LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B are associated with ascending aorta dilatation in bicuspid aortic valve patients

BACKGROUND

The factors related to ascending aorta dilation (AAD) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are not completely understood. In addition, the role of cholesterol metabolism in AAD has not been studied.

METHODS

We analyzed the relationship between different lipid parameters and the ascending aorta diameter/presence of aortic dilatation in 91 consecutive patients with BAV.

RESULTS

We observed a positive linear correlation between the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) levels and the ascending aorta diameter. The patients with AAD had higher LDL cholesterol and ApoB levels. Whereas LDL cholesterol and ApoB were identified as independent factors predictors of the aortic root diameter, only ApoB predicted the diameter of the ascending aorta. On the other hand, the levels of ApoB were an independent factor related to the dilatation of the aortic root.

CONCLUSIONS

We have observed that cholesterol is associated with ascending aorta diameter and dilation in BAV patients. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to explain the pathobiology of this association.

Association between rs2200733 and rs7193343 genetic variants and atrial fibrillation in a Spanish population, and meta-analysis of previous studies

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to analyze the association between two genetic variants (rs2200733 and rs7193343) in a Spanish population and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, and to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of these associations.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study involving 257 case patients with atrial fibrillation and 379 controls. The case patients were individuals who had donated samples to the Spanish National DNA Bank; the controls were participating in a population-based cross-sectional study. Genotyping was carried out using a TaqMan assay. We conducted a systematic literature search in which 2 independent reviewers extracted the necessary information. The study involved a meta-analysis, a heterogeneity analysis, and a meta-regression analysis to identify the variables that explain the heterogeneity across studies.

RESULTS

In our population, the presence of atrial fibrillation was found to be associated with rs2200733 (odds ratio = 1.87; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-2.70), but not with rs7193343 (odds ratio = 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.73). In the meta-analysis, we observed an association between atrial fibrillation and both variants: odds ratio = 1.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.54-1.90) for rs2200733 and odds ratio = 1.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.25) for rs7193343. We observed heterogeneity among the studies dealing with the association between rs2200733 and atrial fibrillation, partially related to the study design, and the strength of association was greater in case-control studies (odds ratio = 1.83) than in cohort studies (odds ratio = 1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Variants rs2200733 and rs7193343 are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. Case-control studies tend to overestimate the strength of association between these genetic variants and atrial fibrillation.

Inferior vena cava obstruction by a cardiac mass: unusual presentation of primary antiphospholipid syndrome

We present a previously healthy 43-year-old woman with a cardiac mass that caused almost total occlusion of the inferior vena cava at its junction with the right atrium. The resected mass proved to be a thrombus. Preoperative imaging tests could not distinguish it from other intracardiac tumors such as myxoma. A postoperative immunological study revealed a primary antiphospholipid syndrome. This case presents an unusual diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome and a rare location of a cardiac thrombus.

Clinical value of left atrial appendage flow velocity for predicting of cardioversion success in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND

Echocardiographic parameters for predicting cardioversion outcome in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation are not accurately defined.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of left atrial appendage flow velocity detected by transoesophageal echocardiography for prediction of cardioversion outcome in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation enrolled in a prospective. multicentre, international study.

METHODS

Four hundred and eight patients (257 males, mean age: 66 +/- 10 years) with non-valvular atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 h but less than 1 year underwent transthoracic echocardiography and transoesophageal echocardiography before either electrical (n=324) or pharmacological (n=84) cardioversion.

RESULTS

Cardioversion was successful in restoring sinus rhythm in 328 (80%) and unsuccessful in 80 patients (20%). Mean left atrial appendage peak emptying flow velocity was significantly higher in patients with successful than in those with unsuccessful cardioversion (32.4 +/- 17.7 vs 23.5 +/- 13.6 cm x s(-1); P<0.0001). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, three parameters proved to be independent predictors of cardioversion success: the atrial fibrillation duration <2 weeks (P=0.011, OR=4.9, CI 95%=1.9-12.7), the mean left atrial appendage flow velocity >31 cm x s(-1) (P=0.0013, OR=2.8, CI 95%=1.5-5.4) and the left atrial diameter <47 mm (P=0.093, OR=2.0, CI 95%=1.2-3.4). These independent predictors of cardioversion success outperformed other univariate predictors such as left ventricular end-diastolic diameter <58 mm, ejection fraction >56% and the absence of left atrial spontaneous echo contrast.

CONCLUSION

In patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, measurement of the left atrial appendage flow velocity profile by transoesophageal echocardiography before cardioversion provides valuable information for prediction of cardioversion outcome.

Effects of thrombolysis in the evolution of right bundle-branch block complicating an acute anterior myocardial infarction

INTRODUCTION

There is scant information about the effects of thrombolysis in the evolution of right bundle-branch block (RBBB) in the setting of acute anterior myocardial infarction. The aim of this study has been to analyse these effects and its impact on prognosis.

METHODS

We studied 54 patients who presented a RBBB related to an acute anterior myocardial infarction. We defined two groups: those who received thrombolytic treatment and those who did not. We analysed the evolution of RBBB (transience, moment of onset, moment of disappearance) and its relationship with in-hospital mortality.Twenty-one patients (39%) received thrombolytic treatment (groupT) and 33 patients (61%) (group NT) did not.

RESULTS

The incidence of late appearance (> 6 h) of RBBB was less frequent in group T compared with group NT (10% vs. 33%, p = 0.04). The incidence of transient block was similar in the two groups (57% vs. 45%, p ns). However, early disappearance of RBBB (in < 6 hours) was more common in group T than in group NT (33% vs. 9%, p = 0.04). Mortality was higher in patients with RBBB present at 24 h after admission) than in those with RBBB resolved in less than 24 hours (in group NT, 55% vs. 8%, p = 0.02 and in group T 50% vs. 0%, p = 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombolysis seems to influence the moment of onset and disappearance of RBBB by promoting its early disappearance and avoiding its late appearance. Disappearance of RBBB is associated with a better prognosis.

[Intermittent pre-excitation after adenosine administration]

We describe a case of 2:1 intermittent preexcitation after adenosine administration in a patient with an accessory pathway that did not show preexcitation on the basal ECG. We review the mechanisms involved that explain this event and the possible utility of adenosine to show accessory pathways that do not show preexcitation on the ECG.

[Emergency valvular replacement in infective endocarditis: hospital and long term clinical course. Analysis of 45 patients]

BACKGROUND

To define the evolution of patients with infective endocarditis who require urgent valve replacement in our environment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We followed 45 consecutive cases of infective endocarditis that require valve replacement during their hospitalization. 32 patients had native valve infective endocarditis, 7 early prosthesis valve endocarditis and 6 late prosthesis valve endocarditis. Patients were followed for a long-term period, clinical and echocardiographycally.

RESULTS

In 39 cases valve replacement was performed before ending antibiotic therapy. The main indications for surgery were refractory heart failure (24 patients) and shock (11 patients). The mortality rate was 24%: 19% in native valve infective endocarditis, 43% in early prosthetic valve endocarditis and 33% in late prosthesis valve endocarditis. The first cause of death was septic shock (46%). We followed 31 over 34 survivors for a mean time 65 (DS 49) months. We found two relapses and six deaths (1 sudden death, 2 endocarditis) and 72% of patients presented class I NYHA. We detected 17% prosthetic leaks (34% in the prosthetic valve endocarditis group).

CONCLUSIONS

The need of urgent valve replacement in the context of infective endocarditis is associated with a high mortality rate, and should be considered a serious condition. Long term prognosis is, however, acceptable, although 17% of patients had prosthesis leak, specially those with prosthetic valve endocarditis.

[Coronary stent placement for recurrent angina secondary to myocardial bridging]

Myocardial bridging of the epicardic coronary arteries is not an uncommon finding in angiographic or necropsic studies. Patients who have symptoms usually improve with medical treatment. However, in refractory patients a surgical myotomy of overlying myocardium and/or a coronary bypass may be needed. We report two patients with long myocardial bridges in the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery, who had recurrent angina refractory to conventional treatment. In both patients two consecutive coronary stents were successfully implanted. At five and six months follow-up they are asymptomatic and with good exercise tolerance.

[Image of pseudocapture caused by micro-dislodgment of the electrode in a VDD pacemaker]

The new AV sequential pacemakers have improved the suitability for the election of the best pacing mode for each patient. The complexity of the systems may mask some dysfunctions. In the presented case, a failure to capture due to micro-dislodgment, may have been missed in a simple pacemaker control, because of the combination of several factors: the presence of normal AV conduction at that moment, the concordance between the pacemaker stimulus and the conducted QRS complex and the similar morphology of the conducted and paced QRS complex.

[Tricuspid and pulmonary valve in a case of carcinoid syndrome]

The presence of liver methastasis and serotonin in plasma in the carcinoid tumor are responsible for the carcinoid syndrome. We present a case of tricuspid and pulmonary valvular disease secondary to this syndrome. The finding of liver hyperechogenic nodules added to the described valvular disease by subcostal echocardiogram oriented the diagnosis.