Hypertensive Emergencies in the Department of Cardiology at the Teaching University Hospital of Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo): Preliminary Study

Background: Hypertensive emergencies are still a common mode of finding hypertension.?Objective: to determine the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical characteristics of the hypertensive emergency, and to evaluate the factors associated with poor blood pressure control. Patients and method: cross-sectional and analytical study, conducted from July 2010 to June 2014 (4 years), in the cardiology department of the Brazzaville University Hospital. Included, patients admitted were those systolic blood pressure (BP)?≥ 180 mm Hg, and diastolic BP ≥ 110 mm Hg, with target organ involvement. A minimum biological assessment, an ECG, a chest X-ray, a brain CT-scan and a cardiac ultrasound were required.?Results: Fifty patients were included, including 31 women (62%). The mean age was 53.8?±?13.7 years old, age;?68%), low income?population (n = 23;?46%). Hypertension was often known (n = 49;98%), and poor compliance?(n = 33;67.4%). Associated risk factors were: obesity (n = 13),?and?diabetes (n = 7). The average consultation time was 4.1?±?3.7 days. The reasons for hospitalization were: dyspnea (n = 24;?48%), neuro-sensory signs (n = 24;?48%),?and?functional limb impotence (n = 15;?30%). The major laboratory abnormalities were hyperuricemia (n = 16;?32%) and hyperglycemia (n = 16). Left ventricular hypertrophy was noted at the ECG (n = 29;?58%). Cardiac ultrasound showed a LVEF ?40% (n = 8). The main hypertensive emergencies were: heart failure (n = 23;?46%), stroke (n = 23;?46%), severe renal failure (n = 10;20%), and malignant hypertension (n = 23;46%). The average hospital stay was 11.4?±?5.5 days, and 1 death was recorded. BP was uncontrolled in 38 cases (76%). Factors associated with uncontrolled blood pressure were: female sex (OR 3;?95% CI 0.8 - 11.5) and low-income patient (OR 1.26;?95% CI 0.34 - 4.68).?Conclusion: organs affected during hypertensive emergencies are most often the heart, the brain and the kidney in our context. Early management of hypertension will?reduce these complications.

Therapeutic Compliance of Hypertensive Patients Followed in Ambulatory in the Cardiology Department of Kati University Hospital

Introduction: High blood pressure is a major public health problem worldwide due to its frequency and cardiovascular complications. Adherence to treatment for chronic diseases is a global problem. The aim was to study therapeutic adherence in hypertensive patients followed in ambulatory. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study with prospective recruitment that took place from July 1 to December 31, 2022 (6 months) in the cardiology department of the university hospital of Kati. The variables studied were sociodemographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, the possession of insurance and compliance (the Girerd questionnaire was used to assess adherence). Results: A total of 1182 patients were consulted, including 887 for hypertension, a frequency of 75%. Fifty-six patients were included in the study. The average age was 58.18 ± 13.25 years with extremes of 30 and 80 years. There was a female predominance (75%) with a sex ratio of 0.3. The majority of patients lived in urban areas (89.3%). Out-of-school patients accounted for 44.6%, more than half of patients or 55.4% had no income, patients with medical coverage accounted for 67.9% of cases. The main risk factors were physical inactivity (25%) followed by smoking 14.3%. More than 71% of patients had a compliance problem and the main reasons were forgetting to take the drug with 73.2%, followed by delayed treatment of 50% and drug discontinuation of 28.6%. Conclusion: Compliance is a real challenge and a major public health issue. This study allowed us to find a real problem of compliance in our hypertensive patients. There was a statistically significant relationship between drug adherence and forgetting to take the drug and drug discontinuation.

Echocardiographic Aspects of Type 2 Diabetics Patients Hospitalized in the Medicine and Endocrinology Department of the Mali Hospital

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in diabetics. The objective of our study was to investigate the echocardiographic aspects of type 2 diabetics. Patients and Method: Descriptive and cross-sectional study of 12 months from June 2020 to June 2021. We included hospitalized type 2 diabetics who underwent transthoracic cardiac ultrasound in the Department of Medicine and Endocrinology at the Mali Hospital. Results: We collected 128 type 2 diabetics. The predominance was male with a sex ratio of 1.2. The mean age of patients was 60.06 ± 11.54 years with extremes of 28 and 84 years. Echocardiographic abnormalities were dominated by abnormal relaxation of left ventricle in 62.5%, increased of left ventricle mass in 54.7% and left atrium dilation in 28.1%. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension had more left atrium dilation with a p of 0.02. Disorders of global kinetics and systolic dysfunction were more prevalent in smoking patients with statistically significant associations, respectively, p = 0.02;p = 0.03. Dyslipidemia had a statistically significant association with segmental kinetic disorders with a p of 0.008. Duration of diabetes greater than 5 years was associated with left atrium dilation and p-value was 0.04. Conclusion: Diabetes is responsible for cardiovascular manifestations that can be identified with transthoracic echocardiography. Its performance in diabetic patients makes it possible to refine the patient’s management.

Epidemiological, Clinical, Therapeutic, and Evolutionary Aspects of Heart Failure in the Medical Department at Gao Regional Hospital

Introduction: Heart failure is a major public health pandemic, particularly in Africa, where its prevalence continues to increase. In northern Mali, few data exist, hence the interest of this study with the objective of studying the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of Heart failure at the regional hospital of Gao. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study that took place from July 2022 to June 2023 in the medical department at Gao Hospital. Results: The hospital prevalence of heart failure was 44.1%. The mean age was 47.30 ± 20 years (range: 16-88). Hypertension was the most common with 46.1%, followed by a sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes with 18.2% and 8.3% respectively;NYHA stage III-IV dyspnea was found in 83.9%. Reduced EF heart failure was present in 110 patients (76.9%), seventeen cases with moderately reduced EF (11.9%) and sixteen patients had preserved EF (11.2%). Global heart failure was the dominant (91.6%). The main etiologies of heart failure were dominated by hypertensive heart disease in 46 patients (32.2%), followed by postpartum cardiomyopathy with 43 cases (30.1%), primary dilated cardiomyopathy in 18 patients (12.6%), ischemic heart disease in 16 patients with 11.2%. Seven cases of valvular heart disease, or 4.9%. The evolution was favorable under treatment in 104 patients or 72.7%. In-hospital mortality was 14.7%. Conclusion: Heart failure is a common condition in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in our country.

Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Orthostatic Hypotension in the Cardiology Department of the CHU Ignace Deen in Conakry

Introduction: Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) is a frequent situation during consultation in hypertensive patients. The prevalence in the general population increases with age and it is recommended to systematically search for it in patients with multiple comorbidities. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension;describe their socio- demographic profile, the various clinical and paraclinical aspects and the predisposing factors of orthostatic hypotension in treated hypertensives, controlled or not. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, from January 2 to June 30, 2022 in the cardiology department of the Ignace Deen National Hospital. Included in this study were all patients who presented with orthostatic hypotension under antihypertensive treatment, regardless of age and sex, and who agreed to participate in the study. The non-inclusion criteria were hypertensive patients without OH and those who had not agreed to participate in the study. Each patient had blood pressure and heart rate measured in the supine position at room temperature and with an empty bladder. Then the measurement is taken again three (3) minutes after the switch to orthostatism. We retained the diagnosis of OH if the SBP drops by at least 20 mmHg and/or the PAD by at least 10 mmHg three (3) min after the transition to orthostatism. Our data obtained were analyzed in the Epi-info 7.4.0 software. Results: During our study period, we investigated 385 presented with OH, 12.2%. The mean age of the patients was 60.83 years ± 10.01 years and hypertensive patients, 47 of whom the M/F sex ratio was 0.81. In our study, blood pressure was not controlled in 36.2% of our patients with a predominance of grade 3 hypertension, a rate of 55.32%. Renal failure, anemia, heart failure and stroke were the main comorbidities associated with the occurrence of HO. The most incriminated factors were age with a frequency of 74.47%, followed by obesity at 44.68% and diabetes at 27.66%. BP was normally controlled with a rate of 68.8% in treated hypertensive patients with OH. It is found much more in patients using triple therapy, a rate of 61.71%. Conclusion: The prevalence of OH is high in our department. It is found much more in patients using triple therapy. The most incriminated factors were age followed by obesity and diabetes.

Renal Profile of Patients with Cardiorenal Syndrome: Nephrology and Cardiology Department Experience of the University Hospital IBN SINA of Rabat

Introduction: Cardio-renal syndrome (CRS) is a complex pathophysiological entity affecting the heart and kidneys in which acute or chronic dysfunction of one organ can induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other organ. Five types of CRS have been described. Methods: The study explored the prevalence and types of Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS) at CHU Ibn Sina in Rabat. Over a year, 120 CRS patients were assessed, excluding those with end-stage chronic renal failure. We analyzed the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary profile of these patients. Results: The average age of our patients is 67.8 ± 12 years, with extremes ranging from 39 years to 92 years. The sex ratio is 1.35. The different types of CRS types (1, 2, 4 and 5) were noted respectively in 28.4%, 20.8%, 5%, 45.8%, however, we did not note patients having CRS type 3. On the renal level, we noted acute renal failure (ARF) in 51.6% of patients, of whom 61.3% had functional ARF and 38.7% presented with acute tubular necrosis. Chronic renal failure (CRF) is found in 48.4% of cases, of which 39% are at stage III and 61% are at stage IV. The etiology of CKD is dominated by hypertensive nephropathy (72.4%) followed by diabetic nephropathy (60.3%). Therapeutically diuretics are administered in 51% of our patients. We used hemodialysis in 9.1% of patients who are resistant to diuretics. Vasoactive drugs are used in 9.5% of our patients. Mortality risk factors for patients with CRS are significantly related to advanced age, long hospital stay, type 1 CRS, re-hospitalization, acute pulmonary edema (APE), use of hemodialysis, right heart failure (RHF), valvulopathy and hemodynamic instability (OR = 1.15, p = 0.01;OR = 4.5, p = 0.03;OR = 5.2, p = 0.019;p Conclusion: CRS type 5 was most common, with hypertension and diabetes being primary causes of Chronic Kidney Disease. Mortality factors were linked to acute pulmonary edema, hemodialysis, right heart failure, valvulopathy, and re-hospitalization.

Tricuspid mass-curious case of Li-Fraumeni syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND Li-Fraumeni syndrome(LFS)is a rare autosomal dominant cancer-predisposing syndrome,which can manifest as a polymorphic spectrum of malignancies.LFS is associated with an early onset in life,with the majority of cases occurring prior to the age of 46.Notwithstanding the infrequency of primary cardiac tumors,it behooves clinicians to remain vigilant in considering the differential diagnosis of such tumors in LFS patients who present with a cardiac mass.This is due to the markedly elevated risk for malignancy in this particular population,far surpassing that of the general populace.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we present a case of a 30-year-old female with LFS who was found to have a tricuspid valve leaflet mass.CONCLUSION This case exemplifies valuable learning points in the diagnostic approach for this exceptionally rare patient population.

Teneligliptin mitigates diabetic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome

BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM),which is a complication of diabetes,poses a great threat to public health.Recent studies have confirmed the role of NLRP3(NOD-like receptor protein 3)activation in DCM development through the inflammatory response.Teneligliptin is an oral hypoglycemic dipeptidyl peptidase-IV inhibitor used to treat diabetes.Teneligliptin has recently been reported to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on myocardial cells.AIM To examine the therapeutic effects of teneligliptin on DCM in diabetic mice.METHODS Streptozotocin was administered to induce diabetes in mice,followed by treatment with 30 mg/kg teneligliptin.RESULTS Marked increases in cardiomyocyte area and cardiac hypertrophy indicator heart weight/tibia length reductions in fractional shortening,ejection fraction,and heart rate;increases in creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB),aspartate transaminase(AST),and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)levels;and upregulated NADPH oxidase 4 were observed in diabetic mice,all of which were significantly reversed by teneligliptin.Moreover,NLRP3 inflammasome activation and increased release of interleukin-1βin diabetic mice were inhibited by teneligliptin.Primary mouse cardiomyocytes were treated with high glucose(30 mmol/L)with or without teneligliptin(2.5 or 5μM)for 24 h.NLRP3 inflammasome activation.Increases in CKMB,AST,and LDH levels in glucose-stimulated cardiomyocytes were markedly inhibited by teneligliptin,and AMP(p-adenosine 5‘-monophosphate)-p-AMPK(activated protein kinase)levels were increased.Furthermore,the beneficial effects of teneligliptin on hyperglycaemia-induced cardiomyocytes were abolished by the AMPK signaling inhibitor compound C.CONCLUSION Overall,teneligliptin mitigated DCM by mitigating activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Regeneration of the heart:f rom molecular mechanisms to clinical therapeutics

Heart injury such as myocardial infarction leads to cardiomyocyte loss,fibrotic tissue deposition,and scar formation.These changes reduce cardiac contractility,resulting in heart failure,which causes a huge public health burden.Military personnel,compared with civilians,is exposed to more stress,a risk factor for heart diseases,making cardiovascular health management and treatment innovation an important topic for military medicine.So far,medical intervention can slow down cardiovascular disease progression,but not yet induce heart regeneration.In the past decades,studies have focused on mechanisms underlying the regenerative capability of the heart and applicable approaches to reverse heart injury.Insights have emerged from studies in animal models and early clinical trials.Clinical interventions show the potential to reduce scar formation and enhance cardiomyocyte proliferation that counteracts the pathogenesis of heart disease.In this review,we discuss the signaling events controlling the regeneration of heart tissue and summarize current therapeutic approaches to promote heart regeneration after injury.

Effect of a comprehensive geriatric assessment nursing intervention model on older patients with diabetes and hypertension

BACKGROUND The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment(CGA)was introduced late in China and is primarily used for investigating and evaluating health problems in older adults in outpatient and community settings.However,there are few reports on its application in hospitalized patients,especially older patients with diabetes and hypertension.AIM To explore the nursing effect of CGA in hospitalized older patients with diabetes and hypertension.METHODS We performed a retrospective single-center analysis of patients with comorbid diabetes mellitus and hypertension who were hospitalized and treated in the Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between September 2020 and June 2022.Among the 80 patients included,40 received CGA nursing interventions(study group),while the remaining 40 received routine nursing care(control group).The study group's comprehensive approach included creating personalized CGA profiles,multidisciplinary assessments,and targeted inter-ventions in areas,such as nutrition,medication adherence,exercise,and mental health.However,the control group received standard nursing care,including general and medical history collection,fall prevention measures,and regular patient monitoring.After 6 months of nursing care implementation,we evaluated the effectiveness of the interventions,including assessments of blood glucose levels fasting blood glucose,2-h postprandial blood glucose,and glycated hemoglobin,type A1c(HbA1c);blood pressure indicators such as diastolic blood pressure(DBP)and systolic blood pressure(SBP);quality of life as measured by the 36-item Short Form Survey(SF-36)questionnaire;and treatment adherence.RESULTS After 6 months,the nursing outcomes indicated that patients who underwent CGA nursing interventions experienced a significant decrease in blood glucose indicators,such as fasting blood glucose,2-h postprandial blood glucose,and HbA1c,as well as blood pressure indicators,including DBP and SBP,compared with the control group(P<0.05).Quality of life assessments,including physical health,emotion,physical function,overall health,and mental health,showed marked improvements compared to the control group(P<0.05).In the study group,38 patients adhered to the clinical treatment requirements,whereas only 32 in the control group adhered to the clinical treatment requirements.The probability of treatment adherence among patients receiving CGA nursing interventions was higher than that among patients receiving standard care(95%vs 80%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION The CGA nursing intervention significantly improved glycemic control,blood pressure management,and quality of life in hospitalized older patients with diabetes and hypertension,compared to routine care.

Quality of life, physical performance and nutritional status in older patients hospitalized in a cardiology department

Objectives Quality of life(QoL) is a priority outcome in older adults suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Frailty and poor nutritional status may affect the QoL through mobility disorders and exhaustion. The objective of this study was to determine if physical frailty and nutritional status were associated with QoL, in older cardiology patients. Methods Cross sectional, observational study conducted in a cardiology department from a university hospital. Participants(n = 100) were aged 70 and older. Collected data included age, sex, cardiac diseases, New York Heart Association(NYHA) classification, comorbidities(Charlson Index) and disability. A Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB), including walking speed assessment was performed;handgrip strength were measured as well as Fried’s frailty phenotype. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA) and Body Mass Index(BMI), inflammation by C-reactive protein(CRP). QoL was assessed using the EORTC–QLQ questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to study the associations between all recorded parameters and QoL. Results In participants(mean age: 79.3 ± 6.7 years;male: 59%), Charlson index, arrhythmia, heart failure, NYHA class III-IV, MNA, disability, walking speed, SPPB score, frailty and CRP were significantly associated with QoL in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that NYHA class III-IV(P < 0.001), lower MNA score(P = 0.03), frailty(P < 0.0001), and higher CRP(P < 0.001) were independently associated with decreased QoL. Conclusions Frailty, nutritional status and inflammation were independently associated with poor QoL. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of nutritional and physical interventions on QoL in this population.

Hepatocardiorenal syndrome in liver cirrhosis:Recognition of a new entity?

Emerging evidence and perspectives have pointed towards the heart playing an important role in hepatorenal syndrome(HRS),outside of conventional understanding that liver cirrhosis is traditionally considered the sole origin of a cascade of pathophysiological mechanisms directly affecting the kidneys in this context.In the absence of established heart disease,cirrhotic cardiomyopathy may occur more frequently in those with liver cirrhosis and kidney disease.It is a specific form of cardiac dysfunction characterized by blunted contractile responsiveness to stress stimuli and altered diastolic relaxation with electrophysiological abnormalities.Despite the clinical description of these potential cardiac-related complications of the liver,the role of the heart has traditionally been an overlooked aspect of circulatory dysfunction in HRS.Yet from a physiological sense,temporality(prior onset)of cardiorenal interactions in HRS and positive effects stemming from portosystemic shunting demonstrated an important role of the heart in the development and progression of kidney dysfunction in cirrhotic patients.In this review,we discuss current concepts surrounding how the heart may influence the development and progression of HRS,and the role of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction causing circulatory dysfunction within this setting.The temporality of heart and kidney dysfunction in HRS will be discussed.For a subgroup of patients who receive portosystemic shunting,the dynamics of cardiorenal interactions following treatment is reviewed.Continued research to determine the unknowns in this topic is anticipated,hopefully to further clarify the intricacies surrounding the liver-heart-kidney connection and improve strategies for management.

Quo vadis cardiac rehabilitation;the role of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in modern cardiology

In accordance with the guidelines established by prominent European and global cardiology associations,comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation(CR)stands as an officially endorsed and highly recommended therapeutic approach(class I recommendations;level of evidence A)for a diverse spectrum of cardiac patients.Nevertheless,it is a cause for concern to observe that fewer than 50%of eligible patients are being effectively referred for CR,whether in an outpatient or in-patient setting.Concurrently,studies reveal that a substantial proportion of individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease maintain unhealthy lifestyles and exhibit suboptimal management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors,including hypertension,lipid levels,and diabetes.Beyond the conven-tional patient profile encompassing those recovering from acute coronary syndrome with or without percutaneous coronary intervention,as well as patients who have undergone coronary or valvular surgery,contemporary CR now emphasizes specialized subgroups of patients.These include frail elderly patients,the female population with its unique considerations,individuals burdened by multiple cardiovascular comorbidities,those who have developed psychological consequences due to a cardiac illness and particularly those grappling with chronic heart failure.This editorial seeks to offer a state-of-the-art assessment of the significance and role of comprehensive CR within modern cardiology.

Epidemiology and Management of Heart Failure in the Medicine Department of Tombouctou Hospital

Introduction: Heart failure is a complex syndrome and very frequently observed and secondary to the outcome of many advanced heart diseases. It is made up of a set of symptoms that reflect the tissue and visceral consequences of heart failure. The objective was to determine the hospital prevalence and to describe the management of heart failure in the medical department of Tombouctou hospital in Mali. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection, carried out over 24 months and involving the analysis of 266 records of patients hospitalized for heart failure. Results: The frequency of heart failure was 17.6% with a female predominance. The average age was 48 years with extremes of 16 and 90 years. Cardiovascular risk factors were dominated by high blood pressure with 38%. Global heart failure was the mode of discovery in 72.2% of cases. The etiologies were dominated by hypertensive dilated cardiomyopathy in 36.8% and peripartum cardiomyopathy in 32% of cases. The majority of our patients benefited from diuretic treatment, i.e. 95.9% frequency;with a favorable evolution in 96.2% of cases. We recorded 10 deaths, i.e. a lethality of 3.7%. We report some difficulties encountered during our security study because Tombouctou is a war zone and the lack of a technical platform for biology such as (BNP or NT-proBNP). Conclusion: Heart failure is a real public health problem. Its prevalence is increasing due to the aging of the population and especially the poor management of arterial hypertension in our context.

End-of-life care in a cardiology department： have we improved？

Background End-of-life care is not usually a priority in cardiology departments. We sought to evaluate the changes in end-of-life care after the introduction of a do-not-resuscitate （DNR） order protocol. Methods ＆ Results Retrospective analysis of all deaths in a cardiology department in two periods, before and after the introduction of the protocol. Comparison of demographic characteristics, use of DNR orders, and end-of-life care issues between both periods, according to the presence in the second period of the new DNR sheet （Group A）, a conven- tional DNR order （Group B） or the absence of any DNR order （Group C）. The number of deaths was similar in both periods （n = 198 vs. n = 197）. The rate of patients dying with a DNR order increased significantly （57.1% vs. 68.5%; P = 0.02）. Only 4% of patients in both periods were aware of the decision taken about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Patients in Group A received the DNR order one day earlier, and 24.5% received it within the first 24 h of admission （vs. 2.6% in the first period; P 〈 0.001）. All patients in Group A with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator （ICD） had shock therapies deactivated （vs. 25.0% in the first period; P = 0.02）. Conclusions The introduction of a DNR order protocol may improve end-of-life care in cardiac patients by increasing the use and shortening the time of registration of DNR orders. It may also contribute to increase ICD deactivation in patients with these orders in place. However, the introduction of the sheet in late stages of the disease failed to improve patient participation.

The Lebanese Society of Cardiology Consensus Statement on the Use of Natriuretic Peptides for the Management of Heart Failure

Plasma concentration of Natriuretic Peptide (NP) is a valuable diagnostic tool for heart failure (HF). It can help rule out or confirm a diagnosis of HF based on symptoms, but its use is not clearly defined. NPs should be used in conjunction with physical examination and other diagnostic tests. However, it is important to note that several conditions besides the diagnosis of HF may cause NPs levels to be elevated. Additionally, there are situations when NP concentrations may be below diagnostic thresholds in [1]. This consensus statement aims to provide a straightforward diagnostic flowchart for clinicians in both the emergency department and outpatient settings to aid in diagnosing both acute and chronic HF. The diagnosis of acute HF can be ruled out with a BNP level of 100 pg/mL or NTproBNP level of 300 pg/mL, regardless of the patient’s age. To identify HF, a 3-level cut-off point based on the patient’s age is recommended. Chronic heart failure can be ruled out with a BNP level of 35 pg/mL or NTproBNP level of 125 pg/mL, regardless of thepatient’s age [1].

Correlation between SYNTAX Score and Pattern of Risk Factors in Patients Referred for Coronary Angiography in Cardiology Department, Menoufia University

Objectives: The role of SYNTAX (SX) score in assessing the complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established. In this study we investigate the relationship between conventional risk factors of CAD with its complexity using SX score. Methods: The study consisted of 52 patients with CAD who were admitted to Cardiology Department—Menoufia University Hospitals for elective coronary angiography. The overall SX score was calculated prospectively using the SX score algorithm. Then comparison was done between populations with and without each risk factor. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and smoking with SX score results (p 0.05). In a multivariate regression analysis, including conventional risk factors of CAD as independent covariates, it revealed that aging, having diabetes mellitus and smoking were identified as significant independent risk factors for CAD complexity. Conclusion: Advanced age, having diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking are considered to be independent risk factors for the complexity of CAD. Therefore, when these factors present, we expect that the SX score of the patient to be high indicating a complex CAD.

Pulmonary Embolism in Young Patients: About 24 Cases at the Cardiology Department of Dakar Principal Hospital in Senegal

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism is a relatively common life-threatening cardiovascular emergency. It remains a diagnostic problem because of its nonspecific clinical signs. Objective: The general objective was to study pulmonary embolism in young patients admitted to the cardiology department of Dakar Principal Hospital in Senegal. Methodology: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study in the cardiology department of the Dakar Principal Hospital over a period of two (02) years from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016 in young patients admitted for pulmonary embolism. Results: We collected 24 patients with a hospital prevalence of 2.18%. The average age was 42.29 years ± 8.41 years with a male predominance (sex ratio of 1.6). The Wells probability score was low in 54.16% of patients and medium in 45.83%. Functional signs were dominated by chest pain (83.33% of cases) followed by dyspnea (79.16% of cases). The thromboembolic risk factors found were gynecological-obstetrical in 16.6% of cases followed by prolonged bed rest. One case of thrombophilia was present with a deficiency of protein C and antithrombin III. The electrocardiogram recorded sinus tachycardia in 29.16% of patients;the Mac Ginn White sign (S1Q3T3) was found in 25% of cases. Echocardiography showed pulmonary arterial hypertension in 12.48% of cases, dilation of the right ventricle and a paradoxical septal motion in 14.28% of cases. CT pulmonary angiography showed 63.63% of cases with bilateral pulmonary embolism;it was unilateral in 22.72% of cases. Long-term anticoagulation was based on acenocoumarol 4 mg (66.7%) and Rivaroxaban (33.3%). 62.5% of the patients were seen at the 3rd month, when a checking was made to evaluate the tolerance of the treatment, and the evolution of the patient. Conclusion: Pulmonary embolism is not a rare condition in young subjects but is often underdiagnosed. Gyneco-obstetrical factors are predominant in this age group. Direct oral anticoagulants are more and more prescribed in our countries.

Ethanol extract of Abelmoschus manihot suppresses endoplasmic reticulum stress in contrast-induced nephropathy

Objective:To explore the efficacy and potential mechanisms of the ethanol extract of Abelmoschus manihot(L.)Medic in contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN).Methods:CIN rat models and human renal proximal tubular cells(HK-2)with iopromide-induced injury were employed to mimic CIN conditions.The effect of Abelmoschus manihot extract on the rat models and HK-2 cells was evaluated.In rat models,kidney function,histology,oxidative stress and apoptosis were determined.In HK-2 cells,cell viability,apoptosis,mitochondrial membrane potential,and endoplasmic reticulum stress were assessed.Results:Abelmoschus manihot extract significantly improved structural and functional impairments in the kidneys of CIN rats.Additionally,the extract effectively mitigated the decline in cellular viability and reduced iopromide-induced oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.Mechanistic investigations revealed that Abelmoschus manihot extract prominently attenuated acute endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis by downregulating GRP78 and CHOP protein levels.Conclusions:Abelmoschus manihot extract can be used as a promising therapeutic and preventive agent in the treatment of CIN.

Top Five Stories of the Cellular Landscape and Therapies of Atherosclerosis:Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

Atherosclerosis(AS)is characterized by impairment and apoptosis of endothelial cells,continuous systemic and focal inflammation and dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle cells,which is documented as the traditional cellular paradigm.However,the mechanisms appear much more complicated than we thought since a bulk of studies on efferocytosis,transdifferentiation and novel cell death forms such as ferroptosis,pyroptosis,and extracellular trap were reported.Discovery of novel pathological cellular landscapes provides a large number of therapeutic targets.On the other side,the unsatisfactory therapeutic effects of current treatment with lipid-lowering drugs as the cornerstone also restricts the efforts to reduce global AS burden.Stem cell-or nanoparticle-based strategies spurred a lot of attention due to the attractive therapeutic effects and minimized adverse effects.Given the complexity of pathological changes of AS,attempts to develop an almighty medicine based on single mechanisms could be theoretically challenging.In this review,the top stories in the cellular landscapes during the initiation and progression of AS and the therapies were summarized in an integrated perspective to facilitate efforts to develop a multi-targets strategy and fill the gap between mechanism research and clinical translation.The future challenges and improvements were also discussed.