Perforated Mitral Valve Aneurysm in the Posterior Leaflet without Infective Endocarditis

Aneurysm of the mitral valve, although uncommon, occurs most commonly in association with infective endocarditis of the aortic valve and true mitral valve aneurysm is a rare cause of mitral regurgitation. We report a case with perforated mitral valve aneurysm in the posterior leaflet without concurrent infective endocarditis initially mistaken diagnosis of cystic mass, which was confirmed at operation with successful mitral valve annuloplasty.

Relationship between Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis Beyond Metabolic Disorders in Non-Diabetic Patients

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and carotid artery atherosclerosis beyond metabolic disorders. METHODS: We studied 320 non-diabetic patients with ultrasonographically diagnosed NAFLD and 313 non-diabetic patients without NAFLD who have less than 40 g alcohol/week drinking history. Carotid atherosclerotic burden was assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque. All subjects were divided to the metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: NAFLD patients had a significantly increased mean carotid IMT (0.79 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.73 +/- 0.13 mm; p or = 1 mm, and carotid plaque were 52.5% and 34.1% in the patients with NAFLD vs. 35.8% and 18.8% in the patients without this condition (p < 0.001). The difference in IMT and prevalence of plaque was also significant even in patients without MetS as well as those with MetS (all p < 0.05). NAFLD-associated adjusted odds ratio for increased IMT was 1.236 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.023-1.467, p = 0.016] without MetS and 1.178 (95% CI, 1.059-1.311, p = 0.003) with MetS. NAFLD-associated adjusted odds ratio of carotid plaque was 1.583 (95% CI, 1.309-1.857, p = 0.024) without MetS and 1.536 (95% CI, 0.512-4.604, p = 0.444) with MetS. CONCLUSION: NAFLD is significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis in non-diabetic outpatients even without MetS. Carotid screening for NAFLD might be beneficial for assessment of future atherosclerotic complications.

Impact of Right Ventricular Apical Pacing and Its Frequency on Left Atrial Function

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing induces left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony, increases the risk of persistent atrial fibrillation in the long term. The aim was to investigate the effects of RVA pacing on left atrial (LA) function, which are unknown. METHODS: Echocardiographic evaluation including LV dyssynchrony based on conventional Doppler, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking strain echocardiography was done before and after (12 months) single-chamber ventricular pacemaker implantation in 40 patients with sick sinus syndrome. Patients were divided to 2 groups, according to the RVA pacing frequency (group I had higher pacing rate of more than 50% and group II, less than 50%). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in LV ejection fraction, however, mean global LV strain, myocardial performance index, and parameters of LV dyssynchrony had shown significant changes after 12 months of RVA pacing. There were also significant increase in the LA volume index and the reduction of peak systolic LA strain and strain rate (SR), peak early and late diastolic SR after RVA pacing. Moreover, there was significant deterioration of LV dyssynchrony and both LA and LV longitudinal function in even group II. LA functional deterioration and LA volume was significantly correlated with the frequency of RVA pacing. CONCLUSION: LV dyssynchrony, induced by RVA pacing, significantly impaired active LA contraction and passive stretching, and these findings were shown in the patients with even less than 50% of RVA pacing. Impairment of LA strain/SR was significantly correlated with the frequency of RVA pacing.

Impact of Right Ventricular Apical Pacing and Its Frequency on Left Atrial Function

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing induces left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony, increases the risk of persistent atrial fibrillation in the long term. The aim was to investigate the effects of RVA pacing on left atrial (LA) function, which are unknown. METHODS: Echocardiographic evaluation including LV dyssynchrony based on conventional Doppler, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking strain echocardiography was done before and after (12 months) single-chamber ventricular pacemaker implantation in 40 patients with sick sinus syndrome. Patients were divided to 2 groups, according to the RVA pacing frequency (group I had higher pacing rate of more than 50% and group II, less than 50%). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in LV ejection fraction, however, mean global LV strain, myocardial performance index, and parameters of LV dyssynchrony had shown significant changes after 12 months of RVA pacing. There were also significant increase in the LA volume index and the reduction of peak systolic LA strain and strain rate (SR), peak early and late diastolic SR after RVA pacing. Moreover, there was significant deterioration of LV dyssynchrony and both LA and LV longitudinal function in even group II. LA functional deterioration and LA volume was significantly correlated with the frequency of RVA pacing. CONCLUSION: LV dyssynchrony, induced by RVA pacing, significantly impaired active LA contraction and passive stretching, and these findings were shown in the patients with even less than 50% of RVA pacing. Impairment of LA strain/SR was significantly correlated with the frequency of RVA pacing.

Arterial Stiffness in Female Patients With Fibromyalgia and Its Relationship to Chronic Emotional and Physical Stress

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In patients with fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome, stress and pain may chronically enhance sympathetic activity, altering cardiovascular responses and inducing the arterial wall-stiffening process. We investigated arterial stiffness in FM patients using pulse wave velocity (PWV) and analyzed whether arterial stiffness was affected by the clinical parameters of FM. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 108 female FM patients (51.5+/-8.9 years) without any known cardiovascular diseases and 76 healthy female controls (50.1+/-8.9 years). FM patients underwent a manual tender point survey for tender point counts, and completed the visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), which were composed of a physical and feel score. Brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) was measured with an automated device. The study participants were subdivided into 2 groups based on the sum of the FIQ score (group A: FIQ > or =50, group B: <50). RESULTS: Patients with FM had significantly higher baPWV than the controls, and significant increase were noted in baPWV values of group A compared with those of group B. BaPWV showed a significant positive correlation (correlation coefficient=6.83, p=0.022) with severity of disease assessed by FIQ. CONCLUSION: The patients with FM showed significantly increased arterial stiffness, suggesting a pathophysiologic link between FM and endothelial dysfunction. This study provides a basis for clarifying the mechanism by which chronic pain syndrome is associated with an increased risk of vascular stiffness.

Dual Fistulas of Ascending Aorta and Coronary Artery to Pulmonary Artery

Coronary artery fistula to pulmonary artery is common. However, to the best of our knowledge, a case of coronary artery fistula to pulmonary artery associated with aortopulmonary fistula remains unreported. We herein report a 64-year-old female with a left anterior descending coronary artery and ascending aorta to pulmonary artery fistulas, and conduct a brief review of the literature.

Alteration of Left Ventricular Function with Dobutamine Challenge in Patients with Myocardial Bridge

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify changes in left ventricular (LV) performance in patients with a myocardial bridge (MB) in the left anterior descending coronary artery during resting and in an inotropic state. METHODS: Myocardial strain measurement by speckle-tracking echocardiography and conventional LV wall-motion scoring was performed in 18 patients with MB (mean age, 48.1 +/- 1.7 years, eight female) during resting and intravenous dobutamine challenge (10 and 20 microg/kg/min). RESULTS: Conventional LV wall-motion scoring was normal in all patients during resting and in an inotropic state. Peak regional circumferential strain increased dose dependently upon dobutamine challenge. Longitudinal strains of the anterior and anteroseptal segments were, however, reduced at 20 microg/kg/min and showed a dyssynchronous pattern at 20 microg/kg/min. Although there were no significant differences in radial strain and displacement of all segments at rest compared with under 10 microg/kg/min challenge, radial strain and displacement of anterior segments at 20 microg/kg/min were significantly reduced compared with posterior segments at the papillary muscle level (44.8 +/- 14.9% vs. 78.4 +/- 20.1% and 5.3 +/- 2.3 mm vs. 8.5 +/- 1.8 mm, respectively; all p < 0.001), and showed plateau (40%) or biphasic (62%) patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced LV strain of patients with MB after inotropic stimulation was identified. Speckle-tracking strain echocardiography identified a LV myocardial dyssynchrony that was not demonstrated by conventional echocardiography in patients with MB.

A Rare Case with Primary Undifferentiated Carcinoma of Pericardium

A primary pericardial tumor is very rare. A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with chief complaint of exertional dyspnea due to large amount of pericardial effusion. She was finally diagnosed as pericardial undifferentiated carcinoma without definite histopathologial, immunochemistry feature. Despite palliative radiation therapy, the patient died of multiple organ failure. The prognosis of primary pericardial undifferentiated carcinoma is known to be very poor, especially in old people.

Assessment of Myocardial Function in Patients With Fibromyalgia and the Relationship to Chronic Emotional and Physical Stress

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An association between emotional or physical stressful triggers and adverse cardiovascular events, such as death and myocardial infarction, has been recognized for many years. The clinical features of transient left apical ballooning syndrome have been clearly described, but the effect of chronic stress on the myocardium is unknown. Our objective was to assess left ventricular (LV) function in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) with chronic emotional and physical stress. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We investigated 30 consecutive postmenopausal women (mean age, 48+/-8 years) satisfying the criteria for FM with atypical chest pain and 20 age-matched healthy controls by means of standard and 2-dimensional strain (2DS) echocardiography. Patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, or diabetes were excluded. Global and segmental longitudinal deformation parameters of LV function from 3 apical views were analyzed, and patients underwent a manual tender point survey for the number of tender points and tender point counts, and completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), which was comprised of physical and feel scores, the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Both global and segmental longitudinal LV strains were significantly reduced in FM patients with high FIQ scores (>50) compared to FM patients with low FIQ scores (-18.98% vs. -22.72%). Various emotional and physical stress indexes were significantly correlated with global LV strain. CONCLUSION: Global and segmental LV strains were negatively associated with fatigue, tender point count, and FIQ score. However, there was no significant association between depression and LV strain. This study demonstrated that chronic emotional or physical stress in FM patients might reduce myocardial longitudinal deformation.

A case of left main NSTEMI with ST segment elevation in lead aVR / 대한내과학회지

The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is an inexpensive bedside tool that most physicians use to make rapid diagnoses such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), arrhythmia, and conduction abnormalities. Although each lead in the ECG represents electronic information from specific portions of the heart, lead aVR, an augmented unipolar limb lead, is frequently ignored. The aVR lead provides excellent information from the right portion of the heart, including the outflow tract of the right ventricle and basal portion of the septum. In this report, we discuss ST segment elevation changes in lead aVR of serial ECGs in emergency room patients with chief complaints of syncope and chest discomfort.

N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Overweight and Obese Patients With and Without Diabetes: An Analysis Based on Body Mass Index and Left Ventricular Geometry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Several recent studies have shown that there is an inverse relationship between plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and body mass index (BMI) in subjects with and without heart failure. Obesity frequently coexists with diabetes, so it is important to consider the relationship between diabetes and natriuretic peptide levels. We evaluated the influence of diabetes on the correlation of BNP and BMI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined 933 patients with chest pain and/or dyspnea undergoing cardiac catheterization between Feb. 2006 and Nov. 2007 in the Maryknoll cardiac center who had creatinine levels or =25 kg/m2) showed a significant negative correlation with increasing BMI (856.39+/-237.3 pg/mL, 601.69+/-159.6 pg/mL, 289.62+/-164.9 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.0001). However, in 200 diabetic patients, the correlation between BMI and NT-proBNP was not significant (r=-0.21, p=0.19), and NT-proBNP did not correlate with mitral E/Ea in obese diabetic patients (r=0.14, p=0.56). NT-proBNP was significantly correlated with mitral E/Ea in the non-obese (r=0.24, p=0.008) and non diabetic (r=0.32, p=0.003) groups. Left ventricular (LV) mass index was significantly correlated with NT-proBNP in all BMI groups (r=0.61, p<0.001), and patients with concentric cardiac hypertrophy showed the highest NT-proBNP levels. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that obese patients have reduced concentrations of NT-proBNP compared to non obese patients despite having higher LV filling pressures. However, NT-proBNP is not suppressed in obese patients with diabetes. This suggests that factors other than cardiac status affect NT-proBNP concentrations.

Impact of Drug-Eluting Stents on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Diffuse Coronary Lesions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In the era of stents, lesion length remains an important predictor of restenosis. Drug-eluting stents (DESs) have significantly reduced in-stent restenosis (ISR), but results in long lesions are still lacking. Therefore, we investigated the impact of DESs on clinical outcomes in patients with diffuse coronary lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and January 2005, 80 patients (94 lesions) with lesions >20 mm in length were treated with one or more DESs and underwent follow-up coronary angiography. The patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 was composed of those with lesions 21 to 35 mm in length, Group 2 was composed of those with lesions 36 to 50 mm in length, and Group 3 was composed of those with lesions > or =51 mm in length. RESULTS: The mean clinical follow-up duration was 9 months. On the 6-month follow-up angiogram, 6.4% of the lesions had binary ISR (5.0% in group 1, 8.7% in group 2, and 9.1% in group 3). The percent diameter stenosis was 6.0+/-18.15% in Group 1, 12.61+/-21.99% in Group 2, and 19.81+/-31.26% in Group 3(p< 0.05). Late lumen loss was 0.17+/-0.50 mm in Group 1, 0.39+/-0.66 mm in Group 2, and 0.59+/-0.93 mm in Group 3 (p<0.05). Lesion length was associated with an increase in percent diameter stenosis and late lumen loss (of 6.9% and 0.21 mm per 15 mm). CONCLUSION: DES implantation is considered safe and effective in the treatment of diffuse lesions. However, lesion length may be associated with an increase in percent diameter stenosis and late lumen loss at 6-month follow-up.

Diagnostic Value of Ultrasound-Based Strain Imaging in Patients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Strain imaging has already been shown to quantify regional myocardial function in both acute ischemic myocardium and infarcted myocardium. We proposed that strain imaging could differentiate deformation of normal and ischemic myocardium that are without regional wall motion abnormality, as assessed by conventional echocardiography. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic value of strain imaging for the detection and localization of coronary lesions in patients with chest pain, but they are without apparent wall motion abnormalities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Strain imaging for advanced wall motion analysis was performed in 179 patients with suspicious stable angina (SA) and in 94 patients with suspicious acute coronary syndrome (ACS) prior to coronary angiography. All the patients had normal conventional wall motion scoring based on the standards of the American Society of Echocardiography. Longitudinal strain was measured in 3 apical views, and assessments of the strain value for individual segments with using an 18-segment division of the left ventricle were performed to determine the average strain value. Marked heterogeneity of strain was considered abnormal, and significant coronary artery disease was considered present if stenosis above 70% was noted on the quantitative angiography. RESULTS: Eighty (78%) of the 103 patients with SA and 18 (56%) of the 32 patients with ACS and who showed constant systolic strain throughout the left ventricular wall had normal or minimal coronary lesions. Fifty-one (67%) of the 76 patients with SA and 53 (85%) of the 62 patients with ACS and marked heterogeneity of strain had angiographically significant coronary stenosis. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the peak systolic strain yielded that the ROC-area of peak systolic strain for the left anterior descending artery territory was 0.79 (95% CI 0.72-0.84), this was 0.87 (95% CI 0.79-0.91) for the left circumflex artery territory and 0.89 (95% CI 0.79-0.93) for the right coronary artery territory. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-based strain imaging demonstrates a strong correlation with coronary angiography and it has potential as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for detecting coronary artery stenosis in patients with chest pain, but who are without apparent wall motion abnormalities on conventional echocardiography.

Assessment of Left Atrial Function and Remodeling in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation by Performing Strain Echocardiography: A Prospective Study to Assess the Influence of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors on Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors are likely to reduce the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) by preventing atrial fibrosis. We attempted to assess the relevance of strain echocardiography for quantitative assessment of the left atrial (LA) status in AF, its modification by RAS inhibitors and changes of biochemical markers during cardiac remodeling in AF. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Strain echocardiography is performed 2 times (baseline and 12 month) in 60 patients with AF (RAS inhibitors-used group: 30, non-used group: 30). In an apical 4-chamber view, the regional analysis consisted of placing the region of interest cursor at the basal segments of the septal and lateral wall of LA. Mean peak systolic and early diastolic strain/rate are measured with LA end-systolic antero-posterior, longitudinal and transverse dimensions. RESULTS: Six patients of RAS inhibitors-used group (group A, 20%) and three patients of non-used group (group B, 10%) were converted to normal sinus rhythm during the study. LA size, E wave velocity, E/E', strain parameters showed no significant differences between groups at the baseline. There were no significant differences in LA size and E wave velocity between groups at the 12 months, however, peak systolic strain/rate were significantly higher in group A (36.71+/-13.63% and 2.98+/-0.59s(-1), p<0.05, respectively) than group B (27.21+/-10.49% and 2.21+/-0.47s(-1)). In addition, peak early diastolic strain/rate were significantly higher in group A (-1.89+/-3.30% and -2.32 +/-0.77s-1 p<0.05, respectively) than group B (-0.83+/-2.79% and -1.77+/-0.25s(-1)). There were no significant differences in C-reactive protein (CRP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) at the baseline, but BNP were significantly reduced in group A (822.9+/-798.3 pg/mL, p<0.05) than group B (1481.9+/-209.97 pg/mL) at the 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The increased values of atrial peak systolic and diastolic strain/rate after treatment with RAS inhibitors revealed that passive stretching and shortening of LA wall might improve in some patients with AF even before LA size change possibly because of reduced atrial fibrosis and increased compliance. Our results indicated that strain echocardiography provides clinically useful information of LA function and remodeling and treatment with RAS inhibitors appears to preserve LA reservoir function in AF patients without visible LA structural change.

The Limitation in Measurement of Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Type 2 Diabetics with or without Coronary Artery Disease

BACKGROUND: The measurement of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is useful for detection of early atherosclerotic disease. But, IMT are influenced by various factors including hypertension, age, diabetes, etc. We tried to estimate the correlation between carotid IMT and coronary artery disease in diabetics. METHODS: The B-mode ultrasonography and coronary angiography was perfomed in 50 as type 2 diabetes and 226 as nondiabetes. Carotid IMT was measured at around carotid bulb. Coronary artery lesions was evaluated based on quantitative coronary analysis (QCA) from coronary angiogram. RESULTS: Type 2 diabetic group (mean age 64.5+/-8.9 years old) included 21 patients without coronary artery disease and 29 patients with coronary artery disease. Non-diabetic group (mean age 61.0+/-10.1) included 138 patients without coronary artery disease and 88 patients with coronary artery disease. In type 2 diabetic group, the mean value of measured max IMT of subjects with coronary artery disease was similar to that of subjects without coronary disease (mean Rt. IMT, 1.26+/-0.62 mm vs. 1.03+/-0.29 mm, respectively, p=0.11, mean Lt IMT, 1.30+/-0.70 mm vs. 1.17+/-0.43 mm, respectively, p=0.46). But in non-diabetic group, the mean value of measured max IMT of subjects with coronary artery disease was more than that of subjects without coronary disease, and it is statistically significant (mean Rt. IMT, 1.09+/-0.32 mm vs. 0.96+/-0.25 mm, respectively, p=0.01, mean Lt IMT, 1.19+/-0.47 mm vs. 1.01+/-0.32 mm, respectively, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: This study shows weak correlation power between carotid IMT and coronary artery diseases in diabetics, contrast to non-diabetes.

A Case of Multiple Myeloma with Pulmonary Thromboembolism Diagnosed by Transthoracic Echocardiography

Cancer is a major risk factor for pulmonary thromboembolism. Occasionally, the thromboembolic event occurs before the diagnosis of cancer. We report a rare case of massive pulmonary thromboembolism with multiple myeloma diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography.

Effects of Closure of the Arteriovenous Fistula on Left Ventricular Mass and Function in Kidney Transplantation Patients

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplantion recipients. Enhanced cardiac load by the persistence of functioning AVF in posttransplant period is associated with LV hypertrophy and may adversely influence cardiac outcome. METHODS: To investigate the impact of AVF on LV mass and function in kidney transplant recipients, 46 patients with functioning AVF were randomly assigned to surgical closure of AVF (fistular closing group, FC, n=23) or maintenance of fistula (fistular maintenance group, FM, n=23). Serum creatinine of all participants was stable(1.4+/-0.3). Mean age was 46+/-11. Mean posttransplant month was 78+/-53 (12-161). Echocardiography and determination of N-terminal pro-BNP, cTnT and CRP were done at 0, 1 and 6 months in group 1 (FC), and at 0 and 6 months in group 2 (FM). RESULTS: Baseline echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic LV function such as EF, E/A, E/E' and Tei index were not significantly different between groups. In patients whose AVF was surgically closed, LV mass (247.7+/-76.8 to 235.2+/-66.5, p=0.015) and LV mass index (144.0+/-10.1 to 137.1+/-8.6, p=0.02) significantly reduced at one month after closure, and no further significant change was observed at 6 months. In two groups no significant change in LV systolic and diastolic performance indices were observed. BNP, cTnT and CRP did not differ between groups in baseline value and did not change after closure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the persistence of functioning AVF in kidney transplantation recipients is associated with LVH, and which can be reduced by closure of fistula. As LVH is one of major determinants of cardiovascular outcome in transplant patients as well as in general population, it would be prudent to close the fistula in patients with stable graft function.

Quantitative Assessment of Left Atrial Functional Changes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation by Tissue Doppler Strain and 2-Dimensional Strain Imaging

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Conservation of the normal atrial size and architecture by preventing the structural atrial remodeling that's due to atrial fibrillation (AF) seems to be of prime importance for the management of AF patients. We attempted to assess the relevance of performing strain echocardiography for quantitatively assessing the left atrial (LA) status in AF patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tissue Doppler strain and 2-dimensional strain imaging were performed in 15 patients with chronic AF, in 15 patients with paroxysmal AF and in 15 healthy age-matched controls with using a GE vivid 7 dimension apparatus. The LA diameter, LA volume index and mitral inflow parameters were measured by standard echocardiography. Longitudinal peak strain and the strain rate were obtained from 2 different areas of the basal left atrial free wall and also the inter-atrial septum in the apical 4 chamber view with using the tissue Doppler strain. The mean peak systolic rate (Sm-SR), the peak early diastolic rate (Em-SR) and the peak late diastolic strain rate (Am-SR) were measured at the inter-atrial septum in the apical 4 chamber view with using the 2-dimensional strain imaging. RESULTS: The peak strain/rate, the Sm-SR and the Em-SR were significantly reduced in the AF group as compared with the normal controls, and they were especially reduced in the chronic AF group. There were no significant differences for the LA size and A wave velocity between the paroxysmal AF group and the normal group; however, the peak systolic strain/rate, the Em-SR and the Am-SR were significantly lower in the paroxysmal AF group than in the normal controls. CONCLUSION: The lower values of atrial Sm-SR, Em-SR and Am-SR revealed that active contraction and passive stretching of the LA wall may be impaired in some patients suffering with paroxysmal AF even before LA enlargement occurs, and this is possibly because of reduced atrial compliance. Our results indicated that strain echocardiography enabled quantitatively precise assessment of the LA contractile function and it can provide clinically useful information concerning the early reversible atrial functional changes in patients suffering with AF, and especially in the paroxysmal AF patients.

A Comparison of Tissue Doppler Echocardiography and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Estimating Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure

BACKGROUND: There are several echocardiographic parameters, such as early transmitral velocity/tissue Doppler mitral annular early diastolic velocity(E/Ea) or deceleration time, reported to be reliable indices to estimate pulmonary capillary wedge pressure(PCWP). Recently, B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) level is also reported to increase in accordance with increased left ventricular filling pressure in systolic or diastolic heart failure. This study was performed to compare E/Ea and BNP for the ability to estimate PCWP. METHODS: Several echocardiographic Doppler parameters including especially E/Ea were obtained from transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Simultaneously, serum BNP level and PCWP estimated by using Swan-Ganz catheter were obtained, respectively. RESULTS: E/Ea revealed a correlation of r=0.88 (p or =11 was the optimal cutoff to predict PCWP > or =15 mmHg (sensitivity, 94%; specificity, 90%), whereas the optimal BNP cutoff was > or =250 pg/mL (sensitivity, 52%; specificity, 74%). CONCLUSION: Mitral E/Ea has a better correlation with PCWP than BNP. Mitral E/Ea appears more sensitive and specific than BNP for PCWP > or =15 mmHg in cardiac patients.

Causes of elevated cardiac troponin I in patients with normal coronary angiogram / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is most recently described and has nearly absolute myocardial tissue specificity, as well as high sensitivity. But an increased value for cTnI that indicates myocardial injury is not always synonym of myocardial infarction or ischemia due to coronary artery disease. METHODS: Retrospective follow-up study for whom underwent coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease was done if they had an elevated cTnI value and angiographically normal or minimal disease. RESULTS: 33 patients were qualified. Cut-off value for elevated cTnI was 0.06 ng/mL. Increased cTnI values were attributed to severe congestive heart failure in 7 patients, variant angina in 7 patients, myocarditis in 5 patients, pericarditis in 1 patient, severe myocardial bridge in 1 patient, rhabdomyolysis in 1 patient and cerebral infarction in 1 patient. Tachycardia was precipitating cause in 4 patients (sinus tachycardia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and sustained ventricular tachycardia for each), two of whom had hemodynamic compromise. 2 of 33 patients had no identifiable cause for a rise in cTnI value. There was no acute myocardial infarction at 42+/-34 weeks follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although cTnI is a sensitive and specific marker of myocardial injury, an elevation of cTnI value may have a cause other than myocardial infarction or ischemia and may occur without significant angiographic coronary artery disease.