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SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a type of heart failure that occurs during late pregnancy or early postpartum without clear causes. It poses significant health risks....
Postpartum cardiomyopathy is a type of heart failure that occurs during late pregnancy or early postpartum without clear causes. It poses significant health risks. Recognition and management are crucial for better outcomes. We describe a case of a 23-year-old Ugandan woman who developed heart failure symptoms 1 month after giving birth. Physical examination revealed signs of congestive heart failure. Chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly, leading to a diagnosis of postpartum cardiomyopathy based on clinical criteria. Treatment involved diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, SGLT2 inhibitors, and bromocriptine. This case underscores the importance of considering postpartum cardiomyopathy in the postpartum period. Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive management through a multidisciplinary approach can improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of this condition.
PubMed: 38911174
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241263761 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jun 2024Systematic evaluation of the safety of del Nido cardioplegia compared to cold blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Systematic evaluation of the safety of del Nido cardioplegia compared to cold blood cardioplegia in adult cardiac surgery.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomized clinical trials (published by 14 January 2024) comparing del Nido cardioplegia to cold blood cardioplegia in adult. Our main endpoints were myocardial injury markers and clinical outcomes. We assessed pooled data by use of a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model.
RESULTS
A total of 10 studies were identified, incorporating 889 patients who received del Nido cardioplegia and 907 patients who received cold blood cardioplegia. The meta-analysis results showed that compared with the cold blood cardioplegia, the del Nido cardioplegia had less volume of cardioplegia, higher rate of spontaneous rhythm recovery after cross clamp release, lower levels of postoperative cardiac troponin T and creatinine kinase-myocardial band, all of which were statistically significant. However, there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative troponin I and postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction. The clinical outcomes including mechanical ventilation time, intensive care unit stay time, hospital stay time, postoperative stroke, postoperative new-onset atrial fibrillation, postoperative heart failure requiring intra-aortic balloon pump mechanical circulation support, and in-hospital mortality of both are comparable.
CONCLUSION
Existing evidence suggests that del Nido cardioplegia reduced volume of cardioplegia administration and attempts of defibrillation. The superior postoperative results in CTnT and CK-MB may provide a direction for further research on improvement of the composition of cardioplegia.
Topics: Humans; Heart Arrest, Induced; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Cardioplegic Solutions; Adult; Potassium Chloride; Mannitol; Lidocaine; Solutions; Electrolytes; Magnesium Sulfate; Sodium Bicarbonate
PubMed: 38909234
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02846-0 -
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia :... Jun 2024The use of loop diuretics is central in managing congestion in heart failure (HF), but their impact on prognosis remains unclear. In euvolemic patients, dose reduction...
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
The use of loop diuretics is central in managing congestion in heart failure (HF), but their impact on prognosis remains unclear. In euvolemic patients, dose reduction is recommended, but there is no recommendation on their discontinuation. This study aims to assess the impact of loop diuretic discontinuation on the prognosis of outpatients with HF with reduced ejection fraction.
METHODS
This retrospective cohort study collected data from medical records of patients followed in an outpatient HF clinic at a university hospital center. Patients were included if they had been on loop diuretics and these were discontinued. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected, and number and type of congestive events during the one-year period after discontinuation were recorded.
RESULTS
Among 265 patients on loop diuretics, almost half (129) discontinued them at some point. Patients had optimized medical therapy, low median age, low New York Heart Association class, low B-type natriuretic peptide values, normal blood pressure, controlled heart rate and kidney function within normal limits. Among 122 patients with one year of follow-up, 18 (14.8%) had a congestive event. Fifteen events (83.3%) were low-dose diuretic reinitiation at a scheduled visit. There were only three worsening heart failure events (2.5%) during the one-year period. A significant improvement in kidney function from discontinuation to the one-year follow-up appointment was also observed.
CONCLUSIONS
In our cohort, loop diuretic discontinuation was possible and safe in a large proportion of patients. The results should be interpreted with caution and cannot be extrapolated to a broader population of HF patients.
PubMed: 38906521
DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2024.02.012 -
Danish Medical Journal Jun 2024Intravenous loop diuretics have been a key component in treating pulmonary oedema since the 1960s and have a Class 1 recommendation in the 2021 guidelines for acute...
INTRODUCTION
Intravenous loop diuretics have been a key component in treating pulmonary oedema since the 1960s and have a Class 1 recommendation in the 2021 guidelines for acute heart failure (AHF). While the diuretic effect of loop diuretics is well established, it remains unclear how furosemide influences pulmonary congestion and cardiac filling pressures in the hyperacute phase before significant diuresis occurs.
METHODS
This was a prospective study of adult patients with AHF and objective signs of pulmonary congestion admitted to the cardiac ward. Remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) will directly measure lung fluid content, and cardiac filling pressures will be assessed by echocardiography with Doppler and strain analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study will examine if furosemide leads to a hyperacute reduction in pulmonary congestion assessed by ReDS independent of diuretic effects in patients with AHF. We hypothesise that the haemodynamic effect of furosemide shown on pulmonary congestion may explain the subjective instant relief in patients with AHF receiving furosemide.
FUNDING
Dr. Grand's salary during this project is supported by a research grant from the Danish Cardiovascular Academy funded by Novo Nordisk Foundation grant number NNF20SA0067242 and by the Danish Heart Foundation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This protocol was approved by the Scientific Ethical Committee, H-23029822, and the Danish Data Protection Agency P-2013-14703. The protocol was registered with ClinicalTrial.org on 29 August 2023 (Identifier: NCT06024889).
Topics: Furosemide; Humans; Heart Failure; Prospective Studies; Pulmonary Edema; Diuretics; Acute Disease; Remote Sensing Technology; Female; Male; Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors
PubMed: 38903022
DOI: 10.61409/A11230697 -
European Journal of Medical Research Jun 2024Research into the acute kidney disease (AKD) after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is rare, and how clinical features influence its prognosis remain unknown. We aim to...
BACKGROUND
Research into the acute kidney disease (AKD) after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is rare, and how clinical features influence its prognosis remain unknown. We aim to employ interpretable machine learning (ML) models to study AIS and clarify its decision-making process in identifying the risk of mortality.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving AIS patients from January 2020 to June 2021. Patient data were randomly divided into training and test sets. Eight ML algorithms were employed to construct predictive models for mortality. The performance of the best model was evaluated using various metrics. Furthermore, we created an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven web application that leveraged the top ten most crucial features for mortality prediction.
RESULTS
The study cohort consisted of 1633 AIS patients, among whom 257 (15.74%) developed subacute AKD, 173 (10.59%) experienced AKI recovery, and 65 (3.98%) met criteria for both AKI and AKD. The mortality rate stood at 4.84%. The LightGBM model displayed superior performance, boasting an AUROC of 0.96 for mortality prediction. The top five features linked to mortality were ACEI/ARE, renal function trajectories, neutrophil count, diuretics, and serum creatinine. Moreover, we designed a web application using the LightGBM model to estimate mortality risk.
CONCLUSIONS
Complete renal function trajectories, including AKI and AKD, are vital for fitting mortality in AIS patients. An interpretable ML model effectively clarified its decision-making process for identifying AIS patients at risk of mortality. The AI-driven web application has the potential to contribute to the development of personalized early mortality prevention.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Aged; Ischemic Stroke; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Artificial Intelligence; Prognosis; Acute Kidney Injury; Machine Learning; Precision Medicine; Algorithms
PubMed: 38902792
DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01940-2 -
Kidney & Blood Pressure Research Jun 2024A hereditary condition primarily affecting the kidneys and heart has newly been identified: the RRAGD-associated Autosomal Dominant Kidney Hypomagnesemia with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A hereditary condition primarily affecting the kidneys and heart has newly been identified: the RRAGD-associated Autosomal Dominant Kidney Hypomagnesemia with Cardiomyopathy (ADKH-RRAGD). This disorder is characterized by renal loss of magnesium and potassium, coupled with varying degrees of cardiac dysfunction. These range from arrhythmias to severe dilated cardiomyopathy, which may require heart transplantation. Mutations associated with RRAGD significantly disrupt the non-canonical branch of the mTORC1 pathway. This disruption hinders the the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of the transcription factor EB (TFEB) a crucial regulator of lysosomal and autophagic function.
SUMMARY
All identified RRAGD variants compromise kidney function, leading to hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia of various severity. The renal phenotype for most of the variants (i.e. S76L, I221K, P119R, P119L), typically manifests in the second decade of life occasionally preceded by childhood symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy. In contrast, the P88L variant is associated to dilated cardiomyopathy manifesting in adulthood. To date, the T97P variant has not been linked to cardiac involvement. The most severe manifestations of ADKH-RRAGD, particularly concerning electrolyte imbalance and heart dysfunction requiring transplantation in childhood appear to be associated with the S76L, I221K, P119R variants.
KEY MESSAGES
This review aims to provide an overview of the clinical presentation for ADKH-RRAGD, aiming to enhance o awareness, promote early diagnosis and facilitate proper treatment. It also reports on the limited experience in patient management with diuretics, magnesium and potassium supplements, metformin, or calcineurin- and SGLT2-inhibitors.
PubMed: 38901414
DOI: 10.1159/000539889 -
BMC Pediatrics Jun 2024With a wide therapeutic index, efficacy, ease of use, and other neuroprotective and respiratory benefits, caffeine citrate(CC) is currently the drug of choice for...
BACKGROUND
With a wide therapeutic index, efficacy, ease of use, and other neuroprotective and respiratory benefits, caffeine citrate(CC) is currently the drug of choice for preterm neonates (PTNs). Caffeine-induced excessive energy expenditure, diuresis, natriuresis, and other CC-associated potential side-effects (CC-APSEs) result in lower daily-weight gain (WG) in premature neonates. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for daily-WG in neonates exposed to different dose regimens of caffeine in ICU.
METHOD
This retrospective cohort study included neonates of ≤ 36weeks gestational age (GA) and received CC-therapy. The same participants were followed for data analysis in two postnatal phases: 15-28 and 29-42 days of life (DOL). Based on daily CC-dose, formed group-I (received; standard-doses = 5 mg/kg/day), group-II (received;>5-7 mg/kg/day), and group-III (received;>7 mg/kg/day). Prenatal and postnatal clinical characteristics, CC-regimen, daily-WG, CC-APSEs, and concomitant risk-factors, including daily-caloric intake, Parenteral-Nutrition duration, steroids, diuretics, and ibuprofen exposure, were analyzed separately for group-II and group-III using group-I as standard. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for daily-WG.
RESULTS
Included 314 PTNs. During 15-28 DOL, the mean-daily-WG(MD-WG) was significantly higher in group-I than group-II [19.9 ± 0.70 g/kg/d vs. 17.7 ± 0.52 p = 0.036] and group-III [19.9 ± 0.70 g/kg/d vs. 16.8 ± 0.73 p < 0.001]. During 29-42 DOL the MD-WG of group-I was only significantly higher than group-III [21.7 ± 0.44 g/kg/d vs. 18.3 ± 0.41 g/kg/d p = 0.003] and comparable with group-II. During 15-28 DOL, observed CC-APSEs was significantly higher in group-II and III but during 29-42 DOL it was only significant in group-III. In the adjusted regression analysis for daily-WG during 15-28DOL, with respect to standard-dose, 5-7 mg/kg/day (β=-1.04; 95%CI:-1.62,-0.93) and > 7-10 mg/kg/day (β=-1.36; 95%CI:-1.56,-1.02) were associated with a lower daily-WG. However, during 29-42DOL, this association was present only for > 7-10 mg/kg/day (β=-1.54; 95%CI:-1.66,-1.42). The GA ≤ 27weeks (β=-1.03 95%CI:-1.24, -0.88) was associated with lower daily-WG only during 15-28DOL. During both periods of therapy, higher cumulative-caffeine dose and presence of culture proven sepsis, tachypnea, hyponatremia, and feeding intolerance were significantly associated with lower daily-WG. Conversely, daily kcal intake was found to be linked with an increase in daily-WG in both periods.
CONCLUSION
In this study cohort exposure to higher caffeine daily and cumulative doses is associated with lower postnatal daily-WG in PTNs than standard-daily doses, which may be due to its catabolic effects and CC-APSEs.
Topics: Humans; Caffeine; Retrospective Studies; Infant, Newborn; Female; Male; Infant, Premature; Weight Gain; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Risk Factors; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Citrates; Central Nervous System Stimulants
PubMed: 38898410
DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04850-8 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024We compared the efficacy of 4 mg drospirenone (DRSP) progestin-only pills (POPs) versus combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) containing 0.02 mg of ethinyl... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
We compared the efficacy of 4 mg drospirenone (DRSP) progestin-only pills (POPs) versus combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) containing 0.02 mg of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 0.075 mg of gestodene (GS) in ovulation inhibition and inducing unfavorable cervical mucus changes using a delayed-starting approach. This randomized controlled trial involved 36 participants aged 18-45 years. The major outcomes included ovulation inhibition assessed using the Hoogland and Skouby score, and cervical mucus permeability, assessed using the modified World Health Organization score. The results demonstrated ovulation inhibition rates of 77.8% for the EE/GS group and 88.9% for the DRSP group. The risk ratio and absolute risk reduction were 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10, 2.40) and - 0.11 (95% CI: - 0.35, 0.13), respectively, satisfying the 20% non-inferiority margin threshold. The median time to achieve unfavorable cervical mucus changes was comparable between the DRSP (3 days, interquartile range [IQR]: 6 days) and EE/GS (3.5 days, IQR: 4 days) groups. However, the DRSP group had a higher incidence of unscheduled vaginal bleeding (55.56% vs. 11.11%; p = 0.005). DRSP-only pills, initiated on days 7-9 of the menstrual cycle, were non-inferior to EE/GS pills in ovulation inhibition. However, they exhibited delayed unfavorable cervical mucus changes compared to the standard two-day backup recommendation.Clinical trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20220819001) https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20220819001 .
Topics: Humans; Female; Adult; Ethinyl Estradiol; Androstenes; Young Adult; Adolescent; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Ovulation Inhibition; Single-Blind Method; Middle Aged; Norpregnenes; Ovulation; Cervix Mucus
PubMed: 38898193
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64753-7 -
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia 2024Residual venous congestion is a major contributor to readmission of patients with heart failure, and the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score is a potentially useful...
BACKGROUND
Residual venous congestion is a major contributor to readmission of patients with heart failure, and the venous excess ultrasound (VExUS) score is a potentially useful tool to evaluate systemic congestion.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the association between VExUS score before hospital discharge among patients with heart failure and the risk of readmission due to acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) within 90 days after discharge.
METHODS
This prospective cohort study enrolled adults with signs and symptoms of ADHF, left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or below (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction), New York Heart Association functional class II to IV symptoms, and clinical evidence of venous congestion necessitating intravenous diuretics. Just prior to discharge, we conducted VExUS score evaluation. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of readmission or emergency visits due to ADHF within 90 days following hospital discharge. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS
The cohort comprised 49 individuals, 11 (22.4%) of whom experienced the primary outcome. At discharge, 34.7% of participants had VExUS score 2 or 3. Patients with VExUS 2 and 3 had a higher proportion of the primary outcome when compared with patients with VExUS of 0 (35.3% versus 9%, p = 0.044).
CONCLUSIONS
A significant proportion of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction admitted for ADHF presented clinical and ultrasound signs of residual congestion at discharge. Patients with VExUS score of 2 or 3 at the time of hospital discharge were found to be at higher risk of readmissions or emergency visits due to ADHF after 90 days.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Patient Readmission; Female; Male; Aged; Patient Discharge; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Acute Disease; Stroke Volume; Time Factors; Risk Factors; Risk Assessment; Predictive Value of Tests; Severity of Illness Index; Reference Values; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38896589
DOI: 10.36660/abc.20230745 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Heart failure (HF) admissions are burdensome, and the mainstay of prevention is the timely detection of impending fluid retention, creating a window for medical... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Heart failure (HF) admissions are burdensome, and the mainstay of prevention is the timely detection of impending fluid retention, creating a window for medical treatment intensification. This study evaluated the accuracy and performance of a Triage-HF-guided carepath in real-world ambulatory HF patients in daily clinical practice. In this prospective, observational study, 92 adult HF patients (71 males (78%), with a median age of 69 [IQR 59-75] years) with the Triage-HF algorithm activated in their cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), were monitored. Following high-risk alerts, an HF nurse contacted patients to identify signs and symptoms of fluid retention. The sensitivity and specificity were 83% and 97%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 89%, and negative predictive value was 94%. The unexplained alert rate was 0.05 alerts/patient year, and the false negative rate was 0.11 alerts/patient year. Ambulatory diuretics were initiated or escalated in 77% of high-risk alert episodes. In 23% (n = 6), admission was ultimately required. The median alert handling time was 2 days. Fifty-eight percent (n = 18) of high-risk alerts were classified as true positives in the first week, followed by 29% in the second-third weeks (n = 9), and 13% (n = 4) in the fourth-sixth weeks. Common sensory triggers included an elevated night ventricular rate (84%), OptiVol (71%), and reduced patient activity (71%). The CIED-based Triage-HF algorithm-driven carepath enables the timely detection of impending fluid retention in a contemporary ambulatory setting, providing an opportunity for clinical action.
Topics: Humans; Algorithms; Male; Heart Failure; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Triage; Prospective Studies; Defibrillators, Implantable
PubMed: 38894453
DOI: 10.3390/s24113664