The Association Between Cardiovascular Autonomic Function and Changes in Kidney and Myocardial Function in Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Controls

BackgroundThe mechanisms linking cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy, diabetic kidney disease and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes are widely unknown. We investigated the relationship between baseline cardiovascular autonomic function and changes in kidney and myocardial function over six years in patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy controls.MethodsPost-hoc analysis of a cohort study in 24 patients with type 2 diabetes and 18 healthy controls. Baseline determinants were cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (heart rate response to: standing (30:15); deep breathing (E:I); and the Valsalva test) and time- and frequency-domain heart rate variability indices. Outcomes were changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albuminuria, myocardial flow reserve (MFR) measured by cardiac 82Rb Positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET/CT), and coronary artery calcium score (CACS).ResultsMean age at inclusion was 61 ± 10 years and 36% were female. Mean follow up time was 6 ± 0 years. A lower response in heart rate to the Valsalva test (corresponding to weaker autonomic function) was associated with a larger decline in eGFR (p=0.04), but not significantly after adjustment for sex, baseline age, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, HbA1c, body mass index and baseline eGFR (p=0.12). A higher baseline response in heart rate to standing (30:15) was associated with a larger decline in myocardial flow reserve in the unadjusted analysis (p=0.02) and after adjustment (p=0.02). A higher response in heart rate to the Valsalva maneuver was associated with a larger increase in CACS (p = 0.02), but the association became insignificant after adjustment (p = 0.16).ConclusionA lower response in heart rate to the Valsalva test was associated with a larger decline in kidney function, indicating that autonomic dysfunction may predict future loss of kidney function. However, we did not find any association between lower values in cardiovascular autonomic function at baseline and a worsening in albuminuria, myocardial function, or atherosclerotic burden.

Effect of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Eustachian Tube Function in Adult Sinusitis Patients: A Prospective Case-Control Study

The eustachian tube (E-tube) function is known to be related with sinusitis; however, the effect of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on E-tube function is not clearly documented. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the function of the E-tube by using both subjective and objective tests in adult chronic sinusitis patients undergoing ESS, and to compare with those of the patients without sinusitis. Thirty adult patients who underwent ESS for treatment of chronic sinusitis and another thirty patients without sinusitis who underwent other nasal surgeries (septoplasty, rhinoplasty, or closed reduction) were evaluated and compared for E-tube function before and after three months of their surgeries. The E-tube function tests included the seven-item eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire (ETDQ-7), Valsalva test, and inflation-deflation test that were compared preoperatively and postoperatively in both groups. Compared with the group without sinusitis, the ESS group showed significant improvement of E-tube function after surgery in the ETDQ-7 (p = 0.002), right Valsalva test (p = 0.015), right deflation test (p = 0.005), and left deflation test (p = 0.006). A binary logistic regression analysis revealed that ESS significantly improved E-tube function in the right Valsalva test in a univariate (p = 0.021) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.008), and E-tube function in the left deflation test in a univariate (p = 0.021) and multivariate analysis (p = 0.039). These findings indicate that E-tube function is significantly improved after ESS in adult sinusitis patients, and that the presence of sinusitis and implementation of ESS should be considered (if sinusitis is present) in managing patients with ear diseases that are affected by E-tube function.

Diagnostic significance of phlebotonometry for evaluation of indications for angioplasty and stenting of compressed iliac veins in patients with varicocele and pelvic congestion disease

The aim of the study was to assess the information content of the phlebotonometry method when determining indications for endovascular x-ray angioplasty and stenting of the iliac veins during their arterial compression.Materials and methods. Thirty-six patients with bilateral varicocele and varicose veins of the pelvic organs were examined. The examination included assessment of the condition using the international index of erectile function, ultrasound examination of the scrotum organs with color Doppler mapping, transrectal ultrasound of the prostate and veins of the prostatic plexus, magnetic resonance imaging of the inferior vena cava and pelvic vessels, venography of the renal caval and ileocaval segments, phlebotonometry of these segments in a calm state and during the Valsalva test.Results. Pressure gradient between left and right external iliac veins >2 mm Hg in a calm state was detected in 4 (11.1 %) patients, >3 mm Hg with Valsalva test – in 9 (25.0 %) patients, between the left and right common iliac veins >2 mm Hg in a calm state – in 3 (8.3 %) patients, >3 mm Hg with a Valsalva test, in 15 (41.7 %) patients. At the same time, in 20 (55.6 %) of 36 cases, phlebotonometry data were of a contradictory logic nature, which we attribute to the insufficient sensitivity of this research method. Our data suggest that collateral circulation leads not only to varicose veins of the pelvic organs, but also to equalization of pressure in the ipsilateral segments of the iliac veins due to the law of communicating vessels.Conclusion. Phlebotonometry in the diagnosis of iliac venous compression can only be used as an additional research method. Indications for angioplasty and stenting of the iliac veins during compression should be determined on the basis of clinical data, the severity of varicose veins of the pelvic organs according to the results of transrectal ultrasound examination, the results of magnetic resonance imaging of the inferior vena cava and pelvic vessels (or computed tomography of the abdominal organs with contrast or multispiral computed tomography of the abdominal cavity organs), radiopaque phlebography and intravascular ultrasound.The author declares no conflict of interest.All patients gave written informed consent to participate in the study.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF VALSALVA MANOEUVER DURING EARLY PREGNANCY IN PATIENTS WITH PAROXYSMS OF ORTHODROMIC ATRIOVENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

Objective: The aim is to study electrophysiological (EPh) indicators of the heart in pregnant women in the first trimester with orthodrome paroxysms of reciprocal atrioventricular tachycardia during the Valsalva test, after a single dose of propafenone and a combination of Valsalva test with propafenone.Methods: Clinical survey, assessment of medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG) in 12 leads, Holter ECG monitoring, echocardiography, expert ultrasound examination of the fetus, transesophageal EPh study of the heart, the blood test for electrolytes (potassium, sodium), thyroid hormones (T3, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone) were included in this study. We examined 28 women during an early gestation.Results: We found that the Valsalva manoeuver, Propanorm, and the combination of the Valsalva manoeuver and Propanorm produced an antiarrhythmic effect through the anterograde and retrograde conduction in reentry.Discussion: The study is the first to reveal that the Valsalva manoeuver influences retrograde conduction in reentry in pregnant patients.Conclusion: We proved that it is necessary to use the Valsalva manoeuver to stop paroxysms of orthodromic atrioventricular tachycardia (POAVRT) in the first trimester of pregnancy. If the manoeuver is ineffective, it is advisable to use Propanorm or combination of Propanorm with Valsalva manoeuver.