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Journal of the Intensive Care Society Aug 2021Non-valvular cardiac aspergillosis is a rare infection of the pericardium, myocardium or endocardium and is associated with a high mortality. There is a paucity of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Non-valvular cardiac aspergillosis is a rare infection of the pericardium, myocardium or endocardium and is associated with a high mortality. There is a paucity of reports of non-valvular cardiac aspergillosis in critically ill and solid organ transplant (SOT) patients. The majority of cases have been reported in haemato-oncology patients, some of whom have undergone a bone marrow transplant.
OBJECTIVES
We describe four cases affected by non-valvular cardiac aspergillosis in the intensive care setting including a systematic review of this extremely rare infection which is associated with high mortality.
RESULTS
All four-patients died but presented with varying clinical, radiological and microbiological evidence of the disease. Three patients presented following complications after solid organ transplantation, two in the context of acute liver failure and emergency liver transplant and one several years after a double lung transplant. The last patient presented with necrotising gall stone pancreatitis, multi-organ failure and subsequently a prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay. On review of the literature, January 1955 to July 2019, 45 cases were identified, with different risk factors, clinical and radiological manifestations, treatment regimen and outcome.
CONCLUSION
Antemortem diagnosis of cardiac aspergillosis is difficult and rare, with no cases reporting positive blood culture results. Galactomannan serology has poor sensitivity in solid organ transplant patients, further reduced by prophylactic antimicrobial treatment, which is common in the ICU setting especially post-transplant patients. Due to the scarcity of cases, treatment is extrapolated from invasive aspergillosis management, with emphasis on early treatment with combination therapy.
PubMed: 34422107
DOI: 10.1177/1751143720936821 -
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging Sep 2014The goal of this systematic analysis is to provide a comprehensive review of the current cardiac magnetic resonance data on microvascular obstruction (MVO) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Effect of microvascular obstruction and intramyocardial hemorrhage by CMR on LV remodeling and outcomes after myocardial infarction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The goal of this systematic analysis is to provide a comprehensive review of the current cardiac magnetic resonance data on microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH). Data related to the association of MVO and IMH in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) with left ventricular (LV) function, volumes, adverse LV remodeling, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were critically analyzed. MVO is associated with a lower ejection fraction, increased ventricular volumes and infarct size, and a greater risk of MACE. Late MVO is shown to be a stronger prognostic marker for MACE and cardiac death, recurrent MI, congestive heart failure/heart failure hospitalization, and follow-up LV end-systolic volumes than early MVO. IMH is associated with LV remodeling and MACE on pooled analysis, but because of limited data and heterogeneity in study methodology, the effects of IMH on remodeling require further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Chi-Square Distribution; Coronary Circulation; Heart Failure; Heart Ventricles; Hemorrhage; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microcirculation; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardium; No-Reflow Phenomenon; Odds Ratio; Predictive Value of Tests; Prognosis; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Remodeling
PubMed: 25212800
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2014.06.012 -
European Radiology Dec 2023Myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) fraction is an important imaging biomarker in clinical decision-making. CT-ECV is a potential alternative to MRI for ECV... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) fraction is an important imaging biomarker in clinical decision-making. CT-ECV is a potential alternative to MRI for ECV quantification. We conducted a meta-analysis to comprehensively assess the reliability of CT for ECV quantification with MRI as a reference.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles published since the establishment of the database in July 2022. The articles comparing CT-ECV with MRI as a reference were included. Meta-analytic methods were applied to determine the pooled weighted bias, limits of agreement (LOA), and correlation coefficient (r) between CT-ECV and MRI-ECV.
RESULTS
Seventeen studies with a total of 459 patients and 2231 myocardial segments were included. The pooled mean difference (MD), LOA, and r for ECV quantification at the per-patient level was (0.07%; 95% LOA: - 0.42 to 0.55%) and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.86-0.91), respectively, while on the per-segment level was (0.44%; 95% LOA: 0.16-0.72%) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.82-0.85), respectively. The pooled r from studies with the ECV method for ECV quantification was significantly higher compared to those with the ECV method (0.94 (95% CI: 0.91-0.96) vs. 0.84 (95% CI: 0.80-0.88), respectively, p = 0.03). The pooled r from septal segments was significantly higher than those from non-septal segments (0.88 (95% CI: 0.86-0.90) vs. 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71-0.90), respectively, p = 0.009).
CONCLUSION
CT showed a good agreement and excellent correlation with MRI for ECV quantification and is a potentially attractive alternative to MRI.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT
The myocardial extracellular volume fraction can be acquired using a CT scan, which is not only a viable alternative to myocardial extracellular volume fraction derived from MRI but is also less time-consuming and costly for patients.
KEY POINTS
• Noninvasive CT-ECV is a viable alternative to MRI-ECV for ECV quantification. • CT-ECV using the ECV method showed more accurate myocardial ECV quantification than ECV. • Septal myocardial segments showed lower measurement variability than non-septal segments for the ECV quantification.
Topics: Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Myocardium; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Iodine; Predictive Value of Tests
PubMed: 37378712
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09872-x -
Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic... Dec 2016Myocardial fibrosis is being increasingly recognised as a common final pathway of a wide range of diseases. Thus, the development of an accurate and convenient method to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Myocardial fibrosis is being increasingly recognised as a common final pathway of a wide range of diseases. Thus, the development of an accurate and convenient method to evaluate myocardial fibrosis is of major importance. Although T1 mapping is a potential alternative for myocardial biopsy, validation studies are limited to small numbers and vary regarding technical facets, and include only a restricted number of disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to objectively and comprehensively evaluate the performance of T1 mapping on the quantification of myocardial fibrosis using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).
METHODS
PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies applying T1 mapping to measure myocardial fibrosis and that validated the results via histological analysis. A pooled correlation coefficient between the CMR and histology measurements was used to evaluate the performance of the T1 mapping.
RESULTS
A total of 15 studies, including 308 patients who had CMR and myocardial biopsy were included and the pooled correlation coefficient between ECV measured by T1 mapping and biopsy for the selected studies was 0.884 (95% CI: 0.854, 0.914) and was not notably heterogeneous chi-squared = 7.44; P = 0.489 for the Q test and I^2 = 0.00%).
CONCLUSIONS
The quantitative measurement of myocardial fibrosis via T1 mapping is associated with a favourable overall correlation with the myocardial biopsy measurements. Further studies are required to determine the calibration of the T1 mapping results for the biopsy findings of different cardiomyopathies.
Topics: Biopsy; Chi-Square Distribution; Fibrosis; Heart Diseases; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Myocardium; Predictive Value of Tests; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 27955698
DOI: 10.1186/s12968-016-0313-7 -
Journal of Investigative Medicine : the... Apr 2017Non-cardiac critically ill patients with type II myocardial infarction (MI) have a high risk of mortality. There are no evidence-based interventions to mitigate this... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Non-cardiac critically ill patients with type II myocardial infarction (MI) have a high risk of mortality. There are no evidence-based interventions to mitigate this risk. We systematically reviewed the literature regarding the use of medications known to reduce mortality in patients with cardiac troponin (cTn) elevation due to type I MI (β blockers, statin, and aspirin) in studies of critically ill patients without Type I MI. All PubMed publications between 1976-2/19/16 were reviewed. Search terms included: β blocker or aspirin or statin and intensive care unit (ICU) or critically ill or sepsis; 497 primary references were obtained. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) study population consisted of critically ill patients in the ICU with non-cardiovascular illnesses, (2) mortality end point, (3) severity of illness (or injury) was measured, and (4) the antiplatelet agent was primarily aspirin. Retrospective investigations, prospective observational studies, meta-analysis, systematic review, and randomized controlled trials were included; case reports were excluded. 25 primary references were obtained. The data were extracted and tabulated using data collection headings as follows: article title, first author/year/reference number, study type/design, population studied, outcome and intervention, and study question addressed. Evidence was not graded as the majority of studies were non-randomized (low-to-moderate quality). 11 studies were found through bibliography reviews for a total of 36 references. In conclusion, β blockers, statins, and aspirin may play a role in reducing mortality in non-cardiac critically ill patients. Benefit appears to be related to severity of illness, for which cTn may be a marker.
Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Aspirin; Critical Illness; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Myocardium; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Severity of Illness Index; Troponin
PubMed: 28138011
DOI: 10.1136/jim-2016-000374 -
Clinical Cardiology Oct 2022This meta-analysis aims to look at the impact of early intravenous Metoprolol in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before percutaneous coronary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Effect of early metoprolol before PCI in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.
AIM
This meta-analysis aims to look at the impact of early intravenous Metoprolol in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on infarct size, as measured by cardio magnetic resonance (CMR) and left ventricular ejection fraction.
METHODS
We searched the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, and Web of Science. We included only randomized control trials that reported the use of early intravenous Metoprolol in STEMI before PCI on infarct size, as measured by CMR and left ventricular ejection fraction. RevMan software 5.4 was used for performing the analysis.
RESULTS
Following a literature search, 340 publications were found. Finally, 18 studies were included for the systematic review, and 8 clinical trials were included in the meta-analysis after the full-text screening. At 6 months, the pooled effect revealed a statistically significant association between Metoprolol and increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (%) compared to controls (mean difference [MD] = 3.57, [95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.22-4.92], p < .00001), as well as decreased infarcted myocardium(g) compared to controls (MD = -3.84, [95% [CI] = -5.75 to -1.93], p < .0001). At 1 week, the pooled effect revealed a statistically significant association between Metoprolol and increased LVEF (%) compared to controls (MD = 2.98, [95% CI = 1.26-4.69], p = .0007), as well as decreased infarcted myocardium(%) compared to controls (MD = -3.21, [95% CI = -5.24 to -1.18], p = .002).
CONCLUSION
A significant decrease in myocardial infarction and increase in LVEF (%) was linked to receiving Metoprolol at 1 week and 6-month follow-up.
Topics: Humans; Metoprolol; Myocardial Infarction; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Left
PubMed: 36040709
DOI: 10.1002/clc.23894 -
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging :... Apr 2016To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence of incidental extracardiac findings (IEFs) on cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) and to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence of incidental extracardiac findings (IEFs) on cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) and to determine factors influencing reported prevalences.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We examined studies published in the literature using the MEDLINE database. Studies reporting IEFs on cardiac MR were included. Meta-analysis provided pooled prevalences of total, minor, major IEFs, and major IEFs with patient management changes using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity and inconsistency (I-squared) between studies as well as publication bias were assessed.
RESULTS
Twelve studies including 7062 patients (mean age: 52 years, range: 0.5-93 years, 4476 male/2586 female) and 7122 cardiac MR examinations were considered in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled prevalence of total IEFs was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 23-47%). The pooled prevalence of minor and major IEFs were 17% (95% CI: 9-26%) and 12% (95% CI: 7-18%), respectively. Newly diagnosed major IEFs changed patient management in 1% (95% CI: 1-2%) of the study population. A high heterogeneity and inconsistency (I-squared >74%) between studies without publication bias were observed, notably due to IEFs recording method (P < 0.002) and formal training of cardiac MR readers (P < 0.006).
CONCLUSION
Major IEFs may be found in 12% of patients undergoing cardiac MR examination and change the management in 1% of patients. Readers' training for the evaluation of noncardiac structures increases reported prevalence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Heart; Humans; Incidental Findings; Infant; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardium; Prevalence; Reproducibility of Results; Young Adult
PubMed: 26397378
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25053 -
Thyroid : Official Journal of the... Jun 2020Fibrotic diseases have an unclear etiology and poor prognosis. Fluctuations in thyroid function may play a role in the development of fibrosis, but evidence is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Fibrotic diseases have an unclear etiology and poor prognosis. Fluctuations in thyroid function may play a role in the development of fibrosis, but evidence is fragmented and inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association of thyroid function with fibrotic diseases of the liver, heart, and lung in humans. We searched PubMed, Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid, and Web-of-Science for studies published from inception to 14 June 2019, to identify observational studies that investigated the association of thyroid function with fibrosis of the liver, heart, and lung in humans. Study quality was evaluated by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The Mantel-Haenszel method was used to pool the odds ratios (ORs) of studies investigating the association of hypothyroidism with liver fibrosis. Of the 2196 identified articles, 18 studies were included in the systematic review, of which 11 studies reported on liver fibrosis, 4 on myocardial fibrosis, and 3 on pulmonary fibrosis. The population sample size ranged from 36 to 7259 subjects, with median mean age 51 years (range, 36-69) and median percentage of women 53 (range, 17-100). The risk of bias of studies was low to moderate to high. Higher serum thyrotropin and lower thyroid hormone levels were generally associated with higher likelihood of fibrosis. Compared with euthyroidism, overt and subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with a higher likelihood of fibrosis in the liver (six of seven studies), heart (three of three studies), and lung (three of three studies). Based on the results of the seven studies included in the meta-analysis, overt and subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with an increased risk of liver fibrosis (pooled OR, 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74-4.53; heterogeneity, 31.4%; pooled OR, 2.12; CI, 1.45-3.12; heterogeneity, 0%; respectively), without evidence of publication bias. This study suggests that low thyroid function is associated with increased likelihood of chronic fibrotic diseases of the liver, heart, and lung. However, the evidence is mainly based on cross-sectional data. Prospective studies and randomized clinical trials are needed to investigate the potential efficacy of thyroid hormone and its analogs on the occurrence and progression of fibrosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Liver; Lung; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardium; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Hormones; Young Adult
PubMed: 31910097
DOI: 10.1089/thy.2019.0572 -
Journal of Cardiovascular... May 2021Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a form of structural heart disease prone to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden cardiac death. Non-compacted myocardium may...
BACKGROUND
Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a form of structural heart disease prone to ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and sudden cardiac death. Non-compacted myocardium may harbor VA substrate, though some reports suggest otherwise.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to characterize the electrophysiologic (EP) features of VA in NCCM.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of case reports, case series, and observational studies.
RESULTS
One hundred and thirty-five cases of NCCM from studies between 2000 and 2020 were included. Mean age was 34 ± 20 years, mean left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction was 42 ± 15% with two cases having late gadolinium enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging. The LV apex was the most common non-compacted segment (86%); 10% involved the right ventricle (RV). Antiarrhythmic failure was documented in 16 cases, of which 50% failed more than one agent. Only 23% of monomorphic VAs localized to regions of non-compaction on electrocardiogram. Most frequently, VAs localized to the RV outflow tract (n = 21), posterior fascicle (n = 19), and anterolateral LV apex (n = 9). All cases with apical exits arose from the non-compacted myocardium. On EPS, 83% of sustained VTs were due to re-entry, 17% due to focal mechanism. Catheter ablation was performed in 39 cases, with 7 requiring more than 1 procedure. Acute VA non-inducibility was achieved in 82% and VA-free survival was reported in 85% over a mean follow-up of 24 months.
CONCLUSION
The majority of VAs in NCCM arise remotely from non-compacted myocardium, and non-re-entrant mechanism seen in ~1/5th of sustained VTs. Catheter ablation outcomes appear favorable. Further study is needed to understand the pathophysiology of VA in NCCM.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Cardiomyopathies; Catheter Ablation; Contrast Media; Gadolinium; Humans; Middle Aged; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Young Adult
PubMed: 33792994
DOI: 10.1111/jce.15026 -
Clinical Research in Cardiology :... Nov 2019Left ventricular non-compaction has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years. However, it is still debated whether non-compaction is a pathological condition or a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular non-compaction has been increasingly diagnosed in recent years. However, it is still debated whether non-compaction is a pathological condition or a physiological trait. In this meta-analysis and systematic review, we compare studies, which investigated these two different perspectives. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview on the clinical outcome as well as genetic background of left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy in adult patients.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We retrieved PubMed/Medline literatures in English language from 2000 to 19/09/2018 on clinical outcome and genotype of patients with non-compaction. We summarized and extensively reviewed all studies that passed selection criteria and performed a meta-analysis on key phenotypic parameters. Altogether, 35 studies with 2271 non-compaction patients were included in our meta-analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was the mid of their fifth decade. Two-thirds of patients were male. Congenital heart diseases including atrial or ventricular septum defect or Ebstein anomaly were reported in 7% of patients. Twenty-four percent presented with family history of cardiomyopathy. The mean frequency of neuromuscular diseases was 5%. Heart rhythm abnormalities were reported frequently: conduction disease in 26%, supraventricular tachycardia in 17%, and sustained or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in 18% of patients. Three important outcome measures were reported including systemic thromboembolic events with a mean frequency of 9%, heart transplantation with 4%, and adequate ICD therapy with 15%. Nine studies investigated the genetics of non-compaction cardiomyopathy. The most frequently mutated gene was TTN with a pooled frequency of 11%. The average frequency of MYH7 mutations was 9%, for MYBPC3 mutations 5%, and for CASQ2 and LDB3 3% each. TPM1, MIB1, ACTC1, and LMNA mutations had an average frequency of 2% each. Mutations in PLN, HCN4, TAZ, DTNA, TNNT2, and RBM20 were reported with a frequency of 1% each. We also summarized the results of eight studies investigating the non-compaction in altogether 5327 athletes, pregnant women, patients with sickle cell disease, as well as individuals from population-based cohorts, in which the presence of left ventricular hypertrabeculation ranged from 1.3 to 37%.
CONCLUSION
The summarized data indicate that non-compaction may lead to unfavorable outcome in different cardiomyopathy entities. The presence of key features in a multimodal diagnostic approach could distinguish between benign morphological trait and manifest cardiomyopathy.
Topics: Humans; Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium
PubMed: 30980206
DOI: 10.1007/s00392-019-01465-3