Sonia Pennella

Gender differences in adherence to Mediterranean diet and risk of atrial fibrillation

Background. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MedD) is associated with a reduction of overall mortality and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In a previous study we found a relationship between intake of antioxidant vitamins with diet and risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). The present study focuses on gender differences relative to diet and antioxidant intake in patients (pts) with a first detected episode of AF. Methods. A group of 400 pts, 205 men and 195 women, was investigated. A control group of 400 subjects, age and sex matched, was selected and compared. Nutritional parameters were assessed by a self-administered food frequency validated questionnaire (116 items) completed by an interviewer-administered 24 h diet recall. We previously constructed a MedD adherence score based on a prior scoring system developed for the Greek population. Consumption of cereals, vegetables, legumes, fruit, fish, dairy products, cups of espresso coffee, chocolate snacks, soda drinks and wine was investigated. Results. The MedD Score was higher in women compared to men (28.8 + 2.0 vs 20.1 + 2.5; p<0.001) and was higher in healthy subjects compared to patients with AF (27.9 + 5.6 vs 22.3 + 3.1; p<0.001). In pts with AF the estimated intake of total antioxidants was higher in women (19.9 ± 5.6 vs 11.2 ± 7.4 mmol/d; p<0.001), and women had higher intake of antioxidants from fruit and vegetables. Conclusions. Women showed high adherence to the MedD and higher intake of antioxidants from fruit and vegetables compared to AF men. Men had higher intake of antioxidants from coffee. Women that developed AF were older, with lower adherence to the MedD, and were more sedentary. DOI : 10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-13-210 Research Article Freely Available Online www.openaccesspub.org | JHC CC-license DOI : 10.14302/issn.2329-9487.jhc-13-210 Vol-1 Issue –4 Page No5 Introduction: Several epidemiologic studies have underlined the beneficial role of the Mediterranean diet in relation to all -cause mortality, coronary heart disease mortality, lipid metabolism, blood pressure levels and body mass index (1). In 1995 a score assessing adherence to the Mediterranean diet was elaborated (2) and this score, or variants of it, has been widely used to evaluate the relation of the Mediterranean diet to cardiovascular

Energy drink overconsumption can trigger atrial fibrillation

To the Editor Many adverse cardiac effects have been reported following energy drinks consumption, among which atrial arrhythmias, acute coronary syndromes, and even cardiac arrest. These can develop also in the absence of other symptoms related to acute toxicity, such as neurological symptoms. Considering the absence of specific toxicological tests, the diagnosis of energy drink intoxication still remains clinical.

Atrial Remodeling in Pregnant Hypertensive Women: Comparison between Chronic and Gestational Hypertension

Objectives: Left atrial (LA) enlargement is a common finding in hypertensive patients (pts), however little information is available on LA changes during pregnancy. The present study evaluated LA size and function in pregnant women with hypertension. Methods: Patients population included 30 women with chronic hypertension and 30 patients with gestational hypertension. A control group of 16 normotensive pregnant women was selected. Serial echocardiography was performed at 12 and 24 week of gestation in chronic hypertension and at 24 week in gestational hypertension and after delivery. LA diameters and volumes were measured and compared. LA conduit volume, passive and active emptying volumes were calculated. Patients were divided in 2 groups according to max LAV Index > 32 ml/m2 at 24 week of gestation. Results: Patients with chronic hypertension showed higher LA diameters (42 ± 2.0 vs. 36.5 ± 1.8; p<0.001) and LA volumes (maximal volume 45.5 ± 4.0 vs. 38.1 ± 7.3; p<0.001) compared with patients with gestational hypertension. The median value of max LAVI was 32 + 6.2 ml/m2 in chronic and 26 + 5 ml/m2 in gestational hypertension (p<0.01). During follow-up patients with max LAVI > 32 ml/m2 had more clinical complications evaluated as increase of therapy, fluid retention that need diuretic and hospitalization. Conclusion: Patients with chronic hypertension showed a more marked increased of LA volumes compared to gestational hypertension due to a remodeling of atrial shape as effect of chronic overload. Patients with more dilated LA volumes developed a greater number of clinical complications suggesting that a dilated LA could be a parameter of hemodynamic instability.

Does stem cell therapy induce myocardial neoangiogenesis? Histological evaluation in an ischemia/reperfusion animal model.

Background In an experimental model in the rabbit, a myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was obtained. Subsequently, the effects of homologous bone marrow stem cell (BMSC) administration were studied. Methods In 21 New Zealand adult rabbits, ischemia/reperfusion damage was induced by temporary occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery. Homologous BMSCs were isolated, cultured and re-suspended for injection at the level of the ischemic zone. We evaluated the proangiogenetic effect of intramyocardial injections of BMSC at the peri-infarcted area. Histological evaluations were made after 20 days from the surgical procedure. Results In rabbits treated with intramyocardial BMSC administration, we demonstrated histologically capillary neoangiogenesis, without signs of tissue immunological reaction or of generation of new myocardial cells. On the contrary, only minimal neovascular supply was detected in rabbits treated with intravenous administration of BMSC. Only typical signs of ischemic myocardium injury were observed in the control group. Conclusion These observations suggest that the effect of direct BMSC administration in ischemic myocardium could promote a capillary neoangiogenesis, which helps to prevent ischemic myocardial damage.

IMPACT OF EUROSCORE AND 4TS SCORE IN PREDICTING THROMBOSIS AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY

The European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (Euroscore) is a validated score estimating risk in cardiac surgery. Because of its additive nature, the Euroscore has been found to underestimate risk in certain patients (pts). The 4Ts score is a risk assessment tool that identify pts