Persistent trigeminal artery in a patient with posterior circulation stroke treated with rt-PA: case report

Background A persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a non-involuted embryonic vessel that connects the cavernous part of the internal carotid artery with the posterior circulation. In the adult it is associated with multiple pathological conditions including trigeminal neuralgia, ophthalmoplegia, hypopituitarism, intracavernous fistula, brain aneurysms and posterior circulation strokes. The latter may occur through steal phenomena or thrombosis in the anterior circulation. PTA associated vertebrobasilar hypoplasia has yet to be associated to TIA like events, however, in the reported case, that seems to be the case with reported vertigo being probably linked to vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Case report We present a case of an 82-year-old man with sudden onset neurological deficits, including left hemiparesis with crural predominance, vertical nystagmus, right internuclear ophthalmoplegia, dysarthria and dysmetria on the left arm. CT angiography disclosed basilar artery hypoplasia in the proximal two thirds and a persistent trigeminal artery. He was diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke. He was submitted to rt-PA with partial reversion of deficits. Conclusion The ischemic events related to PTA remain a rare cause of stroke with specific pathophysiological mechanisms and implications. They may occur through steal phenomena or thrombosis in the anterior circulation. Upon literature review, in the described case both mechanisms seem possible, however the transient episodes of vertigo could have been the first sign of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.No funding was obtained for this article

Flexible Blue-Light Fiber Amplifiers to Improve Signal Coverage in Advanced Lighting Communication Systems

Visible-light communication (VLC) based on white light-emitting diodes has recently attracted much attention to provide high-bitrate data communication in indoor environments. One of the remaining challenges to be resolved to enable the proliferation of VLC systems is related to channel attenuation and multiple path fading. Here, we introduce an advanced VLC system integrating an optical amplifier as a promising solution to overcome channel impairments, providing high bitrate coverage. The optical amplifier is a flexible fiber based on a poly(fluorene)-based lumophore doped within a di-ureasil organic-inor- ganic hybrid. Optical amplification is demonstrated for pre-amplifier and relay node scenarios, yielding a maximum gain of 5.9 G 0.2 dB and 3.7 G 0.2 dB, respectively, establishing the proposed approach as a promising cost-effective solution for VLCs. Additionally, numerical simulations show, for a realistic envi- ronment, a 207% improvement in the coverage area, using existing lighting infrastructure without extra cost.R.C.E. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Ho- rizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 818762 - SPECTRACON)

Endarterite infecciosa de canal arterial clinicamente silencioso

Infective Endocarditis is caused by bacteria or fungi involving the heart or the great vessels (Endarteritis). It is a rare and potentially ominous disease, with increasing incidence. Despite technological advances it remains difficult to diagnose and treat, particularly in children below two years. Congenital heart disease is the main risk factor for Infective Endocarditis in children. A patent ductus arteriosus clinically silent is infrequently implied. Over two-month-old Streptococci spp and Staphylococcus aureus are the main agents, responsible for 62-77% of cases. Gram negative rods count for 4-6%, being Klebsiella pneumoniae a rare pathogen. The authors report a case of a previously healthy four-months-old infant, admitted for bronchiolitis. He developed a Klebsiella pneumoniae persistent bacteremia related to Endarteritis of a silent patent ductus arteriosus. After prolonged and successful antibiotic therapy, the ductus arteriosus was surgically closed. He suffered no complication during the disease process and recovered uneventfully

Left Atrial Appendage Volume As a New Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence After Catheter Ablation

PURPOSE: Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after catheter ablation is common, being clinically relevant to identify predictors of recurrence. The left atrial appendage (LAA) role as an AF trigger is scarcely explored. Our aim was to identify if LAA volume is an independent predictor of AF recurrence after catheter ablation. METHODS: We analysed 52 patients (aged 54 ± 10 years, 58% male) with paroxysmal and persistent AF who underwent a first AF catheter ablation and had performed contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) prior to the procedure. RESULTS: The mean left atrial and LAA volumes measured by cardiac CT were 98.9 ± 31.8 and 9.3 ± 3.5 mL, respectively. All patients received successful pulmonary vein isolation and were followed up for 24 months. AF recurrence occurred in 17 patients (33%). LAA volume was significantly greater in patients with AF recurrence than in those without recurrence (11.3 ± 2.9 vs. 8.2 ± 3.4 mL; p = 0.002). Multivariable analysis using Cox regression revealed that LAA volume (hazard ratio 1.32; 95% confidence interval 1.12-1.55; p = 0.001) and persistent AF (hazard ratio 4.22; 95% confidence interval 1.48-12.07; p = 0.007) were independent predictors for AF recurrence. An LAA volume greater than 8.825 mL predicted AF recurrence with 94% sensitivity and 66% specificity. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a lower rate free from AF recurrence in the group with an LAA volume >8.825 mL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Larger LAA volume was associated with AF recurrence after catheter ablation in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O Que Acontece aos Não Respondedores na Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) is strongly related to the long-term prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical outcome of patients without LVRR at six months after CRT implantation and to determine the prognostic impact of clinical response in this population. METHODS: We analyzed 178 consecutive patients who underwent successful CRT device implantation (age 64±11 years; 69% male; 89% in New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class III; 35% with ischemic cardiomyopathy). Clinical status and echocardiographic parameters were determined before and six months after CRT implantation. We identified those without criteria for LVRR (≥10% increase in left ventricular ejection fraction with ≥15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic diameter compared to baseline). Clinical responders were defined by a sustained improvement of at least one NYHA functional class. RESULTS: At six-month assessment after CRT, 109 (61%) patients showed LVRR. During a mean follow-up of 56±21 months, 47 (26%) patients died, with higher mortality in the group without LVRR (36% vs. 20%, p=0.023). Clinical response was greater in patients with LVRR (88% vs. 55%, p<0.001). In patients without LVRR, clinical response to CRT was the strongest independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio: 0.120; 95% confidence interval: 0.039-0.366; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although patients without LVRR six months after CRT implantation had a worse prognosis, with higher all-cause mortality, clinical response can be an independent predictor of survival in this population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O Efeito da Monitorização Remota em Eventos Cardíacos Adversos numa Amostra Emparelhada por Propensity-Score Matching

AIMS: There are conflicting data regarding the clinical benefits of device-based remote monitoring (RM). We sought to assess the effect of device-based RM on long-term clinical outcomes in recipients of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). METHODS: We assessed the incidence of adverse cardiac events, overall mortality and device therapy efficacy and safety in a propensity score-matched cohort of patients under RM compared to patients under conventional follow-up. Data on hospitalizations, mortality and cause of death were systematically assessed using a nationwide healthcare platform. The primary outcome was time to a composite outcome of first hospital admission for heart failure or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: Of a total of 923 implantable device recipients, 164 matched patients were identified (84 under RM, 84 under conventional follow-up). The mean follow-up was 44 months (range 1-123). There were no significant differences regarding baseline characteristics in the matched cohorts. Patients under RM had a significantly lower incidence of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42, confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.88, p=0.022); there was a non-significant trend towards lower overall mortality (HR 0.53, CI 0.27-1.04, p=0.066). No significant differences between cohorts were found regarding appropriate therapies (RM vs. conventional follow-up, 8.1 vs. 8.2%, p=NS) or inappropriate therapies (6.8 vs. 5.0%, p=NS). CONCLUSION: In a propensity score-matched cohort of ICD recipients with long-term follow-up, RM was associated with a lower rate of a combined endpoint of hospital admission for heart failure or cardiovascular death.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of Remote Monitoring on Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes after Cardioverter-Defibrillator Implantation

AIMS: Device-based remote monitoring (RM) has been linked to improved clinical outcomes at short to medium-term follow-up. Whether this benefit extends to long-term follow-up is unknown. We sought to assess the effect of device-based RM on long-term clinical outcomes in recipients of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention. RM was initiated with patient consent according to availability of RM hardware at implantation. Patients with concomitant cardiac resynchronization therapy were excluded. Data on hospitalizations, mortality and cause of death were systematically assessed using a nationwide healthcare platform. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed to estimate the effect of RM on mortality and a composite endpoint of cardiovascular mortality and hospital admission due to heart failure (HF). RESULTS: 312 patients were included with a median follow-up of 37.7months (range 1 to 146). 121 patients (38.2%) were under RM since the first outpatient visit post-ICD and 191 were in conventional follow-up. No differences were found regarding age, left ventricular ejection fraction, heart failure etiology or NYHA class at implantation. Patients under RM had higher long-term survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.50, CI 0.27-0.93, p=0.029) and lower incidence of the composite outcome (HR 0.47, CI 0.27-0.82, p=0.008). After multivariate survival analysis, overall survival was independently associated with younger age, higher LVEF, NYHA class lower than 3 and RM. CONCLUSION: RM was independently associated with increased long-term survival and a lower incidence of a composite endpoint of hospitalization for HF or cardiovascular mortality

Tempo para a Remodelagem Inversa do Ventrículo Esquerdo: Mais Vale Tarde do que Nunca

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR), defined as reduction of end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions and improvement of ejection fraction, is associated with the prognostic implications of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The time course of LVRR remains poorly characterized. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that it occurs ≤6 months after CRT. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the long-term echocardiographic and clinical evolution of patients with LVRR occurring >6 months after CRT and to identify predictors of a delayed LVRR response. METHODS: A total of 127 consecutive patients after successful CRT implantation were divided into three groups according to LVRR response: Group A, 19 patients (15%) with LVRR after >6 months (late LVRR); Group B, 58 patients (46%) with LVRR before 6 months (early LVRR); and Group C, 50 patients (39%) without LVRR during follow-up (no LVRR). RESULTS: The late LVRR group was older, more often had ischemic etiology and fewer patients were in NYHA class ≤II. Overall, group A presented LVRR between group B and C. This was also the case with the percentage of clinical response (68.4% vs. 94.8% vs. 38.3%, respectively, p<0.001), and hospital readmissions due to decompensated heart failure (31.6% vs. 12.1% vs. 57.1%, respectively, p<0.001). Ischemic etiology (OR 0.044; p=0.013) and NYHA functional class <III (OR 0.056; p=0.063) were the variables with the highest predictive value for late LVRR. CONCLUSIONS: Late LVRR has better clinical and echocardiographic outcomes than no LVRR, although with a suboptimal response compared to the early LVRR population. Ischemic etiology and NYHA functional class <III are predictors of late LVRR