Role of P Wave Duration and Tissue Doppler Imaging as Predictive Indicators for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent chronic arrhythmia in the heart. AF accounts for one-third of rhythm disorder hospitalizations. AF increases profoundly the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. This study used P-wave and transthoracic echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) to determine paroxysmal AF predictors in hypertensive individuals. Methods: This case control study was performed on 100 hypertensive adult patients. They were classified into two equal group: Group I included hypertensive patients diagnosed to have paroxysmal AF. Group II (control group) included hypertensive patients with normal sinus rhythm. All subjects were subjected to electrocardiographic and conventional and tissue Doppler Imaging measurements. Results: Pmax had significantly increased in PAF patients compared to sinus rhythm patients. PAL, PAR, PAI, LR, LI and IR had significantly increased in PAF patients compared to sinus rhythm patients. In Multivariate logistic regression analysis, Pmax, PAL, PAI, PAR, LR, LI and IR were found to be independent predictors for PAF. Therefore, Pmax, PAL PAI, PAR, LR, LI and IR were found to be significant predictors for PAF. Best cut-off values for Pmax, PAL, PAI, PAR, LR, LI and IR were: (118, 81, 61, 49.9, 34, 20 and 16 ms) with sensitivity (76, 96, 96, 88, 82, 86 and 77.5 ), specificity (84, 100, 98, 92, 78, 82 and 76) and the AUC of (0.850, 0.979, 0.987, 0.961, 0.836, 0.891 and 0.798) respectively. Conclusions: Electrocardiographic P-wave analysis and echocardiographic TDI may identify hypertension patients at risk for paroxysmal AF, since the combination of Pmax and TDI may help in predicting the development of AF in hypertensive individuals.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Cases with Liver Cirrhosis

Background: Cirrhosis is a long-term inflammatory process of hepatic tissue condition that mainly affects people aged 50 to 60. This study aims to assess Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in cases with cirrhotic liver by conventional, tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography to clarify the correlation between the severity of cirrhotic liver and LVDD. Methods: A prospective case-control research involved 100 adult cases with confirmed HCV and HBV. Cases were divided into 4 equal group: Group A: Child A cases, group B: Child B cases, group C: Child C cases and group D (Controls): healthy non-hepatic subjects of the same age and sex who have normal blood pressure, nonsmoking participants with no further concomitant problems. Results: Number of cases with LVDD had a statistical noticeable increase in Child A, B, and C (p =0.004, <0.001, and <0.001 respectively. LAVi had a statistical noticeable increase in Child C / B (p =0.013 and p =0.014). Conclusion: Left atrial volume index (LAVi) had a statistical noticeable increase in Child C / B in comparison to the controls but E m, E l were statistical noticeable lower in Child C / B. /E had a statistical noticeable increase in Child C group, LVSRe had a statistical noticeable decrease in Child C group but it was insignificantly different across Child A / B/ C and controls and across Child B / C and controls.

Acometimento da função ventricular direita em pacientes com esclerose sistêmica e doença pulmonar intersticial: avaliação pelo doppler tecidual / Impairment of right ventricular function in patients with systemic sclerosis and interstitial lung disease: tissue doppler evaluation

Introdução: A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença autoimune do tecido conjuntivo que cursa com fibrose e disfunção microvascular. O envolvimento dos órgãos viscerais, incluindo os pulmões e o coração, é a principal causa de óbito na ES. Nesse contexto, analisamos a relação entre os parâmetros ventriculares direitos (VD) pela ecocardiografia com Doppler tecidual e o acometimento pulmonar em pacientes com ES. Métodos: Os pacientes que preencheram os Critérios de Classificação da ES de 2013 foram submetidos à ecocardiografia com Doppler tecidual para avaliação da função sistólica (fração de ejeção) ventricular esquerda (VE), enquanto a função sistólica do VD foi avaliada por meio da fração de variação de área do VD (fractional area change ­ FAC), velocidade (sistólica) do Doppler tecidual, índice de desempenho miocárdico (IDM) e excursão sistólica do plano anular tricúspide (TAPSE). A pressão sistólica pulmonar foi estimada por insuficiência tricúspide. A tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução (TCAR) de tórax avaliou a presença de fibrose pulmonar. De acordo com os resultados da TCAR, os pacientes foram divididos em 2 subgrupos: Grupo I, incluindo pacientes com fibrose pulmonar (n=26), e Grupo II sem fibrose (n=17). Resultados: Entre os 43 pacientes com ES, a maioria era do sexo feminino (86%) com idade de 51±12 anos. Todos os pacientes apresentavam função ventricular sistólica normal, avaliada pela FEVE>55% e FAC VD>35%. Não houve diferença significativa em termos de idade ou duração da doença para os grupos. Exceto pela diminuição das velocidades do Doppler tecidual em pacientes com fibrose pulmonar, todos os índices de desempenho do VD foram semelhantes. Conclusão: Em pacientes com ES e fibrose pulmonar, o Doppler tecidual identifica acometimento miocárdico longitudinal precoce do VD, apesar do desempenho sistólico radial preservado do VD.(AU)

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune tissue connective disease that courses with fibrosis and microvascular dysfunction. Involvement of the visceral organs, including the lungs and heart, is the main cause of death among patients with SSc. In this context, here we analyzed the relationship between right ventricle (RV) parameters assessed by tissue Doppler echocardiography and lung involvement in patients with SSc. Methods: Patients fulfilling the 2013 SSc Classification Criteria underwent tissue Doppler echocardiography for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function (ejection fraction) and RV fractional area change (FAC), tissue Doppler s' (systolic) velocity, myocardial performance index, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion for the assessment of RV systolic function. Pulmonary systolic pressure was estimated using tricuspid regurgitation. Chest high-resolution computed tomography was used to evaluate the presence of pulmonary fibrosis. The patients were divided into two subgroups accordingly: Group I, patients with pulmonary fibrosis (n=26); and Group II, those without fibrosis (n=17). Results: Among the 43 patients with SSc, most were female (86%), and the mean age was 51 ± 12 years. All patients had normal systolic ventricular function as evidenced by an LV ejection fraction > 55% and an RV FAC > 35%. No significant intergroup difference was noted in age or disease duration. Except for a decreased tissue Doppler s' velocity in patients with lung fibrosis, all indexes of RV performance were similar. Conclusion: In patients with SSc and pulmonary fibrosis, tissue Doppler identified early RV longitudinal myocardial involvement despite preserved RV radial systolic performance.(AU)

Use of tissue doppler imaging for the early detection of myocardial dysfunction in patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is one of the most common diseases in Latin America and heart involvement is the main cause of death. This study aimed to determine differences in tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters in the assessment left and right ventricular function in patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease compared to those in healthy controls. METHODS: We compared 194 patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease to 72 age-matched healthy individuals. We considered p-values <0.05 to be statistically significant. RESULTS: TDI analysis of the right ventricular (RV) showed lengthened isovolumic relaxation time (IRT) and higher RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP) and left ventricle (LV) index of myocardial performance (LIMP) in the Chagas group than in the control group, indicating RV and LV systolic and diastolic myocardial damage. TDI analysis of the myocardial velocities of the interventricular septum and the lateral wall of the LV also showed a systolic and diastolic myocardial damage. CONCLUSIONS: The study results demonstrated early LV systolic and diastolic myocardial damage in the RV and LV in patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease by TDI. These early findings of RV and LV dysfunction may help identify patients who will progress to heart failure during the disease course. TDI should be included in initial patient evaluations because it allows adequate follow-up and treatment.

Detection and evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients by conventional and tissue doppler imaging

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterised predominantly by diastolic dysfunction. While the traditional echocardiography provides only semiquantitative assessment of diastolic dysfunction, tissue Doppler imaging proved to be an effective technique for the quantification of subclinical diastolic dysfunction.Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted in out-patient department of General Medicine, Tagore Medical College and Hospital for a period of 6 months. The study population comprised of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus including 39 male and 61 females. Echocardiography (using Siemens – Acuson NX3 Elite - system with TDI technology) was performed to all subjects in the left lateral position and 2D, M- mode, Doppler techniques were used. The early E wave corresponding to early ventricular filling and A wave which reflect a trial contraction were typically measured to assess the transmitral flow pattern. Systolic S' (Sa), early diastolic E (Ea) and the late diastolic velocities A' (Aa) were measured by tissue Doppler imaging.Results: The E/A ratio ranged from 0.5 to 2 and E/Ea ratio ranged from 1.59 to 14.67. Around 23 patients and 54 patients were abnormal by E/A and E/Ea ratios respectively. Around 29 patients showed grade II diastolic dysfunction by tissue Doppler imagingConclusions: Prompt diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction help us to identify high risk patients who are likely to be benefitted by early therapeutic intervention. Tissue Doppler imaging may be a better tool in the identification of diastolic dysfunction especially grade II in comparison with the conventional echocardiography.

Quantification of left ventricular performance in different phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To evaluate the characteristics of left ventricular structure ,function ,myocardial mechanics ,hemodynamics and synchrony in different phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ) using state‐of‐the‐art echocardiography . Methods A consecutive series of 85 adult HCM patients w ho were admitted to the Xi Jing HCM center from January 2016 to November 2017 were collected . According to the peak left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient in exercise stress echocardiography ,the patients were divided into three groups :patients with non‐obstructive HCM ( n ＝28) ,those with labile‐obstructive HCM ( n ＝27) ,and those with obstructive HCM ( n ＝ 30 ) . In addition ,16 normal family members of HCM patients were included as control group . T wo‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging ,tissue Doppler imaging and exercise stress echocardiography were used to evaluate the left ventricular function in resting and exercise states . Results ① As compared with the control group ,left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased in all three HCM groups ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . Left ventricular maximum wall thickness and left ventricular mass index were the highest in obstructive HCM , followed by labile‐obstructive and non‐obstructive HCM ,and the lowest in the control group ( all P ＜0 .05) . ②A t rest ,the left ventricular global longitudinal ,circumferential and radial strain ( GLS ,GCS and GRS) ,as well as the twist of obstructive HCM were significantly lower than the other three groups ( all P ＜0 .05) . As compared with the control group ,the GLS and twist decreased in the labile‐obstructive and non‐obstructive HCM ( all P ＜0 .05 ) ,but there were no significant changes of GCS and GRS ( all P ＞ 0 .05 ) . T he obstructive HCM had the lowest mitral annular plane systolic excursion ( M APSE ) and s′,and the longest systolic peaking time standard deviation( T s‐SD) and early diastolic peaking time standard deviation ( Te‐SD) ( all P ＜0 .05) . T he left ventricular diastolic function of obstructive HCM ( e′,the E/e′ratio and the left atrial volume index ) was the worst ,labile‐obstruction and non‐obstructive HCM were better ,and the control group was the best ( all P ＜ 0 .001 ) . ③ During exercise ,the GLS ,GCS ,GRS ,twist of the left ventricle and the M APSE were the lowest in the obstructive HCM ,which increased in the labile‐obstructive and non‐obstructive HCM ,and were best in the control group . T he T s‐SD and Te‐SD were the shortest in the control group ,were prolonged in non‐obstructive and labile‐obstruction HCM ,and were longest in obstructive HCM ( all P ＜ 0 .05 ) . Additionally ,the exercise time of the control group was the longest , followed by non‐obstructive and labile‐obstruction HCM ,and the shortest in the obstructive HCM ( all P ＜0 .05) . T he M ET s of obstructive HCM were significantly lower than the other three groups ( all P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions In obstructive HCM ,the left ventricular systolic strain and synchronization ,as well as the M APSE ,are significantly impaired in patients both at rest and during exercise . T he patients with labile‐obstructive and non‐obstructive HCM have reduced left ventricular GLS , twist ,and e′,but normal left ventricular GCS ,GRS ,synchrony ,and M APSE at rest ,which are all impaired during exercise .

Correlation between myocardial velocity measured using tissue doppler imaging in the left ventricular lead-implanted segment and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether tissue Doppler imaging parameters, especially the peak systolic velocity of the left ventricular lead-implanted segment (Ss), affect cardiac resynchronization therapy response. METHODS: In this case-control study, 110 enrolled patients were divided into cases (responder group, n=65) and controls (nonresponder group, n=45) based on whether their left ventricular end-systolic volume was reduced by ≥15% at 6 months after surgery. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors affecting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy, and receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate their diagnostic values. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with left bundle branch block in the case group was higher than that in the control group. The control group showed a higher left atrial volume index, E/A ratio and E/Em ratio but lower Ss than that of the case group. A multivariate regression analysis showed that left bundle branch block, Ss, and an E/Em ratio>14 were independent risk factors affecting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ss=4.1 cm/s was the best diagnostic threshold according to the receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS: Ss is an important factor affecting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Patients with heart failure associated with Ss<4.1 cm/s have a higher risk of nonresponse.

Usefulness of Z-score of early diastolic velocities using tissue Doppler imaging in evaluating left ventricular diastolic function in children with dilated cardiomyopathy / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To evaluate the impact of Z-score of early diastolic velocities using tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) in children with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) . Methods Fifty-eight children with DCM and 58 healthy children (control group) were selected ,tissue Doppler velocities were converted to Z-score on the basis of body-surface-area-adjusted . The Z-score head-to-head with the raw velocities were compared.Results ①Lateralwalle'velocitiesandinterventricularseptale'velocitieswerepositively correlated with age ( r = 0 .710 ,0 .622;all P < 0 .05 ) . Tissue Doppler velocities and Z-score of mitral annular in DCM children were lower than the normal children( P <0 .001) . ② The discriminant capacity was higher for the Z-score than for the e'raw velocities ,which were assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves . Conclusions The Z-score of early diastolic velocities are better than the raw velocities in evaluating left ventricular diastolic function in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

Quantification of left ventricular performance in different phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the characteristics of left ventricular structure, function, myocardial mechanics, hemodynamics and synchrony in different phenotypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using state-of-the-art echocardiography.@*Methods@#A consecutive series of 85 adult HCM patients who were admitted to the Xi Jing HCM center from January 2016 to November 2017 were collected. According to the peak left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient in exercise stress echocardiography, the patients were divided into three groups: patients with non-obstructive HCM (n=28), those with labile-obstructive HCM (n=27), and those with obstructive HCM (n=30). In addition, 16 normal family members of HCM patients were included as control group. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging, tissue Doppler imaging and exercise stress echocardiography were used to evaluate the left ventricular function in resting and exercise states.@*Results@#①As compared with the control group, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased and left ventricular ejection fraction increased in all three HCM groups(all P<0.05). Left ventricular maximum wall thickness and left ventricular mass index were the highest in obstructive HCM, followed by labile-obstructive and non-obstructive HCM, and the lowest in the control group (all P<0.05). ②At rest, the left ventricular global longitudinal, circumferential and radial strain (GLS, GCS and GRS), as well as the twist of obstructive HCM were significantly lower than the other three groups (all P<0.05). As compared with the control group, the GLS and twist decreased in the labile-obstructive and non-obstructive HCM(all P<0.05), but there were no significant changes of GCS and GRS (all P>0.05). The obstructive HCM had the lowest mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and s′, and the longest systolic peaking time standard deviation(Ts-SD) and early diastolic peaking time standard deviation(Te-SD) (all P<0.05). The left ventricular diastolic function of obstructive HCM (e′, the E/e′ ratio and the left atrial volume index) was the worst, labile-obstruction and non-obstructive HCM were better, and the control group was the best (all P<0.001). ③During exercise, the GLS, GCS, GRS, twist of the left ventricle and the MAPSE were the lowest in the obstructive HCM, which increased in the labile-obstructive and non-obstructive HCM, and were best in the control group. The Ts-SD and Te-SD were the shortest in the control group, were prolonged in non-obstructive and labile-obstruction HCM, and were longest in obstructive HCM (all P<0.05). Additionally, the exercise time of the control group was the longest, followed by non-obstructive and labile-obstruction HCM, and the shortest in the obstructive HCM (all P<0.05). The METs of obstructive HCM were significantly lower than the other three groups (all P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#In obstructive HCM, the left ventricular systolic strain and synchronization, as well as the MAPSE, are significantly impaired in patients both at rest and during exercise. The patients with labile-obstructive and non-obstructive HCM have reduced left ventricular GLS, twist, and e′, but normal left ventricular GCS, GRS, synchrony, and MAPSE at rest, which are all impaired during exercise.

Detection of occult right ventricular dysfunction in young Egyptians with type 1 diabetes mellitus by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a common chronic disorder of childhood and adolescence. T1DM induced cardiomyopathy has a different entity than T2DM as it relies on different pathophysiological mechanisms, and rarely coexists with hypertension and obesity. Evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function in diabetic patients has been neglected despite the important contribution of RV to the overall cardiac function that affects the course and prognosis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Objective To assess RV myocardial performance in asymptomatic T1DM using speckle tracking and standard echo parameters and correlate it with functional capacity using treadmill stress test. Patients and methods Thirty-nine patients with TIDM (Group 1, mean age 18.2 ± 1.7y, BMI = 26.2 ± 3.9 kg/m2), without cardiac problems and 15 apparently healthy matched subjects as a control group (Group 2, mean age 18.8 ± 2.3 y, BMI = 22.8 ± 3.3 kg/m2) were enrolled. RV function was evaluated using conventional, tissue Doppler and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). The peak RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS) was obtained. Functional capacity was assessed by treadmill exercise test and estimated in metabolic equivalent (METs). Results In this study; the diabetic group showed statistically highly significant decrease in the average RV-GLS (−14.0 ± 6.9 in group 1 vs. −22.7 ± 2.5 in group 2, P < 0.001), significant decrease in RV S velocity (9.5 ± 2.2 in group 1 vs. 11.5 ± 1.8 in group 2, P < 0.05), significantly reduced E/A ratio (1.0 ± 0.2 in group 1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1 in group 2, P < 0.05), and highly significant increased E/Em ratio (7.9 ± 3.2 in group 1 vs. 5.2 ± 0.7 in group 2, P < 0.001). We did not found any significant differences between the two groups regarding the other echocardiographic or functional capacity parameters. Conclusion In asymptomatic patients with T1DM, in addition to RV diastolic dysfunction, early (subclinical) RV systolic dysfunction is preferentially observed with normal RV and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). 2D-STE has the ability to detect subclinical RV systolic dysfunction.

Are objective measures of tricuspid annular motion and velocity used as frequently as recommended by current guidelines? A pilot study

In this retrospective study 420 echocardiograms from a single center were reviewed showing that TAPSE was acquired in 66% while TA TDI s’ signals were recorded in 98% of all echocardiograms. Based on these results greater efforts are required to standardize acquisition and reporting of objective measurements of RV function.

Evaluation of Cardiac Functions in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) represents one of the serious complications. To evaluate the cardiac function in children with T1D by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS: The study included 40 T1D patients (age between 6 and 16 years) with > 5 years duration of diabetes and 42 healthy control children. The patients were subjected to clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations [glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum lipids and lipoproteins]. Conventional echocardiography and TDI were performed to patients and controls. RESULTS: The patients had lower early diastolic filling velocity (E wave) of the tricuspid valve and mitral valves with a p value of (0.000 and 0.006, respectively). TDI revealed that patients had lower S′velocity of the T1D, shorter isovolumic contraction time, longer isovolumic relaxation time and lower E/E′ of the right ventricle than controls (p value 0.002, 0.001, 0.004, 0.003, and 0.016, respectively). The left ventricle (LV)-T1D of the patients was significantly higher (p value 0.02). Twenty eight patients had poor glycemic control without significant differences between them and those with good glycemic control regarding echocardiographic data. Patients with dyslipidemia (13 patients) had higher late diastolic filling velocity of the mitral valve (A) and the lower LV late tissue velocity (A′) (p wave 0.047 and 0.015). No correlation existed between the duration of illness or the level of HbA1c and the echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSION: Diabetic children have evidence of echocardiographic diastolic dysfunctions. Periodic cardiac evaluation with both conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography is recommended for early detection of this dysfunction.

Estimation of Diastolic Filling Pressure with Cardiac CT in Comparison with Echocardiography Using Tissue Doppler Imaging: Determination of Optimal CT Reconstruction Parameters

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal CT image reconstruction parameters for the measurement of early transmitral peak velocity (E), early peak mitral septal tissue velocity (E′), and E / E′. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients underwent simultaneous cardiac CT and echocardiography on the same day. Four CT datasets were reconstructed with a slice thickness/interval of 0.9/0.9 mm or 3/3 mm at 10 (10% RR-interval) or 20 (5% RR-interval) RR-intervals. The E was calculated by dividing the peak transmitral flow (mL/s) by the corresponding mitral valve area (cm²). E′ was calculated from the changes in the left ventricular length per cardiac phase. E / E′ was then estimated and compared with that from echocardiography. RESULTS: For assessment of E / E′, CT and echocardiography were more strongly correlated (p < 0.05) with a slice thickness of 0.9 mm and 5% RR-interval (r = 0.77) than with 3 mm or 10% RR-interval. The diagnostic accuracy of predicting elevated filling pressure (E / E′≥ 13, n = 14) was better with a slice thickness of 0.9 mm and 5% RR-interval (87.0%) than with 0.9 mm and 10% RR-interval (71.7%) (p = 0.123) and significantly higher than that with a slice thickness of 3 mm with 5% (67.4%) and 10% RR-interval (63.0%), (p < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Data reconstruction with a slice thickness of 0.9 mm at 5% RR-interval is superior to that with a slice thickness of 3 mm or 10% RR-interval in terms of the correlation of E / E′ between CT and echocardiography. Thin slices and frequent sampling also allow for more accurate prediction of elevated filling pressure.

Assessment of the left ventricular function in normotensive prediabetics: a tissue Doppler echocardiography study

ABSTRACT Objective Several studies have shown that left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is increased in individuals with diabetes. However, there are scarce data about LV function in prediabetics. This study assessed the early changes in LV diastolic and systolic myocardial function in normotensive prediabetics using tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). Subjects and methods We evaluated 94 patients with prediabetes (mean age of 50.8 ± 6.9 years, 78 female) without known cardiovascular diseases and 70 healthy volunteers with similar demographic characteristics. Systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle was evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography according to the latest consensus recommendations including TDE. Results The mean results of septal and lateral parts of the mitral annulus Pulsed wave TDE showed that myocardial systolic wave (Sm), myocardial early diastolic wave (Em) and Em to atrial peak velocity (Am) ratio were significantly lower whereas early diastolic peak flow velocity (E) to Em ratio, myocardial isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRTm), myocardial isovolumetric contraction time (IVCTm) and myocardial performance index (MPI) values were significantly higher in patients with prediabetes (preDM). In addition, mean left atrium (LA) diameter measured with M-mode echocardiography was significantly higher in prediabetics than controls. Conclusion PreDM is associated with subclinical LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction as evaluated by TDE.

Metformin enhances left ventricular function in patients with metabolic syndrome / La metformina mejora la función ventricular izquierda en pacientes con síndrome metabólico

Background: Metabolic syndrome foretells several cardiovascular complications, including heart failure (HF). Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction accompanies the MS. Although metformin improves LV function in diabetics with HF, there is no evidence of its effect on LV dysfunction in MS patients. We studied the effect of metformin on LV dysfunction in MS patients using tissue Doppler myocardial imaging and two-dimensional speckle tracking. Aims: To evaluate the effects of metformin on metabolic syndrome (MS) induced left ventricular dysfunction. Material and methods: Patients with MS were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 20 each) receiving, an antagonist of angiotensin 2 receptors and; statins, fibrates or both. One group received 850 mg of metformin daily. LV mass, relative wall thickness (RWT), ejection fraction, E/A and E/E' relationship, systolic tissue Doppler velocity (Sm), mean peak systolic strain (SS), and peak early diastolic strain rate (SR-LVe) echocardiographic measurements, at baseline and six months were obtained. Results: All patients had LH concentric hypertrophy or remodeling. Metformin reduced LV mass and RWT. There were LV systolic and diastolic alterations in both groups that metformin improved significantly. SR-LVe increased nearly 2-fold with metformin. Diastolic function improvement was not related to regression of hypertrophy. Conclusions: Patients with MS experienced subtle alterations of systolic and diastolic functions, which improved significantly with a small dosage of metformin over a treatment period of six months.

Antecedentes: El síndrome metabólico (SM) predice varias complicaciones cardiovasculares, como la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC). La disfunción ventricular izquierda (DVI) acompaña al síndrome metabólico. Aunque la metformina mejora la función del ventrículo izquierdo en pacientes diabéticos con insuficiencia cardiaca, no hay evidencia de su efecto sobre la disfunción ventricular izquierda en pacientes con síndrome metabólico. Se estudió el efecto de la metformina sobre la disfunción ventricular izquierda en pacientes con síndrome metabólico utilizando imágenes Doppler de tejido miocárdico y rastreo de manchas bidimensional. Objetivos: Evaluar los efectos de la metformina sobre la disfunción ventricular izquierda inducida por el SM. Material y métodos: Los pacientes con SM fueron asignados al azar en dos grupos (n = 20 cada uno) que recibieron, un antagonista de la angiotensina 2 y receptores; estatinas, fibratos o ambos. Un grupo recibió 850 mg de metformina diaria. La masa del VI, el espesor relativo de la pared (ERP), fracción de eyección, E/A y relación E/E', la velocidad Doppler tisular sistólica (Sm), el promedio de pico de tensión sistólica (SS), y la velocidad de deformación diastólica precoz pico (VDDPP) se obtuvieron por mediciones ecocardiográficas al inicio del estudio y a los seis meses. Resultados: Todos los pacientes presentaban hipertrofia concéntrica o remodelado. La metformina reduce la masa del VI y el ERP. Había alteraciones del ventrículo izquierdo sistólica y diastólica, alteraciones en ambos grupos que la metformina mejoró significativamente. VDDPP aumentó casi al doble con metformina. La mejoría de la función diastólica no se relacionó con regresión de la hipertrofia. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SM experimentaron alteraciones sutiles de las funciones sistólica y diastólica, lo que mejoró significativamente con una pequeña dosis de metformina en un periodo de tratamiento de seis meses.

Normal Echocardiographic Measurements in a Korean Population Study: Part II. Doppler and Tissue Doppler Imaging

BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic and functional evaluation with Doppler and tissue Doppler study as a part of comprehensive echocardiography is essential but normal reference values have never been reported from Korean normal population especially according to age and sex. METHODS: Using Normal echOcaRdiographic Measurements in a KoreAn popuLation study subjects, we obtained normal reference values for Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography including tricuspid annular velocities according to current guidelines and compared values according to gender and age groups. RESULTS: Mitral early diastolic (E) and late diastolic (A) velocity as well as E/A ratio were significantly higher in women compared to those in men. Conversely, mitral peak systolic and late diastolic annular velocity in both septal and lateral mitral annulus were significantly lower in women compared to those in men. However, there were no significant differences in both septal and lateral mitral early diastolic annular (e') velocity between men and women. In both men and women, mitral E velocity and its deceleration time as well as both E/A and E/e' ratio considerably increased with age. There were no significant differences in tricuspid inflow velocities and tricuspid lateral annular velocities between men and women except e' velocity, which was significantly higher in women compared to that in men. However, changes in both tricuspid inflow and lateral annular velocities according to age were similar to those in mitral velocities. CONCLUSION: Since there were significant differences in Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiographic variables between men and women and changes according to age were even more considerable in both gender groups, normal Doppler echocardiographic values should be differentially applied based on age and sex.

Myocardial Tissue Doppler Velocity in Child Growth

BACKGROUND: In adults, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a recommended component of routine echocardiography. However, TDI velocities are less accepted in pediatrics, due to their strong variability and age dependence in children. This study examines the distribution of myocardial tissue Doppler velocities in healthy children to assess the effect of age with cardiac growth on the various echocardiographic measurements. METHODS: Total 144 healthy children were enrolled in this study. They were recruited from the pediatric outpatient clinic for routine well-child visits. The statistical relationships between age and TDI values were analyzed. Also, the statistical relationships between body surface area (BSA) and TDI values, left ventricle end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) and TDI values were analyzed. Also, we conducted multivariate analysis of cardiac growth parameters such as, age, BSA, LVEDD and TDI velocity data. RESULTS: All of the age, BSA, and LVEDD had positive correlations with deceleration time (DT), pressure half-time (PHT), peak early diastolic myocardial velocity, peak systolic myocardial velocity, and had negative correlations with peak late diastolic velocity (A) and the ratio of trans-mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus (E/E'). In the multivariate analysis, all of the age, BSA, and LVEDD had positive correlations with DT, PHT, and negative correlations with A and E/E'. CONCLUSION: The cardiac growth parameters related alterations of E/E' may suggest that diastolic myocardial velocities are cardiac growth dependent, and diastolic function has positive correlation with cardiac growth in pediatric group. This cardiac growth related myocardial functional variation would be important for assessment of cardiac involvement either in healthy and sick child.

Evaluation effects of cardiac tissue doppler Tei index and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide on the right cardiac function before and after interventional therapy in children with atrial septal defect / 中国综合临床

Objective To observe the changes of tissue doppler Tei index (TDI-Tei index) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in children with atrial septal defect(ASD) before and after interventional therapy,in order to investigate the evaluation value of the two parameters on the improvements of right cardiac function.Methods Ninety children with ASD who were treated in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from June 2013 to June 2015 as the ASD group,including 48 male and 42 female at the age of (3.0-13.0) years old,and the average age was (5.4±2.7) years old.Fifty healthy children with matched age and gender as the control group.Concentrations of serum NT-proBNP were measured by using Bi-directional lateral flow immunoassay before and the 7th day and 6th month after cardiac catheterization,respectively.The right ventricular Tei index(RV-Tei index) was measured by tissue doppler Imaging.The changes and the correlations of parameters before and after interventional therapy were compared and analyzed respectively.Results (1) Before interventional therapy,the right ventricular TDI-Tei index in ASD group was higher than control group(0.56±0.09 vs 0.31 ±0.05,P＜0.01),and the TDI-Tei index was decreased gradually at different time points after interventional therapy in ASD group,especially at the 6th month was lowest(P＜0.01);TDI-Tei indexes at before and the 7th day and 6th month after the procedure were significantly different(0.56±0.09 vs 0.44±0.06,0.56±0.09 vs 0.33±0.04;t=22.56,23.27;P＜0.05).Compared with control group,there was significant difference about the TDI-Tei index in ASD group at the 7th day after transcatheter closure(P＜0.05),while there was no significant difference about TDI-Tei index at the 6th month (P＞0.05).(2) Before interventional therapy,the level of serum NT-proBNP in ASD group was higher than control group ((259.49± 43.99) ng/L vs (102.11 ± 34.53) ng/L,P＜0.01),and the levels of NT-proBNP were decreased gradually at different time points after interventional therapy in ASD group,especially at the 6th month was lowest(P＜0.01);the levels of NT-proBNP at before and the 7th day and 6th month after interventional therapy were significantly different ((259.49 ± 43.99) ng/L vs (192.93 ± 56.46) ng/L,(259.49±43.99) ng/L vs (108.46±36.88) ng/L;P＜0.05).Compared with control group,there was significant difference about the level of serum NT-proBNP in ASD group at the 7th day after transcatheter closure (P ＜0.05),while there was no significant difference about NT-proBNP at the 6th month(P＞0.05).(3) Before and the 7th day and 6th month after interventional therapy,NT-proBNP level and the right ventricular TDI-Tei index was significantly positive correlated in ASD group (r =0.719,0.753,0.732;P＜0.01).Conclusion The changes and correlations of the right ventricular TDI-Tei index and serum NT-proBNP in the children with ASD after intervention operation indicates that TDI-Tei index and serum NT-proBNP could evaluate the improvement of right cardiac function.

A comparative study of biventricular and right ventricular septum pacing in the patients with pacemaker dependant Jianping / 中国综合临床

Objective Respectively applying the treatment of biventricular pacing and right ventricular septal pacing in atrioventricular block,to compare the heart function influence of two kinds of pacing mode on pacemaker dependent patients, to provide evidence for the physiological pacing mode selection?Methods Enrolled 20 patients from January 2012 to March 2013 who should be placed in pacemakers, their primary disease was the second degree,high or third degree atrioventricular block,giving them three chamber pacemaker ( right atrial + biventricular ) each?Randomly divided into right ventricular septum pacing group ( group A, n=10) and biventricular pacing group( group B,n=10)?Twelve months later,each group crossed into the each other group and continued following?up for 12 months?After 24 months to obtain all the data to do the statistical analysis,including patients'6 min walking distance(6MWD),the Minnesota Heart Failure Quality of life score (MLHFQ),plasma N?terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide precursor(NT?proBNP),left ventricular ejection ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular diastolic end diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular contraction end diastolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular twelve segmental 14W time standard deviation(Ts?12SD),left ventricular twelve segmental 14W time maximum delay(Ts?dif),the paced QRS qrsd?Results Compared with group B,the 6MWD and LVEF of 12,24 months after treatment of group A were significantly increased( ( 242?58 ±37?56) m vs?(347?42±36?59) m vs?(340?67±24?99) m;(39?97±5?84)% vs?(57?92±10?01)% vs?(60?50±10?06)%;P0?05)?Conclusion Compared with the right septal pacing,biventricular pacing is of no significant advantages on the effect of cardiac function for patients with pacemaker dependent.

Tissue Doppler and strain imaging of left ventricle in Beagle dogs with iatrogenic hypercortisolism

Changes in radial and longitudinal left ventricular (LV) function were investigated in beagles with iatrogenic hypercortisolism. A total of 11 normal dogs were used, and 2 mg/kg prednisone was administered per oral q12 h for 28 days to 7 out of 11 dogs to induce iatrogenic hypercortisolism. Body weight, blood pressure, conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of normal and iatrogenic hypercortisolism groups were conducted. The myocardial wall velocity of the LV was measured using color TDI and myocardial deformation was determined by the strain and strain rate. Conventional echocardiography revealed that the diastolic LV free wall and interventricular septum in the hypercortisolism group were thickened relative to those in the normal group. The peak early diastolic myocardial velocity and early to late diastolic myocardial velocity ratio of TDI in the hypercortisolism group were significantly lower than those in the normal group. The strain values in the hypercortisolism group were significantly lower than those in the normal group, particularly for longitudinal wall motion. The lower values of myocardium from TDI and strain imaging could be used to investigate subclinical LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction in dogs with the iatrogenic hypercortisolism.