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].

Challenging situation of coronary artery anomaly associated with ischemia and/or risk of sudden death

Coronary artery anomaly is known as one of the causes of angina pectoris and sudden death and is an important clinical entity that cannot be overlooked.The incidence of coronary artery anomalies is as low as 1%-2%of the general population,even when the various types are combined.Coronary anomalies are practically challenging when the left and right coronary ostium are not found around their normal positions during coronary angiography with a catheter.If there is atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary artery with an anomaly and percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)is required,the suitability of the guiding catheter at the entrance and the adequate back up force of the guiding catheter are issues.The level of PCI risk itself should also be considered on a caseby-case basis.In this case,emission computed tomography in the R-1 subtype single coronary artery proved that ischemia occurred in an area where the coronary artery was not visible to the naked eye.Meticulous follow-up would be crucial,because sudden death may occur in single coronary arteries.To prevent atherosclerosis with full efforts is also important,as the authors indicated admirably.

An unusual cause of myocardial infarction in an elderly man

Cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EPGA) is increasingly recognized,but it is unusual to be the initial presentation.We report a case of vasculitic myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiogenic shock in an elderly man caused by EPGA.A 73-year-old man presented with acute chest pain radiating to back for two days.He has a history of asthma and allergic rhinitis for more than ten years well controlled by inhaled corticosteroid.The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm,right bundle-branch block and anterolateral ST-segment depression.He had elevated troponin T of 548 ng/L (reference:<14 ng/L),creatine kinase of 454 IU/L (reference:39–308 IU/L)。

Sleep quality and characteristics of older adults with acute cardiovascular disease

Sleep plays a vital role in restoring the physical and mental health of people with cardiovascular disease.However,the hospital setting is not a conducive environment for sleep.Sleep interruptions by members of the care team,including vital sign checks,medication delivery,and blood draws for laboratory investigations,are routinely done in many hospitals.Frequent interruptions by staff and noise by other patients have been cited as barriers to restorative sleep in the hospital.

Impact of Atrial Septal Defect Closure on Mortality in Older Patients

Background:Atrial septal defect(ASD)is a common form of adult congenital heart disease that can lead to long-term adverse outcomes if left untreated.Early closure of ASD has been associated with excellent outcomes and lower complication rates.However,there is limited evidence regarding the prognosis of ASD closure in older adults.This study aims to evaluate the mortality rates in older ASD patients with and without closure.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients aged 40 years or older with ASD between 2001 and 2017.Patients were followed up to assess all-cause mortality.Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the predictors of mortality.A p-value of<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:The cohort consisted of 450 patients(mean age 56.6±10.4 years,77.3%female),with 66%aged between 40 and 60 years,and 34%over 60 years.Within the cohort,299 underwent ASD closure(201 with transcatheter and 98 with surgical closure).During the median follow-up duration of 7.9 years,51 patients died.The unadjusted cumulative 10-year rate of mortality was 3%in patients with ASD closure,and 28%in patients without ASD closure(log-rank p<0.001).Multivariable analysis revealed that age(hazard ratio[HR]1.04,95%confidence interval[CI]1.006–1.06,p=0.01),NYHA class(HR 2.75,95%CI 1.63–4.62,p<0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(HR 1.07,95%CI 1.03–1.12,p<0.001),right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP)(HR 1.07,95%CI 1.003–1.04,p=0.01),and lack of ASD closure(HR 15.12,95%CI 5.63–40.59,p<0.001)were independently associated with mortality.Conclusion:ASD closure demonstrated favorable outcomes in older patients.Age,NYHA class,BUN,RVSP,and lack of ASD closure were identified as independent factors linked to mortality in this population.

Role of intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography in intracoronary imaging for coronary artery disease:a systematic review

Coronary angiography has long been the standard for coronary imaging,but it has limitations in assessing vessel wall anatomy and guiding percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Intracoronary imaging techniques like intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)and optical coherence tomography(OCT)can overcome these limitations.IVUS uses ultrasound and OCT uses near-infrared light to visualize coronary pathology in unique ways due to differences in temporal and spatial resolution.These techniques have evolved to offer clinical utility in plaque characterization and vessel assessment during PCI.Meta-analyses and adjusted observational studies suggest that both IVUS and OCT-guided PCI correlate with reduced cardiovascular risks compared to angiographic guidance alone.While IVUS demonstrates consistent clinical outcome benefits,OCT evidence is less robust.IVUS has progressed from early motion detection to high-resolution systems,with smaller compatible catheters.OCT utilizes near infrared light to achieve unparalleled resolutions,but requires temporary blood clearance for optimal imaging.Enhanced visualization and guidance make IVUS and OCT well-suited for higher risk PCI in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease by allowing detailed visualization of complex lesions and ensuring optimal stent deployment and positioning in PCI for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease,improving outcomes.IVUS and recent advancements in zero-and low-contrast OCT techniques can reduce nephrotoxic contrast exposure,thus helping to minimize PCI complications in these high-risk patient groups.IVUS and OCT provide valuable insights into coronary pathophysiology and guide interventions precisely compared to angiography alone.Both have comparable clinical outcomes,emphasizing the need for tailored imaging choices based on clinical scenarios.Continued refinement and integration of intravascular imaging will likely play a pivotal role in optimizing coronary interventions and outcomes.This systematic review aims to delve into the nuances of IVUS and OCT,highlighting their strengths and limitations as PCI adjuncts.

Rates, predictors, and causes of readmission after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is a revolutionary procedure for severe aortic stenosis.The coexistence of chronic kidney disease(CKD)and TAVR introduces a challenge that significantly impacts patient outcomes.AIM To define readmission rates,predictors,and causes after TAVR procedure in CKD stage 1-4 patients.METHODS We used the national readmission database 2018 and 2020 to look into readmission rates,causes and predictors after TAVR procedure in patients with CKD stage 1-4.RESULTS Out of 24758 who underwent TAVR and had CKD,7892(32.4%)patients were readmitted within 90 days,and had higher adjusted odds of being females(adjusted odds ratio:1.17,95%CI:1.02-1.31,P=0.02)with longer length of hospital stay>6 days,and more comorbidities including but not limited to diabetes mellitus,anemia,and congestive heart failure(CHF).CONCLUSION Most common causes of readmission included CHF(18.0%),sepsis,and complete atrioventricular block.Controlling readmission predictors with very close followup is warranted to prevent such high rate of readmission.

Echocardiographic predictors and associated outcomes of multiple vegetations in infective endocarditis:A pilot study

BACKGROUND Infective endocarditis(IE)is a life-threatening infection with an annual mortality of 40%.Embolic events reported in up to 80%of patients.Vegetations of>10 mm size are associated with increased embolic events and poor prognosis.There is a paucity of literature on the association of multiple vegetations with outcome.AIM To study the echocardiographic(ECHO)features and outcomes associated with the presence of multiple vegetations.METHODS In this retrospective,single-center,cohort study patients diagnosed with IE were recruited from June 2017 to June 2019.A total of 84 patients were diagnosed to have IE,of whom 67 with vegetation were identified.Baseline demographic,clinical,laboratory,and ECHO parameters were reviewed.Outcomes that were studied included recurrent admission,embolic phenomenon,and mortality.RESULTS Twenty-three(34%)patients were noted to have multiple vegetations,13(56.5%)were male and 10(43.5%)were female.The mean age of these patients was 50.Eight(35%)had a prior episode of IE.ECHO features of moderate to severe valvular regurgitation[odds ratio(OR)=4],presence of pacemaker lead(OR=4.8),impaired left ventricle(LV)relaxation(OR=4),and elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP)(OR=2.2)are associated with higher odds of multiple vegetations.Of these moderate to severe valvular regurgitation(P=0.028),pacemaker lead(P=0.039)and impaired relaxation(P=0.028)were statistically significant.These patients were noted to have an increased association of recurrent admissions(OR=3.6),recurrent bacteremia(OR=2.4),embolic phenomenon(OR=2.5),intensive care unit stay(OR=2.8),hypotension(OR=2.1),surgical intervention(OR=2.8)and device removal(OR=4.8).Of this device removal(P=0.039)and recurrent admissions(P=0.017)were statistically significant.CONCLUSION This study highlights the associations of ECHO predictors and outcomes in patients with IE having multiple vegetations.ECHO features of moderate to severe regurgitation,presence of pacemaker lead,impaired LV relaxation,and elevated PASP and outcomes including recurrent admissions and device removal were found to be associated with multiple vegetations.

Role of intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1 in hypoglycemia response impairment in type 1 diabetes

This study critically examines the novel findings presented by Jin et al,which explores the role of intestinal glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1)in impaired counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia in mice with type 1 diabetes.The study identifies intestinal GLP-1 as a significant determinant in the physiological responses to hypoglycemia,offering new insights into its potential implications for diabetes management.The editorial synthesizes these findings,discusses their relevance in the context of current diabetes research,and outlines potential avenues for future investigation of intestinal GLP-1 as a therapeutic target.This analysis underscores the need for continued research into the complex mechanisms underlying impaired hypoglycemia responses and highlights the potential of targeting intestinal GLP-1 pathways in therapeutic strategies for type 1 diabetes.

Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Self-Perceived Resilience: An Exploratory Study of Two Cohorts of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Social determinants of health(SDOH)affect quality of life.We investigated SDOH impacts on self-perceived resilience among people with adult congenital heart disease(ACHD).Secondary analysis of data from two com-plementary studies:a survey study conducted May 2021–June 2022 and a qualitative study conducted June 2020–August 2021.Resilience was assessed through CD-RISC10 score(range 0–40,higher scores reflect greater self-perceived resilience)and interview responses.Sociodemographic and SDOH(education,employment,living situa-tion,monetary stability,financial dependency,area deprivation index)data were collected by healthcare record review and self-report.We used linear regression with robust standard errors to analyze survey data and performed a thematic analysis of interview data.Survey participants(N=127)mean age was 42±14 years;51%were female,87%white.ACHD was moderate(75%)or complex(25%);41%functional class C or D.Resilience(mean 30±7)varied by monetary stability:compared to people with difficulty paying bills,resilience was 15.0 points higher(95%CI:6.9–23.1,p<0.001)for people reporting having enough money and 14.2 points higher(95%CI:5.9–22.4,p=0.001)for those reporting just enough money.Interview participants’(N=25)mean age was 32 years(range 22–44);52%were female,72%white.ACHD was moderate(56%)or complex(44%);76%functional class C or D.Participants discussed factors affecting resilience aligned with each of the major SDOH,prominently,economic stability and healthcare access and quality.Financial stability may be important for supporting self-perceived resi-lience in ACHD.This knowledge can inform the development of resilience interventions for this population.

Outcomes of combined mitochondria and mesenchymal stem cellsderived exosome therapy in rat acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis

BACKGROUND The treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)complicated by sepsis syndrome(SS)remains challenging.AIM To investigate whether combined adipose-derived mesenchymal-stem-cells(ADMSCs)-derived exosome(EXAD)and exogenous mitochondria(mitoEx)protect the lung from ARDS complicated by SS.METHODS In vitro study,including L2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and in vivo study including male-adult-SD rats categorized into groups 1(sham-operated-control),2(ARDS-SS),3(ARDS-SS+EXAD),4(ARDS-SS+mitoEx),and 5(ARDS-SS+EXAD+mitoEx),were included in the present study.RESULTS In vitro study showed an abundance of mitoEx found in recipient-L2 cells,resulting in significantly higher mitochondrial-cytochrome-C,adenosine triphosphate and relative mitochondrial DNA levels(P<0.001).The protein levels of inflammation[interleukin(IL)-1β/tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α/nuclear factor-κB/toll-like receptor(TLR)-4/matrix-metalloproteinase(MMP)-9/oxidative-stress(NOX-1/NOX-2)/apoptosis(cleaved-caspase3/cleaved-poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase)]were significantly attenuated in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated L2 cells with EXAD treatment than without EXAD treatment,whereas the protein expressions of cellular junctions[occluding/β-catenin/zonula occludens(ZO)-1/E-cadherin]exhibited an opposite pattern of inflam-mation(all P<0.001).Animals were euthanized by 72 h post-48 h-ARDS induction,and lung tissues were harvested.By 72 h,flow cytometric analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid demonstrated that the levels of inflam-matory cells(Ly6G+/CD14+/CD68+/CD11b/c+/myeloperoxidase+)and albumin were lowest in group 1,highest in group 2,and significantly higher in groups 3 and 4 than in group 5(all P<0.0001),whereas arterial oxygen-saturation(SaO2%)displayed an opposite pattern of albumin among the groups.Histopathological findings of lung injury/fibrosis area and inflammatory/DNA-damaged markers(CD68+/γ-H2AX)displayed an identical pattern of SaO2%among the groups(all P<0.0001).The protein expressions of inflammatory(TLR-4/MMP-9/IL-1β/TNF-α)/oxidative stress(NOX-1/NOX-2/p22phox/oxidized protein)/mitochondrial-damaged(cytosolic-cytochrome-C/dynamin-related protein 1)/autophagic(beclin-1/Atg-5/ratio of LC3B-II/LC3B-I)biomarkers exhibited a similar manner,whereas antioxidants[nuclear respiratory factor(Nrf)-1/Nrf-2]/cellular junctions(ZO-1/E-cadherin)/mitochondrial electron transport chain(complex I-V)exhibited an opposite manner of albumin among the groups(all P<0.0001).CONCLUSION Combined EXAD-mitoEx therapy was better than merely one for protecting the lung against ARDS-SS induced injury.

Multifaceted role of haptoglobin:Implications for disease development

Haptoglobin,a protein primarily recognized for its role in sequestering free hemoglobin,has been identified as a molecule with diverse and underexplored functions in the pathophysiology of various diseases.This editorial explores the multifaceted roles of haptoglobin,highlighting its involvement in inflammatory responses and immune regulation and its potential implications in chronic diseases such as diabetes,cardiovascular disorders,and cancer.Through a synthesis of recent research findings,this editorial reveals the importance of haptoglobin in disease mechanisms and underscores the need for further investigation to fully elucidate its therapeutic potential.A comprehensive understanding of haptoglobin’s novel functions may catalyze the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic modalities in clinical practice.

Role of induced pluripotent stem cells in diagnostic cardiology

Ethical concerns about stem cell-based research have delayed important advances in many areas of medicine,including cardiology.The introduction of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)has supplanted the need to use human stem cells for most purposes,thus eliminating all ethical controversies.Since then,many new avenues have been opened in cardiology research,not only in approaches to tissue replacement but also in the design and testing of antiarrhythmic drugs.This methodology has advanced to the point where induced human cardiomyocyte cell lines can now also be obtained from commercial sources or tissue banks.Initial studies with readily available iPSCs have generally confirmed that their behavioral characteristics accurately predict the behavior of beating cardiomyocytes in vivo.As a result,iPSCs can provide new ways to study arrhythmias and heart disease in general,accelerating the development of new,more effective antiarrhythmic drugs,clinical diagnoses,and personalized medical care.The focus on producing cardiomyocytes that can be used to replace damaged heart tissue has somewhat diverted interest in a host of other applications.This manuscript is intended to provide non-specialists with a brief introduction and overview of the research carried out in the field of heart rhythm disorders.

Unusual presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a female patient: A case report

BACKGROUND Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis(HLH) is a rare life-threatening disorder,often resulting in the immune-mediated injury of multiple organ systems,including primary HLH and secondary HLH(sHLH). Among them, sHLH results from infections, malignant, or autoimmune conditions, which have quite poor outcomes even with aggressive management and are more common in adults.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of a 36-year-old female manifested with sHLH on background with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE). During hospitalization, the patient was characterized by recurrent high-grade fever, petechiae and ecchymoses of abdominal skin, and pulmonary infection. Whole exon gene sequencing revealed decreased activity of natural killer cells. She received systematic treatment with Methylprednisolone, Etoposide, and anti-infective drugs. Intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis were applied when the condition was extremely acute and progressive. The patient recovered and did not present any relapse of the HLH for one year of follow-up.CONCLUSION The case showed sHLH, thrombotic microvascular, and infection in the whole course of the disease, which was rarely reported by now. The treatment of the patient emphasizes that early recognition and treatment of sHLH in SLE patients was of utmost importance to improve the prognosis and survival rate of patients.

Cardiovascular complications following medical termination of pregnancy: An updated review

BACKGROUND Around 1 million cases of medical termination of pregnancy(MTP)take place yearly in the United States of America with around 2 percent of this population developing complications.The cardiovascular(CVD)complications occurring post MTP or after stillbirth is not very well described.AIM To help the reader better understand,prepare,and manage these complications by reviewing various cardiac comorbidities seen after MTP.METHODS We performed a literature search in PubMed,Medline,RCA,and google scholar,using the search terms“abortions”or“medical/legal termination of pregnancy”and“cardiac complications”or“cardiovascular complications”.RESULTS The most common complications described in the literature following MTP were infective endocarditis(IE)(n=16),takotsubo cardiomyopathy(TTC)(n=7),arrhythmias(n=5),and sudden coronary artery dissection(SCAD)(n=4).The most common valve involved in IE was the tricuspid valve in 69%(n=10).The most observed causative organism was group B Streptococcus in 81%(n=12).The most common type of TTC was apical type in 57%(n=4).Out of five patients de veloping arrhythmia,bradycardia was the most common and was seen in 60%(3/5)of the patients.All four cases of SCAD-P type presented as acute coronary syndrome 10-14 d post termination of pregnancy with predominant involvement of the right coronary artery.Mortality was only reported following IE in 6.25%.Clinical recovery was reported consistently after optimal medical management following all these complications.CONCLUSION In conclusion,the occurrence of CVD complications following pregnancy termination is infrequently documented in the existing literature.In this review,the most common CVD complication following MTP was noted to be IE and TTC.

Detection of colorectal adenomas using artificial intelligence models in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus is known for its oncogenic potential,especially in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Several studies have shown that chronic hepatitis C(CHC)has an increased risk of the development of colorectal cancer(CRC).AIM To analyze this positive relationship and develop an artificial intelligence(AI)-based tool using machine learning(ML)algorithms to stratify these patient populations into risk groups for CRC/adenoma detection.METHODS To develop the AI automated calculator,we applied ML to train models to predict the probability and the number of adenomas detected on colonoscopy.Data sets were split into 70:30 ratios for training and internal validation.The Scikit-learn standard scaler was used to scale values of continuous variables.Colonoscopy findings were used as the gold standard and deep learning architecture was used to train six ML models for prediction.A Flask(customizable Python framework)application programming interface(API)was used to deploy the trained ML model with the highest accuracy as a web application.Finally,Heroku was used for the deployment of the web-based API to https://adenomadetection.herokuapp.com.RESULTS Of 415 patients,206 had colonoscopy results.On internal validation,the Bernoulli naive Bayes model predicted the probability of adenoma detection with the highest accuracy of 56%,precision of 55%,recall of 55%,and F1 measure of 54%.Support vector regressor predicted the number of adenomas with the least mean absolute error of 0.905.CONCLUSION Our AI-based tool can help providers stratify patients with CHC for early referral for screening colonoscopy.Along with providing a numerical percentage,the calculator can also comment on the number of adenomatous polyps a gastroenterologist can expect,prompting a higher adenoma detection rate.

Case-control analysis of venous thromboembolism risk in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis diagnosed by transient elastography

BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.Studies have shown a strong association between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis.Specifically,there is paucity of data on the association of NASH and venous thromboembolism(VTE),with one such study predicting a 2.5-fold increased risk for VTE compared to other liver diseases in hospitalized patients.The mechanism is believed to be a hepatocellular injury,which causes a chronic inflammatory state leading to the unregulated activation of procoagulant factors.There has been no prior analysis of the degree of steatosis and fibrosis(measured using transient elastography,commonly known as FibroScan)in NASH and its association with VTE.AIM To examine the association between the degree of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis,quantified by transient elastography,and the incidence of VTE in patients with NASH.METHODS In our case-control study,we included patients with a documented diagnosis of NASH.We excluded patients with inherited thrombophilia,hemoglobinopathy,malignancy,alcohol use disorder,autoimmune hepatitis,and primary biliary cirrhosis.The collected data included age,demographics,tobacco use,recreational drug use,medical history,and vibration controlled transient elastography scores.VTE-specific data included the location,type of anticoagulant,need for hospital stay,and history of VTE recurrence.Steatosis was categorized as S0-S1(mild)and S2-S3(moderate to severe)based on the controlled attenuation parameter score.Fibrosis was classified based on the kilopascal score and graded as F0-F1(Metavir stage),F2,F3,and F4(cirrhosis).χ^(2) and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the qualitative and quantitative variable analyses,respectively.Furthermore,we performed a logistic regression using VTE as the dependent variable.RESULTS A total of 415 patients were analyzed,and 386 met the inclusion criteria.51 and 335 patients were included in the VTE and non-VTE groups,respectively.Patients with VTE had a mean age of 60.63 years compared to 55.22 years in the non-VTE group(P<0.014).Patients with VTE had a higher body mass index(31.14 kg/m²vs 29.30 kg/m²)and a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus(29.4%vs 13.1%).The history of NASH was significantly higher in the VTE group(45.1%vs 30.4%,P<0.037).Furthermore,moderate-to-severe steatosis was significantly higher in the VTE group(66.7%vs 47.2%,P<0.009).Similarly,the F2-F4 fibrosis grade had a prevalence of 58.8%in the VTE group compared to 38.5%in the non-VTE group(P<0.006).On logistic regression,using VTE as a dependent variable,diabetes mellitus had an odds ratio(OR)=1.702(P<0.015),and F2-F4 fibrosis grade had an OR=1.5(P<0.033).CONCLUSION Our analysis shows that NASH is an independent risk factor for VTE,especially deep vein thrombosis.There was a statistically significant association between the incidence of VTE,moderate-to-severe steatosis,and fibrosis.All hospitalized patients should be considered for medical thromboprophylaxis,particularly those with NASH.

Use of inflammatory markers as predictor for mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients with stagesⅢb-Ⅴchronic kidney disease?

BACKGROUND Studies have shown elevated C-reactive protein(CRP)to predict mechanical ventilation(MV)in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Its utility is unknown in patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD),who have elevated baseline CRP levels due to chronic inflammation and reduced renal clearance.AIM To assess whether an association exists between elevated inflammatory markers and MV rate in patients with stagesⅢb-ⅤCKD and COVID-19.METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients with COVID-19 and stagesⅢb-ⅤCKD.The primary outcome was the rate of invasive MV,the rate of noninvasive MV,and the rate of no MV.Statistical analyses used unpaired t-test for continuous variables and chi-square analysis for categorical variables.Cutoffs for variables were CRP:100 mg/L,ferritin:530 ng/mL,D-dimer:0.5 mg/L,and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH):590 U/L.RESULTS 290 were screened,and 118 met the inclusion criteria.CRP,D-dimer,and ferritin were significantly different among the three groups.On univariate analysis for invasive MV(IMV),CRP had an odds ratio(OR)-5.44;ferritin,OR-2.8;LDH,OR-7.7;D-dimer,OR-3.9,(P<0.05).The admission CRP level had an area under curve-receiver operator characteristic(AUROC):0.747 for the IMV group(sensitivity-80.8%,specificity-50%)and 0.663 for the non-IMV(NIMV)group(area under the curve,sensitivity-69.2%,specificity-53%).CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate a positive correlation between CRP,ferritin,and D-dimer levels and MV and NIMV rates in CKD patients.The AUROC demonstrates a good sensitivity for CRP levels in detecting the need for MV in patients with stagesⅢb-ⅤCKD.This may be because of the greater magnitude of increased inflammation due to COVID-19 itself compared with increased inflammation and reduced clearance due to CKD alone.

Hemodynamic Profiling Using a Cardiac Index–Systemic Vascular Resistance Plot in Patients with Fontan Circulation

Background: Elevated Fontan pressure (FP) alone cannot fully predict clinical outcomes. We hypothesized thathemodynamic profiling using a cardiac index (CI)-systemic vascular resistance (SVR) plot could characterize clinicalfeatures and predict the prognosis of post-Fontan patients. Methods: We included post-Fontan patients whounderwent cardiac catheterization at age < 10 years. Patients were classified into four categories: A, CI ≥ 3, SVRindex (SVRI) ≥ 20;B, CI < 3, SVRI ≥ 20;C, CI ≥ 3, SVRI < 20;and D, CI < 3, SVRI < 20. The primary outcome wasfreedom from the combined endpoint: new onset of protein-losing enteropathy or plastic bronchitis, heart transplant,and death. Clinical and hemodynamic variables and freedom from the endpoint were compared betweenthe hemodynamic categories and outcome predictors were evaluated. Results: Eighty-three patients wereincluded. Median follow-up was 5.3 years. Category A/B/C/D consisted of 4/15/53/11 patients, respectively. Allthe patients in category A were New York Heart Association I/II and had a significantly lower pulmonary vascularresistance index (PVRI). Patients in category C had lower pulmonary/systemic blood flow. Patients in category Dhad a higher PVRI and had the poorest freedom from the endpoint (44% at 5 years). Elevated FP and category Dwere outcome predictors. Conclusions: CI-SVR plots was a novel adjunctive method for Fontan hemodynamicprofiling.

A rare cause of pulmonary hypertension in an elderly woman

Diastolic dysfunction is a common substrate of pulmonary hypertension(PH) in the elderly.A minority of them,however,has another etiology of PH with diastolic dysfunction as a confounder,the alarming echocardiographic features of which are important to recognize.For example,dilated coronary sinus is unusual,as is significantly dilated right atrium.