Echocardiographic Predictive Factors of Worsening Outcome in Type 1 Cardiorenal Syndrome.

Introduction: Type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is defined as acute decompensated heart failure (AHF) leading to secondary acute kidney injury. Few studies have evaluated the reliability of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in assessing outcomes in patients with type 1 CRS. We sought to identify echocardiographic predictors of outcomes (death and rehospitalization) in patients with type 1 CRS. Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal monocentric study, conducted from December 2020 to December 2022 in the cardiology department of the Internal Security Forces Hospital in Marsa, Tunisia. 68 patients with type 1 CRS were included prospectively. Physical, biological, and echocardiographic data were collected during the index hospitalization and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. Results: The mean age was 69 ± 10.1 years with a male predominance (72.0%). The mortality rate during initial hospitalization for AHF was 11.7%. The all-cause mortality rate at six months was 22.0%. The rehospitalization rate was 38.0%. Severe tricuspid regurgitation (p = 0.031), the subaortic velocity time integral (LVOT-VTI) with a cut-off value of 16, a sensitivity (Se) of 65%, and a specificity (Sp) of 85% (Area under the curve (AUC) = 0.818, p < 0.001), the right ventricular fractional area change (RV-FAC) with a cut-off value of 16, a Se of 60% and a Sp of 81% (AUC = 0.775, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of the cumulative rates of rehospitalization and mortality at six months. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% (HR = 0.828, 95% CI: 0.689-0.995, p = 0.044) and the RV-FAC (HR = 0.564, 95% CI: 0.361-0.881, p = 0.012) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. LVOT-VTI (AUC = 0.766, p < 0.001) was a significantly independent predictor of rehospitalization. Conclusion: This study confirmed that type 1 CRS is associated with a poor prognosis. LVEF, LVOT-VTI, and RV-FAC are simple, reproducible, and sensitive ultrasound parameters for predicting outcomes in patients with type 1 CRS.

Prognostic value of the echocardiographic ratio tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion / pulmonary arterial systolic pressure in acute pulmonary embolism.

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of death from acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is often linked to right ventricular (RV) failure, arising from an imbalance between RV systolic function and heightened RV afterload. In our study, we posited that an echocardiographic ratio derived from this disparity [RV systolic function assessed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) divided by pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP)] could offer superior predictive value for adverse outcomes compared to individual measurements of TAPSE and PASP alone. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from a University Hospital Centre spanning from 2017 to 2023. All individuals with confirmed PE and a formal transthoracic echocardiogram within 7 days of diagnosis were included. The primary endpoint was a composite outcome of death, hemodynamic deterioration needing introduction of inotropes or thrombolysis within 30 days. Secondary endpoints included 6 months all-cause mortality and onset of right-sided heart failure. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included. Mean age was 58 ±15 years old. A male predominance was noted: 23 male patients (60.5%) and 15 female patients (39.5%). Eight patients met the primary composite endpoint while nine patients met the secondary composite endpoint. In multivariate analysis, the TAPSE/PASP ratio was independently associated with the primary outcome (OR=2.77, 95% CI 1.101-10.23, P=0.042). A TAPSE/PASP ratio <0.3 was independently associated with the secondary outcome (OR=3.07, 95% CI 1.185-10.18, P=0.034). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that a combined echocardiographic ratio of RV function to afterload is effective in predicting adverse outcomes in acute PE.

Prognostic value of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in treated hypertensive patients.

INTRODUCTION: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (AMBP) has become a valuable tool for analyzing patient blood pressure (BP) pro-file to make a more accurate prognosis compared to clinical office BP. AIM: To identify the prognostic value of different parameters of ABPM and the future course of cardiovascular events (CVE) in treated hypertensive patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, descriptive study, including treated hypertensive patients which had consulted between 2015 and 2016 and had a systematic ABPM during their follow-up. Patients were followed at the outpatient clinics for 4 years, and we searched in the computerized medical file the occurrence of CVE. RESULTS: A total of 240 patients were included in our study with masculine predominance (57%). The mean age was 57.4±9.5 years. During 4 years of follow-up, 30 patients (12.5%) experienced a CVE. The total number of CVE was 32: acute heart failure (3), acute co-ronary syndrome (15), atrial fibrillation (12), stroke (2). Daytime systolic blood pressure (SBP), night-time SBP, 24-h SBP and 24-h pulse pressure (PP), had similar performances to predict CVE. Only the 24-h PP (OR= 1.072; 95% IC: 1.019-1.128; p= 0.007) was found to be an independent predictor of CVE. A 24-h PP> 55 mmHg increased the risk of CVE by 3.2. CONCLUSION: SBP and PP were associated with CVE in treated hypertensive patients. the 24-h PP was found to be an independent pre-dictor of CVE so it may serve as a therapeutic target in hypertension therapy.

Correlation between left atrial strain and left ventricular filling pressure in patients suspected of heart failure with a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

INTRODUCTION: Despite different ultrasound parameters, left ventricular filling pressures (LVFP) assessment remains inconclusive in some cases. AIM: To determine the contribution of left atrial strain (LAS) in estimating LVFP in patients with exertional symptoms and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. METHODS: This was a monocentric study, carried out in the cardiology department of the Interior Security Forces Hospital, La Marsa, between October 2021 and March 2022. Patients with exertional symptoms had a physical examination, a biological assessment and an ultrasound examination at rest and, if necessary, during exercise. We investigated the performance of LAS components (Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) and conduit function (FnC) in predicting LVFP rising. Patients were categorized into two final groups according to LVFP: Group A= high LVFP at rest or during exercise (25 patients) and Group B= not-high LVFP at rest and during exercise (48 patients). RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were enrolled in the study, with a mean age of 61±12 years and a majority being female (57%). The median PALS was 29.3% [21.4-32.4]. The mean PACS and FnC values were 13.4%±4.9 and 13.7%±4.7, respectively. Patients with high LVFP demonstrated lower LAS parameters and elevated NT-Pro BNP levels. LAS showed negative correlations with the E/e' ratio and NT-Pro BNP. PALS emerged as an independent predictor of LVFP elevation (HR=0.71; 95% CI: 0.513-0.986; p=0.041). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that LAS, as a simple ultrasound parameter, can effectively predict high LVFP.

Assessment of debriefing in high-fidelity mannequin simulation: study among students in cardiology.

INTRODUCTION: Debriefing is the fundamental step in the learning process when teaching by simulation. The Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare (DASH) guide is a tool designed to assess and develop the debriefing skills of trainers using healthcare simulation. AIM: To evaluate the debriefing in high-fidelity mannequin simulation in the management of cardiological emergency by the DASH tool, student version. METHODS: This was a bicentric, prospective, cross-sectional and evaluative study including five groups of students in the first year of the second cycle of medical studies completing their internship in the cardiology departments of the Habib Thameur hospital and the Internal Security Forces Hospital of Marsa during the first semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. The simulation scenario included the diagnosis and emergency management of degenerative syncopal atrioventricular block. RESULTS: Forty-four students completed the DASH assessment form (28 female, 16 male). According to the students, the trainers had maintained a climate conducive to learning (6.51±0.74). They had conducted the debriefing in a structured way (6.35±0.75). They had aroused engagement in the exchange leading the learner to analyze his performance (6.01±1.03). They had effectively identified the learner's strengths and areas for improvement as well as their reasons (6.39±1.04). The trainers had helped the learners to consider how to improve or maintain a good level of performance (6.57±0.77). The mean DASH score evaluating the trainers was 6.36±0.88. CONCLUSION: The DASH tool allows trainers to highlight the strengths and areas for improvement in the debriefing, which is the key step in the simulation to optimize the clinical reasoning process and improve the quality of care.