Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography Test Research Articles

Association of abnormal electrocardiography response on dobutamine stress echocardiogram with longer-term major adverse cardiovascular events in women with symptoms of ischemic heart disease.

Prior work demonstrates patients with positive (+) electrocardiogram (ECG) but negative (-) echocardiogram wall motion abnormalities (WMAs) on dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) testing have an elevated of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of women with suspected ischemia with no obstructive coronary artery (INOCA) disease by utilizing core lab read DSE, specifically focusing on those with + ECG findings. Among women with signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia undergoing clinically indicated coronary angiography enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) [1997-2001], a prospective cohort study, 99 underwent standardized DSE by site design. Women with positive DSE (n=17), defined as an increase in score based on wall motion scoring index were excluded except for akinetic to dyskinetic (n=10), providing 82 patients in this analysis. ECG was assessed by core laboratory and (+) ECG was defined as >1 mm ST change. Non-obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) was assessed by core laboratory quantitative coronary angiography and defined as <50% epicardial stenosis. All-cause death follow-up was an average of 8 years, while adjudicated MACE [all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, heart failure hospitalization] was an average of 5.5 years. Comparisons among subject groups [i.e., (+) ECG and (-) ECG] were made using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables and t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. Demographic profile included a mean age 59±10 years; 55% had hypertension (HTN), 29% diabetes mellitus (DM), and 72% non-obstructive CAD. Overall, 9/82 women (11%) had (+) ECG in the absence of WMAs. There were significant differences in family history of CAD (P=0.009) and vasodilator (P=0.042) use between the (+) ECG and (-) ECG groups, but otherwise had no significant demographic or clinical differences. At longer-term follow up, patients with (+) ECG had higher risk of MACE [unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 4.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.83, 13.19, P=0.002]. Abnormal stress ECG findings on dobutamine stress testing with a negative DSE should be viewed as an indicator of longer-term risk in women with signs and symptoms of ischemia.

Safety and reliability of dobutamine stress echocardiography in pediatric and young adult patients with coronary arteries abnormalities

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This study was conducted with the support of Regione Marche, Italy Background Risk stratification in coronary arteries abnormalities (CAA), both anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) and myocardial bridges (MBs), is still challenging. A reliable method to detect myocardial ischemia is missing in these anomalies. We studied the safety and feasibility of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), compared with exercise stress echocardiography (ESE), in pediatric and young adult patients with CAA. Methods In 2019-21, N = 27 CAA [median age 16 years (Q1–Q3: 11, 22)] (n= 23 AAOCA, n = 4 MBs) were assessed. ESE was performed 1-2 days before the DSE examination, double-blinded for examiners and patients. Hemodynamic response and major (cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia) and minor [hypertension (≥ 200/120 mmHg), paradoxical bradycardia, chest pain, nausea/vomiting, skin rash, anxiety, dizziness, dyspnea] events were recorded. Differences between rest/stress and DSE/ESE for wall motion abnormalities (WMA) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were evaluated. Inter-observer agreement was also tested using the kappa (k) coefficient. Results Heart rate and blood pressure increased significantly from baseline (p &amp;lt; 0.001) in both DSE and ESE exams. Only DSE tests reached a heart rate ≥ 150 bpm (p &amp;lt; 0.001), while younger patients barely reached the heart rate target and frequently showed less compliance to the test. No patient had major events, while 5 (18.5%) had minor events, the majority during DSE. Inducible WMA were observed only at DSE examinations. Inter-observer agreement for WMA and GLS changes was good for both examinations (95%, k = 0.85, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Conclusions DSE is feasible in pediatric and young adult patients with AAOCA and MBs to assess inducible WMA and GLS rest/stress changes. It can be performed safely with a low incidence of major/minor events, with a better performance when compared to ESE. DSE is potentially a valuable test for detecting myocardial ischemia and probably helpful in managing CAA patients.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with moderate coronary artery disease detected by coronary computed tomography angiography could reduce the rate of unnecessary coronary angiography

Aims To test the hypothesis that dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) reduces the rate of unnecessary invasive coronary angiography (CA) in patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and moderate to severe stenosis detected by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Methods This study included 49 consecutive, symptomatic CAD patients with coronary lesions greater than 50% detected by CCTA who underwent all DSE and a CA with pressure wire evaluation and FFR measurement. The DSE operators was aware of the CCTA results, but invasive physicians were blinded to DSE results. The primary endpoint was the negative predictive value of a CCTA followed by a DSE test for detecting significant coronary artery disease (CAD). This was defined by the presence of significant coronary lesions (>90% stenosis) or moderate coronary lesions (50–90%) with abnormal FFR value of less than 0.80 evaluated by invasive angiogram (CA). Secondary endpoints included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Results In patients with abnormal CCTA followed by CA, 33 patients (67.34%) had non-significant CAD lesions. In patients with both abnormal CCTA and DSE only 6 patients (12.24%) presented non-significant CAD. The negative predictive value of a CCTA followed by a DSE was significantly increased to 92.5%, when compared with CCTA alone. Thus DSE on top of abnormal CCTA could reduce unnecessary CA by 5.5 fold. During follow-up (mean 38.75 ± 12.25 months) 1 (2.1%) patient had a cardiac sudden death, 3 (6.12%) patients had an unplanned myocardial revascularization and 1 (2.1%) patient had a stroke, none of which occurred in patients with normal DSE. No patients experienced a myocardial infarction or needed un unplanned surgical revascularization. Conclusions The addition of DSE in case of abnormal CCTA increases significantly the negative predictive value for detecting significant CAD in need for revascularisation and thus reduces markedly the number of unnecessary CA. This diagnostic strategy has a higher diagnostic accuracy and negative predictive value to the opposite approach where an abnormal CCTA mandates a CA without additional functional testing.

Gender-Related Differences in Clinical Presentation and Angiographic Findings in Patients with Ischemia and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (INOCA): A Single-Center Observational Registry

Ischemia and no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is a common clinical presentation, with a variety of causes that are often not fully investigated in routine clinical practice. The goal of our study was to characterize a real-world population of patients with INOCA, with a deeper focus on symptoms and stress test findings. The study population consisted of 435 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography for anginal symptoms and/or evidence of myocardial ischemia at non-invasive imaging. In all patients angiography demonstrated nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD, less than 30% luminal diameter stenosis or fractional flow reserve > 0.8 and/or instantaneous wave-free ratio > 0.89). Fifty-four percent of the patients were women. Atypical clinical presentation was more common in women (59.5 vs. 49.5%, p = 0.037). Women were more likely to have normal coronary arteries than men (41.8 vs. 16.2%, p < 0.001), and less likely than men to have hemodynamically non-significant CAD (32.1 vs. 55.1%, p < 0.001). No significant correlation between typicality of symptoms and evidence of ischemia was found in those patients (244/435, 56.1%) who had either dobutamine stress echocardiography or electrocardiogram stress test. INOCA is a common clinical condition, prevalent in women often presenting with atypical symptoms.

Echocardiographic assessment at rest and during stress in patients with intermittent claudication

Objective. Skeletal muscle perfusion during walking relies on complex interactions between cardiac activity and vascular control mechanisms, why cardiac dysfunction may contribute to intermittent claudication (IC) symptoms. The study aims were to describe cardiac function at rest and during stress in consecutive IC patients, to explore the relations between cardiac function parameters and treadmill performance, and to test the hypothesis that clinically silent myocardial ischemia during stress may contribute to IC limb symptomatology. Design. Patients with mild to severe IC (n = 111, mean age 67 y, 52% females, mean treadmill distance 195 m) underwent standard echocardiography, dobutamine stress echocardiography (SE) and treadmill testing. The patient cohort was separated in two groups based on treadmill performance (HIGH and LOW performance). Results. Ten patients (9%) had regional wall motion abnormalities of which three had left ventricular ejection fraction <50% at standard echocardiography. A majority had lower than expected systolic- and diastolic ventricular volumes. LOW performers had smaller diastolic left ventricular volumes and lower global peak systolic velocity during dobutamine stress. No patient demonstrated significant cardiac dysfunction during dobutamine provocation that was not also evident at standard echocardiography. Conclusions. Most IC patients were without signs of ischemic heart disease or cardiac failure. The majority had small left ventricular volumes. The hypothesis that clinically silent myocardial ischemia impairing left ventricular function during stress may contribute to IC limb symptomatology was not supported.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01219842.

Improved right ventricular index of myocardial performance in the assessment of right ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Decreased right ventricular (RV) longitudinal function following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), as assessed by tricuspid annular systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV peak systolic velocity (RVS') is a known condition. We aimed to explore the feasibility of the right ventricular index of myocardial performance (RIMP) in the assessment of RV function after CABG at rest and during peak dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Forty-two patients indicated for CABG were included in this study. Coronary angiography, DSE and exercise bicycle test were performed within 6 weeks before and 3 months after CABG. The RIMP, RVS' and TAPSE at the lateral tricuspid annulus were also assessed. The results were presented as mean ± standard deviation. The RIMP improved after CABG both at rest (0.45 ± 0.11 before vs 0.38 ± 0.08 after CABG, P = 0.013) and during DSE (0.75 ± 0.23 vs 0.49 ± 0.14, P < 0.001). TAPSE declined significantly when comparing the values from before CABG to after CABG both at rest (23.9 ± 4.46 vs 14.6 ± 3.67, P < 0.001) and during DSE (20.9 ± 4.16 vs 11.9 ± 3.60, P < 0.001). RVS' also decreased after CABG both at rest (11.9 ± 2.40 vs 8.5 ± 1.93, P < 0.001) and during DSE (15.6 ± 4.30 vs 10.5 ± 3.21, P < 0.001). On the other hand, exercise capacity improved after CABG compared with baseline (128.4 ± 40.12 W vs 142.1 ± 46.73 W, P = 0.014). RIMP improved after CABG both at rest and during DSE. The reduction in TAPSE and RVS' after CABG indicate reduced regional mechanical RV function along the long axis rather than reduced global RV function.

Reverse stress cardiomyopathy post-liver transplant needing mechanical circulatory support.

A 39-year-old female patient with hepatitis B-related decompensated chronic liver disease underwent living donor liver transplantation. Preoperatively, she had a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography, and also a negative dobutamine stress echocardiography test. Intraoperative course went uneventful. Two hours postoperatively, she developed hypotension. Initially, hypotension was treated with fluids and blood products after confirming normal echocardiography, but with time, patient's haemodynamics worsened. Repeat echocardiography showed postero-inferior regional wall motion abnormality. Troponin I was significantly elevated, but ECG was normal. Suspecting myocardial infarction coronary angiography was done which was normal. Based on Mayo's criteria, patient was diagnosed with reverse Takotsubo cardiomyopathy since postero-inferior wall was involved. Inotropic support failed to maintain haemodynamics and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was placed. Inotropes were gradually tapered and IABP was removed at day 4. Twenty days later, repeat echocardiography was normal and patient was subsequently discharged.

Effects of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide on systolic function in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study.

BackgroundPatients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD) have increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. The diabetic heart is characterized by increased fatty acid oxidation and reduced glucose uptake resulting in reduced cardiac efficiency. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has shown to increase myocardial glucose uptake and to improve myocardial function. We examined the effect of the GLP-1 receptor agonist, liraglutide, on the systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with T2D and stable CAD.MethodsIn this placebo-controlled crossover study, 41 subjects with T2D and stable CAD were randomized to liraglutide or placebo and underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and exercise tolerance test at beginning and end of each intervention. The primary endpoint was changes in LV ejection fraction. Secondary endpoints were exercise capacity and other measures of systolic function: wall motion score index (WMSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate (GLSR).ResultsLiraglutide, when compared to placebo, did not improve LV ejection fraction at rest (+0.54 %; 95 % CI 2.38–3.45), at low stress (+0.03 %; 95 % CI 3.25–3.32), at peak stress (+1.12 %; 95 % CI 3.45–5.69), or at recovery (+4.06 %; 95 % CI 0.81–8.93). No significant changes in WMSI were observed at any stress levels. GLS and GLSR at rest did not improve. The maximal exercise capacity estimated by metabolic equivalents was not affected by liraglutide.ConclusionIn conclusion, liraglutide did not improve the systolic function of the left ventricle during DSE or the exercise capacity in patients with T2D and stable CAD.Clinical Trial Registrationhttp://www.clinicaltrials.gov (unique identifier: NCT01595789)Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12933-016-0425-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract A clear distinction between two of the most common forms of dilated cardiomyopathy is very important due to their different prediction and therapeutic approaches. Dobutamine stress echocardiography appears to be a noninvasive selection method due to its clear differentiation potential. Major factors influence test interpretation, resulting in a wide interval of diagnostic accuracy for this test. Fraction flow reserve (FFR) is a novel invasive method for estimating coronary artery stenosis responsible for myocardium ischaemia. Decisions about lesion significance in coronary blood vessels have thus far been based on angiographic estimations, but this approach is being replaced by FFR measurements, which serve as a new gold standard and involve a noninvasive test. The goal of this study was to clearly differentiate two forms of dilated cardiomyopathies through analysis of the segmented mobility of the left ventricular wall. Fifty patients were analysed: 20 with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, which was confirmed not only through coronary angiography but also functionally through FFR measurement, and 30 patients with nonischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy, which was confirmed by coronary angiography. A standard dobutamine stress echocardiography protocol was implemented. A positive dobutamine stress echocardiography test was defined as the presence of emerging incidents in segment contractility or worsening of existing incidents in at least one segment. Statistically relevant diff erences in the movement dynamics of a number of differently characterised segments during the observed time intervals (ANOVA p=0.000) was noted in both groups of patients, as was variation in the index value of the summarized mobility of the left chamber wall. In patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathies, regional contractility worsened at the maximum dose of dobutamine; in contrast, this feature slightly improved in nonischaemic cardiomyopathy patients. The results indicate that by analysing segmental motion, these two forms of dilated cardiomyopathies can be differentiated with high sensitivity (Sn=90%) and specificity (Sp=98%), which can be interpreted as concrete evidence of truly ischaemic lesions in coronary blood vessels.

Reduced right ventricular functional reserve: An important end point finding during dobutamine stress echocardiography testing for liver transplant evaluation

Reduced right ventricular functional reserve: An important end point finding during dobutamine stress echocardiography testing for liver transplant evaluation

0026: Uselessness of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins to improve diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography in high-risk diabetic patients

Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a well-established noninvasive stress modality for the detection and evaluation of coronary artery disease in diabetic patients. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T recently emerged as a highly sensitive dosage for the detection of ischemia. The aim of the study was to examine whether high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T may improve the diagnostic accuracy of silent ischemia by DSE in high-risk diabetic patients. 21 patients with long-standing (>10 years) and/or complicated type II DM but no established CAD were included. In addition to DSE, venous blood samples for measurement of hs-cTnT and were collected prior to DSE, 6H and 24 hours after the test. Troponins were deemed positive if >1.5 upper limit for normality. Patients with positive troponins underwent coronary angiography or CT scan regardless of the result of DSE. Among the 21 patients, 7 had positive troponins measured 6 hours after stress, (mean peak troponin=44.5). DSE were negative in all of them. Mean age was 64 years significantly higher than patients with negative troponins. No differences were noted between the groups in terms of epidemiological, clinical or echocardiographic characteristics. Patients with positive cardiac troponins were evaluated for the presence of coronary lesions but none of them had significant disease. After a 18 month mean follow-up, no adverse cardiac events were noted in either groups. In high risk diabetic patients, the measurement of hs-cTnT during DSE does not improve the sensitivity at least in those with negative DSE tests

Oral Abstract session: Stress echo in clinical practice: Friday 5 December 2014, 08:30-10:00 * Location: Agora

Oral Abstract session: Stress echo in clinical practice: Friday 5 December 2014, 08:30-10:00 * Location: Agora

Abstract 11773: Liver Transplant Candidates: To Stress or Not to Stress?

Background: The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD) and the incidence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) post liver transplantation (LT) remain controversial. Current AHA/ACC guidelines recommend non-invasive stress testing (NIST) for risk stratification of LT recipients based on conventional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). The aim of our study was to define the role of NIST in the pre-transplant evaluation of ESLD patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 366 patients who were referred to the Cleveland Clinic LT center between the years 2006 and 2008. We collected demographic data, CVRF, NIST, left heart catheterization (LHC) results, incidence of ACS and death. Results: In our study population, the mean age was 56±8 years, 68% were males, 83% Caucasian, 34% diabetic, 36% hypertensive, 22% smokers, 17% had hyperlipidemia, 11% known CAD, and 14% had family history of premature CAD; overall, 70% of the patients had at least 3 CVRF. Mean platelet count was 104±70 k/uL, mean INR 1.4 ±0.4, total cholesterol (TC) 143±45 mg/dL and 42% were on beta blockers (BB). A total of 270 patients underwent NIST with dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) or nuclear stress testing. DSE was diagnostic in 76% of the cases and nuclear stress test was performed in 52% of the patients with a non-diagnostic DSE. From the patients with diagnostic NIST, 40 underwent LHC. There were 5 true positive, 22 true negative, 8 false positive, and 5 false negative results giving NIST a negative predictive value of 81%. After a median follow-up of 6.2 years [IQR 3.4 to 6.7], 264 patients were transplanted, 9 patients developed an ACS and only one of them within the first year of LT. ACS was the cause of death in one patient which occurred more than 3 years from LT. All of these patients had a prior negative NIST. There were no ACS in the non-transplanted group. Conclusions: In our ESLD population, NIST had a limited role in the CV risk assessment of LT candidates. This is probably secondary to the low incidence of ACS which could be explained by inherent ESLD factors like thrombocytopenia, low TC, and elevated INR.

Profound left ventricular systolic deterioration during dobutamine stress echocardiography despite normal resting speckle-tracking imaging revealing subclinical dilated cardiomyopathy and reversal under treatment

Profound left ventricular systolic deterioration during dobutamine stress echocardiography despite normal resting speckle-tracking imaging revealing subclinical dilated cardiomyopathy and reversal under treatment The two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) method has recently emerged as a more sensitive modality than conventional echocardiography in detecting subclinical ventricular dysfunction in various clinical disorders [1]; in contrast, dobutamine stress echocar-diography (DSE) is increasingly considered as an old less fashionable technique and rather unsuitable for the detection of subclinical myocar-dial dysfunction and early stages of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. We report the case of a 55 year-old man who underwent a preoper-ative cardiac evaluation; he had normal left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic function and resting global strain and no wall motion abnormalities. At peak dobutamine infusion, a spectacular global dysfunction was shown in the absence of coronary artery disease. Control DSE after a 4 month-treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in-hibitor was normalized. Mr AE, a 55 year-old man was addressed to our department for a preoperative cardiac assessment prior to a lung biopsy in the setting of a recently discovered nodular mass in his right lung. He had neither hypertension nor diabetes mellitus but had a documented peripheral artery disease as he underwent an angioplasty of his iliac arteries several years ago and had an occluded left tibial artery. Clinically, the patient reported a mild effort dyspnea NYHA classes I– II but no chest pain, his resting ECG was normal. His treatment only consisted in aspirin (75 mg daily) and low dose atorvastatin (10 mg daily). Echocardiography at rest was unremarkable with normal cavity dimensions, left ventricular ejection fraction at 66%, no wall motion abnormalities and normal diastolic function (E wave = 90 cm/s, A wave = 61 cm/s, E = 10 cm/s and E/E = 9.1). Global longitudinal strain was also normal at − 20.2%. DSE with a standard protocol was performed , at peak dobutamine infusion, a spectacular and profound global ventricular dysfunction was observed with dilatation of the left ventri-cle and an estimated ejection fraction at 30% (Fig. 1; Video loop 1); meanwhile, the patient reported no chest pain, ECG didn't show any specific changes and arterial pressure profile was normal. A severe coronary artery disease was strongly suspected but coronary angiography was normal. Given these parameters, the diagnosis of an early subclinical form of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was considered. We initiated a treatment with an ACE inhibitor (5 then 10 mg perindopril daily) associated with a high dose atorvastatin (80 mg daily) and we planned re-evaluation. A control DSE was carried out 4 months later, and showed a complete reversal of the dobutamine-induced ventricular dysfunction (Fig. 2, Video loop 2), an effort echocardiography was also performed and was normal. The presumptive diagnosis of a subclinical cardiomyop-athy was hence comforted as we've been able to document a treatment-induced reversal of the stress-provoked dysfunction. For a definitive confirmation, we opted for an additional DSE testing after 3 months of ACE-I withdrawal. At rest, 2D-echocardiography and global longitudinal strain were still normal (− 18.4%). However, during dobutamine infusion, a progressive deterioration of the global strain was noted with − 11.9% at 115 beats/min (Fig. 3) and −9% at maximal rate; ejection fraction was only mildly deteriorated (Fig. 4, Video 3). The final diagnosis of a subclinical dilated cardiomyopathy undiag-nosed by the different resting imaging modalities including speckle tracking but spectacularly unmasked with dobutamine infusion was definitely made and the patient was prescribed long-term ACE inhibitor and beta-blockers.

Symptoms, side effects and complications during the dobutamine stress echocardiography test

Ahmet Karakurt, Kafkas Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Pasa Cayiri 36300 Kars, Turkiye, Tel. 0474 2251150-4307 Email. karakurt38@hotmail.com Gelis Tarihi: 01.08.2012 • Kabul Tarihi: 03.07.2013 ABSTRACT AIM: Exercise stress test is the most widely used test to diagnose and predict the outcome of the ischemic coronary artery disease. In case where the exercise stress tests are not suitable, pharmacological stress tests may be used. Dobutamine stress echocardiography test is one of the most commonly used tests in these circumstances. In this study, we aimed to investigate the symptoms, adverse events and complications observed during the dobutamine stress echocardiography test.

Assessment of ischemia by using dobutamine stress echocardiography test in patients with isolated ST depression in inferior leads demonstrated during channel treadmill exercise electrocardiography test

Assessment of ischemia by using dobutamine stress echocardiography test in patients with isolated ST depression in inferior leads demonstrated during channel treadmill exercise electrocardiography test

Prognostic impact of coronary microcirculation abnormalities in systemic sclerosis: a prospective study to evaluate the role of non-invasive tests

IntroductionMicrocirculation dysfunction is a typical feature of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and represents the earliest abnormality of primary myocardial involvement. We assessed coronary microcirculation status by combining two functional tests in SSc patients and estimating its impact on disease outcome.MethodsForty-one SSc patients, asymptomatic for coronary artery disease, were tested for coronary flow velocity reserve (CFR) by transthoracic-echo-Doppler with adenosine infusion (A-TTE) and for left ventricular wall motion abnormalities (WMA) by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Myocardial multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) enabled the presence of epicardial stenosis, which could interfere with the accuracy of the tests, to be excluded. Patient survival rate was assessed over a 6.7- ± 3.5-year follow-up.ResultsNineteen out of 41 (46%) SSc patients had a reduced CFR (≤2.5) and in 16/41 (39%) a WMA was observed during DSE. Furthermore, 13/41 (32%) patients showed pathological CFR and WMA. An inverse correlation between wall motion score index (WMSI) during DSE and CFR value (r = -0.57, P <0.0001) was observed; in addition, CFR was significantly reduced (2.21 ± 0.38) in patients with WMA as compared to those without (2.94 ± 0.60) (P <0.0001). In 12 patients with abnormal DSE, MDCT was used to exclude macrovasculopathy. During a 6.7- ± 3.5-year follow-up seven patients with abnormal coronary functional tests died of disease-related causes, compared to only one patient with normal tests.ConclusionsA-TTE and DSE tests are useful tools to detect non-invasively pre-clinical microcirculation abnormalities in SSc patients; moreover, abnormal CFR and WMA might be related to a worse disease outcome suggesting a prognostic value of these tests, similar to other myocardial diseases.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in Pre-Operative Assessment of Liver Transplant Patients

Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) is the established treatment for end-stage liver disease. Surgical procedures per se, with excessive bleeding, fluid shift, re-perfusion syndrome and electrolyte disturbances impose stress on the cardiovascular system. Patients with cardiac comorbidity undergoing OLT have higher perioperative morbidity and mortality. Cardiac assessment and optimisation are integral parts of the preoperative evaluation. Different liver transplant (LT) centres have different pre-assessment policies, but in general, all centres are moving towards more structured and objective pre-assessment. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE) and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPEX) are useful tools in preoperative risk assessment and patient optimization. With time, we will also learn more about their limitations. In this paper, we reviewed the literature on the value of DSE and CPEX for preoperative risk assessment and preoperative optimization of liver LT patients. We also added our high-volume LT centre experience. Current literature and our experience suggest that the DSE test, used widely as a non-invasive procedure to detect patients with coronary artery disease, is not as sensitive and specific as we would have expected. It is currently being used primarily for its negative predictive value. DSE has been gradually replaced with a completely different test that measures functional capacity and the ability to cope with increasing demands during the perioperative and postoperative periods. Because CPEX is comprised of several components and its interpretation is complex, anaerobic threshold (AT) was a good component to start with. Although there is evidence that lower AT is associated with higher morbidity, intra-hospital stay and mortality, further investigation is needed in order to clarify its value in LT patient pre-assessments.

Low-dose dobutamine test associated with interventricular dyssynchrony: A useful tool to identify cardiac resynchronization therapy responders: Data from the LOw dose DObutamine stress-echo test in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (LODO-CRT) phase 2 study

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in patients with heart failure, but 30% to 50% of subjects are classified as nonresponders. Identifying responders remains a challenging task. The LODO-CRT trial investigated the association between left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) and clinical and echocardiographic long-term CRT response. This is a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Left ventricular contractile reserve was detected using a dobutamine stress echocardiography test, defined as an ejection fraction increase of >5 points. Clinical CRT response was defined as the absence of major cardiovascular events (ie, cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization). Echocardiographic response was defined as a left ventricle end-systolic volume reduction of >10%. A total of 221 CRT-indicated patients were studied (80% presented LVCR). During a mean follow-up of 15 ± 5 months, 17 patients died and 16 were hospitalized due to heart failure. The proportion of clinical responders was 155 (88%) of 177 and 33 (75%) of 44 (P = .036) in the groups with and without LVCR, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in cardiac survival/hospitalization between patients with and without LVCR. The proportion of echocardiographic responders was 144 (87%) of 166 and 16 (42%) of 38 in the groups with and without LVCR (P < .001), respectively; LVCR showed 90% sensitivity and 87% positive predictive value to prefigure echocardiographic CRT responders. Multivariable analysis identified LVCR and interventricular dyssynchrony as independent predictors of CRT response. The concomitant presence of both factors showed 99% specificity and 83% sensitivity in detecting responders. The presence of LVCR helps in predicting a clinical and echocardiographic CRT response. Concomitant assessment of LVCR and interventricular dyssynchrony accurately stratifies responder and nonresponder patients.

The Scandinavian multicenter hemodynamic evaluation of the SJM Regent aortic valve

Background112 patients who received small and medium sized St.Jude Regent heart valves (19-25 mm) at 7 Scandinavian centers were studied between January 2003 and February 2005 to obtain non-invasive data regarding the hemodynamic performance at rest and during Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) testing one year after surgery.Material and methods46 woman and 66 men, aged 61.8 ± 9.7 (18-75) years, were operated on for aortic regurgitation (17), stenosis (65), or mixed dysfunction (30). Valve sizes were 19 mm (6), 21 mm (33), 23 mm (41), 25 mm (30). Two patients receiving size 27 valves were excluded from the hemodynamic evaluation. Pledgets were used in 100 patients, everted mattress in 66 and simple interrupted sutures in 21. Valve orientation varied and was dependent on the surgeons' choice. 34 patients (30.4%) underwent concomitant coronary artery surgery.ResultsThere were two early deaths (1.8%) and three late deaths, one because of pancreatic cancer. Late events during follow-up were: non structural dysfunction (1), bleeding (2), thromboembolism (2). At one year follow up 93% of the patients were in NYHA classes 1-2 versus 47.8% preoperatively.Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed in a total of 66 and maximal peak stress was reached in 61 patients.During DSE testing, the following statistically significant changes took place: Heart rate increased by 73.0%, cardiac output by 85.5%, left ventriclular ejection fraction by 19.6%, and maximal mean prosthetic transvalvular gradient by 133.8%, whereas the effective orifice area index did not change.Left ventricular mass fell during one year from 215 ± 63 to 197 ± 62 g (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe Dobutamine test induces a substantial stress, well suitable for echocardiographic assessment of prosthesis valve function and can be performed in the majority of the patients. The changes in pressure gradients add to the hemodynamic characteristics of the various valve sizes.In our patients the St. Jude Regent valve performed satisfactory at rest and under pharmacological stress situation.