Central haemodynamic effects of metoprolol early in acute myocardial infarction. A placebo controlled randomized study of patients with low heart rate

The central haemodynamic effects of metoprolol in patients withacute myocardiol infarction and with heart rate 65 beats min^–1have been investigated in a randomized double-blind trial. Theaim was to study the tolerance in this selected patient groupand to assess possible differences in haemodynamic responseamongst patients with initially higher heart rates. Exclusioncriteria were: treatment with beta blockers; heart rate 65beats min^–1 systolic blood pressure 110 mmHg; and physicalsigns of serious heart failure. Following pulmonary artery catheterization,22 patients were randomized to metoprolol 15 mg i. v. + 50 mgq.i.d. orally ( N = 12) or placebo (N = 10). Central pressuresand cardiac output were recorded before and during the 24 hoursafter drug administration. There was a significant fall in heartrate, cardiac index, rate pressure product and stroke work indexof 10–20% in the metoprolol, compared with the placebogroup. The differences were most pronounced immediately afterthe metoprolol injection. The pulmonary artery capillary wedgepressure was not significantly changed. The overall haemodynamicresponse to metoprolol was similar to that reported in patientswith acute myocardial infarction and heart rate above 65 beatsmin^–1 Tolerance was good.     

Comparison of acute haemodynamic effects of nifedipine and isosorbide dinitrate in patients with heart failure following acute myocardial infarction

The acute haemodynamic effects of nifedipine (10 mg sublingually) and isosorbide dinitrate (5 mg sublingually) were compared in 13 patients with heart failure due to acute myocardial infarction. Nifedipine induced a significant reduction in systolic (from 122 ± 5 to 107 ± 3 mm Hg: mean ± SEM; P < 0.002) and diastolic blood pressure (from 85 ± 3 to 75 ± 2 mm Hg; P < 0.01). Heart rate did not change significantly, nor did mean right atrial pressure. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was lowered from 31 ± 2 to 27 ± 2 mm Hg (P < 0.005). The left ventricular filling pressure decreased from 24 ± 1 to 19 ± 1 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). A significant increase in cardiac index (from 2.33 ± 0.13 to 2.69 ± 0.15 l/min per m²; P < 0.001) and in stroke volume index (from 24 ± 2 to 28 ± 2 ml/beats per m²; P < 0.005) was registered. Systemic vascular resistance fell from 1742 ± 145 to 1308 ± 85 dynes/sec per cm⁻⁵ (P < 0.00005). After isosorbide dinitrate was administered a significant reduction in mean right atrial pressure (from 9.5 ± 1.6 to 5.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg; P < 0.0001), in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (from 32 ± 1 to 23 ± 1 mm Hg; P < 0.00001) and in left ventricular filling pressure (from 23 ± 1 to 16 ± 1 mm Hg; P < 0.0001) was seen. No significant change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac index, stroke volume index and systemic vascular resistance was registered. No side-effects were seen after nifedipine and isosorbide dinitrate were administered.     

心功能和心率减速力对急性心肌梗死心力衰竭的预后研究

目的 探讨心功能指标与心率减速力值对急性心肌梗死（AMI）心力衰竭患者的预后价值.方法 应用24h动态心电图和心脏超声检测100例急性心肌梗死心力衰竭患者和100例非急性心肌梗死患者的心功能指标和心率减速力、心率加速力值,并进行预警分析.结果 冠状动脉病变：100例AMI心力衰竭患者1支病变30例、2支病变55例、3支病变15例;100例非急性心肌梗死患者1支病变60例、2支病变35例、3支病变5例,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.1年内死亡：AMI心力衰竭患者组LVIDD66.4 mm、LVEF 26.0％、FS 14.4％、DC≥4.5 ms 3例（3.00％）; LVIDD 68.2 mm、LVEF 24.6％、FS 12.8％、DC2.6～4.4 ms 8例（8.00％）;LVIDD 69.8 mm、LVEF 22.8％、FS 11.4％、DC≤2.5 ms 15例（15.00％）,P＜0.05;非急性心肌梗死患者组LVIDD 47.0 mm、LVEF 50.4％、FS 26.8％、DC 2.6～4.4 ms 2例（2.00％）;LVIDD 47.2 mm、LVEF 48.8％、FS 24.6％、DC 2.6 ms 3例（3.00％）,P＜0.05.AMI心力衰竭患者组LVIDD 68.2 mm、LVEF24.6％、FS 12.8％、AC≤-8.0 ms2例（2.00％）;LVIDD 69.8 mm、LVEF 22.8％、FS 11.4％、AC≤-7.0 ms 3例（3.00％）,P＜0.05;非急性心肌梗死患者组LVIDD 47.2 mm、LVEF 48.8％、FS 24.6％、AC≤-7.0ms 1例（1.00％）,余均无死亡病例.AMI心力衰竭患者组与非急性心肌梗死患者组比较,P＜0.05.结论 心功能指标结合心率减速力值能定量分析和测定迷走神经作用的强度,对急性心肌梗死猝死高危人群筛选与预警有较强的实用价值.     

心率变异性与左心室舒张功能的关系

目的探讨中年人群心率变异性(HRV)与左心室舒张功能的关系。方法 2010-06-12,采用单纯随机方法收集我院体检中心无器质性心脏病的中年人138例,年龄(48.1±8.2)岁,对其进行统一的心血管流行病学问卷调查,测量血压并测定血清空腹生化指标;用ELISA测定血浆氨基末端前体脑钠尿肽(NT-proBNP);采用二维超声心动图测定常规及左心室舒张功能指标,并按舒张功能分级标准分为舒张功能正常组(n=74)、舒张功能减退组(n=36)和假性正常化组(n=28);24h动态心电图检测HRV的时域和频域指标。结果随着舒张功能减退程度,lgNT-proBNP增加[(1.8±0.2),(1.9±0.2),(2.0±0.2)ng/L,P<0.01],低频功率降低[(21.0±5.2),(18.5±5.4),(17.8±6.3)ms2,P<0.05];偏相关分析显示:相邻RR间期差的均方根(rMSSD)、相差>50ms的相邻RR间期占RR间期总数的百分比(pNN50%)、高频功率与舒张晚期血流速度峰值(A)呈负相关(r=-0.210,-0.194,-0.212),与舒张早期和舒张晚期血流速度峰值比值(E/A)呈正相关(r=0.189,0.189,0.175,均P<0.05);极低频功率(VLF)、低频功率与E峰减速时间(EDT)呈正相关(r=0.265,0.194,P<0.05),与舒张早期血流速度与瓣环运动速度比值(E/E’)呈负相关(r=-0.174,-0.173,P<0.05),与lgNT-proBNP呈负相关(r=-0.315,-0.345,P<0.01);多元逐步回归分析显示:A峰是pNN50%的独立影响因素(β=-0.200,P=0.012),E/E’和lgNT-proBNP是低频功率的独立影响因素(β=-0.178,P=0.023;β=-0.165,P=0.019),而E/E’和EDT是VLF的独立影响因素(β=-0.170,P=0.021;β=0.177,P=0.015)。结论在中年人群中,左心室舒张功能减退与自主神经功能损伤有关。     

急性心肌梗死心功能与QTd离散度相关性的探讨

目的:探讨急性心肌梗死患者心功能与QT高散度(QTd)的相关性。方法:对于18例伴有不程度心功能不全的急性心肌梗死患者,采用同步12导心电图测量其入院时,入院后第1、2周的QTd,并分析其与心功能的关系。结果:研究对象入院时心功能(Killip)为Ⅱ~Ⅲ级,QTd为87±18.62ms,入院后第1周的QTd为60.76±12.23ms,入院后第2周心功能为Ⅰ级,QTd为42.26±12.31ms;与入院时QTd比较,入院后第1、2周的QTd显著改善(P分别<0.01、<0.001);心功能与QTd呈负相关关系。结论:急性心肌梗死患者心功能与QT离散度呈负相关关系,心功能越差,QTd值越大。     

经皮冠状动脉介入治疗对急性心肌梗死患者窦性心率震荡及心率变异性的影响

目的探讨经皮冠状动脉介入术（PCI）治疗急性心肌梗死（AMI）后对窦性心率震荡（HRT）和心率变异性（HRV）的影响。方法将150例急性心肌梗死患者分为直接PCI组、延迟PCI组和药物治疗组各50例,分别予直接PC、I延迟PC I和药物治疗。AMI后2~3周各组行动态心电图检查分析其HRT参数：震荡初始（TO）和震荡斜率（TS）,同时获取HRV指标：24 h时平均R-R间距的标准差（SDNN）,每5 min时间段R-R间距平均值的标准差（SDANN）。结果直接PCI组TO明显低于,TS、SDNN、SDANN明显高于延迟PC I组及药物治疗组（P均〈0.01）;延迟PCI组TO明显低于,TS、SDNN、SDANN明显高于药物治疗组（P均〈0.05）。结论直接或延迟PC I可有效地改善AMI心肌缺血,有利于防止恶性心律失常和心性猝死的发生;直接PC I效果更优。     

Left ventricular peak filling rate, heart failure and 1-year survival in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Radionuclide left ventricular (LV) peak filling rate (PFR) wasdetermined in 185 survivors of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)and expressed in units of (1) end-diastolic volume per second( EDV s^–1), (2) stroke volume per second (SV s^–1),or (3) actual millilitres of blood filled into the left ventricleper second (ml s^–1). The purpose of the study was to assessthe interrelationship between the three expressions of PFR,and to analyse their significance with regard to signs of congestiveheart failure and 1-year survival in patients with AMI. PFREDVs^–1, PFRSVs^–1 and PFR mis^–1 had a poorrelationship to each other, were all influenced by L V volumesand ejection fraction, and supplied contradictory informationwith regard to LV filling in patients with heart failure. Noneof the three expressions of LV peak filling rate had an associationto heart failure that was independent of LV volume and ejectionfraction. A low PFR EDVs^–1 in contrast to a high PFR SVs^–1 was associated with a high 1-year cardiac mortality,suggesting that these ‘normalized’ indices of LVpeak filling rate signalled LV size and stroke volume ratherthan actual LV filling behaviour. No association was presentbetween PFR mis^–1 and 1-year mortality. We conclude thatthe clinical use of radionuclide LV PFR in patients with AMImay lead to spurious results, unless the influence of LV sizeand ejection fraction is taken into consideration.     

溶栓治疗急性心肌梗死血管再通早晚与心室功能的关系

为了探讨溶栓治疗血管再通时间早晚与心脏功能的关系，对急性心肌梗死（ＡＭＩ）患者接受静脉溶栓治疗后，２周～３周行心脏超声测定左室射血分数（ＬＶＥＦ）及短轴收缩率（ＦＳ）。结果:发病后６ｈ～１２ｈ期间溶通之患者较６ｈ内者其ＬＶＥＦ及ＦＳ明显减低，室壁瘤、ＫｉｌｉｐⅡ级以上者、室壁节段运动消失或反向者出现率则明显增多。提示溶栓治疗应尽早（６ｈ内）使ＡＭＩ梗死相关血管再通     

急性心肌梗死后血浆神经内分泌激素水平与心功能的关系

目的　通过测定急性心肌梗死 (AMI)患者血浆中神经内分泌激素水平 ,探讨AMI后神经内分泌系统的激活与心功能的关系。方法　 5 7例AMI患者 ,依据左心室射血分数 (LVEF)将AMI患者分为A、B两组 ,A组 :31例 ,LVEF≥5 0 % ;B组 :2 6例 ,LVEF <5 0 %。另选 2 0例健康人作为正常对照组。分别采血检测血浆肾素活性 (PRA)、血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngⅡ )浓度、血浆醛固酮 (ALD)浓度、血浆去甲肾上腺素 (NE)和肾上腺素 (E)浓度。结果　AMI后心功能较差的B组患者血浆PRA、AngⅡ、NE、E水平较正常对照组升高 ,其中尤以NE升高最为显著 (P <0 .0 0 1)。结论　AMI后心功能减退会进一步增强神经内分泌系统的活性。     

Beneficial effects of long-term treatment with enalapril on cardiac function and heart rate variability in patients with old myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of the early use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) are well documented. However, the effects of ACEis in patients with an old MI and preserved cardiac function have not yet been studied. We examined the effects of 12 months of enalapril treatment in patients with previous MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen patients with an old MI and no overt congestive heart failure (CHF), aged 70 +/- 2 years, were treated with enalapril for 12 months. We also included 13 age- and sex-matched control patients who had a similar clinical background but were not treated with enalapril. Holter electrocardiography and echocardiography were performed at entry and after 12 months of treatment. Heart rate variability, low- and high-frequency powers (LF and HF), and the ratio between LF and HF (LF/HF) were analyzed. Changes from baseline to 12 months in HF, LF/HF, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), and end-systolic dimension (LVESD) were significantly different in the enalapril group (HF, 8.1 +/- 0.9 to 9.3 +/- 0.9 milliseconds: LF/HF, 1.65 +/- 0.11 to 1.53 +/- 0.16; LVEDD, 57.2 +/- 1.6 to 54.7 +/- 1.6 mm; LVESD, 40.0 +/- 2.4 to 36.3 +/- 1.9 mm) compared with the control group (HF, 8.9 +/- 0.9 to 8.5 +/- 0.7 milliseconds; LF/HF, 1.78 +/- 0.18 to 1.88 +/- 0.15; LVEDD, 52.3 +/- 2.5 to 55.9 +/- 2.2 mm; LVESD, 32.5 +/- 2.6 to 36.1 +/- 2.6 mm; P < .05). The delta change (delta) in LVESD between the end and the start of study correlated inversely with deltaHF (r = -0.56; P < .05) and positively with deltaLF/HF (r = 0.65; P < .01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest possible ongoing structural changes in patients with old MI even in the absence of overt CHF. Enalapril seemed to prevent such changes and to restore cardiac autonomic tone toward normal. Further prospective studies using a larger sample size are warranted to confirm potential beneficial effects of ACEis in patients with previous MI and preserved left ventricular function.     

美托洛尔并地高辛对房颤伴心力衰竭患者心室率及心功能的影响

目的：观察美托洛尔联合地高辛对永久性房颤（AF）伴心力衰竭（CHF）患者心室率及运动耐量的影响。方法：选择我院心血管内科门诊及住院AF合并CHF患者共78例,随机分为两组：地高辛组（A组）39例,地高辛联合美托洛尔组（B组）39例。入选病人常规使用利尿剂、血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂、肠溶阿斯匹林（或华法令）和地高辛治疗．待病人无液体潴留,体重恒定后．B组加美托洛尔。两组病人在药物达到治疗剂量后,再予维持剂量并观察12周。两组均于人选时及治疗第12周末记录心室率,测12导联心电图,24h动态心电图（Holter）。左室射血分数（LVEF）及6min步行试验（6MWT）．评价心功能。结果：（1）Hoher检测显示A组最小、平均心室率和B组最小、平均和最大心室率在治疗后均显著降低（P均〈0．01）,B组治疗后最大、平均心室率均较A组显著降低（P〈0．01）;（2）两组病人的LVEF和6MWT治疗后均显著增加（P〈0．01）,B组治疗后较A组显著增加（P〈0．01）。无不能耐受治疗和严重并发症发生。结论：适当剂量的美托洛尔联合地高辛能控制永久性AF伴CHF患者的心室率,显著改善其心室功能,而且安全。     

抗抑郁焦虑治疗对老年舒张性心衰患者生活质量的影响

目的观察抗焦虑抑郁治疗对老年舒张性心衰患者生活质量的影响。方法对老年舒张性心衰患者进行症状自评量表（SCL-90）测评阳性患者44例,随机分成两组,第1组21例,第2组23例;量表测评阴性的患者18例为第3组。3组患者均用慢性心功能衰竭指南治疗标准予以改善心脏舒张功能、利尿、活血化瘀及营养心肌常规治疗6m,第1组同时加用氢溴酸西酞普兰片。治疗前后进行SCL-90、明尼苏达心力衰竭生活质量问卷（the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire,MLHFQ）及心脏舒张功能指标E／A。结果（1）治疗后各组患者的MLHFQ除第2组以外均有好转,第1组MLHFQ治疗前（49．93±32．94）,治疗后（25．94±26．85）,P〈0．01差异有统计学意义;第3组治疗前MLHFQ（31．29±22．01）,治疗后（19．19±18．24）,P〈0．05差异有统计学意义。第1组MLHFQ（P〈0．01）好转更明显。（2）3组之间的SLC-90比较示抑郁、焦虑和总均分以第1组下降最显著。（3）第1组、第3组的心脏舒张功能提高,第2组无改变。结论抗焦虑抑郁治疗增加常规药物疗效,提高老年舒张性心衰患者的生活质量。     

急性心肌梗死患者植入国产西罗莫司支架后心率震荡的动态分析

目的探讨急性心肌梗死患者植入国产西罗莫司洗脱支架后心率震荡的动态变化。方法应用动态心电图技术分别记录76例急性心肌梗死患者（支架组）支架植入后24h内、1周、3个月、6个月、12个月和24个月的心电图信息,计算各时段的震荡起始（TO）和震荡斜率（TS）。并与同期未行再灌注治疗的急性心肌梗死患者53例（对照组）进行对比分析。结果支架组支架植入术后24h的震荡起始（-0．21％±1．95％vs.0．26％±1．71％,P〈0．01）和震荡斜率[（13．73±6．48）ms／RR vs.（1．21±0．53）ms／RR,P〈0．01]与对照组心肌梗死后24h比较,明显改善,差异有统计学意义,并在随后的24个月中保持这种趋势。尽管对照组患者的震荡斜率在3个月后得到改善（P〈0．05）,但不如支架组改善明显,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论国产西罗莫司洗脱支架能长期改善急性心肌梗死患者的心率震荡,从而减少临床恶性心律失常事件的发生。     

急性心肌梗死患者心脏胶原代谢和左室重构与心功能的关系

目的观察急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者血清Ⅰ型前胶原羧基端肽（PⅠCP）和Ⅲ型前胶原（PCⅢ）水平,探讨AMI后心脏胶原代谢与左室重构及心功能的变化规律。方法应用酶联免疫法检测AMI患者发病后1周和3月的血清PⅠCP和PCⅢ含量,超声心动图同期检测左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左室舒张末期容积（LVEDV）、左室射血分数（LVEF）和二尖瓣血流舒张早期流速（VE）与心房收缩期流速（VA）的比值。结果AMI后3月患者血清PⅠCP和发病后各时点血清PCⅢ均高于对照组,而AMI后3月患者PⅠCP高于AMI后1周。与正常对照组比较,AMI后各时点的LVEDD、LVEDV均增高,而LVEF和VE/VA比值降低。AMI发病后1周和3月PCⅢ分别与LVEDD和LVEDV呈正相关,与LVEF呈负相关;AMI发病后1周PⅠCP分别与LVEDD和LVEDV呈正相关,AMI发病后3月PⅠCP与LVEF呈负相关。结论AMI患者心脏胶原代谢活跃,血清PⅠCP和PCⅢ含量明显持续升高,参与左室重构,与AMI后心功能不全密切相关。     

Chronic systemic inflammation accompanies impaired ventricular diastolic function, detected by Doppler imaging, in patients with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure (Hellenic Heart Failure Study)

We sought to evaluate the relationship between plasma cytokine levels (sCD14, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and interleukin [IL]-6) and tissue Doppler derived indices of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure. We enrolled 101 consecutive patients (mean age 65 ± 13 years) with newly diagnosed heart failure who were hospitalized in our institute. Echocardiographic assessment was performed in all patients during the third day of their initial hospitalization. The pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the systolic and diastolic function of mitral annulus was characterized by the systolic wave Smv, and the diastolic waves: Emv and Amv. Left atrial kinetic energy (LAKE), an index of left atrial function, was calculated using the equation 1/2 × LASV × 1.06 × Amv²; where LASV is left atrial systolic volume. Furthermore the ratio E/Emv and the flow propagation velocity were also calculated; where E is the rapid mitral filling wave, detected by pulse Doppler. Soluble plasma levels of CD14, TNF-α, and IL-6 were measured in all patients during their third day of hospitalization. Linear regression analysis, after adjustment for sex, age, left ventricular ejection function, body mass index, arterial hypertension, smoking, physical activity, creatinine clearance, diabetes mellitus, and blood lipid levels, revealed that IL-6 levels were inversely associated with LAKE (b = − 5422.4 ± 2031.5, P = 0.03), Sm (b= −0.375 ± 0.1, P = 0.03), and flow propagation (b = −5.404 ±0.621, P = 0.001). CD14 levels were inversely associated with flow propagation (b = −17.655 ±2.6, P = 0.001), and positively associated with E/Emv ratio (b = 2.58 ± 3.6, P = 0.002) and A/Amv ratio (b = 0.629 ± 0.6, P = 0.04). TNF-α was inversely associated with Smv (b−1.189 ± 0.3, P = 0.005). This study reveals that increased plasma levels of CD14, IL-6 and TNF-α are associated with impaired left atrial function and more advanced left ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction, in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure.     

急性心梗患者心率减速力与心率变异性

目的:探讨急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者心率减速力(DC)与心率变异(HRV)、心率震荡(HRT)的相关性.方法62例窦性心律的AMI患者和51例非AMI对照组进行24h动态心电图检查,离线计算DC、HRV时域指标、HRT的两个参数震荡初始(TO)和震荡斜率(TS).结果:AMI患者的DC值、HRV降低;HRT减弱;且DC...     

Treatment with ramipril improves systolic function even in patients with mild systolic dysfunction and symptoms of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction

Background: Clinical signs of heart failure such as pulmonary rales and dyspnea, ventricular dysfunction, and ventricular arrhythmia are independent predictors of a poor prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Hypothesis: The study aimed to assess the effect of ramipril treatment on mildly depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function, assessed by atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement in patients with congestive heart failure after AMI. Methods:The study was a substudy in the Acute Infarction Ramipril Efficacy Study, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of ramipril versus placebo in patients with symptoms of heart failure after AMI. In all, 56 patients were included in the main study, 4 refused to participate in the substudy, and 4 were excluded for logistical reasons. Echocardiography was performed at entry and after 6 months. Patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting during the follow-up period were excluded. Results: At baseline, the patients had modest LV dysfunction, and mean AV plane displacement of 9.7 mm. During follow-up, AV plane displacement increased in ramipril-treated patients from 9.5 to 10.9 mm (p < 0.01). No statistically significant changes were seen in the placebo group. Conclusions: Ramipril improves LV systolic function in patients with clinical signs of heart failure and only modest systolic dysfunction after AMI. Measurement of AV plane displacement is a simple and reproducible method for detection of small changes in systolic function and may be used instead of ejection fraction in patients with poor image quality.     

Relationship between altered sympathetic innervation, oxidative metabolism and contractile function in the cardiomyopathic human heart; a non-invasive study using positron emission tomography.

AIMS: To identify functional and metabolic correlates of impaired presynaptic sympathetic innervation in the cardiomyopathic human heart using non-invasive correlative imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 10 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, presynaptic catecholamine uptake sites were quantified by positron emission tomography with C-11 hydroxyephedrine. Oxidative metabolism was measured using C-11 acetate. Global and regional function was assessed by tomographic radionuclide angiography. Left ventricular ejection fraction in patients was 19%+/-10%. Myocardial hydroxyephedrine retention was abnormally low in 58%+/-38% of the left ventricles. Globally and regionally, hydroxyephedrine retention was significantly correlated with ventricular function (r=0.67, P=0.03 with left ventricular ejection fraction; r=0.31, P<0.01 with regional endocardial shortening). Multivariate analysis confirmed hydroxyephedrine retention as the closest independent determinant of left ventricular ejection fraction. Oxidative metabolism was determined by rate pressure product as a measure of workload (r=0.78, P<0.01) and peripheral vascular resistance as a measure of afterload (r=-0.61, P=0.06), but did not correlate with hydroxyephedrine retention (r=0.08 for global, r=0.04 for regional parameters). CONCLUSION: Alterations of presynaptic sympathetic innervation in dilated cardiomyopathy are associated with impaired contractile function, suggesting a common pathogenetic pathway. Overall oxidative metabolism, however, was not directly correlated with these findings. Normal regulatory mechanisms for oxidative metabolism were operational.     

Effect of carvedilol on diastolic function in patients with diastolic heart failure and preserved systolic function. Results of the Swedish Doppler-echocardiographic study (SWEDIC)

AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol on diastolic function (DF) in heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function and abnormal DF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We randomised 113 patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) (symptomatic, with normal systolic LV function and abnormal DF) into a double blind multi-centre study. The patients received either carvedilol or matching placebo in addition to conventional treatment. After uptitration, treatment was continued for 6 months. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were used for quantification of LV function at baseline and at follow-up. Four different DF variables were evaluated by Doppler echocardiography: mitral flow E:A ratio, deceleration time (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and the ratio of systolic/diastolic pulmonary venous flow velocity (pv-S/D). Primary endpoint was change in the integrated quantitative assessment of all four variables during the study. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients completed the study. A mitral flow pattern reflecting a relaxation abnormality was recorded in 95 patients. There was no effect on the primary endpoint, although a trend towards a better effect in carvedilol treated patients was noticed in patients with heart rates above 71 beats per minute. At the end of the study, there was a statistically significant improvement in E:A ratio in patients treated with carvedilol (0.72 to 0.83) vs. placebo (0.71 to 0.76), P<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with carvedilol resulted in a significant improvement in E:A ratio in patients with heart failure due to a LV relaxation abnormality. E:A ratio was found to be the most useful variable to identify diastolic dysfunction in this patient population. This effect was observed particularly in patients with higher heart rates at baseline.