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M-mode echocardiograms for determination of optimal left atrial timing in patients with dual chamber pacemakers.

To determine if the A wave of the mitral valve echocardiogram can be used as a marker for left atrial (LA) activity and assist in the programming of dual chamber pacemakers, 156 echocardiograms with the mitral A wave present were obtained from 23 patients with dual chamber pacemakers, all of whom had bipolar esophageal recordings of LA depolarization. Twelve of these patients also underwent hemodynamic study with cardiac function determined at 5 different pacemaker settings: ventricular demand pacing and dual chamber sequential pacing at 0 or 25, 150, 200 and 250 ms programming atrioventricular (AV) delay. The time delay from right atrial pacing artifact to onset and peak of mitral A wave was linearly related to the time from atrial pacing artifact to LA depolarization on the esophageal lead (p less than 0.001). As pacing mode changed from dual chamber sequential pacing (DVI) mode to atrial synchronous-ventricular pacing (VDD), the A wave came earlier relative to the ventricular pacing spike, linearly related to the LA to ventricular extension with mode change determined with the esophageal lead (r = 0.94, p less than 0.001). The time from atrial pacing to peak of A wave was shorter in patients whose optimal programmed AV delay was 150 ms compared with those whose optimal AV delay was 200 or 250 ms (p less than 0.02). At the optimal programmed delay for cardiac output, the peak of the A wave was an average of 13 +/- 36 ms after the ventricular pacing spike.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

N-acetylcysteine attenuates nitroglycerin tolerance in patients with angina pectoris and normal left ventricular function.

The aim of this study was to assess whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is able to prevent tolerance to a 48-hour infusion of nitroglycerin (NTG) in the setting of normal left ventricular function. In 16 patients, the hemodynamic response to 0.8 mg sublingual (s.l.) NTG was assessed by measuring mean arterial, pulmonary artery, pulmonary capillary wedge and right atrial pressures, cardiac output, and calculation of the systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances. The parameters were obtained at baseline and 1 to 10 minutes after the s.l. NTG application (day 1). NTG was started at 1.5 microg/kg/min; concomitantly, a bolus of 2,000 mg of NAC was administered, followed by an infusion of 5 mg/kg/hour. Both infusions were continued for 48 hours, and the hemodynamic study was repeated (day 3). The same measurements were obtained in a matched control group of 15 patients with NTG infusion alone. Plasma renin activity, aldosterone, and norepinephrine were measured before and after the infusion period. The first s.l. NTG infusion (day 1) caused a significant decrease in mean arterial (p <0.01), pulmonary artery (p <0.001), and right atrial pressures (p <0.001), and in systemic (p <0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistances (p <0.001) in both groups. After the 48-hour infusion (day 3), there was a total loss of nitrate-mediated vasodilation (pressure values and vascular resistances day 3 > day 1) in 5 of 16 patients (NAC nonresponders), whereas in the other 11 of 16 patients (NAC responders), there was significant vasodilation throughout the infusion period. Tolerance had developed in 14 of 15 patients with NTG infusion alone. The same difference (responder vs nonresponder vs NTG alone) held true regarding the response to the second s.l. NTG infusion after 48 hours. The neurohormonal counter-regulation and intravascular volume expansion (increase in plasma renin activity, p <0.001, and norepinephrine, p <0.05; decrease in aldosterone, p <0.01) did not differ between responders and nonresponders. We conclude that NAC attenuates tolerance development to a continuous NTG infusion in a specific patient subgroup and that this occurs despite the same amount of neurohormonal counter-regulation and intravascular volume expansion compared with patients with tolerance development.

Acetylcysteine↗

Divided right atrium. Diagnosis by echocardiography, and considerations on the functional role of the Eustachian valve.

A child presented at birth with severe cyanosis. Echocardiography showed hypoplasia of the right heart with a right-to-left shunt at atrial level. A conservative approach was adopted initially, and the situation improved over a few months, with reversal of the atrial shunt. Surgery was successfully performed at 4 years of age after further echocardiography revealed a congenitally large Eustachian valve and an atrial septal defect.

Child, Preschool↗

Prediction of improvement in recent onset cardiomyopathy after referral for heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to determine how often left ventricular function improves in recent onset dilated cardiomyopathy of sufficient severity to cause referral for heart transplantation and how to predict this improvement at the time of evaluation for transplantation. BACKGROUND: Improvement has been reported to occur frequently in patients with acute dilated cardiomyopathy but has not been described specifically in these patients referred for transplantation. To avoid potentially needless transplantation, it would be useful to know the frequency of improvement and how to predict it in these patients. METHODS: A consecutive series of 297 patients with primary dilated cardiomyopathy evaluated for heart transplantation was reviewed to identify those with onset of heart failure symptoms within the preceding 6 months and to examine their outcome. The clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic and laboratory profiles of patients with improvement in left ventricular function (defined as an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction > or = 0.15 to a final ejection fraction of > or = 0.30) were compared with those of patients without improvement to assess which variables might predict improvement. RESULTS: Of 49 patients with recent onset dilated cardiomyopathy, 13 (27%) showed improvement, with an increase in mean left ventricular ejection fraction from 0.22 +/- 0.08 to 0.49 +/- 0.09. All patients with improvement had survived without heart transplantation at 43 +/- 29 months. Survival time was shorter in the remaining 36 patients without improvement with recent onset cardiomyopathy than in the 248 with chronic symptoms (p = 0.03) and in younger compared with older patients with recent onset cardiomyopathy (p = 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, predictors of improvement were shorter duration of symptoms, lower pulmonary wedge and right atrial pressures and higher serum sodium levels. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and symptoms for < or = 6 months will have marked improvement in left ventricular function, after which prognosis is excellent despite previous referral for heart transplantation. Those with symptom duration > 3 months and more severe initial decompensation as reflected by higher filling pressures and lower serum sodium levels are unlikely to show improvement and may require earlier consideration for heart transplantation.

Actuarial Analysis↗

Effects of systolic atrial function on plasma renin activity and natriuretic peptide secretion after high rate atrial and ventricular pacing in dogs.

Rapid atrial rates cause electrical, structural remodeling, and neuro-humoral changes. This study compares the effects of mechanical remodeling on plasma renin activity (PRA) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion. Eight beagles were subjected to rapid atrial pacing (AP) at 400 beats/min for 16 days. After complete recovery of left ventricular function, they underwent rapid ventricular pacing (VP) at 240 beats/min of equal duration. Left atrial systolic maximal dimension (LAmax) and left atrial appendage (LAA) peak late emptying velocity (LAA-E) were assessed by echocardiography. Blood samples were taken from the right atrium and from the peripheral vein. LAmax after AP and VP enlarged significantly (2.16 +/- 0.21 cm vs 2.41 +/- 0.23 cm, P = 0.002). Compared with baseline, LAA-E velocities were significantly reduced (0.65 +/- 0.12 m/s vs 0.26 +/- 0.16 m/s, P = 0.001) after AP only. AP caused a significant elevation of PRA in right atrial (9.28 +/- 4.23 nmol/L per hour) and peripheral samples compared with baseline values (4.82 +/- 2.53 nmol/L per hour, P = 0.04). ANP levels increased after AP (1117.12 +/- 252.21 fmol/L) with respect to baseline values (824.37 +/- 159.08 fmol/L, P = 0.001). There was no difference in PRA and ANP levels between atrial and peripheral samples. Atrial size and impaired systolic appendage function play an important role in secretion of PRA and ANP. Both neuro-humoral pathways may be therapeutic targets in the treatment of patients with AF.

Animals↗

Dilated cardiomyopathy-associated proteins and their presentation in a WWW-accessible two-dimensional gel protein database.

High resolution two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and computer-assisted image analysis were used to screen 13 patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) versus 15 control patients for quantitative and qualitative differences in their myocardial protein expression. Right atrial tissue samples were obtained from end-stage failing explanted hearts and control hearts. Fifty-two spots differed significantly in average intensity between the DCM and the control groups. Myosin light chain 2, ventricular (MLC2) and heat shock protein HSP 27 were identified by protein microsequencing and gel map comparison with other databases. These proteins were found to be characteristic protein markers for DCM in the right atrium. In DCM patients, the spot intensity (protein abundance) of MLC2 is increased to 336% and HSP 27 is decreased to 59%, compared to the control group. The HEART-2DPAGE, a World Wide Web-accessible 2-DE database, was used and extended for the presentation of these disease-associated proteins. Retrievable via Internet we present a list of disease-associated proteins, their altered level of expression in DCM, and their position on a right atrial protein pattern. The accession number to protein sequence databases confers a connection to databases like SWISS-PROT to obtain a detailed functional and structural description of disease-associated proteins. New DCM-associated proteins are detected and their presentation in a 2-DE gel protein database is described.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗

Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with artificial and transplanted hearts.

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay 1 to 12 days after operation in six patients with artificial hearts. The mean levels were significantly higher in artificial heart recipients (58.2 pg.ml-1) than in controls (12.6 pg.ml-1). The mechanism underlying the raised values is not clear, although it is suggested that elevated atrial pressure may have been the stimulus for higher ANP release. In 3 patients plasma ANP concentrations were also measured 1 to 5 days after orthotopic transplantation. In all of them ANP concentrations had increased by 20 to 74% despite lower right atrial pressure. An increase in atrial tissue mass may have contributed to the raised plasma ANP after orthotopic transplantation. It also suggests that the functioning sympathetic nervous system is not a necessary condition for ANP release.

Adult↗

Electrophysiologic cardiac function before and after surgery in children with atrioventricular canal.

Thirty-two children with atrioventricular (AV) canal underwent electrophysiologic studies: 18 underwent preoperative studies at a median age of 3 years (range 6 months to 16 years); 14 underwent postoperative studies at a median age of 4 years (range 2 to 19); and 2 underwent both preoperative and postoperative matched studies. In the preoperative group the following abnormalities were observed: first-degree AV block in 5 patients (due to internodal conduction delay in 1, AV nodal conduction delay in 2 and normal intracardiac intervals in 2); internodal conduction delay but normal PR interval in 4; and disease of the sinus node in only 1. In the postoperative group the following abnormalities were observed: first-degree AV block in 9 (due to AV nodal conduction delay in 2, His-Purkinje system conduction delay in 1, upper normal intracardiac intervals in 3 and unidentified in 3); prolongation of the right ventricular apical activation time in 11 of 13 with right bundle branch block; abnormal sinus node function in 3; and abnormal AV nodal function in 4 (1 of whom had associated sinus node disease). Atrial and ventricular functions were normal in all preoperative and postoperative patients. Electrophysiologic dysfunction is rare in preoperative patients with AV canal; in postoperative patients electrophysiologic abnormalities occur in 38% and involve the sinus and AV nodes in 19 and 25%, respectively.

Adolescent↗

Surgical treatment for ectopic atrial tachycardia.

Atrial tachycardia is an infrequent but potentially dangerous arrhythmia which often determines cardiac enlargement. Surgical ablation of the arrhythmia is effective and safe, provided a careful atrial mapping is performed and the surgical technique is tailored to the individual focus location. Eight patients underwent surgical ablation of ectopic atrial tachycardia between 1977 and 1990. Different techniques were adopted for each patient according to the anatomical location of the focus and possibly associated arrhythmias. Whenever possible, a closed heart procedure was chosen. In 1 patient a double focal origin was found and treated by separate procedures. In 1 patient with ostium secundum atrial septal defect and atrial flutter, surgical isolation of the right appendage and the ectopic focus was performed. In all patients ectopic atrial tachycardia was ablated with maintenance of the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal function as well as internodal conduction. In follow-up up to December 1991, no recurrency was recorded.

Adolescent↗

Coronary venous imaging with electron beam computed tomographic angiography: three-dimensional mapping and relationship with coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: The coronary venous system can provide vascular access for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Visualization of the coronary veins and their relationship to other cardiac structures may play an important role in facilitating these procedures. We sought to assess the ability of electron beam computed tomographic angiography (EBCTA) to characterize 3-dimensional (3-D) coronary venous anatomy. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-one consecutive EBCTA coronary studies were analyzed. The coronary venous system was mapped and analyzed using 2- and 3-D images with definition of diameter and angulations of branch vessels and distance from CS os. RESULTS: The coronary sinus (CS), great cardiac, middle cardiac, left ventricular (LV) anterior interventricular, LV marginal, LV posterior, left atrial, and right atrial veins were visualized in 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, 78%, 81%, 6%, and 8% of the studies, respectively, with definition of diameter and angulations of branch vessels and distance from CS os. There was a significant linear correlation between CS diameter and right atrial end systolic volume (R = 0.244, n = 81, P < .05). No significant correlation existed between CS os diameter and other cardiac size or function parameters. The 3-D spatial arrangements between the coronary veins and the coronary arteries in relation to the epicardium were able to be defined, on the basis of the vessel closer to the epicardium in overlapping segments. CONCLUSIONS: EBCTA can provide 3-D visualization of most components of the coronary venous system and definition of the spatial relationships with coronary arteries. EBCTA may potentially serve as a useful noninvasive tool for coronary venous imaging for procedures involving coronary veins, such as resynchronization therapy.

Adult↗

MagScrew total artificial heart in vivo performance above 200 beats per minute.

PURPOSE: Downsizing pulsatile devices requires an increase of beat rate if flow capacity is to be maintained. We applied this concept to the preclinical MagScrew total artificial heart (TAH). DESCRIPTION: The device fills passively with a stroke volume of 45 ml and beat rates up to 250 beats per minute (bpm). EVALUATION: Stable hemodynamics were observed during a 30-day bovine implant with a flow of 8.7 +/- 1.2 L/min at beat rates of 204 +/- 18 bpm. Device filling was exceptional up to 250 bpm generating flow of greater than 12 L/min. Beat rate adapted to preload in a way similar to a Frank-Starling response. Left and right atrial pressures were balanced. The aortic pulse pressure was 49-70 mm Hg, which translates to a pulsatility index of 0.49-0.77. Organ functions were preserved and blood damage did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the beat rate while downsizing the MagScrew TAH was successful with strong flow generation by passive filling. Pulsatility was maintained at high beat rates. This innovative approach may be used to develop small pulsatile pumps.

Animals↗

Electroanatomic characterization of conduction barriers in sinus/atrially paced rhythm and association with intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia circuits following congenital heart disease surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The electrophysiologic mechanism of intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) is generally thought to be a macroreentrant circuit revolving around a nonconductive or highly anisotropic barrier. However, the electrical and anatomic substrate that supports these circuits has been incompletely defined. Our objectives were to characterize the atria of patients with IART using electroanatomic mapping in sinus or atrially paced rhythm and to determine whether electrical barriers identified in sinus/atrially paced rhythm are associated with IART circuits. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen patients with IART and a remote history of repaired or palliated congenital heart disease were studied [8 biventricular repair, 8 single ventricle palliation (7 Fontan), and 2 Mustard repair]. Thirteen patients had a right AV valve. In sinus/atrially paced rhythm, electrical evidence of a crista terminalis was identified in 11 patients, an atriotomy in 12, and > or = 1 right atrial free-wall scar in 11. In 26 IART circuits characterized, 12 used the right AV valve as a central obstacle, 6 used a right atrial free-wall scar, 3 used an atriotomy, 3 used the crista terminalis, and 2 circuits used an atrial septal scar. All central obstacles used by IART circuits were identified in sinus/atrially paced rhythm. CONCLUSION: The crista terminalis, atriotomy, and right atrial scars can be identified in patients with repaired congenital heart disease by electroanatomic mapping in sinus/atrially paced rhythm. These conduction barriers frequently function as the central obstacle for IART. Demonstration of such features may help focus investigational mapping without reliance on spontaneous initiation of the tachycardia.

Adolescent↗

The effective plasma concentrations of sulmazol (AR-L 115 BS) on haemodynamics in chronic heart failure.

Sulmazol (AR-L 115 BS) is a new inotropic drug which has arterial and venous vasodilating properties. We used it in seven patients with severe refractory heart failure to determine the effective plasma concentration levels and the most effective bolus dose on haemodynamics. The haemodynamic monitoring included a Swan-Ganz catheter in the pulmonary artery and a radial catheter. Haemodynamic measurements and plasma concentration determinations were performed before sulmazol injection and at 5, 10 and 30 min after a bolus 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 mg/kg. We observed a gradual increase in cardiac index and decrease in pulmonary wedge pressure when plasma concentration levels rose but the beneficial effects were mainly observed for sulmazol plasma concentrations above 1 microgram/ml. A bolus injection of 0.75 mg/kg was effective in all cases: a significant increase of cardiac index (1.9 to 2.5 1 min-1 m-2; P less than 0.001) and a significant decrease in pulmonary wedge pressure (30 to 25 mm Hg; P less than 0.005) and right atrial pressure (13 to 10 mm Hg, P less than 0.01) were observed. In these patients sulmazol improved the severely deteriorated left ventricular function without affecting heart rate and blood pressure.

Aged↗

Monitoring the native cardiac output during femoral venoarterial cardiopulmonary bypass support.

To manage postcardiotomy patients with cardiopulmonary bypass support (CPS), it is very important to evaluate the native cardiac function. In 5 postcardiotomy cases without CPS, the alternative thermodilution outputs by right ventricular (RV) injection were compared with simultaneous thermodilution outputs by standard right atrial (RA) injection. Cardiac output determined by RV injections, ranging from 3.4 to 10.1 L/min, showed close agreement with the values by RA injections (r = 0.993). Four cases with postcardiotomy profound heart failure were placed on femoral venoarterial CPS and managed with monitoring native cardiac output determined by an RV injection thermodilution method. It was very easy and reasonable to decide the pump flow relative to native cardiac output. The cardiac output determined by RV injection provides a means of accurate evaluation for the failing heart in postcardiotomy cases with venoarterial CPS and optimizes the staged weaning off CPS or the change to a pneumatic pulsatile ventricular assist device for long-term assist.

Adult↗

Fontan hemodynamics.

Right atrial-pulmonary artery connection places the pulmonary circulation in series with the systemic circulation rather than the single ventricular "parallel" circulatory arrangement that usually is present prior to repair. The accompanying central cardiac shunt and volume overload physiology are eliminated. Favorable changes in ventricular dimension, ventricular wall stress, cardiovascular efficiency, relative systemic perfusion, and arterial oxygen saturation should result. The ongoing myocardial injury associated with the single-ventricle volume overload is presumably arrested and repair is initiated to a variable degree. Some candidates for right atrial-pulmonary artery connection may not benefit from repair because of irreversible ventricular injury. More accurate indices of systolic and diastolic ventricular function should be applied to this difficult group of borderline patients to further define potential for myocardial recovery and, therefore, candidacy for Fontan repair.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Control of fetal cardiac output during changes in blood volume.

Changes in cardiac output (Qco), heart rate, right atrial pressure, (Pra), and mean systemic pressure (Pms) in response to blood volume changes were measured in chronically prepared fetal sheep. With a 10% decrease in blood volume, fetal cardiac output, measured with the microsphere technique, decreased significantly from 592 +/- 28 to 471 +/- 32 ml . min-1 . kg-1. Heart rate changed little from control animals (163 +/- 5) to those with decreased volume (161 +/- 10 beats/min). Right atrial pressure decreased significantly from 5.4 +/- 0.4 to 4.2 +/- 0.6 mmHg. Mean systemic pressure decreased from 13.8 +/- 0.3 to 10.5 +/- 0.6 mmHg. With a 10% increase in fetal blood volume, cardiac output rose insignificantly to 632 +/- 38 ml . min-1 . kg-1. However, right atrial pressure increased significantly to 8.9 +/- 0.6 mmHg and mean systemic pressure increased significantly to 16.5 +/- 0.8 mmHg with the increased volume. Heart rate again changed little (153 +/- 9 beats/min). The fact that cardiac output rose only a small amount, whereas right atrial pressure rose sharply with an increased blood volume, suggests that the fetal heart is operating near the upper limit of its Starling function curve. As a result, there is very limited cardiac reserve for increases in fetal cardiac output.

Animals↗

Characterization of left atrial activation in the intact human heart.

BACKGROUND: The patterns of activation of the human left atrium (LA), how they relate to atrial myocardial architecture, and their role in arrhythmogenesis remain largely unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left atrial endocardial activation was mapped in 19 patients with a percutaneous noncontact mapping system. Earliest endocardial breakthrough during sinus rhythm (SR) occurred more frequently in the septal (63%, principally posteroseptal) than anterosuperior (37%) LA and varied little with isoproterenol or high right atrial pacing rate. Regardless of site of breakthrough, LA activation was characterized in all patients by propagation around a variably complete line of functional conduction block, descending on the posterior wall from the roof, passing between the ostia of the superior and then inferior pulmonary veins (PVs) before turning septally, passing below the oval fossa, and merging further anteriorly with the septal mitral annulus. Examination of the myocardial architecture in 10 normal adult postmortem hearts revealed an abrupt change in subendocardial fiber orientation along a line following the same course. During episodes of focal initiation of atrial fibrillation (AF), interaction was observed between wavefronts entering the LA from PVs and this functional line of conduction block that resulted in LA macroreentry or formation of daughter wavefronts. CONCLUSIONS: The LA endocardium has complex but characteristic patterns of activation during sinus rhythm, pacing, and AF initiation by PV ectopy that are determined largely by the functional properties of atrial musculature. These findings have important implications for both pacing and ablative strategies for the prevention of initiation of AF.

Adult↗

[Hemodynamics in donor plasmapheresis].

Several studies have demonstrated that preoperative withdrawal and storage of autologous plasma as fresh frozen plasma is effective in blood conservation. For that purpose patients with elective surgery (orthopaedic surgery, open heart surgery, neurosurgery and others) have to undergo donor plasmapheresis without staying in the hospital. Depending upon the need the procedure can be performed several times preoperatively, taking about 900 ml in a normal weighting subject at once. The collection of autologous plasma should be finished at least 14 days before surgery. In order to investigate the haemodynamic effects of donor plasmapheresis 30 patients scheduled for coronary bypass surgery were devided into two groups. 15 patients underwent plasmapheresis (10 ml plasma/kgbw) by one-needle-technique using a Haemonetics seperator (PCS) after premedication but before onset of anaesthesia. Blood withdrawal was performed with 0.5 ml/kgbw x min. Another 15 patients, serving as control had no plasma withdrawal and were measured at identical times as the other group. Both groups had an identical fluid replacement with 500 ml Ringer's solution during the investigation period. Plasma withdrawn was not substituted by colloidal solution (simulating the situation when plasmapheresis is performed at the outpatient). Haemodynamic measurements (both groups) included heart rate, arterial blood pressure, right- and left-atrial pressure, systemic- and pulmonary-vascular resistance and cardiac output. There were no relevant effects of plasmapheresis on haemodynamic function during and after the investigation period in that patients: neither heart rate, blood pressure or vascular resistance changed significantly nor did pre- and afterload or cardiac index. No differences to the group without plasmapheresis could be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Transfusion, Autologous↗