Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2022 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 5 Articles
Background: Various thyroid abnormalities have been reported during heart failure (HF). The present study aimed to evaluate the burden, type, and associated factors of thyroid disorders in Cameroonian patients with heart failure. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study from January to May 2020, involving volunteer adults followed for heart failure at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Those receiving treatment that could cause thyroid dysfunction were excluded. Thyroid hormone levels (TSH, free T3, and free T4) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: A total of 63 patients (30 women; 47.6%) were included. The median age was 65 (IQR: 56 - 70) years. The main etiology of heart failure was hypertension (52.4%) followed by valvular heart disease (14.3%). Thyroid dysfunction was seen in 38 (60.3%, [95% CI: 47.2 - 72.4]) patients, of which 30 (79%) had hypothyroidism and 8 (21%) had hyperthyroidism. The most frequent thyroid dysfunction was Low T3 syndrome in 27% (95% CI: 16.6 - 39.7) of the study population followed sub-clinical hypothyroidism in 19.1% (95% CI: 10.3 - 30.9) of patients. Patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were more likely to have hypothyroidism than those with preserved ejection...................
Background: Our aim was to comprehensively review published evidence on the association between having a congenital heart disease (CHD) compared with not, on educational attainment (i.e. not obtaining a university degree, completing secondary education, or completing any vocational training vs. obtaining/completing) in adults. Method: Studies were eligible if they reported the rate, odds, or proportion of level of educational attainment in adults by whether or not they had a CHD. Result: Out of 1537 articles screened, we identified 11 (N = 104,585 participants, 10,487 with CHD), 10 (N = 167,470 participants, 11,820 with CHD), and 8 (N = 150,813 participants, 9817 with CHD) studies reporting information on university education, secondary education, and vocational training, respectively in both CHD and non-CHD participants. Compared to their non-CHD peers, CHD patients were more likely not to obtain a university degree (OR = 1.38, 95% CI [1.16, 1.65]), complete secondary education (OR = 1.33, 95% CI [1.09, 1.61]) or vocational training (OR = 1.11, 95% CI [0.98, 1.26]). For all three outcomes there was evidence of between study heterogeneity, with geographical area contributing to this heterogeneity. Conclusion: This systematic review identified all available published data on educational attainment in CHD patients. Despite broad inclusion criteria we identified relatively few studies that included a comparison group from the same population, and amongst those that did, few adjusted for key confounders. Pooled analyses suggest evidence of lower levels of educational attainment in patients with CHD when compared to non-CHD peers. The extent to which this may be explained by confounding factors, such as parental education, or mediated by treatments is not possible to discern from the current research literature....
Background: Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) with associated Kommerell diverticulum (KD) is a rare congenital aortic disease. KD patients have a high risk of rupture, dissection, and compression of adjacent structures. Although several treatment options have been proposed (traditional surgery, hybrid operation, and endovascular intervention), a consensus regarding optimal surgical management has not yet been established. Case presentation: A case of successful hybrid repair of distal aortic arch dissection aneurysm by dissecting KD and ARSA with debranching of right and left common carotid arteries, left subclavian artery, and stent grafting was presented. Conclusions: The hybrid operation is suitable for elderly patients or those with high risks. Along with intervention, the hybrid operation needs to be developed as a minimally invasive method....
Background: Anemia is a common risk factor for post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) adverse events; however, data on its association with in-stent restenosis (ISR) is limited. Methods: 538 patients who underwent PCI between January 2017 and September 2019 and follow-up angiography 9–12 months after the initial PCI were enrolled in this study. Baseline clinical and procedural characteristics were compared between the ISR and non-ISR groups, and independent predictors of ISR were determined using propensity score matching. Results: The incidence of anemia was 53.5% in patients with ISR and 19.0% in those without ISR. Univariable logistic regression analyses showed that anemia (OR, 4.283; 95% CI, 1.949–9.410; P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.588; 95% CI, 1.176–5.696; P = 0.018), chronic kidney disease (OR, 3.058; 95% CI, 1.289–7.252; P = 0.011), multiple stenting (OR, 2.592; 95% CI, 1.205–5.573; P = 0.015), bifurcation lesion (OR, 2.669; 95% CI, 1.236–5.763; P = 0.012), and calcification (OR, 3.529; 95% CI, 1.131–11.014; P = 0.030) were closely associated with ISR. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and stent diameter were also significantly linked to ISR, as was anemia (P = 0.009) after propensity score matching. Conclusion: Anemia is closely associated with post-PCI ISR, and patients with lower hemoglobin levels are at a higher risk of ISR....
Although the roles of telomeres and oxidative stress in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) are known, mechanisms of telomere homeostasis and their relationship with oxidative stress are incompletely understood. We performed two RNA-seq analyses (mRNA n = 23; ncRNA n = 30) and protein validation on left ventricles of explanted hearts from ICM and control subjects. We observed dysregulation of the shelterin and cohesin complexes, which was related to an increase in the response to cellular oxidative stress. Moreover, we found alterations at mRNA level in the mechanisms of telomeric DNA repair. Specifically, increased RAD51D mRNA levels were correlated with left ventricular diameters. RAD51D protein levels were unaltered, however, and were inversely corelated with the miR-103a-3p upregulation. We also observed the overexpression of lncRNAs (TERRA and GUARDIN) involved in telomere protection in response to stress and alterations in their regulatory molecules. Expression of the TERRA transcription factor ATF7 was correlated with superoxide dismutase 1 expression and left ventricular diameters. The levels of GUARDIN and its transcription factor FOSL2 were correlated with those of catalase. Therefore, we showed specific alterations in the mechanisms of telomeric DNA repair and protection, and these alterations are related to an increase in the response mechanisms to oxidative stress and cardiac dysfunction in ICM....
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