Safety of exercise for adults with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

Background: Current guidelines for patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections (TAD) restrict vigorous exertion with the intention to prevent acute aortic dissections. However, a safe threshold for exercise intensity has not been established for TAD patients. In this study, we measured exertional changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during isometric and dynamic exercises in a cohort of TAD patients to determine safety of moderate intensity exercise. Methods: Thirty-one adults with TAD and 14 controls were recruited from UTHealth outpatient clinics. All participants completed an exercise protocol consisting of two circuits of five moderate intensity exercises: hand grips, leg raises, bicep curls, stationary cycling, and wall sits. Blood pressure values were recorded during exercise using Spacelabs OnTrak Ambulatory Blood Pressure monitors. Perceived exertion during each exercise was measured using the Borg CR-10 scale. Results: No significant differences in the maximum exertional systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, or change from baseline was found between the TAD and control groups. Higher amounts of self-reported weekly moderate activity level (MAL) in TAD correlated with lower exertional SBP during exercise. Higher Borg scores were associated with a greater change in systolic pressure. Conclusion: Moderate intensity exercise is safe and feasible for many TAD patients. Our data confirms that the Borg score may be a useful proxy for exercise intensity. In this study, we establish a reproducible exercise protocol that can be adapted to create individualized exercise regimens for TAD patients as part of a care plan to improve long-term cardiovascular health.

Low dose naloxone for pruritus in systemic sclerosis: Case series and literature review.

RATIONALE: Pruritus is a common symptom in patients with systemic sclerosis and has a tremendous effect on the quality of life. Nevertheless, current therapeutic options are limited. The pathogenesis of pruritus in systemic sclerosis is not completely understood; however, opiate-mediated neurotransmission has been postulated to be involved. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: We describe 4 female patients with systemic sclerosis suffering from severe pruritus, with an average 5D-itch score of 22.75. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOMES: Low-dose oral naloxone was initiated, followed by a significant improvement in the level of pruritus, reaching an average 5D-itch score of 7.5, after 6 and 12 months of treatment. None of the patients experienced side effects. LESSONS: Low-dose naloxone plays an important role in the management of pruritus in systemic sclerosis.

Delayed Presentation of a Large Pseudoaneurysm in the Common Femoral Artery After an Electrophysiology Study.

We describe a rare case of an exceptionally large pseudoaneurysm that developed in the right common femoral artery 6 months after an electrophysiological study. Surgical and other conventional methods to treat his pseudoaneurysm were not feasible. Therefore, the pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated via an endovascular approach with a covered stent. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Abstract 10613: Symptomatic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients Receive Less Aggressive Revascularization Management After Acute Coronary Syndrome, a 5-year Nationwide Analysis.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected adults, and should be managed more aggressively.Prior studies highlighted treatment disparities for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) among HIV patients. This study aims at examining these disparities with the latest large cohort data. Hypothesis: HIV patient with ACS are as likely to receive cardiac revascularization related procedures compared to control group. Methods: We reviewed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2013 to 2016 to identify patients with diagnosis of ACS (ST-elevation and non ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina) to compare rates of cardiac procedures (Catheterization, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - PCI - and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft - CABG) among groups of population of interest (control, asymptomatic HIV, symptomatic HIV). Results: Overall, 515,016 patients with primary diagnosis of ACS where identified and among them 2066 (0.40%) of ACS patients had diagnosis of HIV (asymptomatic and symptomatic). Multivariate regression analysis showed statistically significant lower procedural rates for catheterization (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: [0.52, 0.73]), PCI (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: [0.67, 0.96]) and CABG (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: [0.52, 0.93]) in symptomatic HIV compared to control group. For asymptomatic HIV patient group, no significant change of procedural rates were found compared to control group for catheterization, PCI and CABG (respectively OR: 0.90, 95% CI: [0.78, 1.05], OR: 1.13, 95% CI: [1.00, 1.26] and OR: OR: 0.87, 95% CI: [0.72, 1.04]). Conclusions: Analysis shows a treatment disparity for ACS for symptomatic HIV patients only as symptomatic HIV affected patients received less aggressive catheterization and revascularization management after ACS, compared to control group. However, this effect was not present for the asymptomatic HIV patient group.

Development and treatment of two distinct pseudoaneurysms following transradial coronary catheterization in a patient with high bleeding risk: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A pseudoaneurysm is a rare but serious complication after transradial coronary catheterization. Although different treatment modalities have been proposed to treat post-catheterization pseudoaneurysm, only limited data are available to guide the treatment approach. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of two distinct pseudoaneurysms complicating transradial percutaneous coronary intervention in a 75-year-old Hispanic woman being treated with dual antiplatelet agents for myocardial infarction and warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The pseudoaneurysms were diagnosed with ultrasound and were successfully treated with a series of Terumo Corporation (TR) band compressions. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates the efficacy of compression therapy in managing post-catheterization radial artery pseudoaneurysm in patients with high bleeding risk.

The prevalence and predictors of resistant hypertension in high-risk overweight and obese patients: A cross-sectional study based on the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines.

Obesity is significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressure and resistant hypertension (RH). There are limited studies on the prevalence and determinants of RH in patients with higher body mass index (BMI) values. Since the hypertension guidelines changed in 2017, the prevalence of RH has become unknown and now is subject to be estimated by further studies. We conducted a cross-sectional study in an urban Federally Qualified Health Center in New York City aiming to estimate the prevalence of RH in high-risk overweight and obese patients based on the new hypertension definition, BP threshold ≥130/80 mm Hg, and also to describe the associated comorbid conditions in these patients. We identified 761 eligible high-risk overweight and obese subjects with hypertension between October 2017 and October 2018. Apparent treatment-RH was found in 13.6% among the entire study population. This represented 15.4% of those treated with BP-lowering agents. True RH confirmed with out-of-office elevated BP was found in 6.7% of the study population and 7.4% among patients treated with BP-lowering agents. Prevalence was higher with higher BMI values. Those with true RH were more likely to be black, to have diabetes mellitus requiring insulin, chronic kidney disease stage 3 or above and diastolic heart failure. In conclusion, obesity is significantly associated with RH and other significant metabolic comorbid conditions.

Mechanisms of Effort Intolerance in Patients With Heart Failure and Borderline Ejection Fraction.

Combining echocardiography and cardiopulmonary stress testing allows noninvasive assessment of hemodynamics, and oxygen extraction (A-VO2 difference). We evaluated mechanisms of effort intolerance in patients with heart failure with borderline (40% to 49%) left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (HF and Borderline Ejection fraction). We included 89 consecutive patients with HF and Borderline Ejection fraction (n = 25; 63.6 ± 14 years, 64% men), control subjects (n = 22), patients with HF with preserved EF (n = 26; EF ≥50%), and patients with HF with reduced EF (n = 16; <40%). Various echo parameters (left ventricular volumes, EF, stroke volume, mitral regurgitation [MR] volume, e', right ventricle end-diastolic area, and right ventricle end-systolic area), and ventilatory or combined parameters (peak oxygen consumption [VO2] and A-VO2 difference) were measured at 4 predefined activity stages. Effort-induced functional MR was frequent and more prevalent in HF and Borderline Ejection fraction than in all the other types of HF. In multivariable analysis heart rate response (p <0.0001), A-VO2 difference (p = 0.02), stroke volume (p = 0.002), and right ventricle end-systolic area were the only independent predictors of exercise capacity in HF and Borderline Ejection fraction but peak EF was not. In HF and Borderline Ejection fraction exercise intolerance is predominantly due to chronotropic incompetence, peripheral factors, and limited stroke volume reserve, which are related to right ventricle dysfunction and functional MR but not to left ventricular ejection fraction. Combined testing can be helpful in determining mechanisms of exercise intolerance in HF and Borderline Ejection fraction.

Detection of Antibodies against Human and Plant Aquaporins in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the body's central nervous system. Around 90% of MS sufferers are diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). We used ELISA to measure IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies against linear epitopes of human and plant aquaporins (AQP4) as well as neural antigens in RRMS patients and controls to determine whether patients suffering from RRMS have simultaneous elevations in antibodies against these peptides and antigens. In comparison to controls, significant elevations in isotype-specific antibodies against human and plant AQP4 and neural antigens such as MBP, MOG, and S100B were detected in RRMS patients, indicating a high correlation in antibody reaction between plant aquaporins and brain antigens. This correlation between the reactivities of RRMS patients with various tested antigens was the most significant for the IgM isotype. We conclude that a subclass of patients with RRMS reacts to both plant and human AQP4 peptides. This immune reaction against different plant aquaporins may help in the development of dietary modifications for patients with MS and other neuroimmune disorders.

Low natural killer cell cytotoxic activity in autism: the role of glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15.

Although many articles have reported immune abnormalities in autism, NK cell activity has only been examined in one study of 31 patients, of whom 12 were found to have reduced NK activity. The mechanism behind this low NK cell activity was not explored. For this reason, we explored the measurement of NK cell activity in 1027 blood samples from autistic children obtained from ten clinics and compared the results to 113 healthy controls. This counting of NK cells and the measurement of their lytic activity enabled us to express the NK cell activity/100 cells. At the cutoff of 15-50 LU we found that NK cell activity was low in 41-81% of the patients from the different clinics. This NK cell activity below 15 LU was found in only 8% of healthy subjects (p<0.001). Low NK cell activity in both groups did not correlate with percentage and absolute number of CD16(+)/CD56(+) cells. When the NK cytotoxic activity was expressed based on activity/100 CD16(+)/CD56(+) cells, several patients who had displayed NK cell activity below 15 LU exhibited normal NK cell activity. Overall, after this correction factor, 45% of the children with autism still exhibited low NK cell activity, correlating with the intracellular level of glutathione. Finally, we cultured lymphocytes of patients with low or high NK cell activity/cell with or without glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15. The induction of NK cell activity by IL-2, IL-15 and glutathione was more pronounced in a subgroup with very low NK cell activity. We conclude that that 45% of a subgroup of children with autism suffers from low NK cell activity, and that low intracellular levels of glutathione, IL-2 and IL-15 may be responsible.