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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jun 2024Diabetic patients present increased volume and functional alterations in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). We aimed to analyze EAT from type 2 diabetic patients and the...
Diabetic patients present increased volume and functional alterations in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT). We aimed to analyze EAT from type 2 diabetic patients and the inflammatory and cytotoxic effects induced on cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, we analyzed the cardioprotective role of apolipoprotein J (apoJ). EAT explants were obtained from nondiabetic patients (ND), diabetic patients without coronary disease (DM), and DM patients with coronary disease (DM-C) after heart surgery. Morphological characteristics and gene expression were evaluated. Explants were cultured for 24 h and the content of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and sphingolipid species in secretomes was evaluated by lipidomic analysis. Afterwards, secretomes were added to AC16 human cardiomyocytes for 24 h in the presence or absence of cardioprotective molecules (apoJ and HDL). Cytokine release and apoptosis/necrosis were assessed by ELISA and flow cytometry. The EAT from the diabetic samples showed altered expression of genes related to lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and inflammation. The secretomes from the DM samples presented an increased ratio of pro/antiatherogenic ceramide (Cer) species, while those from DM-C contained the highest concentration of saturated NEFA. DM and DM-C secretomes promoted inflammation and cytotoxicity on AC16 cardiomyocytes. Exogenous Cer16:0, Cer24:1, and palmitic acid reproduced deleterious effects in AC16 cells. These effects were attenuated by exogenous apoJ. Diabetic secretomes promoted inflammation and cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes. This effect was exacerbated in the secretomes of the DM-C samples. The increased content of specific NEFA and ceramide species seems to play a key role in inducing such deleterious effects, which are attenuated by apoJ.
Topics: Humans; Adipose Tissue; Myocytes, Cardiac; Pericardium; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Inflammation; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Apoptosis; Lipid Metabolism; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Epicardial Adipose Tissue
PubMed: 38776681
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116779 -
Radiology Case Reports Aug 2024Agenesis of pericardium is a rare finding resulting from alterations during embryologic formation. It is a congenital cardiac anomaly commonly asymptomatic. Cardiac...
Agenesis of pericardium is a rare finding resulting from alterations during embryologic formation. It is a congenital cardiac anomaly commonly asymptomatic. Cardiac magnetic resonance is actually considered the gold standard for diagnosis of pericardium agenesis. This report details the case of a 24-year-old woman who came to our clinic.
PubMed: 38770393
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.04.020 -
Annals of Pediatric Cardiology 2023Ventricular interdependence, i.e., reciprocal variations in the left and right ventricle pressures with respiration, is a hallmark of the hemodynamic diagnosis of...
Ventricular interdependence, i.e., reciprocal variations in the left and right ventricle pressures with respiration, is a hallmark of the hemodynamic diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis (CP). Similarly, respiratory variations in the mitral and tricuspid valve Doppler inflow velocities on echocardiogram are very helpful in the diagnosis of CP. We document the absence of such variations in a patient with CP and associated atrial septal defect. It is important to be mindful of this intuitively obvious fact; otherwise, the diagnosis of CP might be missed.
PubMed: 38766458
DOI: 10.4103/apc.apc_148_23 -
World Journal of Clinical Cases May 2024This study presents an evaluation of the computed tomography lymphangiography (CTL) features of lymphatic plastic bronchitis (PB) and primary chylothorax to improve the...
BACKGROUND
This study presents an evaluation of the computed tomography lymphangiography (CTL) features of lymphatic plastic bronchitis (PB) and primary chylothorax to improve the diagnostic accuracy for these two diseases.
AIM
To improve the diagnosis of lymphatic PB or primary chylothorax, a retrospective analysis of the clinical features and CTL characteristics of 71 patients diagnosed with lymphatic PB or primary chylothorax was performed.
METHODS
The clinical and CTL data of 71 patients (20 with lymphatic PB, 41 with primary chylothorax, and 10 with lymphatic PB with primary chylothorax) were collected retrospectively. CTL was performed in all patients. The clinical manifestations, CTL findings, and conventional chest CT findings of the three groups of patients were compared. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare the differences among the three groups. A difference was considered to be statistically significant when < 0.05.
RESULTS
(1) The percentages of abnormal contrast medium deposits on CTL in the three groups were as follows: Thoracic duct outlet in 14 (70.0%), 33 (80.5%) and 8 (80.0%) patients; peritracheal region in 18 (90.0%), 15 (36.6%) and 8 (80.0%) patients; pleura in 6 (30.0%), 33 (80.5%) and 9 (90.0%) patients; pericardium in 6 (30.0%), 6 (14.6%) and 4 (40.0%) patients; and hilum in 16 (80.0%), 11 (26.8%) and 7 (70.0%) patients; and (2) the abnormalities on conventional chest CT in the three groups were as follows: Ground-glass opacity in 19 (95.0%), 18 (43.9%) and 8 (80.0%) patients; atelectasis in 4 (20.0%), 26 (63.4%) and 7 (70.0%) patients; interlobular septal thickening in 12 (60.0%), 11 (26.8%) and 3 (30.0%) patients; bronchovascular bundle thickening in 14 (70.0%), 6 (14.6%) and 4 (40.0%) patients; localized mediastinal changes in 14 (70.0%), 14 (34.1%), and 7 (70.0%) patients; diffuse mediastinal changes in 6 (30.0%), 5 (12.2%), and 3 (30.0%) patients; cystic lesions in the axilla in 2 (10.0%), 6 (14.6%), and 2 (20.0%) patients; and cystic lesions in the chest wall in 0 (0%), 2 (4.9%), and 2 (4.9%) patients.
CONCLUSION
CTL is well suited to clarify the characteristics of lymphatic PB and primary chylothorax. This method is an excellent tool for diagnosing these two diseases.
PubMed: 38765753
DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i14.2350 -
Cureus May 2024Introduction Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an emerging cardiovascular biomarker. Subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is common in rheumatoid...
Introduction Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an emerging cardiovascular biomarker. Subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess LV systolic function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and investigate its association with EAT in RA patients without clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods 60 RA patients without manifestations of CVD and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy controls have been recruited for the study. We assessed LV systolic function and EAT in all subjects using conventional echocardiography and 2D-STE. EAT was measured as the relative echo-free region between the free wall of the right ventricle and the visceral layer of the pericardium at end-systole. Results Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was decreased and EAT was increased in the RA group compared to the control group. GLS was reduced as EAT increased in RA patients (r=-0.273, P=0.035). After adjusting for confounders, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a weakened correlation between EAT and GLS.Age and disease activity scores28 were independent factors influencing GLS in RA. Conclusion RA patients have significantly thickened EAT compared with controls. 2D-STE can detect early LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in RA, as shown by lower GLS. Accumulation of EAT is associated with lower GLS, but older age and higher disease activity may play a greater role in LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in RA.
PubMed: 38764705
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60495 -
Respiratory Medicine Case Reports 2024Extrapulmonary tuberculosis could affect many organs beside lung airway and parenchyma. The mycobacterium tuberculosis can invade area such as the pleural and...
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis could affect many organs beside lung airway and parenchyma. The mycobacterium tuberculosis can invade area such as the pleural and pericardium by lymphogenic, hematogenic, or direct infection. Patient with history exposure with silica (SiO2) have a high-risk factor developing tuberculosis or extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, this study presents a rare case of pulmonary silicosis in a 38 years-old-man with tuberculosis pericarditis and pleuritis. The amount of silica particle found in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was 39,95 ppm SiO2, while the ADA test from the pericardium and pleural fluids was 35.4 U/L and 40.2 U/L, respectively. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis and thoracocentesis, received first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, and resigned from work. After one month follow-up, the pericardial as well as pleural fluid totally disappeared. This disease can mimic any other disease. Early detection of risk factor for extrapulmonary tuberculosis and perform the right diagnostic and treatment will give a better outcome for the patient.
PubMed: 38764459
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2024.102030 -
Cardio-oncology (London, England) May 2024Cardiac tamponade as the presenting manifestation of systemic lymphoma is relatively uncommon. Pericardium is the commonest site of involvement in secondary malignancies...
BACKGROUND
Cardiac tamponade as the presenting manifestation of systemic lymphoma is relatively uncommon. Pericardium is the commonest site of involvement in secondary malignancies with systemic lymphoma involving the heart in 20% of the cases.
CASE PRESENTATION
We describe a case of a 78-year-old gentleman, who presented with symptoms of new onset cardiac failure, and hemodynamic compromise. An echocardiography revealed cardiac tamponade, necessitating an emergency pericardiocentesis. With the aid of multimodality imaging, he was found to have a right atrioventricular groove mass, widespread lymph node enlargement with bone and peritoneal involvement. Ultimately, a histopathological evaluation revealed a diagnosis of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL).
CONCLUSIONS
Our case illustrates that a patient with DLBCL may present with cardiac tamponade as a result of metastasis. This diagnosis, although rare, is likely to be missed, which can cause fatal complications, such as cardiac tamponade, fatal arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death.
PubMed: 38762476
DOI: 10.1186/s40959-024-00202-8 -
Circulation. Arrhythmia and... Jun 2024Endocardial catheter-based pulsed field ablation (PFA) of the ventricular myocardium is promising. However, little is known about PFA's ability to target intracavitary...
BACKGROUND
Endocardial catheter-based pulsed field ablation (PFA) of the ventricular myocardium is promising. However, little is known about PFA's ability to target intracavitary structures, epicardium, and ways to achieve transmural lesions across thick ventricular tissue.
METHODS
A lattice-tip catheter was used to deliver biphasic monopolar PFA to swine ventricles under general anesthesia, with electroanatomical mapping, fluoroscopy and intracardiac echocardiography guidance. We conducted experiments to assess the feasibility and safety of repetitive monopolar PFA applications to ablate (1) intracavitary papillary muscles and moderator bands, (2) epicardial targets, and (3) bipolar PFA for midmyocardial targets in the interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall.
RESULTS
(1) Papillary muscles (n=13) were successfully ablated and then evaluated at 2, 7, and 21 days. Nine lesions with stable contact measured 18.3±2.4 mm long, 15.3±1.5 mm wide, and 5.8±1.0 mm deep at 2 days. Chronic lesions demonstrated preserved chordae without mitral regurgitation. Two targeted moderator bands were transmurally ablated without structural disruption. (2) Transatrial saline/carbon dioxide assisted epicardial access was obtained successfully and epicardial monopolar lesions had a mean length, width, and depth of 30.4±4.2, 23.5±4.1, and 9.1±1.9 mm, respectively. (3) Bipolar PFA lesions were delivered across the septum (n=11) and the left ventricular free wall (n=7). Twelve completed bipolar lesions had a mean length, width, and depth of 29.6±5.5, 21.0±7.3, and 14.3±4.7 mm, respectively. Chronically, these lesions demonstrated uniform fibrotic changes without tissue disruption. Bipolar lesions were significantly deeper than the monopolar epicardial lesions.
CONCLUSIONS
This in vivo evaluation demonstrates that PFA can successfully ablate intracavitary structures and create deep epicardial lesions and transmural left ventricular lesions.
Topics: Animals; Ventricular Septum; Catheter Ablation; Swine; Heart Ventricles; Feasibility Studies; Papillary Muscles; Time Factors; Pericardium; Cardiac Catheters; Ultrasonography, Interventional; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; Equipment Design; Female
PubMed: 38753535
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCEP.124.012734 -
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders May 2024Primary coronary slow flow (CSF) is defined as delayed opacification of the distal epicardial vasculature during coronary angiography in the absence of relevant coronary...
BACKGROUND
Primary coronary slow flow (CSF) is defined as delayed opacification of the distal epicardial vasculature during coronary angiography in the absence of relevant coronary artery stenoses. Microvascular disease is thought to be the underlying cause of this pathology. Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is an active endocrine organ directly surrounding the coronary arteries that provides pro-inflammatory factors to the adjacent tissue by paracrine and vasocrine mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to investigate a potential association between EFT and primary CSF and whether EFT can predict the presence of primary CSF.
METHODS
Between 2016 and 2017, n = 88 patients with high-grade aortic stenosis who were planned for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) were included in this retrospective study. EFT volume was measured by pre-TAVI computed tomography (CT) using dedicated software. The presence of primary CSF was defined based on the TIMI frame count from the pre-TAVI coronary angiograms.
RESULTS
Thirty-nine of 88 TAVI patients had CSF (44.3%). EFT volume was markedly higher in patients with CSF (142 ml [IQR 107-180] vs. 113 ml [IQR 89-147]; p = 0.009) and was strongly associated with the presence of CSF (OR 1.012 [95%CI 1.002-1.021]; p = 0.014). After adjustment, EFT volume was still an independent predictor of CSF (OR 1.016 [95%CI 1.004-1.026]; p = 0.009).
CONCLUSION
Primary CSF was independently associated with increased EFT volume. Further studies are needed to validate this finding and elucidate whether a causal relationship exists.
Topics: Humans; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Pericardium; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement; Aged; Coronary Angiography; Severity of Illness Index; Adipose Tissue; Aged, 80 and over; Predictive Value of Tests; Coronary Circulation; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Aortic Valve; Computed Tomography Angiography; Coronary Vessels; Epicardial Adipose Tissue
PubMed: 38750455
DOI: 10.1186/s12872-024-03927-7 -
International Heart Journal May 2024The presence of epicardial connections (ECs) between the pulmonary veins (PVs) and atrium may contribute to atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. This study aimed to...
The presence of epicardial connections (ECs) between the pulmonary veins (PVs) and atrium may contribute to atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence. This study aimed to determine the impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on the presence of ECs and the interplay between SDB and ECs on AF recurrence.We retrospectively reviewed 400 consecutive non-valvular AF patients. Among them, 235 patients exhibiting a 3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of ≥ 10 events/hour underwent polysomnography to evaluate the SDB severity, measured by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). To facilitate the ablation of AF and ECs, a high-density mapping catheter (HDMC) was employed. AF recurrence was evaluated over a 12-month period post-AF ablation.The key findings included: 1) 63% of AF patients with ECs had SDB with an AHI ≥ 20 events/hour. 2) Despite achieving complete PV isolations and precise EC ablation using an HDMC, SDB presence was associated with an increased AF recurrence. 3) Continuous positive airway pressure therapy for SDB improved AF recurrence among the AF patients with both ECs and SDB (57% versus 73%; P = 0.016). 4) AHI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, ≥ 28.4 events/hour) and left atrial volume (LAV) (OR = 1.42, ≥ 128.3 mL) were independent predictors of the presence of ECs, and AHI (OR = 1.44, ≥ 27.8 events/hour) was an independent predictor of the presence of AF recurrence.It is essential for physicians to recognise the potential complexity of ECs and SDB in AF patients. Thus, screening and treating SDB in AF patients presenting with ECs might play a pivotal role in suppressing AF recurrence.
Topics: Humans; Atrial Fibrillation; Male; Female; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Recurrence; Catheter Ablation; Pulmonary Veins; Aged; Pericardium; Polysomnography; Heart Atria; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
PubMed: 38749745
DOI: 10.1536/ihj.23-653