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Mahajan, Rajiv; Brooks, Anthony G; Sullivan, Thomas; Lim, Han S; Alasady, Muayad; Abed, Hany S; Ganesan, Anand N; Nayyar, Sachin; Lau, Dennis H; Roberts-Thomson, Kurt C; Kalman, Jonathan M; Sanders, Prashanthan
Pieters, Nicky; Plusquin, Michelle; Cox, Bianca; Kicinski, Michal; Vangronsveld, Jaco; Nawrot, Tim S
doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2011-301505pmid: 22628541
ObjectiveStudies on the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollution and heart rate variability (HRV) suggest that particulate matter (PM) exposure is associated with reductions in measures of HRV, but there is heterogeneity in the nature and magnitude of this association between studies. The authors performed a meta-analysis to determine how consistent this association is.Data sourceThe authors searched the Pubmed citation database and Web of Knowledge to identify studies on HRV and PM.Study selectionOf the epidemiologic studies reviewed, 29 provided sufficient details to be considered. The meta-analysis included 18667 subjects recruited from the population in surveys, studies from patient groups, and from occupationally exposed groups.Data extractionTwo investigators read all papers and computerised all relevant information.ResultsThe authors computed pooled estimates from a random-effects model. In the combined studies, an increase of 10 μg/m3 in PM2.5 was associated with significant reductions in the time-domain measurements, including low frequency (−1.66%, 95% CI −2.58% to −0.74%) and high frequency (−2.44%, 95% CI −3.76% to −1.12%) and in frequency-domain measurements, for SDNN (−0.12%, 95% CI −0.22% to −0.03%) and for rMSSD (−2.18%, 95% CI −3.33% to −1.03%). Funnel plots suggested that no publication bias was present and a sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of our combined estimates.ConclusionThe meta-analysis supports an inverse relationship between HRV, a marker for a worse cardiovascular prognosis, and particulate air pollution.
Ray, Joel G; Schull, Michael J; Kingdom, John C; Vermeulen, Marian J
doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2011-301548pmid: 22591737
BackgroundMaternal placental syndromes (MPS)—gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and placental abruption/infarction—are more prevalent in women with features of the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). Both MPS and the MetSyn predispose to left ventricular impairment and sympathetic dominance after delivery. Whether this translates into a higher risk of heart failure (HF) and cardiac dysrhythmias is not known.ObjectiveTo determine the risk of new onset of HF and dysrhythmias among women after a prior MPS-affected pregnancy.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was carried out of 1 130 764 individual women with a delivery in Ontario between 1992 and 2009, excluding those with cardiac or thyroid disease 1 year before delivery. The risk of a composite outcome of a hospitalisation for HF or an atrial or ventricular dysrhythmia was compared in women with and without MPS, starting 1 year after delivery.Results75 242 individuals (6.7%) experienced a MPS. After a median duration of 7.8 years, the composite outcome occurred in 148 women with MPS (2.54 per 10 000 person-years) and 1062 women without MPS (1.28 per 10 000 person-years) (crude HR=2.00, 95% CI 1.68 to 2.38). The mean age at composite outcome was 37.8 years. The HR was 1.61 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.91) after adjustment for demographic characteristics, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia and drug dependence or tobacco use, as well as coronary artery disease or thyroid disease >1 year after delivery. The adjusted HRs were minimally reduced by further adjusting for chronic hypertension (1.51, 95% CI 1.26 to 1.80) and were higher in women with MPS plus preterm delivery and poor fetal growth (2.42, 95% CI 1.25 to 4.67).ConclusionsWomen with MPS are at higher risk of premature HF and dysrhythmias, especially when perinatal morbidity is present.
Olson, Jens; Samad, Bassem Abdel; Alam, Mahbubul
doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2012-301785pmid: 22717693
ObjectivesTo investigate the value of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measurements of right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic function as a predictor of long term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic heart failure.BackgroundIn patients with LV systolic heart failure, RV function has been shown to be an important predictor of outcome. TDI is probably a clinically useful method for assessing RV function. The studies published so far have had a rather short follow-up period and have excluded patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods156 patients admitted to the cardiology department due to decompensated heart failure were included in this observational cohort study. 19% had atrial fibrillation. An echocardiographic examination was performed at entry to the study. The patients were then followed for a mean of 829 days. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality or hospitalisation for decompensated heart failure.Results43 patients (28%) died from cardiovascular causes and 55 patients (35%) patients were hospitalised. 80 patients (51%) reached the study endpoint. Only age and a combined systolic and diastolic TDI parameter (s'r + e'r < 18.5 cm/s) of the right ventricle were independent predictors of cardiovascular outcome (HR 1.99, p=0.007).ConclusionA combined measure of RV systolic and diastolic function, using TDI, can be used as an independent predictor of outcome in patients with LV systolic heart failure.
Tsang, Wendy; Bateman, Michael G; Weinert, Lynn; Pellegrini, Gian; Mor-Avi, Victor; Sugeng, Lissa; Yeung, Hubert; Patel, Amit R; Hill, Alexander J; Iaizzo, Paul A; Lang, Roberto M
Urbano-Moral, Jose Angel; Lopez-Haldon, Jose Eduardo; Fernandez, Monica; Mancha, Fernando; Sanchez, Angel; Rodriguez-Puras, Maria Jose; Villa, Manuel; Lopez-Pardo, Francisco; Diaz de la Llera, Luis; Valle, Juan Ignacio; Martinez, Angel
Showing 1 to 10 of 21 Articles
ContextThe left atrial appendage (LAA) has been suggested to be the dominant location of thrombus in atrial fibrillation (AF) and has led to the development of LAA occlusion as a therapeutic modality to reduce stroke risk. However, the patient populations that would benefit most from this therapy are not well defined.ObjectiveA systematic review was performed to better define subgroups amenable to appendage closure.Data sourcesThe English scientific literature was searched using Pubmed through to March 1, 2011. Reference lists of relevant and review articles were screened to retrieve additional articles.Study selectionStudies were only included if they described the location of thrombus in left atrium. Case reports and case series describing less than 10 thrombi were excluded.Data extractionTwo reviewers independently extracted data and assessed quality of each study.ResultsA total of 34 studies reporting on the location of atrial thrombus in patients with AF were included: 17 in valvular AF, 10 non-valvular AF and 8 in mixed valvular and non-valvular AF. Atrial thrombi were located outside the LAA in 56% (95% CI 53, 60) of valvular AF, 22% (95% CI 19, 25) in mixed cohorts and 11% (95% CI 6, 15) non-valvular AF. In non valvular AF, the studies with higher proportion of thrombi in the left atrial cavity had non-anticoagulated patients and a greater proportion of ventricular dysfunction and history of stroke.ConclusionThe location of atrial thrombus in patients with AF is dependent on the underlying substrate. In valvular AF, more than half the thrombi are located in the left atrial cavity. In the non-valvular AF group, a smaller proportion of thrombi were located outside the appendage. However, in certain subgroups (ie. non anti-coagulated, left ventricular dysfunction or prior stroke) the chances of left atrial cavity thrombus are higher.
ObjectivesTo determine the accuracy of calcium-containing rings measurements imaged by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), multi-slice CT (MSCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) under ideal conditions against the true ring dimensions. To compare the accuracy of aortic annulus (AoA) measurements in ex vivo human hearts using 3DE, MSCT and CMR. To determine the accuracy of AoA measurements in an in vivo human model.Design3DE, MSCT and CMR imaging were performed on 30 calcium-containing rings and 28 explanted human hearts. Additionally, 15 human subjects with clinical indication for MSCT underwent 3DE. Two experts in each modality measured the images.Main outcome measuresBias and intraclass correlation coefficient for accuracy of imaging measurements when compared with actual ring dimensions. Bias, intraclass correlation coefficient and variability were obtained: (1) when comparing explanted human heart AoA measurements from the two remaining imaging modalities with the most accurate one as determined from the ring measurements and (2) in in vivo human AoA measurements. Analysis was repeated on explanted heart subgroups divided by aortic valve Agatston score.ResultsAgainst the known ring dimensions, CMR had the highest accuracy and the lowest variability. MSCT measurements had high accuracy but wider variability and 3DE had the lowest accuracy with the largest variability. When 3DE and MSCT were compared with CMR, 3DE underestimated and MSCT overestimated AoA dimensions, but inter-measurement variability of 3DE and MSCT were similar. When divided by Agatston score, both 3DE and MSCT measurements were larger and showed greater variability with increasing calcium burden. The in vivo study showed that the correlation between 3DE and MSCT measurements was high; however, 3DE measurements were smaller than those measured with MSCT.ConclusionsIn the in vitro model, CMR measurements were the most accurate for assessing the actual dimensions suggesting that further investigations on its role in AoA measurement in TAVR are needed. However from the in vivo model, MSCT and 3DE are reasonable alternatives with the understanding that they can slightly overestimate and underestimate annular dimensions, respectively.
doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2012-301636pmid: 22572051
BackgroundMortality derived from ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has decreased due to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Paradoxically, the incidence of heart failure secondary to left ventricular remodelling (LVR) is on the rise due to the survival derived from reperfusion strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value for LVR of biomarkers involved in several pathophysiological mechanisms activated during STEMI treated with primary PCI.Methods112 patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI were evaluated. LVR was defined as a ≥20% increase in the left ventricular end-diastolic volume at 6-month follow-up assessed using echocardiogram as compared with that at discharge. Blood samples were obtained for glucose, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, troponin T (TnT), matrix metalloproteinase 9, procollagen type-I N-terminal propeptide and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP).Results24 patients (21%) developed LVR. Higher levels of maximum TnT, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 and hs-CRP at discharge, were detected as independent risk factors for LVR (OR 1.310, p=0.03; OR 1001, p=0.04; OR 1.040, p=0.04, respectively). Both TnT and hs-CRP showed significant ability to distinguish patients who developed LVR from those who did not, being the values that yielded the greatest sensitivity and specificity as follows: TnT 7.0 μg/l (73%, 84%), hs-CRP 30 mg/l (59%, 85%).ConclusionsMyocardial necrosis, as measured by released TnT, and inflammation state evident due to circulating levels of CRP are factors that may play a major role in the development of LVR following STEMI treated with primary PCI.