T. A. Hanssen, Anna Subbotina, A. Miroslawska, M. Solbu, T. Steigen
{"title":"Quality of life following renal sympathetic denervation in treatment-resistant hypertensive patients: a two-year follow-up study","authors":"T. A. Hanssen, Anna Subbotina, A. Miroslawska, M. Solbu, T. Steigen","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2084562","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2084562","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objective. Hypertension is a significant health burden. In the last 10 years, renal sympathetic denervation has been tested as a potential treatment option for a select group of patients with treatment-resistant hypertension. The aim of this study was to broadly assess the quality of life in patients undergoing renal sympathetic denervation with two years’ follow-up. Materials and methods. Patients with treatment-resistant hypertension being treated by hypertension specialists were eligible for inclusion in this study. Bilateral renal sympathetic denervation was performed with the Symplicity Catheter System. Quality of life was measured using standardised questionnaires (Short Form 36, 15 D and a single-item question) and an open question before denervation, after six months and after two years. Results. A total of 23 patients were included. The typical participant was male, 53 years, had a mean office blood pressure of 162/108 mmHg, body mass index of 32 kg/m2, and was prescribed 4.8 blood pressure lowering drug classes. At baseline, both physical and mental aspects of quality of life were affected negatively by the treatment-resistant hypertension. Over time, there were modest improvements in quality of life. The largest improvements were seen at six months. Simultaneously, the mean number of blood pressure lowering drug classes was reduced to 4.2. Conclusion. Following renal sympathetic denervation treatment, some aspects of health related quality of life showed an improved trend during follow-up. The observed improvement may reflect the impact of a reduced number of blood pressure lowering drug classes. Clinical Trial Number registered: NCT01630928","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43161960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali Razaghi, A. Szakos, Riham Al-Shakarji, Mikael Björnstedt, Laszlo Szekely
{"title":"Morphological changes without histological myocarditis in hearts of COVID-19 deceased patients","authors":"Ali Razaghi, A. Szakos, Riham Al-Shakarji, Mikael Björnstedt, Laszlo Szekely","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2085320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2085320","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objective. Patients with underlying heart diseases have a higher risk of dying from Covid-19. It has also been suggested that Covid-19 affects the heart through myocarditis. Despite the rapidly growing research on the management of Covid-19 associated complications, most of the ongoing research is focused on the respiratory complications of Covid-19, and little is known about the prevalence of myocarditis. Design. This study aimed to characterize myocardial involvement by using a panel of antibodies to detect hypoxic and inflammatory changes and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in heart tissues obtained during the autopsy procedure of Covid-19 deceased patients. Thirty-seven fatal COVID-19 cases and 21 controls were included in this study. Results. Overall, the Covid-19 hearts had several histopathological changes like the waviness of myocytes, fibrosis, contract band necrosis, infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, vacuolization, and necrosis of myocytes. In addition, endothelial damage and activation were detected in heart tissue. However, viral replication was not detected using RNA in situ hybridization. Also, lymphocyte infiltration, as a hallmark of myocarditis, was not seen in this study. Conclusion. No histological sign of myocarditis was detected in any of our cases; our findings are thus most congruent with the hypothesis of the presence of a circulating endothelium activating factor such as VEGF, originating outside of the heart, probably from the hypoxic part of the Covid-19 lungs.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44718182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ramez Bahar, S. E. Hermansen, Øystein Dahl-Eriksen, R. Busund, P. Dahl, A. Iqbal, J. Mannsverk, T. Myrmel, T. Steigen, T. Trovik, D. Sørlie, K. Bartnes
{"title":"The risk factors for radial artery and saphenous vein graft occlusion are different","authors":"Ramez Bahar, S. E. Hermansen, Øystein Dahl-Eriksen, R. Busund, P. Dahl, A. Iqbal, J. Mannsverk, T. Myrmel, T. Steigen, T. Trovik, D. Sørlie, K. Bartnes","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2079716","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2079716","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objectives. To determine risk factors for radial artery and saphenous vein graft occlusion during long-term follow-up after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: From a cohort of 119 patients who had received a radial artery graft, 76 – of whom 55 also had at least one saphenous vein graft – underwent a preplanned direct angiography and anthropometric, biochemical, and endothelial function assessment 7.6–12.1 (mean 8.9) years after CABG. Comorbidity, medication, and smoking habits were also recorded. The association between these parameters and conduit longevity was analyzed in univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Radial artery graft occlusions were associated with higher plasma levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein and patency was best among patients with pharmacologically treated hypertension. The sole independent risk factor identified for saphenous vein graft occlusion was tobacco smoking 8–12 years postoperatively. Conclusion: Our data support the contention that the pathogenesis of radial artery graft failure is distinct from vein graft disease and is related to hypertension status and systemic inflammation. These risk factors are potential targets for preventive measures. Accordingly, the study supports the eventual design of personalized secondary prevention regimens. Clinical registration number: ISRCTN23118170","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43148528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Markus Malmberg, V. Anttila, P. Rautava, J. Gunn, V. Kytö
{"title":"Long-term outcomes of mechanical versus biological valve prosthesis in native mitral valve infective endocarditis","authors":"Markus Malmberg, V. Anttila, P. Rautava, J. Gunn, V. Kytö","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2079712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2079712","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objectives. To study the long-term outcomes of mitral valve replacement with mechanical or biological valve prostheses in native mitral valve infective endocarditis patients. Desing. We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, multicenter cohort study with patients aged ≤70 years who were treated with mitral valve replacement for native mitral valve infective endocarditis in Finland between 2004 and 2017. Results. The endpoints were all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and mitral valve reoperations. The results were adjusted for baseline features (age, gender, comorbidities, history of drug abuse, concomitant surgeries, operational urgency, and surgical center). The median follow-up time was 6.1 years. The 12-year cumulative mortality rates were 36% for mechanical prostheses and 74% for biological prostheses (adj. HR 0.40; CI: 0.17–0.91; p = 0.03). At follow-up, the ischemic stroke had occurred in 19% of patients with mechanical prosthesis and 33% of those with a biological prosthesis (adj. p = 0.52). The major bleeding rates within the 12-year follow-up period were 30% for mechanical prosthesis and 13% for a biological prosthesis (adj. p = 0.29). The mitral valve reoperation rates were 13% for mechanical prosthesis and 12% for a biological prosthesis (adj. p = 0.50). Drug abuse history did not have a significant modifying impact on the results (interaction p = 0.51 for mortality and ≥0.13 for secondary outcomes). Conclusion. The use of mechanical mitral valve prosthesis is associated with lower long-term mortality compared to the biological prosthesis in non-elder native mitral valve infective endocarditis patients. The routine choice of biological mitral valve prostheses for this patient group is not supported by the results.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45444299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jenni Koskela, A. Tahvanainen, A. Tikkakoski, Pauliina Kangas, Marko Uitto, J. Viik, M. Kähönen, J. Mustonen, I. Pörsti
{"title":"Resting heart rate predicts cardiac autonomic modulation during passive head-up tilt in subjects without cardiovascular diseases","authors":"Jenni Koskela, A. Tahvanainen, A. Tikkakoski, Pauliina Kangas, Marko Uitto, J. Viik, M. Kähönen, J. Mustonen, I. Pörsti","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2079713","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2079713","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background Resting heart rate (HR) and its variability (HRV) reflects the cardiac sympathovagal balance that is stimulated by head-up tilting. HRV is influenced by the level of HR, but how much HRV offers additional information about cardiac autonomic tone than HR alone remains unresolved. We examined the relation of resting HR with HRV during head-up tilt. Methods. Hemodynamics of 569 subjects without known cardiovascular diseases and medications with direct cardiovascular effects were recorded using whole-body impedance cardiography, radial pulse wave analysis, and electrocardiography-based HRV analysis during passive head-up tilt. Results. Higher low frequency to the high-frequency ratio (LF/HF) of HRV (reflecting sympathovagal balance) was associated with higher HR in supine (p < .05, both linear regression analysis and variance analysis comparing HR tertiles) and upright postures (p < .001, linear regression analysis). The association of HR with HRV during tilt-testing remained significant when the HR dependence of HRV was mathematically weakened by dividing the HRV power spectra with the fourth power of the average RR-interval. Conclusion. Higher resting HR is related to higher LF/HF both supine and upright, reflecting elevated sympathetic influence on cardiac autonomic modulation. Lower resting HR is associated with lower resting LF/HF, while the differences in LF/HF between the HR tertiles were minor during head-up tilt, suggesting a greater change in cardiac sympathovagal balance in response to upright posture in those with lowest resting HR. Altogether, resting HR well predicts HRV levels during head-up tilt. Trial registration: Clinicaltrialsregister.eu 2006-002065-39, first registered 5 May 2006. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01742702, first registered 5 December 2012.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46938232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improved health-related quality of life in patients 6 and 12 months after surgical aortic valve replacement","authors":"Riikka Henttunen, M. Kohonen, J. Laurikka","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2079715","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2079715","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objectives. Quality of life (QoL) is possibly the most important variable for the patient when subjective results of heart procedures are evaluated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the change in the quality of life 1 year after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Design. A Finnish single-center prospective cohort intervention study was performed from 2013 to 2018. QoL was assessed with the EQ-5D-3L VAS questionnaire before surgery and 6 and 12 months after surgery. We used univariate analysis to assess the change in the number of people experiencing problems and logistic regression analysis to assess the patients’ characteristics on the change in QoL. Results. At one year follow-up, patients’ quality of life improved in all EQ-5D dimensions. The greatest decreases in patients experiencing problems 12 months after surgery occurred in the dimension “mobility” (–24.1% change in reporting problems, p < .01), “self-care” (–32.9%, p < .01), and “pain or discomfort” (–25.7%, p < .01). Before surgery mean of EQ visual analogue scale (VAS, from 0 to 100) was 63.0 (SD 17.7, n = 604), and 12 months after surgery 81.2 (SD 13.8, n = 367, p < .001). In multivariable analysis, preoperative obesity was associated with better quality of life (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.007–11.439) in “daily activities” and patients’ higher operative risk was associated with better “self-care” after surgery. Conclusions. SAVR can improve the 1-year quality of life in all dimensions of EQ–5D and self-rated overall health (VAS).","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49015118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. M. Andreassen, J. Kronborg, H. Schirmer, E. Mathiesen, T. Melsom, B. Eriksen, T. Jenssen, M. Solbu
{"title":"Urinary orosomucoid is associated with diastolic dysfunction and carotid arteriopathy in the general population. Cross-sectional data from the Tromsø study","authors":"R. M. Andreassen, J. Kronborg, H. Schirmer, E. Mathiesen, T. Melsom, B. Eriksen, T. Jenssen, M. Solbu","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2079714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2079714","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objectives. Urinary albumin excretion is a risk marker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies suggest that urinary orosomucoid may be a more sensitive marker of general endothelial dysfunction than albuminuria. The aim of this population-based cross-sectional study was to examine the associations between urinary orosomucoid to creatinine ratio (UOCR), urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and subclinical CVD. Design. From the Tromsø Study (2007/2008), we included all men and women who had measurements of urinary orosomucoid (n = 7181). Among these, 6963 were examined with ultrasound of the right carotid artery and 2245 with echocardiography. We assessed the associations between urinary markers and subclinical CVD measured as intima media thickness of the carotid artery, presence and area of carotid plaque and diastolic dysfunction (DD). UOCR and UACR were dichotomized as upper quartile versus the three lowest. Results. High UOCR, adjusted for UACR, age, cardiovascular risk factors and kidney function, was associated with presence of DD in men (OR: 3.18, 95% CI [1.27, 7.95], p = .013), and presence of plaque (OR: 1.20, 95% CI [1.01, 1.44], p = .038) and intima media thickness in women (OR: 1.34, 95% CI [1.09, 1.65], p = .005). Analyses showed no significant interaction between sex and UOCR for any endpoints. UACR was not significantly associated with DD, but the associations with intima media thickness and plaque were of magnitudes comparable to those observed for UOCR. Conclusions. UOCR was positively associated with subclinical CVD. We need prospective studies to confirm whether UOCR is a clinically useful biomarker and to study possible sex differences.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49240189","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Gardarsdottir, M. Sigurdsson, K. Andersen, I. Gudmundsdottir
{"title":"Long-term survival of Icelandic women following acute myocardial infarction","authors":"H. Gardarsdottir, M. Sigurdsson, K. Andersen, I. Gudmundsdottir","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2075561","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2075561","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Objective. To evaluate the impact of sex on treatment and survival after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Iceland. Methods. A retrospective, nationwide cohort study of patients with STEMI (2008–2018) and NSTEMI (2013–2018) and obstructive coronary artery disease. Patient and procedural information were obtained from a registry and electronic health records. Survival was estimated with Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis used to identify risk factors for long-term mortality. Excess mortality from the AMI episode was estimated by comparing the survival with age- and sex-matched population in Iceland at 30-day interval. Results. A total of 1345 STEMI-patients (24% women) and 1249 NSTEMI-patients (24% women) were evaluated. Women with STEMI (mean age: 71 ± 11 vs. 67 ± 12) and NSTEMI (mean age: 69 ± 13 vs. 62 ± 12) were older and less likely to have previous cardiovascular disease. There was neither sex difference in the extent of coronary artery disease nor treatment. Although crude one-year post-STEMI survival was lower for women (88.7% vs. 93.4%, p = .006), female sex was not an independent risk factor after adjusting for age and co-morbidities after STEMI and was protective for NSTEMI (HR 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46–0.97). There was excess 30-day mortality in both STEMI and NSTEMI for women compared with sex-, age- and inclusion year-matched Icelandic population, but thereafter the mortality rate was similar. Conclusion. Women and men with AMI in Iceland receive comparable treatment including revascularization and long-term survival appears similar. Prognosis after NSTEMI is better in women, whereas higher early mortality after STEMI may be caused by delays in presentation and diagnosis.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46007329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Päivi Pietilä-Effati, Mathias Höglund, A. Käräjämäki, Filip Höglund, Anne-Maria Nabb, Eija Matila, M. Koistinen
{"title":"Renal denervation in patients who do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy","authors":"Päivi Pietilä-Effati, Mathias Höglund, A. Käräjämäki, Filip Höglund, Anne-Maria Nabb, Eija Matila, M. Koistinen","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2060526","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2060526","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces the morbidity and mortality in advanced heart failure (HF) in about two-thirds of the patients. Approximately one-third of the patients do not respond to CRT. The overactivity of sympathetic nervous system is associated with advanced HF and deteriorates the hemodynamic state. We tested the hypothesis that controlling sympathetic overactivity by renal denervation (RDN) could be beneficial in nonresponders for CRT. In our HeartF-RDN study (ClinalTrials.gov. NCT02638324), RDN could not reverse the progression of HF in subjects with New York Heart Association Classification (NYHA) III-IV stage symptoms.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46553539","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Wykrętowicz, Łukasz Gąsiorowski, Anna Kłusek-Zielińska, K. Katulska
{"title":"Brain structure and stroke risk score in subjects without a history of atrial fibrillation","authors":"M. Wykrętowicz, Łukasz Gąsiorowski, Anna Kłusek-Zielińska, K. Katulska","doi":"10.1080/14017431.2022.2074094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/14017431.2022.2074094","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract CHA2DS2-VASc score system aids in clinical decision-making in subjects with atrial fibrillation (AF). Little is known on the association between CHA2DS2-VASc scores and brain structure in patients without cardiac arrhythmia. Detailed brain architecture analysis was performed. Assessment of bivariate correlation between the volume of segmented brain structures and Z-scores of CHA2DS2-VASc showed that higher risk scores correlated negatively and significantly with various brain framework. Our study confirms that a cluster of risk factors incorporated in a well-established risk score correlated with brain tissue volume independently of the presence of an arrhythmia.","PeriodicalId":21383,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2022-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42621884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}