Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Research Articles

Reproductive Issues in Patients With the Fontan Operation.

Patients with the Fontan operation have a unique circulation, with a limited ability to increase cardiac output, and high central venous pressure. They may have diastolic and/or systolic ventricular dysfunction, arrhythmias, thromboembolic complications, or multiorgan dysfunction. All of these factors contribute to reproductive issues, including menstrual irregularities, infertility, recurrent miscarriage, and complications during pregnancy. Although atrial arrhythmias are the most common cardiac complications during pregnancy, patients can develop heart failure and thromboembolic events. Obstetric bleeding, including postpartum hemorrhage, is common. In addition to maternal complications, adverse fetal and neonatal events, such as prematurity and low birthweight, are very common. Counselling about these reproductive issues should begin early. For those who become pregnant, care should be provided by a multidisciplinary cardio-obstetric team familiar with the specific issues and needs of the Fontan population. In this review, we discuss infertility, contraception, and pregnancy in patients with the Fontan operation.

The assessment of functional indices of left ventricular wall layers in cases with normal and high blood pressure by layer-specific strain methods

Introduction: The arterial hypertension leading to left ventricular remodeling induces accentuated ventricular wall thickness because of higher afterload. The several surveys about myocardial function in such cases were conducted by imaging studies for the evaluation of myocardial wall thickness without separating the different layers of each other. The aim of this investigation was the evaluation of the functional indices of each layer of the left ventricular myocardium by staining analysis of layers and demonstration of the relationship between ventricular structural remodeling and the functional changes of the ventricle myocardial layers in persons with normal and high blood pressure. Methods: 88 cases (46.6% normotensive and 53.4% hypertensive) were studied by two-dimensional echocardiography and longitudinal and circumferential strain indices. These differentiated variables of heart layers (epicardium, mid myocardium, endocardium) were evaluated. All of them had been analyzed and compared in terms of diastolic dysfunction were compared. Normal diastolic function was defined as: E/A=1 to 2 and deceleration time=150 to 200 ms. Results: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) strains remarkably declined in epicardial and middle layers of myocardial in hypertensive cases with diastolic dysfunction, although this alternation did not reveal in cases without diastolic dysfunction. Conclusion: The decreasing of GLS and GCS indices of mid-myocardial and epicardial layers have been predicted in cases with high pressure, and the evidences of this situation had been observed in cases with ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

BIVENTRICULAR NON-COMPACTION CARDIOMYOPATHY WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION

Non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium involving both ventricles is a rare condition and characterized by deeply increased trabeculations in one or more segments of the ventricle. Non-compaction is thought to be due to intrauterine arrest of compaction of the loosely interwoven meshwork present in fetal myocardial primordium. More recent studies suggest that non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium can be acquired later on in life sporadically.The apical segment of the left ventricle is most commonly affected, but biventricular involvement is also described. Herein, we describe an unusual case of biventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy with left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction. A 54-year-old man presented with clinical heart failure as well as arrhythmia. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed left ventricular non-compaction with depressed ejection fraction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) further revealed right ventricular noncompaction.

DeepStrain Evidence of Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Diastolic and Systolic Dysfunction in Young Adults With Cardiac Risk Factors.

PurposeTo evaluate if a fully-automatic deep learning method for myocardial strain analysis based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cine images can detect asymptomatic dysfunction in young adults with cardiac risk factors.MethodsAn automated workflow termed DeepStrain was implemented using two U-Net models for segmentation and motion tracking. DeepStrain was trained and tested using short-axis cine-MRI images from healthy subjects and patients with cardiac disease. Subsequently, subjects aged 18–45 years were prospectively recruited and classified among age- and gender-matched groups: risk factor group (RFG) 1 including overweight without hypertension or type 2 diabetes; RFG2 including hypertension without type 2 diabetes, regardless of overweight; RFG3 including type 2 diabetes, regardless of overweight or hypertension. Subjects underwent cardiac short-axis cine-MRI image acquisition. Differences in DeepStrain-based left ventricular global circumferential and radial strain and strain rate among groups were evaluated.ResultsThe cohort consisted of 119 participants: 30 controls, 39 in RFG1, 30 in RFG2, and 20 in RFG3. Despite comparable (>0.05) left-ventricular mass, volumes, and ejection fraction, all groups (RFG1, RFG2, RFG3) showed signs of asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction, evidenced by lower circumferential early-diastolic strain rate (<0.05, <0.001, <0.01), and lower septal circumferential end-systolic strain (<0.001, <0.05, <0.001) compared with controls. Multivariate linear regression showed that body surface area correlated negatively with all strain measures (<0.01), and mean arterial pressure correlated negatively with early-diastolic strain rate (<0.01).ConclusionDeepStrain fully-automatically provided evidence of asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction in asymptomatic young adults with overweight, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes risk factors.

Evaluation of right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunctions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with poor glycemic control by layer specific global longitudinal strain and strain rate

BackgroundIn order to evaluate right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic dysfunctions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with poor glycemic control by layer specific global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate (GLSr).Methods68 T2DM patients and 66 normal controls were enrolled for the present study. RV layer specific GLS (GLSEpi, GLSMid and GLSEndo represent the epimyocardial, middle layer and endomyocardial strains, respectively) and GLSr (GLSr-S, GLSr-E and GLSr-A represent the systole, early-diastole and late-diastole strain rate) were calculated by averaging each of the three regional peak systolic strains and strain rates along the entire RV free-wall (RVFW), entire RV free-wall and septal wall (RVFSW) on RV-focused view.ResultsThe absolute values of RV layer specific GLS (GLSEpi, GLSMid and GLSEndo) in RVFW in T2DM patients were significantly lower than normal controls (P < 0.01), while GLSr-A was significantly larger than normal controls (P < 0.001). The absolute values of RV layer specific GLS (GLSEpi and GLSMid) in RVFSW in T2DM patients were significantly lower than normal controls (P < 0.05), while GLSr-A was significantly larger than normal controls (P < 0.001). HbA1c were poor negatived correlated with GLSEpi in RVFW and RVFSW in T2DM patients (P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that RV layer specific GLS and GLSr-A had a high diagnostic efficacy in T2DM patients, and GLSr-A in RVFSW have the best diagnostic value in RV diastolic function in T2DM patients (AUC: 0.773).ConclusionFrom the research, we found that layer specific GLS and GLSr could detect the RV myocardial dysfunctions and confirmed that the impaired RV systolic and diastole functions in T2DM patients with poor glycemic control. GLSr-A in RVFSW had the best diagnostic value in evaluating RV diastolic function in T2DM patients.

Risk factors and diagnostic value of urinary N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide for verification of heart failure in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Aim. To determine the risk factors and diagnostic value of urinary N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for verification of heart failure in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patientsMaterial and methods. This cross-sectional screening clinical trial included 115 HIV-infected patients who were hospitalized during 24 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups, depending on the data suggestive of HF and the blood and urinary NT-proBNP concentration. So, group 1 included 69 HIV-infected patients with HF symptoms and increased blood and urinary NTproBNP, while group 2 — 46 HIV-infected patients not meeting HF criteria. NTproBNP concentration was determined on Immulite 1000 Immunoassay System (DPC, USA) in blood plasma and frozen urine using Vector Best reagents (Russia).Results. Correlation analysis revealed a significant direct moderate correlation between blood and urinary NT-proBNP in the entire cohort of studied patients (r=0,367; p&lt;0,05). Urinary NT-proBNP ≥8,6 pg/ml ml is diagnostic for HF verification in HIV-infected patients. Significant differences between the groups were obtained in the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, viral hepatitis B and C, liver cirrhosis, infective endocarditis, other inflammatory diseases, thrombocytopenia, left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and its severity. In addition, there were differences in LV mass index, left atrial volume index, incidence of LV hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement, concentration of hemoglobin and CD4 cells &lt;200 in 1 µl. The preserved LV ejection fraction was detected significantly more often (p&lt;0,001). Conclusion. In HIV-infected patients, blood plasma and urinary NT-proBNP concentration correlates with each other. Urinary NT-proBNP ≥8,6 pg/ml is diagnostic for HF verification in HIV-infected patients. Risk factors and features of developing HF, estimated by NT-proBNP concentration in frozen urine in HIV-infected patients, are comparable to data obtained from blood plasma NTproBNP.

Diastolic Function Assessment of Left and Right Ventricles by MRI in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.

Heart involvement is frequent although often clinically silent in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Early identification of cardiac involvement can be improved by noninvasive methods such as MRI, in addition to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). To assess the ability of phase-contrast (PC)-MRI to detect subclinical left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients. Prospective. Thirty-five consecutive SSc patients (49 ± 14 years) and 35 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (48.6 ± 13.5 years) who underwent TTE and MRI in the same week. 5 T/PC-MRI using a breath-hold velocity-encoded gradient echo sequence. LV TTE (E/E') and LV and RV PC-MRI indices of diastolic function (LV early and late transmitral [EM , EfM , AM , AfM ] and RV transtricuspid [ET , EfT , AT , AfT ] peak filling flow velocities and flow rates, as well as LV [ ] and RV [ ] peak longitudinal myocardial velocities during diastole) were measured. Two-tailed t-test, Wilcoxon test, or Fischer test for comparison of variables between SSc and healthy control groups; sensitivity, specificity, receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) to assess discriminative ability of variables. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. TTE LV E/E' and MRI EM / and ET / were significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls (8.27 ± 1.25 vs. 6.70 ± 1.66; 9.43 ± 2.7 vs. 6.51 ± 1.50; 6.51 [4.70-10.40] vs. 4.13 [3.22-5.75], respectively) and separated SSc patients and healthy controls with good sensitivity (68%, 71%, and 80%), specificity (85%, 94%, and 62%), and AUC (0.787, 0.807, and 0.765). LV EfM was significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls (347.1 ± 113.7 vs. 284.7 ± 94.6) as RVAfT (277 [231-355] vs. 220 [154-253] mL/sec) with impaired relaxation pattern (EfT /AfT , 0.95 [0.87-1.21] vs. 1.12 [0.93-1.47]). MRI was able to detect LV and RV diastolic dysfunction in SSc patients with good accuracy in the absence of LV systolic dysfunction at echocardiography. Use of MRI can allow to better assess the early impact of myocardial fibrosis related to SSc. 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Incidence and Type of Right Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Postoperative Tetralogy of Fallot Pediatric Patients

Objective: Assessment of right ventricular (RV) diastolic function in postoperative Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) patients is not routinely done during intermediate follow-up. We have done this study to assess the incidence and type of RV diastolic dysfunction in these patients. Method: Ninety patients who were less than 18 years and underwent total correction for TOF were analyzed in this study. The incidence and type of RV diastolic dysfunction was measured and the effect of degree of pulmonary regurgitation on RV diastolic function was also seen. Results: The total number of patients with RV diastolic dysfunction was 46 (51.1%). Restrictive RV physiology was seen in 8 patients (8.8%) and the most common type of RV diastolic dysfunction seen was pseudonormal filling, seen in 23 (25.6%) patients. Conclusion: Subclinical RV diastolic dysfunction is present in almost half of the postoperative TOF patients of pediatric age group. The most prevalent form of diastolic dysfunction was pseudonormal filling during intermediate follow-up.

Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Right ventricular (RV) diastolic dysfunction has been recognized as an independent predictor of adverse events and mortality in a wide range of diseases (1,2). Experimental and clinical data indicate that pathophysiological factors induce the development of RV diastolic dysfunction first, and only later - systolic dysfunction (3). The aim of the study was to assess the right ventricle diastolic function in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Material and methods The study included 40 women receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy for cancer, and 25 age-matched and comorbidity-matched women without cancer as a control group. RV systolic (s"t, Tei-index, and TAPSE) and diastolic (Et, At, Et/At, e"t, a"t, e"t/a"t) function parameters at baseline and after treatment were compared and evaluated. Results In cancer patients during anthracycline-based chemotherapy, no signs of cardiotoxicity were detected according to the indicators of the left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain. Progressive decline in RV diastolic function was noted in patients receiving anticancer therapy. Et was 53.0 (46.0; 62.0) sm/sec in control, 50.0 (41.0; 53.0) sm/sec in cancer group before treatment, and 45.0 (41.0; 51.0) sm/sec after one-year treatment (p = 0.017 for trend). Et/At was 1.4 (1.28; 1.6), 1.34 (1.23; 1.58), and 1.12 (0.81; 1.35), respectively (p = 0.002 for trend). RV systolic function was without changes during treatment. TAPSE was 2.5 (2.2; 2.8) sm in control, 2.3 (2.2; 2.5) sm in cancer group before treatment, and 2.3 (2.0; 2.4) sm after one-year treatment (p = 0.091 for trend). Conclusion Patients undergoing chemotherapy experience a decline in right ventricular filling rates despite not showing clear signs of anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity. More research is needed to indicate the clinical and prognostic significance of such changes.

Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease: frequency and associated factors

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. The prognostic value of right ventricle (RV) systolic dysfunction is known. Nearly all data on the importance of right ventricle function is notably focused on its systolic dysfunction, while right ventricle filling is far less studied, perhaps because of challenges in diastolic dysfunction assessment [1]. Independent prognostic value of RV diastolic dysfunction (RVDD) has been identified in certain clinical situations [2], but these studies are few in number. Therefore it is important to continue investigating the right ventricle diastolic function and clarify its possible clinical and prognostic significance in various groups of patients [3]. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of RVDD in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and to identify factors associated with its presence. Material and Methods 200 patients with stable CAD (153 men) were enrolled in the study. Echocardiography was performed on a Vivid S5 ultrasound scanner (GE). We studied clinical data, left ventricular indices, RV systolic and diastolic parameters (Et, At, et", a"t, s"t, TAPSE, and RV Tei index). Depending on the presence or absence of RVDD, all patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 - patients with RVDD (n = 92; 64 [61; 69] years; 73 (79.4%) men) and Group 2 - patients without RVDD (n = 108; 63 [60; 67] years; 80 (74.0%) men). Results. The RV diastolic dysfunction is much more common than its systolic dysfunction in patients with stable CAD (46% and 7.5%, respectively, Fig. 1). Old myocardial infarction (MI) (p = 0.007), anterior MI (p = 0.001), congestive heart failure (p = 0.030) and peripheral arterial disease (p = 0.030) were more prevalent in patients with RVDD. The end-systolic dimension were higher (p = 0.010), while left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) (p = 0.044) and the mitral E/A ratio (p &amp;lt; 0.001) were lower in this group. No significant differences were found between groups in the coronary artery stenosis. Independent predictors of the RVDD presence were increased age, old MI, hyperlipidemia, moderate chronic heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and decreased LVEF. ROC-curves of studied left ventricular variables (LVEF, ratio E/A and E/e’) association with RVDD is presented in Fig. 2. The areas under the curves were less than 0.7 for all variables, which indicated an unacceptable ability to distinguish. Conclusions. The RV diastolic dysfunction is much more common than its systolic dysfunction in patients with stable CAD. The RVDD presence was predominantly associated with an increase in age and LV systolic dysfunction, but not with coronary artery lesions. The predictive value of RVDD requires further research. Abstract Figure. Abstract Figure.

Classic pattern dyssynchrony predicting outcome in patients with Fontan circulation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Helse Nord, Norway Background Morbidity and mortality increase as Fontan patients age into adulthood. Limited studies have examined cardiac magnetic resonance and echocardiographic parameters to predict death and transplantation in children after Fontan operation. Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate echocardiographic parameters in adolescents and adults after Fontan operation including myocardial mechanics including classic pattern dyssynchrony (CPD) as predictors of transplantation or death. Methods In a cross-sectional retrospective study, strain analysis was performed on echocardiography studies performed between 2001 and 2014 of 110 patients with single ventricle physiology after the Fontan procedure. Strain curves were measured and visually assessed for the presence of CPD. The primary end point was death or transplantation after a follow-up period of 85 ± 35 months after echocardiography. Results Median age at date of echocardiography was 20, range 3 to 45 years. Of 110 patients 28 patients were transplanted. During the study-period 3 patients died after transplantation and 7 patients died without being transplanted. CPD was seen in 16 and protein losing enteropathy (PLE) in 21 of 110 patients. By multivariate-analysis, CPD (HR 9.4 CI 2.6-34.6), PLE (HR 10.6 CI 3.4-33.2); systolic blood pressure (HR 0.954 CI 0.913-0.996), systolic/diastolic duration ratio (HR 6.83 CI 1.33-35.0) and E wave deceleration time (HR 0.98 CI 0.97 - 0.99) were independently associated with the primary end point. Conclusion CPD, PLE, systolic and diastolic ventricular dysfunction are significantly associated with transplantation or death in Fontan operated patients. In selected patients, the presence of CPD may be a basis to investigate cardiac resynchronization therapy as a treatment strategy. Abstract Figure: Mortality in patients with CPD

Echocardiographic assessment of diastolic dysfunction in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis before and after aortic valve replacement

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Helse Nord Background The 2016 guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) for evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction do not adjust assessment of high filling pressures for patients with aortic stenosis (AS). However, most of the studies on this patient group indicate age independent specific diastolic features in AS. Purpose The aim of this study is to identify disease-specific range and distribution of diastolic functional parameters and their ability to identify high N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels as a marker for high filling pressures. Methods In this study, 169 patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were prospectively enrolled. Resting echocardiography was performed including Doppler of the mitral inflow, pulmonary venous flow, tricuspid regurgitant flow and tissue Doppler in the mitral ring and indexed volume-estimates of the left atrium (LAVI). Echocardiography, and NT-proBNP levels were assessed before TAVR/SAVR and at two postoperative visits at 6 and 12 months. Results Pre- and postoperative values were septal e´; 5.1 ± 3.9, 5.2 ± 1.6 cm/s; lateral e´ 6.3 ± 2.1; 7.7 ± 2.7 cm/s; E/e´19 ± 8; 16 ± 7 cm/s; E velocity 96 ± 32; 95 ± 32 cm/s; LAVI 39 ± 8; 36 ± 8 ml/m2, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) 39 ± 8; 36 ± 8 mmHg, respectively. The scoring recommended by ASE/EACVI detected elevated NT pro-BNP with a specificity of 25%. Adjusting thresholds according to the cut-off values of the table increased prediction of NT-proBNP levels ≥ 500 ng/L with substantially increased specificity (&amp;gt;85%). Conclusion Diastolic echocardiographic parameters in AS indicate persistent impaired relaxation and NT-proBNP indicate elevated filling pressures in most of the patients, improving only modestly 6-12 months after TAVR and SAVR. Applying the 2016 ASE/EACVI recommendations for detection of elevated filling pressures to patients with AS, elevated NT pro-BNP levels could not be reliably detected. However, adjusting thresholds of the echocardiographic parameters increased specificities to useful diagnostic levels. Abstract Table Cut-off values for high ProBNP Abstract Figure. Examples for diastolic parameters in AS

Prognostic implications of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in moderate aortic stenosis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): ESC Training Grant App000064741 Background Moderate aortic stenosis (MAS) is associated with an increased risk of adverse events. Although left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DDF) has shown to carry an unfavorable prognosis in severe AS, the prognostic value of LV DDF in MAS has not been investigated. Purpose To investigate the prognostic impact of LV DDF in patients with MAS and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF). Methods LV diastolic function was evaluated in patients with MAS (aortic valve area &amp;gt;1.0 and ≤1.5cm2) and preserved LVEF (≥50%) using echocardiography according to the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines. Clinical outcomes were defined as all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and aortic valve replacement (AVR). Results Of 1247 patients (age 74 ± 10 years, 47% men) with MAS and preserved LVEF, 396 (32%) had normal diastolic function, 316 (25%) had indeterminate diastolic function and 535 (43%) had DDF. Patients with DDF were more likely to be female, had more comorbidities (hypertension, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease) and were more symptomatic (NYHA ≥2) than patients with normal diastolic function. Patients with DDF also had smaller aortic valve area and higher peak aortic velocities than patients with normal/indeterminate diastolic function. During a median follow-up of 53 (26 – 81) months, 484 (39%) patients died. For the composite endpoint, 770 patients (62%) underwent AVR (n = 376) or died (n = 394) during a median follow-up of 37 (IQR 15 – 62) months. Patients with DDF had significantly lower survival rates (p &amp;lt;0.001) and event-free survival rates (p = 0.015) compared to patients with normal/indeterminate diastolic function (Figure 1). On multivariable analysis, DDF was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR: 1.368; 95% CI: 1.085 – 1.725; p = 0.008) and the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and AVR (HR: 1.241; 95% CI: 1.035 – 1.488; p = 0.020) (Figure 2). Conclusion LV DDF is associated with worse outcomes in patients with MAS. Assessment of LV diastolic function may contribute significantly to risk stratification of patients with MAS. Abstract Figure. Abstract Figure.

Comparison of sites of wall thickening and abnormal late enhancement on cardiac CT and magnetic resonance imaging with electrocardiography findings in patients with confirmed cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Left ventricular (LV) wall thickening and diastolic dysfunction on a transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) without a high voltage R wave on V5 leads on an ECG leads to a diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. A final diagnosis is made by endomyocardial biopsy. However, amyloid sometimes invades the right ventricle (RV), and left (LA) and right (RA) atria, causing ECG changes such as sick sinus syndrome (SSS), arrhythmia, and QRS wave axis deviation. Purpose To elucidate the relationship between sites of wall thickening and abnormal late enhancement (LE) on cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), suggesting amyloid invasion, with ECG findings in patients with cardiac amyloidosis confirmed by biopsy. Methods A total of 26 patients (11 females) with suspected cardiac amyloidosis, who had LV wall thickening by TTE without a high voltage R wave in V5 leads on ECG, underwent cardiac CT. LV wall thickening observed on CT in the early phase led to a late phase acquisition. Five patients (3 females, mean age 73 years) were diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis: complicated multiple myeloma, 2; senile ATTR (transthyretin) amyloidosis, 1; immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis, 1; and transthyretin mutation, 1. Four patients underwent cardiac MRI. Results Case 1 had wall thickening in the basal interventricular septum (IVS), LV inferior-posterior wall, LA on CT, abnormal LE in the endocardium in whole LV, RV, and RA on CT, and LE in the endocardium in whole LV, RV, LA, and IVS on MRI. ECG showed SSS (junctional rhythm), left axis QRS wave deviation, no low voltage R wave in limb leads, and a mild LA load. Case 2 had wall thickening in whole LV, RV, LA, and IVS on CT, and unclear (CT) or no (MRI) abnormal LE. ECG revealed SSS (junctional rhythm), a normal QRS axis, no low voltage R wave in limb leads, and no LA load. Case 3 had wall thickening in the LA and basal IVS on CT, abnormal LE in the LA and basal IVS on CT, and LE in the LA only on MRI. ECG revealed atrial tachycardia, a normal QRS axis with low voltage R wave in limb leads, and no LA load. Case 4 had wall thickening in the LA, an RV moderator band on CT, an unclear LE on CT, and LE in whole LV, endocardium in the RV, and whole IVS on MRI. ECG showed a normal sinus rhythm, left axis QRS wave deviation, with low voltage R wave in limb leads, and no LA load. Case 5 had wall thickening in the IVS, LV lateral wall, LV anterior wall, RA, RV outflow tract, and RA appendage, and no abnormal LE on CT (MRI not performed). ECG revealed a normal sinus rhythm, right axis QRS wave deviation, with low voltage R wave in limb leads, and a mild LA load. Conclusions In this pilot study of a small number of patients with cardiac amyloidosis, few relationships between sites of wall thickening and abnormal LE on ECG were found. However, a long-term follow-up study with more patients may reveal relationships between such parameters using this methodology. Abstract Figure. Classification by wall thickening on CT

Classic-Pattern Dyssynchrony Is Associated with Outcome in Patients with Fontan Circulation

Morbidity and mortality increase as Fontan patients age into adulthood. Limited studies have examined cardiac magnetic resonance and echocardiographic parameters to predict death and transplantation in children after the Fontan operation. The aim of this study was to investigate echocardiographic parameters in adolescents and adults after Fontan operation, including myocardial mechanics such as classic-pattern dyssynchrony (CPD), as predictors of transplantation or death. In a cross-sectional retrospective study, strain analysis was performed on echocardiographic studies performed between 2001 and 2015 on 110 patients with single-ventricle physiology after the Fontan procedure. Strain curves were measured and visually assessed for the presence of CPD. The primary end point was death or transplantation after a follow-up period of 85±35months after echocardiography. The median age at the date of echocardiography was 20years (range, 3-45years). Of 110 patients, 28 had undergone transplantation. During the study period, three patients died after transplantation and seven patients died without undergoing transplantation. CPD was seen in 16 and protein-losing enteropathy in 21 of 110 patients. On multivariate analysis, CPD (hazard ratio [HR], 9.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-34.6), protein-losing enteropathy (HR, 10.6; 95% CI, 3.4-33.2), systolic blood pressure (HR, 0.954; 95% CI, 0.913-0.996), systolic/diastolic duration ratio (HR, 6.83; 95% CI, 1.33-35.0), and E-wave deceleration time (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99) were independently associated with the primary end point. CPD, protein-losing enteropathy, and systolic and diastolic ventricular dysfunction are significantly associated with transplantation or death in Fontan-operated patients. In selected patients, the presence of CPD may be a basis to investigate cardiac resynchronization therapy as a treatment strategy.

Diastolic Ventricular Insufficiency and Use of Anesthetics

Heart failure is a pathology that generates a progressive deterioration that little by little compromises the functional capacity of the individual who suffers from it, affecting the ability of the heart to pump blood to the body adequately. Regarding its prevalence in general, it can affect from 1% to 14% of the population in the United States and Europe. In Colombia, according to a study published in 2012, heart failure has a prevalence in the general population of 2.3%, with 67.5% being heart failure with preserved EF. This is classified according to the ejection fraction of the patients, which may be preserved or decreased. Diastolic ventricular dysfunction is of the type with normal ejection fraction. Its incidence varies in critically ill patients between 40 and 80%, the use of anesthetics in these patients has not been much studied, and however, some very important considerations can be taken into account when applying them. Methodology A narrative review was carried out, in which different databases were used such as Scielo, PubMed, Sciencedirect, academic google, among others. The selection of articles was made through indexed journals in English and Spanish languages from 2010 to 2021 that met the selection criteria. Results Diastolic dysfunction includes an alteration in diastolic ventricular compliance; that is, it affects cardiac filling, when the

Impact of Cardiac Injury on the Clinical Outcome of Children with Convulsive Status Epilepticus.

Objectives: the aim of this study was to determine the impact of cardiac injury on clinical profile, cardiac evaluation and outcome in patients hospitalized with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE). Materials and methods: this prospective observational study included 74 children with CSE. Cardiac injury was evaluated and defined using combination of cardiac troponin, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography. Clinical outcome and mortality rates were compared in patients with and without cardiac injury. Results: A total of 74 patients with CSE were included in the study. Thirty-six (48.6%) patients demonstrated markers of cardiac injury. ECG changes occurred in 45.9% and echocardiographic signs of left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction reported in 5.4% and 8.1%, respectively. The mean length of hospital stays and need for ICU admission were significantly higher in patients with cardiac injury compared to others. One third of patients with cardiac injury needed mechanical ventilation and this was significantly higher than patients without (p = 0.042). hypotension and/or shock developed in 25% of cardiac injury patients and most of them required inotropic support; this was significantly higher than others without markers of cardiac injury. The overall mortality in cardiac injury group was higher (13.9% vs. 2.6%); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Markers of cardiac injury were common and associated with poor clinical outcome and higher risk of mortality in patients with CSE, so extensive routine cardiovascular evaluation is essential in these patients.

Assessment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in patients with type 2 diabetes: Relationship with microvascular damage and glycemic control

Background and aimsType 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a higher risk of Heart Failure; Left Ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is often considered the first marker of Diabetic cardiomyopathy; however, early preclinical LV systolic dysfunction has also been observed by means of echocardiographic measurement of strain. This study is aimed at assessing determinants of impaired strain and diastolic ventricular dysfunction in patients with T2DM. Methods and resultsCross-sectional study, performed on a consecutive series of patients with T2DM aged 30–80 years, BMI<40 kg/m2, free of cardiovascular disease, assessing metabolic control, microvascular complications, echocardiographic measures.Out of 206 patients, 19.6% had GLS lower than 18. GLS showed a significant inverse correlation with HBA1c, (p = 0.016), BMI (p = 0.002), waist (p < 0.0001), and mean L:H Ratio (p = 0.019). In a multivariate regression for LV GLS including HbA1c, age, sex, BMI and mean RR SDNN index, only HbA1c retained statistical significance: (B = −0.050 [−0.091; −0.009], p = 0.01. Among markers of LV diastolic function, only the E/E’ ratio was associated with HbA1c at a univariate analysis, and it retained statistical significance in a multivariate regression including HbA1c, age, sex and disease duration (B = 0.038 [0.03; −0.073], p = 0.032). No significant difference in any parameter of systolic or diastolic function was observed between patients with or without microalbuminuria or diabetic retinopathy. ConclusionIn patients with T2DM, a reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain appears to be independently associated with impaired glucose control and autonomic neuropathy, regardless of microvascular complications.

A G-protein-biased S1P1 agonist, SAR247799, improved LVH and diastolic function in a rat model of metabolic syndrome.

AimHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major cause of death worldwide with no approved treatment. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction represent the structural and functional components of HFpEF, respectively. Endothelial dysfunction is prevalent in HFpEF and predicts cardiovascular events. We investigated if SAR247799, a G-protein-biased sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) agonist with endothelial-protective properties, could improve cardiac and renal functions in a rat model of metabolic syndrome LVH and diastolic function.Methods31- and 65-week-old obese ZSF1 (Ob-ZSF1) rats, representing adult and aged animals with LVH and diastolic dysfunction, were randomized to a chow diet containing 0.025% (w/w) of SAR247799, or control (CTRL) chow for 4 weeks. Age-matched lean ZSF1 (Le-ZSF1) rats were fed control chow. Echocardiography, telemetry, biochemical and histological analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of SAR247799.ResultsEchocardiography revealed that Ob-ZSF1 rats, in contrast to Le-ZSF1 rats, developed progressive diastolic dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy with age. SAR247799 blunted the progression of diastolic dysfunction in adult and aged animals: in adult animals E/e’ was evaluated at 21.8 ± 1.4 for Ob-ZSF1-CTRL, 19.5 ± 1.2 for Ob-ZSF1-SAR247799 p<0.01, and 19.5 ± 2.3 for Le-ZSF1-CTRL (median ± IQR). In aged animals E/e’ was evaluated at 23.15 ± 4.45 for Ob-ZSF1-CTRL, 19.5 ± 5 for Ob-ZSF1-SAR247799 p<0.01, and 16.69 ± 1.7 for Le-ZSF1-CTRL, p<0.01 (median ± IQR). In aged animals, SAR247799 reduced cardiac hypertrophy (g/mm mean ± SEM of heart weight/tibia length 0.053 ± 0.001 for Ob-ZSF1-CTRL vs 0.046 ± 0.002 for Ob-ZSF1-SAR247799 p<0.01, Le-ZSF1-CTRL 0.035 ± 0.001) and myocardial perivascular collagen content (p<0.001), independently of any changes in microvascular density. In adult animals, SAR247799 improved endothelial function as assessed by the very low frequency bands of systolic blood pressure variability (mean ± SEM 67.8 ± 3.41 for Ob-ZSF1-CTRL 55.8 ± 4.27 or Ob-ZSF1-SAR247799, p<0.05 and 57.3 ± 1.82 Le-ZSF1-CTRL), independently of any modification of arterial blood pressure. In aged animals, SAR247799 reduced urinary protein/creatinine ratio, an index of glomerular injury, (10.3 ± 0.621 vs 8.17 ± 0.231 for Ob-ZSF1-CTRL vs Ob-ZSF1-SAR247799, respectively, p<0.05 and 0.294 ± 0.029 for Le-ZSF1-CTRL, mean ± SEM) and the fractional excretion of electrolytes. Circulating lymphocytes were not decreased by SAR247799, confirming lack of S1P1 desensitization.ConclusionsThese experimental findings suggest that S1P1 activation with SAR247799 may be considered as a new therapeutic approach for LVH and diastolic dysfunction, major components of HFpEF.

Вплив багатокомпонентної терапії на діастолічну функцію лівого шлуночка в пацієнтів з резистентною артеріальною гіпертензією

The aim – to determine prognostic factors of improving left ventricular diastolic function (LV DF) in resistant hypertension (RH) patients (pts) treated with multicomponent antihypertensive therapy during three years.Materials and methods. 102 patients with true RH were included. Patients received triple fixed combination (blocker of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system / calcium antagonist / diuretic), to which has been added a fourth drug (spironolactone, eplerenone, moxonidine, torasemide or nebivolol). The state of LV DF was studied at the beginning and at the end of the study. Office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements, echocardiography, clinical characteristics, neurohumoral and proinflammatory status were assessed.Results and discussion. Impairment LV DF was detected in 75.5 % of pts. The first degree of LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) was observed in 63.7 %. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the first group included persons without initial impairment of LV DF (n=25), the second – pts with LV DD (n=77). Patients with LV DD were older, had a longer duration of hypertension, higher body mass index, 24-h urinary albumin excretion, office BP and 24-h ambulatory BP, more often (in 2 times) disorders of circadian BP rhythm and concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM). Left ventricular DD in 100 % of cases was associated with severe LV hypertrophy (LVH), increased plasma concentration of inflammatory proteins (CRP, fibrinogen), cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), increased activity of leukocyte elastase, macrophage matrix metalloproteinase-12. The concentration in the blood of aldosterone, active renin, 24-h urinary excretion of metanephrines did not differ between the groups.Conclusions. Improvement and stabilization of LV DF occurred in parallel with regression of LVH (normalization of LVMI in 35.1 % of pts and significant decrease of LVMI in 64.9 %) against the background of decrease of BP and in the proportion of pts with disturbed circadian BP rhythm. The independent factors of the E/E’ ratio were the initial plasma concentrations of aldosterone (β=0.556; р=0.0001), glucose (β=0.366; р=0.0001), active renin (β=–0.223; р=0.004), 24-h urinary albumin excretion (β=0.188; р=0.016), age (β=0,192; р=0,023). The odds of an improvement in LV DF increased by 3.7 times, if the patient with RH had no DM, LVH regression occurred.