An unusual cause of cardiac failure in a neonate

We report the case of a newborn admitted with signs of congestive cardiac failure with prominent and pulsatile cervical veins. Echocardiography showed a structurally normal heart, right-to-left ductal flow, and reversed diastolic flow in the proximal descending aorta. A computed-tomography scan of the head showed a vein of Galen arteriovenous malformation. This highlights the importance of considering an intracranial cause in the differential diagnosis of neonatal congestive heart failure.     

Effect of yoga on cardiac autonomic dysfunction and insulin resistance in non-diabetic offspring of type-2-diabetes parents: A randomized controlled study

ObjectiveThe present study was aimed to determine the effect of yoga program on cardiac autonomic dysfunction and insulin resistance in non-diabetic offspring of diabetes parents.MethodsA randomized passive-controlled study was conducted on 64 non-diabetic offspring of type-2-diabetes parents (mean-age:25.17years). Yoga group participants received yoga training for 8 weeks. Heart-rate variability (HRV) indices: low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio; fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin resistance (IR) were estimated at baseline and after 8-weeks of intervention.ResultsWe found a significant decrease in LF (p = 0.005), LF/HF ratio (p = 0.004), IR (p < 0.001), OGTT (p = 0.003) and increase in HF (p = 0.022) in yoga group participants. Control group participants did not show any significant change in any variables.ConclusionsImprovement in cardiac autonomic function and insulin resistance by yoga training implies that yoga can reduce the risk of development of diabetes in offspring of diabetes parents.     

Registro Español de Trasplante Cardiaco. XXXI Informe Oficial de la Asociación de Insuficiencia Cardiaca de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología

Introduction and objectivesThe present report describes the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants in Spain and updates the data to 2019.MethodsWe describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart transplants performed in Spain in 2019, as well as trends in this procedure from 2010 to 2018.ResultsIn 2019, 300 transplants were performed (8794 since 1984; 2745 between 2010 and 2019). Compared with previous years, the most notable findings were the decreasing rate of urgent transplants (38%), and the consolidation of the type of circulatory support prior to transplant, with an almost complete disappearance of counterpulsation balloon (0.7%), stabilization in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (9.6%), and an increase in the use of ventricular assist devices (29.0%). Survival from 2016 to 2018 was similar to that from 2013 to 2015 (P = .34). Survival in both these periods was better than that from 2010 to 2012 (P = .002 and P = .01, respectively).ConclusionsHeart transplant activity has remained stable during the last few years, as have outcomes (in terms of survival). There has been a trend to a lower rate of urgent transplants and to a higher use of ventricular assist devices prior to transplant.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Score EGSYS para predição de etiologia cardíaca na síncope: tem utilidade no contexto de consulta?

IntroductionThe EGSYS score uses clinical variables to predict which patients may have cardiac (CS) or non‐cardiac syncope (NCS) and has been validated in the emergency department setting. This study aims to determine whether the score has the same applicability in an outpatient setting.MethodsIn this retrospective study of all patients observed in the outpatient setting of a hospital with a syncope unit between January 2015 and December 2016, the EGSYS score was calculated for each patient, and its sensitivity and specificity were determined for the prediction of CS in patients with score ≥3.ResultsA total of 224 patients, mean age 64.3±21.7 years, 116 (51.8%) male, were analyzed. In the 163 (72.7%) patients with confirmed syncope, CS was diagnosed in 27 (16.6%) and NCS in 136 (83.4%). The EGSYS score was ≥3 in 40 (20.0%) patients with NCS and in 13 (48.1%) with CS. A positive score had a sensitivity of 48.2% (95% CI: 28.7‐68.1), a specificity of 77.9% (95% CI: 70.0‐84.6), and a positive and negative predictive value of 30.2% (95% CI: 20.8‐41.8) and 88.3% (95% CI: 83.9‐91.7), respectively.ConclusionThe EGSYS score has limited usefulness in an outpatient setting, where observed patients have already been been medically assessed. Given its high specificity and negative predictive value, it may be useful to reassure low‐risk patients and family members.     

桃红四物汤化裁治疗稳定型心绞痛合并心力衰竭临床研究

目的:研究桃红四物汤化裁治疗稳定型心绞痛(SAP)合并心衰患者的临床疗效。方法:选取104例SAP合并慢性心力衰竭(CHF)患者纳入研究,入选患者以简单随机法均分为西药组与桃红组,西药组给予常规单纯西药治疗,桃红组在西药组治疗的基础上加用中药桃红四物汤化裁治疗;治疗6个月后评估两组临床疗效,观察两组患者心功能、血液流变学(血流变)、血清学、血脂指标的变化情况。结果:桃红组总有效49例(94.23%),西药组为40例(76.92%),桃红组总有效率明显高于西药组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组治疗后血脂指标TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C,心功能指标LVEF、LVESV、LVEDV,血流变指标WBV、PV、FIB,血清学指标NT-proBNP、hs-CRP、VEGF、MMP-9均可见改善,同时桃红组均较西药组良好,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:桃红四物汤化裁治疗能够提高稳定型心绞痛合并心衰的临床疗效,进一步改善患者的心功能、血液流变学指标,降低患者血脂水平,减轻炎性应激反应,对于延缓心衰进程具有积极作用。     

键对键与面对面联动在改善心外科患者不良情绪和睡眠质量的应用评价

目的:探讨分析键对键与面对面联动在改善心外科患者不良情绪和睡眠质量中的应用效果.方法:选取2018年5月至2019年5 月湖南师范大学附属第一医院收治的心脏外科手术患者100例作为研究对象,按照患者病房号分为对照组和观察组,每组50例.对照组采用常规护理,观察组在此基础上实施键对键与面对面联动的护理模式.结果:出院3个月后,与对照组患者比较,观察组患者情绪、机体不适感、睡眠质量显著改善,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:键对键与面对面联动的护理模式可显著改善心外科患者的不良情绪,提高睡眠质量,值得临床推广.