Right and left ventricular strain and strain rate in young adults before and after percutaneous atrial septal defect closure.

To evaluate acute change of right and left ventricle after percutaneous closure of isolated atrial septal defect (ASD) 21 adult patients (13 F; 8 M) aged 28 ± 9.5 range 18-49 years have been examined by echocardiography before and 24 hours after percutaneous closure of ASD. Twenty-one normal adult subjects, as control group were included. A MyLab25 echo machine equipped with a multifrequency 2.5-3.5 MHz transducer was used. Offline computer-based analysis for strain and SR were performed using XStrain software based on a feature tracking algorithm. All patients had ASD OS2 with right ventricular dilatation and diastolic areas were larger than in controls: P = 0.0158. Global right ventricular longitudinal strain was higher P = 0.0438. Twenty-four hours after ASD closure, right ventricular diastolic and systolic areas were significantly reduced. Right ventricular global longitudinal systolic strain decreased: P = 0.00016, as well as global right ventricular longitudinal SR -1.56/sec ± 0.57 vs. -1.28/sec ± 0.31, P = 0.02646. At the mean time left ventricular end diastolic volume and left ventricular cardiac output measured by two-dimensional echocardiography both increased significantly P = 0.002145 and 0.013409. Global circumferential strain at mitral level augmented significantly -20.3%± 4.64 vs. -25.39%± 5.22, P = 0.00003. Longitudinal strain of the right ventricle works as indicator of right ventricular function dependent on loading conditions while SR seems to be less dependent on it. Circumferential strain could be used as an indicator of left ventricular response to normalized loading conditions.

Transcatheter closure of postsurgical residual ventricular septal defects: early and mid-term results.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of residual ventricular septal defects (VSDs) after surgery is 5-25%. Redo surgery is associated with higher risks. METHODS: Between January 2000 to December 2008, 170 patients underwent percutaneous VSD closure in our centre: 22(16M) of these had 23 closures for residual VSDs. Median age was 32.5 yrs (1.4-79). All patients had echocardiographic signs of left ventricle volume overload (Q(p)/Q(s) >or= 1.5). Nine patients had previous VSD closure, 6 tetralogy of Fallot repair, and 7, other procedures. There were 15 muscular, 6 perimembranous and 2 apical VSDs. RESULTS: Amplatzer VSD devices were used in all. Median VSD size was 8 mm (4.3-16). Median fluoroscopy time was 33 minutes (15-130). There were three adverse events: 1 ventricular fibrillation requiring DC cardioversion; 1 transient complete atrio-ventricular block reverting to sinus rhythm at 24-hours; one patient had transient atrial flutter during the procedure. All procedures were successful; no additional procedures were required. Trivial residual shunts were seen in 3 patients at follow-up. There were no late events. One patient experienced arrhythmic death 5-yrs after procedure. One patient was reoperated due to dehiscence of VSD patch 2-yrs after the second successful percutaneous closure. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of postsurgical residual VSD is safe and efficacious management option and obviates the need for further surgery and by-pass.

Exercise training in adults with congenital heart disease: feasibility and benefits.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity is associated with a range of health benefits; however the influence of regular exercise training on exercise capacity and quality of life in adults with congenital heart disease [ACHD] has not been previously reported. METHODS: Prospective study of patients attending the ACHD clinic in a supra-regional centre, assessing feasibility and effects of exercise training. There were 3 phases: Phase I: Initial assessment including quality of life and physical activity questionnaires; treadmill exercise test; physical activity assessment with accelerometers [Caltrac and Actigraph]; Phase II: Exercise training (home-based walking 5/7 days) for 10 weeks; Phase III: Re-assessment. RESULTS: Sixty-one adults [36 males; mean age 31.7+/-10.9 yrs] were divided into 3 groups according to NYHA class. Fifty patients completed the intervention and all pre-post assessments. Group I (n=21; 13 males), Group II (n=16; 10 males), Group III (n=13, 10 males). Median body mass index was 23.8; 12 were overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and 7 obese (BMI>30). The scores of the quality of life and physical activity questionnaires increased significantly after exercise training in all three groups. Similar increases were seen in the treadmill test duration and in physical activity levels assessed by the Caltrac and the Actigraph in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: A simple physical activity intervention like regular walking is feasible, safe and significantly increases the exercise capacity of adult patients at all stages of congenital heart disease. It is also helpful in improving the quality of life by improving physical self-perception, satisfaction with life, physical activity levels and general health.

Physical activity levels in adults with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity is associated with many health benefits in patients with cardiac disease. Advances in treatment have resulted in an increasing population of adults with congenital heart disease. Few data are available on physical activity levels and attitude to exercise in this group. DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional study of patients attending the adult congenital heart disease clinic in a supra-regional centre. METHODS: Physical activity assessed over 1 week using two accelerometers. The Actigraph was used to measure total activity volume and intensity and the Caltrac used to measure energy expenditure in physical activity. Patients completed a questionnaire to assess exercise self-efficacy. RESULTS: In all, 61 adults recruited (36 male; mean-age 31.7+/-10.9 years); divided into three groups according to New York Heart Association class [Group I (n=26; 14 male), Group II (n=18; 10 male), Group III (n=17; 11 male)]. Fourteen patients were overweight (body mass index 25-29.9) and seven obese (body mass index>30). Group 1 achieved similar activity levels to a sedentary reference population. Group II and III had significantly lower activity (55 and 40% of Group I). Most study patients failed to achieve UK national guidelines for physical activity (Groups I: 77%, II: 84%, III: 100%). Despite this, questionnaire responses suggested a willingness to participate in exercise in the majority of each group. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with congenital heart disease have a range of physical activity levels between normal and severely limited. Most patients showed a willingness to participate in exercise but were uncertain of the safety or benefit. Intervention to increase physical activity levels may be a low risk, low cost treatment strategy.

Axillary artery approach for balloon valvoplasty in young infants with severe aortic valve stenosis: medium-term results.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility and results of trans-axillary approach for balloon aortic valvoplasty (BAV) in early infancy. BACKGROUND: Severe aortic valve stenosis (SAVS) is rare but serious condition in infancy, which may be promptly treated either by surgical aortic valvotomy or BAV. BAV is usually performed via the femoral artery route, which is associated with significant vascular complications and long procedure times. METHODS: BAV via the trans-axillary approach was performed on twenty-seven sequential infants with SAVS presenting to a single tertiary referral center over an 11-year period. Maximum inflated balloon size was less than or equal to the aortic valve diameter. RESULTS: Twenty-seven infants aged 1-77 days underwent BAV. Weight at time of procedure was 2.0-4.42 kgs. The median procedure and screening times were 82 and 7.9 minutes, respectively. Mean instantaneous Doppler gradient across the aortic valve reduced from 68 +/- 33 to 37 +/- 14 mmHg ( p < 0.0001). Three infants developed at least moderate aortic regurgitation. Right arm pulse volume was decreased in 12 infants; 5 received an intravenous heparin infusion. Longer-term follow-up demonstrated reduced or absent peripheral pulse in 5 infants. Transection of the axillary artery occurred in one infant requiring emergency microvascular repair. There was one post-procedural and one late death due to non-cardiac causes. CONCLUSIONS: In early infancy balloon aortic valvoplasty via the axillary artery approach for severe aortic stenosis is an acceptable and safe alternative to the femoral arterial approach and results in short procedure and screening times. Longer-term vascular follow-up is required. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.