Atrial Conduction Disorders

Atrial conduction disorders result from impaired propagation of cardiac impulses from the sinoatrial node through the atrial conduction pathways. Disorders affecting interatrial conduction alter P-wave characteristics on the surface electrocardiogram. A variety of P-wave indices reflecting derangements in atrial conduction have been described and have been associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke. Interatrial block (IAB) is the most well-known of the different P-wave indices and is important clinically due to its ability to predict patients who are at risk of the development of AF and other supraventricular tachycardias. P-Wave Axis is a measure of the net direction of atrial depolarization and is determined by calculating the net vector of the P-wave electrical activation in the six limb-leads using the hexaxial reference system. It has been associated with stroke and it has been proposed that this variable be added to the existing CHA2DS2-VASc score to create a P2-CHA2DS2-VASc score to improve stroke prediction. P-Terminal Force in V1 is thought to be an epiphenomenon of advanced atrial fibrotic disease and has been shown to be associated with a higher risk of death, cardiac death, and congestive heart failure as well as an increased risk of AF. P-wave Dispersion is defined as the difference between the shortest and longest P-wave duration recorded on multiple concurrent surface ECG leads on a standard 12-lead ECG and has also been associated with the development of AF and AF recurrence. P-wave voltage in lead I (PVL1) is thought to be an electrocardiographic representation of cardiac conductive properties and, therefore, the extent of atrial fibrosis relative to myocardial mass. Reduced PVL1 has been demonstrated to be associated with new-onset AF in patients with coronary artery disease and may be useful for predicting AF. Recently a risk score (the MVP risk score) has been developed using IAB and PVL1 to predict atrial fibrillation and has shown a good predictive ability to determine patients at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The MVP risk score is currently undergoing validation in other populations. This section reviews the different P-wave indices in-depth, reflecting atrial conduction abnormalities.     

Is endovascular revascularisation worthwhile in diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia who also have end-stage renal disease?

To present the outcomes of endovascular treatment of diabetics patients with critical limb ischemia who have end-stage renal disease. Limb-salvage was achieved in 58.6% of the limbs during a mean follow-up period of 12.4 months. No major amputations were required on patients with rest pain or with grade 1 lesions.     

Recomendaciones del Grupo Español de Trabajo en Enfermedad de Crohn y Colitis Ulcerosa (GETECCU) sobre el cribado y tratamiento de la infección tuberculosa en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

There is evidence that following the recommendations on screening and treatment of tuberculosis infection does not completely prevent the onset of tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. This fact, and the increasing use of new biologics and immunomodulators, has led the Spanish Group Working on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis to update their recommendations for the prevention of tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Diagnostic methods for latent tuberculosis infection, different scenarios in which screening is to be performed, strategies to reduce the risk of tuberculosis once biological treatment is initiated and chemoprophylaxis guidelines for latent tuberculosis infection are reviewed, as well as the management of active tuberculosis during biological treatment. Finally, there is a summary of the current recommendations within the paper and in an algorithm.     

Applicability of 3D-printed models in hepatobiliary surgey: results from “LIV3DPRINT” multicenter study

BackgroundHepatobiliary resections are challenging due to the complex liver anatomy. Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has gained popularity due to its ability to produce anatomical models based on the characteristics of each patient.MethodsA multicenter study was conducted on complex hepatobiliary tumours. The endpoint was to validate 3DP model accuracy from original image sources for application in the teaching, patient-communication, and planning of hepatobiliary surgery.ResultsThirty-five patients from eight centers were included. Process testing between 3DP and CT/MRI presented a considerable degree of similarity in vascular calibers (0.22 ± 1.8 mm), and distances between the tumour and vessel (0.31 ± 0.24 mm). The Dice Similarity Coefficient was 0.92, with a variation of 2%. Bland–Altman plots also demonstrated an agreement between 3DP and the surgical specimen with the distance of the resection margin (1.15 ± 1.52 mm). Professionals considered 3DP at a positive rate of 0.89 (95%CI; 0.73–0.95). According to student's distribution a higher success rate was reached with 3DP (median:0.9, IQR: 0.8–1) compared with CT/MRI or 3D digital imaging (P = 0.01).Conclusion3DP hepatic models present a good correlation compared with CT/MRI and surgical pathology and they are useful for education, understanding, and surgical planning, but does not necessarily affect the surgical outcome.     

Clinical predictors of remission and low disease activity in Latin American early rheumatoid arthritis: data from the GLADAR cohort

Objectives

To identify baseline predictors of remission and low disease activity (LDA) in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from the GLADAR (Grupo Latino Americano De estudio de la Artritis Reumatoide) cohort.

Methods

Patients with 1- and 2-year follow-up visits were included. Remission and LDA were defined by DAS28-ESR (< 2.6 and ≤ 3.2, respectively). Baseline predictors examined were gender, ethnicity, age at diagnosis, socioeconomic status, symptoms’ duration, DMARDs, RF, thrombocytosis, anemia, morning stiffness, DAS28-ESR (and its components), HAQ-DI, DMARDs and corticosteroid use, and Sharp-VDH score. Multivariable binary logistic regression models (excluding DAS28-ESR components to avoid over adjustment) were derived using a backward selection method (α-level set at 0.05).

Results

Four hundred ninety-eight patients were included. Remission and LDA/remission were met by 19.3% and 32.5% at the 1-year visit, respectively. For the 280 patients followed for 2 years, these outcomes were met by 24.3% and 38.9%, respectively. Predictors of remission at 1 year were a lower DAS28-ESR (OR 1.17; CI 1.07–1.27; p = 0.001) and HAQ-DI (OR 1.48; CI 1.04–2.10; p = 0.028). At 2 years, only DAS28-ESR (OR 1.40; CI 1.17–1.6; p < 0.001) was a predictor. Predictors of LDA/remission at 1 year were DAS28-ESR (OR 1.42; CI 1.26–1.61; p < 0.001), non-use of corticosteroid (OR 1.74; CI 1.11–2.44; p = 0.008), and male gender (OR 1.77; CI 1.2–2.63; p = 0.036). A lower baseline DAS28-ESR (OR 1.45; CI 1.23–1.70; p < 0.001) was the only predictor of LDA/remission at 2 years.

Conclusions

A lower disease activity consistently predicted remission and LDA/remission at 1 and 2 years of follow-up in early RA patients from the GLADAR cohort.

Apixaban for the prevention of thromboembolism in immunomodulatory-treated myeloma patients: Myelaxat,a phase 2 pilot study

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is higher in myeloma patients receiving immunomodulatory compounds. A VTE prophylaxis using low-molecular-weight heparin or aspirin is therefore proposed. Apixaban is an oral direct anti-Xa. Several studies have shown the efficacy and safety of apixaban in VTE prophylaxis compared to enoxaparin. The objective of this prospective phase 2 pilot study was to assess the risk of VTE and bleeding in patients with myeloma treated with immunomodulatory compounds lenalidomide (len) or thalidomide (thal), using apixaban in a preventive scheme. Myeloma patients requiring Melphalan-Prednisone-Thalidomide in the first line, or Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone in the relapse setting received apixaban, 2.5 mg x 2/day for 6 months. Venous (pulmonary embolism—PE, or symptomatic proximal or distal deep vein thrombosis—DVT, or all proximal asymptomatic events detected by systematic proximal bilateral compression ultrasound) or arterial thrombotic events, and bleeding events (ISTH 2005) were registered. One hundred and four patients were enrolled (mean age 69.8 ± 7.8 years), 11 in first line and 93 in relapse. Two venous thrombotic events were observed, for example, an asymptomatic proximal DVT and a symptomatic distal DVT, in the context of apixaban stopped 14 days before, due to lenalidomide-induced thrombocytopenia. No PE or arterial cardiovascular events were reported. Only one major and 11 CRNM hemorrhages were reported. These data must now be confirmed on a randomized large study.     

Effect of losartan plus hydrochlorothiazide on nitric oxide status in 'nondipper' hypertensive patients

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of losartan (100 mg) plus hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ; 25 mg) on nitric oxide (NO) production and blood pressure (BP) in "nondipper" severe hypertensive patients. Twelve hypertensive "nondipper patients" (6 of each gender) with sitting systolic/diastolic BP of 188.0 +/- 5.2/116.2 +/- 1.2 mm Hg were studied by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) after daily administration of 100 mg losartan plus 25 mg HCTZ for a period of 12 weeks. Office and mean 24-hour, as well as mean awake- and sleep-time systolic/diastolic BP, serum NO levels, and urinary excretion of NO were measured after the placebo period (3 weeks) and after 12 weeks of therapy. At the end of the 12-week treatment period, the mean 24-hour systolic/diastolic BP decreased significantly from 158.6 +/- 4.7/102.2 +/- 2.6 mm Hg (placebo period) to 140.3 +/- 4.8/90.9 +/- 3.3 mm Hg (P = 0.001/< or = 0.002). The mean BP (systolic/diastolic) during the waking period was reduced from 159.3 +/- 4.4/103.0 +/- 2.5 mm Hg to 135.0 +/- 4.4/88.2 +/- 3.1 (P < or = 0.007/P < or = 0.002), whereas the mean BP (systolic/diastolic) during the sleeping hours changed from 154.9 +/- 5.3/98.9 +/- 3.1 to 140.9 +/- 4.6 (P = 0.035)/91.7 +/- 3.2 mm Hg (P = 0.035/P = 0.051). Serum NO levels increased from 40.89 +/- 5.69 microM/L (placebo period) to 67.35 +/- 6.96 microM/L (posttreatment; P < or = 0.007), whereas the 24-hour urinary NO excretion did not change significantly (69.71 +/- 3.68 microM/L [placebo period] vs 79.64 +/- 4.25 microM/L [posttreatment]; P < or = 0.16). Urinary clearance of NO also did not change. Serum NO levels increased significantly without a significant change in urinary NO excretion. BP was significantly reduced but without modifying the nondipper pattern in these patients.     

Haptoglobin phenotype and risk of cervical neoplasia: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: Haptoglobin is an acute-phase glycoprotein that influences host response to infections and tumours. The haptoglobin locus is polymorphic with 2 classes of alleles (Hp(1) and Hp(2)) yielding 3 phenotypes: Hp1-1, Hp2-2, and Hp2-1 with structurally and functionally distinct protein products, suggesting that haptoglobin polymorphism may influence susceptibility to infections and cancers. METHODS: We examined the relation between haptoglobin phenotype and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in a hospital-based case-control study. Cases (n = 307) were women with biopsy-confirmed CIN-2 or CIN-3. Controls (n = 358) were a random sample of women with normal cytology. The PGMY polymerase chain reaction and reverse line blot methods were used for HPV detection and genotyping. Haptoglobin phenotype was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Among controls, phenotype distribution corresponded to allele frequencies of 0.39 for Hp(1) and 0.61 for Hp(2) with no significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p=0.66). With all women included in the analysis, the Hp1-1 phenotype was associated with increased risk of CIN (OR contrasting Hp1-1 vs. Hp2-2 = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6-1.5). However, in analyses restricted to HPV-positive participants, the Hp1-1 phenotype was associated with 2.7-fold (95% CI: 1.0-7.2) higher risk of CIN. CONCLUSIONS: If confirmed, these findings indicate an increased risk of CIN among women with the Hp1-1 phenotype.     

Epidural Labor Analgesia: Continuous Infusion Versus Patient-Controlled Epidural Analgesia With Background Infusion Versus Without a Background Infusion

The purpose of this study was to compare the total epidural dose of 3 commonly used labor epidural modalities. After local institutional review board approval, 195 laboring parturients received an epidural catheter for labor analgesia. All patients received an initial bolus of 0.1% ropivacaine (10 mL) and fentanyl (100 microg). Maintenance of labor analgesia consisted of ropivacaine 0.1% with fentanyl 2 microg/mL. Patients were then randomly assigned into 3 groups: Group 1 (continuous epidural infusion [CEI]), continuous infusion at 10 mL/h; group 2 (CEI + patient-controlled epidural analgesia [PCEA]), CEI at 5 mL/h with a demand dose of 5 mL allowed every 20 minutes with a 20 mL/h maximum dose; group 3 (PCEA), demand doses only of 5 mL every 15 minutes with a 20 mL/h maximum dose. Measured variables included total epidural dose, total bolus requests and boluses delivered, number of staff interventions, pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-100), modified Bromage scores, stage I and II labor duration, delivery outcome, and maternal satisfaction after delivery. No differences were noted with respect to pain VAS, modified Bromage scores, stage I and II labor duration, number of staff interventions, delivery outcome, and maternal satisfaction score. Total infusion dose was lower in demand dose only PCEA compared with CEI and CEI + PCEA groups (P = < .01). Demand dose-only PCEA results in less total epidural dose compared with CEI and CEI + PCEA without affecting labor duration, motor block, pain VAS, maternal and neonatal outcomes, and maternal satisfaction. PERSPECTIVE: This article compares 3 commonly used labor epidural delivery modalities (traditional continuous epidural infusion, patient-controlled epidural analgesia with a background infusion, and demand dose-only patient-controlled epidural analgesia). Benefits in epidural dose reduction with demand dose only PCEA does not translate into improved maternal and neonatal outcome.     

Vesicular release of prolactin from preformed prolactin granules is stimulated by soluble factor(s) from the anterior pituitary of lactating rats

This study demonstrates that conditioned media (CM) from the anterior pituitary gland (AP) of lactating rats contains soluble factors that promote in vitro prolactin (PRL) release from the pituitary glands of male rats. CM-induced PRL release was confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, ELISA and bioassay. In cultured AP cells challenged with CM, increased intracellular staining with the dye FM1-43 was observed, suggesting vesicular PRL release and subsequent endocytosis. The percentage and hormone content of PRL-containing cells but not of growth hormone-containing cells increased in cultured male AP cells when exposed to CM. When the release of PRL, prelabeled with [3H] leucine for 30 min to 24 h was examined, no stimulatory effect of CM was observed, suggesting that released PRL originates from hormone synthesized more than 24 h earlier. Accordingly, the PRL content of mature granules from male pituitary tissues decreased after CM treatment. These findings were confirmed by electron microscopy immunogold PRL labeling. Treatment with inhibitors of protein synthesis or vesicle trafficking between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex did not prevent the stimulatory effect of CM on PRL release. However, blockage of traffic to the plasma membrane completely abolished the effect of CM. These results suggest that CM from the AP of lactators contains soluble factor(s) capable of inducing rapid vesicular release of PRL in the male AP, which originates from preformed, mature granules by mechanisms independent of protein synthesis.