Utility of Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging Assessment in Coronavirus Disease 2019

Predictive value of ultrasound assessment of axillary and brachial artery parameters for lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the predictive value of ultrasound assessment of axillary and brachial artery parameters for lymph node metastasis (LNM) in breast cancer (BRCA) patients.

METHODS

The clinical data of 172 cancer patients were reviewed, and the patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence or absence of axillary LNM. Ultrasound assessment was employed to evaluate axillary and brachial artery parameters using specific techniques, and arterial characteristics were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant differences were observed in the ultrasound parameters of both axillary and brachial arteries between the non-LNM and LNM groups. Specifically, axillary and brachial artery diameters and resistive index exhibited significant differences and correlations with axillary LNM. Furthermore, molecular markers such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, estrogen receptor (ER) status, and progesterone receptor (PR) status were found to be significantly correlated with LNM. Additionally, a nomogram was constructed, demonstrating the predictive value of the integrated arterial parameters. The combined model, incorporating axillary and brachial artery parameters, exhibited a higher predictive capability for axillary LNM compared to individual arterial parameters (AUC = 0.984).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound assessment of axillary and brachial artery parameters, in conjunction with molecular markers, holds promise as a non-invasive tool for predicting LNM in BRCA patients. The observed correlations provide insights into the potential clinical relevance of arterial parameters in risk stratification and treatment planning. Further research in larger, prospective cohorts is warranted to validate the findings and enhance the precision of BRCA management.

The Role and Implications of COVID-19 in Incident and Prevalent Heart Failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review examines the pathophysiological interactions between COVID-19 and heart failure, highlighting the exacerbation of heart failure in COVID-19 patients. It focuses on the complex mechanisms driving worse outcomes in these patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients with pre-existing heart failure experience more severe symptoms and higher mortality rates due to mechanisms such as cytokine storms, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, microvascular dysfunction, thrombosis, and stress cardiomyopathy. Elevated biomarkers like troponin and natriuretic peptides correlate with severe disease. Long-term cardiovascular risks for COVID-19 survivors include increased incidence of heart failure, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest, and cardiogenic shock. COVID-19 significantly impacts patients with pre-existing heart failure, leading to severe symptoms and higher mortality. Elevated cardiac biomarkers are indicators of severe disease. Acute and long-term cardiovascular complications are common, calling for ongoing research into targeted therapies and improved management strategies to better prevent, diagnose, and treat heart failure in the context of COVID-19.

The Role of POCUS to Face COVID-19: A Narrative Review

COVID-19 has been a challenging outbreak to face, with millions of deaths among the globe. Acute respiratory failure due to interstitial pneumonia was the leading cause of death other than prothrombotic activation and complications. Lung ultrasound (LUS) and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) are widely used not only to triage, to identify, and to monitor lungs involvement but also to assess hemodynamic status and thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, mainly in critically ill patients. POCUS has gained growing consideration due to its bedside utilization, reliability, and reproducibility even in emergency settings especially in unstable patients. In this narrative review, we aim to describe LUS and POCUS utilization in COVID-19 infection based on the literature found on this topic. We reported the LUS patterns of COVID-19 pulmonary infection, the diagnostic accuracy with respect to CT lung scan, its prognostic value, the variety of scores and protocols proposed, and the utilization of POCUS to investigate the extra-lung complications.

Multimodality Cardiac Imaging in COVID-19 Infection

COVID-19 infection often produces cardiovascular complications, which can range from mild to severe and influence the overall prognosis. Imaging is the cornerstone for diagnosing initial COVID-19 cardiovascular involvement as well as treatment guidance. In this review, we present the current state of the literature on this subject while also emphasizing possible algorithms for indicating and executing these investigations.

Advanced cardiac imaging in the spectrum of COVID-19 related cardiovascular involvement

Cardiovascular involvement is a common complication of COVID-19 infection and is associated to increased risk of unfavorable outcome. Advanced imaging modalities (coronary CT angiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance) play a crucial role in the diagnosis, follow-up and risk stratification of patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia with suspected cardiovascular involvement. In the present manuscript we firstly review current knowledge on the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 can trigger endothelial and myocardial damage. Secondly, the implications of the cardiovascular damage on patient's prognosis are presented. Finally, we provide an overview of the main findings at advanced cardiac imaging characterizing COVID-19 in the acute setting, in the post-acute syndrome, and after vaccination, emphasizing the potentiality of CT and CMR, the indication and their clinical implications.

Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients With COVID-19 Infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is an ongoing pandemic that has affected millions globally. Many infected patients have been noted to have cardiovascular damage. Prior to the development of clinical symptoms, the use of transthoracic echocardiography, specifically with measurements of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), may provide an additional prognostic marker for patients infected with COVID-19. We sought to determine whether patients with COVID-19 and reduced LVGLS have an increased risk for mortality. The mean LVGLS was determined to be significantly lower in the non-survivors compared to the survivors (−11.6 ± 1.8 vs −15.4 ± 0.74, p<0.05). It should be noted, however, that even those that survived were found to have reduced LVGLS (<−18.5%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was also performed that demonstrated a relationship between reduced LVGLS and an increased risk for mortality. Overall, our data indicate that COVID-19 patients may have subclinical left ventricular dysfunction, and that critically ill patients may have a greater decline in cardiac dysfunction.

Acute and Chronic Effects of COVID-19 on the Cardiovascular System

COVID-19 has shown significant morbidity with the involvement of multiple systems, including the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular manifestations in the acute phase can include myocardial injury itself, myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolic events, myocarditis, Takotsubo syndrome, and different arrhythmic events. Myocardial injury defined by the rise of cardiac biomarkers in blood has been found in multiple studies with a prevalence of about 20%. Its presence is related to worse clinical outcomes and in-hospital mortality. The mechanisms of myocardial injury have been the subject of intense research but still need to be clarified. The characterization of the cardiac affectation with echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance has found mixed results in different studies, with a striking incidence of imaging criteria for myocarditis. Regarding post-acute and chronic follow-up results, the persistence of symptoms and imaging changes in recovered COVID-19 patients has raised concerns about the duration and the possible significance of these findings. Even though the knowledge about this disease has increased incredibly in the last year, many aspects are still unclear and warrant further research.