Echocardiographic findings in subjects with an amyloidogenic apolipoprotein A1 pathogenic variant

BACKGROUND

Very small case series of patients with apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) amyloidosis are available.

METHODS

We described the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of individuals with the pathogenic APOA1 variant Leu75Pro (p. Leu99Pro), referred for cardiac screening.

RESULTS

We enrolled 189 subjects, 54% men, median age 55 years (interquartile range 42-67), 39% with concomitant renal disease and 31% with liver disease. Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 60% (55-66). Overall, these subjects did not show overt diastolic dysfunction nor left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Age correlated with interventricular septal (IVS) thickness (r = 0.484), LV mass index (r = 0.459), E/e' (r = 0.501), and right ventricular free wall thickness (r = 0.594) (all p < 0.001). Some individuals displayed red flags for cardiac amyloidosis (CA), and 14% met non-invasive criteria for CA. Twenty-nine subjects died over 5.8 years (4.1-8.0), with 10 deaths for cardiovascular causes. Individuals meeting echocardiographic criteria for CA had a much higher risk of all-cause death (p = 0.009), cardiovascular death (p = 0.001), cardiovascular death or heart failure (HF) hospitalisation (p < 0.001). Subjects with both renal and liver involvement had a more prominent cardiac involvement, and shortest survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with the APOA1 Leu75Pro variant displayed minor echocardiographic signs of cardiac involvement, but 14% met echocardiographic criteria for CA. Subjects with suspected CA had a worse outcome.

Symptoms-to-emergency-call timing delay in acute coronary syndrome before and during COVID-19: independent predictors and their impact on mortality

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted global health. The aim of this study was to compare predictors of symptoms-to-emergency-call timing delay in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their impact on mortality before and during the COVID-19 outbreak.

METHODS

We collected sociodemographic, clinical data, procedural features, preadmission and intra-hospital outcomes of consecutive patients admitted for ACS in seventeen Italian centers from March to April 2018, 2019, and 2020.

RESULTS

In 2020, a 32.92% reduction in ACS admissions was observed compared to 2018 and 2019. Unstable angina, typical and atypical symptoms, and intermittent angina were identified as significant predictors of symptoms-to-emergency-call timing delay before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (P<0.005 for all the items). Differently from 2018-2019, during the pandemic, hypertension and dyspnea (P=0.002 versus P=0.490 and P=0.001 vs. P=0.761 for 2018-2019 and 2020, respectively) did not result as predictors of delay in symptoms-to-emergency-call timing. Among these predictors, only the atypical symptoms (HR 3.36; 95% CI: 1.172-9.667, P=0.024) in 2020 and the dyspnea (HR 2.64; 95% CI: 1.345-5.190, P=0.005) in 2018-2019 resulted significantly associated with higher mortality. Finally, the family attendance at the onset of the symptoms resulted in a reduction in symptoms-to-emergency-call timing (in 2020 P<0.001; CI: -1710.73; -493.19) and in a trend of reduced mortality (HR 0.31; 95% CI: 0.089-1.079, P=0.066) in 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 outbreak, atypical symptoms and family attendance at ACS onset were identified, respectively, as adverse and favorable predictors of symptoms-to-emergency-call timing delay and mortality.

The Incidence and Impact of In-Hospital Bleeding in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic increased the complexity of the clinical management and pharmacological treatment of patients presenting with an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Aim: to explore the incidence and prognostic impact of in-hospital bleeding in patients presenting with ACS before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We evaluated in-hospital Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) major and minor bleeding among 2851 patients with ACS from 17 Italian centers during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., March–April 2020) and in the same period in the previous two years. Results: The incidence of in-hospital TIMI major and minor bleeding was similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. TIMI major or minor bleeding was associated with a significant threefold increase in all-cause mortality, with a similar prognostic impact before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: the incidence and clinical impact of in-hospital bleeding in ACS patients was similar before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We confirmed a significant and sizable negative prognostic impact of in-hospital bleeding in ACS patients.

P286 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN SUBJECTS WITH AN AMYLOIDOGENIC APOLIPOPROTEIN A1 MUTATION

Background

The APOA1 gene encodes the precursor of apolipoprotein AI (ApoAI), whose mature form is the major component of high–density lipoproteins. APOA1 mutations may cause a form of hereditary amyloidosis (AApoAI). Only very small case series of patients with AApoAI are available.

Methods

We examined 189 consecutive subjects with the heterozygous APOA1 Leu75Pro mutation referred for cardiac screening over a 10–year timespan at the Spedali Civili of Brescia (Italy).

Results

Subjects (men 54%, median age 55 years, renal disease 39%, liver disease 31%) had a median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 60% (55–66), did not display a prominent diastolic dysfunction (E/e’ ratio 7 [6–10]) nor LV hypertrophy (LV mass index [LVMI] 92 g/m2 [74–111]). LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) (–19% [–21 to –17]), and mass to strain ratio (MSR) (10.0 [6.8–12.1]) were within normal limits. Age correlated with several echocardiographic parameters, including interventricular septal (IVS) thickness (r = 0.484), LVMI (r = 0.459), E/e’ (r = 0.501), and right ventricular free wall thickness (r = 0.459) (all p &lt; 0.001). Some individuals displayed echocardiographic red flags of cardiac amyloidosis (CA; “granular sparkling” of the IVS, 19%; pericardial effusion, 11%; apical sparing, 10%; thickened atrioventricular valves, 8%). Thirteen out of 96 (14%) fulfilled non–invasive criteria for CA. Twenty–nine subjects died over 5.8 years (4.1–8.0), with 10 deaths for cardiovascular causes; 14 out of 182 (8%) were hospitalized because of HF, and 17 (9%) died for cardiovascular causes or were hospitalized for HF. Individuals with suspected CA had a much higher risk of all–cause death (p = 0.009), cardiovascular death (p &lt; 0.001), cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (p &lt; 0.001), and HF hospitalization alone (p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, subjects with either renal or liver involvement had a higher risk of events and a worse outcome.

Conclusions

In subjects with an amyloidogenic APOA1 mutation, transthoracic echocardiography showed only minor signs of cardiac disease. The correlations between age and echocardiographic findings suggested a progressive increase in wall thickness, a decline in systolic and diastolic function, and a greater uncoupling between LV mass and contractility over time. Subjects with both renal and liver disease displayed the most evident signs of biventricular involvement and had a worse outcome.

Myocardial injury in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: Pivotal role of inflammation in COVID-19

AIMS

Infection by SARS-CoV-2 may result in a systemic disease and a proportion of patients ranging 15%-44% experienced cardiac injury (CI) diagnosed by abnormal troponin levels. The aim of the present study was to analyse the clinical characteristics of a large series of hospitalized patients for COVID-19 in order to identify predisposing and/or protective factors of CI and the outcome.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This is an observational, retrospective study on patients hospitalized in two Italian centres (San Raffaele Hospital and Cremona Hospital) for COVID-19 and at least one high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnt) measurement during hospitalization. CI was defined if at least one hs-cTnt value was above the 99th percentile. The primary end-point was the occurrence of CI during hospitalization. We included 750 patients (median age 67, IQR 56-77 years; 69% males), of whom 46.9% had history of hypertension, 14.7% of chronic coronary disease and 22.3% of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Abnormal troponin levels (median troponin 74, IQR 34-147 ng/l) were detected in 390 patients (52%) during the hospitalization. At multivariable analysis age, CKD, cancer, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were independently associated with CI. Independent predictors of very high troponin levels were chronic kidney disease and CRP levels. Patients with CI showed higher rate of all-cause mortality (40.0% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.001) compared to those without CI.

CONCLUSION

This large, multicentre Italian study confirmed the high prevalence of CI and its prognostic role in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, highlighting the leading role of systemic inflammation for the occurrence of CI.

692 Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital outcomes for patients with acute coronary syndrome: a propensity-weighted, multicentre study

Aims

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically changed the management and the prognosis of patients experiencing acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Several scientific societies have highlighted the need for dedicated paths to deliver better and faster care to improve outcomes. Nevertheless, data depicting the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ACS in Italy are still poor. To perform a propensity weighted analysis on a multicentre Italian registry involving patients with ACS managed before vs. during COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account baseline patients characteristics, clinical presentation, procedural aspects, and in-hospital outcomes (death, bleeding, stent thrombosis, myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischaemic attack, mechanical complication, and arrhythmic complication).

Methods and results

We included all consecutive patients who have suffered from ACS during two periods before (March/April 2018, March/April 2019) vs. the period of COVID-19 pandemic (March/April 2020). A generalized boosted non-parsimonious regression was used to estimate the propensity scores of having an ACS in 2020 (year of COVID-19) vs. 2018/2019 using an average treatment effect and balancing for all baseline confounders. We included 2851 patients admitted to hospital with ACS in 17 Italian centres: 1079 (37.8%) during 2018, 1056 (37.0%) in 2019, and 716 (25.1%) during the first COVID-19 wave of 2020. Seventy (2.5%) patients had a positive swab for SARS-CoV-2 at admission. During 2020 there were higher time-to-emergency-call (P = 0.028) and less diagnosis of unstable angina (P = 0.029) and MINOCA (P = 0.004); none of the admission symptoms differ significantly across the years (P > 0.05) except for fever that was more prevalent in 2020 (P < 0.001). Patients suffering from ACS had lower admission EF (P = 0.006). After PS weighting, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed age (P < 0.001), night admission (P = 0.017), cardiocirculatory arrest before cath-lab (P = 0.041), worst Killip class (P = 0.039), admission EF (P = 0.026), and need for left-ventricle mechanical support (P = 0.011) as independent predictors of in-hospital death. After propensity weighted analysis none of the in-hospital outcomes differed significantly across the years of investigation (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

During COVID-19 pandemic in Italy the characteristics and management of ACS was slightly different than the past. However, the rates of ‘hard’, in-hospital outcomes (e.g. deaths) are almost similar to the past, suggesting appropriate care and well-organized emergency-paths for ACS.

Incidence and characterization of acute pulmonary embolism in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: A multicenter Italian experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Several studies reported a high incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) among patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but detailed data about clinical characteristics, risk factors of these patients and prognostic role of PE are still lacking. We aim to evaluate the occurrence of pulmonary embolism among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and to describe their risk factors, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This is a multicenter Italian study including 333 consecutive SARS-CoV-2 patients admitted to seven hospitals from February 22 to May 15, 2020. All the patients underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for PE detection. In particular, CTPA was performed in case of inadequate response to high-flow oxygen therapy (Fi02≥0.4 to maintain Sp02≥92%), elevated D-dimer (>0.5μg/mL), or echocardiographic signs of right ventricular dysfunction. Clinical, laboratory and radiological data were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 333 patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and undergoing CTPA, PE was detected in 109 (33%) cases. At CTPA, subsegmental, segmental, lobar and central thrombi were detected in 31 (29%), 50 (46%), 20 (18%) and 8 (7%) cases, respectively. In-hospital death occurred in 29 (27%) patients in the PE-group and in 47 (21%) patients in the non-PE group (p = 0.25). Patients in PE-group had a low rate of traditional risk factors and deep vein thrombosis was detected in 29% of patients undergoing compression ultrasonography. In 71% of cases with documented PE, the thrombotic lesions were located in the correspondence of parenchymal consolidation areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a low rate of risk factors for venous thromboembolism, PE is present in about 1 out 3 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia undergoing CTPA for inadequate response to oxygen therapy, elevated D-dimer level, or echocardiographic signs of right ventricular dysfunction. In most of the cases, the thromboses were located distally in the pulmonary tree and were mainly confined within pneumonia areas.

Coronary artery disease in patients hospitalised with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection

OBJECTIVE

Among patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), coronary artery disease (CAD) has been identified as a high-risk condition. We aimed to assess the clinical outcomes and mortality among patients with COVID-19 according to CAD status.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed data from patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Cremona Hospital (Lombardy region, Italy) between February and March 2020. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. CAD was defined as a history of prior myocardial infarction (MI), prior percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or CAD that was being medically treated.

RESULTS

Of 1252 consecutive patients with COVID-19, 124 (9.9%) had concomitant CAD. Patients with CAD were older and had a higher prevalence of comorbidities compared with those without CAD. Although patients with CAD had a higher risk of all-cause mortality than patients without CAD (HR 3.01, 95% CI 2.27 to 3.99), this difference was no longer significant in the adjusted model (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.63). Results were consistent among patients with prior MI (adjusted HR (aHR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.41), prior PCI (aHR 1.10, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.62), prior CABG (aHR 0.91, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.82), or CAD medically treated (aHR 0.84, 95% CI 0.29 to 2.44). Multivariable analysis showed that age (aHR per 5 year increase 1.62, 95% CI 1.53 to 1.72) and female sex (aHR 0.63, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.82) were the only two independent correlates of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Patients with COVID-19 and CAD have an exceedingly higher risk of mortality, which is mainly attributable to the burden of comorbidities rather than to a direct effect of CAD per se.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 pneumonia

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a benign entity but can worsen the underlying condition with which it is associated. We evaluated the incidence and the clinical relevance of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a consecutive series of 102 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Six cases of pneumomediastinum were identified by high-resolution chest CT-scan. Three patients required early intubation, and one of them died, while in in the remaining subjects the clinical course was benign. The presence of pneumomediastinum required some changes in the management of mechanical ventilation. In conclusion, spontaneous pneumomediastinum is a possible complication of severe COVID-19 pneumonia that can affect patient management and clinical outcomes.

Effects on QT interval of hydroxychloroquine associated with ritonavir/darunavir or azithromycin in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Introduction

Most of the drugs associations that have been used to treat patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection increase the risk of prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc).

Objective

To evaluate the effects of an association therapy of hydroxychloroquine (HY) plus ritonavir/darunavir (RD) or azithromycin (AZ) on QTc intervals.

Methods

At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic patients admitted to our hospital were treated with the empiric association of HY/RD; one week later the therapeutic protocol was modified with the combination of HY/AZ. Patients underwent an ECG at baseline, then 3 and 7 days after starting therapy. We prospectively enrolled 113 patients (61 in the HY/RD group-52 in the HY/AZ group).

Results

A significant increase in median QTc was reported after seven days of therapy in both groups: from 438 to 452 ms in HY/RD patients; from 433 to 440 ms in HY/AZ patients (p = 0.001 for both). 23 patients (21.2%) had a QTc > 500 ms at 7 days. The risk of developing a QTc > 500 ms was greater in patients with prolonged baseline QTc values (≥ 440 ms for female and ≥ 460 ms for male patients) (OR 7.10 (95% IC 1.88–26.81); p = 0.004) and in patients with an increase in the QTc > 40 ms 3 days after onset of treatment (OR 30.15 (95% IC 6.96–130.55); p = 0.001). One patient per group suffered a malignant ventricular arrhythmia.

Conclusion

Hydroxychloroquine with both ritonavir/darunavir or azithromycin therapy significantly increased the QTc-interval at 7 days. The risk of developing malignant arrhythmias remained relatively low when these drugs were administered for a limited period of time.

Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic dysfunction in young and healthy patients with psoriasis: A case-control study

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease with a great prevalence in general population. The inappropriate activation of the cellular immune system has been hypothesized to be an independent cardiovascular risk factor, given the higher incidence of cardiovascular disorders in psoriatic patients. Echocardiographic abnormalities have been demonstrated too: the aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of preclinical cardiac dysfunction in a cohort of psoriatic patients without cardiovascular risk factors. We enrolled 52 patients with the diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis, compared with a control group not affected by any relevant systemic diseases and inflammatory disorders. In all patients and control group, echocardiographic conventional and tissue Doppler (TDI) studies were conducted. The analysis of echocardiographic parameters revealed normal dimension, mass and systolic function of the left ventricle. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was found in 36.5% patients in the psoriasis group versus 0% in control group, and significant reduction of the E/A ratio was found also for the right ventricle. A significant increase of mitral regurgitation has been found in psoriatic patients (p=0.005). The early recognition of cardiovascular pre-clinic disease in psoriatic patients may guide a strict follow up and an early treatment, potentially improving cardiovascular prognosis.

School and family-based interventions for promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents in Italy: a systematic review

AIMS

Cardiovascular diseases affect adult population but risk factors develop as a result of known or assumed behavior since childhood. In Italy, up to 22.2% of children are overweight, 10.6% are obese, and 2.5% have severe obesity.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify studies and initiatives addressing health promotion among children in Italy. Given the high heterogeneity of interventions and outcomes assessed we opted to perform a qualitative synthesis of the results. We described also nonrandomized trial where the intervention of primary prevention was very innovative, explained in detail, and reached an improving outcome for participants.

RESULTS

We identified 11 projects since 1983, only five were randomized control trials. Three involved children and teachers of primary and secondary schools and were based on specific curricular lectures about health. One was based on a game developed for high schools with the purpose to promote healthy lifestyle and physical activity. The fifth project was based on an enhanced physical activity program.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that school and family should be considered as the privileged places for health promotion. In Italy, the development of scientific-validated lifestyle interventions for children is still an unmet need.

Measurements of gamma dose and thermal neutron fluence in phantoms exposed to a BNCT epithermal beam with TLD-700

Gamma dose and thermal neutron fluence in a phantom exposed to an epithermal neutron beam for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) can be measured by means of a single thermoluminescence dosemeter (TLD-700). The method exploits the shape of the glow curve (GC) and requires the gamma-calibration GC (to obtain gamma dose) and the thermal-neutron-calibration GC (to obtain neutron fluence). The method is applicable for BNCT dosimetry in case of epithermal neutron beams from a reactor because, in most irradiation configurations, thermal neutrons give a not negligible contribution to the TLD-700 GC. The thermal neutron calibration is not simple, because of the impossibility of having thermal neutron fields without gamma contamination, but a calibration method is here proposed, strictly bound to the method itself of dose separation.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist in heart failure: Past, present and future perspectives

Aldosterone is involved in various deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system, including sodium and fluid retention, myocardial fibrosis, vascular stiffening, endothelial dysfunction, catecholamine release and stimulation of cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, aldosterone receptor blockade may have several potential benefits in patients with cardiovascular disease. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been shown to prevent many of the maladaptive effects of aldosterone, in particular among patients with heart failure (HF). Randomized controlled trials have demonstrated efficacy of MRA in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, both in patients with NYHA functional classes III and IV and in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients (NYHA classes I and II). Recent data in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction are encouraging. MRA could also have anti-arrhythmic effects on atrial and ventricular arrhythmias and may be helpful in patient ischemic heart disease through prevention of myocardial fibrosis and vascular damage. This article aims to discuss the pathophysiological effects of aldosterone in patients with cardiovascular disease and to review the current data that support the use of MRA in heart failure.

Methods for dose measurements in small phantoms irradiated at BNCT epithermal column

Suitable dosimeter methods have been proposed and tested, to measure the different dose contributions in small phantoms exposed to epithermal/thermal neutron beams designed for BNCT. One method is based on Fricke-gel dosimeter in small tubes of 2.8mm of external diameter, that allow determining profiles of gamma dose and of boron dose. The other method is based on the use of TLD-700 chips, from whose answer the contribution of thermal neutrons is subtracted by means of appropriate parameters of the glow curve.

[New pharmacological approaches to ischemic heart disease]

Major steps have been made in the treatment of ischemic heart disease from the discovery of nitrates as antianginal medication to the techniques of percutaneous angioplasty. This incredible therapeutic progress has resulted in a reduced incidence of ischemic heart disease and related mortality and morbidity. However, statistical and epidemiological data indicate that in ischemic heart disease, despite the achievement of great success, there is a necessity for a further step toward treatment, considering the fact that the characteristics of this population are changing (increased prevalence of subendocardial infarction compared with classic transmural infarction, especially in the elderly population). Furthermore, the need for alternative therapeutic approaches to traditional ones is recognized. Ranolazine is a selective inhibitor of Na channels that prevents pathological extension of late Na current developing in the ischemic myocardial cell. This current is responsible for calcium overload, with consequent impairment of diastolic relaxation. Ranolazine reduces Na overload induced by calcium and improves diastolic relaxation and coronary subendocardial flow, without affecting hemodynamic parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate, or inotropic state of the heart, avoiding undesirable side effects. Efficacy of ranolazine has been evaluated in several trials, using clinical and instrumental endpoints (MARISA and CARISA) or, more recently, using endpoints such as mortality and reinfarction (ERICA and MERLIN-TIMI 36). Ivabradine acts through the inhibition of late Na current (also known as If), which controls the spontaneous diastolic depolarization of sinus node cells. The partial inhibition of these channels reduces the frequency of sinus node action potential initiation, resulting in decreased heart rate without effects on contractility, atrio-ventricular conduction, or repolarization. The BEAUTIFUL trial has tested whether the effect of ivabradine in lowering heart rate is able to reduce mortality and cardiovascular morbidity in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The most significant results were obtained in the subgroup of patients with life-limiting exertional angina. In this group, ivabradine significantly reduced the primary endpoint, a composite of cardiovascular death, hospitalization for fatal and nonfatal acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart failure, by 24%, and hospitalizations for AMI by 42%. In the subgroup of patients with baseline heart rate >70 bpm, hospitalizations for AMI and revascularization were reduced by 73% and 59%, respectively.