Pulmonary Hypertension Is Associated With Systemic Arterial Hypertension Among Patients With Normal Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

Background The association of pulmonary and systemic arterial hypertension is believed to be mediated through hypertensive left heart disease. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is associated with systemic arterial hypertension among patients with apparently normal left ventricular diastolic function. Methods and Results Consecutive patients who had echocardiographic evaluation between 2007 and 2019 were enrolled. Patients with disease states that are known to be associated with PHT, including diastolic dysfunction, were excluded from the analysis. Estimated right ventricular systolic pressure was extracted for all patients from the echocardiographic reports. PHT was defined as estimated right ventricular systolic pressure >40 mm Hg. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied. Final study population included 25 916 patients with a median age of 59 (interquartile range, 44–69) years, of whom 12 501 (48%) were men and 13 265 (51%) had systemic arterial hypertension. Compared with normotensive patients, hypertensive patients were 3.2 times more likely to have PHT (95% CI, 2.91–3.53; P <0.001). A multivariate model adjusted for clinical and echocardiographic parameters that are known to be associated with PHT demonstrated that hypertensive patients are almost 3 times more likely to have PHT (95% CI, 2.45–3.15; P <0.001). The association was significant in multiple subgroups but was more significant among women compared with men (odds ratio, 3.1 versus 2.4; P for interaction <0.001). Conclusions PHT is associated with systemic arterial hypertension irrespective of left heart disease. The association is more pronounced among women.

649 Clinicians miss diagnosis: it wasn’t a tako-tsubo syndrome, nowadays it is a recurrent tako-tsubo syndrome

Aims Tako-Tsubo syndrome is an usual form of acute cardiomyopathy characterized by reversible left ventricle apical ballooning which occurs in the absence of significant coronary artery disease. Rarely an increase in catecholamines due to pheochromocytoma could lead to Tako-Tsubo syndrome. Here we report a clinical case of undetected pheochromocytoma which led to Tako-Tsubo syndrome in an adult female patient. Methods and results A 60 years old female presented at our emergency department with chest pain, increase in cardiac troponin levels and hypo-akinesia of the apical segments at the echocardiography. She was admitted with acute coronary syndrome suspicious. He had history of acute coronary syndrome with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) in the 2017. Coronary angiography performed at 24 h from admission, again showed non-obstructive coronary disease, whereby we reviewed the previous MINOCA diagnosis into recurrence Tako-Tsubo syndrome diagnosis. During hospitalization she presented parossistic sinus tachycardia refractory to beta-blocker and ivabradine combined therapy. Cardiac magnetic resonance was performed and confirmed Tako-Tsubo syndrome, furthermore showed a surrenalic mass. Contrast-enhanced abdomen computed tomography and high levels of metanephrines suggested pheochromocytoma diagnosis. One month later she underwent left surrenectomy surgery. Histological examination confirmed pheochromocytoma. The last echocardiography didn’t show kinesia abnormalities with normal left ventricular function. Conclusions Our case illustrates the importance of understanding the correlation between Tako-tsubo syndrome and pheochromocytoma, especially in patients with increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Until recently, according to Tako-Tsubo syndrome Mayo Clinic criteria, our patient wouldn’t had receive a Tako-Tsubo syndrome diagnosis because pheochromocytoma was an exclusion criteria. Since 2018, Inter-TAK criteria replaced Mayo Clinic criteria including Tako-Tsubo syndrome expression of pheochromocytoma. Referring to our annoying title we always have to consider Tako-Tsubo syndrome into MINOCA differential diagnosis.

Prevalence and Causes of Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries in a Contemporary Cohort of Patients with Suspected Myocardial Infarction

Background: A significant proportion of patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (MI) has no coronary obstruction at coronary angiography and no other obvious non-coronary pathophysiology causing MI. These patients are classified as MI with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Data on incidence and predictors of MINOCA are still limited. Methods: This study enrolled patients presenting symptoms suggestive of MI and undergoing a comprehensive cardiac work-up including an early invasive strategy. Patients with non-obstructive coronary arteries and without other obvious reasons for MI were scheduled for further work-up including magnetic resonance or intraluminal imaging. MINOCA was diagnosed according to the current European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Results: From the 1532 patients enrolled, 730 had available coronary imaging and 546 were diagnosed with MI. No significant coronary obstructions were found in 117 patients with MI. After the exclusion of 6 patients with acute myocarditis or takotsubo-syndrome as well as 88 with type II MI, 23 patients were diagnosed with MINOCA (4% of all MIs). Among these 23 patients, the most common etiology of MINOCA was thromboembolic events followed by coronary spasm. Female sex, the absence of hypercholesterolemia, and a normal left-ventricular ejection fraction were independently predictive for MINOCA compared to patients with other causes of MI. Conclusion: More than 20% of patients presenting with acute MI showed no significant coronary obstruction. About 4% of these patients were diagnosed with MINOCA. Female sex, a lower cardiovascular risk profile, and normal left-ventricular function were predictive for MINOCA.

Mitral Valve Prolapse and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A case report and literature review.

We present the case of a 44-year-old woman who suffered an out of hospital cardiorespiratory arrest. After six direct current shocks and 10 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation she had return of spontaneous circulation and regained consciousness. Transthoracic echocardiography showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction and a mildly dilated left atrium. The mitral valve was thickened with myxomatous degeneration (Barlow’s disease) and moderate regurgitation secondary to bi-leaflet prolapse. Cardiac catheterization showed no coronary artery disease while left ventriculography revealed a mildly dilated left ventricle with preserved systolic function and high-end diastolic pressures. Cardiac MRI revealed an enlarged left ventricle with mitral valve (MV) prolapse and moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR). There were no features suggestive of a specific cardiomyopathy other than her valvular heart disease. The patient had an uneventful hospitalization, received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), and eventually had MV repair surgery. A genetic investigation revealed two DNA variants, one each in the MYPN and TMPO gene, substitutions of highly conserved aminoacid residues. Family segregation could not establish unequivocally their pathogenicity although the MYPN variant represents the same residue that was shown previously to be substituted by another aminoacid. In this article we also review the literature regarding similar cases and record important data for the epidemiology of the disease and the important research that has been carried out in the identification of prognostic imaging factors and the genetic background of these patients.

SP10.1.8 Thrombotic syndrome in COVID-19

Aim To discuss the varied manifestations of COVID-19 thrombotic syndrome. Methods We reviewed all patients referred to vascular surgery with evidence of thrombosis in at least one vascular bed. Electronic patient records were reviewed, patient laboratory and radiological investigations analysed, and COVID-19 status confirmed. Results 72 patients presented over 8 weeks with systemic thrombosis involving all sized vessels from aorta to visceral to crural arteries. Of these, 15 patients had RT-PCR or radiological evidence of COVID-19 infection. We investigated these 15 patients further. 27% presented with symptoms of thrombosis as the initial presentation of COVID-19 infection. 93% were COVID RT-PCR positive. 7% had evidence of COVID pneumonitis on CT chest but were COVID RT-PCR negative. 47% presented to the Emergency Department, whilst 53% were hospital admitted patients. All patients presented with ischaemic effects and D-dimers were raised in all patients in whom it was performed. 33% were lymphopenic. Fibrinogen levels and hypercoagulability profile was not routinely done for all and where available was negative. Echocardiogram demonstrated normal left ventricular systolic function and no evidence of thrombus in all patients in whom it was performed. 13% were managed with surgery and 6% with thrombolysis or other endovascular intervention. 73% were managed with anti-coagulation alone. 33% died during hospitalisation of COVID-19. Conclusion There is evidence that COVID-19 initiates an immuno-thrombotic state. Anti-coagulation alone was the preferred management strategy, as governed by patient co-morbidities. There is high mortality associated with patients with thrombosis and COVID-19 infection.