Background Patients who have transient ischemic attacks (TIA) often suffer from asymptomatic and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). Due to the fact that AF is located in the atria, we sought to determine whether abnormalities in left atrial (LA) structure and function could help identify the cardioembolic cause of TIA in patients with sinus rhythm but with documented episodes of paroxysmal AF. Methods The research included 190 individuals with TIA and classified them into two groups based on the presence (group I) or absence (group II) of confirmed paroxysmal AF. The diagnosis of paroxysmal AF was established by an assessment of medical records. To prevent assessing atrial stunning, cardiac ultrasonography was conducted in sinus rhythm at least 14 days following the initiation the TIA. Results The results indicated that patients in group I were older, more often female, had a history of stroke or TIA, and had a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score. Additionally, they exhibited increased LA volumes, a decreased LA emptying fraction, and markedly altered LA deformation patterns. Three factors were found as being independently associated with paroxysmal AF using multivariate logistic regression: age, LA reservoir strain, and LA emptying fraction (P<0.0001). The variables had as cut-off values: age >55 years, LA reservoir strain<−17%, and LA emptying fraction <51%. Conclusion The current research establishes that LA strains are independently associated with paroxysmal AF in patients with TIA and may aid in determining the cardioembolic origin of these events. Our findings have considerable clinical implications because, until now, LA 2D-STE was not included in the usual evaluation of TIA patients, but it may be the ideal next step in this regard. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
Background and Objectives: The consumption of dietary supplements has increased over the last decades among pregnant women, becoming an efficient resource of micronutrients able to satisfy their nutritional needs during pregnancy. Furthermore, gestational drug administration might be necessary to treat several pregnancy complications such as hypertension. Folic acid (FA) and folate (FT) supplementation is highly recommended by clinicians during pregnancy, especially for preventing neural tube birth defects, while labetalol (LB) is a β-blocker commonly administered as a safe option for the treatment of pregnancy-related hypertension. Currently, the possible toxicity resulting from the co-administration of FA/FT and LB has not been fully evaluated. In light of these considerations, the current study was aimed at investigating the possible in vitro cardio- and hepato-toxicity of LB-FA and LB-FT associations. Materials and Methods: Five different concentrations of LB, FA, FT, and their combination were used in myoblasts and hepatocytes in order to assess cell viability, cell morphology, and wound regeneration. Results: The results indicate no significant alterations in terms of cell viability and morphology in myoblasts (H9c2(2-1)) and hepatocytes (HepaRG) following a 72-h treatment, apart from a decrease in the percentage of viable H9c2(2-1) cells (~67%) treated with LB 150 nM–FT 50 nM. Additionally, LB (50 and 150 nM)–FA (0.2 nM) exerted an efficient wound regenerating potential in H9c2(2-1) myoblasts (wound healing rates were >80%, compared to the control at 66%), while LB-FT (at all tested concentrations) induced no significant impairment to their migration. Conclusions: Overall, our findings indicate that LB-FA and LB-FT combinations lack cytotoxicity in vitro. Moreover, beneficial effects were noticed on H9c2(2-1) cell viability and migration from LB-FA/FT administration, which should be further explored.
Purpose The goal of this study is to see if carotid strain and strain rate can predict major cardio-vascular events (MACE) in people who have metabolic syndrome (MS) over a 3-year period of time. Methods In this prospective observational research, we enrolled 220 adult MS patients (60.7±7.5 years old, 53% male). Bilateral 2D common carotid carotid artery (CCA) speckle-tracking ultrasound was used to determine the peak circumferential strain (CS) and the peak circumferential strain rate (CSR). Clinical outcomes were assessed throughout a three-year follow-up period. Results After a 3-year follow-up period follow-up, 14 (7%) experienced MACE: Eight (4%) suffered an atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, four (2%) had acute coronary syndrome, and two (1%) were hospitalized for heart failure. Univariate regression analysis of the clinical and echocardiographic features of the MS patients found that age, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and the CCA circumferential strain and strain rate were significantly associated with the risk of MACE. Multivariate logistic regression identified two independent predictors of MACE in patients with MS, namely the CCA-related CS (%) and CSR (1/s), P<0.01. The ROC curve analyses of these independent predictors of MACE indicated appropriate sensitivities and specificities. CS (AUC = 0.806, sensitivity = 82.6%, specificity = 79.2%, P<0.0001); CSR (AUC = 0.779, sensitivity = 82.6%, specificity = 72.4%, P<0.0001). The cut-off values were ≤2.9% for carotid CS and ≤0.35 s–1 for carotid CSR. Using these cut-off values, we obtained Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and these showed that MACE, ischemic stroke, and ACS-free survival was significantly lower among the MS patients with lower carotid CS and CSR (P<0.0001). Conclusion Carotid CS and CSR were independent predictors of major cardio- and cerebrovascular events in prospectively monitored MS patients without established cardiovascular disease. Carotid deformation could be valuable as an early prognostic indicator for the cardiovascular risk in this population group. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
Background LV only CRT pacing is an option that may be considered to maximize response to CRT and at least as an alternative in non-responders to biventricular (BiV) pacing. However, criteria to best titrate therapy on an individual basis are lacking in fusion pacing. On the other hand, septal flash (SF) is a strong predictor of favorable response for patients (pts) with BiV pacing. Purpose To analyze the relationship between SF and the response to fusion CRT pacing. Methods Consecutive pts with exclusive fusion CRT-P were included. Right atrium/left ventricle leads DDD CRT pacing system were used in all patients. Prospective data were collected at every 6 months follow-up visits: device interrogation, exercise test, echocardiographic parameters. Exercise tests, device reprogramming and medication optimization were performed regular in order to maximize CRT response. Patients were divided in 2 groups: super-responders (SR) and responders (R). SRs were defined those with left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) improvement ≥30% and stable ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥45%. Results 69 pts with NYHA II–III heart failure and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy were initially included. 5 pts were non responders and excluded (non LBBB, spontaneous QRS <149 ms). Final analyzed group had 64 pts (35 male) aged 60±12 y.o. The mean follow-up was 54±19 months; 22 pts (34%) were SRs. At baseline, SF was found in all SR pts and in 55% of R pts. SF was corrected post CRT in all patients, except one. For this patient (LV lead in a posterior branch of the coronary sinus – CS) the strategy included an upgrade to triple chamber device with a second lead in a lateral branch of the CS and became SR from R. Mitral regurgitation decreased in 38 patients (all SR, 40% R). Interesting, baseline left atrium volume and pulmonary sistolic artery pressure were smaller in SR versus R group, however SF did not corelate with LA volume/diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions Septal flash seems to be a strong predictor of super-response in patients with fusion CRT pacing. This finding could improve the selection of candidates for fusion CRT-P, however larger studies are needed to assess SF in this categories of patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.
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