Changes In Left Ventricular Geometry Research Articles

Brief Report: Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Associated With Left Ventricular Concentric Remodeling: Results of a Population‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study

To study left ventricular (LV) geometry in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and no history of heart failure compared with that in subjects with neither RA nor a history of heart failure, and to determine the impact of RA on LV remodeling. A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted among adult (age ≥50 years) patients with RA and age- and sex-matched subjects with neither RA nor a history of heart failure. All participants underwent standard 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. LV geometry was classified into the following 4 categories based on relative wall thickness and sex-specific cutoffs for the LV mass index: concentric remodeling, concentric hypertrophy, eccentric hypertrophy, or normal geometry. Among 200 patients with RA and 600 age- and sex-matched subjects without RA, the mean age was 65 years, and 74% of the individuals in both cohorts were female. Compared with subjects without RA, patients with RA were significantly more likely to have abnormal LV geometry (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.03-2.00), even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Among subjects with abnormal LV geometry, the odds of concentric LV remodeling were significantly increased in patients with RA (OR 4.73, 95% CI 2.85-7.83). In linear regression analyses, the LV mass index appeared to be lower in patients with RA who were currently receiving corticosteroids (β ± SE -0.082 ± 0.027, P = 0.002), even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. RA was strongly associated with abnormal LV remodeling (particularly concentric LV remodeling) among RA patients without heart failure. This association remained significant after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. RA disease-related factors may promote changes in LV geometry. The biologic mechanisms underlying LV remodeling warrant further investigation.

Asymptomatic Obese Hypertensives and Need of Routine Echocardiography for Left Ventricular Mass Assessment and Treatment

Echocardiographic determination of Left Ventricle Mass (LVM) - an important marker of cardiovascular disease, has been given a lot of importance in clinical diagnosis and in planning of treatment. Clinically asymptomatic compensated hypertensives show some pathological findings which are indicative of left ventricular dysfunction. The study population of 106 males, after a detailed clinical examination, were evaluated by echocardiography and were classified as per the body mass index classification of WHO Western Pacific Region in 2000 for Asian population. Fasting blood samples were taken to estimate blood sugar and lipid profile. It was observed that subjects in normal range of body mass index <45 years (23.68%) and >45 years (16.1%), subjects of overweight <45 years (15.7%) and >45 years (10.29%) and obese I and II<45 years (60.52%) and >45 years (73.52%). The comparison between left ventricular mass which was indexed to height(2.7) in subjects who were <45 years and >45years was observed to be statistically significant (p<0.03). On comparing LVM/ht(2.7) of normal BMI group with that of those with higher BMIs, it was noted to be significantly different (p<0.009), which was suggestive of adverse effects of increasing BMI on LVM. It was also observed that persons with increased BMIs showed changes in left ventricular geometry - 30.13% had concentric hypertrophy, 17.80% had concentric remodeling, 8.21% had eccentric hypertrophy and that 38.35% had normal left ventricle geometry. The present study therefore, indicated that it was better to do an echocardiographic screening of asymptomatic subjects who had even a marginal increase in blood pressure and BMI, to diagnose potential cardiac dysfunction.

Relations of circulating vitamin D concentrations with left ventricular geometry and function

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with risk of overt cardiovascular disease (CVD), but associations with subclinical disease are not well characterized. Hence, we examined associations of circulating vitamin D concentrations and left ventricular (LV) geometry and function by echocardiography at baseline and after 5 years in a community-based study. In the PIVUS study, we measured serum 25-dihydroxyvitamin-D (25-OH D) at age 70 and performed echocardiography including LV mass, wall thickness, end-diastolic diameter, end-systolic diameter (LVESD), left atrial diameter, fractional shortening, ejection fraction, isovolumic relaxation time, and E/A ratio at both age 70 and 75. We included 870 participants (52% women) without prior myocardial infarctions, heart failure, or prevalent valvular disease. After adjusting for potential confounders, 25-OH D at baseline was found to be significantly associated with LVESD, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction (β, -0.42 mm, P = 0.03; β, 0.70%, P = 0.03; and β, 0.91% P = 0.01, respectively), per 1 SD increase in 25-OH D (SD = 20 nmol/L) at baseline. In longitudinal analyses, vitamin D levels at baseline were not significantly associated with change in LV geometry and function after 5 years. In our community-based study among the elderly, we found higher circulating vitamin D concentrations to be associated cross-sectionally with better LV systolic function and smaller LVESD at baseline. The association persisted after adjusting for several potential confounders, including cardiovascular risk factors and calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone levels. Randomized clinical trials are needed to establish firmly or refute a causal relationship between vitamin D levels and changes in LV geometry and function.

Altered Central Aortic Elastic Properties in Kawasaki Disease are Related to Changes in Left Ventricular Geometry and Coronary Artery Aneurysm Formation

Recent evidence has suggested that patients display altered arterial elasticity after Kawasaki disease (KD). However, changes in the elastic properties of the central aorta and their relevance to left ventricular geometry have not been studied in patients after KD with and without coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs). Clinical and laboratory characteristics of 75 patients with KD were compared with those of 57 controls. The patients with KD included 17 patients with CAAs and 58 patients without CAAs. Values for aortic stiffness index, aortic distensibility, aortic strain, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were retrospectively obtained from echocardiographic measurements of the ascending aorta and left ventricle with noninvasive blood pressure evaluation. Systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, LVMI, and aortic stiffness index were significantly higher and aortic distensibility and aortic strain significantly lower in patients with KD than in the controls. In patients with KD, age at the time of study, interval between the onset of KD and the initiation of this study, CAAs, and LVMI were significantly associated with aortic stiffness index, aortic distensibility, and aortic strain. Multivariate analysis revealed that CAAs and LVMI were independently relevant to aortic stiffness index and aortic distensibility. The central aortas of patients after KD have altered elastic properties. CAAs and LVMI are independently correlated with central aortic elasticity.

Effect of bariatric surgery on left ventricular geometry and function in severe obesity

Weight loss improves cardiac abnormalities associated with severe obesity. We evaluated the impact of weight loss following laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in obese patients. Twenty-six patients with severe obesity (41 ± 8 years, 50% women) underwent Doppler echocardiograms before and after LGBP, to measure LV geometry, excess of LV mass relative to hemodynamic load and systolic and diastolic function. Pre-operatively, 85% of patients exhibited LVH, and 62% hypertension and metabolic syndrome, reflecting high cardiometabolic risk. After 8 ± 4 months of follow-up, the average weight loss was 19 ± 8%. Weight loss was significantly associated with improved metabolic parameters and reduced heart rate (-9 bpm), systolic (-11 mmHg) and diastolic (-6 mmHg) blood pressure (all p < 0.02). After surgery, there was significant reduction in relative wall thickness (0.43 ± 0.07 versus 0.39 ± 0.06), LV mass index (63 ± 14 g/m(2.7) versus 49 ± 10 g/m(2.7)) and excess of LV mass in relation to hemodynamic load (all p < 0.004). LVH remained in 54% of patients, hypertension in 23% and metabolic syndrome in 27%. Ejection fraction and Doppler indices of diastolic function did not change significantly, even after adjusting for changes in heart rate. All favorable changes in LV geometry and function were also confirmed in the subgroup with <9 month follow-up (median), whereas no further improvement could be detected in patients with longer follow-up. In patient with severe obesity, LV geometry and systolic function improved rapidly after LGBP, without evidence of further improvement during prolonged follow-up.

Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Mitral Valve Tenting

Obstructive apneas produce high negative intrathoracic pressure that imposes an afterload burden on the left ventricle. Such episodes might produce structural changes in the left ventricle over time. Doppler echocardiograms were obtained within 2 months of attended polysomnography. Patients were grouped according to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): mild/no obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; AHI <15) and moderate/severe OSA (AHI ≥15). Mitral valve tenting height and area, left ventricular (LV) long and short axes, and LV end-diastolic volume were measured in addition to tissue Doppler parameters. Comparisons of measurements at baseline and follow-up between and within groups were obtained; correlations between absolute changes (Δ) in echocardiographic parameters were also performed. After a mean follow-up of 240 days mitral valve tenting height increased significantly (1.17 ± 0.12 to 1.28 ± 0.17 cm, p = 0.001) in moderate/severe OSA as did tenting area (2.30 ± 0.41 to 2.66 ± 0.60 cm(2), p = 0.0002); Δtenting height correlated with ΔLV end-diastolic volume (rho 0.43, p = 0.01) and Δtenting area (rho 0.35, p = 0.04). In patients with mild/no OSA there was no significant change in tenting height; there was a borderline significant increase in tenting area (2.20 ± 0.44 to 2.31 ± 0.43 cm(2), p = 0.05). Septal tissue Doppler early diastolic wave decreased (8.04 ± 2.49 to 7.10 ± 1.83 cm/s, p = 0.005) in subjects with moderate/severe OSA but not in in those with mild/no OSA. In conclusion, in patients with moderate/severe OSA, mitral valve tenting height and tenting area increase significantly over time. This appears to be related, at least in part, to changes in LV geometry.

Change in left ventricular geometry during antihypertensive treatment in children with primary hypertension

The pattern of the left ventricle (LV) has important significance in adults with hypertension. The aim of the present study was to analyze changes and determinants of LV geometry after 1 year of antihypertensive treatment in children with primary hypertension (PH) in relation to metabolic abnormalities and anthropometrical parameters. In 86 children (14.1 ± 2.4 years) with newly diagnosed PH, LV geometry and biochemical parameters before and after 12 months of standard antihypertensive therapy were assessed. At baseline, normal LV geometry (NG) was found in 42 (48.9%), concentric remodeling (CR) in 4 (4.6%), concentric hypertrophy (CH) in 8 (9.3%), and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) in 32 (37.2%) patients. The prevalence of NG in patients with severe hypertension was significantly lower than in patients with ambulatory hypertension. There were no differences in dipping status in relation to LV geometry. Patients with CH and EH were more viscerally obese than patients with NG. Patients with CH had higher diastolic blood pressure in comparison with EH patients (p < 0.05). The main predictor of relative wall thickness (RWT) was the triglycerides to high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL) ratio (R2 = 0.319, β = 0.246, p = 0.004). Patients received 12 months of antihypertensive treatment, either lifestyle modification only (n = 37) or lifestyle modification plus antihypertensive medications (n = 49) if severe ambulatory hypertension or target organ damage were present. After 12 months of treatment the prevalence of EH (37.2% vs 18.6%, p = 0.003) decreased but prevalence of CH did not change. Patients in whom RWT decreased also decreased waist circumference and TG/HDL; the main predictor of RWT decrease was a decrease of the TG/HDL ratio (β = 0.496, R2 = 0.329, p = 0.002). In adolescents with PH, LV geometry is related to central obesity and insulin resistance. Decrease of abdominal obesity and insulin resistance are the most important predictors of normalization of LV geometry, however CH has lower potential to normalize LV geometry.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00467-011-1916-8) contains supplementary material that is available to authorized users

Left ventricular hypertrophy

Left ventricular hypertrophy

Association of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy With Incident Hypertension: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Increased left ventricular (LV) mass and changes in LV geometry may precede hypertension onset. The authors examined the associations of LV mass and geometry, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, with hypertension incidence in 2,567 normotensive participants enrolled in 2000-2002 in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, an ethnically diverse, population-based, US study. Over a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 745 (29%) participants developed hypertension. In a fully adjusted model including baseline blood pressure, the relative risks of incident hypertension from the lowest to highest LV mass quartile were 1.00 (referent), 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89, 1.43), 1.28 (95% CI: 1.00, 1.63), and 1.78 (95% CI: 1.38, 2.30) (P < 0.001 for linear trend). Higher levels of LV concentric geometry, defined by higher LV mass to end-diastolic volume quartiles, were associated with higher risk of incident hypertension in a fully adjusted model (P = 0.044 for linear trend). In a final model containing both quartiles of LV mass and LV mass/volume along with all covariates including baseline blood pressure, higher LV mass quartiles were associated with incident hypertension (P < 0.001 for linear trend), whereas higher LV mass/volume quartiles were not (P = 0.643 for linear trend). In this multiethnic cohort, alterations in LV mass preceded hypertension onset among normotensive individuals.

Patterns of left ventricular remodeling in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: a cardiac MRI study of ventricular geometry, global function, and strain

The cardiac disease ubiquitously associated in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) has traditionally been considered a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, left ventricular (LV) dilatation as measured with cardiac MRI has not been a consistent finding in this population, even as circumferential strain (ε(cc)) declines with advancing disease. We hypothesized that a distinct pattern of changes in LV geometry, during the course of ε(cc) decline, distinguishes DMD associated heart disease from DCM. Using CMR, LV end-diastolic volume (EDV), mass (LVM), ejection fraction, ε(cc) and myocardial delayed enhancement (MDE) were determined in DMD patients and normal control subjects. The LV Remodeling Index (LVRI) was calculated as the ratio of LV Mass to Volume (LVM/EDV). Statistical comparisons between all LV parameters and genotype were also performed. Median LVRI in DMD (n = 127) and control subjects (n = 41) were different (0.75 vs. 0.65, P = 0.0150) but within normal range. Furthermore, the median LVRI in DMD boys with reduced LV systolic function was significantly reduced compared to those with normal LV systolic function (0.64 vs. 0.75, P = 0.0974). However, the presence of MDE was associated with a lower median LVRI (0.57 vs. 0.76, P = 0.0471). Regression analysis showed no significant correlation between ε(cc) and LVRI (r = -0.03). The LVRI of DMD patients is unexpectedly normal and not correlated with ε(cc.) Based on these findings, DMD-associated heart disease exhibits a unique remodeling pattern distinct from DCM.

116 Myocardial function assessment for patients with severe organic mitral regurgitation

Recovery of ventricular function after surgical correction of mitral regurgitation (MR) is an important clinical issue. The best timing for mitral valve surgery is sometimes controversial. We studied echocardiographic characteristics of left ventricular (LV) function in 80 patients with severe (regurgitant orifice area ≥ 40 mm 2 ) and preserved ejection fraction (LV EF ≥ 60%) and compared our finding with 30 normal controls similar in age, sex and body mass index. We evaluated the controls and the organic MR patients at rest and during a standardized exercise stress echocardiography. Patients were imaged at rest and after 8 minutes of sub maximal exercise (heart rate [100–120 b/m]. All the echocardiographies were prospectively performed by the same team, the same echo-machine and protocol. It provided conventional echocardiographic indices but also new ones like the global longitudinal strain. The LV volume were significantly larger in the MR group (diastolic: 134 ± 39 ml vs 69 ± 21; p < 0.001; systolic 43 ± 16 vs 25 ± 9 ml, p < 0.001). At rest, the EF was 68 ± 7% in MR group vs 65 ± 6 in the controls (p = 0.005). E/e’ was 13 ± 6 vs 10 ± 2; p = 0.007; the global longitudinal strain (GLS) was 18 ± 4% vs 21 ± 3; p 0.001. During the exercise, the evolution of the GLS was clearly different in the MR group versus the controls. A slight or no increase in GLS was observed in the MR group: 19 ± 8%. In opposite, the control's GLS improved: 26 ± 3% during the exercise; p < 0.001. If we considered GLS indexed to LV end diastolic volume, the difference in GLS was even greatest. In comparison, exercise EF was none significantly different between groups (MR group 72 ± 9% vs 75 ± 7 controls, P = 0.07). Independently of the LV geometry changes, GLS appears to be a promising new index of LV systolic function in MR patients. Better than EF, especially during an exercise, GLS performed highly better than EF distinguishing LV characteristics of patients with a significant severe MR vs. controls. GLS might have to be tested to best select MR patients justifying an early repair to protect LV systolic competence.

Implications of prevalent and incident diabetes mellitus on left ventricular geometry and function in the ageing heart: The MONICA/KORA Augsburg cohort study

Background and Aim It is unclear to what extent diabetes modulates the ageing-related adaptations of cardiac geometry and function. Methods and Results We examined 1005 adults, aged 25–74 years, from a population-based survey at baseline in 1994/5 and at follow-up in 2004/5. We compared persistently non-diabetic individuals (ND; no diabetes at baseline and at follow-up, n = 833) with incident (ID; non-diabetic at baseline and diabetic at follow-up, n = 36) and with prevalent diabetics (PD; diabetes at baseline and follow-up examination, n = 21). Left ventricular (LV) geometry and function were evaluated by echocardiography. Statistical analyses were performed with multivariate linear regression models. Over ten years the PD group displayed a significantly stronger relative increase of LV mass (+9.34% vs. +23.7%) that was mediated by a more pronounced increase of LV end-diastolic diameter (+0% vs. +6.95%) compared to the ND group. In parallel, LA diameter increased (+4.50% vs. +12.7%), whereas ejection fraction decreased (+3.02% vs. −4.92%) more significantly in the PD group. Moreover, at the follow-up examination the PD and ID groups showed a significantly worse diastolic function, indicated by a higher E/EM ratio compared with the ND group (11.6 and 11.8 vs. 9.79, respectively). Conclusions Long-standing diabetes was associated with an acceleration of age-related changes of left ventricular geometry accumulating in an eccentric remodelling of the left ventricle. Likewise, echocardiographic measures of systolic and diastolic ventricular function deteriorated more rapidly in individuals with diabetes.

Kawasaki Disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic inflammatory illness that occurs predominately in children <5 years of age. The reported incidence varies widely depending on the ethnicity of the population and the method of case ascertainment. Recent reports would suggest the annual incidence is ≈20 to 25 per 100 000 children <5 years of age in North America, with the highest reported incidence of 188 being in Japan, where the disease was first described in 1967.1 The illness is self-limited and of unknown cause, but is complicated by a systemic vasculitis with a predilection for small- to medium-sized arteries, particularly the coronary arteries. The majority of patients will have either transient coronary artery dilation or no coronary artery luminal changes as noted on echocardiography. Long-term prognosis for these patients is considered to be excellent. Coronary artery aneurysms occur in 25% of patients, but the prevalence is reduced to ≈4% for patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin infusion within 10 days of illness onset. Aneurysms are associated with an intense inflammatory cell infiltrate, destruction of the internal elastic lamina, and smooth muscle cell death. Coronary artery involvement is usually maximal within 6 to 8 weeks after the acute episode. Regression of aneurysms can occur primarily through myointimal proliferation, although the arterial structure and function remains abnormal,2 and there is an important ongoing risk of stenoses and occlusions.3 Long-term cardiology assessment and management is required, and some of these patients may require revascularization procedures or, rarely, cardiac transplantation. KD has become the most prevalent acquired cardiac disease in children in developed countries. Article see p 60 Although coronary artery complications are the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality, other cardiovascular abnormalities can occur. Valvulitis is a less prevalent complication, and there have been case reports of important long-term aortic and …

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Gene Deletion Exacerbates Inflammation and Atypical Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

The transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV1) channels expressed in sensory afferent fibers innervating the heart may be activated by protons or endovanilloids released during myocardial ischemia (MI), leading to angina. Although our previous in vitro data indicate that TRPV1 activation may preserve cardiac function after ischemia-reperfusion injury, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. To test the hypothesis that TRPV1 modulates inflammatory and early remodeling processes to prevent cardiac functional deterioration after myocardial infarction, TRPV1-null mutant (TRPV1(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to left anterior descending coronary ligation or sham operation. The infarct size was greater in TRPV1(-/-) than in WT mice (P<0.001) 3 days after MI, and the mortality rate was higher in TRPV1(-/-) than in WT mice (P<0.05) 7 days after MI. The levels of plasma cardiac troponin I; cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6; chemokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein-2; and infiltration of inflammatory cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and myofibroblasts; as well as collagen contents, were greater in TRPV1(-/-) than in WT mice (P<0.05) in the infarct area on days 3 and 7 after MI. Changes in left ventricular geometry led to increased end-systolic and -diastolic diameters and reduced contractile function in TRPV1(-/-) compared with WT mice. These data show that TRPV1 gene deletion results in excessive inflammation, disproportional left ventricular remodeling, and deteriorated cardiac function after MI, indicating that TRPV1 may prevent infarct expansion and cardiac injury by inhibiting inflammation and abnormal tissue remodeling.

A New Parameter of Pulsed‐Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging: IVRa

We investigated how velocity of isovolumetric relaxation period on pulsed-wave tissue Doppler trace (IVRa and IVRb) is affected by the left ventricular (LV) geometry changes. Two hundred cases without exclusion criteria were included in the study. Normal LV mass index (LVMI) and normal relative wall thickness (RWT) was assigned to group 1 (n = 72). Concentric remodeling (normal LVMI and increased RWT) was defined to group 2 (n = 25). Eccentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) (increased LVMI and normal RWT) was defined to group 3 (n = 62). And finally, concentric LVH (increased LVMI and increased RWT) was defined to group 4 (n = 41). Patients with LVH (groups 3 and 4) were older than group 1 (P = 0.017 and 0.001). It was observed in the assessment of M-mode ECHO parameters that the aortic valve diameter, aortic valve opening, LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left atrium (LA) were higher in cases with eccentric LVH. It was shown that Ea velocity and Sa velocity time integral (Sa-VTI) were decreased with LV geometry change. However, IVRa velocity and E/Ea were increased as LV geometry change. A positive correlation between IVRa velocity and LVMI (correlation ratio = 34%, P = 0.000) was found. Similarly, a positive correlation between IVRa velocity and RWT (correlation ratio = 17%, P = 0.025) was found. IVRa velocity exhibits a positive correlation with LV geometry changes indicating that IVRa velocity is affected by LV geometry like the other parameters influenced by LV geometry.

Implications of persistent prehypertension for ageing-related changes in left ventricular geometry and function: The MONICA/KORA Augsburg study

It is unclear whether persistent prehypertension causes structural or functional alterations of the heart. We examined echocardiographic data of 1005 adults from a population-based survey at baseline in 1994/1995 and at follow-up in 2004/2005. We compared individuals who had either persistently normal (<120 mmHg systolic and <80 mmHg diastolic, n = 142) or prehypertensive blood pressure (120-139 mmHg or 80-89 mmHg, n = 119) at both examinations using multivariate regression modeling. Over 10 years, left ventricular end-diastolic diameters were stable and did not differ between the two groups. However, the prehypertensive blood pressure group displayed more pronounced ageing-related increases of left ventricular wall thickness (+4.7 versus +11.9%, P < 0.001) and left ventricular mass (+8.6 versus +15.7%, P = 0.006). Prehypertension was associated with a raised incidence of left ventricular concentric remodeling (adjusted odds ratio 10.7, 95% confidence interval 2.82-40.4) and left ventricular hypertrophy (adjusted odds ratio 5.33, 1.58-17.9). The ratio of early and late diastolic peak transmitral flow velocities (E/A) decreased by 7.7% in the normal blood pressure versus 15.7% in the prehypertensive blood pressure group (P = 0.003) and at follow-up the ratio of early diastolic peak transmitral flow and early diastolic peak myocardial relaxation velocities (E/EM) was higher (9.1 versus 8.5, P = 0.031) and left atrial size was larger (36.5 versus 35.3 mm, P = 0.024) in the prehypertensive blood pressure group. Finally, the adjusted odds ratio for incident diastolic dysfunction was 2.52 (1.01-6.31) for the prehypertensive blood pressure group. Persistent prehypertension accelerates the development of hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction of the heart.

Presence of Chronic Kidney Disease and Subsequent Changes of Left Ventricular Geometry over 4 Years in an Apparently Healthy Population Aged 60 and Older

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Left ventricular geometry (LVG) is a predictor for CV events. However, the influence of CKD on LVG changes in the elderly remains unclear. In this study, we performed echocardiography to evaluate LVG at baseline and at 2 and 4 years after baseline in 120 apparently healthy elderly Chinese who were recruited from a screening of 1,500 individuals. No subjects had a history of organic heart disease or chronic medication. CKD was defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, as calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation. The mean age was 71.5 +/- 3.9 years (range: 60-81 years). The prevalences of CKD, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy were significantly increased after 4 years (all p < or = 0.033). The LVG changes were only significant in subjects with CKD at baseline (p = 0.039). If we stratified subjects into those with favorable (normal and concentric remodeling) and those with unfavorable LVG (eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy), the presence of CKD was an independent predictor for unfavorable LVG after 4 years both in univariate and multivariate analysis (odds ratio [OR] = 3.18 and 3.70, p = 0.011 and 0.015, respectively). This longitudinal study showed that aging was related to increased prevalence of CKD and changes of LVG. The presence of CKD is associated with changes of LVG toward unfavorable forms. These findings might partially explain why subjects with CKD have a higher CV risk and could provide knowledge essential to the assessment of cardiac structure and disease in older subjects.

Numerical flow simulation of the left heart as basis for operation planning for left ventricular repair procedures

Objective: Heart failure is always accompanied by changes in left ventricular geometry. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) shall be used to calculate intraventricular flow- and energy-losses for optimizing surgical repair techniques.

Abstract 3634: Association of Weight Loss and Changes in Left Ventricular Geometry and Function - Results of the longitudinal population based MONICA/KORA-Survey

Background: Obesity is related to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. However it remains unclear if changes in life style resulting in loss of body weight also have beneficial effects on left ventricular remodeling. In this study we evaluated the effects of weight loss on left ventricular geometry and function during ten years of follow-up. Methods: Subjects (n=1005, aged 25 to 74 years) who originated from a gender and age stratified random sample of German residents of the Augsburg area were examined by standardized echocardiography at baseline and again after ten years. The associations between weight loss and long-term changes of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), wall thickness (WT), left ventricular mass (LVM), and left atrial diameter (LA) were assessed. Mean relative changes and odds ratios were computed by statistical models adjusting for gender, age, body height, systolic blood pressure and body weight at baseline. Results: After ten years of follow-up 305 individuals presented with a loss of body weight (−3.5+/−3.4kg on average). Whereas 700 subjects presented with an increase of body weight (+5.4+/−4.7kg). Ageing related changes in LV geometry were significantly different in the two groups. Specifically, individuals with weight loss displayed a favorable geometry with relative changes of WT (+5.9% [CI-95% 4.3, 7.5] vs. + 8.1% [7.0, 9.2], p=0.024), LVEDD (−0.6% [−1.5, 0.2] vs. 30.8% [0.2, 1.4], p=0.008), LVM (+6.5% [4.3, 8.8] vs. +11.9% [10.4, 13.5], p&lt;0.001) and LA (−0.9% [−2.1, 0.2] vs. +2.5% [1.7, 3.3], p&lt;0.001), as compared to individuals with weight gain. Moreover, the risk for incident left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 2.5 [1.5– 4.3], p=0.001) and incident diastolic dysfunction (OR 1.9 [1.1–3.4], p=0.023) was significantly higher in individuals presenting with an increase in body weight. Conclusions: As compared to weight gain, weight loss is associated with a significant deceleration of left ventricular remodeling during ageing of the heart. Nevertheless, even in the weight loss group there was no regression in left ventricular mass detectable. Consequently, early interventions especially in young obese individuals are essential for prevention of premature onset of cardiac remodeling.

Brain natriuretic peptide and other cardiac markers predicting left ventricular remodeling and function two years after myocardial infarction

Left ventricular remodeling is a complex pathologic process of progressive left ventricular dilatation, leading to dysfunction and heart failure in patients after myocardial infarction. To evaluate biochemical markers, reflecting cardiac remodeling process after first myocardial infarction and compare those markers with clinical characteristics of left ventricular remodeling. Brain natriuretic peptide, troponin I, creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB mass, lactate dehydrogenase levels were measured in 30 patients with acute myocardial infarction on days 1, 2, 3-7 . Brain natriuretic peptide was measured at 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years after myocardial infarction. Echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular remodeling were determined in acute phase (day 1-3), at 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years after MI. In acute phase, brain natriuretic peptide level progressively increased according to worsening of left ventricular geometry: in normal left ventricle geometry group, brain natriuretic peptide level was 84.1 (58.7-121) pg/mL, in concentric remodeling group - 125 (69.2-165) pg/mL, in concentric hypertrophy group - 128 (74-368) pg/mL, and in eccentric hypertrophy group - 470 (459-494) pg/mL, P=0.02. Patients who had increased left ventricular end diastolic diameter index during 2-year period had higher brain natriuretic peptide level in the acute phase (584 (249-865) pg/mL vs. 120 (67-202) pg/mL, P=0.04) and also higher peak lactate dehydrogenase and troponin I levels. Brain natriuretic peptide level in acute phase of myocardial infarction is strongly associated with the markers of myocardial injury and related to left ventricular geometry changes and remodeling. Brain natriuretic peptide together with troponin I levels in acute phase of myocardial infarction might be useful in predicting subsequent cardiac function.