Cognitive and brain connectivity trajectories in critically ill COVID-19 patients

BACKGROUND

Multiple Organ failure (MOF) is one of the main causes of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of patients infected with COVID-19 and can cause short- and long-term neurological deficits.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cognitive functioning and functional brain connectivity at 6-12 months after discharge in two groups of individuals with MOF, one due to COVID-19 and the other due to another cause (MOF-group), with a group of Healthy Controls (HC).

METHODS

Thirty-six participants, 12 from each group, underwent a neuropsychological and neuroimaging assessment at both time-points. Functional connectivity of the resting state networks was compared between COVID-19 and HC while controlling for the effect of MOF. The association between functional connectivity and neuropsychological performance was also investigated.

RESULTS

Compared to the HC, COVID-19 group demonstrated hypoconnectivity between the Default Mode Network and Salience Network. This pattern was associated with worse performance on tests of attention and information processing speed, at both time-points.

CONCLUSION

The study of the association between cognitive function and brain functional connectivity in COVID-19 allows the understanding of the short- and long-term neurological alterations of this disease and promotes the development of intervention programs to improve the quality of life for this understudied population.

P837 Isolated cleft posterior mitral valve leaflet

A 78-year-old man with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was referred to the ER of our hospital due to an episode of shortness of breath of new onset, associated with dizziness and central thoracic pain of 5 minutes duration. Significant physical examination findings included a V/VI holosystolic murmur at fourth intercostal space with radiation to the axilla. ECG showed no significant abnormalities and cardiac enzymes were within normal ranges The TTE and 3D TOE showed dilated left atrial with normal ventricular size and function with an isolated cleft posterior mitral valve leaflet that bisected into two separate leaflets of identical morphology. Concomitant posterolateral leaflet prolapse was also present with two eccentric, posteriorly, and interatrial septum directed regurgitant jets visualized with colour flow Doppler.

Cleft mitral valve leaflet (CMVL) is an uncommon congenital cause of mitral regurgitation. Clefts are slit-like holes or defects hypothesized to be a result of incomplete expression of an endocardial cushion defect and most commonly involve the anterior mitral valve leaflet with a paediatric incidence of 1:1340. Clefts affecting only the posterior mitral valve leaflet are extremely rare . Important co-existing anomalies with either posterior and/or anterior CMVL include counterclockwise rotation of the papillary muscles, the presence of an accessory papillary muscle or mitral valve leaflet, atrial septal defects, and mitral valve prolapse. Acquired causes of clefts include infective endocarditis or trauma from surgical exploration.

Regurgitation in CMVL results from blood flow directly through the cleft itself or from malcoaptation from accessory chordae with or without papillary muscle distortion. Early detection through 3D TEE echocardiography can provide accurate anatomical images of the mitral valve structure and identify associated congenital anomalies.

Conclusion

Posterior CMVL is an extremely rare cause of mitral insufficiency. 3D TEE early recognition of this rare clinical entity and co-existent anomalies can identify afflicted patients who can be closely monitored for the progression of symptoms as well as ventricular dysfunction. 3D TEE permits a personalized medicine tailoring the medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient.

Abstract P837 Figure. Isolated cleft posterior mitral valve

P1716 Aorto-left atrial fistula with left atrium dissection

Conclusion

Aorto atrial fistulas are rare but important complications of many disease processes of the aorta and aortic valve. Classical clinical signs of continuous murmurs may not be present and echocardiography forms the cornerstone of diagnosis. AAF should be suspected in patients with poorly controlled heart failure and prior aortic surgery. Prompt surgical repair is usually helpful in relieving symptoms and decreasing mortality.

Abstract P1716 Figure. Aortoatrial fistula

P1720 Hammock mitral valve, a challenging echocardiographic diagnosis

Conclusion

Congenital mitral valulophaty is a rare condition in the adulthood. The estimated prevalence is 0,5%. The hammock mitral valve is a more uncommon pathology which affects the mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus. This anomaly, was first described in 1967 and it is characterised by anomalous papillary muscles directly connected to the anterior mitral valve by a fibrous bridge without chordae tendineae in between them. This fibrous bridge hampers the opening and closure of the mitral valve.

Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion, both ultrasound studies and medical history, to avoid misdiagnosis.

Abstract P1720 Figure.

481 Mass compromising left atrium

Conclusion

Left atrial dissection is an uncommon entity. It is generally associated with mitral valve replacement, but other predisposing factors should be considered in pathogenesis. Its diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion.

Predisposing factors and catheterization, surgical or pathologic findings should be reviewed in order to identify the pathogenic mechanism . Dissection of the coronary sinus secondary to retrograde cardioplegia, endocarditis, cardiac rupture after myocardial infarction, blunt chest trauma and iatrogenic PCI are related to its development.

Abstract 481 Figure. MASS COMPROMISIN LEFT ATRIUM