Left atrial conduit function for left ventricular filling dynamics in patients with myocardial infarction

This study observed the left atrial function in determining filling dynamics of the left ventricle in patients with myocardial infarction. The study consisted of eight control subjects and ten patients with myocardial infarction. The left ventricular filling volume is considered to be composed of the left atrial passive emptying, active emptying, and conduit volumes. The change of left ventricular filling volume was correlated with that of conduit volume (r = .87, P < .01). However, the change of left ventricular filling volume did not have any correlation to those of left atrial passive emptying and active emptying volumes. These results suggested that the left atrial conduit function was important in determining filling dynamics of the left ventricle.     

Transesophageal Echocardiographic Examination of Left Subclavian Artery Branches

This preliminary study demonstrates the feasibility of examining the proximal segments of the branches of the left subclavian artery during probe withdrawal toward the end of a routine transesophageal echocardiographic study. The branches identified most commonly were the vertebral and the internal mammary arteries.     

Cross-sectional multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic measurements: comparison with standard transthoracic values obtained in the same setting

BACKGROUND: Several algorithms developed for cost-effective use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) propose elimination of "screening" transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) studies. Cross-sectional measurements obtained by TTE (left atrial diameter [LAD], left ventricular internal dimensions in diastole and systole [LVIDd, LVIDs], septal and posterior wall thickness in diastole [VSTd, PWTd], LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes [LVEDV and LVESV], and LV ejection fraction [LVEF]) have not been standardized for TEE. METHODS: Forty-six patients (age 27 to 85 years, 60 +/- 13 years, 25 [54%] women) underwent TEE and TTE studies. TTE was performed while the TEE probe was in place and the patient was still sedated. Standard TTE measurements were compared with corresponding TEE values obtained from mid-esophageal and transgastric views. RESULTS: Standard TTE measurements compared favorably with those obtained by TEE at the mid-esophageal three-chamber view for LAD (3.9 +/- 0.6 cm vs 4.0 +/- 0.7 cm, P = NS) and at the transgastric long-axis view for LVIDd (4.6 +/- 0.8 cm vs 4.7 +/- 0.8 cm, P = NS), LVIDs (3.1 +/- 0.9 cm vs 3.1 +/- 0.9 cm, P = NS), and VSTd (0.95 +/- 0.18 cm vs 0.98 +/- 0.19 cm, P = NS). Biplane TTE and TEE measurements of LVEDV (106 +/- 35 ml vs 112 +/- 38 ml, P = NS), LVESV (37 +/- 23 ml vs 37 +/- 25 ml, P = NS), and LVEF (67 +/- 14% vs 69 +/- 14%, P = NS) also correlated closely. The negative predictive values of TEE measurements for excluding abnormal LAD, LVIDd, VSTd, PWTd, and LVEF as defined by TTE were 83%, 94%, 95%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectional TEE measurements as obtained in this study are equivalent to standard TTE dimensions and provide reliable information that may facilitate interpretation of TEE studies in the absence of TTE information.     

Using traditional measurements of the left atrial diameter to predict the left atrial volume index

BACKGROUND: Left atrial enlargement by echocardiography is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, yet the best method for assessing left atrial size has not been established. We sought to correlate the traditional left atrial diameter (LAD) measured in the parasternal view with the recently characterized left atrial volume index (LAVI). METHODS: 100 routine clinical patients who received a transthoracic echocardiogram for customary indications were studied. The LAD and LAVI were measured in each patient. RESULTS: The mean LAVI was 32.8 milliliters per square meter (ml/m(2)) and the LAD was 46.8 millimeters (mm). LAD > 4.7 centimeters (cm) was predictive of LAVI > 32 ml/m(2) (P < 0.001; OR 17.33; 95% CI = 5.96-50.44). CONCLUSION: LAD > 4.7 cm via the traditional method can be used to indicate left atrial enlargement. However, a LAD < or = 4.7 cm does not correlate well with the LAVI, and in such patients, extreme caution should be employed when using the LAD to estimate cardiac prognosis.     

左室质量比值和左室质量指数对高血压左室重构识别的比较

目的 比较左室质量比值(％PLM)和左室质量指数(LVMI)对左室重构识别的价值。方法 对187例高血压患者进行超声心动图检查，测量其心脏结构和功能。结果 左室质量适宜(aLVM)、过高(iLVM)和不足的分布分别占48.1％、48．7％和3．2％。％PLM与左室收缩功能的相关系数高于LVMI与左室收缩功能的相关系数。左室肥厚(LVH)时，iLVM的左室射血分数、左室短轴缩短率低于aLVM(P＜0．01)。但在aLVM或iLVM中．LVH和无LVH两组间的左室收缩功能无明显差异(P＞0．05)。结论 ％PLM识别左室重构比LVMI更符合生理情况，更能精确地对高血压患者进行危险分层。     

Left Atrial Systolic Force and Outcome in Asymptomatic Mild to Moderate Aortic Stenosis

Background and Aims: In patients with chronic pressure overload due to hypertension or aortic valve stenosis (AS), higher left atrial systolic force (LASF) is associated with a high‐risk cardiovascular (CV) phenotype. We tested LASF as prognostic marker in patients with AS. Methods: We used baseline and outcome data from 1,566 patients recruited in the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in AS (SEAS) study evaluating the effect of placebo‐controlled simvastatin and ezetimibe treatment on CV events. The primary outcome was a composite of major CV events, including CV death, aortic valve replacement, nonfatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for unstable angina, heart failure caused by progression of AS, coronary artery bypass grafting, percutaneous coronary intervention, and nonhemorrhagic stroke. LASF was calculated by Manning's method. High LASF was defined as >95th percentile (50 Kdynes/cm²) of the distribution within the study population. Results: During 4.3 years of follow‐up, a major CV event occurred in 38 of 78 patients with high LASF (49%) and in 513 of 1,488 (34%) with normal LASF (P = 0.01). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, high LASF predicted higher rate of major CV events (Hazard ratio 1.43 [95% confidence interval 1.01–2.03] independent of aortic valve area and LV mass index. A simple risk score including absence or presence of these three variables allowed risk stratification into low, intermediate, high and very high risk for major CV events during follow‐up (22%, 28%, 38%, and 53%, respectively). Conclusions: Higher LASF provides additional prognostic information in patients with asymptomatic mild‐to‐moderate AS.     

Determinants of left ventricular diastolic function—The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Decreased left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is associated with increased all‐cause mortality and risk for a heart failure. The determinants of LV diastolic function have been mainly studied in elderly populations; however, the origin of LV heart failure may relate to the lifestyle factors acquired during the life course. Therefore, we examined biochemical, physiological, and lifestyle determinants of LV diastolic function in 34–49‐year‐old participants of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (Young Finns Study). In 2011, clinical examination and echocardiography were performed for 1928 participants (880 men and 1048 women; aged 34–49 years). LV diastolic function was primarily defined using E/é‐ratio (population mean 4.8, range 2.1–9.0). In a multivariate model, systolic blood pressure (P < 0.005), female sex (P < 0.005), age (P < 0.005), waist circumference (P = 0.024), smoking (P = 0.028), serum alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.032) were directly associated with E/é‐ratio, while an inverse association was found for height (P < 0.005). Additionally, a higher E/é‐ratio was found in participants with concentric hypertrophy compared to normal cardiac geometry (P < 0.005). Other indicators of the LV diastolic function including E/A‐ratio and left atrial volume index showed similarly strong associations with systolic blood pressure and age. In conclusion, we identified systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and smoking as modifiable determinants of the LV diastolic function in the 34–49‐year‐old participants of the Young Finns Study.     

原发性高血压左房功能评价及其临床意义

正常的左房功能对维持高血压病患者的左室功能十分重要。左房功能主要包括蓄储功能、管道功能和辅泵功能。研究表明,高血压病患者左心房功能改变表现为左心房容量增加、收缩期泵血功能增加及左房被动排空功能降低。年龄、左心室重量指数、左心室构型、左房收缩前容积指数为影响左心房射血力的重要因素。因此,评价左房功能有助于临床早期诊断左室功能不全。     

高血压病程对左室肥厚和功能的影响

采用超声心动图对高血压病患者进行检测，以观察不同病程对左室肥厚（LVH）及功能参数的影响。高血压甲组（病程≤10年）及乙组（病程＞10年）的室间隔厚度（IVSTd），左室后壁厚度（PWPd）、左室舒张期内径（LVEDD）和左室重量指数（LVWI）均明显高于血压正常组。高血压乙组的IVSTd，LVEDD和LVWI亦明显高于甲组。高血压组IVH总的检出率为40．8％。甲、乙两组分别为33．3％和48．9％，LVH类型在两组间无明显差别。高血压甲、乙两组的左室舒张功能受损，主要表现为二尖瓣舒张晚期血流速度峰值（A）增加,E／A比值减少（E为早期峰值）。高血压乙组的左室射血分数（LVEF）较正常血压组低，甲组与正常血压组无差别。结果揭示，高血压病程是影响LVH和左室功能的一个重要因素。     

Fetal Diagnosis of Abnormal Origin of the Left Pulmonary Artery

Isolated anomalies of the branch pulmonary arteries are rare, more often occurring in the setting of complex congenital heart disease. These isolated anomalies are often not identified in the prenatal period. We describe two cases of isolated anomalies of the left pulmonary artery which were identified on fetal echocardiography and confirmed postnatally, an anomalous left pulmonary artery arising from the base of the left‐sided brachiocephalic artery in the setting of a right‐sided aortic arch, and a left pulmonary artery sling. These two cases support our current understanding of normal and abnormal development of the extrapericardial arterial vessels and highlight the importance of meticulous attention when sweeping from the three‐vessel tracheal view.     

Association between fasting plasma glucose and left ventricular mass and left ventricular hypertrophy over 4 years in a healthy population aged 60 and older

OBJECTIVES: To test the association between fasting glucose level and left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in people aged 60 and older. DESIGN: Population-based prospective study with 4-year follow-up. SETTING: Department of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, and Graduate Institute of Medicine and Public Health, KMU. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1,500 people screened, 105 without symptoms or signs of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease were recruited from senior activity centers in Kaohsiung city. MEASUREMENTS: All received two-dimensional echocardiography and fasting glucose examination at baseline and at 2- and 4-year follow-up. LVH was defined as a LVM index (LVMI) greater than 122.4 g/m(2) or 51 g/m(2.7). RESULTS: Age ranged from 60 to 81 (mean 71.7+/-3.9). Baseline glucose ranged from 83 to 118 mg/dL (mean 99.7+/-7.9 mg/dL). LVMI was significantly higher at the 4-year follow-up (97.5+/-24.9 vs 104.5+/-27.5 g/m(2) and 44.2+/-12.1 vs 47.2+/-13.4 g/m(2.7), both P<.01), as was the occurrence of LVH (16% vs 32% and 25% vs 39%, both P<.01). Baseline glucose correlates with 4-year change in LVMI (both P<.02). In the fourth year, baseline glucose was a significant predictor of LVMI (both P<.01) and LVH (P=.03 in g/m(2) definition) using logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Because fasting glucose is an independent predictor for greater LVM and for development of LVH, it should be considered in assessment of cardiac disease and LVM in healthy older people without diabetes mellitus.