Biomedical subjects

Stefano De Castro

Publications and source records attributed to Stefano De Castro.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Left ventricular remodelling index (LVRI) in various pathophysiological conditions: a real-time three-dimensional echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Various studies have reported a close correlation between real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and cine magnetic resonance imaging studies for the assessment of cardiac volumes and mass. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate changes in left ventricular volumes and mass in subjects with different pathophysiological conditions. A ratio between left ventricular mass and end-diastolic volume (LVRI), detected by RT3DE, was used to describe various patterns of left ventricular remodelling. METHODS: RT3DE was performed to calculate left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDV) and end-systolic volume (LVESV), ejection fraction (LVEF) and mass in 220 selected subjects. Of these, 152 were healthy volunteers, 19 top-level rowers, 23 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and 26 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Off-line analysis was performed by two independent operators by tracing manual endocardial and epicardial borders of the left ventricle through eight cutting planes. Inter- and intra-observer variability were calculated. RESULTS: Despite the increase in LV volume and mass in the rowers, LVRI remained unchanged compared with control subjects (p = 0.455), while significantly lower values were found patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (p<0.001) and significantly higher values in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (p<0.001). There was inter- and intra-observer variability. CONCLUSION: The LVRI may serve as a simple and useful indicator of left ventricular adaptation to physiological and pathological conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Epicardial real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in cardiac surgery: a preliminary experience.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) is a widely accepted method to guide cardiac valve surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and incremental value of intraoperative epicardial real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE). DESCRIPTION: Thirty consecutive patients (18 aortic and 12 mitral valve diseases) underwent intraoperative 2DTEE and RT3DE before and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Five observers compared independently 2DTEE to live and full volume images and to the surgical view, to assess the incremental value of RT3DE in depicting the different anatomic structures. EVALUATION: Epicardial RT3DE was feasible in all patients. Qualitative evaluation determined RT3DE superiority in depicting aortic cusp morphologic lesions; left ventricular outflow tract spatial relationships with mitral apparatus and aortic root; and both anterior and posterior mitral leaflet scallops, particularly posterior commissure. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, epicardial RT3DE has been demonstrated to improve morphologic definition of anatomic valvular lesions and their relationship with cardiac adjacent structures. It may be a valid substitute when the 2DTEE approach is contraindicated, or it could have a complementary role, coupled with 2DTEE, to give additional information for surgical planning.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2006

Feasibility and clinical impact of live three-dimensional echocardiography in the management of congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Precise assessment of congenital heart lesions requires inferential evaluation from multiple two-dimensional echocardiographic images (2DE). The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of transthoracic live three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) in the evaluation of congenital heart disease. METHODS: Eighty-two patients (from 4 months to 31 years, mean age 12 +/- 7.5, 38 males and 44 females), known to have congenital heart lesions, prospectively underwent both 2DE and 3DE. Conventional data acquisition by 2DE and "full volume" 3DE acquisition (apical four chambers, parasternal long and short axes, subcostal windows) were carried out by two independent and blinded operators. Data derived from 3DE were compared to 2DE, and 3DE results were graded into three categories: (A) new findings not seen on 2D echo studies, but not critical to therapeutic decision making; (B) additional anatomic information useful in therapeutic decision making; and (C) information equivalent to 2D echo studies. RESULTS: Two out of 82 patients (2%) were excluded because of suboptimal 3DE images. In comparison with 2DE studies, 3DE was graded A in 23 patients (29%), B in 28 patients (35%), and C in 29 patients (36%). In the patients with group B results, atrial and ventricular septal defects, endocardial cushion defects, and l-transposition of great vessels were the most represented pathologies in which 3DE aided medical or surgical therapeutic options. While the new findings in group A did not influence therapy, they defined the whole spectrum of abnormalities in those patients. In patients who fell under group C results, 3DE provided a direct realistic display of the pathology detected by 2DE. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that live 3DE, easily performed at the bedside, provides incremental information on patients with a variety of congenital heart lesions. In the clinical scenario, it clarifies the pathology in all its dimensions, particularly in complex lesions with the incremental information having impact on therapeutic decision making.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Effects of nebivolol versus carvedilol on left ventricular function in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: Beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (beta-blocker) therapy results in a significant improvement in left ventricular (LV) systolic function and prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure. Both carvedilol and nebivolol produce hemodynamic and clinical benefits in chronic heart failure, but it is unknown whether their peculiar pharmacologic properties produce different effects on LV function. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects on LV function of nebivolol compared with carvedilol in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced LV systolic function. METHODS: Seventy patients with a LV ejection fraction <or=40% and in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III were randomly assigned to receive carvedilol or nebivolol therapy for 6 months. At baseline and after 6 months of treatment, all patients were assessed clinically and by biochemical and hematological investigation, ECG, 24-hour Holter monitoring, echocardiogram, measurement of ventilatory function, and a 6-minute walk test. RESULTS: Compared with baseline values LV end-systolic volume decreased and LV ejection fraction increased in both the carvedilol (from 79 +/- 38mL to 73 +/- 43mL and from 33% +/- 6% to 37% +/- 11%) and the nebivolol group (from 72 +/- 35mL to 66 +/- 32mL and from 34% +/- 7% to 38% +/- 10%), although the between-group differences were not statistically significant. ECG data showed a decrease in resting HR in both groups (from 83 +/- 20 bpm to 66 +/- 11 bpm for carvedilol and from 81 +/- 15 bpm to 65 +/- 11 bpm for nebivolol; p < 0.001 vs baseline for both groups) but no difference in the PQ, QRS, and QT intervals. Hematologic (in particular, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide), Holter monitoring (with the exception of HR), and respiratory functional data did not show any significant variation in either group after 6 months' therapy. SBP and DBP decreased in both groups. A small reduction in mean NYHA functional class from baseline was seen in both groups (from 2.5 +/- 0.5 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 for carvedilol [p < 0.05] and from 2.3 +/- 0.4 to 2.2 +/- 0.5 for nebivolol [not significant]). The 6-minute walk test showed a trend toward an increase in the walking distance in both groups. During 6 months of treatment no significant differences in adverse events were observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Nebivolol is as effective as carvedilol in patients with symptomatic chronic heart failure and reduced LV systolic function.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed2006

Distribution of potential cardiac sources of embolism in young and older stroke patients: implications for recurrent vascular events.

BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has improved the diagnostic evaluation of ischemic stroke patients, permitting detection of potential cardiac sources of embolism. The present study aimed to evaluate the distribution of potential cardioembolic sources in young versus older stroke patients and their clinical implication for recurrent vascular events. Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with undetermined ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study. METHODS: All patients were submitted to transthoracic and to TEE examination. The mean follow-up period was 43 +/- 19 months. RESULTS: The overall detection of cardiac sources of embolism was significantly higher in younger than in older patients (P = 0.006). Atrial septal abnormalities were more prevalent in the younger than in the older population (P = 0.006), whereas complicated aortic plaques were detected more often in older patients. During the follow-up period of 4-5 years, we identified 40 recurrent stroke episodes or vascular deaths. As expected, there was a significant difference in recurrent vascular events and death of older patients compared to the younger ones (P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that atrial septal abnormalities and aortic atheromas are the most prevalent echocardiographic findings in young and elderly stroke patients, respectively. Complicated aortic atheroma is strictly correlated with recurrent cerebral vascular events or death.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Embolic stroke, sinus rhythm and left atrial mechanical function.

A 64-year-old man manifested a stroke two years after restoration of sinus rhythm through a radiofrequency catheter ablation. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated the presence of a thrombus in the left atrial appendage. Left atrial volumes and different parameters of atrial emptying showed that, despite the persistence of the sinus rhythm, atrial mechanical function was severely impaired. After atrial ablation procedures echocardiography can be useful to stratify patients according to their risk of developing embolic events and hence be of help in deciding whether or not discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy is the appropriate choice.

Atrial Appendage↗

PubMed2005

Effects of levosimendan on systemic and regional hemodynamics in septic myocardial depression.

OBJECTIVE: Calcium desensitization plays an important part in the pathophysiology of septic myocardial depression. We postulated that levosimendan, a new calcium sensitizer, would be beneficial in sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, randomized, controlled study in two university hospital intensive care units. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight patients with persisting left ventricular dysfunction related to septic shock after 48 h of conventional treatment including dobutamine (5 microg/kg per minute). INTERVENTIONS: After 48 h of conventional treatment patients were randomized to receive a 24-h infusion of either levosimendan (0.2 microg/kg per minute, n=15) or dobutamine (5 microg/kg per minute, n=13). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Data from right heart catheterization, echocardiography, gastric tonometry, laser-Doppler flowmetry, and lactate concentrations and creatinine clearance were obtained before and after the 24-h drug infusion. Dobutamine did not change systemic or regional hemodynamic variables. By contrast, at the same mean arterial pressure levosimendan decreased pulmonary artery occlusion pressure and increased cardiac index. Levosimendan decreased left ventricular end-diastolic volume and increased left ventricular ejection fraction. Levosimendan increased gastric mucosal flow, creatinine clearance, and urinary output while it decreased lactate concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that levosimendan improves systemic hemodynamics and regional perfusion in patients with septic cardiac dysfunction under conditions where administration of 5 microg/kg dobutamine per minute is no longer efficacious. Accordingly, our results suggest that levosimendan can be an alternative to the strategy of increasing the dose of dobutamine under such conditions.

Cardiac Output, Low↗

PubMed2004

Identification of professional scuba divers with patent foramen ovale at risk for decompression illness.

Functional and anatomic characteristics of patent foramen ovale (PFO) were investigated in 66 professional scuba divers (41 with and 25 without decompression illness) using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. PFO with right-to-left shunting at rest is associated with decompression illness, particularly the neurologic type. A wider patency diameter together with a higher membrane mobility are associated with the risk of developing the disease in divers with PFO.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Intraoperative epicardial coronary artery imaging: rationale, methods, and applications.

Epicardial coronary imaging using high frequency (7-12 MHz) ultrasound probes could aid the surgeon performing coronary artery bypass procedures by localizing the coronary artery segments underneath epicardial fat, identifying the site of coronary stenosis to be bypassed, evaluating the integrity of distal coronary artery, assessing the efficacy of anastomosis, and detecting anastomotic complications. While an ideal coronary imaging probe is yet to be developed, early clinical experience with vascular imaging probes applied on the coronary vessels suggests that epicardial coronary artery imaging could enhance the optimum performance of coronary interventions. Fabrication of a flexible high frequency probe that could be applied not only on the arteries on the anterior surface of the heart but also on the lateral and posterior surfaces could facilitate development of newer surgical procedures as well.

Arteries↗

PubMed2002

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of mitral valve morphology by intraoperative volume-rendered three-dimensional echocardiography.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) performed to evaluate mitral valve anatomy during valve repair has certain limitations and pitfalls. The study aim was to assess the feasibility, accuracy and incremental value of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), coupled with 2DE in evaluating mitral valve structure, before and after repair and pericardial posterior annuloplasty. METHODS: The site and extent of mitral valve prolapse, systolic and diastolic changes of mitral annular area were evaluated using 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), both pre- and postoperatively in 34 patients before and after mitral valve repair and pericardial posterior annuloplasty. RESULTS: Concordance between 2DE and surgery in evaluating prolapsing mitral valve scallops was 76% for the anterior leaflet and 75% for the posterior leaflet; for 3DE and surgery, concordance was 87% and 93% respectively. There was a significant reduction in maximal and minimal annular area after surgery, with a statistically significant difference between systolic-diastolic changes. CONCLUSION: 3DE, coupled with 2DE, is feasible and accurate in delineating the extent and location of prolapsing scallops of the mitral valve. The combined approach is also valuable in planning mitral valve surgery and evaluating the mitral valve annulus in vivo.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Favorable response to high-dose interferon-alpha in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with restrictive cardiomyopathy--case report and literature review.

The idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by a prolonged overproduction of eosinophils of unknown cause in addition to specific organ damage due to eosinophil-derivated protein toxicity. Its prognosis is correlated with heart involvement that results in a restrictive cardiomyopathy. This is frequently biventricular. Isolated left ventricular infiltration has rarely been reported. The authors report a case of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with cardiac involvement obliterating the left ventricular cavity with a favorable clinical outcome following a combination therapy with interferon-alpha, hydroxyurea and prednisone. Data from other studies dealing with the treatment of idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome with interferon-alpha are reviewed and discussed.

Adult↗