Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in muscular dystrophies: looking ahead.

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an established tool for risk stratification in several cardiomyopathies, and its role in muscular dystrophies (MuD) looks promising. We sought to assess how CMR performs in predicting cardiac events in a real cohort of MuD patients. A prospective single-center study with the enrollment of consecutive adult MuD patients referred to cardiac screening from 2012 to 2018 with the collection of clinical and CMR data.

Visceral adipose tissue and carotid intima-media thickness in HIV-infected patients undergoing cART: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-infected patients has been associated with lipodystrophy, metabolic abnormalities, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Ultrasound measures of carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) have been used as a valid measure of subclinical atherosclerosis and as a tool to predict the risk of cardiovascular events. Our aim was to evaluate the progression of cIMT in HIV-infected patients subjected to cART, with and without lipodystrophy, over a one-year period.

Carotid intima media thickness is associated with body fat abnormalities in HIV-infected patients.

Background: HIV-infected patients may be at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, and lipodystrophy is generally associated with proatherogenic metabolic disturbances. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) has been used as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis and it has been shown to be an independent risk factor for CV disease. Our objective was to evaluate cIMT in HIV-infected patients on combined anti-retroviral therapy (cART) with and without lipodystrophy defined by fat mass ratio (L-FMR), and to determine the association of lipodystrophy and visceral obesity [(visceral (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume and VAT/SAT ratio, objectively evaluated by CT scan] with cIMT.

Adipokines, hormones related to body composition, and insulin resistance in HIV fat redistribution syndrome.

Background: Lipodystrophies are characterized by adipose tissue redistribution, insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic complications. Adipokines and hormones related to body composition may play an important role linking these alterations. Our aim was to evaluate adipocyte-derived hormones (adiponectin, leptin, resistin, TNF-α, PAI-1) and ghrelin plasma levels and their relationship with IR in HIV-infected patients according to the presence of lipodystrophy and fat redistribution.

Spirito-Maron echocardiographic score: a marker for morphological and physiological assessment of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Aims: The heterogeneous distribution of hypertrophy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) limits the echocardiographic conventional measurements accuracy in the evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of the echocardiographic Spirito-Maron score (SMS) with left ventricle (LV) mass quantification by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and with LV diastolic function.

Methods And Results: Left ventricle diastolic function parameters, SMS, LV mass (American Society of Echocardiography formula), and maximal wall thickness (MWT) were evaluated by two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography.

Added value of cardiac magnetic resonance in a case of multiple congenital abnormalities.

Sub-infundibular stenosis is a rare form of congenital heart disease, difficult to precisely diagnose, especially in adult patients. We report a case of an adult patient, referred to our hospital with long-standing dyspnea on exertion. She was finally diagnosed with sub-infundibular stenosis.

Central/Peripheral fat mass ratio is associated with increased risk of hypertension in HIV-infected patients.

The data on the risk of hypertension in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, particularly in those with lipodystrophy, are controversial. The authors assessed the impact of lipodystrophy on hypertension in a cohort of HIV-infected adults receiving combination antiretroviral therapy. This was a cross-sectional study in which lipodystrophy (clinically and fat mass ratio [FMR]-defined), blood pressure, and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography) were evaluated in 368 HIV adults.

Lipodystrophy defined by Fat Mass Ratio in HIV-infected patients is associated with a high prevalence of glucose disturbances and insulin resistance.

Introduction: Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in the treatment of HIV-1 infection has been associated with complications, including lipodystrophy, hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance (IR) and diabetes.

Aims: To compare the prevalence of glucose homeostasis disturbances and IR in HIV patients on cART according to the presence of lipodystrophy (defined clinically and by Fat Mass Ratio) and different patterns of fat distribution and to establish their associations.

Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.