Intramyocardial hemorrhage and microvascular obstruction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

Reperfusion may cause intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) by extravasation of erythrocytes through severely damaged endothelial walls. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of IMH in relation to infarct size, microvascular obstruction (MVO) and function in patients after primary percutaneous intervention. Forty-five patients underwent cardiovascular MR imaging (CMR) 1 week and 4 months after primary stenting for a first acute myocardial infarction. T2-weighted spin-echo imaging (T2W) was used to assess infarct related edema and IMH, and delayed enhancement (DE) was used to assess infarct size and MVO. Cine CMR was used to assess left ventricular volumes and function at baseline and at 4 months follow-up. In 22 (49%) patients, IMH was detected as areas of attenuated signal in the core of the high signal intensity region on T2W images. Patients with IMH had larger infarcts, higher left ventricular volumes and lower ejection fraction. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between hyperintense periphery and the hypo-intense core of the T2W ischemic area correlated to peak CKMB, total infarct size and MVO size. Using univariable analysis, CNR predicted ejection fraction at baseline (β = −0.62, P = 0.003) and follow-up (β = −0.84, P < 0.001). However, after multivariable analysis, baseline ejection fraction and presence of MVO were the only parameters that predicted functional changes at follow-up. IMH was found in the majority of patients with MVO after reperfused myocardial infarction. It was closely related to markers of infarct size, MVO and function, but did not have prognostic significance beyond MVO

High plasma arginine concentrations in critically ill patients suffering from hepatic failure

Objective: In physiological conditions, the liver plays an important role in the regulation of plasma arginine concentrations by taking up large amounts of arginine from the hepatic circulation. When hepatic failure is present, arginine metabolism may be disturbed. Therefore, we hypothesized high arginine plasma concentrations in critically ill patients suffering from hepatic failure. Design: We prospectively collected blood samples from a cross-section of intensive care unit patients. Setting: Surgical intensive care unit of a Dutch university medical center. Subjects: A total of 52 critically ill patients with clinical evidence of dysfunction of more than two organs were recruited. Measurements: Plasma arginine concentrations were determined by HPLC. We identified correlations of arginine concentrations with organ failure scores and laboratory variables by univariate and multiple regression analyses. Results: High plasma arginine concentrations were found in critically ill patients developing organ failure. Patients who were in the highest quartile of plasma arginine concentrations had significantly lower fibrinogen concentrations, higher lactic acid concentrations, and longer prothrombin time. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that concentrations of arginine were independently associated with the presence of hepatic failure (P = 0.03) and renal failure (P = 0.048). In addition, lactic acid proved to be an independent determinant of plasma arginine concentration (P = 0.014). Conclusions: Critically ill patients who suffer from hepatic failure have elevated plasma arginine concentrations. Additional arginine in the treatment of these patients can be harmful, and therefore should not be used as a standard nutritional regimen until further evaluation

Long-term left ventricular remodelling after revascularisation for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction as assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Objective Left ventricular remodelling following a ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) is an adaptive response to maintain the cardiac output despite myocardial tissue loss. Limited studies have evaluated long term ventricular function using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) after STEMI. Methods Study population consisted of 155 primary percutaneous coronary intervention treated first STEMI patients. CMR was performed at 4±2 days, 4 months and 24 months follow-up. Patients were treated with beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors or AT-II-inhibitors, statins and dual antiplatelet according to c

Are sarcopenia and myosteatosis in elderly patients with pelvic ring injury related to mortality, physical functioning and quality of life?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and/or myosteatosis in elderly patients with pelvic ring injuries and their influence on mortality, patient-perceived physical functioning and quality of life (QoL). A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted including elderly patients aged ≥ 65 treated for a pelvic ring injury. Cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) muscle measurements were obtained to determine the presence of sarcopenia and/or myosteatosis. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used for survival analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for mortality. Patient-reported outcome measures for physical functioning (SMFA) and QoL (EQ-5D) were used. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the effect of sarcopenia and myosteatosis on patient-perceived physical functioning and QoL. Data to determine sarcopenia and myosteatosis were available for 199 patients, with a mean follow-up of 2.4 ± 2.2 years: 66 patients (33%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia and 65 (32%) with myosteatosis, while 30 of them (15%) had both. Mortality rates in patients at 1 and 3 years without sarcopenia and myosteatosis were 13% and 21%, compared to 11% and 36% in patients with sarcopenia, 17% and 31% in patients with myosteatosis and 27% and 43% in patients with both. Higher age at the time of injury and a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were independent risk factors for mortality. Patient-reported mental and emotional problems were significantly increased in patients with sarcopenia

Reducing Microvascular Dysfunction in Revascularized Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction by Off-Target Properties of Ticagrelor versus Prasugrel. Rationale and Design of the REDUCE-MVI Study

Microvascular injury is present in a large proportion of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) despite successful revascularization. Ticagrelor potentially mitigates this process by exerting additional adenosine-mediated effects. This study aims to determine whether ticagrelor is associated with a better microvascular function compared to prasugrel as maintenance therapy after STEMI. A total of 110 patients presenting with STEMI and additional intermediate stenosis in another coronary artery will be studied after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the infarct-related artery. Patients will be randomized to treatment with ticagrelor or prasugrel for 1 year. FFR-guided PCI of the non-infarct-related artery will be performed at 1 month. Microvascular function will be assessed by measurement of the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) in the infarct-related artery and non-infarct-related artery, immediately after primary PCI and after 1 month. The REDUCE-MVI study will establish whether ticagrelor as a maintenance therapy may improve microvascular function in patients after revascularized STEMI

A Novel Approach to Standard Techniques in the Assessment and Quantification of the Interventricular Systolic Relationship

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Blood flow between the right and left ventricles is subject to the continuity equation and systolic ventricular interdependence. Quantification of this relationship might aid in understanding inter-ventricular function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and quantify ventricular interdependence by directly comparing right and left ventricular systolic function though echocardiographic surrogates of right and left ventricular systolic function such as MAPSE, TAPSE, RV TVI and LV TVI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study prospectively evaluated 51 healthy participants (mean age, 41 ± 17 years) by resting echocardiography. In addition to standard measurements, tricuspid annular plane of systolic excursion, (TAPSE), mitral annular plane of systolic excursion (MAPSE), and the peak annulus systolic velocity of the right ventricular (RVs) and left ventricular (LVs) free walls were measured by M-mode and pulsed wave Doppler tissue echocardiography and further evaluated for variance across age, gender, and body surface area.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>TAPSE (22.1 ± 2.9 mm) was over 54.5% greater than MAPSE (14.3 ± 2.6 mm) and RVs was 64.4% greater than LVs. The LV to RV systolic relationship measured by MAPSE/TAPSE and LVs/RVs ratios were 0.66 ± 0.14 and 0.76 ± 0.21 respectively. These values were not significantly affected by age, gender or body surface area (BSA).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MAPSE/TAPSE and LVs/RVs ratios appear stable across age, gender, and BSA potentially making them good surrogates of systolic ventricular relationship and interdependence.</p

Intracoronary infusion of mononuclear cells after PCI-treated myocardial infarction and arrhythmogenesis: is it safe?

To reduce long-term morbidity after revascularised acute myocardial infarction, different therapeutic strategies have been investigated. Cell therapy with mononuclear cells from bone marrow (BMMC) or peripheral blood (PBMC) has been proposed to attenuate the adverse processes of remodelling and subsequent heart failure. Previous trials have suggested that cell therapy may facilitate arrhythmogenesis. In the present substudy of the HEBE cell therapy trial, we investigated whether intracoronary cell therapy alters the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias after 1 month or the rate of severe arrhythmogenic events (SAE) in the first year. In 164 patients of the trial we measured function and infarct size with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Holter registration was performed after 1 month from which the number of triplets (3 successive PVCs) and ventricular tachycardias (VT, ≥4 successive PVCs) was assessed. Thirty-three patients (20%) showed triplets and/or VTs, with similar distribution amongst the groups (triplets: control n = 8 vs. BMMC n = 9, p = 1.00; vs. PBMC n = 10, p = 0.67. VT: control n = 9 vs. BMMC n = 9, p = 0.80; vs. PBMC n = 11, p = 0.69). SAE occurred in 2 patients in the PBMC group and 1 patient in the control group. In conclusion, intracoronary cell therapy is not associated with an increase in ventricular arrhythmias or SAE

What is the long-term clinical outcome after fragility fractures of the pelvis? - A CT-based cross-sectional study

Background: Recently, Rommens and Hoffman introduced a CT-based classification system for fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP). Although fracture characteristics have been described, the relationship with clinical outcome is lacking. The purpose of this study was to get insight into the type of treatment and subsequent clinical outcome after all types of FFP. Methods: A cross-sectional cohort study was performed including all elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with a CT-diagnosed FFP, between 2007-2019 in two level 1 trauma centers. Data regarding treatment, mortality and clinical outcome was gathered from the electronic patient files. Patients were asked to complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) regarding physical functioning (SMFA) and quality of life (EQ-5D). Additionally, a standardized multidisciplinary treatment algorithm was constructed. Results: A total of 187 patients were diagnosed with an FFP of whom 117 patients were available for follow-up analysis and 58 patients responded. FFP type I was most common (60%), followed by type II (27%), type III (8%) and type IV (5%). Almost all injuries were treated non-operatively (98%). Mobility at six weeks ranged from 50% (type III) to 80% type II). Mortality at 1 year was respectively 16% (type I and II), 47% (type III) and 13% (type IV). Physical functioning (SMFA function index) ranged from 62 (type III and IV) to 69 (type II) and was significantly decreased (P=<0.001) compared to the age-matched general population. Quality of life was also significantly decreased, ranging from 0.26 (type III) to 0.69 (type IV). Conclusions: FFP type I and II are most common. Treatment is mainly non-operative, resulting in good mobility after six weeks, especially for patients with FFP type I and II. Mortality rates at one year were substantial in all patients. Physical functioning and quality of life was about 20-30% decreased compared to the general population