Left Ventricular Rate Research Articles

Cardiovascular indicators associated with ventricular remodeling in chronic high-altitude disease: a cardiovascular MRI study.

This study aimed to assess biventricular function and mechanics in patients with the chronic high-altitude disease (CHAD) using cardiovascular MRI and explore the possible risk factors associated with ventricular remodeling. In this prospective study, consecutive CHAD patients and healthy controls at high-altitude (HA) and at sea level (SL) underwent cardiovascular MRI. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function and global strain parameters were compared. To identify risk factors associated with ventricular remodeling, multiple linear regression analyses were used. A total of 33 patients with CHAD (42.97years ± 11.80; 23 men), 33 HA (41.18years ± 8.58; 21 men), and 33 SL healthy controls (43.48years ± 13.40; 21 men) were included. A Significantly decreased biventricular ejection fraction was observed in patients (all p < 0.05). Additionally, the HA group displayed lower magnitudes of biventricular longitudinal peak strain (PS) (RV, - 13.67% ± 4.05 vs. - 16.22% ± 3.03; LV, - 14.68% ± 2.20 vs. - 16.19% ± 2.51; both p < 0.05), but a higher LV circumferential PS (- 20.74% ± 2.02 vs. - 19.17% ± 2.34, p < 0.05) than the SL group. Moreover, multiple linear regression analyses revealed that HGB (β = 0.548) was related to the LV remodeling index, whereas BUN (β = 0.570) was associated with the RV remodeling index. With the deterioration of RV function in patients with CHAD, LV function was also impaired concomitantly. Hypoxia-induced erythrocytosis may contribute to LV impairment, while BUN was considered an independent risk factor for RV remodeling. • A significantly lower biventricular ejection fraction was observed in patients, with a decreased magnitude of left ventricular (LV) peak systolic strain rate (radial and circumferential) and peak diastolic strain rate (all p < 0.05). • High-altitude healthy natives showed a lower biventricular longitudinal peak strain (all p < 0.05). • Hemoglobin was related to LV remodeling (β = 0.548), while BUN (β = 0.570) was independently associated with RV remodeling in CHAD patients.

Potential Cardioprotective Role of Menaquinone-4 Against Cardiac Ischemia-reperfusion Injury.

Myocardial infarction is among the leading causes of mortality. Menaquinone-4 (MK-4), a vitamin K2 analog, might play a role in rescuing cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This work aimed to discover the potential cardioprotective role of MK-4 against myocardial I/R injury in rats. Thirty-two rats were categorized into 3 groups: (I/R) control group: subjected to I/R protocol (received vehicle), MK-4 preconditioning group: MK-4 infusion for 20 minutes before the I/R protocol, and MK-4 postconditioning group: MK-4 infusion for 20 minutes at the start of the reperfusion phase. The hearts were placed in the Langendorff apparatus, and the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), heart rate (HR), + (LV dP/dt) max, - (LV dP/dt) max, and Tau were calculated. The necrotic mass was determined by staining it with nitro blue tetrazolium. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C- reactive protein (CRP), as well as cardiac superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NOx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) levels were all evaluated. MK-4 postconditioning significantly reduced myocardial infarct size; increased LVDP, + (LV dp/dt) max, - (LV dp/dt) max, and HR; reduced Tau, CK-MB, LDH, CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, MDA, and NOx levels; and increased SOD activity, whereas no significant difference in the GSH level was detected. In conclusion, these data imply that MK-4 may protect the heart from the consequences of I/R.

Dynamic chest radiography as a novel minimally invasive hemodynamic imaging method in patients with heart failure

PurposeDynamic chest radiography allows for non-invasive cardiopulmonary blood flow assessment. However, data on its use for heart failure hemodynamic assessment are scarce. We utilized dynamic chest radiography to estimate heart failure hemodynamics. MethodTwenty heart failure patients (median age, 67 years; 17 men) underwent dynamic chest radiography and right heart catheterization. The analyzed images were 16-bit images (grayscale range: 0–65,535). Right atrial, right pulmonary artery, and left ventricular apex pixel values (average of the grayscale values of all pixels within a region of interest) were measured. The correlations of the minimum, maximum, mean, amount of change, and rate of change in pixel values with right atrial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and cardiac index were analyzed. ResultsThe mean right atrial pixel value and mean right atrial pressure (R = −0.576, P = 0.008), mean right pulmonary artery pixel value and mean pulmonary artery pressure (R = −0.546, P = 0.013), and left ventricular apex pixel value change rate and mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (R = −0.664, P = 0.001) or cardiac index (R = 0.606, P = 0.005) were correlated. The left ventricular apex pixel value change rate identified low cardiac index (area under the curve, 0.792; 95% confidence interval, 0.590–0.993; P = 0.031) and low cardiac index with high pulmonary artery wedge pressure (area under the curve, 0.902; 95% confidence interval, 0.000–1.000; P = 0.030). ConclusionsDynamic chest radiography is a minimally invasive tool for heart failure hemodynamic assessment.

Myocardial strain parameters and autonomic balance in various variants of the postinfarction course in patients receiving high-dose atorvastatin therapy

Aim. To study parameters of left ventricular (LV) strain and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in various variants of postinfarction receiving high-dose atorvastatin therapy.Material and methods. The study included 96 patients with STEMI. All patients underwent two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and 24-hour electrocardiographic monitoring with HRV analysis. The included individuals were divided into groups without pathological LV remodeling (R (-), n=57) and with pathological post-infarction LV remodeling (R (+), n=39), the criterion for which was an increase in end-diastolic and/or end-systolic volume &gt;20% and &gt;15%, respectively. Further, depending on the achievement of target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (1,5 mmol/l and/or a decrease of more than 50%), the following subgroups were identified: 17 (43,6%) people, who reached target LDL-C levels (group 1), 22 (56,4%) patients, who did not reach target LDL-C levels (group 2). Similar subgroups were identified in the R (-) group as follows: 28 (49,1%) people, who reached target LDL-C levels (group 3) and 29 (50,9%) people, who did not reach target LDL-C levels (group 4).Results. Starting from the 12th week of follow-up, worsening of global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial (GRS) strain (p&lt;0,01) was registered in group 2. In group 1, worsening of these parameters was registered only by the 48th week (p&lt;0,01). In group 3, an increase in GLS was revealed by the 48th week (p=0,001), GCS and GRS — by the 12th week (p&lt;0,05). In group 4, favorable changes were observed only in GLS and GCS by the 48th week (p&lt;0,01). A significant change in HRV parameters was observed in group 3. By the 48th week, there was an increase in temporal indicators (SDNN, SDNNi, SDANN, RMSSD, pNN50) (p&lt;0,0001) and total spectrum power (p=0,0001) due to an increase in all frequency indicators (p&lt;0,001), while the index of autonomic balance L/H decreased by 33% (p=0,002). In group 4, only SDNN, SDANN and pNN50 (p&lt;0,05), as well as the total spectrum power (p=0,001) increased, but no change in frequencies. According to intergroup analysis in the acute period of STEMI, group 4 patients had higher HRV than in group 3 (p&lt;0,05).Conclusion. High-dose atorvastatin therapy improves LV strain characteristics and autonomic balance during the rehabilitation period after STEMI.

Assessment of Myocardial Mechanics in Acute Rheumatic Fever Using Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography.

This study aims to evaluate the role of speckle-tracking echocardiography to identify myocardial deformation in acute rheumatic fever. Twenty-seven patients and 27 healthy children were prospectively evaluated. The patient group was divided into 2 subgroups based on echocardiographic findings, with or without carditis. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain and strain rate, left ventricular global circumferential strain and strain rate, and right ventricular global lon-gitudinal strain and strain rate were assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography. In the acute phase of the disease, all values except the right ventricular global longitudinal strain were found to be significantly below the control group in the patient cohort. No significant difference was found between the patients grouped as carditis and non-carditis in the acute period. Comparison of the acute period with the post-treatment period revealed a significant increase in all strain values of the patients with carditis and significant increases observed in all values except left ventricular global longitudinal strain rate, left ventricular global circumferential strain rate, and right ventricular global longitudinal strain rate values in patients without carditis. Apart from the right ventricular global longitudinal strain rate, which was significantly lower in the non-carditis group compared to the control group, there was no significant difference in strain values between the patient and control groups following treatment. In the present study, we found that all patients, including patients in whom no valvular involvement was detected by echocardiography in the acute phase of acute rheumatic fever, had a lower right and left ventricular strain and strain rate measurements and that these findings improved after treatment, suggesting that strain echocardiography may be a helpful diagnostic method, especially in patients without valvular involvement.

Advances in the study of the vascular protective effects and molecular mechanisms of hawthorn (Crataegus anamesa Sarg.) extracts in cardiovascular diseases.

Hawthorn belongs to the rose family and is a type of functional food. It contains various chemicals, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and organic acid compounds. This study aimed to review the vascular protective effects and molecular mechanisms of hawthorn and its extracts on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Hawthorn has a wide range of biological functions. Evidence suggests that the active components of HE reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, regulate lipid levels to prevent lipid accumulation, and inhibit free cholesterol accumulation in macrophages and foam cell formation. Additionally, hawthorn extract (HE) can protect vascular endothelial function, regulate endothelial dysfunction, and promote vascular endothelial relaxation. It has also been reported that the effective components of hawthorn can prevent age-related endothelial dysfunction, increase cellular calcium levels, cause antiplatelet aggregation, and promote antithrombosis. In clinical trials, HE has been proved to reduce the adverse effects of CVDs on blood lipids, blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, heart rate, and exercise tolerance. Previous studies have pointed to the benefits of hawthorn and its extracts in treating atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases. Therefore, as both medicine and food, hawthorn can be used as a new drug source for treating cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract 13725: The Dose Difference of Carvedilol for Heart Failure Management Between Asian-Americans and Japanese Could Show No Difference in the Improvement of Heart Function

Introduction: Carvedilol has improved cardiac mortality and morbidity for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The initial and target doses used in the Japanese randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were almost half of those in the USA leading to markedly lower recommended doses for HF management the in Japanese national guidelines compared to the USA. Hypothesis: Race may play a role in the optimal dose of carvedilol for HFrEF management. Methods: The international collaborative study was performed to compare the dose difference and the effect on heart functions, such as left ventricular EF (LVEF) and heart rate (HR), among Asian-Americans (AA), Caucasians (CA), and Japanese (JA) using real-world data. Each local ethics committee approved the study protocol at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), the Osaka University Hospital (OUH), and the OU pharmaceutical sciences. The initial population at UCSD Health and OUH consisted of 1078 patients with HFrEF (≥ 20 years, EF&lt;40%) treated with carvedilol (668 AA and CA and 410 JA). After inclusion/exclusion criteria, the study population consisted of 26 AA, 36 CA, and 96 JA. Results: Initial carvedilol dose (mg/day) (AA, 14.5 ± 11.9; CA, 19.1 ± 18.7; JA, 4.3 ± 4.2) and the dose at one year (30.9 ± 22.4; 34.5 ± 21.4; 11.2 ± 6.5) were significantly lower for JA compared to AA or CA ( p &lt; 0.05 vs JA, respectively). AA had the highest frequency of carvedilol discontinuation (%; AA, 10.7; CA, 2.6; JA, 6.5) and dose reduction (18.4, 10.7, 2.2) ( p &lt; 0.05, chi-square test). Clinical measurements of LVEF (%) measured before carvedilol initiation and after one year (before; 28.9 ± 8.8, 26.5 ± 8.0, 28.8 ± 7.4, after; 42.9 ± 11.1, 37.5 ± 15.3, 41.2 ± 13.1) and HR (beats/min) (before; 81.9 ± 19.0, 77.7 ± 13.5, 74.7 ± 10.9, after; 77.8 ± 10.6, 74.0 ± 12.5, 69.4 ± 9.4) showed no significant difference among the three groups. There were also no significant differences in event-free survival and in changes from baseline to 1 year in LVEF and HR, LVDd, or LVDs. Conclusions: JA patients exhibited similar effectiveness compared to AA and CA despite markedly lower carvedilol doses. Doses in AA were more similar to CA vs JA. Dose-deescalation may be an option in Asian HFrEF patients intolerable to high doses of carvedilol.

Pioglitazone reduces epicardial fat and improves diastolic function in patients with type 2 diabetes.

To examine the effect of pioglitazone on epicardial (EAT) and paracardial adipose tissue (PAT) and measures of diastolic function and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Twelve patients with T2DM without clinically manifest cardiovascular disease and 12 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to quantitate EAT and PAT and diastolic function before and after pioglitazone treatment for 24 weeks. Whole-body insulin sensitivity was measured with a euglycaemic insulin clamp and the Matsuda Index (oral glucose tolerance test). Pioglitazone reduced glycated haemoglobin by 0.9% (P< 0.05), increased HDL cholesterol by 7% (P< 0.05), reduced triacylglycerol by 42% (P< 0.01) and increased whole-body insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by 71% (P< 0.01) and Matsuda Index by 100% (P< 0.01). In patients with T2DM, EAT (P< 0.01) and PAT (P< 0.01) areas were greater compared with subjects with NGT, and decreased by 9% (P= 0.03) and 9% (P= 0.09), respectively, after pioglitazone treatment. Transmitral E/A flow rate and peak left ventricular flow rate (PLVFR) were reduced in T2DM versus NGT (P< 0.01) and increased following pioglitazone treatment (P< 0.01-0.05). At baseline normalized PLVFR inversely correlated with EAT (r= -0.45, P= 0.03) but not PAT (r= -0.29, P= 0.16). E/A was significantly and inversely correlated with EAT (r= -0.55, P= 0.006) and PAT (r= -0.40, P= 0.05). EAT and PAT were inversely correlated with whole-body insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (r= -0.68, P< 0.001) and with Matsuda Index (r= 0.99, P< 0.002). Pioglitazone reduced EAT and PAT areas and improved left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in T2DM. EAT and PAT are inversely correlated (PAT less strongly) with LV diastolic function and both EAT and PAT are inversely correlated with measures of insulin sensitivity.

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, a powerful method for the evaluation of anthracyclines induced left ventricular insufficiency.

Anthracyclines have been one of the most important therapeutic methods in breast cancer therapy for decades. However, serious long-term toxicities, especially cardiotoxicity limits the continuous usage of anthracyclines, hence affects long term prognosis. Early detection of myocardial dysfunction during treatment is critical but challenging. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is a non-Doppler technique that can assess deformation and strain by tracking displacement of acoustic markers in the myocardium. This study aims to compare the sensitivity and precision between 2D-STE and traditional echocardiography on monitoring the left ventricular function in patients with breast cancer after anthracyclines therapy, which is the key indicator for evaluating myocardial changes. Thirty-three patients with breast cancer were recruited from February 2019 to December 2019. All patients were treated with 4 cycles anthracycline. 2D-STE and conventional echocardiography were performed on each patient. Two-dimensional echocardiographic examination was used to collect data interventricular septum diameter (IVSD), end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWD), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular systole on the parasternal left ventricular long axis view. The final diameter (left ventricular end-systolic diameter [LVESD]) and the left ventricular short axis shortening rate (LVFS) was measured by M-type. The two-plane Simpson’s method was used to measure left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and end-systolic volume (left ventricular end-systolic volume [LVESV]) to obtain left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging technical indicator includes left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), subendocardial myocardial longitudinal strain (LVGLS-Endo) and epicardial myocardial longitudinal strain (LVGLS-Epi). The correlation between 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging and conventional ultrasound parameters were analyzed. Compared with baseline (T0), the systolic function parameter LVEF was significantly changed after four cycle chemotherapy (T4) (P < .05). However, the conventional echocardiographic parameters including IVSD, LVPWD, LVEDD, LVESD, LVEDV, and LVESV were not statistically significant (P > .05). Meanwhile, the two-dimensional strain parameters LVGLS, LVGLS-Endo, and LVGLS-Epi were statistically significant after T2 and T4 cycle chemotherapy (P < .01).The two-dimensional strain parameter GLS has higher accuracy and sensitivity for monitoring left ventricular insufficiency caused by anthracycline therapy when compared with traditional echocardiography.

High salt intake damages myocardial viability and induces cardiac remodeling via chronic inflammation in the elderly.

BackgroundThe heart is an important target organ for the harmful effects of high dietary salt intake. However, the effects and associations of high salt intake on myocardial viability, cardiac function changes, and myocardial remodeling are unclear.MethodsA total of 3,810 participants aged 60 years and older were eligible and enrolled from April 2008 to November 2010 and from August 2019 to November 2019 in the Shandong area of China. Salt intake was estimated using 24-h urine collection consecutively for 7 days. Myocardial strain rates, cardiac function and structure, and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were assessed. Participants were classified into low (n = 643), mild (n = 989), moderate (n = 1,245), and high (n = 933) groups, corresponding to < 6, 6–9, 9–12, and >12 g/day of salt intake, respectively, depending on the salt intake estimation.ResultsThe global early diastolic strain rate (SRe) and late diastolic strain rate (SRa) in the high group were 1.58 ± 0.26, 1.38 ± 0.24. respectively, and significantly lower compared with the low, mild, and moderate groups (all P < 0.05). The global systolic strain rate (SRs) in the high group was −1.24 ± 0.24, and it was higher than those in the low, mild, and moderate groups (all P < 0.05). Salt intake was independently and positively correlated with global SRs, Tei index, and the parameters of left ventricular structure separately; negatively correlated with global SRe and SRa, left ventricular short axis shortening rate, left ventricular ejection fraction after adjusting for confounders (all Padjusted < 0.001). Hayes process analyses demonstrated that the mediating effects of hsCRP on global SRe, SRa, and SRs; Tei index; and left ventricular remodeling index were −0.013 (95% CI: −0.015 to −0.010), −0.010 (−0.012 to −0.008), 0.008 (0.006–0.010), 0.005 (0.003–0.006), and 0.010 (0.009–0.012), respectively (all Padjusted < 0.001).ConclusionOur data indicate that excess salt intake is independently associated with the impairment in myocardial viability and cardiac function, as well as myocardial remodeling. Chronic inflammation might play a mediating role in the association between high salt intake and cardiac function damage and myocardial remodeling.

Prognostic value of left ventricular contractile reserve and heart rate reserve in dilated cardiomyopathy

Abstract Background Stress echocardiography (SE) allows to assess simultaneously left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) and heart rate reserve (HRR) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Aim To assess the prognostic value of LVCR and HRR in DCM patients Methods We prospectively enrolled 395 DCM patients with ejection fraction ≤40% (age 62±27 years, 270 males, 68%; ejection fraction 35±9%) referred from 9 certified laboratories, 264 with nonischemic DCM (67%) and 131 (33%) with ischemic DCM. All patients underwent clinically indicated SE. The employed stress modality was exercise (n=63), or pharmacological stress (n=332, with vasodilator, n=232; or dobutamine, n=100). LVCR was present with a rest-stress decrease ≥0.20 in wall motion score index. HRR was normal with a peak-rest value ≥1.80 with exercise or dobutamine and ≥1.22 with dipyridamole or adenosine stress. Results New regional wall motion abnormality was present in 46 (12%), LVCR in 131 (33%) and abnormal HRR in 275 (70%) DCM patients. During a median follow-up of 950 days (interquartile range: 360–1187 days) 71 deaths occurred. Annual mortality was 10.5%/year in DCM patients with abnormal HRR (HRR−) and absence of LVCR (LVCR−), 5.4%/year in patients with either abnormal HRR or absent LVCR, and 2.5%/year in patients with normal HRR and presence of LVCR (Figure 1). At multivariable analysis, only abnormal HRR (HR: 2.952, 95% CI: 1.547–5.630, p=0.001) but not absence of LVCR (HR: 1.545, 95% CI: 0.929–2.568, p=0.094), was independent predictors of survival. Conclusion Abnormal HRR predicts adverse prognosis in DCM patients, in addition to the presence of LV CR. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of Sex and Cardiovascular Risk Factors on Myocardial T1, Extracellular Volume Fraction, and T2 at 3 Tesla: Results From the Population-Based, Hamburg City Health Study.

Reliable reference intervals are crucial for clinical application of myocardial T1 and T2 mapping cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. This study evaluated the impact of sex and cardiovascular risk factors on myocardial T1, extracellular volume fraction (ECV), and T2 at 3T in the population-based HCHS (Hamburg City Health Study). The final study sample consisted of 1576 consecutive HCHS participants between 46 and 78 years without prevalent heart disease, including 1020 (67.3%) participants with hypertension and 110 (7.5%) with diabetes. T1 and T2 mapping were performed on a 3T scanner using 5b(3b)3b modified Look-Locker inversion recovery and T2 prepared, fast-low-angle shot sequence, respectively. Stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify variables with an independent impact on T1, ECV, and T2. Reference intervals were defined as the interval between the 2.5% and 97.5% quantiles. Sex was the major independent influencing factor of myocardial native T1, ECV, and T2. Female patients had significantly higher upper limits of reference intervals for native T1 (1112-1261 versus 1079-1241 ms), ECV (23%-33% versus 22%-32%), and T2 (36-46 versus 35-45 ms) compared with male patients (all P<0.001). Cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and hypertension, did not systematically affect native T1. There was an independent association of T2 by hypertension and, to a lesser degree, by left ventricular mass, heart rate (all P<0.001), and body mass index (P=0.001). Sex needs to be considered as the major, independent influencing factor for clinical application of myocardial T1, ECV, and T2 measurements. Consequently, sex-specific reference intervals should be used in clinical routine. Our findings suggest that there is no need for specific reference intervals for myocardial T1 and ECV measurements in individuals with cardiovascular risk factors. However, hypertension should be considered as an additional factor for clinical application of T2 measurements. URL: https://www. gov; Unique identifier: NCT03934957.

Effects Of Prenatal Exercise On Cardiac Morphology And Function In SHR Offspring

Intrauterine environment during pregnancy has important effects on the cardiovascular development of the offspring, which could persist into adulthood. However, it is largely unknown whether maternal exercise during pregnancy has a beneficial effect on cardiac structure and function in the offspring of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of prenatal exercise on cardiac morphology and function in 3-month-old male offspring of SHR. METHODS: Pregnant SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were separated into a sedentary group (p-WKY-SED, p-SHR-SED) and an exercise group (p-WKY-EX, p-SHR-EX) at random. Exercise group were subjected to swimming (60 min/day, 6 day/week, gestation day 1-19). Physical characteristics, myocardial cell morphology, myocardial collagen volume fraction (CVF%) and cardiac function of male offspring were evaluated at 3 months (3 M). RESULTS: 1) Prenatal exercise significantly decreased the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the offspring of SHR (DBP: 153.5 ± 2.12 vs. 146.7 ± 1.38 mmHg, p < 0.01; MAP: 169.3 ± 2.60 vs. 161.9 ± 3.82 mmHg, p < 0.01). 2) Prenatal exercise significantly decreased the left ventricular hypertrophy index at 3 M in the offspring of SHR (0.74 ± 0.01 vs. 0.70 ± 0.02, p < 0.05). 3) Loosely arranged cardiomyocytes and significant increase in CVF% in the pathological state of hypertension (6.13 ± 0.70 vs. 20.33 ± 1.36 p < 0.01). Prenatal exercise improved cardiomyocyte morphology and decreased CVF% in the offspring of SHR (20.33 ± 1.36 vs. 14.91 ± 0.72 p < 0.05). 4) Echocardiographic results showed that the p-SHR-SED group had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF%) (82.33 ± 4.14 vs. 74.14 ± 1.92 p < 0.05), lower cardiac output (CO) (137 ± 6 vs. 100 ± 5 ml/min, p < 0.05) and significantly lower left ventricular short-axis contraction rate (LVFS%) (52.93 ± 1.56 vs. 42.81 ± 1.05, p < 0.01) compared to the p-WKY-SED group, while the exercise group showed no significant differences compared to their respective sedentary control groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prenatal exercise significantly reduces DBP and MAP in 3 M male offspring of SHR and improves cardiac morphology in the pathological state, but do not significantly improve cardiac function.Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China 32071174.

Left ventricular strain derived from cardiac magnetic resonance can predict outcomes of pulmonary valve replacement in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

PurposeSeveral adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rToF) undergo pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) to reduce the right ventricular volume and retain right ventricular function. However, there is currently no consensus on the ideal time for PVR surgery in asymptomatic patients with rTOF with pulmonary regurgitation (PR). Clinical outcomes after PVR are also indeterminate. Recently, myocardial strain and strain rate derived from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking were found to be more sensitive to right ventricular dysfunction than conventional parameters and therefore may add prognostic value in patients with rToF. We aimed to analyze whether pre-PVR left ventricular (LV) strain and strain rate detected by CMR feature tracking are associated with midterm outcomes after PVR in patients with rToF.MethodsSeventy-eight asymptomatic patients with rToF who required PVR due to moderate or severe PR were prospectively enrolled between January 2014 and June 2020. CMR cine sequences were obtained, and feature tracking parameters were measured preoperatively. Adverse events were documented during the follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the cutoff value. Kaplan–Meier curves were drawn with log-rank statistics; moreover, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses and Harrel C-indices were analyzed.ResultsDuring 3.6 ± 1.8 years of follow-up, 25 adverse events were recorded. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and univariate Cox analysis verified that patients with significantly reduced radial strain (RS), circumferential strain (CS), longitudinal strain (LS), RS rate at systole and diastole (RSRs and RSRe), and circumferential and LS rates at diastole (CSRe and LSRe) had worse event-free survival. After multivariate correction, only LS and LSRe remained significantly associated with adverse outcomes (hazard ratio = 1.243 [1.083–1.428] and 0.067 [0.017–0.258], respectively, all p < 0.05). The cutoff values of LS and LSRe were −12.30 (%) and 1.07 (s–1), respectively.ConclusionThe LV strain and strain rate prior to PVR are important prognostic factors for adverse events after PVR in rToF.

Identification of subclinical myocardial dysfunction by Speckle Tracking Imaging in patients with myocardial infarction with non-occlusive coronary arteries (MINOCA).

The objective of this study was to investigate subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients diagnosed with myocardial infarction with non-occlusive coronary arteries (MINOCA). Thirty-five patients with MINOCA (average age 54.26 ± 12.24 years) and thirty-five patients with ischemia with non-obstructed coronary artery disease (INOCA) (average age 55.20 ± 8.36 years) were enrolled in the study. All clinical conditions that could affect left ventricular functions were considered exclusion criteria. Echocardiographic studies were conducted in the patient and control groups in the left lateral decubitus position using a medical ultrasound device (EPIQ 7, Philips Medical System, USA). The left ventricle was examined longitudinally with apical images of chamber 4-3-2 using the available software (QLAB 6.0). There were no differences in age, blood pressure level, baseline echocardiogram measurements, and tissue Doppler parameters between the two groups. In two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) measurements, left ventricular longitudinal strain and strain rate in systole, early and late diastole from apical 4-3-2 chamber and global measurements of each parameter were significantly decreased in the MINOCA group compared to the INOCA group (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between the global longitudinal strain rate and the troponin I in the MINOCA patients group (r=-0.43 p = 0.009). Our study showed that while standard echocardiographic parameters for patients diagnosed with MINOCA were normal, their left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were reduced by the 2D-STE method.

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (thiorphan/irbesartan) improved cardiac function in a rat model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.

Mitochondria-mediated apoptosis plays a critical role in myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury and causes a negative impact on cardiac efficiency and function. The combined angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) is a promising cardioprotective pharmacological agent that could rescue the heart from IR injury. This study investigated the cardioprotective effect of thiorphan (TH) in combination with three different doses of irbesartan (IRB) on myocardial IR injury and detected the most effective dose combination. Male Wistar rats were used and divided into five groups (10 rats/group): (I) Sham, (II) ischemia-reperfusion I/R, (III) TH/IRB + IR (0.1/5mg/kg), (IV) TH/IRB + IR (0.1/10mg/kg), and (V) TH/IRB + IR (0.1/15 mg/kg) groups. Thiorphan and irbesartan were injected intraperitoneally 15 min before IR induction. Mean arterial blood pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular maximum rate of pressure (LVdp/dtmax ), and cardiac levels of creatine kinase-MB, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and endothelin-1 were measured. Cardiac mitochondria complexes activities, histopathological examination of myocardial tissues, immunohistochemistry studies for myocardial apoptosis (Bax and Bcl-2), and electron microscopy examination of left ventricle were performed. TH/IRB combination preserved cardiac functions and mitochondria complex activities and mitigated cardiac damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis following IR. Also, there was an evident improvement in histopathological changes and electron microscopy examination of left ventricle compared with I/R group. TH/IRB in a dose of 0.1/10mg/kg showed significant improvement compared with the other treated groups. Thiorphan/irbesartan improved cardiac functions following IR injury. This could be explained by the reported improvement of mitochondria complex activities and reduction of oxidative stress, endothelin-1, and apoptosis.

Association between Left Ventricular Wall Thickness and Heart Rate Variability with Complex Ventricular Arrhythmia in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Objective: To demonstrate the association between the maximal left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and the late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and heart rate variability (HRV) with complex ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective study. Fifty-seven HCM patients who underwent CMR and Holter monitoring at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, were identified and included. Complex VA was defined as Lown grading system type 4a or 4b as couplet or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Standard deviation of normal RR-interval (SDNN) was used to assess HRV. Results: The authors studied 57 patients, 40 (70.2%) patients had LGE, and 13 (22.8%) patients had complex VA. Complex VA was demonstrated in 11 (27.5%) patients in the LGE group compared with two (11.8%) in those without (p=0.304), and four (57.1%), and nine (18.0%) in patients had a maximal LV wall thickness of 25 mm or more and less than 25 mm, respectively (p=0.041). SDNN was 100.98±29.82 ms versus 123.85±35.12 ms (p=0.015) in the LGE group compared with the no-LGE group, and 89.08±25.39 ms versus 113.34±33.06 ms (p=0.018) in patients with and without complex VA. Multivariate analysis showed significant associations of maximal LV wall thickness of 25 mm or more and SDNN of less than 105 ms with complex VA with odds ratios of 6.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09 to 41.14; p=0.040) and 5.15 (95% CI 1.14 to 23.30; p=0.033), respectively. Conclusion: In HCM patients, increased LV wall thickness and a reduction in SDNN are associated with complex VA. The present study supports the utility of CMR and HRV for risk stratification of patients with HCM. Keywords: Heart rate variability; Maximal left ventricular wall thickness; Complex ventricular arrhythmia; Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Left Ventricular Strain Analysis During Submaximal Semisupine Bicycle Exercise Stress Echocardiography in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Background Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) show relevant cardiac morbidity and mortality throughout life. Early detection is key for optimal support of patients at risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography strain analysis during semisupine exercise stress in CCSs for detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction after cancer treatment. Methods and Results Seventy-seven CCSs ≥1-year postchemotherapy were prospectively examined at rest, low, and submaximal stress level and compared with a cohort of healthy adolescents and young adults (n=50). Global longitudinal strain (GLS), short axis circumferential strain, and corresponding strain rates were analyzed using vendor-independent software. CCSs at median 7.8 years postchemotherapy showed comparable left ventricular GLS, circumferential strain, and strain rate values at all stress stages to healthy controls. Yet, prevalence of abnormal GLS (defined as <2 SD of controls reference) in CCSs was 1.3% at rest, 2.7% at low, and 8.6% at submaximal stress. In CCSs, relative change of circumferential strain from rest to submaximal stress was lower than in healthy controls, median 16.9 (interquartile range [IQR], 3.4; 28.8) % versus 23.3 (IQR, 11.3; 33.3) %, P=0.03, most apparent in the subgroups of CCSs after high-dose anthracycline treatment and cancer diagnosis before the age of 5 years. Conclusions In this prospective 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography strain study, prevalence of abnormal left ventricular GLS increased with stress level reflecting impaired cardiac adaptation to exercise stress in some CCSs. However, relatively early after last chemotherapy, this did not result in significant differences of mean GLS-, circumferential strain-, and strain rate values between CCSs and controls at any stress level.

The Ratio Between Early Mitral Inflow Velocity and Left Ventricular Early Global Diastolic Strain Rate: A Novel Non-Invasive Predictor of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome

The Ratio Between Early Mitral Inflow Velocity and Left Ventricular Early Global Diastolic Strain Rate: A Novel Non-Invasive Predictor of Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome

Impact of synchronized left ventricular pacing rate on risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmias after cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure.

The adaptive cardiac resynchronization therapy (aCRT) algorithm automatically produces synchronized left ventricular pacing (sLVP) with intrinsic atrioventricular conduction to improve clinical outcomes. However, relationship between sLVP percentage and risk for ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT/VF) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of sLVP rate on VT/VF occurrence. In total, 1,419 device interrogation data from 42 consecutive patients who underwent new aCRT device implantation were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was the first time VT/VF episode after aCRT device implantation. During a median follow-up of 34months, 15 patients had VT/VF episodes. Patients were divided into a high sLVP (the average sLVP percentage of ≥ 51.5%, n = 27) or low sLVP group (< 51.5%, n = 15). The high sLVP group had a significantly lower VT/VF incidence (22% vs. 60%; p = 0.014) and an independent predictor for VT/VF occurrence on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 0.21; p = 0.007). LV ejection fraction improvements after 6months (12.3 ± 8.7% vs. 2.8 ± 10.3%; p = 0.004) and 12months (13.8 ± 9.3% vs. 6.2 ± 11.1%; p = 0.030) were significantly greater in the high sLVP group than in the low sLVP group. Age, PR interval, and left atrial diameter were significantly associated with the sLVP rate after aCRT. Patients with high sLVP percentage after aCRT had lower long-term risk of VT/VF incidence with a favorable response to CRT. A synchronized pacing algorithm using intrinsic conduction may prevent malignant arrhythmias, as well as recover cardiac functions.