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BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a range of diseases from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and has been linked to cardiovascular disease and sub-clinical cardiac remodeling. This paper presents a retrospective study of biopsy-proven NAFL and NASH to examine the differences in subclinical cardiac remodeling. METHODS: Patients were recruited from an institutional repository of patients with liver-biopsy-confirmed NAFLD. Patients with a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) within 12 months of the liver biopsy were included. The parameters of the diastolic dysfunction were reviewed for the differences between NAFL and NASH as well as between the stages and grades of NASH. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients were included in the study, 17 with NAFL and 16 with NASH. The NASH patients were more likely to have lower platelets, higher AST, higher ALT, and higher rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and hypertension than the NAFL patients. The E/e' ratio on transthoracic echocardiogram was significantly higher in NASH compared to NAFL, advanced-stage NASH compared to early stage, and high-grade NASH compared to low-grade. The E/e' ratio was also significantly higher in NASH than NAFL in patients without diabetes mellitus. The presence of diastolic dysfunction trended toward significance. The other markers of diastolic dysfunction were similar. Logistic regression revealed a statistical association with E/e' and NASH. CONCLUSIONS: NASH patients had evidence of a higher E/e' ratio than NAFL, and there was a trend towards a significant diastolic dysfunction. Patients with NASH compared to NAFL should be closely monitored for signs and symptoms of cardiac dysfunction.

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To compare overall number of downstream tests and total costs between negative exercise stress echocardiograms (ESE) or cardiac computed tomography angiography scans (CCTA) in symptomatic Tricare beneficiaries suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD). This is a retrospective cohort study examining 651 propensity-matched patients who underwent ESE or CCTA with normal results between 2008 and 2014 at the United States' largest Department of Defense hospital. The total number of additional downstream tests over the next five years was determined. The total costs associated with each arm, inclusive of the initial test and all subsequent tests, were calculated using the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. 18.5 percent of patients with a normal ESE result underwent some additional form of cardiac testing over the five years after initial testing compared to 12.8 percent of patients with a normal CCTA. The absolute difference in total number of downstream tests between both study groups was 5.7 percent (p = 0.03). When factoring the costs of the initial test as well as the downstream tests, the ESE group was associated with overall lower costs compared to the CCTA group, 351 United States Dollars (USD) versus 496 USD (p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates that, when compared to CCTA, ESE is associated with a higher total number of downstream tests, but overall lower total costs when chosen as initial testing strategy for suspected CAD.

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BACKGROUND While takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a rare cardiomyopathy, recurrent takotsubo cardiomyopathy (rTC) is even more so, occurring in only 4% of patients with TC. Treatment is based on expert opinion and includes standard heart failure treatment using beta blockers (BB) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). We present a case of rTC demonstrating how using a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can successfully prevent recurrence. CASE REPORT A 64-year-old woman presented with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and coronary angiography demonstrated non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Left heart catheterization showed apical hypokinesis with preserved function of the basal segments, consistent with TC. She reported having experienced multiple emotional stressors. The patient was started on BB and ACEI, and 5 months later repeat imaging showed resolution of her TC. One month after resolution, she was re-admitted for chest pressure, and imaging demonstrated rTC. This time, in addition to continued conventional therapy, she was started on an SSRI and CBT. Nearly 6 months later, her rTC had resolved. CONCLUSIONS Anxiety and depression are more common in patients with TC than in patients with STEMI, but there is little in the literature about the roles of SSRI and CBT in TC treatment. In fact, SSRIs are controversial since they can increase catecholamine concentration, which some experts believe contributes to TC. The positive response of our patient to combination SSRI-CBT therapy suggests that additional research is needed on the use of this approach for prevention and treatment of rTC.

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OBJECTIVE: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and development of subclinical echocardiographic abnormalities. However, there is scant evidence of the echocardiographic changes that occur shortly after seroconversion. In this study we describe the echocardiographic evaluations of asymptomatic US Air Force members who were diagnosed with HIV infection and evaluated at the San Antonio Military Medical Center between September 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016. RESULTS: Patients (n = 50) were predominantly male (96%), mostly African American (60%), with a mean age of 28 years. At HIV diagnosis, the mean viral load was 112,585 copies/mL and CD4 count was 551 cells/µL. All were found to have normal left ventricular systolic ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) however evidence of right ventricular dilatation and left ventricular remodeling was observed in 7 (14%) and 13 (26%) patients, respectively. Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences in echocardiographic findings by HIV disease severity or CVD risk factors (p > 0.05 for all).This study suggests that untreated HIV may have a low impact on the development of echocardiographic abnormalities shortly after seroconversion. Longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the optimal CVD risk assessment strategies for PLHIV.

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Importance: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Endothelial dysfunction (EDF) is involved in CVD pathogenesis; however, EDF onset after HIV acquisition and the potential for reversibility with antiretroviral therapy (ART) have not been evaluated to date. Objective: To evaluate endothelial function with noninvasive reactive hyperemia index (RHI) in patients with early HIV infection at baseline and after ART initiation. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cohort study in which 61 members of the United States Air Force diagnosed with HIV infection from September 1, 2015, through September 30, 2017, were evaluated for baseline EDF. Natural log-transformed RHI values (lnRHI) of less than 0.51 and at least 0.51 were defined as abnormal and normal, respectively. The RHI interval changes were evaluated in a subgroup of 40 patients. Data were analyzed from September 30, 2017, through January 30, 2018. Exposure: Early HIV infection. Main Outcomes and Measures: Baseline EDF at HIV diagnosis and interval changes associated with ART initiation. Results: The 61 patients included in the analysis were predominantly male (58 [95%]) and mostly African American (35 [57%]), with a mean (SD) age of 28.1 (6.7) years at HIV diagnosis. Median time from estimated date of HIV seroconversion to RHI assessment was 10.6 months (interquartile range [IQR], 5.1-13.2 months), and the median CD4 lymphocyte count was 552/µL (IQR, 449/µL-674/µL). Patients had a mean (SD) body mass index of 26.2 (4.0), median (IQR) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of 97 (80-126) mg/dL, median (IQR) total cholesterol level of 163 (146-195) mg/dL, and no diabetes diagnoses. Overall mean (SD) lnRHI was 0.70 (0.29) at HIV diagnosis. Baseline RHI was normal in 47 patients (77%; mean [SD] lnRHI, 0.82 [0.20]) and was abnormal in 14 patients (23%; mean [SD] lnRHI, 0.30 [0.18]). Age (per 10-year increase) was not associated with an abnormal lnRHI (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% CI, 0.89-5.19; P = .09). Of the 41 patients with follow-up RHI assessments, 40 started ART immediately and repeated the RHI assessments at a median (IQR) of 6.4 (6.0-7.8) months. Use of ART was associated with an overall significan increase in mean (SD) lnRHI (0.13 [0.33]; P = .02). A greater increase in mean (SD) lnRHI was associated with abnormal (n = 11) compared with normal (n = 29) lnRHI at HIV diagnosis (0.33 [0.34]; P = .01 vs 0.04 [0.30]; P = .38). Among those with abnormal baseline lnRHI, 8 (73%) showed improved endothelial function after ART. The patient who declined ART converted from having a normal lnRHI (0.60) to an abnormal lnRHI (0.11) lnRHI after 8.3 months. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, EDF was common in early HIV infection, with associated reversal in most patients taking ART. Results suggest that persistent EDF and CVD complications may be associated with delayed ART. Further studies are necessary to define the role of noninvasive endothelial function testing in patients with HIV infection.

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It is rare that a left atrial appendage thrombus will grow to the extent that it can prolapse into the left ventricle. We report the case of a large prolapsing left atrial thrombus diagnosed by 3D echocardiography in a patient presenting with a transient ischemic attack.

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The detection and quantification of coronary artery calcification (CAC) significantly improves cardiovascular risk prediction in asymptomatic patients. Many have advocated for expanded CAC testing in symptomatic patients based on data demonstrating that the absence of quantifiable CAC in patients with possible angina makes obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and subsequent adverse events highly unlikely. However, the widespread use of CAC testing in symptomatic patients may be limited by the high background prevalence of CAC and its low specificity for obstructive CAD, necessitating additional testing ('test layering') in a large percentage of eligible patients. Further, adequately powered prospective studies validating the comparative effectiveness of a 'CAC first' approach with regards to cost, safety, accuracy and clinical outcomes are lacking. Due to marked reductions in patient radiation exposure and higher comparative accuracy and prognostic value make coronary computed tomographic angiography the preferred CT-based test for appropriately selected symptomatic patients.

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The use of FDA-approved niacin (nicotinic acid or vitamin B3) formulations at therapeutic doses, alone or in combination with statins or other lipid therapies, is safe, improves multiple lipid parameters, and reduces atherosclerosis progression. Niacin is unique as the most potent available lipid therapy to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and it significantly reduces lipoprotein(a). Through its action on the GPR109A receptor, niacin may also exert beneficial pleiotropic effects independent of changes in lipid levels, such as improving endothelial function and attenuating vascular inflammation. Studies evaluating the impact of niacin in statin-naïve patients on cardiovascular outcomes, or alone and in combination with statins or other lipid therapies on atherosclerosis progression, have been universally favorable. However, the widespread use of niacin to treat residual lipid abnormalities such as low HDL cholesterol, when used in combination with statins among patients achieving very low (<75 mg/dL) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, is currently not supported by clinical outcome trials.

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