Estimation de la pression pulmonaire par analyses spectrale et temps-fréquence du deuxième son cardiaque

Cette étude a pour but d'évaluer différentes méthodes de sélection du deuxième son cardiaque et de ses composantes aortique et pulmonaire et d'estimation de leurs paramètres spectraux pour la mesure de la pression artérielle pulmonaire. Trois méthodes basées sur la transformée rapide de Fourier (FFT) et 5 méthodes basées sur la distribution Wigner-Ville (DWV) ont été testées à l'aide de signaux enregistrés chez 27 patients. La performance de chaque méthode a été évaluée par l'indice de corrélation entre la mesure de la pression artérielle pulmonaire obtenue à partir de quatre paramètres spectraux extraits du deuxième son cardiaque et de ses composantes aortique et pulmonaire et celle mesurée par échocardiographie Doppler. Les résultats démontrent que la meilleure méthode basée sur la transformée rapide de Fourier et celle basée sur la représentation temps-fréquence (RTF) ont des performances similaires. Les deux méthodes nécessitent une séparation préalable des composantes aortique et pulmonaire du deuxième son cardiaque avant d'effectuer l'analyse spectrale ou l'analyse temps-fréquence

Shrimp Farming Practices in the Puttallam District of Sri Lanka: Implications for Disease Control, Industry Sustainability, and Rural Development

Shrimp farming has great potential to diversify and secure income in rural Sri Lanka, but production has significantly declined in recent years due to civil conflicts, some unsustainable practices and devastating outbreaks of disease. We examined management practices affecting disease prevention and control in the Puttalam district to identify extension services outputs that could support sustainable development of Sri Lankan shrimp farming. A survey on 621 shrimp farms (603 operational and 18 nonoperational) was conducted within the Puttalam district over 42 weeks comprising a series of three-day field visits from August 2008 to October 2009, covering two consecutive shrimp crops. Fundamental deficits in disease control, management, and biosecurity practices were found. Farmers had knowledge of biosecurity but the lack of financial resources was a major impediment to improved disease control. Smallholder farmers were disproportionately constrained in their ability to enact basic biosecurity practices due to their economic status. Basic breaches in biosecurity will keep disease as the rate limiting step in this industry. Plans to support this industry must recognize the socioeconomic reality of rural Sri Lankan aquaculture

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography assessment of aortic stenosis

Objectives Non-contrast CT aortic valve calcium scoring ignores the contribution of valvular fibrosis in aortic stenosis. We assessed aortic valve calcific and non-calcific disease using contrast-enhanced CT. Methods This was a post hoc analysis of 164 patients (median age 71 (IQR 66-77) years, 78% male) with aortic stenosis (41 mild, 89 moderate, 34 severe; 7% bicuspid) who underwent echocardiography and contrast-enhanced CT as part of imaging studies. Calcific and non-calcific (fibrosis) valve tissue volumes were quantified and indexed to annulus area, using Hounsfield unit thresholds calibrated against blood pool radiodensity. The fibrocalcific ratio assessed the relative contributions of valve fibrosis and calcification. The fibrocalcific volume (sum of indexed non-calcific and calcific volumes) was compared with aortic valve peak velocity and, in a subgroup, histology and valve weight. Results Contrast-enhanced CT calcium volumes correlated with CT calcium score (r=0.80, p<0.001) and peak aortic jet velocity (r=0.55, p<0.001). The fibrocalcific ratio decreased with increasing aortic stenosis severity (mild: 1.29 (0.98-2.38), moderate: 0.87 (1.48-1.72), severe: 0.47 (0.33-0.78), p<0.001) while the fibrocalcific volume increased (mild: 109 (75-150), moderate: 191 (117-253), severe: 274 (213-344) mm 3 /cm 2). Fibrocalcific volume correlated with ex vivo valve weight (r=0.72, p<0.001). Compared with the Agatston score, fibrocalcific volume demonstrated a better correlation with peak aortic jet velocity (r=0.59 and r=0.67, respectively), particularly in females (r=0.38 and r=0.72, respectively). Conclusions Contrast-enhanced CT assessment of aortic valve calcific and non-calcific volumes correlates with aortic stenosis severity and may be preferable to non-contrast CT when fibrosis is a significant contributor to valve obstruction

MULTI-MODALITY IMAGING IN AORTIC STENOSIS:AN EACVI CLINICAL CONSENSUS DOCUMENT

International audienceIn this EACVI clinical scientific update, we will explore the current use of multi-modality imaging in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and follow-up of patients with aortic stenosis, with a particular focus on recent developments and future directions. Echocardiography is and will likely remain the key method of diagnosis and surveillance of aortic stenosis providing detailed assessments of valve haemodynamics and the cardiac remodelling response. Computed tomography (CT) is already widely used in the planning of transcutaneous aortic valve implantation. We anticipate its increased use as an anatomical adjudicator to clarify disease severity in patients with discordant echocardiographic measurements. CT calcium scoring is currently used for this purpose; however, contrast CT techniques are emerging that allow identification of both calcific and fibrotic valve thickening. Additionally, improved assessments of myocardial decompensation with echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and CT will become more commonplace in our routine assessment of aortic stenosis. Underpinning all of this will be widespread application of artificial intelligence. In combination, we believe this new era of multi-modality imaging in aortic stenosis will improve the diagnosis, follow-up, and timing of intervention in aortic stenosis as well as potentially accelerate the development of the novel pharmacological treatments required for this disease

Genetic and In Vitro Inhibition of PCSK9 and Calcific Aortic Valve Stenosis

The authors investigated whether PCSK9 inhibition could represent a therapeutic strategy in calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). A meta-analysis of 10 studies was performed to determine the impact of the PCSK9 R46L variant on CAVS, and the authors found that CAVS was less prevalent in carriers of this variant (odds ratio: 0.80 [95% confidence interval: 0.70 to 0.91]; p = 0.0011) compared with noncarriers. PCSK9 expression was higher in the aortic valves of patients CAVS compared with control patients. In human valve interstitials cells submitted to a pro-osteogenic medium, PCSK9 levels increased and a PCSK9 neutralizing antibody significantly reduced calcium accumulation

Discordant severity criteria in patients with moderate aortic stenosis: prognostic implications

Background The criteria to define the grade of aortic stenosis (AS)-aortic valve area (AVA) and mean gradient (MG) or peak jet velocity-do not always coincide into one grade. Although in severe AS, this discrepancy is well characterised, in moderate AS, the phenomenon of discordant grading has not been investigated and its prognostic implications are unknown.Objectives To investigate the occurrence of discordant grading in patients with moderate AS (defined by an AVA between 1.0 cm(2) and 1.5 cm(2) but with an MG = 20 mm Hg) in terms of clinical outcomes.Methods From an ongoing registry of patients with AS, patients with moderate AS based on AVA were selected and classified into discordant or concordant grading (MG = 20 mm Hg, respectively). The clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality.Results Of 790 patients with moderate AS, 150 (19.0%) had discordant grading, moderate AS. Patients with discordant grading were older, had higher prevalence of previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, larger LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index, higher LV filling pressure and lower LV ejection fraction and stroke volume index as compared with their counterparts. After a median follow-up of 4.9 years (IQR 3.0-8.2), patients with discordant grading had lower aortic valve replacement rates (26.7% vs 44.1%, p<0.001) and higher mortality rates (60.0% vs 43.1%, p<0.001) as compared with patients with concordant grading. Discordant grading moderate AS, combined with low LV ejection fraction, presented the higher risk of mortality (HR 2.78 (2.00-3.87), p<0.001).Conclusion Discordant-grading moderate AS is not uncommon and, when combined with low LV ejection fraction, is associated with high risk of mortality.Cardiolog

Acute kidney injury following transcatheter aortic valve implantation: predictive factors, prognostic value, and comparison with surgical aortic valve replacement

Aims: Very few data exist on the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). The objectives of the present study were (i) to determine the incidence, predictive factors, and prognostic value of AKI following TAVI, and (ii) to compare the occurrence of AKI in TAVI vs. surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in patients with pre-procedural chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods and results: A total of 213 patients (mean age 82 ± 8 years) undergoing TAVI for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis were included in the study. Acute kidney injury was defined as a reduction of >25% in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) within 48 h following the procedure or the need for haemodialysis during index hospitalization. Those patients with pre-procedural CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, n = 119) were compared with 104 contemporary patients with CKD who underwent isolated SAVR. The incidence of AKI following TAVI was 11.7%, with 1.4% of the patients requiring haemodialysis. Predictive factors of AKI were hypertension (OR: 4.66; 95% CI: 1.04–20.87), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.10–6.36), and peri-operative blood transfusion (OR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.30–9.29). Twenty-one patients (9.8%) died during index hospitalization, and the logistic EuroSCORE (OR: 1.03 for each increase of 1%; 95% CI: 1.01–1.06) and occurrence of AKI (OR: 4.14, 95% CI: 1.42–12.13) were identified as independent predictors of postoperative mortality. Patients with CKD who underwent TAVI were older, had a higher logistic EuroSCORE and lower pre-procedural eGFR values compared with those who underwent SAVR (P < 0.0001 for all). The incidence of AKI was lower (P = 0.001; P = 0.014 after propensity score adjustment) in CKD patients who underwent TAVI (9.2%, need for haemodialysis: 2.5%) compared with those who underwent SAVR (25.9%, need for haemodialysis: 8.7%). Conclusion: Acute kidney injury occurred in 11.7% of the patients following TAVI and was associated with a greater than four-fold increase in the risk of postoperative mortality. Hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and blood transfusion were predictive factors of AKI. In those patients with pre-procedural CKD, TAVI was associated with a significant reduction of AKI compared with SAVR

Usefulness of NT-pro BNP monitoring to identify echocardiographic responders following cardiac resynchronization therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves left ventricular (LV) volumes, mitral regurgitation (MR) severity and symptoms of patients with heart failure (HF). However, ≥ 30% of patients have no significant clinical or echocardiographic improvement following CRT. Reverse remodeling after CRT correlates with improved clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that in NT-pro BNP monitoring is accurate to identify responders following CRT.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>42 consecutive patients (mean age 66 ± 12 years, male 68%) with HF undergoing CRT were prospectively enrolled. Responders at follow-up were defined by echocardiography (decrease in LV end systolic volume ≥ 15%). Echocardiography and NT-pro BNP measurement were performed at baseline and repeated 3 to 6 month after CRT.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no significant difference between responders (n = 29, 69%) and non-responders (n = 13, 31%) regarding baseline NT-pro BNP level. Responders had significantly higher decrease in NT-pro BNP levels during follow-up than non-responders (absolute: -1428 ± 1333 pg.ml^-1vs. -61 ± 959 pg.ml^-1, p = 0.002; relative: -45 ± 28% vs. 2 ± 28%, p < 0.0001). A decrease of ≥ 15% in NT-pro BNP 3–6 months after CRT identifies echocardiographic responders with a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 77%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>NT-pro BNP monitoring can accurately identify echocardiographic responders after CRT.</p

Two years follow-up study of the pain-relieving effect of gold bead implantation in dogs with hip-joint arthritis

Seventy-eight dogs with pain from hip dysplasia participated in a six-month placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial of gold bead implantation. In the present, non-blinded study, 73 of these dogs were followed for an additional 18 months to evaluate the long-term pain-relieving effect of gold bead implantation. The recently-published results of the six month period revealed that 30 of the 36 dogs (83%) in the gold implantation group showed significant improvement (p = 0.02), included improved mobility and reduction in the signs of pain, compared to the placebo group (60% improvement). In the long-term two-year follow-up study, 66 of the 73 dogs had gold implantation and seven dogs continued as a control group. The 32 dogs in the original placebo group had gold beads implanted and were followed for a further 18 months. A certified veterinary acupuncturist used the same procedure to insert the gold beads as in the blinded study, and the owners completed the same type of detailed questionnaires. As in the blinded study, one investigator was responsible for all the assessments of each dog. The present study revealed that the pain-relieving effect of gold bead implantation observed in the blinded study continued throughout the two-year follow-up period