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- Lam, Y-Y, et al.
(author)
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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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In: Heart. - : BMJ. - 1355-6037 .- 1468-201X. ; 95:9, s. 733-739
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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| 4. |
- Ramzy, Ihab S., et al.
(author)
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Ventricular endocrine and mechanical function following thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction
- 2007
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 117:1, s. 51-58
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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.
(author)
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Remifentanil plus low-dose midazolam for outpatient sedation in transesophageal echocardiography.
- 2008
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In: International journal of cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1874-1754 .- 0167-5273.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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.
(author)
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Beyond dyssynchrony in cardiac resynchronisation therapy.
- 2008
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In: Heart (British Cardiac Society). - : BMJ. - 1468-201X .- 1355-6037. ; 94:8, s. 991-4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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- Ding, Wen-hong, et al.
(author)
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Echocardiographic predictors of left ventricular functional recovery following valve replacement surgery for severe aortic stenosis.
- 2008
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In: International Journal of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-5273 .- 1874-1754. ; 128:2, s. 178-84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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.
(author)
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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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In: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Oxford University Press. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 11:9, s. 897-902
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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