3D echocardiography, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers in early diagnosis and prediction of CHOP-induced cardiotoxicity in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) represents standard chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with risk of cardiotoxicity. To define new parameters, such as 3D myocardial deformation, arterial stiffness, and biomarkers for early diagnosis and prediction of cardiotoxicity. 110 NHL patients with LVEF > 50%, scheduled for CHOP, were evaluated at baseline, after third cycle and chemotherapy completion.

A comprehensive echocardiographic study of the right ventricular systolic function in pregnant women with inherited thrombophilia.

Impact of the gestational changes on cardiac contractility is not clearly defined. Our aim was to evaluate subtle changes of the right ventricular systolic function during pregnancy, assessed by new echocardiographic techniques, in a population tested for inherited thrombophilia. 87 pregnant women, with a mean age of 32 ± 4 years, genetically tested for inherited thrombophilia (22 with high-risk inherited thrombophilia and 65 control group) were included.

Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Pregnant Women with Inherited Thrombophilia.

The impact of the gestational changes on left ventricular contractility is not clearly defined. Our aim was to evaluate the subtle changes of left ventricular systolic function during pregnancy, assessed by new echocardiographic techniques, in a population tested for inherited thrombophilia. Eighty seven consecutive pregnant women, with a mean age of 32±4 years, genetically tested for inherited thrombophilia (22 with thrombophilic mutations and risk of thrombosis and 65 without significant mutations, considered as the control group) were included.

Therapeutic Implications of Inherited Thrombophilia in Pregnancy.

Background: Inherited (hereditary) thrombophilia is a genetic disorder that affects coagulation, being responsible for more than 60% of idiopathic (spontaneous or unprovoked) thromboembolic events. Association of inherited thrombophilia with pregnancy increases the risk of thromboembolic disease, and it may be related to many complications, such as preeclampsia, recurrent miscarriage intrauterine growth restriction, early detachment of placenta, and prematurity.

Areas Of Uncertainty: Interpretation of a positive test for thrombophilia in pregnant women is difficult because they have many natural changes in the coagulation system.

Advanced Atherosclerosis with Leriche Syndrome, in a Patient with Carney Complex.

Carney complex (CNC) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome. Spotty skin pigmentation is the major clinical manifestation of CNC, followed by cardiac myxomas, benign tumors that usually present with features from the classical triad of obstructive cardiac, embolic and non-specific constitutional symptoms (NCS). NCS are caused by the overproduction of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine which mediates the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and promotes endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

The Role of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Developing Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia.

Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are the most frequent medical complications in pregnancy and major causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. It is also known that these conditions are associated with a long term increased cardiovascular global risk for these young women. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) seems to be not only a frequent pathology associated with pregnancy but also an independent factor for developing gestational hypertension.

Comparison of pulse wave velocity assessed by three different techniques: Arteriograph, Complior, and Echo-tracking.

Arterial stiffness estimated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although recommended by the current guidelines, clinical applicability of this parameter is difficult, due to differences between the various techniques used to measure it and to biological variability. Our aim was to compare PWV assessed by 3 different commercially available systems.

Diastolic heart failure in hypertension: possible preventive benefits of nebivolol beyond lowering blood pressure.

Arterial hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular diseases and one of the most important causes of heart failure with low or preserved ejection fraction. Although many drugs are highly effective in lowering blood pressure, the optimal treatment for preventing progression to heart failure is still uncertain. Beta-blockers, a class of drugs with well-established indications and benefits for both hypertension and heart failure seem to show different pharmacological properties with different consequences on the cardiovascular hemodynamic.

Assessment of Systolic and Diastolic Cardiac Function beyond Traditional Markers in Hypertensive Patients. Role of Cardiac Reserve.

Background: the mechanical performance of the cardiac pump should be evaluated not only at rest but also in relation to its response to peak stimulation, since the earliest consequence of the cardiac pump capacity in the evolution of heart failure is the decrease of the maximal performance. This can be assessed by measuring the cardiac functional reserve, usually by a physical or a pharmacological stress test combined with echocardiography imaging.Content and comments: in symptomatic heart failure, the main purpose is to objectively identify the point to which the impairment of the pump function is irreversible.

[Left pulmonary agenesis diagnosed late].

We present the case of a 51 years old female-patient, with severe dextroscoliosis, having like unique symptom progressive dyspnea. The blood samples reveals polycythemia, the radiological exam shows the opacification of 2/3 of the left thorax, the absence of the lung structure in the other 1/3, the deviation of the mediastinum, and dextroscoliosis; the computed tomography reveals the absence of the left lung artery and the left airways, compensatory hyperinflation of the right lung and dilatation of the trunk and right pulmonary artery; the bronchoscopy does not visualize the carina or the left main bronchus, typical for pulmonary agenesis. Echocardiography confirmed the absence of left pulmonary artery and shows mild pulmonary hypertension (systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery of 33 mmHg) with dilatation of the right cavities, but good cinetics.