Left Atrial Ejection Force as a Marker for the Diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

INTRODUCTION: Several echocardiographic techniques are used to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF). Left atrial ejection force (LAEF) is a measure of left atrial (LA) systolic function. The aim of this study was to examine the use of LAEF as a measure for the diagnosis of HFPEF. METHODS: A prospective study including 100 patients with HFPEF and 100 healthy controls. Heart failure association algorithm score for the diagnosis of HFPEF (HFA-PEFF score) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) were assessed. Transthoracic echocardiography measured indexed left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LA volume index (LAVI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), trans-mitral Doppler velocities, E/A ratio, E/e' ratio, and estimation of LAEF. RESULTS: Patients in the HFPEF group were more frequently hypertensive, diabetic, and had a history of ischemic heart disease. NT-pro-BNP was higher in the HFPEF group (P < 0.0001). LVMI, relative wall thickness, and LAVI were all significantly higher in the HFpEF group (P < 0.0001 for all). LV-GLS was significantly lower in the HFPEF (P < 0.0001). LAEF was significantly higher in the study group 142.14 ± 24.27 versus 92.18% ±13.99% (P < 0.0001). A sub-group of 18 patients in the study group with a borderline HFA-PEF score of 4 had a LAEF that was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.0001) but did not differ from the rest of the HFPEFF group patients. CONCLUSION: LAEF was significantly higher in patients with HFPEF compared to healthy controls. Patients with a borderline HFA-PEFF score of 4 had a significantly higher LAEF as compared to controls.

Can Tei Index Predict High Syntax Score in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome and Normal Left Ventricular Systolic Function?

OBJECTIVE: Some patients who had chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and were recognized as low risk, however, developed cardiovascular events, whereas others who were categorized as high risk did not develop any cardiovascular events. Invasive coronary angiography is the gold standard tool for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) severity. The SYNTAX score (SS) was recently recognized as an invasive angiographic-guided scoring system used in risk stratification of patients who have more than one-vessel CAD and undergoing revascularization with percutaneous cardiovascular intervention. It has a good predictive value of adverse cardiovascular events. Exploration for unique noninvasive modalities that may help in a better way for risk stratification of CCS patients by predicting the severity of CAD (as reflected by SS) would be of a paramount value. Tei index is a promising modality for that objective, which is a Doppler-derived time interval index that combines both systolic and diastolic cardiac performance. METHODS: We examined the relationship between the severity of CAD as assessed by the SS and Tei index in 100 patients with CCS and normal left ventricular systolic function. RESULTS: All the studied 100 patients had a normal ejection fraction with mean = 58.92 ± 7.88; the mean value of Tei index was 0.84 ± 0.26. There was a statistically significant positive association between Tei index and SS (P = 0.0001); moreover, there was a correlation between left anterior descending (LAD) affection and Tei index (P = 0.0001).The cutoff point of Tei index to detect SS above 22 was >0.93 (with specificity of 86.5% and sensitivity of 42.4%). CONCLUSION: Tei index significantly correlates with SS and LAD affection. Moreover, it is a cheap, radiation-free, noninvasive technique and may be used as a further risk stratification modality beyond others.

The Relationship between Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Left Ventricular Diastolic Function.

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is a common condition. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha is an inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in the development of cardiac structural changes leading to LV diastolic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between serum levels of TNF alpha levels and LV diastolic function. METHODS: A case-control study that included 40 patients with echocardiographic evidence of LV diastolic dysfunction and 40 healthy controls. Standard transthoracic echocardiography was performed to assess LV and left atrial volumes, systolic and diastolic function according to the current recommendations. Serum TNF alpha levels were assessed using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: Mean serum TNF alpha level was significantly higher in the study group 3.48 ± 1.06 versus 1.22 ± 0.36 pg/ml in the control group, P < 0.001. It was also higher in patients with Grade 2 diastolic dysfunction (n = 16) 3.91 ± 1.21 versus 3.18 ± 0.86 pg/ml in those with Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction (n = 24), P = 0.03. TNF alpha showed a strong correlation with indexed left atrial volume (LAVI) in the study group but not in controls. Mean serum TNF showed a trend toward increase with worsening heart failure symptoms in the form of increased the New York Heart Association functional class. CONCLUSION: Serum TNF alpha level is elevated in patients with LV diastolic dysfunction and is correlated to LAVI in such patients. Patients with Grade 2 diastolic dysfunction have higher serum levels of TNF alpha compared to those with Grade 1 diastolic dysfunction. TNF alpha levels increase with worsening heart failure symptoms.

Assessing the impact of a combination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir treatment for hepatitis C virus infection on heart rate, rhythm and heart rate variability using 24-hour ECG monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) cure patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Concerns have arisen the occurrence of significant bradyarrhythmias during treatment with DAAs. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a DAA combination for the treatment of HCV infection on heart rate, rhythm, and heart rate variability (HRV) using 24-h ECG monitoring. RESULTS: A prospective randomized study of 50 treatment-naïve patients with HCV infection treated with a combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg daily and daclatasvir 60 mg daily for 12 weeks. Surface ECG and 24-h ECG monitoring were performed at baseline and after completion of therapy to assess PR interval, corrected QT interval (QTc), minimum heart rate (HR), maximum HR, average HR, HRV time-domain and frequency-domain measures, significant pauses, tachycardias, bradycardias, premature atrial contractions (PACs), and premature ventricular contraction (PVCs). No differences were detected in all examined parameters between baseline and after completion of treatment. PR interval was 154 ± 25.95 vs 151.4 ± 23.82 ms, respectively (p = 0.124). QTc interval was 397.34 ± 29.38 vs 395.04 ± 30.23 ms, respectively (p = 0.403). No differences were detected for minimum HR, maximum HR, average HR, HRV time-domain and frequency-domain measures, the occurrence of significant pauses, sinus tachycardia episodes, sinus bradycardia episodes, PACs, and PVCs. No episodes of bradyarrhythmias, syncope, and atrial fibrillation, supraventricular, or ventricular tachycardias were reported or detected. CONCLUSION: In non-cardiac patients receiving no cardioactive medications, the combination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for the treatment of HCV infection has no effect on HR, rhythm, conductivity, or HRV. No symptomatic bradycardias, tachycardias, or syncope were reported or detected using 24-h ECG monitoring.

Gender differences among ischemic heart disease patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation programs reduce cardiovascular events and mortality in ischemic heart disease patients. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among ischemic heart disease patients enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program regarding adherence to the program, as well as, changes in clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: A prospective study that included 30 men and 30 women with stable ischemic heart disease who had been totally revascularized by percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were enrolled in a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Assessment of demographics, anthropometric measurements, risk factors, and functional capacity was performed. Lipid profile, glycated hemoglobin, and left ventricular ejection fraction were assessed. Assessments were performed at baseline and after completion of the program. Time to enrollment in the program was prolonged for women 39.17 ± 40.49 vs. 19.77 ± 10.26 days (p = 0.014). At baseline, more women were diabetic (p = 0.004), hypertensive (p = 0.02), had a larger waist circumference (p = 0.022), a higher BMI (p = 0.011), and higher HbA1c (p = 0.033). More men were active smokers (p < 0.001). After completion of the program, it was found that men attended 19.1 ± 4.77 (79.6%) sessions compared to 15.7 ± 5.72 (65.4%) sessions for women (p = 0.015). Women had more reduction in diastolic BP - 10.93 ± 8.94 vs. - 5.47 ± 12.57 mmHg (p = 0.058). The magnitude of reduction in resting heart rate was significant in men (p = 0.018) but not in women (p = 0.376). The magnitude of reduction in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides was more in men (p = 0.018 and p = 0.014). Women showed more reduction in HbA1c (p = 0.052). CONCLUSION: Men are more adherent to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Recruitment of women is significantly delayed. Women have a higher cardiovascular risk burden in the form of prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Completion of a cardiac rehabilitation program causes a reduction in BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure measurements, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, HbA1c, and LVEDD with an increase in LVEF in both genders. Men show more reduction in resting HR, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while women show more reduction in diastolic BP and HBA1c.

Effect of direct-acting antivirals on corrected QT interval and cardiac functions in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in Egypt. The use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in such patients has been shown to be highly effective. The cardiac safety of such antivirals remains uncertain. This study aimed to assess the effect of the novel DAAs on corrected QT (QTc) interval and on cardiac function using trans-thoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: This was a prospective cohort study performed on 100 patients suffering from chronic HCV infection. Patients were into two equal groups according to the presence of liver cirrhosis. The group without liver cirrhosis received a daily combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg and daclatasvir 60 mg for 12 weeks while that with liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score A or B) received a daily combination of sofosbuvir 400 mg, daclatasvir 60 mg, and ribavirin 600 mg for 12 weeks. Surface ECG and trans-thoracic echocardiography were performed prior to the start of treatment and after 12 weeks of treatment. At the end of treatment, no changes were observed in QTc interval in those with (p = 0.48) or without (p = 0.048) liver cirrhosis. In patients without liver cirrhosis, right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV GLS) decreased from 22 (-30 to -17) to -21 (-27-18), p = 0.024. In patients with liver cirrhosis, lateral mitral E' velocity was reduced from 14.38 ± 3.59 to 13.62 ± 3.21 cm/s, p = 0.02 and indexed left atrial volume (LAVI) was increased from 25.96 ± 3.96 to 26.86 ± 4.12 ml/m2, p = 0.032. There were no changes in both groups regarding left ventricular (LV) dimensions, ejection fraction, trans-mitral E/A ratio, E/E' ratio, deceleration time, right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and LV GLS. CONCLUSION: The current national protocol of HCV infection treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents used in Egyptian patients has a good cardiac safety profile. Such treatments have no effect on QTc interval, left and right ventricular functions except for a decrease in RV GLS in those with no liver cirrhosis and a reduction in lateral mitral E' velocity in those with liver cirrhosis both remained within the normal reference range.