SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The main objectives of this investigation were to determine whether there were any relationships between corrected cardiac-electrophysiological balance value and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and discharge in patients with acute ischemic stroke and to assess whether cardiac-electrophysiological balance value was an independent predictor of high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥5). METHODS: In this retrospective and observational study, 231 consecutive adult patients with acute ischemic stroke were evaluated. The cardiac-electrophysiological balance value was obtained by dividing the corrected QT interval by the QRS duration measured from surface electrocardiography. An experienced neurologist used the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score to determine the severity of the stroke at the time of admission and before discharge from the neurology care unit. The participants in the study were categorized into two groups: those with minor acute ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score=1–4) and those with moderate-to-severe acute ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores ≥5). RESULTS: Acute ischemic stroke patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥5 had higher heart rate, QT, corrected QT interval, T-peak to T-end corrected QT interval, cardiac-electrophysiological balance, and cardiac-electrophysiological balance values compared with those with an National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 1–4. The cardiac-electrophysiological balance value was shown to be independently related to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores ≥5 (OR 1.102, 95%CI 1.036–1.172, p<0.001). There was a moderate correlation between cardiac-electrophysiological balance and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission (r=0.333, p<0.001) and discharge (r=0.329, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrated that the cardiac-electrophysiological balance value was related to National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and discharge. Furthermore, an elevated cardiac-electrophysiological balance value was found to be an independent predictor of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥5.

Abstract Background Electrocardiographic parameters, such as P wave peak time (PWPT), P wave duration (PWD), and P wave amplitude in lead DI, have been utilized to assess left atrial anomalies linked to the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in different cohort settings. Objective To compare electrocardiographic parameters, such as P waves, in predicting long-term AF risk in acute ischemic stroke cases. Methods The data of 231 consecutive acute ischemic stroke cases were retrospectively collected. Two independent cardiologists interpreted the electrocardiography recordings for PWPT, PWD, and P wave amplitude in lead DI. The median follow-up study period was 16 (interquartile range [IQR]: 11–24) months. Results In total, AF was detected in 43 (18.6%) cases. All studied P wave parameters were found to be statistically significant in cases with AF. Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, dementia, left atrium volume index, PWD (razão de chances [RC]: 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.058–1.184; p = 0.003), PWPT in lead DII (RC: 1.030; 95%CI: 1.010–1.050; p = 0.003), and advanced interatrial block morphology were independent predictors of long-term AF. P wave duration had the highest area under the curve value, sensitivity, and specificity for long-term AF in such cases compared with the other P wave parameters. Conclusions Our head-to-head comparison of well-known P wave parameters demonstrated that PWD might be the most useful P wave parameter for long-term AF in acute ischemic stroke cases.

Resumo Antecedentes Parâmetros eletrocardiográficos, como tempo de pico da onda P (PWPT, na sigla em inglês), duração da onda P (PWD, na sigla em inglês) e amplitude da onda P na derivação DI, têm sido utilizados para avaliar anomalias atriais esquerdas ligadas ao desenvolvimento de fibrilação atrial (FA) em diferentes cenários de coortes. Objetivo Comparar os parâmetros eletrocardiográficos destas ondas P na predição do risco de FA de longo prazo em casos de acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) isquêmico agudo. Métodos Os dados de 231 casos consecutivos de AVC isquêmico agudo foram coletados retrospectivamente. Dois cardiologistas independentes interpretaram os registros eletrocardiográficos para PWPT, PWD e amplitude da onda P na derivação DI. O período médio do estudo de acompanhamento foi de 16 (intervalo interquartil [IQR, na sigla em inglês]: 11–24) meses. Resultados No total, FA foi detectada em 43 (18,6%) casos. Todos os parâmetros da onda P estudados foram considerados estatisticamente significativos nos casos com FA. Com base na análise de regressão logística multivariável, demência, índice de volume do átrio esquerdo, PWD (razão de chances [RC]: 1,112; intervalo de confiança [IC] 95%: 1,058–1,184; p = 0,003), PWPT na derivação DII (RC: 1,030; IC95%: 1,010–1,050; p = 0,003) e avançada morfologia do bloqueio interatrial foram preditores independentes de FA de longo prazo. A PWD teve a maior área sob o valor da curva, sensibilidade e especificidade para FA de longo prazo em tais casos em comparação com os outros parâmetros da onda P. Conclusões Nossa comparação direta de parâmetros da onda P bem conhecidos demonstrou que a PWD pode ser o parâmetro da onda P mais útil para FA de longa duração em casos de AVC isquêmico agudo.

ABSTRACT Background: There is a lack of studies supporting the association between the uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR) and the development of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of the UAR for predicting the occurrence of NOAF in STEMI patients undergoing pPCI. Methods: We recruited 1484 consecutive STEMI patients in this retrospective and cross-sectional investigation. The population sample was classified based on the development of NOAF during hospitalization. NOAF was defined as an atrial fibrillation (AF) observed during hospitalization in patients without a history of AF or atrial flutter. The UAR was computed by dividing the serum uric acid (UA) level by serum albumin level. Results: After pPCI, 119 STEMI patients (8%) were diagnosed with NOAF. NOAF patients had higher serum UAR levels than individuals who did not have NOAF. According to the multivariable logistic regression model, the UAR was an independent predictor for NOAF in STEMI patients (OR: 6.951, 95% CI: 2.978-16.28, p < 0.001). The area under curve (AUC) value of the UAR in a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) evaluation was 0.758, which was greater than those of its components (albumin [AUC: 0.633] and UA [AUC: 0.647]) and C-reactive protein (AUC: 0.714). The optimal UAR value in predicting NOAF in STEMI patients was greater than 1.39, with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 74.5%. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study indicating that the UAR was an independent predictor of NOAF development in STEMI patients.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) constitute a significant portion of hip fracture patients, and both diseases tend to present more frequently in older age. Our goal was to evaluate the long-term mortality of patients with AF who were free from heart failure undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS: This observational, retrospective study was done in a single research and training hospital setting. Hospital electronic health record data, National Health Registry data, and National Death Registry System data for 233 consecutive patients who were above 65 years of age and were planned to undergo surgery for hip fracture were retrieved and analyzed. An experienced cardiologist evaluated the patients prior to surgery. Each member of the research cohort was categorized into one of the two groups based on their survival status (survivor and non-survivor groups). RESULTS: Of the 233 cases, 89 (38.2%) who were included in the investigation died during the follow-up period. The median long-term follow-up period was 34 (12–42) months. The frequency of AF was significantly higher in the non-survivor group. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, AF (HR: 2.195, 95%CI 1.365–3.415, p<0.001), advanced age, and blood urea level were determined as independent predictors for all-cause long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: AF is an independent predictor for long-term death in hip fracture cases above 65 years of age who were free from heart failure.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The prognostic effect of the mean serum D-dimer levels, which was calculated from the first five days of hospitalization of the patients, has not been elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mean D-dimer level about in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection. METHODS: In this observational retrospective study, we examined the in-hospital prognostic value of mean D-dimer [D-dimerfirst day+D-dimerthird day+D-dimerfifth day)/3 on 240 consecutive adult patients with COVID-19. Patients were stratified into tertiles according to their mean D-dimer starting from the lowest one. In-hospital mortality rates were compared between tertiles and the power of the mean D-dimer level was also presented by a receiver operating curve analysis. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounding baseline variables, mean D-dimer in tertile 3 was associated with 4.2-fold hazard ratio of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–20.1, p<0.001). A receiver-operating curve analysis revealed that the optimal cutoff value of the mean D-dimer to predict in-hospital mortality was 779 μg/L with 77% sensitivity and 83% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87; 95%CI 0.81–0.94; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with a higher mean D-dimer level should be followed-up more closely as they may be a candidate for a more aggressive treatment modality, such as biologic agents or convalescent plasma.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar indicadores independentes do trombo auricular esquerdo (LAT) em doentes com acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico agudo (AIS) sem fibrilação auricular (AF) utilizando ecocardiografia transesofágica (TEE). MÉTODOS: Neste único centro, estudo retrospectivo, inscrevemos 149 pacientes consecutivos com AIS. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame de TEE para detectar LAT no prazo de dez dias após a admissão. A análise de regressão logística multivariada foi realizada para avaliar preditores independentes do final. RESULTADO: Entre todos os casos, 14 pacientes (9,3%) tiveram um diagnóstico de exame tardio no TEE. Numa análise multivariada, volume médio de plaquetas (VMP) elevado, fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo baixo (EF), creatinina e uma velocidade de pico de esvaziamento do átrio esquerdo reduzida (LAA) foram indicadores independentes da LAT. A área sob a análise da curva característica de operação do receptor para VMP foi de 0,70 (95% IC: 0, 57-0, 83; p=0,011). Com o valor-limite ideal de 9,45, o VMP teve uma sensibilidade de 71,4% e uma especificidade de 63% para prever mais tarde. CONCLUSÃO: Os doentes AIS com EF ventricular baixa e VMP elevado devem ser submetidos a um exame de TEE adicional para determinar a possibilidade de origem cardioembólica. Além disso, esta investigação pode fornecer novas informações sobre a aplicabilidade do VMP para prever tardiamente os doentes sem AF.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to determine independent predictors of left atrial thrombus (LAT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients without atrial fibrillation (AF) using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). METHODS: In this single-center, retrospective study, we enrolled 149 consecutive AIS patients. All of the patients underwent a TEE examination to detect LAT within 10 days following admission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess independent predictors of LAT. RESULTS: Among all cases, 14 patients (9.3%) had a diagnosis of LAT based on the TEE examination. In a multivariate analysis, elevated mean platelet volume (MPV), low left-ventricle ejection fraction (EF), creatinine, and reduced left-atrium appendix (LAA) peak emptying velocity were independent predictors of LAT. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for MPV was 0.70 (95%CI: 0.57-0.83; p = 0.011). With the optimal cut-off value of 9.45, MPV had a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 63% to predict LAT. CONCLUSION: AIS patients with low ventricle EF and elevated MPV should undergo further TEE examination to verify the possibility of a cardio-embolic source. In addition, this research may provide novel information with respect to the applicability of MPV to predict LAT in such patients without AF.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO Na literatura atual, houve um aumento dos casos apresentados com doença coronavírus de 2019 (COVID-19) induzida por miocardite aguda. Nesta revisão baseada em casos, buscamos descrever as características clínicas, achados de imagem e curso hospitalar de miocardite aguda. Além disso, as limitações em relação ao diagnóstico de miocardite foram discutidas, uma vez que apenas casos de miocardite fulminante foram mencionados na literatura atual. MÉTODOS Fizemos uma revisão da literatura de todos os pacientes diagnosticados com miocardite aguda induzida por COVID-19 com a utilização das bases de dados PubMed, Embase e Cochrane. RESULTADO Dezesseis casos relatados estão relacionados com a miocardite aguda induzida pela COVID-19. Observamos que os achados de ECG na maioria dos pacientes com COVID-19 não eram específicos, incluindo elevação difusa do segmento ST, atraso não específico da condução intraventricular, taquicardia sinusal e ondas T invertidas em pistas anteriores. Os resultados ecocardiográficos de doentes com miocardite aguda COVID-19 variaram entre a fração de ejeção ventricular esquerda preservada (LVEF) sem anomalias segmentais e a LVEF reduzida com hipocinésia global. Curiosamente, alguns pacientes com COVID-19 induzidos à miocardite aguda fulminante eram sensíveis aos esteroides e tinham uma melhoria com glucocorticoides e terapia com imunoglobulina. CONCLUSÃO Apesar da pandemia de COVID-19 em todo o mundo, um número limitado de casos tem sido compartilhado na literatura atual. Há muitas dificuldades para o diagnóstico diferencial de miocardite aguda no contexto da COVID-19.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION In the current literature, there has been an upsurge of cases of COVID-19-induced acute myocarditis. In this case-based review, we aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and in-hospital course of acute myocarditis. In addition, the limitations of the myocarditis diagnosis were discussed since only fulminant myocarditis cases have been mentioned in the current literature. METHODS We performed a review of the literature of all patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19-induced acute myocarditis using the databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane. RESULTS 16 case reports were found to be related to COVID-19-induced acute myocarditis. We observed that the ECG findings in most of the COVID-19 patients were non-specific, including diffuse ST-segment elevation, non-specific intraventricular conduction delay, sinus tachycardia, and inverted T-waves in anterior leads. Echocardiographic findings of COVID-19-induced acute myocarditis patients ranged from preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) without segmental abnormalities to reduced LVEF with global hypokinesia. Interestingly, a few patients with COVID-19-induced acute fulminant myocarditis were steroid-responsive and had an amelioration with glucocorticoid and immunoglobulin therapy. CONCLUSION Despite the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, a limited number of cases has been shared in the current literature. There are a lot of difficulties in the differential diagnosis of acute myocarditis in the context of COVID-19.