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OBJECTIVES Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a cardiopulmonary disease that affects the pulmonary vasculature, leading to increased afterload and eventually right ventricular (RV) remodelling and failure. Bilateral sympathectomy (BS) has shown promising results in dampening cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in several heart failure models. In the present study, we investigated whether BS reduces pulmonary arterial remodelling and mitigates RV remodelling and failure. METHODS PAH was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline. Rats were divided into 3 groups, involving untreated PAH (n = 15), BS-treated PAH (n = 13) and non-manipulated control rats (n = 13). Three weeks after PAH induction, the rats were anaesthetized and RV function was assessed via the pressure-volume loop catheter approach. Upon completion of the experiment, the lungs and heart were harvested for further analyses. RESULTS BS was found to prevent pulmonary artery remodelling, with a clear reduction in α-smooth muscle actin and endothelin-1 expression. RV end-systolic pressure was reduced in the BS group, and preload recruitable stroke work was preserved. BS, therefore, mitigated RV remodelling and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and diminished oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS We showed that thoracic BS may be an important treatment option for PAH patients. Blockade of the sympathetic pathway can prevent pulmonary remodelling and protect the RV from oxidative stress, myocardial remodelling and function decay.

Aims To investigate contraction patterns of the systemic right ventricle (SRV) in patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) post-atrial switch operation and with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (ccTGA). Methods and results Right ventricular (RV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) were measured by three-dimensional echocardiography in 38 patients with the SRV (24 TGA and 14 ccTGA; mean age 45 ± 12 years, 63% male), and in 38 healthy volunteers. The RV contraction was decomposed along the longitudinal, radial, and anteroposterior directions providing longitudinal, radial, and anteroposterior EF (LEF, REF, and AEF, respectively) and their contributions to total right ventricular ejection fraction (LEFi, REFi, and AEFi, respectvely). SRV was significantly larger with lower systolic function compared with healthy controls. SRV EF and four-chamber longitudinal strain strongly correlated with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level (Rho −0.73, P < 0.0001 and 0.70, P < 0.0001, respectively). In patients with TGA, anteroposterior component was significantly higher than longitudinal and radial components (AEF 17 ± 4.5% vs. REF 13 ± 4.9% vs. LEF 10 ± 3.3%, P < 0.0001; AEFi 0.48 ± 0.09 vs. REFi 0.38 ± 0.1 vs. LEFi 0.29 ± 0.08, P < 0.0001). In patients with ccTGA, there was no significant difference between three SRV components. AEFi was significantly higher in TGA subgroup compared with ccTGA (0.48 ± 0.09 vs. 0.36 ± 0.08, P = 0.0002). Conclusion Contraction patterns of the SRV are different in TGA and ccTGA. Anteroposterior component is dominant in TGA providing compensation for impaired longitudinal and radial components, while in ccTGA all components contribute equally to the total EF. SRV EF and longitudinal strain demonstrate strong correlation with BNP level and should be a part of routine echocardiographic assessment of the SRV.

The aetiology of heart failure may have different effects on right ventricular (RV) function, pulmonary pressures and RV afterload. Pulmonary arterial capacitance (PAC) and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) are novel haemodynamic indices used in determining RV afterload and RV function, respectively. We aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in PAC and PAPi between ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) and non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP) in patients with end-stage heart failure.A total of 215 subjects undergoing evaluation for heart transplantation or left ventricular (LV) assist device were classified into two groups: ICMP (ICMP was associated with lower PAC and higher PAPi. These results indicated that an ischaemic aetiology is associated with higher RV afterload and better RV function in the end-stage heart failure.

This position paper provides a comprehensive guide for optimal follow-up of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), covering multiple relevant aspects of patient counselling. It serves as a practical guide to treating patients with acute PE complementary to the formal 2019 European Society of Cardiology guidelines developed with the European Respiratory Society. We propose a holistic approach considering the whole spectrum of serious adverse events that patients with acute PE may encounter on the short and long run. We underline the relevance of assessment of modifiable risk factors for bleeding, of acquired thrombophilia and limited cancer screening (unprovoked PE) as well as a dedicated surveillance for the potential development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension as part of routine practice; routine testing for genetic thrombophilia should be avoided. We advocate the use of outcome measures for functional outcome and quality of life to quantify the impact of the PE diagnosis and identify patients with the post-PE syndrome early. Counselling patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle mitigates the risk of the post-PE syndrome and improves cardiovascular prognosis. Therefore, we consider it important to discuss when and how to resume sporting activities soon after diagnosing PE. Additional patient-relevant topics that require Focused counselling are travel and birth control., Graphical Abstract Graphical AbstractOverview of main conclusions of the position paper. APS, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; aPTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; CTEPH, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; PE, pulmonary embolism.

Objectives To assess the impact of pregnancy on cardiac function and fibrosis by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (rToF). Background CMR T1 mapping can assess diffuse myocardial fibrosis which is associated to adverse clinical outcomes. Right ventricular (RV) accelerated remodeling is reported in rToF women with experienced pregnancy. Methods We included rToF women from the national registry of congenital heart disease to perform CMR, assessing functional data, T1 mapping/ extracellular volume fraction (ECV). The results including clinical data were compared between women with experienced pregnancy vs non-experienced pregnancy and healthy individuals. Results Fifty rToF women performed CMR, median age 36 (range 21–67) years. Fifteen were nulliparous. T1 mapping was compared to 30 controls, (14 women) median age 42 (24–64) years. In the left ventricle (LV), T1 times and ECV in all rToF women vs female controls were 1248 ± 61 ms/ 25.8 ± 2.9% vs 1255 ± 40 ms/ 26.8 ± 3.1%, p = 0.7 and p = 0.3, respectively. In rToF, RV T1 times was 1385 ± 124 ms and ECV 37.7 ± 5.4%. There was no association to parity or age in rToF LV T1/ ECV, p = 0.9 for both, or RV T1/ECV, p = 0.4 and p = 0.6, respectively. Indexed LV mass was higher in the rToF pregnancy group, 43 ± 10 vs 38 ± 6 g/m2, p = 0.03 while RV ejection fraction was lower, 49 ± 7% vs 53 ± 6%, p = 0.04. Conclusion Women with rTOF showed evidence of increased RV CMR markers suggestive of diffuse fibrosis while LV CMR markers were within normal values. Having experienced pregnancy might affect RV function, however without association to CMR biomarkers.

BACKGROUND End-diastolic opening of the pulmonary valve and subsequent antegrade diastolic pulmonary artery flow (ADPAF) reflect restrictive right ventricular (RV) physiology in children. However, this has attracted little attention in adults. PURPOSE To clarify the clinical implications of ADPAF in adults. METHODS AND RESULTS The study population consisted of 23,049 consecutive adult patients who underwent echocardiography in our hospital between 2008 and 2015. ADPAF was found in 17 patients (0.07%). The simultaneous recording of RV and pulmonary artery pressures revealed marked elevation of RV diastolic pressure, which exceeded pulmonary artery pressure at the time of atrial contraction. These results suggested that ADPAF implies RV restriction. Based on the level of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), we classified these patients into two groups: reduced RV function (R-RVF) group (12 patients with TAPSE

Levosimendan exerts positive inotropic and vasodilatory effects. Currently, its effects on right heart function remain uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis is intended to illustrate the impacts of levosimendan on systolic function of the right heart in patients with heart dysfunction. We systematically searched electronic databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science) up to November 30, 2020, and filtered eligible studies that reported the impacts of levosimendan on right heart function. Of these, only studies whose patients suffered from heart dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension were included. Additionally, patients were divided into two groups (given levosimendan or not) in the initial research. Then, RevMan5.3 was used to conduct further analysis. A total of 8 studies comprising 390 patients were included. The results showed that after 24 h of levosimendan, patients’ right ventricular fractional area change [3.17, 95% CI (2.03, 4.32), P

BACKGROUND Normal right ventricular (RV) function has been traditionally assessed from the apical window. However, in several patients the subcostal window is the only available acoustic. METHODS Given the intricate functional and mechanical inter-dependence between longitudinal tricuspid annular (TA) displacement and RV free wall contractility (RVFW), we studied the utility of RVFW inward motion using both M-mode and velocity with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) from the subcostal transthoracic view. RESULTS If a TAPSE value ≥ 2 cm is used to identify normal RV function, an RVFW M-mode value > .8 cm, TA TDI s' velocity > .06 cm/s and TA TDI e' velocity value > .05 cm/s identify normal RV systolic function. Furthermore, ROC curve analysis for the RVFW M-mode showed an area under the curve (AUC) of .753 (95% CI: .604-.868) with a cut-off value > .8, sensitivity 75% and specificity 73%; for TA TDI s' AUC at .822 (95% CI: .681-.919) with a cut-off value > .06, sensitivity 75% and specificity 77% and for TA TDI e' the AUC was .771 (95% CI: .624-.882) with a cut-off value > .05, sensitivity 90% and specificity 46%. Reproducibility of repeat RVFW M-mode, TDI s' and e' measurements was good with strong inter-rater agreement (Kappa > .8). CONCLUSIONS The subcostal window appears useful for assessing RV systolic function. Additional studies are now required to prospectively use these measures in the routine evaluation of RV systolic function particularly in patients with suboptimal apical windows.

There has been ample data providing a convincing perception about the underlying mechanism pertaining to left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy progressing towards LV failure. In comparison, data available on the feedback of right ventricle (RV) due to volume or pressure overload is minimal. Advanced imaging techniques have aided the study of physiology, anatomy, and diseased state of RV. However, the treatment scenario of right ventricular failure (RVF) demands more attention. It is a critical clinical risk in patients with carcinoid syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, atrial septal defect, and several other concomitant diseases. Although the remodeling responses of both ventricles on an increase of end-diastolic pressure are mostly identical, the stressed RV becomes more prone to oxidative stress activating the apoptotic mechanism with diminished angiogenesis. This instigates the advancement of RV towards failure in contrast to LV. Empirical heart failure (HF) therapies have been ineffective in improving the mortality rate and cardiac function in patients, which prompted a difference between the underlying pathophysiology of RVF and LV failure. Treatment strategies should be devised, taking into consideration the anatomical and physiological characteristics of RV. This review would emphasize on the pathophysiology of the RVF and the differences between two ventricles in molecular response to stress. A proper insight into the underlying pathophysiology is required to develop optimized therapeutic management in RV-specific HF.

Objectives. Galectin-3 (gal-3) is a mediator of extracellular matrix metabolism and reflects an ongoing cardiac fibrotic process. The aim of this study was to determine the potential use of gal-3 in evaluating the structural and functional parameters of the right ventricle as determined by echocardiography. Design. Ninety-one patients undergoing routine echocardiography were prospectively enrolled in this monocentric study. Serum samples for gal-3 and aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were collected within 24 h of echocardiographic examination. Patients were arbitrarily divided into subgroups based on right ventricular function as measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and these included TAPSE >24 mm (n = 23); TAPSE 18-24 mm (n = 55); TAPSE ≤17 mm (n = 13); permitting the detailed statistical analysis of derived data. Results. Serum levels of gal-3 in all patients correlated with age (r = 0.36. p

BACKGROUND Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) is a curative procedure for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Right ventricular free wall strain (RV FWS) and right atrial strain (RAS) are not well studied in a CTEPH population. We sought to determine temporal trends in RAS and RV FWS in patients post-PTE. METHODS 28 patients undergoing PTE for CTEPH were prospectively enrolled in a surgical database. Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment of the right heart was performed including RV FWS, right atrial volume, and the three components of RAS: reservoir, conduit, and booster strain. RESULTS Patients undergoing PTE demonstrated improvement in NYHA functional class (P

Myocardial function and exercise reserve are important determinants of outcome in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) but are incompletely understood. For this study, we performed subject-specific computer simulations, based on invasive measurements and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), to investigate whole circulation properties in PAH at rest and exercise and determinants of exercise reserve. CMR and right heart catheterization were performed in nine patients with idiopathic PAH, and CMR in 10 healthy controls. CMR during exercise was performed in seven patients with PAH. A full-circulation computer model was developed, and model parameters were optimized at the individual level. Patient-specific simulations were used to analyze the effect of right ventricular (RV) inotropic reserve on exercise performance. Simulations achieved a high consistency with observed data. RV contractile force was increased in patients with PAH (127.1 ± 28.7 kPa vs. 70.5 ± 14.5 kPa

Long-term sports training leads to myocardial adaptations, with remodelling of the heart chambers. However, while myocardial adaptations of the left heart are well described, remodelling of the right heart and its impact on the development of arrhythmias is still debated. To conduct a systematic review on right ventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA) structural and functional changes in athletes who participate in long-term endurance training. Systematic review. A systematic literature search was conducted. All the articles reporting right heart echocardiographic (ECHO) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters evaluated in endurance athletes and sedentary subjects were considered eligible. A multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate whether age, sex, body surface area (BSA), intensity of training are associated with RV ECHO, CMR parameters and RA ECHO parameters. A positive association between age and right atrium area (RAA) (P = 0.01) was found. This is a negative association to RV E/A (P = 0.004), and RV end diastolic diameter (RVED) longitudinal (P = 0.01). A positive association between BSA and RVED middle (P = 0.001), as well between BSA and RAA (P = 0.05) was found, along with a negative association with RV E/A (P = 0.002). A positive association between intensity of training and RV end systolic area (RVESA) (P = 0.03), RV end diastolic volume indexed (RVEDVI) (P = 0.01), RV end systolic volume indexed (RVESVI) (P = 0.01) was found, along with a negative association with ejection fraction (EF %) (P = 0.01). Endurance athletes demonstrated an association between RV remodelling and age, BSA and intensity of training.

In women with mitral stenosis (MS), mitral valve gradients and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) can increase in response to the physiologic stress of pregnancy. The prognostic significance of these echocardiographic changes has not been well studied. Pregnancy outcomes and serial echocardiograms were collected in women with MS prospectively recruited as part of a larger study on pregnancy outcomes. Third trimester echocardiograms were compared with baseline echocardiograms. Changes in mitral valve area (MVA), transmitral mean gradient (MG), and RVSP during pregnancy and their relationship to adverse cardiac events (CE) were examined. Fifty-six pregnancies in 47 women with MS were included. The MVA did not change during pregnancy (1.6 ± 0.6 cm2 at baseline vs 1.7 ± 0.6 cm2 in the third trimester, p = 0.46). There was an increase in the MG (8 ± 3 vs 11 ± 6 mm Hg, p 10 mm Hg, baseline RVSP >40 mm Hg, third-trimester MG>10 mm Hg, and RVSP >40 mm Hg. Women with mitral valve MG ≤10 mm Hg who had a normal RVSP at baseline and in the third trimester were at lowest risk for CE (11%) with a negative predictive value of 89%. In conclusion, baseline echocardiographic assessment of MS severity as well as changing echocardiographic parameters during pregnancy can help identify women at risk for cardiac complications during pregnancy.

In this work, we demonstrate that t-tubule remodeling occurs in the atrophied left ventricle as well as the overloaded right ventricle after right-side heart failure. Moreover, we identify that t-tubule remodeling in both ventricles is linked to sarcoplasmic reticulum remodeling as indicated by decreased labeling periodicity of both the Ca2+ release channel, RyR2, and the cardiac junction-forming protein, JPH2, that forms a link between the sarcoplasmic reticulum and sarcolemma. Studies developing treatments for right-sided heart failure should consider effects on both the right and left ventricle.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by vascular remodeling. Exploring new therapy target is urgent. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether and how spliced x-box binding protein 1 (xbp1s), a key component of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), contributes to the pathogenesis of PH. Forty male SD rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Control, Monocrotaline (MCT), MCT+AAV-CTL (control), and MCT+AAV-xbp1s. The xbp1s protein levels were found to be elevated in lung tissues of the MCT group. Intratracheal injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 1 carrying xbp1s shRNA (AAV-xbp1s) to knock down the expression of xbp1s effectively ameliorated the MCT-induced elevation of right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), total pulmonary resistance (TPR), right ventricular hypertrophy and medial wall thickness of muscularized distal pulmonary arterioles. The abnormally increased positive staining rates of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki67 and decreased positive staining rates of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) in pulmonary arterioles were also reversed in the MCT+AAV-xbp1s group. For mechanistic exploration, bioinformatics prediction of the protein network was performed on the STRING database, and further verification was performed by qRT-PCR, Western blots and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (Ddit3) was identified as a downstream protein that interacted with xbp1s. Overexpression of Ddit3 restored the decreased proliferation, migration and cell viability caused by silencing of xbp1s. The protein level of Ddit3 was also highly consistent with xbp1s in the animal model. Taken together, our study demonstrated that xbp1s-Ddit3 may be a potential target to interfere with vascular remodeling in PH.

Purpose While most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases are mild, the risk of heart dysfunction remains unknown. The objective of this observational study was to assess the impact of mild COVID-19 on heart function in a short-term follow-up using advanced echocardiography. Methods Our study cohort comprised patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was used to assess heart chambers function in the 31 recovered COVID-19 patients, and the results were compared with those of the control group (28 healthy participants). Results Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic function was assessed using standard and STE methods and was found to be normal and comparable in both groups (LV ejection fraction [p = 0.075], LV global longitudinal strain [p = 0.123], LV global radial strain [p = 0.630], LV global circumferential strain [p = 0.069], tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [p = 0.417], tricuspid S' peak systolic velocity [p = 0.622], and RV free wall longitudinal strain [p = 0.749]). Similarly, atrial function was not impacted when assessed using advanced STE. Conclusions The heart function of patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms, assessed using standard and advanced echocardiographic methods, was observed to be normal after a short-term follow-up.

Background The change in right-ventricular function (RVF) after transcatheter mitral valve repair is still poorly understood. We assessed the early response of RVF to the MitraClip procedure and its clinical relevance. Methods We analyzed consecutive patients who underwent a MitraClip procedure to treat MR between August 2010 and March 2019 in the Heart Failure Network Rhineland registry. RVF was assessed before and after the procedure. Impaired RVF was defined as an RV fractional area change (RVFAC) Results 816 eligible patients (77 ± 9 years, 58.5% male) were included in the analysis. Baseline values of RVF were: RVFAC 38.6 (IQR 29.7–46.7) % and TAPSE 17.0 (IQR 14.0–21.0) mm. At a median time of 3 (IQR 2–5) days after the procedure, the RVF remained normal in 34% (n = 274), normalized in 17% (n = 140), deteriorated in 15% (n = 125), and was persistently impaired in 34% (n = 277) of patients. The RVF response was significantly associated with a composite outcome of all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure within a 2-year follow-up. Compared to stable/normal RVF, the adjusted hazard ratios for the outcome were 1.78 (95% CI 1.10–2.86) for normalized RVF, 1.89 (95% CI 1.34–3.15) for deteriorated RVF, and 2.25 (95% CI 1.47–3.44) for persistently impaired RVF. Changes in TAPSE and RVFAC as continuous variables were significantly correlated with the outcome. Conclusion An early change in RVF following transcatheter mitral valve repair is predictive of mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure during follow-up. Graphic abstract Early response of RVF after MitraClip and its clinical significance. An acute, early change in RVF can be observed following the MitraClip procedure, which is associated with the risk of mortality and hospitalization for HF.

Background:Adults with systemic right ventricle have a significant risk for long-term complications such as arrhythmias or heart failure.Methods:A nationwide retrospective study based on the German National Register for Congenital Heart Disease was performed. Patients with transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch operation or congenitally corrected TGA were included.Results:Two hundred and eight-five patients with transposition of the great arteries after atrial switch operation and 95 patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries were included (mean age 33 years). Systolic function of the systemic ventricle was moderately or severely reduced in 25.5 % after atrial switch operation and in 35.1% in patients with congenitally corrected transposition. Regurgitation of the systemic atrioventricular valve was present in 39.5% and 43.2% of the cases, respectively. A significant percentage of patients also had a history for supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias. However, polypharmacy of cardiovascular drugs was rare (4.5%) and 38.5 % of the patients did not take any cardiovascular medication. The amount of cardiovascular drugs taken was associated with NYHA class as well as systemic right ventricular dysfunction. Patients with congenitally corrected transposition were more likely to receive pharmacological treatment than patients after atrial switch operation.Conclusion:A significant portion of patients with systemic right ventricle suffer from a relevant systemic ventricular dysfunction, systemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation, and arrhythmias. Despite this, medication for heart failure treatment is not universally used in this cohort. This emphasises the need for randomised trials in patient with systemic right ventricle.

Aim Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are interdependent for their development and exacerbation. We evaluated the effect of PH on CKD progression in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated PH. Methods We reviewed consecutive patients with CTD who were diagnosed with PH with right heart catheter (RHC) examinations in our hospital. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of vasodilators: monotherapy or combination therapy. We further divided the patients with combination therapy into early and non-early combination groups. Early combination was defined as the addition of the second vasodilator within 1 month after starting the first drug. The clinical course of hemodynamics and CKD progression were compared. Results Thirty-eight patients were included in the analysis: 10 were treated with monotherapy and 28 with combination therapy (14 with early and 14 with non-early). At baseline, patients who received combination therapy had a significantly higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure with RHC and a higher right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) with echocardiography (P = .04) and showed a greater improvement in RVSP after treatment than those who underwent monotherapy. The incidence of CKD progression was significantly lower in patients who received combination therapy than in those who received monotherapy (P = .05). Among patients who received combination therapy, the early combination group had a lower incidence of CKD progression than the non-early combination group (P = .03). Conclusions Early combination therapy is associated with a lower incidence of CKD progression in patients with CTD-associated PH.

OBJECTIVE Management of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is challenging. Current practice predominantly is based on data from experimental and small uncontrolled studies and includes augmentation of blood pressure. However, whether such intervention is effective in the clinical setting of cardiac surgery is unknown. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Single-center study in a tertiary teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS The study comprised 78 patients equipped with a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), classified according to PAC-derived RV ejection fraction (RVEF); 44 patients had an RVEF of

Resumo Fundamento A ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) é o método de escolha para avaliar as dimensões e a função do ventrículo direito (VD), e a insuficiência pulmonar (IP). Objetivos Avaliar a acurácia da ecocardiografia bidimensional (ECO 2D) em estimar a função e as dimensões do VD e o grau de IP, e comparar os resultados obtidos pela ECO 2D com os da RMC. Métodos Comparamos os relatórios de ECO e RMC de pacientes cuja indicação para RMC havia sido para avaliar VD e IP. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados Incluímos 51 pacientes com cardiopatia congênita com idade mediana de 9,3 anos (7-13,3 anos). Observou-se uma baixa concordância entre ECO 2D e RMC quanto à classificação da dimensão (Kappa 0,19; IC 95% 0,05 a 0,33, p 0,004) e da função do VD (Kappa 0,16; IC 95% -0,01 a +0,34; p 0,034). O tamanho do VD foi subestimado pela ECO 2D em 43% dos casos, e a função do VD foi superestimada pela ECO 2D em 29% dos casos. O grau de concordância entre os métodos quanto à classificação da IP não foi significativo (Kappa 0,014; IC 95% -0,03 a +0,06; p 0,27). Houve uma tendência de a ECO 2D superestimar o grau da IP. Conclusões A ECO 2D mostrou baixa concordância com a RMC quanto às dimensões e função do VD, e grau de IP. Em geral, a ECO subestimou as dimensões do VD e superestimou a função do VD e o grau de IP quando comparada à RMC. Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the method of choice for assessing right ventricular (RV) dimensions and function, and pulmonary insufficiency (PI). Objectives To assess the accuracy of two-dimensional echocardiography (2D ECHO) in estimating RV function and dimensions, and the degree of PI, and compare the 2D ECHO and CMR findings. Methods We compared ECHO and CMR reports of patients whose indication for CMR had been to assess RV and PI. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We included 51 congenital heart disease patients, with a median age of 9.3 years (7-13.3 years). There was poor agreement between 2D ECHO and CMR for classification of the RV dimension (Kappa 0.19; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.33, p 0.004) and function (Kappa 0.16; 95% CI -0.01 to +0.34; p 0.034). The RV was undersized by 2D ECHO in 43% of the cases, and RV function was overestimated by ECHO in 29% of the cases. The degree of agreement between the methods in the classification of PI was not significant (Kappa 0.014; 95% CI -0.03 to +0.06, p 0.27). 2D ECHO tended to overestimate the degree of PI. Conclusions The 2D ECHO showed a low agreement with CMR regarding the RV dimensions and function, and degree of PI. In general, ECHO underestimated the dimensions of the RV and overestimated the function of the RV and the degree of PI as compared with CMR.

BACKGROUND In the Phase III PATENT-1 (NCT00810693) and CHEST-1 (NCT00855465) studies, riociguat demonstrated efficacy vs placebo in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Clinical effects were maintained at 2 years in the long-term extension studies PATENT-2 (NCT00863681) and CHEST-2 (NCT00910429). METHODS This post hoc analysis of hemodynamic data from PATENT-1 and CHEST-1 assessed whether riociguat improved right ventricular (RV) function parameters including stroke volume index (SVI), stroke volume, RV work index, and cardiac efficiency. REVEAL Risk Score (RRS) was calculated for patients stratified by SVI and right atrial pressure (RAP) at baseline and follow-up. The association between RV function parameters and SVI and RAP stratification with long-term outcomes was assessed. RESULTS In PATENT-1 (n = 341) and CHEST-1 (n = 238), riociguat improved RV function parameters vs placebo (p < 0.05). At follow-up, there were significant differences in RRS between patients with favorable and unfavorable SVI and RAP, irrespective of treatment arm (p < 0.0001). Multiple RV function parameters at baseline and follow-up were associated with survival and clinical worsening-free survival (CWFS) in PATENT-2 (n = 396; p < 0.05) and CHEST-2 (n = 237). In PATENT-2, favorable SVI and RAP at follow-up only was associated with survival and CWFS (p < 0.05), while in CHEST-2, favorable SVI and RAP at baseline and follow-up were associated with survival and CWFS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This post hoc analysis of PATENT and CHEST suggests that riociguat improves RV function in patients with PAH and CTEPH.

Background To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function and flow measurements in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) using four-dimensional (4D) flow, compared with conventional two-dimensional (2D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Methods Thirty pediatric patients with rTOF were retrospectively enrolled to undergo 2D balanced steady-state free precession cine (2D b-SSFP cine), 2D phase contrast (PC), and 4D flow cardiac MRI. LV and RV volumes and flow in the ascending aorta (AAO) and main pulmonary artery (MPA) were quantified. Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation tests, paired t-tests, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Bland–Altman analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were performed. Results The 4D flow scan time was shorter compared with 2D sequences (P 0.05), and showed strong correlations (r > 0.90, P 0.60, P 0.85). Conclusions RV and LV function and flow quantification in pediatric patients with rTOF using 4D flow MRI can be measured accurately and reproducibly compared to those with conventional 2D sequences.

Background Understanding the prognostic impact of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in cardiogenic shock (CS) is a key step toward rational diagnostic and treatment algorithms and improved outcomes. Using a large multicenter registry, we assessed (1) the association between hemodynamic markers of RVD and in-hospital mortality, (2) the predictive value of invasive hemodynamic assessment incorporating RV evaluation, and (3) the impact of RVD severity on survival in CS. Methods and Results Inpatients with CS owing to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or heart failure (HF) between 2016 and 2019 were included. RV parameters (right atrial pressure, right atrial/pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [RA/PCWP], pulmonary artery pulsatility index [PAPI], and right ventricular stroke work index [RVSWI]) were assessed between survivors and nonsurvivors, and between etiology and SCAI stage subcohorts. Multivariable logistic regression analysis determined hemodynamic predictors of in-hospital mortality; the resulting models were compared with SCAI staging alone. Nonsurvivors had a significantly higher right atrial pressure and RA/PCWP and lower PAPI and RVSWI than survivors, consistent with more severe RVD. Compared with AMI, patients with HF had a significantly lower RA/PCWP (0.58 vs 0.66, P = .001) and a higher PAPI (2.71 vs 1.78, P Conclusions RVD is associated with poor outcomes in CS, with key differences across etiology and shock severity. Further studies are needed to assess the usefulness of RVD assessment in guiding therapy.

Purposes The closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) is associated with a significant reduction in right ventricular (RV) overload and an improvement in functional capacity in most adults with ASD. However, a subset of patients remains symptomatic even after closure due to therapeutic delay. To date, no clinically robust preoperative predictor of postoperative residual symptoms has been clearly identified. Methods In this study, 120 adult patients with ASD and 39 controls were investigated. As an index of RV myocardial deformation, RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS) was evaluated. The degree of coupling between RV and pulmonary artery (PA) was quantified by the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) divided by the PA systolic pressure (PASP). Results Compared to controls, baseline RV-GLS was significantly greater (- 27 ± 7 vs. - 23 ± 5%, P = 0.02) and TAPSE/PASP ratio was severely impaired (0.8 ± 0.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.6 mm/mmHg, P < 0.01) in ASD patients. At 6 months after closure, 15 patients (12.5%) remained symptomatic. In patients without residual symptoms, TAPSE/PASP ratio significantly improved from 0.9 ± 0.3 to 1.0 ± 0.6 mm/mmHg (P = 0.02), and RV-GLS normalized (from - 28 ± 11 to - 24 ± 7%, P < 0.01) after closure. However, RV-GLS and TAPSE/PASP ratio showed no significant change in ASD patients with residual symptoms. On multivariate analysis, preoperative TAPSE/PASP ratio (odds ratio [OR] 0.034, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.000-0.604, P = 0.03) and pulmonary vascular resistance index ([PVRI], OR 1.011, 95% CI 1.000-1.021, P < 0.05) were associated with the postoperative symptomatic status. Conclusion In terms of integrated assessment of the RV-PA unit, preoperative TAPSE/PASP ratio and PVRI were important determinants of residual symptoms after ASD closure.

Background Relationships between right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) shape and function may be useful in determining optimal timing for pulmonary valve replacement in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). However, these are multivariate and difficult to quantify. We aimed to quantify variations in biventricular shape associated with pulmonary regurgitant volume (PRV) in rTOF using a biventricular atlas. Methods In this cross-sectional retrospective study, a biventricular shape model was customized to cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) images from 88 rTOF patients (median age 16, inter-quartile range 11.8–24.3 years). Morphometric scores quantifying biventricular shape at end-diastole and end-systole were computed using principal component analysis. Multivariate linear regression was used to quantify biventricular shape associations with PRV, corrected for age, sex, height, and weight. Regional associations were confirmed by univariate correlations with distances and angles computed from the models, as well as global systolic strains computed from changes in arc length from end-diastole to end-systole. Results PRV was significantly associated with 5 biventricular morphometric scores, independent of covariates, and accounted for 12.3% of total shape variation (p Conclusion A biventricular atlas of rTOF patients quantified multivariate relationships between left–right ventricular morphometry and wall motion with pulmonary regurgitation. Regional RV dilation, LV reduction, LV septal-lateral flattening and increased RV strain were all associated with increased pulmonary regurgitant volume. Morphometric scores provide simple metrics linking mechanisms for structural and functional alteration with important clinical indices.

Aims: Improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) after up-titration of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) has been well described in heart failure (HF) patients. Less is known about the prevalence and clinical course of right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with new-onset HF.Methods and results: From 2012 to 2018, 625 patients with a recent (Conclusion: More than one-third of patients with new-onset HF have RVD. RVD is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality and HF hospitalization. Recovery of RVD regularly occurs during up-titration of GDMT and is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

在欧美国家左心室辅助装置（LVAD）已成为终末期心力衰竭非药物治疗的主要手段，国内亦有数十家医院正在临床开展应用。但LVAD术后患者面临的主要问题仍然是右心室功能衰竭，亦是引起LVAD术后死亡的主要原因。该文围绕LVAD植入术后右心功能障碍的发生机制、右心功能衰竭预测模型以及超声心动图在LVAD植入前后对右心功能的评估要点进行综述。.

Evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function after tricuspid valve surgery is complex. The objective was to identify the most appropriate RV function parameters for this purpose. This prospective study included 70 patients undergoing cardiac and tricuspid valve (TV) surgery. RV size and function parameters were determined at 3 months and 1-year post-surgery. Categorical variables were analyzed with the McNemar test and numerical variables with the Student’s t-test for related samples or, when non-normally distributed, the Wilcoxon test. Spearman's rho was used to determine correlations between variables at 3 months and 1 year. RV diameters were reduced at 3 months post-surgery and were then unchanged at 1 year. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and S′ wave values were worse at 3 months and then improved at 1 year (t-score-2.35, p 0.023; t-score-2.68; p 0.010). There was no significant reduction in free wall longitudinal strain (LS) or shortening fraction (SF) at 3 months (t-score 1.421 and − 1.251; p 0.218 and 0.172), and they were only slightly below pre-surgical values at 1 year. No relationship was found between RV function parameters and mortality or major complications. During the first few months after TV surgery, LS may be a more appropriate parameter to evaluate global ventricular function in comparison to TAPSE. At 1 year, good correlations are observed between TAPSE, S′ wave, and LS values.

There have been many studies since the late 1980s investigating the effect of endurance exercise on the left ventricle. More recently, attention has shifted to the right heart, with suggestions that endurance exercise may have a detrimental effect on the right ventricle. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes and critiques 26 studies, including 649 athletes, examining the acute impact of endurance exercise on the right ventricle. We also present a subanalysis contrasting ultraendurance with endurance exercise. Finally, we identify areas for future research, such as the influence of sex, ethnicity, and age.

Background Accelerometry is an emerging option for real-time evaluation of functional capacity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This prospective pilot study assesses the relationship between functional capacity by accelerometry and right ventricular measurements on echocardiography for this high-risk cohort. Methods Patients with PAH were prospectively enrolled and underwent 6-Minute Walk Test and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. They were given a Fitbit, which collected steps and sedentary time per day. Echocardiographic data included right ventricular global longitudinal, free wall, and septal strain; tricuspid regurgitant peak velocity; tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; tricuspid annular plane systolic velocity; right ventricular myocardial performance index; and pulmonary artery acceleration time. Pairwise correlations were performed. Results The final analysis included 22 patients aged 13 to 59 years. Tricuspid regurgitant peak velocity had a negative correlation with 6-Minute Walk Test (r = −0.58, P = .02), peak oxygen consumption on exercise testing (r = −0.56, P = .03), and average daily steps on accelerometry (r = −0.59, P = .03), but a positive correlation with median sedentary time on accelerometry (r = 0.64, P = .02). Pulmonary artery acceleration time positively correlated with peak oxygen consumption on exercise testing (r = 0.64, P = .002). There was no correlation between right ventricular strain measurements and functional capacity testing. Conclusion In this pilot study, tricuspid regurgitant jet and pulmonary artery acceleration time were the echocardiographic variables that correlated most with accelerometry data. With further echocardiographic validation, accelerometry can be a useful, noninvasive, and cost-effective tool to monitor disease progression in patients with PAH.

Current left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are set to a fixed rpm and are unable to adjust to physiological demands irrespective of preload or afterload. Autonomous control of LVADs has the potential to reduce septal shift, preserve right ventricle function, and meet physiological demands. A highly innovative resonantly coupled regimen is presented which can achieve this goal. We introduce sensors based on a highly sensitive relationship between transmission coefficient and spatial separation in a resonantly coupled regimen. This relationship represents a polynomial regression. A regimen of an apical sensor and multiple outflow sensors is investigated. A range of separations varying from 50-200 mm was systematically investigated. These ranges consider anatomicalphysiological variation(s) in cardiac chamber size. Validation was obtained in porcine heart preparation. The polynomial regression model predicted distance between the sensors with a mean absolute percentage error of 0.77%, 1.07%, and 5.75% for the three putative positions of the outflow sensors and apical sensor when compared with experimental results. A high degree of accuracy (95%) between the predicted and observed distance was obtained. Continuous measurements were done over 90 days to examine drift, with no statistically detectable change in measurements over million sampling cycles. We have demonstrated a reliable sensor methodology without drift for assessing ventricular chamber size in an LVAD setup. This has the potential to allow autonomous control of LVAD based on ventricular chamber size to address some of the adverse events.

Patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) frequently present with concomitant right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). We aimed to investigate the prognostic relevance of RV function, RV dimension, and TR in patients undergoing percutaneous intervention for MR.Consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous mitral valve intervention were enrolled in the prospective MitraSwiss registry. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), right ventricular pulmonary arterial coupling (RVC, defined as TAPSE/ PASP ratio), indexed tricuspid annulus (TA) dimension, and TR severity grade were analyzed at baseline, post procedure, and at 6-month follow-up. The endpoints of all-cause mortality, hospitalization for heart failure, and the combined endpoint of the 2 were observed during long-term follow-up (up to 4 years).We analyzed 218 patients (mean age, 76 ± 9 years; 36% female). Edge-to-edge mitral valve repair resulted in an increase in TAPSE and RVC ratio and a decrease in indexed TA and PASP, but concomitant TR did not change significantly. In multivariable analysis, RV dysfunction and moderate/severe TR were independently associated with increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.46; P=.03 and hazard ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-3.29; P.01, respectively) and moderate/severe TR was further an independent predictor for hospitalization for heart failure and for the combined endpoint.Treatment of MR resulted in favorable changes of RV function and dimension but did not reduce TR in the majority of patients. TR at baseline remained the strongest predictor for outcomes, outperforming parameters of RV function and dimension.

Background Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction after a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure is a challenge that adversely affects RV filling pressure and contraction. This study sought to determine whether additional bypass of an RV branch would lessen RV dysfunction. Methods Patients with severe right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 patients (n = 50) had a single distal bypass on the RCA. Group 2 patients (n = 50) had both distal RCA and additional bypass on the RV branch of the RCA. Right ventricular function was examined by echocardiogram by measuring transannular plane systolic excursion, fractional area change, tissue Doppler S-wave velocity, and inferior vena cava diameter. Results Transannular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change measurements rapidly decreased below the cutoff in both groups, but group 2 patient values reached normal limits at 90 days. Tissue Doppler S-wave velocity reached the normal limit in 7 days. Inotropic agents were required in 11 patients in group 1 and 2 patients in group 2 (P = .013). The mean (SD) intensive care unit stay was 2.11 (1.12) days and 1.45 (0.71) days (P = .033), and the hospital stay was 7.32 (1.44) days and 6.22 (0.45) days in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P = .027). Conclusion The data in this study suggest that an additional graft on the RV branch of the RCA (eg, conus, marginal, any good runoff vessels on the RV) prevents severe RV dysfunction and allows for rapid recovery of RV dysfunction after off-pump coronary surgery.

Background To explore whether hepatic vein systolic filling fraction (SFF) is associated with central venous pressure (CVP) and right ventricular (RV) systolic function in critically ill patients. Methods Adult patients admitted to ICU with echocardiographic examination were retrospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic parameters including hepatic vein systolic velocity (S) and diastolic phase velocity (D) and haemodynamic information at the time of echo examination were collected. RV systolic dysfunction was defined as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) Results Two hundred four patients were enrolled in this study among whom 40 patients had a CVP ≤5 mmHg, 110 patients had a CVP 6–9 mmHg and 54 patients had a CVP ≥10 mmHg. The three groups had similar S velocity, D velocity and SFF. No correlation between SFF and CVP was found (r = − 0.046, p = 0.500), but correlation between SFF and TAPSE was noticed (r = 0.468, p p = 0.775), but the AUC of SFF for determining RV systolic dysfunction was 0.759 (95% CI: 0.686–0.833, p Conclusion Hepatic vein systolic filling fraction is associated with RV systolic function in critically ill patients and is not associated with CVP.

Aims The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) Scientific Initiatives Committee performed a global survey to evaluate the use of different cardiac imaging modalities for the evaluation of the right heart. Methods and results Delegates from 250 EACVI registered centres were invited to participate in a survey which was also advertised on the EACVI bulletin and on social media. One hundred and thirty-eight respondents from 46 countries across the world responded to the survey. Most respondents worked in tertiary centres (79%) and echocardiography was reported as the commonest imaging modality used to assess the right ventricle (RV). The majority of survey participants (78%) included RV size and function in >90% of their echocardiographic reports. The RV basal diameter obtained from the apical four-chamber view and the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were the commonest parameters used for the echocardiographic assessment of RV size and function as reported by 82 and 97% respondents, respectively. Survey participants reported arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy as the commonest condition (88%) where cardiac magentic resonance (CMR) imaging was used for right heart assessment. Only 52% respondents included RV volumetric and ejection fraction assessments routinely in their CMR reports, while 30% of respondents included these parameters only when RV pathology was suspected. Finally, 73% of the respondents reported pulmonary hypertension as the commonest condition where right heart catheterization was performed. Conclusion Echocardiography remains the most frequently used imaging modality for the evaluation of the right heart, while the use of other imaging techniques, most notably CMR, is increasing.

Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is important for diagnosis and risk stratification of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. However, collection of information from large numbers of CMR reports by manual review is time-consuming, error-prone and costly. Natural language processing (NLP) is an artificial intelligence method for automated extraction of information from narrative text including text in CMR reports in electronic health records (EHR). Our objective was to assess whether NLP can accurately extract diagnosis of HCM from CMR reports. Methods An NLP system with two tiers was developed for information extraction from narrative text in CMR reports; the first tier extracted information regarding HCM diagnosis while the second extracted categorical and numeric concepts for HCM classification. We randomly allocated 200 HCM patients with CMR reports from 2004 to 2018 into training (100 patients with 185 CMR reports) and testing sets (100 patients with 206 reports). Results NLP algorithms demonstrated very high performance compared to manual annotation. The algorithm to extract HCM diagnosis had accuracy of 0.99. The accuracy for categorical concepts included HCM morphologic subtype 0.99, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve 0.96, mitral regurgitation 0.93, left ventricular (LV) obstruction 0.94, location of obstruction 0.92, apical pouch 0.98, LV delayed enhancement 0.93, left atrial enlargement 0.99 and right atrial enlargement 0.98. Accuracy for numeric concepts included maximal LV wall thickness 0.96, LV mass 0.99, LV mass index 0.98, LV ejection fraction 0.98 and right ventricular ejection fraction 0.99. Conclusions NLP identified and classified HCM from CMR narrative text reports with very high performance.

Background Since the introduction of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) to improve left ventricular function, the effect of CRT on the right ventricle in patients with heart failure has not been well described. Methods We evaluated the effect of CRT on right ventricular systolic function in 20 patients (80% men; mean [SD] age, 58.5 [9.8] y) with cardiomyopathy and right ventricular systolic dysfunction (New York Heart Association class III or IV, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, and QRS interval ≥120 ms). The median follow-up time was 15 months. Right ventricular systolic function, defined as a tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) index of 16 mm or less, was evaluated in patients before and after CRT. Results Twelve (60%) patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy, and 12 (60%) patients had left bundle branch block detected using surface electrocardiogram. The mean (SD) QRS duration was 160.5 (24.4) ms. From before CRT to the time of follow-up after CRT, the mean (SD) ejection fraction increased significantly from 22.5% (5.6%) to 29.4% (7.4%) (P < .001). The mean (SD) TAPSE index also increased significantly from 13.70 (1.78) mm to 16.50 (4.77) mm (P = .018). Eleven (55%) patients showed improved right ventricular systolic function (TAPSE ≥16 mm) after CRT. Patients with a favorable right ventricular response to CRT were significantly older (64.6 [8.2] y vs 53.6 [8.4] y, respectively) and more likely to have nonischemic origin of cardiomyopathy than were patients with unimproved right ventricular function (66.7% vs 18.2%, respectively). Conclusion Our findings indicate that CRT is associated with improved right ventricular systolic function in patients with heart failure and right ventricular systolic dysfunction. Patients with nonischemic heart disease more often show improved right ventricular function after CRT.

To compare the accuracy of end-systolic elasticity (Ees)/arterial elasticity (Ea) ratio measured by single beat estimation, pressure-volume loop and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) combined volume method in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension, and to find a feasible and reliable method to quantitatively evaluate the function of right ventricle in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension. Forty-nine pulmonary artery hypertension patients enrolled between May 2017 and May 2018 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Firstly, measure Ees/Ea ratio by single beat estimation, pressure-volume loop and CMR combined volume method, then, compare Ees/Ea ratio with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and NT-proBNP value respectively to evaluate the accuracy of the 3 methods. Ees/Ea ratio measured by single beat estimation is 2.07 ± 1.01, correlation analysis is not statistically significant when compare with NYHA classification and NT-proBNP value (P .05). Ees/Ea ratio measured by pressure-volume loop is 2.64 ± 1.48, correlation analysis is not statistically significant when compare with NYHA classification and NT-proBNP value (P .05). Ees/Ea ratio measured by CMR combined volume method is 0.72 ± 0.43, correlation analysis is statistically significant when compare with NYHA classification and NT-proBNP with negative correlation (P .05). Ees/Ea ratio decrease according to the increase of NT-proBNP value and the NYHA classification. There is linear regression equation between Ees/Ea ratio measured by CMR combined volume method and log (NT-proBNP) value: Y = -0.257X + 1.45, and the linear regression equation is statistically significant (P = .001). Ees/Ea ratio measured by CMR combined volume method is a feasible and reliable method to quantitatively evaluate the function of right ventricule in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension, which might be further verified in a larger patient population.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of the microplegia solution and Del Nido cardioplegia solution in coronary artery bypass surgery with clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic data. Methods: Three hundred patients, who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery between January 2017 and January 2020, by the same surgical team were included in the study. Preoperative, operative and postoperative data (cardiac biomarker levels, cross-clamp and CPB times, echocardiographic measurements, etc.) of the patients were compared. Results: In the study, cross-clamp time was significantly shorter in the DN cardioplegia group (55.60 ± 13.49 min/75.58 ± 12.43 min, P = 0.024). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of intensive care stay, extubation time, hospital stay, and cardiopulmonary bypass time. In our study, it was shown that both the left and right ventricular ejection fraction was better protected in the Del Nido cardioplegia group (5.34±3.03 vs. 3.40±2.84, P = 0.017 and 3.82±1.19 vs. 2.28±1.87, P = 0.047, respectively), and the need for inotrope support was lower in this group (28% vs. 44%, P < 0.021). There was no significant difference between the groups, in terms of blood transfusion rates, IABP requirement. Conclusion: In light of short-term results, we can say that Del Nido cardioplegia provides better myocardial protection than microplegia. In addition, Del Nido cardioplegia can be given as a single dose for 90 minutes of cross-clamp time and therefore can be preferred to increase surgical comfort and reduce cross-clamp times.

Contains fulltext : 249994.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access) The right ventricle (RV) is frequently involved in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) when the culprit or concurrent chronic total occlusion (CTO) is located in the right coronary artery (RCA). We investigated RV function recovery in STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO. In EXPLORE, STEMI-patients with concurrent CTO were randomized to CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or no CTO-PCI. We analyzed 174 EXPLORE patients with serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging RV data (baseline and 4-month follow-up), divided into three groups: CTO-RCA (CTO in RCA, culprit in non-RCA; n = 89), IRA-RCA (infarct related artery [IRA] in RCA, CTO in non-RCA; n = 56), and no-RCA (culprit and CTO not in RCA; n = 29). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV ejection fraction (RVEF), RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) were measured. We found that RV strain and TAPSE improved in IRA-RCA and CTO-RCA (irrespective of CTO-PCI) at follow-up, but not in no-RCA. Only RV FWLS was different among groups at baseline, which was lower in IRA-RCA than no-RCA (- 26.0 ± 8.3% versus - 31.0 ± 6.4%, p = 0.006). Baseline RVEF, RV end-diastolic volume and TAPSE were associated with RVEF at 4 months. RV function parameters were not predictive of 4 year mortality, although RV GLS showed additional predictive value for New York Heart Association Classification > 1 at 4 months. In conclusion, RV parameters significantly improved in patients with acute or chronic RCA occlusion, but not in no-RCA patients. RV FWLS was the only RV parameter able to discriminate between acute ischemic and non-ischemic myocardium. Moreover, RV GLS was independently predictive for functional status.