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Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive... 2024Early mobilisation is paramount in the rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injuries. However, the effectiveness of mobilisation to standing combined with...
INTRODUCTION
Early mobilisation is paramount in the rehabilitation of patients with acquired brain injuries. However, the effectiveness of mobilisation to standing combined with passive leg movement in mitigating orthostatic intolerance remains uncertain. Hence, we investigated whether participants exhibited better tolerance standing in a motorized standing device with passive leg movements, Innowalk Pro, compared to a traditional standing frame.
METHODS
17 patients with acquired brain injury (<1 year post-injury) performed two sessions in each standing device on four separate days. Maximum standing time was 30 min, less when symptoms of syncope or volitional exhaustion occurred. Besides total standing time, electromyography of thigh muscles, and changes in mean arterial pressure and heart rate were monitored at rest and during standing.
RESULTS
No significant differences were found in standing time, changes in mean arterial pressure or heart rate between standing in Innowalk Pro and the standing frame. However, participants had significantly more thigh muscle activation ( = 0.006) when standing in Innowalk Pro.
CONCLUSIONS
Mobilising participants with a subacute acquired brain injury in a standing frame with motorised passive movements of the lower limbs did, despite higher thigh muscle activation, not lead to better orthostatic tolerance or prolonged standing time compared to a traditional standing frame.
PubMed: 38737723
DOI: 10.1177/20556683241240488 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The paper presents a system for analyzing cardiac activity with the possibility of continuous and remote monitoring. The created sensor mobile device monitors heart...
The paper presents a system for analyzing cardiac activity with the possibility of continuous and remote monitoring. The created sensor mobile device monitors heart activity by means of the convenient and imperceptible registration of cardiac signals. At the same time, the behavior of the human body is also monitored through the accelerometer and gyroscope built into the device, thanks to which it is possible to signal in the event of loss of consciousness or fall (in patients with syncope). Conducting real-time cardio monitoring and the analysis of recordings using various mathematical methods (linear, non-linear, and graphical) enables the research, accurate diagnosis, timely assistance, and correct treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The paper examines the recordings of patients diagnosed with arrhythmia and syncope recorded by electrocardiography (ECG) sensors in real conditions. The obtained results are subjected to statistical analysis to determine the accuracy and significance of the obtained results. The studies show significant deviations in the patients with arrhythmia and syncope regarding the obtained values of the studied parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) from the accepted normal values (for example, the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD) in healthy individuals is 24.02 ms, while, in patients with arrhythmia (6.09 ms) and syncope (5.21 ms), it is much lower). The obtained quantitative and graphic results identify some possible abnormalities and demonstrate disorders regarding the activity of the autonomic nervous system, which is directly related to the work of the heart.
PubMed: 38732339
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14090926 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral annular disjunction (MAD) are common valvular abnormalities that have been associated with ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Cardiac...
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mitral annular disjunction (MAD) are common valvular abnormalities that have been associated with ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has a key role in risk stratification of VA, including assessment of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Single-center retrospective analysis of patients with MVP or MAD who had >1 CMR and >1 24 h Holter registration available. Data are presented in detail, including evolution of VA and presence of LGE over time. A total of twelve patients had repeated CMR and Holter registrations available, of which in four (33%) patients, it was conducted before and after minimal invasive mitral valve repair (MVR). After a median of 4.7 years, four out of eight (50%) patients without surgical intervention had new areas of LGE. New LGE was observed in the papillary muscles and the mid to basal inferolateral wall. In four patients, presenting with syncope or high-risk non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), programmed ventricular stimulation was performed and in two (50%), sustained monomorphic VT was easily inducible. In two patients who underwent MVR, new LGE was observed in the basal inferolateral wall of which one presented with an increased burden of VA. In patients with MVP and MAD, repeat CMR may show new LGE in a small subset of patients, even shortly after MVR. A subgroup of patients who presented with an increase in VA burden showed new LGE upon repeat CMR. VA in patients with MVP and MAD are part of a heterogeneous spectrum that requires further investigation to establish risk stratification strategies.
PubMed: 38731198
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092669 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders May 2024Clinical outcomes after catheter ablation (CA) or pacemaker (PM) implantation for the tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome (TBS) has not been evaluated adequately. We tried... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison between catheter ablation versus permanent pacemaker implantation as an initial treatment for tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome patients: a prospective, randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Clinical outcomes after catheter ablation (CA) or pacemaker (PM) implantation for the tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome (TBS) has not been evaluated adequately. We tried to compare the efficacy and safety outcomes of CA and PM implantation as an initial treatment option for TBS in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.
METHODS
Sixty-eight patients with paroxysmal AF and TBS (mean 63.7 years, 63.2% male) were randomized, and received CA (n = 35) or PM (n = 33) as initial treatments. The primary outcomes were unexpected emergency room visits or hospitalizations attributed to cardiovascular causes.
RESULTS
In the intention-to-treatment analysis, the rates of primary outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups at the 2-year follow-up (19.8% vs. 25.9%; hazard ratio (HR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-2.20, P = 0.584), irrespective of whether the results were adjusted for age (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.34-3.64, P = 0.852). The 2-year rate of recurrent AF was significantly lower in the CA group compared to the PM group (33.9% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.038). Four patients (11.4%) in the CA group finally received PMs after CA owing to recurrent syncope episodes. The rate of major or minor procedure related complications was not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
CA had a similar efficacy and safety profile with that of PM and a higher sinus rhythm maintenance rate. CA could be considered as a preferable initial treatment option over PM implantation in patients with paroxysmal AF and TBS.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
KCT0000155.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Catheter Ablation; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Aged; Atrial Fibrillation; Pacemaker, Artificial; Bradycardia; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; Time Factors; Heart Rate; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Syndrome; Tachycardia
PubMed: 38730404
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03920-0 -
Hellenic Journal of Cardiology : HJC =... May 2024Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are increasingly being used for long-term cardiac monitoring in different clinical settings. The aim of this study was to investigate...
AIMS
Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are increasingly being used for long-term cardiac monitoring in different clinical settings. The aim of this study was to investigate the real-world performance of ILRs-including the time to diagnosis- in unselected patients with different ILR indications.
METHODS AND RESULTS
In this multicenter, observational study, 871 patients with an indication of pre-syncope/syncope (61.9%), unexplained palpitations (10.4%), and atrial fibrillation (AF) detection with a history of cryptogenic stroke (CS) (27.7%) underwent ILR implantation. The median follow-up was 28.8 ± 12.9 months. In the presyncope/syncope group, 167 (31%) received a diagnosis established by the device. Kaplan-Meier estimates indicated that 16.9% of patients had a diagnosis at 6 months, and the proportion increased to 22.5% at 1 year. Of 91 patients with palpitations, 20 (22%) received a diagnosis based on the device. The diagnosis established at 12.2% of patients at 6 months, and the proportion increased to 13.3% at 1 year. Among 241 patients with CS, 47 (19.5%) were diagnosed with AF. The diagnostic yield of the device was 10.4% at 6 months and 12.4% at 1 year. In all cases, oral anticoagulation was initiated. Overall, ILR diagnosis altered the therapeutic strategy in 26.1% in presyncope/syncope group, 2.2% in palpitations group, and 3.7% in CS group in addition to oral anticoagulation initiation.
CONCLUSIONS
In this real-world patient population, ILR determines diagnosis and initiates a new therapeutic management in nearly one fourth of patients. ILR implantation is valuable in the evaluation of patients with unexplained presyncope/syncope, CS and palpitations.
PubMed: 38729347
DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2024.05.004 -
Hellenic Journal of Cardiology : HJC =... May 2024To evaluate the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis of patients with type A acute aortic syndrome (AAS-A) presenting with shock. To...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis of patients with type A acute aortic syndrome (AAS-A) presenting with shock. To assess the impact of surgery on this patient population.
METHODS
The study included 521 patients with A-AAS enrolled in the Spanish Registry of Acute Aortic Syndrome (RESA-III) from January 2018 to December 2019. The RESA-III is a prospective, multicenter registry that contains AAS data from 30 tertiary-care hospitals. Patients were classified into two groups according to their clinical presentation, with or without shock. Shock was defined as persistent systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg despite adequate volume resuscitation.
RESULTS
97 (18.6%) patients with A-AAS presented with shock. Clinical presentation with syncope was much more common in the Shock group (45.4% vs 10.1%, p = 0.001). Patients in the Shock group had more complications at diagnosis and before surgery: cardiac tamponade (36.2% vs 9%, p < 0.001), acute renal failure (28.9% vs 18.2%, p = 0.018), and need for orotracheal intubation (40% vs 9.1%, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in aortic regurgitation (51.6% vs 46.7%, p = 0.396) between groups. In-hospital mortality was higher among patients with shock (48.5% vs 27.4%, p < 0.001). Surgery was associated with a significant mortality reduction both in patients with and without shock. Surgery had an independent protective effect on mortality (OR 0.03, 95% CI (0.00-0.32)).
CONCLUSION
Patients with AAS-A admitted with shock have a heavily increased risk of mortality. Syncope and pericardial effusion at diagnosis are strongly associated with shock. Surgery was independently associated with a mortality reduction in patients with AAS-A and shock.
PubMed: 38729346
DOI: 10.1016/j.hjc.2024.05.005 -
Cureus Apr 2024Orbital fractures in the pediatric population are rare. A trapdoor fracture is a special anatomic type of orbital fracture associated with herniation of orbital contents...
Orbital fractures in the pediatric population are rare. A trapdoor fracture is a special anatomic type of orbital fracture associated with herniation of orbital contents and entrapment of extraocular muscles entrapment with no signs of any soft tissue trauma. A delay in diagnosis can lead to a life-threatening condition known as oculocardiac reflex, characterized by nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and syncope. Many authors recommend early surgical intervention, but some patients may delay for various reasons. We hereby represent three cases of orbital fracture to prevent long-term persistent diplopia. Depending on the case scenario, two cases were operated on in which an autogenous iliac cortical graft was placed in one patient to prevent postoperative herniation of orbital content, and in one patient, only release of entrapped muscles was done. One patient was managed conservatively with a regular follow-up visit.
PubMed: 38725748
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57915 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports May 2024Pulmonary hypertension has been increasingly reported in association with immunotherapy, but generally lacking invasive haemodynamic confirmation in literature. We...
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary hypertension has been increasingly reported in association with immunotherapy, but generally lacking invasive haemodynamic confirmation in literature. We present the first case of pulmonary arterial hypertension following nivolumab confirmed with invasive haemodynamic measurements.
CASE SUMMARY
A 65-year-old male with gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma developed progressive dyspnoea with exertion, decreasing exercise tolerance after receiving nivolumab for seven months. He was admitted with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure after syncope at home. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) with pre-capillary aetiology with right heart catheterization (RHC): mean pulmonary artery pressure 49 mmHg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 7 mmHg, and cardiac index 1.3 L/min/m. Based on serial echocardiograms, the development of PAH appeared to be associated with nivolumab. The patient died of cardiac arrest 3 days after admission.
DISCUSSION
Progressive unexplained dyspnoea after receiving programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody should prompt clinicians to consider PAH and RHC.
PubMed: 38721254
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae222 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports May 2024Marathon running poses unique cardiovascular challenges, sometimes leading to syncopal episodes. We present a case series of athletes who experienced pre-/syncope during...
BACKGROUND
Marathon running poses unique cardiovascular challenges, sometimes leading to syncopal episodes. We present a case series of athletes who experienced pre-/syncope during the Zurich Marathon 2023, accompanied by elevated cardiac biomarkers.
CASE SUMMARY
Eight athletes (2 females, 6 males) aged 21-35 years, with pre-/syncope and various additional diverse symptoms such as dizziness and palpitations during the (half-)marathon, were admitted to two emergency departments in Zurich, Switzerland. Clinical evaluations included electrocardiogram, echocardiography, telemetry, coronary computed tomography (CT) scans, and cardiac biomarker assessments. High-sensitive troponin T (hs-cTnT) was elevated in all cases at initial assessment and returned to normal at follow-up. All athletes who received CT scans had normal coronary and brain CT results. None of the eight athletes had underlying cardiovascular disease. Renal function normalized post-admission, and neurological symptoms resolved within hours. Creatinine levels indicated transient acute kidney injury. A common feature was inexperience in running, inadequate race preparation, particularly regarding fluid, electrolyte, and carbohydrate intake, along with pacing issues and lack of coping strategies with heat.
DISCUSSION
From a clinician perspective, the case series highlights the challenge in the management of patients with a pre-/syncopal event during strenuous exercise and elevated cardiac biomarkers. Diverse initial symptoms prompted tailored investigations. Adequate training, medical assessments, and awareness of syncope triggers are essential for marathon participants. Caution and pacing strategies are crucial, especially among novices in competitive running. This information is pertinent given the growing popularity of marathon events and prompts a standardized diagnostic approach after these events.
PubMed: 38711684
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae202 -
European Heart Journal. Case Reports May 2024The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited disorder associated with the risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The current main therapy is an...
BACKGROUND
The Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited disorder associated with the risk of ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The current main therapy is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). However, the risk stratification and management of patients remain challenging. Here, we present a case of BrS representative of the pitfalls that clinicians may encounter in the management of Brugada patients in routine clinical practice.
CASE SUMMARY
A 39-year-old man with BrS and recurring syncope was implanted with a subcutaneous ICD (S-ICD) (EMBLEM MRI S-ICD, Boston Scientific). Syncope recurred some months later. Subcutaneous ICD interrogation showed no arrhythmic events, but SMART Pass (high-pass filter) deactivation was noted. A query was sent to Boston Scientific clinical service, unveiling an extremely long asystolic pause as syncope determinant. Subcutaneous ICD was explanted and replaced by conventional single chamber ICD in the pre-pectoral region.
DISCUSSION
Brugada syndrome patients with high-risk features are candidates for ICD implantation to prevent SCD. Recent evidence highlighted that symptomatic patients carry a substantially higher risk compared with asymptomatic ones. Syncope may represent a pivotal symptom in BrS patients, but young patients with Type 1 Brugada pattern may experience syncope other than from tachyarrhythmias. Subcutaneous ICD is an advisable option in young ICD recipients to avoid lifetime complication related to standard transvenous systems. However, S-ICD lacks pacing capabilities and, therefore, is not indicated when an anti-bradycardia system is needed. The diagnostic workup of syncope in Brugada patients may be ineffective in elucidating the underlying aetiology whose understanding is essential to offer a personalized therapeutic approach.
PubMed: 38711682
DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytae201