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Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) filling pressures is performed using a multi-parametric algorithm. Left atrial (LA) strain was recently found to accurately classify the degree of diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that LA strain could be used as a stand-alone marker and sought to identify and test a cutoff, which would accurately detect elevated LV pressures. We studied 76 patients with a spectrum of LV function who underwent same-day echocardiogram and invasive left-heart catheterization. Speckle tracking was used to measure peak LA strain. The protocol involved a retrospective derivation group (N = 26) and an independent prospective validation cohort (N = 50) to derive and then test a peak LA strain cutoff which would identify pre-A-wave LV diastolic pressure > 15 mmHg. The guidelines-based assessment of filling pressures and peak LA strain were compared side-by-side against invasive hemodynamic data. In the derivation cohort, receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed area under curve of 0.76 and a peak LA strain cutoff < 20% was identified as optimal to detect elevated filling pressure. In the validation cohort, peak LA strain demonstrated better agreement with the invasive reference (81%) than the guidelines algorithm (72%). The improvement in classification using LA strain compared to the guidelines was more pronounced in subjects with normal LV function (91% versus 81%). In summary, the use of a peak LA strain to estimate elevated LV filling pressures is more accurate than the current guidelines. Incorporation of LA strain into the non-invasive assessment of LV diastolic function may improve the detection of elevated filling pressures.

Left ventricle, LV wringing wall motion relies on physiological muscle fiber orientation, fibrotic status, and electromechanics (EM). The loss of proper EM activation can lead to rigid-body-type (RBT) LV rotation, which is associated with advanced heart failure (HF) and challenges in resynchronization. To describe the EM coupling and scar tissue burden with respect to rotational patterns observed on the LV in patients with ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) left bundle branch block (LBBB). Thirty patients with HFrEF/LBBB underwent EM analysis of the left ventricle using an invasive electro-mechanical catheter mapping system (NOGA XP, Biosense Webster). The following parameters were evaluated: rotation angle; rotation velocity; unipolar/bipolar voltage; local activation time, LAT; local electro-mechanical delay, LEMD; total electro-mechanical delay, TEMD. Patients underwent late-gadolinium enhancement cMRI when possible. The different LV rotation pattern served as sole parameter for patients’ grouping into two categories: wringing rotation (Group A, n = 6) and RBT rotation (Group B, n = 24). All parameters were aggregated into a nine segment, three sector and whole LV models, and compared at multiple scales. Segmental statistical analysis in Group B revealed significant inhomogeneities, across the LV, regarding voltage level, scar burdening, and LEMD changes: correlation analysis showed correspondently a loss of synchronization between electrical (LAT) and mechanical activation (TEMD). On contrary, Group A (relatively low number of patients) did not present significant differences in LEMD across LV segments, therefore electrical (LAT) and mechanical (TEMD) activation were well synchronized. Fibrosis burden was in general associated with areas of low voltage. The rotational behavior of LV in HF/LBBB patients is determined by the local alteration of EM coupling. These findings serve as a strong basic groundwork for a hypothesis that EM analysis may predict CRT response. Clinical trial registration: SUM No. KNW/0022/KB1/17/15.

Our aim was to assess the regional right ventricular (RV) shape changes in pressure and volume overload conditions and their relations with RV function and mechanics. The end-diastolic and end-systolic RV endocardial surfaces were analyzed with three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) in 33 patients with RV volume overload (rToF), 31 patients with RV pressure overload (PH), and 60 controls. The mean curvature of the RV inflow (RVIT) and outflow (RVOT) tracts, RV apex and body (both divided into free wall (FW) and septum) were measured. Zero curvature defined a flat surface, whereas positive or negative curvature indicated convexity or concavity, respectively. The longitudinal and radial RV wall motions were also obtained. rToF and PH patients had flatter FW (body and apex) and RVIT, more convex interventricular septum (body and apex) and RVOT than controls. rToF demonstrated a less bulging interventricular septum at end-systole than PH patients, resulting in a more convex shape of the RVFW (r = − 0.701, p < 0.0001), and worse RV longitudinal contraction (r = − 0.397, p = 0.02). PH patients showed flatter RVFW apex at end-systole compared to rToF (p < 0.01). In both groups, a flatter RVFW apex was associated with worse radial RV contraction (r = 0.362 in rToF, r = 0.482 in PH at end-diastole, and r = 0.555 in rToF, r = 0.379 in PH at end-systole, respectively). In PH group, the impairment of radial contraction was also related to flatter RVIT (r = 0.407) and more convex RVOT (r = − 0.525) at end-systole (p < 0.05). In conclusion, different loading conditions are associated to specific RV curvature changes, that are related to longitudinal and radial RV dysfunction.

Factors correlating to mitral annulus calcification (MAC) include risk factors predisposing to atherosclerosis. In patients with mitral valve (MV) prolapse (MVP), other anatomic or mechanical factors have been supposed to facilitate MAC. The aims of this study were, in patients with MVP undergoing MV repair, (1) to describe the prevalence and characteristics of MAC, (2) to correlate MAC with clinical risk factors, coronary involvement, and aortic valve disease, and (3) to describe prevalence, site, and extension of MAC in fibroelastic deficiency (FED) versus Barlow's disease (BD) and correlate MAC to surgical outcomes (repair vs replacement). In 410 consecutive patients with MVP suitable for surgical MV repair, detailed clinical and echocardiographic data were collected to characterize MAC in BD and FED. MAC was found in 99 patients (24%). Age, female gender, coronary artery disease, and cardiovascular risk factors were correlated with MAC. MAC was equally distributed in FED and BD groups despite patients with FED being older with more cardiovascular risk factors. The most common localization of MAC was annular involvement adjacent to P2 (75%), P1 (31%), and P3 (35%). The presence of MAC affected surgical outcomes in both groups (8% patients with MAC underwent replacement after a first attempt of repair vs 3% without MAC). MAC is a common finding in patients undergoing MV repair, and several clinical characteristics correlate with MAC either in FED or BD. In conclusion, despite very high percentage of repairability, MAC influences surgical outcomes and very detailed echo evaluation is advocated.

Validation of voltage-based scar delineation has been limited to small populations using mainly endocardial measurements. The aim of this study is to compare unipolar voltage amplitudes (UnipV) with scar on delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (DE-CMR). Heart failure patients who underwent DE-CMR and electro-anatomic mapping were included. Thirty-three endocardial mapped patients and 27 epicardial mapped patients were investigated. UnipV were computed peak-to-peak. Electrograms were matched with scar extent of the corresponding DE-CMR segment using a 16-segment/slice model. Non-scar was defined as 0% scar, while scar was defined as 1-100% scar extent. UnipVs were moderately lower in scar than in non-scar (endocardial 7.1 [4.6-10.6] vs. 10.3 [7.4-14.2] mV; epicardial 6.7 [3.6-10.5] vs. 7.8 [4.2-12.3] mV; both p<0.001). The correlation between UnipV and scar extent was moderate for endocardial (R = -0.33, p<0.001), and poor for epicardial measurements (R = -0.07, p<0.001). Endocardial UnipV predicted segments with >25%, >50% and >75% scar extent with AUCs of 0.72, 0.73 and 0.76, respectively, while epicardial UnipV were poor scar predictors, independent of scar burden (AUC = 0.47-0.56). UnipV in non-scar varied widely between patients (p<0.001) and were lower in scar compared to non-scar in only 9/22 (41%) endocardial mapped patients and 4/19 (21%) epicardial mapped patients with scar. UnipV are slightly lower in scar compared to non-scar. However, significant UnipV differences between and within patients and large overlap between non-scar and scar limits the reliability of accurate scar assessment, especially in epicardial measurements and in segments with less than 75% scar extent.

Severe mitral regurgitation is often associated with left atrium (LA) enlargement, which is a well-known predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, only few data are available on the effect of mitral valve (MV) repair on LA size. The aim of this study was to evaluate, using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography, the changes in LA volumes after MV repair. A total of 65 patients with severe mitral regurgitation due to MV prolapse and scheduled for repair at an early stage were enrolled. Before the procedure, real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography was performed to assess LA volumes (maximum, before atrial active contraction [preA], and minimum). The same evaluation was repeated 6 months and 1 year after MV repair. Twenty healthy subjects matched for age and gender were enrolled as a control group. Before MV repair, patients showed significantly higher values of LA volumes (maximum 43 ± 14 mL/m2, preA 33 ± 12 mL/m2, minimum 23 ± 11 mL/m2) as compared to controls (maximum 22 ± 6 mL/m2, preA 13 ± 4 mL/m2, minimum 8 ± 3 mL/m2). Six months after the operation, LA volumes significantly decreased (maximum 25 ± 8 mL/m2, preA 18 ± 8 mL/m2, minimum 13 ± 5 mL/m2), with a further reduction at 1-year follow-up (maximum 23 ± 7 mL/m2, preA 15 ± 7 mL/m2, minimum 11 ± 5 mL/m2), resulting in values similar to controls. The extent of LA reverse remodeling was inversely correlated with age (r = −0.42) and postoperative transmitral mean pressure gradient (r = −0.32), whereas a positive correlation was found with the reduction in left ventricular volume after MV repair (r = 0.35). In patients with severe mitral regurgitation due to MV prolapse, MV repair, when performed at an early stage, results in a significant LA reverse remodeling.

Background. Drug-eluting stents (DES) have proven clinical superiority to bare-metal stents (BMS) for the treatment of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Decision to implant BMS or DES is dependent on the patient’s ability to take dual antiplatelet therapy. This study investigated factors associated with DES placement in STEMI patients. Methods. Retrospective analysis was performed on 193 patients who presented with STEMI and were treated with percutaneous coronary intervention at an urban, tertiary care hospital. Independent factors associated with choice of stent type were determined using stepwise multivariate logistic regression. Odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate factors significantly associated with DES and BMS. Results. 128 received at least one DES, while 65 received BMS. BMS use was more likely in the setting of illicit drug or alcohol abuse ([OR] 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.48, p≤0.01), cardiogenic shock (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.73, p=0.01), and larger stent diameter (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11–0.68, p≤0.01). Conclusions. In this analysis, BMS implantation was associated with illicit drug or alcohol abuse and presence of cardiogenic shock. This study did not confirm previous observations that non-White race, insurance, or income predicts BMS use.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy is not effective in a variable proportion of heart failure patients. An accurate knowledge of each patient’s electroanatomical features could be helpful to determine the most appropriate treatment. The goal of this study was to analyze and quantify the sensitivity of left ventricular (LV) activation and the electrocardiogram (ECG) to changes in 39 parameters used to tune realistic anatomical-electrophysiological models of the heart. Electrical activity in the ventricles was simulated using a reaction-diffusion equation. To simulate cellular electrophysiology, the Ten Tusscher-Panfilov 2006 model was used. Intracardiac electrograms and 12-lead ECGs were computed by solving the bidomain equation. Parameters showing the highest sensitivity values were similar in the six patients studied. QRS complex and LV activation times were modulated by the sodium current, the cell surface-to-volume ratio in the LV, and tissue conductivities. The T-wave was modulated by the calcium and rectifier-potassium currents, and the cell surface-to-volume ratio in both ventricles. We conclude that homogeneous changes in ionic currents entail similar effects in all ECG leads, whereas the effects of changes in tissue properties show larger inter-lead variability. The effects of parameter variations are highly consistent between patients and most of the model tuning could be performed with only ~10 parameters.

(1) Background. A definition of healthcare-associated infections is essential also for the attribution of the restorative burden to healthcare facilities in case of harm and for clinical risk management strategies. Regarding M. chimaera infections, there remains several issues on the ecosystem and pathogenesis. We aim to review the scientific evidence on M. chimaera beyond cardiac surgery, and thus discuss its relationship with healthcare facilities. (2) Methods. A systematic review was conducted on PubMed and Web of Science on 7 May 2024 according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines for reporting systematic reviews, including databases searches with the keyword “Mycobacterium chimaera”. Article screening was conducted by tree authors independently. The criterion for inclusion was cases that were not, or were improperly, consistent with the in-situ deposition of aerosolised M. chimaera. (3) Results. The search yielded 290 eligible articles. After screening, 34 articles (377 patients) were included. In five articles, patients had undergone cardiac surgery and showed musculoskeletal involvement or disseminated infection without cardiac manifestations. In 11 articles, respiratory specimen reanalyses showed M. chimaera. Moreover, 10 articles reported lung involvement, 1 reported meninges involvement, 1 reported skin involvement, 1 reported kidney involvement after transplantation, 1 reported tendon involvement, and 1 reported the involvement of a central venous catheter; 3 articles reported disseminated cases with one concomitant spinal osteomyelitis. (4) Conclusions. The scarce data on environmental prevalence, the recent studies on M. chimaera ecology, and the medicalised sample selection bias, as well as the infrequent use of robust ascertainment of sub-species, need to be weighed up. The in-house aerosolization, inhalation, and haematogenous spread deserve experimental study, as M. chimaera cardiac localisation could depend to transient bacteraemia. Each case deserves specific ascertainment before tracing back to the facility, even if M. chimaera represents a core area for healthcare facilities within a framework of infection prevention and control policies.