Cardiac resynchronization therapy acutely improves diastolic function.

BACKGROUND: Invasive studies have shown that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) acutely improves left ventricular (LV) systolic performance and lowers filling pressures in a majority of patients with medically-refractory severe heart failure. Measurements included LV volume, ejection fraction, PWD early (E-wave) and atrial (A-wave) velocities, diastolic filling time (DFT), and DTI early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em) at the lateral and septal annulus; PWD mitral E-wave/Em and E/FP were calculated to estimate LV filling pressures. RESULTS: Immediately after CRT, LV volumes decreased and LVEF increased significantly. PWD mitral E-wave velocity decreased and E-wave duration and DFT increased significantly; mitral E/FP ratio also decreased significantly, consistent with a decrease in LV filling pressure. Patients with a pre-CRT mitral E/A ratio >1 (n = 20), demonstrated improvements in LV diastolic filling and lower filling pressures whereas those with an E/A ratio < or =1 (n = 21) did not show significant changes in diastolic indices. CONCLUSIONS: The acute effects of CRT include echocardiographic evidence of reduced LV volumes and increased LVEF with improved diastolic filling and lower filling pressures; LV relaxation is not significantly altered. The benefits in diastolic function are dependent on the PWD-determined LV filling characteristics prior to CRT.     

Structural-functional alterations in the heart affecting dynamics of transmitral blood flow during a hemodialysis session

AIM: To study dynamics of transmitral circulation (TMC) during a hemodialysis (HD) session in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) regarding structural-functional alterations of the heart and baseline condition of the diastolic function of left ventricular (LV) myocardium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty one patients (34 females and 27 males, mean age 47 +/- 11 years) on programmed HD free of heart valvular disease, ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation. Before and after HD session the patients underwent echocardiography, including Doppler regime. RESULTS: Normal LV geometry was detected in 3 (4.9%) patients, concentric remodeling - in 9 (14.8%), concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) - in 37 (60.7%), excentric LVH - in 12 (19.7%) patients. The ejection fraction was under 45% in 5 (8.2%) patients. Diastolic dysfunction of LV myocardium was found in 42 (68.9%) patients, TMC characteristic of slow relaxation was registered most frequently (47.6%). A pseudonormal type of TMC was recorded in 16 (38.1%) patients. HD did not change TMC significantly in patients with normal diastolic function (before HD E peak velocity was 88.7 +/- 19.8 cm/s, after - 80.0 +/- 24.6 cm/s, p > 0.05). In patients with initially disturbed relaxation the velocity of early diastolic flow (Vp) (color M-mode Doppler) increased (before HD, Vp was 67.6 +/- 17.1 cm/s, after - 72.9 +/- 15.7 cm/s, p < 0.05), E/Vp reduced (before HDm E/Vp was 1.2 +/- 0.4, after 1.0 +/- 0.4, p < 0.05). The subgroup with initially pseudonormal TMC showed decreased velocity in the E peak (before HD - 103.4 +/- 13.5 cm/s, after - 76.8 +/- 24.0 cm/s, p < 0.001). In restrictive TMC this velocity also decreased - 129.0 +/- 17.8 cm/s and 108.8 +/- 14.7 cm/s, p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: TMC alteration during a HD session depends more on initial type of diastolic dysfunction than on LV geometry. A HD session improves intracardiac hemodynamics in patients with pseudonormal TMC.     

Permanent and atrial-synchronized ventricular stimulation for clinically stable patients with normal or impaired left ventricular systolic function

BACKGROUND: Ventricular desynchronization imposed by permanent dual-chamber ventricular pacing (VDD) may compromise ventricular function. METHODS: We investigated the impact of background VDD pacing on the right and left ventricular (LV) function on 129 clinically stable outpatients (mean age 69 +/- 10) implanted chronically with a dual-chamber pacemaker or an automatic defibrillator by using echocardiographic techniques including tissue doppler imaging (TDI) and color M-mode (CMM) examinations, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements. Patients were divided into two groups of normal (n = 65) or impaired (n = 64) LV systolic function (ejection fraction 63 +/- 6% and 38 +/- 10%, respectively) according to clinical and echocardiographic criteria. Each patient group included two subgroups on the basis of the underlying permanent and atrial-synchronized heart rhythm: either intrinsic ventricular activation (IVA) or VDD pacing. RESULTS: The BNP levels (mean, 95% CI) of patients with impaired LV systolic function were approximately threefold higher than those of patients with normal LV systolic function [189 (145-245) pg/mL vs 65 (50-85) pg/mL, P < 0.0001], but did not differ between subgroups of patients with IVA vs VDD pacing. By two-way analysis of variance and analysis of covariance, and after adjustment for age and gender, significant VDD pacing effects were found in terms of lower E/A ratio (P < 0.05) and increased LV end-systolic volume (P < 0.05). VDD pacing did not significantly affect the BNP levels and the LV filling pressures, as determined by the E/Ea and E/Vp ratios. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term VDD pacing may not be harmful in clinically stable patients with normal or moderately reduced LV systolic function.     

An integrated measure of left ventricular diastolic function based on relative rates of mitral E and A wave propagation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The mitral E wave propagation inside the left ventricle is slowed in patients with abnormal left ventricular (LV) relaxation with a prolongation of its transit time to the LV outflow tract (T(e)). On the contrary, the mitral A wave propagation is faster in those with elevated LV end-diastolic stiffness, resulting in a shortening of its transit time (T(a)). We hypothesized that the T(e)/T(a) ratio may serve an integrated measure of global LV diastolic function. METHODS AND RESULTS: The T(e)/T(a) ratio was measured with Doppler echocardiography in 94 subjects: 25 normal subjects, 38 patients with LV hypertrophy (18 with secondary LV hypertrophy and 20 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), and 31 patients undergoing left heart catheterization for clinical indications. The T(e)/T(a) ratio was 1. 98 +/- 0.61 in the normal subjects, 3.32 +/- 0.93 in patients with secondary LV hypertrophy (P <.0001 vs normal), and 3.18 +/- 1.36 in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (P =.0003 vs normal). In the invasive group the T(e)/T(a) ratio (range 0.56 to 3.60) correlated significantly with Tau (r = 0.76, P <.0001), peak negative dP/dt (r = -0.46, P =.01), the LV late diastolic stiffness index (r = 0.57, P =.0013), LV pre-A wave pressure (r = 0.46, P =. 0096), LV end-diastolic pressure (r = 0.58, P =.0007), and the amount of LV pressure rise with atrial systole (r = 0.52, P =.0032) but not with the heart rate. Tau and LV stiffness were its sole determinants by stepwise multiple regression (R = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of mitral E and A wave transit times inside the LV (T(e)/T(a) ratio) is closely related to LV relaxation, its late diastolic stiffness, and filling pressures and gives valuable insights into LV diastolic performance.     

Left ventricular diastolic filling prior to cardiac resynchronization therapy: implications for atrioventricular delay programming

Background: The programmed atrioventricular delay (AVD) is an important determinant of the response in left ventricular (LV) systolic performance during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). It is not well established if the optimal AVD for CRT may be influenced by the LV diastolic filling pattern.
Methods: Thirty patients were studied pre- and post-CRT at programmed AVD of 60–160 ms. Doppler measurements included the aortic and mitral velocity time integral (VTI), mitral early (E) and late diastolic filling (A) wave velocities, E- and A-wave VTI, and diastolic filling time (DFT). The optimal AVD for each of the Doppler variables was defined by the maximal improvement compared to pre-CRT. Patients were grouped by the pre-CRT mitral inflow pattern as impaired relaxation (IR, mitral E/A ≤1, n = 15) or pseudonormalized/restrictive filling (PNF/RF, mitral E/A >1, n = 15).
Results: The percentage of improvement in aortic VTI was greater in the PNF/RF group (P = 0.03). Mitral E-wave velocity decreased in the PNF/RF group (P < 0 .001), E-wave VTI increased in both groups (P < 0 .05) and A-wave VTI increased in the PNF/RF group. DFT increased in both groups. The optimal AVD that maximized aortic VTI was longer than the AVD that improved DFT.
Conclusions: The effects of various programmed AVD during CRT on the response in LV stroke volume and diastolic filling are influenced by the pre-CRT LV filling characteristics. AVD optimization based on maximizing DFT is shorter compared to the aortic VTI method.     

Differential effects of nebivolol and atenolol on transmitral diastolic filling parameters in patients with essential hypertension

INTRODUCTION: Impaired left ventricular (LV) diastolic relaxation, detected by pulsed Doppler echocardiography, is predictive of a higher incidence of major cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. An improvement in LV diastolic function is an important goal of treatment. However, treatment of LV diastolic dysfunction remains empirical. The objective of our study was to compare the short-term effects of nebivolol and atenolol on Doppler diastolic filling parameters in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 32 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either nebivolol (5 mg/day) or atenolol (50 mg/day) for 1 month. Diastolic filling parameters, with pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral flow velocities, were measured 1 day before and 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, both agents significantly decreased heart rate and blood pressure. However, there was no significant difference in pre-and post-treatment values between the nebivolol and atenolol groups. Both drugs significantly improved LV transmitral flow measured by early diastolic flow/atrial contraction signal (E/A) ratio, decreased deceleration time (DT) and isovolumetric contraction time (IVRT), but post-treatment improvement in E/A, DT and IVRT values was more significant with nebivolol compared with atenolol (P=0.05, P=0.05 and P=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment with nebivolol or atenolol results in improved LV transmitral diastolic function filling parameters (E/A ratio, IVRT and DT), nebivolol has a greater effect compared with atenolol in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.     

彩色血流传播速度对二尖瓣置换术后左心室舒张功能的定量评估

目的 探讨彩色M型多普勒(CMM)评价二尖瓣置换术(MVR)后患者左室舒张功能的临床价值.方法 52例接受MVR术后3个月以上患者为病例组,另选取年龄、性别相匹配的30例正常人为对照组.测量左房室腔大小、机械瓣口流速、射血分数(EF)等常规超声心动图指标;应用CMM测量舒张期左室内彩色血流传播速度(Vp),计算二尖瓣位机械瓣口血流速度(E)与Vp比值(E/Vp);应用组织多普勒测量二尖瓣环舒张期峰值速度(Em),计算均值Em'和E/Em'.结果 ①MVR组Vp、Em较对照组明显减低,E/Vp、E/Em'较对照组明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001).E/Vp与E/Em'相关性良好,r=0.86,P <0.01;②Vp受左窜收缩功能和心律的影响,当EF≤50%或者心房颤动时,Vp减低更明显(P<0.01),而E/Vp受EF及心房颤动的影响较小(P>0.05);③绘制ROC曲线,以E/Vp≥2.00为最佳截断值,预测E/Em'≥15的敏感性为92.31%,特异性为83.65%,曲线下面积0.954.结论 CMM可用于评价MVR术后左室舒张功能;E/Vp与E/Em具有良好的一致性,可作为评价MVR术后左室舒张功能的有效指标.     

经胸冠状动脉多普勒血流显像测定前降支支架植入术后远端血流的临床研究

目的　探讨经胸冠状动脉 (冠脉 )多普勒血流显像评估前降支支架植入术疗效的临床价值。方法　对 19例曾行前降支近段冠脉成形及支架植入术的冠心病患者进行冠脉多普勒血流显像检查 ,观察前降支远端冠脉血流信号 ,记录流速曲线 ,测定舒张期峰值流速 (PVd)、收缩期峰值流速 (PVs)及舒张期与收缩期峰值流速比值 (DSVR) ,并与正常对照组进行比较。结果　 19例患者中 11例前降支及支架内无明显再狭窄 ;8例有 >70 %的支架内再狭窄。无再狭窄组前降支远端血流均能清晰显示 ,PVd、PVs、DSVR与正常对照组差别无显著性意义 ;再狭窄组有 6例可测及前降支远端血流 ,PVd、DSVR明显低于正常对照组及无再狭窄组 ,2例未测及前降支远端血流。结论　经胸冠脉多普勒血流显像能直接观测前降支远端的冠脉血流 ,可为前降支冠脉支架植入术后的效果评估及是否发生再狭窄提供重要信息。     

多普勒超声心动图评价直接冠状动脉介入治疗对急性心肌梗死患者左室舒张功能的改善作用

目的　探讨直接经皮冠状动脉介入 (PCI)治疗对急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者左室舒张功能的影响。方法　对 110例发病 12小时内的AMI患者行急诊PCI ,分别于术后 7天、30天行多普勒超声心动图检查 ,并获得左室最大早期舒张血流速度 (E) ,晚期最大舒张血流速度 (A) ,得出舒张早期和晚期最大血流速度比 (E/A)和E峰减速时间(DT)。结果　E峰、E/A术后 30天较术后 7天明显增大 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,A峰、DT明显减少 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　AMI后尽早实施PCI可以有效开通梗死相关冠状动脉 ,恢复梗死区域心肌血流灌注 ,从而挽救濒危缺血心肌 ,使左室舒张功能得到改善。     

Cardiac resynchronization improves coronary blood flow

Asynchronous ventricular activation, induced by left bundle branch block, is known to have deleterious effects on the systolic and diastolic functions of the left ventricle (LV). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been proposed as a complementary method to improve the LV systolic performance by restoring the synchronized contraction patterns in patients with advanced heart failure and left bundle branch block. However, the effect of CRT on myocardial blood flow is not well established. In the present study, we therefore examined the coronary blood flow in 20 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, implanted with a biventricular pacemaker according to the established CRT criteria. Color Doppler settings were adjusted for the optimal coronary flow imaging, and coronary flow velocities were obtained in all patients. Typical diastolic predominant phasic Doppler spectrum of the distal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was recorded. Conventional echocardiographic variables, peak values of the diastolic and systolic LAD velocities, and the velocity time integrals were measured for three or five consecutive beats during CRT with pacemaker on and off. Successful CRT with biventricular pacing increased coronary blood flow velocities of the distal LAD in addition to its well-known benefits on the systolic and diastolic LV performance in patients with significant dyssynchrony. CRT decreased duration of mitral regurgitation and increased diastolic filling time. Peak diastolic velocities and velocity time integral of the distal LAD were increased significantly. In conclusion, successful CRT with biventricular pacing improves coronary blood flow velocities of the distal LAD.     

左心室舒张功能评价中二尖瓣口血流与二尖瓣环波形不一致性的提示意义

目的 了解二尖瓣口血流波形与二尖瓣环多普勒组织成像(DTI)波形测量结果不一致性在评价左心室舒张功能中的临床意义.方法 对182例窦性心律患者行常规超声心动图检查,同步心电图记录.于心尖四腔、心尖三腔、心尖二腔切面分别测量二尖瓣环室间隔、左心室侧壁、前间隔、左心室后壁、左心室前壁及下壁6个位点的DTI舒张期波形;于心尖四腔切面测量二尖瓣口舒张期波形;计算MV-E/A、DTI-e/a-ann及E/e-ann, e-ann为6个位点的平均值.结果 182例患者中,依二尖瓣口血流和6个位点二尖瓣环波形的测量结果分成4组,组Ⅰ:MV-E/A＜1.0,同时6个位点DTI-e/a-ann均＜1.0,共68例,MV-E/A为0.71±0.16、E/e-ann为15.91±6.78;组Ⅱ:MV-E/A＜1.0,同时6个位点中有1～6个位点的DTI-e/a-ann≥1.0,共38例,MV-E/A为0.76±0.12、E/e-ann为10.37±2.63;组Ⅲ:MV-E/A≥1.0,同时6个位点的DTI-e/a-ann均≥1.0,共23例, MV-E/A为1.74±0.42、E/e-ann为9.57±2.39;组Ⅳ:MV-E/A≥1.0,同时6个位点中有1～6个位点的DTI-e/a-ann＜1.0,共53例, MV-E/A为1.31±0.31、E/e-ann为13.27±9.46.组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅳ的平均年龄均大于组Ⅲ(P＜0.05),组Ⅰ与组Ⅱ的平均年龄和MV-E/A基本相同(P＞0.05),但组Ⅰ的平均E/e-ann明显高于组Ⅱ(P＜0.05);组Ⅲ与组Ⅳ比较,两者的MV-E/A差别不大(P＞0.05),但后者的年龄、E/e-ann均大于前者(P＜0.05);组Ⅰ、组Ⅱ与组Ⅳ之间,组Ⅳ的平均年龄小于组Ⅰ与组Ⅱ,但组Ⅳ的E/e-ann小于组Ⅰ而大于组Ⅱ(P＜0.05).结论 ①MV-E/A＜1.0伴有6个位点DTI-e/a-ann均＜1.0提示左心室充盈压较高;②MV-E/A≥1.0,同时6个位点中有1～6个位点的DTI-e/a-ann＜1.0者有左心室充盈压较高的倾向;③MV-E/A＜1.0,同时6个位点中有1～6个位点的DTI-e/a-ann≥1.0或MV-E/A≥1.0或同时6个位点的DTI-e/a-ann均≥1.0者的左心室充盈压可能有较大变数;④年龄对MV-E/A和DTI-e/a-ann测值有较大影响.     

超声心动图联合钠尿肽前体评价胸部肿瘤患者放疗后左心功能早期损伤

目的 探讨N端B型钠尿肽前体(NT-pro-BNP)联合超声心动图在评价胸部肿瘤患者放疗后左心功能早期损伤的价值.方法 对21例接受胸部全程放疗的胸部肿瘤患者,于放疗前1天、放疗后1天、1个月进行NT-pro-BNP和超声心动图检查,以组织多普勒获取二尖瓣环收缩期峰值速度(Sa)、舒张早期峰值速度(Ea)和舒张晚期峰值速度(Aa)及Ea/Aa、二尖瓣舒张早期血流传播速度(Vp).常规超声心动图指标包括二尖瓣舒张早期峰值流速(E)、心房收缩期峰值流速(A)和E峰减速时间(DT),左心室舒张末期内径、左心房内径、射血分数(EF)和短轴缩短率(FS),同时计算E/Vp和E/Ea.结果 与放疗前相比,放疗后1天NT-pro-BNP明显升高(P＜0.05),放疗后1个月无明显变化(P＞0.05).放疗后Sa、Ea、Vp减低,Aa、E/Vp和E/Ea均升高;常规超声指标放疗前、后无明显变化(P均＞0.05).结论 胸部肿瘤患者接受放疗后,NT-pro-BNP有一定程度升高;组织多普勒、Vp、E/Vp和E/Ea可为早期左心功能损伤评价提供有价值的信息.     

Effects of Stimulation Site on Diastolic Function in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Background : Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves left ventricular (LV) systolic function and clinical status, and prolongs survival of patients suffering from heart failure. An optimal LV site selection is key with respect to improvements in systolic function, though whether a site-specific effect on diastolic function exists is unclear. This study compared the effects of CRT on changes in systolic and diastolic function from 2 LV stimulation sites.
Methods : We studied 21 patients in New York Heart Association functional classes ≥III, and a LV ejection fraction <0.30 and QRS duration > 130 ms. CRT leads were placed in the right ventricle, right atrium, and coronary sinus tributaries. LV stimulation was applied from the postero-lateral and antero-lateral wall. A LV conductance catheter was used to measure LV systolic and diastolic function. Systolic responders had >10% changes in dP/dt_max, and diastolic responders <10% changes in τ during CRT versus baseline. Response was highly dependent on LV lead position for both diastolic and systolic function. Diastolic responders decreased from 29% to 10% of patients, and systolic responders from 76% to 48%, in the best versus the worst lead position, respectively. Improvements in diastolic function were less pronounced than in systolic function (relative change −14% vs +28%, P < 0.05). Overall, 45% were both systolic and diastolic responders, 17% were both systolic and diastolic nonresponders, and 38% had opposite responses .
Conclusions : Changes in systolic and diastolic function were both highly dependent on the LV stimulation site. Diastolic function was less influenced by CRT and a high proportion of patients had discordant results.     

Diagnosis of left-ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with predialysis chronic renal failure

AIM: To specify effectiveness of different methods for assessment of diastolic function in patients with pre-dialysis chronic renal failure (CRF). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty non-diabetic pre-dialysis CRF patients (20 males and 20 females, mean age 51 +/- 11 years) were studied. Serum creatinine was 209.3 +/- 117.4 mcmol/l. 19 patients had chronic heart failure (CHF) of NYHA class I-III. M-mode echocardiography and Doppler echocardiography were performed. Transmitral and pulmonary venous flows were assessed by Doppler echocardiography and the flow propagation velocity (Vp) was estimated by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography. The ratio of peak E-wave velocity of transmitral flow to Vp (E/Vp) was calculated. All the patients had preserved systolic function (ejection fraction > 45%). RESULTS: Interpretation of transmitral flow was difficult in 16 (40.0%) patients. During Valsalva's manoeuvre the E-wave peak velocities, the A-wave velocities and the ratio E/A were decreasing. However, we did not reveal any correlation between E/A and NYHA class of heart failure (r = 0.18; p = 0.32). Interpretation of pulmonary venous flow was possible only in 24 (60.0%) patients. Vp estimation by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography improved evaluation of diastolic function in 15 of 16 patients with problems of transmitral flow assessment. A negative correlation was revealed between NYHA class and Vp (r = -0.39; p = 0.013) and a positive correlation was between NYHA class and E/Vp (r = 0.45; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Vp assessed by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography improves the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. This method has an advantage over pulmonary venous flow investigation. The Valsalva's manoeuvre is low-effective for differential diagnosis of transmitral flow types.     

Evaluation of different methods of treatment of patients with stable stenocardia combined with arterial hypertension according to echocardiographic data

The authors evaluated the influence of three alternative methods of treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stable exertional stenocardia accompanied by arterial hypertension on systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function. The three methods were: conventional therapy with monocinque, chronotherapy with monocinque, and therapy with a combination of monocinque and melatonin. All the 65 patients aged 44 to 69 years underwent echoCG with Vivid 7 ultrasound scanner (USA) before and after the treatment. The study showed that chronotherapy with monocinque had the most favorable effect on LV diastolic function, which manifested by an increase in peak E from 0.47 +/- 0.02 to 0.53 +/- 0.02 m/s (p = 0.006) and peak E/peak A ratio from 0.77 +/- -0.05 to 0.93 +/- 0.05 (P = 0.002), as well as a decrease in peak A from 0.65 +/- 0.03 to 0.56 +/- 0.03 m/s (p = 0.05). Complex treatment with monocinque and melatonin improved systolic and diastolic LV function better than did conventional therapy. The favorable influence on myocardial contractility manifested by a reduction in end systolic LV size from 3.66 +/- 0.04 to 3.42 +/- 0.02 cm (p < 0.001), end diastolic LV volume from 126.7 +/- 1.3 to 118.4 +/- 1.1 ml (p < 0.001), and end systolic LV volume from 55.1 +/- 1.0 to 47.0 +/- 0.8 ml (p < 0.001), as well as an increase in ejection fraction from 56.5 +/- 0.9 to 60.3 +/- 0.8% (p = 0.003) and shortening fraction from 27.9 +/- 1.3 to 33.0 +/- 0.4% (p = 0.001). The normalizing effect on LV diastolic function manifested by an increase in peak E from 0.46 +/- 0.02 to 0.54 +/- 0.02 m/sec (p = 0.009) and peak E/peak A ratio from 0.68 +/- 0.05 to 0.82 +/- 0.05 (p = 0.002).     

Correlation of the M-mode atrioventricular plane early diastolic downward slope and systolic parameters

BACKGROUND: The early diastolic downward slope (EDS) of the left atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) is a parameter of early left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling, particularly useful in revealing pseudonormalisation of the transmitral Doppler early to atrial (E/A) ratio. In recent studies LV early diastolic function seems to be closely linked to LV systolic function. In order to further examine this relationship we studied the correlation between EDS and traditional Doppler parameters of LV diastolic function as well as between EDS and systolic parameters. METHODS: LV diastolic function was assessed by echocardiography/Doppler in 62 consecutive patients by measurement of EDS and using a traditional four-grade scale based on a combination of the E/A ratio, the E-wave deceleration time (Edt), and the systolic/diastolic ratio of the pulmonary venous inflow (S/D). LV systolic function was evaluated by ejection fraction (LVEF) and AVPD. EDS was assessed from AVPD registrations. RESULTS: In univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), EDS was not significantly related to overall diastolic function, but highly significantly related to both LVEF (p = 0.001) and AVPD (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: EDS was more closely related to LV systolic parameters than to LV diastolic function assessed traditionally by Doppler, using a combination of E/A, Edt and S/D. This relationship between the early filling of the LV and the LV systolic function is in line with some earlier findings. It is suggestive of a relationship between the systolic and early diastolic performance of the LV.     

Pacemaker optimization in nonresponders to cardiac resynchronization therapy: left ventricular pacing as an available option

Background: Echocardiographic (ECHO)‐guided pacemaker optimization (PMO) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) nonresponders acutely improves left ventricular (LV) function. However, the chronic results of LV pacing in this group are less understood. Methods: We retrospectively studied 28 CRT nonresponders optimized based on ECHO to LV pacing and compared them to 28 age‐ and gender‐matched patients optimized to biventricular (BiV) pacing. ECHOs with tissue Doppler imaging assessed LV hemodynamics before, immediately after, and 29 ± 16 months after PMO. Also, 56 age‐ and gender‐matched CRT responders were included for comparison of clinical outcomes. Results: PMO resulted in acute improvements in longitudinal LV systolic function and several measures of dyssynchrony, with greater improvements in the LV paced group. Chronic improvements in ejection fraction (EF) (3.2 ± 7.7%), and left ventricle end‐systolic volume (LVESV) (?11 ± 36 mL) and one dyssynchrony measure were seen in the combined group. Chronically, both LV and BiV paced patients improved some measures of systolic function and dyssynchrony although response varied between the groups. Survival at 3.5 years was similar (P = 0.973) between the PMO (58%) and nonoptimized groups (58%) but survival free of cardiovascular hospitalization was significantly (P = 0.037) better in the nonoptimized group. Conclusions : CRT nonresponders undergoing PMO to either LV or BiV pacing have acute improvements in longitudinal systolic function and some measures of dyssynchrony. Some benefits are sustained chronically, with improvements in EF, LVESV, and dyssynchrony. A strategy of ECHO‐guided PMO results in survival for CRT nonresponders similar to that of CRT patients not referred for PMO. (PACE 2012; 35:685–694))     

Impact of a hemodialysis session on cardiac function in patients with chronic renal failure

AIM: To determine the impact of hemodialysis (HD) session on cardiac function in patients with chronic renal failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients (17 male, 13 female, mean age 49 +/- 11 years) on bicarbonate HD were studied. M-mode echocardiography was performed and ejection fraction (EF) was estimated. Transmitral flow was assessed by Doppler echocardiography. Peak velocity of early (E) and late (A) filling, E/A ratio, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and early deceleration time (DT) were estimated. All the estimations were made one hour before and immediately after HD by one investigator. Flow propagation velocity of early diastolic flow was assessed by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: A significant decrease of the ejection fraction (delta EF) was observed only in patients with intradialytic hypotension. Hemodialysis resulted in a decrease of early flow velocity from 99.2 +/- 23.8 to 80.6 + 26.0 cm/s (p = 0.0000) and E/A ratio from 1.23 +/- 0.57 to 0.98 +/- 0.43 (p = 0.006). IVRT and DT showed no significant difference. There was a significant positive correlation between the amount of ultrafiltration and deltaE (r = 0.46; p = 0.01), there was no correlation between the amount of ultrafiltration and delta Vp (r = -0.01; p = 0.9). CONCLUSION: The results show that a hemodialysis session influences cardiac function in patients with chronic renal failure. Early diastolic filling considerably decreased in correlation with ultrafiltration. A significant decrease in an ejection fraction was detected only in patients with intradialytic hypotension. Ultrafiltration had no impact on flow propagation velocity of early diastolic flow of the left ventricle assessed by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography.     

Assessment of propagation velocity by contrast echocardiography for standardization of color Doppler propagation velocity measurements

BACKGROUND: Color Doppler propagation velocity (Vp) (color-Vp) has not yet been standardized, although it should be able to specifically reflect the intraventricular movements of left ventricular (LV) inflow. Because contrast echocardiography can depict a specified flow, we used this modality to standardize measurements of color-Vp of LV inflow. METHODS: We performed contrast echocardiographic examinations in 100 patients (70 men, 30 women; age 53 +/- 12 years). Four types of color-Vp were measured: by the flow wave front method and by aliasing method using 3 aliasing velocity levels based on the peak velocity of early diastolic flow of transmitral flow. We also determined contrast echocardiographic Vp by M-mode imaging of LV inflow (contrast-Vp). RESULTS: Contrast-Vp and all 4 types of color-Vp could be compared in 86 patients. Contrast-Vp was significantly lower than color-Vp ( P < .01), except for color-Vp measured at the aliasing level 50% > peak velocity of early diastolic flow >/= 40% (color-Vp 40). A close relationship was observed between contrast-Vp and color-Vp 40 ( r = 0.801, P < .0001). Contrast-Vp and color-Vp 40 showed high ability to detect abnormal transmitral flow patterns according to receiver operating characteristics curves (area under curve for contrast-Vp, 0.94; for color-Vp 40, 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Our results should be useful in standardization of color-Vp measurement to specifically reflect propagation of the fluid elements derived from LV inflow, with ability to distinguish LV filling abnormalities.     

Activation sequence modification during cardiac resynchronization by manipulation of left ventricular epicardial pacing stimulus strength

BACKGROUND: Success of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) depends on altering electrical ventricular activation (VA) to achieve mechanical benefit. That increases in stimulus strength (SS) can affect VA has been demonstrated previously in cardiomyopathy patients undergoing ablation. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether increasing SS can alter VA during CRT. METHODS: In 71 patients with CRT devices, left ventricle (LV) pacing was performed at escalating SS. Timing from pacing stimulus to right ventricular (RV) electrogram, ECG morphology, and maximal QRS duration on 12 lead ECG were recorded. RESULTS: Demographics: Baseline QRS duration 153 +/- 25 ms, ischemic cardiomyopathy 48%, ejection fraction 24%+/- 7%. With increased SS, conduction time from LV to right ventricle (RV) decreased from 125 +/- 56 ms to 111 +/- 59 ms (P = 0.006). QRS duration decreased from 212 +/- 46 ms to 194 +/- 42 ms (P = 0.0002). A marked change in QRS morphology occurred in 11/71 patients (15%). The RV ring was the anode in 6, while the RV coil was the anode in 5. Sites with change in QRS morphology showed decrease in conduction time from LV to RV from 110 +/- 60 ms to 64 +/- 68 ms (P = 0.04). Twelve patients (16%) had diaphragmatic stimulation with increased SS. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing LV SS reduces QRS duration and conduction time from LV to RV. Recognition of significant QRS morphology change is likely clinically important during LV threshold programming to avoid unintended VA change.