| 1. |
- Lam, Y-Y, et al.
(författare)
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Left ventricular long axis dysfunction in adults with "corrected" aortic coarctation is related to an older age at intervention and increased aortic stiffness.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Heart. - : BMJ. - 1355-6037 .- 1468-201X. ; 95:9, s. 733-739
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) long axis dysfunction (LAD, septal annulus pulsed-wave (PW) tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) early diastolic velocity < or =8 cm/s) in patients with "corrected" aortic coarctation and its relationship to patient demographics and aortic elastic properties. METHODS: A retrospective study of 80 consecutive patients with "corrected" aortic coarctation (aged 27 (SD 6) years, seven postballoon aortoplasty, 41 poststenting and 32 postsurgical repair) was carried out. Patients' ages at intervention, comorbidities and medications were recorded. The LV long axis motions were recorded by M-mode and PW TDI. Aortic stiffness indices were calculated from the aortic diameters and pulse pressures. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients (59%) had LAD. They were older (28 (5) vs 9 (6) years) at treatment, had stiffer aorta (stiffness index 18.4 (6.0) vs 9.2 (2.3)), thicker LV walls (146.7 (59.7) vs 103.8 (44.9) g/m2), higher wall stress (80 (6) vs 70 (7) 10(3) dynes/cm2), larger left atria (31.7 (4.6) vs 24.5 (5.3) ml/m2) and higher LV filling pressures (p<0.01 for all) compared with those without LAD, despite a similar prevalence of antihypertensive use and bicuspid aortic valves. The age at intervention (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.29 to 6.60, p<0.01) and aortic stiffness index (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.79, p<0.001) were the two independent predictors for LAD in patients on multivariate analysis. A cut-off age of > or =25 year at intervention was 89% sensitive and 76% specific in predicting LAD (AUC = 0.90, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LAD is common in adults with aortic coarctation despite apparently successful treatment. Its presence is related to older age at intervention and increased aortic stiffness.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Henein, Mark, et al.
(författare)
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Atrial fibrillation (mechanistic view point)
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 134:2, s. 270-272
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 4. |
- Ramzy, Ihab S., et al.
(författare)
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Ventricular endocrine and mechanical function following thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction
- 2007
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 117:1, s. 51-58
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective The objective of this study was to assess natriuretic peptide release following acute myocardial infarction, and its relationship with ventricular function. Methods A total of 44 patients with acute myocardial infarction were studied; 13 anterior, age (57 ± 12 years) and 31 inferior, age (58 ± 12 years). Peptide levels and left ventricular function by echocardiography were assessed at admission and on days 7 and 30 after thrombolysis. Healthy volunteers (n = 21) served as controls. Results Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels rose from admission to day 7 (p = 0.002). While ANP remained elevated at day 30 in both groups, BNP levels fell in patients with anterior myocardial infarction (p = 0.03). Left ventricular fractional shortening was reduced at admission in the two groups (p = 0.01) but returned towards normal in 7 days (p = 0.001) in inferior myocardial infarction and in 30 days in anterior myocardial infarction (p = 0.02). Left ventricular long axis amplitude was universally reduced at admission (p = 0.01) and remained abnormal at day 30 (p = 0.01) in both groups. At day 7, BNP and ANP levels inversely correlated with long axis amplitude of lateral wall in anterior myocardial infarction; (r = − 0.7, p = 0.01). BNP correlated inversely with fractional shortening in anterior myocardial infarction (r = − 0.7, p = 0.01) at day 30. Conclusion The elevated peptide levels at 7 days post-myocardial infarction correlate with reduced mechanical activity of the adjacent noninfarcted segment. Natriuretic peptides release seem to be related to failure of compensatory hyperdynamic activity of the noninfarcted area rather than directly from the injured myocardial segments.
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| 5. |
- Renna, Maurizio, et al.
(författare)
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Remifentanil plus low-dose midazolam for outpatient sedation in transesophageal echocardiography.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International journal of cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1874-1754 .- 0167-5273.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The search for optimal sedation for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) continues. We hypothesized that the ultra-short acting opioid remifentanil combined with very low-dose midazolam would provide a better sedation and recovery profile compared to midazolam alone. METHODS: 41 consecutive outpatients scheduled for TEE received either IV midazolam (group M, 2.5 mg bolus plus 1 mg increments repeated as needed, n=18) or a combination of a low-dose IV bolus of midazolam (0.5 mg) plus an infusion of remifentanil (group RM, 0.1 mcg/kg/min, reduced to 0.08 mcg/kg/min after probe insertion, n=23). All patients received topical pharyngeal anesthesia with 2 puffs of lidocaine 4% spray. We recorded BP, SpO(2), HR, time-to-discharge (modified Aldrete score of 13), duration of procedure, resource utilization, complications, ease of probe introduction, ease and quality of the procedure. Patients' satisfaction with sedation was assessed using the Iowa Satisfaction with Anesthesia Scale (ISAS). RESULTS: Mean dose of midazolam in group M was 3.7+/-1.3 mg. Median time-to-discharge was significantly reduced in the RM group compared with the M group (5 (5-10) vs. 30 (5-240) min, p<0.0001), with 22 of the 23 group RM patients ready for "street discharge" within 5 min of removal of the TEE probe. Ease of probe insertion (p=0.001), resource utilization (p=0.0001), patient satisfaction (p=0.03) and overall ease and quality of the procedure (p=0.0001) were significantly better in the RM group than in the M group. No episodes of desaturation were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the use of an ultra-short acting opioid, remifentanil, combined with a low-dose of midazolam, as a sedative technique for outpatient TEE. In this pilot, non-randomized prospective study, remifentanil plus low-dose midazolam provided better sedation than our current practice of higher bolus doses of midazolam alone. This novel approach is associated with improved procedure tolerance, faster recovery and minimal resource utilization. A randomized, controlled study is under way to verify our preliminary results.
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| 6. |
- Chung, R, et al.
(författare)
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Beyond dyssynchrony in cardiac resynchronisation therapy.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Heart (British Cardiac Society). - : BMJ. - 1468-201X .- 1355-6037. ; 94:8, s. 991-4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) in the form of biventricular pacing has emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with refractory heart failure. Patient selection and optimisation for CRT is based on the measurement of electromechanical ventricular dyssynchrony by electrocardiogram and echocardiographic techniques. The final common pathway for raising cardiac output on exertion is to minimise isovolumic time and maximise useful diastolic filling time, but correction of dyssynchrony alone may not lead to global improvement in about one-third of patients. Insights into pressure relations and abnormal timing, as well as clinical management, may hold the key to optimum outcome.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Ding, Wen-hong, et al.
(författare)
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Echocardiographic predictors of left ventricular functional recovery following valve replacement surgery for severe aortic stenosis.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 128:2, s. 178-84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the most sensitive echocardiographic measurements that predict recovery of left ventricular function following valve replacement surgery in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and LV dysfunction.METHODS: We studied 66 patients (mean age 70+/-2 years, 53 male) who underwent AVR for severe AS with concurrent LV dysfunction between 1998 and 2003 at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Clinical symptoms, co-morbidities and echocardiographic measurements of LV function were recorded before and at a median follow-up of 46 months after AVR. Pre-operative LV systolic dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction (EF) <50% and the post-op LV recovery as an increase of EF >10%.RESULTS: Following AVR peak aortic pressure gradient decreased and aortic valve area index increased (64+/-3 to 19+/-1 mm Hg and 0.30+/-0.01 to 0.89+/-0.03 cm(2)/m(2), p<0.001 for both). LV EF increased (from 45+/-1 to 54+/-2%; p<0.001) and the LV dimensions fell (LVEDD index: from 33+/-1 to 30+/-1 mm/m(2); and LVESD index: from 27+/-1 to 20+/-1 mm/m(2); p<0.01 for both). LV diastolic dysfunction improved as evidenced by the fall in E/A ratio (from 2.6+/-0.2 to 1.9+/-0.4) and prolongation of total filling time; (from 29.2+/-0.6 to 31.4+/-0.5 s/min, p=0.01 for both). Among all echocardiographic variables, LV dimensions (LVEDD index, OR 0.70, CI 0.52-0.97, p<0.05; LVESD index, OR 0.57, CI 0.40-0.85, p=0.005) were the two independent predictors of post-operative LV functional recovery on multivariate analysis. A cut off value of pre-operative LVESD index=or<27.5 mm/m(2) was 85% sensitive and 72% specific in predicting intermediate-term recovery of LV function after AVR (AUC, 0.72, p=0.002).CONCLUSION: LV functional recovery was evident in majority of aortic stenotic patients with LV dysfunction after aortic valve replacement. A lower prevalence of LV functional recovery in patients with large pre-operative LV end systolic dimension index might signify the loss of contractile reserve and thus predict post-operative functional recovery.
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| 9. |
- Ding, Wen-Hong, et al.
(författare)
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Predictors of survival after aortic valve replacement in patients with low-flow and high-gradient aortic stenosis
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Oxford University Press. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 11:9, s. 897-902
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To identify predictors of survival following aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with low-flow and high-gradient aortic stenosis (AS).METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-six patients (aged 71 +/- 10 years) with severe AS [aortic valve mean pressure gradient >40 mmHg or valve area <1.0 cm(2)] and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction [ejection fraction (EF) <50%] underwent AVR. Cox proportional hazards were used to identify independent clinical and echocardiographic predictors of mortality. Operative (30-day) mortality was 10%. Peri-operative mortality was associated with lower mean LVEF, higher mitral E:A ratio, peak systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PSPAP), and serum creatinine (by 12%, 2.3, 28 mmHg, and 74 mmol/L, respectively, all P < 0.001), NYHA class III-IV (100 vs. 65%), concomitant CABG (89 vs. 55%), urgent surgery (78 vs. 35%), and longer bypass-time (by 28 min, all P < 0.05). Mortality at 4 years was 17%. Univariate predictors [hazard ratio (HR)] of 4-year mortality were: lower EF (HR 0.68 per % increase, P < 0.001), presence of restrictive LV filling (HR: 3.52, P < 0.001), raised PSPAP (HR: 1.07, P < 0.001), and CABG (HR: 4.93, P = 0.037). However, only low EF (<40%, HR 0.74, P = 0.030), the presence of restrictive filling (HR 1.77, P = 0.033), and raised PSPAP (>45 mmHg, HR 2.71, P = 0.010) remained as independent predictors after multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: The severity of pre-operative systolic and diastolic LV dysfunction is the major predictor of mortality following AVR for low-flow and high-gradient AS.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Li, Wei, et al.
(författare)
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Congenital heart disease and heart failure.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Heart failure monitor. - 1470-8590. ; 6:1, s. 2-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The syndrome of heart failure in adult non-congenital heart disease patients includes myocardial disease and ventricular dysfunction. In the presence of congenital abnormalities the cause of heart failure is often multi-factorial and can be a result of the underlying anomaly, surgical intervention, or ventricular dysfunction. Despite the possible clinical similarities, the two conditions are fundamentally different. In congenital heart disease the neurohormonal system is already abnormal even in the absence of clinical manifestations of heart failure and, in many cases, exercise intolerance is related to cyanosis. The approach to heart failure management in the two etiologies might be similar. Preventative attempts to preserve ventricular function in coronary or valve disease parallels early reparative therapy in congenital heart disease Pharmacological therapy is common for the two conditions, despite the limited number of evidence-based recommendations for congenital diseases. In drug-resistant patients, cardiac electrical resynchronization is an established therapy for treating ventricular asynchrony in non-congenital heart failure sufferers, but has only recently been adopted in selected congenital cases. Due to this, congenital heart disease patients are managed in highly specialized unites in close cooperation with cardiologists and surgeons. The ideal follow-up protocol for such patients remains to be determined, particularly in those individuals with subclinical signs of residual cardiac dysfunction. Heart Fail Monit 2008;6(1):2-8.
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| 12. |
- Lindqvist, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Asynchronous normal regional left ventricular function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography : appearances can be deceptive
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 134:2, s. 195-200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is an angle independent method with high temporal resolution, which offers quantification of regional left ventricular (LV) wall motion. We studied radial and longitudinal LV wall motion by STE in healthy subjects with normal wall motion analysis (WMA) by eye-balling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy subjects were studied. We acquired parasternal short and apical long axis projections to determine the basal, mid and apical radial and longitudinal functions. At each level we measured; (I) radial and longitudinal peak displacement and displacement at aortic valve closure (AVC) and (II) the time interval from the Q-wave to the AVC and peak displacement. RESULTS: WMA indicated normal wall motion in all subjects. The mean peak radial displacement varied in different segments (range 3.9-9.8 mm) with highest values in the mid-level (6.9+/-1.5 mm), compared to basal level (5.9+/-1.0 mm, p<0.01) and apical level (5.4+/-1.0 mm, p<0.001). The time from Q-wave to AVC was 393 ms and in 89% of the analysed segments peak radial displacement occurred after AVC, thus mean peak radial displacement occurred 60 ms after AVC. The peak longitudinal amplitude was more synchronous with respect to AVC and with the highest amplitudes found in the two basal segments. CONCLUSIONS: In normal LV function, significant differences in peak displacement exist between segments at various LV levels using STE. In addition, in early diastole, significant discrepancy occurs between radial and longitudinal time of peak displacement, suggesting a shape change. Finally, while radial displacement was highest at mid-cavity level longitudinal displacement was highest at basal level.
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| 13. |
- Lindqvist, Per, et al.
(författare)
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E/E' : a prime number?
- 2009
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Ingår i: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging. - : Springer. - 1569-5794 .- 1875-8312 .- 1573-0743. ; 25:1, s. 41-42
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 14. |
- Lindqvist, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Right ventricular myocardial velocities and timing estimate pulmonary artery systolic pressure
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 137:2, s. 130-136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Non-invasive estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is important for identifying and following up patients. We aimed at revisiting the accuracy of various right ventricular (RV) Doppler echocardiographic measurements of PASP. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients were studied with simultaneous right heart catheterization (RHC), conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). We measured RV-right atrial (RA) peak pressure drop, RV spectral filling and myocardial velocities and timings. RESULTS: RV-RA peak pressure drop (r=0.89, p<0.001) strongly correlated with PASP. Both RV spectral and myocardial measurements of isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) modestly correlated with PASP (r=0.63, p<0.01 and <0.001). Time interval measurements missed 6 and 9 cases with normal PASP by using proposed cut off values. Combining myocardial IVRT and isovolumic contraction velocity (IVCV) in a formula, predicted PASP in all but 3 of our patients. In addition, TDE measurements were obtainable in all cases compared to RV-RA gradient which were measurable in only 64% of patients. CONCLUSION: RV-RA peak pressure drop is the most accurate non-invasive method for assessing PASP. Combining myocardial IVCV and IVRT can be used accurately in estimating PASP being more feasible than RV-RA drop. Such additional measurement might be important in patients follow-up when RV-RA gradient is difficult to obtain.
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| 15. |
- Nicoll, Rachel, et al.
(författare)
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Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) : a hot remedy for cardiovascular disease?
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 131:3, s. 408-409
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ginger is now exciting considerable interest for its potential to treat many aspects of cardiovascular disease. This letter reviews the more recent trials, which suggest that ginger shows considerable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-platelet, hypotensive and hypolipidemic effect in in vitro and animal studies. Human trials have been few and generally used a low dose with inconclusive results, however dosages of 5 g or more demonstrated significant anti-platelet activity. More human trials are needed using an appropriate dosage of a standardised extract. Should these prove positive, ginger has the potential to offer not only a cheaper natural alternative to conventional agents but one with significantly lower side effects.
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| 16. |
- Ramzy, Ihab S, et al.
(författare)
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Right ventricular stunning in inferior myocardial infarction.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International journal of cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1874-1754 .- 0167-5273.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: To assess right ventricular (RV) function in patients with inferior myocardial infarction (IMI) and to observe changes following thrombolysis. BACKGROUND: RV dysfunction occurs in 30% of patients with IMI. The extent of such involvement and its potential, recovery has not been determined. METHODS: We studied 30 patients with acute IMI (age 56+/-12 years), on admission, day 7 and day 30 post thrombolysis. No patient had clinical signs of RV failure. RV segmental function was assessed from free wall long axis and global function from filling and ejection velocities. Values were compared with 15 age-matched controls. RESULTS: On admission, RV long axis amplitude, systolic and diastolic velocities were depressed (2.09+/-0.39 vs 2.6+/-0.3 cm, 8.18+/-1.8 vs 10.0+/-2.0 cm/s and 6.9+/-2.7 vs 10.0+/-2.5 cm/s, p<0.01 for all) and global function impaired; reduced Z ratio (0.85+/-0.07 vs 0.9+/-0.04, p<0.01), raised Tei index (0.49+/-0.26 vs 0.3+/-0.1, p<0.001) and prolonged t-IVT (8.16+/-3.9 vs 4.8+/-2 s/m, p<0.01) compared to controls. After thrombolysis, RV long axis amplitude (2.28+/-0.3 cm, p<0.05), systolic velocity (10.0+/-2.7 cm/s, p<0.01), early diastolic velocity (8.3+/-2.16, p<0.05), Z ratio (0.9+/-0.05, p<0.01), Tei index (0.34+/-0.17, p<0.01) and t-IVT (6.2+/-2.7 s/m, p<0.05) all normalised at day 30. Only 4 (13%) patients remained with RV long axis amplitude and one with t-IVT and Tei index values outside the normal 95% CI at day 30. RV inflow diameter and tricuspid regurgitation did not change. CONCLUSION: In IMI, RV segmental and global functions are acutely impaired, and recover in 87% of patients following thrombolysis. In the absence of clear evidence for RV infarction the disturbances in the remaining 13% may represent stunned myocardium that may demonstrate delayed recovery.
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