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Biomedical subjects

Paolo Colonna

Publications and source records attributed to Paolo Colonna.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation: beyond the AFFIRM study.

In the last few decades several clinical studies evaluated the efficacy and safety of different strategies for antithrombotic prophylaxis to prevent thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Nowadays, a frequently debated point is related to the high embolic risk deriving from the asymptomatic and symptomatic AF recurrence after cardioversion or in paroxysmal AF, especially in patients with a large number of prolonged episodes of AF. In fact, after the recent AFFIRM and RACE trials, patients after successful cardioversion at risk for thromboembolism could also need lifelong anticoagulation. Considering this, should we anticoagulate all patients with clinical risk factors for thromboembolism with a single episode of AF, without considering the hemorrhagic risk? Based on recent trials, it is reasonable to hypothesize that long AF recurrences (> 48 h), both symptomatic and asymptomatic, are present mostly (if not exclusively) in patients with structural left atrial appendage (LAA) dysfunction and remodeling. Conversely, AF recurrences in patients without LAA dysfunction and remodeling, could be too short to allow thrombi formation in the LAA, and the anticoagulation could also be avoided. Once other clinical and echocardiographic determinants of stroke have been excluded, the LAA velocity could select patients with a normal appendage function at low embolic risk who could benefit from anti-aggregation and patients with irreversible appendage dysfunction, at high embolic risk, who need lifelong anticoagulation.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed2006

[Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm during transthoracic echocardiography. A prospective study in 1202 consecutive patients at high risk: incidence, correlation with risk factors, feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and increase in echocardiography time].

BACKGROUND: The rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is a pathology with a high mortality risk. Conversely, the study of the abdominal aorta is not routinely included in the echocardiography protocol, although it can be performed quickly and easily for screening of the aneurysm. The aim of this study was to evaluate screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm at the end of each echocardiographic exam performed at our laboratory. METHODS: From March 2002 to October 2003, 1202 patients aged > 40 years were studied at our echo-lab. After the first 4 months of screening, only patients at high risk were screened, namely men > 65 or < 65 years and women > 65 years with at least one risk factor for ischemic heart disease. We evaluated feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, incidence in the study population, interobserver variability, the correlation with risk factors for ischemic heart disease and the increase in total echocardiography time. RESULTS: The mean aortic diameter was 19.08 +/- 5.98 mm and feasibility was very high (95.6%). We found 62 unknown aneurysms and 20 localized aortic dilatations (incidence of 5.6 and 1.7%, respectively); the incidence of both of them was 9.1 in men and 1.6 in women. Multivariate analysis revealed male gender, older age and other arterial district pathologies as independent risk factors. The interobserver concordance was excellent as well as diagnostic accuracy. The mean time increase in routine echocardiography was 33.8 +/- 18.6 s. CONCLUSIONS: The abdominal aortic study at the end of a routine echocardiography, in patients at risk of aortic pathology because of age or other risk factors, is a simple and accurate method for screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm. It showed a very low cost, also due to the short-time increase in routine echocardiography.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The emerging role of echocardiography in the screening of patients at risk of heart failure.

A large number of patients without symptoms of heart failure (HF) have asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction owing to the compensatory mechanisms acting through the autonomic nervous system and neurohormones. In the setting of screening for prevention, one must identify the subgroup of these patients at high risk for symptomatic HF to establish appropriate therapy. As a first step to identify the subgroup of patients at high risk, clinical screening scores and natriuretic peptide measurements are used. Second, the definite diagnosis of asymptomatic LV dysfunction must be confirmed with echocardiography, occasionally with the help of new technologic developments to establish prompt, appropriate treatment to prevent disease progression. Therefore, the screening role of echocardiography is the early identification of patients with structural cardiopathy who are at risk of developing symptomatic HF and detection of those without LV dysfunction (diabetic and hypertensive) whose condition is prone to advance rapidly to structural cardiopathy or to symptomatic HF.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed2005

Pre- and post-cardioversion transesophageal echocardiography for brief anticoagulation therapy with enoxaparin in atrial fibrillation patients: a prospective study with a 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) eligible for electrical cardioversion (C), the guided approach with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows to avoid the 3 weeks of recommended precardioversion anticoagulation therapy. However, after sinus rhythm restoration, at least other 4 weeks of oral anticoagulation therapy are indicated, due to the postcardioversion thromboembolic risk related to left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) stunning. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the effectiveness and the safety of anticoagulation therapy discontinuation 7 days after C using low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) in a selected group of patients who underwent a pre-C and 7 days post-C TEE evaluation. METHODS: One hundred one patients (74 patients with nonvalvular AF and 27 patients with atrial flutter lasting >48 h and history of AF) were enrolled into the study. Two patients refused the TEE, therefore, in 99/101, we performed a first TEE and, within 24 h, a C if there were no LAA thrombi, complex aortic plaques or severe spontaneous echocontrast. After C and 7 days of home-administered enoxaparin, a second TEE was carried out. In the absence of any new thrombi, severe spontaneous echocontrast and/or low emptying velocity of LAA, the therapy with enoxaparin was stopped; otherwise, anticoagulation therapy with enoxaparin was overlapped with oral anticoagulation and continued for at least 3 weeks. All patients were clinically followed at 1, 6 and 12 months after C. RESULTS: Sinus rhythm was restored in 68/99 patients after successful C. The second TEE was carried out in 53 patients. At 1 month follow-up, no thromboembolic events were recorded either in patients at risk who had continued the oral anticoagulant therapy for at least 3 weeks or in those who suspended LMWH after 7 days post-C TEE. Between the 2nd and 12th month, three ischemic strokes occurred, all in the group of patients who had anticoagulation therapy for at least 3 weeks and had shown LAA velocity <25 cm/s at first or second TEE. No thromboembolic events were recorded in patients with normal LAA velocity; conversely, among the patients who had shown low LAA velocity at either TEE, three suffered from ischemic stroke. In two of these three patients, low LAA velocity was detected only at post-C TEE. CONCLUSIONS: A brief anticoagulation therapy using LMWH appears to be safe and feasible. The 7 days post-C TEE can well-define patients without LAA stunning at low thromboembolic risk, who may take advantage of an early interruption of enoxaparin as an alternative to long oral anticoagulation. The LAA stunning, even in the absence of other thromboembolic risk factors, could select a group of patients at high risk who should continue oral anticoagulation indefinitely or until signs of LAA dysfunction disappear.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Myocardial contrast echocardiography in the evaluation of myocardial perfusion in patients with left bundle branch block and coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), conventional tests such as electrocardiography and myocardial scintigraphy poorly evaluate coronary artery disease. It has been reported that myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is capable of identifying patients with a postinfarction contractile reserve and myocardial functional recovery, also allowing the early identification of late left ventricular remodeling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, retrospectively, myocardial perfusion in selected patients with LBBB. METHODS: Thirty patients (mean age 56 +/- 8 years) with LBBB, 15 with normal coronary arteries at angiography and 15 with a previous myocardial infarction and a critical one-vessel residual stenosis at angiography, underwent MCE from June 2000 to May 2001. MCE results were compared with rest thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy. RESULTS: Among 15 LBBB patients with normal coronary arteries, MCE demonstrated normal perfusion in 14 patients, whereas 1 subject showed an impairment of septal perfusion. In the same group, rest thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy showed an impaired septal perfusion in 14 patients, whereas 1 subject had a normal perfusion (MCE specificity 93% vs myocardial scintigraphy specificity 7%). Among 15 LBBB patients with coronary artery disease, MCE correctly identified a contrast defect in 14/15 patients, whereas rest thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy demonstrated a perfusion defect in 15/15 patients (MCE sensitivity 93% vs scintigraphy sensitivity 100%). The two techniques showed a good agreement as for myocardial perfusion in the anterior wall (86.6% anterobasal; 86.6% mid-anterior; 80% distal anterior), the inferior wall (86.6%), the distal segment of the posterior lateral wall (83.3%), but a low concordance was found as for the basal septum (16.6%) and middistal septum (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: MCE allows a diagnostic benefit in the detection of microvascular damage in patients with LBBB and unknown coronary artery disease, also in the presence of discordance with rest thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy.

Bundle-Branch Block↗
PubMed2004

[Doppler echocardiography for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function: methodology, clinical and prognostic value].

To date, left ventricular diastolic function can be clinically assessed by Doppler echocardiography. The Doppler recording of mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow provides main information about ventricular diastolic properties. At the level of the mitral inflow we can measure the early diastolic peak velocity (E), atrial peak velocity and derive their ratio, the E velocity deceleration time and isovolumic relaxation time, and calculate atrial filling fraction. At the level of the pulmonary veins, the peak systolic velocity (S), the peak diastolic velocity (D), the S/D ratio, the peak of reverse atrial velocity and its duration, above all in terms of difference with the mitral A duration, characterize the different patterns of diastolic function. Also the new ultrasound technologies are clinically useful to define ventricular diastolic properties. The myocardial early diastolic velocity (Em) detectable by pulsed tissue Doppler at the level of the mitral annulus, and the flow propagation velocity (Vp) recordable by color M-mode of left ventricular inflow, both relatively preload-independent, are measurements related to tau, the reference hemodynamic variable. The E/Em and E/Vp ratios provide accurate estimation of the changes in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. They allow us to distinguish the pseudonormal and restrictive patterns from the normal pattern and are, therefore, alternative tools to Valsalva maneuver of mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow. The predictive value of the pattern of abnormal relaxation (grade I of diastolic dysfunction) and both the reversible and irreversible restrictive patterns (grade III and IV respectively) is now demonstrated and permits important prognostic stratification and appropriate therapeutic management.

Diastole↗
PubMed2004

New echocardiographic technologies in the study of acute myocardial infarction.

Echocardiography has a key role in the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients in the different phases of acute myocardial infarction. Despite this important role of the conventional echocardiographic technologies, novel echocardiographic applications are under development or already used in the clinical practice. It is very difficult to distinguish which of these techniques will play a consistent role and will cover important diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic use. The wise cardiologist will be the one who will choose the appropriate technology for the right subset of patients. In this review paper we try to assign to each novel echocardiographic technique its actual clinical weight in every pathophysiological condition: myocardial contrast echocardiography, contrast opacification of the left ventricle, coronary flow reserve study, integrated backscatter, tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging. For the best treatment choice, each patient has to be perfectly diagnosed and characterized in order to have a tailored therapy. A correct diagnosis of the extension of myocardial necrosis cannot ignore the transmural wavefront development, the amount of viable myocardium or the presence of microvascular damage. Also the simple echocardiographic wall motion akinesia can be caused by a variable extension of non-contracting, scarred myocardium. The different anatomic and functional intramyocardial patterns represent the basis for different functional outcome of regional and hence global left ventricular function. The greatest understanding of the pathology always leads to the best treatment.

Coronary Circulation↗
PubMed2003

Nonpharmacologic care of heart failure: counseling, dietary restriction, rehabilitation, treatment of sleep apnea, and ultrafiltration.

The prognosis of patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) depends not only on pharmacologic therapy but also on nonpharmacologic aspects. A complete and ongoing education program for treating CHF includes an understanding of the causes of CHF, symptoms, diet, salt and fluid restriction, drug regimen, compliance, physical and work activities, lifestyle changes, and measures of self-control. Moreover, the nonpharmacologic treatment (dietary modifications, lifestyle, physical exercise, and health care education) must be inserted in a multidisciplinary program organized by the physician in conjunction with the health system, the nurses, and, especially, the patients themselves, who must understand their disease and the many therapeutic options. Cardiologists should treat patients in a clear and comprehensible way, and other specialists (dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers), together with the patient's family, should strive for the best living conditions for the patient. In this way, the treatment of CHF can improve the quantity and quality of life and save a significant amount in health care costs.

Counseling↗
PubMed2003

[Quality system in cardiology: practical example to develop an organizational model for management certification without bureaucracy].

It is a difficult task to define practical guidelines and a pragmatic achievement for the new document of the Italian Ministry of Health for structures of the national health system obtaining a quality system according to the ISO 9000 standard. The present article illustrates the different steps to accomplish the quality management in our cardiology department, recently internationally certified, and it gives several practical examples of the path followed in the different sections of the department to obtain the best management of all the Operative Units, identifying customer requests and measuring customer satisfaction.

Cardiology↗
PubMed2002

Detection of coronary restenosis after coronary angioplasty by contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiographic Doppler assessment of coronary flow velocity reserve.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic potential of contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography (CE-TTE) during adenosine infusion, a noninvasive method for evaluating coronary flow reserve (CFR), in detecting restenosis after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). BACKGROUND: Restenosis is the most important limitation of PTCA, and CFR can be impaired in patients with angiographically documented significant coronary stenosis. METHODS: We performed 6 +/- 2 months of follow-up of 53 patients after successful elective PTCA in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Coronary angiography was performed at the end of the planned follow-up period or even before, if clinically indicated. Thus, of the 53 patients, a total of 63 angiographic studies were performed; CE-TTE assessment of CFR was achieved before each of the 63 angiographic studies. RESULTS: Coronary angiography revealed the presence of restenosis (defined as >50% stenosis at a previous PTCA site) in 32 angiographic examinations (group A) and no coronary restenosis in the remaining 31 examinations (group B). Coronary flow reserve was significantly reduced in group A compared with group B (1.65 +/- 0.5 vs. 3.17 +/- 0.8, p < or = 0.001). A noninvasive CFR value < or = 2 was 93% specific and 78% sensitive for detecting significant restenosis, with positive and negative diagnostic accuracies of 92% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive CFR assessment by CE-TTE is an accurate method of monitoring significant restenosis in the LAD when following up patients submitted to elective PTCA.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Reduced microvascular and myocardial damage in patients with acute myocardial infarction and preinfarction angina.

BACKGROUND: After acute myocardial infarction, the presence of ischemic preconditioning as a result of preinfarction angina has a protective role, limiting necrosis extent and guaranteeing greater myocardial functional recovery. The relationship between preinfarction angina, microvascular reflow, and myocardial function is poorly known. We hypothesized that after acute myocardial infarction patients with preinfarction angina have both microvascular integrity and myocardial function preservation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 51 patients with a first acute myocardial infarction, we noninvasively assessed microvascular perfusion and coronary flow reserve with intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography and investigated myocardial contractile recovery with low-dose dobutamine and 90-day follow-up echocardiography. Typical angina was present in 25 patients and absent in 26 patients during the 7 days preceding the myocardial infarction. Compared with those patients without preinfarction angina, patients with preinfarction angina showed a greater microvascular reflow extent and coronary flow reserve (respectively, 25.2% +/- 22.8% vs 48.3% +/- 23.3%, P <.05, and 3.44 +/- 0.75 vs 1.95 +/- 0.67, P <.0001), a better regional myocardial function, as expressed with wall motion score index in the risk area at dobutamine (1.67 +/- 0.61 vs 2.10 +/- 0.43, P <.005) and at follow-up (1.72 +/- 0.56 vs 2.22 +/- 0.40, P <.0001) echocardiogram, despite being similar in the first echocardiogram (2.60 +/- 0.28 vs 2.63 +/- 0.28, P = not significant), and significantly less pronounced left ventricular dilation at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Presence of preinfarction angina, because of the preconditioning effect, reduces myocardial damage and favors myocardial viability, limiting left ventricular remodeling. This beneficial effect seems to be at least partly mediated by the more preserved microvascular integrity and functional vasodilation after acute myocardial infarction.

Angina, Unstable↗
PubMed2002

Post-infarction microvascular integrity predicts myocardial viability and left ventricular remodeling after primary coronary angioplasty. A study performed with intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: After acute myocardial infarction the preservation of the microvasculature is a pre-requisite for myocardial viability, limited ventricular remodeling and a better prognosis. Intracoronary myocardial contrast echocardiography after acute myocardial infarction can detect the extent of microvascular damage. We hypothesized that intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography after acute myocardial infarction treated with primary coronary angioplasty can predict the contractile reserve at low-dose dobutamine echocardiography, myocardial functional recovery and left ventricular remodeling. METHODS: We studied 37 patients with a first acute myocardial infarction and submitted to primary coronary angioplasty. All patients underwent echocardiography on the day they had the acute myocardial infarction, intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography with power Doppler imaging 2.9 +/- 0.5 days later and dobutamine echocardiography 3.7 +/- 1.2 days after the acute myocardial infarction. In all cases, an echocardiography was performed at 3 months of follow-up. RESULTS: At intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography, 25 patients showed contrast enhancement (reflow) and 12 a sizeable contrast defect (no-reflow). Reflow patients were found to have a regional wall motion score index similar to that of the no-reflow patients on the first day echocardiogram (2.6 +/- 0.4 vs 2.8 +/- 0.2, p = NS), but this parameter was smaller than that of the no-reflow patients at dobutamine echocardiography (1.5 +/- 0.4 vs 2.6 +/- 0.2, p < 0.0001) and at follow-up echocardiography (1.5 +/- 0.5 vs 2.6 +/- 0.2, p < 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography in identifying myocardial functional recovery at follow-up were 80 and 64%, while the sensitivity and specificity of dobutamine echocardiography were 85 and 76%. In no-reflow patients the left ventricular volumes increased from the acute to the chronic phase (end-diastolic volume from 71.9 +/- 14.1 to 100.9 +/- 40.6 ml/m2, p < 0.0001, +28%; end-systolic volume from 43.1 +/- 10.1 to 61.1 +/- 30.1 ml/m2, p < 0.0001, +29%), while they remained constant in reflow patients (end-diastolic volume from 71.8 +/- 20.1 to 71.1 +/- 15.4 ml/m2, p = NS, -1%; and end-systolic volume from 39.9 +/- 11.9 to 36.3 +/- 12.8 ml/m2, p = NS, -8%). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous myocardial contrast echocardiography is capable of identifying patients with a post-infarction contractile reserve and myocardial functional recovery; it also allows the early identification of patients prone to late left ventricular dilation, thus permitting a more aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic strategy.

Adult↗