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Asynchrony of left ventricular systolic performance after the first acute myocardial infarction in patients with narrow QRS complexes: Doppler tissue imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) electromechanical delay results in asynchronized contraction. However, it is not known if the presence of cardiac diseases without QRS prolongation may result in interventricular or intraventricular asynchrony. Doppler tissue imaging is now established for detecting regional contractile abnormalities and asynchrony in the LV. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the degree of LV asynchrony after the first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with a narrow QRS complex using Doppler tissue imaging and correlate this with the site and extent of the infarction. METHODS: Echocardiography with Doppler tissue imaging was performed within 1 week of AMI in 155 patients and compared with 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Regional myocardial velocities were assessed at the 4 mitral annular sites, and the corresponding systolic velocity (Sm), early diastolic velocity (Em), time to peak Sm (Ts), and time to peak Em (Te) were measured. To assess LV synchronicity, SDs of Ts (Ts-SD) and Te (Te-SD) of all the 4 mitral annular sites were computed. Location and size of infarct were confirmed by echocardiographic wall-motion score index. RESULTS: QRS complex duration was normal in all patients. Wall-motion score index was significantly higher in patients with anterior than inferior AMI (2.02 +/- 0.34 vs 1.24 +/- 0.21, P < .001). Ts-SD was significantly higher in patient than control group, and in patients with anterior than inferior AMI (38.21 +/- 2.59 vs 21.06 +/- 0.52 milliseconds and 43.18 +/- 3.77 vs 33.24 +/- 1.4 milliseconds, respectively, P < .001 for each), whereas Te-SD did not differ significantly among these groups (20.35 +/- 1.77 vs 18.17 +/- 1.14 milliseconds and 21.6 +/- 1.35 vs 19.1 +/- 1.11 milliseconds, respectively, P > .05 for each). A strong positive correlation was detected between LV systolic asynchrony (Ts-SD) and wall-motion score index (r = .77), LV mass (r = .67), LV end-systolic dimension (r = .65), and LV end-diastolic dimension (r = .5). The correlation was negative with LV ejection fraction (r = -.70) and Sm (r = -.6); the correlation was weak with Em (r = -.33) (P < .001 for all). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, infarct size was found to be the most independent predictor for systolic asynchrony (odds ratio 3.59, 95% confidence interval [1.43-9.33], P < .001). CONCLUSION: AMI has a significant impact on regional myocardial contractility and LV systolic (but not diastolic) synchronicity early in the course even in the absence of QRS widening or bundle branch block. The degree of LV systolic asynchrony is greater with anterior than inferior AMI and mainly determined by infarct size.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗

Is post-systolic motion the optimal ultrasound parameter to detect induced ischaemia during dobutamine stress echocardiography?

AIMS: Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) has been suggested as a method of quantifying induced ischaemia during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). The aim of the present study was to investigate both standard systolic and diastolic parameters, but more specifically to address the phenomenon of post-systolic motion (PSM) as a marker of acquired ischaemia during DSE using pulsed-wave DMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined 60 patients without previous myocardial infarction who underwent DSE. Peak systolic, post-systolic, early and late diastolic velocities were measured at rest and during stress. Myocardial segments (n = 908) were divided into ISCHAEMIC and NON-ISCHAEMIC groups according to the presence of significant angiographic coronary stenosis. ISCHAEMIC segments (n = 357) compared with NON-ISCHAEMIC segments (n = 551) demonstrated a reduced increase of systolic velocity (8.0-12.7 vs 9.3-16.4 cm/s, P < 0.05), prominent PSM (5.8-8.3 vs 0.63-2.1 cm/s, P < 0.000001) and reduced early diastolic velocity (6.5-10.2 vs 7.9-13.2 cm/s, P < 0.04) during stress. The peak velocity of PSM was the most accurate index of induced ischaemia (sensitivity 73-100%, specificity 82-97%) compared to systolic and early diastolic velocities (sensitivity 52-77% and 63-68%, specificity 63-77% and 59-81%, respectively). CONCLUSION: PSM derived by pulsed-wave DMI during DSE was the most sensitive index of acquired ischaemia compared to other functional DMI indices.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Relations of longitudinal left ventricular systolic function to left ventricular mass, load, and Doppler stroke volume.

AIMS: To evaluate whether the peak systolic velocities of the displacement of the lateral mitral anulus (Sa) and of the mid-portion of the interventricular septal wall (Sm) correlate with measures of left ventricular load, left ventricular mass, and Doppler stroke volume in normotensive and hypertensive subjects without clinically overt cardiovascular disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Tissue Doppler imaging was used to evaluate Sa and Sm in apical 4-chamber view; standard echocardiographic procedures were used to assess left ventricular structure and traditional parameters of systolic function (ejection fraction, stress-corrected midwall shortening, meridional and circumferential end-systolic stress); pulsed Doppler was employed to evaluate stroke volume. In 87 subjects meeting inclusion criteria, Sa and Sm were not significantly correlated either with left ventricular end-diastolic volume and end-systolic stress, or with stroke volume; in contrast, endocardial and midwall fractional shortening were lower with higher afterload, as expected. Fractional shortening at endocardium and midwall, and Sm were lower with higher left ventricular mass. Mean Sa and Sm values were lower in subjects with low vs. those with normal stress-corrected midwall shortening, but low Sa was not associated with lower stress-corrected midwall shortening in our study sample. CONCLUSIONS: While Sa and Sm might be indices of longitudinal left ventricular systolic mechanics, they should not be considered as measures of left ventricular contractility alternative to well-established parameters of systolic function, such as stress-corrected midwall shortening, in subjects at rest without overt heart disease.

Adult↗

Reduction in initial ventricular systolic and diastolic velocities after heart transplantation in children: improvement over time identified by tissue Doppler imaging.

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a non-invasive method for measuring ventricular function that can provide insight into the changes in hemodynamics that occur after pediatric heart transplantation. The purpose of this study was to quantify longitudinal changes in myocardial velocities within the first 6 months after transplantation in children. METHODS: Thirteen patients were serially studied (median age at transplant 5.9 years) and compared with controls. Tissue Doppler systolic (S), early (E) and late (A) diastolic velocities were recorded at the tricuspid annulus, mitral annulus and interventricular septum. RESULTS: TDI studies were serially performed during 6 months post-transplantation: <10 days (n = 48); 11 to 30 days (n = 26); 31 to 60 days (n = 13); 61 to 120 days (n = 12); and 121 to 180 days (n = 16). Mean systolic tissue velocities at the tricuspid annulus were 3.8 cm/s (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.1 to 4.6) at baseline (<10 days) and 6.3 cm/s (95% CI: 4.1 to 8.6) at 6 months post-transplantation (mean increase from baseline: 2.5 cm/s; 95% CI: 0.1 to 4.9). Systolic tissue velocities at the mitral annulus also increased over time (mean change from baseline: 0.9 cm/s; p = 0.02). Early diastolic (E) velocities at the tricuspid annulus and mitral annulus significantly improved over time (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Systolic and diastolic velocities measured at >121 days after transplantation, however, remained significantly lower than those of normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: TDI demonstrated systolic and diastolic velocities improved during the initial 180 days after heart transplantation. Systolic and diastolic velocities were reduced in children after heart transplantation when compared with controls.

Adolescent↗

Significance of laminar systolic regurgitant flow in patients with tricuspid regurgitation: a combined pulsed-wave, continuous-wave Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiographic study.

To define the significance of laminar systolic tricuspid regurgitant (TR) flow, pulsed-wave and continuous-wave Doppler (PWD, CWD), and two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography (2-DE, M-mode) were performed in 68 patients with TR, which included five patients with tricuspid valvectomy. The pattern of TR flow (laminar versus turbulent), TR severity (the distance that the regurgitant flow extended into the right atrium [1+ to 4+ as measured by PWD]), the peak flow velocity of TR by CWD, the presence or absence and the amount of systolic tricuspid cusp separation by 2-DE, and the dimension of the right ventricle and the inferior vena cava by M-mode, were assessed. A laminar pattern of TR flow in systole was obtained in 21 patients, five of whom had undergone tricuspid valvectomy. Fourteen of 21 had visible tricuspid cusp separation in systole on 2-DE; of the seven who had no visible tricuspid cusp separation during systole, five had undergone tricuspid valvectomy. All 47 patients with a turbulent pattern of TR flow had no visible systolic tricuspid cusp separation. Severe 4+ TR was present in 14 of 21 (67%) patients with laminar TR flow and in 4 of 47 (9%) patients with turbulent TR flow (p less than 0.001). The peak flow velocity of TR in patients with laminar TR flow (2.0 +/- 0.7 m/sec) was lower (p less than 0.001) than in those with turbulent TR flow (3.1 +/- 0.7 m/sec).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Flow Velocity↗

Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function.

This study was conducted to provide evidence of an association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use and clinical outcomes among patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function who are treated in the community setting, and to compare the magnitude and direction of these associations among the subset with preserved function to the subset with LV contractile dysfunction. Seven hundred sixty-three hospital survivors who had measurement of systolic function were identified from among a series of consecutive patients with CHF admitted to 10 community hospitals. They were prospectively followed-up for 6 months after discharge to track death, hospital readmission, and quality of life. Outcomes were stratified by ACE inhibitor use among those with preserved systolic function, defined as an LV ejection fraction (EF) > or = 40% or qualitatively normal contractility, and among those with systolic dysfunction, defined as an EF < or = 39% or qualitatively abnormal contractility. ACE inhibitor prescription rates were higher among the 413 patients with LV contractile dysfunction than among the 350 with preserved function (77% vs 54%, p < 0.0001). Drug-treated and untreated patients were similar in many ways, although lower serum creatinine levels, lower EF, and a higher prevelance of high blood pressure characterized those receiving ACE inhibitors. After adjusting for these and other covariables, ACE inhibitor use among the group with normal function was associated with a trend for a lower risk of death and delayed time to hospital readmission but not absolute rates of rehospitalization. By comparison, ACE inhibition among those with impaired systolic function was associated with trends for lower risk of death and rehospitalization. These data suggest that ACE inhibition may be of benefit when CHF occurs in the context of preserved or normal LV systolic function. Large, multicenter, prospective randomized trials to better test this hypothesis are warranted.

Aged↗

Current clinical practice in hypertension: the EISBERG (Evaluation and Interventions for Systolic Blood pressure Elevation-Regional and Global) project.

Hypertension is one of the major treatable factors contributing to the burden of disease worldwide. However, despite national programs to encourage detection and treatment, there are still shortcomings in hypertension management. A large proportion of these can be attributed to socioeconomic factors, professional shortcomings, and patient noncompliance with management regimens. The Evaluation and Interventions for Systolic Blood pressure Elevation-Regional and Global (EISBERG) project was conceived to examine the reasons for suboptimal management of hypertension in more detail. Emphasis was placed on control of elevated systolic blood pressure because this is often neglected despite evidence that it is more important than diastolic pressure in predicting cardiovascular risk. The goals of the project include analysis of the relative importance of systolic and diastolic blood pressure as cardiovascular risk factors, identification of any necessary changes in practice, and the development and implementation of programs to promote appropriate changes in practice or attitudes. The three components of the initiative are a formal collection of epidemiologic evidence to examine the relation between systolic blood pressure and outcome; a cross-sectional, quantitative database (CardioMonitor) providing information on the treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases including hypertension in seven countries, and qualitative research into hypertension management to assess attitudes, awareness, and knowledge among primary care physicians, patients and their carers. The study showed more effort was directed toward control of diastolic than systolic blood pressure. Adequate control of systolic blood pressure was seldom achieved. Blood pressure targets tended to be raised in elderly patients in conflict with recommendations and evidence that there is greater benefit in treating hypertension more aggressively in this population. Despite awareness of guidelines for treating hypertension, doctors were unsuccessful in practice.

Adolescent↗

Importance of heart failure with preserved systolic function in patients > or = 65 years of age. CHS Research Group. Cardiovascular Health Study.

Although congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common syndrome among the elderly, there is a relative paucity of population-based data, particularly regarding CHF with normal systolic left ventricular function. A total of 4,842 independent living, community-dwelling subjects aged 66 to 103 years received questionnaires on medical history, family history, personal habits, physical activity, and socioeconomic status, confirmation of pre-existing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, anthropometric measurements, casual seated random-zero blood pressure, forced vital capacity and expiratory volume in 1 second, 12-lead supine electrocardiogram, fasting glucose, creatinine, plasma lipids, carotid artery wall thickness by ultrasonography, and echocardiography-Doppler examinations. Participants with at least 1 confirmed episode of CHF by Cardiovascular Health Study criteria were considered prevalent for CHF. The prevalence of CHF was 8.8% and was associated with increased age, particularly for women, in whom it increased more than twofold from age 65 to 69 years (6.6%) to age > or = 85 years (14%). In multivariate analysis, subjects with CHF were more likely to be older (odds ratio [OR] 1.2 for 5-year difference, men OR 1.1), and more often had a history of myocardial infarction (OR 7.3), atrial fibrillation (OR 3.0), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.1), renal dysfunction (OR 2.0 for creatinine < or = 1.5 mg/ dl), and chronic pulmonary disease (OR 1.8; women only). The echocardiographic correlates of CHF were increased left atrial and ventricular dimensions. Importantly, 55% of subjects with CHF had normal left ventricular systolic function and 80% had either normal or only mildly reduced systolic function. Among subjects with CHF, women had normal systolic function more frequently than men (67% vs 42%; p < 0.001). Thus, CHF is common among community-dwelling elderly. It increases with age and is usually associated with normal systolic LV function, particularly among women. The finding that a large proportion of elderly with CHF have preserved LV systolic function is important because there is a paucity of data to guide management in this dominant subset.

Aged↗

Biochemical detection of left-ventricular systolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies on the use of natriuretic peptides to detect left-ventricular systolic dysfunction, a higher rate of cardiac disorders in the control groups than in the study groups could have led to bias. We investigated the effectiveness of plasma N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations to show left-ventricular systolic dysfunction in a random sample of the general population. METHODS: We randomly selected 2000 participants aged 25-74 years from family physicians' lists in Glasgow, UK. We sent all participants questionnaires. 1653 respondents underwent echocardiography and electrocardiography. We took a left-ventricular ejection fraction of 30% or less to show left-ventricular systolic dysfunction. NT-ANP and BNP were measured in plasma by RIAs. FINDINGS: 1252 participants had analysable electrocardiograms and echocardiograms, completed questionnaires, and available blood samples. Median concentrations of NT-ANP and BNP were significantly higher in participants with left-ventricular systolic dysfunction (2.8 ng/mL [IQR 1.8-4.6] and 24.0 pg/mL [18.0-33.0]) than in those without (1.3 ng/mL [0.9-1.8] and 7.7 pg/mL [3.4-13.0]; each p < 0.001). Among participants with left-ventricular systolic dysfunction, both symptomatic and asymptomatic subgroups had raised NT-ANP and BNP concentrations. A BNP concentration of 17.9 pg/mL or more gave a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 87% in all participants, and 92% and 72% in participants aged 55 years or older. INTERPRETATION: Measurement of BNP could be a cost-effective method of screening for left-ventricular systolic dysfunction in the general population, especially if its use were targeted to individuals at high risk.

Adult↗

Systolic blood pressure and mortality.

BACKGROUND: The current systolic blood-pressure threshold for hypertension treatment is 140 mm Hg for all adults. WHO and the International Society of Hypertension have proposed that normal pressure be lower than 130 mm Hg, with an optimum pressure of less than 120 mm Hg. These recommendations are based largely on the assumption that cardiovascular and overall mortality depend in a strictly increasing manner on systolic blood pressure. The Framingham study was instrumental in establishing this viewpoint. We reassessed data from that study to find out whether the relation is strictly increasing or whether there is a threshold in this relation. METHODS: We used logistic splines to model the relation of risk of cardiovascular and all-cause death with systolic blood pressure, using age-specific and sex-specific rates. We tested for the independence of the slope parameters from age and sex, and the reduced model with common slopes was used to produce a model different from the conventional linear logistic model. FINDINGS: Against the predictions of the linear logistic model, neither all-cause nor cardiovascular deaths depended on systolic blood pressure in a strictly increasing manner. The linear logistic model was rejected by the Framingham data. Instead, risk was independent of systolic blood pressure for all pressures lower than a threshold at the 70th percentile for a person of a given age and sex. Risk sharply increased with pressure higher than the 80th percentile. Since systolic blood pressure steadily increases with age, the threshold increases with age, but more rapidly in women than in men. INTERPRETATION: The Framingham data contradict the concept that lower pressures imply lower risk and the idea that 140 mm Hg is a useful cut-off value for hypertension for all adults. There is an age-dependent and sex-dependent threshold for hypertension. A substantial proportion of the population who would currently be thought to be at increased risk are, therefore, at no increased risk.

Age Factors↗

The effects of acute coronary occlusion on noninvasive echocardiographically derived systolic and diastolic myocardial strain rates.

To compare the magnitude and rates of change of peak systolic (epsilon(')(SYS)) and diastolic (epsilon(')(DIAS)) strain rates, as measured using tissue Doppler echocardiography, to pressure and volumes left-ventricular indices during acute coronary occlusion.Six closed-chest dogs had a combination high-fidelity conductance pressure transducer placed into the left ventricle for determination of end-diastolic and end-systolic pressures (EDP and ESP) and volumes (EDV, ESV, and ejection fraction [EF]). Other indices included the time constant of left-ventricular relaxation (tau), +dP/dt(max), -dP/dt(max), end-systolic pressure/volume index (ESPV). A coronary angioplasty catheter was positioned into the left-anterior descending coronary artery. During coronary occlusion, strain rates and hemodynamic parameters were recorded continuously for 2 minutes.During occlusion, significant decreases in strain rates occurred within 30 seconds. Systolic indices (ESPV and +dP/dt(max)) changed at rates similar to epsilon(')(SYS) (each p = NS). Diastolic indices (tau, EDP, EDV, -dp/dt(max)) also changed at rates similar to epsilon(')(DIAS) (each p = NS). However, EF decreased at a significantly slower rate than did strain rates (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Peak systolic and diastolic strain rates decrease with acute ischemia similar to corresponding indices of left-ventricular systolic and diastolic function. Strain rates may be used in the noninvasive assessment of ischemic-induced left-ventricular dysfunction.

Journal Article↗

Comparison of early systolic and early diastolic regional function during regional ischemia in a chronically instrumented canine model.

Depressed left ventricular function during the early part (first third) of both systole and diastole in the resting state have been reported to be sensitive indicators of coronary artery disease in patients with normal global function at rest. To evaluate the possible mechanisms of these findings, 11 dogs were chronically instrumented with segmental function sonomicrometers in the left circumflex and left anterior descending coronary artery distribution, circumflex coronary flow probes and cuff occluders, aortic flow probes and ventricular pressure transducers. Percent segmental function during the first third of systole and diastole was measured in the control state and with graded circumflex artery flow reductions. Significant decreases in early systolic function with ischemia in the circumflex artery distribution were partially offset by compensatory augmented shortening in the left anterior descending artery distribution. With ischemia in the circumflex distribution, there was prolonged contraction into diastole manifested as impaired relaxation. Simultaneously, in the left anterior descending artery distribution, there was minimal compensatory enhanced relaxation. These results suggest that early systolic dysfunction in ischemic segments may be offset by enhanced function in nonischemic segments, rendering minimal, if any, change in global systolic function. Early diastolic dysfunction in ischemic segments exceeds compensatory changes in nonischemic areas by two-to-four-fold. Hence, early diastolic functional indexes may be more sensitive indicators of ischemia at rest than early systolic functional indexes.

Animals↗

Relation between exercise-induced changes in ejection fraction and systolic loading conditions at rest in aortic regurgitation.

To examine the role of systolic wall stress at rest in determining left ventricular performance during exercise in aortic regurgitation (AR), systolic wall stress (measured by M-mode echocardiography) was related to changes in left ventricular function during maximal exercise (evaluated by radionuclide ventriculography) in 30 patients with chronic aortic regurgitation. Of these 30 patients, 7 had a normal exercise response, defined as an absolute increase in ejection fraction of 5% or greater (Group I) and 23 had abnormal exercise response, defined as no change (less than 5% change) or a decline (less than or equal to 5%) in ejection fraction (Group II). Patients in Group I had a significantly lower radius/wall thickness ratio (2.5 +/- 0.2 versus 3.1 +/- 0.1, p less than 0.01) and lower peak systolic wall stress (123 +/- 11 versus 211 +/- 12 X 10(3) dynes/cm2, p less than 0.01) than patients in Group II. An increase in ejection fraction during exercise was seen in 6 of the 9 patients with normal systolic wall stress at rest (less than 150 X 10(3) dynes/cm2), but in only 1 of 21 patients with elevated systolic wall stress (p less than 0.001). Peak systolic wall stress at rest varied linearly, and inversely with changes in left ventricular ejection fraction during exercise (r = 0.60, p less than 0.001). Groups I and II did not differ in ejection fraction at rest, clinical symptoms or maximal work load achieved.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Amlodipine versus chlorthalidone versus placebo in the treatment of stage I isolated systolic hypertension.

The study was to compare the effects of amlodipine (calcium channel antagonist), chlorthalidone (diuretic), and placebo in adults more than 50 years of age with stage 1 isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). After a 4-week placebo run-in phase, 150 patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to treatment with 5 mg of amlodipine (n = 48), 15 mg of chlorthalidone (n = 50), or placebo (n = 52). Patients who failed to meet the systolic blood pressure (BP) reduction goal by week 4 had their dose increased to 10 mg of amlodipine or 30 mg of chlorthalidone, and maintained at this increased dose for 12 weeks. Results showed a mean reduction (mean +/- SD) in sitting systolic BP from baseline to the last treatment visit of -14.6+/-12.2 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] -18.2, -11.0), -14.0+/-13.46 mm Hg (95% CI -17.8, -10.2), and -3.4+/-11.83 mm Hg (95% CI -6.7, -0.1) for the amlodipine, chlorthalidone, and the placebo treatment groups, respectively. Both active treatments showed significantly greater reductions than the placebo group (P < or = .001), but were not significantly different from each other. Sixty-seven percent of the amlodipine, 69% of the chlorthalidone, and 25% of the placebo-treated patients reached the protocol defined systolic BP goal (P = .001). Both active treatment groups showed a trend of better systolic BP response in older patients (> or =65 years). Secondary efficacy measures including pulse pressure, standing systolic, diastolic, and the 24-h ambulatory BP were also statistically significantly improved for both active treatments at the end of treatment, except for chlorthalidone in standing diastolic BP. Adverse events that occurred during the study were as expected and were well tolerated. The results of this study support the efficacy and safety of amlodipine and chlorthalidone for the treatment of stage 1 ISH during 20 weeks of treatment.

Aged↗

Prevalence and predictors of heart failure with preserved systolic function: community hospital admissions of a racially and gender diverse elderly population.

BACKGROUND: The reported prevalence of preserved systolic function (PSF) heart failure (HF) varies widely and has not been well-studied in nonwhite patients. To estimate the prevalence of PSF HF resulting in hospital admission, we studied admissions to a large community hospital serving a racially diverse community. METHODS: The charts of 300 consecutive patients > or =65 years old with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF were reviewed. In patients who met the Framingham criteria for HF diagnosis, an assessment of left ventricular function was obtained from review of chart data. Comparison of baseline characteristics and multivariate analysis of potential predictors of PSF HF was undertaken. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients, 247 (82%) met the Framingham criteria for diagnosis of HF. Ninety-seven patients (39%) of these had PSF. Twenty (8%) of the diagnosed HF patients had a diagnosis of severe aortic or mitral valvular disease, 9 of whom had preserved systolic functions. Thus 88 (36%) of the HF patients had PSF HF likely resulting from diastolic dysfunction. On multivariate analysis, age, hypertension at presentation, peripheral edema, normal sinus rhythm and a history of coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary angioplasty were significantly associated with PSF HF rather than HF with reduced systolic function. Left bundle branch block or other intraventricular conduction delay was independently associated with reduced systolic function HF. However, because these findings occurred in patients with and without systolic dysfunction, none were pathognomonic of PSF HF. CONCLUSION: In this racially diverse, majority nonwhite, cohort of older patients admitted for HF, the Framingham criteria for the diagnosis of HF were met in 82% of the patients. Of these, 39% had PSF HF and 36% had PSF HF in the absence of severe aortic or mitral valve disease, suggesting that diastolic dysfunction was etiologic. Although there was an independent association of PSF HF with a number of clinical characteristics, none of these characteristics was pathognomonic of preserved, versus reduced, systolic function HF.

Aged↗

Prognostic significance of ultrasound derived intratumoral peak systolic velocity in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of ultrasound derived intratumoral peak systolic velocity in epithelial ovarian cancer. DESIGN: Color Doppler imaging and pulsed Doppler spectral analysis were used in the investigation of 49 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (19 serous, 15 mucinous, eight endometrioid, four clear cell and three Brenner cell) immediately before laparotomy. Twenty-two were stage I, six were stage II, 17 were stage III and four were stage IV. Sections of malignant tumors were analyzed for the cellular expression of thymidine phosphorylase and the intratumoral density of microvessels by immunohistochemistry using antibodies to thymidine phosphorylase and factor VIII-related antigen, respectively. Moreover, the apoptotic index was evaluated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling method. Intratumoral peak systolic velocity was tested for correlation with patients' age at diagnosis, stage of disease, presence of a residual tumor, histological subtype and grade, thymidine phosphorylase expression, apoptotic index, microvessel count and patient survival. RESULTS: Histological grade (P = 0.025), thymidine phosphorylase expression (P = 0.044), apoptotic index (P = 0.039) and microvessel count (P = 0.014) were all significantly associated with peak systolic velocity. Stage of disease (P = 0.002), presence of residual disease (P = 0.0002) and peak systolic velocity (P = 0.041) were found by univariate Cox regression analysis to be significantly associated with a poor prognosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that stage of disease (P = 0.006) and peak systolic velocity (P = 0.008) are independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Intratumoral peak systolic velocity could be a preoperatively pertinent prognostic predictor of survival in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Adult↗

Echocardiographic evaluation of systolic left-ventricular function in infants with critical aortic stenosis before and after aortic valvotomy.

Infants with critical aortic stenosis may have global or regional left ventricular contraction abnormalities. In order to evaluate the clinical significance of these contraction abnormalities, we examined the systolic left ventricular function before and after aortic valvotomy in 16 infants operated on between 1980 and 1987. Left ventricular free wall and septal motion were studied by cross sectional echocardiography using the apical 4-chamber view. Enddiastolic and endsystolic left ventricular frames were digitized. The relative systolic reduction of the total left ventricular area (reflecting ejection fraction) as well as of 5 left ventricular sectors (reflecting regional wall motion) was calculated and compared to previously established normal values. Before valvotomy, 8 infants had normal and the other 8 impaired left ventricular systolic wall motion. These latter infants showed hypokinesia of the apex and/or the posterolateral left ventricular wall resulting in a decreased systolic reduction of the total left ventricular area. Four of these infants had evidence of myocardial infarction on intraoperative inspection. Early after operation, the systolic reduction of the total left ventricular area was normal in all infants, and the left ventricular apex and poster-lateral wall were either normo- or hyperkinetic. Follow-up studies of all infants more than 10 months and of 7 infants more than 3 years after operation showed that the left ventricular systolic wall motion remained normal in all, irrespective of whether it was normal or abnormal preoperatively. This study suggests that left ventricular contraction abnormalities in infants with critical aortic stenosis may be reversible and thus do not constitute a contraindication against aortic valvotomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aortic Valve↗

Evaluation of septal hypertrophy and systolic function in diseases that cause left ventricular hypertrophy: a 3-dimensional echocardiography study.

OBJECTIVES: The goals of this study were to determine regional systolic function of the septum and to relate it to regional wall thickness and wall stress. BACKGROUND: Wall thickening, a parameter of systolic function, is determined by wall thickness and wall stress. In patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), hypertrophic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy (HNCM), and hypertensive heart disease (HHD), regional systolic function of normal and hypertrophic septal regions has been incompletely characterized by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Thus, multiplane transesophageal echocardiography with 3-dimensional reconstruction of the septum was used. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 49 patients (15 controls, 11 with HOCM, 8 with HNCM, and 15 with HHD) 4 parallel (2 basal and 2 apical) equidistant short-axis cross sections from base to apex were obtained from the reconstructed septum. In each short-axis cross section, 6 wall-thickness measurements were made in 15 degrees intervals at end diastole and end systole, for a total of 48 measurements in each patient. Fractional thickening was calculated as wall thickening divided by end-diastolic wall thickness. Wall thickness of the basal cross sections was significantly thicker (P < .001) in HOCM and HNCM than in HHD. However, circumferential wall thickness was more evenly distributed in HNCM and HHD when compared with HOCM. In the basal cross sections, fractional thickening was similarly reduced in all hearts, though basal wall stress was significantly different in all groups (P < .001). In the apical cross sections, wall thickness was similar in all diseased hearts, but fractional thickening was better (P < .001) and wall stress lower (P < .001) in HNCM than in HOCM and HHD. CONCLUSIONS: In septal regions without or with only mild hypertrophy, regional systolic function is preserved and appears to be determined by hemodynamic factors such as wall stress. However, in regions with moderate to severe hypertrophy, systolic function is markedly and uniformly impaired in all groups, which seems not to be caused by differences in wall thickness and wall stress but by the degree of the myocardial disease process.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗