Cardiac Structure and Function in Young Adults With Various Cardiometabolic Profiles.

Background Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiometabolic abnormalities result in alterations in the myocardial structure and function. Limited data are available on these changes in young adults with various cardiometabolic risk profiles. The goal was to study the relationship between cardiometabolic risk and echocardiographic changes in young patients of both sexes in a Russian population, using a risk-based cardiometabolic disease staging (CMDS) system. Methods A total of 191 patients were included. The patients were classified into five groups based on the CMDS system. We gathered patient history and performed a physical exam, biochemical blood analysis, and echocardiography. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The median age of the participants was 35 (30.0-39.0) years. Elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia were more frequent (p < 0.05) in males than in females. An increase in the end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) and a decrease in the ejection fraction were noted from CMDS 0 to 3. The EDV and ESV were associated with most cardiometabolic risk factors and strongly correlated with the visceral fat level, waist circumference, and body mass index. We identified a new subgroup as CMDS 3-overly high in patients with CMDS 3 and an excess level of visceral fat. Conclusion When designing strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention in young adults apart from CMDS parameters, bioimpedance analysis should be considered to assess the level of visceral fat, especially in individuals with CMDS 3 because they are at a higher risk of cardiac chamber enlargements. These results can be used to identify new dominants or phenotypes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Derivation of a Risk Score (REVEAL-ECHO) Based on Echocardiographic Parameters of Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric risk assessment tools determine mortality risk in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by combining invasive and noninvasive variables so management strategies can be tailored to individuals. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can a risk score based on common echocardiographic parameters risk-stratify patients with PAH? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) echocardiographic risk score (REVEAL-ECHO) was derived using retrospective echocardiographic data from 2,400 adult patients with PAH enrolled in the REVEAL registry database. A stepwise Cox regression model identified echocardiographic parameters significantly predictive of survival. Values were assigned to each selected parameter based on survival at 12 months' follow-up (Kaplan-Meier estimates). The REVEAL-ECHO risk score was the sum of individual values. Patients were categorized as having low, intermediate, or high risk based on Kaplan-Meier-predicted 12-month survival. RESULTS: The risk score included four echocardiographic parameters-right ventricular (RV) chamber enlargement, reduced RV systolic function, tricuspid regurgitation severity, and pericardial effusion-and accounted for PAH etiology. Higher REVEAL-ECHO risk scores signaled lower probability of 12-month survival. Statistically significant separation of mortality risk was observed among the risk strata: intermediate vs low (hazard ratio [HR], 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.75; P = .0004) and high vs low (HR, 2.60; 95% CI, 2.19-3.10; P < .0001). Augmentation of the REVEAL Lite 2 risk calculator with REVEAL-ECHO risk scores achieved separation of REVEAL Lite 2 into four risk groups and identified a subgroup of patients with a low REVEAL Lite 2 risk score who were at higher risk (intermediate-low risk) and a subgroup of patients with an intermediate REVEAL Lite 2 risk score who also were at higher risk (intermediate-high risk). INTERPRETATION: A REVEAL-ECHO risk score, derived using four echocardiographic parameters, may discriminate risk further when used as an adjunct to current risk assessment scores. Further validation is required.

NT-proBNP and D-Dimer in acute decompensated heart failure: assessment of diagnostic accuracy and correlation with echocardiographic parameters.

PURPOSE: Abnormalities in coagulation and inflammation exist in heart failure. This study compares the diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP and D-Dimer and the correlation of these biomarkers with echocardiographic parameters in acute decompensated heart failure. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional/observational study was performed using 162 patients with acute decompensated heart failure and 253 age-matched controls. Patients were ruled out for a pulmonary embolus by CT or VQ scans. The study protocol was approved by Institutional Review Board, Lubbock, TX. Correlation of NT-proBNP and D-Dimer values was done with echocardiographic parameters. Statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05. RESULTS: D-Dimer showed a positive correlation with NT-proBNP (r = 0.665, p = 001). The AUC for NT-proBNP, D-Dimer and a combination of D-Dimer plus NT-proBNP were 0.963, 0.928 and 0.982 respectively. The AUC value for D-Dimer versus the combination of D-Dimer and NT-roBNP was not significant (p = 0.21). Correlation of NT-proBNP was significant with the echocardiographic parameters but D-Dimer did not significantly correlate with any of the echocardiographic parameters studied. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the AUC values for D-Dimer versus the combination of D-Dimer and NT-proBNP showed no significance suggestive of comparable diagnostic accuracy in the study population. The lack of correlation between D-Dimer and echocardiographic parameters suggests an independent pathophysiological mechanism underlying upregulation of D-Dimer in acute decompensated heart failure. Further systematic studies are needed to define mechanism of D-Dimer increase in heart failure.

Hemodynamics in neonates with polycythemia before and after partial exchange transfusion: an observational study.

Introduction: The current recommendations for the management of neonatal polycythemia are that partial exchange transfusion (PET) should be performed if the hematocrit is >70% in an asymptomatic neonate, or if the haematocrit is >65% in a symptomatic neonate. The hemodynamic effects of PET for neonatal polycythemia have not been well researched. Objectives: To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of PET in neonates with polycythemia. Methodology: Prospective observational study conducted in a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital enrolling 21 neonates with polycythemia who underwent PET. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were obtained prior to PET and 6 h after procedure. Results: The mean gestational age of neonates with polycythemia was 35.08 ± 2.35 weeks with a mean birth weight of 1,929 ± 819.2 g. There was a significant improvement noted in heart rate and oxygen saturation post PET procedure (p < 0.05). Right ventricular systolic function parameters showed significant improvement (Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fractional area change, right ventricular output) (p < 0.05). Left ventricular function parameters showed significant improvement (Fractional shortening, left ventricular output, E:A ratio) (p < 0.05). Resolution of symptoms was noted after PET procedure with no adverse events associated with PET. Conclusion: PET maybe effective in improving heart rate and oxygen saturation levels in polycythemic neonates. It has good short-term hemodynamic stability with improvement in right ventricular systolic, as well as left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. It is a safe and effective procedure with minimal adverse effects. Further studies with larger sample size and a control group would be required to corroborate our findings.

Metformin Acutely Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Human Atrial Tissue: A Pilot Study in Overweight Non-Diabetic Cardiac Patients.

Metformin, the first-line drug in type 2 diabetes mellitus, elicits cardiovascular protection also in obese patients via pleiotropic effects, among which the anti-oxidant is one of the most investigated. The aim of the present study was to assess whether metformin can acutely mitigate oxidative stress in atrial tissue harvested from overweight non-diabetic patients. Right atrial appendage samples were harvested during open-heart surgery and used for the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by means of confocal microscopy (superoxide anion) and spectrophotometry (hydrogen peroxide). Experiments were performed after acute incubation with metformin (10 µM) in the presence vs. absence of angiotensin II (AII, 100 nM), lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/mL), and high glucose (Gluc, 400 mg/dL). Stimulation with AII, LPS, and high Gluc increased ROS production. The magnitude of oxidative stress correlated with several echocardiographic parameters. Metformin applied in the lowest therapeutic concentration (10 µM) was able to decrease ROS generation in stimulated but also non-stimulated atrial samples. In conclusion, in a pilot group of overweight non-diabetic cardiac patients, acute incubation with metformin at a clinically relevant dose alleviated oxidative stress both in basal conditions and conditions that mimicked the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, acute inflammation, and uncontrolled hyperglycemia.

The impact of a comprehensive pharmaceutical care intervention in addition to cardiac rehabilitation program on outcomes of post-acute coronary syndrome patients: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of Comprehensive pharmaceutical care intervention added to cardiac rehabilitation program(CR programs) in improving echocardiographic parameters, nutritional status and High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein(hs-CRP), in post-acute coronary syndrome patients. METHODS: A prospective; randomized, controlled study. 40 post-acute coronary syndrome patients, participating in CR program, were randomly allocated to either the control group(n = 20) or the intervention group(n = 20). Pharmaceutical care intervention included face-to-face education about the disease, healthy lifestyle, medication adherence, drug related problems management and goal setting. hs-CRP and cardiac parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months. RESULTS: After three months,the intervention group showed a significant decrease in left ventricular end systolic volume (p = 0.0026) and left ventricular end diastolic volume (p = 0.0009) compared to the control group. Also, intervention group showed a significant increase in nutritional status (p = 0.037) and the patients' knowledge about the disease and drugs (p = 0.0001). However, there was no significant change in hscrp level between groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that Comprehensive pharmaceutical care intervention added to CR programs significantly improved cardiac parameters and nutritional status. This is best explained by increasing adherence to cardiovascular medications and to healthier lifestyle and optimizing medication knowledge and doses. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Implementing Comprehensive pharmaceutical care intervention added to CR programs could improve the cardiac function and nutritional status of post-acute coronary syndrome patients.

Changes in echocardiographic parameters of the donor's heart before and after heart transplantation and their relationship with post-transplant survival.

Background: Heart transplantation is now widely performed in China, but the current entry criteria for heart transplantation donors are simple and lack reliable standards; there are still no studies on the effect of preoperative echocardiographic parameters of heart transplantation donors on the prognosis of the recipient. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: (I) to observe the characteristics of changes in echocardiographic parameters of the donor's heart before and after heart transplantation and (II) to study the relationship between the changes in echocardiographic parameters of the donor's heart pre- and post-transplant and transplant recipient survival. Methods: A total of 29 patients who underwent orthotopic heart transplant in our hospital from October 2016 to October 2019 were enrolled in this study. All recipients were followed up until April 2020. Echocardiographic data were collected pre-transplantation (donor) and at 1 week and 1 month post-transplant (recipient). Results: Compared with the pretransplanted donor's heart, there was an increase in the interventricular septal diameter, left ventricular posterior wall diameter, right atrium diameter and right ventricular diameter, while a decrease was found in the tricuspid annular systolic displacement and tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity at 1 week post-transplant. The survival curve showed that the postoperative survival time in the right atrium/ventricle ≥32 mm group was better than that in the right atrium/ventricle <32 mm group. The survival curve also showed that the postoperative survival time in the right atrium/ventricle enlargement <2 mm group was better than that in the right atrium/ventricle enlargement ≥2 mm group. Conclusions: In the early post-transplant period, ventricular myocardial thickening, right heart enlargement and a decrease in right heart function were observed in the post-transplanted heart compared to the pretransplanted donor's heart. Postoperative survival was higher among heart transplant patients who received a heart with right atrium/ventricle ≥32 mm. Postoperative survival was lower among heart transplant patients whose right atrium/ventricle was dilated ≥2 mm at 1 month postoperatively compared with the pretransplanted donor's heart.

Association Between Indoxyl Sulfate and Dialysis Initiation and Cardiac Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients.

Introduction: Indoxyl sulfate, a protein-bound uremic toxin, has been reported as an atherosclerosis and fibrosis accelerator. This study aimed to determine whether serum indoxyl sulfate is associated with cardiac abnormalities, cardiovascular events, and renal progression to dialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: The prospective study enrolled 89 patients with CKD stage 3 to 5 patients. Serum biochemistry data and indoxyl sulfate were measured. All patients underwent echocardiographic examination. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was calculated using two-dimensional speckle tracking. The clinical outcomes including cardiovascular event and dialysis initiation were recorded during a 2-year follow-up. Results: Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the median value of serum indoxyl sulfate (low and high indoxyl sulfate groups). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with higher indoxyl sulfate (≥6.124 mg/L) were significantly associated with renal progression to dialysis (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in cardiovascular events between 2 groups (p = 0.082). In addition, serum indoxyl sulfate level was independently associated with GLS (r = 0.62; p = 0.01). The risk of cardiovascular events was significantly higher in patients with impaired GLS (>-16%) (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Serum indoxyl sulfate level was a significant predictor for CKD progression to dialysis and was correlated with GLS, a speckle tracking echocardiography parameter representing early LV systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, GLS was associated with cardiovascular events in CKD patients. Serum indoxyl sulfate measurement may help to identify the high dialysis and cardiovascular risk CKD patients beyond traditional risk factors.

Plasma biomarkers outperform echocardiographic measurements for cardiovascular risk prediction in kidney transplant recipients: results of the HOME ALONE study.

Background: Since kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have a high cardiovascular disease burden, adequate risk prediction is of importance. Whether echocardiographic parameters and plasma biomarkers, natriuretic peptides [N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)] and troponin T provide complementary or overlapping prognostic information on cardiovascular events remains uncertain. Methods: The prospective Heterogeneity of Monocytes and Echocardiography Among Allograft Recipients in Nephrology (HOME ALONE) study followed 177 KTRs for 5.4 ± 1.7 years. Predefined endpoints were hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure or all-cause death (HF/D) and major atherosclerotic cardiovascular events or all-cause death (MACE/D). At baseline, plasma NT-proBNP, plasma troponin T and echocardiographic parameters [left atrial volume index, left ventricular (LV) mass index, LV ejection fraction, and LV filling pressure] were assessed. Results: Among all echocardiographic and plasma biomarkers measured, only NT-proBNP was consistently associated with HF/D in univariate and multivariate {third versus first tertile: hazard ratio [HR] 4.20 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-17.27]} analysis, and only troponin T was consistently associated with MACE/D in univariate and multivariate [third versus first tertile: HR 8.15 (95% CI 2.75-24.18)] analysis. Conclusion: Our data suggest that plasma biomarkers are robust and independent predictors of heart failure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular events after kidney transplantation, whereas standard echocardiographic follow-up does not add to risk prediction.

Sacubitril/valsartan improves cardiac function in Chinese patients with heart failure: a real-world study.

AIMS: Sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduced heart failure (HF) hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality in a randomized controlled trial. However, little is known about real-world efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in Chinese patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We aimed to evaluate whether sacubitril/valsartan could improve cardiac function in Chinese patients with HFrEF in a tertiary hospital in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HFrEF receiving sacubitril/valsartan in our hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 were recruited in the present study. We retrospectively collected and analysed all clinical parameters at baseline and during follow-up. A total of 100 consecutive patients (73% male) with HFrEF were recruited in the present study. During a median follow-up period of 365 days [interquartile range (IQR), 346-378], a pronounced improvement of cardiac function was achieved. New York Heart Association classification was significantly improved (P < 0.001), and median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides level significantly decreased from 3003 pg/mL (IQR, 1513-5404) to 2039 pg/mL (IQR, 921-3955) (P = 0.010). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 31 ± 6% to 38 ± 10% (P < 0.001) and median left ventricular end-diastolic diameter reduced from 63 mm (IQR, 59-67) to 60 mm (IQR, 55-68) (P = 0.001). Mean pulmonary arterial systolic pressure decreased significantly from 49 ± 13 mmHg to 44 ± 12 mmHg (P < 0.001) and median right ventricular end-diastolic diameter reduced from 23 mm (IQR, 21-26) to 22 mm (IQR, 20-25) (P = 0.030). After treatment with sacubitril/valsartan, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate significantly decreased (from 88.8 ± 22.4 mL/min to 71.8 ± 27.3 mL/min, P < 0.001). Median serum creatinine and median blood urea nitrogen levels significantly increased [from 0.9 mg/dL (IQR, 0.8-1.0) to 1.1 mg/dL (IQR, 0.9-1.3), P < 0.001, and from 6.8 mmol/L (IQR, 5.5-8.9) to 8.0 mmol/L (IQR, 6.6-10.3), P = 0.002, respectively]. The proportion of patients with chronic kidney disease Stage 3/4 increased significantly from 8% to 39% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Chinese patients with HFrEF, sacubitril/valsartan treatment was associated with a pronounced improvement of cardiac function, but might be prone to a decrease in blood pressure and deterioration in renal function.

A Network-Based "Phenomics" Approach for Discovering Patient Subtypes From High-Throughput Cardiac Imaging Data.

OBJECTIVES: The authors present a method that focuses on cohort matching algorithms for performing patient-to-patient comparisons along multiple echocardiographic parameters for predicting meaningful patient subgroups. BACKGROUND: Recent efforts in collecting multiomics data open numerous opportunities for comprehensive integration of highly heterogenous data to classify a patient's cardiovascular state, eventually leading to tailored therapies. METHODS: A total of 42 echocardiography features, including 2-dimensional and Doppler measurements, left ventricular (LV) and atrial speckle-tracking, and vector flow mapping data, were obtained in 297 patients. A similarity network was developed to delineate distinct patient phenotypes, and then neural network models were trained for discriminating the phenotypic presentations. RESULTS: The patient similarity model identified 4 clusters (I to IV), with patients in each cluster showed distinctive clinical presentations based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association heart failure stage and the occurrence of short-term major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. Compared with other clusters, cluster IV had a higher prevalence of stage C or D heart failure (78%; p < 0.001), New York Heart Association functional classes III or IV (61%; p < 0.001), and a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (p < 0.001). The neural network model showed robust prediction of patient clusters, with area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve ranging from 0.82 to 0.99 for the independent hold-out validation set. CONCLUSIONS: Automated computational methods for phenotyping can be an effective strategy to fuse multidimensional parameters of LV structure and function. It can identify distinct cardiac phenogroups in terms of clinical characteristics, cardiac structure and function, hemodynamics, and outcomes.

Cardiovascular and metabolic health effects of team handball training in overweight women: Impact of prior experience.

PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that participation in small-sided team handball training could provide beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic parameters in overweight premenopausal women with special focus on the importance of prior team handball experience. METHODS: A 16-week RCT training intervention was conducted in overweight premenopausal women randomized into three groups: a team handball training group without prior experience (UN; n = 13), a team handball group with prior experience (EXP; n = 10), and an inactive control group (CON; n = 9). Both UN and EXP completed 1.6 ± 0.3 training sessions per week with average heart rates of 84 ± 5 and 85 ± 9% of maximal heart rate, respectively. Cardiovascular and metabolic parameters were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Compared to CON, UN had significant increases in VO2max  (7 ± 4%) and intermittent endurance performance (26 ± 14%) as well as reduced total fat mass (4 ± 6%), total fat percentage (4 ± 5%), and android fat mass (7 ± 12%), respectively (all P < .05). Compared to UN and CON, EXP displayed increased left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index (both P < .05) after the training period. There were no significant changes between any of the groups in muscle mass, blood lipids, resting heart rate, and blood pressure (all P > .05). CONCLUSION: Small-sided team handball training in overweight premenopausal women resulted in improvement of VO2max and body composition for participants with minimal team handball experience, indicating that prior team handball experience is not a prerequisite for improving physiological parameters of importance for health. Furthermore, EXP displayed cardiac adaptations, including increased left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index.

Nocturnal systolic hypertension is a risk factor for cardiac damage in the untreated masked hypertensive patients.

The nocturnal blood pressure (BP) has been identified as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular events. This study aimed to investigate the association between different patterns of nocturnal masked hypertension (MH) and the echocardiographic parameters in the untreated nocturnal MH patients. A total of 721 untreated MH patients (309 females and 412 males, mean age = 56.59 ± 15.20 years) from June 2006 and June 2016 were included and divided into nocturnal systolic MH (n = 77), nocturnal diastolic MH (n = 232), and nocturnal systolic/diastolic MH (n = 412) groups according to the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Baseline characteristics, office BP values, ambulatory BP monitoring parameters, and echocardiographic parameters were compared among the three groups. The independent factors associated with echocardiographic parameters were analyzed by multivariate linear regression. The nocturnal systolic group had the highest ratio of males, mean age, and office systolic BP (SBP), and the lowest office, 24-hour, daytime, nocturnal diastolic BP and heart rate among the three groups. The nocturnal diastolic group had the lowest interventricular septum (IVS) thickness, left atrium (LA) dimension, and left ventricular (LV) mass among the three groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that 24-hour, daytime, and nocturnal SBPs were all positively associated with LA dimension, IVS thickness, and LV mass (all B were positive and P < .050). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that nocturnal SBP was positively correlated with LA dimension, IVS thickness, and LV mass. These results suggested that different patterns of nocturnal MH had different echocardiographic outcomes. Nocturnal SBP was the independent factor associated with the echocardiographic parameters.

Multivariable evaluation of maternal hemodynamic profile in pregnancy complicated by fetal growth restriction: prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between fetal growth restriction (FGR) and maternal hemodynamic parameters using multivariable analysis, adjusting for major confounding factors, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted between January 2013 and April 2016. Two cohorts of patients were recruited, between 24 and 39 weeks of gestation, in a high-risk outpatient setting. These cohorts comprised 49 appropriate-for-gestational-age singleton fetuses and 93 that were FGR (abdominal circumference (AC) at recruitment in the second half of pregnancy ≤ 10th percentile with a previous normal AC at 20-22 weeks). Maternal echocardiography was performed at the time of enrolment and included hemodynamic parameters of systolic and diastolic function and cardiac remodeling indices. Data were analyzed using a multivariable generalized linear model to estimate the association of FGR with maternal hemodynamic parameters after adjusting for significant confounding factors. RESULTS: In the multivariable analysis, after adjustment for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and smoking, FGR was associated with a 14% increase in maternal total vascular resistance, 16% reduction in cardiac output, 13% reduction in left ventricular mass and 11% reduction in heart rate; similar results were observed for the corresponding indexed parameters. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the absence of FGR were associated with a 25% increase in total vascular resistance, 16% increase in left ventricular mass and 14% reduction in diastolic function; similar results were observed for the corresponding indexed parameters. CONCLUSION: FGR is significantly and independently associated with several maternal hemodynamic parameters, even after adjustment for major confounding factors, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Factores pronósticos en hipertensión pulmonar Nuestra experiencia

Introducción. La hipertensión pulmonar (HP) es una enfermedad multifactorial de elevada morbimortalidad. Si bien su evolución clínica ha mejorado en los últimos años gracias al avance en su diagnóstico y tratamiento, disponemos de escasa información, en nuestra región, acerca de los factores clínicos y pronósticos vinculados con dicha entidad. Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia y las características de los factores pronósticos adversos en nuestra población con diagnóstico reciente de HP. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico reciente de HP (menos de 7 días desde el diagnóstico) confirmado por cateterismo cardíaco derecho (CCD) con presión de arteria pulmonar media (PAPm) ≥ 25 mm Hg, entre Marzo de 2012 y Diciembre de 2016, por diferentes servicios especializados en insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) e HP. Se obtuvieron los siguientes datos personales y variables clínicas: síntomas y clase funcional (CF); grupo de HP (G); parámetros hemodinámicos directos: PAPm, presión de oclusión arterial pulmonar (POAP), presión en aurícula derecha (PAD) e índice cardíaco (Ic); datos funcionales: distancia en caminata de 6 minutos (DC6M); variables ecocardiográficas: función sistólica del ventrículo derecho (FSVD), desplazamiento sistólico del plano del anillo tricuspídeo (siglas en inglés, TAPSE), presión sistólica en arteria pulmonar (PSAP) y derrame pericárdico (DP). Los factores de mal pronóstico analizados fueron: historia de IC, síncope, CF avanzada (III/IV), DC6M < 350 metros, presencia de DP, TAPSE ≤ 15 mm, PAD ≥ 12 mm Hg e Ic ≤ 2,2 L/min/m². Resultados. Se incluyeron 107 pacientes, el 74% fue de sexo femenino, con una edad media de 58,8 (± 19) años, el 33% ≥ 70 años. El tiempo medio al diagnóstico fue de 24 meses desde la presencia del primer signo o síntoma referido. La distribución por grupde HP fue: GI (64%), GII (15%), GIII (9%), GIV (6%) y GV (6%). Dentro del GI se destacó la esclerodermia como etiología preponderante (29%). La CF de presentación fue: CF II del 41%, CF III del 35%, CF IV del 20%, CF I del 4%. Las variables clínicas destacadas fueron: historia de IC (72%), síncope (23%) y angina (19%). La DC6M tuvo una media de 320 (±148) m, siendo≤ 350 m en el 47% de los casos. Los parámetros hemodinámicos por CCD fueron: PAPm de 48,3 (±16) mm Hg; PAD 9,7 (±5,2) mm Hg y ≥14 mm Hg en un 27% con un Ic de 2,78 L/min/m² (≤ 2,2-23%). La evaluación ecocardiográfica constató deterioro de la FSVD en el 79% de los casos (42%: leve, 18%: moderado y 19%: severo) con un TAPSE medio de 17,8 (±4) mm y ≤ 15 mm en un 37%; en el 25% se observó DP. Conclusiones. En nuestra población con diagnóstico reciente de HP, se presenta un elevado porcentaje de pacientes añosos y de factores de mal pronóstico. Estos hallazgos remarcan la necesidad de un diagnóstico precoz y terapéuticas de inicio temprano.

Introduction. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifactorial disease with high morbidity and mortality. Although its clinical evolution has improved in recent years due to the advance in its diagnosis and treatment, we have little information about clinical and prognostic factors associated with this entity. Purpose. To determine the prevalence and characteristics of adverse prognostic factors in our population with a recent diagnosis of PH. Material and methods. Patients with a recent diagnosis of PH (less than 7 days after diagnosis) confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC) with mPAP ≥ 25 mm Hg, between March 2012 and December 2016, by different specialized services in heart failure (HF) and PH were included. The following personal data and clinical variables were obtained: symptoms and functional class (FC); HP group (G); hemodynamic parameters: mPAP, pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP), right atrial pressure (RAP) and cardiac index (CI); functional data: 6-minute walk distance (6MWD); echocardiographic variables: right ventricle systolic function (RVSF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) and pericardial effusion (PE). Poor prognosis factors analyzed were: history of HF, syncope, advanced FC (III/IV), 6MWD <350 meters, presence of PE, TAPSE ≤ 15 mm, RA ≥12 mm Hg and CI ≤ 2.2 L/min/m². Results. One hundred seven patients were included, 74% female, with a mean age of 58.8 (± 19) years, 33%≥ 70 years. The mean time to diagnosis was 24 months from the presence of the first sign or symptom recorded. Distribution by HP G was: GI (64%), GII (15%), GIII (9%), GIV (6%) and GV (6%). Considering GI, sclerodermia was the predominant etiology (29%). FC of presentation was: FC II 41%, FC III 35%, FC IV 20%, FC I 4%. Among the clinical variables, history of HF was present in 72% of patients, syncope in 23% and angina in 19%. Mean 6MWD was 320 (± 148) m, ≤ 350 m in 47% of the patients. The direct hemodynamic parameters by RHC were: mPAP 48.3 (± 16) mm Hg; RAP 9.7 (± 5.2) mm Hg and ≥14 mm Hg in 27%, CI 2.78 L/min/m² (≤ 2.2-23%). Echocardiographic analysis showed Impaired RVSF in 79% of cases (42% mild, 18% moderate and 19% severe) with a mean TAPSE of 17.8 (± 4) mm and ≤ 15 mm in 37%; PE was present in 25% of patients. Conclusions. In our population with recent diagnosis of PH, there is a high percentage of elderly patients and poor prognosis factors. This findings remark the need for early diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.

Introdução. A hipertensão pulmonar (HP) é uma doença multifatorial, com alta morbimortalidade. Embora sua evolução clínica tenha melhorado nos últimos anos devido ao avanço em seu diagnóstico e tratamento, temos pouca informação, em nossa região, sobre os fatores clínicos e prognósticos associados a essa entidade. Objetivos. Determinar a prevalência e as características de fatores prognósticos adversos em nossa população com diagnóstico recente de HP. Materiais e métodos. Foram incluídos pacientes com diagnóstico recente de HP (menos de 7 dias após o diagnóstico), confirmados por cateterismo cardíaco direito (CCD) com a pressão da artéria pulmonar média (PAPm) ≥ 25 mm Hg entre Março de 2012 e Dezembro de 2016, por diferentes serviços especializados em insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e HP. Foram obtidos os seguintes dados pessoais e variáveis clínicas: sintomas e classe funcional (CF); Grupo HP (G); parâmetros hemodinâmicos diretos: PAPm, pressão de oclusão arterial pulmonar (POAP), pressão atrial direita (PAD) e índice cardíaco (Ic); dados funcionais: distância de caminhada de 6 minutos (DC6M); variáveis ecocardiográficas: função sistólica do ventrículo direito (FSVD), excursão sistólica do plano anular da tricúspide (TAPSE), pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar (PSAP) e derrame pericárdico (DP). Os fatores analisados de prognóstico pobre foram: história de IC, síncope, CF avançado (III/IV), DP6M<350 metros, a presença de DP, TAPSE ≤ 15 mm, PAD ≥12 mm Hg e Ic ≤ 2,2 L/min/m². Resultados. Foram incluídos 107 pacientes, sendo o 74% do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 58,8 (± 19) anos, o 33% ≥ 70 anos. O tempo médio para o diagnóstico foi de 24 meses a partir da presença do primeiro sinal ou sintoma referido. A distribuição por grupo de HP foi: GI (64%), GII (15%), GIII (9%), GIV (6%) e GV (6%). No GI, a esclerodermia foi destacada como a etiologia predominante (29%). A apresentação CF: CF II 41%, CF III 35%, CF IV-20%, CF I 4%. As variáveis clínicas destacadas: história de IC em 72%, síncope 23% e angina 19%. A DC6M teve uma média de 320 (± 148) m, sendo ≤ 350 m em 47% dos casos. Os parâmetros hemodinâmicos pelo CCD foram: PAPm 48,3 (± 16) mm Hg; PAD 9,7 (± 5,2) mm Hg e ≥14 mm Hg em 27% com Ic 2,78 L/min/m² (≤ 2,2-23%). A análise ecocardiográfica mostrou FSVD diminuída em 79% (42% leve, 18% moderada e 19% grave) com um TAPSE média de 17,8 (± 4) mm e ≤ 15 mm em o 37%; em o 25% foi observado DP. Conclusões. Em nossa população com diagnóstico recente de HP, há um alto percentual de pacientes idosos e fatores de mau prognóstico. Esses achados destacam a necessidade de diagnóstico precoce e início terapêutico precoce.

Influence of Football on Physiological Cardiac Indexes in Professional and Young Athletes.

Background: After long-term intensive training, considerable morphological and functional heart changes occur in professional athletes. Such changes arise progressively and regress upon interruption of the physical activity. Morphological and functional alterations on heart are known as "Athlete's heart" condition. Objective: This study aims to compare echocardiographic parameters in two different groups of professional athletes. Furthermore, a prospective study is performed analyzing the echocardiographic changes occurring in 12 professional players in 3 years of follow-up. Materials and Methods: 78 football players were examined from July 2011 to May 2016 (40 enrolled in Group A and 38 in Group B). Twelve players of GROUP A were followed for 3 consecutive seasons. The general clinical examination, the cardiopulmonary evaluation, the ECG, the ergometer stress test, the spirometric examination and the standard cardiac eco color doppler test were recorded. Results: Left ventricle dimensions, left atrium dimensions, and interventricular septum dimensions were higher in A players than in B players. Moreover, following up 12 players for 3 years, a statistically significant increase of such values was observed. Discussion: In A players, higher dimensions of the left chambers and the interventricular septum were observed, compared to B players. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the ejection fraction. The 3 years follow-up showed a statistically significant increase of both left chambers and interventricular septum dimensions, particularly in the second and third year. Conclusions: These findings demonstrated that A players have higher echocardiographic parameters respect to B players. The results of this study support the scientific theory that long-term intensive training influences heart function, inducing "athlete's heart" with morphological adaptations. No significant echocardiographic variation within the examined sample was observed for different roles (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, or attacker) or skills of individual players.

The role of Ivabradine in Diastolic Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction. A Doppler-Echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Ivabradine (IVA) is effective in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or systolic heart failure in sinus rhythm. Its action consists in reducing heart rate (HR) and improving the time of left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IVA added to conventional therapy on patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: We evaluated 25 patients with DHF in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-III and sinus rhythm. In these, IVA per os (5 mg/twice a day) was added to the conventional medical therapy and given for 12 weeks. Immediately before the beginning of IVA therapy and 3 months later, patients underwent echocardiographic evaluation by two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The patterns of diastolic mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow were recorded using 2D echocardiography, while the diastolic phase of mitral flow was recorded by TDI, from the lateral mitral annulus. RESULTS: Three months after the addition of IVA to conventional treatment, HR significantly decreased in comparison to the baseline values. On the contrary, the echocardiographic indexes of LV diastolic dysfunction improved. CONCLUSIONS: These results testify that the addition of IVA to conventional therapy in patients with HFpEF can improve LV diastolic function evaluated by 2D and tissue Doppler-echocardiographic patterns. These Doppler-echocardiographic results match with the clinical improvement of patients evaluated.

A Low Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index Is Associated with Progression to Dialysis in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Evaluating nutritional status is crucial to detecting malnutrition in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) has been associated with overall and cardiovascular mortality in the dialysis population. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the GNRI is associated with progression to dialysis in patients with moderate to advanced CKD. We enrolled 496 patients with stage 3-5 CKD who had received echocardiographic examinations, and categorized them according to baseline GNRI values calculated using the serum albumin level and body weight. The renal end-point was defined as the commencement of dialysis. During follow-up (mean, 25.2 ± 12.5 months; range, 3.3-50.1 months), 106 (21.4%) of the patients progressed to dialysis. The GNRI was positively correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = 0.111, p = 0.014), and negatively correlated with the left ventricular mass index (r = -0.116, p = 0.001), left ventricular hypertrophy (r = -0.095, p = 0.035), and LVEF < 50% (r = -0.138, p = 0.002). In multivariable Cox analysis, a low GNRI, female sex, high systolic blood pressure, high fasting glucose, and low estimated glomerular filtration rate were independently associated with progression to dialysis. A low GNRI was independently associated with progression to dialysis in our study cohort. The GNRI may be useful in predicting the risk of adverse renal outcomes in patients with CKD stages 3-5. Additional studies are needed to explore whether an improvement in GNRI delays CKD progression.

Effects on hemodynamic variables and echocardiographic parameters after a stellate ganglion block in 15 healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: The sympathetic nervous system has an important role in generating pain. Various pathomechanisms are involved that respond well to the application of local anesthetics (LA), for example to the stellate ganglion block (SGB). OBJECTIVES: We wanted to know more about the effects of SGB on cardiovascular parameters. METHODS: We included 15 healthy volunteers; another 15 healthy volunteers as a control group (sham injection of LA). In order to produce a more precise SGB, we employed only a small volume of LA (3mL), a LA with a lower permeability (procaine 1%), and a modified injection technique. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), heart rate (HR), and echocardiographic parameters were recorded before and after SGB. We also investigated whether there are side differences (left and right SBG). RESULTS: At baseline all parameters were within the normal range. After performing right and left SGB DBP significantly increased (on the right side from 68.73±8.61 to 73.53±11.10, p=0.015; on the left side from 70.66±13.01 to 77.93±10.40, p=0.003). In the control group no increase in DBP was observed. No side-specific differences were found, except a significant reduction in the maximum velocity of myocardial contraction during the systole with left-sided SGB. CONCLUSIONS: Even with our methods we could not prevent the simultaneous occurrence of a partial parasympatholytic effect. For this reason, the SGB has only minor hemodynamic effects, which is desirable as it enhances the safety of the SGB.