Left Ventricular Performance In Patients Research Articles

Artificial Chordae Implantation vs Posterior Leaflet Preservation: A Comparison of Midterm Results After Mitral Valve Replacement.

Various techniques have been proposed for the preservation of the subvalvular apparatus (SVA) in mitral valve replacement. This study aimed to compare the midterm results of posterior leaflet preservation with the results of selective preservation of the SVA involving artificial chordae implantation in terms of left ventricular performance in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement. In total, 127 patients were included in this study. Patients were allocated to 1 of 2 groups according to the techniques used to preserve the SVA. Patients in group 1 underwent posterior leaflet preservation: The anterior leaflet was completely resected, and the posterior leaflet was preserved. In group 2, which comprised patients with severe leaflet extension and subvalvular fusion, the mitral valve was excised completely and substituted with artificial chordae. All relevant preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were recorded. Mean (SD) ages in groups 1 and 2 were 63.1 (9.65) and 57.1 (12.3) years, respectively (P = .003). Mean (SD) follow-up time was 59.97 (23.63) months (range, 6-99 months). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased significantly after artificial chordae implantation (P < .001), while the decrease after posterior leaflet preservation was not statistically significant (P = .20). In both groups, there were statistically significant reductions (P < .001) in left ventricular end-systolic diameter and left atrium diameter in the postoperative period compared with respective preoperative levels. During follow-up, left ventricular ejection fraction was found to have increased beyond the preoperative levels in both groups, but the differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). Results of echocardiographic observations regarding the preservation of the SVA via artificial chordae implantation for mitral valve disease in this sample were satisfactory. Findings suggest that artificial chordae implantation should be considered when posterior leaflet preservation is not suitable.

Evaluation of the effect of kidney transplantation on left ventricular myocardial work by noninvasive pressure-strain loops.

Kidney transplantation (KT) has the potential to reverse the cardiac changes caused by end-stage renal disease, and it may be inaccurate to analysis the left ventricular function by conventional echocardiography due to afterload. This study aimed to investigate the utility of pressure strain loops (PSLs) in evaluating left ventricular performance in patients underwent KT. We enrolled 60 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent KT between January 2022 and July 2023, and 60 healthy controls with a similar distribution of gender and age to the patients. All participants underwent conventional echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). Long axis, short axis, and four cavity images were collected and cardiac parameters were measured. The echocardiographic changes of cardiac structure and function of all patients before KT and about 12 months after KT were recorded. Left ventricular myocardial work parameters were acquired by PSLs, including the global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), global work efficiency (GWE) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). In addition, the correlation between PSLs and clinical data were explored. Compared with controls, the conventional echocardiographic parameters, myocardial function indicators GWI and GCW appeared no difference in post-KT group, while the GWE and GLS decreased (p < 0.05), and the GWW increased (p < 0.05). Compared with pre-KT, the GLS, GWI, GCW and GWE increased in post-KT group, while the GWW decreased (all p < 0.05). The above indicators were correlated with left ventricular GLS and left ventricular ejection fraction. PSLs were more sensitive than traditional echocardiographic indicators in detecting changes in myocardial work and predicting left ventricular myocardial damage. This indicator could quantitatively evaluate myocardial work and provide a new and reliable non-invasive reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients underwent KT.

Effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on left ventricular performance in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea

We investigated myocardial performance concerning obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity and the benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. In this randomized sham-controlled trial, 52 patients (mean age, 49 years; 92%, males; mean AHI, 59) with severe OSA were randomly assigned to receive either CPAP or sham treatment for 3 months. The severity of OSA was determined using the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), percentage of sleep time below 90% oxygen saturation (T90), and average O2 saturation during sleep (mean SpO2). We compared the changes in myocardial work after 3 months of CPAP (n = 26) versus the sham group (n = 26) at rest and during an exercise stress test. Unlike AHI or ODI, indices of hypoxemia including T90 and mean SpO2 were significantly correlated with global constructive work, as defined by work of left ventricle (LV) that contributes to LV ejection during systole (T90, β = 0.393, p = 0.012; mean SpO2, β = 0.331, p = 0.048), and global wasted work (GWW), as defined by work of LV that does not contribute to LV ejection (T90, β = 0.363, p = 0.015; mean SpO2, β = − 0.370, p = 0.019). After 3 months, GWW decreased (80.0 ± 49.2 to 60.8 ± 26.3, p = 0.009) and global work efficiency increased (94.0 ± 4.5 to 95.7 ± 2.0, p = 0.008) in the CPAP group compared to those in the sham group. At the 3-month follow-up exercise stress echocardiography, worsening of GWW during exercise was significantly decreased in the CPAP group compared to that in the sham group (p = 0.045 at 50 W). Hypoxemia indices were closely associated with myocardial performance in patients with severe OSA. CPAP treatment for 3 months improved left ventricular myocardial performance by decreasing wasted work and increasing work efficacy compared to the sham treatment.

Oxidative Stress and Left Ventricular Performance in Patients with Different Glycometabolic Phenotypes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible correlation between oxidative stress and subclinical myocardial damage, assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) patients with one-hour plasma glucose values ≥ 155 mg/dL (NGT ≥ 155), comparing them to NGT < 155 subjects, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) newly diagnosed patients. We enrolled 100 Caucasian patients. All subjects underwent OGTT. The serum values of oxidative stress markers (8-isoprostane and Nox-2) were assessed with an ELISA test. Echocardiographic recordings were performed using an E-95 Pro ultrasound system. We observed significant differences, among the four groups, for fasting plasma glucose (p < 0.0001), one-hour postload (p < 0.0001), and two-hour postload plasma glucose (p < 0.0001). As compared with NGT < 155, NGT ≥ 155 exhibited significantly worse insulin sensitivity and higher values of hs-CRP. No significant differences were observed between NGT ≥ 155 and IGT patients. There was a significant increase in 8-isoprostane (p < 0.0001) and Nox-2 (p < 0.0001), from the first to fourth group, indicating an increase in oxidative stress with the worsening of the metabolic status. Serum levels of 8-isoprostane and Nox-2 were significantly increased in NGT ≥ 155 compared to the NGT < 155 group, but similar to IGT. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) appeared progressively lower proceeding from the NGT < 155 to T2DM group (p < 0.0001). For similar values of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NGT ≥ 155 exhibited reduced GLS compared to NGT < 155 (p = 0.001), but similar to IGT patients. Our study demonstrated that NGT ≥ 155 subjects exhibit early functional impairment of myocardial contractile fibres, these alterations are correlated with increased oxidative stress.

Acute and chronic changes in LV performance in patients with secondary severe mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The non-invasive assessment of myocardial work allows to evaluate left ventricular (LV) performance by considering the effect of LV load on LV deformation. Aim of this study is to evaluate the acute and chronic impact of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) on LV function, in patients with severe secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR). Methods and Results 41 patients (age: 69 ± 10 years, females: 29%) with severe SMR (effective regurgitant orifice: 0.42 ± 0.16 cm2, regurgitant volume: 65 ± 325 ml) underwent PMVR according to current recommendations. Myocardial work indices were evaluated before the procedure, 2 days after the procedure and at 1-year follow-up. PMVR was associated with an acute reduction in LV ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and myocardial constructive work (MCW) and with a significant increase in myocardial wasted work (MWW). 1-year after the procedure, we did not observe significant LV reverse remodeling. GWE remained significantly impaired despite the small improvement in GCW, which can explain the absence of improvement in MWE and GLS. Interestingly, LVEF modestly increased compared with the post-procedural values, but remained significantly reduced compared to baseline values (Table1). Conclusions In patients severe SMR undergoing PMVR, the acute reduction in LV preload causes a significant impairment of all parameters of LV performance. After 1-year, the absence of LV reverse remodelling is associated a significant impairment in GWW, without substantial improvement in the remaining parameters of LV function. Abstract Figure.

Acute and chronic changes in LV performance in patients with primary severe mitral regurgitation undergoing percutaneous mitral valve repair

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The non-invasive assessment of myocardial work allow to evaluate LV performance by taking into account the effect of LV load. Aim of this study is to evaluate the acute and chronic impact of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) on left ventricular (LV) performance, in patients with severe primary mitral regurgitation (PMR). Methods and Results 71 patients (age: 77 ± 9 years, females: 44%) with severe PMR (effective regurgitant orifice: 0.57 ± 0.31 cm2, regurgitant volume: 80 ± 34 ml) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF: 60 ± 10%) underwent PMVR according to current recommendations. Myocardial work indices were evaluated before the procedure, 2 days after the procedure and at 1-year follow-up. PMVR was associated with an acute reduction in LVEF, global longitudinal strain (GLS), myocardial work index (MWI), and work efficiency (MWE), and a significant increase in myocardial wasted work (MWW) and mechanical dispersion (MD). 1-year after the procedure, LV size significantly decreased, GLS, MWI, MWE and MD improved, whereas GWW remained significantly reduced. LVEF improved but remained significantly altered compared with baseline values (Table 1). Conclusions In patients severe PMR undergoing PMVR, the acute reduction in LV preload causes a significant impairment of all parameters of LV performance. After 1-year, progressive LV remodeling is associated a significant improvement in MCW, counterbalanced by a persistently high MWW, which can explain the partial recovery of LVEF. Abstract Figure.

498 Oxidative stress and left ventricular performance in patients according to different glycometabolic phenotypes

Abstract Recent studies demonstrated that in normoglucose-tolerant subjects (NGT), 1-h post load plasma glucose value ≥155 mg/dL, during OGTT, identifies a worse cardio-metabolic risk profile with increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). T2DM patients present increased oxidative stress, due to high blood glucose levels, which plays a central role in the development of CV events. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation between oxidative stress and subclinical myocardial damage, assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography, in NGT patients with 1-h post load ≥155 mg/dL vs. NGT &amp;lt; 155 subjects, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and T2DM patients. We enrolled 100 Caucasian patients (61 M, 39 W, mean age 61.4 ± 10.7) afferent to CATAMERI study. Main exclusion criteria were CV complications, history of malignant or chronic respiratory disease, alcohol, drug influencing glucose metabolism or smoking abuse. All subjects underwent clinical and laboratory evaluation, OGTT and HOMA-IR. The serum values of the markers of oxidative stress (8-isoprostane and NOX-2) were assessed with ELISA sandwich. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA test, linear correlation analysis and stepwise multivariate linear regression model. According to OGTT results, subjects were divided into 4 groups: NGT &amp;lt; 155 (n = 30), NGT ≥ 155 (n = 24), IGT (n = 28), T2DM (n = 18). Serum levels of 8-isoprostane and NOX-2 were significantly increased (P &amp;lt; 0.0001) in NGT ≥ 155 compared to NGT &amp;lt; 155 group, but similar with IGT, indicating an increase in oxidative stress with the worsening of the metabolic status. The left global systolic function, evaluated as myocardial deformation and global longitudinal strain (GLS), appeared progressively lower proceeding from the NGT &amp;lt; 155 group to the T2DM group (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Moreover, for similar values of ejection fraction (EF), NGT ≥ 155 subjects presented reduced GLS compared to NGT &amp;lt; 155 (P = 0.001), but similar to IGT patients. The linear correlation analysis showed that endo/epi ratio was significantly and inversely correlated with 1 h post load glycaemia (r = −0.632, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), NOX-2 (r = −0.638, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), 8-isoprostane (r = −0.508, P &amp;lt; 0.0001); GLS was inversely correlated with 1 h post load glycaemia (r = −0.734, P &amp;lt; 0.0001) and directly and significantly correlated with 8-isoprostane (r = 0.564, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), NOX-2 (r = 0.625, P &amp;lt; 0.0001). From stepwise multivariate linear regression model, NOX-2 resulted the major predictor of endo/epi ratio, justifying 40.7% of its variation. 1-h post load glycaemia was the second predictor of endo/epi ratio justifying another 9.2% of its variation. Similarly 1-h post load glycaemia was the strongest predictor of the GLS, explaining 53.9% of its variation. Our study demonstrated that NGT ≥ 155 subjects present functional alterations of myocardial contractile fibres, compared to NGT &amp;lt; 155 subjects, but similar to IGT, and these alterations are correlated with oxidative stress. Moreover, GLS is able to identify early alterations in the contractility of subendocardial longitudinal fibres long before the alteration of EF. This data have a central role in ongoing research on the association between hyperglycaemia at 1-h post load and CV risk.

Ventricular-arterial coupling in hypertensive patients after TAVR. It is not all about the valve

Abstract Background In severe aortic stenosis, the left ventricle faces the challenge of the valvular load and the arterial load caused by abnormalities in systemic arterial compliance and systemic vascular resistance. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of hypertension control on left ventricular performance in patients that underwent TAVR. Methods 68 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR were analyzed; all patients were evaluated to confirm severe aortic stenosis with transthoracic echo (TTE). Conventional echo parameters were assessed as well as left ventricular mechanics parameters and vascular parameters such as arterial elastance (Ea), ventricular elastance (Ees) and V/Ac; besides all patients underwent TTE prior to TAVR, at discharge and 90 days follow-up visit. Results Mean age was 82±5; mean aortic valve area was 0.69±0.19, mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 58.3±12.1 and mean ventricular-arterial coupling was 1.6±0.9. At 90 days follow up we observed a significant worsening in V/Ac in those patients with poor control of blood pressure (&amp;gt;140/90mmHg), (1.8±0.5 vs 2.1±0.3, p=0.03). Aortic impedance was significantly higher (4.4±1.4 vs 3.5±1.2, p=0.05); Ea and Ees were also significantly higher in hypertensive patients (2.3±0.8 vs 1.7±0.6, p=0.05) and (1.4±0.7 vs 0.9±0.6, p=0.01) respectively. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) showed a slightly reduction in hypertensive patients, although not statistically significant. Conclusions Control of blood pressure seems to be an important factor that contributes to a better or rather worse LV performance and could have a potential role in systolic function and clinical outcome of patients after TAVR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

On Left Ventricle Stroke Work Efficiency in Children with Moderate Aortic Valve Regurgitation or Moderate Aortic Valve Stenosis.

The optimal timing for management of pediatric patients with moderate aortic valve disease [moderate aortic stenosis (modAS) or moderate aortic regurgitation (modAR)] remains unknown and largely unexplored. Although usually asymptomatic, the risk of increased left ventricular (LV) wall stress, irreversible myocardial fibrosis and sudden death in untreated moderate conditions warrants clearer risk stratification for appropriate timely intervention. In this study, we explore the use of a patient-specific mathematical model to introduce a new evaluative parameter of LV performance in patients with moderate aortic valve disease. Synthetic patient data (N = 520) representing healthy patients, and patients with modAS or modAR were first generated. Then, data from twenty-five pediatric patients were included in this study (healthy = 9; moderate AS = 8; modAR = 8). The effect of modAS or modAR on LV performance was evaluated by LV stroke work (LVSW) efficiency, a new non-invasive parameter. The results demonstrate that healthy patients possess a very high LVSW efficiency (synthetic data: 91 ± 2%, in vivo data: 92 ± 3%). However, modAS patients have a significant reduction in LVSW efficiency (synthetic data: 78 ± 2%, in vivo data: 76 ± 5%, p < 0.05), whereas modAR patients had the lowest LVSW efficiency (synthetic data: 58 ± 3%, in vivo data: 66 ± 7%; p < 0.05). This highlights that patients with moderate aortic valve disease require careful myocardial assessment, regardless of onset of clinical symptoms as their LV performance is significantly reduced. The evaluation of LVSW efficiency offers a promising avenue for future stratification of mixed aortic valve disease for optimal timing of management and intervention.

Coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID-19), Systemic Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease.

Acute respiratory failure associated with the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread worldwide and presents critical challenges for the public health and medical communities The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared SARS-CoV-2 a public health emergency of international concern, with a global estimate of over 7 million human infections and more than 400000 deaths worldwide as of June 12, 2020 A 2020 report by the China Medical Treatment Expert Group for Coronavirus disease 2010 (COVID-19) (2) showed that the clinical spectrum of the viral infection is dominated by fever (up to 88 7% of patients during hospitalization) and cough (67 8% of patients) followed by symptoms such as headache, fatigue, or shortness of breath

Tissue doppler imaging for estimation of left ventricular filling pressure in patients with systolic and diastolic heart failure: a comparative simultaneous doppler catheterization study

Background: Noninvasive assessment of diastolic filling by Doppler echocardiography provides important information about left ventricular (LV) status in selected subsets of patients. This study was designed to assess whether the lateral mitral annular velocity as assessed by tissue Doppler imaging is associated with invasive measures of diastolic LV performance in patients with diastolic and systolic heart failure. Aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of lateral mitral annular E/E′ as an estimate of LV filling pressure with invasive LVEDP measurement in subjects with systolic or purely diastolic heart failure.Methods: Total 100 patients were studied, 50 patients with diastolic heart failure and 50 patients with systolic heart failure in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiogram. Detailed 2D Echocardiography, Trans mitral Doppler and Tissue Doppler velocities of lateral mitral annulus was obtained. The ratio of peak mitral velocity (E) to lateral mitral annular velocity (E′) by TDI (E/E′) was calculated.Results: The ratio of E/E′ in diastolic group was 13.4±4.9 and in systolic group it was 13.7±5.2. The mean LVEDP in diastolic heart failure patients was 14.3±4.5 and 14.2±4.9 in systolic heart failure patients. The ratio of E/E′ showed a better correlation with LVEDP. E/E′ &lt;8 accurately predicted normal LVEDP, and E/E′ &gt;15 identified increased LVEDP ≥15mmHg.Conclusions: E/E′ is a reliable estimate of LV filling pressures in subjects with systolic and diastolic heart failure. In subjects with diastolic heart failure, E/E′ seems helpful to identify those with truly elevated LV filling pressures. In patients with diastolic heart failure and normal E/E′, a search for other causes of symptoms (pulmonary disease, obesity and so forth) may be warranted.

P657 Deterioration of left ventricular performance in response to pulmonary hypertension, in patients with scleroderma versus patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements PlaqueImage Background The relationship between the degree of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and left ventricular performance in patients with systemic sclerosis is still a controversial issue in the literature. We aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of indexes characterizing left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, in two etiological types of pulmonary hypertension involving different pathophysiological mechanisms: PH caused by systemic sclerosis and PH caused by myocardial ischemia. Material and method We performed a prospective study on 83 patients (36 patients with documented PAH with a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure – sPAP of &amp;gt;35 mmHg and 47 subjects with normal sPAP), out of which group 1 – with systemic sclerosis (n = 48); group 2 – significant coronary artery disease - CAD (n = 35). Patients of each group were divided in two subgroups based on the diagnosis of PH: group 1A - subjects with scleroderma and associated PH (n = 20), group 1B - subjects with scleroderma without PH (n = 28), group 2A - ischemic patients with associated PH (n = 16) and subgroup 2B - patients with ischemic disease without PH (n = 19). Results Patients in group 1 presented a significantly higher number of female subjects (p = 0.001) and a higher mean age (p = 0.009) compared to group 2. Patients with associated PH presented a significantly lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) compared to those without PH within the ischemic group (p = 0.023). There was a significant inverse correlation between the sPAP and LVEF in ischemic patients (r=-0.52, p = 0.001) as well as for scleroderma patients without PH (r=-0.51, p = 0.04). Tissue Doppler analysis of the left ventricular function indicated a significant negative correlation between the septal E’ value versus the sPAP and lateral E’ value versus the sPAP (r=-0.49, p = 0.002; r=-0.43, p = 0,008). Conclusions Intrinsic myocardial damage plays an important role in left ventricular systolic function even in the absence of PAH. Scleroderma patients present a less pronounced deterioration of the LVEF in response to pulmonary hypertension, indicating that in this group, additional compensatory mechanisms could be involved in the complex response of myocardium to elevated pulmonary pressures.

Impact of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on Left Ventricular Function – a Comparative Study between Scleroderma and Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract Background: The impact of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) on left ventricular performance in patients with scleroderma is still unknown. This study aims to perform a comparative echocardiographic analysis of left ventricular function between two different etiological varieties of PAH, namely PAH caused by systemic sclerosis as a representative of systemic inflammatory diseases and PAH caused by myocardial ischemia. Material and method: We conducted a prospective observational study on 82 patients, of which 36 were with documented PAH, with the systolic pressure in the pulmonary artery above 35 mmHg, and 46 were patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure. The study population was divided into two groups, based on the etiology of PAH: group 1 included patients diagnosed with scleroderma (n = 48); group 2 included patients with coronary artery disease (n = 35). Patients from each group were divided into two subgroups based on the diagnosis of PAH: subgroup 1A – subjects with scleroderma and associated PAH (n = 20); subgroup 1B – subjects with scleroderma without PAH (n = 28); subgroup 2A – ischemic patients with associated PAH (n = 16); and subgroup 2B – patients with ischemic disease without PAH (n = 19). Results: A significant difference between LVEF values in patients with PAH versus those without PAH in the ischemic group (p = 0.023) was recorded. Compared to scleroderma subjects, ischemic patients presented significantly lower values of LVEF in both PAH and non-PAH subgroups (p &lt;0.0001 and p &lt;0.0001, respectively). Linear regression analysis between sPAP and LVEF revealed a significant negative correlation only for the ischemia group (r = −0.52, p = 0.001) and the scleroderma 2B subgroup (r = −0.51, p = 0.04). Tissue Doppler analysis of left ventricular function revealed a significant impact of PAH on left ventricular diastolic performance in the ischemic group. Conclusions: Compared to patients with coronary artery disease, those with scleroderma present a less pronounced deterioration of LVEF in response to pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Assessment of left ventricular performance in patients with aortic regurgitation: a strain rate imaging study

Background Aortic regurgitation (AR) results in left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic changes ranging from maladaptive hypertrophy and dilatation to heart failure. Conventional echocardiography and tissue doppler imaging are unable to reveal the early abnormalities in LV function caused by AR; however, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) provides an objective way to detect subtle LV changes among AR patients. Objective The aim of this study was to assess functional changes in the myocardium in asymptomatic patients with AR using 2D STE-based strain and strain rate measurement, and its usefulness in early detection of subclinical LV dysfunction. Materials and methods Fifty asymptomatic patients with significant AR and 20 age and sex-matched healthy individuals were examined using conventional echocardiography, tissue doppler imaging, and 2D STE-based measurement of global and segmental LV systolic longitudinal strain (esys), systolic strain rate (SRs), and early strain rate (SRe) and late (SRa) diastolic strain rates. Results The AR group showed significant reduction in global systolic strain (esys) compared with the control group. Global LV longitudinal systolic SRs, diastolic SRe, and SRa were significantly reduced in the AR group in comparison with the control group. In addition, peak esys, SRs, SRe, and SRa showed negative correlation with LV mass index in AR. Conclusion Patients with AR had subclinical LV dysfunction using 2D STE-based strain and strain rate imaging. The index where volume was corrected by deformation should form the basis for predicting subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with increasing LV dilatation.

Impact of right ventricular dyssynchrony on left ventricular performance in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension has been associated with right ventricular (RV) dyssynchrony which may induce left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and dyssynchrony through ventricular interdependence. The present study evaluated the influence of RV dyssynchrony on LV performance in patients with pulmonary hypertension. One hundred and seven patients with pulmonary hypertension (age 63 ± 14 years, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure 60 ± 19 mmHg) and LV ejection fraction (EF) >35% were evaluated. Ventricular dyssynchrony was assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography and defined as the standard deviation of the time to peak longitudinal strain of six segments of the RV (RV-SD) and the LV (LV-SD) in the apical 4-chamber view. Mean RV-SD and LV-SD assessed with longitudinal strain speckle tracking echocardiography were 51 ± 28 and 47 ± 21 ms, respectively. The patient population was divided according to the median RV-SD value of 49 ms. Patients with RV-SD ≥49 ms had significantly worse NYHA functional class (2.7 ± 0.7 vs. 2.3 ± 0.7, p = 0.004), RV function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion: 16 ± 4 vs. 19 ± 4 mm, p < 0.001), LVEF (50 ± 10 vs. 55 ± 8%, p = 0.001), and larger LV-SD (57 ± 18 vs. 36 ± 18 ms, p < 0.001). RV-SD significantly correlated with LV-SD (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) and LVEF (r = -0.23, p = 0.02). Multiple linear regression analysis showed an independent association between RV-SD and LV-SD (β = 0.35, 95%CI 0.21-0.49, p < 0.001). RV dyssynchrony is significantly associated with LV dyssynchrony and reduced LVEF in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Assessment of left ventricular performance in patients with essential hypertension by global performance index based on three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging

Objective To investigate the left ventricular (LV) performance in patients with essential hypertension(EH) by global performance index (GPI) based on three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI).Methods A total of 164 EH patients were enrolled and divided into four subgroups according to LV configuration:LV normal group (LVN,n =67),concentric cardiac remodeling group (CCR,n =49),concentric cardiac hypertrophy group (CCH,n =28) and eccentric cardiac hypertrophy group (ECH,n =20).Thirty age and sex matched healthy volunteers were enrolled as controls.3D-STI was performed to assess LV 3D global strain and LV torsion,then LV systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI) and global performance index (GPI) were calculated.Global strain parameters were investigated among the groups,and correlations with GPI were studied.Results GPI,global longitudinal strain(GLS),global area strain(GAS),global radial strain(GRS) and global 3D strain(G3DS) in EH groups were respectively lower than those in the normal controls,and there were statistical differences among the respective parameters (P ＜0.05,respectively).SDI in group CCH and ECH were significantly higher than that in normal controls (P ＜ 0.05,respectively).In multivariate stepwise regression analysis,GAS was the most influential to GPI.Conclusions GPI based on 3D-STI may accurately reflect LV performance in patients with EH,and has potential applications in clinical practice. Key words: Echocardiography; Hypertension; Ventricular function, left; Three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging

The Initial Tangent of the Femoral Arterial Pressure Increase Is an Estimate of Left Ventricular Contractility in Patients Undergoing Cardiacsurgery

Purpose: Assessment of contractile function is a major challenge in patients with left ventricular dysfunction, especially during cardiac surgery. The initial tangent of the femoral arterial pressure increase (tanin) has recently been described to be an estimate of left ventricular (LV) contractility. To confirm these findings tanin was compared to various indices of LV performance in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: Data from 17 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Myocardial performance was estimated by the echocardiographic indices ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (FS), circumferential fiber shortening velocity (Vcf), the parameters of pulse contour analysis area under the curve (AUC) and tanin. Measurements were taken before and after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Results: Tanin increased significantly (813 ± 216 mmHg/s vs. 1490 ± 450 mmHg/s, p in and Vcf correlated strongly (r = 0.70, p in showed only weak correlation with EF (r = 0.36, p = 0.037). There was no significant correlation with FS (r = 0.31, p = 0.079). Tanin and AUC correlated inversely (r = -0.62, p in correlated well with the less preload-dependent parameter Vcf, thus suggesting that tanin may be used as an easily accessible estimate of LV contractility during cardiac surgery.

Pretreatment with levosimendan improves outcome in off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Methods Loading dose of levosimendan at low-dose (12 mcg/kg), high-dose (24 mcg/kg) or placebo were administered in thirty-one patients in randomized controlled study. Bolus thermodilution by pulmonary artery catheter used for cardiac output (CO) measuring. Numerical data were described by median. To compare the three independent groups (low or high-dose levosimendan or placebo) the Kruskal-Walis test was applied. For comparing time points in one group, we tested the differences in time within each group with the Friedman test. Results Significant increase in CO occurred after low-dose (p = 0.001) and high-dose levosimendan (p < 0.001). CO was higher in all measurements in patients receiving low-dose levosimendan versus patients received placebo, but didn’t rich significance. In patients receiving low-dose levosimendan, compared with baseline measurement, CO was higher 20 minutes after infusion (p = 0.080) and 48 h after surgery (p=0.067). Similar alteration in CO measurements occurred after high-dose comparing with low-dose levosimendan. Furthermore, CO was significantly higher in patients receiving highdose levosimendan compared with those receiving placebo, 20 min after infusion (p = 0.021) and 48 h after surgery (p = 0.006). Compared with baseline measurement, all values of CO were significantly higher in patients treated with high-dose levosimendan (p = 0.005 for all). Conclusion Levosimendan produces early and prolonged beneficial effect on left ventricular performance in patients with preoperative normal LV function undergoing OPCABG surgery, and this effect is dose dependent.

Characterization of changes of left ventricular performance in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction by exercise echocardiography

Characterization of changes of left ventricular performance in patients with heart failure and normal ejection fraction by exercise echocardiography

Al-Razi Award (Second place for physicians): Assessment of left ventricular performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality in these patients. The use of pulse contour analysis for assessment of cardiac output CO in patients with COPD is a new approach not studied before in this type of patients. Aim of work: The aim of the study was to assess left ventricle (LV) performance and CO in patients with COPD by the use of pulse contour analysis, transthoracic echocardiography, and first-pass radionuclide LV imaging and correlate data obtained by them to each other. Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with COPD admitted to the intensive care unit were subjected to conservative therapy and assessment of LV functions, including CO, mean arterial pressure (MAP), stroke volume, ejection fraction, and diastolic function by the 3 methods mentioned. Results: Ten patients (33%) had MAP below normal, and 18 patients (60%) had low CO as measured by the Vigileo monitor. It was found that CO and stroke volume by Vigileo monitor and transeosaphageal echocardiography are highly correlated (P = .001); diastolic dysfunction was present in 63% of patients, whereas dilated LV with low ejection fraction was present in 43% of them. Patients with pulmonary hypertension had significantly lower MAP (P = .0001) and diastolic dysfunction (P = .035) in comparison with those without pulmonary hypertension. Patients with dilated right ventricle (RV) had significantly lower CO and MAP and also showed significantly higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure compared with those with normal RV dimensions (P = .001). Conclusions: LV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions are common in patients with COPD and both give rise to dyspnea, which is the main symptom in those patients. Low CO and low MAP are especially common in patients with COPD with high pulmonary artery pressure; both can be accurately measured by the arterial platform monitor and transthoracic echocardiography.