bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non invasive ventilation and right ventricle function in cardiogenic pulmonary edema: an echocardiographic perspective to select the "right" ventilatory support
Authors: Pedicino D , Angelini A , Russo G , D"aiello A , Rocco E , Ciampi P , Ponzo M , Graziani F , Locorotondo G , Sanna T , Rebuzzi AG , Lombardo A , Massetti M , Liuzzo G , Crea F 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
High-flow nasal cannulae oxygen therapy (HFNCOT) represents a better tolerated alternative to non-invasive pressure support ventilation (NIPSV) for acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) treatment. However, there are still few data on the effect of HFNCOT on cardiac function and hemodynamic.

Purpose
To assess and compare the effects of NIPSV and HFNCOT in ACPE setting on right ventricular (RV) systolic function and on indices of cardiac filling and output, as measured by echocardiography.

Methods
This is a cross-over controlled study, enrolling 15 consecutive patients admitted to our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit for ACPE and hypoxaemic, normo/hypocapnic acute respiratory failure, with P/F ratio &lt; 200. Each patient received NIPSV, followed by HFNCOT. Full echocardiographic assessment and blood gas analysis (BGA) were performed 40 minutes from onset of each ventilation modality, respectively before NIPSV to HFNCOT switch and before HFNCOT interruption. In particular, RV function parameters, together with RV and atrial strain, were prospectively collected.

Results
In spite of not significant changes in BGA, RV function was significantly improved under HFNCOT, as compared to NIPSV, as assessed by the following parameters: tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE) (P = 0.001), RV S’ wave (P = 0.007), RV fractional area change (RVFAC) (P = 0.006). Strain analysis confirmed the significant improvement in RV function, with free wall global longitudinal strain (GLS) and free wall and septum GLS significantly higher under HFNCOT, as compared to NIPSV (-21% vs -18% P &lt; 0.001, and -15% vs -19% P = 0.008, respectively,), and a significant increase in right atrial positive longitudinal strain (P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
NIPSV significantly affect RV function making more complex the management of patients presenting with ACPE. In this setting, HFNCOT represents a valuable alternative, providing similar respiratory outcomes while preserving good right ventricle performance.
Bicuspid aortic valve flow dynamics using blood speckle tracking in children
Authors: Henry M , Fadnes S , Lovstakken L , Mawad W , Mertens L , Nyrnes S 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Labatt Family Heart Centre

Background
Bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) are the most common form of congenital heart disease with a prevalence of up to 2%. Fusion of the aortic cusps result in complex flow patterns in the aortic root which may contribute to the risk of progressive dilation. Imaging these patterns with conventional echocardiography is challenging due to the angle dependency of colour Doppler. Blood speckle tracking (BST) is a novel method based on high-frame rate ultrasound that is less angle-independent and developed to evaluate complex flow.

Purpose
The aims of this study were to 1) describe and quantify flow patterns in the aortic root using blood speckle tracking and 2) quantitatively compare flow parameters (energy loss, vorticity, kinetic energy) between paediatric patients with BAVs and those with normal aortic valves.

Methods
Clinical and routine echocardiographic parameters were collected for children with normal and BAVs. Children were imaged using a commercially available clinical scanner with research software enabling the acquisition of high-frame rate imaging and blood speckle tracking. Aortic root energy loss, vorticity and kinetic energy were measured in the parasternal long axis view.

Results
Data from 46 patients were analyzed (31 normal aortic valves, 15 BAVs) with no significant difference in age, height, weight or BSA between groups. Nine patients (60%) had right-left fusion; 6 (40%) had right-non fusion. Qualitative flow assessment in aortic root demonstrated disturbed flow in the BAV group (see figure) generally directed towards the non-fused cusp (i.e non coronary cusp in right-left fusion). Patients with a BAV had higher aortic valve peak velocity (2.1 m/s vs 0.9 m/s, p&lt; 0.001); aortic root systolic energy loss (4.29 mW/m vs 1.79 mW/m, p&lt; 0. 001), vorticity (38.7 1/s vs 31.1 1/s, p&lt; 0.01) and kinetic energy (34.5 mJ/m vs 24.5 mJ/m, p = 0.04) compared to those with normal aortic valves.
Conclusion(s)
Blood speckle tracking can demonstrate altered flow patterns in the aortic root in patients with BAV. These patients have increased energy losses, vorticity and kinetic energy when compared to age matched patients with normal aortic valves however the relationship of theses parameters to aortic root dilation remains to be demonstrated.
Abstract Figure. Flow patterns (A-C) and analysis (D-F)
Time to step up 4 flights of stairs gives relevant information on exercise testing performance and results
Authors: Peteiro Vazquez JC , Bouzas-Mosquera A , Rivadulla-Varela C , Barbeito-Caamano C , Vazquez-Rodriguez JM 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
The achievement of a maximal workload of 10 metabolic equivalents (METs) is associated to good outcome with hard cardiac events of just around 1%/year. However, there is no much information on common daily exercises that can be quantitatively measured and give information about this exercise performance. We aimed to assess the capacity of stepping up stairs in patients submitted for an exercise testing (ExT).

Methods
A total of 165 consecutive ambulatory patients submitted for a clinically indicated ExT with ECG (ExT-ECG, n = 15) or echocardiography (ExT-E, n = 150) were included. At least 15 minutes after the test patients were asked to step up 4 flights of stairs (60 stairs) at fast pace without stopping but also without running and the time to do it was counted.

Results
Patients who achieved 10 METs during exercise (n = 69) made the stairs test in 46 ± 11 secs, those who achieved 8-10 METs (n = 37) in 58 ± 21 secs, and those who achieved &lt;8 METs (n = 59) made it in 82 ± 41 secs (p &lt; 0.001). Correlation between METs and stairs time test was 0.53 (Figure 1). The area under the curve ROC of stairs time for predicting an achievement of 10 METs was 0.79 (95% CI= 0.72-0.86, p &lt; 0.001). A cut off value of 60 secs had high sensitivity (94%) and negative predictive value for 10 METs (93%) although specificity and positive predictive values were of 53% and 59%, respectively. A cut-off value of 90 secs had low sensitivity (34%) but high specificity (96%) and positive predictive value (83%) for predicting &lt;8 METs. Abnormal results were seen in 58% of patients with limited exercise capacity, 30% with intermediate exercise capacity, and 29% with good exercise capacity (p = 0.002); and in 32% of patients that did the stairs test in at least 60 secs in comparison with 52% of those that lasted between 61-89 secs and 58% of those that lasted more (p = 0.018).

Conclusions
Most subjects able to step up 4 flights of stairs in 45 secs will perform well during exercise testing. On the contrary, those unable to make the stairs test in 1 and a half minutes are expected to have bad functional capacity and worse exercise test performance.
Abstract Figure.
The usefulness of dipyridamole stress echocardiography in high-risk patients before abdominal aneurism surgery
Authors: Binno S , Moderato L , Capelli P , Piepoli MF , Scabini M , Mosso F , Aschieri D 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) and aortic aneurysm (AA) share commons risk factors,
such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. Cardiac
assessment before aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA) surgery is indicated for patients with
symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). The usefulness of assessment of moderate/high-risk
patients is still debated.

Purpose
the purpose of our study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of dipyridamole stress
echocardiography (DSE) for the detection of CAD in patients undergoing AAA surgery with high cardiovascular risk.

Methods
From 2017th to 2019th 120 patients underwent surgery for aortic aneurysm (71 endovascular technique and 49 with open laparotomy).
Of these, 74 asymptomatic patients with high cardiovascular risk underwent a pre-surgical contrast-enhanced dipyridamole stress echo (0,84 mg/kg over 6 minutes – protocol with LVO with sulfur hexafluoride), to exclude the presence of inducible myocardial ischemia, Mean follow-up was 6-24 months.

Results
Mean age was 77 years +/- 6.6, with male gender prevalent (83%). No complication during DSE occurred; mean SCORE risk was 9.8% +/- 2.3%, with 63% patients with very high risk. Only 1 patient showed inducible ischemia during stress echocardiography, with evidence of significant LAD stenosis; no myocardial infarction was reported at follow-up, while 1 ischemic stroke and 1 unplanned revascularization occurred.
11% of patients died, of which 50% for Sars-Cov-2 disease and 12% due to post-surgery dissection while no cardiac deaths were found.

Conclusions
dipyridamole stress echo is safe in patients with surgical-class abdominal aortic aneurism; in patients with high cardiovascular risk but no symptoms reversible ischemia is rare. DSE should not be routinely performed before high-risk surgery but only in patients with cardiac symptoms.
Abstract Figure. Patients Diagram
Clinical, functional and prognostic correlates of blunted heart rate reserve during exercise stress echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Palinkas ED , Varga A , Agoston G , Palinkas A , Sepp R 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Blunted heart rate reserve (HRR) during exercise is associated with cardiac autonomic dysfunction and poor outcome.

Purpose
To evaluate the anatomical, functional and prognostic correlates of HRR during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods
We prospectively recruited a consecutive sample of 121 HCM patients [age 47 ± 13 years, 67 males; NYHA class 1.7 ± 0.7; left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 71 ± 9 %; LV maximal wall thickness 24 ± 5 mm; 58 (48%) with LV outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO, gradient ≥ 50 mmHg) at rest] who underwent semi-supine bicycle ESE from January 2006 to September 2019. HRR was calculated as the peak/rest heart rate (HR) ratio. All patients were followed-up for a median of 7.5 years.

Results
HR was 68 ± 11 bpm at rest and 105 ± 19 bpm at peak stress. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the best cut-off value of HRR (≤ 1.48, blunted) to predict all-cause death. A blunted HRR was present in 52 patients (43 %, Group 1). Patients with blunted HRR had more frequently hypertension (Group 1= 41/52 vs Group 2= 40/69, 79 vs 58 %, p = 0.019), resting systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve [(SAM) , Group 1= 41/52 vs Group 2= 40/69, 79 vs 58 %, p = 0.019] and rest LVOTO (Group 1= 31/52 vs Group 2= 27/69, 60 vs 39 %, p = 0.029). Patients in Group 1 had larger left atrial diameter (48.8 ± 6.5 vs 46.5 ± 7.6, p = 0.076), lower LV end-diastolic [(EDD) , 44.8 ± 4.6 vs 46.7 ± 4.6 mm p = 0.02] and LV end-systolic diameter [(ESD), 25.2 ± 5.3 vs 27.6 ± 5.5 mm p = 0.02] at rest. Patients in Group 1 had higher NYHA class (1.9 ± 0.6 vs 1.6 ± 0.7, p = 0.009), resting HR (71.5 ± 11.4 vs 64.6 ± 10.6 bpm p &lt; 0.001), and shorter total exercise time (6.3 ± 3.1 vs 9.1 ± 2.8 min, p &lt; 0.001) compared to patients in Group 2.
During the follow-up, 13 patients died. All-cause death was observed in 10/52 patients of Group 1 and 3/69 patients of Group 2 (19 vs 4 %, p &lt; 0.05). Cox multivariate regression survival analysis revealed that HRR ≤ 1.48 (Hazard ratio 3.7, 95% CI 0.96-14.5, p = 0.048) and left atrial diameter (Hazard ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.04-1.28, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality, either on or off beta-blocker therapy.

Conclusion
HRR is a simple non-imaging biomarker of cardiac autonomic function and is frequently abnormal in HCM. The blunted increase in frequency is associated with NYHA functional class, exercise time, rest HR, rest LVOTO, SAM, LV EDD and ESD. HRR independently predicts survival in HCM. The lower the HRR, the worse the outcome.
Abstract Figure.
Global longitudinal strain and left ventricle dyssynchrony changes during stress echocardiography in response to antihypertensive treatment optimization
Authors: Karev E , Verbilo S , Malev E , Prokudina M , Suvorov A 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background. The positive effect of blood pressure (BP) lowering medications on global longitudinal strain (GLS) and left ventricle (LV) dyssynchrony even in patients with narrow QRS complexes at rest has been established at rest. The dynamic changes of GLS and dyssynchrony markers on exertion are still remain underinvestigated, especially in patients with hypertensive response to exercise (HRE).
Purpose. The aim of the study was to define if any changes in GLS and dyssynchrony markers assessed during exercise stress echocardiography (SE) can occur after the optimization of antihypertensive treatment.
Methods. 18 patients without coronary artery stenosis on coronary angiography, underwent exercise SE on treadmill. All patients had arterial hypertension and HRE, defined as elevation of systolic BP ≥190 mmHg in women and ≥210 mmHg in men or ≥180 mmHg from the second stage of standard Bruce protocol. After optimization of BP lowering medications (addition/dose correction of ACEI/ARB, CCB or diuretics) we repeated SE within 138.5 ± 85.1 days. GLS and dyssynchrony markers at rest and on exertion from both tests were subsequently analyzed with the QLab and 3D-Q Advanced software.
Results. The target systolic BP at rest was reached in all 18 patients (145.8 ± 21.8 mmHg vs. 126.1 ± 14.5 mmHg, p = 0.03), moreover exercise BP on exercise decreased significantly (209.4 ± 15.4 mmHg vs. 170.8 ± 14.4 mmHg, p = 0.003). We observed improvement in tolerance to exertion (7.2 ± 2.4 METs vs. 8.7 ± 3.0 METs, p = 0.0004), 2D and 3D-ejection fraction increase (4.7 ± 2.2% vs. 8.8 ± 2.1%, p = 0.0002 and 3.9 ± 4.9% vs. 10.8 ± 8.5, p = 0.03) and significant reduction of wall motion score index (1.21 ± 0.24 vs. 1.03 ± 0.11, p = 0.001). The speckle tracking analysis revealed increase in GLS on exertion (-20.4 ± 3.5 vs. -23.78 ± 3.2, p = 0.001) and its increment (-0.28 ± 2.1 vs. 3.17 ± 1.89, p = 0.0006), while the level of rest GLS remained unchanged (-20.61 ± 2.9 vs. -20.61 ± 2.6, p = 0.9) (Fig. 1). The dyssynchrony marker STE-TIME SD-IMPOST (standard deviation of time from QRS onset to peak segmental longitudinal strain on exertion) has also diminished (47.3 ± 18.4 vs. 33.8 ± 12.2, p = 0.005).
Conclusions. Stress-induced wall motion abnormalities and poor increase/decrease in GLS observed in patients with HRE even in absence of coronary artery stenosis can resolve or diminish after antihypertensive treatment optimization.
Speckle tracking LV-dyssynchrony markers in patients with narrow QRS complexes can also decrease in response to BP-lowering medications.
Abstract Figure 1.
Does number of volumes affect regional deformation measurements when using volume stitched 3D speckle tracking?
Authors: Hjertaas JJ , Einarsen E , Gerdts E , Kokorina M , Moen CA , Urheim S , Saeed S , Matre K 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Optimal 3D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) requires volume stitching, a technique prone to errors, such as patient movements, respiration and arrhythmias. With different resolution at different depths (Figure 1A), such errors may cause stitching artefacts that affect STE derived deformation measurements at different levels of the left ventricle.

Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 62 patients with variable degree of aortic stenosis participated. 3D images were recorded using 3 different methods (2-, 4- and 6-beat volume stitching at 22 ± 2, 29 ± 4 and 36 ± 6 volumes per second, respectively). Strain, rotation and torsion were analyzed at 3 different levels (basal, mid and apical) (Figure 1B). Results were compared using one-way analysis of variance between methods. Inter-segmental variation was estimated using the coefficient of variation (CV) of the segments involved for each level. Results were interpreted as more accurate if low values of inter-segmental variation between segments in a level was present.

Results
Neither longitudinal strain (LS) nor circumferential strain (CS) showed any difference between methods in the basal level (Table 1). LS was higher in mid and apical level for 2-beat, while CS was higher only in apical level for 2-beat.
Inter-segmental CV showed no significant difference between methods for LS and CS. Between levels, both had higher CV in basal than apical level, but CS had much higher values, indicating lower accuracy in basal level.
Rotation measurements showed negative values in basal level and positive in apical level. None of the methods differed significantly. Torsion showed higher values for 2 beat images only.

Conclusion
3D STE from both 4- and 6 beat images have insignificant differences for strain, as well as low inter-segmental variability. LS is accurate in all levels while CS has high accuracy in apical, and poor in basal level. Both rotation and torsion differ insignificantly when using 4- and 6-beat images.
Table 1 Level Mean ± SD ANOVA P CV 2-beat 4-beat 6-beat 2-beat 4-beat 6-beat Longitudinal strain (%) Basal -17.82 ± 4.83 -16.81 ± 4.48 -17.05 ± 3.56 0.402 34.5 34.9 31.5 Mid -16.34 ± 4.30 -14.91 ± 3.62 -14.46 ± 3.53 0.019 31.4 29.9 29.9 Apical -16.80 ± 4.33 -15.06 ± 3.12 -15.09 ± 3.02 0.008 30.6 28.5 24.9 Circumferential strain (%) Basal -12.93 ± 4.42 -14.16 ± 4.21 -13.05 ± 3.24 0.168 106.7 71.7 74.4 Mid -17.59 ± 3.86 -16.73 ± 3.56 -16.98 ± 3.51 0.406 43.0 36.9 30.3 Apical -22.14 ± 6.20 -19.04 ± 4.81 -20.32 ± 5.40 0.008 26.8 29.4 23.4 Abstract Figure 1
Cardiac computed tomography for therapy targeting in surgical repair of anteroapical left ventricular aneurysms: assessment of aneurysm volume and of anticipated residual left ventricular volume
Authors: Solowjowa N , Nemchyna O , Hrytsyna Y , Meyer A , Pasic M , Falk V , Knosalla CH 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Surgical ventricular repair (SVR) is an established treatment option in patients with heart failure (HF) due to left ventricular (LV) aneurysms, whereby LV volume reduction is the principal therapeutic target. Precise planning therefore is essential for postoperative improvement of HF symptoms.

Purpose
In this study we evaluated the potential of cardiac computed tomography (CCT) to estimate the aneurysm volume and to predict the achievable residual LV volume.

Methods
205 patients (11/2005-01/2016, m:w = 151:54, median 63.4 years; mean NYHA class 3.03) with anteroapical LV aneurysm underwent SVR combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (77%), mitral valve repair/replacement (19%), and LV thrombectomy (19%). CCT was performed before and 7 days after surgery. Volumetric assessment was made using dedicated software (syngo.via Cardiac Function, Siemens AG). Preoperative CCT data of 48 consecutive patients were analyzed and then matched with effectively achieved postoperative volumes. To separate the aneurysm volume in the systole and diastole a plane determined by three landmarks on borders of scared to intact LV myocardium (antero-septal, lateral and inferior) was used. In this way ensued the retrospective estimation of the aneurysm volume (AnV/AnVI) and anticipated LV end diastolic and end systolic volume (LVEDVI, LVESVI).

Results
Mean diastolic and systolic estimated AnV were 92 ± 56.6 ml and 83.5 ± 61.6 ml respectively. Relation of AnV to LVEDV and to LVESV was 29.2% and 38.2%, correspondingly. There was significant correlation between anticipated and effectively achieved LVEDV and LVESV (r = 0.87 and r = 0.88, respectively, p &lt; 0.0001), and their indexed values (r = 0.83 and r = 0.83, respectively, p &lt; 0.0001). Anticipated LVEDVI was only 10.3 ± 22.5 ml/m2 greater than achieved LVEDVI (p = 0.003), and anticipated LVESVI was only 2.4 ± 20.3 ml/m2 greater than achieved LVESVI (p = 0.433).

Conclusions
Estimation of aneurysm volume and anticipated postoperative LV volume allows to predict if the therapeutic targets can be successfully achieved in individual patients. Based on the CCT assessment we propose an approach for surgical planning in anterior LV aneurysms.
Computed tomography for the prediction of structural valve deterioration in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Guglielmo M , Fusini L , Muratori M , Tamborini G , Mantegazza V , Muscogiuri G , Baggiano A , Stefano S , Babbaro M , Mollace R , Mushtaq S , Conte E , Guaricci AI , Pepi M , Pontone G 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Background
Computed tomography (CT) provides excellent anatomy assessment of the aortic annulus (AoA) and is currently routinely utilized for pre-procedural planning of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This study sought to investigate if geometrical characteristics of the AoA determined by CT may represent predictors of structural valve deterioration (SVD) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic implantation (TAVI) with balloon-expandable valves.

Methods
AoA maximum diameter (Dmax), minimum diameter (Dmin), and area were assessed using pre-procedural CT in patients undergoing TAVI in our Institution. SVD was identified with transthoracic echocardiography at 5.9 ± 1.7 follow-up years.

Results
124 consecutive patients (mean age: 79 ± 7 years old; female: 61%) were retrospectively enrolled. AoA Dmax, Dmin and area were significantly smaller in patients with SVD compared to patients without SVD (27.1 ± 2.8 mm vs 25.6 ± 2.2 mm, p = 0.012; 21.8 ± 2.1 mm vs 20.5 ± 2.1 mm, p = 0.001 and 467 ± 88 mm2 vs 419 ± 77 mm2 p = 0.002 respectively). At univariate analysis, female sex, body surface area, the use of a -23 mm prosthetic valve a Dmax &lt;27.1 mm and a Dmin &lt; 19.9 mm were all variables independently associated with SVD whereas at multivariate analysis, only Dmin &lt;19.9 mm (OR = 2.873, 95% CI: 1.191-6.929, p = 0.019) and female sex (OR = 2.659, 95% CI: 1.095-6.458, p = 0.031) were independent predictors of SVD.

Conclusions
Female sex and AoA Dmin &lt; 19.9 mm are associated to SVD in patients undergoing TAVI with balloon explandable valves.
Abstract Figure.