Association of Female Menopause With Atrioventricular Mechanics and Outcomes.

Background: Despite known sex differences in cardiac structure and function, little is known about how menopause and estrogen associate with atrioventricular mechanics and outcomes. Objective: To study how, sex differences, loss of estrogen in menopause and duration of menopause, relate to atrioventricular mechanics and outcomes. Methods: Among 4051 asymptomatic adults (49.8 ± 10.8 years, 35%women), left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) mechanics were assessed using speckle-tracking. Results: Post-menopausal (vs. pre-menopausal) women had similar LV ejection fraction but reduced GLS, reduced PALS, increased LA stiffness, higher LV sphericity and LV torsion (all p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed menopause to be associated with greater LV sphericity (0.02, 95%CI 0.01, 0.03), higher indexed LV mass (LVMi), lower mitral e', lower LV GLS (0.37, 95%CI 0.04-0.70), higher LV torsion, larger LA volume, worse PALS (∼2.4-fold) and greater LA stiffness (0.028, 95%CI 0.01-0.05). Increasing years of menopause was associated with further reduction in GLS, markedly worse LA mechanics despite greater LV sphericity and higher torsion. Lower estradiol levels correlated with more impaired LV diastolic function, impaired LV GLS, greater LA stiffness, and increased LV sphericity and LV torsion (all p < 0.05). Approximately 5.5% (37/669) of post-menopausal women incident HF over 2.9 years of follow-up. Greater LV sphericity [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.04, 95%CI 1.00-1.07], impaired GLS (aHR 0.87, 95%CI 0.78-0.97), reduced peak left atrial longitudinal strain (PALS, aHR 0.94, 95%CI 0.90-0.99) and higher LA stiffness (aHR 10.5, 95%CI 1.69-64.6) were independently associated with the primary outcome of HF hospitalizations in post-menopause. Both PALS < 23% (aHR:1.32, 95%CI 1.01-3.49) and GLS < 16% (aHR:5.80, 95%CI 1.79-18.8) remained prognostic for the incidence of HF in post-menopausal women in dichotomous analyses, even after adjusting for confounders. Results were consistent with composite outcomes of HF hospitalizations and 1-year all-cause mortality as well. Conclusion: Menopause was associated with greater LV/LA remodeling and reduced LV longitudinal and LA function in women. The cardiac functional deficit with menopause and lower estradiol levels, along with their independent prognostic value post-menopause, may elucidate sex differences in heart failure further.

Prognostic superiority of global longitudinal strain beyond four-tiered ventricular hypertrophy in asymptomatic individuals.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the clinical correlates of myocardial deformations using speckle-tracking algorithm and to determine the prognostic utility of such measures in asymptomatic ethnic Chinese population. METHODS: Global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential strain (GCS), and torsion were analyzed using featured tissue-tracking algorithm among 4049 symptom-free ethnic Chinese population. Hypertrophy (LVH) was classified into 4 tiers: indeterminate, dilated, thick and thick/dilated, by gender-stratified partition of end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) and LV mass/EDV0.67. RESULTS: LVH (7.3%) showed substantially lower GLS (-20.3 ± 1.82% vs. -18.9 ± 2.08%) yet higher torsion (2.20 ± 0.90 vs. 2.39 ± 1.01, p < 0.001) than non-LVH participants. Those with thick LVH (n = 123) were more obese, had higher blood pressure and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP); with dilated/thick LVH (n = 26) group demonstrating highest pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and worse GLS compared to indeterminate-/non-LVH groups. There were independent associations among larger EDVi, higher NT-proBNP and decreased torsion, and among greater LV mass/EDV0.67, worse GLS, greater GCS/torsion and hs-CRP. Over a median of 2.3 years (IQR: 1.2-4.8), the dilated, thick, and dilated/thick LVH categorizations were associated with higher risk of composite all-cause death and heart failure (HF) compared to non-LVH (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 3.65, 3.72, 6.01, respectively, all p < 0.05). Per 1% GLS reduction was independently associated with higher risk (adjusted HR: 1.31, p < 0.001) and improved risk prediction (p ≤ 0.001 by integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]: 3.5%, 95% CI: 1.5%-5.6%, and continuous net reclassification improvement [NRI]: 42.3%, 95% CI: 24.0%-60.6%) over LVH. CONCLUSION: GLS improved risk stratification of four-tiered classification of LVH in asymptomatic ethnic Chinese.

Global Dieting Trends and Seasonality: Social Big-Data Analysis May Be a Useful Tool.

We explored online search interest in dieting and weight loss using big-data analysis with a view to its potential utility in global obesity prevention efforts. We applied big-data analysis to the global dieting trends collected from Google and Naver search engines from January 2004 to January 2018 using the search term "diet," in selected six Northern and Southern Hemisphere countries; five Arab and Muslim countries grouped as conservative, semi-conservative, and liberal; and South Korea. Using cosinor analysis to evaluate the periodic flow of time series data, there was seasonality for global search interest in dieting and weight loss (amplitude = 6.94, CI = 5.33~8.56, p < 0.000) with highest in January and the lowest in December for both Northern and Southern Hemisphere countries. Seasonal dieting trend in the Arab and Muslim countries was present, but less remarkable (monthly seasonal seasonality, amplitude = 4.07, CI = 2.20~5.95, p < 0.000). For South Korea, seasonality was noted on Naver (amplitude = 11.84, CI = 7.62~16.05, p < 0.000). Our findings suggest that big-data analysis of social media can be an adjunct in tackling important public health issues like dieting, weight loss, obesity, and food fads, including the optimal timing of interventions.

Associations of region-specific visceral adiposity with subclinical atrial dysfunction and outcomes of heart failure.

AIMS: Excessive visceral adiposity (VAT) plays an essential role in metabolic derangements with those close to heart further mediates myocardial homeostasis. The disparate biological links between region-specific VAT and cardiometabolic profiles as mediators influencing atrial kinetics remain unexplored. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 1326 asymptomatic individuals, region-specific VAT including peri-aortic root fat (PARF) and total pericardial fat (PCF) of cardiac region, together with thoracic peri-aortic adipose tissue (TAT), was assessed using multiple-detector computed tomography. VAT measures were related to functional left atrial (LA) metrics assessed by speckle-tracking algorithm and clinical outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF). Multivariate linear regression models incorporating body fat, metabolic syndrome, and E/TDI-e' consistently demonstrated independent associations of larger PARF/PCF with peak atrial longitudinal systolic strain (PALS) reduction, higher LA stiffness, and worsened strain rate components; instead, TAT was independently associated with cardiometabolic profiles. PARF rather than PCF or TAT conferred independent prognostic values for incident AF/HF by multivariate Cox regression (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.17-2.08, P = 0.002) during a median of 1790 days (interquartile range: 25th to 75th: 1440-1927 days) of follow-up, with subjects categorized into worst PALS and largest VAT tertiles demonstrating highest events (all log-rank P < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that higher triglyceride and lower high-density lipoproteins may serve as intermediary factors for effects between VAT and LA functional metrics, with lesser role by glucose level. CONCLUSIONS: Visceral adiposity surrounding atrial region was tightly associated with subclinical atrial dysfunction and incident AF or HF beyond metabolic factors. Instead, peri-aortic adiposity may mediate their toxic effects mainly through circulating cardiometabolic profiles.

Gender-differences in the associations between circulating creatine kinase, blood pressure, body mass and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in asymptomatic asians.

BACKGROUND: Creatine kinase (CK) is a pivotal regulatory enzyme in energy metabolism linked to both blood pressure and cardio-metabolic components. However, data is lacking in a large population of asymptomatic Asians. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cardio-metabolic assessment including anthropometric measures and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated by abdominal echo in 4,562 consecutive subjects who underwent an annual health survey. Serum CK levels were related to blood pressure components [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP)], anthropometric measures, and excessive adiposity in liver as indicated by NAFLD. Circulating CK levels ranged from 4 to 1842 IU/L (mean [SE]: 108.7 [1.1] IU/L) in the study population which consisted of 2522 males (mean age: 48.7 ± 11.2) and 2040 females (mean age: 49.4±11.5). In general, male subjects presented with higher circulating CK levels than females (mean ± SE: 127.3 ± 1.5 vs. 85.5 ± 1.3 IU/L, respectively, p < .001). Gender-differences in circulating CK levels were also observed with increasing age, which showed a more pronounced positive relationship with age in female subjects (gender interaction: p < .05). Furthermore, an elevated circulating CK level was independently associated with higher blood pressure, waist circumference and fat mass (FM), greater body mass index (BMI), increased lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and presence of NAFLD in multivariate analysis (all p < .05), with CK elevation more pronounced with greater BMI and FM in males compared with females (sex interaction: p < .05). CONCLUSION: In a large asymptomatic Asian population, circulating CK levels were increased with more advanced age, higher blood pressure, and greater body mass with gender differences. Our findings may be useful in interpreting elevated CK from subjects free of ongoing myocardial damage.

The associations among co-morbidity, cardiac geometries and mechanics in hospitalized heart failure with or without preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The associations among chronic health conditions, ventricular geometric alterations or cardiac contractile mechanics in different phenotypes heart failure (HF) remain largely unexplored. METHODS: We studied 438 consecutive hospitalized patients (mean age: 64.9 ± 16.6 years, 52.5% female) with or without clinical evidence of HF. We examined the associations among clinical co-morbidities, LV geometries and systolic mechanics in terms of global myocardial strains. RESULTS: Increasing clinical co-morbidities was associated with greater LV mass, worse longitudinal deformations and higher proportion of admission with HF diagnosis, which was more pronounced in HFpEF (from 6.4% to 40.7%, X2 < 0.001). The independent association between co-morbidity burden and longitudinal functional decay remained unchanged after adjusting for age and sex for all admissions and in HFpEF (Coef: 0.82 & 0.71, SE: 0.13 & 0.21, both p≤0.001). By using co-morbidity scores, the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) in identifying HFpEF was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.77), 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.71) for HFrEF and 0.72 for both (95% CI: 0.67 to 0.77). Co-morbidity burden superimposed on LV mass index and LV filling pressure (E/E') further expanded the AUROC significantly in diagnosing both types HF (c-statistics from 0.73 to 0.81, p for ΔAUROC: 0.0012). CONCLUSION: Chronic health conditions in the admission population were associated with unfavorable cardiac remodeling, impair cardiac contractile mechanics and further added significantly incremental value in HF diagnosis. Our data suggested the potentiality for better cardiac function by controlling baseline co-morbidities in hospitalized HF patients, especially HFpEF. ABBREVIATIONS: CAD: coronary artery disease; CKD: chronic kidney disease; DT: deceleration time; eGFR: Estimated glomerular filtration rate; HF: heart failure; IVRT: iso-volumic relaxation time; LV: left ventricular; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; RWT: relative wall thickness; TDI: Tissue Doppler imaging.

Light to Moderate Habitual Alcohol Consumption Is Associated with Subclinical Ventricular and Left Atrial Mechanical Dysfunction in an Asymptomatic Population: Dose-Response and Propensity Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effects of light to moderate alcohol consumption on cardiac mechanics remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose-response relationship between alcohol consumption and left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) function using myocardial deformation. METHODS: In total 3,946 asymptomatic participants (mean age, 49.7 ± 10.7 years; 65% men) were consecutively studied using comprehensive echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking in a cross-sectional, retrospective manner. Global LV longitudinal and circumferential strain and LA strain were assessed and related to habitual alcohol consumption pattern (fewer than one, one to six, or more than six drinks per week) before and after propensity matching. RESULTS: With increasing weekly alcohol consumption, participants displayed greater LV eccentric remodeling, impaired diastolic function, and more attenuated global longitudinal strain, LA strain (adjusted coefficients, -1.07 [95% CI, -1.95 to -0.19] and -3.73 [95% CI, -5.36 to -2.11]), and early diastolic strain rates (adjusted coefficients, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.03-0.11] and 0.33 [95% CI, 0.24-0.42]) for one to six and more than six drinks per week, respectively (P < .05 for all) in a dose-response manner. Participants with recent alcohol abstinence displayed cardiac mechanics intermediate between those of nondrinkers and current drinkers. After propensity matching (n = 1,140), participants currently consuming more than one drink per week continued to have significantly attenuated global longitudinal strain and all LA mechanics compared with those consuming fewer than one drink per week (P < .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Habitual alcohol consumption, even at light to moderate doses, is associated with both reduced LV and LA mechanics in a dose-dependent manner. Whether such observations are reversible or related to future atrial fibrillation deserves further study.

An observational study of the association among interatrial adiposity by computed tomography measure, insulin resistance, and left atrial electromechanical disturbances in heart failure.

Excessive visceral adiposity, hypothesized to be a key mediator in metabolic derangements, has recently been shown to exert toxic effects on cardiac structure and function. Data regarding the mechanistic link between regional adiposity, left atrial (LA) electromechanical remodeling, and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have been lacking.Various visceral adiposity measures, including pericardial fat (PCF), thoracic periaortic (TAT) fat, regional inter-atrial fat (IAF), and atrioventricular groove fat (AV Groove Fat), were assessed by multidetector computed tomography in 2 study cohorts (an annual health survey cohort and an outpatient cohort). We related such measures to cardiometabolic profiles in health survey cohort and LA electromechanical indices in our outpatient cohort, with Cox proportional hazards performed to examine the temporal trends of heart failure (HF).In our annual health survey cohort (n = 362), all 4 adiposity measures were positively related to unfavorable anthropometrics and systemic inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) (all P < 0.05). In addition, both greater IAF and AV Groove Fat were positively associated with higher fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and insulin resistance (all P < 0.05). In the outpatient cohort, the HFpEF group demonstrated the greatest adiposity measures, with greater IAF (≥8.2 mm, hazard ratio: 4.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.50-11.32) associated with reduced LA strain (ß-coef: -0.28), higher LA stiffness (ß-coef: 0.23), and longer P wave duration (ß-coef: 0.23) in multivariate models (all P < 0.05), and further related to higher HF hospitalization during follow-up.We therefore propose a possible pathophysiologic link among greater visceral adiposity, systemic inflammation, cardiometabolic risks, and HFpEF. Regional adiposity, especially IAF, was tightly linked to altered LA electromechanical properties and likely plays a key role in HF prognosis.

Progression of matrixin and cardiokine expression patterns in an ovine model of heart failure and recovery.

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanisms underlying the geometrical changes of the left ventricle during the progression to heart failure and recovery are not well defined. OBJECTIVE: Here we investigate the involvement of matrixins and cardiokines in an ovine model of pressure-induced left ventricular failure (LVF). METHODS: Fifteen sheep underwent supracoronary aortic banding with an inflatable cuff. A controlled and progressive increase of LV pressure was monitored echocardiographically. Endomyocardial biopsies were collected throughout the development of LVF and subsequent recovery after pressure unloading. RESULTS: Thirteen sheep developed LVF with a subsequent recovery. Peak left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and dilatation (LVD) occurred at 31.5 ± 1.6 weeks and 102.7 ± 2.2 weeks post-banding respectively, with an increase in LV internal diameter in diastole (LVIDd 5.11 ± 0.12 compared to the control 3.37 ± 0.07 cm, p<0.001), with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Reduced LVEF became evident 116.5 ± 2.7 weeks post-banding. Clinical and echocardiographic improvements were observed following deflation of the aortic banding cuff. By 138.1 ± 3.1 weeks cardiac performance recovered with restoration of LVEF. Significant changes in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-1, -2, -3, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, interferon (INF)-α-2 and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) were observed throughout the progression to failure and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: We used an ovine model to study reversible LV remodelling without interruption and found significant changes in matrixin and cardiokine expression during LV progression to failure and recovery.

Relation of myocardial systolic mechanics to serum ferritin level as a prognosticator in thalassemia patients undergoing repeated transfusion.

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial iron overload leading to congestive heart failure (HF) or arrhythmias is a recognized complication in thalassemia patients undergoing chronic blood transfusion. The relationship between myocardial iron load, subclinical systolic dysfunction, and clinical events remains less well known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied a total of 77 subjects, comprising 37 thalassemia patients (mean age: 24.2 ± 5.5 years) with a history of repeated blood transfusions, in addition to 40 age- and gender-matched controls (mean age: 24 ± 4.5 years). Serum ferritin levels were checked in all subjects, as well as semiautomated quantification of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, circumferential, and radial deformations assessed by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, thalassemia patients showed significantly larger LV mass index and lower myocardial deformations (P < 0.05), but left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) did not differ significantly (P = 0.233). There was a significant linear correlation between serum ferritin level and longitudinal (r = 0.44, P = 0.0078) and radial strain (r = -0.46, P = 0.0051), with optimal cutoff provided to be -15.48%, -21.31%, and 26.67% for longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain in predicting clinical events, respectively. During a median of 802.5 days follow-up, 11 clinical composites (HF incidence, ventricular tachyarrhythmia, and death) occurred (N = 9 subjects); subjects with composites had significantly reduced longitudinal and radial strain compared to those without (both P < 0.05). After adjusting for age, sex, serum ferritin level, and LV mass index, a worsening of longitudinal strain remained as an independent predictor of clinical events and death (HR: 6.05, P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Subclinical systolic dysfunction appears more likely in thalassemia subjects with a history of repeated blood transfusions, which further correlated with serum ferritin levels. In addition, worsening LV myocardial deformation parameters may play an independent role in predicting clinical outcomes beyond traditional measures in this population.

Cardiac mechanics and ventricular twist by three-dimensional strain analysis in relation to B-type natriuretic peptide as a clinical prognosticator for heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Three dimensional (3D) echocardiography-derived measurements of myocardial deformation and twist have recently advanced as novel clinical tools. However, with the exception of left ventricular ejection fraction and mass quantifications in hypertension and heart failure populations, the prognostic value of such imaging techniques remains largely unexplored. METHODS: We studied 200 subjects (mean age: 60.2±16 years, 54% female, female n = 107) with known hypertension (n = 51), diastolic heart failure (n = 61), or systolic heart failure (n = 30), recruited from heart failure outpatient clinics. Fifty-eight healthy volunteers were used as a control group. All participants underwent 3D-based myocardial deformation and twist analysis (Artida, Toshiba Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan). We further investigated associations between these measures and brain natriuretic peptide levels and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The global 3D strain measurements of the healthy, hypertension, diastolic heart failure, and systolic heart failure groups were 28.03%, 24.43%, 19.70%, and 11.95%, respectively (all p<0.001). Global twist measurements were estimated to be 9.49°, 9.77°, 8.32°, and 4.56°, respectively. We observed significant differences regarding 3D-derived longitudinal, radial, and global 3D strains between the different disease categories (p<0.05), even when age, gender, BMI and heart rate were matched. In addition, 3D-derived longitudinal, circumferential, and 3D strains were all highly correlated with brain natriuretic peptide levels (p<0.001). At a mean 567.7 days follow-up (25th-75th IQR: 197-909 days), poorer 3D-derived longitudinal, radial, and global 3D strain measurements remained independently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular related death or hospitalization due to heart failure, after adjusting for age, gender, and left ventricular ejection fraction (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: 3D-based strain analysis may be a feasible and useful diagnostic tool for discriminating the extent of myocardial dysfunction. Furthermore, it is able to provide a prognostic value beyond traditional echocardiographic parameters in terms of ejection fraction.

Independent effects of body fat and inflammatory markers on ventricular geometry, midwall function, and atrial remodeling.

BACKGROUND: The effect of body fat distribution on left ventricular (LV) mass and geometry has been recently recognized. However, data regarding circulating inflammatory markers in relation to regional visceral fat deposits, which are metabolically active tissues that can impact cardiac structural remodeling, remain sparse. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that obesity has adverse effects on cardiac function and structure. METHODS: We consecutively studied 1071 asymptomatic subjects (age 49.5 ± 10.5 years, 39.4% female) free from significant valvular disorders, chronic lung disease, or renal disease. Echocardiography-defined cardiac structures and LV geometries including LV mass, mass-to-volume ratio, and fractional shortening were all determined. Body fat composition (Tanita-305 Body-Fat Analyzer; Tanita Corp., Tokyo, Japan) was obtained and calculated. Multivariate regression models from various models were used to represent the independent association between body fat and echo-derived ventricular mass and geometries. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, increasing body fat was significantly related to increase in left atrial (LA) and LV diameter, posterior wall thickness, relative wall thickness (RWT), LV mass, mass-to-volume ratio, and decreased midwall fractional shortening with or without stress correction (all P < 0.001). When LV mass and severity of mitral regurgitation was further added, the independent association between increased body fat composition and larger LA diameter remained significant (ß coefficient = 0.37, P < 0.001). Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level was associated with larger LA diameter, increased RWT, and worsened midwall mechanics in the female gender (all interaction P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Accumulated body fat seemed to be related to worse ventricular midwall contractility and atrial remodeling, particularly in the female gender, with high systemic inflammation. These gender and Hs-CRP-specific modification effects may potentiate the pathological mechanisms involved in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Cardiac Systolic Mechanics in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: New Insights and Controversies.

UNLABELLED: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a cardinal and complex syndrome tightly linked to several co-morbidities, and is currently emerging as a new public health problem in the elderly population. However, despite aggressive intervention, patients with HFpEF typically have a poor prognosis. Part of the reason underlying this phenomenon can be attributed to the insufficiently understood pathophysiology behind this syndrome. Traditional echocardiography-derived parameters such as left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) may not be useful in characterizing such a clinical disorder, or in further identifying the subjects at risk, owing in part to its lack of power to disclose subclinical systolic dysfunction in such a clinical scenario. Herein, we briefly reviewed the clinical manifestations and risk factors of HFpEF, and further provided insights into the understanding of the ventricular architecture and cardiac mechanics underlying HFpEF by utilizing advanced cardiovascular imaging modalities, with a special focus on myocardial deformation. KEY WORDS: Heart failure; Speckle tracking imaging; Strain.

High pericardial and peri-aortic adipose tissue burden in pre-diabetic and diabetic subjects.

BACKGROUND: Central obesity in relation to insulin resistance is strongly linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. However, data regarding the association between pericardial and peri-aortic adiposity, a potential estimate of visceral adipose tissue burden, and pre-diabetes status remains unclear.The aim of this study was to examine whether the degree of pericardial and thoracic peri-aortic adipose tissue, when quantified by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), differs significantly in a normal, pre-diabetic, and overtly diabetic population. METHODS: We studied 562 consecutive subjects including 357 healthy, 155 pre-diabetic, and 50 diabetic patients selected from participants who underwent annual health surveys in Taiwan. Pre-diabetes status was defined by impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose intolerance according to American Diabetes Association guidelines. Pericardial (PCF) and thoracic peri-aortic (TAT) adipose tissue burden was assessed using a non-contrast 16-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) dataset with off-line measurement (Aquarius 3D Workstation, TeraRecon, San Mateo, CA, USA). Body fat composition, serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes had greater volume of PCF (89 ± 24.6, 85.3 ± 28.7 & 67.6 ± 26.7 ml, p < 0.001) as well as larger TAT (9.6 ± 3.1 ml vs 8.8 ± 4.2 & 6.6 ± 3.5 ml, respectively, p < 0.001) when compared to the normal group, although there were no significant differences in adiposity between the diabetic and pre-diabetic groups. For those without established diabetes in our study, increasing TAT burden, but not PCF, appear to correlate with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and hs-CRP in the multivariable models. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-diabetic and diabetic subjects, compared to normoglycemia, were associated with significantly higher pericardial and peri-aortic adipose tissue burden. In addition, visceral fat accumulation adjacent to the thoracic aorta seemed to exert a significant impact on insulin resistance and systemic inflammation.

Relation of carotid artery diameter with cardiac geometry and mechanics in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Central artery dilation and remodeling are associated with higher heart failure and cardiovascular risks. However, data regarding carotid artery diameter from hypertension to heart failure have remained elusive. We sought to investigate this issue by examining the association between carotid artery diameter and surrogates of ventricular dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Two hundred thirteen consecutive patients including 49 with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), 116 with hypertension, and an additional 48 healthy participants underwent comprehensive echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. Ultrasonography of the common carotid arteries was performed for measurement of intima-media thickness and diameter (CCAD). Cardiac mechanics, including LV twist, were assessed by novel speckle-tracking software. A substantial graded enlargement of CCAD was observed across all 3 groups (6.8 ± 0.6, 7.7 ± 0.73, and 8.7 ± 0.95 mm for normal, hypertension, and HFpEF groups, respectively; ANOVA P<0.001) and correlated with serum brain natriuretic peptide level (R(2)=0.31, P<0.001). Multivariable models showed that CCAD was associated with increased LV mass, LV mass-to-volume ratio (ß-coefficient=10.9 and 0.11, both P<0.001), reduced LV longitudinal and radial strain (ß-coeffficient=0.81 and -3.1, both P<0.05), and twist (ß-coefficient=-0.84, P<0.05). CCAD set at 8.07 mm as a cut-off had a 77.6% sensitivity, 82.3% specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) of 0.86 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.92) in discriminating HFpEF. In addition, CCAD superimposed on myocardial deformation significantly expanded AUROC (for longitudinal strain, from 0.84 to 0.90, P of ΔAUROC=0.02) in heart failure discrimination models. CONCLUSIONS: Increased carotid artery diameter is associated with worse LV geometry, higher brain natriuretic peptide level, and reduced contractile mechanics in individuals with HFpEF.

Safety of transesophageal echocardiography.

Since its introduction into the operating room in the early 1980s, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has gained widespread use during cardiac, major vascular, and transplantation surgery, as well as in emergency and intensive care medicine. Moreover, TEE has become an invaluable diagnostic tool for the management of patients with cardiovascular disease in a nonoperative setting. In comparison with other diagnostic modalities, TEE is relatively safe and noninvasive. However, the insertion and manipulation of the ultrasound probe can cause oropharyngeal, esophageal, or gastric trauma. Here, the authors review the safety profile of TEE by identifying complications and propose a set of relative and absolute contraindications to probe placement. In addition, alternative echocardiographic modalities (e.g., epicardial echocardiography) that may be considered when TEE probe placement is contraindicated or not feasible are discussed.

Cardiovascular disease: optimal approaches to risk factor modification of diet and lifestyle.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for almost 50% of all deaths in industrialized nations. As much as 70% of CVD can be prevented or delayed with dietary choices and lifestyle modifications. Western-style diets, sedentary lifestyles, and cigarette smoking are key modifiable CVD risk factors. Although CVD mortality was trending downward for almost 50 years, a resurgence, both nationally and globally, has occurred. A growing epidemic of obesity ("globesity"), decreasing physical activity, and persistent cigarette smoking are major behavioral factors underlying this change. Diet and lifestyle increase CVD risk both directly and indirectly. Direct effects include biological, molecular, and physiologic alterations, including inflammatory stimuli and oxidative stresses. Indirect effects include diabetes, dyslipidemias, and hypertension. However, trials studying links between diet and CVD remain notoriously difficult to execute and interpret. Diet interventions are typically confounded by other aspects of an overall diet as well as by lifestyle. Furthermore, benefits derived from a specific dietary or lifestyle intervention may not be proportional to the degree of risk posed by the unhealthy diet or lifestyle. Nonetheless, therapeutic rationale for diet and lifestyle are supported by basic and clinical research. Key components of a healthy aggregate diet include 1) reduced caloric intake; 2) reduced total fat, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol with proportional increases in monosaturated, n-3 (omega-3), and n-6 fatty acids; 3) increased dietary fiber, fruit, and vegetables; 4) increased micronutrients (eg, folate, B6, B12); 5) increased plant protein in lieu of animal protein; 6) reduced portions of highly processed foods; and 7) adopting a more Mediterranean or "prudent" dietary pattern over the prevailing "western" dietary pattern. Key lifestyle interventions include increased physical activity and smoking cessation. Translation of the benefits of healthy diet and lifestyle to the wider population requires both individual and public health strategies targeting at-risk groups.

Sedentary lifestyles, physical activity, and cardiovascular disease: from research to practice.

More than 60% of the world's population is not physically active at levels that promote health. In concert with other behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), sedentary lifestyles exact a heavy medical and economic toll on individuals and societies. Physical activity lowers all-cause mortality, reduces several risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and is a category 2 intervention that can halve cardiovascular disease risk. The benefits extend across a wide spectrum of structured as well as lifestyle physical activity levels. Models and programs aimed at translating physical activity's promise in cardiovascular prevention have been assessed, but results have been generally disappointing. A pragmatic strategy based on the "stages of change" or transtheoretical model can be effective. It incorporates self efficacy and individual initiatives, both crucial ingredients necessary to surmount the inevitable hurdles on the path towards physically active lifestyles.