Effects of continuous positive airway pressure on cardiac volumes in patients with ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy

The effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) have not been studied. We hypothesized that CPAP would cause greater reductions in cardiac volumes in CHF patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) than in those with ischemic cardiomyopathy (IsC), because their ventricles are more compliant. The effects of a 30-min CPAP application at 10 cm H(2)O on RV and LV end-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV), determined by radionuclide angiography, were therefore tested in 22 patients with CHF due to IsC (n = 13) or IDC (n = 9). CPAP-induced reductions in LVEDV, LVESV, RVEDV, and RVESV were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the IDC than in the IsC group. Whereas in the IsC group CPAP caused no significant changes in LV or RV volumes, in the IDC group it induced significant reductions in RVEDV (527 +/- 77 ml to 354 +/- 50 ml, p = 0.03) and RVESV (400 +/- 78 ml to 272 +/- 54 ml, p = 0.04) that were greater than any reductions in LVEDV and LVESV. We conclude that CPAP causes greater short-term reductions in RV and LV volumes in CHF patients with IDC than in those with IsC, and that among patients with IDC, CPAP causes greater reductions in RV than in LV volumes.     

Real time three-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function in heart failure patients: underestimation of left ventricular volume increases with the degree of dilatation

Background: Accurate quantification of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) is of critical importance. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered as the reference and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is an accurate method, but only few data are available in heart failure patients. We therefore sought to compare the accuracy of real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for quantification of LV volumes and EF, relative to CMR imaging in an unselected population of heart failure patients. Methods and Results: We studied 24 patients (17 men, age 58 ± 15 years) with history of heart failure who underwent echocardiographic assessment of LV function (2DE, RT3DE) and CMR within a period of 24 hours. Mean LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) was 208 ± 109 mL (121 ± 64 mL/m(2) ) and mean LVEF was 31 ± 12.8%. 3DE data sets correlate well with CMR, particularly with respect to the EF (r: 0.8, 0.86, and 0.95; P < 0.0001 for LVEDV, LVESV, and EF, respectively) with small biases (-55 mL, -44 mL, 1.1%) and acceptable limits of agreement. RT3DE provides more accurate measurements of LVEF than 2DE (z= 2.1, P = 0.037) and lower variability. However, 3DE-derived LV volumes are significantly underestimated in patients with severe LV dilatation. In patients with LVEDV below 120 mL/m(2) , RT3DE is more accurate for volumes and EF evaluation. Conclusion: Compared with CMR, RT3DE is accurate for evaluation of EF and feasible in all our heart failure patients, at the expense of a significant underestimation of LV volumes, particularly when LVEDV is above 120 mL/m(2) .     

Right and left ventricular volume characteristics in common atrioventricular canal

Right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular volume characteristics were determined from biplane cineangiography in 29 patients with atrioventricular canal (AVC). The patients were classified into two groups: group I (N = 19), uncomplicated AVC; group II (N = 10), AVC associated with RV obstruction. In group I, LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) [177 +/- 9 (SEM)% of normal] and RVEDV (125 +/- 9%) both were greater than normal (P is less than 0.001 and less than 0.01, respectively). LV ejection fraction (EF) was decreased (0.59 +/- 0.02, P is less than 0.001) but RVEF was normal (0.58 +/- 0.03). LV stroke volume index (SVI) was increased (48 +/- 3 ml/m2, P is less than 0.005), and RVSVI was normal (34 +/- 3 ml/m2). One patient had a markedly small RVEDV (45%). In group II, LVEDV and RVEDV were not different from normal (119 +/- 11% and 97 +/- 15%, respectively). LVEF was depressed (0.52 +/- 0.04, P is less than 0.001) and RVEF was normal (0.55 +/- 0.05). LVSVI was normal (38 +/- 5 ml/m2) and RVSVI was slightly decreased (29 +/- 4 ml/m2, P is less than 0.025). Two patients had a markedly small RVEDV (31%, 55%). EDV correlated with the pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio (LV, r = 0.71; RV, r = 0.68). The data show that in most patients with AVC, LV and RV are enlarged in the uncomplicated form but not in the form with RV obstruction. LV function is more compromised than RV in both groups. RV hypoplasia is rare but was documented in both uncomplicated forms and forms with RV obstruction.     

Right and left ventricular volume characteristics in children with pulmonary stenosis and intact ventricular septum.

Right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) volume variables were calculated in 27 patients with pulmonary stenosis (PS) during routine cardiac catheterization. These included 21 patients with isolated PS (group I) and seven studies in six patients (group II) with PS and right-to-left atrial shunt. Right and left ventricular volumes were calculated according to Simpson's rule and the area length methods respectively. In group I, right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) was not different from normal, RVEF (0.70 +/- 0.02) was significantly higher than normal, and right ventricular stroke index (RVSI) (4.36/L/min/M2 +/- 0.23) was normal. The RVEDV/LVEDV ratio was significantly less than normal (P=0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated that RVEDV (% of normal) decreased with both age and severity of RV outflow obstruction (r=0.77). In group II, RVEDV and RVSI were both less than normal (P less than 0.001), while RVEF was normal. LVEDV in the group was slightly higher than normal (P=0.026) while LVEF was less than normal (P=0.027) and resulted in normal LVSI. The data suggest that RV and LV function in children with isolated PS are normal, and that knowledge of the RV volume variables is not essential for the management of these patients. In contrast, hearts of patients with PS and right-to-left interatrial shunt have evidence that suggest depressed ventricular function, and the quantitation of RV volume may be helpful in the management of these patients.     

Left and right ventricular function in porcine Escherichia coli sepsis

In anesthesized pigs, hemodynamic measurements and gated bloodpool scintigraphy were performed during and after infusion of live Escherichia coli (2 X 10(8)/kg). Ejection fractions (EF) as well as the relation between end-diastolic volumes (EDV) and stroke work (SW) were used to evaluate changes in left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function. Porcine E. coli sepsis proved to be characterized by pulmonary vascular hypertension (PVH) and systemic arterial hypotension, accompanied by a reflex increase in heart rate. Systemic flow remained essentially unchanged. E. coli infusion resulted in pronounced and opposite changes in LV and RV preload. RVEDV increased initially and then returned to the value observed before E. coli infusion. LVEDV showed a continuous decrease during the observation of 3 hours. Alterations in LVSW and RVSW appeared to parallel the changes in LVEDV and RVEDV. No significant changes in LVEF and RVEF were found. It is concluded that porcine E. coli sepsis might be a suitable model for human sepsis complicated by PVH. In this animal model no clear signs of myocardial depression or evidence of right heart failure were observed.     

Left ventricular diastolic function during positive end-expiratory pressure. Impact of right ventricular ischemia and ventricular interaction.

The individual and additive effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion on left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-volume relations (LVEDPVR) were examined in six anesthetized dogs. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV) were measured by thermodilution as PEEP was added before and after RCA occlusion. PEEP alone caused a decline in cardiac output, transmural left atrial pressure (LAP) (6.0 +/- 0.6 to 3.2 +/- 1.4 mm Hg, p less than 0.05), and LVEDV (49 +/- 3 to 36 +/- 4 ml, p less than 0.05). RVEDV, the mean slope (+/- SD) of the LVEDPVR (0.37 +/- 0.16 to 0.30 +/- 0.19) and LAP at a common LV volume (35 ml, V35) did not change with PEEP. RCA occlusion caused cardiac output and RVEF (38 +/- 5 to 27 +/- 5%, p less than 0.05) to decline and RVESV (25 +/- 4 to 33 +/- 6 ml, p less than 0.05) to increase. RVEDV, the slope of the LVEDPVR, and LAP at V35 were unchanged from baseline. The addition of PEEP after RCA occlusion caused cardiac output to decline further. However, unlike before occlusion, there was no change in LAP (6.5 +/- 1.3 to 5.0 +/- 1.4 mm Hg) despite a decline in LVEDV (47 +/- 3 to 29 +/- 6 ml, p less than 0.05). RVESV and RVEDV increased with PEEP after RCA occlusion as did LAP at V35. The slope of the mean LVEDPVR tended to increase (0.98 +/- 1.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Assessment of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy by tomographic electrocardiogram-gated equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography compared with electron beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Successful thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension promptly improves right ventricular (RV) function by decreasing RV volume and increasing ejection fraction (EF). Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (ERNA) has been validated as a measure of RV and left ventricular (LV) volume and EF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension underwent electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and SPECT ERNA cardiac studies before and after thromboendarterectomy. EBCT and SPECT ERNA measures of RV and LV volume and EF were compared. Before thromboendarterectomy, EBCT and SPECT ERNA RV and LV volumes and RV EF were similar. LV EF was within the normal range with both methods but was slightly greater (P = .004) when measured by EBCT (mean +/- SD, 0.61 +/- 0.08) compared with SPECT ERNA (0.54 +/- 0.10). Thromboendarterectomy measured by EBCT and SPECT ERNA produced marked similar and significant decreases in RV end-systolic (-72 +/- 59 mL vs -58 +/- 25 mL) and end-diastolic (-75 +/- 85 mL vs -76 +/- 32 mL) volumes and similar slight increases in RV EF (0.12 +/- 0.07 vs 0.05 +/- 0.06). Slight decreases in mean LV end-systolic (-19 +/- 23 mL vs -5 +/- 13 mL, P = .05) and end-diastolic (-32 +/- 53 mL vs -9 +/- 31 mL, P = .21) volumes occurred, with little change in mean LV EF (0.05 +/- 0.07 vs 0.00 +/- 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: SPECT ERNA is an accurate method for measuring RV and LV volume and EF before and after thromboendarterectomy.     

Right ventricular function in children with tetralogy of Fallot before and after aortic-to-pulmonary shunt.

Right and left ventricular volume variables were obtained in 43 tetralogy patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The patient population consisted of 25 preoperative patients (group 1) and 18 patients who had undergone aortic-to-pulmonary shunt procedure (group 2). Volumes were calculated from biplane cineangiocardiograms using Simpson's rule method for the right ventricle (RV) and the area-length methods for the left ventricle (LV). In group 1, RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) was not different from normal in the total group and averaged 93 +/- 4% (SEM) of normal. In patients with hemoglobin (Hgb) greater than or equal to 16 g%, however, this variable was significantly (P = 0.044) less than normal. Right ventricular ejection fraction was normal and RV systolic index was significantly (P less than 0.001) reduced, averaging 3.35 +/- 0.18 (SEM) L/min/m2. Left ventricular volume variables in this group were not significantly different from RV volume variables. In group 2, RVEDV in patients with Hgb greater than or equal to 16 g% was significantly (P = 0.037) less than normal, but was normal in patients with Hgb less than 16 g%. Right ventricular ejection fraction averaged 0.52 +/- 0.03 in this group and was significantly (P less than 0.001) less than normal. Right ventricular systolic index (RVSI) averaged 3.51 +/- 0.24 L/min/m2 and was significantly (P = 0.009) less than normal. RVSI in patients with Hgb less than 16 g% averaged 3.90 +/- 0.31 and was not different from normal. In contrast, this variable in patients with Hgb greater than or equal to 16 g% averaged 3.21 +/- 0.34 and was significantly (P = 0.005) less than normal. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and LV systolic output in group 2 were significantly higher than RVEDV and RV systolic output. Right ventricular and LV ejection fractions in group 2 were not different. The relatively decreased ejection fraction fraction in tetralogy patients, as compared with patients with valvular pulmonic stenosis and similar volumes and pressures, suggests that the decreased ejection fraction was not due to decreased preload or increased afterload and might be due to impaired ventricular function secondary to chronic hypoxia. Early corrective surgery in these patients might reverse this process. However, patients with severe tetralogy who have small ventricular volume and reduced output might benefit from shunt procedure rather than complete correction.     

Right ventricular pacing can induce ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with atrial fibrillation after atrioventricular node ablation.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the effects of long-term right ventricular (RV) pacing on left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony, LV function, and heart failure symptoms. BACKGROUND: Atrioventricular (AV) node ablation and subsequent long-term RV pacing is a well-established treatment option in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: In 55 patients with drug-refractory AF, AV node ablation and implantation of a pacemaker was performed. At baseline and after a mean of 3.8 +/- 1.7 years, LV dyssynchrony (by M-mode echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging), LV function, and volumes and functional status were assessed. RESULTS: After long-term RV pacing, 27 patients (49%) had developed LV dyssynchrony. Concomitantly, these patients worsened in heart failure symptoms (New York Heart Association functional class increased from 1.8 +/- 0.6 to 2.2 +/- 0.7, p < 0.05), with a decrease in LV ejection fraction (from 48 +/- 7% to 43 +/- 7%, p < 0.05) and an increase in LV end-diastolic volume (from 116 +/- 39 ml to 130 +/- 52 ml, p < 0.05). Conversely, patients without LV dyssynchrony did not deteriorate in heart failure symptoms, LV function, or LV volumes. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term RV pacing can induce LV dyssynchrony in almost 50% of patients treated with AV node ablation for chronic AF. The development of LV dyssynchrony was associated with deterioration in heart failure symptoms, systolic LV function, and LV dilatation.     

Hemodynamic correlates of left ventricular versus right ventricular radionuclide volumetric responses to vasodilator therapy in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy

Previous studies have failed to demonstrate the clinical relevance of radionuclide functional measurements during treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). In the present study, data derived before and during nitroprusside infusion were analyzed in 16 patients with CHF to compare correlations of changes in left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) radionuclide measurements with simultaneous changes in 8 hemodynamic variables. Nitroprusside infusion decreased systemic artery pressure, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, right atrial pressure, and pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance, and increased cardiac output. Nitroprusside decreased LV and RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and increased LV and RV ejection fraction and stroke volume. Changes in RV volumes exceeded changes in LV volumes. LV radionuclide measurements did not correlate significantly with any hemodynamic measurement except for a weak correlation between changes in LV end-systolic volume and right atrial pressure (r = 0.51). In contrast, the combination of changes in RV end-systolic volume and stroke volume predicted changes in pulmonary artery peak systolic (r = 0.90) and mean (r = 0.89) pressures. Changes in pulmonary arterial wedge pressure correlated with changes in RV end-diastolic (r = 0.78) and end-systolic (r = 0.71) volumes. In conclusion, LV radionuclide measurements are of limited value in predicting hemodynamic responses to vasodilator therapy in CHF, whereas RV volumes are strongly influenced by load changes. Their responses to nitroprusside correlate well with changes in pulmonary artery and pulmonary arterial wedge pressures.     

Prognostic value of right ventricular mass, volume, and function in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

AIMS: This study investigated the relationship between right ventricular (RV) structure and function and survival in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 64 patients, cardiac magnetic resonance, right heart catheterization, and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. RV structure and function were analysed as predictors of mortality. During a mean follow-up of 32 months, 19 patients died. A low stroke volume (SV), RV dilatation, and impaired left ventricular (LV) filling independently predicted mortality. In addition, a further decrease in SV, progressive RV dilatation, and further decrease in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) at 1-year follow-up were the strongest predictors of mortality. According to Kaplan-Meier survival curves, survival was lower in patients with an inframedian SV index or= 84 mL/m(2), and an inframedian LVEDV相似文献   

Impact of cardiac resynchronization therapy using hemodynamically optimized pacing on left ventricular remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure and ventricular conduction disturbances

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the impact of six months of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on echocardiographic variables of left ventricular (LV) function. BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy has recently been introduced as a new therapeutic modality in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) and conduction abnormalities. However, most studies have only investigated the early hemodynamic effects of CRT. METHODS: Twenty-five patients (12 women and 13 men; 59.8 +/- 5.1 years old) with advanced HF caused by ischemic (n = 7) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 18) and a prolonged QRS complex were analyzed. All patients underwent early hemodynamic testing with a randomized testing protocol; echocardiographic measurements were compared before implantation and after six months of CRT. RESULTS: Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (LVEDD and LVESD, respectively) were significantly reduced after six months (LVEDD from 71 +/- 10 to 68 +/- 11 mm, p = 0.027; LVESD from 63 +/- 11 to 58 +/- 11 mm, p = 0.007), as were LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (LVEDV from 253 +/- 83 to 227 +/- 112 ml, p = 0.017; LVESV from 202 +/- 79 to 174 +/- 101 ml, p = 0.009). Ejection fraction was significantly increased (from 22 +/- 7% to 26 +/- 9%, p = 0.03). "Nonresponders," with regard to LV volume reduction, had significantly higher baseline LVEDV, compared with "responders" (351 +/- 52 vs. 234 +/- 74 ml, p = 0.018). Overall, there was only mild mitral regurgitation at baseline, with a minor reduction by semiquantitative analysis. The results of early hemodynamic testing did not predict the volume response. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy may lead to a reduction in LV volumes in patients with advanced HF and conduction disturbances. Volume nonresponders have significantly higher baseline LVEDV.     

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and the assessment of ebstein anomaly in adults

No published studies have evaluated the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for the assessment of Ebstein anomaly. Our objective was to evaluate the right heart characteristics in adults with unrepaired Ebstein anomaly using contemporary CMR imaging techniques. Consecutive patients with unrepaired Ebstein anomaly and complete CMR studies from 2004 to 2009 were identified (n = 32). Volumetric measurements were obtained from the short-axis and axial views, including assessment of the functional right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume. The volume of the atrialized portion of the right ventricle in end-diastole was calculated as the difference between the total RVEDV and the functional RVEDV. The reproducibility of the measurements in the axial and short-axis views was determined within and between observers. The median value derived from the short-axis and axial views was 136 ml/m(2) (range 59 to 347) and 136 ml/m(2) (range 63 to 342) for the functional RVEDV, 153 ml/m(2) (range 64 to 441) and 154 ml/m(2) (range 67 to 436) for the total RVEDV, 49% (range 32% to 46%) and 50% (range 40% to 64%) for the functional RV ejection fraction, respectively. The axial measurements demonstrated lower intraobserver and interobserver variability than the short-axis approach for all values, with the exception of the intraobserver functional RVEDV and interobserver total RVEDV for which the limits of agreement and variance were not significantly different between the 2 views. In conclusion, measurements of right heart size and systolic function in patients with Ebstein anomaly can be reliably achieved using CMR imaging. Axial imaging appeared to provide more reproducible data than that obtained from the short-axis views.     

Right and left ventricular pressure-volume response to elevated pericardial pressure

Because of the close anatomic connections, the volume in 1 ventricle can directly influence the volume in the other ventricle. We examined this ventricular mechanical coupling at elevated pericardial pressures in 6 mongrel dogs. The animals were anesthetized and were mechanically ventilated with intermittent positive-pressure ventilation. Right and left ventricular volumes and pressures and pericardial pressure were simultaneously measured during control and after infusing 25, 50, and 75 ml of saline with dextran into the pericardial cavity. The ventricular volumes were calculated from cine-radiographic positions of endocardial, radiopaque markers. In the control state, right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) increased 9.2 +/- 0.9 ml (p less than 0.05) during expiration, whereas left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) increased 0.6 +/- 0.7 mmHg and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) decreased 0.6 +/- 0.4 ml. The increased transmural LVEDP with a decreased LVEDV indicates an apparent left ventricular distensibility decrease as right ventricular diastolic volume increased, possibly because of ventricular interdependence. At the highest pericardial pressure, RVEDV increased 6.7 +/- 1.4 ml (p less than 0.05) during expiration as LVEDP increased 1.2 +/- 0.6 mm Hg and LVEDV decreased 2.0 +/- 0.6 ml (p less than 0.05). Thus, at the higher pericardial pressures, smaller changes in RVEDV produced significantly greater changes in LVEDV. This coupling between the ventricles was further examined in 5 hearts studied postmortem. The hearts were placed in cold cardioplegic solution and balloons were inserted into both ventricles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reduction of QRS duration after pulmonary valve replacement in adult Fallot patients is related to reduction of right ventricular volume.

AIMS: Late after total correction, Fallot patients with a long QRS duration are prone to serious arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Pulmonary regurgitation is a common cause of right ventricular (RV) failure and QRS lengthening. We studied the effects of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) on QRS duration and RV volume. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-six consecutive Fallot patients were evaluated both pre-operatively and 6-12 months post-operatively by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). In this study, we present the computer-assisted analysis of the standard 12-lead electrocardiograms closest in time to the CMR studies. For the whole group, QRS duration shortened by 6+/-8 ms, from 151+/-30 to 144+/-29 ms (P=0.002). QRS duration decreased in 18 of 26 patients by 10+/-6 ms, from 152+/-32 to 142+/-31 ms. QRS duration remained constant or increased slightly in eight of 26 patients by 3+/-3 ms, from 148+/-27 to 151+/-25 ms. CMR showed a decrease in RV end-diastolic volume from 305+/-87 to 210+/-62 mL (P=0.000004). QRS duration changes correlated with RV end-diastolic volume changes (r=0.54, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that PVR reduces QRS duration. The amount of QRS reduction is related to the success of the operation, as expressed by the reduction in RV end-diastolic volume.     

Right ventricular volume characteristics before and after palliative and reparative operation in tetralogy of Fallot.

Right heart volume data were obtained in 63 patients with tetralogy of Fallot. The patients were divided into three groups: 1) preoperative tetralogy (N=34); 2) post shunt procedure (N=14); 3A) post repair without outflow patch (N=10); 3B) post repair with an outflow patch (N=8). In Group 1 right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), RV ejection fraction (EF), and RV systolic output (SO) were all mildly depressed. In post shunt patients, RVEDV was normal but RVEF remained depressed. RVEDV and RVSO increased following a shunt procedure, and these variables were larger in patients with a large versus a small shunt. In Group 3A RVEDV, RVEF, and RVSO were normal. In contrast in patients in Group 3B, RVEDV was increased averaging 177 +/- 15% of normal RVEF was depressed averaging 0.45 +/- 0.04, and RVSO was normal. RV size and pump function are abnormal in patients whose operation requires an outflow tract patch and the factors which may contribute to these abnormalities include a higher RV peak pressure, pulmonary incompetence, and a larger noncontractile outflow tract. Longitudinal studies relating these variables to clinical performance and exercise testing will be important in assessment of the importance of these abnormalities.     

Cardiogenic shock: predictors of outcome based on right and left ventricular size and function at presentation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics and prognostic importance of right ventricular (RV) dilatation and dysfunction in patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction enrolled in the Should we emergently revascularize occluded coronaries for cardiogenic shock (SHOCK) trial. METHODS: LV and RV size and function were quantified by echocardiography in 99 patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to predominant LV dysfunction. RESULTS: For all patients, RV dysfunction was not associated with a poor 1-year survival. When the 59 patients with RV dysfunction were stratified into two morphologic groups based upon LV-to-RV end-diastolic area ratio (LV/RV) < or >or=2, the presence of disproportionate RV enlargement (LV/RV <2) was associated with inferior myocardial infarction (80%) and right coronary artery culprit disease (79%). In contrast, the index myocardial infarction in patients with predominant LV enlargement (LV/RV >or=2) was anterior (69%) and associated with left anterior descending artery disease (64%). Patients with LV/RV <2 had significantly higher right atrial pressures (20.1+/-5.2 compared with 14.5+/-8.9 mmHg, P=0.001) and lower RV fractional area change (20.4+/-8.7 compared with 33.5+/-11.0%, P=0.0001), heart rate (87+/-21 compared with 106+/-23 beats/min, P=0.006) and cardiac index (1.5+/-0.5 compared with 2.0 +/-0.9 l/min per m, P=0.007) than patients with LV/RV >or=2. Despite the hemodynamic profile and severity of RV dysfunction in the LV/RV <2 group, 12-month survival was significantly greater in these patients (70% LV/RV <2 compared with 34% LV/RV >or=2, P=0.027). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to predominant LV failure, the presence of RV dilatation and dysfunction identifies a subgroup of patients with predominant inferior myocardial infarction and an improved long-term prognosis.     

Assessment of ventricular contractile state and function in patients with univentricular heart

To elucidate the ventricular contractile state and function in patients with univentricular heart, the ventricular volume, mass, ejection phase index, and wall stress were evaluated with biplane ventriculography and pressure measurement in 41 patients: 18 with left ventricular (LV) type (age, 6.4 +/- 6.1 years) and 23 with right ventricular (RV) type (age, 5.7 +/- 4.1 years), and data from patients with univentricular heart were compared with data from 19 normal control subjects (age, 7.2 +/- 4.3 years). Although the end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were significantly greater in both types of univentricular heart than in the normal control group, the volumes for the LV and RV type patients did not differ from each other. The ejection fraction (EF) was depressed in both patient types of univentricular heart and was significantly (p less than 0.005) lower in the RV type than in the LV type patients (0.56 +/- 0.05 for LV type, 0.50 +/- 0.07 for RV type, and 0.64 +/- 0.03 for the control group). The ventricular mass was larger in both patient types of univentricular heart than in that of the control group, whereas the ratio of ventricular mass to end-diastolic volume was significantly (p less than 0.001) lower in the RV type patients than in the LV type patients and the control group (0.79 +/- 0.18 g/ml for LV type, 0.51 +/- 0.10 for RV type, and 0.82 +/- 0.13 for control group). End-systolic stress was significantly elevated in both types of univentricular heart (241 +/- 45 for LV type, 328 +/- 52 for RV type, and 205 +/- 26 kdynes/cm2 for the control group) and significantly (p less than 0.001) greater in the RV type than in the LV type patients. There was a significant inverse correlation (p less than 0.001) between end-systolic stress and the ratio of mass to end-diastolic volume in all the patients. In 27 patients (12 patients for LV type, 15 for RV type) the mean normalized systolic ejection rate corrected for heart rate (MNSERc) clearly fell below the 95% confidence limit of the normal end-systolic stress-MNSERc relation. The end-systolic stress:end-systolic volume ratio was also significantly depressed in both patient types of univentricular heart (3.49 +/- 1.77 for LV type, 4.07 +/- 2.13 for RV type, and 7.20 +/- 1.32 for the control group). In these variables, however, there were no significant differences between LV and RV type patients of univentricular heart.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Remodelling of the right ventricle after early pulmonary valve replacement in children with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: assessment by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

AIMS: Correct timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is crucial for preventing complications of pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular (RV) dilatation after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. We sought to assess the remodelling of the RV after early PVR in children, using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty children with severe pulmonary regurgitation and RV dilatation and mean age 13.9 +/- 3 years underwent CMR evaluation 5.6 +/- 1.8 months before and 5.9 +/- 0.6 months after PVR. PVR was performed when the RV end-diastolic volume exceeded 150 mL/m(2), as measured by CMR. The time interval between primary repair and PVR was 12 +/- 3 years. Post-operative CMR demonstrated a significant reduction of the RV end-diastolic volume from 189.8 +/- 33.4 to 108.7 +/- 25.8 mL/m(2) (P < 0.0001), of the RV end-systolic volume from 102.4 +/- 27.3 to 58.2 +/- 16.3 mL/m(2) (P < 0.0001), and of the RV mass from 48.7 +/- 12.3 to 35.8 +/- 7.7 g/m(2) (P < 0.0001). The RV ejection fraction did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: Prompt RV remodelling, with reduction of RV volume and mass, is observed after performing PVR if the RV end-diastolic volume exceeds 150 mL/m(2). Early PVR may prevent the detrimental complications of severe pulmonary regurgitation.     

Left ventricular dyssynchrony predicts right ventricular remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to evaluate right ventricular (RV) remodeling after six months of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy is beneficial in patients with end-stage heart failure. The effect of CRT on RV size is currently unknown. Accordingly, the effects of CRT on RV size, severity of tricuspid regurgitation, and pulmonary artery pressure were evaluated. METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive patients with end-stage heart failure (52% ischemic cardiomyopathy), left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) < or =35%, QRS duration >120 ms, and left bundle branch block were included. Clinical parameters, LV volumes, LVEF, LV dyssynchrony, and RV chamber size were assessed at baseline and after six months of CRT; LV dyssynchrony was assessed using tissue Doppler imaging. RESULTS: Clinical parameters improved significantly; LV dyssynchrony was acutely reduced after CRT and remained unchanged at six-month follow-up. Left ventricular EF improved significantly from 19 +/- 6% to 26 +/- 8% (p < 0.001), and LV end-diastolic volume decreased from 257 +/- 98 ml to 227 +/- 86 ml (p < 0.001). Right ventricular annulus decreased significantly from 37 +/- 9 mm to 32 +/- 10 mm, RV short-axis from 29 +/- 11 mm to 26 +/- 7 mm, and RV long-axis from 89 +/- 11 mm to 82 +/- 10 mm (all p < 0.001). Left ventricular and RV reverse remodeling were only observed in patients with substantial LV dyssynchrony at baseline. Finally, significant reductions in severity of tricuspid regurgitation and pulmonary artery pressure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac resynchronization therapy results in significant reverse LV and RV remodeling after six months of CRT in patients with LV dyssynchrony. Moreover, CRT leads to a reduction of the severity of tricuspid regurgitation and a decrease in pulmonary artery pressure.