1094 Exercise syncope as initial symptom of constrictive pericarditis in a young patient

Introduction

Constrictive pericarditis is a form of diastolic heart failure that arises because an inelastic pericardium inhibits cardiac filling. Syncope is a rare initial symptom of constrictive pericarditis.

Clinical case

A 22-year-old man with previous medical history of viral meningitis when he was 3 months-old but without any family history of cardiac disease or sudden cardiac death, was admitted to the Emergency Department for syncope. During the last year, he had suffered several episodes of intense exercise-related syncope. The patient denied having prodromes, chest pain, palpitations or any other symptoms. The physical exam of the patient was normal with stable vital signs. Normal S1 and S2 heart sounds were present, no murmurs or gallop. There were no signs of heart failure, only a minimal jugular ingurgitation. An electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed sinus rhythm, signs of bi-atrial enlargement (prominent P-wave with P mitral morphology in DI-II leads, with enhanced negative deflection in V1), and negative asymmetric T-waves in inferior (DII-III-aVF) and V6 leads. Chest X-ray showed minimal calcium density in the inferior pericardial silhouette. The patient was admitted in the Cardiology Department for aetiological study. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a marked protodiastolic cleft in the interventricular septum, with 40% variations of the transmitral flow with the respiratory changes and dilation of the cava vein, with absent respiratory collapse. A marked thickening and calcification of the inferoposterior pericardium was also seen. Considering these results, the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis was suggested (Fig. A, B, C). Blood tests for autoimmune disease screening, as well as infectious diseases, including Quantiferon test, HIV, HVC, HVB and other viral serologies were done, with negative results. A cardiac magnetic resonance was requested, which confirmed the echocardiographic findings, with bi-atrial enlargement and markedly thickened pericardium with loss of signal, suggestive of calcification. Left and right ventricle had normal dimensions and contractility. The CT coronary angiography revealed normal coronary anatomy. Extensive calcification and pericardial thickening were shown, with myocardial infiltration in the lateral-basal area (Fig D). It was considered important to rule out any additional arrhythmic aetiology of the exercise syncope. Therefore, a stress test and, an electrophysiologic study were done, both with normal results. The patient remained asymptomatic and a pericardiectomy was indicated given the severe thickening and calcification of the pericardium and frequent syncopal episodes that our patient suffered.

Conclusions

Syncope as the initial symptom in the absence of significant right heart failure signs is a very unusual form of presentation of idiopathic constrictive pericarditis given the severe thickening and calcification of the pericardium of our patient.

Abstract 1094 Figure.

P1562Outcomes of nonagenarians with ST elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Developed countries are facing a sustained increase in life expectancy. Elderly people represent the fastest growing portion of cardiovascular patients. However, nonagenarians with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are often underrepresented in clinical trials as prolonged follow-up may be compromised by limited life expectancy. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyse the clinical presentation, risk factors, co-morbidities, outcomes of nonagenarian patients presenting with STEMI.

Methods

We included all consecutive nonagenarians presenting with STEMI admitted in 2 academic centers between 2007 and 2017. There were no exclusion criteria. We collected demographic, clinical, and procedural data. All-cause mortality was assessed in-hospital, at 6 months and at 1-year follow-up.

Results

A total of 140 patients (mean age 91.6 years [91.3–92]; 59% females) were included. The number of patients increased over the years (from 6.5 cases per year before 2012 to 14.4 cases per year after 2012). One out of 5 patients presented disability or dependence for activities of daily living (ADL). Emergent catheterization was performed in 70% of our patients, and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in 57% (n=80). The use of bare metal stent was preponderant (72%) in this cohort. Successful revascularization of the culprit vessel was achieved in 90% of patients. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel was used in 97% of patients. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 22%, increased up to 27% at 6 months and up to 34% at 1-year follow-up. In-hospital mortality was lower in pPCI group than in conservative group (13.7% versus 31.6%, adjusted OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04–0.67, P<0.01). One-year mortality was also lower in pPCI group than in conservative group (26% versus 45%, P<0.01). Multivariable analysis identified mechanical complications (adjusted OR: 28.1, 95% CI: 3.18–247.7, P<0.01), Killip class (III/IV) (adjusted OR: 4.19, 95% CI: 3.37–22.3, P<0.01) and pPCI (adjusted OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0. 16- 0. 95, P<0.05) as independent predictors of all-cause mortality at 1 year.

Conclusions

STEMI in nonagenarians is becoming more and more common. pPCI may be also the preferred strategy in this high-risk cohort. The hemodynamic compromise (Killip class III/IV), the presence of complications related to myocardial infarction and early revascularization may be related to prognosis of these patients.