Altered Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Research Articles

Programmed ventricular stimulation for risk stratification in patients with myocardial scarring and an ejection fraction above or equal to 40%

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the leading causes of death, particularly among patients with myocardial scars. Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are recommended in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%. Another recognised indication is the induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) during programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) in post-myocardial infarction patients with non-sustained VT and a LVEF between 35% and 40%. However, no recommendation exists to guide the use of prophylactic ICD implantation in patients with less altered LVEF, even though they represent the majority of SCDs. Purpose We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of PVS in patients with myocardial scars and a relatively preserved LVEF (≥ 40%). Methods Patients with evidence of a chronic myocardial scar and a LVEF ≥ 40%, who underwent PVS at two hospital centers were considered for inclusion. Ischemic and non-ischemic myocardial scars were included. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a Major Arrhythmic Event (MAE), namely SCD, clinical VT/ventricular fibrillation, or appropriate ICD therapy. Results 134 patients were included (mean age 62.4 ± 12.5 years, LVEF 54.7 ± 8.6 %). Indication for PVS was mostly non-sustained VT and/or syncope (84%). Post-myocardial infarction patients represented about half of the cases (53%). Inducibility during PVS was observed in 17 patients (13%). There was a nonsignificant trend towards higher inducibility rates in ischemic versus nonischemic scars (17% and 8%, respectively; p-value = 0.1). Of these patients, 15 received an ICD (88%). Over a mean follow-up of 49 (±42) months, a MAE occurred in 7 patients (41.2%) with positive PVS, versus 4 patients (3.4%) with negative PVS. MAE-free survival at 10 years was 91% and 43% in PVS-negative and PVS-positive patients, respectively (p-value < 0.001). One SCD occurred in a PVS-positive patient who denied prophylactic ICD implantation. Inducibility during PVS provided a 64% sensitivity and a 97% negative predictive value (PV) to predict the occurrence of MAE (specificity 92%, positive PV 41%). Conclusion PVS is a useful tool to discriminate patients with myocardial scars and LVEF ≥ 40% at increased arrhythmic risk. Effective utilisation of ICD may be anticipated in case of positive PVS, while non-inducible patients are at lower MAE risk.

Right ventricular dysfunction before transcatheter aortic valve implantation: incidence, predictive factors and prognostic impact

Abstract Background Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is considered to be a late marker of advanced aortic stenosis (AS) and is associated with poor prognosis. Currently. there are conflicting data on the impact of RVD on clinical outcomes in patients with severe AS treated with TAVI. Moreover, few studies have studied the evolution (recovery or persistence) of RVD and its prognostic impact. Objectives To assess the incidence and predictive factors of RVD before TAVI, its prognostic impact and its evolution after TAVI. Methods All patients treated with TAVI for severe AS were included in a prospective single center database. Only patients who had a quantitative assessment of RV including Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) and/or doppler tissue imaging-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S') measurements, were eligible to this study. RVD was defined by a TAPSE <17 mm or S' <9.5 cm/s if TAPSE was not available. Results Between May 2014 and April 2019, 503 patients with RV function evaluation were included. Incidence of RVD before TAVI was 18.7%. Predictors of RVD were diabetes (P=0.03), atrial fibrillation (P=0.001), altered left ventricular ejection fraction (P<0.0001), left ventricular dilatation (P=0.007), and previous cardiac surgery (P=0.002). Long-term survival was altered in patients with RVD before TAVI as compared to those without RVD (HR 1.97, 95% CI: 1.1–3.4, P=0.01). One year after TAVI, 58.7% of patients with baseline RVD had a normal RV function and had similar outcome as compared to those without RVD at baseline. In contrast, patients with persistent RVD had the worst prognosis. Conclusions RVD is not rare and has a deleterious prognostic impact in patients treated by TAVI. Recovery of normal RV function is frequent after TAVI whereas persistence of RVD is associated with poor outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Case 294.

History A 50-year-old woman presented to the emergency department of our hospital with a 2-day history of lower limb pain associated with unusual asthenia and diffuse arthralgia over the past 3 weeks. She was a native of Guinea and had lived in France for most of her life, working as a personal care assistant. Her only medical history of note was an occurrence of fetal death at 12 weeks gestation when she was 35 years old. She had bilateral lower limb swelling, without changes in skin temperature or color. All proximal and distal arterial pulses were felt. General physical examination findings were otherwise unremarkable. Her laboratory tests showed a decreased hemoglobin concentration of 8.9 g/dL (normal range, 12-16 g/dL), a decreased platelet count of 45 × 109/L (normal range, 150-400 × 109/L), a C-reactive protein level of 158 mg/L (normal range, <5 mg/L) and a d-dimer level of 2000 mg/L (normal range, <500 mg/L). Compression US of the lower limbs revealed bilateral calf vein thrombosis involving the fibular and posterior tibial veins. Curative anticoagulation using low-molecular-weight heparin (enoxaparin, subcutaneous injection of 100 units per kilogram of body weight twice a day) was started. The day after the start of anticoagulation therapy, the patient reported dyspnea and acute chest and abdominal pain. Her vital signs were assessed, and she had elevated blood pressure and increased heart rate and respiratory rate, but she remained afebrile. Her cardiac auscultation was unremarkable, besides tachycardia. Skin examination revealed small areas of necrosis on the fingertips of her right hand. Laboratory studies were repeated and showed an increase in serum creatinine level from a baseline value of 0.49 mg/dL to a new value of 1.01 mg/dL (normal range, 0.6-1.1 mg/dL), an apparition of low-grade proteinuria of 0.43 g per day (normal range, <0.3 g/day), and a high serum troponin level of 1066 ng/L (normal range, <14 ng/L), whereas electrocardiography showed no ST segment modification and echocardiography revealed a moderately altered left ventricular ejection fraction (45%). There was no coronary occlusion seen at emergency coronarography. Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis was performed (Figs 1, 2) together with cardiac MRI (Figs 3, 4).

Prognostic evaluation of patients benefiting from a trans aortic valve replacement according to the type of aortic stenosis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Aortic Stenosis (AS) is a common condition in patients over 75 years. Latest ESC recommendations differentiate 4 types of AS according to: Indexed Stroke Volume (SVi), mean gradient and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The aim of our study is to evaluate prognosis of patients who have had a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), in terms of mortality, according to the 4 types of AS. Methods This study compares prognosis of 620 patients who had TAVR between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to AS type: high gradient; low gradient, low flow, low LVEF; low gradient, low flow, normal LVEF; low gradient, normal flow. Results 69 patients (11.1%) died within 12 months of the procedure: 49 in the high gradient group (9.4%); 13 in the low gradient, low flow, low LVEF group (47.1%); 1 in the low gradient, low flow, normal LVEF group (5%); 6 in the low gradient, normal flow, normal LVEF group (18.2%). All-cause mortality at one year follow-up is higher in low-gradient, low-flow, altered LVEF group (p = 0.0004) than in other groups. Patients in this group were significantly more often admitted for heart failure than patients in high-gradient group (p = 0.009). Conclusion A complete echocardiography evaluation is needed to evaluate AS, its severity and type. Patients in the low gradient, low flow, low LVEF group have an independent risk of mortality at 12 months higher than other groups and are more hospitalized than patients in the high gradient group.

Interventional Cardiology Management of a Cardiogenic Shock Induced by Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy at the Hospital Center of Montlucon: A Case Report

Background: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is frequently considered as a benign disorder. We present an atypical form with cardiogenic shock that was managed by interventional cardiology measures. Case presentation: A 58 years old female patient with a past history of hypertension, obesity and multiple sclerosis was admitted at the Hospital Center of Montlucon for septic shock of urinary origin. During hospitalization in intensive care unit, the patient presented a markedly increasing of troponin levels with a diffused ST-segment elevation. Transthoracic Echocardiography showed an altered left ventricular ejection fraction at 35% with hypokinesia of apex and lateral ventricular segments in conjunction with compensatory hyperkinesis of the base; these findings were strongly suggestive of a diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Despite concomitant anemia, renal failure and sepsis, all adequately treated with complete remission, the patient developed frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardia that prompted an emergency coronarography. During this procedure, the patient presented a cardiogenic shock and bradyasystole that were successfully managed by intra-aortic balloon pumping and temporary transvenous pacing. Finally, there were no coronary lesions and ventriculography confirmed a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Given the unstable hemodynamic status of this patient, she was addressed to the University Teaching Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand for more specialized care. Conclusion: This case alerts the physician to be more vigilant when managing all patients with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, because some cases could be fatal. In severe cases, intra-aortic balloon pumping and temporary epicardial pacing can be life-saving.

Serum neprilysin levels are associated with myocardial stunning after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract Background/Introduction Left ventricular remodeling following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome. Neprilysin inhibition leads to improved outcome in patients with altered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Purpose We aimed to assess the association between serum levels of neprilysin and left ventricular (LV) volumes, function and remodeling in STEMI patients with successful myocardial reperfusion. Methods Sixty-eight patients were admitted for STEMI and had both plasma neprilysin measurement at baseline and 3D transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline and at follow-up (7 months). We compared 3 groups: a group with a low-level of plasma neprilysin (&amp;lt;125 pg/mL, i.e. the lower limit of detection of the assay, 38 patients) and the two other groups were defined as being below or above the median value of the remaining samples (15 patients each). Results Median age was 58.5±12.8 years and 56 (82.4%) were men. Median LVEF was 45.0±8.5%. Baseline characteristics were comparable among groups. At baseline there was a non-significant trend towards lower end-diastolic volume (p=0.07) but significantly lower LVEF in the high neprilysin group (46.4±8.3%, 47.1±8.1% and 39.1±6.9%, p&amp;lt;0.01). At follow-up, the magnitude of LVEF increase was significantly more important in the high neprilysin group compared to the other groups (p=0.022 for relative change in LVEF and 6.6±7.3%, 3.6±9.0% and 11.3±8.4%, p=0.031 for absolute change in LVEF) resulting in similar LVEF levels at follow-up between all groups (53.0±8.9%, 50.6±9.7% and 50.4±9.9%, p=0.55). Conclusion(s) Initial high neprilysin levels may identify patients with stunned myocardium early after STEMI, with a recovery of contractility leading to improved LVEF at follow-up. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Benefit of Ambulatory Management of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure by Protocolized Follow-Up Therapeutic Education and Remote Monitoring Solution: An Original Study in 159 Patients.

This study sought to determine whether the implementation of regular and structured follow-up of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), combined with therapeutic education and remote monitoring solution, leads to better management. This was a single-center retrospective study conducted in a cohort of patients with proven CHF who were followed up in the Mulhouse region (France) between January 2016 and December 2017 by the Unité de Suivi des Patients Insuffisants Cardiaques (USICAR) unit. These patients received regular protocolized follow-up, a therapeutic education program, and several used a telemedicine platform for a two-year period. The primary endpoint was the number of days hospitalized for heart failure (HF) per patient per year. The main secondary endpoints included the number of days hospitalized for a heart condition other than HF and the number of hospital stays for HF per patient. These endpoints were collected during the year preceding enrollment, at one year of follow-up, and at two years of follow-up. The remote monitoring solution was evaluated on the same criterion. Overall, 159 patients with a mean age of 72.9 years were included in this study. They all had CHF, mainly NYHA Class I-II (88.7%), predominantly of ischemic origin (50.9%), and with altered left ventricular ejection fraction in 69.2% of cases. The mean number of days hospitalized for HF per patient per year was 8.33 (6.84–10.13) in the year preceding enrollment, 2.6 (1.51–4.47) at one year of follow-up, and 2.82 at two years of follow-up (1.30–6.11) (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). The mean number of days hospitalized for a heart condition other than HF was 1.73 (1.16–2.6), 1.81 (1.04–3.16), and 1.32 (0.57–3.08), respectively (p = ns). The percentage of hospitalization for HF for each patient was 69.5% (60.2–77.4), 16.2% (10–25.2), and 19.3% (11–31.8), respectively (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). In the group telemedicine, the mean number of days hospitalized for HF per patient per year was 8.33 during the year preceding enrollment, 2.3 during the first year of follow-up, and 1.7 during the second. This difference was significant (p < 0.001). The “number of days hospitalized for a heart condition other than HF” was significantly reduced in the group of patient’s beneficiating from the remote monitoring solution. This study demonstrates the value of a protocolized follow-up associated with a therapeutic optimization, therapeutic education program, and the use of a remote monitoring solution to improve the management of ambulatory patients with CHF, particularly of moderate severity.

Serum neprilysin levels are associated with myocardial stunning after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BackgroundLeft ventricular remodeling following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is associated with poor outcome, including heart failure (HF). Neprilysin inhibition leads to improved outcome in patients with altered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).MethodsWe aimed to assess the association between serum levels of neprilysin and left ventricular (LV) volumes, function and remodeling in STEMI patients with successful myocardial reperfusion and no clinical sign of HF. Sixty-eight patients were admitted for STEMI and had both plasma neprilysin measurement at baseline and 3D transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline and after a median follow-up of 7 months. We compared 3 groups: a group with a low-level of plasma neprilysin (< 125 pg/mL, i.e. the lower limit of detection of the assay) and the two other groups were defined as being below or above the median value of the remaining samples.ResultsMedian age was 58.5 ± 12.8 years and 56 (82.4%) were men. Median LVEF was 45.0 ± 8.5%. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (low-level of neprilysin group [≤125 pg/mL, n = 38], medium-level of neprilysin group [126–450 pg/mL, n = 15] and a high-level group [> 450 pg/mL, n = 15]). At baseline there was a non-significant trend towards lower end-diastolic volume (p = 0.07) but significantly lower LVEF in the high neprilysin group (46.4 ± 8.3%, 47.1 ± 8.1% and 39.1 ± 6.9%, p < 0.01). At follow-up, the magnitude of LVEF increase was significantly more important in the high neprilysin group compared to the other groups (p = 0.022 for relative change in LVEF and 6.6 ± 7.3%, 3.6 ± 9.0% and 11.3 ± 8.4%, p = 0.031 for absolute change in LVEF) resulting in similar LVEF levels at follow-up between all groups (53.0 ± 8.9%, 50.6 ± 9.7% and 50.4 ± 9.9%, p = 0.55).ConclusionsInitial high neprilysin levels may identify patients with stunned myocardium early after STEMI, with a recovery of contractility leading to improved LVEF at follow-up. Future studies will have to assess the role of neprilysin in the setting of STEMI and the potential benefit of its blockade.

Evaluation of the French National Program on Home Return of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure (PRADO-IC): Pilot Study of 91 Patients During Its Deployment in the Bas Rhin Area.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the French national program on home return of chronic heart failure patients (PRADO-IC) in terms of re-hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) during its deployment in the Bas-Rhin (France). Patients and methods: This was a pilot, descriptive, quantitative, retrospective, and bi-centric study (University Hospitals of Strasbourg and Haguenau Hospital Center, France). It included all patients included in the PRADO-IC program from these centers between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015. The primary endpoint of our study was the evaluation of the number of 1-year, 6-month, and 30-day re-admissions to the hospital in relation to an acute HF episode, before and after the inclusion of patients in the PRADO-IC program. The secondary endpoints were the number of overall re-hospitalizations (all-cause); the number of days of hospitalization for HF; the time to first re-hospitalization and the average length of hospital stay, before and after inclusion in PRADO-IC; and the overall and cardiovascular mortality rates. Results: 91 patients out of 271 (33,6%) with a mean age of 79.2 years (67–94) were included. They all had chronic HF, essentially class II-III NYHA (90.1%), mostly of ischemic origin (41.9%), with altered left ventricular ejection fraction in 71.4% of cases. A reduction in the mean number of hospitalizations for HF per patient at 30 days, 6 months and 1 year was observed, respectively, from 0.18 ± 0.42 per patient before inclusion to 0.15 ± 0.36 after inclusion (p = 0.56); 0.98 ± 1.04 hospitalizations to 0.53 ± 0.81 at 6 months (p < 0.01); and 1.64 ± 1.14 hospitalizations 1.04 ± 1.05 at 1 year (p < 0.001). Patients were hospitalized less overall after inclusion in the PRADO-IC program. The number of days of hospitalization for HF was reduced after inclusion of patients from 18.02 ± 7.78 days before inclusion to 14.28 ± 11.57 days for the 6 month follow-up (p = 0.006), and from 22.07 ± 10.33 days before inclusion to 16.39 ± 15.94 days for the 1 year follow-up (p < 0.001). In contrast, inclusion in PRADO-IC statistically increased the mean time to first re-hospitalization for HF from mean 99.36 ± 72.39 days before inclusion to 148.11 ± 112.77 days after inclusion (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study seems to demonstrate that the PRADO-IC program could improve the management of chronic HF patients in ambulatory care, particularly regarding HF re-hospitalization. However, due to the limitations of the methodology used and the small number of patients, it is advisable to consolidate its initial results with a randomized controlled study on a larger number of patients. In our opinion, its results need to be communicated because, to our knowledge, no equivalent study exists.

5204Primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with tetralogy of Fallot with implantable cardioverter defibrillator: insights from the DAI-T4F study

Abstract Background Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death are feared late complications in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Selection of candidates for primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) remains challenging in this population. Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), altered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), positive programmed ventricular stimulation, and enlarged QRS are currently used for risk stratification. Purpose To identify high-risk patients with tetralogy of Fallot in the setting of primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Methods The DAI-T4F study is a large ongoing national French registry including all patients with tetralogy of Fallot and ICD (NCT03837574). Information have been collected prospectively since 2010 with annual update. Baseline patient characteristics and clinical events during the follow-up were analyzed with central adjudication. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors associated with appropriate ICD therapies. Results Among 134 patients enrolled, 47 (35.1%) underwent ICD implantation for primary prevention (median age 49.1 years, 76.6% males). At baseline, 20 (42.6%) patients had NSVT, 17 (36.2%) had severe altered LVEF ≤35%, 16 (34.0%) had positive programmed ventricular stimulation, and 16 (34.0%) had QRS duration ≥180ms. Overall, 20 (42.6%), 15 (31.9%), and 6 (12.8%) patients had respectively one, two, or ≥ three of these risk factors. Six (12.8%) patients were implanted for other indications. During a median (IQR) follow-up duration of 5.3 (2.1–8.0) years, 14 (29.8%) patients had at least one appropriate ICD therapy. The annual incidence of appropriate ICD therapies were 2.8%, 4.6%, 6.3%, and 8.6% in patients with none, one, two, or ≥ three of these factors (p for trend = 0.145). None of predictors, considered isolated, was significantly associated with ICD appropriate therapies. Patients with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) and positive programmed ventricular stimulation had a significant increased risk of ICD appropriate therapies (HR=3.8, 95% CI: 1.1–14.3, p=0.035), as well as patients with NSVT and QRSd ≥180 ms (HR=7.2, 95% CI: 1.6–32.7, p=0.003). No patient with severe altered LVEF without other risk factor had appropriate ICD therapy. Patients with congestive heart failure and/or altered LVEF had a higher risk of non-sudden death or cardiac transplantation (HR=14.4, 95% CI: 1.8–112.7, p&lt;0.001). Seventeen (36.2%) patients experienced at least one ICD-related complication. Conclusions Our data illustrate that specific risk stratification and primary prevention for sudden cardiac death in patients with tetralogy of Fallot may be improved. The value of a severely altered LVEF appears low in the absence of other risk factors, and combination of different predictors is essential. The high rate of complications as well as consideration of competing risk situation have to be integrated in the benefit-risk equation.

Effect of metformin on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with coronary artery diseases: a systematic review and an updated meta-analysis

BackgroundMetformin is the most widely prescribed drug to lower glucose and has a definitive effect on the cardiovascular system. The goal of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effects of metformin on mortality and cardiac function among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).MethodsRelevant studies reported before October 2018 was retrieved from databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Hazard ratio (HR) was calculated to evaluate the all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and incidence of cardiovascular events (CV events), to figure out the level of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), type B natriuretic peptide (BNP) and to compare the average level of low density lipoprotein (LDL).ResultsIn this meta-analysis were included 40 studies comprising 1,066,408 patients. The cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality and incidence of CV events were lowered to adjusted HR (aHR) = 0.81, aHR = 0.67 and aHR = 0. 83 respectively after the patients with CAD were given metformin. Subgroup analysis showed that metformin reduced all-cause mortality in myocardial infarction (MI) (aHR = 0.79) and heart failure (HF) patients (aHR = 0.84), the incidence of CV events in HF (aHR = 0.83) and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (aHR = 0.83), but had no significant effect on MI (aHR = 0.87) and non-T2DM patients (aHR = 0.92). Metformin is superior to sulphonylurea (aHR = 0.81) in effects on lowering the incidence of CV events and in effects on patients who don’t use medication. The CK-MB level in the metformin group was lower than that in the control group standard mean difference (SMD) = − 0.11). There was no significant evidence that metformin altered LVEF (MD = 2.91), BNP (MD = − 0.02) and LDL (MD = − 0.08).ConclusionMetformin reduces cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality and CV events in CAD patients. For MI patients and CAD patients without T2DM, metformin has no significant effect of reducing the incidence of CV events. Metformin has a better effect of reducing the incidence of CV events than sulfonylureas.

COULD PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA INDUCED CARDIOMYOPATHY BE INFLUENCED BY AN EXCESSIVE DELAY BEFORE DIAGNOSIS? DISCUSSION ABOUT TWO CASE-REPORTS

Objective: Different types of pheochromocytoma-related cardiomyopathies have been described in literature, but predictive factors of their occurrence and evolution are not yet defined. Here are described two successive clinical cases concerning this issue. Design and method: Case-report 1: A 26 year-old woman was admitted for abdominal pain lasting for ten days. Blood pressure (BP) was 150/100 mmHg. The EKG presented negative T waves on the precordial leads, and the trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed a severe left heart dysfunction (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) 20%). There was no significant coronary artery stenosis but left ventricular apical ballooning resembling Takotsubo cardiomyopathy on the cardiac angiography. Plasma concentration of catecholamines was increased to over 26 times their normal values. A 60x58x58 mm right adrenal mass was detected on computer tomography (CT). A laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. The diagnosis was confirmed by histology. Thereafter, BP normalized and TTE control assessed complete recovery. Case-report 2: A 35 years old man presented clinical heart failure, his BP measured at 150/100 mmHg. Medical history revealed high blood pressure, which had been detected for a year, without specific therapy thus far. He also described the classic triad of head-aches, palpitations, and diaphoresis. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, evocated by negative T waves on anterior leads on the EKG, was confirmed on TTE with an altered ejection fraction of 30%. Coronary catheterization was normal. Explorations found elevated plasma catecholamines level and a right adrenal tumor of 65X55X50 mm on CT. Pathologic examination of the resection specimen affirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The clinical follow-up showed BP normalization, but persistence of an altered LVEF. Results: The severe acute clinical presentation of the first patient led to early diagnosis and treatment, with complete recovery. For the second one, the long term evolution of the disease before treatment may explain the poor improvement of the myocardiopathy. Conclusions: These two case-reports suggest that the form and evolution of pheochromocytoma-related cardiomyopathies depend on duration of catecholamine exposure, possibly in close relation with the length of diagnosis delay. This hypothesis could be tested by a larger follow-up of multiple cases of pheochromocytoma-related cardiomyopathies.

0105 : Evaluation of management of heart failure and sleep apnea syndrome in a cardiac intensive care unit

Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is seen in approximately 40% of patients with congestive heart failure. SAS is also associated with an increased mortality in patients with systolic heart failure. The aim of this work was to evaluate the screening for SAS in patients hospitalized for acute congestive heart failure in a cardiac intensive care unit. We performed a single-center retrospective study of patients hospitalized for congestive heart failure with altered left ventricular ejection fraction (lvef) ≤45% from june to december 2013. We assessed the screening for sleep apnea syndrom using Epworth sleepiness scale. We included 51 patients. Mean values were for age 76 y. o, men 54%, body mass index 27kg/m 2 , lvef 32%, diabetese 34%, hypertension 40%, NYHA III 38% and NYHA IV 50%. Only 14% (7) of patients were screened for SAS using the Epworth scale. All of them benefited a polysomnography at less one month after discharge. 6 of them (85%) were diagnosed with SAS. Although Epworth scale is a usefull and easy tool, Apnea syndrom remains underdiagnosed. Because of its high prevalence, poor outcome, and the beneficial effects of treatment, cardiologist should be more aware of SAS

Strain Analysis during Exercise in Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Impact of Etiology

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and aortic stenosis (AS) may influence left ventricular (LV) systolic function, despite preservation of LV ejection fraction. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of cardiac afterload and myocardial hypertrophy in the potential dysfunction of myocardial deformation, at rest and during standardized exercise. Patients with moderate to severe (≤ 1.5 cm(2)) asymptomatic AS and patients with HCM in sinus rhythm were prospectively studied using resting and exercise echocardiography during submaximal exercise. Myocardial deformations were assessed using two-dimensional strain. Exclusion criteria were altered LV ejection fraction (<50%), coronary artery disease, intra-LV obstruction > 30 mm Hg at rest, diastolic LV thickness ≥ 30 mm, and New York Heart Association class > II. Thus, 50 patients (25 with AS, 25 with HCM) were selected and matched for age, sex, rest and exercise blood pressure, degree of LV hypertrophy (defined by maximal wall thickness), and LV ejection fraction. Mean resting global longitudinal strain (GLS) was -14.9 ± 4.7% in patients with AS and -16.1 ± 3.9% in those with HCM (P = .30). During exercise (mean heart rate, 110 ± 10 beats/min), mean GLS was -13.9 ± 4.2% in patients with AS and -18.1 ± 5.4% in those with HCM (P = .004). GLS decreased in patients with AS but increased in those with HCM (ΔGLS, 0.9 ± 3.1% and -1.9 ± 3.2%, respectively, P = .003). The same results were observed for global circumferential strain. Mean resting global circumferential strain was -16.4 ± 5.8% in patients with AS and -17.9 ± 4.5% in those with HCM (P = .36). During exercise, mean global circumferential strain was -13.8 ± 4.1% in patients with AS and -18.6 ± 5.3% in those with HCM (P = .011). Afterload was higher, particularly during exercise, in patients with AS than in those with HCM. Longitudinal and circumferential LV deformation during exercise was lower in patients with AS compared with those with HCM, despite similar resting characteristics. The greater afterload observed in patients with AS led to reduced contractile reserve.

Relative Change in NT-proBNP Level: An Important Risk Predictor of Cardiovascular Congestion in Haemodialysis Patients

Background: Cross-sectional studies have shown that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) are predictive of cardiovascular death in haemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that monitoring NT-proBNP measurements adds further prognostic information, i.e. predicts congestive heart failure (CHF) events. Methods: In a prospective cohort of 236 HD patients, NT-proBNP levels were measured monthly during 18 months. Patients were divided according to the occurrence of CHF events. In a nested case-control study, we assessed the evolution of NT-proBNP levels. Results: On average, the 236 HD patients were followed up for 12.5 months, a period during which 44 patients developed a CHF event (half requiring hospitalisation). At baseline, patients who developed a CHF event had significantly more dilated cardiomyopathy and/or altered left ventricular ejection fraction and higher NT-proBNP levels compared with patients who did not develop a CHF event. During follow-up, we observed a significant increase in NT-proBNP levels preceding the CHF event. At a 20% relative increase of NT-proBNP, the sensitivity of NT-proBNP as a predictor of CHF events was 0.57 and the specificity 0.77. Conclusion: The relative change in NT-proBNP levels is a significant risk predictor of a CHF event.

Blood glutathione decrease in subjects carrying lamin A/C gene mutations is an early marker of cardiac involvement

Dominant inherited Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B are due to mutations in the LMNA gene encoding lamin A/C and present similar life-threatening cardiac disease, the early diagnosis of which lacks reliable biomarkers. Glutathione depletion characterizes subjects with cardiac diseases of non-genetic aetiology. We examined blood glutathione in 22 LMNA-mutated subjects without altered left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF>40%) measured by conventional echocardiography. Left and right ventricular (LV/RV) contractility was evaluated using echocardiography implemented with tissue-Doppler echography. Blood glutathione was positively correlated with LV and RV contractility (p<0.05), and was decreased by 23% in subjects with reduced LV/RV contractility compared to subjects with normal contractility. ROC analysis showed that blood glutathione reliably detected reduced LV/RV contractility (AUC-95% CI: 0.90 [0.76–1.04]; p=0.01). Blood glutathione decrease may allow the detection of reduced contractility in muscular dystrophic LMNA-mutated patients with still preserved LVEF.

Systolic time intervals as simple echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular systolic performance: correlation with ejection fraction and longitudinal two-dimensional strain

Conventionally, the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) systolic function is based on ejection fraction assessment, which may be supplemented by other echocardiographic techniques, such as tissue Doppler imaging, 3D evaluation, and speckle tracking strains. However, these imaging modalities have a high technicity and are time-consuming, while being associated with reproducibility limitations. In this context, the usefulness of simpler measurements such as systolic time intervals (STI) by pulsed Doppler echocardiography must be emphasized. In this multicentre study, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), dP/dt(max), LV stroke volume, myocardial longitudinal deformation, aortic pre-ejectional period (PEP, ms), and left ventricular ejection time (LVET, ms) were prospectively investigated and compared in 134 consecutive heart failure (HF) patients and 43 control subjects. Feasibility of STI measurements was 100%. Intra-observer reproducibility was 98% for PEP, 96% for LVET, 87% for LVEF, and 93% for global longitudinal strain (GLS). By subgroup analyses, with increasingly altered LVEF or GLS, PEP significantly increased, whereas significantly LVET decreased, resulting in a significantly increased PEP/LVET ratio (P < 0.001). In the HF patients group, a correlation between LVEF and PEP/LVET was found, with r = 0.55 (y = -0.0083x + 0.75, P < 0.001). Based on receiver operating curve analyses, the area under the curve was 0.91 for PEP/LVET > 0.43, which allowed us to detect LVEF < 35% with a sensitivity of 87%, and a specificity of 84%. STI can be easily and accurately measured in clinical practice, and may be used for detecting alterations in LV systolic function. Moreover, this method is likely to have potential applications in the management of HF patients.

Assessment of brain natriuretic peptide in patients with suspected heart failure: comparison with radionuclide ventriculography data

Background: The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate patients with suspected or known heart disease using plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurement and radionuclide ventriculography to examine whether left ventricular dysfunction is associated with an abnormal rise of BNP concentration. Methods: Patients ( n=153) and controls ( n=14) underwent radionuclide ventriculography to determine Left ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and measurement of plasma BNP concentration using a commercial kit. Results: Plasma BNP concentration in controls was significantly lower than that in patients whatever the stage of the disease, significantly lower than that of patients with normal LVEF (LVEF>55%); than that of patients with altered LVEF (LVEF≤40%); and than that of patients with moderately reduced LVEF (40%<LVEF≤5%). Comparisons between groups of patients showed that the more severe the disease, the higher the BNP level. From the ROC curve, a plasma BNP concentration of 52 pg/ml was attached to a 85% sensitivity and 82% specificity in identifying patients with LVEF≤40%. Conclusions: Plasma BNP concentration provides a reliable and sensitive marker of LV systolic dysfunction evaluated by a nuclear medicine technique, and could be a potential screening test to identify patients for additional investigations.

Hemodynamic and angiographic comparison of intravenous nitroglycerin and nicardipine mainly in subjects without coronary artery disease

Twenty patients were studied during cardiac catheterization to compare hemodynamic and quantitative angiographic effects of intravenous nicardipine and nitroglycerin. After baseline measurements, nicardipine or nitroglycerin was administered by randomized continuous infusion beginning at 10 μg/min titrated to achieve a 10 to 12% reduction in systemic arterial pressure. Hemodynamic measurements and angiography were then repeated. Nicardipine did not change heart rate, and a small decrease (82 ± 4 vs 75 ± 4 beats/min) was observed with nitroglycerin, whereas mean arterial pressure decreased similarly (−11%) in both groups. Nicardipine increased (+13%) and nitroglycerin decreased (−21%) cardiac output. Although both drugs were associated with significant reductions in pulmonary artery wedge and pulmonary artery pressures, changes were greater with nitroglycerin for pulmonary artery wedge (−49% vs −26%) and pulmonary artery (−39% vs −13%) pressures, whereas only nitroglycerin reduced right atrial pressure significantly. Neither drug altered left ventricular ejection fraction or pulmonary vascular resistance, and only nicardipine decreased systemic vascular resistance significantly. Quantitative coronary angiography (videodensitometry) showed dilation of the left main, proximal, mid and distal anterior descending and circumflex segments by both nitroglycerin and nicardipine. Nicardipine dilated small (<2 mm 2) and large (>2) arterial segments equally, whereas nitroglycerin showed a proportionately greater effect on small vessels.