Association between composite dietary antioxidant index and stroke among individuals with diabetes

BACKGROUND Recent research has underscored the potentially protective role of dietary antioxidants against chronic conditions,such as cardiovascular diseases and stroke.The composite dietary antioxidant index(CDAI),which reflects the overall intake of key dietary antioxidants,has been identified as a crucial metric for exploring this relationship.Although previous research has shown a negative correlation between CDAI levels and stroke risk in prediabetic individuals,there remains a substantial gap in understanding this association among individuals with diabetes,who are at an inherently greater risk for cerebrovascular events.AIM To investigate the association between CDAI and stroke risk in individuals with diabetes.METHODS Using a cross-sectional study design,this investigation analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 2003 to 2018 that included 6735 participants aged over 20 years with diabetes.The CDAI was calculated from 24-h dietary recalls to assess intake of key antioxidants:Vitamins A,C,and E;carotenoids;selenium;and zinc.Multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline analysis were used to rigorously examine the relationship between CDAI and stroke risk.RESULTS The participant cohort,with an average age of 59.5 years and a slight male majority,reflected the broader demographic characteristics of individuals with diabetes.The analysis revealed a strong inverse relationship between CDAI levels and stroke risk.Remarkably,those in the highest quintile of CDAI demonstrated a 43%lower prevalence of stroke compared to those in the lowest quintile,even after adjustments for various confounders.This finding not only highlights the negative association between CDAI and stroke risk but also underscores the significant potential of antioxidant-rich diets in reducing stroke prevalence among patients with diabetes.CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that CDAI was inversely associated with stroke prevalence among patients with diabetes.These results suggest incorporating antioxidant-rich foods into dietary regimens as a potential strategy for stroke prevention.

Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation with Underlying Coronary Artery Disease after COVID-19 Vaccine-Kounis Syndrome or Coincidence

A 63-year-old man with diabetes and asymptomatic coronary artery disease developed refractory ventricular arrhythmia at 20 hours at rest after his second COVID-19 vaccine. Despite significant stenosis in the coronary arteries, there was no evidence of acute or old myocardial infarction, heart failure, myocarditis or structural abnormalities on post-mortem to account for the substrate for the fatal arrhythmia. The refractory and incessant nature of the ventricular fibrillation and post-mortem finding of a grossly elevated unexplained IgE level (in the absence of acute myocardial infarction) suggested the possibility of Kounis Syndrome or allergic acute coronary syndrome.

IgG4 Coronary Arteritis Presenting as a Cardiac Pseudo-Tumour

We report on an unusual case presenting with a cardiac pseudo-tumour on echocardiogram, which corresponded to a large soft tissue mural thickening around the mid-right coronary artery. There were similar but not as thick mural lesions around other parts of the coronary arteries. The so-called “pigs-in-a-blanket” sign on computed tomography (CT) scan was pathognomonic of IgG4 coronary arteritis. The IgG4 level was grossly elevated at more than 10 times the upper limit of normal. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scans with 18F-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) and 68Ga-Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor (FAPI) were performed to assess the extent of organ involvement of the IgG4-related disease. The patient was treated with 8 injections of rituximab with good serological response. However, the coronary arteritis findings on CT scan remained unchanged.

Fractional flow reserve and non-hyperemic indices:Essential tools for percutaneous coronary interventions

Hemodynamical evaluation of a coronary artery lesion is an important diagnostic step to assess its functional impact.Fractional flow reserve(FFR)received a class IA recommendation from the European Society of Cardiology for the assessment of angiographically moderate stenosis.FFR evaluation of coronary artery disease offers improvement of the therapeutic strategy,deferring unnecessary procedures for lesions with a FFR>0.8,improving patients'management and clinical outcome.Post intervention,an optimal FFR>0.9 post stenting should be reached and>0.8 post drug eluting balloons.Non-hyperemic pressure ratio measurements have been validated in previous studies with a common threshold of 0.89.They might overestimate the hemodynamic significance of some lesions but remain useful whenever hyperemic agents are contraindicated.FFR remains the gold standard reference for invasive assessment of ischemia.We illustrate this review with two cases introducing the possibility to estimate also non-invasively FFR from reconstructed 3-D angiograms by quantitative flow ratio.We conclude introducing a hybrid approach to intermediate lesions(DFR 0.85-0.95)potentially maximizing clinical decision from all measurements.

Predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with coronary artery disease after coronary artery bypass graft

Objective To identify the factors associated with the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation （POAF） after coronary artery bypass graft （CABG） in elderly patients with coronary artery disease （CAD）. Methods A total of 81 patients with CAD who underwent CABG were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups： Group 1, without postoperative atrial fibrillation （59 patients, 74.6% men, mean age 65.8 ~ 4.0 years）; Group 2, with early new-onset atrial fibrillation after CABG （22 patients, 90.9% men, mean age 67.7 ＋ 5.4 years）. Interleukin （IL）-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein （CRP）, fibrinogen, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）, and troponin I were studied. Results During the observation period, atrial fibrillation occurred in 27.2% cases, an average of 4.9 ±3.8 days after surgery. In group 2, the left atrium （LA） dimension was larger than in group 1 （43.9 ± 3.4 mm vs. 37.6 ±3.9 rnm, P 〈 0.001）. Patients with POAF had significantly higher IL-6 （72.7 ±60.8 pg/mL vs. 38.0 ± 34.6 pg/mL, P = 0.04）, IL-8 （11.9 ± 6.0 pg/mL vs. 7.7± 5.4 pg/mL, P = 0.01） and SOD （2462.0 ± 2029.3 units/g vs. 1515.0 ± 1292.9 units/g, P = 0.04） compared with group without POAF. The multivariate analysis showed that the odds ratio （OR） for POAF development in patients with left atrium more than 39 mm was 2.1 [95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.2-3.8, P = 0.0004], IL-6 levels more than 65.18 pg/mL-1.4 （95% Ch 1.1-2.7, P = 0.009）, IL-8 levels more than 9.67 pg/mL-1.2 （95% CI： 1.1-3.7, P ： 0.009）, SOD more than 2948 units/g-1.1 （95% Ch 1.01-2.9, P = 0.04）. Conclusions In our study, the independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation after CABG in elderly patients were left atrium dimension and the increased postoperative concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and superoxide dismutase.

Occurrence of longitudinal stent compression before stent deployment: Two case studies

Several recent reports have described the occurrence of longitudinal stent deformation(LSD, defined as the distortion or shortening of a stent along the longitudinal axis), following its successful deployment. However, few reports have described LSD prior to any stent deployment. This previously unrecognized complication is the result of modifications to stent design. It has been noted that the new-generation stent platforms have a reduced number of connectors, which in turn causes a reduction in longitudinal stent strength. To corroborate previous findings by our lab and others(Vijayvergiya et al, 2013), we describe here two cases of LSD prior to stent deployment that occurred due to crushing of the proximal stent edge by the guide catheter while attempting to withdraw the crimped stent. In addition, we discuss the associated risk factors, such as the length of the stent, and specific management strategies, including technical guidelines and use of fluoroscopic guidance for maneuvering the stent during the procedure.

Can we still learn from single center experience after PARTNER?

With the publication of the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valves (PARTNER) trial, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has undoubtedly become the gold standard for severe aortic stenosis in patients that are not suitable candidate for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). The PARTNER trial also showed that TAVR is non-inferior to AVR in high-risk patients. A recent publication by Ben-Dor et al evaluated the outcome of high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis who were referred to their institution for participation to the PARTNER trial. Only a minority of patients made it in the trial and the majority of patient ended being treated medically. Some patients were also treated with AVR outside the trial. The outcomes of all these patients were stratified by the treatment they received (AVR, TAVR or medical therapy with or without balloon aortic valvuloplasty). The 3 groups were different in their baseline characteristics. Ben-Dor et al found that patients treated medically had greater mortality than patients treated with TAVR or AVR. The survival of patients treated with TAVR was similar to those treated with AVR. Independent predictors of mortality were also found from their analysis. In this commentary, we discuss the finding of this study and compare it withthe current literature.

Very late transcatheter heart valve thrombosis

We describe a case of very late transcatheter heart valve(THV) thrombosis of a first-generation SAPIEN prosthesis(Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) implanted in a 64-yearold woman with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. More than 54 mo after implantation, she presented with severe symptomatic prosthesis dysfunction(stenosis) which was successfully treated with oral anticoagulation. To our knowledge, this is the tardiest case of THV thrombosis ever reported. This case should increase clinical awareness for THV thrombosis even beyond the first two-year period following implantation.

Optical coherence tomography to identify the cause of an arrhythmic storm:A case report

A 56-year-old man experienced an aborted sudden death followed by an arrhythmic storm. Angiography revealed a non-severe lesion on the left circumflex artery that was treated medically but an arrhythmic storm recurred. A repeat angiogram was comparable but optical coherence tomography imaging revealed a ruptured plaque with intraluminal thrombosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed and no arrhythmia recurred.

Exercise-induced torsades de pointes as an unusual presentation of cardiac sarcoidosis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem disease characterized histologically by noncaseating granuloma formation in the affected organ.While cardiac sarcoidosis is found on autopsy in up to 25%of sarcoidosis cases,it is still underdiagnosed and is associated with a poor prognosis.Although the etiology of sarcoidosis remains unclear,an antigen triggered exaggerated immune response has been hypothesized.Early detection and prompt management of cardiac sarcoidosis remains pivotal.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female,with pulmonary sarcoidosis in remission,presented to the cardiology outpatient clinic for evaluation of weeks-long dyspnea on moderate exertion(New York Heart Association class II)that was relieved by rest.Submaximal exercise stress test showed multifocal ventricular extrasystoles,followed by a self-limiting torsades de pointes.Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed nondilated and normotrophic left ventricle with basoseptal and mid-septal dyskinesis.The magnetic resonance imaging-derived left ventricular ejection fraction was 45%.Delayed enhancement showed patchy transmural fibrosis of the septum and hyperenhancement of the papillary muscles,all in favor of extensive cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis.A double-chamber implantable cardiac defibrillator was implanted,and methylprednisolone(12 mg/d)and methotrexate(12.5 mg/wk)treatment was initiated.Follow-up and implantable cardiac defibrillator interrogation showed episodes of asymptomatic nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and an asymptomatic episode of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia ending by the first antitachycardia pacing run.CONCLUSION Along an extensive review of the literature,this unusual case report highlights the importance of early detection of cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis,in order to avoid potential complications and increase survival.

一例植入性心脏起搏器所记录到的电弧焊干扰信号

This report describes asymptomatic interference by electric arc welding with a n implanted dual-chamber pacemaker. The interfering artefacts were automaticall y recorded and stored in the device memory.

开放式超声心动图与门诊超声心动图的诊断率相近且全科执业医师及患者评价较高

Background: Open access echocardiography is widely available to General Practitioners(GP). There is little data comparing the proportion of echocardiographic studies which are abnormal in open access series with that in hospital outpatient practice. This study compares the diagnostic yield from echocardiograms performed for similar indications by open access and hospital out patient requested groups and assesses the attitudes of GPs and patients to open access echocardiography. Methods: The reports of 151 consecutive patients who had open access echocardiograms were analysed using predefined criteria for an abnormal study. The reports of 100 consecutive patients who had a new outpatient requested echocardiograms for similar indications were used as the control group. The attitudes of GPs and patients to the open access service were also assessed. Results: Fifty seven percent of patients in the open access group and 51%in the hospital requested group had abnormal studies(p >0.05). 92%of GPs who responded to the questionnaire thought the report was easy to understand while 69%thought it led to a change in patient management. 74%said a clinic referral would have been made without this service and 79%preferred a management strategy to be included in the report. 90%of patients had been informed of the result by their GP. Conclusions: Open access echocardiography has a diagnostic yield similar to echocardiograms requested on new hospital outpatients in a district general hospital setting. GPs and patients report high levels of satisfaction with this service.

Comparing of Light Transmittance Aggregometry and Modified Thrombelastograph in Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Chinese Patients Undergoing Coronary Stenting with Clopidogrel

Background:Several platelet function tests are currently used to measure responsiveness to antiplatelet therapy.This study was to compare two tests,light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and modified thrombelastography (mTEG),for predicting clinical outcomes in Chinese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:Prospective,observational,single-center study of 789 Chinese patients undergoing PCI was enrolled.This study was investigated the correlations between the two tests and performed receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 1-year follow-up.Results:MACEs occurred in 32 patients (4.1％).Correlations were well between the two tests in the adenosine diphosphate induced platelet reactivity (Spearman r =0.733,P ＜ 0.001).ROC-curve analysis demonstrated that LTA (area under the curve [AUC]:0.677; 95％ confidence interval [CI]:0.643-0.710; P =0.0009),and mTEG (AUC:0.684; 95％ CI:0.650-0.716; P =0.0001) had moderate ability to discriminate between patients with and without MACE.MACE occurred more frequently in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) when assessed by LTA (7.4％ vs.2.7％; P ＜ 0.001),and by TEG (6.7％ vs.2.6％; P ＜ 0.001).Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that HPR based on the LTA and mTEG was associated with almost 3-fold increased risk of MACE at 1-year follow-up.Conclusions:The correlation between LTA and mTEG is relatively high in Chinese patients.HPR measured by LTA and mTEG were significantly associated with MACE in Chinese patients undergoing PCI.

尼可地尔:一种多用途药物

尼可地尔是用于治疗缺血性心脏疾病的药物，具有双重性质。其作用机制（在细胞膜和线粒体水平选择性激活K＋ATP通道）是促使冠状动脉和外周血管扩张，随后还原前、后负荷。该药物已在欧洲上市多年，归为一类新的冠心病治疗药物。大规模、IONA随机试验评价尼可地尔与传统抗心绞痛药物治疗稳定型心绞痛的疗效，结果显示：主要疗效指标（心源性死亡、心肌梗死和计划外入院的胸痛）尼可地尔组（13.1%）较安慰剂组（15.5%，P=0.014）明显减少。虽然替代β-受体阻滞剂用于治疗心肌梗死患者还有待确定，但是尼可地尔作为β-受体阻滞剂仍被认为是治疗稳定型心绞痛患者缓解心绞痛的安全药物。

经腹腔镜肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤手术中实时心率变异性与血浆儿茶酚胺的相关性研究

背景本研究采用实时心率变异性（HRV）探讨交感迷走神经活性，并确定其与血浆儿茶酚胺的关系，以明确腹腔镜下肾上腺嗜铬细胞瘤手术的短期心脏调节机制。方法选择20例嗜铬细胞瘤患者（P组）和20例肾上腺偶发瘤患者（I组），连续监测HRV、收缩压和心率。低频和高频频谱分别表示交感和副交感活性，低频／高频（LF／HF）比值代表交感迷走神经的平衡关系。手术前、手术中和手术后收集血样检测肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素水平。重复测量值经对数转换后，对其均值进行线性回归分析。用Spearman秩和检验计算变量间的相关系数。结果P组在腹腔内注气阶段和肿瘤切除时所有患者肾上腺素和去甲肾上腺素浓度都增加，而I组无显著变化。其中16例患者的收缩压、心率、低频和LF／HF比值同时增加。4例患者的低频和LF／HF比值降低，其中3例收缩压和心率正常，第4例发生低血压和心动过速。15例患者高频部分增加，5例稳定。低频与去甲肾上腺素（r=0．68，P〈0．001）、收缩压（r=0．66，P〈0．01）以及心率（r=0．62，P〈0．05）之间存在相关性。结论本研究证实在嗜铬细胞瘤手术期间低频HRV、血浆去甲肾上腺素、动脉血压和心率之间有显著的相关性。