Cardiac resynchronization therapy: variations in echo-guided optimized atrioventricular and interventricular delays during follow-up

BACKGROUND: Relatively few data are available on long-term echocardiographic optimization of atrioventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delay programming in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We assessed variations in optimized AV and VV delays during long-term follow-up. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive heart failure patients received Doppler echocardiographic optimization of AV and VV delay within 48 hours from CRT device implantation, at 6 months and at 12 months (the last for the first enrolled 14 patients). RESULTS: After implantation, median optimized AV delay was 100 ms (range, 45 ms); VV optimization led to simultaneous biventricular activation in 4 patients, left ventricular preactivation in 17 patients and right ventricular preactivation in 16 patients. At 12 months median AV delay decreased to 85 ms (23 ms) (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). With respect to previous assessment, VV delay variations > or =40 ms were observed in 41% of the patients at 6 months and in 57% of the tested patients at 12 months. A nonconcordance (by Kappa test) of optimized VV delays was found between each new assessment and the previous one. VV delay optimization was associated with significant (P < 0.001) increases in aortic velocity time integral both at baseline and during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic optimization of AV and VV delay is associated with broad intraindividual variability during follow-up. A new assessment of optimized VV delays during long-term follow-up reveals a nonconcordance with previous values and provides increases in forward stroke volume.     

Biochemical and Metabolical Pathways Associated with Microbiota-Derived Butyrate in Colorectal Cancer and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Implications: A Narrative Review

Knowledge regarding the influence of the microbial community in cancer promotion or protection has expanded even more through the study of bacterial metabolic products and how they can modulate cancer risk, which represents an extremely challenging approach for the relationship between intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer (CRC). This review discusses research progress on the effect of bacterial dysbiosis from a metabolic point of view, particularly on the biochemical mechanisms of butyrate, one of the main short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties in CRC. Increased daily intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) significantly increases the density of bacteria that are known to produce butyrate. Omega-3 PUFAs have been proposed as a treatment to prevent gut microbiota dysregulation and lower the risk or progression of CRC.     

Social inequalities in sleep‐disordered breathing: Evidence from the CoLaus|HypnoLaus study

Sleep‐disordered breathing is a common condition, related to a higher cardiometabolic and neurocognitive risk. The main risk factors for sleep‐disordered breathing include obesity, craniofacial characteristics, male sex and age. However, some studies have suggested that adverse socioeconomic circumstances and lifestyle‐related behaviours such as smoking and alcohol use, may also be risk factors for sleep‐disordered breathing. Here, we investigate the associations between socioeconomic status and sleep‐disordered breathing, as measured by sleep apnea–hypopnea and oxygen desaturation indexes. Furthermore, we assess whether these associations are explained by lifestyle‐related factors (smoking, sedentary behaviour, alcohol use and body mass index [BMI]). We used data from the CoLaus|HypnoLaus study, a population‐based study including 2162 participants from Lausanne (Switzerland). Socioeconomic status was measured through occupation and education. Sleep‐disordered breathing was assessed through polysomnography and measured using the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI: number of apnea/hypopnea events/hr: ≥15/≥30 events), and the ≥3% oxygen desaturation index (ODI: number of oxygen desaturation events/hr: ≥15/≥30 events). Lower occupation and education were associated with higher AHI and ODI (occupation: AHI30, odds ratio (OR) = 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.07; 3.31]; ODI30, OR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.19; 4.39]; education: AHI30, OR = 1.21, 95% CI [0.85; 1.72]; ODI30, OR = 1.26, 95% CI [0.83; 1.91]). BMI was associated with socioeconomic status and AHI/ODI, and contributed to the socioeconomic gradient in SDB, with mediation estimates ranging between 43% and 78%. In this Swiss population‐based study, we found that low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for sleep‐disordered breathing, and that these associations are partly explained by BMI. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying social differences in sleep‐disordered breathing and may help implement policies for identifying high‐risk profiles for this disorder.     

Exercise stress echocardiography is superior to rest echocardiography in predicting left ventricular reverse remodelling and functional improvement after cardiac resynchronization therapy

Aims: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves functionalcapacity and survival in heart failure. However, one-third ofpatients fail to respond to CRT. Resting left ventricular (LV)dyssynchrony assessed by echocardiography (ECHO) showed discordantresults in identifying CRT responders. LV dyssynchrony can totallychange during exercise. Aim of this study was to evaluate whetherexercise dyssynchrony could select responders to CRT. Methods and results: Sixty-four patients scheduled for CRT implantation performedbicycle exercise ECHO in semi-supine position on an exercisetilting table before and 6 months after CRT implantation. TissueDoppler imaging (TDI) was acquired both at rest and during exerciseto detect LV mechanical dyssynchrony. Predictive values forCRT response were 70% for rest TDI and 89% for exercise TDI(P = 0.01). Exercise LV dyssynchrony was the only parameterindependently associated with follow-up improvement of restejection fraction and LV volume during multivariable analysis(P < 0.001). Functional improvement at 6-min walking testwas statistically higher in patients with exercise dyssynchrony(P = 0.005), and not different considering rest dyssynchrony(P = 0.30). Conclusion: Exercise intraventricular dyssynchrony assessed by exerciseTDI ECHO is a strong independent predictor of CRT response.It could be used to select candidates for CRT, thus reducingineffective implantations of biventricular pacemakers.     

A particular case of a "captive forceps" in the esophagus

We present a particular case of a "captive" forceps in the esophagus in an attempt to remove a foreign body in a patient with previous esophageal post-caustic stenosis. The mechanism of incarceration and the surgical therapeutic option consisting of open thoracic surgery are detailed and argumented. Postoperative course was favorable, though the patient developed a small esophageal fistula visible at radiology without any clinical expression. This case emphasizes the difficulties that may occur but in the management of esophageal foreign bodies in patients with esophageal post-caustic stenosis, which may lead finally to open surgery.