Self-helped detection of obstructive sleep apnea based on automated facial recognition and machine learning.

Purpose: The diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) relies on time-consuming and complicated procedures which are not always readily available and may delay diagnosis. With the widespread use of artificial intelligence, we presumed that the combination of simple clinical information and imaging recognition based on facial photos may be a useful tool to screen for OSA.

Methods: We recruited consecutive subjects suspected of OSA who had received sleep examination and photographing.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical outcomes of ACEI/ARB in East-Asian patients with COVID-19.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 invades human cells and leads to COVID-19 by direct associating with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors, the level of which may be increased by treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and/or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). This meta-analysis aimed to explore the impact of ACEI/ARB treatment on the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 infections among population in the East-Asia region.

Methods: We collected clinical data published from January 2000 to May 2022 in the English databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

The Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy for Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is highly prevalent and significantly associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment has a protective effect on cardiovascular events in OSA patients. However, whether CPAP therapy significant reduces the risk of recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events in OSA patients with established cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases remains disputed.

Fast assessment of left ventricular systolic function in obstructive sleep apnea patients with automated function imaging: Comparison with mitral annular plane systolic excursion.

Background: Early detection of left ventricular (LV) subclinical dysfunction is clinically relevant before developing irreversible impairment in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Mitral annulus plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is a fast tool for OSA due to high prevalent obesity; another quick but more comprehensive tool is LV global longitudinal stain (GLS) based on automated function imaging (AFI). We therefore aimed to compare the feasibility and reproducibility of AFI to MAPSE in OSA patients, as a good model in whom obesity is common.

Passive Prescription of Secondary Prevention Medical Therapy during Index Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction Is Prevalent and Associated with Adverse Clinical Outcomes.

Secondary prevention therapy reduces death and reinfarction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but it is underutilized in clinical practice. Mechanisms for this therapeutic gap are not well established. In this study, we have explored and evaluated the impact of passive continuation compared to active initiation of secondary prevention therapy for AMI during the index hospitalization.

Association Between OSA and Quantitative Atherosclerotic Plaque Burden: A Coronary CT Angiography Study.

Background: Limited evidence is available regarding the association between OSA and coronary plaque assessed by using quantitative coronary CT angiography.

Research Question: Are there any associations between OSA severity-related indexes and the presence and burden of coronary plaque?

Study Design And Methods: Cross-sectional data from 692 patients who underwent sleep monitoring and coronary CT angiography were used for this study. Of these patients, 120 (17.

Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction detected in obstructive sleep apnea with automated function imaging and its association with nocturnal hypoxia.

Background: Early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is crucial in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to its close relationship with cardiovascular diseases. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) derived from automated function imaging (AFI) can precisely assess global longitudinal function. The aim of this study was to determine if LV GLS was reduced in patients with OSA and a normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and to assess any associated determinants.

Obstructive sleep apnoea, intermittent hypoxia and heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction.

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is recognised to be a potent risk factor for hypertension, coronary heart disease, strokes and heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. However, the association between OSA and heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is less well recognised. Both conditions are very common globally.

Validation of a portable monitoring device for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea: electrocardiogram-based cardiopulmonary coupling.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the validity of the cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC) device, a limited-channel portable monitoring device for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening in one single-center cohort, in particular in those with some cardiovascular diseases since the cardiopulmonary coupling might be different from those without.

Methods: Consecutive patients referred to the sleep medical center for assessment of possible OSA were enrolled in this study. Patients were examined with standard polysomnography (PSG) and CPC evaluation simultaneously.

Dietary Fiber Intake, Myocardial Injury, and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Among End-Stage Kidney Disease Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Dialysis patients are frequently advised to restrict fruit and vegetable intake due to their high potassium content. This study aimed to evaluate the association between dietary fiber intake and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among dialysis patients.

Methods: A total of 219 prevalent dialysis patients were prospectively recruited from a major university teaching hospital and regional dialysis center in Hong Kong.

Factors related to outcome in heart failure with a preserved (or normal) left ventricular ejection fraction.

Heart failure with a preserved ejection faction (HFpEF) is a growing and expensive cause of heart failure (HF) affecting particularly the elderly. It differs in substantial ways in addition to the normal left ventricular ejection fraction, from the more easily recognized form of heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF or 'systolic heart failure') and unlike HFrEF there have been little advances in treatment. In part, this relates to the complexity of the pathophysiology and identifying the correct targets.

Prognostic value of acoustic cardiography in patients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Rapid risk stratification in patients with heart failure is critically important but challenging. The aim of our study is to ascertain whether acoustic cardiography can identify heart failure (HF) patients at high risk for mortality.

Methods: A total of 474 HF patients were enrolled into our study (76±11years old).

Importance of chronotropic response and left ventricular long-axis function for exercise performance in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: We evaluated the relationship between the degree of chronotropic incompetence and left ventricular (LV) impairment during exercise with severity of exercise intolerance in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF).

Methods: All patients underwent exercise echocardiography during bicycle Ergometer exercise with the acquisition of long-axis tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Peak heart rates during exercise were also recorded and the percentages of maximal age-predicted heart rate (%MPHR) and heart rate reserve (%HRR) were calculated thereby.

Micro-RNA and mRNA myocardial tissue expression in biopsy specimen from patients with heart failure.

Aims: There is increasing evidence that changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression occur in chronic heart failure and these may be involved in the pathogenesis. In this study we have explored the expression of selected myocyte and fibroblast-related microRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are associated with hypertrophy, apoptosis and fibrosis in biopsy specimens from patients with relatively new onset heart failure compared to a group of patients without heart failure.

Methods And Results: Myocardial biopsy specimens taken from Chinese patients presenting with recent heart failure were compared with a group of patients without heart failure undergoing routine cardiac surgery (n=34).

Left ventricular long-axis performance during exercise is an important prognosticator in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Although many prognostic variables have been reported, the risk stratification of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) has long been controversial due to considerable discordance. Ergometry stress echocardiography may provide a more clinical relevant evaluation in HFPEF. We aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of echocardiographic parameters during exercise in HFPEF patients.