Extraction of lumenless pacing leads from the His bundle and left bundle branch area: outcomes of the high-volume centre.

AIMS: The application of conduction system pacing (CSP) in clinical practice is growing, and the need for lead extraction will also increase. The data on outcomes and safety of CSP lead extraction are limited. The aim of this study was to assess procedural outcomes and safety of CSP lead removal. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-seven patients from the EXTRACT Registry with the indication for CSP lead removal were enrolled in the study conducted at the Department of Electrocardiology in Katowice, Poland. Extraction technique, outcomes, safety, and complication were evaluated. Forty-three (91.5%) leads were successfully removed, and 41 (87.2%) were removed with traction only. The dwelling time of 28 extracted leads was longer than 1 year, and the oldest extracted lead was implanted for 89 months. Seven (14.9%) leads were removed from the left bundle branch (LBB) area and 36 from the His bundle (HB). Transient complete atrioventricular block occurred during the procedure in two patients. In 27 out of 31 attempts (87.1%), new CSP leads were implanted: nine (33.3%) HB pacing leads and 18 (66.7%) LBB area pacing leads. CONCLUSION: The CSP lead extraction is safe and feasible with a low complication rate and high rate of CSP lead reimplantation.

Transvenous lead extraction safety and efficacy in infected and noninfected patients using mechanical-only tools: Prospective registry from a high-volume center.

BACKGROUND: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) is a well-established treatment option for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) complications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TLE in CIED infection and non-CIED infection patients. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent TLE between 2016 and 2022 entered the EXTRACT Registry. Models of prediction were constructed for periprocedural clinical and procedural success and the incidence of major complications, including death in 30 days. RESULTS: The registry enrolled 504 patients (mean age 66.6 ± 12.8 years; 65.7% male). Complete procedural success was achieved in 474 patients (94.0%) and clinical success in 492 patients (97.6%). The total number of major and minor complications was 16 (3.2%) and 51 (10%), respectively. Three patients (0.6%) died during the procedure. New York Heart Association functional class IV and C-reactive protein levels defined before the procedure were independent predictors of any major complication, including death in 30 days in CIED infection patients. The time since the last preceding procedure and platelet count before the procedure were independent predictors of any major complication, including death in 30 days in non-CIED infection patients. CONCLUSIONS: TLE is safe and successfully performed in most patients, with a low major complication rate. CIED infection patients demonstrate better periprocedural clinical success and complete procedural success. However, CIED infection predicts higher 30-day mortality compared with non-CIED infection patients. Predictors of any major complication, including death in 30 days, differ between CIED infection and non-CIED infection patients.

Relationships between Heart Chamber Morphology or Function and Respiratory Parameters in Patients with HFrEF and Various Types of Sleep-Disordered Breathing.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), i.e., central sleep apnea (CSA) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), affects the prognosis of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The study assessed the relationships between heart chamber size or function and respiratory parameters in patients with HFrEF and various types of SDB. The 84 participants were patients aged 68.3 ± 8.4 years (80% men) with an average left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25.5 ± 6.85% who qualified for cardioverter-defibrillator implantation with or without cardiac resynchronization therapy. SDB, defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ five events/hour, was diagnosed in 76 patients (90.5%); SDB was severe in 31 (36.9%), moderate in 26 (31.0%), and mild in 19 (22.6%). CSA was the most common type of SDB (64 patients, 76.2%). A direct proportional relationship existed only in the CSA group between LVEF or stroke volume (SV) and AHI (p = 0.02 and p = 0.07), and between LVEF or SV and the percentage of total sleep time spent with hemoglobin oxygen saturation < 90% (p = 0.06 and p = 0.07). In contrast, the OSA group was the only group in which right ventricle size showed a positive relationship with AHI (for basal linear dimension [RVD1] p = 0.06), mean duration of the respiratory event (for RVD1 p = 0.03, for proximal outflow diameter [RVOT proximal] p = 0.009), and maximum duration of respiratory event (for RVD1 p = 0.049, for RVOT proximal p = 0.006). We concluded that in HFrEF patients, SDB severity is related to LV systolic function and SV only in CSA, whereas RV size correlates primarily with apnea/hypopnea episode duration in OSA.

Remifentanil but not sufentanil induces cardioprotection in human ischemic heart muscle in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on animal models have suggested that δ-opioid receptor (OR) signaling is the primary pathway responsible for opioids' cardioprotective effect. We hypothesize that the µ-OR's activation protects the human heart muscle. METHODS: We performed the experiments on muscular trabeculae obtained from the right atrial appendages of 104 consecutive patients subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery. Two trabeculae from each patient were studied simultaneously and exposed to 60 min of hypoxia with subsequent 60 min of reoxygenation. Remifentanil (5 µM or 50 µM) or sufentanil (40 µM or 400 µM) was used from the time of reoxygenation. Trabeculae contractility was assessed as the maximal amplitude of the contraction at baseline, after 60 min of hypoxia, during reoxygenation, and after norepinephrine application. RESULTS: During reperfusion, the application of remifentanil improved cardiomyocytes' function as compared to the control group (time from reperfusion: 15 min: 39.8% vs. 21.7%, p = 0.01; 30 min: 41.4% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.01; 60 min: 42.7% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.04; after norepinephrine: 64.7% vs. 43.2%, p = 0.03). The application of sufentanil did not influence cardiomyocyte function as can be seen when comparing the results of the experimental and control group. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil, but not sufentanil, induces a cardioprotective effect on human right atria muscle in in vitro conditions, manifested as the increased amplitude of their contraction during reperfusion after 60 min of ischemia.

Severe sleep apnea as a predictor of failure to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: The response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is suboptimal in one-third of patients. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) on the CRT-induced left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling and response for CRT in patients with ischemic congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS: A total of 37 patients aged 65.43 years (SD 6.05), seven of whom were females, were treated with CRT according to class I European Society of Cardiology recommendations. Clinical evaluation, polysomnography, and contrast echocardiography were performed twice during the six-month follow-up (6M-FU) to assess the effect of CRT. RESULTS: In 33 patients (89.1%), sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), predominantly central sleep apnea (70.3%) was observed. This include nine patients (24.3%) with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of >30 events/hour. During the 6M-FU, 16 patients (47.1%) responded to CRT by reducing LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVi) by ≥15%. We stated a directly proportional linear relationship between AHI value and LV volume: LVESVi p = 0.004, and LV end-diastolic volume index p = 0.006. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-existing severe SDB can impair the LV volumetric response to CRT even in an optimally selected group with class I indications for resynchronization, which may have an impact on long-term prognosis.

Electromechanical factors associated with favourable outcome in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: Electromechanical coupling in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is not fully understood. Our aim was to determine the best combination of electrical and mechanical substrates associated with effective CRT. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were prospectively enrolled from two centres. Patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), echocardiography, and anatomo-electromechanical mapping (AEMM). Remodelling was measured as the end-systolic volume (ΔESV) decrease at 6 months. CRT was defined effective with ΔESV ≤ -15%. QRS duration (QRSd) was measured from ECG. Area strain was obtained from AEMM and used to derive systolic stretch index (SSI) and total left-ventricular mechanical time. Total left-ventricular activation time (TLVAT) and transeptal time (TST) were derived from AEMM and ECG. Scar was measured from CMR. Significant correlations were observed between ΔESV and TST [rho = 0.42; responder: 50 (20-58) vs. non-responder: 33 (8-44) ms], TLVAT [-0.68; 81 (73-97) vs. 112 (96-127) ms], scar [-0.27; 0.0 (0.0-1.2) vs. 8.7 (0.0-19.1)%], and SSI [0.41; 10.7 (7.1-16.8) vs. 4.2 (2.9-5.5)], but not QRSd [-0.13; 155 (140-176) vs. 167 (155-177) ms]. TLVAT and SSI were highly accurate in identifying CRT response [area under the curve (AUC) > 0.80], followed by scar (AUC > 0.70). Total left-ventricular activation time (odds ratio = 0.91), scar (0.94), and SSI (1.29) were independent factors associated with effective CRT. Subjects with SSI >7.9% and TLVAT <91 ms all responded to CRT with a median ΔESV ≈ -50%, while low SSI and prolonged TLVAT were more common in non-responders (ΔESV ≈ -5%). CONCLUSION: Electromechanical measurements are better associated with CRT response than conventional ECG variables. The absence of scar combined with high SSI and low TLVAT ensures effectiveness of CRT.

The Effects of His Bundle Pacing Compared to Classic Resynchronization Therapy in Patients with Pacing-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

Pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) is among the most common right ventricular pacing complications. Upgrading to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is the recommended treatment option. Conduction system pacing with His bundle pacing (HBP) has the potential to restore synchronous ventricular activation and can be an alternative to biventricular pacing (BVP). Patients with PICM scheduled for a system upgrade to CRT were included in the prospective cohort study. Either HBP or BVP was used for CRT. Electrocardiographic, clinical, and echocardiographic measurements were recorded at baseline and six-month follow-up. HBP was successful in 44 of 53 patients (83%). Thirty-nine patients with HBP and 22 with BVP completed a 6-month follow-up. HBP led to a higher reduction in QRS duration than BVP, 118.3 ± 14.20 ms vs. 150.5 ± 18.64 ms, p < 0.0001. The improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class by one or two was more common in patients with HBP than those with BiV (p = 0.04). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved in BVP patients from 32.9 ± 7.93% to 43.9 ± 8.07%, p < 0.0001, and in HBP patients from 34.9 ± 6.45% to 48.6 ± 7.73%, p < 0.0001. The improvement in LVEF was more considerable in HBP patients than in BVP patients, p = 0.019. The improvement in clinical outcomes and left ventricle reverse remodeling was more significant with HBP than BVP. HBP can be a valid alternative to BVP for upgrade procedures in PICM patients.

The usefulness of His bundle pacing in a heterogeneous population of patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: His bundle pacing (HBP) maintains a physiological activation pattern of ventricular activation, and in patients with intraventricular conduction delay (IVCD) it can normalize wide QRS duration. METHODS: A total of 181 patients from the HBP registry were enrolled into a the study, which was conducted at the Department of Electrocardiology in Katowice, Poland. The patients had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% and were implanted between November 2015 and April 2019. The HBP indications were as follows: 1) bradycardia and atrioventricular conduction disturbances with expected high pacing burden, 2) IVCD, LVEF ≤ 35%, with an indication for resynchronization therapy, 3) the need to upgrade to resynchronization therapy due to pacing-induced cardiomyopathy. Pacing parameters and echocardiographic and clinical data were assessed for up to 2 years of follow-up (FU). RESULTS: His bundle pacing was successful in 154 (85.1%) patients. Eighty-two patients completed a 6-month FU. The mean age was 70.6 ± 9.23 years, and 79% were males. At 6 months FU LVEF improved from 35.3 ± 8.22% to 43.1 ± 10.14% (p < 0.0001), and indexed left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESVi) decreased from 63.1 ± 25.21 mL/m² to 51.9 ± 22.79 mL/m² (p < 0.0001). In 53.1%, the LVESVi reduction was greater than 15%. The improvement in LVEF and LVESVi was also observed after 24 months of FU. CONCLUSIONS: His bundle pacing in permanently paced patients when LVEF is reduced below 50% is associated with improvement in LVEF and reverse left ventricle remodeling.

Local electromechanical alterations determine the left ventricle rotational dynamics in CRT-eligible heart failure patients.

Left ventricle, LV wringing wall motion relies on physiological muscle fiber orientation, fibrotic status, and electromechanics (EM). The loss of proper EM activation can lead to rigid-body-type (RBT) LV rotation, which is associated with advanced heart failure (HF) and challenges in resynchronization. To describe the EM coupling and scar tissue burden with respect to rotational patterns observed on the LV in patients with ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) left bundle branch block (LBBB). Thirty patients with HFrEF/LBBB underwent EM analysis of the left ventricle using an invasive electro-mechanical catheter mapping system (NOGA XP, Biosense Webster). The following parameters were evaluated: rotation angle; rotation velocity; unipolar/bipolar voltage; local activation time, LAT; local electro-mechanical delay, LEMD; total electro-mechanical delay, TEMD. Patients underwent late-gadolinium enhancement cMRI when possible. The different LV rotation pattern served as sole parameter for patients' grouping into two categories: wringing rotation (Group A, n = 6) and RBT rotation (Group B, n = 24). All parameters were aggregated into a nine segment, three sector and whole LV models, and compared at multiple scales. Segmental statistical analysis in Group B revealed significant inhomogeneities, across the LV, regarding voltage level, scar burdening, and LEMD changes: correlation analysis showed correspondently a loss of synchronization between electrical (LAT) and mechanical activation (TEMD). On contrary, Group A (relatively low number of patients) did not present significant differences in LEMD across LV segments, therefore electrical (LAT) and mechanical (TEMD) activation were well synchronized. Fibrosis burden was in general associated with areas of low voltage. The rotational behavior of LV in HF/LBBB patients is determined by the local alteration of EM coupling. These findings serve as a strong basic groundwork for a hypothesis that EM analysis may predict CRT response.Clinical trial registration: SUM No. KNW/0022/KB1/17/15.

The influence of scar on the spatio-temporal relationship between electrical and mechanical activation in heart failure patients.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between electrical and mechanical activation in heart failure (HF) patients and whether electromechanical coupling is affected by scar. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy HF patients referred for cardiac resynchronization therapy or biological therapy underwent endocardial anatomo-electromechanical mapping (AEMM) and delayed-enhancement magnetic resonance (CMR) scans. Area strain and activation times were derived from AEMM data, allowing to correlate mechanical and electrical activation in time and space with unprecedented accuracy. Special attention was paid to the effect of presence of CMR-evidenced scar. Patients were divided into a scar (n = 43) and a non-scar group (n-27). Correlation between time of electrical and mechanical activation was stronger in the non-scar compared to the scar group [R = 0.84 (0.72-0.89) vs. 0.74 (0.52-0.88), respectively; P = 0.01]. The overlap between latest electrical and mechanical activation areas was larger in the absence than in presence of scar [72% (54-81) vs. 56% (36-73), respectively; P = 0.02], with smaller distance between the centroids of the two regions [10.7 (4.9-17.4) vs. 20.3 (6.9-29.4) % of left ventricular radius, P = 0.02]. CONCLUSION: Scar decreases the association between electrical and mechanical activation, even when scar is remote from late activated regions.

Opioidergic conditioning of the human heart muscle in nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Opioidergic conditioning is well documented to trigger cardioprotection against ischemia/ reperfusion (I/R) injury. Previous studies on animal models have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) mediates the beneficial effect of opioids, but the role of NO in humans seems to be controversial. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of NO modulators on opioid-induced cardioprotection in the human myocardium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Trabeculae of the human right atria were electrically driven in an organ bath and subjected to simulated I/R injury. The non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) - N-methyl-l-arginine (LNMMA), the donor of NO - S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or morphine (in the amount of 10-4 M) were used at the time of re-oxygenation. The additional trabecula was subjected to the hypoxia protocol only (control). The contractility of the myocardium was assessed as the maximal force of a contraction (Amax), the rate of rise of the force of a contraction (Slope L) and the cardiac muscle relaxation - as the rate of decay of the force of a contraction (Slope T). RESULTS: The application of 100 µM LNMMA resulted in the decrease of Amax, Slope L and Slope T during the re-oxygenation period as compared to control. The application of 10-4 M morphine and/or 100 µM SNAP resulted in a partial reversal of the detrimental influence of LNMMA. CONCLUSIONS: At the re-oxygenation period, the blockade of NO synthesis has a deleterious effect on the systolic and diastolic function of the human myocardium as well as attenuates the beneficial effect of morphine conditioning.

Sex Difference in Patients With Ischemic Heart Failure Undergoing Surgical Revascularization: Results From the STICH Trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure).

BACKGROUND: Female sex is conventionally considered a risk factor for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and has been included as a poor prognostic factor in multiple cardiac operative risk evaluation scores. We aimed to investigate the association of sex and the long-term benefit of CABG in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction enrolled in the prospective STICH trial (Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure Study). METHODS: The STICH trial randomized 1212 patients (148 [12%] women and 1064 [88%] men) with coronary artery disease and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% to CABG+medical therapy (MED) versus MED alone. Long-term (10-year) outcomes with each treatment were compared according to sex. RESULTS: At baseline, women were older (63.4 versus 59.3 years; P=0.016) with higher body mass index (27.9 versus 26.7 kg/m2; P=0.001). Women had more coronary artery disease risk factors (diabetes mellitus, 55.4% versus 37.2%; hypertension, 70.9% versus 58.6%; hyperlipidemia, 70.3% versus 58.9%) except for smoking (13.5% versus 21.8%) and had lower rates of prior CABG (0% versus 3.4%; all P<0.05) than men. Moreover, women had higher New York Heart Association class (class III/IV, 66.2% versus 57.0%), lower 6-minute walk capacity (300 versus 350 m), and lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire overall summary scores (51 versus 63; all P<0.05). Over 10 years of follow-up, all-cause mortality (49.0% versus 65.8%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.86; P=0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (34.3% versus 52.3%; adjusted hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.89; P=0.006) were significantly lower in women compared with men. With randomization to CABG+MED versus MED treatment, there was no significant interaction between sex and treatment group in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or the composite of all-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization (all P>0.05). In addition, surgical deaths were not statistically different (1.5% versus 5.1%; P=0.187) between sexes among patients randomized to CABG per protocol as initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sex is not associated with the effect of CABG+MED versus MED on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, the composite of death or cardiovascular hospitalization, or surgical deaths in patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction. Thus, sex should not influence treatment decisions about CABG in these patients. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00023595.

Sex Difference in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure Undergoing Surgical Revascularization: Results from the STICH Trial

BACKGROUND: Female sex is conventionally considered a risk factor for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and has been included as a poor prognostic factor in multiple cardiac operative risk evaluation scores. We aimed to investigate the association of sex and the long-term benefit of CABG in patients with ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction enrolled in the prospective Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure Study (STICH) trial. METHODS: The STICH trial randomized 1212 patients [148 (12%) women and 1064 (88%) men] with CAD and LV ejection fraction (EF)≤ 35% to CABG + medical therapy (MED) versus MED alone. Long-term (10-year) outcomes with each treatment were compared according to sex. RESULTS: At baseline, women were older (63.4 vs 59.3, p=0.016) with higher BMI (27.9 vs 26.7, p=0.001). Women had more CAD risk factors (diabetes 55.4% vs 37.2%, hypertension 70.9% vs 58.6%, hyperlipidemia 70.3% vs 58.9%) except for smoking (13.5% vs 21.8%), and had lower rates of prior CABG (0% vs 3.4%, all p<0.05) than men. Moreover, women had higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (Class III/IV 66.2% vs 57.0%), lower 6-min walk capacity (300m vs 350m) and lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) overall summary scores (51 vs 63) (all p<0.05) than men. Moreover, women had higher New York Heart Association (NYHA) class (Class III/IV 66.2% vs 57.0%), lower 6-min walk capacity (300m vs 350m) and lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) overall summary scores (51 vs 63) (all p<0.05). Over 10-years of follow up, all- cause mortality (49.0% vs 65.8%, adjusted HR 0.67, CI 0.52­0.86, p=0.002) and CV mortality (34.3% vs 52.3%, adjusted HR 0.65, CI 0.48­0.89, p=0.006) were significantly lower in women compared to men. With randomization to CABG + MED vs. MED treatment, there was no significant interaction between sex and treatment group in all-cause mortality, CV mortality, or the composite of all-cause mortality or CV hospitalization (all p>0.05). In addition, surgical deaths were not statistically different (1.5% vs 5.1%, p=0.187) between sexes among patients randomized to CABG per protocol as initial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Sex is not associated with the effect of CABG + MED vs. MED on all-cause mortality, CV mortality, the composite of death or CV hospitalization, or surgical deaths in patients with ischemic LV dysfunction. Thus, sex should not influence treatment decisions regarding CABG in these patients.

Ischemic conditioning of human heart muscle depends on opioid-receptor system.

BACKGROUND: Despite progress in the invasive treatment of ischemic heart disease, the ability to limit ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury remains largely unrealized. Ischemic pre-conditioning (IPC) and post-conditioning (POC) induce the protective mechanisms of resistance against I/R injury. Stimulation of opioid receptors mimic the protective effect of IPC or POC in an animal models. We tested the hypothesis, that IPC and POC provide cardioprotection in opioid-dependent mechanism in human myocardium. METHODS: Human atrial trabeculae were subjected to I/R injury. To achieve IPC, single hypoxia period preceded the applied lethal hypoxia, to achieve POC triple hypoxia periods followed lethal hypoxia. Naloxone was used at the onset of lethal hypoxia in IPC protocol, and at the time of re-oxygenation in POC protocol. Contractive function of the myocardium was assessed as maximal force of contraction (Amax), rate of rise of force of contraction (+dV/dT) and diastolic parameter - rate of decay of force of contraction (-dV/dT). RESULTS: Co-application of naloxone with IPC or POC resulted in decrease of Amax, +dV/dT and -dV/dT during re-oxygenation period as compared to IPC or POC only. CONCLUSIONS: Naloxone abrogates beneficial effect of IPC and POC. IPC and POC in humans provide cardioprotection in opioid receptor system dependent mechanism.

'Opioidergic postconditioning' of heart muscle during ischemia/reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning and postconditioning are the novel strategies of attaining cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Previous studies suggested the role of opioid pathway, however the class of opioid receptors responsible for this effect in humans remains unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of opioids on simulated I/R injury outcomes in the hu-man myocardium. METHODS: Trabeculae of the human right atrium were electrically driven in organ bath and subjected to simulated I/R injury. Morphine (10-4M, 10-5M, 10-6M) or d-opioid receptor agonist DADLE (10-8M, 10-7M, 10-6M) was used at the time of re-oxygenation. Additional trabecula was subjected to hypoxia protocol only (Control). Contractive force of the myocardium was assessed as the maximal force of a contraction (Amax), the rate of rise of the force of a contraction (Slope L) and relaxation as the rate of decay of the force of a contraction (Slope T). RESULTS: Application of morphine 10-4M resulted in increase of Amax, Slope L and Slope T during re-oxygenation period as compared to Control (77.99 ± 1.5% vs. 68.8 ± 2.2%, p < 0.05; 45.72 ± 2.9% vs. 34.12 ± 5.1%, p < 0.05; 40.95 ± 2.5% vs. 32.37 ± 4.3%, p < 0.05). Parameters were not significantly different in the lower morphine concentrations. Application of DADLE 10-6M resulted in decrease of Amax and Slope L as compared to Control (68.13 ± 5.5% vs. 76.62 ± 6.6%, p < 0.05; 28.29 ± 2.2 vs. 34.80 ± 3.9%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: At re-oxygenation, morphine improves systolic and diastolic function of the human myo-cardium in the dose-dependent manner. Delta-opioid receptor stimulation attenuates systolic function of human heart muscle which remains in contrast to previous reports with animal models of I/R injury. (Cardiol J 2017; 24, 4: 419-425).

Frailty Syndrome in Heart Failure Patients who are Receiving Cardiac Resynchronization.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that patients with de novo cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation had a more intense frailty syndrome when compared to the patients who qualified for a system upgrade. METHODS: One hundred and six patients aged ≥65 years were included. They were divided into two groups: de novo CRT implantation--74 patients and upgrade from standard right heart pacing--32 patients. A CRT was finally implanted in all of the patients. Frailty was evaluated using the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Clinical Frailty Scale (CSHA-CFS). RESULTS: The average results in CSHA-CFS were statistically higher (5.3 ± 0.8) in the de novo patients when compared to the patients who qualified for a system upgrade (4.9 ± 0.8); P = 0.027. Frailty syndrome was recognized in 81.1% of the patients in the de novo group and in 68.7% of the patients in the upgrade group; P = 0.164. Only one patient of the 106 had no attributes of frailty (or exposed ones) syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty syndrome is a common phenomenon in patients with heart failure and over 65 years of age. The syndrome is most often recognized in patients who are de novo qualified for cardiac resynchronization.

Implication of right ventricular dysfunction on long-term outcome in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with or without surgical ventricular reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Whether right ventricular dysfunction affects clinical outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting with or without surgical ventricular reconstruction is still unknown. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of right ventricular dysfunction on clinical outcome in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with or without surgical ventricular reconstruction. METHODS: Of 1000 patients in the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure with coronary artery disease, left ventricular ejection fraction 35% or less, and anterior dysfunction, who were randomized to undergo coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary artery bypass grafting + surgical ventricular reconstruction, baseline right ventricular function could be assessed by echocardiography in 866 patients. Patients were followed for a median of 48 months. All-cause mortality or cardiovascular hospitalization was the primary end point, and all-cause mortality alone was a secondary end point. RESULTS: Right ventricular dysfunction was mild in 102 patients (12%) and moderate or severe in 78 patients (9%). Moderate to severe right ventricular dysfunction was associated with a larger left ventricle, lower ejection fraction, more severe mitral regurgitation, higher filling pressure, and higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (all P < .0001) compared with normal or mildly reduced right ventricular function. A significant interaction between right ventricular dysfunction and treatment allocation was observed. Patients with moderate or severe right ventricular dysfunction who received coronary artery bypass grafting + surgical ventricular reconstruction had significantly worse outcomes compared with patients who received coronary artery bypass grafting alone on both the primary (hazard ratio, 1.86; confidence interval, 1.06-3.26; P = .028) and the secondary (hazard ratio, 3.37; confidence interval, 1.36-8.37; P = .005) end points. After adjusting for all other prognostic clinical factors, the interaction remained significant with respect to all-cause mortality (P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Adding surgical ventricular reconstruction to coronary artery bypass grafting may worsen long-term survival in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with moderate to severe right ventricular dysfunction, which reflects advanced left ventricular remodeling.

Mechanisms of functional mitral regurgitation in cardiomyopathy secondary to anterior infarction.

OBJECTIVES: It remains unclear why some patients with cardiomyopathy secondary to anterior infarction do, and others do not develop functional mitral regurgitation (MR). METHODS: Thirty-six patients after anterior infarction with ejection fraction (EF) below 35%, 18 with no/trivial and 18 with moderate/severe MR, underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Parameters describing the geometry of the mitral valve, subvalvular apparatus and left ventricle were measured. RESULTS: The septolateral and commissure-to-commissure mitral annular diameters were bigger in patients with MR. The odds ratio (OR) of developing regurgitation was 25.0 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.3-144.3; P < 0.001) for end-systolic septolateral mitral annulus diameter above 20 mm/m(2). MR was less likely in patients with straighter posterior papillary muscle (OR 0.040, 95% CI 0.007-0.23; P < 0.001-for the angle between muscle axis and mitral annulus plane >81°), and more likely (OR 7.9, 95% CI 1.6-39.4; P = 0.008) with posterior papillary muscle tethering >23 mm/m(2). Regurgitation was less likely (OR 0.032, 95% CI 0.003-0.33; P = 0.001) with anterolateral papillary muscle tip to ipsilateral mitral annulus distance in end-diastole longer than 13 mm/m(2). Left ventricular EF, volumes and the overall end-systolic and end-diastolic wall thicknesses did not differ between the groups. Patients with MR had thinner myocardium proximal to the base of the anterior and distal to the base of the posterior papillary muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior extension of anterior infarction and more leaning posterior papillary muscle are the major components resulting in the development of ischaemic MR in patients with cardiomyopathy secondary to anterior infarction. Shorter chordae tendineae may constitute the anatomical background that makes the development of ischaemic MR more likely.