Timing Is Important-Management of Metabolic Syndrome According to the Circadian Rhythm.

Physiological processes occur in accordance with a rhythm regulated by the endogenous biological clock. This clock is programmed at the molecular level and synchronized with the daily light-dark cycle, as well as activities such as feeding, exercise, and social interactions. It consists of the core clock genes, Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Protein Kaput (CLOCK) and Brain and Muscle Arnt-Like protein 1 (BMAL1), and their products, the period (PER) and cryptochrome (CRY) proteins, as well as an interlocked feedback loop which includes reverse-strand avian erythroblastic leukemia (ERBA) oncogene receptors (REV-ERBs) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptors (RORs). These genes are involved in the regulation of metabolic pathways and hormone release. Therefore, circadian rhythm disruption leads to development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). MetS refers to a cluster of risk factors (RFs), which are not only associated with the development of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD), but also with increased all-cause mortality. In this review, we consider the importance of the circadian rhythm in the regulation of metabolic processes, the significance of circadian misalignment in the pathogenesis of MetS, and the management of MetS in relation to the cellular molecular clock.

Predictions and Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation in the Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

The large epidemiological studies demonstrated that atrial fibrillation is correlated with high mortality and adverse events in patients with acute myocardial infarction. The aim of this study was to determinate predictors of atrial fibrillation develop during the hospital period in patients with acute myocardial infarction as well as short- and long-term mortality depending on the atrial fibrillation presentation. The 600 patients with an acute myocardial infarction were included in the study and follow-up 84 months. Atrial fibrillation develops during the hospital period was registered in 48 patients (8%). After adjustment by logistic regression model the strongest predictor of atrial fibrillation develop during the hospital period was older age, particularly more than 70 years (odds ratio 2.37, CI 1.23-4.58, p=0.010), followed by increased of Body Mass Index (odds ratio 1.17, CI 1.04-1.33, p=0.012), enlarged diameter of left atrium (LA) (odds ratio 1,18, CI 1,03-1,33, p=0,015) presentation of mitral regurgitation (odds ratio 3.56, CI 1.25-10.32, p=0.018) and B-type natriuretic peptide (odds ratio 2.12, CI 1.24-3.33, p=0.048).Patients with atrial fibrillation develop during the hospital period had a higher mortality during the hospital course (10.4% vs. 5.6%) p=0.179. as well as follow-up period of 84 months than patients without it (64.6% vs. 39.1%) p=0.569, than patients without it, but without statistically significance. Patients with AF develop during the hospital period had higher mortality during the hospital course as well as follow up period of 84 months than patients without it, but without statistically significance.

Blood groups and acute aortic dissection type III.

INTRODUCTION: Acute aortic type III dissection is one of the most catastrophic events, with in-hospital mortality ranging between 10% and 12%. The majority of patients are treated medically, but complicated dissections, which represent 15% to 20% of cases, require surgical or thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). For the best outcomes adequate blood transfusion support is required. Interest in the relationship between blood type and vascular disease has been established. The aim of our study is to evaluate distribution of blood groups among patients with acute aortic type III dissection and to identify any kind of relationship between blood type and patient's survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2014, 115 patients with acute aortic type III dissection were enrolled at the Clinic of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery in Belgrade, Serbia and retrospectively analyzed. Patients were separated into two groups. The examination group consisted of patients with a lethal outcome, and the control group consisted of patients who survived. RESULTS: The analysis of the blood groups and RhD typing between groups did not reveal a statistically significant difference (p = 0.220). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated no difference between different blood groups and RhD typing with respect to in-hospital mortality of patients with acute aortic dissection type III.

Radiofrequency ablation of anteroseptal accessory pathway--a challenge to the electrophysiologist.

INTRODUCTION: Anteroseptal accessory pathways (APs) are located in the apex of the triangle of Koch's connecting the atrial and ventricular septum in the region of the His bundle. Ablation of anteroseptal pathway locations remains a challenge to the electrophysiologist due to a very high risk of transiet or permanent atrioventricular (AV) block. CASE REPORT: A male, 18-year-old, patient was hospitalized due to radiofrequency (RF) ablation of APs. He was an active football player with frequent palpitations during efforts accompanied by dyspnea and lightheadedness, but without syncope. Electrocardiography on admission showed intermittent preexcitations. Intracardiac mapping showed the earliest ventricular activation that preceded surface electrocardiographic delta wave in anteroseptal region very close to the AV node and His bundle. Using a long vascular sheath for stabilization of the catheter tip, RF energy was delivered at the target site starting at very low energy levels and because of the absence of either PR prolongation, as well as accelerated junctional rhythm during the first 15 sec, the power was gradually increased to 40 W, so after application RF energy preexcitation was not registered. CONCLUSION: Despite this proximity to the His bundle and very high risk of transiet or permanent AV block anteroseptal APs can still be ablated successfully.

Emotional stress as a cause of syncope and torsade de pointes in patients with long QT syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a disorder of myocardial repolarization characterized by the prolongation of QT interval and high risk propensity of torsade de pointes (TdP) that can lead to syncope, cardiac arrest and sudden death. Episodes may be provoked by various stimuli depending on the type of the condition. CASE REPORT: A 25-year-old famele patient was hospitalized due to syncope that occurred immediately after her solo concert, first time in her life. The patient studied solo singing and after intensive preparations the first solo concert was organized. Electrocardiography (ECG) on admission registered frequent ventricular premature beats (VES), followed by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia--TdP that degenerated into ventricular fibrilation (VF). After immediate cardioversion magnesium and beta-blockers were administered. TdP was registered again several times preceded by VES. The corrected QT interval (QTc) was 516 msec. For secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death, a cardioverter defibrillator was implanted, and beta-blockers continued. After a 1-year follow-up there were no recurrent episodes of TdP, and measured QTc was reduced to 484 msec. CONCLUSION: Patients with syncope following intensive emotional stress should be evaluated for malignant arrhythmias in the context of LQTS.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve.

INTRODUCTION: Primary tumors of the heart are rare, usually benign and occur mostly in adults, and usually originate from the endocardium, followed by the myocardium and rarest of the pericardium. Papillary fibroelastoma accounts for less than 10% of all cardiac tumors, but they are most common valvular tumors. The clinical presentation of papillary fibroelastoma varies from asymptomatic cases to cases which have severe clinical presentation that is most likely due to embolic complications. Tumor can usually be discovered by echocardiography or during autopsy. CASE REPORT: We reported a case of 53-year-old man submitted to routine echocardiographic examination. The patient had the history of hypertension for five years, without any other symptoms. Echocardiography found a round tumor attached to the noncoronary cuspis of the aortic valve. The tumor was surgically removed and pathohistological examination confirmed diagnosis of papillary fibroelastoma. After surgery the patient fully recovered without tumor recurrence or aortic regurgitation. CONCLUSION: Histologically, papilary fibroelastoma is benign tumor of the heart. As demonstrated in this case, a papillary fibroelastoma can be an incidental finding discovered during echocardiography in patients with the history of hypertension.

Successful implantation of a biventricular pacing and defibrillator device via a persistent left superior vena cava.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent left superior vena cava is the most common thoracic venous abnormality which is usually asymptomatic, found incidentally during pacemaker implantation. The main problem is related to reaching the appropriate pacing site and ensuring stable lead placement. CASE REPORT: We reported a successful implantation of a biventricular pacing and defibrillator device (CRT-D) via a persistent left superior vena cava in a 55-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure. A persistent left superior vena cava was detected during CRT-D implantation. We managed to position electrodes in the right ventricular outflow tract, a posterior branch of the coronary sinus and in the right atrium. CONCLUSION: Congenital anomalies of thoracic veins may complicate lead placement on the appropriate and stable position. The presented case demonstrates a successful biventricular pacing and defibrillator therapy device implantation in a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe heart failure.

Von Meyenburg complex (hamartoma of the bile duct) mimicking liver metastases.

INTRODUCTION: Hamartomas of the bile duct (von Meyenburg complex) are benign lesions of the liver that may mimic liver metastases. Histologically, they consist of cystic dilatations of the bile duct, encompassed by fibrous stroma. CASE REPORT: We reported a 68-year-old male patient in who gross, ultrasonic and MSCT appearance suggest multiple liver metastases. The diagnosis of von Meyenburg complex was made after histopathologic examination of liver biopsy. CONCLUSION: Von Meyenburg complex in an uncommon entity which should be taken into consideration as a differential diagnosis of liver metastases.