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Beneficial effects of L-carnitine in dialysis patients with impaired left ventricular function: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that L-carnitine may improve clinical status and reduce the need for erythropoietin in dialysis patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this observational study, we investigated whether the addition of L-carnitine to conventional therapy might improve cardiac function (as assessed by M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography) and clinical status in dialysis patients with left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Eleven dialysis patients with reduced left ventricular function (EF < 45%) were treated with L-carnitine for 8 months. Two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography was performed at baseline and every 2 months up to the end of the treatment period. The dosage of erythropoietin was also monitored during the study and the patients' clinical status was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: Carnitine increased mean LV ejection fraction from 32.0% to 41.8% (p < 0.05 vs baseline). There was also a slight reduction of erythropoietin dosage and an improvement of clinical status. CONCLUSIONS: Eight months' therapy with carnitine appears to improve LV function and clinical status in dialysis patients with impaired LVF.

Aged↗

Influence of left ventricular function on survival after coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative left ventricular function is a most important predictor for survival in patients with ischemic heart disease. To elucidate the optimal timing of recommended coronary artery bypass grafting, we investigated the influence of different aspects of preoperative left ventricular function on relative survival. METHODS: To calculate the relative survival and estimate the disease-specific survival, we compared 6,514 patients who survived the first month after primary coronary artery bypass grafting with the general Swedish population stratified by age, sex, and 5-year calendar period. In particular we studied the relation between relative survival and different aspects of left ventricular performance, namely left ventricular function at rest, New York Heart Association functional class, and number of previous myocardial infarctions. RESULTS: The three variables (left ventricular function at rest, New York Heart Association functional class, and number of previous myocardial infarctions) as well as age and follow-up year gave independent information concerning relative survival. The results from this multivariate analysis were used to define a risk score for each patient. Patients were categorized into different risk groups. Patients in the low-risk group (30% of the total) showed a survival better than that of the population at large for 9 years after operation. The medium-risk group had no or low excess mortality for about 7 years, and the high-risk group (25%) showed increased excess mortality immediately after operation. CONCLUSIONS: If primary coronary artery bypass grafting is performed before the left ventricular function and physical performance deteriorate, survival is excellent.

Actuarial Analysis↗

A multi-scale computational method applied to the quantitative evaluation of the left ventricular function.

A multi-scale computational method, which combines a lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system (CVS) with a three-dimensional (3D) left ventricle (LV) hemodynamic solver, is developed for quantitatively evaluating the LV function. The parameter model allows reasonable predictions of the cardiac variables in a closed-loop manner under both normal and various pathological conditions. On the basis of the parameter-model-predicted results, 3D hemodynamic computations further provide quantitative insights into the detailed intraventricular flow patterns. Based on a series of computations, it is demonstrated that the pathological change in the shape and size of the LV has a significant effect on the LV pumping performance.

Algorithms↗

Relation of duration of ST reelevation at reperfusion and improvement of left ventricular function after successful primary angioplasty of the left anterior descending coronary artery in anterior wall acute myocardial infarction.

We conducted a prospective study to investigate the relation between ST reelevation during primary angioplasty and improvement in left ventricular function. The duration, not the occurrence, of ST reelevation at reperfusion was associated with improvement in left ventricular function in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction successfully recanalized by primary angioplasty.

Aged↗

[The internal thoracic artery in myocardial revascularization in patients with severely depressed left ventricular function].

INTRODUCTION: In most prospective, randomized studies, severely depressed left ventricular function is found to be the independent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality after myocardial revascularization [3]. Surgical treatment in this particular group of patients results in superior long-term results [1, 2]. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is considered to be superior compared to venous grafts in myocardial revascularization for the majority of patients with ischaemic heart disease. However, its value in patients with already severely depressed left ventricular function (EF < or = 30%) is still a matter of debate. There are no prospective, randomized studies, so far. In some studies it was shown that revascularization with ITA graft resulted in superior long-term results (10- and 15-year follow-up) in all subgroups of patients, including those with severely depressed left ventricular function [4, 5]. Some authors find it still unacceptable, if this result would be possible at the expense of higher early mortality (due to use of ITA). The purpose of this study is to analyze the early and long-term results of myocardial revascularization using ITA graft in patients with severely depressed left ventricular function (EF < 30%). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over the period from November 1986 through March 1999, 2860 pts have received ITA (alone or with additional vein grafts) for myocardial revascularization. In 431 pts EF was < or = 30% (15.1%), average EF being 25.7% (by echocardiography); 33 were women, 29 were diabetics, while average age was 56.7 +/- 8.4 years. The control group consisted of 430 pts, with similar preoperative characteristics, who received vein grafts alone. RESULTS: Operative mortality in the ITA group was 2.55% (11/431), and postoperative morbidity was 7.4% (32/431). In the group with vein grafts only the mortality was 3.25% (14/430) and morbidity 6.7% (29/430)--Table 2. The average postoperative hospital stay was 9.1 days (range 7-32). There was no difference in operative and postoperative parameters (extracorporeal time, ischaemic time, duration of mechanical ventilation, need for inotropic support, mortality, morbidity and hospital stay) compared to the group with vein grafts alone, except for the blood drainage--significantly higher in the ITA group--p < 0.00001)--Table 3. Multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors of unfavorable outcome were the presence of peripheral vascular disease (beta--0.9; p = 0.02) and aortic cross-clamp time (beta--0.02; p = 0.01). Long-term results in 14 pts with ITA graft operated on from 1986 to 1992 (6-12 years of follow-up) showed the survival of 92.7%. DISCUSSION: Superior long-term patency of ITA graft resulted in its practically routine use in myocardial revascularization. However, in some studies it was shown that ITA flow might be insufficient during the maximal effort [6]. This may result in hypoperfusion, low cardiac output syndrome and cardiac arrest. This frequently happens at the end of the operation, and may be accentuated with the use of vasopressors that can further decrease the ITA flow [9]. In patients with already severely depressed left ventricular function preoperatively, the use of vasopressors at the end of procedure when the myocardium may be quite vulnerable, is to be expected. Friesewinkel et al., [18] showed that there was an impairment of the regional contractility of the left ventricle early (up to 4 hours) after myocardial revascularization, when one or both ITA grafts were used. Since this was not the case if vein grafts were used, they advised to be careful in patients with "depressed left ventricular function". However, Elefteriades et al., [1] found no higher mortality in patients with "bad left ventricle" in whom ITA was used, but point out that patients with elective operation and without need for intensive care treatment preoperatively had much better outcome. Jagaden et al., [19] found very good results in these patients, after the routine use of ITA, during a 20-year follow-up. In our study EF < or = 30% was present in 861 patients, 431 with ITA graft and 430 with vein grafts only. There was no difference between groups considering all possible preoperative and operative factors of importance for the outcome. We found no increased early morbidity and mortality in patients in whom ITA was used compared to patients with vein grafts only. In patients operated on from 1986-1992 (follow-up of 6-12 years), we noted the survival of 92.7%. This was not statistically different compared to patients with vein grafts (survival of 88.9%). Despite the small number of patients, we found these long-term results very encouraging. CONCLUSION: ITA graft is a very good and absolutely acceptable choice in patients with severely damaged left ventricular function, particularly if we consider its long-term superiority. These pts should not be deprived of the long-term benefit of ITA graft, since early results are very good.

Coronary Disease↗

Influence of diabetes mellitus on left ventricular function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular function was assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography before and one year after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) in a series of patients with severe coronary artery disease with diabetes mellitus(DM) and without DM(non-DM). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with DM and 50 patients without DM, all with no previous myocardial infarction, underwent two-dimensional echocardiography before CABG and one year after CABG, in a non-matched study. For a matched study, 31 patients without DM who had almost the same left ventricular function as DM patients at the baseline were selected to and compare the rate of improvement in left ventricular function between the DM group and the "matched" non-DM group. RESULTS: In the non-matched study, patient characteristics were not significantly different between the 2 groups except for the incidence of congestive heart failure within one year before CABG, which was significantly higher in the DM group. Fractional shortening was significantly lower in the DM group at the baseline(p < 0.05) and also one year after CABG(p < 0.0001). Significant improvement in fractional shortening was seen in the non-DM group(p < 0.001), but not in the DM group. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVDd) was significantly larger in the DM group at the baseline(p < 0.01), and was still significantly larger in the DM group at one year after CABG(p < 0.01). No improvement in LVDd was seen in the DM group. In the matched study, fractional shortening of the non-DM group also showed significant improvement after CABG(p < 0.001). Moreover, the rate of improvement in fractional shortening was higher in the non-DM group than in the DM group(p < 0.05). LVDd tended to be larger in the DM group(p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular dysfunction and left ventricular impaired improvement were seen in the patients with DM, and CABG improved left ventricular function in the patients without DM with poor left ventricular function. These findings indicate that CABG therapy may be inadequate for improving left ventricular function in patients with DM and severe left ventricular dysfunction at the baseline.

Adult↗

Left ventricular function and the relationship between left atrial pressure and peak early diastolic filling velocity in dog.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to clarify the roles of left atrial pressure and ventricular function in the determination of early diastolic filling. METHODS: Various grades of ventricular dysfunction were made in 12 mongrel dogs by coronary microembolization under pentobarbitone anaesthesia. Left atrial pressure was altered by volume loading. Peak early diastolic filling velocity was measured using pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Ventricular fractional shortening was measured using M mode echocardiography. RESULTS: Peak early filling velocity increased as left atrial pressure increased. There was a direct relationship between mean left atrial pressure and the velocity before and after induction of ventricular dysfunction. The slope of the regression line between mean left atrial pressure and peak early filling velocity decreased as the grade of the dysfunction increased. There was a significant correlation between the slope of the regression line and mean left ventricular fractional shortening (r = 0.65, n = 31, p less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Early diastolic filling was affected by both left atrial pressure and left ventricular function. These facts are useful in interpreting the various transmitral flow patterns observed clinically.

Animals↗

Intra-ventricular resynchronization for optimal left ventricular function during pacing in experimental left bundle branch block.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate to what extent intra-ventricular asynchrony (intraVA) and inter-ventricular asynchrony (interVA) determine left ventricular (LV) function in canine hearts with left bundle branch block (LBBB) during ventricular pacing. BACKGROUND: Pacing therapy improves LV pump function in patients with heart failure and abnormal ventricular conduction supposedly due to resynchronization. However, the relationship between LV pump function and measures of asynchrony is not well established. METHODS: In 15 experiments, LV (various sites) and biventricular (BiV) pacing was performed at atrioventricular (AV) delays of 20 to 140 ms. Measured were the maximum rate of increase (dP/dt(max)) of LV pressure and LV stroke work (SW) (conductance catheter), interVA (time delay between the upslope of LV and RV pressures), and intraVA (from endocardial electrical activation maps). RESULTS: Induction of LBBB increased interVA (-6.4 +/- 8.6 to -28.4 +/- 8.5 ms [RV earlier]) and intraVA (4.9 +/- 2.4 to 18.0 +/- 3.3 ms), whereas LV dP/dt(max) and SW decreased (-13 +/- 18% and -39 +/- 24%, respectively). During LBBB, LV and BiV pacing increased LV dP/dt(max) and SW (mean increases 14% to 21% and 11% to 15%, respectively) without changing diastolic function or preload. Optimal improvement in LV function was obtained consistently when intraVA returned to pre-LBBB values, while interVA remained elevated. Normalization of intraVA required AV delays shorter than the baseline PQ time during LV apex and BiV pacing, thus excluding endogenous LV activation, but AV delays virtually equal to the baseline PQ time (difference 4 +/- 9 ms, p = NS) during pacing at (mid)lateral LV sites to obtain fusion between pacing-induced and endogenous activation. CONCLUSIONS: In LBBB hearts, optimal restoration of LV systolic function by pacing requires intra-ventricular resynchronization. The optimal AV delay to achieve this depends on both the site of pacing and baseline PQ time.

Animals↗

Left ventricular function in mitral valve disease.

Approximately one-third of all patients with mitral stenosis can be found to have an impaired left ventricular ejection fraction attributable to a reduction in preload subsequent to inflow obstruction, that is, with a lack of adequate Frank-Starling compensation together with increased afterload, rather than to an impairment of left ventricular function. The left ventricular function is, thus, generally not a factor exerting influence on the natural history of mitral stenosis or on the surgical results. The easy unloading of the left ventricle via both aortic and mitral valves during systole is the hallmark of chronic mitral regurgitation. The volume overload in mitral regurgitation leads to eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle while the mass-to-volume quotient remains within normal limits. There is an increase in compliance. Since left ventricular pressure and radius decrease rapidly due to the regurgitation, the myocardial wall stress of the left ventricle at the end of systole is reduced. Even in the presence of substantially reduced contractility, however, the left ventricular function appears adequate. If the left atrium is distensible enough to act as a buffer against backward transmission of the left ventricular systolic pressure, the patient may have only mild symptoms in spite of severe regurgitation. At end-systole, due to the diminished afterload, near normal volumes are reached such that, in association with an increased end-diastolic volume, an increased stroke volume and normal ejection fraction are present. In many patients with decreased contractility, the end-systolic volume may be slightly or moderately increased but, generally, the ejection fraction remains satisfactory at values in excess of 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exercise Test↗

Left ventricular function during exercise testing and training.

Left ventricular function (LVEF) deteriorates during incremental exercise (GXT) in patients with ischemia (+ISCH). Left ventricular (LV) functional response during steady-state exercise, typical of that used in exercise training, are unknown. We compared LVEF in patients with documented coronary heart disease (CHD) who either had (+) or did not have (-) ISCH, and in healthy volunteers (CONTROL) during GXT and steady state. First pass RNA was performed during upright cycle GXT at rest (R), at the ventilatory threshold (VT), and at maximal exercise (Max); and during steady state at the workload associated with VT after 10, 20, and 30 min of exercise. RNA allowed measurement of ejection fraction (EF) and wall motion (WM); ISCH was mild, angina being relieved by momentary reductions in workload during steady state. Although +ISCH demonstrated the expected deterioration in LV function during GXT (decreased EF, abnormal WM)(EF = 58 to 56 to 54%), there was no evidence for progressive deterioration of LV function during steady state despite the presence of mild ISCH (56 to 56 to 54 to 54%). In -ISCH and CONTROL there were normal responses of EF during GXT (43 to 51 to 51% and 59 to 65 to 61%) and steady state (43 to 51 to 53 to 51% and 59 to 65 to 68 to 69%). We conclude that mild ischemia may be tolerated during steady-state exercise at levels consistent with exercise training without progressive deterioration of LV function.

Adult↗

[Ultrasonic indicators of left ventricular function and elasticity of large vessels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients].

The authors investigate the degree of alteration of large vessels in newly detected not treated hypertension, using a series of non-invasive indicators of vascular function and their association with selected parameters of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in a group of 23 hypertonic patients and 23 subjects with normal blood pressure. The mean age of the examined subjects was 51.1 +/- 16.6 years. In the echocardiographic indicators a significant difference was found between the groups as regards the weight of the LV and in the ratios of amplitudes and time integrals of waves E and A of the Doppler record of transmitral flow. Comparison of functional and morphological indicators of large vessels revealed significant differences between groups as regards tension in the aortic arch, value of the elastic module (EMp), rate of pulse wave (RPVcf) and relative systolic rate of the arteriovelocitogram. Correlation analysis revealed positive relations between age, blood pressure and weight of the LV on the one hand and EMp, diameter of the femoral artery and RPVc on the other hand. The ratio of E/A waves and their time integrals displayed the same correlation with the pulse change and the tension of the aortic arch, with the peak and relative systolic rate of the arteriovelocitogram and a negative correlation with the EMp values. These results provide evidence of a reduced elasticity of the large vessels in the group of newly detected hypertonics, associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and a reduction of its diastolic function. This finding implies the necessity to focus treatment not only on normalization of blood pressure readings but to consider also other components of the hypertensive syndrome.

Adult↗

Real-time interactive magnetic resonance imaging with multiple coils for the assessment of left ventricular function.

Interactive real-time examination of left ventricular function in healthy volunteers both under rest and stress conditions has been performed. For this purpose, a system combining an interactive user interface, an ultrafast segmented echo-planar imaging sequence, and real-time reconstruction and display of the acquired images was designed. Magnetic resonance images were acquired at rates of up to 20 images per second with multiple receiver coils. By using a sliding window reconstruction technique, reconstruction rates of up to 60 images per second were achieved with a latency of < 100 msec. The quality of the real-time images was evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively and was found to be appropriate for the determination of left ventricular function. It is concluded that the combination of dedicated components provides a convenient modality for the high-quality visualization of left ventricular function under rest and stress conditions at video frame rates with magnetic resonance imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;10:826-832.

Echo-Planar Imaging↗

[Application of non-invasive methods to assessment of left ventricular function in cardiomyopathy (author's transl)].

Left ventricular function in cardiomyopathy was studied by non-invasive methods. Various indices of left ventricular function were measured in patients with cardiomyopathy by mechanocardiography and echocardiography and were compared with indices in normal subjects and the following conclusions were obtained. 1) Patients with Congestive cardiomyopathy had high PEP/LVET, low mVcf, low EF, and low mPWV, suggesting depressed cardiac function. 2) Patients with Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy had characteristic findings, such as low DDR, high IVST/PWT, and SAM. 3) Patients with Hypertrophic non-obstructive cardiomyopathy had no characteristic changes in indices, however in some of the findings transition to Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was suggested.

Cardiomyopathies↗

[Evaluation of the anti-arrhythmic action of propafenone treatment and its influence on left ventricular function].

Twelve patients (9 males, 3 females, mean age 59.2 +/- 7.0 years) with hyperkinetic ventricular arrhythmias were treated for 30 days with 150 mg propafenone three times daily; the daily dosage was raised to 900 mg in non responders (< 85% reduction of ectopic ventricular beats/h). A 24-hour ECGD and mono- and bidimensional echocardiography were carried out at baseline, after 30 days on 450 mg, 30 days on 900 mg propafenone, and one week after drug withdrawal. Propafenone treatment was found to reduce significantly ectopic ventricular beats, especially with the higher dosage (44.9% reduction under 450 mg; 88.8% reduction under 900 mg). At the lower dosage, 25% of patients responded, under the higher dosage 88.9%; the latter dosage also induced a significant reduction of Lown class. Propafenone treatment was also accompanied by a reduction of maximum and mean heart rate, and by a lengthened PR interval which was almost always within the normal range, without changes of QTc. The two months of propafenone treatment did not induce significant changes of cardiac volume or left ventricular function; on the contrary, at the end of the treatment period an increase, albeit not a significant one, of the ejection fraction and a shortening of the circumference inversely proportional to the reduction in ectopic ventricular beats could be noted. In conclusion, propafenone was found to have a valid antiarrhythmic effect, especially at the 900 mg/day dosage without interfering with left ventricular function which was even found to improve under chronic treatment, probably as a result of improved compliance thanks to the reduction of ventricular ectopic beats.

Aged↗

[Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in patients with arterial hypertension and normal left ventricular mass index].

UNLABELLED: Data about disturbances of the diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) are well known in literature and registered even in the limited form of hypertension i.e. before the occurrence of myocardial hypertrophy. The aim of this work was to check this hypothesis in patients with arterial hypertension and normal LV mass index. The total number of examined patients was 144. The control group consisted of 30 patients, while the number of hypertensive patients in the other group was 114. The following parameters were observed: blood pressure, heart rate, systolic and diastolic dimensions of LV, wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, wall stress, endsystolic and enddiastolic volume index, cardiac index, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, velocity peak of early and late diastolic filling and their mutual relationship, integral of speed-time of early and late diastolic pressure, as well as the index of early and late filling. A significant difference was found in the size of LV mass index, wall stress, velocity peak of early diastolic filling and the relationship of velocity peak of early and late filling. It should be noted that the values of the observed parameters were in normal ranges, but those in the group of hypertensive patients were closer to pathological values. CONCLUSION: Microstructural changes of LV myocard mass can be registered in hypertensive patients before the significant enlargement of LV mass index. Diastolic disfunction of the left ventricle precedes myocardial hypertrophy.

Adult↗

Serial echocardiographic assessment of the left ventricular function after direct PCI.

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes remodelling of the left ventricle (LV). Restoration of patency of an infarct-related artery by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) may prevent or inhibit cardiac remodelling. AIM: To assess LV contractility and function by serial echocardiographic examinations. METHODS: The study group consisted of 61 patients (47 males, mean age 60+/-10 years) with acute MI treated with direct PCI. Echocardiography was performed 6-8 days after PCI, and 1, 6 and 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: LV ejection fraction increased significantly at the end of the first month in comparison with the baseline examination whereas EF values obtained after 6 months and after 1 year were not significantly different. Wall motion score index showed a significant improvement after one month, whereas it did not show any further improvement when measured after 6 or 12 months after AMI. The baseline LV end-diastolic diameter was 49+/-6 mm and did not change after one or 6 months, whereas it increased significantly 12 months after AMI. The baseline LV end-systolic diameter was 37+/-5 mm. At the one-month and six-month examinations it was similar to the baseline values but increased significantly to 38+/-6 mm after one year. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the beneficial effects of PCI-induced infarct-related artery patency on LV remodelling after AMI.

Aged↗

[Interrelationship between functional state of the right ventricle and severity of heart failure in patients with ischemic heart disease and depressed left ventricular function].

Dobutamine Doppler echocardiography was carried out in 56 patients (n=56) with ischemic heart disease and depressed left ventricular function (left ventricular ejection fraction <40%) and chronic heart failure. Clinical signs of heart failure were moderate (NYHA class I-II) in 34 and severe (NYHA class III-IV) in 22 patients. Patients with moderate and severe clinical heart failure had similar degree of left ventricular myocardium impairment however those with severe symptoms had more pronounced right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (greater suppression of global and local RV contractility, greater percentage of irreversibly dysfunctional RV myocardium, lower RV contractile response to dobutamine infusion, more pronounced disturbances of RV diastolic filling). Dependence of RV pump function on pulmonary artery pressure was more evident in patients with severe clinical heart failure and marked dysfunction of RV myocardium than in patients with moderate symptoms and moderate RV myocardial dysfunction.

Blood Pressure↗