Factores pronósticos de mortalidad en pacientes graves con enfermedades neurológicas agudas no traumáticas / Prognostic factors of mortality in seriously ill patients with acute non-traumatic neurological diseases

RESUMEN Fundamento: las enfermedades neurológicas son una de las principales causas de muerte e invalidez en todo el mundo. Objetivo: identificar los factores pronósticos relacionados con la mortalidad por enfermedades neurológicas agudas no traumáticas en pacientes graves. Métodos: se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, transversal, del 1ro de enero al 31 de diciembre 2019. El universo estuvo representado por 130 pacientes y la muestra fue de 114. Se empleó el porcentaje, suma, el chi cuadrado y el Odd Radio para identificar los factores de riesgo, con un IC de 95 %. Resultados: predominó el grupo etario de 50-59 años del sexo masculino con enfermedad cerebrovascular isquémica, aunque el mayor porcentaje de fallecidos fue por enfermedad cerebrovascular hemorrágica. Los pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico tuvieron relación con la mortalidad, con discreto predominio de la cirugía urgente. Alrededor de la mitad de los pacientes requirieron ventilación mecánica y fue un factor pronóstico de mortalidad. Predominó la desnutrición y la obesidad. Las arritmias cardíacas, necesidad de apoyo de aminas vasoactivas, estadía promedio mayor de 14 días y las complicaciones fueron factores de pronóstico de mortalidad. Igual, el índice leucoglicémico mayor de 0,75 y APACHE II inicial mayor de 15 puntos. Predominó la puntuación Glasgow por encima de ocho puntos. Conclusiones: los factores pronósticos relacionados con la mortalidad por enfermedades neurológicas agudas no traumáticas en pacientes graves fueron la presencia de arritmias cardíacas, necesidad de ventilación mecánica y de apoyo de aminas vasoactivas tratamiento quirúrgico, índice leucoglicémico mayor de 0,75 puntos, puntuación APACHE II inicial mayor de 15 puntos y la presencia de complicaciones.

ABSTRACT Background: neurological diseases are one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. Objective: to identify prognostic factors related to mortality from acute non-traumatic neurological diseases in seriously ill patients. Methods: a retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Universe was constituted of 130 patients and the sample was 114. Percentage, sum, chi-square and Odd Radio were used to identify risk factors, with an IC of 95 %. Results: the age group of 50-59 years prevailed, male with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, although the highest percentage of deaths was due to hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease. Patients with surgical treatment were related to mortality, with a slight predominance of urgent surgery. About half of the patients required mechanical ventilation and it was a prognostic factor for mortality. Malnutrition and obesity predominated. Cardiac arrhythmias, need for vasoactive amine support, average length of stay greater than 14 days and complications were prognostic factors for mortality. Likewise, the leukoglycemic index greater than 0.75 and the initial APACHE II was greater than 15 points. The Glasgow score was above 8 points. Conclusions: the prognostic factors related to mortality from acute non-traumatic neurological diseases in severe patients were the presence of cardiac arrhythmias, need for mechanical ventilation and support for vasoactive amines, surgical treatment, leukoglycemic index greater than 0.75 points, initial APACHE II score greater than 15 points and the presence of complications.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in an Endurance Athlete Presenting with Ventricular Tachycardia and Normal Right Ventricular Function.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a genetically inherited disease that results in fibrofatty replacement of normal cardiac myocytes, has been associated with sudden cardiac death in athletes. Long-term participation in endurance exercise hastens the development of both the arrhythmic and structural arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy phenotypes. We describe the unusual case of a 34-year-old, symptomatic, female endurance athlete who had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in the presence of a structurally normal right ventricle. Clinicians should be aware of this infrequent presentation when evaluating athletic patients who have ventricular arrhythmias and normal findings on cardiac imaging studies.

The effects of cigarette smoking on ventricular repolarization in adolescents / O tabagismo altera a repolarização ventricular em adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the association between cigarette smoking and ventricular arrhythmias in adolescents. Novel electrocardiographic parameters -Tp-e interval, as well as Tpe/QT and Tpe/QTc ratios - were used to make this assessment. Methods The study population consisted of 87 subjects aged between 16-19 years. Fifty-one adolescent smokers with no risk of arrhythmia comprised the Smoker Group, and 36 adolescents who had never smoked cigarettes comprised the Control Group. Smokers were defined as patients smoking more than three cigarettes per day, for at least 1 year. Body mass index, systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were measured, and electrocardiograms were performed on all subjects. Heart rate, PR and Tp-e intervals, and Tpe/QT, Tpe/QTc ratio were digitally measured. Results Adolescents in Smoker Group had smoked cigarettes for 2.9±1.4 years (range 1 to 6 years). The mean age at starting smoking was 13.8±1.4 years. There were no differences between smokers and Control Group as to baseline clinical variables (p>0.05). The PR, QT and QTc intervals were similar in all groups. Tp-e interval (98.4±12.7ms and 78.3±6.9 ms; p<0.001), Tpe/QT (0.28±0.04 and 22±0.03; p<0.01), Tpe/QTc (0.24±0.03 and 0.19±0.01; p<0.001) ratios were significantly higher in Smoker Group. There were no correlations between years of smoking, number of cigarettes per day, Tpe interval, Tpe/QT or Tpe/QTc ratios. Conclusion Cigarette smoking is associated with risk of ventricular arrhytmogenesis with prolonged Tp-e interval and increased Tpe/QT and Tpe/QTc ratios in adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a associação entre tabagismo e arritmias ventriculares em adolescentes usando novos parâmetros eletrocardiográficos: intervalo Tp-e, e relações Tpe/QT e Tpe/QTc. Métodos A população do estudo incluiu 87 indivíduos de 16 a 19 anos de idade. Cinquenta e um adolescentes fumantes, sem risco de arritmia, formaram o Grupo Fumantes, e 36 adolescentes, que nunca tinham fumado cigarros, formaram o Grupo Controle. Os fumantes foram definidos como pacientes que fumavam mais de três cigarros por dia, há pelo menos 1 ano. O índice de massa corporal, e a pressão arterial sistólica, diastólica e média foram medidos, e foram realizados eletrocardiogramas em todos os participantes. Frequência cardíaca, intervalos PR e Tp-e, e as relações Tpe/QT e Tpe/QTc foram medidas por instrumentos digitais. Resultados Os adolescentes do Grupo Fumante fumavam há 2,9±1,4 anos (variação 1 a 6 anos). A média de idade ao começar a fumar foi 13,8±1,4 anos. Não houve diferença nas variáveis clínicas iniciais entre os Grupos Fumante e controle (p>0,05). Os intervalos PR, QT e QTc foram semelhantes em todos os grupos. O intervalo Tp-e (98,4±12,7ms e 78,3±6,9ms; p<0,001), e as relações Tpe/QT (0,28±0,04 e 22±0,03; p<0,01) e Tpe/QTc (0,24±0,03 e 0,19±0,01; p<0,001) foram significativamente maiores no Grupo Fumantes. Não houve correlação entre anos de tabagismo, número de cigarros por dia, intervalo Tpe e relações Tpe/QT e Tpe/QTc. Conclusão O hábito de fumar está associado ao risco de arritmogênese ventricular, com interval Tp-e prolongado e aumento nas relações Tpe/QT e Tpe/QTc em adolescentes.

Ventricular Tachycardia in Fabry Disease Detected in a 50-Year-Old Woman during 14-Day Continuous Cardiac Monitoring.

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. Female carriers were long thought to be asymptomatic; however, research has revealed the opposite. Cardiac conditions are the chief causes of death in women with Fabry disease. Although ventricular tachycardia has been reported in male patients with Fabry disease, it is not thought to be a frequent finding in females. We describe the case of a 50-year-old woman in whom we used 14-day continuous electrocardiographic monitoring to identify nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, after electrocardiograms and 24-hour Holter monitoring failed to detect the arrhythmia. A permanent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator relieved the patient's symptoms. We discuss why this case supports the need for more extensive electrophysiologic evaluation in women who have Fabry disease.

Multimodal Imaging after Sudden Cardiac Arrest in an 18-Year-Old Athlete.

We report the case of a previously healthy 18-year-old male athlete who twice presented with sudden cardiac arrest. Our use of electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, coronary angiography, coronary computed tomographic angiography, and nuclear stress testing enabled the diagnoses of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and anomalous origin of the right coronary artery. We discuss the patient's treatment and note the useful role of multiple cardiovascular imaging methods in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.

TandemHeart as a Bridge to Recovery in Legionella Myocarditis.

Legionnaires' disease is the designation for pneumonia caused by the Legionella species. Among the rare extrapulmonary manifestations, cardiac involvement is most prevalent, in the forms of myocarditis, pericarditis, postcardiotomy syndrome, and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Mechanical circulatory support has proved to be a safe and effective bridge to myocardial recovery in patients with acute fulminant myocarditis; however, to our knowledge, this support has not been used in infectious myocarditis specifically related to Legionellosis. We describe a case of Legionella myocarditis associated with acute left ventricular dysfunction and repolarization abnormalities in a 48-year-old man. The patient fully recovered after left ventricular unloading with use of a TandemHeart percutaneous ventricular assist device. In addition, we review the English-language medical literature on Legionella myocarditis and focus on cardiac outcomes.

Unusual presentation of listerial myocarditis and the diagnostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance.

Listeria monocytogenes is an infrequent cause of bacterial myocarditis. Myocarditis without evidence of endocarditis is even rarer. Management in such cases involves early diagnosis, antibiotic therapy, and emergency treatment of arrhythmias. We report the case of a 47-year-old man who presented with features of acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular tachycardia that necessitated urgent electrical cardioversion. Contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance images revealed hypertrophy, necrosis, and a mass that was determined to be an abscess caused by L. monocytogenes. Antibiotic treatment led to resolution of the listerial myocarditis. In addition to reporting our patient's case, we discuss the comparative advantages of cardiac magnetic resonance versus transthoracic echocardiography in characterizing myocarditis, upon presentation and in follow-up evaluation.

Tuberous sclerosis and cardiac tumors: new electrocardiographic finding in an infant.

Cardiac rhabdomyoma, the primary cardiac tumor most often diagnosed in children, is frequently present in patients with tuberous sclerosis. Most pediatric patients with rhabdomyoma are asymptomatic; however, various electrocardiographic abnormalities can be detected, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, ectopic atrial tachycardia, and atrioventricular node dysfunction. We describe the case of a 10-month-old infant girl who had tuberous sclerosis and multiple cardiac rhabdomyomas. Her electrocardiographic presentation was notable for dome-shaped T waves and no ST segment in some leads. To our knowledge, this electrocardiographic finding has not been described in patients with tuberous sclerosis and cardiac masses.

Acute anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and electrical storm secondary to nondominant right coronary artery occlusion.

A 42-year-old man emergently presented with chest pain and anterior ST elevation. Refractory ventricular arrhythmias and shock developed rapidly. A coronary angiogram revealed the acute occlusion of a nondominant right coronary artery. After percutaneous coronary intervention, the anterior ST elevation and ventricular arrhythmias resolved. The electrocardiographic pattern was a result of isolated right ventricular infarction that in turn caused profound electrical and hemodynamic instability. We discuss the cause and pathophysiology of this patient's case, and we recommend that interventional and general cardiologists be aware that anterior ST elevation can be caused by the occlusion of a nondominant right coronary artery.

Fragmented QRS scale and brain natriuretic peptide predict infarction in patients with acute myocardial infarction and heart attacks / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patient's electrocardiogram appearing fragment QRS wave (fQRS) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and scope of coronary lesions,severe cardiac complications,and the cor relation of cardiac death.Methods For selected patients with AMI,whether based on electrocardiogram (ECG) appeared in fQRS group and non fQRS groups; immunofluorescence technique was used to detect the plasma BNP level in patients with AMI.Two groups of patients with serious cardiac events and coronary artery lesions scope were observed; Coronary artery lesion count and BNP level were recorded.Results The incidence of fragment QRS wave in patients with AMI was 34.0％,fQRS wave group height/three degree atri oventricular block,ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation,cardiac shock,cardiac death rate was higher than non fQRS wave group (P ＜0.05).fQRS wave group of plasma BNP and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,the double branch lesion,multivessel lesions were significantly higher than that of non fQRS group (P ＜ 0.01) ; left ventricular ejection fraction,the single lesion was sig nificantly lower than non fQRS wave group (P ＜0.01).The BNP levels in single,double,and multivessel lesions in the group with the increase of the lesion count were increased.Conclusions The AMI patients with fQRS easily complicated with severe arrhythmia,and case fatality rate was high,the prognosis was poor.fQRS on electrocardiogram (ECG) and BNP level had a certain relationship with range and degree of coronary artery lesions,degree of indexes might be used as a prediction of coronary lesions,and multivessel lesions had certain prediction value.

Unexpected embolization of Teflon pledget in the left main stem during: a Bentall operation.

We report the case of an 83-year-old man in whom acute left ventricular failure with ventricular arrhythmic storm developed during a Bentall operation. During re-exploration of the annular and coronary ostial anastomoses, no abnormality was seen, and none of the common sequelae of aortic root replacement was evident. The application of retrograde cardioplegia yielded a Teflon pledget that had migrated into the distal part of the left main stem. The pledget was removed, the anastomoses were reestablished, and the patient recovered uneventfully. This case suggests that left ostial anastomosis re-exploration should be carefully considered when no other cause of coronary insufficiency is obvious, and that retrograde cardioplegia may be useful to detect embolization in the left coronary system.

Heterogeneity of left ventricular signal characteristics in response to acute vagal stimulation during ventricular fibrillation in dogs.

Studies have shown that long-term vagal stimulation is protective against ventricular fibrillation; however, the effects of acute vagal stimulation during ventricular fibrillation in the normal heart have not been investigated. We examined the effects of acute vagal stimulation on ventricular fibrillation in a canine model. In 4 dogs, we induced 30-second periods of ventricular fibrillation by means of intraventricular pacing. During 2 of the 4 periods of fibrillation that we analyzed, vagal stimulation was delivered through electrodes in the caudal ends of the vagus nerves. Noncontact unipolar electrograms were recorded from 3 ventricular regions: the basal septum, apical septum, and lateral free wall. We then computed the most frequent cycle length, mean organization index, and mean electrogram amplitude for each region. During fibrillation, vagal stimulation shortened the most frequent cycle lengths in the basal septum (P=0.02) and apical septum (P=0.0001), but not in the lateral wall (P=0.46). In addition, vagal stimulation significantly reduced the mean organization indices in the apical septum (P <0.001) and lateral wall (P <0.001), but not in the basal septum (P=0.19). Furthermore, vagal stimulation raised the mean electrogram amplitude in the basal septum (P <0.01) but lowered it substantially in the apical septum (P=0.00005) and lateral wall (P=0.00003). We conclude that vagal stimulation acutely affects the characteristics of ventricular fibrillation in canine myocardium in a spatially heterogeneous manner. This nonuniformity of response may have implications with regard to manipulating the autonomic system as a means of modifying the substrate for ventricular dysrhythmias.

Isolated congenital heart block.

Isolated congenital heart block, frequently seen in mothers who have connective-tissue disease, can be transmitted to the fetus through transplacental passage of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB autoantibodies. Even if the antibodies appear transiently in the fetal circulation, the block is permanent and can require pacemaker implantation. Complete congenital heart block is seen in 1% to 5% of neonates born to mothers who carry these autoantibodies. Herein, we report the case of a baby-born to a 31-year-old asymptomatic woman-who manifested congenital heart block in utero, at 30 weeks of gestation. During gestation and following birth, no further problems were detected. At her last follow-up appointment, 8 years later, the girl still had no clinical symptoms, and exercise increased her heart rate despite complete heart block. We report this case for its unique presentation, and we discuss isolated congenital heart block within the context of the inadequate literature on its pathogenesis and treatment.

Epsilon waves detected by various electrocardiographic recording methods: in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

We analyzed the shape and distribution of epsilon waves by 3 various methods of electrocardiographic recording in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.Thirty-two patients who met recognized diagnostic criteria for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy were included in this study (24 men and 8 women; mean age, 42.3 ± 12.9 yr). Epsilon waves were detected by standard 12-lead electrocardiography (S-ECG), right-sided precordial lead electrocardiography (R-ECG), and Fontaine bipolar precordial lead electrocardiography (F-ECG). We found 3 types of epsilon waves: wiggle waves, small spike waves, and smooth potential waves that formed an atypical prolonged R' wave. The most common configuration was small spiked waves. In some circumstances, epsilon waves were evident in some leads (especially in leads V(1) through V(3)), but notches were recorded in the other leads during the corresponding phase. These waves could be detected only by S-ECG in 1 patient, R-ECG in 3 patients, and F-ECG in 5 patients; the rates of epsilon-wave detection by these 3 methods were 38% (12/32), 38% (12/32), and 50% (16/32), respectively. However, the detection rate using combined methods was significantly higher than that by S-ECG alone (SF-ECG 56% vs S-ECG 38%, P = 0.0312; and SRF-ECG 66% vs S-ECG 38%, P = 0.0039). In addition, the rate of widespread T-wave inversion (exceeding V(3)) was significantly higher in patients with epsilon waves than in those without (48% vs 9%, P = 0.029), as was ventricular tachycardia (95% vs 64%, P = 0.019).These 3 electrocardiographic recording methods should be used in combination to improve the detection rate of epsilon waves.

Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmias: analysis of predictive factors in a population with sleep disorders / Arritmia ventricular esforço-induzida: análise dos fatores preditores em uma população com queixas de sono

Objective: To assess the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias induced by exercise in a population with sleep disorders and to analyze the triggering factors. Methods: Patients were consecutively selected from the database of the Sleep Clinic of Universidade Federal de São Paulo. All subjects were submitted to basal polysomnography, blood sample collection, physical examination, 12-lead ECG, spirometry, cardiorespiratory exercise study on a treadmill, and echocardiogram. The Control Group was matched for age and gender. Results: A total of 312 patients were analyzed. Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmia was observed in 7%. The aortic diameter was larger (3.44 ± 0.30, 3.16 ± 0.36, p = 0.04) and the minimal saturation was lower (92.75 ± 3.05, 95.50 ± 1.73, p=0.01) in the ventricular arrhythmia group when compared to controls, respectively. After correction of the aortic root to body surface, there was only a trend to a larger diameter being associated with the emergence of arrhythmia. Conclusions: Exercise-induced ventricular arrhythmia was observed in 7% of sample and it was associated with lower oxygen saturation during exercise.

Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de arritmias ventriculares esforço-induzidas em uma população com distúrbios do sono e determinar seus fatores desencadeantes. Métodos: Foram selecionados consecutivamente pacientes do banco de dados da Clínica de Sono que foram submetidos à polissonografia basal por queixas de sono. Foi realizada coleta de sangue, seguida de avaliação clínica, eletrocardiograma de 12 derivações, espirometria, teste cardiopulmonar e ecocardiograma. O Grupo Controle foi formado por pacientes que não desenvolveram arritmias durante o esforço, pareados por sexo e idade. Resultados: Foram selecionados 320 e analisados 312 pacientes. Um total de 7% deles desenvolveram arritmia ventricular durante o teste cardiopulmonar. O diâmetro da aorta foi maior (3.44 ± 0.30, 3.16 ± 0.36, p = 0.04) e a saturação mínima observada durante o esforço foi menor (92.75 ± 3.05, 95.50 ± 1.73, p = 0.01) no grupo com arritmia quando comparado ao controle, respectivamente. Após correção do diâmetro de raiz da aorta para a superfície corpórea, houve apenas tendência de associação entre maior diâmetro e aparecimento de arritmia. Conclusões: O aparecimento de arritmia ventricular induzida pelo esforço foi observado em 7% da amostra e associado à menor saturação de oxigênio durante o exercício. Houve tendência de maior diâmetro da raiz de aorta nesse grupo.