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。