Current and new imaging techniques in risk stratification of asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is one of the most common valvular diseases in clinical practice. The prevalence of calcified AS with moderate or severe stenosis exceeds 2% after 75 years. The optimal timing of intervention for asymptomatic severe AS is uncertain and controversial. Identification of high-risk patients is based on echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular dysfunction, AS severity and progression), hemodynamic response to exercise, pulmonary hypertension, and elevated brain natriuretic peptides. However, early surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR), when compared to the watchful waiting approach, was associated with survival advantage. Moreover, new insights into pathophysiology of AS and advances in imaging modalities were helpful in the management of asymptomatic AS. In this report, we detail the potential role of echocardiography to guide timing of surgery and we discussed the use of early risk features based on recent imaging modalities.

Risk stratification for sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure : Emerging role of imaging parameters.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is a common condition that has a poor prognosis. Accurate selection of patients with ischemic heart disease and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, who are at risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), remains a challenge. In these cases, current indications for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) rely almost entirely on left ventricular ejection fraction. However, this parameter is insufficient. Recently, noninvasive imaging has provided insight into the mechanism underlying SCD using myocardial deformation on echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this review article was to underline the emerging role of these novel parameters in identifying high-risk patients. METHODS: A literature search was carried out for reports published with the following terms: "sudden cardiac death," "heart failure," "noninvasive imaging," "echocardiography," "deformation," "magnetic resonance imaging," and "ventricular arrhythmia." The search was restricted to reports published in English. RESULTS: The findings of this analysis suggest that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and strain assessment by echocardiography, particularly longitudinal strain, can be promising techniques for cardiovascular risk stratification in patients with heart failure. CONCLUSION: In future, risk stratification of arrhythmia and patient selection for ICD placement may rely on a multiparametric approach using combinations of imaging modalities in addition to left ventricular ejection fraction.

ImpaCt of aspirin regimen on THrombin generation in diabEtic patients with acute coronary syndrome: CARTHaGE-ACS trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is associated with a high rate of events after acute coronary syndrome. It was recently reported that once-daily aspirin might not provide stable biological efficacy in patients with diabetes. AIMS: We sought to compare the biological efficacy of aspirin given once a day versus aspirin divided twice per day in a population of diabetic patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) as assessed by the thrombin generation test. METHODS: We performed an open-label single-blind randomized study including 59 consecutive diabetic patients admitted for NSTE-ACS. Patients were randomly treated with aspirin 100 mg once a day (GA100; n = 20), aspirin 160 mg once a day (GA160; n = 19) or aspirin 100 mg twice a day (G2A100; n = 20). The primary endpoint was endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) at discharge and after 6 months. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 61.5 ± 9 years, and 73% were male. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the three groups. In the GA100 group, there was no significant effect on ETP variation at 6 months (1150.46 ± 504.84 vs. 1087.63 ± 454.18; p = 0.794). An increase in aspirin dose with a second daily administration of 100 mg was associated with a significant reduction in ETP at 6 months (1004.87 ± 196.2 vs. 1233.63 ± 333.5; p = 0.003). A nonsignificant decrease in ETP was seen in the GA160 group (from 1173.8 ± 388.07 to 1053.64 ± 269.93 at 6 months, p = 0.117). CONCLUSION: Only the twice-daily aspirin regimen led to better control of hypercoagulability in NSTE-ACS diabetic patients. However, no thrombin generation normalization was reported.

A giant calcified aneurysm of the basal inferior wall: a rare phenomenon.

Left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) are mainly a late consequence of transmural myocardial infarction. Approximately 80% of LVA are located in the anterior and/or apical walls, most commonly associated with left anterior descending artery occlusion but any region may be engaged. Basal inferior wall aneurysms are rare and constitute nearly 3% of all LVA. A calcified LVA is seldom observed in modern clinical practice. And a calcified basal inferior LVA is an even rarer coincidence. We report a case of an 82-year-old women with life threatening arrhythmia revealing a giant calcified aneurysm of the basal inferior wall, medically treated with good outcomes. The exact incidence of left ventricular aneurysms (LVA) following myocardial infarctions is hard to precise but it is clearly decreasing. Eighty percent (80%) of LVA are located in the anterior or apical walls, but any region may be engaged. Basal inferior wall aneurysms constitute 3% of all LVA. Echocardiography is the first diagnostic tool and there is still no clear guidelines on how to treat LVAs. Surgery is preferred but medical treatment may help improve the quality of life.

Coronary PCI revascularization novel treatment of bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia.

Bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a form of macroreentrant tachycardia. Although infrequent in occurrence, this arrhythmia presents with serious clinical manifestations and has potential for cure by catheter ablation. We report a case of bundle branch reentrant VT with ischemic source. Revascularization of culprit coronary artery was another means to treat VT. .

Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation: What is the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome?

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) and cardiovascular disease are public health problems. The objective of our study was to evaluate the frequency of OSAS in patients with hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF) and to investigate the factors associated with OSAS in this population. METHODS: It's a cross-sectional study including 73patients with hypertension and AF. All patients underwent a respiratory polygraphy. RESULTS: Seventy-Threepatients were included (57 women). The mean age was 66.6±10.7 years. Obesity was found in 75% of patients. The mean duration of hypertension and AF evolution was respectively 8.7±7.3 years and 4.5±5.6 years.A resistant hypertension was found in 16% of patients. AF was paroxysmal in 34% of patients, persistent in 33% and permanent in 33% of patients.The mean Epworth score was 6.7±6.1 with excessive diurnal somnolence found in 30% of patients. According to the Berlin questionnaire, OSAS was "very likely" in 84% of patients. The prevalence of OSAS in patients with hypertension and AF was 77% with an average HAI of 23.26±19.57 per hour of sleep. OSAS was severe in 44% of patients, moderate in 15% of patients, and mild in 18% of patients. Factors associated with OSAS in our population were cognitive disorders (21% vs 0%, p=0.03), diurnal excessive sleepiness (21% vs. 0%, p=0.05), antiarrythmic therapy (63% vs 29%, p=0.016, OR=4.13, 95% CI 1.25-13.64) and nocturnal desaturation (25.86±17.68 vs 9.15±14.3 / H, p<0.0001). Our study did not find any significant difference between the groups regarding demographic characteristics, anthropometric, ultrasound data of patients and characteristics of hypertension and AF. CONCLUSION: OSAS is common among patients followed for hypertension and atrial fibrillation. Its screening is necessary to improve the management and prognosis of these two diseases. However, in the absence of predictive factors for OSA, a polygraph could be recommended for this population.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of Chronic Total Occlusions in Patients With Low Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

OBJECTIVES: The study sought to assess the outcome of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of chronic total occlusions (CTOs) in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (≤35%). BACKGROUND: Data regarding the outcome of PCI in patients with low LVEF affected by CTO are scarcely reported. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective longitudinal multicenter study including consecutive patients undergoing elective PCI of CTOs. Patients were subdivided into 3 groups: group 1 (LVEF ≥50%), group 2 (LVEF 35% to 50%), and group 3 (LVEF ≤35%). RESULTS: A total of 839 patients (mean 64.6 ± 10.5 years of age, 87.7% men) underwent CTO PCI attempts. Baseline LVEF ≤35% was present in 72 (8.6%) patients. The angiographic success was high (overall 93.6%) and similar among the 3 groups (93.5% vs. 94.4% vs. 91.7%, respectively; all p = NS). In group 3, no periprocedural complications of CTO PCI were observed. Mean clinical follow-up of 16.3 ± 8.2 months duration was available in 781 (93.1%) patients including those with LVEF ≤35%. At 2 years, major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) free survival was similar in the 3 groups (86% vs. 82.8% vs. 75.2%; all p = NS). In patients with LVEF ≤35%, LVEF improved significantly in the presence of a successful CTO PCI from 29.1 ± 3.4% to 41.6 ± 7.9% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In CTO patients with low LVEF, PCI could represent a safe and effective revascularization strategy achieving good midterm outcome and LVEF improvement.

A cardiac hydatid cyst underlying pulmonary embolism: a case report.

Hydatid cysts located in the interatrial septum are especially rare but when they occur, they might cause intracavity rupture. We report on a patient with acute pulmonary embolism caused by an isolated, ruptured hydatid cyst on the right side of the interatrial septum. A 16-year-old-boy with an uneventful history was hospitalized for exercise-induced dyspnea and blood expectorations. Multiple and bilateral opacities were visualized on standard chest x-ray. Signs of right-sided hypertrophy were seen on ECG. Imaging findings led to the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism complicating cardiac hydatid cysts. An operation was performed through median sternotomy to remove the cardiac cyst. The pleural cavity was entered through the fifth intercostal space to withdraw lung hydatid cysts. Operative recovery was uneventful and the patient resumed his normal activities 19 months later. Prompt diagnosis and an appropriate surgical treatment prevented a potentially fatal outcome.