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ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Particularities of the invasive treatment of the acute coronary
syndromes in patients with renal transplant
Cristina Buca, A. Buca, L. Zarma, M. Croitoru, P. Platon, M. Postu, Diana Tacu, Eminee Kerezsy,
I. Sinescu, D. Deleanu
Contact address:
Cristina Buca, MD, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest.
E-mail: cristinabucsa@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
Many studies show that the renal transplantation is now
seen as the best treatment for patients with end-stage
renal disease (ESRD) because the renal transplant reci-
pients have a better quality of life and a longer survival
compared to patients on dialysis
1
. Still, the cardiovas-
1
Fundeni Clinical Institute, Renal Transplantation Department, Bucharest
2
Prof. Dr. C. C. Iliescu Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases,
Bucharest
Abstract: Aim of the study To evaluate the feasibility and the results of percutaneous coronary interventions for acute co-
ronary syndromes in renal transplant recipients. Material and method Retrospective analysis of ten cases of renal transplant
patients who experienced an acute coronary syndrome between January 1st 2005 and December 31st 2011. Tose patients
underwent invasive coronary angiography followed, in most cases, by coronary angioplasty with stenting. Te mean age of
the patients was 45 years, with a M/F proportion of 6/4. All patients had severe dyslipidemia, probably due to the immuno-
suppressive treatment, but the percentage of diabetic patients was only 20%. Results Most patients, seven out of ten, sufered
an ST elevation myocardial infarction and the treatment was primary coronary angioplasty. Procedural success was declared
in all cases but with the number of stents implanted per patients was higher than in other cases of primary angioplasty (1.57
stents per procedure). Te clinical outcome, both immediate and at one year, was good and the function of the renal graf was
not afected in none of the cases. Regarding the other three cases: one had an acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment
elevation and it was treated by implantation of two stents; another one had a three-vessel disease and subsequently underwent
coronary bypass surgery; the last case was very severe and died due to a cardiac wall rupture. Conclusions Recent develop-
ments in the felds of interventional cardiology and of renal transplantation are responsible for the encounter of a pathology
that was rather rare until recently, namely the acute coronary syndromes in renal transplant recipients. Te modern treatment
in this situation is the coronary angiography, followed, in most cases, by the implantation of one of more coronary stents. Te
outcome of these procedures is good and the prevention of renal graf failure can be done easily, in collaboration with the
transplant nephrologist.
Keywords: renal transplant, acute coronary syndrome
Rezumat: Obiectivele studiului Evaluarea fezabilitii i rezultatului interveniilor coronariene percutane n cazul sindroa-
melor coronariene acute aprute la pacienii transplantai renal. Material i metod Au fost analizate retrospectiv un numr
de zece cazuri de pacieni purttori de transplant renal care, ntre 1 ianuarie 2005 i 31 decembrie 2011 au suferit un sindrom
coronarian acut. La aceti pacieni s-a efectuat angiografe coronarian care, n general, a fost urmat de o angioplastie corona-
rian cu implantare de stent. Media de vrst a pacienilor a fost de 45 de ani, cu un raport M/F de 6/4. Toi pacienii prezentau
dislipidemie important, posibil i din cauza medicaiei imunosupresoare, dar proporia de pacieni cu diabet zaharat a fost
doar de 20%. Rezultate Majoritatea pacienilor, apte la numr, au avut un infarct miocardic cu supradenivelare de segment
ST care a fost tratat prin angioplastie coronarian primar. Succesul procedural a fost nregistrat n toate cele apte cazuri,
dei numrul mediu de stenturi implantate la un pacient a fost mai mare dect n rndul populaiei generale de pacieni cu
angioplastie primar (1.57 stenturi/procedur). Evoluia clinic imediat i la un an a fost bun, iar funcia grefei renale nu a
nregistrat deteriorare n niciunul dintre cazuri. n ceea ce privete restul de trei cazuri, s-au nregistrat un sindrom coronarian
acut fr supradenivelare de segment ST care a benefciat de o angioplastie cu dou stenturi, un pacient multicoronarian la
care s-a practicat o operaie de bypass aortocoronarian i un caz care a decedat din cauza unei rupturi de cord. Concluzii
Dezvoltarea recent a unor domenii cum sunt cardiologia intervenional sau transplantul renal a dus la apariia unor cazuri
mai rar ntlnite pn acum, i anume sindroamele coronariene acute la pacienii care au un rinichi transplantat. Tratamentul
modern n aceste situaii este explorarea coronarografc, urmat, de cele mai multe ori, de implantarea unuia sau mai multor
stenturi coronariene. Rezultatul acestor proceduri, imediat i la distan, este bun, iar prevenirea afectrii grefei renale necesit
minime precauii dar i colaborarea cu medicul nefrolog.
Cuvinte cheie: transplant renal, sindrom coronarian acut
C. Bucsa et al.
Acute coronary syndromes in patients with renal transplant
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
C. Bucsa et al.
Acute coronary syndromes in patients with renal transplant
METHODS THE STUDY GROUP
Te purpose of this study is to assess the particulariti-
es of the percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in
patients with a renal transplant who sufered an acute
coronary syndrome, analysing both clinical and angio-
graphic parameters. Te study group included ten pati-
ents with renal transplants of diferent ages, which were
performed at the Fundeni Clinical Institute. Tese ten
patients sufered an acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
between January 1
st
2005 and December 31
st
2011 and
subsequently underwent coronary angiography in the
Department of Invasive Cardiology at the Prof. Dr. C.
C. Iliescu Emergency Institute for Cardiovascular Di-
seases. Although the number of patients seems low, es-
pecially when compared with the impressive series of
hundreds of patients reported in large transplant cen-
tres from around the world, we should notice that both
the interventional cardiology and the renal transplan-
tation experienced important increases in experience
especially in the last ten to ffeen years and the cases
situated at the intersection of these two subspecialties
are still rather few.
From the study group of ten patients, seven had an
ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and were
treated by primary percutaneous coronary interventi-
on (PPCI). Two cases had a non ST elevation ACS, one
being treated by implantation of two drug eluting stents
(DES) and the other one by coronary artery bypass sur-
gery. Finally, the last case presented at 72 hours from
the onset of an ACS with a terrible complication, mea-
ning rupture of the interventricular septum, possibly
associated with a free ventricular wall rupture (tran-
sthoracic echocardiography data); the patient deceased
soon afer, before a surgery could be performed. Tis
high proportion (7 out of 10) of the PPCI in the cases of
renal transplant recipients who supported a coronary
angiography for an ACS suggests that there is still some
reticence to indicate this invasive approach to a larger
number of patients, in situations that are less severe
than a STEMI.
We will start by presenting the general characteris-
tics of the whole group of ten patients; afer that, we
will pay a special attention to the subgroup of 7 patients
who underwent PPCI (Table 2). Te demographic data
of the whole study group show the next fndings: the
mean age was 45 years, with limits between 31 and 62
years, and the sex ratio was M/F=6/4. Te prevalence
of the traditional risk factors was as follows: dyslipidae-
mia 100%, hypertension 80%, smoking 20%, diabetes
20%. One should notice that dyslipidaemia was found
in every patient, probably due to the immunosuppres-
sive medication prescribed afer renal transplantation.
Instead, the percentage of diabetic patients looks small
(20%), considering the fact that in the general PCI po-
pulation this proportion is around 25%. Regarding the
clinical presentation, this was not diferent from the
symptoms encountered in other patients with ACS:
prolonged chest pain, accompanied or not by dyspnea,
was the cardinal symptom that was found in all pati-
ents.
Here are some of the fndings that are specifc to the
post-transplant status. Seven patients had a renal graf
transplanted from living donor and in the rest of three
the transplant was from a dead heart-beating donor.
Te mean duration of dialysis before transplantation
was 28 months and the mean time from transplantati-
on was 50.4 months. Te immunosuppressive therapy
consisted in an association of corticosteroids and other
drugs in 7 cases, and in 3 cases the regimen was corti-
costeroid-free.
In the analysis of the subgroup of 7 cases with PPCI
we will frst present the general demographic data and
subsequently we will present some specifc features of
the interventional procedure and of the postprocedural
outcome (Table 3). Te patients age varied between 31
and 62 years, with a mean value of 42 years, slowly yo-
unger than in the whole group; the gender ratio was M/
F=4/3. Te risk factors prevalence was: dyslipidaemia
7/7; hypertension 6/7; smoking 1/7; diabetes 1/7. Five
patients received a renal graf from a living donor and
two from cadaver. Te mean duration of pre-transplan-
tation dialysis was 24 months and the mean time from
transplantation was 44 months. Te immunosuppre-
ssive maintenance medication was a combination of
steroids, cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil in 5
cases and a free-steroid regimen with tacrolimus and
rapamycin in 2 cases.
Te mean time from the symptom onset to the inter-
ventional opening of the culprit vessel was 4.7 hours,
which is a very acceptable value in our practice. Te ar-
terial approach was femoral in all seven cases; we pre-
ferred the lef femoral artery as arterial approach beca-
Table 2. Demographic data and risk factors in the study group
General group
(n=10 pts.)
STEMI subgroup
(n=7 pts.)
Age (mean/limits) 45/31-62 42/31-62
Sex (M/F) 6/4 4/3
Dyslipidemia (%) 100 100
Hypertension (%) 80 85.7
Smoking (%) 20 14.2
Diabetes (%) 20 14.2
C. Bucsa et al.
Acute coronary syndromes in patients with renal transplant
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
C. Bucsa et al.
Acute coronary syndromes in patients with renal transplant
patients on dialysis, patients on dialysis awaiting transplantation, and
recipients of a frst cadaveric transplant. N Engl J Med. 1999;341:1725-
1730.
4. Bucsa C, Tacu D, Ceck C, Kerezsy E, Domnisor L, Daia D, Sinescu I.
Te impact of renal transplantationon the evolution of severe con-
fgestive heart failurein patients with end stage reanal disease. In An-
nals of Fundeni Hospital, vol. 13, no. 3-4, 2008.
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3. Wolfe RA, Ashby VB, Milford EL, et al. Comparison of mortality in all
Acknowledgement: Tis paper is supported by the Sec-
toral Operational Programme Human Resources Deve-
lopment (SOP HRD) 2007-2013, fnanced from the Eu-
ropean Social Fund and by the Romanian Government
under the contract number POSDRU/107/1.5/S/82839
diologist or the nephrologist for a renal transplanted
patient suspected of coronary artery disease, because
the risks related to this investigation are few while the
benefts can be very important.
Figure 1. Acute occlusion of the RCA segment 3.
Figure 2. Final result afer implantation of two stents.
Figure 3. Acute occlusion of the LAD segment 2.
Figure 4. Final result afer implantation of one stent.
C. Bucsa et al.
Acute coronary syndromes in patients with renal transplant
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
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WJ, et al. COURAGE Trial Research Group. Optimal medical therapy
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Romanian Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
REVIEWS
European Heart Journal Advance Access published July 6, 2013
Championing cardiovascular health innovation in Europe
Michel Komajda
1
*, Andrew Coats
2
, Martin R. Cowie
3
, Neville Jackson
4
, Anders Svensson
5
, and Panagiotis
Vardas
1
, The Cardiovascular Round Table (CRT)
Received 31 December 2012; revised 3 April 2013; accepted 23 May 2013
Contact address:
Tel: +33 492947600, Fax: +33 142163020, Email: michel.komajda@psl.
aphp.fr; escboard@escardio.org
INTRODUCTION
Te Cardiovascular Round Table (CRT)
1
is an indepen-
dent forum established by the European Society of Car-
diology to facilitate the exchange of scientifc know-
ledge between cardiologists and representatives of
the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. Its
pur pose is to provide a non-commercial environment
within which experts can freely discuss future issues
in cardiovascular medicine and consider the merits of
newdiagnostics and treatment techniques.
Te CRT is concerned that a new epidemic of car-
diovascular disease (CVD) is gaining ground in Euro-
pe as a result of the growing prevalence of metabolic
disorders such as obesity and diabetes, and comes at
a time when support for innovation in cardiovascular
medicine is waning.
Te opinions expressed in this article are not nece-
ssarily those of the Editors of the European Heart Jour-
nal or of the European Society of Cardiology.
Te epidemic represents a massive challenge in ter-
ms of managing avoidable disease and death, but it is
also a huge opportunity for EU universities, compani-
es, and healthcare providers to be at the forefront of a
global response.
A combination of innovation and prevention educa-
tion campaigns is clearly needed. Investment to deve-
lop new treatments to combat the epidemic is, however,
under threat from falling margins, particularly in the
pharmaceutical sector. Increased regulation, high de-
velopment costs, and slow time-to-market are all cited
as reasons, and the consequence is a clear shif in R&D
focus to other geographical regions and medical areas
likely to yield better returns.
Tis scenario will result in Europes healthcare sys-
tems facing spiralling cost increases, while patients
may not receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Europe could lose its leading position in cardiovascu-
lar-related research, science, and manufacturing just
when emerging economies will have most need to pay
for innovation.
Without decisive action, the CRT forecasts far-rea-
ching social and economic consequences for Europe as
the new epidemic takes hold. Already a major drain on
national budgets, the outlook is likely to worsen con-
siderably if lef unchecked. Cardiovascular conditions
currently account for over 10% of total healthcare ex-
penditure across Europe and Cause signifcant lost pro-
ductivity through workplace absence. Te social im-
pact of disability, hospitalization, informal care arra n-
ge ments, and premature deaths on family units can not
be measured but will inevitably have a major negative
im pact.
A sustained period of reduced investment could also
precipitate a rapid decline in Europes cardiovascular
innovation and pharmaceutical industry, and lower its
scientifc and commercial infuence. At risk is the ma-
jor direct and indirect contribution
2
to the European
eco nomy, export performance, and employment. Such
a scenario would also damage Europes ability to res-
pond to the inevitable increase in global demand for
new CVD treatments, drugs, and techniques.
In making these predictions, the CRT does not seek
to be alarmist. Its membership enjoys a unique per-
1
European Society of Cardiology, Heart House, 2035 Routes Des Colles,
06903 Sophia Antipolis, France
2
University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
3
Imperial College London, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
4
Pfzer, New York, NY, USA
5
F. Hofmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
CRT member organizations are Abbot Vascular, Astra Zeneca, Bayer
Healthcare, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmith-
Kline, F.Hofmann-La Roche, Medtronic, Merck, Novartis Pharma, Pfzer,
Philips Medical Systems, Sanof, Servier International, Siemens, St Jude
Medical.
Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights
reserved. &Te Author 2013. For permissions please email: journals.per-
missions@oup.com
Michel Komajda et al.
Championing cardiovascular health innovation in Europe
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
REVIEWS
European Heart Journal, publicat n 6 iulie 2013
Lupta pentru inovaie n domeniul cardiovascular n Europa
Michel Komajda
1
*, Andrew Coats
2
, Martin R. Cowie
3
, Neville Jackson
4
, Anders Svensson
5
, and
Panagiotis Vardas
1,
Masa rotund pentru domeniul cardiovascular (MRDCV)
Primit 31 Decembrie 2012; revizuit 3 Aprilie 2013; acceptat 23 Mai 2013
Contact address:
Tel: +33 492947600, Fax: +33 142163020, E-mail: michel.komajda@psl.
aphp.fr; escboard@escardio.org
INTRODUCERE
Masa rotund pentru domeniul cardiovascular
(MRDCV)
1
este un forum independent stabilit de ctre
Societatea European de Cardiologie pentru a facilita
schimbul de informaii ntre cardiologi i reprezentan-
ii industriei farmaceutice i de echipamente medicale.
Scopul su este asigurarea unui mediu necomercial n
cadrul cruia experii s poat discuta problemele vii-
toare ale medicinei cardiovasculare i s analizeze me-
ritele noilor tehnici de diagnostic i tratament.
MRDCV consider c o nou epidemie de boli car-
dio vasculare (BCV) se extinde n Europa ca urmare a
pre valenei crescute a afeciunilor metabolice precum
obe zitatea i diabetul zaharat, find favorizat i de o
scdere a sprijinului pentru inovaia n domeniul car-
diovascular. Aceast epidemie reprezint o adevrat
provocare n ceea ce privete bolile i decesele care pot
f prevenite prin proflaxie, dar este totdat i o mare
oportunitate pentru universitile europene, companii
i prestatorii de servicii medicale de a f n prima linie a
unei reacii globale la adresa acestei ameninri.
Este evident nevoia unei combinaii ntre inovaie
i campanii de educare a populaiei. Investiiile n dez-
voltarea de noi tratamente sunt totui n scdere, find
afectate de starea global a economiei, care a afectat i
industria farmaceutic. Supralegiferarea, creterea nu-
mrului de norme ce trebuie respectate, costurile mari
de dezvoltare i timpul ndelungat necesar pentru ca un
produs s ajung pe pia sunt factorii menionai ca
find responsabili de aceast stare de fapt. Toate acestea
au dus la reorientarea cercetrii i dezvoltrii spre alte
arii geografce i medicale care au o probabilitate mai
mare de a genera proft.
Acest scenariu va duce la creteri ale costurilor pen-
tru sistemele de sntate europene, n timp ce pacienii
ar putea s nu benefcieze de tehnicile de diagnostic i
tratament potrivite. Europa ar putea s-i piard pozi-
ia de lider n domeniul cercetrii cardiovasculare, al
tiinei i produciei legate de acest domeniu, tocmai
cnd economiile emergente vor avea cea mai mare ne-
voie s plteasc pentru inovaie.
Fr aciuni clare, decisive, MRDCV prevede conse-
cine sociale i economice cu un impact major n Eu-
ropa pe msur ce noua epidemie se va rspndi. Deja
aceast epidemie este un consumator major de resurse
n cadrul bugetelor naionale de sntate, ns n lipsa
unei atitudini ferme aceast situaie se va agrava. Afec-
iunile cardiovasculare reprezint la ora actual 10%
din cheltuielile legate de sntate din Europa i au un
efect major de scdere a productivitii prin incapacita-
tea de munc. Impactul social al dizabilitilor i spita-
lizrii, aranjamentelor informale de ngrijire si al morii
premature asupra familiilor nu poate f cuantifcat, ns
va avea cu siguran un impact negativ major. De ase-
menea, o perioad ndelungat de investiii reduse ar
putea duce la un declin rapid al inovaiei europene n
domeniul cardiovascular, dar i al industriei farmace-
utice, scznd astfel infuena tiinifc i comercial
european. n pericol se af contribuia major
2
, att
direct ct i indirect, la economia european, perfor-
mana exporturilor i locurile de munc aferente in-
dustriei. Un astfel de scenariu ar afecta n acelai timp
i capacitatea european de a rspunde la creterea ine-
1
Societatea European de Cardiologie, Casa Inimii, 2035 Routes Des Col-
les, 06903 Sophia Antipolis, Frana
2
Universitatea Warwick, Coventry, UK
3
Imperial College London, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK
4
Pfzer, New York, NY, USA
5
F. Hofmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland
CRT member organizations are Abbot Vascular, Astra Zeneca, Bayer
Healthcare, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmith-
Kline, F. Hofmann-La Roche, Medtronic, Merck, Novartis Pharma, Pfzer,
Philips Medical Systems, Sanof, Servier International, Siemens, St Jude
Medical.
Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights
reserved. &Te Author 2013. For permissions please email: journals.per-
missions@oup.com
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
CASE PRESENTATION
The ambulatory blood pressure measurement (A.B.P.M.) role in
the masked hypertension diagnosis
P. Ionescu, Meda Anghelu, Ioana Dinu
Contact address:
Paul Ionescu, County Emergency Hospital of Bacau
SUMMARY
Masked hypertension is a relatively new entity in the
high blood pressure, for which the only way to high-
light it is the ambulatory blood pressure (BP) moni to-
ring/24h in the context of a high clinical suspicion. For
many of the today patients, the stress of the medical con-
sulting which is the essence of the well-known white
coat hypertension is much exceeded by the daily stress
especially that related the work
1
. Te patient we present
is a typical example of masked hypertension due to a
combination of stress and a disease which is becoming
more common lately: sleep apnoea. Modern methods
of diagnosis of sleep apnoea and also the accessibility
made diagnosis possible in the context of a high clini-
cal suspicion. Recent clinical studies proving important
link between cardiovascular disease and sleep apnoea
syndrome more than common risk factors, providing
explanation of inexplicable nocturnal cardiovascular
events: arrhythmia, night hypertension, sudden death
2
.
CASE PRESENTATION
44 year old patient with no subjective complaints co-
mes to a cardiology outpatient consultation afer a pe -
rio dic occupational health consulting which high light-
ed moderately increased blood pressure (BP 145/95
mmHg). Te patient has no signifcant personal his tory
and from the family history we notice that his father
died suddenly at 51 years. As for his life style, we face a
dynamic patient, authoritative, irritable, and per ma ne-
ntly voyaging across the country and abroad, in vol ved
in multiple projects, heavy smoker, especially during
the nights, chronic alcohol consumer (~150-200 ml
alco hol/day). Te patient also speaks about insomnia,
night mares linked to the payment of debts and to the
many projects he is involved with a family climate thre-
a tened by stress, irritability, travels and lately long sno-
re, stop breathing sometimes and wakes ofen repor-
ted by his wife.
Clinical examination reveals a patient with mode-
rate obesity (body mass index 32) and blood pressure
between limits at the moment of the examination (BP
135/80 mmHg) with no other alterations. We notice
that our patient is strongly infuenced by the fact that
he is approaching the age when his father suddenly
died and he is obsessed of measuring blood pressure at
home (all normal) (Figure 1).
Te electrical circuit reveals Synusal Rhythm 70/
min, axe QRS 60, lef ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)
with secondary terminal modifcations (Figure 2). Te
electrical aspect of the lef ventricular hypertrophy is
confrmed by the echocardiography examination that
shows lef cavities to the upper part of the normal li-
mits, Lef ventricle (LV) 41/60 mm, Lef atrium (LA) 44
mm, concentric lef ventricular hypertrophy, interven-
tricular septum (IVS) 15 mm, lef ventricle posterior
wall (PWLV) 14 mm without segmental kinetic disor-
ders, with global systolic function to the lower part of
1
County Emergency Hospital of Bacu
Figure 1. Te results of auto blood pressure measurement, obsessive memo-
rized in his notebook.
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
P. Ionescu et al.
The A.B.P.M. role in the masked hypertension diagnosis
Figure 4. Mitral infow velocities showing a pattern of grade 1 diastolic dys-
function (impaired relaxation and normal flling pressure). Figure 5. Te blood pressure graphic/24h with non-dipper profle.
Figure 3. Echocardiography, parasternal long axis, M mode, showing lef
ventricular hypertrophy and a preserved segmentary systolic function.
Figure 2. ECG with lef ventricular hypertrophy and secondary repolarisa-
tion abnormality.
the normal limits (EF 55%), alterated relaxation type
diastolic dysfunction, moderate aortic atheromatosis,
right cavities non dilated, normal valvular apparatus,
without pericardial fuid (Figure 3, 4).
Biological profle reveals carbohydrate and lipid me-
tabolism in limits (glucose 0.96 mg%, Cholesterol 178
mg%, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) 110 mg%, tri gly-
cerides 145 mg%), creatinine 0.9 mg%, uric acid 6.8%,
normal ionograma, micro albuminuria 140 mg/24h.
We are facing a patient with lef ventricular hyper-
trophy electrical and in ultrasound examination, micro
albuminuria but presenting normal blood pressure va-
lues during the clinical examination and also during the
self-measurements made at home. As the hypertrophy
of athlete was excluded from history, hypertrophic or
dilated cardiomyopathy and aortic stenosis clinical si-
lent were not identifed by ultrasound, the clinical su-
spicion is masked hypertension, and for confrmation,
it is necessary to monitor ambulatory BP/24 hours.
Te blood pressure graphic obtained (Figure 5)
points out an obviously non-dipper profle tensi-
on, with blood pressure values during the daytime of
142/84 mmHg and at night of 178/112 mmHg, hyper-
ten sive load during the day at 12% and at night at 100%.
Te tensional non-dipper profle is associated more fre -
quently with lef ventricular hypertrophy, stroke, peri-
phe ral arterial disease, albuminuria and cardiovascu lar
mortality. From the circumstances frequently associa-
ted with non-dipper profle, some are obviously exclu-
ded in this case (preeclampsia, malignant hypertension,
diabetic neuropathy), some are excluded afer the tar-
geted anamnesis (immunosuppressant such as medica-
tion use, corticosteroid, sympathomimetic). As for the
secondary hypertension, this was not confrmed by ab-
dominal ultrasound examination which revealed nor-
mal kidney size, symmetry, normal urinary ionograma
and urinary metanephrines. Sleep apnoea is also one
of the causes of secondary hypertension, ofen associa-
ted with non-dipper profle tension, also confrmed by
P. Ionescu et al.
The A.B.P.M. role in the masked hypertension diagnosis
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
P. Ionescu et al.
The A.B.P.M. role in the masked hypertension diagnosis
the target organ is more severe damaged. Ambulatory
BP monitoring is the only solution for these patients
to confrm the suspected diagnosis, being necessary for
ini tiating therapy and improved prognosis
7
. Sleep ap-
nea may also be envisaged at patients with non-dipper
pro fle tension and smokers patients to whom history
can support targeted clinical vigilance.
Confict of interest: none declared.
References:
1. Bobrie G, Clerson P, Mnard J, Postel-Vinay N, Chatellier G, Plouin
PF. Masked hypertension: a systematic review, Journal of Hypertensi-
on, September 2008, Volume 26, Issue 9, 1715-1725.
2. Somers VK, White DP, Amin Raouf, Abraham WT et al. Sleep Apnoea
and Cardiovascular Disease, Expert Consensus Document, J Am Coll
Cardiol. 2008;52(8):686-717.
3. Aidar NA, Carvalho da Silva MA, Melo e Silva CA, Ferreira Jr PN,
Tavares P. ABPM in COPD patients with sleep desaturation, Arquivos
Brasileiros de Cardiologia, vol. 93,no.3,So PauloSept.2009.
4. Mancia G, Fagard R, Narkiewicz K et al. 2013 ESH/ESC Guidelines
for the management of arterial hypertension. J Hypertens; 2013; 31:
1281-1357.
5. Perk J, De Backer G, Gohlke H et al. European Guidelines on cardi-
ovascular disease prevention in clinical practice (version 2012).Eur.
Heart J; 2012, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehs092
6. Sever PS, Chang CL, Gupta AK, Whitehouse A. Te Anglo-Scandina-
vian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, European Heart Journal 2011, 32 (20):
2525-2532.
7. Ohkubo T, Kikuya M, Metoki H, et al. Prognosis of Masked Hyper-
tension and White-Coat Hypertension Detected by 24-h Ambula-
tory Blood Pressure Monitoring; J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(3):508-
515.
Romanian Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
CASE PRESENTATION
Cardiac amyloidosis a textbook case.
Case presentation and review of the literature
Maria Jalb
1
, Sorina Bdeli
2
, D. Coriu
2,3
, Carmen Ginghin
1,3
, Ruxandra Jurcu
1,3
*
Contact address:
Ruxandra Jurcut, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila,
Prof. Dr. C.C. Iliescu Institute of Emergency for Cardiovascular Diseases,
Bucharest. E-mail rjurcut@gmail.co
CASE PRESENTATION
We present the case of a 60 years-old man, present-
ing with progressive shortness of breath on exertion
for the last 2 months. A recent medical evaluation for
these symptoms identifed important pleural efusion
par ticularly on the lef, a pleural tap evacuated 400 ml
transsudate, and the cardiac ultrasound showed lef
ventricular hypertrophy. One year ago he presented at
the local hospital with several episodes of paroxysmal
atrial fbrillation, for which treatment with amiodaro-
ne and oral anticoagulants was started. Two years ago
he underwent a coronary angiography, in the setting
of atypical angina with an ECG showing R-wave am-
putation in the right precordial leads, showing normal
epicardial coronaries.
At presentation the physical exam shows good gene-
ral status, a blood pressure of 100/60 mmHg, without
postural hypotension, normal lung examination, nor-
mal heart sounds, and bilateral lower extremities ede-
ma.
Te ECG (Figure 1) shows sinus rhythm with low
voltage in the limb leads, with a QS pattern in leads DII,
DIII, aVF and no R wave progression in V1-V3.
Te laboratory workup shows elevated NT-proBNP
(2800 pg/ml) and troponin I (0.079 ng/ml), the rest was
unremarkable. Renal function was normal, and there
was no proteinuria.
A cardiac ultrasound examination was performed
(Figure 2) which showed concentric lef ventricle hy-
per trophy (interventricular septum 18 mm, posterior
wall 16 mm), with normal lef ventricle systolic func-
tion (LVEF 50%) but altered longitudinal function
(sep tal E 4 cm/s), restrictive diastolic pattern (E/A 2,
E/E=28) with biatrial dilatation. Global longitudinal
myo cardial deformation of the lef ventricle was found
to be severely depressed (GLS=-6.5%) identifying a
difuse subclinical LV dysfunction. Te right ventricle
was dilated (telediastolic diameter 45 mm), with alte-
red systolic function (TAPSE 13 mm). Moderate func-
tio nal mitral and tricuspid regurgitation were also pre-
1
Department of Cardiology, Prof. Dr. C.C. Iliescu Institute of Emergency
for Cardiovascular Diseases
2
Department of Hematology, Fundeni Clinical Institute
3
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest
Figure 1. Sinus rhythm with low voltage in the limb leads, with a QS pattern in leads DII, DIII, aVF and no R wave progression in V1-V3.
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
IMAGES IN CARDIOLOGY
Role of 3D echocardiography in the assessment
of atrial septal defect
Anca Mateescu
2
, Monica Roca
1,2
, Carmen Ginghin
1,2
, B. A. Popescu
1,2
Contact address:
Bogdan A. Popescu, MD, PhD, University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Carol Davila, Euroecolab, Prof Dr C.C. Iliescu Institute of Emergency
for Cardiovascular Diseases, Sos Fundeni No. 258, 022322 Bucharest
E-mail: bogdan.a.popescu@gmail.com
A
66 year old woman with atrial septal defect (ASD)
diagnosed in childhood and without proper fo-
llow-up was admitted for fatigue at small efort and
pal pitations. Te physical examination revealed an ir-
regular pulse, 115 beats/min, blood pressure of 110/70
mmHg, a second degree systolic murmur at the lef
sternal border and peripheral edema. On the ECG atri-
al fbrillation (112 bpm), right axis deviation and right
bundle branch block are identifed. Te transthoracic
echocardiogram (TTE) shows an ostium secundum
ASD (maximum diameter of 26 mm) (Figure 1) with
signifcant lef-to-right atrial shunt, right atrial and ri-
ght ventricle enlargement, paradoxical interventricu-
lar se p tal motion, moderate-severe secondary tricus-
pid re gur gitation, pulmonary hypertension (systolic
pulmo nary artery pressure estimated of 65 mmHg)
and sig ni fcant dilation of the pulmonary artery trunk.
TTE also reveals mild-moderate mitral regurgitation,
se verely dilated lef atrium, normal dimensions of the
lef ventricle (LV) with a preserved global LV function,
and a small pericardial efusion. A 3-dimensional (3D)
TTE was performed in order to delineate the morpho-
logy and shape of the ASD. Te 3D en face view of
the ASD was obtained (Figure 2). Te echo size of the
ASD measured from the 3D image was 21 x 29 mm,
with suf cient rims surrounding the defect, making it
anatomically feasible for device closure. Te transeso-
phageal echocardiogram (TEE) confrmed the ostium
secundum ASD with lef-to-right shunt. ASD rim mea-
surements at TEE agreed fairly well with 3D TTE (Fi-
gure 3).
Prior to referring a patient with ASD for percutane-
ous device closure the proper assessment of defect ana-
tomy is mandatory. Tree-dimensional TTE is a non-
invasive method allowing the accurate determination
of ASD location, size and shape, and characterization
of its borders.
Confict of interest: none declared.
References:
1. Garca-Fuertes D, Mesa-Rubio D, Ruiz-Ortiz M, et al. Monitoring
complex secundum atrial septal defects percutaneous closure with real
time three-dimensional echocardiography. Echocardiography 2012;
29:729-34.
2. Acar P, Aggoun Y, Le Bret E, et al. 3D-transthoracic echocardiogra-
phy: a selection method prior to percutaneous closure of atrial septal
defects. Arch Mal Coeur Vaiss. 2002; 95:405-10.
3. van den Bosch AE, Ten Harkel DJ, McGhie JS, et al. Characterization
of atrial septal defect assessed by real-time 3-dimensional echocardio-
graphy. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2006; 19:815-21.
1
University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila Bucharest, Labora-
tory Euroecolab
2
Prof Dr C.C. Iliescu Institute of Emergency for Cardiovascular Diseases,
Bucharest
Figure 1. TTE examination, modifed 4 chamber
view, reveals an ostium secundum ASD with a
maximum diameter of 26 mm.
Figure 2. 3-dimensional TTE. "En face" volume
ren dering view of the ASD (right panel) visualised
from the lef atrium, with 29/21 mm diameters.
Figure 3. TEE exam confrms the ostium secun-
dum ASD with a maximum diameter of 20 mm in
this view.
Romanian Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
UPDATES IN CARDIOLOGY
Eciena i sigurana stenturilor farmacologic
active i a stenturilor metalice la pacienii cu infarct
miocardic acut cu supradenivelare de segment ST
La pacienii cu infarct miocardic acut cu supradenive-
lare de segment ST (STEMI) efectuarea angioplastiei
coronariene percutane primare (PCI) reprezint actual
tratamentul de elecie. Introducerea stenturilor me-
talice (BMS) a dus la scderea incidenei restenozei
co ro nariene comparativ cu angioplastia cu balon, iar
stenturile farmacologic active (DES) au sczut i mai
mult acest risc, cu toate c au fost asociate cu un risc
de tromboz tardiv, n special prima generaie de DES
(sirolimus i paclitaxel). Acest lucru este cu adevarat
important la pacienii cu STEMI care, spre deosebire
de pacienii cu angin pectoral stabil, au o frecven
mai mare a trombozei intrasent datorit hiperactivitii
plachetare. Pentru a nltura acest risc au fost dezvolta-
te alte tipuri de DES.
Metanaliza prezentat are ca obiectiv evaluarea dife-
renelor dintre BMS, prima generaie de DES i a doua
generaie de DES n ceea ce privete sigurana i efci-
ena, la pacienii cu STEMI ce au efectuat PCI primar
dup 1 an de urmrire. DES luate n studiu au fost: sten-
turile cu sirolimus (SES), paclitaxel (PES), everolimus
(EES) i zotarolimus (ZES). Metaanaliza a inclus 22 de
trialuri ce au totalizat un numr de 12453 de pacieni.
Nu s-a observat nicio diferen n ceea ce privete
mortalitatea de orice cauz la 1 an sau mortalitatea car-
diovascular ntre diversele tipuri de stenturi. EES au
fost asociate cu o inciden mai mic a endpointului
composit de mortalitate la 1 an i infarct miocardic, a
trombozei intrastent cert sau probabil fa de BMS.
SES au fost asociate cu o inciden mai mic a mortali-
tii cardiovasculare la 1 an i infactului miocardic fa
de BMS. Reducerea endpointului composit de morta-
litate cardiovascular i infarct miocardic, precum i a
trombozei intrastent asociat cu EES fa de BMS s-a
nregistrat nc de la 30 de zile dup eveniment i s-a
meninut pn la 2 ani. EES au fost asociate cu o in-
ciden mai mic a trombozei intrastent la 1 an i a
end pointului composit de mortalitate cardiovascular
i infarct miocardic la 2 ani fa de PES. n ceea ce pri-
vete necesarul de revascularizare a arterei incriminate
SES au fost cele mai efciente stenturi la 1 an, ns dac
analiza a fost extins dincolo de 1 an frecvena cea mai
mic de revascularizare s-a nregistrat n cazul EES.
Dac pn acum studiile au artat c utilizarea DES
scade necesarul de revascularizare datorit scderii re-
stenozei intrastent, dar fr a avea un impact asupra
evenimentelor cardiovasculare, aceast metaanaliz
evideniaz o diferen important ntre EES i BMS n
ceea ce privete incidena evenimentelor cardivoascu-
lare majore la 1 an. Dat find faptul c tromboza intr-
astent are o inciden mai mare la pacienii cu STEMI
fa de cei cu angin pectoral stabil, faptul c EES
scad tromboza intrastent poate avea un impact absolut
mult mai important asupra mortalitii cardiovasculare
la pacienii cu STEMI.
O alt concluzie important este faptul c stenturile
de prim generaie (SES i PES) nu ar trebui conside-
rate ca o categorie uniform de stenturi farmacologic
active datorit faptului c exist diferene notabile ntre
cele dou. SES, dar nu i PES, au determinat scderea
mortalitii cardiovasculare la 1 an i a infarctului mi-
ocardic, precum i a necesarului de revascularizare fa
de BMS.
Astfel, la pacienii cu STEMI, numeroase progrese
au fost realizate prin trecerea de la BMS la prima ge-
neraie de DES, ulterior la cea de-a doua generaie de
DES. n concluzie, dintre stenturile studiate n aceast
metaanaliz, proflul de efcien i siguran cel mai
bun l au stenturile cu everolimus.
(Palmerini T el al., Clinical Outcomes With Drug-
Elu ting and Bare-Metal Stents in Patients With ST-Seg-
ment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Evidence From a
Com prehensive Network Meta-Analysis, J Am Coll Car-
diol. 2013 Aug 6;62(6):496-504)(LP)
O nou paradigm pentru insuciena cardiac cu
fracie de ejecie prezervat
Exist puine date privind modifcrile structurale i
funcionale n insufciena cardiac cu fracie prezerva-
t (ICFP), datorit lipsei prelevrii esutului miocardic
la aceast categorie de pacieni. Studiile relev modif-
cri de tipul remodelare de tip concentric i disfuncie
diastolic a ventriculului stng (VS), caracteristice
aces tor pacieni.
Noua paradigm pezentat de autori propune urm-
toarele modifcri: 1) comorbiditile, n special obezi-
tatea, induc status proinfamator sistemic; 2) acesta in-
duce producerea de specii reactive de oxigen (SRO) de
ctre celulele endoteliale, care limiteaz biodisponibi-
li tatea oxidului nitric pentru cardiomiocite; 3) biodis-
ponibiltatea sczut scade activitatea proteinkinazei G
(PKG) cu 4) inducerea remodelrii concentrice a VS i
rigiditatea cardiomiocitelor. Ambele efecte induc de-
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
Updates in cardiology
lagenului n matricea extracelular, cu apariia fbrozei.
Biopsia endomiocardic evideniaz fbroz n ICFS,
dar nu i n ICFP. Nivelele crescute de TNF alfa i IL 6
n ICFS se coreleaz cu clasa funcional NYHA i cu
fracia de ejecie sczut. Dei miocarditele virale evo-
lueaz ctre ICFS, un studiu recent a observat prezena
miocarditelor datorate parvovirusului n ICFP. Virusul
nu a afectat cardiomiocitele, ci endoteliul coronarian,
confrmnd ipoteza c progresia ICFP este indus de
infa maia endotelial.
Care sunt implicaiile diagnsotice i terapeutice ale
noii paradigme? Pentru diagnosticul ICFP noile para-
dig me recomand efectuarea msurtorilor antro po-
me trice, notarea comorbiditilor, evaluarea rspun -
su lui vascular i recoltarea markerilor plasmatici infa -
ma tori. Trata mentul ICFP trebuie s cuprid tra ta men -
tul hiper tensiunii arteriale i a disfunciei endo te lia le,
prin utili zarea donorilor de NO, inhibitori de PDE5,
sub stane antioxidative precum resveratrol i sta tine.
Stu diile V-HEFT1 i A-HEFT demonstreaz m bu n-
t irea prog nosticului n ICFS i ICFP prin uti li za rea
izoso r bit dinitratului i a hidralazinei. Sildenaf lul ame-
lio reaz disfuncia diastolic a VS n ICFP i n ICFS,
mbun tete statusul clinic n ICFS i scade hiper ten -
siu nea pulmonar n ICFP. Totui n studiul RELAX nu
s-a observat efectul sildenaflului asupra capa cit ii de
efort. Statinele au efect direct asupra endote liului vas-
cular prin reducerea anionului superoxid i resta bilirea
biodisponibilitii ON. ntr-un studiu recent statinele
au sczut mortalitatea n ICFP. Dei inhi bitorii de en-
zim de conversie ai angiotensinei i blocanii de re-
ceptori de ATII au efect macrovascular protector, nu
implic i refacerea funciei endoteliale. O metaanali-
z recent a demonstrat lipsa unui efect sem ni fcativ
asupra disfunciei endoteliale, n special n pre zena
comorbiditilor.
n concluzie, n ICFP comorbiditile contribuie la
sta tusul infamator sistemic, care induce stresul oxidativ
n microcirculaia coronarian. Acesta scade biodispo-
nibilitatea ON, scade activitatea PKG, cu apariia hiper-
trofei cardiomiocitelor. Remodelarea miocardic este
diferit n ICFP comparativ cu ICFS, n care se pro duce
moartea cardiomiocitelor datorit stresului oxi dativ se-
cundar ischemiei, infeciei sau toxicitii.
(Paulus WJ, Tschope C, A Novel Paradigm for Heart
Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Comorbiditi-
es Drive Myocardial Dysfunction and Remodeling Trou-
gh Coronary Microvascular Endothelial Infammation, J
Am Coll Cardiol. 2013; 62:26371)(DA)
pozitarea colagenului de ctre miofbroblaste i apariia
difunciei diastolice a VS.
Cele mai importante comorbiditi n ICFP sunt
obezitatea, diabetul zaharat, boala pulmonar obstruc-
tiv cronic, boala renal i anemia. Ele se asociaz cu
status proinfamator, evideniat prin nivele crescute ale
IL6 i TNF alfa. Sunt crescui i ali markeri infamatori
precum ST2 solubil i pentaxina 3.
Supraexpresia moleculelor de adeziune VCAM i
E selectina activeaz migrarea subendotelial a leuco-
citelor circulante, iar citokinele proinfamatorii induc
producia endotelial de SRO. Aceasta explic stresul
oxidativ crescut n ICFP. Diabetul zaharat i unele pro-
cese fziologice precum mbtrnirea interfer direct cu
producia endotelial de SRO. Rspunsul vasodilatator
al circulaiei coronariene este redus, datorit infamaiei
i se coreleaz cu disfuncia diastolic a ventriculului
stng.
Biodisponibilitatea sczut a oxidului nitric i nive-
lul ridicat al peroxinitritului scad guanilat ciclaza mo-
nofosfat (GCM), care nu este normalizat de peptidul
natriuretic de tip B (BNP). Acesta este frecvent sczut
la bolnavii cu ICFP, subliniind observaia c inhibarea
neprilysinei previne reduce scderea BNP. O dovad
indirect este c, la oareci, sildenafl previne hipertro-
fa cardiomiocitelor i fbroza interstiial prin creterea
activitii PKG. La pacienii cu cardiomiopatie diabe-
tic i remodelare concentric a VS, sildenafl scade
masa i volumul VS. Scderea activitii PKG n ICFP
se coreleaz cu creterea diametrului cardiomiocitelor,
aceeai relaie find demonstrat i n stenoza aortic.
Calea de semnalizare NO-GMPc-PKG afecteaz rela-
xarea miocardic, prein reducerea recaptrii calciului
n reticulul sarcoplasmatic i creterea calciului citoso-
lic. Aceeai cale de semnalizare moduleaz rigiditatea
miocardic. Adimistrarea de sildenafl cinilor hiper-
tensivi scade rigiditatea diastolic a VS prin fosforilarea
segmentului N2B a titinei. Aceasta este responsabil de
recoilul diastolic timpuriu i distensibilitatea diastolic
tardiv a cardiomiocitelor.
Rigiditatea miocardic i fbroza contribuie la dis-
funcia diastolic miocardic. Un studiu histologic re-
cent relev creterea volumului de colagen i a expresiei
colagenului de tip I datorit transformrii fbroblatilor
n miofbroblati, secundar infamaiei endoteliului
mi crovascular.
Noua paradigm pentru ICFP difer fa de ICFS,
n care pierderea cardiomiocitelor prin apoptoz, auto-
fagie sau necroz remodeleaz VS. Stresul parietal in-
duce dezechilibrul ntre depozitarea i degradarea co-
Updates in cardiology
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
Updates in cardiology
i TA sistolic n sub-populaia sntoas, indiferent
de sex (brbai: p<0,001, femei: p=0,033). Acest lucru
su gereaz c asocierea ntre TA sistolic i percentilele
de GIM carotidian este mai puternic la indivizii ne-
tratai vrstnici dect la cei netratai tineri.
Acest studiu are bineneles i limitri pe care autorii
le prezint n cteva rnduri. Una dintre limitri este
aceea c nu a fost evaluat infuena rasei i a latitu-
dinii asupra valorilor GIM carotidiene, cteva studii
sugernd aceast asociere. De asemenea, n acest stu-
diu au fost incluse msurtorile GIM carotidiene uti-
liznd doar echo-tracking (88%) sau tehnici similare
(12%), aceste rezultate neputndu-se aplica complet
datelor obinute prin msurarea GIM manual sau au-
tomat. Diferenele n ceea ce privete tehnica utilizat
de centrele de cercetare au fost standardizate ajustnd
GIM pentru toi factorii fziologici/patologici care pot
infuena GIM, presupunnd c diferenele reziduale au
fost de origine metodologic. Totui, aceast calibrare
poate f sub-optimal datorit nestandardizrii msu-
rtorilor acestor factori.
n concluzie, autorii au estimat percentilele GIM ca-
rotidiene dependente de vrst i gen ntr-o populaie
sntoas i au evaluat infuena factorilor de risc CV
asupra scorurilor Z, permind astfel compararea va-
lorilor GIM ntre grupuri cu diferii factori de risc CV.
Acest lucru ajut la interpretarea msurtorilor obi-
nute att n cercetare ct i practica clinic curent.
Engelen L, Ferreira I, Stehouwer CD, Boutouyrie P,
Laurent S. Reference intervals for common carotid inti-
ma-media thickness measured with echotracking: relati-
on with risk factors. Eur Heart J 2013; 34(30):2368-80.
(AM)
nlocuirea valvular aortic transcateter situaia
european actual
nlocuirea valvular aortic transcateter a primit apro-
barea legal european n anul 2007, iar de atunci nu-
mrul pacienilor supui acestei proceduri a crescut
exponenial.
Studiul de fa s-a desfurat n 11 ri din Europa de
Vest (Germania, Frana, Italia, Elveia, Marea Britanie,
Spania, Portugalia, Olanda, Belgia, Danemarca, Irlan-
da) i a cutat s evalueze gradul de utilizare al TAVI i
factorii care determin utilizarea heterogen a acestei
terapii. Studiul s-a desfurat n perioada ianuarie 2007
decembrie 2011. Datele au fost preluate din registre
naionale cu baze de date ample i prin utilizarea unor
chestionare /interviuri telefonice.
Studiul a artat c n perioada desfurrii studiului
34.317 pacieni au fost supui TAVI, existnd o vari-
HDL colesterol >1,17 mmol/L (pentru brbai) i >1,30
(pentru femei), 7) indice de mas corporal (IMC)
30 kg/m
2
. Aceast subpopulaie a fost reprezentat de
4234 de indivizi sntoi (53% femei), care au provenit
din 21 dintre cele 24 de centre de cercetare mondiale.
Pentru a defni populaia sntoas au fost utilizate va-
lori de referin similare cu cele din ghidurile curente.
Aceast sub-populaie sntoas a fost utilizat pentru
a stabili ecuaii dependente de gen pentru percenti-
lele de GIM n funcie de vrst. Cu ajutorul acestor
ecuaii au fost calculate scorurile Z de GIM carotidian
n diferite sub-populaii de referin, permind astfel
o comparaie standardizat ntre valorile observate i
cele prezise (normale) la indivizi cu aceeai vrst i
sex. GIM a fost msurat prin echo-tracking la nivelul
arterei carotide comune stngi i/sau drepte. n analiz
au fost utilizate valorile medii ale acestor msurtori
ntruct studiile publicate pn acum nu au raportat
diferene ntre cele dou locuri de msurare.
n sub-populaia sntoas, rezultatele studiului au
artat c GIM carotidian a fost mai mare la brbai
fa de femei (p<0,001), iar creterea GIM cu vrsta a
fost similar ntre cele dou sexe (brbai: 5,2 m/an,
femei: 5,0 m/an, p=0,144).
n sub-populaia fr boal CV i tratament anteri-
or, tensiunea arterial (TA) [0,19 (95% CI: 0.16-0.22)
la brbai, respectiv 0,18 (0,15-0,21) la femei], fumatul
[0,25 (0,19-0,31), respectiv 0,11 (0,04-0,18)], diabetul
[0,19 (0,05-0,33), respectiv 0,19 (0,02-0,36)], raportul
colesterol total-HDL colesterol [0,07 (0,04-0,10), re-
spectiv 0,05 (0,02-0,09)] i IMC [0,14 (0,12-0,17), re-
spectiv 0,07 (0,04-0,10)] au fost determinani semnif-
cativi statistic pentru GIM crescut att la brbai ct
i la femei, rezultate n concordan cu studiile anteri-
oare. TA, fumatul i diabetul s-au corelat mai puternic
cu GIM dect raportul colesterol total-HDL colesterol
i IMC, sugernd c terapia pentru controlul acestor
factori de risc CV este mai efcient n reducerea GIM
dect scderea valorilor colesterolului i cea pondera-
l. Fumatul i IMC au fost determinani ai GIM mai
puternici la brbai dect la femei (p=0,005 i p<0,001,
respectiv).
n sub-populaia cu boal CV prezent anterior, TA
a fost determinantul principal al scorurilor Z att la
brbai ct i la femei. De asemenea IMC i medicaia
hipocolesterolemic au fost determinani ai scorurilor
Z, dar doar la brbai.
Analiznd dac vrsta infueneaz asocierea dintre
factorii de risc CV i scorurile Z ale GIM, autorii au
obi nut o interaciune semnifcativ doar ntre vrst
Updates in cardiology
Romanian Journal of Cardiology
Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
October
10
th
Meeting of the Myocardial and Pericardial diseases - Bridging the
Gap
24
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-26
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October
Prague, Czech
Republic
Resuscitation 2013 - Outcomes
25
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October
Krakow,
Poland
2
nd
World Summit on Echocardiography
25
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October
New Delhi,
India
Venice Arrhythmias 2013
Scientifc programme endorsed by European Heart Rhythm
Association (EHRA)
27
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October
Venice, Italy
NOVEMBER
EuroValve congress
Scientifc programme endorsed by European Association of
Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI)
8
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November
Madrid, Spain
EuroEcho-Imaging 2013
Scientifc programme endorsed by European Association of
Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI)
11
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December
Istanbul,
Turkey
Romanian Journal of Cardiology | Vol. 23, No. 3, 2013
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