A giant interatrial mass: an unusual presentation of primary amyloidosis

We report a patient with primary systemic amyloidosis who had a very unusual form of clinical and instrumental presentation.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein: a predictor for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often associated, more or less indirectly, with an inflammatory acute or chronic process. So it is probable that the inflammation could contribute to the genesis and the perpetuation of this dysrhythmia. Phlogistic test indexes in patients (pts) with AF will be positive and have prognostic significance in patients treated with electrical cardioversion with restoration of a sinus rhythm. We evaluated 106 pts affected by AF of recent onset without known cardiovascular disease. We measured the plasma concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) through a high sensibility method, in addition to routine blood samples. We performed an ECG 1 week and a Holter ECG monitoring 1 and 6 months after the electrical cardioversion. The CRP values were high (5.8 +/- 10.7 U/L), with values above the normal range in 60 pts. After electrical cardioversion, we obtained restoration of sinus rhythm in all the patients. One week after cardioversion, 85 pts (80%) were in sinus rhythm, while after 6 months 60 pts (56%) maintained a sinus rhythm. In total 46 (43%) patients had a recurrence of atrial fibrillation within 6 months, and 41 of these 46 patients (89%) had elevated values of CRP (P < 0.001 with respect to the patients who maintained a sinus rhythm). 18/21 patients (86%) with an AF relapse in the first week and 23/25 patients (92%) with AF recurrences at 6 months later had elevated values of CRP. The patients with AF may have elevated values of CRP, and the assessment of this increase may be predictive of early relapses of AF after electrical cardioversion.

Successful switch to sitaxsentan in a patient with HIV-related pulmonary arterial hypertension and late intolerance to nonselective endothelin receptor blockade

Pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH] is a rare but well-known cardiovascular condition potentially associated with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection and is currently recognized to be one of the most ominous noninfectious HIV complications. Although there is no clear evidence supporting the use of any medication for the treatment of HIV-related PAH, many of the currently available agents have been shown to exert some clinical benefits HIV-PAH patients. To date, no data are available regarding the potential effects of sitaxsentan, a selective endothelin type-A receptor antagonist, in this peculiar patient population. We report the case of a successful switch to sitaxsentan in a HIV-infected patient with PAH initially receiving bosentan who developed a late treatment-related side-effect.

[Usefulness of left atrial diametres and volumes for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function]

INTRODUCTION

The diastolic function of the left ventricle is a main point of the physiological adaptations of the cardiovascular system to the various situations.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluation of left atrium diameter change during diastole and left atrial volume and their possible correlation with different left ventricular diastolic filling pattern.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Ninety patients with echocardiographically determined diastolic dysfunction and eighty healthy volunteers were included in the study. We measured left atrium emptying fraction (LAEF), defined as ratio of end-diastolic left atrial diameter to end-systolic diameter and left atrial volume. Mitral flow pulsed wave velocities were recorded. E, A, E/A, deceleration time of early diastolic filling, isovolumetric relaxation time were measured. Pulmonary vein S, D and atrial reversal velocities and tissue Doppler imaging of E' and A' mitral anular velocities were obtained.

RESULTS

LAEF was found 0.6 +/- 0.4 (mean SE) in the control group, 0.81 +/- 0.04 in pseudonormal pattern (P < 0.05, control vs pseudonormal group), 0.89 +/- 0.01 in the greater A wave than E wave (P < 0.001, control vs restrictive pattern group), and 0.78 +/- 0.2 in the A > E group (P < 0.05, control vs A > E pattern group).

CONCLUSIONS

LAEF and atrial volume are a new and practical methods for the differentiation of the normal-pseudonormal mitral flow pattern, in particular in setting without new ultrasound technologies.

[Erythropoietin: a new perspective in cardiovascular therapy]

Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidney, which regulates proliferation, differentiation and maturation of red cells. Recombinant human EPO (rH-EPO) is well known to correct anaemia in patients with chronic renal failure in terminal stage. However, recent studies showed the existence of several not haematopoietic effects of erythropoietin. EPO receptors have been found to be expressed in several tissues, included the cardiovascular system. An increase in cardiac systolic function has been observed in patients with chronic heart failure treated with EPO. Other beneficial effects appear to be related to the pro-angiogenic properties on endothelial cells and could be useful for treatment of ischemic heart disease. These findings suggest that EPO could provide potential therapeutic benefits in the management of cardiovascular diseases beyond anaemia correction. This review focuses its attention on the pleiotropic effects of EPO and its future promising applications in cardiovascular pathology.

How often we need to measure brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood levels in patients admitted to the hospital for acute severe heart failure? Role of serial measurements to improve short-term prognostic stratification

BACKGROUND

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is increasingly used in the management of patients with heart failure (HF). It is still unclear how to use serial BNP measurement in HF.

AIM

To evaluate the usefulness of three consecutive measurements of BNP in patients (pts) hospitalized for acute HF.

METHODS

Clinical evaluation, BNP levels and echocardiography were assessed in 150 pts (67% males, age: 69+/-12 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 34+/-14%) admitted for severe HF (NYHA class III-IV: 146/150). BNP measurements were obtained: at admission (basal, T0), at discharge (T1) and at first ambulatory control (T2), after optimization of medical therapy in those with discharge BNP level >250 pg/mL. End-points were death and hospital readmission during 6-month follow-up.

RESULTS

According to BNP levels 3 groups of patients were identified: Group 1 (62 pts, 41%), in whom discharge (T1) BNP was high and persisted elevated at T2 despite aggressive medical therapy; at 6-month follow-up 72% died or were hospitalized for HF. Group 2 (36 pts, 24%), in whom discharge (T1) BNP was high but decreased after medical therapy (T2); death and HF-readmission were observed in 8 pts (26%). Group 3 (52 pts, 35%), in whom discharge (T1) BNP levels were <250 pg/mL and persisted below this value at T2; death and HF-hospital readmission were observed in 6 pts (12%). Event rate differences among groups were statistically significant (p<0.001). At Cox-analysis discharge BNP cutoff of 250 pg/mL was the only parameter predictive of a worse outcome.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that 3 BNP measurements, at admission, at discharge and few weeks later can allow to identify HF pts whom, despite a further potentiation of medical therapy, will present a worsening or even will die during short-term follow-up.

Is it safe to allow patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators to drive? Learnings from a single center experience

BACKGROUND

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implant indications have widened in recent years after the publication of the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial 2 and the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial. On the contrary, guidelines on resumption of driving after ICD implant were published almost 10 years ago when the ICD implant rate was much lower and candidates were generally older.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The overall objective of our study was to evaluate whether patients implanted with ICDs have higher risk than the general driving population. The specific aim of the study was to verify the rate of car accidents in patients implanted with an ICD, both for primary and secondary indication, and compare this with the rate of accidents in the general population. The primary end point of the study was the annual car accident rate; the secondary end point was to determine if there were subgroups of patients with a higher risk of car accidents.

METHODS

All patients (612) followed up in our outpatient clinic were sent a questionnaire in which they were asked five questions regarding their driving habits before and after ICD implant and, specifically, whether they had been involved in a car accident after the implant.

RESULTS

Two hundred eighty-six patients (47%) responded to the questionnaire. Seventy-one patients had never driven; two patients were forbidden to drive for professional reasons (one bus and one truck driver). Two hundred thirteen (74.5% of all responding) patients (201 men, mean age 62 +/- 11 years) continued to drive after ICD implant. During the follow-up (1430 +/- 920 days) 11 patients had been involved in car accidents and, importantly 10 out of 11 were innocent bystanders. Thus, in 996 patient-years, 11 events happened, yielding an annual event rate of 1.1% per patient-years (and only 0.1% in which the driver could had been responsible).

CONCLUSION

Car accidents are infrequent in patients implanted with an ICD, and - in any case - not more frequent than in the general population. The old guidelines need to be updated and specific restrictions on car driving in ICD patients need to be revised to reflect the current data.

Lack of association of coeliac disease with idiopathic and ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathies

OBJECTIVE

A prevalence of coeliac disease higher than in the general population has been reported not only in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, a presumable autoimmune disease, but also in patients with ischaemic or valvular cardiomyopathy. The evidence is controversial, however, and the concept itself of an association unrelated to aetiology is intriguing and warrants further testing. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of coeliac disease in a cohort of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy screened for the presence of serum anti-transglutaminase antibodies. We provisionally assessed the sensitivity and specificity of two commercially available kits for tissue transglutaminase antibodies detection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We screened for anti-transglutaminase antibodies in 350 consecutive patients with idiopathic (n = 182) and with ischaemic (n = 168) dilated cardiomyopathy using the previously validated method for anti-transglutaminase antibody assay. Coeliac disease diagnosis has been confirmed by duodenal histopathology in patients testing positive at serological screening.

RESULTS

Two coeliac patients (0.6% prevalence) have been identified, one with idiopathic and one with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy. They presented with iron deficiency anaemia and with recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhoea, respectively, and both had villous atrophy at histopathology. After 1 year on a gluten-free diet, the echocardiographic parameters did not improve in either patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that the prevalence of coeliac disease in patients with dilated cardiomyopathies is similar to that reported for the Italian general population. The confounding factor of conditions associated with both coeliac disease and dilated cardiomyopathies may explain the association unrelated to aetiology reported in previous studies mostly based on small sample size.

Thrombus or tumor? a case of fibroelastoma as indicated during the submission process

We describe the case of a 50-year-old woman who was admitted to a pheriferal department for heart failure. The echocardiography revealed a small mass measuring about 1.3 x 1.0 cm adhering to the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve, mild dilated cardiomiopathy and severe biventricular dysfunction. This mass had erroneously been considered a thrombotic lesion, so the patient was treated with thrombolysis and heparin e.v. Only after a transoesophageal echocardiography a tumour cardiac mass was suspected. The diagnosis of fibroelastoma was confirmed by MRI and then from the anatomic and histoligical definition after surgery.

Acute thrombosis in mitralic mechanical prosthesis: a case report

We describe a case of a man, 42 years old, submitted to successful fibrinolitic strategy with rTPA in acute mitralic prosthesis valve thrombosis and ipomobility of one emidisk. There aren't a consensus agreement in therapeutic strategy but we may support the approach of some authors that employ fibrinolisis in patients without absolute or relative controindications and if thrombus dimension is less than 1 cm otherwise they make use of heparin therapy in non obstructive thrombosis with successive transesophageal echocardiography evaluation for the efficacy and the later indication for thrombolisis or surgery treatment.

The role of n-3 PUFAs in preventing the arrhythmic risk in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) intake is associated with a reduction in sudden cardiac death in patients with ischemic heart disease. Their effects in patients with heart failure caused by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) are unknown.

METHODS

We compared with placebo the effects of n-3 PUFAs administration in 44 patients with IDC and with frequent or repetitive ventricular arrhythmias at Holter monitoring using a randomized, double-blind design. Arrhythmic risk was assessed by microvolt T-wave analysis (MTWA), signal averaged ECG (SAECG), Holter monitoring, power spectral analysis of heart rate (HR) variability, catecholamine and cytokine plasma levels, at baseline and after 6 months.

RESULTS

At MTWA, 7/12 patients (58%) initially positive became negative after n-3 PUFAs while one patient became positive after placebo (p = 0.019). N-3 PUFAs administration was also associated to normalization of SAECG (11/15 patients, p < 0.0015), decrease in non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) episodes (p = 0.0002) and NSVT HR (p = 0.0003), improvement in HR variability and decrease in catecholamine and cytokine plasma levels. The ratio of plasma n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs decreased from 12.01 to 3.48 after n-3 PUFAs.

CONCLUSIONS

N-3 PUFAs administration is associated with favorable effects on parameters related to arrhythmic risk in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. These results are consistent with antiarrhythmic activity independent from their antiischemic effects.

[Acute heart failure: clinical profiles and pathophysiology]

Acute heart failure (HF) is the most common diagnosis at discharge in patients aged > 65 years. It carries a dismal prognosis with a high in-hospital mortality rate and very high post-discharge mortality and rehospitalization rates. It is a complex clinical syndrome that is challenging to define as it may vary widely with respect to underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentations. Different clinical scenarios have prognostic significance and may influence therapeutic options. Amongst the main clinical presentations, we may include the following: de novo HF vs acutely decompensated chronic HF, HF caused, and/or worsened, by myocardial ischemia, acute HF with low, normal, or high systolic blood pressure, acute HF caused by hydrosaline retention or fluid redistribution to the lungs, acute HF with comorbidities (diabetes, anemia, renal insufficiency, etc.). Different pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentations may coexist in the same patient. Identification and, whenever possible, treatment of underlying pathophyisiological mechanisms should be a primary objective of acute HF management.

[Mechanical circulatory supports for the treatment of advanced heart failure]

Heart failure (HF) is the final event of virtually all cardiac diseases with a prevalence that has risen to epidemic levels in both Europe and North America. Medical therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and aldosterone inhibitors associated with cardiac resynchronization therapy, when indicated, has allowed an improved survival for HF patients. However, morbidity and mortality rates for advanced HF remain unacceptably high, and the course of HF remains progressive so that patients end to a stage characterized by severe symptoms, poor quality of life, high hospitalization and mortality rates. Heart transplantation represents an effective surgical treatment for advanced HF, yet the interest for alternative surgical options has progressively increased due to shortage of donors and frequent contraindications. Several devices are currently available but the results of controlled studies are still unsatisfactory. It appears likely, however, that mechanical circulatory supports will play a major role in the management of patients with advanced HF.

[Diabetes and ischemic heart disease: specific treatment]

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide epidemic whose incidence and prevalence have significantly increased in recent decades. Diabetic patients have an increased mortality and morbidity related to ischemic heart disease and are more likely to develop multivessel coronary artery disease than non-diabetic patients. An acute coronary event is the leading cause of death among diabetics. These patients have an increased risk of complications after an acute coronary syndrome both during the acute phase and in the post-infarction period. Experimental evidences showed an increased prevalence of atherosclerosis as well as platelet and coagulation abnormalities in patients with diabetes, even after data adjustment for other risk factors. Both hyperglycemia and insulin resistance play a role in the pathogenic link between diabetes and atherosclerosis. Diabetic patients, therefore, could derive a greater benefit from therapies shown to be effective in treating and preventing ischemic heart disease. An aggressive correction of cardiovascular risk factors and accurate risk stratification of patients with diabetes are needed.

[Peripartum cardiomyopathy]

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare disorder in which left ventricular dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure occur in the peripartum period in previously healthy women. Incidence of PPCM ranges from 1 in 1300 to 1 in 15,000 pregnancies. The etiology of PPCM is unknown, but viral, autoimmune, and idiopathic causes may contribute. The diagnostic criteria are onset of heart failure in the last month of pregnancy or in the first 5 months postpartum, absence of determinable cause for cardiac failure, and absence of a demonstrable heart disease before the last month of pregnancy. Risk factors for PPCM include advanced maternal age, multiparity, African race, twinning, gestational hypertension, and long-term tocolysis. The clinical presentation of patients with PPCM is similar to that of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography is central to diagnosis. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are essential to optimize pregnancy outcome. Treatment is similar to medical therapy for other forms of dilated cardiomyopathy. About half the patients of PPCM recover without complications. The prognosis is poor in patients with persistent cardiomyopathy. Persistence of disease after 6 months indicates irreversible cardiomyopathy and portends worse survival.

CA 125 tumoral marker plasma levels relate to systolic and diastolic ventricular function and to the clinical status of patients with chronic heart failure

Plasma levels of the tumoral carbohydrate 125 antigen marker (CA 125) have been found elevated in patients with heart failure. We measured the plasma levels of CA 125 and other tumoral markers in a group of patients with chronic heart failure and we found a correlation between the serum levels with some left ventricular parameters calculated with transthoracic echocardiography (ETT). We studied 200 patients, 159 males and 41 females, suffering from idiopathic or ischemic cardiomyopathy, 126 of them in NYHA class II, 39 in class III, and 35 in NYHA class IV. CA 125 levels were correlated with Doppler mitral flow E-wave, E/A ratio, deceleration time (DT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), and myocardial performance index (MPI) (r = 0.38, 0.35, -0.46, -0.48, and 0.35, respectively, all with P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis found the following parameters to be independently correlated to CA 125: long- and short-axis diameter, MPI, IVRT, and E/A. Plasma CA 125 levels were raised in patients with chronic heart failure and were related to clinical condition and to diastolic and systolic function parameters of the left ventricle. CA 125 could be used as an additional, noninvasive, easily determinable, and low-cost marker of the clinical condition of patients affected by heart failure.

Improvements in signs and symptoms during hospitalization for acute heart failure follow different patterns and depend on the measurement scales used: an international, prospective registry to evaluate the evolution of measures of disease severity in acute heart failure (MEASURE-AHF)

BACKGROUND

The natural evolution of signs and symptoms during acute heart failure (AHF) is poorly characterized.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We followed a prospective international cohort of 182 patients hospitalized with AHF. Patient-reported dyspnea and general well-being (GWB) were measured daily using 7-tier Likert (-3 to +3) and visual analog scales (VAS, 0-100). Physician assessments were also recorded daily. Mean age was 69 years and 68% had ejection fraction <40%. Likert measures of dyspnea initially improved rapidly (day 1, 0.22; day 2, 1.31; P <.001) with no significant improvement thereafter (day 7, 1.51; day 2 versus 7 P = .16). In contrast, VAS measure of dyspnea improved throughout hospitalization (day 1, 50.1; day 2, 64.7; day 7, 83.2; day 1 versus 2 P < .001, day 2 versus 7 P < .001). Symptoms of dyspnea and GWB tracked closely (correlation r = .813, P < .001). Physical signs resolved more completely than did symptoms (eg, from day 1 to discharge/day 7, absence of edema increased from 33% to 72% of patients, whereas significant improvements in dyspnea increased from 27% to 52% of patients; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in patient-reported symptoms and physician-assessed signs followed different patterns during an AHF episode and are influenced by the measurement scales used. Multiple clinical measures should be considered in discharge decisions and evaluation of AHF therapies.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest caused by transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome

We describe a case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation in a patient with transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome. Our report confirms that left ventricular apical ballooning may have the same complications of myocardial infarction, adding the early ventricular fibrillation to the previous findings of left ventricular wall rupture, ventricular arrhythmias during hospitalization and complete atrio-ventricular block. Moreover, left ventricular apical ballooning may have different and unusual clinical onsets, including sudden cardiac death due to ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the absence of associated symptoms. Therefore, in our opinion left ventricular apical ballooning may be considered as a possible cause of sudden death in otherwise healthy women.

Dynamic mild subaortic left ventricular obstruction caused by an accessory mitral valve attached to the anterior mitral valve in a young pregnant woman

Accessory mitral valve tissue is an extremely rare congenital cardiac anomaly of embryologic development of the endocardial cushion. This anomaly is often associated with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO). A 26-year-old pregnant female was referred to our Department of Cardiology with exertional shortness of breath and tachycardia. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed a flexible circular (1.3 x 1.4 cm), mobile structure attached to the ventricular side of anterior mitral valve leaflet, with chordal attachments structure from anterior papillary muscle. This picture is compatible with a parachute-like accessory mitral valve tissue. We performed an echocardiographic exercise test that shows a systolic flow turbulence starting immediately proximal to this structure, resulting in a small increase in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient (30 mmHg). Therefore we started low dose of beta-blocker therapy in order to decrease heart frequency and reduce the future risk of a worsening of an LVOT dynamic obstruction. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography is critical for the differential diagnosis of LVOT and in the management of accessory mitral valve tissue. In patients without rest and only an exertional mild LVOTO and no other cardiac malformations, prophylactic removal of mitral accessory tissue excision is not required; antibiotic prophylaxis for endocarditis can be indicated and a regular follow-up is recommended to identify any progression in LVOTO entity.

Worsening renal function in patients hospitalised for acute heart failure: clinical implications and prognostic significance

BACKGROUND

Renal function is a powerful prognostic variable in patients with heart failure (HF). Hospitalisations for acute HF (AHF) may be associated with further worsening of renal function (WRF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

We analysed the clinical significance of WRF in 318 consecutive patients admitted at our institute for AHF. WRF was defined as the occurrence, at any time during the hospitalisation, of both a > or =25% and a > or =0.3 mg/dL increase in serum creatinine (s-Cr) from admission (WRF-Abs-%).

RESULTS

Patients were followed for 480+/-363 days. Fifty-three patients (17%) died and 132 (41%) were rehospitalised for HF. WRF-Abs-% occurred in 107 (34%) patients. At multivariable survival analysis, WRF-Abs-% was an independent predictor of death or HF rehospitalisation (adjusted HR, 1.47; 95%CI, 1.13-1.81; p=0.024). The independent predictors of WRF-Abs-%, evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, were history of chronic kidney disease (p=0.002), LV ejection fraction (p=0.012), furosemide daily dose (p=0.03) and NYHA class (p=0.05) on admission.

CONCLUSION

WRF is a frequent finding in patients hospitalised for AHF and is associated with a poor prognosis. Severity of HF and daily furosemide dose are the most important predictors of the occurrence of WRF.

Coronary artery spasm as a cause of ST elevation and inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator intervention

Coronary artery spasm can cause both brady- and tachyarrhythmia, through induction of AV block (usually linked to coronary spasm of the right coronary artery) or ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation linked to extensive myocardial ischemia. The electrocardiographic aspect of coronary artery spasm is an ST segment elevation. We describe the case of patient implanted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) for unexplained syncope which, during coronary artery spasm, received an inappropriate device firing due to ST segment elevation, leading to a double count of the QRS by the ICD.

The 6-min walking test early after cardiac surgery. Reference values and the effects of rehabilitation programme

BACKGROUND

The 6-min walking test (6MWT) is a simple test, which does not require expensive equipment or advanced training. It has been used in heart failure patients to assess exercise tolerance, the effects of therapy and prognosis. Accordingly, post-surgical cardiac rehabilitation may be a potential field of application of this test.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

One thousand three hundred seventy patients (70% males, mean age 64+/-10 years), consecutively admitted for intensive cardiac rehabilitation, underwent 6MWT within 15 days after different types of cardiac surgery (67% coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), 25% valve replacement, 4% both, 4% other). The 6MWT was repeated in a subgroup of 348 patients after 15+/-3 days of an in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation programme.

RESULTS

6MWT (expressed as absolute value in metres and as a percentage of the predicted value) was well tolerated in all patients. The mean distance walked in 1370 patients was 304+/-89 m (corresponding to 58+/-15% of the predicted value). Distances walked were significantly shorter in older patients than younger (p<0.05) and in women compared to men (251+/-78 m, 53+/-15%, vs 328+/-34 m, 60+/-14%, p<0.001). Furthermore, the absolute distance walked in 6 min was significantly shorter in diabetics compared to non-diabetics (283+/-85 m vs 302+/-87 m, p=0.001) and in no CABG compared to CABG patients (285+/-91 m vs 303+/-84 m, p<0.001); no relation was found between distance walked and left ventricular ejection fraction (p=0.5). Gender, age, comorbidities and type of surgery were independently associated with 6MWT in the multivariate model. In the subgroup of patients repeating the 6MWT after the rehabilitation programme, the distance walked significantly increased (from 281+/-90 m, 51+/-76%, to 411+/-107 m, 77+/-81%, p<0.001). The extent of improvement observed was similar according to sex, age, presence/absence of diabetes and type of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that 6MWT is feasible and well tolerated in adult and older patients shortly after uncomplicated cardiac surgery and provides reference values for distance walked after cardiac surgery in this population.

Should beta-blocker therapy be reduced or withdrawn after an episode of decompensated heart failure? Results from COMET

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether beta-blocker therapy should be reduced or withdrawn in patients who develop acute decompensated heart failure (HF). We studied the relationship between changes in beta-blocker dose and outcome in patients surviving a HF hospitalisation in COMET.

METHODS

Patients hospitalised for HF were subdivided on the basis of the beta-blocker dose administered at the visit following hospitalisation, compared to that administered before.

RESULTS

In COMET, 752/3029 patients (25%, 361 carvedilol and 391 metoprolol) had a non-fatal HF hospitalisation while on study treatment. Of these, 61 patients (8%) had beta-blocker treatment withdrawn, 162 (22%) had a dose reduction and 529 (70%) were maintained on the same dose. One-and two-year cumulative mortality rates were 28.7% and 44.6% for patients withdrawn from study medication, 37.4% and 51.4% for those with a reduced dosage (n.s.) and 19.1% and 32.5% for those maintained on the same dose (HR,1.59; 95%CI, 1.28-1.98; p<0.001, compared to the others). The result remained significant in a multivariable model: (HR, 1.30; 95%CI, 1.02-1.66; p=0.0318). No interaction with the beneficial effects of carvedilol, compared to metoprolol, on outcome was observed (p=0.8436).

CONCLUSIONS

HF hospitalisations are associated with a high subsequent mortality. The risk of death is higher in patients who discontinue beta-blocker therapy or have their dose reduced. The increase in mortality is only partially explained by the worse prognostic profile of these patients.

The role of plasma biomarkers in acute heart failure. Serial changes and independent prognostic value of NT-proBNP and cardiac troponin-T

AIMS

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), NT-proBNP and troponins are useful for the assessment of patients with heart failure. Few data exist about their serial changes and their prognostic value in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

NT-proBNP and troponin-T plasma levels were measured at baseline, after 6, 12, 24, 48 h and at discharge in 116 consecutive patients with AHF and no evidence of acute coronary syndrome. NT-proBNP levels were 4421 pg/mL at baseline, declined after 24 h and reached their nadir at 48 h (2703 pg/mL). Troponin-T was detectable in 48% of patients. During a median follow-up of 184 days, 52 patients died or had a non-fatal cardiovascular hospitalisation. At a multivariable analysis including clinical and echo-Doppler variables, NT-proBNP plasma levels at discharge, detectable troponin-T plasma levels, and NYHA class at discharge were the only independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

In patients with AHF, NT-proBNP levels decline 24 h after the initiation of intravenous therapy and troponin-T is detectable in 48% of cases. NT-proBNP levels at discharge, detectable troponin-T levels, NYHA class and serum sodium have independent prognostic value.

Bisoprolol in the treatment of chronic heart failure: from pathophysiology to clinical pharmacology and trial results

Clinical trials have consistently shown the benefits of beta-blocker treatment in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). As a result, bisoprolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol succinate are now indicated for the treatment of all patients with chronic HF who do not have major contraindications. Bisoprolol is the first beta-blocker shown to improve survival in an outcome trial. In the Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprolol Study II (CIBIS-II), all-cause mortality and sudden death were reduced in patients treated with bisoprolol compared with those on placebo (11.8% vs 17.3%; p < 0.0001 and 3.6% vs 6.3%, p < 0.002; respectively) regardless of age, NYHA functional class, and co-morbidities. Further studies have shown both the efficacy of bisoprolol on secondary endpoints and patients subgroups as well its high cost effectiveness. More recently, CIBIS-III has shown similar efficacy and safety of the initiation of HF treatment with either bisoprolol or enalapril, with a tendency to a survival advantage with bisoprolol. Nowadays, the role of bisoprolol, as well as that of carvedilol and metoprolol succinate, in HF treatment is firmly established and research is mainly focused on implementation of treatment and better dosing. This article will summarize evidence for the efficacy of bisoprolol in the treatment of HF.

Out of the guidelines: should an intracardiac defibrillator be implanted in patients with recurrent early ventricular fibrillation due to recurrent acute myocardial infarction?

We report the case of a patient admitted to the hospital on two different occasions, separated by a time interval of 12 years, with the same clinical picture: acute anterior myocardial infarction complicated by early ventricular fibrillation. The patient was successfully resuscitated because, in both circumstances, he was 'lucky' to arrive at hospital within a few minutes of the onset of chest pain, and to have ventricular fibrillation in the Emergency Department. The issue of intracardiac defibrillator implantation, despite this situation is not contemplated in the current guidelines (left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved), is discussed here.

The combination of Ezetimibe and Statin: a new treatment for hypercholesterolemia

The combination of Simvastatin and Ezetimibe allows dual inhibition of both cholesterol production and absorption. This treatment approach allows achieving same low serum cholesterol levels with the administration of much lower doses of statins. This should reduce side effects, compared to statin only therapy, enabling more patients to achieve their LDL cholesterol treatment goals. With ezetimibe/simvastatin therapy, reductions of about 60% from baseline in LDL cholesterol have been shown. Concomitant improvement in other lipid fractions have also been demonstrated. The ezetimibe/simvastatin combination has been well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of statin therapy. This article will review clinical experience with ezetimibe/simvastatin combination, commenting upon its place and potential value in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

The study of left ventricular diastolic function by Doppler echocardiography: the essential for the clinician

An abnormal diastolic function of left ventricle represents the main pathophysiological mechanism responsible for different clinical states such as restrictive cardiomyopathy, infiltrative myocardial disease and, specially, diastolic heart failure (also called heart failure with preserved systolic function), which is present in a large number of patients with a clinical picture of pulmonary congestion.

Although the invasive approach, through cardiac catheterization allowing the direct measurement of left ventricular filling pressure, myocardial relaxation and compliance, is considered the gold standard for the identification of diastolic dysfunction, several noninvasive methods have been proposed for the study of left ventricular diastolic function.

Doppler echocardiography represents an excellent noninvasive technique to fully characterize the diastolic function in health and disease.

Anemia and heart failure: a cause of progression or only a consequence?

Anemia is one of the most frequent co-morbidities in the patients with heart failure. Its prevalence increases from 4-7% in the subjects with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction to >30% in the patients with severe heart failure. Renal insufficiency, activation of inflammatory mediators, and treatment with renin-angiotensin antagonists seem to be its main determinants. The results of many studies agree in showing that anemia is a powerful independent determinant of survival in patients with heart failure. However, the mechanisms of this relation are still incompletely understood. Moreover a favourable effect on prognosis of the correction of anemia has not been shown, yet, and also controlled studies assessing its effects on exercise tolerance have yielded controversial results.

Clinical trials update from the World Congress of Cardiology 2006

This article provides information on trials presented at the World Congress of Cardiology 2006 (WCC-2006). This was a joint meeting of the European Society of Cardiology and the World Heart Federation. Heart failure trials dealing with understudied patient populations (e.g., the elderly), trials of new treatments (i.e., immune modulation therapy) and new intervention strategies (i.e., the Cardiac Insufficiency Bisoprol-III study) or patient monitoring (the Home or Hospital Heart Failure study) were presented at this meeting. Among the studies about coronary artery disease treatment, WCC-2006 saw the presentation of the landmark meta-analyses regarding the incidence of late events in patients receiving drug-eluting stents. The main results of these meta-analyses, and the associated debate, are summarised in this article. Finally, the results of other trials of percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure and atrial fibrillation treatment in elderly patients are summarised.

[Urocortin: molecular biology and cardiovascular effects]

Urocortins and the corticotropin releasing hormone have a long evolutionary history. In the nervous system the corticotropin releasing hormone is responsible of anxiogenic effects associated with stress, while urocortins are concerned with adaptive behavior. Urocortins are also expressed in the heart, where they may play an autocrine/paracrine role binding to corticotropin releasing hormone-R2 receptors. The expression of endogenous cardiac urocortin is increased by in vitro ischemia-reperfusion damage, and the addiction of exogenous urocortins is associated with reduction of myocardial cell death during ischemia-reperfusion damage in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. In isolated perfused heart urocortin enhances cardiac contractility and decreases high energy phosphates reduction after ischemia-reperfusion damage. Urocortin is also associated with peripheral and coronary vasodilation and with positive inotropic effect. There are experimental data which suggest a beneficial effect of urocortins in subjects with heart failure and a possible beneficial role of urocortin in preventing the iatrogenic ischemia-reperfusion damage caused by cardioplegic arrest during cardiac surgery. These early observations suggest that assessment of the clinical use of urocortin in heart failure and for the prevention of ischemia-reperfusion damage in cardiac surgery should be actively pursued.

β-blocker therapy of heart failure: an update

The beneficial effects of beta-blocker therapy in patients with heart failure have been consistently shown by multi-center randomised trials. These agents are effective and also relatively well tolerated in the elderly and in patients with diabetes and advanced heart failure--traditionally considered as relative contraindications to their administration. However, the use of beta-blockers in clinical practice remains low. The difficulties in their initiation and up-titration may be overcome by patient and physician education, as well as by their initiation during hospitalisation and/or the involvement of non-physician providers (i.e., a nurse facilitator). Forthcoming advances in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of some beta-blockers, and testing of novel methods for patient and drug selection may be based on genetic testing, and may allow further improvement of beta-blocker therapy in the next future.

Endocannabinoids and cardiovascular prevention: real progress?

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase and represents one of the principal causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. After the discovery of a specific receptor of the psychoactive principle of marijuana, the cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands, several studies have demonstrated the role of this system in the control of food intake and energy balance and its overactivity in obesity. Recent studies with the CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant have demonstrated favorable effects such as a reduction in body weight and waist circumference and an improvement in metabolic factors (cholesterol, triglycerides, glycemia etc). Therefore, the antagonism of the endocannabinoid (EC) system, if recent data can be confirmed, could be a new treatment target for high risk overweight or obese patients. Obesity is a growing problem that has epidemic proportions worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of premature death (1–3). Individuals with a central deposition of fats have elevated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (including stroke, heart failure and myocardial infarction) and, because of a growing prevalence not only in adults but also in adolescents, it was reclassified in AHA guidelines as a “major modifiable risk factor” for coronary heart disease (4, 5). Although first choice therapy in obesity is based on correcting lifestyle (diet and physical activity) in patients with abdominal obesity and high cardiovascular risk and diabetes, often it is necessary to use drugs which reduce the risks. The EC system represents a new target for weight control and the improvement of lipid and glycemic metabolism (6, 7).

Diagnostic value of the head-up tilt test and the R-test in patients with syncope

The diagnostic value of the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in discovering vasovagal syndrome depends on the pre-test probability. An accurate anamnesis and clinical examination screens the patients indicated for the HUTT. In patients with unexplained syncope, the R-test is an alternative procedure to discover its cause. In our study, we evaluated the diagnostic significance of the HUTT in a group of 211 patients and of the R-test in a subgroup of 45 patients with negative HUTT results and with negative traditional Holter ECG monitoring (24 hr).