The authors investigated 3 important areas related to the clinical use of left ventricular mass (LVM): accuracy of assessments by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), the ability to ...predict cardiovascular outcomes, and the comparative value of different indexing methods. The recommended formula for echocardiographic estimation of LVM uses linear measurements and is based on the assumption of the left ventricle (LV) as a prolate ellipsoid of revolution. CMR permits a modeling of the LV free of cardiac geometric assumptions or acoustic window dependency, showing better accuracy and reproducibility. However, echocardiography has lower cost, easier availability, and better tolerability. From the MEDLINE database, 26 longitudinal echocardiographic studies and 5 CMR studies investigating LVM or LV hypertrophy as predictors of death or major cardiovascular outcomes were identified. LVM and LV hypertrophy were reliable cardiovascular risk predictors using both modalities. However, no study directly compared the methods for the ability to predict events, agreement in hypertrophy classification, or performance in cardiovascular risk reclassification. Indexing LVM to body surface area was the earliest normalization process used, but it seems to underestimate the prevalence of hypertrophy in obese and overweight subjects. Dividing LVM by height to the allometric power of 1.7 or 2.7 is the most promising normalization method in terms of practicality and usefulness from a clinical and scientific standpoint for scaling myocardial mass to body size. The measurement of LVM, calculation of LVM index, and classification for LV hypertrophy should be standardized by scientific societies across measurement techniques and adopted by clinicians in risk stratification and therapeutic decision making.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The rapid technological developments of the past decade and the changes in echocardiographic practice brought about by these developments have resulted in the need for updated recommendations to the ...previously published guidelines for cardiac chamber quantification, which was the goal of the joint writing group assembled by the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. This document provides updated normal values for all four cardiac chambers, including three-dimensional echocardiography and myocardial deformation, when possible, on the basis of considerably larger numbers of normal subjects, compiled from multiple databases. In addition, this document attempts to eliminate several minor discrepancies that existed between previously published guidelines.
The rapid technological developments of the past decade and the changes in echocardiographic practice brought about by these developments have resulted in the need for updated recommendations to the ...previously published guidelines for cardiac chamber quantification, which was the goal of the joint writing group assembled by the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. This document provides updated normal values for all four cardiac chambers, including three-dimensional echocardiography and myocardial deformation, when possible, on the basis of considerably larger numbers of normal subjects, compiled from multiple databases. In addition, this document attempts to eliminate several minor discrepancies that existed between previously published guidelines.
Abstract
Aims
Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) is an extensively utilized marker of LV function that is often interpreted without recourse to alterations in LV geometry and hypertrophy. ...LV global function index (LVGFI) is a novel marker that incorporates LV structure in the assessment of LV cardiac performance. We evaluated the prognostic utility of LVGFI from young adulthood into middle age for incident heart failure (HF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in comparison to LVEF.
Methods and results
Included were 4107 CARDIA participants with echocardiograms in Year-5 (1990–1991). LVGFI was defined as LV stroke volume/LV global volume*100, where LV global volume was the sum of the LV mean cavity volume ((LV end-diastolic volume + LV end-systolic volume)/2) and myocardial volume (LV mass/density). Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to predict incident HF and CVD outcomes. Mean age of participants was 29.8 ± 3.7 years, 55% female, and 48.7% black. Higher body mass index beta coefficient (B) = −0.11 standard error (SE) = 0.02, P < 0.001, higher blood pressure (B = −0.04, SE = 0.01, P < 0.01), smoking (B = −0.82, SE = 0.22, P < 0.001), male sex (P < 0.001), and black race (P < 0.001) were associated with worse LVGFI. A total of 207 incident CVD events were observed over the course of 98 035 person-years at risk. Higher LVGFI was associated with HF, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.54–0.91), hard CVD HR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.71–0.96), and all CVD HR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.72–0.96). For HF outcomes, Harrell’s C-statistic for LVGFI (0.80) was greater than LVEF (0.66).
Conclusion
LVGFI is a strong, independent predictor of incident HF and CVD that provides incremental prognostic value compared with LVEF. Male sex, black race, obesity, hypertension, and smoking are associated with worse LVGFI in the early adult lifespan.
COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is involved in the activation and regulation of the complement system, demonstrating an important role in the ...pathogenesis of COVID-19. The aim was to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in
PTX3
and its plasma levels with the severity of COVID-19. This is a retrospective cohort study, carried out between August 2020 and July 2021, including patients with confirmed COVID-19 hospitalized in 2 hospitals in the Northeast Region of Brazil. Polymorphisms in
PTX3
(rs1840680 and rs2305619) were determined by real-time PCR. PTX3 plasma levels were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were determined by flow cytometry. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify parameters independently associated with COVID-19 severity.
P
values < 0.05 were considered significant. The study included 496 patients, classified as moderate (
n
= 267) and severe (
n
= 229) cases. The
PTX3
AA genotype (rs1840680) was independently associated with protection against severe COVID-19 (
P
= 0.037; odds ratio = 0.555). PTX3 plasma levels were significantly associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality (
P
< 0.05). PTX3 levels were significantly correlated with IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein, total leukocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, urea, creatinine, ferritin, length of hospital stay, and higher respiratory rate (
P
< 0.05). Our results revealed a protective effect of the
PTX3
AA genotype (rs1840680) on the development of severe forms of COVID-19. Additionally, PTX3 plasma levels were associated with the severity of COVID-19. The results of this study provide evidence of an important role of PTX3 in the immunopathology of COVID-19.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Strain and strain rate are sensitive markers of left ventricular (LV) myocardial function. The aim of this study was to assess reference ranges and regional patterns of LV strain and strain rate ...using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in a large population of black and white subjects.
This study involved a retrospective review of prospectively collected images in 557 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study who remained healthy at the year 25 examination. LV deformation parameters were measured in apical four-chamber, apical two-chamber, and parasternal short-axis views in 509, 391, and 521 subjects, respectively.
Patients' mean age was 49.6 ± 3.6 years, 61.6% were women, and 69.5% were white. White women showed the highest LV systolic and diastolic deformation values, reflected by a more negative reference range for apical four-chamber longitudinal strain (-16.4%; 95% prediction interval PI, -20.8% to -12.0%) and a higher positive reference range for early diastolic strain rate (0.93 1/sec; 95% PI, 0.41 to 1.46 1/sec), respectively. The lowest LV systolic and diastolic deformation values were found in black men, with apical four-chamber longitudinal strain (14.7%; 95% PI, -19.1% to -10.3%) and early diastolic strain rate (0.79 1/sec; 95% PI, 0.42 to 1.16 1/sec). Absolute strain increased from the epicardium toward the endocardium. A base-to-apex gradient of longitudinal strain toward the apex was exhibited in inferior and inferoseptal regions and, in contrast, in the opposite direction in anterior and anterolateral walls. Sex had the strongest influence on LV deformation variability.
Strain and strain rate reference values were sex and race related. White women showed the highest reference ranges for LV deformation, while the lowest values were found in black men. Significant layer- and level-specific patterns in regional LV deformation were identified.
This study sought to investigate how cumulative exposure to glycemic abnormalities and trajectories of insulin resistance (IR) relate to left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function during young to ...middle adulthood.
Cumulative exposure to glycemic abnormalities and trajectories of IR may adversely influence LV remodeling and function over a 25-year period in subjects who were young adults, predisposing individuals to heart failure later in life.
In the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) Year 25 examination, 3,179 participants were identified with information on glucose metabolism; these participants were stratified into 4 subgroups: group 1 normal glucose tolerance (NGT), group 2 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose, group 3 late diabetes mellitus (DM) (DM diagnosed at year 15 or later), and group 4 early DM (DM diagnosed at year 0 to year 15). Among the subgroup without DM, 3 trajectory groups of change in the homeostasis model assessment of IR were identified: low IR, moderate IR, and high IR. LV mass, relative wall thickness, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), longitudinal systolic strain (Ell), and early diastolic strain rate (Ell_SRe) at year 25 were assessed by echocardiography. Clinically relevant systolic and diastolic dysfunction were defined as LVEF <50% for systolic dysfunction, and E/e' ≥13 for diastolic dysfunction.
The early DM group had less favorable LV mass (coefficient = 11.04; p < 0.001), LVEF (coefficient = -2.72; p < 0.05), Ell (coefficient = 1.53; p < 0.001), and Ell_SRe (coefficient = -0.09; p < 0.05) than did the NGT group. Being in the early DM group and having high hemoglobin A
were independently associated with greater odds of having systolic dysfunction (odds ratio = 5.44; p < 0.005) compared with the NGT group. High IR was associated with worse relative wall thickness (coefficient = 0.019; p < 0.0001) and worse Ell, E', and Ell_SRe, depending on obesity level.
Cumulative exposure to DM or higher IR beginning in early adulthood adversely impacts LV remodeling and function at middle age.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor that plays a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response and activating the complement system. Additionally, plasma PTX3 has ...emerged as a potential biomarker for various infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PTX3 gene polymorphisms and PTX3 plasma levels with susceptibility to leprosy and clinical characteristics.
Patients with leprosy from a hyperendemic area in the Northeast Region of Brazil were included. Healthy household contacts and healthy blood donors from the same geographical area were recruited as a control group. The rs1840680 and rs2305619 polymorphisms of PTX3 were determined by real-time PCR. Plasma levels of PTX3 were determined by ELISA.
A total of 512 individuals were included. Of these, 273 were patients diagnosed with leprosy; 53 were household contacts, and 186 were healthy blood donors. No association was observed between PTX3 polymorphisms and susceptibility to leprosy or development of leprosy reaction or physical disability. On the other hand, plasma levels of PTX3 were significantly higher in patients with leprosy when compared to household contacts (p = 0.003) or blood donors (p = 0.04). It was also observed that PTX3 levels drop significantly after multidrug therapy (p < 0.0001).
Our results suggest that PTX3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of leprosy and point to the potential use of this molecule as an infection marker.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Transmembrane serine protease type 2 (TMPRSS2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) are the main molecules involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Changes in TMPRSS2 expression ...levels caused by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to the outcome of COVID-19. The aim was to investigate the association between TMPRSS2 gene polymorphisms and the risk of death in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
We included patients with confirmed COVID-19, recruited from two hospitals in northeastern Brazil from August 2020 to July 2021. Two functional polymorphisms (rs2070788 and rs12329760) in TMPRSS2 were evaluated by real-time PCR. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate death. The Cox's proportional hazards model was used to adjust for potentially confounding factors.
A total of 402 patients were followed prospectively. Survival analysis demonstrated that older patients carrying the rs2070788 GG genotype had shorter survival times when compared to those with AG or AA genotypes (
= 0.009). In multivariable analysis, the GG genotype was a factor independently associated with the risk of death in older individuals (hazard ratio = 4.03, 95% confidence interval 1.49 to 10.84).
The rs2070788 polymorphism in TMPRSS2 increases risk of death four-fold in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
We investigated the association of cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial fibrosis with early cardiac dysfunction in type 1 diabetes.
Participants with type 1 diabetes aged 13-39 years without a ...known history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (
= 1,441) were recruited into the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (1983-1993) and subsequently followed in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study (1994 to present). Seven hundred fourteen participants underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging (2007-2009) with late gadolinium enhancement sequences to assess ischemic and nonischemic scars and tagging sequences to evaluate circumferential strain. CMR-derived T1 mapping also was used to assess interstitial fibrosis. The influence of cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial scar on circumferential strain was assessed using linear regression.
Circumferential dysfunction was consistently associated with older age, male sex, smoking history, obesity, higher blood pressure, lower HDL cholesterol, and higher mean HbA
. Participants with nonischemic scars (
= 16) had the worst circumferential function compared with those without scars (β ± SE 1.32 ± 0.60;
= 0.03). In sex-adjusted models, the correlation between T1 times and circumferential strain was not significant. In the fully adjusted models, a trend toward circumferential dysfunction in participants with nonischemic scars was found. Left ventricular ejection fraction was not associated with risk factors but was significantly lower if a myocardial scar was present.
Traditional CVD risk factors and elevated HbA
levels are major factors related to early cardiac dysfunction in type 1 diabetes. Nonischemic myocardial scar, possibly as a marker of chronic exposure to known risk factors, may predict early cardiac dysfunction mediated by diffuse myocardial fibrosis as seen in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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