Contribution of Global and Regional Longitudinal Strain for Clinical Assessment of HFpEF in Coronary and Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Contribution of global and regional longitudinal strain (GLS) for clinical assessment of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is not well established. We sought to evaluate subclinical left ventricular dysfunction secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) in HFpEF patients compared with hypertensive patients and age-matched healthy subjects. Material and methods: This was a retrospective study that included 148 patients (group 1 = 62 patients with HFpEF, group 2 = 46 hypertensive patients, and group 3 = 40 age-matched control subjects). Peak systolic segmental, regional (basal, mid, and apical), and global longitudinal strain were assessed for each study group using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Results: GLS values presented statistically significant differences between the three groups (p < 0.001); markedly increased values (more negative) were observed in the control group (-20.2 ± 1.4%) compared with HTN group values (-18.4 ± 3.0%, p = 0.031) and with HFpEF group values (-17.6 ± 2.3%, p < 0.001). The correlation between GLS values and HTN stages was significant, direct, and average (Spearman coefficient rho = 0.423, p < 0.001). GLS had the greatest ability to detect patients with HFpEF when HFpEF + CAD + HTN diastolic dysfunction (n = 30) + CON diastolic dysfunction (n = 2) from HFpEF + CAD + HTN + CON was analyzed. (optimal GLS limit of -19.35%, area under curve = 0.833, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Global longitudinal strain can be used for clinical assessment in differentiating coronary and hypertensive patients at higher risk for development of systolic dysfunction.

Evaluation of Psychological Stress Parameters in Coronary Patients by Three Different Questionnaires as Pre-Requisite for Comprehensive Rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Negative psychological conditions are common in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Although depression has been scrutinized over the years in these patients, only recently has anxiety emerged as another important risk factor. The purpose of this study was to compare the parameters of psychological stress in a population of coronary patients with and without myocardial revascularization procedures and to analyze lifestyle and socio-economic contributors to the state of health of these patients before inclusion in a comprehensive individualized rehabilitation program. METHODS: This study included 500 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in stable condition divided in 2 groups: 200 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (Group 1) and 300 patients without myocardial revascularization (Group 2) with stable angina or thrombolyzed myocardial infarction. The protocol included screening for anxiety/depression after procedure using three different scales: Duke Anxiety-Depression Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Type D Personality Scale (DS-14) scale that evaluates negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI). RESULTS: Significant differences between groups were observed for HAD-A (9.1 ± 4.18 for Group 1 vs. 7.8 ± 4.03 for Group 2, p = 0.002) and DUKE scores (30.2 ± 12.25 for Group 1 vs. 22.7 ± 12.13 for Group 2, p < 0.001). HAD-A scores (p = 0.01) and DUKE scores (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in patients who underwent PTCA vs. CABG. CAD patients without myocardial revascularization (Group 2, n = 300) presented anxiety in proportion of 72.3% (n = 217) out of which 10.7% (n = 32) had severe anxiety, and 180 patients had depression (a proportion of 60%) out of which 1.3% (n = 4) presented severe depression. The correlation between the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and type D personality in revascularized patients (n = 200) was significant (Chi2 test, p = 0.010). By applying multinomial regression according to the Cox and Snell R-square model and multivariate linear regression by the Enter method, we demonstrated that male gender, age and marital status proved significant predictors for psychological stress in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study provide a framework for monitoring anxiety, depression and type D personality in coronary patients before inclusion in comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Behavioral and psychological stress responses in patients with CAD significantly correlate with risk factors, and could influence the evolution of the disease. Moreover, other factors like gender, income and marital status also seem to play a decisive role. Evaluation of psychological stress parameters contributes to a better individualization at the start of these programs, because it allows adjusting of all potential factors that may influence positive outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations has not been conclusively studied. Therefore the aim of the meta-analysis was to assess the effect of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. METHODS: We searched PubMed and Scopus (up to July 03, 2015) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigate the effect Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed using random-effects models. RESULTS: Random-effect meta-analysis of data from 7 RCTs showed a significant effect of supplementation with spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: -46.76 mg/dL, 95% CI: -67.31 to -26.22, p < 0.001), LDL-C (WMD: -41.32 mg/dL, 95% CI: -60.62 to -22.03, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (WMD: -44.23 mg/dL, 95% CI: -50.22 to -38.24, p < 0.001), and elevating those of HDL-C (WMD: 6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI: 2.37-9.76, p = 0.001). The impact of spirulina on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (slope: -1.32; 95% CI: -8.58 to 5.93; p = 0.720), LDL-C (slope: -1.01; 95% CI: -8.03 to 6.02; p = 0.778), triglycerides (slope: -1.39; 95% CI: -4.26 to 1.48; p = 0.342) and HDL-C (slope: 1.79, 95% CI: -0.48 to 4.05; p = 0.122) was independent of administered dose. Regarding duration of supplementation with Spirulina, significant associations were found with changes in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (slope: -1.77; 95% CI: -3.48 to -0.07; p = 0.042), LDL-C (slope: -1.73; 95% CI: -3.40 to -0.06; p = 0.042) HDL-C (slope: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.68-1.14; p < 0.001) and triglycerides (slope: -1.39; 95% CI: -2.28 to -0.50; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed a significant effect of supplementation with Spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and elevating those of HDL-C.