None of the conventional echocardiographic parameters alone predict increased NTproBNP level and symptoms, making diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) very difficult in ...some cases, in resting condition. We evaluated LA functions by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) on top of conventional parameters in HFpEF and preHF patients with diastolic dysfunction (DD), in order to establish the added value of the LA deformation parameters in the diagnosis of HFpEF.
We prospectively enrolled 125 patients, 88 with HFpEF (68±9 yrs), and 37 asymptomatic with similar risk factors with DD (preHF) (61±8 yrs). We evaluated them by NTproBNP, conventional DD parameters, and STE. Global longitudinal strain (GS) was added. LA reservoir (R), conduit (C), and pump function (CT) were assessed both by volumetric and STE. 2 reservoir strain (S) derived indices were also measured, stiffness (SI) and distensibility index (DI).
LA R and CT functions were significantly reduced in HFpEF compared to preHF group (all p<0.001), whereas conduit was similarly in both groups. SI was increased, whereas DI was reduced in HFpEF group (p<0.001). By adding LA strain analysis, from all echocardiographic parameters, SR_CT<-1.66/s and DI<0.57 (AUC = 0.76, p<0.001) demonstrated the highest accuracy to identify HFpEF diagnosis. However, by multivariate logistic regression, the model that best identifies HFpEF included only SR_CT, GS and sPAP (R2 = 0.506, p<0.001). Moreover, SR_CT, DI, and sPAP registered significant correlation with NTproBNP level.
By adding LA functional analysis, we might improve the HFpEF diagnosis accuracy, compared to present guidelines. LA pump function is the only one able to differentiates preHF from HFpEF patients at rest. A value of SR_CT < -1.66/s outperformed conventional parameters from the scoring system, reservoir strain, and LA overload indices in HFpEF diagnosis. We suggest that LA function by STE could be incorporated in the current protocol for HFpEF diagnosis at rest as a major functional criterion, in order to improve diagnostic algorithm, and also in the follow-up of patients with risk factors and DD, as a prognostic marker. Future studies are needed to validate our findings.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Numerous diagnostic criteria for excessive trabeculation, or “noncompaction,” score the extent of the trabecular layer. Whether the trabeculations themselves have a poor or good contractility is ...largely unknown. We retrospectively analyzed cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) of patients with excessive trabeculation of the left ventricle (LV). The LV was labeled into four regions: compact wall, central cavity (CC), trabeculations, and intertrabecular recesses (IR). For each label we calculated the systolic fractional volume change (SFVC) in short‐axis images (n = 15) and systolic fractional area change (SFAC) in four‐chamber images (n = 30). We measured the ejection fraction (EF) of IR, CC, and total cavity. Three methods to calculate EF of the total cavity were compared: trabeculations included (per guidelines), IR excluded (Jacquier criterion), and trabeculations contoured and excluded (contour‐EF). The SFVC and SFAC of the compact wall were similar with SFVC and SFAC of trabeculations. In contrast, the IR were more diminished in systole by comparison with the CC, having lower SFVC (39% vs. 56%) and SFAC (37% vs. 72%). EF of the IR was also greater than EF of the CC (61% vs. 44%). Excluding IR from the total cavity or including trabeculations negatively impacts the EF (44% and 40%, respectively, vs. 51% for contour‐EF). The trabecular layer operates at a high EF.
The trabecular layer of the human left ventricle operates with a comparatively high ejection fraction. If this is not accounted for, the actual ejection fraction, which is a key prognostic indicator, is underestimated.
Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) with preserved ejection fraction (EF) is still a controverted entity. We aimed to characterize structural and functional changes in LVNC with heart failure with ...preserved EF (HFpEF).
We enrolled 21 patients with LVNC and HFpEF and 21 HFpEF controls. For all patients, we performed CMR, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and biomarker assessment for HFpEF (NT-proBNP), for myocardial fibrosis (Galectin-3), and for endothelial dysfunction ADAMTS13, von Willebrand factor, and their ratio. By CMR, we assessed native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV) for each LV level (basal, mid, and apical). By STE, we assessed longitudinal strain (LS), globally and at each LV level, base-to-apex gradient, LS layer by layer, from epicardium to endocardium, and transmural deformation gradient.
In the LVNC group, mean NC/C ratio was 2.9 ± 0.4 and the percentage of NC myocardium mass was 24.4 ± 8.7%. LVNC patients, by comparison with controls, had higher apical native T1 (1061 ± 72 vs. 1008 ± 40 ms), diffusely increased ECV (27.2 ± 2.9 vs. 24.4 ± 2.5%), with higher values at the apical level (29.6 ± 3.8 vs. 25.2 ± 2.8%) (all
< 0.01); they had a lower LS only at the apical level (-21.4 ± 4.4 vs. -24.3 ± 3.2%), with decreased base-to-apex gradient (3.8 ± 4.7 vs. 6.9 ± 3.4%) and transmural deformation gradient (3.9 ± 0.8 vs. 4.8 ± 1.0%). LVNC patients had higher NT-proBNP 237 (156-489) vs. 156 (139-257) pg/mL and Galectin-3 7.3 (6.0-11.5) vs. 5.6 (4.8-8.3) ng/mL, and lower ADAMTS13 (767.3 ± 335.5 vs. 962.3 ± 253.7 ng/mL) and ADAMTS13/vWF ratio (all
< 0.05).
LVNC patients with HFpEF have diffuse fibrosis, which is more extensive at the apical level, explaining the decrease in apical deformation and overexpression of Galectin-3. Lower transmural and base-to-apex deformation gradients underpin the sequence of myocardial maturation failure. Endothelial dysfunction, expressed by the lower ADAMTS13 and ADAMTS13/vWF ratio, may play an important role in the mechanism of HFpEF in patients with LVNC.
Background: In this study, we aimed to describe the impact of MBs on atherosclerosis and survival, in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We retrospectively studied 1920 consecutive ...patients who underwent conventional coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Atherosclerotic load (AL), defined as the sum of degrees of stenosis, and general atherosclerotic load (GAL), representing the sum of AL, were compared between patients with MB and a control group without MB; patients in these groups were similar in age and sex. We assessed survival at 10 years after the last enrolled patient. Results: Prevalence of MB was 3.96%, predominantly in the mid-segment of left anterior descendent artery (LAD). In the presence of MB, GAL was lower (158.1 ± 93.7 vs. 205.3 ± 117.9, p = 0.004) with a lesser AL in the proximal (30.3 ± 39.9 vs. 42.9 ± 41.1, p = 0.038) and mid-segments (8.1 ± 20.0 vs. 25.3 ± 35.9, p < 0.001) of LAD. Based on a Multinominal Logistic Regression, we found that the presence of MB on LAD (regardless of its location on this artery) is a protective factor against atherosclerotic lesions, decreasing the probability of significant stenosis, especially of those ≥70%, on the entire artery (B −1.539, OR 4660; 95% CI = 1.873−11.595, p = 0.001) and on each of its segments as well: proximal LAD (B −1.275, OR 0.280; 95% CI = 0.015−5.073; p = 0.038), mid-LAD (B −1.879, OR 6.545; 95% CI = 1.492−28.712; p = 0.013) and distal LAD (B −0.900, OR 2.459, 95% CI = 2.459−2.459, p = 0.032). However, 10-year survival was similar between groups (76.70% vs. 74.30%, p = 0.740). Conclusion: The presence of MB on LAD proved to be a protective factor against atherosclerosis for the entire artery and for each of its segments, but it does not influence long-term survival in patients with CAD.
Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an infiltrative disorder characterized by extracellular myocardial deposits of amyloid fibrils, with poor outcome, leading to heart failure and ...death, with significant treatment expenditure. In the era of a novel therapeutic arsenal of disease-modifying agents that target a myriad of pathophysiological mechanisms, timely and accurate diagnosis of ATTR-CM is crucial. Recent advances in therapeutic strategies shown to be most beneficial in the early stages of the disease have determined a paradigm shift in the screening, diagnostic algorithm, and risk classification of patients with ATTR-CM. The aim of this review is to explore the utility of novel specific non-invasive imaging parameters and biomarkers from screening to diagnosis, prognosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of the response to therapy. We will summarize the knowledge of the most recent advances in diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment tailoring parameters for early recognition, prediction of outcome, and better selection of therapeutic candidates in ATTR-CM. Moreover, we will provide input from different potential pathways involved in the pathophysiology of ATTR-CM, on top of the amyloid deposition, such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, reduced nitric oxide bioavailability, oxidative stress, and myocardial fibrosis, and their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications.
Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is an increasingly recognized phenotype. The current definition of the LVNC does not mention LV dysfunction as an absolute criterion in addition to ...morphological criteria. LV dilatation and decreased LV ejection fraction (LVEF) are often late manifestations of the disease and correlate with the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. However, to define LVNC as a cardiomyopathy, functional criteria must be fulfilled, in addition to the morphological ones. Multimodality imaging, such as myocardial deformation and myocardial work analysis derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), in combination with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) might improve diagnosis and characterization of non-compaction, exposing earlier signs of LV systolic dysfunction. We present two comparative cases of LVNC in order to highlight the idea of subclinical dysfunction even in apparently benign forms with preserved LVEF, and also the importance of multimodality imaging approach.
There are no clear recommendations regarding cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CC) evaluation in patients with pre-transplant liver cirrhosis. The roles of new methods, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and ...speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in the diagnosis and prognosis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy remain controversial. We investigated the utility of TDI/STE parameters in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy diagnosis and also in predicting mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis. Left/right ventricular function was studied using conventional TDI (velocities) and STE (strain/strain rate). We assessed left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, graded into four new classes (I/Ia/II/III). Serum NTproBNP (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), troponin I, β-crosslaps, QTc interval, arterial compliance and endothelial function were measured. Liver-specific scores (Child-Pugh, MELD, MELDNa) were computed. There was a 1-y follow-up visit to determine mortality. We observed resting biventricular diastolic myocardial dysfunction, not presently included in the definition of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. We provided an improved characterization of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis. This might change the current definition. However, the utility of STE/TDI parameters in predicting long-term mortality in patients with liver cirrhosis remains controversial.
Carney complex (CNC) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome. Spotty skin pigmentation is the major clinical manifestation of CNC, followed by cardiac myxomas, benign tumors that usually present with ...features from the classical triad of obstructive cardiac, embolic and non-specific constitutional symptoms (NCS). NCS are caused by the overproduction of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine which mediates the induction of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and promotes endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Thus, myxomas may be directly linked to an increased risk of atherosclerotic events. We report here a case of a 74-year-old woman with left atrial myxoma, skin pigmentary abnormalities, thyroid disorder and extensive atherosclerosis, with non-embolic occlusion of infrarenal abdominal aorta.
PDF
