceleration time (PAcT). RESULTS: RVOT FS showed positive correlation with TAPSE (r = 0.75, P = 0.02), RV FAC (r = 0.45, P = 0.003), and PAcT (r = 0.39, P = 0.00) and negative correlation with left atrial dimensions (LADs) (r = -0.359, P = 0.017) and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions (r = -0.304, P = 0.042). RVOT FS <32% was 93% sensitive and 98% specific to identify patients with impaired RV function. However, RVOT SE showed weak correlation with echocardiographic RV parameters. RVOT SE <5 mm was 80% sensitive and 76% specific to identify patients with impaired RV function. CONCLUSION: RVOT FS is a simple valuable parameter that can be used for the assessment of RV function. However, RVOT SE is less accurate than RVOT FS in RV function assessment.

Pre-ejection mitral annular motion velocity responses to dobutamine infusion: A quantitative approach for assessment of myocardial viability.

BACKGROUND: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is widely used for detection of myocardial viability. The main limitation of DSE is its subjective interpretation. Assessment of mitral annular motion velocities with tissue Doppler imaging is a simple and quantitative measurement. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between myocardial viability and regional systolic mitral annular motion tissue Doppler velocities responses to dobutamine stress. METHODS: Our study group included 42 patients with previous myocardial infarction referred for coronary angiography and revascularization. We did dobutamine stress tissue Doppler echocardiography (DSTDE) measuring velocities of pre-ejection wave (pre-Ej) and peak ejection wave (Ej) at rest and during low-dose dobutamine infusion. We did follow up echocardiography after 1 month. RESULTS: After exclusion of the normokinetic walls, we analyzed 196 walls. Using receiver operator characteristic ROC curves, the optimal cut-off value for viability assessment was an increase of 1.75 cm/s in pre-ejection velocity during DSTDE (area under the curve 0.70, p < 0.001). On the other hand, the optimal cut-off value for viability assessment was an increase of 1.75 cm/s in ejection velocity during DSTDE (area under the curve 0.613, p = 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, and total accuracy of the DSTSE (pre-Ej) versus the gold standard for detection of myocardial viability were 66.15%, 67.94%, and 67.35%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and total accuracy of the DTSE (Ej) were 56.92%, 64.12%, and 61.43%, respectively. There was a good correlation between the pre-Ej at 5 ug/kg/min dobutamine infusion and the pre-Ej after revascularization (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) while the correlation with the Ej was moderate (r = 0.50, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Viable left ventricular myocardium could be identified easily and quantitatively with pre-ejection mitral annular velocity during dobutamine infusion. The pre-ejection wave during DSTDE showed greater sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of myocardial viability than the ejection wave.

Assessment of cardiac involvement of hepatitis C virus; tissue Doppler imaging and NTproBNP study.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C disease burden is substantially increasing in Egyptian community, it is estimated that prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Egyptian community reach 22% of total population. Recently there is a global alert of HCV cardiovascular complications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate LV diastolic functions of HCV patients using tissue Doppler Imaging and NTPBNP. METHODS: 30 HCV patients of 30 years, sex & BMI matched controls were evaluated by PCR, ECG, Echocardiography "conventional Doppler, pulsed wave tissue Doppler (PW-TD), strain rate imaging" & NTPBNP to assess LV diastolic functions. Mean age was 32.8 years ± 5.1 in HCV group, 29.8 years ± 6.6 in control group. Cardiovascular anomalies and predisposing factors were excluded. RESULTS: HCV group has shown significant increase in QTc interval, significant statistical increase in A wave, deceleration time; (p < 0.05), highly significant decrease in tissue Doppler E a (p < 0.001), highly significant decrease in A a (p < 0.001), highly significant increased E/E a ratio (p value < 0.001), significant decrease in E a/A a ratio and significant increase in SRa (p < 0.05). NTPBNP levels showed highly significant increase with mean value 222 pg/ml ± 283 in HCV group and 32.7 pg/ml ± 21.2 in control group (p value < 0.001). The best cut-off value of NTPBNP to detect diastolic dysfunction in HCV group was 213 pg/ml. No statistical differences in SRe/SRa and E/SRe ratios were observed, however they had significant correlation with NTPBNP level and tissue Doppler parameters. The best cut-off value of E/SRe ratio to detect diastolic dysfunction in HCV group was 0.91, with 75% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: This data show the first direct evidence that HCV infection causes diastolic dysfunction without any other predisposing factors, probably due to chronic inflammatory reaction with mild fibrosis in the heart. Previous studies did not follow strict inclusion and exclusion criteria that confirm the independent role of HCV to cause diastolic dysfunction. Tissue Doppler was more sensitive to diagnose diastolic dysfunction than conventional Doppler.