Pulmonary thallium uptake: correlation with systolic and diastolic left ventricular function at rest and during exercise

Quantified pulmonary 201-thallium uptake, assessed as pulmonary/myocardial ratios (PM) and body surface area-corrected absolute pulmonary uptake (Pc), was determined from single photon emission computed tomography studies in 22 normal subjects and 46 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). By means of equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA), ejection fraction (EF), peak ejection rate (PER) in end-diastolic volume (EDV/sec) and peak filling rate (PFR) in EDV/sec and stroke volume (SV/sec) units, PFR/PER ratio, and time to peak filling rate (TPFR) in milliseconds were computed at rest and during exercise (n = 35). Left ventricular response to exercise was assessed as delta EF, relative delta EF, delta EDV, and delta ESV. In normal subjects the PM ratios showed significant inverse correlation with PER at rest and with EF, PER, and PFRedv during exercise. For the left ventricular response to exercise, delta ESV showed significant correlation with the PM ratios. The body surface area-corrected pulmonary uptake values showed no correlation with any of the variables. In patients with CAD the PM ratios and Pc uptake showed significant inverse correlation with EF, PER, PFRedv and to exercise EF, exercise PER, and exercise PFRedv. For the left ventricular response to exercise, delta EF showed significant inverse correlation with the PM ratios but not with the Pc uptake. Neither in normal subjects nor in patients with CAD did any of the independent diastolic variables show significant correlation with the PM ratios or Pc values. Thus pulmonary thallium uptake is correlated with systolic left ventricular function at rest and during exercise in normal subjects and in patients with CAD but not with diastolic function. In normal subjects delta ESV and in patients with CAD, delta EF showed correlation with pulmonary thallium uptake.     

Comparison of epirubicin and doxorubicin cardiotoxicity induced by low doses: Evolution of the diastolic and systolic parameters studied by radionucide angiography

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that epirubicin (EPI) has a lower propensity to produce cardiotoxic effects than doxorubicin (DXR) at high doses. Hypothesis: The aim of the study was to compare the cardiotoxicity induced by low doses of EPI and DXR in patients before and 1 month after the end of chemotherapy. Methods: In a prospective study, 99 patients with a mean age of 51 ± 12 years and without cardiac disease were studied before and 1 month after the end of chemotherapy. Group 1 included 38 patients receiving 246 ± 96 mg/m² of DXR and Group 2 included 61 patients receiving EPI with an equivalent dose of 219 ± 92 mg/m² of DXR. Ejection fraction (EF) of the left ventricle (LV), peak ejection rate (PER), and peak tilling rate (PFR) [expressed in end-diastolic volume/s (EDV/s)] were evaluated by gated radionuclide angiography; PFR/PER were also calculated. Results: Moderate and similar alterations of left ventricular ejection fraction were shown for low doses of anthracyclines. The EF of the LV decreased from 57 ± 6% to 54 ± 6% for DXR group (Group 1) (p = 0.005), and from 58 ± 5% to 55 ± 5% for the EPI group (Group 2) (p = 0.001). The PER of the left ventricle fell from 3.08 ± 0.46 EDV/s to 2.79 ± 0.49 in Group 1 (p = 0.004) and from 2.98 ± 0.50 to 2.73 ± 0.34 EDV/s in Group 2 (p = O.001). In contrast, no significant alteration of PFR appeared in Group 2 (from 2.72 ± 0.51 to 2.62 ± 0.41 EDV/s) for the equivalent dose of anthracycline, while PFR of the LV dropped from 2.82 ± 0.76 (EDV/s) to 2.41 ± 0.55 after doxorubicin (p = 0.004). No difference was found between 1 and 12 months after the end of the treatment in 25 patients in Group 1 and 28 patients in Group 2. These results confirm the advantage of EPI over DXR in terms of cardiotoxicity and help explain the relationship of cellular damage mechanisms with the functional parameters of nuclear investigation. Conclusion: A possible explanation for specific alteration after DXR could be the increased production of semiquinone free radicals, which are known to induce membrane damage and, consequently, myocardial edema and diastolic alteration.     

Left ventricular volume curve analysis using gated blood pool emission computed tomography

Analysis of the left ventricular volume curve was performed using gated blood pool emission computed tomography (SPECT) in six patients with old myocardial infarction (MI), five with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), three with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and five normal controls (N). Image collection was synchronized with the QRS complex, and each cardiac cycle was divided into nine to 10 frames. In each frame, left ventricular volume was determined based on the number of voxels above the threshold level (50% cut-off level), and the volume curve was fitted to the third harmonics of Fourier analysis. From the fitted curve, the peak ejection rate (PER), the peak filling rate (PFR), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated. 1. There were good correlations between SPECT and the conventional gated blood pool (MUGA) for PER (r = 0.694, p less than 0.005), PFR (r = 0.527, p less than 0.025) and EF (r = 0.682, p less than 0.005). 2. PER in MI (2.21 +/- 0.55, mean +/- SD) was lower than in N (3.68 +/- 0.80, p less than 0.05) and HCM (4.85 +/- 2.39, p less than 0.05), and EF in MI (36.6 +/- 6.4) was lower than in HCM (68.7 +/- 23.7, p less than 0.05). 3. There were good correlations between EDVs (y = 1.11x + 5.71, r = 0.877, p less than 0.01), and ESVs (y = 1.05x - 3.88, r = 0.876, p less than 0.01) estimated by MUGA and SPECT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pattern of left ventricular diastolic filling in chronic aortic regurgitation: a gated blood pool assessment

Limited information exists regarding the pattern of left ventricular diastolic filling in moderate to severe chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). The left ventricular diastolic filling curve derived from gated blood pool scans was evaluated in 24 normal subjects and 29 patients with AR. The peak filling rate (PFR), mean filling rate (MFR), peak ejection rate (PER), PFR/MFR, PFR/PER, and the time of the rapid filling period divided by the diastolic time were determined. PFR, MFR and PER were calculated as end-diastolic volumes per second (EDV/s). PFR was lower in the AR group than in the normal subjects (2.24 +/- 0.70 vs 3.09 +/- 0.71 EDV/s, p less than 0.001). Similarly, MFR was lower in the AR group (1.31 +/- 0.40 vs 1.63 +/- 0.29 EDV/s, p less than 0.01). PER was also reduced in the AR group. Both PFR/MFR and PFR/PER were reduced, while the ratio of rapid filling period to diastolic time was longer in the AR group than in normal subjects. Clinical evidence of congestive heart failure occurred in 8 patients in the AR group. Diastolic filling variables were not significantly different from the asymptomatic subgroup of patients with AR, but were abnormal when compared with those of normal subjects. In patients with AR, an abnormal pattern of diastolic filling was noted, consisting of a reduced PFR, MFR and PFR/ with a more linear pattern of filling (reduced PFR/MFR) during a longer rapid filling period.     

QRS记分法评价老年心肌梗塞患者的左室功能

为评估常规心电图ＱＲＳ记分法评价老年心肌梗塞患者的左室收缩及舒张功能的价值，将常规心电图测得的老年急性心肌梗塞（ｎ＝６７）及陈旧性心肌梗塞（ｎ＝３２）的ＱＲＳ记分与９９ｍＴｃＭＩＢＩＳＰＥＣＴ心肌显像检测的心肌坏死、心肌疤痕节段数及平衡法核素心血池显像测得的左室射血分数（ＬＶＥＦ）、高峰射血率（ＰＥＲ）、１／３射血分数（１／３ＥＦ）、１／３充盈率（１／３ＦＲ）、高峰充盈率（ＰＦＲ）、１／３射血率（１／３ＥＲ）、１／３充盈分数（１／３ＦＦ）进行相关分析。发现ＱＲＳ记分与急性心肌梗塞者心肌坏死节段数及陈旧性心肌梗塞者的心肌疤痕节段数显著相关，ｒ分别为０．７８，０．６６，Ｐ均＜０．０００１；与反映收缩功能的ＬＶＥＦ、ＰＥＲ、１／３ＥＦ、１／３ＥＲ呈明显负相关，ｒ分别为－０．７３和－０．８６，－０．５５和－０．７３，－０．３６和－０．５５，－０．６５和－０．７７，Ｐ均＜０．０５；与反映舒张功能的ＰＦＲ、１／３ＦＲ、１／３ＦＦ亦呈明显相关，ｒ分别为－０．４５和０．４１，－０．４９和－０．５２，－０．３８和－０．３６，Ｐ均＜０．０５。说明ＱＲＳ记分可用于估测心肌梗塞面积、左室收缩及舒张功能。     

Relation of late gadolinium enhancement in cardiac magnetic resonance on the diastolic volume recovery of left ventricle with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Objective

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on the diastolic volume recovery of left ventricle in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods

Twenty-four HCM patients were studied through report-card 4.0. The presence or absence of late gadolinium enhancement was recorded according to a standardized methodology with a threshold value of six standard deviations above background. The LGE positive and negative groups were correlated to left ventricular end diastolic volume index (EDVI), left ventricular mass, left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), peak filling rate (PFR), peak ejecting rate (PER), normalized peak filling or ejecting rate (NPFR or NPER), time to peak filling or ejecting rate (TPFR or TPER), and diastolic volume recovery (DVR).

Results

PFR, NPFR, SV, SVI, EF, CO, CI, FS in LGE positive group were lower than LGE negative group, DVR_10-40, DVR₁₀₀, end systolic volume (ESV), end systolic volume index (ESVI), ESD were higher in LGE positive group, and the differences were statistically significant. The average LGE mass (ROI, region of interest) was 20.78 g, about 13.67% of left ventricle mass in LGE positive HCM group. Pearson correlation was noted between the LGE percent (ROI%) and ESV (0.692, P<0.05), ROI% and EF (–0.718, P<0.05), ROI% and PFR (–0.534, P<0.05), DVR_20-40 (0.547, 0.544, 0.906, P<0.05) etc. The correlation between ROI% and DVR₄₀ was best (0.906, P<0.05), and the correlation between ROI% and ESVI, ROI% and EF were both bigger than 0.7, showed the correlation was good.

Conclusions

In addition to common quotas used to assess the structure and function of left ventricle in HCM, volume-time curve parameters may have potential to evaluate cardiac function in HCM. The correlation between DVR generated from volume-time curve with LGE was good, and may be a marker of effect of enhancement/scar tissue on diastolic function.     

Normal values and reproducibility of left ventricular filling parameters by radionuclide angiography

Background. In physiologic situations age, heart rate (HR) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) may influence left ventricular filling rate. In this study, we determined normal values for radionuclide angiography (RNA) derived diastolic filling parameters, the correlations with age, HR and EF and their reproducibility. Methods. The study was performed in 20 patients, 40–76 years old (mean 57), with normal findings at coronary angiography and left ventriculography. The first RNA was performed at rest (RNA1). Then, five minutes bicycle ergometry was performed and the patients were allowed five minutes rest before RNA was repeated (RNA2). From the left ventricular time activity curve we determined peak filling rate (PFR), time to peak filling rate (TPFR) and atrial contribution (AC) to ventricular filling. Results. Values for PFR1 were 2.2 ± 0.6 EDV/sec (PFR2 2.4 ± 0.7 EDV/sec, r = 0.82), for TPFR1 198 ± 22 msec (TPFR2 203 ± 24 msec, r = 0.45) and for AC1 31 ± 11% (AC2 31 ± 10%, r = 0.72). The correlations of PFR and TPFR with age were statistically significant (respectively r = - 0.68 and r = 0.48, P < 0.05). PFR was also influenced by HR and EF (resp. r = 0.51 and r = 0.50, P < 0.05). TPFR however was not influenced by HR and EF, whereas AC was positively correlated with HR (r = 0.79, P < 0.01). Conclusions. Radionuclide angiography is a reliable and reproducible method to assess parameters of diastolic left ventricular filling in individual patients. It may therefore be used to serially follow diastolic function. When used for interindividual comparison the dependency of RNA derived left ventricular filling parameters on age, HR and EF should however be considered.     

Left ventricular diastolic and systolic function in normotensive obese subjects: influence of degree and duration of obesity.

The present study was carried out to evaluate systolic and diastolic parameters in overweight and moderately obese, but otherwise healthy subjects, and in a lean control group, to determine whether degree and duration of obesity can influence left ventricular function. A total of 27 subjects, 17 overweight or with moderate obesity and 10 lean, healthy subjects were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI) and to Garrow's criteria as follows: lean control group (BMI less than 25 kg.m-2); overweight subjects (BMI from 25 to 30 kg.m-2); moderately obese subjects (BMI greater than 30 less than 40 kg.m-2). Systolic and diastolic parameters were measured using blood pool gated radionuclide angiography. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), peak ejection rate (PER), time to PER (tPER), peak filling rate (PFR) and time to PFR (tPFR) were evaluated. PER and PFR values were normalized for end-diastolic volume (EDV). EF and PFR were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) both in moderately obese and in overweight subjects and tPFR was significantly (P less than 0.05) prolonged in both groups in comparison to lean controls. Only in moderately obese subjects was PER significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased and tPER significantly (P less than 0.05) prolonged in comparison to lean controls. As compared to overweight individuals, moderately obese subjects were characterized by a significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in LVEF and PER and by a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in tPER, without relevant change in PFR and in tPFR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship between asynchronous myocardial contraction and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function--assessment using the ECG-gated polar map with 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl isonitrile.

BACKGROUND: To quantitate the degree of 3-dimensional asynchronous myocardial contraction, an ECG-gated polar map method was developed with (99m)Tc-methoxy-isobutyl isonitrile, and used to investigate the relationship between asynchrony and left ventricular (LV) function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve normal subjects and 38 patients with an old myocardial infarction were studied with ECG-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In each frame, a myocardial perfusion polar map was reconstructed and the peak contraction phase in each pixel was displayed (phase map). The degree of asynchronous contraction was assessed from the standard deviations of the peak contraction phase (SDP) on the phase map. Ejection fraction (EF), peak ejection rate (PER), 1/3EF, peak filling rate (PFR) and 1/3 filling fraction (1/3FF) were calculated by the quantitative gated SPECT software, and E/A from Doppler echocardiography. The SDP was compared with these parameters. Correlation coefficients and p values between the SDP and parameters of cardiac function were as follows: EF, r=-0.69 (p<0.001); PER, r=-0.54 (p<0.001); 1/3EF, r=-0.57 (p<0.001); PFR, r=-0.29 (p<0.05); 1/3FF, r=-0.63 (p<0.001); E/A, r=-0.11 (p=0.51). CONCLUSIONS: There was a negative correlation between the SDP and LV systolic and diastolic function, which confirmed the functional significance of asynchrony on cardiac function.     

病毒性心肌炎CBV—lgM抗体与心功能的研究

目的：探讨病毒性心肌炎（VM）患血清CBV－lgM抗体与左室总射血分值（EF）值及峰射血率（PER）,峰充血率（PFR）的关系,以及心肌显像与心肌各局部EF值的关系。方法：对120例心肌炎患以ELISA法测CBV-lgM抗体,用^99mTc-MIBI心肌显像对其中37例行核素心室造影,测左室总体EF值及局部EF值,并测其PER和PFR;设正常对照40例。结果：（1）：CBV－lgM抗体阳性120例中有VM85例（70．83％）,对照组仅2例（5％）,P＜0．01,（2）^99mTc-MIBI心肌断层显像异常120例中有VM105例（87．5％）,对照组仅1例（2．5％）,P＜0．01;（3）CBV－lgM抗体阳性与^99mTc-MIBI心肌显像VM异常符合率为78．95％;（4）CBV－lgM抗体阳性中37例核素心室造影测得左室总EF降低21例（56．7％）;（5）节段性EF值降低33例（89．19％）;（6）PER,PFR降低20例（54．05％）;（7）心肌显像异常与EF降低符合率89．19％;（8）37例核素心室造影测定;PER降低22例（59．46％）,PFR降低21例（56．7％）;（9）各节段EF降低;侧壁（LAT）12例（33．43％）,下壁（INF）15例（40．54％）,心尖部（AP）12例（33．43％）,下间隔（IN－SEP）24例（64．86％）,室间隔（SEP）31例（83．78％）,结论：病毒性心肌炎患血清CBV－lgM抗体水平与心肌显像和心功能有良好的相关性,有助于该病的诊断和预后判断。     

糖尿病合并冠心病患者血浆组织蛋白酶S和血小板反应蛋白-1浓度与心力衰竭的关系

目的探讨糖尿病合并冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)患者血浆组织蛋白酶S(cathepsin S,CatS)和血小板反应蛋白-1(thrombospondin-1,TSP-1)浓度与心力衰竭的关系。方法将浦东新区人民医院2016年9月至2019年1月间收治的197例糖尿病患者根据临床情况及冠状动脉造影检查结果院体检健康者80名为对照组。测定各组低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)、糖化血红蛋白(hemoglobin A1c,HbA1c)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、三酰甘油(triglyceride,TG)、收缩压(systolic blood pressure,SBP)、舒张压(diastolic blood pressure,DBP)、空腹血糖(fasting plasma glucose,FPG)、餐后2 h血糖(2 h postprandial blood sugar,2 hPBG)浓度、射血分数(ejection fraction,EF)、左心室舒张末期容积(end-diastolic volume,EDV)、左心室收缩末容积(end systole vol⁃ume,ESV)及血浆CatS和TSP-1浓度,并对两组相关指标进行比较和相关性分析。结果与对照组相比,合并组及单纯组患者ESV、EDV、HbA1c、LDL-C、FPG、2 hPBG、TC、TG、DBP、SBP显著升高,EF、HDL-C则明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。合并组与单纯组比较,除LDL-C、FPG、SBP比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)外,合并组ESV、EDV、HbA1c、HDL-C、2 hPBG、TC、TG及DBP均较单纯组高,EF较单纯组低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。单纯组及合并组CatS和TSP-1浓度高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);合并组CatS和TSP-1浓度明显高于单纯组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。相关分析结果:TSP-1与LDL-C(r=0.453,P<0.01)、HbA1c(r=0.629,P<0.01)、HDL-C(r=0.435,P<0.01)、EDV(r=0.364,P<0.01)、ESV(r=0.408,P<0.01)呈正相关;与EF(r=-0.317,P<0.01)呈负相关。CatS与LDL-C(r=0.426,P<0.01)、HbA1c(r=0.530,P<0.01)、HDL-C(r=0.345,P<0.01)、EDV(r=0.380,P<0.01)、ESV(r=0.395,P<0.01)呈正相关;与EF(r=-0.465,P<0.01)呈负相关。结论糖尿病合并冠心病及心力衰竭患者血浆CatS和TSP-1浓度较单纯糖尿病患者高,可通过检测血浆CatS和TSP-1浓度来预测患者的心功能情况。     

Associations of blood pressure components with risks of cardiovascular events and all‐cause death in a Chinese population: A Prospective Study

The associations of blood pressure components with cardiovascular risks and death remain unclear, and the definition of wide pulse pressure (PP) is still controversial. Using data from 1257 participants without a history of cardiovascular disease, who were followed for 4.84 years, we performed multivariable Cox regression analyses to assess how systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and PP contribute to risks of cardiovascular events and all‐cause death. Among all participants, SBP and PP were significantly associated with the risks of cardiovascular events and all‐cause death (all p < .05). DBP was not significantly associated with the risk of all‐cause death; rather, it was only associated with a marginally significant 1% increased risk for cardiovascular events (p = 0.051). In participants aged < 65 years, DBP was significantly associated with a 3% increased risk for cardiovascular events (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.01–1.06). The association between PP and cardiovascular events appeared to be J‐shaped in comparison to participants with the lowest‐risk PP (50–60 mmHg), with adjusted HRs of 1.71 (95% CI: 1.03–2.85), 1.63 (95% CI: 1.00–2.68), and 2.13 (95% CI: 1.32–3.43) in the <50, 60.0–72.5, and ≥72.5 mmHg subgroups, respectively. The optimal cutoff points of a wide PP for predicting the risks of cardiovascular events and all‐cause death were 70.25 and 76.25 mmHg, respectively. SBP and PP had a greater effect on cardiovascular risk, whereas DBP independently influenced cardiovascular events in middle‐aged participants. Considerable PP alterations should be avoided in antihypertensive treatment.     

Scintigraphic evaluation of left ventricular function and correlation with autonomic cardiac neuropathy in diabetic patients.

Left ventricular function of 20 diabetic patients was investigated at rest and during hand-grip test using radionuclide ventriculography. The aim of the study was to discuss the correlation of cardiac function with autonomic cardiac neuropathy (ACN) in diabetic subjects. ACN was tested using heart rate response to valsalva maneuver, standing up, deep breathing; blood pressure response to standing up, sustained hand-grip, and additionally corrected QT (QTc) measurements. Plasma glucose regulation was screened with fructosamine levels. Ejection fraction (EF), peak ejection (PER) and filling rates (PFR), times to peak ejection (TPE) and filling (TPF), time to endsystole (TES), TES/T, TPE/T, TPF/T, 1/3 PER, 1/3 PFR, 1/3 EF, 1/3 FF (filling fraction) we calculated. Thirteen patients had ACN. Six patients (30%) had a low EF at rest. As a response to hand-grip, 14 patients (70%) showed a decrease in EF (9 ACN). PFR was low in 10 patients (50%) at rest and in 12 (60%) during hand-grip. The mean rest PER value of ACN+ patients (4.4 +/- 1.3) was significantly higher than that of controls (2.9 +/- 0.5) and patients without ACN (3.4 +/- 0.4; p < 0.05) as well as the mean 1/3 PER value (1.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.5; p < 0.05). Fourteen patients (70%) had a fall in PER 10 ACN) as a response to hand-grip. The mean TES/T value of patients with ACN (0.44 +/- 0.05) was significantly higher than of those without ACN (0.38 +/- 0.05; p < 0.05). In conclusion, diastolic dysfunction was detected frequently at rest. Systolic parameters were markedly impaired as a response to hand-grip in patients with ACN. Sympathetic overactivity was noted in ACN+ group at rest. Our results indicated that the patients with diabetes and ACN have subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and symphatic overactivity.     

Comparação entre os Efeitos da Ingestão de Sal do Himalaia e de Sal Comum sobre os Valores de Sódio Urinário e Pressão Arterial em Indivíduos Hipertensos

Background The Himalayan salt (HS) has become a popular alternative for the traditional table salt (TS) due to its health benefit claims, particularly for individuals with arterial hypertension. However, despite the increase in HS consumption, there is still a lack of clinical evidence to support a recommendation for its consumption by health professionals.Objective This cross-over study aimed to compare the impact of HS and TS intake on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and urinary sodium concentration in individuals with arterial hypertension.Methods This study recruited 17 female patients with arterial hypertension who ate out no more than once a week. Participants were randomized into two groups, to receive and consume either HS or TS. Before and after each intervention, participants had their blood pressure measured and urine collected for mineral analysis. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results There were no statistically significant differences before and after the HS intervention for DBP (70mmHg vs. 68.5mmHg; p=0.977), SBP (118.5 mmHg vs. 117.5 mmHg; p= 0.932) and sodium urinary concentration (151 mEq/24h vs. 159 mEq/24; p=0.875). Moreover, the between-group analysis showed no significant differences after the intervention regarding SBP (117mmHg vs 119 mmHg; p=0.908), DBP (68.5 mmHg vs. 71mmHg; p= 0,645) or sodium urinary concentration (159 mEq/24h vs. 155 mEq/24h; p=0.734).Conclusion This study suggests that there are no significant differences on the impact of HS consumption compared to TS on blood pressure and sodium urinary concentration in individuals with arterial hypertension.     

Changed diastolic function at rest in patients with perfusion defects in exertion myocardial scintigraphy with TI-201

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy with TI-201 after exercise allows distinction between areas of scar (irreversible defect) and areas of ischemia (reversible defects). Accordingly 4 major groups of patients can be identified: with normal perfusion pattern (Group I); with reversible ischemia (Group II); with scar of previous myocardial infarction (Group III); with both evidence of scar and ischemia (Group IV). Sixty-nine patients (59 m; 10 f; mean age 55.7 +/- 9 years) with suspected or demonstrated ischemic heart disease underwent stress TI-201 myocardial scintigraphy and on the basis of the scintigraphic results were assigned as follows: 11 to group 1, 14 to group II, 31 to group III and 13 to group IV. In order to investigate the behaviour of ventricular diastolic function in these different subsets, all the patients underwent subsequently a radionuclide angiography at rest (both first pass and equilibrium gated blood pool studies), which allowed the assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), peak filling rate (PFR)--as expression of diastolic function--and regional wall motion pattern. The values of EF and PFR were significantly reduced (p less than 0.05) in the patients with defects of perfusion (Groups II, III and IV) in comparison to the patients with normal perfusion (Group I); abnormal wall motion was found in 0 (I), 8 (II), 22 (III) and 7 (IV) patients. The diastolic function was more frequently altered (PFR less than 2.5 EDV/sec) than the systolic function (EF less than 50%) or regional wall motion, mainly in patients with reversible scintigraphic defects (prevalence of alterations in the groups II and IV: PFR: 78%, EF: 22%, abnormal wall motion: 56%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Left ventricular function in arterial hypertension in relation to age. The short-term effects of nicardipine

The purpose of this study was to assess the age related effects on left ventricular function after acute administration of the calcium-antagonist nicardipine. Gated radionuclide left ventriculography was performed before and 90 min after 40 mg of oral nicardipine in a group of 15 male patients with essential hypertension (H), 8 younger (HY) and 7 older (HO) than 60 years, and in a control group of 15 male subjects without cardiovascular disease (C), 7 younger (CY) and 8 older (CO) than 60 years. Baseline ejection fraction (EF) was similar in groups H and C, while peak ejection (PER) and peak filling (PFR) rates were lower in hypertensive patients as compared to controls. Baseline EF and PER were similar in subgroups HY and HO as well as in subgroups CY and CO, while PFR was particularly lower in the older hypertensive patients HO. After nicardipine, EF PER PFR significantly increased in groups H and C; EF and PER significantly increased in subgroups HY HO CY CO, while PFR had a significant increase in subgroups HY CY CO, but showed a not significant increase in subgroup HO. After nicardipine, the percentage changes of ventricular volume indexes were similar in the 4 subgroups; end diastolic volume was unchanged, end systolic volume had a clear decrease, stroke volume and cardiac output increased. The hypertensive patients had a damaged diastolic ventricular performance, as compared to the normal subjects, while EF was near to normal range in groups H and C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Oscillometric blood pressure reference values of African full-term neonates in their first days postpartum

Background

Knowing the normative blood pressure (BP) in a newborn baby is important in order to identify abnormal BP readings. This study was done to determine normative BP values of Nigerian newborns, using the 8100 Dinamap monitor.

Methods

Consecutive full-term neonates delivered in a tertiary centre in Nigeria were recruited for the study. The babies’ systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressures were measured within the first four days after birth.

Results

A total of 473 babies were recruited for the study. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP readings on day 1 were 66.8 ± 7.7, 38.5 ± 6.3 and 47.9 ± 6.3 mmHg, respectively. The day 1 SBP of babies > 4 kg were significantly higher than those who weighed < 2.5 and 2.5–4 kg (p = 0.01, p = 0.05), respectively.

Conclusion

This study provided current normative SBP, DBP and MAP values for Nigerian neonates. The BP readings compared with their Caucasian counterparts.     

Atrial Fibrillation in Decompensated Heart Failure: Associated Factors and In-Hospital Outcome

Background

Studies on atrial fibrillation (AF) in decompensated heart failure (DHF) are scarce in Brazil.

Objectives

To determine AF prevalence, its types and associated factors in patients hospitalized due to DHF; to assess their thromboembolic risk profile and anticoagulation rate; and to assess the impact of AF on in-hospital mortality and hospital length of stay.

Methods

Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of incident cases including 659 consecutive hospitalizations due to DHF, from 01/01/2006 to 12/31/2011. The thromboembolic risk was assessed by using CHADSVASc score. On univariate analysis, the chi-square, Student t and Mann Whitney tests were used. On multivariate analysis, logistic regression was used.

Results

The prevalence of AF was 40%, and the permanent type predominated (73.5%). On multivariate model, AF associated with advanced age (p < 0.0001), non-ischemic etiology (p = 0.02), right ventricular dysfunction (p = 0.03), lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.02), higher ejection fraction (EF) (p < 0.0001) and enlarged left atrium (LA) (p < 0.0001). The median CHADSVASc score was 4, and 90% of the cases had it ≥ 2. The anticoagulation rate was 52.8% on admission and 66.8% on discharge, being lower for higher scores. The group with AF had higher in-hospital mortality (11.0% versus 8.1%, p = 0.21) and longer hospital length of stay (20.5 ± 16 versus 16.3 ± 12, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Atrial fibrillation is frequent in DHF, the most prevalent type being permanent AF. Atrial fibrillation is associated with more advanced age, non-ischemic etiology, right ventricular dysfunction, lower SBP, higher EF and enlarged LA. Despite the high thromboembolic risk profile, anticoagulation is underutilized. The presence of AF is associated with longer hospital length of stay and high mortality.