Different contribution of extent of myocardial injury to left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in early reperfused acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the influence of the extent of myocardial injury on left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients after reperfused acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Thirty-eight reperfused AMI patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging after percutaneous coronary revascularization. The extent of myocardial edema and scarring were assessed by T2 weighted imaging and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging, respectively. Within a day of CMR, echocardiography was done. Using 2D speckle tracking analysis, LV longitudinal, circumferential strain, and twist were measured. RESULTS: Extent of LGE were significantly correlated with LV systolic functional indices such as ejection fraction (r��=��-0.57, p��<��0.001), regional wall motion score index (r��=��0.52, p��=��0.001), and global longitudinal strain (r��=��0.56, p��<��0.001). The diastolic functional indices significantly correlated with age (r��=��-0.64, p��<��0.001), LV twist (r��=��-0.39, p��=��0.02), average non-infarcted myocardial circumferential strain (r��=��-0.52, p��=��0.001), and LV end-diastolic wall stress index (r��=��-0.47, p��=��0.003 with e') but not or weakly with extent of LGE. In multivariate analysis, age and non-infarcted myocardial circumferential strain independently correlated with diastolic functional indices rather than extent of injury. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with timely reperfused AMI, not only extent of myocardial injury but also age and non-infarcted myocardial function were more significantly related to LV chamber diastolic function.ope

Spontaneous Sinus Conversion of Permanent Atrial Fibrillation During Treatment of Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is a common adverse effect of treatment for heart failure and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The cardiac manifestations of hyperkalemia include various electrocardiogram changes. We describe a case of a 74-year-old woman with heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation who reverted to normal sinus rhythm during recovery from hyperkalemia

Impact of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Individual Components on the Presence and Severity of Angiographic Coronary Artery Disease

∙The authors have no financial conflicts of interest. Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been reported as a potential risk factor of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aims of this study were to assess whether there was a relationship between MS score and CAD angiographic severity, and to assess the predictive value of individual components of MS for CAD. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 632 patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspected CAD (394 men, 61.0 ± 10.6 years of age). MS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria with the waist criterion modified into a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 kg/m 2. The MS score defined as the number of MS components. CAD was defined as&gt; 50% luminal diameter stenosis of at least one major epicardial coronary artery. CAD angiographic severity was evaluated with a Gensini scoring system. Results: Of the patients, 497 (78.6%) had CAD and 283 (44.8%) were diagnosed with MS. The MS score was significantly related to the Gensini score. High fasting blood glucos

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Application of additional three-dimensional materials for education in pediatric anatomy

Abstract We conducted this study to investigate the effects of additional education using 3D visualization (3DV) and 3D printing (3DP) after applying 2D images for anatomical education in normal pediatric structures and congenital anomalies. For the production of 3DV and 3DP of the anatomical structures, computed tomography (CT) images of the four topics (the normal upper/lower abdomen, choledochal cyst, and imperforate anus) were used. Anatomical self-education and tests were administered to a total of 15 third-year medical students with these modules. Following the tests, surveys were conducted in order to evaluate satisfaction from students. In all four topics, there were significant increases in the test results with additional education with 3DV after initial self-study with CT (P < 0.05). The difference in scores was highest for the imperforate anus when 3DV supplemented the self-education. In the survey on the teaching modules, the overall satisfaction scores for 3DV and 3DP were 4.3 and 4.0 out of 5, respectively. When 3DV was added to pediatric abdominal anatomical education, we found an enhancement in understanding of normal structures and congenital anomalies. We can expect the application of 3D materials to become more widely used in anatomical education in various fields

The Optimal Timing of Enterostomy Closure in Extremely Low Birth Weight Patients for Acute Abdomen

Abstract There are few reports on enterostomy closure (EC) timing for acute abdomen in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) patients. We retrospectively reviewed ELBW patients who underwent enterostomy formation (EF) and subsequent EC. We investigated baseline characteristics, surgical outcomes, and follow-up data of 55 patients and analyzed optimal timing by age at EC, enterostomy duration, and body weight (Bwt) at EC. The minimum p-value approach (MPA) using the Chi-squared test was used to determine each cut-off value. Mean gestational age was 25+3 weeks, while mean age and Bwt at EF were 10 days and 660 g. Enterostomy duration and Bwt at EC were 102 days and 2400 g. Fourteen surgical complications were related to EC. The MPA identified a cut-off of 2100 g (p = 0.039) at EC but no significant cut-off age or enterostomy duration. The 18 patients 2100 g group (66.7% vs 10.8%, p < 0.001). No other characteristics were significantly different. Operation time, ventilator period, hospital stay, parenteral nutrition duration, and full feeding day were significantly longer in <2100 g patients. Follow-up Bwt did not differ (11.55 kg vs 13.95 kg, p = 0.324). Our findings suggest EC can be safely performed when Bwt is over 2100 g