Radionuclide Ventriculography Research Articles

ROLE OF CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING IN CARDIO-ONCOLOGY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Antitumor drugs are toxic to the cardiovascular system and directly affect cardiac function and anatomy. During the treatment of oncology, patients may experience complications in the form of asymptomatic myocardial dysfunction, severe heart failure, exacerbation of symptoms of coronary heart disease, thromboembolic complications, arterial and pulmonary hypertension, pericardial complications, valve defects and arrhythmias. A number of diagnostic tools are currently available to cardio-oncologists to detect cardiotoxicity, and the choice of imaging method depends on the availability of the specific diagnostic modality and its resolution. The main method for assessing the condition of the heart in cancer patients is echocardiography - a widely available method that enables to assess the structure of the heart and hemodynamics without exposing the patient to an additional dose of ionizing radiation. If imaging is insufficient, the recommended method for assessing cardiac structure and function is magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography of the chest, heart and coronary arteries is also used to diagnose complications of cancer treatment. In addition, nuclear medicine techniques, including gated radionuclide ventriculography, are also used to diagnose cardiotoxicity. Electroanatomical mapping systems combined with remote navigation are promising. Early detection of subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic drugs is advisable and aimed at secondary prophylaxis and prevention of mortality from cardiovascular diseases.

Role of radionuclide assessment of global and regional mechanical dyssynchrony of the heart in prognosis of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure

Aim. To determine the prognostic significance of cardiac regional mechanical dyssynchrony (MD), assessed by radionuclide equilibrium ventriculography (REVG) in candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).Material and methods. The study included 65 patients with indications for CRT according to current guidelines. Prior to CRT, all patients underwent REVG to assess cardiac contractile function and MD. According to the phase analysis, indicators of global and regional cardiac MD were evaluated: phase standard deviation (PSD), histogram band width (HBW), entropy, and interventricular dyssynchrony. The regional assessment included an evaluation of phase histograms obtained from the analysis of the contraction of certain walls: left ventricular (LV) anterior, lateral, posterior wall, right ventricular (RV) free wall, and the interventricular septum. To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment 6 months after CRT, all patients underwent echocardiography, on the basis of which patients were divided into groups of responders and non-responders.Results. REVG revealed significant differences in the initial regional MD values between the groups of responders and non-responders: in responders, MD values of RV free wall (PSD: 39 (28-67) vs 28 (20-50), p=0,03) and LV anterior wall (PSD: 28,5 (16-40) vs 14 (11-24), p=0,0005) were higher, and the LV lateral wall was lower (PSD: 10 (7-14) vs 15 (9-26), p=0,007) than in non-responders. Multivariate logistic regression found following independent predictors of a positive response to CRT: heart failure of ischemic origin, LV HBW, RV free wall PSD, anterior wall PSD, LV lateral wall HBW (p<0,001). The sensitivity and specificity of the model was 93% and 91%, respectively.Conclusion. Regional MD scintigraphy parameters increase the predictive value of REVG in CRT candidates. The most informative in this regard are the PSD of RV free wall and LV anterior wall, as well as the HBW of LV lateral wall.

Imaging modality for left ventricular ejection fraction estimation and effect of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator on mortality in patients with heart failure

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) improve outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%. Less is known about whether outcomes varied between the 2 noninvasive imaging modalities used to estimate LVEF-2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and multigated acquisition radionuclide ventriculography (MUGA)-which use different principles (geometric vs count-based, respectively). The purpose of this study was to examine whether the effect of ICD on mortality in patients with HF and LVEF ≤35% varied on the basis of LVEF measured by 2DE or MUGA. Of the 2521 patients with HF with LVEF ≤35% in the Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure Trial, 1676 were randomized to either placebo or ICD, of whom 1386 had LVEF measured by 2DE (n = 971) or MUGA (n = 415). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 97.5% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality associated with ICD use were estimated overall, checking for interaction, and within the 2 imaging subgroups. Of the 1386 patients in the present analysis, all-cause mortality occurred in 23.1% (160 of 692) and 29.7% (206 of 694) of patients randomized to ICD or placebo, respectively (HR 0.77; 97.5% CI 0.61-0.97), which is consistent with that in 1676 patients in the original report. HRs (97.5% CIs) for all-cause mortality in the 2DE and MUGA subgroups were 0.79 (0.60-1.04) and 0.72 (0.46-1.11), respectively (P = .693 for interaction). Similar associations were observed for cardiac and arrhythmic mortalities. We found no evidence that in patients with HF and LVEF ≤35%, the effect of ICD on mortality varied by the noninvasive imaging method used to measure LVEF.

Evaluating Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Treated with HER2 Inhibitors: Could a Combination of Radionuclide Ventriculography and Cardiac Biomarkers Predict the Cardiac Impact?

(1) Background: The aim of our study was to determine whether monitoring cardiac function through RNV and cardiac biomarkers could predict the cardiac impact of combined therapy with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and docetaxel, which are regularly used nowadays to treat HER2-positive breast cancer. (2) Methods: This prospective monocentric study included 22 patients, diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, who had their LVEFs and cardiac biomarkers evaluated both at the beginning of their treatment and after 6 months. Among all of the enrolled patients, two blood specimens were collected to assess circulating cardiac biomarkers. RNV was performed in each patient after "in vivo" radiolabeling of the erythrocytes. The obtained results were then statistically correlated. (3) Results: The average LVEF decrease between the two time points was approximately 4%. Of the five biomarkers we considered in this paper, only NT-proBNP correlated with the LVEF values obtained both in the baseline study and after 6 months of follow-up (r = -0.615 for T0 and r = -0.751 for T1, respectively). ST2/IL-33R proved statistically significant at the T1 time point (r = -0.547). (4) Conclusions: A combination of LVEF, NT-proBNP and ST2/IL-33R assessment may be useful for early detection of cardiac impairment in breast cancer patients treated with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and docetaxel.

The Role of Modi­fiable and Non-Modifiable Factors in the Development of Right and Left Ventricular Myocardial Dysfunction in High-Risk Patients

Aim To study early manifestations of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) myocardial remodeling in high-risk patients.Material and methods Intracardiac hemodynamics was studied by equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERVG) in 83 patients (mean age, 61.1±8.9 years) with preserved LV ejection fraction according to echocardiography data, a body weight index (BWI) >25 kg /m2, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). Parameters of intracardiac hemodynamics were compared in patients with different degrees of obesity and DM2 durations in age groups of younger and older than 60 years.Results All patients had both LV and RV diastolic dysfunction. The diastolic dysfunction progressed with age and DM2 duration, primarily by the restrictive type. The increase in BWI, in contrast, was associated with increases in ventricular volumetric parameters. It was noted that specifically modifiable risk factors (obesity and DM2), but not the age, mostly facilitated the impairment of RV relaxation.Conclusion The strategy of normalizing the body weight and carbohydrate metabolism is priority in combatting the development and progression of chronic heart failure in high-risk group patients.

Beta-blockers and mechanical dyssynchrony in heart failure assessed by radionuclide ventriculography

BackgroundRadionuclide ventriculography (RNVG) can be used to quantify mechanical dyssynchrony and may be a valuable adjunct in the assessment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The study aims to investigate the effect of beta-blockers on mechanical dyssynchrony using novel RNVG phase parameters. MethodsA retrospective study was carried out in a group of 98 patients with HFrEF. LVEF and dyssynchrony were assessed pre and post beta-blockade. Dyssynchrony was assessed using synchrony, entropy, phase standard deviation, approximate entropy, and sample entropy from planar RNVG phase images. Subgroups split by ischemic etiology were also investigated. ResultsAn improvement in dyssynchrony and LVEF was measured six months post beta-blockade for both ischemic and non-ischemic groups. ConclusionsA significant improvement in dyssynchrony and LVEF was measured post beta-blockade using novel measures of dyssynchrony.

The effects of combined hyperbaric oxygenation and erythropoietin therapy in treatment of heart failure

Abstract It well known that hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) and erythropoietin (EP) are growth factors. Because of that, it is logical to apply them together as a therapeutic procedure in the regeneration and recovery of the heart muscle. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has increased the amount of oxygen which “presents” to cardiac muscle, while the use of EP is reduced the intensity of apoptosis of heart muscle. The aim of this study was to analyze if combined therapy of HBO and EP can be usefulness in patients (pts) with heart failure (HF), especially in chronic type of HF. Material and methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional study in the field of new procedures of HF treatment. From January 2017 to January 2019, there were analyzed 92 patients (pts) with chronic HF. There were more men (69.6%). All pts were divided in two groups: Group I – 72 pts (78.3%) with ischemic HF and Group II – 20 pts (21.7%) with non-ischemic HF. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocol was defined as protocol for pts with sever cardiac diseases (total of 15 treatment, once daily, on pO2 1.3–1.7 ATA). Recombined EP was administered deeply subcutaneous, every second day 2000 IU, until dose of 18000 IU. In all pts, on admission and one month after therapy, next procedures were arranged: hemoglobin level, distribution of NYHA class, 6-minutes walking test and EF (by radionuclide ventriculography). Results There were no differences between two groups in gender (p=0.0170) and hemoglobin level before and after therapy (p=0.4400). There were significant changes in distribution of NYHA class in both group of pts, from NYHA class III to NYHA class I and II (p=0.0179) one month after therapy, as well as in 6-minutes walking test one month after therapy (p=0.0148), too. Ejection fraction was significantly better in both groups of pts, one month after therapy (p=0.0040). Conclusion The results of this study open up completely new aspects of the combined use of comparative therapeutic procedures with significant final positive effect in the treatment of chronic HF, ischemic, as well as in non-ischemic type of HF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

The Impact of Oxygen Pulse and Its Curve Patterns on Male Patients with Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Healthy Controls-Ejection Fractions, Related Factors and Outcomes.

Oxygen pulse (O2P) is a function of stroke volume and cellular oxygen extraction and O2P curve pattern (O2PCP) can provide continuous measurements of O2P. However, measurements of these two components are difficult during incremental maximum exercise. As cardiac function is evaluated using ejection fraction (EF) according to the guidelines and EF can be obtained using first-pass radionuclide ventriculography, the aim of this study was to investigate associations of O2P%predicted and O2PCP with EF in patients with heart failure with reduced or mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF/HFmrEF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and also in normal controls. This was a prospective observational cross-sectional study. Correlations of resting left ventricular EF, dynamic right and left ventricular EFs and outcomes with O2P% and O2PCP across the three participant groups were analyzed. A total of 237 male subjects were screened and 90 were enrolled (27 with HFrEF/HFmrEF, 30 with COPD and 33 normal controls). O2P% and the proportions of the three types of O2PCP were similar across the three groups. O2P% reflected dynamic right and left ventricular EFs in the control and HFrEF/HFmrEF groups, but did not reflect resting left ventricular EF in all participants. O2PCP did not reflect resting or dynamic ventricular EFs in any of the subjects. A decrease in O2PCP was significantly related to nonfatal cardiac events in the HFrEF/HFmrEF group (log rank test, p = 0.01), whereas O2P% and O2PCP did not predict severe acute exacerbations of COPD. The findings of this study may clarify the utility of O2P and O2PCP, and may contribute to the currently used interpretation algorithm and the strategy for managing patients, especially those with HFrEF/HFmrEF. (Trial registration number NCT05189301.)

Radionuclide ventriculography phase analysis for risk stratification of patients undergoing cardiotoxic cancer therapy

BackgroundAccurate diagnostic tools to identify patients at risk of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) are critical. For patients undergoing cardiotoxic cancer therapy, ejection fraction assessment using radionuclide ventriculography (RNVG) is commonly used for serial assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. MethodsIn this retrospective study, approximate entropy (ApEn), synchrony, entropy, and standard deviation from the phase histogram (phase SD) were investigated as potential early markers of LV dysfunction to predict CTRCD. These phase parameters were calculated from the baseline RNVG phase image for 177 breast cancer patients before commencing cardiotoxic therapy. ResultsOf the 177 patients, 11 had a decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of over 10% to an LVEF below 50% after treatment had commenced. This patient group had a significantly higher ApEn at baseline to those who maintained a normal LVEF throughout treatment. Of the parameters investigated, ApEn was superior for predicting the risk of CTRCD. Combining ApEn with the baseline LVEF further improved the discrimination between the groups. ConclusionsThe results suggest that RNVG phase analysis using approximate entropy may aid in the detection of sub-clinical LV contraction abnormalities, not detectable by baseline LVEF measurement, predicting a subsequent decline in LVEF.

Prominent aortic radiotracer activity on equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERNV) due to anterior transposition of aorta: A clue to diagnosing levo-transposition of great arteries (L-TGA) ?

Levo-transposition of great arteries (L-TGA) is a rare acyanotic congenital heart anomaly characterized by transposition of morphological left and right ventricles along with their corresponding atrio-ventricular valves in addition to transposition of primary arteries. Many cases of L-TGA are asymptomatic and are diagnosed accidently in adulthood during workup of other conditions. We hereby report a patient with incidentally diagnosed L-TGA who was subjected to Equilibrium Radionuclide Ventriculography (ERNV) for assessment of ventricular function. Planar ERNV images in best septal view showed prominent tracer activity in the anteriorly transposed aorta which can be a helpful clue to raise the suspicion of L-TGA in an asymptomatic adult undergoing ERNV.

Multimodal Visualization of the Left Ventricular Postinfarction Aneurysms: Current State of the Problem and Own Observation Results

Background. Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is a complication occurring in 5–10% of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients significantly complicating AMI acute stage course and leading to advanced congestive heart failure (CHF) progress. Non-invasive LVA visualization includes echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radio-nuclide ventriculography, and multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT). It can also be detected during heart catheteriza-tion by coronary ventriculography (CVG). Each method has its advantages and drawbacks.
 The aim. To analyze multimodal non-invasive LVA visualization methods (echocardiography and MSCT) in order to establish accuracy of these methods compared to CVG regarding the diagnosis of LVA and LVA thrombosis.
 Methods. We examined 60 patients after AMI with LVA admitted for surgical revascularization and left ventricular aneurysm resection (LVAR). Control group included 110 patients after AMI prior to revascularization without history of LVA. All the patients underwent CVG, heart MSCT and echocardiography prior to surgery.
 Results. Mean patients’ age was 60.9±11.4 years (46 [76.7%] men and 14 [23.3%] women, mean LVEF was 42.7±11.1%. Significant CAD according to coronary angiography (CAG) before surgery was proved in 59 (98.3%) pa-tients, and 1 (1.7%) patient had no significant coronary lesions. The majority of patients had anterior LVA localization after AMI in LAD area (57 [95.0%] patients), 2 (3.3%) patients were diagnosed with inferior LVA after AMI in RCA area, and 1 (1.7%) patient had posterior-lateral LVA in Cx area. There was high correlation between LVEF obtained with echo-cardiography and that obtained with MSCT (r=0.955, p<0.0001), although mean LVEF obtained with echocardiography was significantly higher compared to MSCT results (42.7±11.1% vs. 32.7±9.3%, p<0.0001). Comparison of accuracy of the methods in LVA diagnosis showed that MSCT was the most precise method with significantly higher sensitivity compared to CVG and echocardiography (94.9% vs. 75.0%, p=0.002, and 88.0%, p=0.023, respectively), and MSCT significantly ex-ceeded CVG in all diagnostic method accuracy indices. Echocardiography also significantly exceeded CVG in all diagnostic accuracy indices. Comparison of accuracy of the methods in LVA thrombosis diagnosis showed similar results: echocar-diography was much more precise in terms of sensitivity (79.4% vs. 58.8%, p<0.0001) and the rest of indices. MSCT was much more precise in terms of all indices compared to CVG, and also significantly exceeded echocardiography results in terms of sensitivity (97.1% vs. 79.4%, p<0.0001), positive (PPV) (100.0% vs. 93.1%, p=0.0005) and negative predictive value (NPV) (99.1% vs. 93.9%, p=0.0091), integral “area under curve” index (AUC) (0.99 vs. 0.89, p=0.0001) and odds ratio (OR) (3630 vs. 208, p<0.0001).
 Conclusions. High correlation of LVEF according to echocardiography and MSCT results allows to skip CVG as a global LV contractility evaluation method enabling to reduce the procedure time. The lowest accuracy of CVG in the diagnosis of LVA and LVA thrombosis also allows to reduce the duration and volume of the invasive procedure to selective CAG and to reduce radiation exposure for patients and operators in favor of non-invasive and more accurate methods (MSCT and echocardiography). MSCT is the most accurate method for LVA thrombosis diagnosis, but it is completely comparable to echocardiography in LVA diagnosis per se, making echocardiography the method of choice in screening and stratification of patients after AMI regarding myocardial revascularization only or combined surgical revascularization with LVAR due to its rapidness, low cost and absence of patient-related adverse effects.

Quantitative assessment of tricuspid regurgitation using right and left ventricular stroke volumes obtained from tomographic equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography

BackgroundQuantitative assessment of valve regurgitation using volumetric method by comparing right and left ventricular stroke volumes is still under investigations. AimsTo investigate the accuracy of tomographic equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (t-ERV) for the quantification of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Methods and ResultsSixty-one patients (44 men; mean age 59 ± 12 years) who underwent both t-ERV and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) studies within 2 weeks for right ventricular systolic function assessment were eligible for inclusion. A sub-group of 22 patients underwent both t-ERV and CMR. Patients with mitral/aortic regurgitation by TTE were excluded of the study. TR regurgitant volume (RVol) was calculated using the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method from TTE and the volumetric method (right ventricular stroke volume minus left ventricular stroke volume) from t-ERV. There was a significant correlation between RVol as assess by ERV and by TTE (R = 0.95, P < 0.0001). Intraclass correlation coefficient between TTE and ERV for TR quantification was 0.95 (P < 0.0001). Among patients who underwent CMR, the correlation between RVol obtained by TTE and by t-ERV and CMR were R = 0.81 and R = 0.75, respectively (all P < 0.0001). ConclusionTR assessment using the t-ERV correlates well with PISA from TTE in patients referred for right ventricular systolic function assessment.

Optimising approximate entropy for assessing cardiac dyssynchrony with radionuclide ventriculography

Left ventricular dyssynchrony can be assessed with phase parameters from radionuclide ventriculography (RNVG), including approximate entropy (ApEn). The input values used to calculate ApEn will affect the results significantly, so it is essential to optimise ApEn for the application. However to date, no optimisation for ApEn applied to images has been published. In this paper, generated data were used to simulate patient phase images, allowing the input parameters for ApEn to be tested and optimised in a controlled environment. Clinical images were then used to confirm that the selected parameters were appropriate. The results demonstrate the effect of input parameters for ApEn and the most appropriate use with RNVG phase images. This work demonstrates the importance of optimisation and standardisation when using ApEn as a measure of dyssynchrony.

The impact of overweight and obesity on the development of systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. OnBehalf I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Background Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) promote the development of systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction. The method of equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERVG) can be used to estimate these dysfunctions. Purpose We conducted a comparative ERVG evidence-based analysis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and varying degree of overweight. We analyzed the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and ERVG data. Methods The study included 42 patients (8 male and 34 female): group 1 – 12 patients with BMI 25.0-29.9 kg / m2, group 2 – 16 patients with BMI 30.0-34.9 kg / m2, group 3 – 14 patients with BMI 35.0-39.9 kg / m2. The average duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus was 11 ± 3.8 years. The average age of patients in each group was 65.8 ± 5 y.o., 57.7 ± 6 y.o., 64.6 ± 8 y.o. respectively. The groups were comparable in duration of type 2 diabetes mellitus, level of glycated hemoglobin, presence and severity of combined pathology. The patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis and decompensated heart failure were excluded. The following ERVG indices of left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were examined: systolic function – ejection fraction (EF), peak (PER) and average (AER) ejection rates, ejection within 1/3 of systole (ejec.1/3 s.), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), diastolic function – peak filling rate (PFR), filling within 1/3 diastole (fil. 1/3 d.), end-diastolic volume (EDV). Results the EF of the LV in all examined patients was more than 40%. In group 2 we discovered an increase in the EDV and ESV indices of the LV, ESV of the RV compared to group 1 (123.8 ± 23.6 ml, 52.4 ± 14.5 ml, 66.3 ± 21.6 ml - in group 2 and 96.5 ± 22.7 ml, 37.9 ± 10.7 ml, 50.2 ± 16.7 ml - in group 1, respectively, p &amp;lt;0.05). SV of the LV in group 3 was considerably larger compared to group 1 (76.4 ± 17.8 ml vs 59.1 ± 15.6 ml, p &amp;lt;0.05). In all groups fil. 1/3 d. for LV and RV was below normal equal to 50% of EF. The correlation analysis revealed a negative association between fil. 1/3 d. of the RV and BMI (r = -0.46, p &amp;lt;0.05) in group 1. Conclusions As long as BMI increases in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, there is a significant increase in the ESV of both ventricles and EDV of the LV. The most sensitive ERVG indices during the obesity progression are ESV, EDV, and filling within 1/3 diastole. The revealed diastolic dysfunctions in absence of a significant decrease in EF are a manifestation of a myocardial stiffness. Early diagnosis of these disorders and correction of treatment can improve the prognosis of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and varying degree of overweight.

New Hybrid Method for Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Assessment from Radionuclide Ventriculography Images.

In this paper, we propose a new efficient method of radionuclide ventriculography image segmentation to estimate the left ventricular ejection fraction. This parameter is an important prognostic factor for diagnosing abnormal cardiac function. The proposed method combines the Chan-Vese and the mathematical morphology algorithms. It was applied to diastolic and systolic images obtained from the Nuclear Medicine Department of Salah AZAIEZ Institute. In order to validate our proposed method, we compare the obtained results to those of two methods present in the literature. The first one is based on mathematical morphology, while the second one uses the basic Chan-Vese algorithm. To evaluate the quality of segmentation, we compute accuracy, positive predictive value and area under the ROC curve. We also compare the left ventricle ejection fraction estimated by our method to that of the reference given by the software of the gamma-camera and validated by the expert, using Pearson's correlation coefficient, ANOVA test and linear regression. Static results show that the proposed method is very efficient for the detection of the left ventricle. The accuracy was 98.60%, higher than that of the other two methods (95.52% and 98.50%). Likewise, the positive predictive value was the highest (86.40% vs. 83.63% 71.82%). The area under the ROC curve was also the most important (0.998% vs. 0.926% 0.919%). On the other hand, Pearson's correlation coefficient was the highest (99% vs. 98% 37%). The correlation was significantly positive (p<0.001).

Long-term prognosis of left ventricular re-remodeling after surgery of ischemic cardiomyopathy: the potential of tomographic radionuclide ventriculography

Aim. To assess the potential of stress tomographic radionuclide ventriculography (T-RVG) in long-term prognosis of left ventricular (LV) re-remodeling after surgery of ischemic cardiomyopathy.Material and methods. Thirty patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, before surgical treatment, underwent resting T-RVG and with increasing doses of dopamine (5/10/15 pg/kg/min (5 min/dose). All patients underwent two-dimensional echocardiography before surgery, in the short- (7-14 days) and long-term postoperative period. In the long-term postoperative period (476±36 days), the patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=19) — patients with ongoing LV remodeling (increase in the LV end-systolic volume (ESV) or decrease &lt;10% relatively short-term postoperative period), group 2 (n=11) — patients with decreased LV ESV &gt;10%.Results. The results revealed significant differences between the groups in the dynamics (Δ) of the LV ejection fraction (EF) (%) (2 (2;8); 11 (5;12), p=0,02), peak ejection rate (%) (32 (14;51); 63 (34;79), p=0,009), LV dyssynchrony (PSDo (3 (0;7); -2 (-9;3), p=0,004); Entropy (%) (2 (-1;6); 0 (-4;2), p=0,01)). Univariate regression showed that ΔLVEF (odds ratio (OR), 0,88; confidence interval (CI), 0,8; 0,97; p=0.008), ΔLVPSD (OR, 1,13; CI, 1,03; 1,25; p=0,005), and coronary stenosis &gt;75% (OR, 4,25; CI, 1,57; 11,48; p=0,001) had a predictive value. According to the ROC-analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 87%, 64% and 0,727 for ΔLVPSD (threshold &gt;-1); 84%, 46% and 0,691 for coronary stenosis &gt;75% &gt;75% (threshold &gt;2); 65%, 82% and 0,674 for ΔLVEF (threshold ≤4), respectively. The logistic model, which included these parameters and the presence of diabetes, showed a significantly greater AUC (0,907, p&lt;0,05) compared with these indicators taken separately.Conclusion. Preoperative values of ΔLVEF and ΔLVPSD obtained with stress T-RVG have prognostic significance in relation to LV long-term re-remodeling.

Right Ventricle Dysfunction in Patients With Adult Cystic Fibrosis Enlisted for Lung Transplant

Knowledge of preoperative right heart function of adult patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) awaiting lung transplant (LUTX) is limited. The echocardiography of adult patients with CF enlisted for LUTX was retrospectively analyzed and compared with standards and invasive analyses (right heart catheterization, multigated radionuclide ventriculography). We included 49 patients (reported as mean ± standard deviation; 29 ± 9 years of age; forced expiratory volume in first second of expiration, 31% ± 11% predicted; lung allocation score, 36 ± 5; invasive mean pulmonary artery pressure, 17 ± 5 mm Hg; multigated radionuclide ventriculography right ventricle [RV] ejection fraction, 50% ± 9%). Patients had increased RV end-diastolic area, RV wall thickness, and increased pulmonary artery acceleration time with subnormal tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, tissue Doppler positive peak systolic velocity, and fraction area change. Subnormal tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (< 23 mm), tissue Doppler positive peak systolic velocity (< 14 cm/s), and fraction area change (< 49%) had high sensitivity and negative predictive value in predicting impaired RV. ejection fractionA good correlation between echocardiographic estimated and invasively measured systolic pulmonary artery pressure was observed (R2 = 0.554, P < .001). Adults with CF awaiting LUTX have morphologic alterations of the right heart, with subclinical impairment of RV systolic function. Echocardiography may be used as a bedside, repeatable, and reliable noninvasive test to screen further deterioration in RV function while on the waiting list for LUTX. More prospective follow-up echocardiographic studies are necessary to confirm such a hypothesis.

What is the most useful imaging parameter to explore the prognostic value of the right ventricular function at the time of multimodality cardiovascular imaging?

Right ventricular (RV) function is a powerful independent predictor of adverse heart failure outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the predictive value of main RV systolic imaging parameters for outcome. Seventy-nine patients underwent comprehensive cardiovascular imaging modalities including transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, and tomographic equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERV) for the assessment of RV function. The composite primary endpoint (CPE) was defined by the occurrence of death, heart transplantation, implantation of a left ventricular assist device, or new-onset acute heart failure. During a mean follow-up of 13±9months, 15 (19%) patients reached the CPE. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves for the prediction of the CPE were 0.922 (P<.001), 0.913 (P<.001), 0.906 (P<.001), 0.849 (P=.002), 0.837 (P=.003), 0.799 (P=.009), 0.792 (P=.011), 0.753 (P=.026), 0.720 (P=.053), and 0.608 (P=.346) for integral systolic S' wave tricuspid annular velocity, RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by CMR using the 4-chamber slices, peak systolic S' wave tricuspid annular velocity, RVEF by CMR using short-axis slices, RVEF by ERV, RV myocardial performance index, and RV myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction, respectively. Echocardiographic parameters, and particularly integral systolic S' wave tricuspid annular velocity and RVFWLS, have the best prognostic performance.

Nuclear cardiology: an overview of radioisotope techniques used in the diagnostic workup of cardiovascular disorders.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in patients over 60 years old. Pivotal imaging modalities in cardiac diagnostic workup are echocardiography, magnetic resonance, multi‑row detector computed tomography, coronary angiography, and radioisotope tests. In this study, we summarize the techniques of nuclear medicine (positron emission tomography, single‑photon emission computed tomography, radionuclide ventriculography) that could be implemented in the cardiovascular diagnostic algorithms. Despite being acknowledged in a few cardiology guidelines, these imaging methods are still underestimated by practitioners. Nevertheless, noninvasive diagnostic tools are of increasing potential and should be implemented whenever possible. We discuss the usefulness of particular techniques in the management of patients with obstructive and nonobstructive coronary artery disease, including assessment of myocardial perfusion, contractility, viability, and detection of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. Radioisotope imaging can also be valuable in the diagnostic workup of infective endocarditis, as well as cardiac sarcoidosis and amyloidosis. Apart from theoretical principles of nuclear cardiology, we also provide 3 case reports illustrating a practical implementation of these imaging modalities.

THE EFFICACY OF IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER-DEFIBRILLATOR (ICD) FOR PRIMARY PREVENTION OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH (SCD) IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE (HF) WITH EJECTION FRACTION (EF) 35 PERCENT OR LESS IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE METHOD USED TO ESTIMATE THE EF: INSIGHTS FROM THE SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN HEART FAILURE TRIAL (SCD-HEFT)

ICDS are recommended for patients with HF with EF ≤35% for primary prevention of SCD. EF measured by gated radionuclide ventriculography (MUGA) has traditionally been characterized by a lower “normal” threshold value than EF measured by 2-dimensional echocardiography (ECHO). The objective of