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Perioperative management of pulmonary hypertension after heart transplantation in childhood.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension is responsible for a substantial part of perioperative and postoperative mortality and morbidity after cardiac transplantation. Treatment of right ventricular failure after increased pulmonary vascular resistance is difficult especially in infants and children. Therefore we started a preventive therapy of pulmonary hypertension after cardiac transplantation to avoid right ventricular failure and compared the results with a group of patients with conventional therapy. METHODS: Group 1 (n = 13), with transplantation from 1988 to 1991, was treated with vasodilators when symptoms of right ventricular failure developed. Group 2 (n = 19) had preventive treatment with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), the phosphodiesterase-III inhibitor enoximone, and alkalinazation starting during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. RESULTS: Six patients in group 1 died; four of them as the result of right ventricular failure in the immediate postoperative course despite aggressive treatment. In group 2 there were three deaths as the results of rejection (2) and infection (1). None of these patients developed right ventricular failure (p = 0.02). Cold ischemic time, extracorporeal circulation time, and waiting time before transplantation were significantly longer in group 2. Side effects of this preventive therapy were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that prophylactic therapy of pulmonary hypertension with vasodilators in infants and children after heart transplantation is safe and effective in preventing right ventricular failure in the postoperative course.

Alkalies↗

[One general pattern in the development of pathologic processes in the heart in various types of myocardial involvement].

Experiments on 50 rabbits were made to study left and right ventricular function and ultrastructure of the heart in its diffuse and focal disease, overload of the intact heart. In the middle stage of the above conditions there was a distinct dyscoordination of the heart function and the growth of differences in the heart ventricles ultrastructures. This phenomenon may underlie the rise of intracardiac and general hemodynamic disturbances.

Animals↗

High prevalence of right ventricular involvement in endurance athletes with ventricular arrhythmias. Role of an electrophysiologic study in risk stratification.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic abnormalities and premature ventricular contractions are common in athletes and are generally benign. However, the specific outcome of high-level endurance athletes with frequent and complex ventricular arrhythmias is unclear. Also, information on the predictive accuracy of different investigations in this subgroup is unknown. RESULTS: We report on 46 high-level endurance athletes with ventricular arrhythmias (45 male; median age 31 years) followed-up for a median of 4.7 years. Eighty percent were cyclists. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or coronary abnormalities were present in < or =5%. Eighty percent of the arrhythmias had a left bundle branch morphology. Right ventricular (RV) arrhythmogenic involvement (based on a combination of multiple criteria) was manifest in 59% of the athletes, and suggestive in another 30%. Eighteen athletes developed a major arrhythmic event (sudden death in nine, all cyclists). They were significantly younger than those without event (median 23 years vs 38 years; P=0.01). Outcome could not be predicted by presenting symptoms, non-invasive arrhythmia evaluation or morphological findings at baseline. Only the induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) during invasive electrophysiological testing was significantly related to outcome (RR 3.4; P=0.02). Focal arrhythmias were associated with a better prognosis than those due to reentry (P=0.02) but the mechanism could be determined in only 22 (48%). CONCLUSIONS: Complex ventricular arrhythmias do not necessarily represent a benign finding in endurance athletes. An electrophysiological study is indicated for risk evaluation, both by defining inducibility and identifying the arrhythmogenic mechanism. Endurance athletes with arrhythmias have a high prevalence of right ventricular structural and/or arrhythmic involvement. Endurance sports seems to be related to the development and/or progression of the underlying arrhythmogenic substrate.

Adolescent↗

Effects of failure of the right side of the heart and increased pulmonary resistance on mechanical circulatory support with use of the miniaturized HIA-VAD displacement pump system.

This experimental study was designed to assess the influence of failure of the right side of the heart or pulmonary hypertension, or both, on the performance of a novel miniaturized left ventricular assist device. In small-sized dogs (n = 50) ischemic global left ventricular failure was induced and support was provided by the HIA-VAD displacement pump (stroke volume 10 or 25 ml) installed as a left ventricular assist device. In three groups of animals (n = 10 each) pulmonary hypertension was created before induction of global left ventricular failure. During left ventricular assist device support temporary ischemic failure of the right side of the heart was induced in four groups of animals (n = 10 each). In the group subjected to left ventricular failure, support with the left ventricular assist device, and right ventricular failure during left ventricular assist, left atrial pressure and cardiac index were significantly lower than in the group subjected to left ventricular failure and left ventricular assist alone (2 +/- 6 versus 11 +/- 6 mm Hg and 1.6 +/- 0.4 versus 1.0 +/- 0.4 L/(min/m2), respectively, p < 0.05). In the group subjected to pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular failure, and left ventricular support, left atrial pressure dropped to values near zero but cardiac index remained unaltered as compared with results with the same regimen without pulmonary hypertension. However, when right ventricular failure was added (that is, pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular failure, left ventricular support, and right ventricular failure during support with the left ventricular assist device) left atrial pressure dropped to negative values (p < 0.05) and cardiac index progressively deteriorated. When, in an additional group of dogs, biventricular support was installed in the latter regimen, circulation was initially well supported but oxygenation deteriorated in 60% of cases. We conclude that (1) adequate right ventricular function was indispensable during support with the left ventricular assist device, (2) the combination of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular failure led to the "low left ventricular assist device output syndrome," and (3) biventricular mechanical support in the presence of pulmonary hypertension may be complicated by the alveolar leakage syndrome.

Animals↗

Use of a pulsatile right ventricular assist device and continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis in a 57-year-old man with a pulsatile left ventricular assist device.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the perioperative treatment of both heart transplant and left ventricular assist device recipients, right-sided circulatory failure refractory to medical management remains a major source of morbidity in the immediate postoperative period. In addition, hypervolemia is a frequent complication encountered in the treatment of these patients because of their large fluid intake requirements and relative potential for kidney failure. METHODS: Previous reports have documented the use of continuous-flow devices to support the failing right-sided circulation of patients after both left ventricular assist device insertion and orthotopic heart transplantation. However, such continuous-flow devices may carry the attendant risks of hemolysis and bleeding and may further require 24-hour monitoring by trained personnel. We report the temporary-use pulsatile Abiomed BVS 5000 right ventricular assist device and continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis in the recipient of a pulsatile TCI HeartMate 1000 IP left ventricular assist device both after left ventricular assist device implantation and after orthotopic heart transplantation. RESULTS: The patient was well at 13 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of right ventricular assist devices and continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis in both transplant and left ventricular assist device recipients undoubtedly will remain important as the popularity of these two therapeutic modalities continues to grow.

Equipment Design↗

Diastolic function of the heart in mixed connective tissue disease.

The authors examined the right and left ventricle functions in patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) by Doppler echocardiography. Of 51 patients, 20 had temporary pulmonary arterial hypertension in their case history. According to our knowledge, this is the first study examining the use of Doppler echocardiography and tissue Doppler technique in MCTD patients. Of 51 MCTD patients, 20 had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the past 2 years. Diameters of the right and left ventricle, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured both in the 51 MCTD patients and in the 30 control subjects (mean age 54.8+/-6.2 years in the case of patients and 54.2+/-8.8 years in the case of control subjects). To estimate the global ventricle functions, the myocardial performance index--as described by Tei et al. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 6:838-874, 1996)--was applied, which reflects the ratio of the sum of the isovolumetric contraction and relaxation time as compared to the ejection time. The 20 MCTD patients with PAH received cyclophosphamide therapy for 1 year beside the pulse corticosteroid (CS) therapy. In the case of MCTD patients without PAH, different treatments were used: 12 out of 31 patients were treated with sulfasalazine, 5 of whom received a combination of CS and methotrexate, and 14 took nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs. In the case of the 51 MCTD patients (20 with PAH and 31 without PAH), diastolic function disorder of the left ventricle was detected; the diastolic Ee/Aa velocity quotient of the lateral mitral anulus was lower (p<0.01), and the mean deceleration time was longer (p<0.001) than that of the control group. The Tei index demonstrated the damage of the global ventricle function. The Tei index of the right ventricle indicated global failure of the right ventricle function in the case of MCTD patients complicated with PAH (Tei index 0.36+/-0.07 in MCTD with PAH and 0.28+/-0.04 in MCTD without PAH, p<0.001). The right ventricle function of MCTD patients without PAH was no different from that of the control group. In the case of patients with MCTD, signs of the disorder of the left ventricle diastolic function were observed. Our results suggest that the global impairment of the left ventricle function is the consequence of the disease itself and not the side effect of the treatment. In the case of MCTD patients complicated with PAH, the signs of the right ventricle function impairment proved to be permanent.

Adult↗

Early replacement of pulmonary valve after repair of tetralogy: is it really beneficial?

OBJECTIVES: Debate on the proper timing of pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is still continuing. Significant pulmonary regurgitation (PR) could result in right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, exercise intolerance, arrhythmia, and sudden death. We analyzed clinical results of PVR after repair of TOF to investigate potential risk factor for late outcomes. METHODS: From January 1993 to July 2002, 58 patients (38 males and 20 females) received PVR after repair of TOF. More than moderate degree of PR was observed in these patients by echocardiography. Mean age at PVR was 13.5+/-9.6 years (1.2-44) and TOF repair was performed at 5.2+/-7.1 years of age (0.5-34). Therefore, PVR was performed at 8.3+/-5.2 years (4 months-28 years) after repair. Preoperative electrocardiogram showed complete right bundle branch block in 49 patients (84.5%). Mean duration of QRS complex was 142+/-30 ms. Major arrhythmia occurred in eight patients. Twenty-nine patients complained decreased physical activity and 10 patients showed clinical signs of right heart failure. RESULTS: Early death occurred in one patient (2.5%). Major complication occurred in three patients (complete heart block in two, aortic rupture in one). Follow-up was performed for 2.5+/-2.4 years (46 days-10.3 years). There was no late death. Postoperative cardiothoracic ratio was significantly decreased (0.61+/-0.07 to 0.55+/-0.06, P < 0.001). Marked symptomatic improvement was noted in all patients. Postoperative symptomatic group (n = 14) showed older age at repair of TOF (12.5+/-10.7 vs 2.6+/-2.3 years, P = 0.003), older age at PVR (23.2+/-12.8 vs 10.1+/-5.0 years, P = 0.001), longer interval between repair of TOF and PVR (10.6+/-7.0 vs 7.5+/-4.2 years, P < 0.05), higher degree of functional class (2.4+/-0.5 vs 1.4+/-0.8, P < 0.001), and longer duration of hospitalization (30.0+/-14.2 vs 18.9+/-11.4 days, P = 0.004) than postoperative asymptomatic group (n = 43). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with significant PR after repair of TOF, PVR had clinical benefits including symptomatic improvement with low mortality and morbidity. Proper timing must be carefully selected according to objective evaluation of RV function. In our study, earlier PVR prior to symptomatic manifestation showed beneficial effects.

Adolescent↗

Implications of the absence of ST-segment elevation in lead V4R in patients who have inferior wall acute myocardial infarction with right ventricular involvement.

BACKGROUND: ST-segment elevation of > or = 1.0 mm in lead V4R has been shown to be a reliable marker of right ventricular involvement (RVI), a strong predictor of a poor outcome in patients with inferior acute myocardial infarction (IMI). However, patients with no ST-segment elevation in lead V4R despite the presence of RVI have received little attention. HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to study the clinical features of patients with no ST-segment elevation in lead V4R despite the presence of RVI, which means false negative, as such patients have received little attention in the past. METHODS: We studied 62 patients with a first IMI, who had total occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) proximal to the first right ventricular branch and successful reperfusion within 6 h from symptom onset, to examine the implications of the absence of ST-segment elevation in lead V4R despite the presence of RVI. RESULTS: A standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and right precordial ECG (lead V4R) were recorded on admission, and three posterior chest ECGs (leads V7 to V9) were additionally recorded in 34 patients. Patients were classified according to the absence (Group 1, n = 18) or presence (Group 2, n = 44) of ST-segment elevation of > or = 1.0 mm in lead V4R on admission. Patients in Group 1 had a greater ST-segment elevation in leads V7 to V9 (2.9+/-2.4 vs. 1.4+/-3.0 mm. p < 0.05), a higher frequency of a dominant RCA (defined as the distribution score > or = 0.7) (72 vs. 11%, p < 0.001), and a higher peak creatine kinase level (3760+/-1548 vs. 2809+/-1824 mU/ml, p < 0.05) than those in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with IMI caused by the occlusion of the RCA proximal to the first right ventricular branch, no ST-segment elevation in lead V4R can occur because of concomitant posterior involvement. In such patients, the incidence of RVI may be underestimated on the basis of ST-segment elevation in lead V4R.

Aged↗

Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of pulmonary regurgitation in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: comparison with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the noninvasive assessment of severity of pulmonary regurgitation with Doppler echocardiography versus cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). METHODS: We studied 52 (22 females) consecutive patients (aged 32 +/- 2 years, 23 +/- 5 years after rTOF) using Doppler echocardiography and compared these findings with CMR. From the continuous-wave Doppler trace, the duration of pulmonary regurgitation and of total diastole was measured and the ratio between the 2 was defined as pulmonary regurgitation index (PRi). Pulmonary regurgitant fraction (PRF) was assessed with flow phase velocity mapping with CMR. RESULTS: Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median value (24.5%) of PRF measured by CMR: Group I (26 patients) with PRF < or =24.5% and Group II with PRF >24.5%. There was no difference between patients' age, sex, or age at repair between the 2 groups. More patients from Group II had a right ventricular outflow or transannular patch repair compared to Group I (12/26 [46%] vs 6/26 [23%], P <.01). Mean pulmonary regurgitation time was shorter (340 +/- 60 vs 440 +/- 135 ms, P =.001) and PRi was lower (0.61 +/- 0.11 vs 0.91 +/- 0.11, P <.001) in Group II compared to Group I. Color Doppler regurgitant jet was also broader in Group II (1.4 +/- 0.4 vs 0.7 +/- 0.5 cm, P <.001), signifying more severe pulmonary regurgitation. Doppler-measured PRi correlated closely with CMR regurgitant fraction (r = -0.82, P <.001) and with color Doppler pulmonary regurgitant jet width (r = -0.66, P <.001); the latter correlated with PRF assessed with CMR (r = 0.72, P <.001). A PRi <0.77 had 100% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity for identifying patients with pulmonary regurgitant fraction >24.5%, with a predictive accuracy of 95%. Furthermore, echocardiographically-assessed right ventricular end-diastolic dimensions correlated with CMR end-diastolic volume index (r = 0.49, P <.001 ). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary regurgitation is common in asymptomatic adults with rTOF. Severity of pulmonary regurgitation and its effects on right ventricular dimensions in these patients can be assessed noninvasively by Doppler echocardiography and CMR, with reasonable agreement between the 2 techniques.

Adult↗

Tetralogy of Fallot: transannular and right ventricular patching equally affect late functional status.

BACKGROUND: In tetralogy of Fallot, transannular patching is suspected to be responsible for late right ventricular dilatation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In our institution, 191 patients survived a tetralogy of Fallot repair between 1964 and 1984. Transannular patching was used in 99 patients (52%), patch closure of a right ventriculotomy in 35, and direct closure of a right ventriculotomy in 55. Two had a transatrial-transpulmonary approach. To identify predictive factors of adverse long-term outcome related to right ventricular dilatation, the following events were investigated: cardiac death, reoperation for symptomatic right ventricular dilatation, and NYHA class II or III by Cox regression analysis. Mean follow-up reached 22+/-5 years. The 30-year survival was 86+/-5%. Right ventricular patching, whether transannular or not, was the most significant independent predictor of late adverse event (improvement chi(2)=16.6, P:<0.001). In patients who had direct closure, the ratio between end-diastolic right and left ventricular dimensions on echocardiography was smaller (0.61+/-0.017 versus 0. 75+/-0.23, P:=0.007), with a smaller proportion presenting severe pulmonary insufficiency (9% versus 40%, P:=0.005). There was no difference between right ventricular and transannular patching concerning late outcome (log rank P: value=0.6), right ventricular size (0.70+/-0.28 versus 0.76+/-0.26, P:=0.4), or incidence of severe pulmonary insufficiency (30% versus 43%, P:=0.3). CONCLUSIONS: In tetralogy of Fallot, transannular patching does not result in a worse late functional outcome than patching of an incision limited to the right ventricle. Both are responsible for a similar degree of long-term pulmonary insufficiency and right ventricular dilatation.

Adolescent↗

[ST-segment shift in V1-V3 in patients with inferior wall infarction depend on angiographic localization of right artery occlusion].

Two electrocardiographic types of inferior wall infarct were isolated based on angiographic localization of right coronary artery occlusion. In proximal occlusion of RCA before right ventricular branch there is no depression or more rarely elevation of ST segment in V1-V3 especially in V1 (the first morphological type). ST segment depression in V1-V3 (second morphological type) is characteristic for distal segment of RCA occlusion.

Angiography↗

Ischemic hepatitis: clinical presentation and pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of ischemic hepatitis, otherwise known as "shock liver," is poorly understood, although it is believed to be the result of a reduction in systemic blood flow as typically occurs in shock. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of this phenomenon as well as other clinical features in patients with ischemic hepatitis. METHODS: We identified a cohort of 31 patients (case group) who met the most commonly accepted definition of ischemic hepatitis (an acute reversible elevation in either the serum alanine or aspartate aminotransferase level of at least 20 times the upper limit of normal, excluding known causes of acute hepatitis or hepatocellular injury, in an appropriate clinical setting). We also evaluated the clinical features and serum aminotransferase levels in a cohort (the control group) of 31 previously healthy patients who sustained major nonhepatic trauma at San Francisco General Hospital, a major trauma center. Both groups of patients had documented systolic blood pressures <75 mm Hg for at least 15 minutes. Clinical and hemodynamic (invasive and noninvasive) data were recorded. RESULTS: Despite the marked reduction in blood pressure, no patient in the control group developed ischemic hepatitis. The mean (+/- SD) peak serum aspartate aminotransferase level in the control group was only 78 +/- 72 IU, in contrast with a mean peak of 2,088 +/- 2,165 IU in the case group. All 31 patients with ischemic hepatitis had evidence of underlying organic heart disease, 29 (94%) of whom had right-sided heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic hypotension or shock alone did not lead to ischemic hepatitis in any patient. The vast majority of patients with ischemic hepatitis had severe underlying cardiac disease that had often led to passive congestion of the liver. These data lead us to propose that right-sided heart failure, with resultant hepatic venous congestion, may predispose the liver to hepatic injury induced by a hypotensive event.

Acute Disease↗

Thoracic epidural anesthesia impairs the hemodynamic response to acute pulmonary hypertension by deteriorating right ventricular-pulmonary arterial coupling.

OBJECTIVE: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is increasingly used in critically ill patients. This analgesic technique was shown to decrease left ventricular contractility, but effects on right ventricular function have not been reported. A deterioration of right ventricular performance may be clinically relevant for patients with acute pulmonary hypertension, in which right ventricular function is an important determinant of outcome. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that thoracic epidural anesthesia decreases right ventricular contractility and limits its capacity to tolerate pulmonary hypertension. DESIGN: Prospective, placebo-controlled study using an established model of acute pulmonary hypertension. SETTING: University hospital laboratory. SUBJECTS: A total of 14 pigs (mean weight, 35 +/- 2 kg). INTERVENTIONS: After instrumentation with an epidural catheter, biventricular conductance catheters, a pulmonary flow probe, and a high-fidelity pulmonary pressure catheter, seven pigs received thoracic epidural anesthesia and seven pigs served as control. Hemodynamic measurements were performed in baseline conditions and after induction of pulmonary hypertension via hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (Fio2 of 0.15). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Ventricular contractility was assessed using load- and heart rate-independent variables. Right ventricular afterload was characterized with instantaneous pressure-flow measurements. In baseline conditions, thoracic epidural anesthesia decreased left but not right ventricular contractility. In untreated animals, pulmonary hypertension was associated with an increase in right ventricular contractility and cardiac output. Pretreatment with thoracic epidural anesthesia completely abolished the positive inotropic response to acute pulmonary hypertension. As a result, ventriculo-vascular coupling between the right ventricle and pulmonary-arterial system deteriorated, and cardiac output was significantly lower in animals with thoracic epidural anesthesia than in untreated controls during hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural anesthesia inhibits the native positive inotropic response of the right ventricle to increased afterload and deteriorates the hemodynamic effects of acute pulmonary hypertension.

Acute Disease↗

Successful term pregnancy after Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Transposition of the great arteries is a complex cardiac malformation with poor prognosis without surgical correction. Since the introduction of surgical procedures such as the intra-auricular reorientation of the venous return (Mustard procedure), an increasing number of patients may reach adulthood and experience pregnancy. Because long-term complications after the Mustard operation include systemic heart failure, arrhythmias, venous return stenosis and pulmonary edema, hemodynamic changes during pregnancy and delivery may potentially engender life-threatening complications in these patients. We report the case of a 24-year-old primigravida who underwent a Mustard procedure at the age of 2 years for transposition of the great vessels, and who carried out a full-term pregnancy. The pregnancy was uneventful until the 34th week, when the woman developed signs of moderate right ventricular failure and frequent episodes of accelerated junctional rhythm. Digitalisation improved symptoms and elicited return to normal sinus rhythm. The patient delivered at term by elective cesarean section, under close hemodynamic monitoring.

Adult↗

Incidence and risk distribution of heart failure in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease after cardiac surgery.

Heart failure (HF) is a major problem in the long-term follow-up of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) after cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for HF in patients with CHD. N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured in 345 consecutive patients with CHD. HF was defined as an elevated N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide level (> or = 100 pg/ml) and reduced VO2max (< or = 25 ml/kg/min). The HF criteria were met by 89 patients. These patients were significantly older (mean +/- SEM 30.8 +/- 0.9 vs 24.8 +/- 0.5 years), had significantly lower maximal heart rates (149 +/- 3 vs 164 +/- 1 beats/min), and had larger end-diastolic right ventricular diameters (36 +/- 1 vs 27 +/- 1 mm) and right ventricular pressure estimated by Doppler flow velocities of tricuspid valve regurgitation (2.9 +/- 0.1 vs 2.3 +/- 0.03 m/s). Mean fractional shortening of the left ventricle was within the normal range. To estimate risk stratification, odds ratios for HF were determined for the most frequently occurring types of congenital heart defects and surgical procedures. In conclusion, HF in adults with CHD predominately depends on diagnosis, age, the frequency of reoperation, and right ventricular function and may be related to chronotropic incompetence indicated by lower maximal heart rates.

Adolescent↗

[Arrhythmogenic dysplasia of the right heart ventricle].

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a heart muscle disease in which muscle tissue has been partially replaced by adipose or fibro-adipose tissue. Morphologic changes in the right ventricle and ventricular arrhythmias are characteristic. Pathomorphological changes should be confirmed by NMR or endomyocardial biopsy. Morphological changes ought to be found by ultrasound methods or angiographic examination. ECG exercise test, Holter monitoring, late potentials, total ventricular activation time and programmed stimulation of right ventricle are used to evaluate the risk of sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias which is the most important problem. Those methods indicate pharmacologic or invasive therapy (RF ablation, implanted cardioverter-defibrillators), and are used to establish the effectiveness of treatment.

Angiography↗

The combined effect of systemic hypertension and obesity on biventricular diastolic function.

Left ventricular (LV) cardiomyopathy in hypertensive obese patients is a consequence of increased LV afterload due to systemic hypertension and increased LV pre-load subsequent to the augmentation of total blood volume in obese. However, little is known about right ventricular (RV) functional status and biventricular interaction in patients with systemic hypertension and concurrent obesity. The aim of our study was the echocardiographic assessment of left and right ventricular function and diastolic performance in hypertensive obese patients. The study group consisted of 31 subjects with BMI > 26 kg/m2 and mild to moderate systemic hypertension, patients with systemic hypertension and normal BMI served as a control group. M-mode echocardiographic measurements of left and right ventricles were performed. By pulsed Doppler echocardiography LV and RV recordings of diastolic filling and systolic flows in pulmonary artery were obtained. Hypertensive obese patients demonstrated significantly thicker posterior wall and enlarged left atrium, while no differences in RV structure were found between both groups. In obese subjects we showed significantly lower LV early to late filling wave velocity ratio and LV early to late filling wave velocity-time-integral ratio (p < 0.01). Only RV early to late filling wave velocity-time-integral ratio differentiated obese and lean subjects (p < 0.05). In obese subjects we demonstrated significantly increased mean pulmonary artery pressure. The results of our study indicate that RV is protected from the direct influence of hemodynamic changes observed in overweight/obesity better than the left ventricle and RV abnormalities in patients with systemic hypertension and obesity depend mainly on increased RV afterload, secondary to LV dysfunction.

Adult↗