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Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Nov 2022Background and Objectives: Chronic severe aortic valve disease is associated with important changes in left ventricle (LV) performance associated with eccentric or...
Diastolic versus Systolic Left Ventricular Dysfunction as Independent Predictors for Unfavorable Postoperative Evolution in Patients with Aortic Regurgitation Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement.
Background and Objectives: Chronic severe aortic valve disease is associated with important changes in left ventricle (LV) performance associated with eccentric or concentric LV hypertrophy. We aimed to assess the immediate prognostic implications of the type of the LV diastolic filling pattern (LVDFP) compared with LV systolic performance in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) and to define the independent echographic predictors for the immediate and long-term prognoses. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study enrolling 332 AR patients undergoing AVR, divided into two groups: Group A—201 pts with normal LV systolic function, divided into two subgroups (A1: 129 pts with a nonrestrictive LVDFP and A2: 72 pts with restrictive LVDFP), and Group B—131 pts with LV systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction LVEF < 50%), divided into two subgroups (B1: 83 pts with a nonrestrictive LVDFP and B2: 48 pts with restrictive LVDFP). Results: The early postoperative mortality rate was higher in patients with a restrictive LVDFP (11.12% in A2 and 12.5% in B2) compared with normal LV filling (2.32% in A1 and 7.63% in B1, p < 0.0001), regardless of the LVEF. The restrictive LVDFP—defined by at least one of the following echographic parameters: an E/A > 2 with an E wave deceleration time (EDt) < 100 ms; an isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) < 60 ms; or an S/D ratio < 1 in the pulmonary vein flow—was an independent predictor for early postoperative mortality, increasing the relative risk by 8.2-fold. Other independent factors associated with early poor prognosis were an LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD) > 58 mm, an age > 75 years, and the presence of comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD or diabetes mellitus). On a medium-term, an unfavorable evolution was associated with: an age > 75 years (RR = 8.1), an LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) > 95 cm3 (RR = 6.7), a restrictive LVDFP (RR = 9.8, p < 0.0002), and pulmonary hypertension (RR = 8.2). Conclusions: The presence of a restrictive LVDFP in patients with AR undergoing AVR is associated with both increased early and medium-term mortality rates. The LV diastolic function is a more reliable parameter for prognosis than LV systolic performance (RR 9.2 versus 2.1). Other independent predictors for increased early postoperative mortality rate were: an age > 75 years, an LVESD > 58 mm, and comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, COPD), and for unfavorable evolution at 2 years postoperatively: an age > 75 years, an LVESV > 95 cm3, and severe pulmonary hypertension.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Aortic Valve; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Prospective Studies; Heart Murmurs; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 36422215
DOI: 10.3390/medicina58111676 -
Clinical and Translational Medicine Nov 2022Altered splicing landscape is an emerging cancer hallmark; however, the dysregulation and implication of the cellular machinery controlling this process (spliceosome...
INTRODUCTION
Altered splicing landscape is an emerging cancer hallmark; however, the dysregulation and implication of the cellular machinery controlling this process (spliceosome components and splicing factors) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poorly known. This study aimed to comprehensively characterize the spliceosomal profile and explore its role in HCC.
METHODS
Expression levels of 70 selected spliceosome components and splicing factors and clinical implications were evaluated in two retrospective and six in silico HCC cohorts. Functional, molecular and mechanistic studies were implemented in three cell lines (HepG2, Hep3B and SNU-387) and preclinical Hep3B-induced xenograft tumours.
RESULTS
Spliceosomal dysregulations were consistently found in retrospective and in silico cohorts. EIF4A3, RBM3, ESRP2 and SRPK1 were the most dysregulated spliceosome elements in HCC. EIF4A3 expression was associated with decreased survival and greater recurrence. Plasma EIF4A3 levels were significantly elevated in HCC patients. In vitro EIF4A3-silencing (or pharmacological inhibition) resulted in reduced aggressiveness, and hindered xenograft-tumours growth in vivo, whereas EIF4A3 overexpression increased tumour aggressiveness. EIF4A3-silencing altered the expression and splicing of key HCC-related genes, specially FGFR4. EIF4A3-silencing blocked the cellular response to the natural ligand of FGFR4, FGF19. Functional consequences of EIF4A3-silencing were mediated by FGFR4 splicing as the restoration of non-spliced FGFR4 full-length version blunted these effects, and FGFR4 inhibition did not exert further effects in EIF4A3-silenced cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Splicing machinery is strongly dysregulated in HCC, providing a source of new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic options in HCC. EIF4A3 is consistently elevated in HCC patients and associated with tumour aggressiveness and mortality, through the modulation of FGFR4 splicing.
Topics: Humans; Spliceosomes; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Retrospective Studies; Liver Neoplasms; Oncogenes; RNA Splicing Factors; Heart Murmurs; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; RNA-Binding Proteins; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4A; DEAD-box RNA Helicases
PubMed: 36419260
DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1102 -
Indian Journal of Anaesthesia Sep 2022An electronic stethoscope with an inbuilt phonocardiogram is a potentially useful tool for paediatric cardiac evaluation in a resource-limited setting. We aimed to...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
An electronic stethoscope with an inbuilt phonocardiogram is a potentially useful tool for paediatric cardiac evaluation in a resource-limited setting. We aimed to compare the acoustic and electronic stethoscopes with respect to the detection of murmurs as compared to the transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE).
METHODS
This was an observational study. Fifty children aged 0-12 years with congenital heart diseases (CHDs) and 50 without CHD scheduled for echocardiography were examined using both stethoscopes. The findings were corroborated with clinical findings and compared with the echocardiography report.
RESULTS
Among the 50 cases without CHD, no murmur was detected using either of the stethoscopes. This was in agreement with TTE findings. The calculated specificity of both stethoscopes was 100%. Amongst the 50 cases with CHD, the electronic stethoscope picked up murmurs in 32 cases and missed 18 cases. The acoustic stethoscope picked up murmurs in 29 cases and missed 21 cases. Thus, the sensitivity of electronic and acoustic stethoscopes as compared to TTE was calculated to be 64% and 58%, respectively. The positive predictive value of the electronic stethoscope as compared to TTE was 100% while the negative predictive value was 73%. The kappa statistic was 0.93 suggesting agreement in 93%. Mc-Nemar's test value was 0.24 suggesting that the electronic stethoscope did not offer any advantage over the acoustic stethoscope for the detection of CHD in children.
CONCLUSION
A comparison of the electronic stethoscope with an acoustic stethoscope suggests that the rate of detection of CHD with both stethoscopes is similar and echocardiography remains the gold standard.
PubMed: 36388445
DOI: 10.4103/ija.ija_305_22 -
Cureus Oct 2022Unroofed coronary sinus syndrome (UCSS), also named coronary sinus (CS) septal defect, is a rare type of atrial septal defect (ASD) with the incidence less than 1% of...
A Rare Association of Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) With Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava (PLSVC) and Unroofed Coronary Sinus (UCS) Terminating Into Left Atrium (LA): A Case Report of an Indian Infant.
Unroofed coronary sinus syndrome (UCSS), also named coronary sinus (CS) septal defect, is a rare type of atrial septal defect (ASD) with the incidence less than 1% of the total number of ASDs. It is caused by incomplete formation of left atrial venous folds during embryonic development. There is communication between the CS and left atrium (LA) due to the presence of a left superior vena cava (LSVC) along with an incomplete or complete loss of the CS roof draining into the LA. It usually presents as mild breathlessness on exertion and the appearance of murmurs on auscultation. A case that is diagnosed as an unroofed CS (UCS) related to a continuous LSVC terminating into the CS, which further terminates into LA, along with a large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a rare presentation.
PubMed: 36381688
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30124 -
Current Problems in Cardiology Feb 2023A heart murmur in adults is a common reason for referral for echocardiography at most general cardiology clinics in Europe. A murmur may indicate either a mild... (Review)
Review
A heart murmur in adults is a common reason for referral for echocardiography at most general cardiology clinics in Europe. A murmur may indicate either a mild age-related valvular calcification or regurgitation, or represent a significant heart valve disease requiring valvular intervention. Generally, the correlation between murmurs by auscultation and severity of heart valve disease by echocardiography is poor. Particularly, the severity and characterization of diastolic murmurs by auscultation may poorly correlate with echocardiographic findings. This narrative review aims to summarize the differential diagnoses of physiological and pathological murmurs, describes the current referral practice of murmur patients for echocardiography, and presents a single-center experience on the correlation of auscultation and echocardiographic findings with a particular focus on aortic and mitral valve diseases. A careful auscultation of the heart prior to the echocardiogram is mandatory and may help to predict the echocardiographic findings and their interpretation in view of the clinical information. The correlation between clinical examination, point of care ultrasound and standard echocardiography is a matter of continued exploration.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Heart Auscultation; Cardiologists; Heart Murmurs; Echocardiography; Heart Valve Diseases
PubMed: 36336114
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2022.101479 -
Veterinary Research Forum : An... Sep 2022Heart murmurs and valvular regurgitation are common in horses and often have no effect on their performance. However, when structural changes occur in the heart size,...
Heart murmurs and valvular regurgitation are common in horses and often have no effect on their performance. However, when structural changes occur in the heart size, they can affect performance adversely. This study aimed to examine the correlation between cardiac valves disease and poor performance in athletic horses. A total of 300 athletic Thoroughbred and mix-breed horses including 164 mares and 136 stallions, with a history of poor performance, were selected. Horses with cardiac murmurs were identified and further cardiac examination including precise auscultation, base-apex electrocardiogram for possible dysrhythmias at rest and after exercise, echocardiographic and hematological tests were conducted in two stages. The first was at admission time and the second examination was done four to six months later to evaluate the outcome of the possible disorders. Respiratory system and musculoskeletal diseases were diagnosed respectively in 93 and 149 out of 300 examined horses and 36 horses showed heart murmur without any other complications. Echocardiography was performed in horses with heart murmur and 25 of them showed regurgitation of the cardiac valve. During the first examination, 7 horses were diagnosed with regurgitation and changes in the size of cardiac chambers, whereas this number increased to 25 during the second examination. There was no significant relationship between degree of murmur and severity of regurgitant jet in horses. The valvular regurgitation can affect the performance when causing changes in the size of the cardiac chambers which can consequently jeopardize the athletic future of the horse.
PubMed: 36320295
DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2021.130366.2997 -
Veterinary Sciences Oct 2022Cardiac auscultation is one of the most important clinical tools to identify patients with a potential heart disease. Although several publications have reported the...
BACKGROUND
Cardiac auscultation is one of the most important clinical tools to identify patients with a potential heart disease. Although several publications have reported the prevalence of murmurs in cats, little information is available in relation to the exact origin of the blood flow turbulences responsible for these murmurs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of murmurs detected during physical examination in cats.
METHODS
Retrospective evaluation of clinical records and echocardiographic examinations performed in cats for investigation of heart murmurs; Results: Records of 856 cats with full clinical information were available for review. The cause of murmur was identified in 93.1% of cases (72.3% with single blood flow turbulence, 26.4% with two, and 1.3% with three identifiable sources of murmur). Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) was the primary cause of murmur in this population (39.2%), followed by dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction (DRVOTO) (32%) and flow murmurs (6.9%). Most cats with a murmur (56.7%) did not present any structural cardiac abnormality.
CONCLUSIONS
This study indicates that some heart murmur characteristics (timing, loudness and point of maximal intensity) can potentially predict the presence of an underlying cardiac disease.
PubMed: 36288177
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9100564 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022Myxomas are slowly growing benign neoplasms which are rare in children. Up to 80% can be located in the left atrium and generate symptoms such as embolism, cardiac... (Review)
Review
New Onset Cardiac Murmur and Exertional Dyspnea in an Apparently Healthy Child: A Rare Localization of Obstructive Myxoma in the Right Ventricle Outflow Tract without Pulmonary Embolization-A Case Report and Literature Review.
Myxomas are slowly growing benign neoplasms which are rare in children. Up to 80% can be located in the left atrium and generate symptoms such as embolism, cardiac failure, fever and weight loss. Rarely, myxomas can be detected in the right ventricle outflow tract, causing arrhythmias, pulmonary emboli and sudden death. We report the case of a 13-year-old healthy child brought to the Emergency Department (ED) of the Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, for recent dyspnea, chest pain on exertion and new onset cardiac murmur. Patient underwent medical examination and echocardiogram with the finding of a rounded and lobulated voluminous mass in the right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) which caused severe obstruction. The contrast computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of a heterogeneously enhancing soft-tissue mass occupying the RVOT with no evidence of pulmonary embolization. The mass was surgically excised, and the pathologic examination confirmed our suspicion of myxoma. Our experience suggests that myxoma can have mild clinical symptoms, the presentation may be non-specific, and diagnosis can be a challenge Careful examination and a diagnostic imaging workup, primarily with the transthoracic echocardiogram, are needful to make a rapid differential diagnosis and to better manage surgical treatment and follow-up.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Dyspnea; Heart Murmurs; Heart Neoplasms; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Myxoma
PubMed: 36232202
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912888 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2022Still's murmur is the most prevalent innocent heart murmur of childhood. Auscultation is the primary clinical tool to identify this murmur as innocent. Whereas pediatric...
BACKGROUND
Still's murmur is the most prevalent innocent heart murmur of childhood. Auscultation is the primary clinical tool to identify this murmur as innocent. Whereas pediatric cardiologists routinely perform this task, primary care providers are less successful in distinguishing Still's murmur from the murmurs of true heart disease. This results in a large number of children with a Still's murmur being referred to pediatric cardiologists.
OBJECTIVES
To develop a computer algorithm that can aid primary care providers to identify the innocent Still's murmur at the point of care, to substantially decrease over-referral.
METHODS
The study included Still's murmurs, pathological murmurs, other innocent murmurs, and normal (i.e., non-murmur) heart sounds of 1,473 pediatric patients recorded using a commercial electronic stethoscope. The recordings with accompanying clinical diagnoses provided by a pediatric cardiologist were used to train and test the convolutional neural network-based algorithm.
RESULTS
A comparative analysis showed that the algorithm using only the murmur sounds recorded at the lower left sternal border achieved the highest accuracy. The developed algorithm identified Still's murmur with 90.0% sensitivity and 98.3% specificity for the default decision threshold. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.943.
CONCLUSIONS
Still's murmur can be identified with high accuracy with the algorithm we developed. Using this approach, the algorithm could help to reduce the rate of unnecessary pediatric cardiologist referrals and use of echocardiography for a common benign finding.
PubMed: 36210944
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.923956 -
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Nov 2022Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is associated with poor outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Nonetheless, precise reporting of LVDD in COVID-19...
PURPOSE
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is associated with poor outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU). Nonetheless, precise reporting of LVDD in COVID-19 patients is currently lacking and assessment could be challenging.
METHODS
We performed an echocardiography study in COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU with the aim to describe the feasibility of full or simplified LVDD assessment and its incidence. We also evaluated the association of LVDD or of single echocardiographic parameters with hospital mortality.
RESULTS
Between 06.10.2020 and 18.02.2021, full diastolic assessment was feasible in 74% (n = 26/35) of patients receiving a full echocardiogram study. LVDD incidence was 46% (n = 12/26), while the simplified assessment produced different results (incidence 81%, n = 21/26). Nine patients with normal function on full assessment had LVDD with simplified criteria (grade I = 2; grade II = 3; grade III = 4). Nine patients were hospital-survivors (39%); the incidence of LVDD (full assessment) was not different between survivors (n = 2/9, 22%) and non-survivors (n = 10/17, 59%; p = .11). The E/e' ratio lateral was lower in survivors (7.4 [3.6] vs. non-survivors 10.5 [6.3], p = .03). We also found that s' wave was higher in survivors (average, p = .01).
CONCLUSION
In a small single-center study, assessment of LVDD according to the latest guidelines was feasible in three quarters of COVID-19 patients. Non-survivors showed a trend toward greater LVDD incidence; moreover, they had significantly worse s' values (all) and higher E/e' ratio (lateral).
Topics: Humans; Incidence; COVID-19; Feasibility Studies; Ventricular Function, Left; Diastole; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Intensive Care Units; Heart Murmurs
PubMed: 36200491
DOI: 10.1111/echo.15462