Post-Pulmonary Embolism Impairment Six Months after Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Prospective Registry.

BACKGROUND: Little evidence is available on post-pulmonary embolism impairment (PPEI), a recently defined complication of pulmonary embolism (PE) encompassing dysfunctional clinical and imaging parameters. In the present study, we sought to evaluate its frequency with a focus on the main components. METHODS: In this prospective registry, we included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute PE and focused on those with initial right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Their baseline, pre-discharge, and 6 month follow-up clinical and imaging characteristics were recorded. The main study outcomes were incomplete RV functional recovery, exercise capacity limitations (based on the 6 minute walk test), and their combination, which defines PPEI, within six months of acute PE. RESULTS: Of 170 consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute PE, 123 accepted to participate in the follow-up study, of whom 87 had initial RV dysfunction. The 6 month rates of incomplete RV functional recovery, signs of an intermediate-to-high echocardiographic probability of PH, and exercise limitations were observed in 58.6, 32.1, and 45.9%, respectively. A total of 22 (25.2%; 95% CI 15.5-34.4%) patients had PPEI. The RV/LV ratio and the fractional area change on discharge after acute PE were more often impaired among patients with incomplete RV recovery, exercise limitations, and a high probability of PH at 6 months. In contrast, an initial impaired RV diastolic function indices appeared to characterize patients with a limited exercise capacity at 6 months. DISCUSSION: PPEI affects one fourth of patients surviving acute PE with half of them presenting with RV dysfunction or exercise limitations.

Central Nervous System and Cardiac Involvement in the Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: A Case Report.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare entity and heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by hypereosinophilia and organ involvement. In this study, we presented a 49-year-old woman with cardiac tamponade in the context of Hypereosinophilic syndrome. Identifying hypereosinophilia as the underlying cause can have tremendous clinical implications for rapid initiation of appropriate treatment to minimize further end organ damage.

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-guided hydration for the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with stable ischemic heart disease: the LAKESIDE trial.

OBJECTIVES: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a serious complication in patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac angiography or percutaneous coronary intervention. We aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP)-guided hydration for the prevention of CI-AKI in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing cardiac catheterization. METHODS: This prospective randomized single-blind clinical trial enrolled 114 eligible patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 < eGFR ≤ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 [according to the level-modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula (MDRD)] and stable ischemic heart disease undergoing coronary procedures. The patients were randomly allocated 1:1 into the LVEDP-guided hydration group (n = 57) or the standard hydration group (n = 57). CI-AKI was defined as a greater than 25% or greater than 0.5 mg/dL (44.2 mmol/L) increase in the serum creatinine concentration compared with the baseline value. Hydration with 0.9% sodium chloride at a rate of 1 mL/kg/h (0.5 mL/kg/h if left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) within 12 h was given to all the patients in both groups before the procedure. In the LVEDP-guided group, the hydration infusion rate was adjusted according to the LVEDP level during and after the procedure. RESULTS: The incidence of CI-AKI was 7.01% (4/57) in the LVEDP-guided group vs 3.84% (2/52) in the standard hydration group (summary odds ratio 0.53, 95% CI 0.093-3.022; P = 0.463). Major adverse cardiac events, hemodialysis, or related deaths occurred in neither of the groups during hospitalization or the 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, LVEDP-guided fluid administration, by comparison with standard hydration, failed to offer protection against the risk of CI-AKI in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing coronary angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.