Cardiac Dysfunction In Patients Research Articles

Cardiac dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and acute decompensation.

The prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) has been reported as high as 60%-70% in patients with liver cirrhosis and is associated with various negative outcomes. There has been a growing understanding of CCM over recent years. Indeed, the development of imaging techniques has enabled new diagnostic criteria to be proposed by the Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy Consortium. However, important unanswered questions remain over pathophysiological mechanisms, optimal diagnostic modalities and potential treatment options. While there has been an increasing volume of literature evaluating CCM, there is a lack of clarity on its implications in acute decompensation, acute-on-chronic liver failure and following interventions such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt insertion and liver transplantation. This review aims to summarise the literature in these challenging domains and suggest where future research should focus. We conclude that systemic inflammation and structural myocardial changes are likely to be crucial in the pathophysiology of the disease, but the relative contribution of different components remains elusive. Furthermore, future studies need to use standardised diagnostic criteria for CCM as well as incorporate newer imaging techniques assessing both myocardial structure and function. Finally, while specific treatments are currently lacking, therapeutics targeting systemic inflammation, microbial dysbiosis and bacterial translocation are promising targets and warrant further research.

Assessment of Native Myocardial T1 Mapping for Early Detection of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Patients with Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Anthracycline antibiotic is one of the most effective anti-tumor drugs used to manage certain types of breast cancers, lymphomas, and leukemias. However, anthracyclines induce a dose-dependent cardiotoxicity that may progress to heart failure. Thus, using a sensitive predictor of early cardiac dysfunction in patients treated with anthracyclines can help detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction early and help initiate interventions to protect these patients. Among parameters of myocardial measure, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-measured native myocardial T1 mapping is considered a sensitive and accurate quantitative measure of early subclinical cardiac changes, particularly cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. However, to understand the quality and the validity of the current evidence supporting the use of these measures in patients treated with anthracyclines, we aimed to conduct a systematic review of clinical studies of this measure to detect early myocardial changes in cancer patients treated with anthracyclines. The primary outcome was the level of native T1 mapping. We performed fixed-effects meta-analyses and assessed certainty in effect estimates. Of the 1780 publications reviewed (till 2022), 23 were retrieved, and 9 articles met the inclusion criteria. Our study showed that exposure to anthracycline was associated with a significant elevation of native myocardial T1 mapping from baseline (95% CI 0.1121 to 0.5802; p = 0.0037) as well as compared to healthy control patients (95% CI 0.2925 to 0.7448; p < 0.0001). No significant publication bias was noted on the assessment of the funnel plot and Egger’s test. According to the Q test, there was no significant heterogeneity in the included studies (I2 = 0.0000% versus healthy controls and I2 = 14.0666% versus baseline). Overall, our study suggests that native myocardial T1 mapping is useful for detecting anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with cancer.

Abstract PO4-12-07: INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY BREAST CANCER WHO RECEIVED CARDIOTOXIC THERAPY IN CARDIONCOLOGY UNIT

Abstract Introduction: Early breast cancer (eBC) is the most frequent malignancy diagnosed in women worldwide; fortunately, survival is increasing related to early diagnosis and the incorporation of new drugs. In this scenario, preventing long-term toxicities become essential. Cardiac adverse events related to anthracyclines or trastuzumab such as reduction in left ventricular (LV) systolic function and clinical heart failure (HF), are well known and are the leading cause of morbidity in breast cancer survivors. Cardioprotective strategies and early diagnoses of asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction are essential to optimized management and prevention of overt cardiovascular (CV) disease. We made a specific cardiac assessment within an Oncocardiology multidisciplinary Unit in patients receiving anticancer therapies. We present the experience in patients with eBC treated with anthracyclines, trastuzumab or both in the past five years. Materials and Methods: We conducted an institutional, interventional, prospective study in patients who received anthracyclines, trastuzumab or both according to the standard of care (SoC) in eBC. Basal CV risk stratification included lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin, high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT) and N-terminal ProB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) was done. Image assessment was done by echocardiogram (echo), including myocardial deformation assessed by speckle tracking (STRAIN). Follow-up was done according to anthracycline or trastuzumab therapy with echo and cardiac biomarkers during the systemic therapy and at the end of anticancer treatment, 1, 2 and 5 years after. Patients with uncontrolled CV risks factors according to local protocol, asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction defined as decreased strain (&amp;gt;15% compared with baseline) or increased cardiac biomarkers (Hs-TnT &amp;gt;14 at baseline or x3 basal value during the follow-up; NT-ProBNP &amp;gt; 300 in patients with &amp;lt; 50y; &amp;gt; 600 in patients between 50-75-y or &amp;gt;900 in patients &amp;gt; 75 years or older) or patients who develop heart failure during the treatment or follow-up were referred to cardiologist. Results: between 2018 and 2022, 1125 patients were diagnosed with eBC in our institution, and 435 patients received systemic treatment with anthracyclines, trastuzumab or both. During the study period, 165 of these patients were referred to the cardio-oncologist. 60% received treatment with anthracyclines, 36% with trastuzumab and 4.1% with both. The median age was 58(±23.2), 60% had previous CV risk factors. The main reason to refer patients to the cardio-oncologist was asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction and uncontrolled CV risk factors. (Table 1). 60% of patients initiated angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or Beta-blockers, and only two patients stopped anticancer therapy due to severe cardiac dysfunction. The period of high risk of developing cardiotoxicity was the first year after the end of treatment. Conclusion: multidisciplinary evaluation within a cardio-oncology unit is useful to optimize CV risk factors and to detect asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction in patients receiving cardiotoxic drugs. Table 1. Main reasons to refer patients to cardiologist. Citation Format: Tamara Martos, Laia Carla Belarte-Tornero, Mireia Ble, Eva Gimeno, Laura Sanhauja, Felicidad Martines-Medina, Maria Martinez-García, Maria Castro-Henriques, Joan Albanell, Sonia Servitja. INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY BREAST CANCER WHO RECEIVED CARDIOTOXIC THERAPY IN CARDIONCOLOGY UNIT [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-12-07.

Rationale and design of the PACIFIC-PRESERVED (PhenomApping, ClassIFication and Innovation for Cardiac dysfunction in patients with heart failure and PRESERVED left ventricular ejection fraction) study

BackgroundHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous syndrome that is poorly defined, reflecting an incomplete understanding of its pathophysiology. AimTo redefine the phenotypic spectrum of HFpEF. MethodsThe PACIFIC-PRESERVED study is a prospective multicentre cohort study designed to perform multidimensional deep phenotyping of patients diagnosed with HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction≥50%), patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction≤40%) and subjects without overt heart failure (3:2:1 ratio). The study proposes prospective investigations in patients during a 1-day hospital stay: physical examination; electrocardiogram; performance-based tests; blood samples; cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; transthoracic echocardiography (rest and low-level exercise); myocardial shear wave elastography; chest computed tomography; and non-invasive measurement of arterial stiffness. Dyspnoea, depression, general health and quality of life will be assessed by dedicated questionnaires. A biobank will be established. After the hospital stay, patients are asked to wear a connected garment (with digital sensors) to collect electrocardiography, pulmonary and activity variables in real-life conditions (for up to 14 days). Data will be centralized for machine-learning-based analyses, with the aim of reclassifying HFpEF into more distinct subgroups, improving understanding of the disease mechanisms and identifying new biological pathways and molecular targets. The study will also serve as a platform to enable the development of innovative technologies and strategies for the diagnosis and stratification of patients with HFpEF. ConclusionsPACIFIC-PRESERVED is a prospective multicentre phenomapping study, using novel analytical techniques, which will provide a unique data resource to better define HFpEF and identify new clinically meaningful subgroups of patients.

Echocardiographic assessment of cardiovascular involvements in children with cystic fibrosis

BackgroundOver the past four decades, numerous case reports and clinical studies have highlighted the presence of heart disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis. Given the limited information in this field and the imperative to identify early changes during childhood, our study aims to explore cardiac dysfunction in patients with cystic fibrosis using echocardiography. MethodsIn this case-control study, we examined echocardiographic findings from thirty-three patients with cystic fibrosis and sixty healthy children. Demographic information for both groups was recorded, and the disease severity in patients was assessed using the Schawachman criterion. M-mode, Doppler flow velocity, and Tissue Doppler Imaging echocardiography were performed for all participants, with subsequent data analysis using SPSS 24. ResultsOur study encompassed thirty-three CF patients and sixty healthy children. The estimated pulmonary artery blood pressure (systolic and mean) in patients with cystic fibrosis was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the mean trans-tricuspid peak early to late diastolic flow velocity (E/A) was significantly lower in the case group than the control group (P < 0.05), along with a significantly lower mean tricuspid valve deceleration time (DT) (P < 0.05). Similarly, the mean TAPSE in the case group was notably lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in Mean left ventricular Ejection Fraction (EF) and Fractional Shortening (FS) existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Furthermore, Trans-mitral peak early to late diastolic flow velocity (E/A) in the case group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the mean mitral valve DT in the case group was also significantly lower (P < 0.05). ConclusionOur study findings indicate the presence of some degree of right ventricular dysfunction in children with cystic fibrosis. This finding may have implications for the development or modification of clinical guidelines for managing cystic fibrosis in children. Further investigations are recommended to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and contributing factors, providing valuable insights for clinical management.

Cardiac effects of deferasirox in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: TELESTO study.

Iron overload from repeated transfusions has a negative impact on cardiac function, and iron chelation therapy may help prevent cardiac dysfunction in transfusion-dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). TELESTO (NCT00940602) was a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomised study to evaluate the iron chelator deferasirox in patients with low- or intermediate-1-risk MDS and iron overload. Echocardiographic parameters were collected at screening and during treatment. Patients receiving deferasirox experienced a significant decrease in the composite risk of hospitalisation for congestive heart failure (CHF) or worsening of cardiac function (HR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.99; nominal p = 0.0322) versus placebo. No significant differences between the arms were found in left ventricular ejection fraction, ventricular diameter and mass or pulmonary artery pressure. The absolute number of events was low, but the enrolled patients were younger than average for patients with MDS, with no serious cardiac comorbidities and a modest cardiovascular risk profile. These results support the effectiveness of deferasirox in preventing cardiac damage caused by iron overload in this patient population. Identification of patients developing CHF is challenging due to the lack of distinctive echocardiographic features. The treatment of iron overload may be important to prevent cardiac dysfunction in these patients, even those with moderate CHF risk.

THE CORRELATION PARAMETERS OF CARDIAC DYSFUNCTION ON THE BACKGROUND OF STEATOHEPATOSIS

Introduction. Coronary heart disease (CHD) and its complications in the modern world are one of the main causes of disability and mortality of people of different ages [1-3]. Fatty liver disease - steatohepatosis - is an important factor in the development and progression of CAD and increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, information on cardiac dysfunction in patients with coronary heart disease with manifestations of steatohepatosis is insufficient and contradictory, the diagnosis, clinical features and treatment of this pathology are not accurate enough.&#x0D; The aim of the study. Determination of the correlations of the studied indicators in patients with coronary artery disease complicated by fatty liver disease.&#x0D; Research methods. Fatty infiltration of the liver was diagnosed using ultrasound of the abdominal cavity (EUB-6000 scanner; Hitachi Medical Corporation, Japan). The content of NT-proBNP was determined on StatFax-303, the activity of enzymes and indicators of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were determined using the CRPLX "Roche Diagnostics" reagent set on the COBAS INTEGRA 400 plus automatic analyzer.&#x0D; In order to identify correlations, the coefficient of linear correlation |r| was determined between all studied indicators. The strength of the relationship was estimated by the absolute value of the Pearson linear correlation coefficient, considering that at r &lt;0.25 the relationship is weak, 0.25 &lt;r&lt; 0.75 - a relationship of medium strength, r ˃ 0.75 - correlation the bond is strong. We used the STATISTICA 6.0 software package (StatSoft, USA) [8].&#x0D; Results and discussion. Strong probable positive correlations were found between glucose concentration and the content of triacylglycans, glycated hemoglobin, atherogenicity coefficient, and lipase activity.&#x0D; Strong probable positive correlations were found between the activity of pancreatic amylase and the concentration of creatinine, C-reactive protein, interleukin 1β, NT-proBNP, and ALT activity.&#x0D; Strong probable positive correlations were found between the concentration of NT-proBNP and the content of uric acid, glucose, C-reactive protein, apoprotein A, interleukin 10, LDH activity, and alkaline phosphatase.&#x0D; Strong probable positive correlations were found between the concentration of creatinine and the content of total cholesterol, the content of HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and lipase activity.&#x0D; Strong probable positive correlations were found between the concentration of total cholesterol and the content of HDL-cholesterol, creatinine, and lipase activit&#x0D; Conclusions. Steatohepatosis is a factor in the development and progression of coronary heart disease and probably increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In the group of patients with steatohepatosis, reliable strong correlation links of carbohydrate metabolism with other parameters were revealed. In the group of patients with on the background of steatohepatosis, significant strong correlation of the level of NT-proBNP, cholesterol and creatinine with other parameters was found.

Clinical Significance of Apela in Acute Cardiorenal Insuffiency of Chronic Heart Failure.

Apela has a wide range of biological effects on the cardiovascular system, but the changes and significance of endogenous Apela in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and acute deterioration of cardiac and renal function are unclear. A total of 69 patients with stable CHF combined with well-preserved renal function were enrolled and followed for 12 months. The effects of Apela on human renal glomerular endothelial cells (hRGEC), human glomerular mesangial cells (hMC), and human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were observed. Serum Apela concentration was positively correlated with NYHA class (r = 0.711) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration (r = 0.303) but negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = -0.374) and 6-min walk distance (r = -0.860) in patients with stable CHF. Twenty-one patients experiencing deterioration of renal and cardiac function were diagnosed with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) during the follow-up period. In addition, the serum Apela, as well as the difference in Apela between stable and worsening phases (ΔApela), was correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and ΔeGFR in patients with CRS. Apela significantly inhibited the upregulated expression of MCP-1 and TNF-α induced by angiotensin II (AngII) in hRGEC, hMC, and HK-2 cells. Apela inhibited the adhesion of THP-1 cells to hRGEC and promoted the tubular formation of hRGEC. Moreover, Apela enhanced the expression of MMP-9 in hMC but inhibited the upregulated expression of α-SMA and vimentin in HK-2 cells by AngII. This study suggests that the level of Apela can be used to diagnose heart failure and assess the severity of cardiac dysfunction in patients with stable CHF, and its dynamic changes can be used to evaluate the damage to renal function in patients with CRS. Apela plays multiple protective effects on renal cells, highlighting its clinical application prospect in the prevention and treatment of CRS.

COPD: pulmonary vascular volume associated with cardiac structure and function

BackgroundEarly recognition of cardiac dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may prevent future cardiac impairment and improve prognosis. Quantitative assessment of subsegmental and segmental vessel volume by Computed Tomographic (CT) imaging can provide a surrogate of pulmonary vascular remodeling. We aimed to examine the relationship between lung segmental- and subsegmental vessel volume, and echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function in patients with COPD.MethodsWe studied 205 participants with COPD, included in a large cohort study of cardiovascular disease in COPD patients. Participants had an available CT scan and echocardiogram. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms calculated the subsegmental vessel fraction as the vascular volume in vessels below 10 mm2 in cross-sectional area, indexed to total intrapulmonary vessel volume. Linear regressions were conducted, and standardized ß-coefficients were calculated. Scatterplots were created to visualize the continuous correlations between the vessel fractions and echocardiographic parameters.ResultsWe found that lower subsegmental vessel fraction and higher segmental vessel volume were correlated with higher left ventricular (LV) mass, LV diastolic dysfunction, and inferior vena cava (IVC) dilatation. Subsegmental vessel fraction was correlated with right ventricular (RV) remodeling, while segmental vessel fraction was correlated with higher pulmonary pressure. Measures of LV mass and right atrial pressure displayed the strongest correlations with pulmonary vasculature measures.ConclusionPulmonary vascular remodeling in patients with COPD, may negatively affect cardiac structure and function. AI-identified remodeling in pulmonary vasculature may provide a tool for early identification of COPD patients at higher risk for cardiac impairment.

Serum neuregulin 1 in relation to ventricular function and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients

Background and aimsNeuregulin 1 (NRG-1) is one of the members of the epidermal growth factors proteins. The present study provides novel insights into the relationship between serum levels of NRG-1 and insulin resistance, subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac dysfunction that occur in type 2 diabetes (T2D). MethodsThe study included 50 patients with T2D and 40 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Serum NRG-1 was measured using ELISA. Glycemic parameters, lipid profile and insulin resistance were assessed. Trans-thoracic echocardiography and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were studied for all study subjects. ResultsT2D patients had significantly lower serum NRG-1 levels than controls. Serum NRG-1 was negatively correlated with age, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance, blood urea, serum creatinine and LDL-C, and positively correlated with HDL-C, eGFR and CIMT. Regarding echocardiographic variables, serum NRG-1 was found to correlate positively with left ventricular global longitudinal strain and negatively with E/Ea ratio. NRG-1 was found to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients at a cut-off value<108.5pg/ml with 78% sensitivity and 80% specificity. ConclusionsA robust relationship was found between serum NRG-1 levels and hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results shed light on a possible role of NRG-1 as a potential noninvasive biomarker for detection of cardiometabolic risk in T2D.

Impact of graft reperfusion on cardiac function assessed by transesophageal echocardiography during liver transplantation: an observational retrospective study

Cardiovascular instability is common during the reperfusion phase of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), and some patients experience a postreperfusion syndrome (PRS). However, there are no reports comparing the cardiac dysfunction between patients with PRS and those without. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac dysfunction in patients exhibiting PRS. This observational retrospective study included 34 patients who underwent OLT and were monitored with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The right ventricular/left ventricular (RV/LV) end diastolic area, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by Simpson method, pulsed Doppler of the mitral valve, and tissue Doppler motion of the mitral annulus were determined. Echocardiographic measurements were registered at the beginning of surgery and at 1 and 30 min after vascular unclamping. Patients with PRS (PRS group) were identified, and their echocardiographic parameters of ventricular function were compared with those in patients without PRS (non-PRS group). To check the evolution of diastolic-systolic dysfunction, general linear model-repeated measures were estimated. No patient presented systolic/diastolic dysfunction on the basal echocardiogram. One minute after vascular unclamping, the incidence of RV dilation was 4.5 times greater in patients with PRS (Cramer´s V > 0.6), and the incidence of RV systolic dysfunction was 62.5% in patients with PRS compared to 15.40% in patients without PRS (Cramer´s V = 0.45). The incidence of LV systolic dysfunction was 25% in patients with PRS compared to 0% in those without (Cramer´s V = 0.45), and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was 4.8 times greater in patients with PRS (Cramer´s V = 0.45). No patient presented diastolic dysfunction type III. There were significant differences between groups in the evolutionary pattern at 1 and 30 min after unclamping for RV dilation (p = 0.008) and for TAPSE (p = 0.014). Liver graft reperfusion may alter cardiac function. Cardiac dysfunction was more frequent in patients with PRS. These patients exhibited temporary dysfunction of the RV associated with a varying degree of LV diastolic-systolic dysfunction. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05175534). January 03, 2022; “retrospectively registered”.

Serum neuregulin 1 in relation to ventricular function and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients

Background and aimsNeuregulin 1 (NRG-1) is one of the members of the epidermal growth factors proteins. The present study provides novel insights into the relationship between serum levels of NRG-1 and insulin resistance, subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac dysfunction that occur in type 2 diabetes (T2D). MethodsThe study included 50 patients with T2D and 40 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Serum NRG-1 was measured using ELISA. Glycemic parameters, lipid profile and insulin resistance were assessed. Trans-thoracic echocardiography and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) were studied for all study subjects. ResultsT2D patients had significantly lower serum NRG-1 levels than controls. Serum NRG-1 was negatively correlated with age, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin resistance, blood urea, serum creatinine and LDL-C, and positively correlated with HDL-C, eGFR and CIMT. Regarding echocardiographic variables, serum NRG-1 was found to correlate positively with left ventricular global longitudinal strain and negatively with E/Ea ratio. NRG-1 was found to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes patients at a cut-off value<108.5pg/ml with 78% sensitivity and 80% specificity. ConclusionsA robust relationship was found between serum NRG-1 levels and hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, subclinical atherosclerosis, and cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results shed light on a possible role of NRG-1 as a potential noninvasive biomarker for detection of cardiometabolic risk in T2D.

A review of current landscape and definition of septic cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a reversible myocardial dysfunction that is increasingly recognised in critically-ill septic patients. SCM and sepsis cause significant morbidity and mortality. However, the lack of consensus on the diagnostic criteria for SCM makes it difficult to understand how sepsis can impact cardiac function. Purpose To review the current literature regarding SCM and compare the various proposed diagnostic criteria and imaging parameters utilised. Method This literature review comprised of a three-part research method: patient population, imaging modality, and outcomes. Our patient population included critically ill patients diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock. We analysed all cardiac imaging modalities, including TTE, TOE, CT, and CMR. Our outcome was mortality or any related terms. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS and manually searched for past reviews on the subject. We excluded conference abstracts, review articles, and duplicates using Covidence. Only English-language, adult-audience articles were considered, and the last search update was in November 2022. Result This study analysed 77 papers on SCM, of which 55 were prospective and 18 were retrospective (figure 1). The majority of research was conducted in the ICU, and 61 studies used TTE as the primary imaging modality for assessing SCM. Approximately 44% of the studies evaluated cardiac dysfunction in septic patients using systolic function as the primary metric. About half of the research lacked a clear definition of SCM, and 49% did not provide a definitive LVEF cut-off point (figure 2). 78% of the studies determined the reversibility period to be between 7 and 10 days. The majority of studies required that SCM be diagnosed within 24 hours. However, 66% of the studies did not include any type of imaging follow-up for septic patients with cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion The heterogeneity inherent among these studies points toward the lack of standardisation in measurements and use of various parameters to assesses cardiac dysfunction in septic patients. There is a need for a new definition of SCM that may be better suited to describing the spectrum of cardiac dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis. Further work is required to establish a consensus definition of SCM and a standardised diagnostic approach.Figure 1Figure 2

Reduced left ventricular elastance as a novel marker of cardiac dysfunction in patients with severe liver disease

Abstract Introduction Left ventricular (LV) elastance reflects the contractility of the myocardium and is an index of cardiac performance. Liver cirrhosis is characterized by reduced systemic vascular resistance, leading to reduced afterload on the LV. This, combined with increased blood volume, results in increased preload, increased stroke volume and remodeling of the LV. The latter may result to alterations in end-systolic LV elastance (Ees) a parameter that has not been extensively studied in cirrhotics. Purpose To investigate the relationship between Ees and the severity of liver cirrhosis. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in which transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 75 patients with liver cirrhosis (mean age 58.9±8.5 years, 74.7% males). A verified noninvasive single-beat formula was used to calculate Ees. Specifically, Ees was calculated employing systolic and diastolic blood pressures, echo-derived stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (LVEF) and the estimated normalized ventricular elastance at arterial end-diastole (ENd). The ENd was estimated from a group-averaged value adjusted for individual contractile/loading effects. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELDNa) score, a widely used tool for assessing liver disease severity was also calculated. We compared Ees between patients with MELDNa scores above and below 15, which is the cutoff commonly used to indicate severe liver disease. Results Mean Ees in the cohort of the 75 patients was 2.34±0.81mmHg/ml. Ees was correlated with end-systolic LV volume (rho=-0.448, p&amp;lt;0.001), SV (rho=-0.568, p&amp;lt;0.001) and systolic blood pressure (rho=0.283, p=0.014), but not with LVEF. Mean MELDNa score was 15.5±7.3 and 32 (42.7%) of patients had MELDNa score ≥ 15. Mean Ees in patients with MELDNa score above 15 was significantly lower than in patients with MELDNa score below 15 (2.08±0.61mmHg/ml vs 2.54±0.89mmHg/ml, p=0.015). The association remained significant in a multivariate model after adjusting for age, sex, and body surface area (B=-0.426, p=0.015). Conclusion Our study demonstrates that patients with severe liver disease have lower Ees, indicating impaired LV function. Ees could be a useful marker for identifying patients with liver cirrhosis who are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying this association and to propose therapeutic interventions aimed at improving LV function in this special population.

An Assessment of Cardiac Dysfunction in Cancer Patient Receiving Chemotherapy: A Hospital-Based Non-Invasive Study

Objectives: To assess cardiac dysfunction in cancer patients receiving anthracycline based chemotherapy and to detect cardiac dysfunction in the initial stage. Materials and Methods: An open labelled prospective single site study of assessment of cardiac dysfunction in patient receiving chemotherapy. Results: Post chemotherapy, more number of patients had evidence of cardiac dysfunction on the basis of history and physical examination but statistically significant association was found only in fatigability, pallor, oedema and rales. Among the users or Doxorubicin and Epirubucin based chemotherapy, cardiac dysfunction was observed in 19.56% (n = 9) and 4.3% (n = 2) respectively. Among those on Doxorubicin, in the cumulative dose range of 510-600 mg, two patients (20%) had clinical cardiac dysfunction and one patient (10%) had subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Conclusion: Cardiac dysfunction is one of the dreaded complications of chemotherapy agent anthracycline. It adds to the co morbidity of cancer. Small increase in the risk of common and serious adverse health events, such as cardiac disease, has important public health implications. Effective steps have taken at proper time; can prevent the onset or exacerbation of these complications.

Abstract 14091: Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in the Patients Treated With Anthracycline-Containing Chemotherapy in the Chronic Phase

Background: Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a concerning problem in the treatment of a variety of cancers. The highest incidence of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity was observed during the first year after the completion of chemotherapy, but the changes in cardiac function and biomarkers after the first year have not been adequately investigated. Methods: We analyzed 105 consecutive patients who were followed up for 24 months after starting anthracycline-containing chemotherapy in our hospital from June 2018 to April 2021. Echocardiography and blood test for troponin I and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were performed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after starting the chemotherapy. Results: The cancer types included 71 breast cancers, 18 hematologic cancers, 11 gynecologic cancers, and 5 soft tissue tumors. Compared to baseline, troponin I levels were increased at 3 months (0.011±0.007 ng/ml vs. 0.021±0.021 ng/ml, P&lt;0.05) and 6 months (0.023±0.047 ng/ml, P&lt;0.001), then, recovered to baseline levels. In contrast, BNP levels remained unchanged for 12 months but increased at 24 months compared to baseline (31.9 [5.8-625.7] pg/ml vs. 15.5 [5.8-89.2] pg/ml, P&lt;0.01). In addition, the left ventricular ejection fraction was decreased from baseline to 6 months (65.4±4.8% vs. 63.6±4.5%, P&lt;0.05) and 24 months (63.6±4.7%, P&lt;0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that age (OR 1.049, 95% CI [1.006-1.097], P=0.029) and total anthracycline dose (OR 1.011, 95% CI [1.002-1.022], P=0.026) were predicting factors for elevated BNP levels above the normal range (&gt;18.2 pg/ml) at 24 months. Conclusion: Subclinical cardiac dysfunction was developed after more than one year. Long-term follow-up is desirable to detect cardiac dysfunction in patients treated with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.

Markers of cardiac dysfunction associated with inflammation in a cohort of patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis.

Inflammation underpinning acute decompensation (AD) of liver disease is an important driver for the development of acute-on-chronic liver failure or death. We aimed to investigate associations between inflammatory biomarkers and impaired cardiac function in patients admitted for AD of cirrhosis. This is a retrospective analysis of a well-characterized prospective cohort of patients with AD of liver disease admitted to a tertiary referral center. All patients had echocardiographic assessment of cardiac function and serum samples at admission. We reclassified patients according to the CLIF-C AD score, measured inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-ɑ, CD206) and cardiac-specific (NT-proBNP, troponin T) biomarkers and tested for associations with echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function. We explored the impact on outcome of these factors in multivariate analysis. We included 70 patients (58 ± 10 years, 28 women), with a mean CLIF-C AD score of 47 ± 7. Thirty-nine patients (56%) fulfilled the echocardiographic criteria for cardiac dysfunction. We found associations between parameters of diastolic dysfunction and serum concentrations of IL-6 and CD206. Echocardiographic parameters of cardiac function were not associated with markers of liver dysfunction such as the CLIF-C AD score. In multivariate analysis higher MELD, higher NT-proBNP, and IL-8 concentrations as well as the absence of echocardiographic criteria for cardiac dysfunction significantly associated with death during follow-up. We found evidence in favor of a clinically relevant link between serum biomarkers of inflammation (IL-6, CD206) and echocardiographic signals of cardiac dysfunction in patients with acutely decompensated cirrhosis.

Abstract 12697: Identifying Patients at Low Risk for Cancer Therapy Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients Treated With Trastuzumab for HER 2+ Breast Cancer

Introduction: Frequent monitoring every 3 months for Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction (CTRCD) is recommended in patients who receive trastuzumab (tras) for cancer therapy. Aims: We examined the frequency and predictors of asymptomatic and symptomatic CTCRD in a contemporary cohort of patients with breast cancer treated with tras with or without anthracyclines (AC). Methods: Breast cancer patients who received tras with/without AC and had at least one baseline and one follow-up echocardiogram (echo) performed at our tertiary cancer center (2013-2022) were included. CTCRD was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decline (Simpson’s bi-plane quantitative assessment) of at least 10% to &lt; 50%. Risk factors for CTCRD were examined using univariable and multivariable Fine-Gray models. Results: The cohort included 502 patients with mean ± SD age 52.1±13.2 years, mean baseline LVEF 61.2±4.1%, and a median follow-up of 52.6 months. Patients had a mean of 5.5 ± 2.7 echocardiograms; 25 patients (5%) had CTCRD as defined above during follow-up, 3.4% (95% CI, 1.8-5.9) in the Tras only and 8.7% (95% CI, 4.7-14.5) in Tras + AC group. Only 8 patients (1.6%) developed new clinical HF at any time during follow-up, 6 of whom were associated with a concomitant decline in LVEF. Increasing age (HR, 95% CI, 1.03 1.01-1.06), baseline LVEF &lt;55% (HR 7.3, 2.9-18.2), history of HF (HR 6.2, 1.5-25.2) and AC therapy (HR 4.5, 1.8-11.4) were independently associated with CTCRD. On follow-up, 1.1% of Tras-only vs 2.7% of Tras + AC group had a persistently decreased LVEF. In a low-risk group without any of the risk factors for CTCRD, only 1 % of patients had CTCRD without clinical HF. Conclusions: The incidence of asymptomatic and symptomatic CTCRD was low in patients receiving tras only. Patients without any risk factors receiving tras only could be considered for less frequent monitoring of asymptomatic CTCRD.

Correlation Between Cystatin C and the Severity of Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure.

To investigate the relationship between cystatin C and cardiac dysfunction severity in patients with systolic heart failure. We recruited 100 hospitalized patients with systolic heart failure and 100 age-gender-matched controls. The clinical information of each patient was collected. Blood pressure, heart rate, height, and weight were measured, as were serum concentrations of cholesterol, renal function indices, cystatin C, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on each patient. Cystatin C and other indices of renal function, such as urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid, were significantly elevated in the serum of patients with heart failure and those with more severe cardiac dysfunction. The stepwise regression analyses showed that cystatin C was positively associated with BNP (β = 0.18, P = 0.04, 95% CI: 21.1 ~ 1420.4) and left atrial diameter (LAD) (β = 0.19, P = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03 ~ 9.21) and was negatively associated with ejection fraction (β = -0.22, P = 0.023, 95% CI: -12.4 ~ -0.93), while creatinine was only positively correlated with BNP (β = 0.23, P = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.11 ~ 20.7). The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated significantly more severe cardiac dysfunction (NYHA III/IV) in patients with cystatin C ≥ 0.895mg/L (sensitivity was 83.0%, specificity was 80.9%, AUC = 0.893) and creatinine ≥ 91.5μmol/L (sensitivity was 71.7%, specificity was 70.2%, AUC = 0.764). Cystatin C was significantly correlated with cardiac structure and function in patients with systolic heart failure, and it was more valuable than creatinine to evaluate the severity of heart failure.

Use of speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluating cardiac dysfunction in patients with acromegaly: an update.

In recent years, cardiovascular disease has garnered increasing attention as the second leading cause of death in individuals with acromegaly, following malignancy. Identifying cardiac dysfunction early in acromegaly patients for timely intervention has become a focal point of clinical research. Speckle tracking echocardiography, a well-established ultrasound technique, surpasses conventional Doppler ultrasound in its sensitivity to assess both local and global cardiac mechanics. It can accurately detect subclinical and clinical myocardial dysfunction, including myocardial ischemia, ventricular hypertrophy, and valvular changes. Over the past five years, the use of speckle tracking echocardiography in acromegaly patients has emerged as a novel approach. Throughout the cardiac cycle, speckle tracking echocardiography offers a sensitive evaluation of the global and regional myocardial condition by quantifying the motion of myocardial fibres in distinct segments. It achieves this independently of variations in ultrasound angle and distance, effectively simulating the deformation of individual ventricles across different spatial planes. This approach provides a more accurate description of changes in cardiac strain parameters. Importantly, even in the subclinical stage when ejection fraction remains normal, the strain parameters assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography hold a good predictive value for the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in acromegaly patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease. This information aids in determining the optimal timing for interventional therapy, offering important insights for cardiac risk stratification and prognosis. In the present study, we comprehensively reviewed the research progress of speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluating of cardiac dysfunction in acromegaly patients, to pave the way for early diagnosis of acromegaly cardiomyopathy.