scholarly journals Massive Myocardial Calcification—A Heart Of Stone!

Author(s):  
Mariana Tinoco ◽  
Pedro Von Hafe ◽  
Sérgio Leite ◽  
Margarida Oliveira ◽  
Olga Azevedo ◽  
...  

Abstract A 71-year-old female was admitted in the emergency room after effort-related syncope. She had past medical history of obesity and hypertension treated with lercanidipine. No relevant family history. Physical examination revealed systolic murmur (grade 2/6). ECG showed sinus rhythm and left bundle brunch block (Supplementary figure). Lab results were unremarkable including troponin I. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed moderate left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy [septal thickness 14 mm (normal: 6–9mm)], extensive mitral annulus calcification (MAC) with exuberant myocardial calcification at the level of posterior leaflet that invaded adjacent LV walls, systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet causing LV outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction (maximum gradient 34 mmHg) and moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) (Panel A). Exercise echocardiogram provoked LVOT gradient >100mmHg and severe MR. Continuous ECG monitoring during 13 days demonstrated no arrhythmic events. Cardiac CT showed multiple calcifications extending from mitral annulus to LV anterior and lateral walls and cardiac MRI was compatible with caseous MAC (Panels B-F). Coronary angiography showed 50% stenosis of mid left anterior descending artery. Normal thoracic CT and ACE, and negative IGRA excluded sarcoidosis and tuberculosis. Comprehensive study, including calcium metabolism and autoantibodies, excluded metabolic and inflammatory aetiologies of myocardial calcification, which was assumed as dystrophic in the context of MAC. No syncope occurred after bisoprolol 2.5 mg, oral rehydration and discontinuation of lercanidipine. However, rest and exercise TTE failed to show improvement of LVOT gradient or MR and patient remained on NYHA class II-III, despite maximal tolerated dose of bisoprolol (5 mg), being therefore referred to cardiac surgery.

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob C Jentzer ◽  
Hussein Abu-Daya ◽  
Asher Shafton ◽  
Meshe Chonde ◽  
Didier Chalhoub ◽  
...  

Introduction: Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is common after resuscitation from cardiac arrest (CA). The association of echocardiographic LVSD with cardiac rhythm during CA is not well described. Hypothesis: Patients with a shockable rhythm (VT/VF) will have a greater degree of LVSD by echocardiography after CA. Methods: Prospective registry of patients resuscitated from CA underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) within 24 hours after CA. We determined 2D measurements, LVEF, spectral Doppler of mitral inflow and LV outflow, systolic and diastolic tissue Doppler of the mitral annulus velocity, and tricuspid plane annular excursion (TAPSE). We collected data on in-hospital mortality as well as vasopressor doses and troponin I levels. TTE parameters and clinical characteristics were compared between patients with a shockable (VT/VF) arrest rhythm and a non-shockable (asystole/PEA) arrest rhythm and between survivors and non-survivors using t-tests and ANOVA. Results: Of the 55 patients, the 23 (42%) with shockable CA rhythms had significantly higher LV end-systolic dimension (4.1cm vs. 3.3cm, p = 0.0073), lower LV fractional shortening (0.15 vs. 0.28, p <0.0001), and lower LVEF both by visual estimate (36.2% vs. 52.3%, p = 0.0012) and by Simpson’s biplane method (37.5% vs. 52.3%, p = 0.0506). Other measured TTE parameters did not differ between groups, including TAPSE (shockable 1.53 vs. non-shockable 1.82, p = 0.1731). Admission and peak 24 hour vasopressor requirements did not differ between groups. Peak troponin levels were higher (22.26 vs. 3.88, p = 0.0198) in patients with shockable CA rhythms, but admission troponin levels were no different (0.88 vs. 0.51, p = 0.1527). TTE parameters did not differ between survivors and non-survivors (visual LVEF 47.0% vs. 44.2%, p = 0.5968; LV fractional shortening 0.19 vs. 0.25, p = 0.0916). Conclusions: Patients with shockable CA rhythms have more severe LVSD on 24 hour echocardiography despite similar vasopressor requirements and admission troponin levels. Echocardiographic parameters at 24 hours did not predict in-hospital mortality. Early echocardiography after CA appears more useful for differentiating primary CA rhythm than for predicting mortality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Kraus ◽  
P Samuels ◽  
N Laing ◽  
M Ntsekhe ◽  
A Chin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cardiomyopathies pose a great challenge because of poor prognosis and high prevalence in LMIC with limited access to specialised care. Little is known about the clinical profile of cardiomyopathy in Africa. Purpose Delineation of clinical presentation and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) phenotypes of cardiomyopathy. Method The African Cardiomyopathy and Myocarditis Registry Program (IMHOTEP) is a prospective multi-centre, hospital-based study and aims to investigate the clinical characteristics, aetiology, genetics, management and outcomes of cardiomyopathies in Africans. Results Assessment of the first 99 adult cases showed that dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM; n=67) was commonest, followed by hypertrophic (HCM; n=13), left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC; n=11), restrictive (RCM; n=4) and arrhythmogenic (ARVC; n=4) cardiomyopathies. Idiopathic DCM (22%) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (16%) accounted for the majority (Figure). A family history of cardiomyopathy or SCD was reported in 20% of cases. Mean age of presentation was 37±12 years. Most patients (96%) were symptomatic at presentation. NYHA class III/IV was more frequently seen in DCM (61%), RCM (50%) and LVNC (64%), whereas syncope was more common in ARVC (50%) and HCM (23%). VT and aborted cardiac arrest were reported in 7% and 3%, respectively. Onset of symptoms in the peripartum period was observed in 47% of women. Beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors were prescribed in 77% and 78%, respectively, however optimal dosing was achieved in ≤14% of patients at a median time of 5.4 months after symptom onset. CMR was performed in 67 (68%) cases (Table) and contributed diagnostically in a third of cases. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was observed in 92%. In DCM, linear mid-wall and subendocardial patterns of LGE were seen in 95% and 8% of patients respectively – a much higher percentage than previously reported in the literature. CMR volumetric and functional assessment DCM, n=38 HCM, n=11 ARVC, n=3 RCM, n=4 LVNC, n=11 LVEF (%) 27±15 78±7 55±5 52±7 32±17 LVEDV/BSA (ml/m2) 150±40 80±17 98±12 59±13 155±52 LV mass/BSA (g/m2) 82±23 102±35 74±3 71±14 88±31 RVEF (%) 34±15 68±10 22±15 49±18 33±15 RVEDV/BSA (ml/m2) 104±37 68±15 189±27 56±8 106±51 All continuous variables presented as mean ± standard deviation. Cardiomyopathy diagnosis (n=99) Conclusion IMHOTEP is the first multi-centre registry for cardiomyopathy in Africa. Preliminary data suggests an earlier age of onset with female predominance compared to other cohorts, and DCM is the predominant form of cardiomyopathy in Africa. Acknowledgement/Funding NEWTON FUND NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE - South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC/GSK)


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Renata Rajtar-Salwa ◽  
Tomasz Tokarek ◽  
Paweł Petkow Dimitrow

The aim of study was to compare patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy divided according to septal configuration assessed in a 4-chamber apical window. The study group consisted of 56 consecutive patients. Reversed septal curvature (RSC) and non-RSC were diagnosed in 17 (30.4%) and 39 (69.6%) patients, respectively. Both RSC and non-RSC groups were compared in terms of the level of high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI), NT-proBNP (absolute value), NT-proBNP/ULN (value normalized for sex and age), and echocardiographic parameters, including left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG). A higher level of hs-TnI was observed in RSC patients as compared to the non-RSC group (102 (29.2-214.7) vs. 8.7 (5.3-18) (ng/l), p = 0.001 ). A trend toward increased NT-proBNP value was reported in RSC patients (1279 (367.3-1186) vs. 551.7 (273-969) (pg/ml), p = 0.056 ). However, no difference in the NT-proBNP/ULN level between both groups was observed. Provocable LVOTG was higher in RSC as compared to non-RSC patients (51 (9.5-105) vs. 13.6 (7.5-31) (mmHg), p = 0.04 ). Furthermore, more patients with RSC had prognostically unfavourable increased septal thickness to left LV diameter at the end diastole ratio. Patients with RSC were associated with an increased level of hs-TnI, and the only trend observed in this group was for the higher NT-proBNP levels. RSC seems to be an alerting factor for the risk of ischemic events. Not resting but only provocable LVOTG was higher in RSC as compared to non-RSC patients.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junnichi Ishii ◽  
Hiroshi Takahashi ◽  
Midori Hasegawa ◽  
Ryuunosuke Okuyama ◽  
Hideki Kawai ◽  
...  

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a common consequence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it portends high risk for mortality. We prospectively investigated the predictive value of a combination of high-sensitive troponin I (hsTnI) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for HF admission in outpatients with CKD. Methods: Baseline hsTnI and NT-proBNP levels were measured in 451 stable outpatients with CKD (estimated GFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) on not dialysis (mean age, 69.7 years). Using echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and E/e’ ratio were estimated. Among these patients, 41% had a history of cardiovascular disease, and 48% had a history of diabetes. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 924 days, there were 70 HF admissions. Patients who admitted for HF had higher hsTnI levels (22.4 vs. 10.5 pg/mL, p < 0.0001), NT-proBNP levels (1726 vs. 310 pg/mL, p < 0.0001), and E/e’ ratio (15.3 vs. 10.3, p < 0.0001), and displayed lower values of EF (55 vs. 59%, p < 0.0001) and estimated GFR (23.7 vs. 30.6 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , p = 0.009) than those who did not. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis including 11 clinical variables, increased hsTnI (relative risk, 1.98 per 10-fold increment, p = 0.02) and NT-proBNP (3.18 per 10-fold increment, p = 0.003) levels were shown to be independent predictors of HF admission. When patients were stratified into four groups according to NT-proBNP levels > a median value of 397 pg/mL and/or hsTnI levels > a median value of 11.6 pg/mL, HF admission rates were 3.1%, 7.5%, 11.8%, and 33.1%, respectively (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, when hsTnI and NT-proBNP levels were combined, the predictive values for HF admission were increased, as shown by the C-index, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI; Table 1). Conclusions: The combined assessment of hsTnI and NT-proBNP levels can improve the prediction of HF admission in outpatients with CKD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. S76-S77
Author(s):  
N Willner ◽  
I Burwash ◽  
L Beauchesne ◽  
B Vulesevic ◽  
K Ascah ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles A Dietl ◽  
Christopher M Hawthorn ◽  
Veena Raizada

Background: Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus (CCMA) is very uncommon, and is frequently misdiagnosed as an intracardiac tumor, thrombus, abscess, or simply as mitral annular calcification (MAC). These masses are generally believed to have a benign prognosis. The aims of this study are to increase the awareness of this unusual variant of MAC, and to determine whether patients with CCMA are at increased risk of cerebral embolization in patients with or without atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: A comprehensive literature search was done to determine whether patients with CCMA are at increased risk of cerebral embolization, using the following search modules: caseous calcification of the mitral annulus, mitral annular calcification, cerebral embolization with mitral annulus calcification, risk of stroke with mitral annular calcification. Results: Among the 496 articles listed in PubMed.gov, ScienceDirect.com, and Google Scholar, a total of 129 patients with CCMA were identified in 85 publications, and 31 articles were reviewed to evaluate the incidence of stroke in 1800 patients with MAC. Literature review revealed that the incidence of cerebrovascular events (CVE) associated with CCMA is 18.6% (24 of 129) which is even higher than the risk of embolic CVE reported in patients with MAC, 11.6% (209 of 1800) (range 4.8% to 24.1%). Only 2 of 24 patients (8.3%) with CCMA who suffered a CVE had history of AF, whereas the majority (22 of 24, or 91.7%) of CCMA patients with a CVE did not have AF. Conclusions: Despite the fact that several reports suggest that CCMA is a benign condition, CCMA may be potentially serious, because of the increased risk of cerebral embolization, even in patients without atrial fibrillation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Shibata ◽  
S Nohara ◽  
K Nagafuji ◽  
Y Fukumoto

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia accounting for approximately 13% of hematologic malignancies. Patients with MM have an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) due to disease burden and/or anti-myeloma treatment-related risk factors. However, little is known about the incidence of cardiovascular toxicity of patients with MM. Methods We analyzed 42 consecutive patients (Male/Female 22/20, age 67±10 years old) who received anti-MM therapies between October 2016 and September 2018 from our University Cardio-REnal Oncology (CREO) registry. We examined the incidence of CAEs through January 2019 including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy (CHF/CM), ischemic cardiac event, newly symptomatic arrhythmias included atrial fibrillation or flutter requiring treatment, and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Results Within the 408-day median follow-up period (range 15–844 days), CAEs occurred in 23.8% (n=10); CHF/CM in 11.9%, newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in 4.8%, VTE in 4.8%, vasospastic angina in 2.4%, and death in 28.6%. There were no significant differences between CAEs group and non-CAEs group in terms of sex, body mass index (BMI), incidence of hypertension, ischemic heart disease, prior history of heart failure, cardiovascular medications, left ventricular ejection fraction, serum high-sensitivity troponin-I, estimated glomerular filtration rate, blood urea nitrogen and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels at the time of enrollment. The use of various types of proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs were not associated with the increased risk of CAEs. By multivariate analysis, a history of prior anti-myeloma therapies was identified as an independent risk factor for CAEs. Conclusion CAEs were significantly associated with the recurrent MM in Japanese MM patients.


Cardiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Elena Kinova ◽  
Desislava Somleva-Todorova ◽  
Assen Goudev

Introduction: In dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) left ventricular (LV) strain and twist are significantly decreased. However, the rate of attenuation has not been investigated well in patients with varying degrees of systolic dysfunction. Aim: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between LV deformational and rotational mechanics and conventional and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters, and to search for a constellation of findings distinguishing patients with severe systolic dysfunction (SSD) in DCM. Methods: Fifty-two patients with heart failure NYHA class III–IV and ejection fraction (EF) ≤45% were prospectively enrolled (mean age 61.8 ± 13.4 years; 36 males, 69%). Severe systolic LV dysfunction was considered as EF <30%. Echocardiography with 2D-speckle tracking analysis was performed. Results: The relationships of global longitudinal strain (GLS) with EF, circumferential strain at mid-level (CSmid), and systolic medial mitral annulus velocity were strong (r = –0.53, 0.67, and –0.56, respectively, p < 0.0001 for all). A good correlation was found between CSmid and EF (r = –0.50, p < 0.0001). There were weak correlations between basal endocardial rotation (BRendo) and EF and CSmid. Multiple regression analysis found GLS (p < 0.0001) and BRendo (p = 0.04) to be predictors of the change of EF. In ROC curve analysis, the cut-off values of GLS –7.2% (AUC 0.81, p < 0.0001), CSmid –7.5% (AUC 0.76, p = 0.002), and BRendo –2.43° (AUC 0.68, p = 0.03) identified SSD. Conclusions: Parameters of LV mechanics were related to conventional and TDI systolic parameters in patients with DCM. The degree of alterations of LV longitudinal and circumferential deformation and basal rotation may identify patients with SSD and a higher risk, and may help in therapeutic decision making.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Nicoletta Mancianti ◽  
Barbara Maresca ◽  
Marco Palladino ◽  
Gerardo Salerno ◽  
Patrizia Cardelli ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Cardiovascular events (CVE) remain the leading cause of mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The ability to assess the risk of short-term CVE is of great importance. Soluble suppression of tumorogenicity-2 (sST2) is a novel biomarker that better stratifies risk of CVE than troponins in patients with heart failure. Few studies have investigated the role of sST2 in the HD population. The aim of this single-center study was to assess the predictive ability of sST2 on CVE in comparison to high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in HD patients. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This study used a prospective, observational cohort design. We enrolled 40 chronic HD patients asymptomatic for chest pain and without recent history of acute coronary syndrome. We tested sST2 pre-/post-HD, hs-cTnI, and BNP. Demographic/dialytic/echocardiographic data were evaluated. We recorded the number of CVE for 12 months. The patients were classified into 2 groups: those who developed CVE and those who did not. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ten of the 40 patients (25%) developed CVE during a 12-month follow-up. Increased sST2 levels (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.0001) as well as hs-cTnI and BNP are predictive of CVE. When analyzing biomarkers as binary variables for values above or below the normal range, the correlation remained significant only for sST2 (<i>p</i> = 0.001). A small variation in sST2 levels before and after HD sessions was found (−2.1 ng/mL). sST2 was correlated with left ventricular (LV) echocardiographic data: LV mass index (<i>p</i> = 0.0001), LV ejection fraction (<i>p</i> = 0.01), and diastolic bulging of septum (<i>p</i> = 0.015). BNP and sST2 combination increased the prediction of CVE in a statistical model. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study confirms that sST2 is useful for stratifying CV risk in the HD population. sST2 can be evaluated simply as a dichotomous value higher or lower than the normal range, making it easily interpretable. Dialysis and residual diuresis did not affect significantly sST2. A multimarker approach that incorporates sST2 and BNP may improve the prediction of CVE.


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