Usefulness of coronary angiography for assessing left ventricular systolic function

OBJECTIVE: In previous echocardiographic studies, a correlation between ejection fraction of the left ventricle and change in the movement of the mitral annular ring was found. In the light of these studies, we planned to investigate the relationship between systolic shortening (SS) and percent of systolic shortening (PSS), calculated from the long axis frame in coronary angiography and left ventricular systolic function. METHODS AND RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-eight patients (40 men and 98 women; mean age 58 +/- 10 years) who had been referred for coronary angiography and left ventriculography were included in the study. Ejection fraction (EF) was calculated from left ventriculography obtained from 30 degrees right anterior oblique projection. Distance from the lower border of the ostium of the left coronary artery to the most apical border of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was measured at end-systole (ES) and end-diastole (ED) using coronary angiography obtained from the same projection. SS as ED-ES and PSS as SS/ED were calculated. Correlation of SS and PSS with EF was calculated (EF = 13.7 + 4.8 x SS, r = 0.91, p < 0.001 and EF = 14.2 + 6.5 x PSS, r = 0.90, p < 0.01). SS < 7 mm (criterion A) and PSS < 6% (criterion B) suggested that left ventricle EF was less than 50%, with a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 83%, 100%, 95%; 95%, 86% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: SS and PSS highly significantly correlate with left ventricular EF. Therefore, left ventriculography could be omitted in selected patients undergoing coronary angiography if it is not necessary to define the anatomic structure of the left ventricle.     

Doppler ultrasound in assessing systolic left ventricular function in cardiovascular patients

Determination of left ventricular (LV) function is of vital importance in cardiovascular medicine and surgery. Various methods have been introduced to achieve this goal but a noninvasive method is more appropriate as it could be used during exercise to follow-up patients and study the response to medical or surgical intervention. The Doppler ultrasound technique of transcutaneous aortovelography (TAV) has been introduced as a successful approach using a 2 MHz transducer to measure the aortic blood velocity in the aortic arch. From the Doppler ultrasound signals the systolic velocity integral is derived (Sd; the stroke distance which is an index of stroke volume) and its percentage change at maximal-tolerated supine exercise (% delta Sd). The latter was found to be a function of LV ejection fraction and thus proved to be a useful approach to assess LV function in patients with coronary artery disease. Using TAV it was found that coronary artery bypass grafting improves LV function during exercise (rather than at rest) irrespective of the presence of a history of myocardial infarction prior to the operation. In patients with intermittent claudication assessment of LV function proved of great use. The % delta Sd was significantly lower in claudicants with positive stress ECG tests than those with negative test. There was a linear correlation (r = 0.51) between the % delta Sd and the percentage change in the ankle/brachial systolic blood pressure index in response to standard 1 minute of exercise. Assessment of LV function in cardiovascular patients is thus of great clinical importance and provides more insight into the mechanism of the disease and assess the response to management.     

Recovery of left ventricular systolic function after left anterior descending coronary artery stenting

Our objective was to determine the factors affecting recovery of left ventricular (LV) contractility and myocardial perfusion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We selected 60 consecutive patients who underwent successful left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenting. The mean stent diameter and length were 3.37+/-0.47 mm and 17.4+/-6 mm, respectively. Supporting a functional impact of successful PCI, myocardial perfusion and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) improved at 6+/-3 months after the procedure (48.8+/-11.6% vs 52.5+/-11.5%, P=0.05). Patient related factors such as diabetes mellitus, presentation with acute coronary syndrome, and age did not seem to affect LVEF change after the procedure. On univariate analysis, the change in LVEF after PCI was only related to the stent diameter. The increase in LVEF was higher in patients who received a stent>3 mm in diameter (P=0.041). There was a weak but statistically positive correlation between the stent diameter and the LVEF change after the procedure (R=0.267, P=0.049). Other procedure related factors such as multivessel PCI or stent length did not affect the percent ejection fraction change after stenting.     

冠状动脉粥样硬化程度与左室收缩功能的关系

目的：探讨冠状动脉粥样硬化程度与左室收缩功能之间的关系。方法：回顾性分析复旦大学附属中山医院心导管室的冠状动脉造影病例205例,将其冠脉病变程度按Gensini积分系统进行评定,将Gensini积分及各危险因素与短轴缩短分数,左室射血分数之间行二变量的Spearman相关性分析及控制影响Gensini积分与短轴缩短分数、左室射血分数相关的其它变量的偏相关分析,再将左室射血分数与Gensini积分及各危险因素作多元逐步回归分析。结果：Gensini积分与短轴缩短分数（r=一0．32,P〈0．01）,左室射血分数（r=一0．33,P〈0．01）之间呈负相关,在控制了影响相关的其它变量后Gensini积分仍与短轴缩短分数（r=一0．26,P〈0．01）,左室射血分数（r=一0．28,P〈0．01）之间呈负相关,多元逐步回归显示冠状动脉粥样硬化程度为左室收缩功能的独立影响因子（B=一0．378,P〈0．01）。结论：冠状动脉粥样硬化程度与左室收缩功能是独立相关的。     

'Programmed' left ventricular angiography: a new method for assessing left ventricular compliance

In the present study a new method for evaluating left ventricular chamber compliance is reported. We induced a programmed postextrasystolic beat during routine left ventricular angiography through a temporary pacing catheter, placed at the sinoatrial junction (S1-S1 = 600 ms; S1-S2 = 400 ms; S2-S3 = 800 ms). Thirty-two patients with documented critical coronary artery disease and 5 normal subjects represent the study group. The method allows to have two couples of end-diastolic pressure and end-diastolic volume and we calculated the modulus of chamber stiffness with the formula: K = (1n EDP 3 - 1n EDP 1)/(EDVI 3 - EDVI 1), where EDP 1-3 and EDVI 1-3 are end-diastolic pressure and end-diastolic volume index in basal beat and in the postextrasystolic pause, respectively. Left ventricular chamber compliance (dV/dP) and specific compliance (dV/VdP) were also calculated. In order to assess the clinical value of the method, we divided the patients with coronary artery disease into three groups: 12 patients had angina and no previous myocardial infarction; 15 had a previous myocardial infarction and responded to postextrasystolic potentiation with an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction greater than or equal to 0.08 and 5 patients had myocardial infarction and did not respond to postextrasystolic potentiation. Diastolic indices showed significant differences between subgroups; patients with more severe disease and with systolic dysfunction had the highest values of the modulus of chamber stiffness and the lowest values of chamber compliance. Moreover, these indices were not correlated with basal end-diastolic volumes, but they were directly and significantly correlated with the actual increase in left ventricular filling.     

Usefulness of left ventricular mass in predicting recovery of left ventricular systolic function in patients with symptomatic idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Prognosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is variable. We determined the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) mass and systolic and diastolic function in patients with IDC of <12 months duration. Clinical and echocardiographic assessment was performed at baseline and at 8+/-6 months follow-up in 25 patients (47+/-13 years) with IDC and an LV ejection fraction (LVEF1) of <40% (22+/-7%). Based on a follow-up LVEF (LVEF2) of < or >40%, patients were divided into unimproved (n = 13, LVEF2 = 21+/-9%) and improved groups (n = 12, LVEF2 = 51+/-11%). There was no difference in the LVEF1 (22+/-8% vs. 22+/-6%), LV end-systolic (5.7+/-0.8 vs. 5.8+/-0.9 cm) or end-diastolic (6.5+/-0.6 vs. 6.6+/-0.9 cm) dimension, wall stress (102+/-26 vs 99+/-28 g/cm2), end-systolic (1.7+/-0.3 vs. 1.8+/-0.2) or end-diastolic (1.7+/-0.3 vs. 1.6+/-0.1) sphericity, dp/dt (582+/-163 vs. 678+/-222 mm Hg/s), or right ventricular fractional shortening (20+/-9% vs. 27+/-7%, p = 0.06) in unimproved and improved groups. LV mass was lower (1.00+/-0.21 vs. 1.38+/-0.27 g/ml, p = 0007) and mitral inflow E-wave deceleration time shorter (97+/-42 vs. 164+/-58 ms, p = 0007) in the unimproved versus the improved group. On Pearson correlation analysis, LV mass (r = 0.62, p = 0.001), deceleration time (r = 0.68, p = 0.0002), wall motion score index (r = -0.47, p = 02), and dp/dt (r = 0.52, p = 03) were the significant predictors of LVEF2. There was correlation between LV mass (grams per milliliter) and deceleration time (r = 0.61, p = 0.001). During follow-up, death occurred in 1, and readmission for worsening heart failure in 4 patients in the unimproved group versus no hospitalization in the improved group. Thus, in patients with recent onset IDC, LV mass and diastolic function determine late outcome.     

Beneficial effects of coronary transluminal angioplasty on resting left ventricular systolic function

Resting left ventricular systolic function was studied by cardiac catheterisation before and 6 months after effective transluminal coronary angioplasty (TCA) to evaluate the myocardial effects of this procedure. The global left ventricular systolic function was assessed by measuring ventricular volumes, the ejection fraction, the mean velocity of circumferential fibre shortening (m VCF) and mean normalised systolic ejection rate (MNSER). The regional function was studied by dividing the left ventricle into 8 regions using the Stanford radial model and measuring the percentage shortening and velocity of circumferential fibre shortening (VCF). These parameters were obtained from selective left ventriculography filmed at 100 frames/second in the RAD plane. Left ventricular function was analysed from the whole of systolic ejection and then sequentially during each third of systole (early-mid-and end systole). The 10 patients studied had an average age of 45 years. Coronary angiography was performed for unstable angina (6 cases), stable angina (3 cases) and post-infarction angina (1 case). Except for 1 patient with associated LAD and right coronary disease they all had single vessel disease. TCA was performed on the LAD artery in 8 cases, on a dominant left circumflex artery in 1 case and on a right coronary artery in 1 case. The efficacy was demonstrated by angiographic reduction of the degree of stenosis (85 to 25 p. 100 immediately after TCA, and 30 p. 100 at control angiography at 6 months), and by a reduction of more than 40 p. 100 in the average transstenotic pressure gradient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

多普勒超声检测心肌运动指数评价扩张型心肌病左心功能

目的 :探讨超声检测心肌运动指数对评价扩张型心肌病 (DCM )左心功能的临床价值。方法 :DCM患者 31例 ,正常对照者 6 2例 ,应用多普勒超声心动图记录二尖瓣舒张期和左心室流出道收缩期脉冲多普勒血流频谱 ,测量心肌运动指数。结果 :①与正常对照组相比 ,DCM组等容舒张期时间 [(98.39± 2 0 .83)ms∶(6 6 .4 5±11.32 )ms ,P <0 .0 1]及等容收缩期时间 [(39.5 2± 13.31)ms∶(2 1.4 5± 7.6 5 )ms,P <0 .0 1]明显延长、射血时间[(2 2 3.39± 4 0 .93)ms∶(2 73.0 6± 2 1.0 1)ms ,P <0 .0 1]明显缩短 ,导致心肌运动指数 (0 .6 3± 0 .14∶0 .32± 0 .0 4 ,P <0 .0 1)明显升高 ,相关分析表明 ,心肌运动指数与左心功能障碍程度呈正相关 ;②相关分析显示 ,心肌运动指数与年龄、心率、血压无相关性。结论 :①心肌运动指数是评价DCM患者左心功能简便而准确的多普勒超声新指标 ,且与左心功能障碍程度呈正相关 ;②心肌运动指数不受年龄、心率、血压的影响     

Novel techniques for assessment of left ventricular systolic function

The evaluation of left ventricular systolic function is one of the most common reasons for referral for a non-invasive cardiac imaging study. In addition to its diagnostic and prognostic value, an assessment of ejection fraction can also be used to guide medical and device therapy. Thus, obtaining an accurate and reproducible assessment of LVEF is essential for patient management. This review will focus on novel multi-modality techniques used for the quantification of left ventricular systolic function. Emerging echocardiography techniques such as three-dimensional echocardiography and strain imaging and their incremental role over traditional 2D imaging will be discussed. In addition, new developments expanding nuclear imaging techniques’ evaluation of left ventricular systolic function will be reviewed. Finally, an overview of advances in imaging techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography, which now allow for an accurate and highly reproducible assessment of LVEF, will be presented.     

Doppler echocardiography for assessing left ventricular diastolic function

During the last 2 years, the use of pulsed Doppler echocardiography for assessing left ventricular diastolic function has received increased attention. This method is based on measurements derived from a waveform that reflects the velocity of blood flow through the mitral valve during ventricular filling. The technique is particularly attractive because it is noninvasive and relatively simple. Technically satisfactory recordings can be obtained in most patients. In a relatively short period, numerous studies using the Doppler technique to assess diastolic function in children and adults with cardiac disease have been published. This review appraises the current status of applications of Doppler echocardiography and critically examines the strengths, limitations, and ultimate potentials of this new method.     

Determinants of left ventricular systolic function recovery after an acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of heart failure in western societies. However, the factors that may influence left ventricular function (LVF) recovery after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To identify variables that may influence LVF evolution one year after ACS. METHODS: 104 patients hospitalized with ACS between 7/1/2001 and 12/31/2002 and with systolic dysfunction--defined as an echocardiographic ejection fraction (EF) < or = 45%--were randomly allocated to a planned coronary follow-up program (FUP) or a general cardiology clinic (GC); patients from both groups were also randomly referred to a structured cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). EF was re-assessed at one year. We compared differences between patients who recovered left ventricular function (EF > 45%; group 1) and those who did not (group 2). RESULTS: One year after discharge, 44.2% of the patients had recovered function. There were no significant differences between the groups in gender (77.7 vs. 76.5% male), age (56 vs. 59 years), hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking habits or family history. A previous history of cardiovascular events was more frequent in group 2 (11.1% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.03). Cardiac catheterization was performed before discharge in 88.8% and 88.2% in groups 1 and 2 respectively (p = NS); no differences were found in coronary anatomy between the two groups. Angioplasty was performed in 54.2% in group 1 and 50% in group 2 (p = NS). There were no differences in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (83.3% vs. 87.5%), beta-blockers (87.5% vs. 87.5%), nitrates (37.5% vs. 33.3%), aspirin (95.8% vs. 95.8%), statins (79.1% vs. 75%) or diuretics (20.8% vs. 45.8%). There was no significant difference in LVF recovery between patients randomized to FUP or GC (38.5% vs. 54.5%). 87.5% of patients who completed the CRP had normal EF at one year compared to 32.7% of patients not referred to the program (p = 0.009). Although EF improved in both groups, this improvement was greater in patients who completed a CRP (EF 8% vs. 5%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A previous cardiovascular event and completion of a CRP were the only variables that influenced LVF recovery. Thus, enrollment in a CRP, in addition to standard therapy, could be an important therapeutic measure in patients with systolic dysfunction after ACS; our data suggest that these programs should be more widely used.     

Velocity vector imaging in assessing myocardial systolic function of hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy

BACKGROUND: To date, most studies about strain and strain rate (SR) are based on Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), which is dependent on the angle between ultrasonic scan line and tissue. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) is a new echocardiographic method based on two-dimensional gray scale imaging, which is angle-independent and can provide more information about cardiac function than DTI. OBJECTIVES: To assess regional myocardial SR in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) but normal global ejection fraction (GEF) and fractional shortening (FS) using VVI. METHODS: Using VVI, two-dimensional images were performed in 20 hypertensive patients with LVH and 20 normal control subjects. The segmental systolic peak SR (SRs) in the short-axis view and the apical SRs in the long-axis view were analyzed by offline software. RESULTS: The segmental SRs in the long-axis and short-axis views were significantly lower in the LVH group than in the corresponding segments of the control group. There was no significant difference between the circumferential SRs of different segments in the short-axis view in the LVH and control groups. The circumferential SRs decreased significantly from the endocardium to the middle layer of the myocardium in the short-axis view in the LVH group and in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive patients with LVH may have regional LV systolic function impairment despite having normal GEF and FS. The GEF and FS were not the decisive factors of myocardial systolic function in the present study. There was an obvious systolic gradient from the endocardium to the middle layer of myocardium in circumferential SRs in the short-axis view. VVI can be used to accurately recognize and quantify abnormalities of regional myocardial deformation.     

应用二维整体收缩期应变评价左室收缩功能

目的应用超声二维斑点追踪技术评价二维整体收缩期峰值应变在判断左室收缩功能中的价值。方法心功能不全患者52例和健康对照者30例,应用二维斑点追踪技术分别测量左室各节段收缩期纵向峰值应变、径向峰值应变和圆周峰值应变,并分别取其平均值做为左室收缩期整体纵向应变(GLS)、整体径向应变(GRS)和整体圆周应变(GCS),同时应用Simpson双面法计算左室射血分数(LVEF)。对各指标绘制受试者工作特性曲线(ROC)并获得界值。结果心功能不全患者GLS、GRS和GCS均显著低于正常对照组(P0.05);ROC评价显示GLS、GCS的曲线偏左上角,其曲线下面积分别为0.950、0.939,对应的界值分别为-13.12%、-13.86%,其诊断心功能不全的灵敏度和特异度分别为90.0%/94.4%,93.3%/83.3%,GRS的曲线下面积0.170.5,诊断左室收缩功能不全意义不显著。结论二维整体收缩期应变可较好地评价左室的收缩功能,其中GLS和GCS具有较高的诊断心功能不全的价值。     

Usefulness of left ventricular volume in assessing tetralogy of Fallot for total correction

Ninety-one patients with tetralogy of Fallot underwent intracardiac repair between 1978 and 1981. One patient died from left-sided heart failure. Retrospective analyses of this death revealed a significant decrease of the left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) of 21 ml/m2 (36% of normal). Results of early postoperative hemodynamic studies after total correction of this anomaly suggested that an EDVI of 30 ml/m2 is the minimal requirement for adequate cardiac output postoperatively. Based on these data, 3 patients with decreased LV volume with EDVI of around 30 ml/m2 were challenged with the primary repair with success, although they required atrial pacing and catecholamine support postoperatively to maintain adequate left atrial pressure and cardiac output. From these results, it is recommended that patients with tetralogy of Fallot and an EDVI of 30 ml/m2 or more can be considered as candidates for the primary repair, but that patients with an EDVI of less than 30 ml/m2 should be palliated once by systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt procedures. Subsequent total correction should be performed after sufficient LV growth for those patients.     

Usefulness of C-reactive protein and left ventricular diastolic performance for prognosis in patients with left ventricular systolic heart failure

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a hepatocyte-derived inflammatory cytokine shown to be increased in the setting of acute heart failure (HF), particularly with increased intracardiac filling pressures. In the chronic HF setting, the relation between hs-CRP and echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance has not been examined. We measured plasma hs-CRP levels using a particle-enhanced immunonephelometry assay (Dade Behring, Inc., Deerfield, Illinois) in 136 subjects with chronic HF (LV ejection fraction [EF]相似文献   

Baseline plasma adiponectin levels as a predictor of left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients referred for coronary angiography

The objective of the present study was to determine the association between plasma adiponectin and left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Baseline plasma adiponectin was measured in 389 patients undergoing coronary angiography for a variety of indications at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Detailed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and angiographic data were available for patients. LV systolic function was assessed using ventriculography, and patients were grouped into those with normal or mild dysfunction (ejection fraction > or =45%) versus those with moderate to severe systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <45%). After adjusting for a variety of clinically relevant covariates known to affect LV systolic function, adiponectin was independently associated with LV systolic function in the entire cohort of patients (p = 0.0002) using multivariate linear regression analysis. In addition, using multivariate logistic regression analysis, adiponectin was an independent predictor of the presence of moderate to severe LV dysfunction (odds ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.21 to 1.97, p = 0.0005). Moreover, baseline adiponectin was also independently associated with LV function in both the myocardial infarction (MI) and non-MI subpopulations of patients (p = 0.0401 and p= 0.0023, respectively). Finally, in the non-MI subpopulation, baseline adiponectin was an independent predictor of moderate to severe LV systolic dysfunction (odds ratio 1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.15 to 2.02, p = 0.0034). In conclusion, baseline plasma adiponectin was an independent predictor of LV systolic dysfunction in a population of patients referred for coronary angiography.