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Biomedical subjects

Pio Caso

Publications and source records attributed to Pio Caso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Left ventricular early myocardial dysfunction after chronic misuse of anabolic androgenic steroids: a Doppler myocardial and strain imaging analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are sometimes used by power athletes to improve performance by increasing muscle mass and strength. Recent bioptical data have shown that in athletes under the pharmacological effects of AAS, a focal increase in myocardial collagen content might occur as a repair mechanism against myocardial damage. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential underlying left ventricular myocardial dysfunction after chronic misuse of AAS in athletes by use of Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) and strain rate imaging (SRI). METHODS: Standard Doppler echocardiography, DMI, SRI and ECG treadmill test were undertaken by 45 bodybuilders, including 20 athletes misusing AAS for at least 5 years (users), by 25 anabolic-free bodybuilders (non-users) and by 25 age-matched healthy sedentary controls, all men. The mean (SD) number of weeks of AAS use per year was 31.3 (6.4) in users, compared with 8.9 (3.8) years in non-users, and the mean weekly dosage of AAS was 525.4 (90.7) mg. RESULTS: The groups were matched for age. Systolic blood pressure was higher in athletes (145 (9) vs 130 (5) mm Hg) than in controls. Left ventricular mass index did not significantly differ between the two groups of athletes. In particular, both users and non-users showed increased wall thickness and relative wall thickness compared with controls, whereas left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and transmitral Doppler indexes were comparable for the three groups. Colour DMI analysis showed significantly lower myocardial early: myocardial atrial diastolic wave ratios in users at the level of the basal interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricular lateral wall (p<0.01), in comparison with both non-users and controls. In addition, in users, peak systolic left ventricular strain rate and strain were both reduced in the middle IVS (both p<0.001) and in the left ventricular lateral free wall (both p<0.01). By stepwise forward multivariate analyses, the sum of the left ventricular wall thickness (beta coefficient = -0.32, p<0.01), the number of weeks of AAS use per year (beta = -0.42, p<0.001) and the weekly dosage of AAS (beta = -0.48, p<0.001) were the only independent determinants of middle IVS strain rate. In addition, impaired left ventricular strain in users was associated with a reduced performance during physical effort (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Several years after chronic misuse of AAS, power athletes show a subclinical impairment of both systolic and diastolic myocardial function, strongly associated with mean dosage and duration of AAS use. The combined use of DMI and SRI may therefore be useful for the early identification of patients with more diffused cardiac involvement, and eventually for investigation of the reversibility of such myocardial effects after discontinuation of the drug.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Myocardial and vascular dysfunction in systemic sclerosis: the potential role of noninvasive assessment in asymptomatic patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-system disorder characterized by widespread vascular lesions and fibrosis of skin and distinct internal organs. The aim of the present study was to analyze possible associations of left ventricular (LV) myocardial function with coronary flow reserve (CFR) and endothelial function in asymptomatic patients with SSc. Thirty healthy subjects and 33 age- and sex-comparable asymptomatic SSc patients underwent standard Doppler Myocardial Imaging, Strain Rate (SR) Imaging of interventricular septum (IVS) and LV lateral wall, transthoracic CFR of left anterior descending coronary vessel, and brachial artery vasodilatation measurement. In SSc patients, LV myocardial early diastolic peak velocity, peak systolic SR and strain were both reduced in basal and middle IVS, and in basal and middle LV lateral wall (p<0.001). In addition, both CFR (p<0.0001) and endothelial flow-mediated dilatation (p<0.001) were significantly lower in SSc patients. By stepwise forward multivariate analyses, CFR (p<0.001) and endothelial function (p<0.001) were powerful independent determinants of middle LV strain of SSc patients. In conclusion, SR Imaging, transthoracic CFR and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation are valuable non-invasive and easy-repeatable tools for detecting early LV myocardial and vascular involvement caused by SSc.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2006

Biventricular myocardial adaptation to different training protocols in competitive master athletes.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting data have been reported about the nature (physiologic versus pathologic) of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in master athletes. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze LV and right ventricular (RV) myocardial function in master athletes with LV hypertrophy induced by either endurance or strength training. METHODS: Standard Doppler echo and colour Doppler Myocardial Imaging (DMI) of LV and of RV basal lateral walls were performed in 40 competitive master (>45 years) endurance athletes (ATE), in 20 master strength-trained athletes (ATS) and 25 age-matched healthy sedentary subjects, all males. By use of DMI, the following parameters of myocardial function were assessed: systolic peak velocities, precontraction time, contraction time, early (E(m)) and late (A(m)) diastolic peak velocities, E(m)/A(m) ratio, relaxation time. RESULTS: The two groups were comparable for age, but ATS at rest showed higher heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and body surface area. LV mass index did not significantly differ between the two groups of athletes. However, ATS showed increased wall thickness and relative wall thickness, while LV stroke volume and both LV and RV end-diastolic diameters were greater in ATE. All transmitral and transtricuspid Doppler indexes were higher in ATE. DMI analysis showed in ATE higher E(m) and E(m)/A(m) ratio at the level of both RV and LV lateral walls. In the overall population of athletes, linear regression models evidenced independent positive association of RV peak E(m) velocity with both LV stroke volume and maximal workload achieved by bicycle ergometer (both p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RV early diastolic myocardial function is positively influenced by preload increase in master athletes and represents an independent determinant of cardiac performance during physical effort. Therefore, colour DMI may be taken into account to distinguish different cardiac adaptation to either endurance or strength sport training in master athletes.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

Abnormal myocardial deformation properties in obese, non-hypertensive children: an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, standard echocardiographic, and strain rate imaging study.

AIMS: The prevalence of obesity is increasing among children in the developed world. The association of obesity and abnormal cardiac function is still debated. The reported changes may reflect the role of comorbidities that contribute to ventricular dysfunction. Obese children, without arterial hypertension, may be a unique clinical opportunity to evaluate the effect of obesity, per se, on myocardial function, excluding the influence of possible comorbidities. We sought to define the preclinical effects of obesity on the cardiovascular system, of healthy children with excess weight who have no other clinically appreciable cause of heart disease, using the more sensitive ultrasonic-derived strain and strain rate (SR) imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 300 subjects divided into two groups: (i) obese children (Group O: n=150; age, 12+/-3 years); (ii) healthy lean children comparable for age, sex, and pubertal stage (Referents: n=150; mean age, 12+/-3 years). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as 24 h-SBP and 24 h-DBP were comparable between groups. Left ventricular (LV) mass/height(2.7) was increased (P<0.0001) in Group O (46+/-12 g/m(2.7)) when compared with Referents (31+/-14 gm(2.7)). Standard echocardiographic indices of global systolic function were similar in the two groups. Intima-media thickness measured at the common carotid artery was not significantly different (P=0.4) in obese children (0.46+/-0.09 mm) when compared with Referents (0.45+/-0.07 mm). Obese children showed regional longitudinal peak systolic myocardial deformation properties (SR=-1.4+/-0.7 s(-1)) lower (P<0.0001) than those of Referents (SR=-2.2+/-0.5) in both left and right ventricle. In multivariable analysis, average peak systolic SR was significantly correlated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P<0.01; coefficient, 0.02; SE, 0.011), and insulin serum concentration (P<0.01; coefficient, 0.05; SE, 0.023). Average LV peak systolic strain was significantly correlated with body mass index (P=0.0001; coefficient, 0.06; SE, 0.016), LVM/H(2.7) (P=0.006; coefficient, 0.016; SE, 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that obesity, in absence of hypertension, is associated with significant reduction in systolic myocardial deformation properties already in childhood involving both right and left ventricle. Obesity not only is a risk factor for later cardiovascular disease, but also is associated with contemporaneous and significant impairment of longitudinal myocardial deformation properties.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed2006

"Steal" collaterals: an echocardiographic diagnostic marker for anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in the adult.

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, also known as Bland-White-Garland syndrome, is a rare malformation. Few patients survive past childhood without surgical repair, and up to 90% die suddenly at a mean age of 35 years. We describe a case of a 60-year-old patient with anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in which 2-dimensional and color flow Doppler visualization of the intercoronary (so-called "steal") collaterals was the first marker that alerted the examiner to the possibility of this diagnosis, subsequently guided step-by-step the echocardiographic approach.

Collateral Circulation↗
PubMed2006

Myocardial systolic activation delay in patients with left bundle branch block and either normal or impaired left ventricular function.

AIM OF THE STUDY: to evaluate determinants of myocardial activation delay of both left (LV) and right (RV) ventricle in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and either normal or impaired LV ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: From an initial cohort of patients with LBBB, 42 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (group A) and 33 with normal global LV systolic function (group B), all comparable in age and sex, underwent standard Doppler echo, pulsed Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI), and coronary angiography. Using DMI, the following regional parameters were evaluated in five different basal myocardial segments (LV anterior, inferior, septal, lateral walls-RV lateral wall): systolic (Sm), early- and late-diastolic (Em and Am) peak velocities. As index of myocardial systolic activation was calculated: precontraction time (PCTm) (from the beginning of Q-wave of ECG to the onset of Sm). Intraventricular systolic dyssynchrony was analyzed by difference of PCTm in different LV myocardial segments. Interventricular activation delay was calculated by the difference of PCTm between the most delayed LV segment and RV lateral wall. RESULTS: Patients of group A showed increased heart rate (HR), QRS duration and LV end-diastolic diameter, and reduced LV EF. By DMI, patients of group A showed reduced myocardial peak velocities and a significant intraventricular delay in activation of LV lateral wall, with increased regional PCTm (P < 0.001). In addition, patients with dilated cardiomyopathy showed a more pronounced interventricular dyssynchrony, even after adjustment for HR and QRS duration. By receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a cut-off value of 55 msec of interventricular delay showed 86% sensitivity and 92% specificity in identifying patients with impaired EF. In the overall population, by use of stepwise forward multivariate linear regression analyses, LV end-diastolic diameter (beta coefficient = 0.52; P < 0.001) and LV EF (beta coefficient =-0.58; P < 0.0001) were the only independent determinants of interventricular activation delay. CONCLUSIONS: Pulsed DMI is an effective noninvasive technique for assessing the severity of regional delay in activation of LV walls in patients with LBBB. The impairment of interventricular systolic sychronicity is strongly related to LV dilatation and to the degree of global systolic dysfunction. Therefore, patients with dilated cardiomyopathy suitable for cardiac resynchronization therapy may be better selected.

Bundle-Branch Block↗
PubMed2006

The usefulness of Doppler myocardial imaging in the study of the athlete's heart and in the differential diagnosis between physiological and pathological ventricular hypertrophy.

Athlete's heart is a cardiac adaptation to long-term, intensive training, which includes changes as increased ventricular cavity diameters, wall thickness and mass, produced with a degree consistent with sports activities and exercise programs. The Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) permits characterization of the velocities of each ventricular myocardial segment by placing the sample volume at the center of the cardiac muscle. Even if the standard two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography represents an irreplaceable method in the evaluation of cardiac adaptations to physical exercise, the data currently available suggests the usefulness of DMI in the assessment of the myocardial systolic and diastolic functions of the athlete's heart. In particular, an athlete's left ventricular hypertrophy is characterized by a "supernormal" DMI pattern, with increased myocardial early-diastolic velocity. Therefore, DMI analysis in the trained subject has demonstrated interesting prospective for: (1) the differential diagnosis from pathological, both, left and right ventricular hypertrophy; (2) the prediction of cardiac performance during physical effort; (3) the evaluation of the biventricular interaction; (4) the analysis of the myocardial adaptations to various training protocols; and (5) the early identification of specific genotypes associated with cardiomyopathies. On this ground, a combined use of standard 2D echo and DMI may be taken into account for a valid noninvasive and easy-repeatable evaluation of both physiological and pathological ventricular hypertrophies.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2006

The athlete's heart and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: two conditions which may be misdiagnosed and coexistent. Which parameters should be analysed to distinguish one disease from the other?

According to the statements from the International Cardiological Committees on Eligibility for Sports, athletes with a clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) should be excluded from most competitive sports, with the possible exception of those of low intensity. Clinical distinctions between physiological athlete's heart and pathological conditions such as HCM have critical implications especially for trained athletes. Even if the standard two-dimensional echocardiography represents an irreplaceable method in the evaluation of cardiac adaptations to physical exercise, the data currently available suggest the usefulness of Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) in the assessment of the myocardial systolic and diastolic function of the athlete's heart. On this ground, the combined use of standard two-dimensional echocardiography and DMI may be taken into account for a valid, non-invasive and easily repeatable evaluation of both physiological and pathological ventricular hypertrophy, and in selecting a subgroup of HCM patients at higher risk of cardiac events. In particular, DMI analysis in the trained individual has demonstrated an interesting opportunity for: (1) the differential diagnosis from pathological left ventricular hypertrophy due to HCM; (2) the prediction of cardiac performance during physical effort; (3) the evaluation of bi-ventricular interaction; (4) the analysis of myocardial adaptations to various training protocols; and (5) the early identification of specific genotypes associated with cardiomyopathies.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗
PubMed2006

Potential clinical perspectives of Doppler myocardial imaging and strain rate imaging during stress echocardiography.

Stress echocardiography has become a common non-invasive test in patients with chest pain and known or suspected coronary artery disease, but, as with exercise electrocardiography, it shows several major limitations. Analysis of gray-scale images based on subjective visual interpretation of wall motion and thickening has considerable variability even among experts. Doppler myocardial imaging and strain rate imaging echocardiography provides additional information in comparison with conventional echocardiography. These techniques provide quantification of regional wall motion at rest and during stress. Quantification of both systolic and diastolic myocardial function by either Doppler myocardial imaging or strain rate imaging mapping during dobutamine stress test has been shown to be a feasible, accurate, non-invasive tool that should be considered to be a sensitive alternative to the present echocardiographic and scintigraphic imaging techniques for stress tests. Time consuming off-line analysis of color images is required in the present state of technology. However, these non-invasive techniques are rapidly evolving and expanding. Further refinements in signal processing and quantitative analysis are likely in the near future.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2006

Effects of volume loading on strain rate and tissue Doppler velocity imaging in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Strain rate is a promising echocardiographic technique which adds further information to that obtained with two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of acute isotonic volume expansion on left ventricular function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) utilizing TDI and strain rate measurements. METHODS: Ten patients with DCM and a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) </= 40% underwent two-dimensional echocardiography during volume expansion (0.9% NaCl; 0.25 ml/kg/min for 120 min). Peak systolic tissue velocity and peak systolic strain rate were measured at baseline and at the end of volume loading. RESULTS: Mean LVEF was 32 +/- 9% at baseline and remained unchanged after volume loading. Similarly, peak systolic velocity was 2.21 cm/s at baseline and remained unchanged after volume expansion. By contrast, peak systolic strain rate significantly reduced from -1.08 +/- 0.37/s to -0.76 +/- 0.12/s (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DCM, peak systolic strain rate significantly reduces with volume loading in the absence of change in LVEF or peak systolic velocities at TDI. Because strain rate is a relative load-independent index of systolic function, the reduction observed is probably related to the decrease in left ventricular systolic performance that follows volume loading in heart failure patients. Thus, peak systolic strain rate appears to be more useful than TDI velocities to evaluate left ventricular dynamics during volume loading in patients with depressed left ventricular function.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Prognostic value of intra-left ventricular electromechanical asynchrony in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: We sought to assess the indexes of myocardial activation delay, using Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI), as potential predictors of cardiac events in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The distribution and magnitude of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy are not uniform in patients with HCM, which results in heterogeneity of regional LV systolic function. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population included 123 HCM patients (39.4+/-5.9 years) and 123 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects, followed up for 48.4+/-8.8 months. By use of pulsed DMI, the following regional parameters were evaluated in six different basal myocardial segments: myocardial peak velocities and systolic time-intervals; myocardial intraventricular (intra-V-Del) and interventricular (inter-V-Del) systolic delays. DMI analysis in HCM showed lower myocardial systolic and early-diastolic peak velocities of all the segments. As for time intervals, HCM showed significant inter- and intra-V delays (P<0.0001), whereas homogeneous systolic activation of the ventricular walls was assessed in controls. During the follow-up, 16 cardiac deaths (12 sudden deaths) were observed in HCM patients. InHCM, DMI intra-V-Del was the most powerful independent predictor of sudden cardiac death (P<0.0001). In particular, an intra-V-Del>45 ms is identified with high sensitivity and specificity in HCM patients at higher risk of ventricular tachycardia and sudden cardiac death (test accuracy: 88.8%). CONCLUSION: In HCM patients, DMI indexes of intra-V-Del may provide additional information for selecting subgroups of HCM patients at increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death at follow-up. Accordingly, such patients may be more actively identified for early intensive treatment and survey.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Global and regional left ventricular function in patients undergoing transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect.

This study sought to evaluate global and regional left ventricular (LV) function before and early after device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) in patients with normal pulmonary pressure. Global LV diastolic function was unaffected by ASD closure. An improvement in global LV systolic function at rest resulted in an increase in stroke volume at rest. Nevertheless, total cardiac output did not change after the procedure, because of a decrease in heart rate at rest counterbalancing the increase in stroke volume. Thus, lateral and inferior LV regional systolic function were preserved after device implantation. Moreover, no changes in regional LV diastolic function were highlighted during the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of strain rate imaging for quantitative evaluation of regional left and right ventricular function after surgical versus percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect.

For the first time, peak systolic strain and strain rate (SR) were used to assess right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) regional function in children after transcatheter and surgical atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. Fifteen patients with successful ASD device closure (the ASD-D group, mean age 9 +/- 3 years), 15 age- and gender-matched patients with successful ASD surgical closure (the ASD-S group, mean age 9 +/- 3 years), and 15 age- and gender-matched controls were enrolled. Regional RV and LV longitudinal function was significantly reduced in the ASD-S group compared with controls in all the studied segments. The ASD-D group presented significantly (p <0.001) reduced strain and SR values only on the basal and mid segments of the septal wall compared with controls. In the ASD-D group, only the RV basal segment showed significantly (p <0.001) reduced strain and SR values compared with controls but significantly greater values than those measured in the ASD-S group. SR imaging indexes could provide new, noninvasive, clinically relevant insight into regional changes in RV function and support the transcatheter approach to ASD for its less negative impact on RV and LV function.

Balloon Occlusion↗
PubMed2005

Atrial myocardial deformation properties predict maintenance of sinus rhythm after external cardioversion of recent-onset lone atrial fibrillation: a color Doppler myocardial imaging and transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate echocardiographic parameters to predict maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are poorly defined. This study was conducted to assess the atrial myocardial properties during AF through myocardial velocity, strain rate, and strain and to compare their prognostic value in maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with lone AF with standard transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-five consecutive patients with lone AF for < or =3 months underwent TTE, TEE, and myocardial velocity and strain and strain rate imaging examinations before successful external cardioversion. Maintenance of sinus rhythm was assessed during a 9-month follow-up. Atrial myocardial velocity, strain, and strain rate values in AF patients were compared with those of age- and sex-matched referents. Moreover, clinical and echocardiographic parameters of patients with maintenance of sinus rhythm (MSR patients) over the 9-month follow-up period (n=25) were compared with those from patients with AF recurrence (AFR patients; n=40). Atrial myocardial properties assessed by myocardial velocity, strain rate, and strain were significantly reduced (P<0.0001) in patients (velocity, 3.2+/-1.4 cm/s; strain, 23.3+/-19%; strain rate, 2+/-0.9 seconds(-1)) compared with referents (velocity, 5.7+/-1.3 cm/s; strain, 92+/-26%; strain rate, 4.2+/-1.8 seconds(-1)). The individual predictors of sinus rhythm maintenance were atrial appendage flow velocity (MSR patients, 39+/-12 cm/s; AFR patients, 32+/-15 cm/s; P<0.01) assessed by TEE and atrial strain (MSR patients, 33+/-27%; AFR patients, 17+/-9%; P=0.0007) and strain rate (MSR patients, 2.7+/-1 seconds(-1); AFR patients, 1.6+/-0.6 seconds(-1); P<0.0001) peak systolic values. Atrial strain (P<0.0001; coefficient, 0.015; SE, 0.003) and strain rate (P<0.0001; coefficient, 0.372; SE, 0.075) parameters alone were confirmed as independent predictors of sinus rhythm maintenance by multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with higher atrial strain and strain rate appear to have a greater likelihood of staying in sinus rhythm. If the current data are verified in future studies, then additional pharmacological therapy and maintenance of anticoagulants for a longer period may need to be considered in those with lower atrial strain and strain rate measurements.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Prognostic value of supine bicycle exercise stress echocardiography in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease.

AIMS: To assess the prognostic significance of supine bicycle exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) for cardiac events, and the ESE additional role compared to other traditional clinical and echo variables, in patients with proven or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical status and long-term outcome were assessed in 607 patients, for a mean period of 49.9 +/- 12.5 months. ESE was performed for the diagnosis of suspected CAD in 267 patients, and for the risk stratification in 340 patients. At baseline, the mean value of WMSI was 1.22 +/- 0.36, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 58.2 +/- 10.9%. The ESE was positive for ischemia in 210 patients (34.9%), while the ECG was suggestive for ischemia in 157 patients. At peak effort, the mean WMSI was 1.38 +/- 0.46. Low work load was achieved by 158 patients (26.1%). During the follow-up period there were 222 events, including 48 cardiac deaths and 34 acute non-fatal myocardial infarction. By multivariable model, cigarette smoking, peak WMSI, positive ESE for ischemia and low work load were the only independent predictors of cardiac death. The cumulative 5-year mean survival rate according to ESE response was 95.9% in patients with negative ESE, and 81.7% in positive ESE (p < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with known or suspected CAD able to perform a physical stress, bicycle ESE is able to stratify patients at higher risk of cardiac events. The final report of an ESE performed for prognostic purpose should include both the assessment of induced dyssinergy and the evaluation of indexes of the extent and the severity of myocardial ischemia.

Bicycling↗
PubMed2005

Early myocardial abnormalities in asymptomatic patients with severe isolated congenital aortic regurgitation: an ultrasound tissue characterization and strain rate study.

BACKGROUND: Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) in the pediatric population has increased in recent years because of the expanded use of new surgical and hemodynamic procedures. Unlike adult patients, few predictors for the need of operation have been proposed in young asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with AR. METHODS: To unmask early abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) function, 59 participants were enrolled: 14 asymptomatic patients (mean age 18 years) with congenital isolated severe AR and normal LV function (LV ejection fraction > 50%); and 45 healthy control subjects with comparable age and body surface area. All the studied population underwent standard echocardiographic examination, integrated backscatter, and strain rate imaging study. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiographic indices of global LV systolic performance for patients with AR were similar to that of control subjects. Compared with control subjects, integrated backscatter analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in cyclic variation in both septal and posterior walls ( P < .05). LV radial and longitudinal deformation properties for patients with AR were significantly reduced ( P < .05) as assessed by peak systolic strain rate. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated the ability of integrated backscatter and strain rate imaging to detect early subclinical abnormalities in young patients with severe congenital AR despite the presence of a normal ejection fraction.

Adolescent↗