Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Senile Cardiac Amyloidosis: An Undervalued Cause Of Heart Failure., Toni Anne Alvarez De Venecia, Scott Blumhof, Daniel Ukpong, Marvin Lu, Claudia Nieves, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Despite recurrent hospitalizations for heart failure exacerbations, the underlying cause can be missed. Senile amyloidosis is a disease prevalent in the elderly African American population. Senile amyloidosis is underdiagnosed as a cause of heart failure because of its occurrence with more common comorbidities, such as long-standing systemic hypertension. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for senile amyloidosis in patients such as this case, who presented with multiple exacerbations of heart failure combined with characteristic electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings.

Dipstick Proteinuria Is An Independent Predictor Of High On Treatment Platelet Reactivity In Patients On Clopidogrel, But Not Aspirin, Admitted For Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events., Carlos D. Davila, Fernando Vargas, Kuan-Hsiang Gary Huang, Thomas Monaco, Anastasios Dimou, Janani Rangaswami, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Abstract The effectiveness of aspirin and clopidogrel in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) suffering from acute cardiovascular events is unclear. High on treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) has been associated with worse outcomes. Here, we assessed the association of dipstick proteinuria (DP) and renal function on HTPR and clinical outcomes. Retrospective cohort analysis of 261 consecutive, non-dialysis patients admitted for Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) that had VerifyNow P2Y12 and VerifyNow Aspirin assays performed. HTPR was defined as P2Y12 reactivity unit (PRU) > 208 for clopidogrel and aspirin reaction units (ARU) > 550 for aspirin. Renal function was classified based on the …

Regular Dipyridamole Therapy Produces Sustained Protection Against Cardiac Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Is It Time To Revisit Paris?, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D., Chika Okusa, Kazuhiro Kaneda, Yoshitaka Inamura, Masami Miyamae

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Increased activated Akt and eNOS expression coincide with this persistent cardioprotection. Emergent coronary reperfusion therapies are rarely carried out before considerable myocardial injury has occurred. Moreover, reperfusion after prolonged ischemia produces paradoxical ischemia-reperfusion injury, attenuating the efficacy of reperfusion therapies. This has provided impetus for identifying chronic therapies to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury in those at risk. We previously found that regular dipyridamole therapy produces a chronic preconditioning-like effect mediated through adenosine A1 receptors.

METHODS: To determine how long this chronic preconditioning effect of dipyridamole remains present after discontinuing therapy, guinea pigs received 4 mg/kg/day in their water for …

Rationale And Design Of The Guide-It Study: Guiding Evidence Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment In Heart Failure., G. Michael Felker, Tariq Ahmad, Kevin J. Anstrom, Kirkwood F. Adams, Lawton S. Cooper, Justin A. Ezekowitz, Mona Fiuzat, Nancy Houston-Miller, James L. Januzzi, Eric S. Leifer, Daniel B. Mark, Patrice Desvigne-Nickens, Gayle Paynter, Ileana L. Piña, David J. Whellan, Christopher M. O'Connor

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: The GUIDE-IT (Guiding Evidence Based Therapy Using Biomarker Intensified Treatment in Heart Failure) study is designed to determine the safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of a strategy of adjusting therapy with the goal of achieving and maintaining a target N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level of

BACKGROUND: Elevations in natriuretic peptide (NP) levels provide key prognostic information in patients with HF. Therapies proven to improve outcomes in patients with HF are generally associated with decreasing levels of NPs, and observational data show that decreases in NP levels over time are associated with favorable outcomes. Results from smaller prospective, randomized studies …

Evaluation Of Echogenic Material On Transvenous Leads By Transesophageal Echocardiography In Patients With And Without Lead-Associated Endocarditis, Toshimasa Okabe, Md, Praveen Mehrotra, Md, Henry Siu, Md, Arnold J. Greenspon, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Echogenic material (EM) on non-infected leads in patients with cardiac implantable device is common on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Although several morphologic characteristics of EM are more commonly seen in transvenous lead-associated endocarditis, these characteristics alone are not diagnostic for lead-associated endocardiatis. Lead-associated EM on TEE should be interpreted within the overall clinical context.

Ventricular Septal Rupture In The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Loheetha Ragupathi, Md, Xin Zhang, Md, Gregary D. Marhefka, Md, Facp, Facc

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Introduction

• Ventricular septal rupture is a rare but deadly complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

• We describe a case that was recognized at time of occurrence in the cardiac catheterization lab

Underutilization Of Statins And Aspirin Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Kevin M. Curl, Md, Bryan Lebude, Md, Nicholas Ruggiero, Md, D L Fischman, Md, Andrew Rose, Md, Sulay Patel, Md, J. David Ogilby, Md, Paul Walinsky, Md, Babu Jasti, Md, Michael P. Savage, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Introduction

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery continues to be an important procedure for the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, clinically significant stenoses and complete bypass graft occlusion rates remain high, especially among saphenous vein grafts1. This is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Both statin medications and aspirin have been shown in numerous clinical trials to play an important role in the medical management of coronary artery disease following CABG surgery. As per the ACC/AHA guidelines, both statin medications and aspirin have class I indications to support their use indefinitely following CABG, unless contraindication exists2. Long term studies …

Wandering Acute Myocardial Infarction., Kamal R. Joshi, D Lynn Morris, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Incorrect electrode placement or cable connection during electrocardiographic (ECG) recording can significantly alter the ECG morphology. We report a case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction causing a diagnostic dilemma due to cable interchange.

Patient Characteristics And Predictors Of Mortality Associated With Pericardial Decompression Syndrome, Rajesh Pradhan, Md, Toshimasa Okabe, Md, Kazuki Yoshida, Md, Dimitrios Angouras, Md, Matthew Decaro, Md, Gregary D. Marhefka, Md

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Pericardial decompression syndrome is a rare complication of pericardiocentesis and surgical drainage of pericardial effusion with a high morality rate. The minimum amount of drained effusion in our serious was 450 ml. Surgical drainage was associated with a higher mortality rate.

Tachycardia Mediated Cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiology, Mechanisms, Clinical Features And Management., Shuchita Gupta, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Tachycardia mediated cardiomyopathy (TMC) is a reversible form of dilated cardiomyopathy that can occur with most supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Despite the plethora of literature describing this entity in animal models, as well as humans, it remains poorly understood. Over the last decade, new etiologies of TMC, such as frequent premature ventricular complexes in normal hearts, have been identified. Recent advances in catheter-based ablation therapies, particularly for atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias, have added a new dimension to the treatment of this condition. This review describes the pathophysiology, proposed mechanisms, clinical features and management in various arrhythmic conditions.

Integrated Guidance On The Care Of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia From The International Fh Foundation., Gerald F Watts, Samuel Gidding, Anthony S Wierzbicki, Peter P Toth, Rodrigo Alonso, W Virgil Brown, Eric Bruckert, Joep Defesche, Khoo Kah Lin, Michael Livingston, Pedro Mata, Klaus G Parhofer, Frederick J Raal, Raul D Santos, Eric J G Sijbrands, William G Simpson, David R Sullivan, Andrey V Susekov, Brian Tomlinson, Albert Wiegman, Shizuya Yamashita, John J P Kastelein

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a dominantly inherited disorder present from birth that markedly elevates plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and causes premature coronary heart disease. There are at least 20million people with FH worldwide, but the majority remain undetected and current treatment is often suboptimal. To address this major gap in coronary prevention we present, from an international perspective, consensus-based guidance on the care of FH. The guidance was generated from seminars and workshops held at an international symposium. The recommendations focus on the detection, diagnosis, assessment and management of FH in adults and children, and set guidelines for clinical …

Induction Of Autophagy Restores The Loss Of Sevoflurane Cardiac Preconditioning Seen With Prolonged Ischemic Insult., Mayumi Shiomi, Masami Miyamae, Genzou Takemura, Kazuhiro Kaneda, Yoshitaka Inamura, Anna Onishi, Shizuka Koshinuma, Yoshihiro Momota, Toshiaki Minami, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Sevoflurane preconditioning against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is lost if the ischemic insult is too long. Emerging evidence suggests that induction of autophagy may also confer cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury. We examined whether induction of autophagy prolongs sevoflurane preconditioning protection during a longer ischemic insult. Isolated guinea pigs hearts were subjected to 30 or 45 min ischemia, followed by 120 min reperfusion (control). Anesthetic preconditioning was elicited with 2% sevoflurane for 10 min prior to ischemia (SEVO-30, SEVO-45). Chloramphenicol (autophagy upregulator, 300 µM) was administered starting 20 min before ischemia and throughout reperfusion in SEVO-45 (SEVO-45+CAP). To inhibit autophagy, 3-methyladenine (10 …

Update On Ranolazine In The Management Of Angina., J Nicolás Codolosa, Subroto Acharjee, Vincent M. Figueredo, M.D.

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Mortality rates attributable to coronary heart disease have declined in recent years, possibly related to changes in clinical presentation patterns and use of proven secondary prevention strategies. Chronic stable angina (CSA) remains prevalent, and the goal of treatment is control of symptoms and reduction in cardiovascular events. Ranolazine is a selective inhibitor of the late sodium current in myocytes with anti-ischemic and metabolic properties. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for use in patients with CSA. Multiple, randomized, placebo-controlled trials have shown that ranolazine improves functional capacity and decreases anginal episodes in CSA patients, …

Achieving High-Value Cardiac Imaging: Challenges And Opportunities., David H Wiener

Division of Cardiology Faculty Papers

Cardiac imaging is under intense scrutiny as a contributor to health care costs, with multiple initiatives under way to reduce and eliminate inappropriate testing. Appropriate use criteria are valuable guides to selecting imaging studies but until recently have focused on the test rather than the patient. Patient-centered means are needed to define the true value of imaging for patients in specific clinical situations. This article provides a definition of high-value cardiac imaging. A paradigm to judge the efficacy of echocardiography in the absence of randomized controlled trials is presented. Candidate clinical scenarios are proposed in which echocardiography constitutes high-value imaging, …