Ying-Chieh Liao

Statin therapy reduces the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and mortality in heart failure patients: a nationwide population-based cohort study.

the drug. Therefore, one should always have in mind that during treatment of systemic inflammatory, neoplastic or hematological diseases with monoclonal antibodies the production of anti-drug antibodies is a reality. These antibodies can cause hypersensitivity reactions, worsen overt or incipient heart failure [11] and induce myocardial infarction manifesting as Kounis syndrome [3]. The authors of this manuscript have certified that they comply with the Principles of Ethical Publishing in the International Journal of Cardiology.

Fulminant myocarditis in an adult with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1 influenza) infection

The worldwide outbreak of pandemic influenza A (H1N1 influenza) infection in 2009 caused numerous hospitalizations and deaths resulting from severe complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Fulminant myocarditis caused by H1N1 infection has been reported in children but rarely in adults. We present an adult who contracted H1N1 infection followed by fulminant myocarditis. Early implementation of extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation support in conjunction with a specific anti-influenza viral medication (Oseltamivir) led to the patients complete recovery from cardiogenic shock in 2 weeks.

Angiotensin-Receptor Blocker, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor, and Risks of Atrial Fibrillation: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Abstract Both angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) have protective effects against atrial fibrillation (AF). The differences between ARB and ACEI in their effects on the primary prevention of AF remain unclear. This study compared ARB and ACEI in combined antihypertensive medications for reducing the risk of AF in patients with hypertension, and determined which was better for AF prevention in a nationwide cohort study. Patients aged ≥55 years and with a history of hypertension were identified from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Medical records of 25,075 patients were obtained, and included 6205 who used ARB, 8034 who used ACEI, and 10,836 nonusers (no ARB or ACEI) in their antihypertensive regimen. Cox regression models were applied to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for new-onset AF. During an average of 7.7 years’ follow-up, 1619 patients developed new-onset AF. Both ARB (adjusted HR: 0.51, 95% CI 0.44–0.58, P < 0.001) and ACEI (adjusted HR: 0.53, 95% CI 0.47–0.59, P < 0.001) reduced the risk of AF compared to nonusers. Subgroup analysis showed that ARB and ACEI were equally effective in preventing new-onset AF regardless of age, gender, the presence of heart failure, diabetes, and vascular disease, except for those with prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). ARB prevents new-onset AF better than ACEI in patients with a history of stroke or TIA (log-rank P = 0.012). Both ARB and ACEI reduce new-onset AF in patients with hypertension. ARB prevents AF better than ACEI in patients with a history of prior stroke or TIA.

Data for rate versus rhythm control strategy on stroke and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation

The data relates to the cohort of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, “Rhythm Control Better Prevents Stroke and Mortality than Rate Control Strategies in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation - A Nationwide Cohort Study” (Weng et al., in press). The AF patients might receive either rate or rhythm control strategy according to the medication used. The baseline medication in rate and rhythm control groups was included in this dataset. Multivariate Cox hazards regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and mortality in AF patients receiving rate or rhythm control. The occurrence of MACE was identified from the ICD-9 CM codes. The data also contains the HR for MACE stratified by the CHA2DS2-VASc score, baseline characteristics, and the duration of strategy employed of the AF patients.

Acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis in a young woman.

Eosinophilic myocarditis is recognized by severe heart failure and marked eosinophilia infiltration resulting from different etiologies. Acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis, the initial presentation of the disease, is rare and often fatal, with unique echocardiographic pictures, and followed by endocardial thrombosis and chronic endomyocardial fibrosis. We report a young female with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who presented fever and acute heart failure syndrome. The echocardiography showed severe left ventricle diastolic dysfunction with preserved ejection fraction. Systemic eosinophilia and the unique echocardiographic images made the diagnosis of acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis. The patient survived after intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy including high-dose steroid.

Pre-clinical detection of amiodarone-induced acute fibrosing alveolitis by intra-thoracic impedance monitor of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

A 66-year-old male received an implant of a dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and was prescribed amiodarone (400 mg/day). The intra-thoracic impedance monitor in the ICD antecedently detected amiodarone-induced acute fibrosing alveolitis >3 months prior to clinical symptoms.