BackgroundMany patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are believed to have unrecognized diabetes, which is associated with a worse prognosis. This study aimed to describe glucose tolerance in a general stable CHF population and to identify determinants of glucose tolerance focusing on body composition and skeletal muscle strength.MethodsA prospective observational study was set up. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of CHF, stable condition and absence of glucose-lowering medication. Patients underwent a 2 h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), isometric strength testing of the upper leg and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Health-related quality of life and physical activity level were assessed by questionnaire.ResultsData of 56 participants were analyzed. Despite near-normal fasting glucose values, 55% was classified as prediabetic, 14% as diabetic, and 20% as normal glucose tolerant. Of all newly diagnosed diabetic patients, 79% were diagnosed because of 2 h glucose values only and none because of HbA1c. Univariate mixed model analysis revealed ischaemic aetiology, daily physical activity, E/E’, fat trunk/fat limbs and extension strength as possible explanatory variables for the glucose curve during the glucose tolerance test. When combined in one model, only fat trunk/fat limbs and E/E’ remained significant predictors. Furthermore, fasting insulin was correlated with fat mass/height2 (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001), extension strength (r = -0.33, p < 0.01) and triglycerides (r = 0.39, p < 0.01).ConclusionsOur data confirm that a large majority of CHF patients have impaired glucose tolerance. This glucose intolerance is related to fat distribution and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.
Background: CT scans are widely used for their ability to easily and rapidly obtain medical information. However, they are also vulnerable for artifacts. Fortunately, the majority is easily recognizable or is so well known that they are included in differential diagnosis on interpreting CT and rarely cause misdiagnosis or additional investigations. Methods: We report 2 infants with rare CT hemicerebrum density differences. They were not consistent with the clinical condition of the patients and could be classified as being artifacts after MRI proved to be normal. Retrospectively, this could have been detected on CT by examining the eyes, which also showed not otherwise explicable density differences. Results: These artifacts appeared to be caused by out-of center positioning, as we could demonstrate with experimental phantom scanning. We have not found any previous reports on this type of artifact. Conclusion: Recognition of this specific type of artifacts by observing similar density differences in the eyes does prevent unnecessary additional imaging.
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