Heart and vessels
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Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is associated with the pathophysiology of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and contributes importantly to exercise intolerance that results in a reduced quality of life (QOL) in HFpEF patients. Experimental studies have shown that aldosterone plays a role in the genesis of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, thereby enhancing LV diastolic dysfunction, and that aldosterone antagonists (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists [MRAs]) prevents myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Although the effects of MRAs on LV diastolic function, exercise capacity, and QOL in HFpEF patients have been examined in randomized clinical trials (RCTs), results are inconsistent due partly to limited power with small sample sizes. ⋯ There was no significant difference in change of peak exercise oxygen uptake, 6-minute walking distance, or QOL questionnaire scores between MRA and control group. In conclusion, our meta-analysis showed that MRAs improved LV diastolic function in HFpEF patients. However, the observed improvement in LV diastolic function with the use of MRAs did not translate into improved exercise capacity or QOL in these patients.
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Review Case Reports
Cardiac tamponade leading to the diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome): a case report and review of the literature.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), which was previously called Churg-Strauss syndrome, is a necrotizing systemic vasculitis of unknown cause accompanied by prominent eosinophilia. Cardiovascular complications, including eosinophilic myocarditis, are a major cause of mortality in this disorder. ⋯ We report a case that initially presented with isolated cardiac tamponade, which was followed by systemic manifestations of EGPA over 3 weeks. Including the present case, previous EGPA cases with cardiac tamponade are reviewed to delineate its clinical characteristics.
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Review Meta Analysis
Off-pump versus on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in patients aged 80 years and older: institutional results and meta-analysis.
Patients aged ≥80 years are at high risk of adverse events after coronary artery bypass grafting. This study was performed to evaluate whether off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) is superior to conventional surgery (CCAB) in these high-risk patients. The outcome of 185 patients aged ≥80 years who underwent OPCAB or CCAB at our institution was reviewed and a meta-analysis on this issue was performed. ⋯ At 2 years, survival was 82.8% (95% CI 76.4-89.2) after CCAB and 88.3% (95% CI 82.9-93.7) after OPCAB. Current results indicate that OPCAB compared with CCAB in patients aged ≥80 years is associated with significantly lower postoperative stroke and with a trend toward better early survival. However, suboptimal quality of the available studies, particularly the lack of comparability of the study groups, prevents conclusive results on this controversial issue.