Effect of Admission Hyperglycemia on Short-Term Prognosis of Patients with Non-ST Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome without Diabetes Mellitus

Objective. To evaluate the effect of admission hyperglycemia on the short-term prognosis of patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) without diabetes mellitus. Methods. The clinical data of 498 patients with NSTE-ACS admitted to the Department of Cardiology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology between March 2018 and November 2020 were analyzed. Based on the blood glucose (BG) level at admission, patients were divided into three groups: A ( BG < 7.8 mmol/L), B ( 7.8 mmol / L ≤ BG < 11.1 mmol / L ), and C ( BG ≥ 11.1 mmol/L). The clinical data of the three groups were compared. Results. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of age, sex, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and history of myocardial infarction ( p > 0.05 ). However, there were significant differences in the incidences of multivessel disease, renal insufficiency, pump failure, and emergency percutaneous coronary intervention, and levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin T, and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB among the three groups ( p < 0.05 for all). The incidences of severe pump failure, malignant arrhythmias, and death were significantly higher in groups B and C compared to group A ( p < 0.05 ). Additionally, the incidences of severe pump failure, malignant arrhythmias, and death were significantly higher in group C compared to group B ( p < 0.05 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hyperglycemia, renal insufficiency, Killip grade III/IV, and age were risk factors of in-hospital death. Conclusion. Hyperglycemia at admission is a risk factor for adverse in-hospital clinical outcomes in patients with NSTE-ACS.

271 Treatment of thrombophlebitic necrotic lesions in a patient with syncardia—a case report

Aims The 58 years old male patient with an important dilated cardiomyopathy, carrier of ICD, numerous malignant arrhythmias (VT) and without the possibility of a timely heart transplant, underwent emergency surgery by implanting a total artificial heart syncardia. Necrotic tissue was already present on the forearm and in the antecubital region before the surgery; it was caused by extravasation and thrombophlebitis due to continuous intravenous therapies and the lesions were deep down to tendons and bones after a surgical toilet. Years of unstable haemodynamics caused by dilated cardiomyopathy and low cardiac output led to poor peripheral vascularization giving priority to noble structures. Restoration of the tissue using advanced dressings without the use of skin grafts avoiding bacterial infections in a fragile patient. Methods and results A Pubmed search for advanced dressings was performed and a Webinar on the Wound Hygiene technique was attended. In the first instance, a polyurethane foam dressing was used and the wound on the forearm showed major improvements, subsequently with the synergistic help of the ‘Wound Hygiene’ technique and dressings based on connectivine, the tissue healed. The wound located in the antecubital region had continuous biofilm formation and a VacTherapy was planned for this. After 7 days, the conditions worsened and for this reason it was decided to use the Aqua Cell Ag +. This dressing with the silver helps in the formation of granulation tissue and it also prevents infections ‘trapping’ bacteria inside it. Conclusions The use of dressings with the Wound Hygiene technique led to the formation of new tissue without the need to perform a skin graft in a patient with a total artificial heart and without bacterial infections.

Life-Threatening Cardiac Arrhythmias during Anesthesia and Surgery

Life-threatening arrhythmias are frequently encountered during anesthesia for cardiac or non-cardiac surgery. They result in a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in elderly patients. Predisposing factors like electrolytes abnormalities, pre-existing cardiac disease, intubation procedure, anesthetic medications, and various surgical stimulation need to be determined. Early diagnosis and commencement of an appropriate treatment protocol may be lifesaving. Treatment usually involves correction of the underlying causes, cardiac electroversion, and the use of one or more antiarrhythmic agents. Although ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, torsade de pointes, and pulseless electrical activity are considered malignant arrhythmias that can lead to cardiac arrest, other types of Brady and tachyarrhythmias are also included in this chapter to enable adopting a more objective approach in the management of arrhythmias intraoperatively, avoiding risks of inappropriate management strategies.

The Substrate of Sudden Death in Long-QT Syndrome is localized in the Epicardium

Despite significant advances in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, sudden cardiac death (SCD) persists as a major public health problem. Among young and apparently healthy individuals, Long-QT syndrome (LQTS) represents a leading progenitor of SCD owing to fatal ventricular arrhythmia. Scientific understanding has of this association has grown in recent years, and the mortality rate after LQTS diagnosis has significantly decreased. However, despite medical treatment advances, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias still occur. Until now, no research has established the degree to which this inherited condition arises from an underlying arrhythmogenic electroanatomical substrate. Here, we present direct evidence showing that LQTS patients who survive spontaneous malignant arrhythmias harbor structural electrophysiological abnormalities localized in the epicardium of the right ventricle. We further show that the elimination of these abnormalities by means of catheter ablation successfully suppresses malignant arrhythmias, offering a new approach for the effective treatment of LQTS patients.

Setting things “right”: right internal mammary artery on anomalous right coronary artery - a case report

Anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) is a rare pathology that may cause episodic ischemia owing to possible vessel compression during systolic expansion of the aortic root. This anomaly can lead to myocardial infarction, malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Several surgical techniques have been described; however, there are no defined guidelines regarding the treatment of AAOCA. We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with ectopic origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) from the left sinus of Valsalva, with an interarterial course of the proximal segment of the artery, running between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk. Revascularization was accomplished by harvesting the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) and anastomosing it to the anomalous RCA, given the small portion of the RCA following an intramural course and our familiarity with the procedure. The RCA was ligated proximal to the anastomosis to avoid the string sign phenomenon. This procedure is safe and fast and can be considered an alternative to coronary reconstruction.

Gender differences in ECG markers of increased risk for malignant arrhythmias, peripheral blood parameters, and adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

Background: The available data on gender differences in a) markers of cardiac involvement, b) peripheral blood parameters, and c) clinical adverse outcomes related to COVID-19 pneumonia severity are limited in the literature.: Objectives: To investigate gender differences in ECG markers of increased risk for malignant arrhythmias. This includes T from peak to end (Tp-e) interval, corrected QT (QTc), transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR)(Tp-e/QTc), and index of cardiac electrophysiological balance (iCEB)(QTc/QRS), peripheral blood parameters, and in-hospital adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: A cross sectional study enrolled patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to hospital from August 20th, to September 30th, 2020. Results: A total of 197 patients were included. Ninety-six (47%) were men and 101 women. There were no significant gender related differences concerning comorbidities. Men had higher QRS values, Tp-e interval and TDR, and lower values of iCEB. No significant gender differences were observed in the distribution of QTc interval. Men stayed longer in the hospital and had more extensive lung injury than women. In men, prolonged QTc interval, low lymphocytes %, high platelet distribution width (PDW), and low hemoglobin (Hb) were the main predictors of adverse in-hospital outcome, while prolonged QTc interval, high PDW, and low platelet count were the main predictors of adverse in-hospital outcome for women. Conclusions: Men had higher TDR values, lower iCEB, stayed longer in the hospital, and had more extensive lung injury than women, suggesting that, despite that there was no significant difference in mortality incidents between the two genders, the difference in surrogate markers may indicate that men are at a higher risk for adverse outcomes.

Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: Terminology, Mechanism, Diagnosis, and Emergency Therapy

Polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias are highly lethal arrhythmias. Several types of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia have similar electrocardiographic characteristics but have different modes of therapy. In fact, medications considered the treatment of choice for one form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, are contraindicated for the other. Yet confusion about terminology, and thus diagnosis and therapy, continues. We present an in-depth review of the different forms of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and propose a practical step-by-step approach for distinguishing these malignant arrhythmias.

Fulminant Myocarditis: Brief Review

Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a rare disease characterized by acute hemodynamic impairment and ventricular arrhythmias due to severe myocardial inflammation. It is typically preceded by a viral infection but any of multiple other toxic and infective agents may also be the inciting agent. Diagnosis is based on biomarkers and/or cardiac imaging, but endomyocardial biopsy is the standard test for confirming the diagnosis. FM usually requires therapeutic support of cardiac function and treatment of malignant arrhythmias. Contrary to prior concepts, recent evidence has revealed that patients with FM are more likely to die or need heart transplantation than those with the nonfulminant form of the disease. Early recognition and aggressive management are essential for favorable outcomes.