Transoesophageal echocardiography findings in young patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke

Background and purpose

The cause of ischemic stroke (IS) remains often unclear in young patients. Relevant structural heart abnormities with known embolic potential may represent cause of IS also in young population. The use of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows reliable detection of most relevant structural pathologies. The aim was to assess frequency and spectrum of relevant cardiac abnormities in young IS patients.

Subjects and methods

The study set consisted of young acute IS patients <50 years enrolled in the prospective HISTORY (Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY) study, registered on ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01541163). In all patients, the brain ischemia was confirmed on CT or MRI. Admission ECG, serum specific cardiac markers, TEE, 24-hour and 3-week ECG-Holter were performed in all patients.

Results

Out of 1284 patients enrolled in the HISTORY study, 135 (73 males, mean age 40.2±8.1 years) were <40 years. In total, the relevant TEE abnormities were present in 47 (35%) of these patients. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) with evident left to right shunt was detected in 38 (28%) patients, with significant right to left shunt in 25 (19%) patients, and other atrial septal defect with clinically significant bidirectional flow in 4 (3%) patients. Significant valvular heart disease was present in 2 (1%) patients (1 bicuspid aortic valve with moderate aortic regurgitation, 1 chronic severe mitral regurgitation), and 4 (3%) patients severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%) due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Left atrial myxoma was detected in one patient.

Conclusion

The relevant structural abnormities with embolic potential were detected using TEE in 35% of young IS patients. Routine use of TEE to elucidate the causes of stroke, has a role especially in young patients who present with cryptogenic stroke and no cardiovascular risk factors, as well as in the setting of a PFO associated with a deep venous thrombosis.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): IGA LF UP, MH CZ - DRO

Prognostic relevance of sleep apnea syndrome in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Introduction

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is a group of ventilatory disorders during sleep which includes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and sleep related hypoventilation. In patients with SDB, the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) ranges from 17% to 52%. While SDB is prevalent in the general population with recent estimates of 20% to 30%, in those with cardiovascular disease, particularly left ventricular failure, there is a higher reported prevalence of 47%.

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and prognostic relevance of sleep apnea in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary arterial hypertension (ESC/WHO Group 1 pulmonary hypertension).

Methods

We evaluated prospectively 76 patients with the pulmonary arterial hypertension (mean age 54±16 years; 45% male). All patients underwent right heart catheterisation, clinical assessments, sleep study, standard laboratory testing and evaluation of subjective sleepiness by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Sleep test was provided with an ApneaLink Plus, consisting of nasal pressure sensor, respiratory effort band, and pulse oximeter worn on the finger. Subjects previously treated for or diagnosed with SDB were excluded from the study.

Results

Sleep apnea (SA) – defined as apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥5/h – was found in 59 (77.6%) of the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients. Mean AHI in the cohort of PAH patients with SA was 26.1±16.6/h. Mean follow-up was 24 months, during which 15 (19.7%) patients died. Characteristics of parameters related to SA in groups of survivors and deceased are in table 1. From the sleep apnea-related parameters, only time with O2Sat <90% – T90 was significantly associated with mortality (AUC 0.856; 95% CI 0.693 – 1.019; p<0.001).

Conclusions

The presence of sleep apnea in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients is high. The prevalence of sleep apnea is higher in PAH patients than in the general population. The presence of sleep apnea in patients with PAH was not associated with worse prognosis, but noctural hypoxemia (time with O2Sat <90%) was related to poor prognosis. Sleep apnea in patients with PAH should be screened for systematically.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P3709Risk of recurrent cerebral ischemia in young patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke and patent foramen ovale

Background

The cause of ischemic stroke (IS) remains often unclear in young patients. Relevant structural heart abnormities with known embolic potential may represent cause of IS also in young population. A persistent foramen ovale (PFO) is a known risk factor for paradoxical embolism, including ischemic stroke (IS).

Aims

The aims of our prospective study were to assess the rates of recurrent ischemic stroke events in young IS patients with PFO during a 35-month follow-up period (FUP) on effective antiplatelet therapy (OAT) and to evaluate a potential relationship with the presence of PFO on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

Methods

The study set consisted of young acute IS patients <50 years enrolled in the prospective HISTORY (Heart and Ischemic STrOke Relationship studY) study, NCT01541163). In all patients, the brain ischemia was confirmed on CT or MRI. Admission ECG, serum specific cardiac markers, transesophageal echocardiography, 24-hour and 3-week ECG-Holter were performed in all patients.

Results

Out of 980 patients enrolled in the HISTORY study, 260 patients were younger than 50 years and 185 (56% males, mean age 41±8 years) patients were classified as cryptogenic IS in ASCOD classification. PFO was diagnosed in 60 patients (32%). Six new clinically apparent recurrent ischemic brain events were recorded during a 35-month FUP. No significant difference was found in the presence of IS recurrence between patient group with PFO and without PFO (2 [3.2% patients with PFO] versus 4 [3.2% without PFO] of young IS patients, P=0.99).

Conclusion

The presence of PFO was not associated with a higher risk of new brain ischemic lesions in young patients with with cryptogenic ischemic stroke during a 35-month follow-up period. Number of recurrent clinical IS is relatively small, thus achieved results may be not so robust.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Grant support IGA MZ CR NT/14288-3, AZV MZ CR 17-30101A, IGA LF UP Olomouc (2016-2018), FNOL SUG No. 87-85

4034Distance from hospital as an early marker of outcomes in out of hospital cardiac arrest acute myocardial infarction survivors treated with endovascular mild therapeutic hypothermia

Background

The prediction of outcome in comatose patients after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has major ethical and socioeconomic implications. At present, there is a lack of data comparing the predictive value from cardiac arrest localization to hospital distance in OHCA survivors treated with endovascular therapeutic hypothermia.

Methods

86 patients (64±14 years, 69 men) were evaluated after OHCA due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) during an acute myocardial infarction (MI). All patients (NSTEMI 28%, STEMI 72%) were indicated for urgent coronary angiography, echocardiography for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) estimation using Simpson biplane formula and treated with mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) using intravascular temperature management to maintain target temperature (33 °C) for 24 hours. The Cerebral Performance Categories scale (CPC) was used as the outcome measure and was assessed 3 months post admission; a CPC of 3–5 was regarded as a poor outcome (n=45), and a CPC of 1–2 (n=41) as a good outcome.

Results

Distance to hospital was significantly higher (p=0.0473) in patients with poor outcomes (CPC 3–5) after OHCA (37.5±4.5 km) compared with CPC 1–2 patients (27.1±4.4 km). No significant differences in return of spontaneous circulation time (21; 10.5–47.5 95th percentile vs. 23; 10.0–50.0, p=0.738), lactate (7.8; 4.5–12.4 vs. 8.4; 5.4–13.5, p=0.54), LVEF (40; 22–50 vs. 40; 21–62%, p=0.208), peak cardiac troponin T (1.5; 0.08–10.00 vs. 0.64; 0.04–5.28 μg/L, p=0.078), NSE (29.2; 15.7–54.9 vs. 25.8; 13.6–52.3 μg/L, p=0.26) and S100-B (0.17; 0.09–1.69 vs. 0.19; 0.04–1.14 μg/L, p=0.734) were found in CPC 3–5 and CPC 1–2 groups comparison. Using an optimal cut-off value ≥33 km calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under curve = 0.62; p=0.004), the sensitivity of predicting survival with poor neurological outcome was 61% and the specificity was 62%.

Conclusions

In patients after OHCA for VF during MI, distance from cardiac arrest localization to hospital gives reliable and on return of spontaneous circulation time independent prognostic information concerning outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Grant support FNOL RIV 87-85

[The role of surgical embolectomy and extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy in the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism - a review]

Acute massive pulmonary embolism remains potentially lethal with mortality varying between 2553%. In the thrombolytic era, surgical pulmonary embolectomy is deemed as a rescue approach for patients with absolute contraindication of thrombolysis or its failure. However, close interdisciplinary cooperation, meticulous choice of optimal reperfusion strategy, standardization of surgical approach, and mainly the inclusion of mechanical circulatory support into the treatment algorithm have led to a drop in in-hospital mortality below 10% in the last 10 years. Nevertheless, cardiac arrest and refractory cardiogenic shock still remain independent risk factors of death with mortality exceeding 70%. Extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy provides rapid circulatory support, end-organ perfusion and oxygenation which are essential for right-sided obstruction haemodynamic. Subsequently, optimal reperfusion strategy can be chosen or patients may be transported for it. The review highlights the contemporary role of surgical pulmonary embolectomy and extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy in the treatment algorithm for acute massive pulmonary embolism, summarising current perspectives on the indications and contraindications for these treatment strategies and their results.Key words: massive pulmonary embolism - surgical pulmonary embolectomy - extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy.

Detection of clopidogrel resistance using ADP induced aggregometry with specific inhibitor PGE1

BACKROUND

Antiaggregation therapy is still the most frequently used approach to prevent thrombotic events in cardiovascular diseases. It has a good clinical effect but increasing evidence shows high residual platelet aggregation activity in a number of patients. Laboratory methods only allow us to detect clopidogrel "non-responders" or "low responders". Recent methods are based on monitoring residual platelet aggregation activity (aggregation methods) or detecting the number of free epitopes for binding a specific monoclonal antibody such as vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (VASP).

METHODS

The aims of our study were comparison light transmission aggregometry (LTA) and multiple electrode platelet aggregometry (MEA) with induction by ADP in concentrations of 20 micromol/L with or without prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) for monitoring clopidogrel resistance.

RESULTS

In the group of 84 patients with cardiovascular disease (CAD) studied, an impaired individual response to clopidogrel therapy was found 11.9% and 10.7% of the patients using MEA and LTA, respectively, induced by ADP with PGE1. The LTA and MEA methods with induction by ADP with PGE1 and without PGE1 were statistically compared using Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis. Both methods with using PGE, showed a positive significant correlation (p = 0.003) in contrast with the results without PGE1 with a no significant correlation (p = 0.732).

CONCLUSIONS

The sensitivity for detecting clopidogrel resistance correlates well with other data in the literature suggesting that there are 5%-30% clopidogrel low-responders depending on the type of platelet function assay used and the criteria for defining a low-responder [16-18]. These results favor implementation of the ADP test with PGE1 by MEA specifically for identification of low-responders to clopidogrel.

[Risk stratification by cardiac gated SPECT combined with coronary artery calcium score in patients with diabetes mellitus and/or renal failure]

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate added value of coronary artery calcium score (CAC) measurement as an adjunct to cardiac gated SPECT for risk stratification in population of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (CHRF-HD).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 67 patients, who were referred for stress gated myocardial perfusion SPECT and CAC. Characteristics of study population: 40 men, mean age 59 +/- 12 years, DM (n = 28), CHRF-HD (n = 22), DM and CHRF-HD simultaneously (n = 17). Perfusion summed stress and different scores (SSS, SDS), the left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and enddiastolic/endsystolic volumes (EDV/ESV) were automatically calculated using 4D-MSPECT software. The hard cardiac event was defined as sudden cardiac death or myocardial infarction (MI); angina or other symptoms requiring coronary revascularization were also calculated.

RESULTS

During the average period of 18 +/- 10 months, we registered 8 cardiac deaths, 4 nonfatal MI and 7 patients underwent revascularization. In the subgroup of 19 patients with cardiac events, the observed parameters were significantly worse concerning perfusion (SSS 9 +/- 11 vs 2 +/- 3 and SDS 6 +/- 9 vs 1 +/- 2, P < 0.05), the left ventricle function (stress LVEF 53% +/- 13% vs 59% +/- 13%, rest LVEF 55% +/- 14% vs 59% +/- 12%, stress EDV/ESV 144 ml/71 ml vs 128 ml/59 ml, P < 0.05), and CAC score (1 965 +/- 1 772 vs 387 +/- 740, P < 0.05) in comparison with patients without cardiac event. In patients without a reversible perfusion abnormality (SDS < 2), we observed lower annual hard event rate (8% vs 19.6%, P < 0.05) and revascularization procedures (4% vs 19.6%, P < 0.05) in comparison with patients with SDS > or = 2. In patients with or without reversible defects, we registered significantly higher annual hard event rate in the setting of post-stress worsening of the LVEF > 5% and/or severe CAC score > or = 709 (23.8% vs 1.9% in patients with SDS < 2, and 26.7% vs 9.5% in patients with SDS > or = 2, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of highly elevated CAC score as well as the post-stress left ventricle stunning enable further risk stratification in patients with or without reversible perfusion abnormalities.

[Myocardial viability findings interpretation using SPECT and PET imaging]

Myocardial perfusion and function imaging using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) plays the important role in coronary artery disease diagnostics and risk stratification, however, there is nowadays growing significance of the myocardial viability detection. A glucose metabolism assessment using positron emission tomography (PET) becomes accessible also. A brief review is given about the interpretation principle in the viable myocardium diagnosis and current progress in perfusion and metabolism defect severity quantification in patients with the left ventricular dysfunction.

[The importance of determining the viability of the myocardium prior to revascularisation in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and left ventricular systolic dysfunction]

Chronic heart failure is a worldwide clinical syndrome with substantial socio-economical impact. The aim of this overview is the summary of contemporary knowledge in epidemiology, elementary pathophysiological implications and some possibilities of treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy, which represents the most frequent cause of heart failure in developed countries. Emphasis is on the right indication for myocardial revascularization as a causal option of therapy of ischemic cardiomyopathy, timing and risk of revascularization and especially on importance of assessment of viability of myocardium using presently available imaging methods.

[Long term results of cardiac resynchronisation therapy for patients with severe heart failure]

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has been shown to be a highly effective treatment strategy for patients with severe chronic heart failure (ChHF).

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

To determine the clinical response of patients to CRT, to measure morbidity and mortality for this population of patients, to determine causes and predictors of death. To test whether the parameters of tissue Doppler echocardiography are able to predict response to CRT.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Before and after implantation of the CRT and 12 months later, echocardiograph tests were carried out and relevant clinical data was recorded during the monitoring of patients.

RESULTS

102 patients (71 men, 31 women) with an average age of 71 +/- 9 years took part in the study. 68% patients had cardiac ischemia, 29% had idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. 75% patients were in functional class NYHA III, 25% NYHA IV. After a monitoring period of 711 +/- 329 days, 26 patients had died and 35 patients had been hospitalised. 34% of all hospitalisations were for acute exacerbation of ChHF. Patients with initial functional classification NYHA IV had a higher mortality rate in years one and two than patients in class NYHA III. The proportion of clinical responders was 64% after 12 months of CRT. In 58% of patients, a year of CRT produced a relative increase in the ejection fraction of the left ventricle (EF LV) of > or = 30%. 1/3 of patients had EF LV ? 45% with minimal symptoms of ChHF. The following were found to predict reverse remodelling of the left ventricle: less advanced state of the basic illness (EFLV > 23%, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter < 65 mm, left ventricular end-diastolic volume < 160 ml and left ventricular end-systolic volume < 120 ml) and interventricular mechanical delay > 45 ms.

CONCLUSION

CRT is a safe method with a high success rate. There continues to be a problem with identifying responders. Symptoms of less advanced heart disease and interventricular delay were identified as sensitive predictors of the response to treatment.

[Malignant arrhythmia in a patient with variant (Prinzmetal's) angina pectoris]

Malignant arrhythmia is a frequent complication of myocardial ischemia due to the occurrence of coronary artery spasm. The paper describes a patient with variant angina pectoris with an ICD implant who was repeatedly resuscitated for circulatory arrest in malignant arrhythmia. During myocardial ischemia the ECG showed elevations in the ST segments in the region of the ventral cardiac wall, with the formation of permanent polymorphous chamber tachycardia. External defibrillation was necessary due to recurrent tachyarrhythmias. A spasm developed when the RIA (radio immuno assay) was introduced during coronarography. The spasm started in the periphery of the artery and extended as far as the area of bifurcation with RD, with transitory closure of the artery and the development of chamber tachycardia. The patient fully recovered after the addition of Ca-blocker, nitrate depot and the withdrawal of the beta-blocker.

[Occurrence of an exceptional complication in an attempt to apply temporary pacemaking]

The case study reports the case of a female patient who, during an admission exam in an area medical centre, presented with severe symptomatic bradyarrhythmia and the need for temporary external pacemaking. The first attempt to perform temporary transvenous pacemaking failed and was accompanied by a rare but serious iatrogenic complication which necessitated heart surgery. The case study is completed with illustrative figures.

Detection of early atherosclerosis using the ultrasound parameter of the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in families with familial combined hyperlipidemia

AIM

The aim of the present study was to quantify intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) in clinically asymptomatic members of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) families and to evaluate its association with lipids, apoproteins, blood pressure, surrogate markers of insulin resistance, fibrinogen and hs-CRP.

METHODS

The group under study consisted of 82 individuals from 29 FCHL families (47 hyperlipidemic [HL] and 35 normolipidemic [NL]). They were compared with the age and sex adjusted control groups of healthy subjects (HL-c, n=20 and NL-c, n=20). IMT was measured by ultrasound at a far wall of both common carotid arteries.

RESULTS

Hyperlipidemic subjects had increased IMT compared with healthy controls (0.695+/-0.118 vs 0.599+/-0.074 mm), with an age and sex corrected difference of 86 mm (p<0.001). No difference in IMT was recorded in NL FCHL members in comparison with their healthy controls. In HL subjects, significantly positive univariate correlations were observed between IMT and age, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, SBP, DBP, BMI, waist, fasting glycemia, C-peptide and proinsulin, whereas in NL subjects IMT correlated only with age. Multivariate regression analysis in FCHL subjects (HL+NL) revealed that age (p<0.001), sex (p<0.001), non-HDL-cholesterol (p<0.01) and BMI (p<0.05) were significant and independent predictors of IMT.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase of IMT CCA in hyperlipidemic still clinically asymptomatic FCHL subjects corresponds to acceleration of the clinically ''silent'' atherosclerosis by about 8-14 years and is in agreement with their increased risk of atherosclerosis.

[Endothelial dysfunction in a family with familial combined hyperlipidemia]

Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia is the most frequent familial hyperlipidemia with a high risk a early manifestation of arteriosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction is the first step in the development of arteriosclerosis. The aim of our investigation was to examine selected markers of endothelial dysfunction in hyperlipidemic members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia and their normolipidemia first-line relatives and to compare them with healthy individuals. The study includes non-smoking members of the affected families (probands and first-line relatives), who have not suffered from clinical manifestations of arteriosclerosis and/or hypertension during the start of the study. The cohort was divided into hyperlipidemic individuals (N = 25) and normolipidemic individuals (N = 21). Both groups were compared with control groups of healthy individuals (two groups, N = 17 each), who were adjusted by age and sex. The following markers of endothelial dysfunction were examined: 1. ultrasound--flow mediated dilatation of brachial artery and 2. humoral--serum levels of von Willebrand factor, inhibitor of activator of plasminogen-1 and vasoadhesive molecules (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1). The members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia displayed symptoms of endothelial dysfunction. In comparison with healthy controls the endothelial dysfunction was more expressed in hyperlipidemic individuals. They displayed a significantly lower flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery (3.6 +/- 3.3% versus 6.6 +/- 2.8%, P < 0.01), higher levels of von Willebrand factor (152.8% +/- 79.1% versus 110.4% +/- 24.8%, P < 0.05), inhibitor of activator of plasminogen-1 (94.6 +/- 30.8 ng/ml versus 60.4 +/- 38.0 ng/ml, P < 0.01) and vasoadhesive molecules: vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (927.0 +/- 167.7 ng/ml versus 814.7 +/- 171.1 ng/ml, P < 0.05), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (601.7 +/- 89.5 ng/ml versus 544.8 +/- 59.8 ng/ml, P < 0.05). The normolipidemic individuals displayed only a significantly lower flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery (5.6 +/- 2.6% versus 7.5 +/- 2.8%, P < 0.05) and higher levels of von Willebrand factor (136.8 +/- 40.32% versus 104.1 +/- 24.9%, P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the levels of inhibitor of activator of plasminogen-1 and vasoadhesive molecules. The results indicated that members of families with familial combined hyperlipidemia represent a high-risk group from the standpoint of early manifestation of arteriosclerosis.