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BackgroundThe effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in cardiovascular system have been described based on small studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between aldosterone and plasma renin activity (PRA) and cardiovascular structure and function.MethodsWe studied a random sample of Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis participants who had aldosterone and PRA blood assays at 2003-2005 and underwent cardiac magnetic resonance at 2010. Participants taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers were excluded.ResultsThe aldosterone group was composed by 615 participants, mean age 61.6 ± 8.9 years, while the renin group was 580 participants, mean age 61.5 ± 8.8 years and both groups had roughly 50% females. In multivariable analysis, 1 SD increment of log-transformed aldosterone level was associated with 0.07 g/m2 higher left ventricle (LV) mass index (P = 0.04) and 0.11 ml/m2 higher left atrium (LA) minimal volume index (P < 0.01). Additionally, higher log-transformed aldosterone was associated with lower LA maximum strain and LA emptying fraction (P < 0.01). Aldosterone levels were not significantly associated with aortic measures. Log-transformed PRA was associated with lower LV end diastolic volume index (β standardized = 0.08, P = 0.05). PRA levels were not significantly associated with LA and aortic structural or functional differences.ConclusionsHigher levels of aldosterone and PRA are associated with concentric LV remodeling changes. Moreover, aldosterone was related to deleterious LA remodeling changes.

Objective: To investigate the value of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in the diagnosis of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). Methods: 82 patients diagnosed as PA in Liaoning Jinqiu Hospital from October2017 to December 2022 were selected as the study group, another 82 patients with essential hypertension (EH) who visited our hospital in the same period were selected as the control group. The clinical data, the CMRI parameters, biochemical and hormonal indexes between the study group and the control group were compared. Patients in the study group were divided into PA with and without left ventricular remodeling subgroup (PA1 group, n=38) and PA without left ventricular remodeling subgroup (PA2 group, n=44), and the CMRI parameters of patients in PA1 group and PA2 group were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors of left ventricular remodeling in patients with PA, and regression equation and ROC curve were established to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CMRI on left ventricular remodeling in patients with PA. Results: Serum K and renin activity in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while aldosterone was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05). The EDVi, ESVi, Massi, initial T1mapping value and ECV of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the enhanced T1 mapping value was lower than that of the control group (P＜0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that ESVi, Massi, enhanced T1 mapping value and ECV are closely related to left ventricular remodeling in patients with PA (P＜0.05). The ROC analysis results showed that the AUC of ESVi, Massi, enhanced T1 mapping value, ECV indicators and their combined regression prediction models in diagnosing left ventricular remodeling in patients with PA were 0.623, 0.677, 0.736, 0.675 and 0.779 respectively, indicated a high diagnostic efficiency of the combined diagnosis. Conclusion: CMRI can quantitatively evaluate the left ventricular remodeling in patients with PA, and its diagnostic efficacy is high; it can provide reference for clinical treatment and monitoring progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in the western world, particularly worrisome with an ever-aging population wherein postoperative outcome for aortic valve replacement is strongly related to the timing of surgery in the natural course of disease. Yet, guidelines for therapy planning overlook insightful, quantified measures from medical imaging to educate clinical decisions. Herein, we leverage statistical shape analysis (SSA) techniques combined with customized machine learning methods to extract latent information from segmented left ventricle (LV) shapes. This enabled us to predict left ventricular mass index (LVMI) regression a year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). LVMI regression is an expected phenomena in patients undergone aortic valve replacement reported to be tightly correlated with survival one and five year after the intervention. In brief, LV geometries were extracted from medical images of a cohort of AS patients using deep learning tools, and then analyzed to create a set of statistical shape models (SSMs). Then, the supervised shape features were extracted to feed a support vector regression (SVR) model to predict the LVMI regression. The average accuracy of the predictions was validated against clinical measurements calculating root mean square error and R2 score which yielded the satisfactory values of 0.28 and 0.67, respectively, on test data. Our work reveals the promising capability of advanced mathematical and bioinformatics approaches such as SSA and machine learning to improve medical output prediction and treatment planning.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of interventricular septum thickness (IVSd) on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Based on the general population in Northeast China, 10,349 participants were successfully followed up for echocardiography over a median follow-up time of 4.66 years, among which 4801 were hypertensive. Coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infarction (MI) incidence were followed up. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association of the baseline IVSd with adverse outcomes. IVS hypertrophy increased incident rates of CHD and MI compared with normal IVSd in the overall population and in the female sex-stratification group. In males, IVS hypertrophy had parallel increase rates of CHD (all p < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that IVS hypertrophy could predict CHD and MI incidence and CHD-free and MI-free survival. Multivariable Cox analysis revealed that IVS hypertrophy was correlated with CHD incidence (HR = 1.155, 95% CI = 1.155–2.861, p = 0.01) and MI incidence (HR = 2.410, 95% CI = 1.303–4.458, p = 0.005). In women, IVS hypertrophy was independently associated with CHD and MI incidence (all p < 0.05). Our prospective cohort study illustrated that IVS hypertrophy detected by echocardiography has a prognostic significance for CHD and MI. Therefore, the early detection of IVSd should be conducted to avoid adverse outcomes in further clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To develop the pattern of early cardiovascular disorders in patients with primary hypothyroidism based on the analysis of relationship between patient’s thyroid status and some functional cardiovascular parameters depending on compensation status. Materials and methods. The examination of 163 women aged 62 [55;67] years with primary hypothyroidism was performed. The patients were divided into groups: 1 group included 54 patients aged 62.0 [57;68] years with subcompensated disease, 2 group consisted of 15 patients aged 59 [53;66] years with non-compensated disease and 3 group included 94 patients aged 63 [53;66] years with compensated hypothyroidism. Physical examination, transthoracic echocardiography, assessment of global left ventricle longitudinal strain by speckle tracking method, endothelial function and laboratory tests were performed to all patients. Regression analysis using thyroid stimulating hormone, free T4, age, duration of the disease, cause of hypothyroidism, menopause presence and natural thyroid stimulating hormone logarithm as predictors and some cardiovascular parameters of heart condition and lipid metabolism as dependent valuables was made. Results. Mathematic modeling demonstrated that the combination such factors as age, duration of disease and thyroid stimulating hormone level is the most important in left ventricle remodeling processes. However, the age only has significant influence on intima media thickness. Conclusion. Left ventricle remodeling, morphologic functional status of blood vessel wall and decrease of glomerular filtration rate are basically determined by such modified and non-modified factors as body mass index, age, duration of hypothyroidism and thyroid stimulating hormone level.

Abstract Background Aortic valve replacement (AVR) for chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) with a severe dilated left ventricle and dysfunction leads to left ventricle remodeling. But there are rarely reports on the left ventricle reverse remodeling (LVRR) after AVR. This study aimed to investigate the LVRR and outcomes in chronic AR patients with severe dilated left ventricle and dysfunction after AVR. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical datum of chronic aortic regurgitation patients who underwent isolated AVR. The LVRR was defined as an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at least 10 points or a follow-up LVEF ≥ 50%, and a decrease in the indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of at least 10%, or an indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ≤ 33 mm/m2. The changes in echocardiographic parameters after AVR, survival analysis, the predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), the association between LVRR and MACE were analyzed. Results Sixty-nine patients with severe dilated left ventricle and dysfunction underwent isolated AVR. LV remodeling in 54 patients and no LV remodeling in 15 patients at 6–12 months follow-up. The preoperative left ventricular dimensions and volumes were larger, and the EF was lower in the LV no remodeling group than those in the LV remodeling group (all p

Wnt11 regulates early cardiac development and left ventricular compaction in the heart, but it is not known how Wnt11 regulates postnatal cardiac maturation and response to cardiac stress in the adult heart. We studied cell proliferation/maturation in postnatal and adolescent Wnt11 deficient (Wnt11−/−) heart and subjected adult mice with partial (Wnt11+/−) and complete Wnt11 (Wnt11−/−) deficiency to cardiac pressure overload. In addition, we subjected primary cardiomyocytes to recombinant Wnt proteins to study their effect on cardiomyocyte growth. Wnt11 deficiency did not affect cardiomyocyte proliferation or maturation in the postnatal or adolescent heart. However, Wnt11 deficiency led to enlarged heart phenotype that was not accompanied by significant hypertrophy of individual cardiomyocytes. Analysis of stressed adult hearts from wild‐type mice showed a progressive decrease in Wnt11 expression in response to pressure overload. When studied in experimental cardiac pressure overload, Wnt11 deficiency did not exacerbate cardiac hypertrophy or remodeling and cardiac function remained identical between the genotypes. When subjecting cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic stimulus, the presence of recombinant Wnt11 together with Wnt5a reduced protein synthesis. In conclusion, Wnt11 deficiency does not affect postnatal cardiomyocyte proliferation but leads to cardiac growth. Interestingly, Wnt11 deficiency alone does not substantially modulate hypertrophic response to pressure overload in vivo. Wnt11 may require cooperation with other noncanonical Wnt proteins to regulate hypertrophic response under stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease. In patients with large VSD, left side chambers are subjected to volume overload with subsequent chambers dilatation and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Percutaneous closure of VSD has been shown to be an effective method with equal safety and efficacy when compared to surgery. The effect of VSD closure on LV remodeling has been mainly assessed in patients treated with surgery and to date published data remain scarce. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the effect of percutaneous VSD closure on different LV parameters. Results Seventeen patients (median age 6 years (IQR 4.75–8 years), 70.6% females) who underwent percutaneous VSD closure were enrolled in the study. Sixteen patients (94%) had perimembranous VSD, and one patient had muscular VSD. The procedure was successful in all patients with no major complications. Nit Occlud® Lê coil device was implanted in 16 patients (94%), and one patient received Amplatzer PDA duct occlude device. At 6-months follow-up, there was a significant reduction in indexed LV dimensions [LVEDD/BSA (median 46.5 mm/m2 vs. 42.9 mm/m2, p = 0.03), LVESD/BSA (median 31.7 mm/m2 vs. 26.7 mm/m2, p = 0.02)], indexed LV volumes [LVEDV/BSA (median 52.6 ml/m2 vs. 37.3 ml/m2, p = 0.02), LVESV/BSA (median 31.7 ml/m2 vs. 23.3 ml/m2, p = 0.02)] and indexed LV mass (median 62.4 gm/m2 vs. 57.9 ml/m2, p = 0.01). There was a significant reduction in LVEDD Z-score (p = 0.01) and LVESD Z-score (p = 0.04). There was no significant change in LV EF. Conclusions Percutaneous VSD closure is associated with improvement of various LV parameters with consequential favorable LV remodeling and function.

Background: Pathological Q waves are correlated with infarct size, and Q-wave regression is associated with left ventricular ejection fraction improvement. There are limited data regarding the association of Q-wave regression and clinical outcomes. Our main objective was to assess the association of pathological Q wave evolution after reperfusion with clinical outcomes after anterior STEMI.Methods: Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded in 780 anterior STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from the CIRCUS trial. ECGs were recorded before and 90 min following PCI, as well as at hospitalization discharge and 12 months of follow-up. The number of classic ECG criteria Q waves was scored for each ECG. Patients were classified in the Q wave regression group if they had regression of at least one Q wave between the post-PCI, the discharge and/or one year ECGs. Patients were classified in the Q wave persistent group if they had the same number or greater between the post-PCI, the discharge and/or 1 and one year ECGs. All-cause death and heart failure events were assessed for all patients at one year.Results: There were 323(43%) patients with persistent Q waves (PQ group), 378(49%) patients with Q wave regression (RQ group) and 60(8%) patients with non-Q wave MI (NQ group). Infarct size as measured by the peak creatine kinase was significantly greater in the PQ group compared to the RQ and NQ groups (4633 ± 2784 IU/l vs. 3814 ± 2595 IU/l vs. 1733 ± 1583 IU/l respectively, p < 0.0001). At one year, there were 22 deaths (7%) in the PQ-group, 15 (4%) in the RQ-group and none in the NQ-group (p = 0.04). There was a 4-fold increase in the risk of death or heart failure in the PQ compared to the NQ group (HR 4.7 [1.1; 19.3]; p = 0.03), but there was no significant difference between NQ and RQ groups (HR 3.3 [0.8; 13.8]; p = 0.09).Conclusion: In a population of anterior STEMI patients, persistent Q waves defined according to the classic ECG criteria after reperfusion was associated with a 4-fold increase in the risk of heart failure or death compared to non-Q-wave MI, while Q-wave regression was associated with significantly lower risk of events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even persistently patent infarct-related artery has been shown to be associated with left ventricle (LV) remodeling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of LV strain imaging by echocardiography in predicting LV remodeling in patients undergoing coronary revascularization. Materials and Methods: A total of 104 patients between the ages of 18 and 75 years of age undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were selected and subsequently followed up for 3 months. Echocardiography was obtained before PTCA and subsequently 3 months later with global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurements. Results: In our study, 24% patients studied developed LV remodeling at 1 month even after clinical, angiographic, and procedural success of percutaneous intervention. A value of LV GLS

Background After myocardial infarction (MI), elevated sympathetic activity and/or reduced parasympathetic activity are observed. As a result, these patients have a decreased heart rate variability (HRV), which has been linked to an elevated risk of adverse effects and death. Following MI, the remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) is a complex and multifactorial mechanism, with therapeutic and prognostic consequences. Medications that reduced LV improved survival and standard of living. Aim We aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous exercise remodeling training on HRV, function capacity [6-min walk test (6MWT)], and LV remodeling in patients who had experienced MI. Patients and methods One month after having MI, 40 eligible male patients aged 45–55 years old were recruited. Patients underwent a supervised intensive CR recovery program consisting of continuous aerobic exercise. Evaluation of the effect of this program was done by clinical examination, transthoracic echocardiography to calculate ejection fraction, 6MWT, and Holter ECG 24 h to measure different HRV parameters. All patients received 36 training sessions (three times/week for 12 weeks). The results of these procedures were compared before and after this program. Results According to the current results, the mean pretreatment and posttreatment 6MWT values were 208.65 ± 24.62 and 360.98 ± 109.78, respectively, with an improvement percentage of 55.79%. Irrespective of time or frequency domain, HRV parameters were markedly improved after treatment compared with pretreatment values. Ejection fraction % was significantly improved by 14.82%. Conclusion Exercise training tends to be a beneficial clinical technique for patients with MI who have an unbalanced autonomic function, which is manifested by improvement of HRV parameters. Exercise training improves blood pressure and resting heart rate. Improvement of 6MWT parameters occurred after exercise training.

No abstract present.

Background: Aortic valve replacement (AVR) for chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) with a severe dilated left ventricle and dysfunction leads to left ventricle remodeling. But there are rarely reports on the left ventricle reverse remodeling (LVRR) after AVR. This study aimed to investigate the LVRR and outcomes in chronic AR patients with severe dilated left ventricle and dysfunction after AVR.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical datum of chronic aortic regurgitation patients who underwent isolated AVR. The LVRR was defined as an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at least 10 points or a follow-up LVEF ≥ 50%, and a decrease in the indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter of at least 10%, or an indexed left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ≤ 33 mm/m2. The changes in echocardiographic parameters after AVR, survival analysis, the predictors of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), the association between LVRR and MACE were analyzed.Results: Sixty-nine patients with severe dilated left ventricle and dysfunction underwent isolated AVR. LV remodeling in 54 patients and no LV remodeling in 15 patients at 6-12 months follow-up. The preoperative left ventricular dimensions and volumes were larger, and the EF was lower in the LV no remodeling group than those in the LV remodeling group (all p < 0.05). The adverse LVRR was the predictor for MACE at follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 47.29 months (range 6 to 173 months). The rate of freedom from MACE was 94.44% at 5 years and 92.59% at 10 years in the remodeling group, 60% at 5 years, and 46.67% at 10 years in the no remodeling group.Conclusions: The left ventricle remodeling after AVR was the important predictor for MACE. LV no remodeling may not be associated with benefits from AVR for chronic aortic regurgitation patients with severe dilated LV and dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ischemic impairment of the left ventricular contractility, followed by an adverse remodeling leading to the displacement of the papillary muscles (PMs), increased tethering forces and loss of valve competence has been the long-term accepted definition of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). Over the years, different approaches of management have attempted to address valve regurgitation, nevertheless failing to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Recent studies have observed some structural and molecular changes of the mitral valve (MV), challenging the concept of a bystander passive to the subvalvular involvement. Indeed, the solely mechanical stretch of the PMs, as in the dilated left ventricle because of the aortic valve regurgitation, is not enough in causing relevant MV regurgitation. This setting triggers a series of structural changes called “mitral plasticity,” leaflets increase in their size among others, ensuring an adequate systolic area closure. In contrast, the ischemic injury not only triggers the mechanical stretch on the subvalvular apparatus but is also a powerful promotor of profibrotic processes, with an upregulation of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway, leading to a MV with exuberant leaflet thickness and impaired mobility. In this article, we revise the concept of IMR, particularly focusing on the new evidence that supports dynamic changes in the MV apparatus, discussing the consequent clinical insights of “mitral plasticity” and the potential therapeutic implications.

Background: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease. In patients with large VSD, left side chambers are subjected to volume overload with subsequent chambers dilatation and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Percutaneous closure of VSD has been shown to be an effective method with equal safety and efficacy when compared to surgery. The effect of VSD closure on LV remodeling has been mainly assessed in patients treated with surgery and to date published data remain scarce. Therefore, we aim to evaluate the effect of percutaneous VSD closure on different LV parameters. Results: Seventeen patients (median age 6 years (IQR 4.75–8 years), 70.6% females) who underwent percutaneous VSD closure were enrolled in the study. Sixteen patients (94%) had perimembranous VSD, and one patient had muscular VSD. The procedure was successful in all patients with no major complications. Nit Occlud® Lê coil device was implanted in 16 patients (94%), and one patient received Amplatzer PDA duct occlude device. At 6-months follow-up, there was a significant reduction in indexed LV dimensions [LVEDD/BSA (median 46.5 mm/m2 vs. 42.9 mm/m2, p = 0.03), LVESD/BSA (median 31.7 mm/m2 vs. 26.7 mm/m2, p = 0.02)], indexed LV volumes [LVEDV/BSA (median 52.6 ml/m2 vs. 37.3 ml/m2, p = 0.02), LVESV/BSA (median 31.7 ml/m2 vs. 23.3 ml/m2, p = 0.02)] and indexed LV mass (median 62.4 gm/m2 vs. 57.9 ml/m2, p = 0.01). There was a significant reduction in LVEDD Z-score (p = 0.01) and LVESD Z-score (p = 0.04). There was no significant change in LV EF. Conclusions: Percutaneous VSD closure is associated with improvement of various LV parameters with consequential favorable LV remodeling and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background After myocardial infarction (MI), elevated sympathetic activity and/or reduced parasympathetic activity are observed. As a result, these patients have a decreased heart rate variability (HRV), which has been linked to an elevated risk of adverse effects and death. Following MI, the remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) is a complex and multifactorial mechanism, with therapeutic and prognostic consequences. Medications that reduced LV improved survival and standard of living. Aim We aimed to evaluate the effect of continuous exercise remodeling training on HRV, function capacity [6-min walk test (6MWT)], and LV remodeling in patients who had experienced MI. Patients and methods One month after having MI, 40 eligible male patients aged 45-55 years old were recruited. Patients underwent a supervised intensive CR recovery program consisting of continuous aerobic exercise. Evaluation of the effect of this program was done by clinical examination, transthoracic echocardiography to calculate ejection fraction, 6MWT, and Holter ECG 24 h to measure different HRV parameters. All patients received 36 training sessions (three times/week for 12 weeks). The results of these procedures were compared before and after this program. Results According to the current results, the mean pretreatment and posttreatment 6MWT values were 208.65 ± 24.62 and 360.98 ± 109.78, respectively, with an improvement percentage of 55.79%. Irrespective of time or frequency domain, HRV parameters were markedly improved after treatment compared with pretreatment values. Ejection fraction % was significantly improved by 14.82%. Conclusion Exercise training tends to be a beneficial clinical technique for patients with MI who have an unbalanced autonomic function, which is manifested by improvement of HRV parameters. Exercise training improves blood pressure and resting heart rate. Improvement of 6MWT parameters occurred after exercise training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the influence of sodium ferulate (SF) on miR-133a and left ventricle remodeling (LVR) in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). The left coronary artery was ligated to create 36 ischemia-reperfusion (IR) rat models that were randomly divided into mock surgical group (MSG) (not ligated), model group (MG), and sodium ferulate group (SFG). After the successful modeling, SFG was intravenously injected with SF at the dose of 10 mg/kg, and the other two groups were injected with the same volume of normal saline. After 28 days, cardiac hemodynamic indices of all groups were measured; the myocardial infarction size (MIS), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and collagen volume fraction (CVF) were calculated, the content of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione catalase (GSH-px) were detected by ELISA, and miR-133a expression in myocardial tissues of the left ventricle (LV) was detected by RT-qPCR. SF improved the cardiac hemodynamic indices of rat model and reduced the MIS, LVMI and CVF. SF decreased the serum MDA level and increased the serum CAT, SOD and GSH-px levels in rat model. SF increased the expression of miR-133a in myocardial tissue of rat model. Therefore, SF could effectively reduce the myocardial injury of IR rats and improve the LVR. Its mechanism may be related to the antioxygenation and upregulation of miR-133a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise training is beneficial for cardiac rehabilitation. Nevertheless, few study focused on the role of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in cardiac repair. The current study aimed to elucidate the effect of HIIT on cardiac rehabilitation and the involved mechanisms after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: A total of 65 male rats underwent coronary ligation or sham operation and were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham (n = 10), sedentary (MI-Sed, n = 12), moderate-intensity continuous training (MI-MCT, n = 12) and HIIT (MI-HIIT, n = 12). One week after MI induction, adaptive training starts follow by formal training. After the experiment, cardiac functions were determined by echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements. Changes in infarct size, collagen accumulation, myofibroblasts, angiogenesis, inflammation level, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activities were measured. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Results: After MI, cardiac structure and function were significantly deteriorated. However, post-MI HIIT for 8 weeks had significantly ameliorated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), LV systolic pressure (LVSP), and maximum peak velocities of relaxation (–dP/dtmax). Moreover, it preserved cardiac functions, reduced infarct size, protected the myocardium structure, increased angiogenesis and decreased the myofibroblasts and collagen accumulation. HIIT for 4 weeks had no effect on LVEDP, –dP/dtmax, infarct size and angiogenesis. Additionally, it induced inflammation response and repressed ET-1 and RAAS activities were found in myocardium and peripheral circulation after HIIT. Conclusion: Our results suggested that post-MI HIIT had a positive role in cardiac repair, which might be linked with the induction of inflammation and inhibition of ET-1 and RAAS activities.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a weight loss program (WLP) on biochemical and immunological profile, and cardiovascular parameters in a cohort of dogs with naturally occurring obesity. Eleven obese dogs [body condition scoring (BCS), ≥7/9] were enrolled into the study and underwent clinical and cardiovascular examination, and blood testing before (T0) and after 6 months (T1) of WLP. Eleven normal weight (BCS, 4/5) healthy dogs were used as a control (CTR) group. Compared to the CTR group, at T0 obese dogs expressed higher serum leptin concentrations (p < 0.0005) that significantly decreased after weight loss (p < 0.005) but remained higher than the CTR group. Furthermore, obese dogs showed considerably lower levels (p < 0.0005) of regulatory T cell (Treg) compared to the CTR group, but they did not change after weight loss at T1. In obese dogs, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations were substantially reduced at T1 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.005). Regarding the cardiovascular parameters, only one obese dog was hypertensive at T0, and systolic blood pressure values showed no significant differences at the end of the WLP. The ratio of interventricular septal thickness in diastole to left ventricle internal diameter in diastole (IVSd/LVIDd) was significantly greater in obese dogs at T0 than in the CTR group (p < 0.005). It decreased after weight loss (p < 0.05). In obese dogs, troponin I level significantly reduced with weight loss (p < 0.05), while endothelin-1 level did not differ statistically. The results suggest that the immune dysregulation in the presence of high leptin levels and reduced number of Treg could affect obese dogs as well as humans. Based on our findings, we may speculate that a more complete immune-regulation restore could be obtained by a greater reduction in fat mass and a longer-term WLP. Finally, left ventricular remodeling may occur in some obese dogs. However, in canine species, further studies are needed to investigate the impact of obesity and related WLP on cardiovascular system.

Gout is the most common cause of inflammatory arthritis in men elder than 30 years. The association of gout with hypertension is up to 80 % of cases. Study of cardiovascular system remodeling is very relevant. Aim. To compare the left ventricle remodeling features in patients with hypertension combined with primary gout and patients with essential hypertension without disorders of purine metabolism. Materials and methods. 50 men with hypertension manifested on the gout background, 30 men with essential hypertension without disorders of purine metabolism and 20 healthy men were examined. The main parameters of left ventricle were determined using echocardioscopy. Results. The statistically significant increase in volumetric parameters of the left ventricle in patients with hypertension on the gout background in contrast to the comparison groups and significant decrease in ejection fraction as compared to healthy men were found. The significant increase in left ventricular mass, myocardial mass index and diastolic left ventricle dysfunction in patients with gout were revealed. Using the multivariate analysis of variance we determined an effect of hypertension degree, gout duration and abdominal obesity presence on the process of left ventricle remodeling. The increase in serum uric acid concentration correlated with an increase in left ventricular mass and myocardial mass index. The most of patients with hypertension and gout had the concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. Conclusions. Arterial hypertension on the gout background is characterized by a significant increase in left ventricular mass and myocardial mass index and the prevalence of concentric hypertrophy pattern of left ventricular geometric remodeling in comparison to patients with essential hypertension. Significant increase in myocardial stiffness and its diastolic dysfunction occurred in patients with hypertension on the gout background. Concentration of serum uric acid correlates with the increase in left ventricular mass and myocardial mass index.

Aim. To assess the specifics of fatty acidic contents of erythrocyte membranes, and morpho-functional disorder of the left ventricle (LV) in gout patients depending on the syndrome of insulin resistance (IR).Material and methods. In the study, 117 males participated, age 39 to 55 y o., with gout. Among them, 43.6% presented with normal HOMA-IR, and the rest had IR. Fatty acid content of membrane lipids assessed, as the morphofunctional properties of theLV, with the types ofLV geometry and its diastolic function assessment, according to presence or absence of IR.Results. Changes of fatty acid contents in IR and gout patients cells membranes are characterized by increased amount of saturated fatty acids and decreased — of unsaturated, and in the pool of unsaturated acids there is increase of monoenic, but significant decrease of polyenic acids. In the pool of polyunsaturted acids there is increased amount of y-linoleic and dihomo-y-linoleic and significant decrease of arachidonic and docosapentaenoic acids. It is found, that cardiohemodynamics parameters in gout patients do significantly differ with IR. In males with gout and IR the prevailing variant of theLV architectonics was concentric hypertrophy (49,3%; p

Background: Left ventricle remodeling (LVR) is an important prognosis post acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Soluble ST2 is a novel biomarker for myocardial fibrosis and left ventricular remodeling. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) which is a reflection of the longitudinal layer of cardiac muscle can be detected in the early ischemia phase, and has been proven to predict the occurrence of left ventricular remodeling post AMI. Objective: To identify the association between soluble ST2 basal and GLS with LVR post AMI. Method: This research was conducted from August to December 2015. This is an analytic observational study with one group pretest and post test design. Soluble ST2 and GLS examinations were performed twice (2-5 days after AMI and 12 weeks after therapy). The results were analyzed using Spearman's correlation test. Result: The sample size was 45 respondents (82.2% males, average age of 55.47 ± 10.13 years, 84.4% STEMI). There was a strong correlation between high ST2 basal levels with LVR (p = 0.0001 r = +0.723) and ΔST2 with LVR (p = 0.0001 r = 0.639). The association of low GLS with LVR was p = 0.015 and r = + 0.362. Conclusion: A significant LVR was found post-AMI, the high soluble ST2 basal and low GLS basal may be a factor for predicting LVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To study the arterial hypotension influence to the progress of combined inferior and right ventricle myocardial infarction.Material and methods. There were studied 66 patients with the primary inferior and right ventricle myocardial infarction. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 1st group - patients with inferior and right ventricle myocardial infarction with stable hemodynamics (n=34); 2nd group - patients with inferior and right ventricle myocardial infarction complicated by arterial hypotension in early period (n=32). Electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (EchoCG) were performed in patients 1, 3, 30 days and 6 months after.Results. On the 6th month of the disease, despite adequate conservative therapy, there was a significant increase of LV volume index in patients from the 2nd group, thus EDV LV was 164.2±4.2 ml3, ESV 94.1±2.8 ml3 (p3, and in patients from the 1st group 25.1±2.2 cm3 (p3, and in the 1st group 14.4±1.9 cm3 (p

Background: Surgical ventricular restoration (SVR) has been performed to treat left ventricular (LV) aneurysm. However, there is limited analysis of changes in LV shape. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in LV shape induced by SVR and the effects of SVR on LV size and function for LV aneurysm. Methods: Between April 2006 and March 2015, 18 patients with dyskinetic (dyskinetic group) and 12 patients with akinetic (akinetic group) postinfarction LV anterior aneurysm receiving SVR with the Dor procedure at Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital were enrolled in this study. A retrospective analysis was carried out using data from the echocardiography database. LV shape was analyzed by calculating the apical conicity index (ACI). LV end-diastolic volume index, end-systolic volume index, and ejection fraction (EF) were measured. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare means at different time points within each group. Results: Within one week after SVR, LV shape became more conical in the two groups (ACI decreased from 0.84 ± 0.13 to 0.69 ± 0.11 [t = 5.155, P = 0.000] in dyskinetic group and from 0.73 ± 0.07 to 0.60 ± 0.11 [t = 2.701, P = 0.026] in akinetic group; LV volumes were decreased significantly and became closer to normal values and EF was improved significantly in the two groups). On follow-up at least one year, LV shape remained unchanged in dyskinetic group (ACI increased from 0.69 ± 0.11 to 0.74 ± 0.12, t = −1.109, P = 0.294), but became more spherical in akinetic group (ACI significantly increased from 0.60 ± 0.11 to 0.75 ± 0.11, t = −1.880, P = 0.047); LV volumes remained unchanged in dyskinetic group, but increased significantly in akinetic group and EF remained unchanged in the two groups. Conclusions: SVR could reshape LV to a more conical shape and a more normal size and improve LV function significantly early after the procedure in patients with dyskinetic or akinetic postinfarction LV anterior aneurysm. However, LV tends to be more spherical and enlarged in the akinetic group on at least 1-year follow-up.

No abstract present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both genetic and environmental factors interact to control left ventricular (LV) remodeling in the context of aortic stenosis (AS). Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a specific visceral adipose tissue with paracrine properties in close contact with the myocardium. We sought to assess determinants of EAT amount and its association with the magnitude and pattern of LV remodeling in patients suffering from severe AS. Between January 2014 and September 2017, we prospectively explored consecutive patients referred to our Heart Valve Center for SAVR presenting with severe AS and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (> 50%). Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) including assessment of LV remodeling and EAT amount were performed. 202 patients were included. EAT was significantly larger in elderly, diabetic and obese patients. EAT thickness was correlated positively with indexed LV mass in AS (r2 = 0.21; p < 0.0001) as well as severe LV remodeling pattern. Importantly, this observation persisted after adjustment for other factors associated with LV remodeling (β ± SE = 1.74 ± 0.34; p < 0.0001). Large amounts of EAT are positively and independently associated with more pronounced and severe LV remodeling in severe AS. Further exploration regarding the impact of functional properties of EAT on LV remodeling is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to determine clinical and prognostic role of repeated heart-type fatty acid binding protein (hFABP) measurements in acute decompensated HF (ADHF) patients. Methods In seventy-seven ADHF patients (III and IV NYHA class, mean age 70 ± 12.7 years, mean left ventricle ejection fraction [LVEF] 29.73 ± 13.3%) plasma hFABPs concentrations (SunRed Biological Technology) were measured twice − on admission and at discharge (mean time of hospitalization 10.7 ± 4.9 days). Combined end point (CEP), assessed after mean 9.2 ± 7.3 months, was defined as death or the need of HF re-hospitalization. Results Median hFABP concentration on admission was significantly lower than at discharge. hFABP concentrations on admission significantly correlated with echocardiographic parameters of LV remodeling. Among fifty-six patients (72.7%) who reached CEP, significantly higher admission and discharge hFABP concentrations were found. Patients with plasma discharge hFABP concentrations higher than 7.8 ng/mL were at higher risk of CEP (log-rank test, p = 0.01). Logistic stepwise regression analysis revealed discharge hFABP, LVEF and left ventricle mass index independent and significant predictors of CEP (p < 0.05). Conclusions In ADHF patients plasma hFABP admission concentrations are related with LV remodeling. Persistently elevated hFABP concentrations have prognostic value, as may reflect continuous myocardial damage despite effective treatment and clinical improvement. Highlights • Mean hFABP levels increase during hospitalization in ADHF patients. • Baseline hFABP measurements correlate with echocardiographic parameters of LV remodeling. • Higher hFABP levels at discharge indicate poor out-of-hospital outcome in patients with ADHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. To study the remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) in patients with ST segment elevation (STEMI) and non-ST segment elevation (non-STEMI) myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and methods. Patients (n=99) with acute MI (48 – with STEMI, 51 – with non-STEMI) were examined. Diagnosis of MI was set on the basis of the dynamics of myocardial damage markers, data of clinical and electrocardiogram examination. The comparison group consisted of 33 patients with stable angina functional class 2. The control group included 35 healthy men. Structural and functional state of the LV myocardium and types of its remodeling were assessed by echocardiography.Results. It was found that the LV eccentric hypertrophy was the predominated type of LV remodeling in patients with STEMI. Besides, these patients demonstrated disorders of the LV contractile function (LV ejection fraction 40.2±5.49% vs. 61.4±3.91% in control; p

Background: The primary cause of ischemic heart failure (HF) is myocardial infarction (MI) resulting in left ventricle (LV) wall motion abnormality secondary to ventricular remodeling. A prospective, nonrandomized study conducted in China was designed to assess safety and efficacy of the percutaneous ventricular restoration therapy using Parachute device (CardioKinetix, Inc., CA, USA) in ischemic HF patients as a result of LV remodeling after anterior wall MI. Methods: Thirty-one patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, III ischemic HF, ejection fraction between 15% and 40%, and dilated akinetic or dyskinetic anterior-apical wall without the need to be revascularized were enrolled from seven sites in China from October to December 2014. The Parachute device was implanted through femoral artery. All patients received low-dose aspirin and anticoagulation with warfarin for at least 12 months postdevice implantation. The primary end-point was the assessment of efficacy as measured by the reduction in LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVI) against baseline LVESVI at 3 months postdevice implantation, determined by the echocardiography and measured by echocardiography core laboratory. Quality of life was assessed using EQ-5D and visual analog scale (VAS). For quantitative data comparison, paired t-test (normality data) and signed-rank test (abnormality data) were used; application of signed-rank test was for the ranked data comparison. Results: A change in LVESVI as measured by echocardiography from the preimplant baseline to 3-month postdevice implantation revealed a statistically significant reduction from 77.5 ± 20.0 ml/m2 to 53.1 ± 17.0 ml/m2 (P < 0.0001). The trial met its primary end-point. Of the 31 patients, the procedural success was 96.8%. Overall, NYHA HF class assessment results showed an improvement of more than half a class at 3 months (P < 0.001). Quality of life assessed by the VAS value increased 11.5 points (P < 0.01), demonstrating improvement at 3 months. Conclusion: The favorable outcomes observed in the high-risk patients provide reassuring safety and efficacy data to support adoption of this technology as a therapeutic option for ischemic HF patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02240940; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02240940.

Aim. To evaluate the relationship of 24-hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring data with myocardial mass and type of left ventricle hypertrophy (LVH) in non-treated patients with essential hypertension (HT).Patients and methods. We reviewed echocardiograms and BP monitoring data of 500 patients (250 females and 250 males; aged 53,1±12,2 y.o.).Results. Normal geometry of left ventricle (LV) was found in 143 patients (28,6%), concentric remodeling of LV – in 73 (14,6%), concentric LVH - in 138 (27,6%) and eccentric LVH – in 146 patients (29,2%). The least disturbances of 24-hour BP profile were observed in patients with normal LV geometry; 60,1% of patients had normal reduction of night BP. More than a third of patients had disturbances of circadian BP profile. Mostly severe disturbances of 24-hour BP profile were observed in patients with concentric and eccentric LVH. Circadian BP disturbances were revealed in two thirds of patients. Inadequate night BP reduction and inverted type of circadian BP profile predominated. Negative correlation between 24-hour systolic BP index and LV myocardial mass index was observed. Some LV structural disturbances as well as systolic dysfunction were revealed in patients with LV concentric remodeling. Besides HT of 3 grade and excessive night BP reduction were observed more often in these patients.Conclusion. The relationships between LV structural disturbances and 24-hour BP profile allow to reveal patients with unfavorable course of HT.

The effects of two cardiomyopathy-associated mutations in regulatory sarcomere protein tropomyosin (Tpm) on heart function were studied with a new multiscale model of the cardiovascular system (CVS). They were a Tpm mutation, Ile284Val, associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and an Asp230Asn one associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). When the molecular and cell-level changes in the Ca2+ regulation of cardiac muscle caused by these mutations were introduced into the myocardial model of the left ventricle (LV) while the LV shape remained the same as in the model of the normal heart, the cardiac output and arterial blood pressure reduced. Simulations of LV hypertrophy in the case of the Ile284Val mutation and LV dilatation in the case of the Asp230Asn mutation demonstrated that the LV remodeling partially recovered the stroke volume and arterial blood pressure, confirming that both hypertrophy and dilatation help to preserve the LV function. The possible effects of changes in passive myocardial stiffness in the model according to data reported for HCM and DCM hearts were also simulated. The results of the simulations showed that the end-systolic pressure–volume relation that is often used to characterize heart contractility strongly depends on heart geometry and cannot be used as a characteristic of myocardial contractility.

For the purpose of diagnostic and treatment improvement it is necessary to investigate relationship between different pathogenetic mechanisms in essential hypertension. The aim of our study was the comparative analysis of the parameters of cardiac remodeling and neurohumoral mechanisms of heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with essential arterial hypertension. 100 patients with essential arterial hypertension were included in the study. All patients went through heart rate variability parameters and left ventricle characteristics evaluation. Time and frequency domains were decreased in patients with arterial hypertension. Excess sympathetic activation takes place, parasympathetic system is depressed and it shows pathogenetic basis of disadaptation. Left ventricle hypertrophy is associated with progressive decrease of HRV and its circadian fluctuations. Concentric left ventricle hypertrophy is characterized by the most significant decrease in time and frequency domains of HRV. 1/3 of hypertensive patients with normal left ventricle geometry have diastolic dysfunction and also some decrease in time and frequency domains. In conclusion, we found that cardiac remodeling in patients with essential hypertension seems to be related to the severity of impairment of cardiac autonomic control

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular heart disease in the western world, particularly worrisome with an ever-aging population wherein postoperative outcome for aortic valve replacement is strongly related to the timing of surgery in the natural course of disease. Yet, guidelines for therapy planning overlook insightful, quantified measures from medical imaging to educate clinical decisions. Herein, we leverage statistical shape analysis (SSA) techniques combined with customized machine learning methods to extract latent information from segmented left ventricle (LV) shapes. This enabled us to predict left ventricular mass index (LVMI) regression a year after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). LVMI regression is an expected phenomena in patients undergone aortic valve replacement reported to be tightly correlated with survival one and five year after the intervention. In brief, LV geometries were extracted from medical images of a cohort of AS patients using deep learning tools, and then analyzed to create a set of statistical shape models (SSMs). Then, the supervised shape features were extracted to feed a support vector regression (SVR) model to predict the LVMI regression. The average accuracy of the predictions was validated against clinical measurements calculating root mean square error and R 2 score which yielded the satisfactory values of 0.28 and 0.67, respectively, on test data. Our work reveals the promising capability of advanced mathematical and bioinformatics approaches such as SSA and machine learning to improve medical output prediction and treatment planning., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2023 Asheghan, Javadikasgari, Attary, Rouhollahi, Straughan, Willi, Awal, Sabe, de la Cruz and Nezami.)

Background: Maternal cardiovascular changes, occurring since the beginning of pregnancy, are necessary for normal placentation and regular evolution of pregnancy., Objective: This study aimed to compare the hemodynamic profiles and cardiac remodeling of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and either appropriate for gestational age fetuses or growth-restricted fetuses, women with normotensive pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction, and women with uncomplicated pregnancies, during pregnancy and the postpartum period., Study Design: A prospective longitudinal case-control design was used for this study. Over the study period, 220 eligible women with singleton pregnancies were selected for the analysis and divided into 4 groups: (1) hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with appropriate for gestational age fetuses; (2) hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with fetal growth restriction; (3) normotensive fetal growth restriction; and (4) controls. Ultrasound fetal biometry and fetoplacental Doppler velocimetry were performed at recruitment. Maternal hemodynamic assessment using transthoracic echocardiography was performed at the time of recruitment by a dedicated cardiologist blinded to maternal clinical data. The same assessments were performed in 104 patients at 32 weeks (interquartile range, 24-40) after delivery by the same cardiologist., Results: During pregnancy, women in the hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy-fetal-growth-restriction group showed significantly lower cardiac output and increased compared with those in the control group. These values were associated with concentric remodeling of the left ventricle owing to relatively increased wall thickness, which was not accompanied by an increase in left ventricular mass. Isolated fetal growth restriction presented similar but less important hemodynamic changes; however, there was no change in relative wall thickness. At postpartum follow-up, the hemodynamic parameters of women in the hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy-fetal-growth-restriction and isolated-fetal-growth-restriction groups reverted to values similar to those of the control group. Only 8.3% of women in these groups experienced hypertension even in the postpartum period, and asymptomatic stage-B cardiac failure was observed for 17% at echocardiography. In the group of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and appropriate for gestational age fetuses, cardiac output increased as in normal pregnancies, but total vascular resistance was significantly higher; hypertension then occurred, along with ventricular concentric hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. At postpartum follow-up, women in the hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy-appropriate-for-gestational-age-fetus group showed significantly higher mean arterial pressure, total vascular resistance, and left ventricular mass compared with those in the control group. Persistent hypertension and asymptomatic stage-B cardiac failure were observed in 39.1% and 13% of women in the former group, respectively., Conclusion: Pregnancies with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal growth restriction and normotensive pregnancies with fetal growth restriction were associated with the hemodynamic profile of lower heart rate and cardiac output, most likely because of abnormal adaptation to pregnancy, as confirmed by abnormal changes from pregnancy to the postpartum period. The heart rates and cardiac output of women in the hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy-appropriate-for-gestational-age-fetus group showed changes opposite to those observed in the hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy-fetal-growth-restriction and fetal-growth-restriction groups. Obesity and other metabolic risk factors, significantly prevalent in women in the hypertensive-disorders-of-pregnancy-appropriate-for-gestational-age-fetus group, predispose to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy and the postpartum period, potentially offering a window for personalized prevention. Such preventive strategies could differ in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and fetal growth restriction characterized by poor early placental development., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)