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Anthony N DeMaria

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony N DeMaria.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Dynamic ventricular dyssynchrony: an exercise-echocardiography study.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the effects of exercise on ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with normal and depressed left ventricular (LV) function. BACKGROUND: Asynchronous myocardial contraction adversely influences ventricular function and is associated with a poor prognosis in heart failure. Exercise-induced changes in ventricular dyssynchrony may be an important determinant of dynamic changes in cardiac output and mitral regurgitation. METHODS: A total of 65 consecutive heart failure patients and 50 matched healthy control patients underwent exercise echocardiography. Conventional and tissue Doppler parameters were measured before and during symptom-limited exercise. Left ventricular dyssynchrony was defined as the standard deviation of 12 LV segmental electromechanical delays. Analysis of the control group allowed delimitation of normal cutoff values. RESULTS: In patients with normal left ventricular function, exercise did not modify the extent of LV asynchrony. In contrast, in heart failure patients, LV dyssynchrony increased by at least 20% in 34%, remained stable in 37%, and decreased by at least 20% in 29%. Moreover, 26% of heart failure patients had either exercise induction or normalization of ventricular dyssynchrony. A significant association was found between exercise-induced changes in dyssynchrony and the presence of ischemic cardiomyopathy (p < 0.05). Rest-exercise differences in ventricular dyssynchrony were correlated with changes in cardiac output and mitral regurgitation (r = -0.63 and 0.56, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In heart failure patients, exercise can alter the magnitude of ventricular dyssynchrony. Some patients have a response to exertion with induction of ventricular dyssynchrony, whereas others show normalization. Changes in ventricular dyssynchrony during exercise correlate with alterations in cardiac output and mitral regurgitation.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Imaging vulnerable plaque by ultrasound.

Diagnostic techniques to identify vulnerable plaques are rapidly evolving. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has the ability to detect and localize plaque as well as quantitate plaque burden. Recent IVUS studies have suggested that patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes have an approximate 25% incidence of additional ruptured plaques in arteries other than the culprit lesion. The ability of IVUS to detect vulnerable plaques before rupture is currently being evaluated by novel techniques. Initially, IVUS was shown to be able to characterize plaque broadly as calcified or fibrofatty but was limited in its ability to more precisely detect lipid-rich plaques, necrotic cores, and thrombus. Recent advances in new applications of IVUS, such as integrated backscatter, wavelet analysis, and virtual histology, have focused on evaluating and mathematically transforming the radiofrequency signal from ultrasound waves into a color-coded representation of plaque characteristics such as lipid, fibrous tissue, calcification, and necrotic core. In addition, targeted contrast agents, applicable to both intravascular and transthoracic studies, are being evaluated in experimental models and aim to highlight specific plaque components, such as endothelial adhesion molecules and other plaque components that might be useful in targeting vulnerable plaques. These advances pave the way for future clinical trials in assessing the ability of such techniques to diagnose vulnerable plaques and to assess the effects of both pharmacologic and mechanical therapies on plaque characteristics.

Atherosclerosis↗
PubMed2006

The unsung hero.

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Biomedical Research↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of diastolic function with Doppler tissue imaging after cardiac surgery: effect of the "postoperative septum" in on-pump and off-pump procedures.

Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) of mitral annular velocity is useful in assessing diastolic function. Most centers record at the septal or lateral segments of the annulus. Cardiopulmonary bypass produces changes in the motion of the interventricular septum. We evaluated the use of DTI after operation with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. 18 patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were prospectively examined. Nine underwent cardiopulmonary bypass. Nine had operation without bypass. DTI was performed 4 +/- 3 days before operation and again 31+/- 7 days afterwards. Early diastolic velocities of the lateral and septal segments of the mitral annulus were measured. Ejection fraction and transmitral diastolic early-to-late filling (E/A) ratios were also assessed. Early diastolic septal mitral annular velocity decreased (7.9 +/- 1.2 to 5.9 +/- 1.1 cm/s [P= .001]) after on-pump operation whereas lateral segment velocity remained unchanged (8.5 +/- 2.9 to 8.2 +/- 3.7 cm/s [P = .30]). E/A ratio did not change after operation (1.28 +/- 0.25 to 1.21 +/- 0.47 [P = .45]). In contrast, septal segment velocity in the off-pump group trended higher after operation (5.3 +/- 1.9 to 6.0 +/- 1.5 cm/s [P = .20]). Lateral segment velocity and E/A ratio also increased somewhat, but changes were not significant (6.2 +/- 1.7 to 6.7 +/- 2.9 cm/s [P = .15] and 1.1 +/- 0.5 to 1.2 +/- 0.4 [P = .13], respectively). Ejection fraction increased in both groups. Early diastolic velocity of the septal mitral annulus decreases after operation with cardiopulmonary bypass, but does not change after off-pump operation. In contrast, early diastolic velocity of the lateral segment is not affected by either on-pump or off-pump operation. Measuring lateral segment velocity is recommended for diastolic DTI after cardiopulmonary bypass, as septal DTI may incorrectly suggest diastolic dysfunction.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗