Relationship between Cutoff Values of Peak Aortic Valve Velocity and Those of Other Doppler Echocardiographic Parameters of Severity in Patients with Aortic Stenosis and Normal Flow

Background: Previous studies have reported inconsistencies between echocardiographic parameters of severity in aortic valve stenosis (AS). Peak aortic valve velocity (V_max) strongly predicts outcome in AS patients. This study was therefore designed to identify the cutoff values of echocardiographic parameters of severity corresponding to a V_max ≥ 3 m/sec, ≥4 m/sec, 5 m/sec, or 5.50 m/sec in a large cohort of patients with normal flow (NF) AS. Methods and Results: We retrospectively reviewed the echocardiograms of 528 consecutive patients with normal flow (NF) AS, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≥0.50, and NF (stroke volume index > 35 mL/m²). The values of mean pressure gradient (MPG), aortic valve area (AVA), and indexed aortic valve area (IAVA) corresponding to V_max ≥ 3 m/sec obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis were 22 mmHg, 1.15 cm², and 0.60 cm²/m², respectively. While a cutoff of V_max ≥ 4 m/sec to define severe AS was consistent with a value of 39 mmHg for MPG, corresponding values for AVA and IAVA of 0.90 cm² and 0.48 cm²/m², respectively, were substantially different from those recommended in current guidelines. MPG ≥60 and 65 mmHg, AVA ≤0.76 and ≤0.68 cm², and IAVA ≤0.41 and ≤0.35 cm²/m² were related to a V_max ≥5 and ≥5.5 m/sec (very severe AS), respectively. Conclusions: Guidelines recommended cutoff values for AVA and IAVA are not consistent with those of V_max and MPG. The results of this study may serve as safeguard in case of apparent inconsistencies between echocardiographic parameters of severity in NF AS.     

Exposure to low dose ionising radiation: Molecular and clinical consequences

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the experimental data detailing the incidence, mechanism and significance of low dose hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS). Important discoveries gained from past and present studies are mapped and highlighted to illustrate the pathway to our current understanding of HRS and the impact of HRS on the cellular response to radiation in mammalian cells. Particular attention is paid to the balance of evidence suggesting a role for DNA repair processes in the response, evidence suggesting a role for the cell cycle checkpoint processes, and evidence investigating the clinical implications/relevance of the effect.     

Facial resurfacing with split-thickness skin grafts in Xeroderma Pigmentosum variant

Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) is a rare systemic disease which is transmitted through an incomplete sex-linked recessive gene. As a result of this, exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun causes malignant skin lesions. One of the most effective treatment options for the malignant lesions is full-face resurfacing with skin grafts. These grafts should be harvested from areas that have not been affected by UV exposure or have at least been minimally affected. The authors present a patient with XP whose face was resurfaced by split-thickness skin grafts taken from the buttocks.     

Reliability of Shear Wave Elastography and Ultrasound Measurement in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy

In clinical practice, few data exist on the feasibility of performing reliable shear wave elastography (SWE) and ultrasonography (US) measurements in spastic muscles of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ten children with unilateral CP took part in SWE and US assessment of the tibialis anterior and medialis gastrocnemius muscles during two sessions separated by a 1-wk interval. Intra- and inter-investigator reliability of shear modulus (µ) and muscle thickness (MT) measurements, at neutral and maximal dorsiflexion angles on both legs, was assessed by two investigators with different levels of experience. Reliability was assessed with the coefficient of variation (CV), standard error of measurement and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability of the µ measurement was insufficient, regardless of angle position (CV >10% and >20% for neutral and maximal dorsiflexion angles, respectively). The intra- and inter-investigator reliability of MT measurements was good (CV >10%, ICC >0.74) for both muscles in both legs. SWE measurements must be performed using a rigorous standardized protocol while MT should be considered an important parameter to monitor change in muscle morphology.     

Parental Characteristics Associated With Outcomes in Youth With Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the TODAY Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVEThis study examined parental factors associated with outcomes of youth in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) clinical trial.RESULTSParental diabetes (43.6% of parents) was associated with higher baseline HbA_1c (P < 0.0001) and failure of youths to maintain glycemic control on study treatment (53.6% vs. 38.2% failure rate among those without a diabetic parent, P = 0.0002). Parental hypertension (40.6% of parents) was associated with hypertension in youth during TODAY (40.4% vs. 27.4% of youth with and without parental hypertension had hypertension, P = 0.0008) and with higher youth baseline BMI z scores (P = 0.0038). Parents had a mean baseline BMI of 33.6 kg/m². Parental obesity (BMI >30 kg/m²) was associated with higher baseline BMI z scores in the youth (P < 0.0001). Depressive symptoms in parents (20.6% of parents) were related to youth depressive symptoms at baseline only (P = 0.0430); subclinical BE in parents was related to the presence of subclinical BE (P = 0.0354) and depressive symptoms (P = 0.0326) in youth throughout the study period.CONCLUSIONSParental diabetes and hypertension were associated with lack of glycemic control, hypertension, and higher BMI z scores in youth. Further research is needed to better understand and address parental biological and behavioral factors to improve youth health outcomes.     

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy as Rescue Therapy in End‐Stage Heart Failure: Illustration by Three‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Strain Echocardiography

We report the case of a 73‐year‐old man admitted for refractory heart failure following implantation of a dual‐chamber pacemaker. Three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography with speckle tracking area strain identified severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and LV dyssynchrony following right ventricular pacing. As the patient's clinical condition rapidly worsened despite optimal medical treatment, a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacemaker was successfully implanted as rescue therapy. Symptoms rapidly regressed and echocardiographic assessment following CRT demonstrated an immediate improvement in LV systolic function, confirmed at 9‐month follow‐up with evidence of reverse remodeling. New imaging technologies such as 3D echocardiography with speckle tracking area strain may help to identify and follow up patients who will benefit from CRT as rescue therapy.