Ewa Konduracka

Transient ST-segment elevation in lead aVR associated with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy

ST-segment elevation in lead aVR in patients with angina at rest can be related to transmural ischemia of the basal part of the interventricular septum, frequently due to left main or multivessel coronary disease. However, this electrocardiographic (ECG) sign may also occur in other clinical conditions manifesting by acute chest pain. We present a case of a 76-year-old Caucasian woman with transient ST-segment elevation in lead aVR associated with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Our report seems to confirm the hypothesis about the role of reversible myocardial ischemia involving the basal part of the interventricular septum in the pathogenesis of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, ST-segment elevation in lead aVR in patients with a clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome may be not related to coronary artery disease. Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy should be considered among the causes of ST-segment elevation in lead aVR in patients with angina at rest. Further studies are needed to evaluate the occurrence and importance of this ECG sign in patients with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.

Treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids does not improve endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes and very high cardiovascular risk: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (Omega-FMD)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Numerous recent studies conducted in different clinical settings have focused on the benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. There is limited evidence that patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and very high cardiovascular risk can also benefit from a high dose of n-3PUFAs, especially those on optimal medical therapy as recommended by the guidelines. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of high-dose n-3 PUFA treatment on endothelial function in patients with T2D and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). METHODS We conducted a prospective randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center study, in which endothelial function was measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD). Serum fatty acids composition was measured by gas chromatography. All measurements were done at baseline and after 3 months of treatment with PUFAs at a dose of 2 g/d (n = 36) or placebo (n = 38). RESULTS The majority of the study population was treated with optimal medical therapy. Despite significantly higher concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid in the n-3 PUFA group after 3-month treatment, we did not observe significant changes in endothelial function indices (FMD and NMD). However, in regression analysis, only baseline FMD was associated with EPA concentration before 3 months of n-3 PUFA treatment. CONCLUSIONS Three months of high-dose n-3 PUFA treatment in very high-risk patients with ASCVD and T2D did not improve the endothelial function indices.

Trauma-induced acute myocardial infarction due to delayed dissection of the left anterior descending coronary artery

Acute myocardial infarction is a very rare, life-threatening complication of blunt chest trauma. A 27-year-old man with no previous medical history was admitted to the emergency department due to multiple trauma following a car accident. After 48h following the accident, the patients condition rapidly deteriorated, with severe dyspnea at rest, tachycardia, and increasing chest pain. A 12-lead ECG showed a sinus tachycardia at 120bpm with significant ST-segment elevation in leads V1 to V5, pathologic Q wave in I, aVL, and QS complex in leads V1 to V4. Bedside echocardiography disclosed akinesis of the anterior and lateral walls, apex, and anterior septum with severely decreased left ventricular ejection fraction of 30%. Urgent coronary angiography revealed an occlusive dissection of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention with a Biolimus A9™-eluting stent implantation were successfully performed. The further course was uneventful. At 12-month follow-up, the patient has remained asymptomatic with no recurrence of cardiovascular symptoms.