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Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients varies by geography but remains low in many regions despite guideline recommendations.This study aimed to characterize the care pathway of post-MI patients and understand barriers to referral for further SCD risk stratification and management in patients meeting referral criteria.This prospective, nonrandomized, multi-nation study included patients ≥18 years of age, with an acute MI ≤30 days and left ventricular ejection fraction 50% ≤14 days post-MI. The primary endpoint was defined as the physician's decision to refer a patient for SCD stratification and management.In total, 1,491 post-MI patients were enrolled (60.2 ± 12.0 years of age, 82.4% male). During the study, 26.7% (n = 398) of patients met criteria for further SCD risk stratification; however, only 59.3% of those meeting criteria (n = 236; 95% CI: 54.4%-64.0%) were referred for a visit. Of patients referred for SCD risk stratification and management, 94.9% (n = 224) attended the visit of which 56.7% (n =127; 95% CI: 50.1%-63.0%) met ICD indication criteria. Of patients who met ICD indication criteria, 14.2% (n = 18) were implanted.We found that ∼40% of patients meeting criteria were not referred for further SCD risk stratification and management and ∼85% of patients who met ICD indications did not receive a guideline-directed ICD. Physician and patient reasons for refusing referral to SCD risk stratification and management or ICD implant varied by geography suggesting that improvement will require both physician- and patient-focused approaches. (Improve Sudden Cardiac Arrest [SCA] Bridge Study; NCT03715790).

To assess the prevalence, and factors associated with QTc interval prolongation, among 383 virologically suppressed people with HIV (PWH), without evidence of cardiovascular disease and active opportunistic infections in Thailand.Cross-sectional study.Resting 12-lead digital ECGs were performed in 2019. QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTc)gt;450 ms in males andgt;460 ms in females was defined as QTc interval prolongation. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate factors associated with QTc interval prolongation.Mean (standard deviation) age was 56 (5.5) years and 42% were female. The median current CD4+ was 619 (interquartile range [IQR] 487, 769) cells/mm 3 . The median duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was 11.9 (IQR 7.1-16.1) years. Commonly used ART were rilpivirine (37.9%), efavirenz (20.1%), atazanavir/ritonavir (15.7%), lopinavir/ritonavir (12.3%) and dolutegravir (5%). The prevalence of QTc interval prolongation was 22.7%. In multivariable analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.12, P = 0.005), female sex (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01-2.82, P = 0.046) and increasing BMI (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15, P = 0.03) were associated with QTc interval prolongation. With every 1-year increase in age, the odds of QTc interval prolongation increased by 7%.In this well-suppressed aging Asian HIV cohort, the prevalence of QTc interval prolongation was relatively high, and associated with increasing age, female sex, and higher BMI. For PLWH with these characteristics, QTc interval should be monitored before and after initiating any medications known to prolong QTc intervals, to prevent fatal cardiac arrhythmias.

Background. White-coat hypertension (HT), masked HT, HT with white-coat effect, and masked uncontrolled HT are well-recognized problems of over- and undertreatment of high blood pressure in real-life practice. However, little is known about the true prevalence in Thailand. Objectives. To examine the prevalence and characteristics of each HT subtype defined by mean home blood pressure (HBP) and clinic blood pressure (CBP) using telemonitoring technology in Thai hypertensives. Methods. A multicenter, observational study included adult hypertensives who had been diagnosed for at least 3 months based on CBP without the adoption of HBP monitoring. All patients were instructed to manually measure their HBP twice a day for the duration of at least one week using the same validated automated, oscillometric telemonitoring devices (Uright model TD-3128, TaiDoc Corporation, Taiwan). The HBP, CBP, and baseline demographic data were recorded on the web-based system. HT subtypes were classified according to the treatment status, CBP (≥or Results. Of the 1,184 patients (mean age 58 ± 12.7 years, 59% women) from 46 hospitals, 1,040 (87.8%) were taking antihypertensive agents. The majority of them were enrolled from primary care hospitals (81%). In the nonmedicated group, the prevalence of white-coat and masked HT was 25.7% and 7.0%, respectively. Among the treated patients, the HT with white-coat effect was found in 23.3% while 46.7% had uncontrolled HBP (a combination of the masked uncontrolled HT (9.6%) and sustained HT (37.1%)). In the medicated older subgroup (n = 487), uncontrolled HBP was more prevalent in male than in female (53.6% vs. 42.4%, p=0.013). Conclusions. This is the first nationwide study in Thailand to examine the prevalence of HT subtypes. Almost one-fourth had white-coat HT or HT with white-coat effect. Approximately half of the treated patients especially in the older males had uncontrolled HBP requiring more intensive interventions. These results emphasize the role of HBP monitoring for appropriate HT diagnosis and management. The cost-effectiveness of utilizing THAI HBPM in routine practice needs to be examined in the future study.

Background: Sleep apnea is one of the most common conditions around the world. This disorder can significantly impact cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Atrial overdrive pacing (AOP) is a treatment modality that can potentially decrease respiratory events. There is currently a lack of evidence to confirm the benefits of AOP. We aimed to assess the impact of AOP in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), and mixed type. Methods: A literature search for studies that reported the impact on apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) by cardiac implantable electronic devices with different pacing modes was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Database from inception through July 2020. Pooled standard mean difference with 95%CI was calculated using a random-effects model. Results: Fifteen studies, including thirteen randomized studies and two observational studies containing 440 patients, were identified. The standard mean difference in apnea–hypopnea index of atrial overdrive pacing demonstrated less duration of apnea/hypopnea in patients with atrial overdrive pacing (AOP) (SMD −0.29, 95%CI: −0.48, −0.10, I2 = 57%). Additional analysis was performed to assess the effect of atrial overdrive pacing in patients with or without severe sleep apnea syndrome (mean AHI &lt, 30 defined as non-severe). There was no statistically significant difference in standardized mean in AHI in both subgroups between AOP and control groups (SMD −0.25, severe sleep apnea syndrome SMD −0.03, I2 = 0.00%). Conclusions: AOP was associated with a statistically significant reduction in AHI, but the magnitude of reduction was small. AOP may potentially be used as an adjunctive treatment with other modalities in treating patients with sleep apnea.

Background In many low- to middle-income countries in Asia, patients with NVAF usually received warfarin for thromboembolic prevention due to cost-effectiveness. The SAMe-TT2R2 score has been proposed to predict TTR in NVAF patients. However, the SAMe-TT2R2 score has not been much validated in Asian population. Interestingly, it may overestimate patients who had TTR Objectives To determine the factors predicting poor anticoagulant control on warfarin, create new scoring system, and compare with the SAMe-TT2R2 score in a Thai population with NVAF. Methods This is a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital. We enrolled NVAF patients who received warfarin from January 2014 to December 2018. TTR was calculated based on Rosendaal method. Multiple logistic regression and AUC-ROC curve were used for analysis. Results A total of 864 patients were enrolled with mean age of 73.6 ± 11.58 years. The mean TTR was 48.1 ± 25.2%. Using multivariate regression analysis, the predictive factors for TTR p ≤ 0.001), LVEF p = 0.037), chronic kidney disease (GFR 2) (OR 1.68, p = 0.013), history of CHF (OR 1.7, p = 0.047), and age ≥ 75 years (OR 1.4, p = 0.037). Based on the regression coefficients, we developed the new scoring system called ACAChE score [A, antiplatelet use (4 points); C, chronic kidney disease, GFR 2 (2 points); A, age ≥ 75 years (1 point); Ch, history of CHF (2 points); E, LVEF Conclusion In Thai NVAF patients, the ACAChE score (antiplatelet use, chronic kidney disease (GFR 2), age ≥ 75 years, history of congestive heart failure, and LVEF

Background. Several interventions have been proposed to improve hypertension control with various outcomes. The home blood pressure (HBP) measurement is widely accepted for assessing the response to medications. However, the enhancement of blood pressure (BP) control with HBP telemonitoring technology has yet to be studied in Thailand. Objective. To evaluate the attainment of HBP control and drug prescription patterns in Thai hypertensives at one year after initiating the TeleHealth Assisted Instrument in Home Blood Pressure Monitoring (THAI HBPM) nationwide pilot project. Methods. A multicenter, prospective study enrolled treated hypertensive adults without prior regular HBPM to obtain monthly self-measured HBP using the same validated, oscillometric telemonitoring devices. The HBP reading was transferred to the clinic via a cloud-based system, so the physicians can adjust the medications at each follow-up visit on a real-life basis. Controlled HBP is defined as having HBP data at one year of follow-up within the defined target range (

Background Impaired microvascular perfusion is central to the development of coma and lactic acidosis in severe falciparum malaria. Refractory hypotension is rare on admission but develops frequently in fatal cases. We assessed cardiac function and volume status in severe falciparum malaria and its prognostic significance. Methods Patients with severe (N = 101) or acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria (N = 83) were recruited from 2 hospitals in India and Bangladesh, and healthy participants (N = 44) underwent echocardiography. Results Patients with severe malaria had 38% shorter left ventricular (LV) filling times and 25% shorter LV ejection times than healthy participants because of tachycardia; however, stroke volume, LV internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd), and LV internal diameter in systole (LVIDs) indices were similar. A low endocardial fraction shortening (eFS) was present in 17% (9 of 52) of severe malaria patients. Adjusting for preload and afterload, eFS was similar in health and severe malaria. Fatal cases had smaller baseline LVIDd and LVIDs indices, more collapsible inferior vena cavae (IVC), and higher heart rates than survivors. The LVIDs and IVC collapsibility were independent predictors for mortality, together with base excess and Glasgow Coma Scale. Conclusions Patients with severe malaria have rapid ejection of a normal stroke volume. Fatal cases had features of relative hypovolemia and reduced cardiac index reserve., Echocardiography in a cohort of patients with severe malaria showed that systolic and diastolic dysfunction was infrequent but that patients who died had evidence of hypovolemia and reduced cardiac index reserve.

Primary cardiac lymphoma is very rare, and usually manifests after the fifth decade of life. The lack of typical manifestations makes it difficult to diagnose at an early stage that can be discovered only by echocardiography. The location of the tumour often results in cardiac compromise, which prevents the delivery of potentially curative therapies. Clinical presentations may depend on flow obstruction, infiltration of adjacent tissues, tumour embolisation, and atrioventricular (AV) disturbances. We report a rare case of primary cardiac lymphoma that presented with clinical signs of shock from two distinct mechanisms. The first mechanism was intermittent complete AV block that was caused by disruption of the electrical conduction system from tumour infiltration in addition to direct mechanical compression of the atrioventricular node by the tumour. The second mechanism, subtotal RV inflow obstruction from the bulky mass contributed to compromising venous return, which played a major role of refractory shock in this case.

[Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 30-year-old woman was referred for a percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. She was acyanotic. She had a systolic ejection murmur and a wide-fixed split S2. The chest radiograph showed cardiomegaly; pulmonary

Additional file 1: Table S1. Comparison of hyperlactatemic severe malaria patients with control groups.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Comparison of hyperlactatemic severe malaria patients with control groups.