Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common type of sustained arrhythmia,which is now on course to reach epidemic proportions in the elderly population. AF is a commonly encountered comorbidity in patients with cardiac...Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common type of sustained arrhythmia,which is now on course to reach epidemic proportions in the elderly population. AF is a commonly encountered comorbidity in patients with cardiac and major non-cardiac diseases. Morbidity and mortality associated with AF makes it a major healthcare burden. The objective of our article is to determine the prognostic impact of AF on acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Multiple studies have been conducted to determine if AF has an independent role in the overall mortality of such patients. Our review suggests that AF has an independent adverse prognostic impact on the clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease.展开更多
<strong>Background:</strong> Hypokalemia is seen on regular basis in medical emergency. The definition of hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 3.5 mmol/L, meanwhile severe hypokalemia is serum potass...<strong>Background:</strong> Hypokalemia is seen on regular basis in medical emergency. The definition of hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 3.5 mmol/L, meanwhile severe hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 2.5 mmol/L [1]. Patient with hypokalemia can present with wide range of presentation including musculoskeletal complaints from numbness to acute paralysis. Severe hypokalemia has tendency to progress to intestinal paralysis and respiratory failure. In some cases of hypokalemia, cardiovascular system can also be affected causing cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure [2]. <strong>Aim:</strong> This case report is to highlight that severe hypokalaemia can present with ECG changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which was fully resolved with correction of potassium level. <strong>Methods:</strong> We report a case of 84 years old Chinese man with underlying triple vessel disease presented with generalised body weakness for 2 days. ECG on arrival noted changes suggestive of ACS with ST segment depression in lead V4-V6 with first degree heart block, however patient had no ischemic symptoms and the potassium level was severe low at 1.6 mmol/L (3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L). He was correctly not treated for ACS. <strong>Outcomes:</strong> Repeated ECG post fast intravenous potassium correction noted complete resolution of the ST segment depression and first degree heart block. Patient discharged well from hospital four days later with potassium level of 3.8 mmol/L. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Severe hypokalemia with asymptomatic ECG of ACS changes can safely be treated as a single entity clinical emergency with good resolution and no complication after normalizing potassium level.展开更多
Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of ivabradine in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and heart failure. Methods:Patients who were admitted to hospital ...Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of ivabradine in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and heart failure. Methods:Patients who were admitted to hospital with AECOPD during the period from August 2017 to July 2018. Then those both had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) and a resting heart rate>70 beats/min were enrolled. A total of 86 cases were screened and completed, which were randomly divided into two groups for treatment. The control group(41 cases) received standard treatments, such as oxygen, anti-infection, anti-spasmodic, hormone, diuretic, ACEI/ARB, recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), etc. The bisoprolol was given 2.5~5 mg orally once a day to control heart rate, and the test group(45 cases) was further treated with ivabradine 2.5~5 mg orally twice a day on the basis of the control group. The average heart rate, cardiac function, lung function, and 6-minute walking test were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the average heart rate of the test group was lower than the control group, and the heart rate control rate(<70 beats/min%) of the test group was superior to the control group. The level of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in test group was significantly lower than that in control group. The distance of the 6-minute walking test in e test group was significantly longer than that in control group. Conclusion: Ivabradine combined with bisoprolol could help patients with AECOPD and heart failure to further reduce the heart rates, improve heart function and exercise tolerance. Moreover, the therapeutic safety was acceptable during the short term.展开更多
Aim: To determine the epidemiological findings of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and relationship with acute rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Patients and method: This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2012 ...Aim: To determine the epidemiological findings of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and relationship with acute rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Patients and method: This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2016 (5 years) in the Department of Pediatrics. We had included patients aged from 5 to15 years old, admitted for ARF. Results: Twenty-nine black African children, 15 boys (51.7%) were included. The incidence was 5.8 cases/year. The mean age was 10.4 ± 2.7 years. The mean age of parents was 34.5 ± 6.9 years (range: 24-48) for mother and 41.2 ± 6.9 years (range: 28 - 56) for father. Parents were low-income 10 (34.5%), the delay of consultation was 17.7 ± 19.5 days. The medical history was: frequent pharyngitis 22 (76%), previous ARF 17 (58.6%), previous hospitalization 11 (38%). Signs were: polyarthralgia (n = 28, 96.6%), fever (n = 24, 82.8%), asthenia (n = 18, 62%), migratory polyarthritis (n = 12, 41.4%). Organic heart murmur has been reported in 13 cases (44.8%), and heart failure in 7 cases. The anomalies of blood analysis were inflammatory syndrome (100%), elevation of streptococcal enzymes (n = 27, 93%), and anemia (n = 16, 55.2%). In cardiac ultrasound, anomalies were: thickened valve (n = 13, 44.8%), mitral regurgitation (n = 13, 44.8%), dilatation of left ventricle (n = 9, 31%), aortic regurgitation (n = 5, 17.2%). The nosology of pathology was acute RHD (n = 15, 51.7%), ARF only (n = 14, 48.3%). Associated factors of acute RHD were: female sex (OR 1.52, 95%CI 0.35 - 6.6), low-income (OR 1.33, 95%CI 0.24 - 7.4), previous hospitalization (OR 2.7, 95%CI 0.58 - 13) and migratory polyarthritis (OR 1.12, 95%CI 0.25 - 4.9). Conclusion: The ARF remains prevalent in our countries. Its complications lead to sequelae that are difficult to treat, because of the lack of cardiac surgery centers in many sub-Saharan African countries including Congo. Prevention and effective treatment of angina should be applied by practitioners.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Stroke is a common presentation in geriatric patients in emergency department but rarely seen in pediatric patients.In case of acute ischemic stroke in pediatric age group,management is different from that ...BACKGROUND:Stroke is a common presentation in geriatric patients in emergency department but rarely seen in pediatric patients.In case of acute ischemic stroke in pediatric age group,management is different from that of adult ischemic stroke where thrombolysis is a good option.METHODS:We report a case of a 17-year-old male child presenting in emergency with an episode of acute ischemic stroke causing left hemiparesis with left facial weakness and asymmetry.The patient suffered from cyanotic congenital heart disease for which he had undergone Fontan operation previously.He had a history of missing his daily dose of warfarin for last 3 days prior to the stroke.RESULTS:The patient recovered from acute ischemic stroke without being thrombolyzed.CONCLUSION:In pediatric patients,acute ischemic stroke usually is evolving and may not require thrombolysis.展开更多
In patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of mortality and chest pain is the most frequent symptom in patients with stable and acute coronary artery disease. However, there is l...In patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of mortality and chest pain is the most frequent symptom in patients with stable and acute coronary artery disease. However, there is little knowledge concerning the pervasiveness of uncommon presentations in diabetics. The symptomatology of acute coronary syndrome, which comprises both pain and non-pain symptoms, may be affected by traditional risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Such atypical symptoms may range from silent myocardial ischemia to a wide spectrum of non-chest pain symptoms. Worldwide, few studies have highlighted this under-investigated subject, and this aspect of ischemic heart disease has also been under-evaluated in the major clinical trials. The results of these studies are highly diverse which makes definitive conclusions regarding the spectrum of atypical presentation of acute and even stable chronic coronay artery disease difficult to confirm. This may have a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of coronary artery disease in diabetics. In this up-to-date review we will try to analyze the most recent studies on the atypical presentations in both acute and chronic ischemic heart disease which may give some emphasis to this under-investigated topic.展开更多
Over the past decades,the survival rates of patients with cancer have significantly increased owing to advancements in cancer treatment strategies.Radiotherapy has become an indispensable treatment modality for thorac...Over the past decades,the survival rates of patients with cancer have significantly increased owing to advancements in cancer treatment strategies.Radiotherapy has become an indispensable treatment modality for thoracic tumors.While it offers benefits in treating or even potentially curing cancer,thoracic radiotherapy exposes neighboring heart tissues to ionizing radiation,elevating the risk of radiation-induced heart disease(RIHD).Despite improvements in radiotherapy techniques that have reduced the incidence of RIHD,complete avoidance of heart radiation exposure remains a challenge.Cohort studies involving atomic bomb survivors and individuals with occupational radiation exposure,even at relatively low doses,have reported a significant increase in RIHD risks.The pathological mechanisms underlying RIHD have been extensively reviewed.At present,imaging techniques and traditional cardiac biomarkers are the primary methods to diagnose RIHD,with ongoing efforts to explore additional promising markers for predicting and monitoring RIHD.Moreover,traditional and novel therapeutic strategies are being actively explored to prevent or alleviate RIHD.Insights gained from therapeutic advancements in other organ systems or heart diseases caused by different factors can provide valuable ideas for RIHD management.This review discusses the recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of RIHD.展开更多
Background: Research has shown that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a major inflammatory marker for prediction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) also plays an important role in at...Background: Research has shown that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a major inflammatory marker for prediction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) also plays an important role in atherosclerosis initiation and development. In present study, the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were investigated. Methods: MPO, hs-CRP and ACS-related risk factors from 201 ACS (78 AMI and 123 UAP) and 210 non-ACS (84 SAP and 126 non-CHD) patients confirmed by coronary angiography were detected, and the data were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. MACEs of 285 CHD patients were investigated during the 4-year period follow-up from March 2010 to May 2014. Results: The areas under ROC curve for diagnosing ACS were 0.888 (95% CI 0.843 - 0.933) for MPO, and 0.862 (95% CI 0.815-0.910) for hs-CRP, respectively. There were significantly correlations between MPO and hs-CRP in both ACS and non-ACS groups. Regarding to ACS patients, both MPO and hs-CRP were positively correlated with BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C and Hcy. Prospective study demonstrated that the incidences of MACEs associated significantly with elevated MPO baseline level (yes vs no, OR 7.383, 95% CI 4.095 - 13.309) and high hs-CRP baseline level (yes vs no, OR 4.186, 95% CI 2.469 - 7.097) in CHD patients. Conclusions: The present study provides the epidemiological evidence that elevated baseline MPO and hs-CRP levels are both valuable predictors of MACEs in CHD patients. MPO and hs-CRP would prompt the progression of atherosclerosis and development from SAP to ACS.展开更多
Introduction: Knowledge of the risks of pregnancy with heart disease is important because the maternal mortality is much higher than the average. Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is rare but it is one of major causes ...Introduction: Knowledge of the risks of pregnancy with heart disease is important because the maternal mortality is much higher than the average. Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is rare but it is one of major causes of maternal death. We experienced a pregnant patient with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) presented symptoms of acute heart failure. Her heart failure was not better after an emergency cesarean section and aortic valve replacement (AVR) therefore we think that PPCM caused her heart failure. Case presentation: A 35-year-old woman diagnosed as having severe AR became pregnant. No changes in the AR were apparent during pregnancy. However, the patient developed symptoms of acute heart failure at 37 weeks of gestation, and an emergency cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia. Her hemodynamic status worsened after the cesarean section, and AVR was performed. She was supported with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) after the operation. As recovery seemed to take longer than usual, we decided to implant a ventricular assist device (VAD). Her condition improved after VAD placement, but then she died from a cerebral infarction. In this case, the heart failure was an acute-onset even though AR was stable before and after the pregnancy, and the heart failure did not improve after AVR. Therefore, we concluded that PPCM, rather than AR caused her heart failure. Conclusions: We encountered a case of a pregnant patient with severe AR who presented with symptoms of acute heart failure caused by PPCM. The effect of AR to her heart failure could not be easily denied. This delayed the diagnosis of PPCM, which in turn delayed our decision to use a VAD. Therefore, PPCM should be considered when pregnant patients with heart disease present symptoms of heart failure.展开更多
Introduction: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its complications including rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide. In our setting with no cardiac surgery, dat...Introduction: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its complications including rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide. In our setting with no cardiac surgery, data on RHD are therefore important to point out the need for such structure. In this study, we therefore describe rheumatic disease in terms of prevalence, patients’ characteristics and management of patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study from May to September 2012, involving children aged 3 to 15 years old and seen at the Mother and Child University Hospital Luxembourg (MC UHL). Included were all children diagnosed with RHD. The diagnosis of rheumatic fever (RF) was defined using the revised Jones criteria from 1992 and RHD defined according to the WHO/NIH joint criteria. Data of interview, clinical examination, complementary and those on evolution were recorded. Results: We found an hospital prevalence of 6.2%. Mean age was 15.33 years ± 6.005 (3 to 36), females representing 54.2% and students 70%. Mitral regurgitation (MR), Mitral Stenosis (MS) and concomitant MR + MS were most found RHD with resp. 43.3%, 15% and 13.3%. Complications occurred in 74.1% before surgery. An operative indication was set in 90% of all cases whereas only 36% underwent surgery. After surgery immediate complications were dominated by anemia (11.6%) and late ones by heart failure in 18.5% of cases. Conclusion: Despite advances in medical diagnostic approach and therapeutical progress which partly explained the relatively high prevalence, the evolution of rheumatic heart disease in our context is unfavorable due to the lack of a surgical management structure. While waiting for a cardiology institute, the focus should be on information and awareness in primary prevention.展开更多
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium and its structures (valves), most often of infectious origin, described by William Osler in 1885. In the 21st century, infective endocarditis remains a reality in our...Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium and its structures (valves), most often of infectious origin, described by William Osler in 1885. In the 21st century, infective endocarditis remains a reality in our countries. We report a complicated case of infective endocarditis (IE). This is a 53-year-old woman, obese and passive smoker who died on the 5th day of her hospitalization following an infective endocarditis (IE) with bacterial strains resistant to the usual antibiotics: daughter of acute lithiasic cholecystitis, mother of major mitral valve perforation, brain abscess, ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. All were responsible for septic shock and fatal coma. Surgical management of the infective endocarditis in the first hours of her admission could have improved her prognosis. To conclude, in addition to its interests and its clinical particularities, our present observation has highlighted major public health problems specific to our sub-Saharan African countries, namely: The problem of the double health burden, the problem of delays in seeking care, the problem of resistance to antibiotics and the problem of the insufficiency of reference health technical platforms.展开更多
Objectives To evaluate the effect of different styles of coronary heart disease (CHD), different regions of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), its risk factors and branches of coronary stenosis on left ventricular...Objectives To evaluate the effect of different styles of coronary heart disease (CHD), different regions of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), its risk factors and branches of coronary stenosis on left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction by applying echocardiography. Methods 251 patients with CHD and 96 patients without CHD (NoCHD) were verified by selective coronary angiography. CHD patients were divided into stable angina pectoris (SAP) 26, unstable angina pectoris(UAP) 53, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 140 and old myocardial infarction (OMI) 30 based on clinical situation, cTnT, cardiac enzyme and ECG. AMI patients were further divided into subgroups including acute anterior myocardial infarct (Aa,n = 53), acute inferior myocardial infarction (Ai, n=54) and Aa+Ai (n=33) based on ECG. Cardiac parameters: end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness(IVSd), end-diastolic left ventricular internal diameter (LVd), left ventricular mass (LM), end-diastolic left ventricular volume (EDV), end-systolic left ventricular volume (ESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were measured by ACUSON 128XP/10 echocardiography. Multiples linear regression analyses were performed to test statistical associations between LVEF and the involved branches of coronary stenosis, blood pressure, lipids, glucose and etc after onset of myocardial infarction. Results EDV and ESV were increased and LVEF decreased on patients with AMI,OMI and UAP (P〈0.05-0.0001). LM was mainly increased in patients with OMI (P〈0.01) and LVd was mainly enlarged in patients with AMI. EF was significantly decreased and EDV, ESV, LM and LVd were remarkably increased in AMI patients with Aa and Aa+Ai. With the multiple linear regression analyses by SPSS software, we found that LVEF was negatively correlated to the involved branches of coronary stenosis as well as to systolic blood pressure after onset of myocardial infarction while there was no significant correlation between LVEF and other factors. LVEF was significantly decreased, and LVd and LM increased in AMI patients with antecedent hypertension, compared to patients without hypertension (P〈0.001). Conclusions Effects of different styles of CHD and different regions of AMI on left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function are different. Myocardial infarction, especially Aa and Aa+Ai, is one of the most important causes of left ventricular remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. Multiple vessel stenosis and systolic blood pressure at the onset of myocardial infarction reduce LVEF in AMI patients. Antecedent hypertension may accelerate the effect of AMI on cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Therefore primary and secondary preventions of CHD are critical for protecting heart from remodeling and dysfunction.展开更多
Background:No convenient,inexpensive,and non-invasive screening tools exist to identify pulmonary hypertension(PH)-left heart disease(LHD)patients during the early stages of the disease course.This study investigated ...Background:No convenient,inexpensive,and non-invasive screening tools exist to identify pulmonary hypertension(PH)-left heart disease(LHD)patients during the early stages of the disease course.This study investigated whether different methods of lung ultrasound(LUS)could be used for the initial investigation of PH-LHD.Methods:This was a single-center prospective observational study which was performed in the Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital.We consecutively enrolled patients with heart failure(HF)admitted to the emergency intensive care unit from January 2018 to May 2020.Transthoracic echocardiography and LUS were performed within 24 h before discharge.We used the Spearman coefficient for correlation analysis between ultrasound scores and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP).Bland-Altman plots were generated to inspect possible bias,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were calculated to assess the relationship between ultrasound scores and an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH-LHD.Results:Seventy-one patients were enrolled in this study,with an overall median age of 79(interquartile range:71.5–84.0)years.Among the 71 patients,36(50.7%)cases were male,and 26(36.6%)had an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH.All four LUS scores in patients with an intermediate and high probability of PH were significantly higher than in patients with a low probability of PH(P<0.05).The correlation coefficient(r)between different LUS scoring methods and PASP was moderate for the 6-zone(r=0.455,P<0.001),8-zone(r=0.385,P=0.001),12-zone(r=0.587,P<0.001),and 28-zone(r=0.535,P<0.001)methods.In Bland-Altman plots,each of the four LUS scoring methods had a good agreement with PASP(P<0.001).The 8-zone and 12-zone methods showed moderately accurate discriminative values in differentiating patients with an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH(P<0.05).展开更多
Objective: To explore the relationship of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome type and coronary arteriography (CAG) with respect to the number and degree of stenosed branches of coronary artery (CA) and ACC/AH...Objective: To explore the relationship of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome type and coronary arteriography (CAG) with respect to the number and degree of stenosed branches of coronary artery (CA) and ACC/AHA stage of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), to provide an objective evidence for TCM Syndrome typing on ACS Methods: Ninety patients of ACS with their TCM Syndrome typing and CAG successfully conducted were enrolled in this study. They were classified into 3 Syndrome types, the blood stasis type (type I ), the phlegm stagnant with blood stasis type (type II ),and the endogenous collateral Wind type (type III) The scores of the number and severity of the stenosis branch of CA and ACC/AHA lesion stage in different Syndrome types were calculated respectively and analysed statistically by Ridit analysis. Results: The number of stenosed branches increased gradually with the Syndrome type changing from I -II-III, compared the type III with the other two types(P<0. 01). The severity of stenosis in type I and II were similar, but that of Type III, much aggravated was significantly different from that in the former two (P<0. 01) . The ACC/AHA stage of coronary lesion tended to be more complex as the Syndrome type changed, patients of TCM type I and II had mostly lesion of stage A or Bl , while lesion in majority of patients of type III belonged to stage B2 or C, comparison between the three types showed significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion: Most ACS patients of TCM Syndrome type III with tri-branch, severe stenosed coronary arteries, belong to the complex ACC/AHA stage of B2 and C.展开更多
A lot of clinical studies have investigated the possible association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Some of them indicate the existence of an epidemiologic association between these two concep...A lot of clinical studies have investigated the possible association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Some of them indicate the existence of an epidemiologic association between these two concepts, and support previous investigations that have found that chronic periodontal inflammation, persistent bacterial infection with the presence of major periodontal pathogens, deep periodontal pockets. The number of missing teeth and other periodontal markers, seem to be important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, it will be required to carry out better controlled and larger studies to identify if these biological mechanisms are responsible for these increased risks and to provide a convincing support of a casual association and to determine if periodontal treatments could prevent CHD. Since periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are common, their association has a significant public health importance. They share common risk factors, such as increasing age, smoking, stress, socioeconomic status and body fat metabolism, and that is the reason why there could be significant bias.展开更多
Ma Xing Er San Tang (麻杏二三汤) is a compound recipe derived from Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (麻杏石甘汤 Decoction of Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice), Er Chen Tang (二陈汤 Decoction of Two Old Drugs) and San ...Ma Xing Er San Tang (麻杏二三汤) is a compound recipe derived from Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (麻杏石甘汤 Decoction of Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice), Er Chen Tang (二陈汤 Decoction of Two Old Drugs) and San Zi Yang Qin Tang (三子养亲汤 Decoction of Three Kinds of Seeds for the Aged). Since 1990, the authors have used Ma Xing Er San Tang for treatment of 250 cases of Cor Pulmonale (CP) with satisfactory therapeutic results as reported below.展开更多
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA),albeit an effective therapy for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF),can be associated with complications in 3.9-22.0% of cases, of which cerebrovascular embolization,ca...Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA),albeit an effective therapy for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF),can be associated with complications in 3.9-22.0% of cases, of which cerebrovascular embolization,cardiac tamponade,and pulmonary vein stenosis are more common,and atrial hematoma is more rare.Here,we presented a case describing an elderly woman diagnosed with an intramural left atrial hematoma after AF ablation.展开更多
文摘Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common type of sustained arrhythmia,which is now on course to reach epidemic proportions in the elderly population. AF is a commonly encountered comorbidity in patients with cardiac and major non-cardiac diseases. Morbidity and mortality associated with AF makes it a major healthcare burden. The objective of our article is to determine the prognostic impact of AF on acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Multiple studies have been conducted to determine if AF has an independent role in the overall mortality of such patients. Our review suggests that AF has an independent adverse prognostic impact on the clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease.
文摘<strong>Background:</strong> Hypokalemia is seen on regular basis in medical emergency. The definition of hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 3.5 mmol/L, meanwhile severe hypokalemia is serum potassium level below 2.5 mmol/L [1]. Patient with hypokalemia can present with wide range of presentation including musculoskeletal complaints from numbness to acute paralysis. Severe hypokalemia has tendency to progress to intestinal paralysis and respiratory failure. In some cases of hypokalemia, cardiovascular system can also be affected causing cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure [2]. <strong>Aim:</strong> This case report is to highlight that severe hypokalaemia can present with ECG changes mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which was fully resolved with correction of potassium level. <strong>Methods:</strong> We report a case of 84 years old Chinese man with underlying triple vessel disease presented with generalised body weakness for 2 days. ECG on arrival noted changes suggestive of ACS with ST segment depression in lead V4-V6 with first degree heart block, however patient had no ischemic symptoms and the potassium level was severe low at 1.6 mmol/L (3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L). He was correctly not treated for ACS. <strong>Outcomes:</strong> Repeated ECG post fast intravenous potassium correction noted complete resolution of the ST segment depression and first degree heart block. Patient discharged well from hospital four days later with potassium level of 3.8 mmol/L. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Severe hypokalemia with asymptomatic ECG of ACS changes can safely be treated as a single entity clinical emergency with good resolution and no complication after normalizing potassium level.
文摘Objective: To observe the effectiveness and safety of ivabradine in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and heart failure. Methods:Patients who were admitted to hospital with AECOPD during the period from August 2017 to July 2018. Then those both had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) and a resting heart rate>70 beats/min were enrolled. A total of 86 cases were screened and completed, which were randomly divided into two groups for treatment. The control group(41 cases) received standard treatments, such as oxygen, anti-infection, anti-spasmodic, hormone, diuretic, ACEI/ARB, recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide (rhBNP), etc. The bisoprolol was given 2.5~5 mg orally once a day to control heart rate, and the test group(45 cases) was further treated with ivabradine 2.5~5 mg orally twice a day on the basis of the control group. The average heart rate, cardiac function, lung function, and 6-minute walking test were compared between the two groups. Results: After treatment, the average heart rate of the test group was lower than the control group, and the heart rate control rate(<70 beats/min%) of the test group was superior to the control group. The level of N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in test group was significantly lower than that in control group. The distance of the 6-minute walking test in e test group was significantly longer than that in control group. Conclusion: Ivabradine combined with bisoprolol could help patients with AECOPD and heart failure to further reduce the heart rates, improve heart function and exercise tolerance. Moreover, the therapeutic safety was acceptable during the short term.
文摘Aim: To determine the epidemiological findings of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and relationship with acute rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Patients and method: This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2016 (5 years) in the Department of Pediatrics. We had included patients aged from 5 to15 years old, admitted for ARF. Results: Twenty-nine black African children, 15 boys (51.7%) were included. The incidence was 5.8 cases/year. The mean age was 10.4 ± 2.7 years. The mean age of parents was 34.5 ± 6.9 years (range: 24-48) for mother and 41.2 ± 6.9 years (range: 28 - 56) for father. Parents were low-income 10 (34.5%), the delay of consultation was 17.7 ± 19.5 days. The medical history was: frequent pharyngitis 22 (76%), previous ARF 17 (58.6%), previous hospitalization 11 (38%). Signs were: polyarthralgia (n = 28, 96.6%), fever (n = 24, 82.8%), asthenia (n = 18, 62%), migratory polyarthritis (n = 12, 41.4%). Organic heart murmur has been reported in 13 cases (44.8%), and heart failure in 7 cases. The anomalies of blood analysis were inflammatory syndrome (100%), elevation of streptococcal enzymes (n = 27, 93%), and anemia (n = 16, 55.2%). In cardiac ultrasound, anomalies were: thickened valve (n = 13, 44.8%), mitral regurgitation (n = 13, 44.8%), dilatation of left ventricle (n = 9, 31%), aortic regurgitation (n = 5, 17.2%). The nosology of pathology was acute RHD (n = 15, 51.7%), ARF only (n = 14, 48.3%). Associated factors of acute RHD were: female sex (OR 1.52, 95%CI 0.35 - 6.6), low-income (OR 1.33, 95%CI 0.24 - 7.4), previous hospitalization (OR 2.7, 95%CI 0.58 - 13) and migratory polyarthritis (OR 1.12, 95%CI 0.25 - 4.9). Conclusion: The ARF remains prevalent in our countries. Its complications lead to sequelae that are difficult to treat, because of the lack of cardiac surgery centers in many sub-Saharan African countries including Congo. Prevention and effective treatment of angina should be applied by practitioners.
文摘BACKGROUND:Stroke is a common presentation in geriatric patients in emergency department but rarely seen in pediatric patients.In case of acute ischemic stroke in pediatric age group,management is different from that of adult ischemic stroke where thrombolysis is a good option.METHODS:We report a case of a 17-year-old male child presenting in emergency with an episode of acute ischemic stroke causing left hemiparesis with left facial weakness and asymmetry.The patient suffered from cyanotic congenital heart disease for which he had undergone Fontan operation previously.He had a history of missing his daily dose of warfarin for last 3 days prior to the stroke.RESULTS:The patient recovered from acute ischemic stroke without being thrombolyzed.CONCLUSION:In pediatric patients,acute ischemic stroke usually is evolving and may not require thrombolysis.
文摘In patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease is the principal cause of mortality and chest pain is the most frequent symptom in patients with stable and acute coronary artery disease. However, there is little knowledge concerning the pervasiveness of uncommon presentations in diabetics. The symptomatology of acute coronary syndrome, which comprises both pain and non-pain symptoms, may be affected by traditional risk factors such as age, gender, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Such atypical symptoms may range from silent myocardial ischemia to a wide spectrum of non-chest pain symptoms. Worldwide, few studies have highlighted this under-investigated subject, and this aspect of ischemic heart disease has also been under-evaluated in the major clinical trials. The results of these studies are highly diverse which makes definitive conclusions regarding the spectrum of atypical presentation of acute and even stable chronic coronay artery disease difficult to confirm. This may have a significant impact on the morbidity and mortality of coronary artery disease in diabetics. In this up-to-date review we will try to analyze the most recent studies on the atypical presentations in both acute and chronic ischemic heart disease which may give some emphasis to this under-investigated topic.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82270360)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20231183)+1 种基金the Project of Science and Technology Department of Jiangxi Province(No.20204BCJ23018)the Young Science and Technology Innovation Team of Xuzhou Medical University,China.
文摘Over the past decades,the survival rates of patients with cancer have significantly increased owing to advancements in cancer treatment strategies.Radiotherapy has become an indispensable treatment modality for thoracic tumors.While it offers benefits in treating or even potentially curing cancer,thoracic radiotherapy exposes neighboring heart tissues to ionizing radiation,elevating the risk of radiation-induced heart disease(RIHD).Despite improvements in radiotherapy techniques that have reduced the incidence of RIHD,complete avoidance of heart radiation exposure remains a challenge.Cohort studies involving atomic bomb survivors and individuals with occupational radiation exposure,even at relatively low doses,have reported a significant increase in RIHD risks.The pathological mechanisms underlying RIHD have been extensively reviewed.At present,imaging techniques and traditional cardiac biomarkers are the primary methods to diagnose RIHD,with ongoing efforts to explore additional promising markers for predicting and monitoring RIHD.Moreover,traditional and novel therapeutic strategies are being actively explored to prevent or alleviate RIHD.Insights gained from therapeutic advancements in other organ systems or heart diseases caused by different factors can provide valuable ideas for RIHD management.This review discusses the recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of RIHD.
文摘Background: Research has shown that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a major inflammatory marker for prediction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) also plays an important role in atherosclerosis initiation and development. In present study, the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were investigated. Methods: MPO, hs-CRP and ACS-related risk factors from 201 ACS (78 AMI and 123 UAP) and 210 non-ACS (84 SAP and 126 non-CHD) patients confirmed by coronary angiography were detected, and the data were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. MACEs of 285 CHD patients were investigated during the 4-year period follow-up from March 2010 to May 2014. Results: The areas under ROC curve for diagnosing ACS were 0.888 (95% CI 0.843 - 0.933) for MPO, and 0.862 (95% CI 0.815-0.910) for hs-CRP, respectively. There were significantly correlations between MPO and hs-CRP in both ACS and non-ACS groups. Regarding to ACS patients, both MPO and hs-CRP were positively correlated with BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C and Hcy. Prospective study demonstrated that the incidences of MACEs associated significantly with elevated MPO baseline level (yes vs no, OR 7.383, 95% CI 4.095 - 13.309) and high hs-CRP baseline level (yes vs no, OR 4.186, 95% CI 2.469 - 7.097) in CHD patients. Conclusions: The present study provides the epidemiological evidence that elevated baseline MPO and hs-CRP levels are both valuable predictors of MACEs in CHD patients. MPO and hs-CRP would prompt the progression of atherosclerosis and development from SAP to ACS.
文摘Introduction: Knowledge of the risks of pregnancy with heart disease is important because the maternal mortality is much higher than the average. Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is rare but it is one of major causes of maternal death. We experienced a pregnant patient with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) presented symptoms of acute heart failure. Her heart failure was not better after an emergency cesarean section and aortic valve replacement (AVR) therefore we think that PPCM caused her heart failure. Case presentation: A 35-year-old woman diagnosed as having severe AR became pregnant. No changes in the AR were apparent during pregnancy. However, the patient developed symptoms of acute heart failure at 37 weeks of gestation, and an emergency cesarean section was performed under general anesthesia. Her hemodynamic status worsened after the cesarean section, and AVR was performed. She was supported with percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) after the operation. As recovery seemed to take longer than usual, we decided to implant a ventricular assist device (VAD). Her condition improved after VAD placement, but then she died from a cerebral infarction. In this case, the heart failure was an acute-onset even though AR was stable before and after the pregnancy, and the heart failure did not improve after AVR. Therefore, we concluded that PPCM, rather than AR caused her heart failure. Conclusions: We encountered a case of a pregnant patient with severe AR who presented with symptoms of acute heart failure caused by PPCM. The effect of AR to her heart failure could not be easily denied. This delayed the diagnosis of PPCM, which in turn delayed our decision to use a VAD. Therefore, PPCM should be considered when pregnant patients with heart disease present symptoms of heart failure.
文摘Introduction: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its complications including rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remain one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide. In our setting with no cardiac surgery, data on RHD are therefore important to point out the need for such structure. In this study, we therefore describe rheumatic disease in terms of prevalence, patients’ characteristics and management of patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study from May to September 2012, involving children aged 3 to 15 years old and seen at the Mother and Child University Hospital Luxembourg (MC UHL). Included were all children diagnosed with RHD. The diagnosis of rheumatic fever (RF) was defined using the revised Jones criteria from 1992 and RHD defined according to the WHO/NIH joint criteria. Data of interview, clinical examination, complementary and those on evolution were recorded. Results: We found an hospital prevalence of 6.2%. Mean age was 15.33 years ± 6.005 (3 to 36), females representing 54.2% and students 70%. Mitral regurgitation (MR), Mitral Stenosis (MS) and concomitant MR + MS were most found RHD with resp. 43.3%, 15% and 13.3%. Complications occurred in 74.1% before surgery. An operative indication was set in 90% of all cases whereas only 36% underwent surgery. After surgery immediate complications were dominated by anemia (11.6%) and late ones by heart failure in 18.5% of cases. Conclusion: Despite advances in medical diagnostic approach and therapeutical progress which partly explained the relatively high prevalence, the evolution of rheumatic heart disease in our context is unfavorable due to the lack of a surgical management structure. While waiting for a cardiology institute, the focus should be on information and awareness in primary prevention.
文摘Endocarditis is an inflammation of the endocardium and its structures (valves), most often of infectious origin, described by William Osler in 1885. In the 21st century, infective endocarditis remains a reality in our countries. We report a complicated case of infective endocarditis (IE). This is a 53-year-old woman, obese and passive smoker who died on the 5th day of her hospitalization following an infective endocarditis (IE) with bacterial strains resistant to the usual antibiotics: daughter of acute lithiasic cholecystitis, mother of major mitral valve perforation, brain abscess, ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation. All were responsible for septic shock and fatal coma. Surgical management of the infective endocarditis in the first hours of her admission could have improved her prognosis. To conclude, in addition to its interests and its clinical particularities, our present observation has highlighted major public health problems specific to our sub-Saharan African countries, namely: The problem of the double health burden, the problem of delays in seeking care, the problem of resistance to antibiotics and the problem of the insufficiency of reference health technical platforms.
文摘Objectives To evaluate the effect of different styles of coronary heart disease (CHD), different regions of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), its risk factors and branches of coronary stenosis on left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction by applying echocardiography. Methods 251 patients with CHD and 96 patients without CHD (NoCHD) were verified by selective coronary angiography. CHD patients were divided into stable angina pectoris (SAP) 26, unstable angina pectoris(UAP) 53, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) 140 and old myocardial infarction (OMI) 30 based on clinical situation, cTnT, cardiac enzyme and ECG. AMI patients were further divided into subgroups including acute anterior myocardial infarct (Aa,n = 53), acute inferior myocardial infarction (Ai, n=54) and Aa+Ai (n=33) based on ECG. Cardiac parameters: end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness(IVSd), end-diastolic left ventricular internal diameter (LVd), left ventricular mass (LM), end-diastolic left ventricular volume (EDV), end-systolic left ventricular volume (ESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were measured by ACUSON 128XP/10 echocardiography. Multiples linear regression analyses were performed to test statistical associations between LVEF and the involved branches of coronary stenosis, blood pressure, lipids, glucose and etc after onset of myocardial infarction. Results EDV and ESV were increased and LVEF decreased on patients with AMI,OMI and UAP (P〈0.05-0.0001). LM was mainly increased in patients with OMI (P〈0.01) and LVd was mainly enlarged in patients with AMI. EF was significantly decreased and EDV, ESV, LM and LVd were remarkably increased in AMI patients with Aa and Aa+Ai. With the multiple linear regression analyses by SPSS software, we found that LVEF was negatively correlated to the involved branches of coronary stenosis as well as to systolic blood pressure after onset of myocardial infarction while there was no significant correlation between LVEF and other factors. LVEF was significantly decreased, and LVd and LM increased in AMI patients with antecedent hypertension, compared to patients without hypertension (P〈0.001). Conclusions Effects of different styles of CHD and different regions of AMI on left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function are different. Myocardial infarction, especially Aa and Aa+Ai, is one of the most important causes of left ventricular remodeling and cardiac dysfunction. Multiple vessel stenosis and systolic blood pressure at the onset of myocardial infarction reduce LVEF in AMI patients. Antecedent hypertension may accelerate the effect of AMI on cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Therefore primary and secondary preventions of CHD are critical for protecting heart from remodeling and dysfunction.
基金supported by the Scientific Project of Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital(202102)the Open Foundation of Artificial Intelligence Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province(2020RYY03)the Health and Family Planning Commission of Sichuan Province(17PJ136).
文摘Background:No convenient,inexpensive,and non-invasive screening tools exist to identify pulmonary hypertension(PH)-left heart disease(LHD)patients during the early stages of the disease course.This study investigated whether different methods of lung ultrasound(LUS)could be used for the initial investigation of PH-LHD.Methods:This was a single-center prospective observational study which was performed in the Zigong Fourth People’s Hospital.We consecutively enrolled patients with heart failure(HF)admitted to the emergency intensive care unit from January 2018 to May 2020.Transthoracic echocardiography and LUS were performed within 24 h before discharge.We used the Spearman coefficient for correlation analysis between ultrasound scores and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP).Bland-Altman plots were generated to inspect possible bias,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were calculated to assess the relationship between ultrasound scores and an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH-LHD.Results:Seventy-one patients were enrolled in this study,with an overall median age of 79(interquartile range:71.5–84.0)years.Among the 71 patients,36(50.7%)cases were male,and 26(36.6%)had an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH.All four LUS scores in patients with an intermediate and high probability of PH were significantly higher than in patients with a low probability of PH(P<0.05).The correlation coefficient(r)between different LUS scoring methods and PASP was moderate for the 6-zone(r=0.455,P<0.001),8-zone(r=0.385,P=0.001),12-zone(r=0.587,P<0.001),and 28-zone(r=0.535,P<0.001)methods.In Bland-Altman plots,each of the four LUS scoring methods had a good agreement with PASP(P<0.001).The 8-zone and 12-zone methods showed moderately accurate discriminative values in differentiating patients with an intermediate and high echocardiographic probability of PH(P<0.05).
文摘Objective: To explore the relationship of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome type and coronary arteriography (CAG) with respect to the number and degree of stenosed branches of coronary artery (CA) and ACC/AHA stage of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), to provide an objective evidence for TCM Syndrome typing on ACS Methods: Ninety patients of ACS with their TCM Syndrome typing and CAG successfully conducted were enrolled in this study. They were classified into 3 Syndrome types, the blood stasis type (type I ), the phlegm stagnant with blood stasis type (type II ),and the endogenous collateral Wind type (type III) The scores of the number and severity of the stenosis branch of CA and ACC/AHA lesion stage in different Syndrome types were calculated respectively and analysed statistically by Ridit analysis. Results: The number of stenosed branches increased gradually with the Syndrome type changing from I -II-III, compared the type III with the other two types(P<0. 01). The severity of stenosis in type I and II were similar, but that of Type III, much aggravated was significantly different from that in the former two (P<0. 01) . The ACC/AHA stage of coronary lesion tended to be more complex as the Syndrome type changed, patients of TCM type I and II had mostly lesion of stage A or Bl , while lesion in majority of patients of type III belonged to stage B2 or C, comparison between the three types showed significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion: Most ACS patients of TCM Syndrome type III with tri-branch, severe stenosed coronary arteries, belong to the complex ACC/AHA stage of B2 and C.
文摘A lot of clinical studies have investigated the possible association between periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Some of them indicate the existence of an epidemiologic association between these two concepts, and support previous investigations that have found that chronic periodontal inflammation, persistent bacterial infection with the presence of major periodontal pathogens, deep periodontal pockets. The number of missing teeth and other periodontal markers, seem to be important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, it will be required to carry out better controlled and larger studies to identify if these biological mechanisms are responsible for these increased risks and to provide a convincing support of a casual association and to determine if periodontal treatments could prevent CHD. Since periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are common, their association has a significant public health importance. They share common risk factors, such as increasing age, smoking, stress, socioeconomic status and body fat metabolism, and that is the reason why there could be significant bias.
文摘Ma Xing Er San Tang (麻杏二三汤) is a compound recipe derived from Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (麻杏石甘汤 Decoction of Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Gypsum and Licorice), Er Chen Tang (二陈汤 Decoction of Two Old Drugs) and San Zi Yang Qin Tang (三子养亲汤 Decoction of Three Kinds of Seeds for the Aged). Since 1990, the authors have used Ma Xing Er San Tang for treatment of 250 cases of Cor Pulmonale (CP) with satisfactory therapeutic results as reported below.
文摘Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA),albeit an effective therapy for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF),can be associated with complications in 3.9-22.0% of cases, of which cerebrovascular embolization,cardiac tamponade,and pulmonary vein stenosis are more common,and atrial hematoma is more rare.Here,we presented a case describing an elderly woman diagnosed with an intramural left atrial hematoma after AF ablation.