Kulthamrongsri, Narathorn

Background/Objectives: In the United States, HF prevalence is projected to progressively rise by 2030. Prior research suggests a strong association between reduced sleep duration and increased cardiovascular disease and HF risk. This study introduces an alternative parameter, the weekend sleep recovery (WSR), measured by the weekend-to-weekday sleep duration ratio (SDR), to evaluate its association with HF risk. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) 2017–2023 to examine self-reported sleep patterns. Participants were classified as WSR (SDR > 1) or non-WSR (SDR ≤ 1). Multivariate logistic regression assessed the association between WSR and HF, adjusting for demographics and comorbidities. Results: Among 8320 participants included in the fully adjusted analysis, WSR was associated with lower odds of HF compared with non-WSR (adjusted OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.96; p = 0.026). A significant interaction was observed between WSR and weekday sleep duration (P for interaction = 0.003), whereas no interaction was found with weekend sleep duration. In exploratory subgroup analyses, nominally significant associations were observed in several clinical subgroups; however, after correction for multiple comparisons, only participants without dyslipidemia retained statistical significance. No significant effect modification by race/ethnicity was observed (P for interaction = 0.436). Conclusions: Weekend sleep recovery was associated with lower odds of HF in this cross-sectional study. The association varied according to weekday sleep duration but was generally consistent across racial/ethnic groups. Given the observational design, these findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal and warrant confirmation in prospective studies.

Myoma uteri is the most common benign tumour in women, but myomatous erythrocytosis syndrome (MES) is rare. MES is characterised by erythrocytosis, a myomatous uterus and blood normalization after hysterectomy or myomectomy. It increases the risk of thromboembolic events, making early recognition crucial. A premenopausal, nulliparous woman in her 50s with dyslipidaemia and obesity presented with a 20-week-sized abdominopelvic mass but no abnormal uterine bleeding. CT imaging revealed a large right adnexal mass. Lab tests showed isolated erythrocytosis with normal tumour markers and serum erythropoietin (Epo). Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy confirmed multiple uterine myomas, the largest measuring 19.5 cm, along with a right ovarian haemorrhagic cyst. Postoperatively, her blood levels normalised, confirming MES. The exact mechanism remains unclear but may involve Epo production. While Epo is often linked to myomas, some cases, like ours, show normal levels, highlighting the need for further research to understand MES and develop targeted treatments.

Spontaneous type-1 Brugada patterns are associated with an elevated risk of major arrhythmic events, yet the relationship between varying degrees of pattern burden and the occurrence of a first major arrhythmic event remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study included 64 adult patients with a spontaneous type-1 Brugada pattern, who were identified at Mayo Clinic sites and followed for ≥12 months after the initial diagnosis. All patients underwent at least three 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) within the first year. Individuals with prior major arrhythmic events were excluded. The percentage of ECGs showing a type-1 pattern was calculated and categorized as paroxysmal (<50%), persistent (50–99%), or permanent (100%). During a median follow-up of 92 months, seven patients (11%) experienced their first major arrhythmic event. Of these, one had paroxysmal, four had persistent, and two had permanent spontaneous type-1 Brugada patterns. Although statistical significance was not reached, the hazard ratios suggested a trend toward increased risk with persistent and permanent patterns compared to paroxysmal patterns. No sudden cardiac deaths occurred during follow-up. These findings suggest that a higher burden of spontaneous type-1 Brugada patterns may be associated with increased arrhythmic risk.

Leuprolide acetate is commonly used to reduce the size of myomas before surgery. Initially, it stimulates pituitary gonadotropin secretion, followed by sustained suppression of gonadal function. However, the impact on pregnancy outcomes from inadvertent exposure remains unclear. This case involves a woman in her 30s, multiparous, with a 20-week-sized leiomyoma, who received two doses of 3.75 mg subcutaneous leuprolide acetate, 15 days after menstruation, 4 weeks apart. An ultrasound, conducted 2 weeks after the last dose, accidentally revealed a viable intrauterine pregnancy at 8+6 weeks gestation. Her pregnancy progressed without complications, culminating in a term caesarean delivery without fetal anomalies. She opted for a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy 6 months later. Despite unclear teratogenic effects, evidence suggests that leuprolide acetate does not significantly impact pregnancy outcomes.

Despite advances in ablative therapies, outcomes remain less favorable for persistent atrial fibrillation often due to presence of non-pulmonary vein triggers and abnormal atrial substrates. This review highlights advances in ablation technologies and notable scientific literature on clinical outcomes associated with pursuing adjunctive ablation targets and substrate modification during persistent atrial fibrillation ablation, while also highlighting notable future directions.