Pressure overloaded right ventricles: a multicenter study on the importance of trabeculae in RV function measured by CMR

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the preferred method to measure right ventricular (RV) volumes and ejection fraction (RVEF). This study aimed to determine the impact of excluding trabeculae and papillary muscles on RV volumes and function in patients with RV pressure and/or volume overload and healthy controls and its reproducibility using semi-automatic software. Eighty patients (pulmonary hypertension, transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch operation and after atrial switch procedure and repaired Tetralogy of Fallot) and 20 controls underwent short-axis multislice cine CMR. End diastolic volume (EDV), end systolic volume (ESV), RV mass and RVEF were measured using 2 methods. First, manual contour tracing of RV endo- and epi-cardial borders was performed. Thereafter, trabeculae were excluded from the RV blood volume using semi-automatic pixel-intensity based software. Both methods were compared using a Student T test and 25 datasets were re-analyzed for reproducibility. Exclusion of trabeculae resulted in significantly decreased EDV; ranging from ?5.7 ± 1.7 ml/m² in controls to ?29.2 ± 6.6 ml/m² in patients after atrial switch procedure. RVEF significantly increased in all groups, ranging from an absolute increase of 3.4 ± 0.8 % in healthy controls to 10.1 ± 2.3 % in patients after atrial switch procedure. Interobserver agreement of method 2 was equal to method 1 for RVEDV, RVESV and RVEF and superior for RV mass. In patients with overloaded RVs exclusion of trabeculae from the blood volume results in a significant change in RV volumes, RVEF and RV mass. Exclusion of trabeculae is highly reproducible when semi-automatic pixel-intensity based software is used.     

Beneficial effect of high dose statins on the vascular wall in patients with repaired aortic coarctation?

Background

Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) is a marker for atherosclerosis. Adult post-coarctectomy patients (CoA) demonstrate an increased cardiovascular risk and increased CIMT compared to controls. This study evaluates the effect of high dose statins on the change in CIMT and cardiovascular risk.

Methods

We designed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open label trial with blinded endpoint (PROBE design) to evaluate the effect of three year treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg on CIMT and cardiovascular risk. Primary endpoint was CIMT measured by B mode ultrasonography. Secondary endpoints were mortality and morbidity due to cardiovascular disease and serum lipids.

Results

155 patients (36.3 ± 11.8 years, 96 (62%) male) were randomized (atorvastatin = 80, no treatment = 75). There was no significant effect of atorvastatin on the change in CIMT (treatment effect − 0.005, 95% CI, − 0.039–0.029; P = 0.76). A significant effect on serum cholesterol and LDL levels was found (− 0.71, 95% CI, − 1.16 to − 0.26; P = 0.002 vs − 0.66, 95% CI − 1.06 to − 0.26; P = 0.001). There was no difference in secondary outcome measures. Baseline CIMT was higher in hypertensive compared to normotensive CoA. (0.69 ± 0.16 mm vs 0.61 ± 0.98 mm; P = 0.002). Hypertension (ß = 0.043, P = 0.031) was the strongest determinant CIMT.

Conclusion

Three year treatment with atorvastatin does not lead to a reduction of CIMT and secondary outcome measures, despite a decrease in total cholesterol and LDL levels. Hypertensive CoA demonstrate the highest CIMT and the largest CIMT progression. Blood pressure control should be the main focus in CoA to decrease cardiovascular risk.     

Omega-3 fatty acids as treatments for mental illness: which disorder and which fatty acid?

Background  

A growing number of observational and epidemiological studies have suggested that mental illness, in particular mood disorders, is associated with reduced dietary intake and/or cellular abundance of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). This has prompted researchers to test the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA in a range of different psychiatric disorders. We have critically reviewed the double blind placebo controlled clinical trials published prior to April 2007 to determine whether omega-3 PUFA are likely to be efficacious in these disorders.     

Striking left atrial enlargement as a consequence of mitral valve disease

A 76-year-old woman was referred to our imaging department forevaluation of known mitral valve stenosis (MVS). The patienthad been diagnosed as     

The Dutch Childhood Oncology Group guideline for follow-up of asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors

BackgroundThe Late Effects of Childhood Cancer task force of the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG LATER) developed a guideline for follow-up of asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). In this paper, we present the methods, available evidence and final recommendations of our guideline.Materials and methodsA multidisciplinary working group specified clinical questions that should be answered to get to recommendations for the guideline. We carried out short or extensive evidence summaries and determined methodological quality of studies and levels of evidence in order to answer all clinical questions. When evidence was lacking for CCS, we carefully extrapolated evidence from other populations. Final recommendations were based on evidence and consensus.ResultsThere was high-level evidence for the increased risk of cardiac dysfunction in CCS and its main risk factors. Evidence was lacking regarding the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac dysfunction in CCS. We recommended echocardiographic screening for asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction in CCS treated with cardiotoxic treatments and counseling about potential advantages and disadvantages of our screening recommendations.ConclusionThe DCOG LATER guideline recommends risk-based screening for asymptomatic cardiac dysfunction in CCS, but it should be noted that recommendations are not completely supported by evidence in CCS.     

An experimental test of the schema mode model of borderline personality disorder

Young has proposed a schema mode model of borderline personality disorder (BPD), hypothesizing that BPD patients tend to flip from 1 of 4 maladaptive schema modes to another. The present study is the first empirical test of this model, investigating whether these 4 modes are specific for BPD patients and whether BPD-relevant stress specifically increases one of the modes, the detached protector mode. Eighteen BPD patients, 18 cluster-C personality disorder (PD) patients and 18 non-patient controls (all women) filled out trait and state versions of a newly developed schema mode questionnaire, assessing cognitions, feelings and behaviors characteristic of 7 schema modes. Using a cross over design, subjects subsequently watched a neutral and a BPD-specific emotional movie fragment (order balanced). After watching each movie, subjects again filled out the schema mode questionnaire, state version. Trait as well as state versions indicated that BPD patients were indeed characterized by the hypothesized four maladaptive modes (Detached Protector, Punitive Parent, Abused/Abandoned Child, Angry/Impulsive Child). BPD patients were lowest on the Healthy Adult mode. The stress induction induced negative emotions in all groups, but the BPD group was unique in that the Detached Protector mode increased significantly more than in both control groups.