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Brain or B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is an objective marker to diagnose the presence of heart failure (HF) and assess its severity. However, the determinants of serum BNP level in elderly patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) referred for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) have not been well investigated.We prospectively studied 106 AS patients who underwent TAVI. Cardiac catheterization, transesophageal echocardiography, and blood collection for plasma BNP level measurements were performed simultaneously just before the TAVI procedures.Ninety-nine patients (83.9±5.0 years, 33% male) were studied. The natural logarithm of BNP (lnBNP) level was 5.4±0.9 pg/mL. Significant correlations with lnBNP level were observed in: 1) the history of syncope, prior HF medication, and New York Heart Association class III or IV (R=0.255, p=0.011) (R=0.210, p=0.037) (R=0.402, p0.001), 2) albumin and hemoglobin level (R=-0.289, p=0.004) (R=0.263, p=0.009), 3) Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) (R=-0.338, p0.001) (R=0.447, p0.001), 4) LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), LV mass index, and left atrial volume index (R=0.280, p=0.005) (R=0.366, p0.001) (R=0.337, p0.001), 5) the catheter-measured pressure gradient across the aortic valve (AVPG) (R=0.365, p0.001). Note that LV wall stress was not significantly correlated with lnBNP level. LVGLS, AVPG, hemoglobin level, and LVEDVI were independently correlated with ln BNP level (R=0.652, LVGLS; β=0.395, p0.006, AVPG; β=0.291, p=0.001, hemoglobin level; β=-0.216, p=0.011, and LVEDVI; β=0.203, p=0.016, respectively).In severe AS patients candidate for TAVI, multiple factors, including the severities of AS and HF conditions and subclinical LV dysfunction determined by LVGLS affects plasma BNP level.

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are indicated in inotrope-dependent heart failure (HF) patients with pure or predominant LV dysfunction. Survival benefit is less clear in ambulatory, advanced HF. Timing is crucial: early, unnecessary exposure to the risks of surgery, and device-related complications (infections, stroke, and bleeding) should be weighed against the probability of dying or developing irreversible right ventricular and/or end-organ dysfunction while deferring implant. The interplay between LVAD and heart transplantation depends largely on donor availability and allocation rules. Postoperatively, quality of life depends on patients' expectations and is influenced by complications. Patients' preferences, prognosis, and alternative options-including palliation-should be openly discussed and reviewed before and after the operation.

Objectives This study identified predictors of clinical (CR) and echocardiographic response (ER) following immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis (CS). Backgr...

BACKGROUND Subselection inner catheters (Inner-Cath) are used adjunctively with outer guiding catheters (Outer-Cath) during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of left ventricular lead placement (LV-LP) guided by Inner-Cath alone. METHODS A total of 74 patients undergoing de novo CRT implantation were investigated. LV-LP was initially guided by Inner-Cath in 42 patients (Inner-Cath group) and Outer-Cath in 32 patients (Outer-Cath group). In the Inner-Cath group, a 7Fr Inner-Cath was advanced to the coronary sinus through a 7 Fr sheath inserted in a subclavian vein. In the Outer-Cath group, 9Fr or 10Fr Outer-Caths were used. Success rate of LV-LP, additional use of inner or outer catheters and procedure-related complications were compared between groups. RESULTS LV-LP was successful in all patients in the Inner-Cath group, while LV-LP had to be abandoned in two patients (6.3%) of the Outer-Cath group due to CS perforation caused by Outer-Cath manipulation. Procedure time was significantly shorter in the Inner-Cath group (148 vs. 168 min; p = .024). Deployment of both an inner and outer cath became necessary less frequently for the Inner-Cath group (4.8% vs. 56.3%; p

Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate cardiac functions using transthoracic echocardiography, change in lead parameters and electrocardiogram (ECG) morphology in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation over a follow-up period of 6 months. Methods This is a prospective study in patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation in a tertiary care hospital. Patients undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation were enrolled for up to one year and Echocardiographic parameters (by 2 blind operators) and ECG parameters were recorded at admission (within 24 h), before discharge (within 7 days of pacemaker implantation), after 1 month (± 7 days) and after 6 months (± 7 days) of follow-up. Results A total of 96 patients (60.4% males and 39.6% female, mean age 66.65 years) were implanted with permanent pacemaker. The mean QRS duration was 133.18 ms and increased significantly to 146.03 ms by 6 months despite septal lead placement in majority (92%) of patients. The mean baseline ejection fraction of 51.47 decreased significantly to 47.83 by 6 months. Diastolic parameters like left atrial volume index, early to late diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E/A) and early diastolic mitral annular tissue velocity (E/e′) showed a significant increase (> 5%) from baseline by the end of first week. By the end of first month, systolic dysfunction of RV sets in with significant (> 5%) change from baseline in parameters like Right ventricle myocardial performance index, transannular plane systolic excursion and right ventricle systolic excursion velocity (RVS′). Conclusion We have observed that pacemaker recipients with baseline reduced left ventricle (LV) systolic functions perform significantly worse compared to those with baseline normal cardiac functions and had a higher rate of deterioration of LV function. RV dysfunction is the first abnormality that occurs, by 1 week followed by LV dysfunction which starts by 1 month and the diastolic dysfunctions precede the systolic dysfunction. QRS duration also showed a gradual increase despite septal lead placement in majority (92%) and lead parameters showed no significant change over 6 months.

Acromegaly is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 49 acromegaly patients were evaluated for presence of cardiovascular risk factors and manifestations using 2D-Echocardiography, strain, strain-rate, carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and correlated with disease activity. 32 patients with growth hormone (GH) level >1 ng/ml were considered active. Patients with active disease have more LV dysfunction as assessed by strain(p-0.031) and strain rate(p-0.001); trend towards lower ejection fraction(p-0.11) with significant correlation to GH(cc −0.252,p-0.05). Patient with active disease have reduced FMD(p- 0.042); with no difference in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and CIMT inrelation to disease activity.

Secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) is the most common and undertreated form of MR, whose contribution to poor prognosis and indications to correction remains under discussion. MR has been characterized into ‘proportionate’ or ‘disproportionate’, based on left ventricle (LV) and regurgitant volumes, whereas ‘tertiary’ MR identifies conditions, in which regurgitation is pathologic per se and actively contributes to LV dysfunction. Echocardiographic and anatomo-pathological studies revealed that secondary MR prompts subtle leaflet maladaptive changes, actively contributing to the dynamic progression of secondary MR. We critically discuss the paradigm shift from secondary to tertiary MR and question the notion that MV leaflets play a passive role in secondary MR. We also review the role of standard transthoracic echocardiography for appraising and quantifying maladaptive MV leaflet changes and LV volumes and call for a more sophisticated and comprehensive imaging framework for classifying MR in future interventional studies.

Stage A and B heart failure (HF) include asymptomatic patients without and with structural cardiac disorder, respectively. Asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction represents an early stage of HF that should be recognized to prevent overt HF development. Echocardiography plays a pivotal role in assessment of cardiac structure and function and represents the ideal imaging technique for screening in the general population, thanks to its availability, feasibility, and low cost. Traditional echocardiography, with LV systolic and diastolic function and cardiac remodeling assessment, is usually performed. Development of new technologies may offer additional information and insights in detection of early LV dysfunction.

Objective Myocardial involvement is frequently observed in PM and DM but typically remains subclinical. This study aimed to investigate characteristics of myocardial involvement and compare differences between patients with PM and DM by cardiac MR (CMR) imaging. Methods From March 2017 to December 2019, a total of 17 PM and 27 DM patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. In all patients, clinical assessment and CMR examination were performed. CMR parameters, including left ventricular (LV) morphologic and functional parameters, and CMR tissue characterization imaging parameters, such as native T1, T2, extracellular volume (ECV) and late gadolinium enhancement, were analysed. Results In patients in both PM and DM groups, elevated global native T1 and ECV values were observed. Global ECV values were higher in the PM group when compared with the DM group (33.24 ± 2.97% vs 30.36 ± 4.20%; P = 0.039). Furthermore, patients in the PM and DM groups showed a different positive segment distribution of late gadolinium enhancement, native T1 and ECV, whereas the number of positive segments in PM patients was greater compared with that in DM patients. No significant differences in LV morphological and functional parameters were observed between patients in PM and DM groups, and most were in normal range. Conclusion CMR tissue characterization imaging could detect early myocardial involvement in PM and DM patients without overt LV dysfunction. Furthermore, characteristics of myocardial involvement were different between PM and DM patients with more serious myocardial involvement seen in PM patients.

Reflected wave increases after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in patients with aortic aneurysm. This affects the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and leads to a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between increased reflected wave amplitude and aortic diameter after EVAR. EVAR was performed in seven healthy goats. We assessed wave intensity (WI), aortic diameter, and stiffness parameter β. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between negative reflected wave (NW, reflected waves toward the heart from the periphery by WI) and other parameters after EVAR. Results showed an increase in stiffness parameter β (3.5 ± 0.3 vs 15.9 ± 4.7, p = 0.018) and a decrease in the change of aortic diameter (6.9 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.4%, p = 0.018) after EVAR. The NW was significantly amplified after EVAR from baseline (−589.8 ± 143.4 to − 1192.3 ± 303.7 mmHg-m/sec3, p = 0.043). The NW showed a significant correlation with maximum aortic diameter (R = 0.707, p = 0.038) and minimum aortic diameter (R = 0.724, p = 0.033). The reflected wave was enhanced after EVAR and was correlated to the aortic diameter at the stent-graft site. It is important to consider that patients with smaller aortic diameters in landing zone who undergo EVAR may develop LV dysfunction.

The superiority of surgical revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy is established beyond doubt, and off-pump CABG (OP-CABG) is a safe way of revascularization in this high-risk subset. Data on the effect of postoperative ventricular function and size on their midterm outcome is scarce.A retrospective study was done on 211 consecutive patients with severe LV dysfunction who underwent OP-CABG from January 2017 to December 2018. Data were collected from the institutional database. Their operative and midterm outcomes were statistically analyzed.The mean age of the cohort was 58.4 ± 8.3 years. An average number of grafts was 3.1 ± 0.8 (cumulative intended number of grafts-3). Operative mortality was 10.9%. Preoperative NYHA class (p .0001; OR, 19.72) and postoperative IABP insertion (p .008; OR, 88.75) were independent predictors of operative mortality. The mean follow-up period was 3.14 ± 0.07 years, was 97.4% complete with cardiac mortality of 5.8%. Postoperative LVEF (p = .002; OR, 0.868) and LV dimensions (systolediastole) (p = .013, OR = 1.182 and p = .036, OR = 1.184, respectively) were independent predictors of midterm mortality. Midterm major adverse cardiovascular event-free survival of operative survivors was 89%. There was no correlation between postoperative LV dimension and NYHA status(p .05). Myocardial viability was not associated with early (p = .17) or midterm mortality (p = .676).OP-CABG can achieve complete revascularization in patients with severe LV dysfunction with good midterm outcomes, albeit with high early operative mortality. Postoperative change in LV dimension and EF are predictors of midterm mortality.

Introduction: The “awakening” of a contractile myocardium after restoration of blood flow referred to as hibernating myocardium has generated considerable interest with regard to survival advantage following revascularization. Thus, before embarking on revascularization in patients with severe LV dysfunction, it is important to carefully assess presence and extent of viable myocardium.Material and Methods: This is prospective and descriptive study conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 1 year. The patients with coronary artery disease and severe LV dysfunction (with EF

International audience; Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential additional value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) dilatation and dysfunction by comparison to standard echocardiography in patients with chronic left-sided valvular regurgitation.Materials and methods: We prospectively enrolled patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) or aortic regurgitation (AR). They underwent standard echocardiography and CMR using aortic flow and LV-function sequences. LV dilatation or dysfunction was assessed with each technique, based on thresholds used for surgery indication. Reference regurgitation severity was defined following previously reported CMR-based regurgitant volume thresholds.Results: A total of 71 patients with chronic severe MR (n= 44) or severe AR (n= 27) were prospectively included. There were 60 men and 11 women with a mean age of 61 + 14 (SD) years (range: 18-83 years). CMR-based regurgitation severity was significantly greater in the LV dysfunction group when assessed with CMR (MR, P = 0.011; AR, P= 0.006) whereas it was not different when LV dysfunction was assessed using standard echocardiography. Among standard echocardiography and CMR volumetric indices, CMR-derived end-diastolic volume showed the best ability to predict regurgitation severity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.78 for MR; AUC = 0.91 for AR). Diagnostic thresholds identified on receiver operating characteristics-curve analysis were lower than those of current European recommendations and closer to North-American guidelines.Conclusion: CMR assessment of LV end-diastolic volume in chronic severe left-sided regurgitations is more reliably associated with CMR-based regurgitant volume by comparison with standard echocardiography diameter. CMR may provide useful evaluation before surgery decision for severe asymptomatic regurgitations. (C) 2020 Societe francaise de radiologie.

In heart failure (HF) management, noninvasive quantification of left ventricular (LV) function is rapidly evolving. Deformation parameters, such as strain, continue to challenge the central role of ejection fraction (EF) in diagnosis and prognostication of LV dysfunction in HF. The increasing recognition and use of deformation parameters motivates a conceptual discussion about what makes a parameter clinically valuable. To do this, we introduce a framework for parameter evaluation. The framework considers three aspects that are important for parameter value; 1) how these parameters couple with underlying myocardial function; 2) the evidence base of the parameters; and 3) the technical feasibility of their measurement. In particular, we emphasize that the coupling of each parameter to the underlying myocardial function (aspect 1) is crucial for parameter value. While EF offers information about cardiac dysfunction trough measuring changes in LV volume, deformation parameters more closely reflect underlying myocardial processes that contribute to cardiac pumping function. This is a fundamental advantage of deformation parameters that could explain why a growing number of studies supports their use. A close coupling to underlying function is, however, not sufficient for high clinical value by itself. A parameter also needs a strong evidence base (aspect 2) and a high degree of technical feasibility (aspect 3). By considering these three aspects, this review discusses the present and potential clinical value of EF and deformation parameters in HF management.

Left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction can occur after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure and data in adult Chinese patients are lacking.We examined adult Chinese patients who underwent successful transcatheter PDA closure at Zhongshan Hospital. Echocardiographic studies were performed before closure, before discharge, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after closure. A total of 430 patients were included between January 2010 and December 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD): Dilated LV Group:56 mm (n = 191) and Non-dilated LV Group: ≤56 mm (n = 239).LVEDD and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were significantly decreased immediately after closure. Reductions in LVEDD (-10.5% ± 7.1% vs. -4.6% ± 7.0%, P 0.001) and LVEF (-8.9% ± 12.6% vs. -2.1% ± 8.6%, P 0.001) were greater in the Dilated LV Group. LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD) remained unchanged compared to levels before closure (-4.0% ± 5.4%, P = 0.257; -2.6% ± 5.4%, P = 0.201). 48 patients in the Dilated LV Group (25.1%) and 7 patients in the Non-dilated LV Group (2.9%) developed late LV systolic dysfunction. In multivariable analysis, LVEF ≥60%, LVEDD63 mm, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP)29 mmHg were predictive of normal LV function after closure.Many adult Chinese patients developed early LV dysfunction after PDA closure and some patients developed late LV dysfunction. LVEF, LVEDD, and mPAP were identified as significant predictors of late LV systolic function.

Reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and recovery of LV function are associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. A growing body of evidence suggests that even among patients who experience a complete normalization of LV ejection fraction, a significant proportion will develop recurrent LV dysfunction accompanied by recurrent heart failure events. This has led to intense interest in understanding how to manage patients with heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF). Because of the lack of a standard definition for HFrecEF, and the paucity of clinical data with respect to the natural history of HFrecEF patients, there are no current guidelines on how these patients should be followed up and managed. Accordingly, this JACC Scientific Expert Panel reviews the biology of reverse LV remodeling and the clinical course of patients with HFrecEF, as well as provides guidelines for defining, diagnosing, and managing patients with HFrecEF.

Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a serious congenital malformation. Reports about asymptomatic, incidentally discovered ALCAPA in adults are scarce. We describe a patient with no known pre-existing cardiac condition admitted to our hospital with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and was incidentally found to have ALCAPA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of incidentally discovered ALCAPA in a COVID-19 patient and highlights the importance of appropriate investigation of the coronary status by Multidetector Cardiac Computed Tomographic Angiography (MDCCTA) in individuals with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction. The presentation of this case, discussion and literature review serves to iterate the necessity of appropriately investigating patients with asymptomatic LV dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the standard of reference for myocardial fibrosis detection by late gadolinium enhancement. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) is emerging as a promising alternative. The Evidence for a comPrehensive evaLUation of left ventRicle dysfnctIon By a whole-heart coverage cardiac compUted tomography Scanner study will assess the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of a comprehensive functional and anatomical cardiac evaluation with CCT as compared with CMR and invasive coronary angiography as standard of reference. METHODS: Consecutive patients with a newly diagnosed left ventricle (LV) dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction

In a previous cross-sectional screening study of 5,169 middle and high school students (mean age, 13.1 ± 1.78 yr) in which we estimated the prevalence of high-risk cardiovascular conditions associated with sudden cardiac death, we incidentally detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) 959 cases (18.6%) of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) that met the Petersen diagnostic criterion (noncompaction:compaction ratio >2.3). Short-axis CMR images were available for 511 of these cases (the Short-Axis Study Set). To determine how many of those cases were truly abnormal, we analyzed the short-axis images in terms of LV structural and functional variables and applied 3 published diagnostic criteria besides the Petersen criterion to our findings. The estimated prevalences were 17.5% based on trabeculated LV mass (Jacquier criterion), 7.4% based on trabeculated LV volume (Choi criterion), and 1.3% based on trabeculated LV mass and distribution (Grothoff criterion). Absent longitudinal clinical outcomes data or accepted diagnostic standards, our analysis of the screening data from the Short-Axis Study Set did not definitively differentiate normal from pathologic cases. However, it does suggest that many of the cases might be normal anatomic variants. It also suggests that cases marked by pathologically excessive LV trabeculation, even if asymptomatic, might involve unsustainable physiologic disadvantages that increase the risk of LV dysfunction, pathologic remodeling, arrhythmias, or mural thrombi. These disadvantages may escape detection, particularly in children developing from prepubescence through adolescence. Longitudinal follow-up of suspected LVNC cases to ascertain their natural history and clinical outcome is warranted.

Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) represents a unique diagnostic dilemma. Guidelines have been recently revised to reflect the established role of sophisticated imaging techniques. Trans-thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) is widely adopted for initial screening of CS. Contemporary TTE techniques could enhance detection of subclinical Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction, particularly LV global longitudinal strain assessment which predicts event-free survival (meta-analysis of 5 studies, hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.37, p < 0.0001). However, despite the wide availability of TTE, it has limited sensitivity and specificity for CS diagnosis. Cardiac Magnetic resonance Imaging (CMR) is a crucial diagnostic modality for suspected CS. Presence of late gadolinium enhancement signifies myocardial scar and enables risk stratification. Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) coupled with myocardial perfusion imaging can identify active CS and guide immunosuppressant therapy. Gallium scintigraphy may be considered although FDG-PET is often preferred. While CMR and FDG-PET provide complementary information in CS evaluation, current guidelines do not recommend which imaging modalities are essential in suspected CS and if so, which modality should be performed first. The utility of hybrid imaging combining both advanced imaging modalities in a single scan is currently being explored, although not yet widely available. In view of recent, significant advances in cardiac imaging techniques, this review aims to discuss changes in guidelines for CS diagnosis, the role of various cardiac imaging modalities and the future direction in CS.

We aimed to assess the change in global and regional myocardial function before and after surgical revascularization and their added value when compared with conventional measures in children with anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA).Advanced echocardiographic assessment was performed pre- and postoperatively in 22 children with ALCAPA (eight male; median surgery age, 0.4 years; interquartile range, 0.21-1.05) and 22 healthy controls. Measurements included global and segmental longitudinal, radial, and circumferential two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain and postsystolic index.Global strains were lower in preoperative patients than in controls (longitudinal: -9% vs -21%; P .001; circumferential: -11% vs -21%; P .001; radial: 18% vs 60%; P .001) and improved postoperatively when compared with preoperative findings (longitudinal: -9% pre vs -16% post; P = .002, circumferential:-11% pre vs -17% post; P = .012, radial: 18% pre vs 53% post; P = .001). Preoperatively, patients with normal global systolic function on conventional echocardiography had significantly impaired global longitudinal and radial strain compared with healthy controls. Global mechanical dyssynchrony improved significantly postoperatively (longitudinal postsystolic index 43 pre vs 6 post, P .001; circumferential 15 pre vs 2 post, P = .001; radial 48 pre vs 5 post, P = .003). Despite overall improvement in most segments, global longitudinal and circumferential and segmental peak strain in some of the segments supplied by the ALCAPA remained postoperatively abnormal.This study shows that myocardial deformation indices were a more sensitive measure of LV dysfunction in patients before and after ALCAPA repair than conventional echocardiographic measures. We believe, therefore, they should be added to routine preoperative and serial postoperative follow-up assessment.

Ideal heart performance demands vigorous systolic contractions and rapid diastolic relaxation. These sequential events are precisely timed and interdependent and require the rapid synchronous electrical stimulation provided by the His-Purkinje system. Right ventricular (RV) pacing creates slow asynchronous electrical stimulation that disrupts the timing of the cardiac cycle and results in left ventricular (LV) mechanical asynchrony. Long-term mechanical asynchrony produces LV dysfunction, remodeling, and clinical heart failure. His bundle pacing preserves synchronous electrical and mechanical LV function, prevents or reverses RV pacemaker-induced remodeling, and reduces heart failure.

This study examines the function of the right ventricle (RV) using two-dimensional (2D) strain analysis after aortic coarctation (CoA) repair, as well as relationships between potential RV strain abnormalities and patient characteristics. The study examined 39 patients (61% male, age 32 ± 16 years) with CoA repair (33 post end-to-end anastomosis/sub-clavian flap, 6 post stenting/bypass/Teflon patch) and 42 controls. The structure and function of the left ventricle (LV), left atrium (LA), and RV were assessed using 2D standard echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, and 2D strain imaging. The characteristics examined included global RV longitudinal strain (RV-GLS), global LV longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), and LA longitudinal strain (LA strain). RV dysfunction was defined by RV-GLS lower than the mean minus 2 standard deviations (SDs) of the control group value. LV mass and mitral E/Ea were significantly higher in the CoA group. Septal Ea, LV-GLS, and LA strain were significantly lower in the CoA group. RV dysfunction (RV-GLS > − 16%) was present in 10 (25.6%) CoA patients. RV-GLS was correlated with lateral Ea, LV-GLS, and LA strain (r = − 0.35, p = 0.02; r = − 0.54, p

Ischemic heart disease as a cause of heart failure is common in India, ranging from 48% to 71%. The pathoanatomic basis of LV dysfunction is not only due to infarcted myocardium, but also due to viable but dysfunctional myocardium (hibernating/stunned myocardium) and structural abnormalities (mitral regurgitation/ventricular septal defect aneurysm) consequent to obstructive coronary artery disease. Evaluation of dysfunctional but viable myocardium is a key determinant of recovery of LV function, and magnitude of recovery is proportional to the amount of dysfunctional viable myocardium which if more than 25% LV (4 segments out of 17 segments model) results in improvement in function and size (reverse remodeling). Most of the data regarding therapy come from observational, registry data showing better outcomes with coronary artery bypass graft than percutaneous coronary intervention and medical therapy. The need for more multicentric, randomized controlled trials regarding recovery of LV function by various therapies is more than ever now.

Objective The aim of the publication was to review available data on epidemiology, pathophysiological and clinical aspects of HFmrEF as a specific HF pattern. Patients and methods Materials and methods: We carried out the analysis of the publications that appeared during last decade, related to the different aspects of HFmrEF. The literature search was conducted by use of Google Web Search and PubMed search engines by the following key words: heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, mid-range, as well as their combinations. Conclusion Conclusions: Patients with specific HF pattern «HFmrEF» demonstrate multidirectional dynamic of systolic heart function with the possibility of transition to the category of reduced or preserved LVEF. Such patients need to be evaluated individually. Their management is based on neurohumoral modulators in order to prevent further LV dysfunction progression and repeated decompensation of HF.

Patients with severe aortic stenosis are classified according to flow-gradient patterns. We investigated whether left ventricular (LV) mechanical dispersion, a marker of dyssynchrony and predictor of mortality, is associated with low-flow status in aortic stenosis. 316 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis and QRS duration 2) were classified as normal-flow (NF; stroke volume index > 35 ml/m2) high-gradient (HG; mean transvalvular gradient ≥ 40 mmHg) (n = 79), NF low-gradient (LG) (n = 62), low-flow (LF) LG ejection fraction (EF) ≥ 50% (n = 57), and LF LG EF 2; n = 95) served as comparison group. Mechanical dispersion (calculated as standard deviation of time from Q/S onset on electrocardiogram to peak longitudinal strain in 17 left ventricular segments) was similar in patients with NF HG (49.4 ± 14.7 ms), NF LG (43.5 ± 12.9 ms), LF LG EF ≥ 50% (47.2 ± 16.3 ms) and moderate aortic stenosis (44.2 ± 15.7 ms). In patients with LF LG EF

Introduction Right ventricular pacing is associated with pacemaker induced cardiomyopathy and lesser degrees of pacing-induced LV dysfunction (PIVD) manifested by a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Our objective was to determine whether apical 4 chamber strain (A4C) by echocardiography can identify patients at risk of PIVD before LVEF declines. Methods and results A retrospective chart review of patients (0-21 years) who had a pacemaker with a ventricular lead placed between 2011 and 2017 was performed. Patients were divided into group A (LVEF 10% decline in LVEF within 12 months of pacemaker placement) and group B. Data have collected before and 1 and 12 months postpacemaker implantation. There were 30 patients in the group A and 60 in group B. At 1 and 12 months postpacemaker implantation, the LVEF was significantly lower while the A4C and QRS duration on electrocardiogram were significantly higher in the group A. While the LVEF and A4C became markedly abnormal in group A as early as 1 month, the A4C did not seem to demonstrate such marked abnormalities in group B. However, a sub-analysis of patients in the group A with preserved LVEF at 1 month demonstrated significant worsening in their A4C at that time. Conclusion Myocardial deformation imaging may be a clinically useful tool for the prediction of a decline in LV systolic function following pacemaker implantation. Abnormalities in A4C seem to appear before LVEF decline and as soon as 1-month postpacemaker implantation.

Deep learning models can be applied to electrocardiograms (ECGs) to detect left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. We hypothesized that applying a deep learning model may improve the diagnostic accuracy of cardiologists in predicting LV dysfunction from ECGs. We acquired 37,103 paired ECG and echocardiography data records of patients who underwent echocardiography between January 2015 and December 2019. We trained a convolutional neural network to identify the data records of patients with LV dysfunction (ejection fraction < 40%) using a dataset of 23,801 ECGs. When tested on an independent set of 7,196 ECGs, we found the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.945 (95% confidence interval: 0.936-0.954). When 7 cardiologists interpreted 50 randomly selected ECGs from the test dataset of 7,196 ECGs, their accuracy for predicting LV dysfunction was 78.0% ± 6.0%. By referring to the model's output, the cardiologist accuracy improved to 88.0% ± 3.7%, which indicates that model support significantly improved the cardiologist diagnostic accuracy (P = 0.02). A sensitivity map demonstrated that the model focused on the QRS complex when detecting LV dysfunction on ECGs. We developed a deep learning model that can detect LV dysfunction on ECGs with high accuracy. Furthermore, we demonstrated that support from a deep learning model can help cardiologists to identify LV dysfunction on ECGs.

Background- Regular blood transfusions used for long term survival in ß-thalassemia major patients cause a secondary state of tissue iron overload. Myocardial iron deposition can result in cardiomyopathy, and heart failure remains the leading cause of death. This study was planned to see the Right Ventricle (RV) and Left Ventricle(LV)dysfunction in beta thalassemia transfused patients. Method- Patients of ß thalassemia major above 2 years of age received regular blood transfusions at least for 1 year duration, attending OPD in the Department of Pediatrics, S P Medical College, Bikaner were included.Echo was correlated with serum ferritin Level(SFL). Results- Tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) parameters of 50 patients at mitral annulus e.g. Em septal, Em Lateral, Am septal, Am lateral, Sm Septal and Sm Lateral were abnormal(2SD)in 70% & 0%, 50% & 4%, 10% & 46%, 34% & 24%, 40% & 22% and 60% & 10% patients respectively.TDI parameters at tricuspid valvee.g. Et, At and St were abnormal(5000, was non significant(p>0.05). Conclusion- TDI is superior to conventional echocardiography in giving an early evidence of diastolic myocardial dysfunction in asymtopmatic and normal LV function patients.TDI can be applied as an integrated part of assessment of children & adolescents with ß-thalassemia. Septal Sm, Em & lateral Em, Sm, Am and RV Et, At, St were reduced early in majority of patients. Our study showed early involvement of septum and RV in thalassemic patients. Key Words: ß-thalassemia major ;Right Ventricle (RV) and Left Ventricle ( LV) dysfunction; Echocardiogram ;Tissue Doppler Imaging

Doxorubicin (DOX, an anthracycline) is a widely used chemotherapy agent against various forms of cancer; however, it is also known to induce dose-dependent cardiotoxicity leading to adverse complications. Investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms and strategies to limit DOX-induced cardiotoxicity might have potential clinical implications. Our previous study has shown that expression of microRNA-377 (miR-377) increases in cardiomyocytes (CMs) after cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice, but its specific role in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity has not been elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of anti-miR-377 on DOX-induced cardiac cell death, remodeling, and dysfunction. We evaluated the role of miR-377 in CM apoptosis, its target analysis by RNA sequencing, and we tested the effect of AAV9-anti-miR-377 on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and mortality. DOX administration in mice increases miR-377 expression in the myocardium. miR-377 inhibition in cardiomyocyte cell line protects against DOX-induced cell death and oxidative stress. Furthermore, RNA sequencing and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed alterations in a number of cell death/survival genes. Intriguingly, we observed accelerated mortality and enhanced myocardial remodeling in the mice pretreated with AAV9-anti-miR-377 followed by DOX administration as compared to the AAV9-scrambled-control-pretreated mice. Taken together, our data suggest that in vitro miR-377 inhibition protects against DOX-induced cardiomyocyte cell death. On the contrary, in vivo administration of AAV9-anti-miR-377 increases mortality in DOX-treated mice.

Background COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2. Objective To study the demographic and clinical presentations of COVID-19 with their types including MIS-C and Kawasaki among children who were admitted to Doctor Jamal Ahmad Rashid Pediatric Teaching Hospital (DJARPTH) at Sulaimaniyah city, Iraq. Patients and methods A prospective cohort study was conducted from June to December 2020 in which 50 cases suspected of COVID-19 were enrolled in the study that was admitted at the first visit to the emergency department of DJARPTH and their age ranged between 3 months to 14 years. Then, the collected data were divided into 3 groups: COVID-19, Kawasaki disease (KD), and MIS-C. Results The fever was the most common presented symptom in all cases with COVID-19 regardless of the severity. COVID-19 may be presented as KD as well as MIS-C. There is an increase in the number of Kawasaki cases since 2019 by 6.7 fold due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in children. Death was more related to MIS-C and primary COVID-19 diseases. Most COVID-19 cases presented with pericardial effusion; although coronary involvement and LV dysfunction mostly seen with MIS-C cases. Conclusion COVID-19 is not uncommon in pediatric patients and it presents as either primary, MIS-C, and KD. Most of the deaths and ICU outcomes were related to MIS-C presentations.

Double chambered left ventricle is an exceedingly rare congenital anomaly. We report a case diagnosed prenatally at 24 weeks of gestation and its postnatal evolution to left ventricular dysfunction.

Introduction Estimation of left ventricular systolic function (LVEF) commonly underpins clinical decision making in Cardiology. TTE has previously been demonstrated to underestimate LVEF compared with CMR. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust (STH) recently upgraded to the latest generation of TTE scanners (GE E95) and CMR scanner (Siemens Magnetom Aera 1.5T). This service evaluation investigated correlation and bias between TTE and CMR LVEF reporting at our institution. Methods Consecutive TTE studies at STH from April-October 2018 were cross-referenced, identifying patients who had also undergone CMR during this period. All patients – in and outpatients - with both TTE and CMR within 30 days were included. Patients with missing data, reversible aetiology or poor endocardial definition were excluded. The determination of LV function by echo was made using Simpson’s biplane where endocardial definition was sufficient. If not, it was determined by visual assessment and a 5% range quoted. A second opinion was sought if LV function was assessed as 55% for normal. Results 12301 TTE and 398 CMR scans were performed in the study period. 120 patients met inclusion criteria with TTE and CMR within 30 days. Reasons for exclusion included missing data (n=2), reversible cause for LV dysfunction (n=1) and poor endocardial definition (n=4) leaving a study population of 113 patients. LVEF by TTE and CMR (figure 1) were strongly correlated (R=0.85, p Conclusion These results show good correlation of LVEF by TTE and CMR with the latest generation of scanners with a signal of systematic bias where CMR LVEF reads 4.4% higher than TTE. These results are used locally to guide clinical decision making and form part of on-going quality assurance processes. Further work to improve agreement between modalities is required. Conflict of Interest None

Aortic stenosis (AS) is characterized by gradual thickening, fibrosis, and calcification leading to reduced opening of aortic valve leaflets. Aortic valve narrowing increases the afterload on left ventricle (LV), which consequently leads to hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis which over a period of time leads to diastolic dysfunction. LV diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of heart failure rehospitalization and mortality in post-aortic valve replacement patients. Chronic pressure overload leads to development of systolic dysfunction due to afterload mismatch. Patients with severe symptomatic AS and depressed LV function without significant myocardial scarring will derive maximum benefit after percutaneous valve replacement and thus show immediate improvement after reduction of LV afterload. We report two such cases which had good LV function recovery immediately after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

The accurate evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function has been central to monitoring of therapy, institution of specific therapeutic interventions and as a prognostic marker for risk stratification in a variety of cardiovascular conditions. However, LV ejection fraction, the most commonly used measure of LV systolic function, is a 'coarse' measure of global LV function, with several limitations. Strain analysis, a measure of myocardial deformation, has come to the forefront more recently as a more sensitive measure of myocardial function than LV ejection fraction. Its utility in detection of early subclinical LV dysfunction, defining regional variation in specific cardiomyopathies, utility to monitor improvement with therapy and as a prognostic marker in a variety of cardiac conditions has led to its increasing use in clinical practice. This review will briefly summarise specific methodological aspects, use in diagnosis and prognostic utility of strain analysis in various cardiovascular conditions.

Background: To study myocardial performance index in prediabetes in medical staff. To correlate MPI with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: After subject selection, informed consent was taken from the cases and controls. Detailed history was taken and physical examination was done which included weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and blood pressure measurement. After physical examination, biochemistry measurements including fasting blood sugar (FBS), post-meal blood sugar (PMBS), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were done. Myocardial performance index (MPI) was calculated by 2D-ECHO. Results: BMI, male WHR, serum cholesterol, TG, LDL and MPI was significantly higher in cases (prediabetics) as compared to controls while serum HDL was lower in cases as compared to controls, which was non-significant. Out of 50 prediabetics, 32 (64%) had abnormal MPI with p=0.0001. There was no correlation of MPI with cardiovascular risk factors like BMI, WHR and fasting lipid profile. Conclusion: BMI, male WHR, serum cholesterol, TG, LDL and MPI was significantly higher in cases as compared to controls. However, there was no significant correlation between MPI and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare two advanced methods of evaluation of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD), the speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and the three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). Methods: One hundred thirty-six subjects, with or without LV dysfunction and with or without bundle branch block (BBB), were included in this study, designed to investigate agreement between magnitude and spatial pattern of LVMD as assessed by 3DE and STE. The frequency and severity of LVMD and localization of most asynchronous segments were compared. Results: Both 3DE and STE revealed progressive rise in frequency and magnitude of LVMD with increasing disease severity. Dyssynchrony was dependent on left ventricle ejection fraction rather than the QRS duration. The frequency and magnitude of dyssynchrony were maximum in patients having LV dysfunction with left BBB. Compared with STE, 3DE diagnosed LVMD more frequently in patients having LV dysfunction with narrow QRS (17.6% vs 60.3%, respectively; P

INTRODUCTION: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and myocardial perfusion scan are the commonly used modalities to detect viable myocardium. DSE is comparatively cheaper and widely available but has a lower sensitivity. AIM: We aimed to compare contrast-enhanced low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (LDDE) and gated 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion scan (MPS) for the degree of agreement in the detection of myocardial viability. METHODS: We studied 850 left ventricular segments from 50 patients (42 men, mean age 55.5 years), with coronary artery disease and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction < 40%), using contrast-enhanced LDDE and 99mTc-Sestamibi gated SPECT. Segments were assessed for the presence of viability by both techniques and head to head comparisons were made. RESULTS: Adequate visualisation increased from 80% in unenhanced segments to 96% in contrast-enhanced segments. Of the total 850 segments studied, 290 segments (34.1%) had abnormal contraction (dysfunctional). Among these, 138 were hypokinetic (16.2% of total), 144 were severely hypokinetic or akinetic (16.9% of total), and 8 segments were dyskinetic or aneurismal (0.9% of total). Among 151 segments considered viable by technetium, 137 (90.7%) showed contractile improvement with dobutamine; in contrast, only 8 of the 139 segments (5.7%) considered nonviable by technetium had a positive dobutamine response. The per cent of agreement between technetium uptake and a positive response to dobutamine was 78.6% with kappa = 0.63, suggestive of a substantial degree of agreement between the two modalities. CONCLUSION: Use of contrast-enhanced LDDE significantly increased the adequate endocardial border visualisation. Furthermore, this study showed a strong degree of agreement between the modalities in the detection of viable segments. So, contrast-enhanced LDDE appears to be a safe and comparable alternative to MPS in myocardial viability assessment.

Objectives This study hypothesized that compensatory mitral leaflet area (MLA) adaptation occurs in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) without left ventricular (LV) dysfunction but has limitations that augment mitral regurgitation (MR). The study also explored whether asymmetrical annular dilation is matched by relative leaflet enlargement. Background Functional MR occurs in patients with AF and isolated annular dilation, but the relationship of MLA adaptation with annular area (AA) is unknown. Methods Three-dimensional echocardiographic images were acquired from 86 patients with quantified MR: 53 with nonvalvular persistent AF (23 MR+ with moderate or greater MR, 30 MR−) without LV dysfunction or dilation and 33 normal controls. Comprehensive 3-dimensional analysis included total diastolic MLA, adaptation ratios of MLA to annular area and MLA to leaflet closure area, and annular and tenting geometry. Results Total MLA was 22% larger in patients with AF than in controls, thus paralleling the increased AA. However, as AA increased, adaptive indices (MLA/AA ratio and ratio of MLA to closure area) plateaued, becoming lowest in MR+ patients (ratio of MLA to closure area = 1.63 ± 0.17 controls, 1.60 ± 0.11 MR−, 1.32 ± 0.10 MR+; p Conclusions MLA adaptively increases in AF with isolated annular dilation and normal LV function. This compensatory enlargement becomes insufficient with greater annular dilation, and the leaflets fail to match asymmetrical annular remodeling, thereby increasing MR. These findings can potentially help optimize therapeutic options and motivate basic studies of adaptive growth processes.

BACKGROUND: Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) detects viable cardiomyocytes based on the intracellular manganese uptake via L-type calcium-channels. This study aimed to quantify myocardial viability based on manganese uptake by viable myocardium in the infarct core (IC), peri-infarct region (PIR) and remote myocardium (RM) using T1 mapping before and after MEMRI and assess their association with cardiac function and arrhythmogenesis. METHODS: Fifteen female swine had a 60-minute balloon ischemia-reperfusion injury in the LAD. MRI (Signa 3T, GE Healthcare) and electrophysiological study (EPS) were performed 4 weeks later. MEMRI and delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI (DEMRI) were acquired on LV short axis. The DEMRI positive total infarct area was subdivided into the regions of MEMRI-negative non-viable IC and MEMRI-positive viable PIR. T1 mapping was performed to evaluate native T1, post-MEMRI T1, and delta R1 (R1(post)-R1(pre), where R1 equals 1/T1) of each territory. Their correlation with LV function and EPS data was assessed. RESULTS: PIR was characterized by intermediate native T1 (1530.5±75.2ms) compared to IC (1634.7±88.4ms, p=0.001) and RM (1406.4±37.9ms, p

Echocardiography is the most commonly applied technique for non-invasive assessment of cardiac function in small animals. Manual tracing of endocardial borders is time consuming and varies with operator experience. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a novel automated two-dimensional software algorithm (Auto2DE) for small animals and compare it to the standard use of manual 2D-echocardiographic assessment (2DE). We hypothesized that novel Auto2DE will provide rapid and robust data sets, which are in agreement with manually assessed data of animals. 2DE and Auto2DE were carried out using a high-resolution imaging-system for small animals. First, validation cohorts of mouse and rat cine loops were used to compare Auto2DE against 2DE. These data were stratified for image quality by a blinded expert in small animal imaging. Second, we evaluated 2DE and Auto2DE in four mouse models and four rat models with different cardiac pathologies. Automated assessment of LV function by 2DE was faster than conventional 2DE analysis and independent of operator experience levels. The accuracy of Auto2DE-assessed data in healthy mice was dependent on cine loop quality, with excellent agreement between Auto2DE and 2DE in cine loops with adequate quality. Auto2DE allowed for valid detection of impaired cardiac function in animal models with pronounced cardiac phenotypes, but yielded poor performance in diabetic animal models independent of image quality. Auto2DE represents a novel automated analysis tool for rapid assessment of LV function, which is suitable for data acquisition in studies with good and very good echocardiographic image quality, but presents systematic problems in specific pathologies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12947-019-0156-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.