SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Ventricular Function, Left”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 559 records · Page 31Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Scintigraphic evaluation of left ventricular function and correlation with autonomic cardiac neuropathy in diabetic patients.

Left ventricular function of 20 diabetic patients was investigated at rest and during hand-grip test using radionuclide ventriculography. The aim of the study was to discuss the correlation of cardiac function with autonomic cardiac neuropathy (ACN) in diabetic subjects. ACN was tested using heart rate response to valsalva maneuver, standing up, deep breathing; blood pressure response to standing up, sustained hand-grip, and additionally corrected QT (QTc) measurements. Plasma glucose regulation was screened with fructosamine levels. Ejection fraction (EF), peak ejection (PER) and filling rates (PFR), times to peak ejection (TPE) and filling (TPF), time to endsystole (TES), TES/T, TPE/T, TPF/T, 1/3 PER, 1/3 PFR, 1/3 EF, 1/3 FF (filling fraction) we calculated. Thirteen patients had ACN. Six patients (30%) had a low EF at rest. As a response to hand-grip, 14 patients (70%) showed a decrease in EF (9 ACN). PFR was low in 10 patients (50%) at rest and in 12 (60%) during hand-grip. The mean rest PER value of ACN+ patients (4.4 +/- 1.3) was significantly higher than that of controls (2.9 +/- 0.5) and patients without ACN (3.4 +/- 0.4; p < 0.05) as well as the mean 1/3 PER value (1.7 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.5; p < 0.05). Fourteen patients (70%) had a fall in PER 10 ACN) as a response to hand-grip. The mean TES/T value of patients with ACN (0.44 +/- 0.05) was significantly higher than of those without ACN (0.38 +/- 0.05; p < 0.05). In conclusion, diastolic dysfunction was detected frequently at rest. Systolic parameters were markedly impaired as a response to hand-grip in patients with ACN. Sympathetic overactivity was noted in ACN+ group at rest. Our results indicated that the patients with diabetes and ACN have subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and symphatic overactivity.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Left ventricular function and coronary obstruction as predictors of survival following aorta-coronary bypass.

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of clinical data and catheterization studies of 151 consecutive unselected patients who underwent aorta-coronary bypass at the University of Kansas Medical Center between 1971 and 1973. The purpose was to determine the effect of preoperative left ventricular function and extent and severity of coronary artery obstruction on operative mortality rate and long-term survival. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 10 to 49 months and averaged 26 months. Left ventricular function was assessed by qualitative analysis of left ventricular angiograms. Severity of coronary obstruction was quantified by scoring coronary arteriograms according to the system of Friesinger and associates. Patients with normal or near normal ventriculograms were considered to have good left ventricular function. Patients showing moderate or severe impairment of contraction were considered to have poor left ventricular function. Obstruction scores ranging from 2 to 7 points were classified as low scores, and scores from 8 to 15 points were classified as high scores. Four groups of patients were identified based upon preoperative left ventricular function and obstruction severity: Group I, 29 patients with good left ventricular function and low scores; Group II, 22 patients with poor left ventricular function and low scores. Group III, 28 patients with good left ventricular function and high scores. Elective aorta-coronary bypass in these three groups was accompanied by no operative or late deaths. Group IV comprised 72 patients with poor left ventricular function and high scores. In this group there was a 10 per cent operative mortality rate (7 of 72 patients) and a 5 per cent year late mortality rate. Relief of angina occurred equally in all groups. Thus operative risk can be prospectively determined by analysis of left ventricular function and severity of coronary obstruction. Surgical treatment resulted in negligible operative and late mortality rates (0 per cent) in all patients except those in whom poor ventricular function was accompanied by severe and diffuse coronary artery obstruction. Operation should be offered to this latter group (Group IV) despite the higher operative and postoperative risk because of salutary postoperative results.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Left ventricular function in trained and untrained healthy subjects.

Left ventricular function was compared in 18 normal sedentary controls (mean age 28 years, range 22 - 34 years) and nine endurance-trained athletes (mean age 19 years, range 15 - 25 years) at rest and during supine bicycle exercise. Gated radionuclide angiocardiograms were performed at rest and at each level of graded maximal supine bicycle exercise. Heart rate, blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction and the relative changes in left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were assessed. Athletes attained a much greater work load than controls (mean 22.1 kpm/kg body weight vs 13 kpm/Kg body weight). Both groups achieved similar increased in heart rate, blood pressure and ejection fractions. In the controls, the mean end-diastolic volume increased to 124% of that at rest (p less than 0.02) during exercise and the mean end-systolic volume decreased to 81% of the rest level (p less than 0.02). In contrast, the mean end-diastolic volume did not significantly change during exercise in the athletes, and the mean end-systolic volume decreased to 64% of rest (p less than 0.05). Thus, although trained and untrained healthy subjects had similar increases in the left ventricular ejection fraction during exercise, different mechanisms were used to achieve these increases. Untrained subjects increased end-diastolic volumes, whereas trained subjects decreased the end-systolic volumes. The ability of athletes to exercise without increasing preload may be an effect of training amd might have important implications in reducing myocardial oxygen demand during exercise.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Isolated mitral valve repair in patients with depressed left ventricular function.

BACKGROUND: The utility of mitral valve repair (MV repair) has been well documented in patients with normal left ventricular function. Few studies, however, have specifically examined outcomes of isolated MV repair in patients with decreased left ventricular function. The purpose of the present study is to review a modern experience with isolated MV repair in patients with depressed left ventricular function and to examine intermediate outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent MV repair from 1996 to 2003 was performed to identify consecutive patients who had isolated MV repair. Preoperative studies were reviewed to further identify patients with an ejection fraction less than 0.45. Clinical operative data were collected from the medical record, and survival was determined with the Social Security Death Index. Further end points of reoperation and transplantation were also noted. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were identified with a mean follow-up of 1,124 days. Mean ejection fraction and age was 0.34 +/- 0.09 and 56 +/- 14 years, respectively. Thirty-day mortality was 2.9%. One- and 5-year survival was 94% +/- 2% and 70% +/- 6%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in actuarial survival for functional versus primary mitral disease, or for ejection fraction less than 0.35 versus greater than 0.35. Six patients required transplantation. Five-year freedom from reoperation, transplantation, and death was 61% +/- 11% and 54% +/- 8% for patients with primary and secondary mitral valve disease, respectively (p = 0.279). Minimally invasive MV repair was performed in 57 patients with a mean ejection fraction of 0.369 +/- 0.07 and a 30-day mortality of 1.7%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with isolated MV regurgitation and depressed left ventricular function, MV repair can be achieved with low operative mortality, but there remains a persistent risk of death, reoperation, or transplantation irrespective of valve disease. Minimally invasive MV repair was safe in this group.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed1996

Assessment of left ventricular function: comparison between radionuclide angiography and semiquantitative two-dimensional echocardiographic analysis.

Measurement of global left ventricular function is important in the follow-up of cardiac patients and is a good prognostic indicator in acute cardiac situations. We compared quantitative measurements of global left ventricular function made with radionuclide angiography (RNA) and contrast cardiac ventriculography (CVG) to visual semiquantitative estimates from two-dimensional echocardiographic images (2D-echo). Three hundred and thirty-nine consecutive patients who underwent RNA were assessed with 2D-echo within 3 months. In addition, 92 of these patients also underwent CVG (correlation of ejection fraction between CVG and RNA: r=0.82; P<0.0001). The RNA mean ejection fractions in the four 2D-echo groups (0=normal, 1=slightly, 2=moderate, or 3=severe reduced left ventricular function) differed markedly (P<0.0001); however, there was overlapping among the groups (2D-echo score/RNA ejection fraction: 0=57.3%+/-12.8%; 1=46.0%+/-12.9%; 2=29.6%+/- 12.2%; and 3=24.6%+/-11. 5%) and the difference between 2D-echo scores 2 and 3 was not significant. 2D-echo showed a good concordance in RNA classes (0=>/=505; 1=35%-49%; 2=21%-34%; and 3=</=20% ejection fraction) 0 (133/166; 80%) and 3 (18/30; 60%) but low concordance in classes 1 (27/82; 33%) and 2 (21/61; 34%). For accurate assessment of global left ventricular ejection fraction, visual semiquantitative judgement of a 2D echocardiographic image is limited in comparison to CVG or RNA, especially in patients with a slight or moderate reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction.

Cardiac Catheterization↗

PubMed1991

Left ventricular function in patients with stable systemic lupus erythematosus.

Echocardiography was used to compare the left ventricular function of 43 female patients with stable systemic lupus erythematosus with 93 healthy females in 3 age groups. Left ventricular systolic function was evaluated by the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular diastolic function was evaluated by the diastolic descent rate of the anterior mitral leaflet (DDR), the ratio of mean systolic velocity to mean diastolic velocity in the left ventricular posterior wall (D/S ratio) and the ratio of peak mitral inflow velocity during the atrial filling period to that in the early filling period (A/E ratio). The left ventricular ejection fraction was not significantly different between patients and normal subjects. However, left ventricular diastolic function evaluated by these indexes in patients was different from normal subjects. These data suggest that left ventricular diastolic function is lower in patients with stable systemic lupus erythematosus than in normal subjects. It appears to deteriorate progressively with age. However, left ventricular systolic function remains normal.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Improvement of left ventricular function after ligation of the anomalous left coronary artery during infancy.

Considerable controversy surrounds the optimal management of symptomatic infants with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery; this includes the timing and type of surgical intervention. Long-term follow-up was obtained on three patients who had simple ligation of the anomalous left coronary artery at or before 8 months of age; long-term follow-up on an adolescent treated with a saphenous vein bypass graft from the aorta to the coronary artery was available for comparison. Remarkable increase in left ventricular contractility was observed in the three patients treated only by simple ligation of the anomalous left coronary artery during infancy. Thallous chloride T1 201 exercise studies disclosed no perfusion abnormalities in any of the patients despite angiographically demonstrable wall-motion abnormalities in two of the four patients. Our study suggests that simple ligation of the anomalous left coronary artery near its origin in patients with angiographically detectable left-to-right shunting can provide long-term survival with good left ventricular function and minimal clinical complaints.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Effects of lipid-lowering drugs on left ventricular function and exercise tolerance in dyslipidemic coronary patients.

Previous studies suggested that certain lipid-lowering drugs such as statins suppress ubiquinone, affect mitochondrial function, and may have deleterious effect on skeletal or cardiac muscles with potentially serious clinical consequences, especially in patients with established coronary heart disease and left ventricular dysfunction. In this double-blind study, we assessed the effects of 20 mg simvastatin (S, n = 32) or 200 mg micronized fenofibrate (F, n = 32, control group) on rest and exercise left ventricular function in hypercholesterolemic survivors of a previous Q-wave acute myocardial infarction. Left ventricular radionuclide imaging was performed at rest and during submaximal exercise and global and segmental (nine segment regional wall-motion score) ejection fractions were measured before treatment and 12 weeks later. Serum ubiquinone was reduced after treatment (p = 0.03) in the S but not the F group, whereas total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly reduced in both groups. Before treatment, mean global ejection fraction was 52.1+/-12.2% and 49.3+/-11.8% at rest in F and S patients, respectively, and increased (56.0+/-13.7% in F and 52.1+/-12.9% in S) at peak exercise (no difference between groups). After treatment, the increase in ejection fraction tended to be lower in S (0) than in F (+3.8%) but not significantly. However, ejection fraction at rest increased after treatment in S (p = 0.009) but not in F. Subgroup analyses indicated that the improvement in rest ejection fraction in S was essentially observed in patients with ejection fraction <40% (n = 8, +6%), whereas it was stable in patients with ejection fraction >40% (+1.8%). Finally, the numbers of akinetic or hypokinetic segments at rest and during exercise were not different in the two groups before and after treatment. Mean maximal exercise load (113+/-23 watts in F vs. 104+/-27 W in S before treatment) was not modified by the treatment (111+/-21 and 104+/-27 W). Thus a 12-week lipid-lowering treatment with either S or F did not negatively alter left ventricular function during exercise in dyslipidemic patients with established coronary heart disease and did not affect their ability to exercise. The improvement in left ventricular function at rest after simvastatin in patients with left ventricular dysfunction warrants confirmation in further studies with large sample size.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2005

Acute effects of hemodialysis on left ventricular function evaluated by tissue Doppler imaging.

Evidence exists that left ventricular function is impaired in chronic uremic patients. During hemodialysis (HD) treatment, myocardium undergoes electrolyte, hemodynamic and neuro-humoral stress; however, data about the acute changes on ventricular function are controversial. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a single hemodialysis session on left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function using pulsed tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) sampled by echocardiography. The study group included 20 uremic patients (17 males, aged 51+/-13 yrs) on maintenance HD, free from clinically overt cardiac dysfunction who underwent echocardiography with pulsed TDI 30 min prior and 30 min after a HD session. TDI was performed by placing the sample volume in the center of the basal lateral segment and the basal interventricular septum in the apical four-chamber view. Myocardial systolic wave (S(m)) and early (E(m)) and atrial (A(m)) diastolic waves were measured. On standard sonography examination, no significant changes in LV systolic function parameters were observed after HD, but the indices for LV diastolic function deteriorated significantly (peak E, 75.4+/-11.2 vs. 58.8+/-12.5 cm/s, P<0.01; E/A ratio, 1.0+/-0.3 vs. 0.8+/-0.2, P<0.01). However, regarding TDI measures following HD, the patients exhibited a lower S(m) peak (septum: 7.6+/-1.1 vs. 5.9+/-0.8 cm/s; lateral wall: 7.7+/-1.7 vs. 6.8+/-1.2 cm/s, P<0.001), a lower E(m) peak (septum: 8.3+/-1.6 vs. 6.3+/-1.7 cm/s; lateral wall: 10.2+/-2.4 vs. 7.1+/-1.9 cm/s, P<0.001), and a reduced E(m)/A(m) ratio (septum: 1.0+/-0.4 vs. 0.7+/-0.2; lateral wall: 1.2+/-0.5 vs. 0.7+/-0.2, P<0.001, respectively), as compared to pre-HD parameters. Of interest, peak E(m), and E(m)/A(m) ratio of the lateral wall were negatively related to ultrafiltration rate (r = -0.60, P<0.05 and -0.69, P<0.01, respectively). Our data indicate that a single hemodialysis session is associated with acute deterioration of diastolic and systolic parameters of myocardial function, as assessed by TDI. These reversible changes could be considered as a cardiac stunning that seems to be related to the ultrafiltration rate and then to the interdialysis weight gain. These findings suggest that low ultrafiltration volume and/or limited interdialytic weight gain are cardioprotective measures in hemodialysis patients.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗

PubMed1983

Effect of hemodialysis on left ventricular function. Dissociation of changes in filling volume and in contractile state.

Prior studies of the effect of hemodialysis on left ventricular function have not distinguished between the removal of uremic toxins and the change in cardiac filling volume. To separate these effects, left ventricular function was examined by serial echocardiography in five stable hemodialysis patients before and after three different dialysis procedures: (a) hemodialysis with volume Loss, (b) ultrafiltration (volume loss only), and (c) hemodialysis without volume loss. The patients were similarly studied under control conditions and after increased (5 degrees of head-down tilt for 90 min) and decreased (lower body negative pressure) cardiac filling volume. After hemodialysis with volume loss, end-diastolic volume (EDV) decreased from 167 to 128 ml (P less than 0.001) and end-systolic volume (ESV) decreased from 97 to 51 ml (P less than 0.001) without a change in stroke volume (SV). Ejection fraction increased from 42 to 52% (P less than 0.001) and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) increased from 0.61 to 1.04 circumferences (circ)/s (P less than 0.001). After ultrafiltration, EDV decreased from 167 ml to 124 ml (P less than 0.001) and SV from 73 ml to 39 ml (P less than 0.001), without significant changes in ESV or VCF. In contrast to the maneuvers in which volume loss occurred, after hemodialysis without volume loss ESV decreased from 95 to 66 ml (P less than 0.001) and SV increased from 74 ml to 97 ml (P less than 0.001) without changes in EDV. EF increased from 44 to 59% (P less than 0.001) and VCF increased from 0.64 to 1.26 circ/s (P less than 0.001). Ventricular function curves plotted from data obtained under conditions of altered cardiac filling volume before and after the three dialysis maneuvers demonstrate that ultrafiltration produced a pure Frank-Starling effect, while hemodialysis with or without volume loss produced a shift in the ventricular function curves, which demonstrated an increase in the contractile state of the left ventricle. The changes in left ventricular function produced by regular hemodialysis are the combined effects of a decrease in EDV and an increase in the contractile state of the left ventricle.

Creatinine↗

PubMed2004

Role of diastole in left ventricular function, I: Biochemical and biomechanical events.

Left ventricular diastolic function plays an important role in cardiac physiology. Lusitropy, the ability of the cardiac myocytes to relax, is affected by both biochemical events within the myocyte and biomechanical events in the left ventricle. Beta-adrenergic stimulation alters diastole by enhancing the phosphorylation of phospholamban, a substrate within the myocyte that increases the uptake of calcium ions into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, increasing the rate of relaxation. Troponin I, a regulatory protein involved in the coupling of excitation to contraction, is vital to maintaining the diastolic state; depletion of troponin I can produce diastolic dysfunction. Other biochemical events, such as defects in the voltage-sensitive release mechanism or in inositol triphosphate calcium release channels, have also been implicated in altering diastolic tone. Extracellular collagen determines myocardial stiffness; impaired glucose tolerance can induce an increase in collagen cross-linking and lead to higher end-diastolic pressures. The passive properties of the left ventricle are most accurately measured during the diastasis and atrial contraction phases of diastole. These phases of the cardiac cycle are the least affected by volume status, afterload, inherent viscoelasticity, and the inotropic state of the myocardium. Diastolic abnormalities can be conceptualized by using pressure-volume loops that illustrate myocardial work and both diastolic and systolic pressure-volume relationships. The pressure-volume model is an educational tool that can be used to demonstrate isolated changes in preload, afterload, inotropy, and lusitropy and their interaction.

Action Potentials↗

PubMed1989

The effect of diabetes mellitus on prognosis and serial left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction: contribution of both coronary disease and diastolic left ventricular dysfunction to the adverse prognosis. The MILIS Study Group.

Patients with diabetes mellitus experience a more adverse outcome after acute myocardial infarction compared with nondiabetic patients, although the mechanisms responsible for these findings are not clear. From the Multicenter Investigation of the Limitation of Infarct Size (MILIS) study, the course of acute infarction in 85 diabetic patients was compared with that in 415 nondiabetic patients, all of whom had serial assessments of left ventricular function. The diabetic patients experienced a more complicated in-hospital and postdischarge course than did the nondiabetic patients, including a higher incidence of postinfarction angina, infarct extension, heart failure and death, despite the development of a smaller infarct size and similar levels of left ventricular ejection fraction. Although diabetic patients had a worse profile of cardiovascular risk factors at the time of the index infarction, the increased incidence of adverse outcomes among them persisted despite adjustment for these baseline imbalances. Diabetic women had a poor baseline risk profile compared with the other groups categorized by gender and diabetic status, and experienced an almost twofold increase in cardiac mortality despite development of the smallest infarct size during the index event. The duration of diabetes and the use of insulin at the time of the index infarction were associated with a better in-hospital mortality rate, but the duration of diabetes did not exert a major influence on the outcome of the diabetic patients. The factors responsible for the increased incidence of adverse outcomes among diabetic patients may be related to an acceleration of the atherosclerotic process, diastolic left ventricular dysfunction associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy or other unidentified unfavorable processes.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects of flecainide in patients with non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and impaired left ventricular function].

Anti-arrythmia efficacy and effects on left ventricular function of flecainide have been evaluated in 9 patients with symptomatic non sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) lower than 30%, respectively detected by Holter monitoring and radionuclide angiocardiography in basal conditions. Seven to eleven days after starting flecainide therapy (100 mg b.i.d.), Holter and radionuclide angiocardiography were repeated. In 56% of patients a ventricular premature beats (VPB) reduction more than 70% was obtained and total VPB suppression was achieved in 33% of patients. Total suppression of NSVT was obtained in 67% of patients; LVEF did not show significant changes. Thus, antiarrhythmic efficacy of flecainide resulted in agreement with the previous reports, whereas no patient developed signs or symptoms of heart failure or pro-arrhythmia.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Augmented responses of angiotensin I and II in patients with ischemic heart disease: relation to left ventricular function.

To evaluate the effects of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction upon the sympathetic nervous and renin-aldosterone-angiotensin systems, neurohormonal factors were measured in patients with ischemic heart disease. Eleven patients were divided into two groups by their LV ejection fraction based on previous catheterization; preserved (EF > or = 60%) and impaired (EF < 60%) LV systolic function groups. They performed supine ergometer exercise and blood samples were drawn at rest and at peak exercise. After dynamic exercise, plasma norepinephrine was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in patients with preserved LV function, whereas it was not altered in patients with impaired LV function (norepinephrine 20.8 +/- 20.5 vs 45.8 +/- 41.9, respectively). We observed no differences in basal or peak levels of neurohormonal factors, including plasma renin activity, aldosterone, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), between the groups. Although the plasma levels of angiotensin I and II were not different in the two groups at rest or at peak exercise, their increasing ratios from rest to peak exercise were significantly higher in patients with impaired LV function compared to those with preserved LV function (angiotensin I; -18.6 +/- 31.0% vs 64.8 +/- 66.5%, p < 0.05, angiotensin II; -5.9 +/- 41.2% vs 60.7 +/- 40.4% , p < 0.05). These results suggest that the increasing ratios of angiotensin I and II are superior to BNP as predictors of LV dysfunction, and that the sympathetic nervous system has already been activated even at rest and did not respond to dynamic exercise in patients with LV dysfunction in ischemic heart disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Left ventricular function in tricuspid atresia: a radionuclide study.

Left ventricular function was evaluated by radionuclide angiocardiography in patients with tricuspid atresia before and after the Fontan operation. Ejection fraction was 0.54 +/- 0.13 in 29 patients without the Fontan procedure and 0.56 +/- 0.14 in 14 postoperative patients. Group means were not statistically different, but both were less than normal values for the institution (p less than 0.001). Function did not correlate significantly with age or aortic oxygen saturation. Serial studies demonstrated little change in eight of nine patients examined over 1 to 3 years preoperatively. From the preoperative group of nine patients with abnormal ejection fraction, three underwent surgery, with two survivors. Although 5 of 14 patients had abnormal systolic function after the Fontan operation, only 1 was symptomatic. Depressed response to isometric exercise was found in two patients with a normal ejection fraction at rest. Group systolic function after Fontan surgery did not correlate significantly with age at surgery but all patients were operated on at more than 5 years of age. Of seven patients studied both preoperatively and postoperatively two had an increase and three a decrease in ejection fraction. The trend in these seven studied serially after surgery was toward early improvement in ejection fraction. This study shows variability in left ventricular performance in patients with tricuspid atresia before and after surgery. Individuals undergoing the Fontan procedure after 5 years of age do not necessarily have an increase in ejection fraction over preoperative values, and may even have a decrease. Serial improvement over early postoperative results may be expected, without significant deterioration, during the next 1 to 3 years.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Beneficial effect of amiodarone on cardiac mortality in patients with asymptomatic complex ventricular arrhythmias after acute myocardial infarction and preserved but not impaired left ventricular function.

To determine whether the beneficial effect of low-dose amiodarone on survival in patients with complex ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction was dependent on left ventricular (LV) function, results of the Basel Antiarrhythmic Study of Infarct Survival were analyzed. Two hundred twelve patients after acute myocardial infarction with asymptomatic complex arrhythmias were randomly assigned to receive amiodarone 200 mg/day or to a control group and followed up for 1 year. Results of mortality and arrhythmic events were related to baseline radionuclide LV ejection fraction. With preserved (greater than or equal to 40%) LV ejection fraction, there was a significantly lower 1-year cardiac mortality in patients treated with amiodarone (1 of 68 or 1.5%) versus control subjects (5 of 56 or 8.9%; p less than 0.03). This was not the case for patients with LV ejection fraction less than 40%. Similarly, arrhythmic events were significantly reduced only in patients with preserved LV function. These results suggest an interaction between the effects of amiodarone on survival and LV dysfunction in patients after acute myocardial infarction. Because of 2 other small studies with similar results, this finding may be of clinical relevance and should be addressed in ongoing and future research with this drug.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Effects of valve replacement on left ventricular function in patients with aortic regurgitation and severe ventricular disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Longstanding aortic regurgitation (AR) can result in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction that may reverse after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Stentless valves may result in a more rapid recovery in function due to a more physiological flow and lower outflow resistance. METHODS: The effect of AVR on LV function was studied in 47 patients who received either a stentless (n = 33) or stented (n = 14) valve for isolated AR. All patients had evidence of pre-existing LV dysfunction (end-systolic dimension (ESD) >50 mm). Patients were studied using transthoracic echocardiography at baseline, postoperatively, and at 2.5-year follow up. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there were no differences in LV dimensions. The end-diastolic dimension fell from 75 +/- 10 mm to 61 +/- 10 mm postoperatively and to 52 +/- 10 mm at follow up in the stentless group (p <0.001), and ESD fell from 54 +/- 10 mm to 36 +/- 8 mm at follow up (p <0.001). There were no significant early changes in patients who received stented valves, though LV dimensions fell at follow up. Fractional shortening (FS) increased from 25 +/- 8% in the postoperative period to 31 +/- 7% in the stentless group (p <0.001), but there was no change in the stented group (20 +/- 7% versus 23 +/- 8%). In the stentless group, LV mass fell from 366 +/- 104 g to 276 +/- 68 g postoperatively and to 219 +/- 79 g at follow up (p <0.001); there was no postoperative change in the stented group, though a late reduction occurred, from 349 +/- 51 g preoperatively to 265 +/- 61 g at follow up (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: For patients with AR and LV dysfunction, AVR with a stentless prosthesis offers early reductions in LV dimensions, improved LV function, and regression of LV mass. In patients who received a stented valve, these improvements were delayed and less complete. Hence, for some patients with AR and LV dysfunction, a stentless prosthesis may be preferable.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

[Development of left ventricular function following aortic valve replacement].

Changes in left ventricular function were evaluated in twelve patients with aortic valve stenosis and in eleven patients with aortic valve regurgitation in order to find out whether the results obtained soon after aortic valve replacement persisted over a long period. All patients had been provided with a St-Jude Medical valve. Evaluation included electrocardiography, radiography of the chest, phonocarotidography and echocardiography and was performed preoperatively, then three months and five years on average in each patient after surgery. In patients with aortic valve stenosis, the left ventricular mass clearly regressed during the first three months (p less than 0.01) and continued to regress, albeit not significantly, over five years. In patients with aortic valve regurgitation, the left ventricular volume and mass regressed significantly during the first three months and remained normal for five years. No significant variation in systolic performance was observed in both groups. In spite of good overall results, 26 p. 100 of the patients had an unfavourable long-term outcome as they developed major left ventricular dilatation. Nos prosthesis dysfunction was observed, and the St Jude Medical valve caused little obstruction. Thus, with this little obstructive prosthesis the postoperative improvement obtained persisted for five years in most cases of aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation.

Aortic Valve Insufficiency↗