Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Cardiac function”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,189 records · Page 66Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Gata4 is required for maintenance of postnatal cardiac function and protection from pressure overload-induced heart failure.

An important event in the pathogenesis of heart failure is the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. In cultured cardiomyocytes, the transcription factor Gata4 is required for agonist-induced hypertrophy. We hypothesized that, in the intact organism, Gata4 is an important regulator of postnatal heart function and of the hypertrophic response of the heart to pathological stress. To test this hypothesis, we studied mice heterozygous for deletion of the second exon of Gata4 (G4D). At baseline, G4D mice had mild systolic and diastolic dysfunction associated with reduced heart weight and decreased cardiomyocyte number. After transverse aortic constriction (TAC), G4D mice developed overt heart failure and eccentric cardiac hypertrophy, associated with significantly increased fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Inhibition of apoptosis by overexpression of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor prevented TAC-induced heart failure in G4D mice. Unlike WT-TAC controls, G4D-TAC cardiomyocytes hypertrophied by increasing in length more than width. Gene expression profiling revealed up-regulation of genes associated with apoptosis and fibrosis, including members of the TGF-beta pathway. Our data demonstrate that Gata4 is essential for cardiac function in the postnatal heart. After pressure overload, Gata4 regulates the pattern of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and protects the heart from load-induced failure.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regional and systemic hemodynamic effects of parathyroid hormone-related protein: preservation of cardiac function and coronary and renal flow with reduced blood pressure.

It has been demonstrated previously that parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrp) has potent vasodilatory and cardiac stimulatory properties. However, the systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of PTHrp are unknown. In order to characterize these effects, we utilized the radioactive microsphere technique to examine the systemic and regional hemodynamics before and 2 min after the i.v. bolus administration of 0.03, 0.3 and 3.0 micrograms/ml/100 g b.wt. of PTHrp in conscious, unrestrained, normal rats. These effects were compared to those of synthetic rat parathyroid hormone (PTH), an agent known to affect cardiovascular function. PTHrp and PTH similarly and significantly decreased mean systemic blood pressure and total peripheral resistance but increased heart rate and cardiac output, all in a dose-dependent manner. Both peptides increased blood flow and decreased vessel resistance in regional vascular beds such as skin and heart. Renal resistance was reduced by PTH and PTHrp, but renal blood flow was not altered. Conversely, both peptides significantly decreased blood flow and increased vascular resistance to the splanchnic organs. Thus, PTHrp as well as PTH, preserved and enhanced cardiac function in the face of reduced systemic blood pressure while maintaining renal flow. These features are highly desirable in the treatment of some severe cardiovascular abnormalities. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PTHrp may play an important hormonal, autocrine or paracrine role in systemic and regional blood flow regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Influence of transposed stomach on cardiac function in patients with resected esophageal cancer.

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has wide acceptance, there are concerns about the potential cardiac impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 27 patients regarding the function and the systolic diameter, diastolic diameter, shortening fraction, ejection fraction and the presence of extrinsic compression. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The parameters were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients in terms of their cardiac function.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Long-term beta-blocker vasodilator therapy improves cardiac function in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a double-blind, randomized study of bucindolol versus placebo.

PURPOSE: Bucindolol is a potent nonselective beta-blocking agent with vasodilatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the effects of long-term bucindolol therapy in the treatment of heart failure from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were eligible for enrollment if they had symptomatic heart failure, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 0.40. All patients received an initial test dose of 12.5 mg bucindolol orally every 12 hours for two or three doses. Patients tolerating the test dose were randomly assigned (double-blind) to receive bucindolol or placebo in a 3:2 ratio. Study medication was begun at a dose of 12.5 mg orally every 12 hours and gradually increased over a 1-month period until either a maximum tolerated dose or a target dose of 100 mg every 12 hours was reached. Study medication was then continued for an additional 2 months. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were enrolled into the study. Twenty-three patients tolerated bucindolol test challenge; 14 were randomized to receive bucindolol, and nine were randomly assigned to receive placebo. The placebo group (age 56 +/- 2 years) was significantly older than the bucindolol group (46 +/- 3 years), but by all other clinical and hemodynamic parameters the two groups were comparable. Twenty-two of 23 patients completed the study. Patients treated with bucindolol had significant improvements in clinical heart failure symptoms and in resting hemodynamic function, including an increase of left ventricular ejection fraction (0.26 +/- 0.02 to 0.35 +/- 0.09, p = 0.003), cardiac index (2.2 +/- 0.1 to 2.5 +/- 0.4 L/minute/m2, p = 0.014), and left ventricular stroke work index (25 +/- 3 to 35 +/- 7 g.m/m2, p = 0.002) and a decrease in pulmonary artery wedge pressure (17 +/- 3 to 10 +/- 5 mm Hg, p = 0.005) and heart rate (86 +/- 3 to 75 +/- 9 beats/minute, p = 0.012). Patients treated with bucindolol also had a significant increase in exercise left ventricular ejection fraction (0.26 +/- 0.03 to 0.32 +/- 0.14, p = 0.015) and reduction in questionnaire-measured symptoms (p = 0.007) and New York Heart Association functional class (p less than 0.001). However, total treadmill exercise duration and maximal oxygen consumption with exercise did not change. No changes in rest or exercise parameters were observed in the placebo-treated group. Central venous plasma norepinephrine concentration decreased significantly in the bucindolol-treated group (423 +/- 79 to 212 +/- 101 pg/mL, p = 0.010), but was unchanged in the placebo-treated group. CONCLUSION: Bucindolol is well tolerated in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure, and therapy for 3 months is associated with improved resting cardiac function, improved heart failure symptoms, and a reduction in venous norepinephrine concentration.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1976

Cardiac function and metabolism following hemorrhage in the newborn lamb.

Cardiac performance was assessed in 33 lambs less than 1 to 5 days of age by means of left ventricular function curves. Performance was quantified by determining stroke volume ejected at end diastolic pressure 10 cm H2O (SV10) with constant afterload. Coronary flow, myocardial O2 consumption (MVO2), blood gas tensions and pH were determined. Measurements were obtained before and at 30 min intervals following hemorrhage to 30 mm Hg arterial pressure, and in controls (arterial pressure 75 mm Hg). Effects of metabolic acidosis, hypercapnia and beta-blockade were determined. In control lambs acidosis and hypercapnia failed to reduce SV10 after two hours. In hemorrhaged animals both factors sharply reduced SV10 and lambs with prior beta-blockade showed no greater reduction. MVO2 fell following hemorrhage but did not differ with metabolic conditions and did not relate to SV10. It is concluded that beta-adrenergic function is critically important in preserving left ventricular performance in newborn exposed to acidosis or hypercapnia. With sustained hemorrhage this mechanism fails leading to a significant depression of ventricular function. MVO2 was not a determining factor in these studies.

Acidosis↗
PubMed2006

The effect of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation on the frequency-dependent regulation of cardiac function.

Although it has been suggested that in cardiac muscle the phosphorylation level of myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) correlates with frequency of stimulation, its significance in the modulation of the force-frequency and pressure-frequency relationships remains unclear. We examined the role of RLC phosphorylation on the force-frequency relation (papillary muscles), the pressure-frequency relation (Langendorff perfused hearts) and shortening-frequency relation (isolated cardiac myocytes) in nontransgenic (NTG) and transgenic mouse hearts expressing a nonphosphorylatable RLC protein (RLC(P-)). At 22 degrees C, NTG and RLC(P-) muscles showed a negative force-frequency relation. At 32 degrees C, at frequencies above 1 Hz, both groups showed a flat force-frequency relation. There was a small increase in RLC phosphorylation in NTG muscles when the frequency of stimulation was increased from 0.2 Hz to 4.0 Hz. However, the level of RLC phosphorylation in these isolated muscles was significantly lower compared to samples taken from NTG intact hearts. In perfused hearts, there was no difference in the slope of pressure-frequency relationship between groups, but the RLC(P-) group consistently developed a reduced systolic pressure and demonstrated a decreased contractility. There was no difference in the level of RLC phosphorylation in hearts paced at 300 and 600 bpm. In RLC(P-) hearts, the level of TnI phosphorylation was reduced compared to NTG. There was no change in the expression of PLB between groups, but expression of SERCA2 was increased in hearts from RLC(P-) compared to NTG. In isolated cardiac myocytes, there was no change in shortening-frequency relationship between groups. Moreover, there was no change in Ca(2+) transient parameters in cells from NTG and RLC(P-) hearts. Our data demonstrate that in cardiac muscle RLC phosphorylation is not an essential determinant of force- and pressure-frequency relations but the absence of RLC phosphorylation decreases contractility in force/pressure developing preparations.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Adaptations to iron deficiency: cardiac functional responsiveness to norepinephrine, arterial remodeling, and the effect of beta-blockade on cardiac hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency (ID) results in ventricular hypertrophy, believed to involve sympathetic stimulation. We hypothesized that with ID 1) intravenous norepinephrine would alter heart rate (HR) and contractility, 2) abdominal aorta would be larger and more distensible, and 3) the beta-blocker propanolol would reduce hypertrophy. METHODS: 1) 30 CD rats were fed an ID or replete diet for 1 week or 1 month. Norepinephrine was infused via jugular vein; pressure was monitored at carotid artery. Saline infusions were used as a control. The pressure trace was analyzed for HR, contractility, systolic and diastolic pressures. 2) Abdominal aorta catheters inflated the aorta, while digital microscopic images were recorded at stepwise pressures to measure arterial diameter and distensibility. 3) An additional 10 rats (5 ID, 5 control) were given a daily injection of propanolol or saline. After 1 month, the hearts were excised and weighed. RESULTS: Enhanced contractility, but not HR, was associated with ID hypertrophic hearts. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were consistent with an increase in arterial diameter associated with ID. Aortic diameter at 100 mmHg and distensibility were increased with ID. Propanolol was associated with an increase in heart to body mass ratio. CONCLUSIONS: ID cardiac hypertrophy results in an increased inotropic, but not chronotropic response to the sympathetic neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. Increased aortic diameter is consistent with a flow-dependent vascular remodeling; increased distensibility may reflect decreased vascular collagen content. The failure of propanolol to prevent hypertrophy suggests that ID hypertrophy is not mediated via beta-adrenergic neurotransmission.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Cardiac functional and morphologic changes of renal allograft recipients in the early posttransplant period.

UNLABELLED: After renal transplantation there is a substantial alteration in cardiac morphology and functions. This prospective study was undertaken to observe changes in different cardiac parameters in early months after transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two allograft recipients (primary disease glomerulonephritis) were evaluated in the immediate pretransplant period (0 month) and 1 and 3 months after transplantation by clinical and echocardiographic (M mode, 2D) evaluations. RESULTS: Pretransplant echocardiogram showed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in 100% subjects, LV dilation in 52%, and systolic dysfunction in 18%. By the third month, significant differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP-161 +/- 16 to 133 +/- 26 mm Hg, P < .002); diastolic BP (DBP-101 +/- 9 to 86 +/- 11 mm Hg, P < .006), and hemoglobin level (Hgb-7.3 +/- 1.6 to 11.2 +/- 3.9 g/dL, P < .006) were evident. Echocardiography showed decreased left atrial diameter (LADd-41 +/- 5 to 35 +/- 3 mm, P < .001); left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDd-54 +/- 6 to 47 +/- 6 mm, P < .02); left ventricular muscle mass index (LVMI-379 +/- 114 to 248 +/- 58 g/m(2), P < .001); and left ventricular end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI-96 +/- 28 to 64 +/- 17 ml/m2, P < .002). Bivariate correlations showed positive associations of mean blood pressure (MBP) and serum creatinine with LVMI, LVEDVI, and negative association of hemoglobin with MBP, serum creatinine, LVMI, and LVEDVI. CONCLUSION: From these observations, we concluded that cardiac morphological parameters start improving in the early posttransplant period. Improvements in renal function, anemia status, and lower blood pressure showed strong associations with these changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Plasma concentrations of NT-pro-BNP and cardiac troponin-I in relation to doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and cardiac function in childhood malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: Anthracyclines are well established as highly efficacious antineoplastic agents for childhood malignancy, but they frequently cause dose-related cardiotoxicity. For this reason, children who have received anthracyclines need periodical cardiac evaluation. The plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been shown to increase in proportion to severity of cardiac dysfunction. N-terminal BNP (NT-pro-BNP) is secreted from the cardiac ventricles in response to volume expansion and pressure overload. The aim of our study was to investigate whether plasma levels of NT-pro-BNP and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) can be used as specific markers for doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in children with malignancy. METHODS: We performed the study in Dicle University Hospital, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology clinic. Were measured plasma NT-pro-BNP and cTnI in 31 patients (14 boys and 17 girls) who received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy for their malignancy at cumulative doses of 30-600 mg/m2, between October 2000 and December 2004. Cardiac evaluation of the patients included recording of electrocardiography and assessment of systolic and diastolic functions of the heart by echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients, 4 (12.9%) had left ventricular dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography. Plasma NT-pro-BNP levels in these patients were significantly elevated in comparison with healthy controls (p<0.001). Plasma NT-pro-BNP levels were significantly elevated in patients with cardiac dysfunction when compared with normal cardiac function (p<0.008). The cTnI levels were found under normal value in all patients. CONCLUSION: Measurement of NT-pro-BNP level may be an easy and practical tool, and during treatment may allow earlier-identification of individuals at risk for monitoring cardiac damage. Plasma NT-pro-BNP concentration may be a useful and sensitive indicator of cardiac dysfunction in children receiving doxorubicin therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Should functional cardiac murmurs be diagnosed by auscultation or by Doppler echocardiography?

BACKGROUND: For many years, cardiac auscultation has been the only available method for distinguishing between functional and organic murmurs; however, a more reliable differential diagnosis can now be achieved with Doppler echocardiography. The question remains as to whether a Doppler echocardiogram needs to be routinely recorded in the presence of a heart murmur or whether the auscultatory diagnosis of a functional murmur is sufficient. HYPOTHESIS: This prospective study attempts to answer this important question at a time when medical costs have to be curbed. METHODS: The three cardiologists involved in this study saw 516 new patients in their private practice over a 10-month period; of these, 321 (63.6%) underwent Doppler echocardiography. All patients underwent careful auscultation prior to echocardiography. At the end of their examinations, the cardiologists noted whether they considered the murmur to be of functional or organic origin. Minimal mitral or aortic regurgitations of short duration and low velocity occurring on non-thickened valves were considered functional. RESULTS: The results for cardiac auscultation and Doppler echocardiography were considered to be concordant, that is, both techniques diagnosed either a functional or organic murmur in 250 of 321 patients (77.9%). The results for cardiac auscultation and Doppler echocardiography showed a major discordance in just six cases (1.9%). All were mitral regurgitations of moderate severity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cardiac murmurs in the general population is very high. As echocardiography currently represents a significant proportion of cardiac medical expenditure, it would be wise to limit the use of this technique to essential indications. This study confirms that both cardiac auscultation and Doppler echocardiography possess important limitations. Nevertheless, it also shows that well-trained cardiologists can identify the vast majority of functional murmurs on auscultation. Better training of nonspecialist physicians in cardiac auscultation may help in containing medical expenses.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

One-day cold perfusion of bimakalim and butanedione monoxime restores ex situ cardiac function.

Bimakalim (Bim), an opener of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, was given alone or with 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM), a reversible uncoupler of contractility, to protect myocardial function during 1 day of hypothermia. Left ventricular pressure (LVP), coronary flow (CF), percent O2 extraction (%O2E), and cardiac efficiency were measured in 96 isolated, perfused guinea pig hearts divided into seven groups: 1) cold control (no drugs); 2) BDM; 3) Bim; 4) BDM + Bim; 5) BDM + glibenclamide (Glib, a blocker of KATP channels); 6) BDM + Bim + Glib; and 7) time control (6 h warm perfusion only). Drugs were given before, during, and initially after 22 h of low CF at 3.8 degrees C. At 26 h (cold groups) or 4 h (warm group) LVP (mmHg; means +/- SE) was similar for time control (94 +/- 4) and BDM + Bim (92 +/- 4) groups, lower and equivalent in the BDM (65 +/- 7) and BDM + Bim + Glib (64 +/- 7) groups, but LVP was higher than in the Bim group (46 +/- 3), and lowest in the cold control (30 +/- 8) group. In addition, only in the BDM + Bim group were basal CF, %O2E, and cardiac efficiency returned to values obtained in the time control group. Epinephrine increased LVP to that of the time control (106 +/- 3) group only in the BDM + Bim group (106 +/- 3) after hypothermia, and CF increases with adenosine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and nitroprusside were similar to that of the time control group only in the BDM + Bim group after hypothermia. All of the effects of Bim were reversed by Glib. These results indicate that Bim, given with BDM, effectively preserves myocardial function and metabolism as well as inotropic and vasodilatory reserve during long-term hypothermic preservation as if the 1-day hypothermic state had not been instituted. Because the beneficial effects of Bim are blocked by Glib, the protective effect of Bim likely results from maintained KATP channel opening. Treatment with exogenous KATP openers may prove useful in preserving cardiac function in the transplanted heart.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Present and future of cardiac function tests: electrophysiologic tests].

Various electrocardiographic and physiologic tests have been developing for almost 100 years since Einthoven established the standard 12 lead electrocardiogram(ECG) system. Recently, interest has focused on the new developing parameters associated with cardiac ventricular repolarization, such as transmural dispersion of repolarization, T wave alternans and QT dispersion. QT dispersion, measured as interlead difference of QT interval, has been suggested to reflect regional variation of ventricular repolarization. However, still unsolved basic problems give difficulties for clinical acceptance of this parameter. On the other hand, it is generally accepted that heart rate variability obtained from Holter ECG is useful tool to assess the autonomic tone. Head-up tilt test is a valuable diagnostic tool to identify patients with neurally mediated syncope and also useful for assessment of reflex cardiac autonomic function, such as baroreflex sensitivity. The number of electrophysiologic study(EPS) dramatically increased together with increase of radiofrequency catheter ablation. A new three-dimensional nonfluoroscopic electroanatomical mapping system(CARTO) is an exciting development in catheter ablation treatment. Transtelephonic ECG and its computer-assisted answering system are also useful for diagnose and treatment in the patients of paroxysmal cardiac symptoms.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1992

Does blood pressure reduction necessarily compromise cardiac function or renal hemodynamics? Effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril.

Clinical studies indicate that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril is an effective antihypertensive agent when administered once daily. At the end of a 4-week, double-blind crossover trial comparing quinapril and placebo, patients were admitted for a hemodynamic profile study 12 hours after taking the previous dose. A final 20 mg dose of quinapril had no additional effect on blood pressure. This is interesting inasmuch as the plasma half-life of the active metabolite quinaprilat is approximately 2 hours and the effective accumulation half-life is approximately 3 hours. The blood pressure reduction in patients with mild hypertension receiving long-term quinapril therapy may be more closely related to prolonged angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or to an effect on tissue angiotensin II concentration than to the plasma half-life. This may be the case particularly for cardiac output and renal circulation, because quinapril lowers total vascular resistance without increasing cardiac output or disturbing autoregulation of renal blood flow. Reduced ventricular wall stress, improved diastolic function, and lower renal perfusion pressure may spare cardiac function and glomeruli from hypertensive vascular damage.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Growth hormone improves cardiac function in rats with experimental myocardial infarction.

Accumulating evidence suggests from experimental and clinical studies beneficial effects of growth hormone (GH) on contractility, although concomitant cardiac hypertrophy, generally considered to be a cardiovascular risk factor, has also been reported. In the present study, we combine a rat model with impaired cardiac performance after myocardial infarction (MI) with echocardiographic evaluation of GH effects on cardiac structure and function. We have used a rat model with ligation of the left coronary artery in normal, growing male rats resulting in subsequent impaired cardiac performance. After 6 weeks' recovery, blind transthoracic echocardiography was performed to determine infarction size, cardiac geometry and performance. Rats with no signs of myocardial infarction were excluded from the study. After randomization, the rats were treated with daily s.c. injections of saline (n = 8) or recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (n = 6) at a dose of approximately 1 mg kg-1 body weight for 1 week. A new blind echocardiography examination was performed after treatment demonstrating a 13% increase in ejection fraction (EF) and a 50% increase in cardiac index in GH-treated rats compared with control rats (P < 0.01). Moreover, GH caused a significant decrease in end-systolic volume. There were no significant changes in left ventricular (LV) or interventricular wall thickness, LV dimensions, heart rate or diastolic function. No effects were seen on LV weight, cardiac insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I, IGF-I receptor and GH receptor mRNA content. GH in a physiological dose improves systolic function in an experimental model of heart failure without signs of hypertrophy, suggesting a potential role as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of heart failure and merits further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Fetal cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac function in diabetic pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the relationship between fetal cardiac wall hypertrophy and ventricular function in fetuses of metabolically controlled, insulin-requiring diabetics. STUDY DESIGN: M-mode directed fetal echocardiography included measurements of left and right ventricular free wall and interventricular septal thickness and ventricular diastolic and systolic dimensions. Fetal measurements included biparietal diameter, estimation of fetal weight, and cardiac area/thoracic area. Cardiac size is expressed as a ratio of wall thickness/biparietal diameter, and function is expressed as ventricular shortening fraction (Ventricular diastolic dimension-Ventricular systolic dimension/Ventricular diastolic dimension). Fetuses of diabetics at 20 to 24, 28 to 31, and 32 to 36 weeks' gestation were compared with normal fetuses of nondiabetic mothers at similar gestational ages, which were used as a control group. RESULTS: Study and control groups were comparable in mean gestational age (22 vs 20, 29 vs 29, 35 vs 34 weeks) in each of groups 1, 2, and 3. All fetuses tested fell within these groups. Estimated fetal weight, cardiac area/thoracic area, right ventricular wall thickness/biparietal diameter, and interventricular septal thickness/biparietal diameter were greater in the study group between 32 and 36 weeks: 3227 +/- 430 versus 2235 +/- 176 gm (p < 0.05), 0.32 versus 0.29, (p < 0.05), 0.53 +/- 0.05 versus 0.44 +/- 0.05 mm (p < 0.05), and 0.50 +/- 0.3 versus 0.46 +/- 0.5 mm (p < 0.05), respectively. Right ventricular shortening fraction/left ventricular shortening fraction was significantly different from controls in this group (1.30 vs 0.89, p < 0.05). This change was a function of altered right ventricular shortening fraction in late diabetic pregnancy. Right ventricular shortening fraction in the study groups was 0.39, 0.36, and 0.52, respectively, versus 0.36, 0.41, and 0.33 in controls. Left ventricular shortening fraction in the group at 32 to 36 weeks and in controls in three groups was 0.42, 0.39, 0.40 and 0.44, 0.37. CONCLUSION: These findings reveal an increase in right ventricular shortening fraction associated with global cardiac enlargement. Myocardial hypertrophy involving right ventricular wall thickness and interventricular septal thickness in metabolically stable insulin-requiring diabetics revealed hypercontractility of the right ventricle.

Adult↗