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[Effect of the degree of revascularization on left ventricular function after aortocoronary bypass operation].

BACKGROUND: The extent of myocardial revascularisation by aortocoronary bypass surgery can only be quantitatively evaluated by using precise criteria. In this retrospective study the effect of coronary surgery on left ventricular function was analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 161 patients, 148 male and 13 female, aged 52.5 +/- 7.0 years (33 to 69 years) with 1 (7%), 2 (38%) or 3 vessel disease (55%) the left ventricular function was analyzed by Swan-Ganz catheterization at rest and on exercise, five months before and after coronary bypass operation. Coronary artery and bypass lesions were quantified according to a new detailed score including diseased main or side branches, segment 1 to 3, type of irrigation and area reduction of the artery cross-section. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and cardiac index were measured and related to the grade of revascularisation (RG) and pre-operative ejection fraction (EF), classified in the groups RG1 < 50%, n = 54; RG2 50 to 74%, n = 52; RG3 > or = 75%, n = 55, EF1 < 60%, n = 30 and EF2 > or = 60%, n = 129. RESULTS: The change in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure on exercise was in RG1, RG2 and RG3 -26.2%, -29.0% and -40.9%, respectively (p < 0.001). It was significantly higher in RG2 and RG3 than in RG1. The increase in cardiac index on exercise was significant only in groups RG2, RG3 and EF2 (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Adequate improvement of left ventricular function can be expected when a grade of revascularisation of 50% and more is achieved.

Adult↗

Reproducibility of assessment of left-ventricular function using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.

Reproducibility of results is an important point in assessing the utility of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography for evaluating changes in left-ventricular function. The purpose of the present study was to define the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of the qualitative assessment of left-ventricular regional wall motion and the quantitative assessment of global left-ventricular function. In addition, the interstudy reproducibility of two examinations was tested when the probe was displaced and replaced in the esophagus. A transesophageal short-axis view at the level of the papillary muscles was obtained in 86 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In the 80 patients with adequate images, regional wall motion was visually graded and area ejection fraction was calculated by two observers and assessment was repeated by the same observer one day later. The same observer graded wall motion differently in only 5% (24/480) of segments. Grading by two observers differed in 9% (43/480) of segments. Assessment differed by one grade at the most and in not more than 2 out of 6 segments per patient. Repeated measurements of area ejection fraction (AEF) by the same observer correlated well (r = 0.97 before and r = 0.97 after cardiopulmonary bypass) with a mean percent difference of 6%. A similarly close correlation was found for measurements of two observers (r = 0.90 and r = 0.93, respectively) with a mean percent difference of 10% for area ejection fraction. The correlation for the first and second examination in the same patient by one observer was acceptable (r = 0.78 and r = 0.80, respectively) with a mean percent difference of 15% for area ejection fraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effect of antihypertensive therapy on left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion at rest and during exercise.

We studied left ventricular function by equilibrium-gated technetium-99m ejection fraction and global left ventricular perfusion by thallium-201 scintigraphy in 43 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Patients were studied at rest and during submaximal (approximately 50% of VO2 max) supine bicycle exercise, off therapy and on four forms of therapy for 16 weeks: methyldopa (n = 9); propranolol (n = 9); hydrochlorothiazide (n = 9); and enalapril (n = 16). None of the patients had focal myocardial ischaemia or heart failure. There were no differences between methyldopa, propranolol, hydrochlorothiazide and enalapril in blood pressure responses to exercise. However, heart rate at rest (57 +/- 4.6 beats/min) and during exercise (108 +/- 8.0 beats/min) was significantly lower in patients on propranolol than in other groups (70 +/- 3.9 and 117 +/- 5.5 beats/min for methyldopa; 75 +/- 3.3 and 119 +/- 4.9 beats/min for hydrochlorothiazide; 74 +/- 2.8 and 125 +/- 2.6 beats/min for enalapril). In the propranolol-treated group, mean ejection fraction fell from 55% at rest to 49% during exercise. This suggests that cardiac output is likely to be lower and peripheral resistance higher during exercise in patients on propranolol than on other forms of treatment. There were no significant differences in coronary perfusion responses to exercise, however, or in the ratio of coronary perfusion to rate-pressure product, between any of the groups. These findings suggest that the limitation in exercise tolerance often reported by patients on beta-blockers is not due to coronary insufficiency during exercise, but to an attenuation of the cardiac output response to exercise, together with a raised peripheral vascular resistance.

Adult↗

Assessment of left ventricular function in secundum atrial septal defect: evaluation by determination of volume, pressure, and external systolic time indices.

Left ventricular function and volume data from 17 control subjects and 27 young patients with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) without overt left or right ventricular failure were compared. ASD patients were subdivided in low shunt (Qp/Qs less than 2.0) and high shunt (Qp/Qs larger than or equal to 2.0) groups. Mean left ventricular (LV) stroke volume was significantly less in ASD patients (46 +/- 16 ml/m2 in the low shunt and 44 +/- 9 ml/m2 in high shunt group) compared with control patients (51 +/- 13 ml/m2, P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.02, respectively). There was no significant difference in mean left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) between any group of patients (control subjects 67 +/- 17 ml/m2; low shunt ASD 66 +/- 17 Ml/m2, and high shunt ASD 62 +/- 12 ml/m2). High shunt ASD had a significantly lower cardiac index compared with control patients (5.0 liters/min/m2 vs. 5.9 liters/min/m2, P less than 0.02). Both low shunt and high shunt ASD showed significantly lower stroke work indices than control subjects (42 +/- 13 GmM/m2 and 37 +/- 8 GmM/m2 compared with 51 +/- 14 GmM/M2 , P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.001, respectively) but only the high shunt group had a significantly lower peak systolic pressure (94 +/- 12 mm Hg vs. 109 +/- 11 mm Hg for control patients, P less than 0.01). There was no significant difference between the control and ASD groups in LV end-diastolic, mean right atrial, right ventricular end-diastolic, and pulmonary pressures. External systolic time intervals were compared in 5 control and 12 ASD patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups of patients in absolute values or indices for pre-ejection period, ejection time, or electromechanical systole. However, the ratio of the pre-ejection period index to left ventricular ejection time index (PEPI/LVETI) was significantly higher in ASD patients (P less than 0.05). In young subjects with large shunt ASD, certain indicators of left ventricular function are depressed. Evaluation of PEPI/LVETI may allow noninvasive determination of LV function.

Adolescent↗

Effects of thyroid hormone on left ventricular function in patients treated for thyrotoxicosis.

Systolic time intervals, echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular contractile function and serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels were measured before treatment in nine patients with hyperthyroidism, and again every 2 weeks for the first 2 months after therapy and then every 4 weeks until the subjects were clinically and chemically euthyroid. Six of the nine became transiently hypothyroid. Although the preejection period corrected for heart rate (preejection period index) increased as the patients became euthyroid, the change was not significant. Preejection period index increased dramatically in the patients becoming hypothyroid (p less than 0.005). Corrected left ventricular ejection time (left ventricular ejection time index) also increased as the patients became euthyroid (p less than 0.001), and increased again with the appearance of hypothyroidism (p less than 0.05). There was a linear correlation between velocity of circumferential fiber shortening and serum triiodothyronine level (r - 0.77) and between velocity of circumferential fiber shortening and serum thyroxine level (r = 0.70) at all stages of thyroid function. Thus thyroid hormone definitely enhances left ventricular function in human beings, and both excess and deficiency cause predictable reversible changes in myocardial contractile function. Thus thyroid hormone definitely enhances left ventricular function in human beings, and both excess and deficiency cause predictable reversible changes in myocardial contractile function. Furthermore echocardiographic measurements of velocity of circumferential fiber shortening provide rapid estimates of the chemical status of thyrotoxic patients before and after treatment.

Adult↗

Detection of myocardial viability in the prediction of improvement in left ventricular function after successful coronary revascularization by using the dobutamine stress echocardiography and quantitative SPECT rest-redistribution-reinjection 201TI imaging after dipyridamole infusion.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and respective diagnostic accuracy of low-dose dobutamine infusion and rest-redistribution-reinjection thallium 201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) after dipyridamole infusion (Th-DIP), in the prediction of functional improvement of asynergic infarcted zones, after successful revascularization in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease. Thirty-one patients with a previous myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction (mean ejection fraction: 41 +/- 5.8%) were studied. The regional wall motion of the left ventricle was evaluated by basic echocardiography before and 14 +/- 1.7 weeks after successful revascularization (19 by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and 12 by coronary artery bypass grafting). Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) was performed in all patients with dobutamine infusion of 5 and 10 micrograms/kg/minute over five minutes. Within three days after DSE and prior to revascularization, all patients underwent Th-DIP for myocardial viability assessment. A 16-ventricular-segment model was used for basic, DSE, and Th-DIP images. Viability was assessed by applying the standard criteria for each technique. In the 31 patients, 496 segments were analyzed. By basic echocardiography, 164 (33%) of them were classified as asynergic. The DSE detected viable tissue in 69/496 (14%) segments, whereas Th-DIP identified viability in 95/496 (19%) segments. When the postrevascularization basic echocardiographic study was used as the gold standard in identifying myocardial viability, the sensitivity and specificity for the DSE and Th-DIP were 86.5%, 94.4% and 90.5%, 69%, respectively. No major side effects were observed with both techniques. In conclusion, DSE seems to be an accurate method for identifying viable but asynergic myocardium in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease, whereas Th-DIP overestimates the postrevascularization recovery. Detection of hibernating myocardium can be obtained by these two noninvasive methods. However, DSE seems to be more useful in determining the prospective selection of patients who are going to benefit from revascularization.

Adult↗

Assessment of left ventricular function by resting and exercise radionuclide angiocardiography following acute myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular function was evaluated by first-pass radionuclide angiocardiography in 42 patients at 3 and 8 weeks following acute myocardial infarction. Left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic volume, and wall motion were measured at rest and submaximal exercise at 3 weeks and at rest, submaximal and maximal exercise at 8 weeks. The mean ejection fraction, end-diastolic volume, and wall motion index did not change between 3 and 8 weeks in any group either at rest or during submaximal exercise. Ventricular function was decreased at rest in patients with previous and anterior myocardial infarctions, but not in patients with inferior and subendocardial myocardial infarctions. During maximal exercise at 8 weeks, nine patients (21%) had ST segment depression, whereas 25 patients (60%) had a decrease in ejection fraction or a deterioration in wall motion. These abnormalities of ventricular function during exercise occurred equally among the infarct groups. Radionuclide angiography in patients with recent myocardial infarction demonstrated highly variable ventricular function at rest and/or during exercise in each infarct subgroup.

Adult↗

Left ventricular function in children with sleep-disordered breathing.

Severe obstructive sleep apnea in children leads to congestive heart failure. We studied the early changes in left ventricular function across a range of severity of the disorder. A dose-dependent decrease in diastolic function with increased severity of obstructive apnea was demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

Echocardiographic assessment of right and left ventricular function after single-lung transplantation.

To evaluate the impact of single-lung transplantation on right and left ventricular performance and to identify potential preoperative characteristics that could predict postoperative outcome, a large group of patients were retrospectively evaluated by means of serial Doppler echocardiography. Twenty-six of 57 consecutive single-lung transplant patients had satisfactory Doppler echocardiographic studies before and after surgery. A significant reduction in right ventricular diastolic and systolic areas and an increase in right ventricular fractional area were noted after transplantation. The left ventricular contractility remained unchanged. In addition, significant reduction in right atrial area, right ventricular free wall thickness, and tricuspid regurgitation were also seen. Paradoxical septal motion present in eight patients before the procedure resolved in all of them after single-lung transplantation. Transthoracic echocardiography is a useful technique to document improvement in right ventricular function in 63% of patients following single-lung transplantation. Preoperative paradoxical septal motion identifies single-lung transplant recipients who have the largest postoperative right ventricular area reduction and fractional area increase. Alternative imaging modalities should be sought for single-lung transplant candidates in whom conventional transthoracic echocardiography is suboptimal.

Adult↗

A controlled study of the effects of carvedilol on clinical events, left ventricular function and proinflammatory cytokines levels in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Carvedilol is known to decrease the severity of ventricular dysfunction, to increase the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and, consequently, to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. There is accumulating evidence that inflammatory cytokines have an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. OBJECTIVE: To establish whether the addition of carvedilol has an additive beneficial effect on cytokines in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy who are already receiving treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, digoxin and diuretics. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this single-centre, prospective, randomized study, 60 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy with an LVEF less than 40% and already receiving digoxin, ACE inhibitors and diuretics for six months as the standard therapy were randomly assigned to receive either carvedilol (n=30) or placebo (n=30). Patients received an initial dosage of 3.125 mg carvedilol or placebo twice daily for two weeks, which was then increased at two-week intervals (if tolerated), first to 6.25 mg, then to 12.5 mg, and, finally, to a target dosage of 25 mg twice daily. Clinical examinations, radionuclide studies, and determinations of plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-6 were performed at baseline and repeated four months after random assignment. Primary end points were New York Heart Association functional class, LV function and plasma cytokines levels. Eight patients died (seven in the placebo group, P=0.05). Patients treated with carvedilol had a significant improvement in functional class compared with the baseline values (P=0.001), with a decrease in the levels of cytokines (IL-6 [P=0.001] and TNF-a [P=0.001]). LVEF increased from 22.14+/-7.85% to 27.85+/-11.80% (P=0.002), but diastolic function did not change in the carvedilol group. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, the addition of carvedilol to treatment with digoxin, ACE inhibitors and diuretics is associated with a significant improvement in symptoms and in LV function, and suppression of inflammatory cytokines.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Cardiac syndrome X: clinical characteristics and left ventricular function. Long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to study the clinical characteristics and evolution of symptoms and left ventricular function in a clinically homogeneous group of patients with syndrome X (angina pectoris, positive exercise test results and normal coronary arteriograms). BACKGROUND: The syndrome of angina with normal coronary arteriograms is heterogeneous and encompasses different pathogenetic entities. These characteristics may contribute to the existing controversy concerning the cause of syndrome X. METHODS: We studied 99 patients with syndrome X (78 women, 21 men; mean age +/- SD 48.5 +/- 8 years). All underwent clinical characterization, ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring and echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function during a follow-up period of 7 +/- 4 years. RESULTS: The syndrome was more common in women than in men. Of the women, 61.5% were postmenopausal before the onset of chest pain. All 99 patients had exertional angina, and 41 also had rest angina. The average duration of episodes of chest pain was > 10 min in 53% of patients. Sublingual nitrate was effective for relief of pain in 42% of patients. Transient ST segment depression was observed during ambulatory ECG monitoring in 64 patients and myocardial perfusion abnormalities in 22. During the first stage of the exercise test, 32 patients had an increase > 20 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and showed an earlier onset of ST depression and shorter exercise time than did patients whose blood pressure increased < or = 20%. During follow-up, no deaths or myocardial infarctions occurred, ventricular function was unchanged (shortening fraction 35.4 +/- 4% vs. 35.6 +/- 3%; heart failure developed in only one patient), systemic hypertension occurred in eight patients and conduction disturbances in four. Symptoms lessened in 11 patients, were variable or unchanged in 64 and worsened in 24. CONCLUSIONS: Syndrome X, as defined in this study, occurs predominantly in postmenopausal women. Patients usually have chest pain typical for angina, but conventional antianginal treatment is not often successful. Myocardial perfusion abnormalities occur in a small proportion of patients. Long-term survival is not adversely affected, and deterioration of cardiac function rarely occurs.

Adult↗

Heart rate variability profiles in symptomatic coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular function: relation to ventricular tachycardia and transient myocardial ischemia. Regression Growth Evaluation Statin Study (REGRESS).

We studied heart rate variability in ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings from 312 patients with significant coronary artery disease and a left ventricular ejection fraction of > or = 30%. Only those patients who had both episodes of ischemia and nonsustained ventricular arrhythmias showed diminished values for parasympathetic nonspectral and spectral heart rate (HR) variability parameters. The root mean square of difference of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD) and high-frequency (HF) power in this group were 28 +/- 3 msec and 9 +/- 1 msec, respectively. The highest values of these HR variability parameters were found in patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and no ischemia (81 +/- 21 msec and 14 +/- 1 msec, respectively, p < or = 0.05). A relation was seen between transient myocardial ischemia and low-frequency power and between transient ischemia and ventricular tachycardia. These data suggest that the autonomic nervous system may play a role in ischemia and in ischemia-related ventricular arrhythmias.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

Sequential study of left ventricular function in aortic valvular stenosis.

To assess the progression of aortic valvular gradients (AVG) and their relation to left ventricular function, 21 patients with aortic valvular stenosis were studied sequentially by cardiac catheterization and left ventriculography. All AVG were obtained from the left ventricle to ascending aortic pullback tracings. The ejection fraction and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening were obtained from left ventriculograms. A new onset of syncopal episode was helpful to predict the progression of AVG in five patients, but in others the progression of aortic stenosis was generally not predictable. The left ventricular contractility of these patients was usually normal, but seven patients exhibited the progressive impairment that was not proportional to the change of AVG and was clinically unrecognized. Also, the left ventricular function may deteriorate in the absence of progression of the aortic valvular gradient. Thus, serial hemodynamic studies could be indicated in patients with mild to moderate aortic stenosis even in the absence of new symptoms and signs.

Adult↗

Impact and determinants of left ventricular function in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

We evaluated the prognostic effect of baseline left ventricular function and the determinants of its recovery after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated by primary angioplasty. Left ventriculography was performed during the index procedure in 1,620 of 2,082 patients (78%) who underwent primary angioplasty for AMI in the CADILLAC trial. One-year survival rate was significantly lower in patients whose baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40% than in those whose LVEF was > or =40% (89.0% vs 97.2%, respectively, p <0.0001). The effect of baseline left ventricular dysfunction on mortality was confined to the first 3 months after AMI; thereafter, survival was independent of baseline LVEF. By multivariate analysis, baseline LVEF (hazard ratio 0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 0.97, p <0.001) and infarct zone regional wall motion (hazard ratio 2.67, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 6.63, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of 1-year mortality. Seven-month convalescent LVEF was also directly related to baseline LVEF and inversely correlated with previous AMI, multivessel coronary disease, preprocedural Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction grade 0 to 2 flow, larger infarct artery diameter, and infarct artery restenosis at follow-up. In conclusion, baseline left ventricular function measured during the index procedure is a strong independent predictor of early and late survival after primary angioplasty. Simple clinical and angiographic features readily available at the time of primary angioplasty also predict convalescent LVEF and are thus of prognostic utility.

Aged↗

Cardiac arrhythmias and left ventricular function in respiratory failure from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In 22 patients with COPD, we studied the relationship between left ventricular function and cardiac arrhythmias. Ventricular arrhythmias were detected on a 24-h ECG recorded at the beginning of the observation period and after a stable improvement of RF. Left ventricular function was evaluated by equilibrium-gated radionuclide angiocardiography measuring LVEF, PER and PFR. We found a significant decrease in the arrhythmia score after improvement of RF; LVEF and PFR were slightly depressed in six and nine patients, respectively. A "step-up" multiple regression analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between PFR and ventricular arrhythmias during worsened RF, whereas LVEF, arterial blood gases and clinical data were not significantly predictive variables. Thus, a depressed left ventricular diastolic performance seems to be a predictive factor for arrhythmias during RF from COPD. The poor definition of the statistical model suggests that other presently unknown factors contribute to the genesis of ventricular arrhythmias.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Transoesophageal echocardiographic monitoring of left ventricular function.

Technical advances in echocardiography, especially the introduction of oesophageal probes, have led to the extension of its indications to the field of anaesthesia and intensive care. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides high quality imaging of the left ventricle in patients on ventilators. In addition, manipulation of the probe is performed near the patient's head and so does not interfere with the surgeon's job. This enables echocardiographic monitoring of left ventricular function throughout the operation. The information so obtained not only provides data about anatomical changes which is sometimes invaluable, but also allows quantification of left ventricular function which is the main advantage for anaesthetists. The images allow study of regional and global left ventricular contraction and the deduction of certain parameters of ventricular performance. The ability to perform real time monitoring of ventricular function throughout anaesthesia and the immediate postoperative period is all the more valuable in patients with limited cardiac and coronary reserve. This new method of monitoring gives a better understanding of the physiopathology of peroperative cardiac events and provides information which may guide the conduct of the anaesthesia and postoperative care.

Echocardiography↗

[Postoperative course of left ventricular function in aortic insufficiency].

PURPOSE: To analyze the follow-up of left ventricular function (LVF) after surgical correction of severe chronic aortic insufficiency (AI). METHODS: Twenty-one out of 68 patients with AI, initially asymptomatic and that developed symptoms during the follow-up period of 24-36 months, were studied. Relationship between symptoms and LVF by echocardiogram and radioisotopic ventriculography at rest and in isotonic exercise were studied. Three clinical moments (CM) were assumed: CM-0- at the beginning of the study, when all patients were asymptomatic; CM-1- manifestation of the symptoms during 24-36 months; CM-2- corresponding to the late post-operative period of 8 months of 20 out of 21 patients (one refused the surgery). The analysis did not show any significant differences between the mean values of all echocardiographic variables (diastolic and systolic diameters, shortening fraction, final systolic stress, volume-mass ratio, contractility index) and the ejection fraction of the left ventricle (EF) obtained by the radioisotope ventriculography at rest and, including exercise, between clinical moments 0 and 1. RESULTS: In the CM-2, involution was verified for functional class I/II in all cases and absence of expressive complications or immediate or late postoperative mortality. Comparison between CM-2 and 0 showed expressive regression of the diameters at rest in the postoperative period and with significant improvement in the means mainly the percentual variation of the EF and total time of effort. CONCLUSION: Symptoms assembled patients with more advanced eccentric hypertrophy and did not coincide with any immediate change in findings studied at rest and at exercise. It represented a point of reference for surgical indication compatible with late postoperative involution of chronic adaptation of AI.

Adult↗