Discordant Electrocardiogram Left Ventricular Wall Thickness and Strain Findings in Influenza Myocarditis

A 42‐year‐old man presented with a viral prodrome and tested positive for influenza A. He rapidly deteriorated developing cardiogenic shock, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury. Patient improved 1 week later with supportive measures including vasopressors, inotropes, and an intraaortic balloon pump. We report this case as it highlights the discordance between echocardiographic ventricular wall thickening as a result of myocardial edema, and electrocardiographic findings at presentation, with a reversal in findings at time of resolution. Additionally, there was some suggestion of a regional pattern to the reduced longitudinal strain.     

Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with heart failure with a midrange ejection fraction

BackgroundCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) improves survival in patients with heart failure and severely reduced left ventricular systolic function (LVEF). Limited data exist regarding adverse cardiovascular event rates after CABG in patients with heart failure with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF; LVEF > 40% and < 55%).MethodsWe analyzed data on isolated CABG patients from the Veterans Affairs national database (2010-2019). We stratified patients into control (normal LVEF and no heart failure), HFmrEF, and heart failure with reduced LVEF (HFrEF) groups. We compared all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization rates between groups with a Cox model and recurrent events analysis, respectively.ResultsIn 6533 veterans, HFmrEF and HFrEF was present in 1715 (26.3%) and 566 (8.6%) respectively; the control group had 4252 (65.1%) patients. HFrEF patients were more likely to have diabetes mellitus (59%), insulin therapy (36%), and previous myocardial infarction (31%). Anemia was more prevalent in patients with HFrEF (49%) as was a lower serum albumin (mean, 3.6 mg/dL). Compared with the control group, a higher risk of death was observed in the HFmrEF (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3 [1.2-1.5)] and HFrEF (HR, 1.5 [1.2-1.7]) groups. HFmrEF patients had the higher risk of myocardial infarction (subdistribution HR, 1.2 [1-1.6]; P = .04). Risk of heart failure hospitalization was higher in patients with HFmrEF (HR, 4.1 [3.5-4.7]) and patients with HFrEF (HR, 7.2 [6.2-8.5]).ConclusionsHeart failure with midrange ejection fraction negatively affects survival after CABG. These patients also experience higher rates myocardial infarction and heart failure hospitalization.     

PCI和静脉溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死的疗效比较

目的探讨经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)和静脉溶栓在急性心肌梗死患者中的应用价值。方法选择我院2013年1月至2014年9月收治的60例急性心肌梗死患者作为研究对象,随机分为实验组和对照组各30例。实验组患者采用PCI治疗,对照组患者采用静脉溶栓治疗,比较两组患者血管再通率、死亡发生率、ST段回落情况、住院时间、近远期不良事件发生率、左室舒张末径和左室射血分数变化情况。结果实验组血管再通率显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而近期和远期不良事件发生率均低于对照组,近期不良事件发生率组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而远期不良事件发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。实验组患者死亡发生率、ST段回落和住院时间均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组左室射血分数在术后1个月、3个月和6个月时均显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论急性心肌梗死患者应用PCI治疗可显著提高血管再通率、降低死亡和不良事件发生率,有效改善心功能。     

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: Rare case of ischemic colitis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV) is a rare and poorly understood ischemic colitis that occurs in the rectosigmoid colon of predominantly young, previously healthy, male patients. A 76‐year‐old Japanese man presented to our hospital with a 1‐year history of worsening diarrhea, lower abdominal pain, and weight loss (−6 kg). Laboratory evaluation revealed white blood cell count of 13 200/μL, C‐reactive protein level of 2.0 mg/dL (normal range, 0.0–0.3), and negative results for stool culture (including Clostridium difficile). Colonoscopy showed circumferential and edematous narrowing of the sigmoid colon with deep longitude ulceration. Biopsy was done and examination of the specimen demonstrated no specific ischemia. The patient was treated with bowel rest, antibiotics, and i.v. fluids; however, his symptoms worsened. Finally, sigmoidectomy was carried out. Histological examination demonstrated significant myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins leading to thickening and stenosis of the venous lumen. Therefore, the final diagnosis was IMHMV. Three months following sigmoidectomy, he was asymptomatic.     

脑心通胶囊治疗脑梗死合并心肌缺血的多中心非随机临床对照试验

目的：观察脑心通胶囊（步长制药）治疗脑梗死合并心肌缺血患者的临床疗效。方法选取2013年10月至2014年12月北京21所医院神经内科收治的符合入组条件的急性脑梗死伴心肌缺血患者，非随机分为脑心通组（基础治疗基础上加用步长脑心通胶囊）和对照组（仅基础治疗）。对比分析第4周、8周、12周时2组心电图变化以及使用NIHSS和改良mRankin评估第12周时神经功能变化。结果入组544例，剔除16例（不良事件2例、自动放弃1例、违背规则1例、失访6例、其他6例），实际完成试验528例（包含测量资料缺失病例），其中脑心通组291例，对照组237例。心肌缺血改善的有效率脑心通组和对照组第4周差异无统计学意义（18．1％、14．9％， P ＝0．704）；但第8周（27．7％、14．3％， P ＝0．001）和第12周（31．3％、16．9％，P ＜0．01）差异有统计学意义（ P ＜0．05）。第12周时NIHSS减少≥2分脑心通组（77．7％）明显高于对照组（68．4％）（ P ＜0．05），mRankin 减少≥1分脑心通组（67．7％）显著高于对照组（56．1％）（ P ＜0．05）。多因素分析心电图改善的独立影响因素是脑心通（ P ＝0．005）和第12周时AST的降低（ P ＝00．47）；神经功能改善的影响因素包括脑心通治疗、基线收缩压和肌酐水平、既往心脏病或高脂血症病史。结论脑心通胶囊联合基础治疗对脑梗死合并心肌缺血临床疗效确切。