Significance of Dynamic Axial Stretching on Estimating Biomechanical Behavior and Properties of the Human Ascending Aorta.

Contrary to most vessels, the ascending thoracic aorta (ATA) not only distends but also elongates in the axial direction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biomechanical behavior of the ascending thoracic aorta (ATA) in response to dynamic axial stretching during the cardiac cycle. In addition, the implications of neglecting this dynamic axial stretching when estimating the constitutive model parameters of the ATA are investigated. The investigations were performed through in silico simulations by assuming a Gasser-Ogden-Holzapfel (GOH) constitutive model representative of ATA tissue material. The GOH model parameters were obtained from biaxial tests performed on four human ATA tissues in a previous study. Pressure-diameter curves were simulated as synthetic data to assess the effect of neglecting dynamic axial stretching on estimating constitutive model parameters. Our findings reveal a significant increase in axial stress (~ 16%) and stored strain energy (~ 18%) in the vessel when dynamic axial stretching is considered, as opposed to assuming a fixed axial stretch. All but one artery showed increased volume compliance while considering a dynamic axial stretching condition. Furthermore, we observe a notable difference in the estimated constitutive model parameters when dynamic axial stretching of the ATA is neglected, compared to the ground truth model parameters. These results underscore the critical importance of accounting for axial deformations when conducting in vivo biomechanical characterization of the ascending thoracic aorta.

Parameter subset reduction for imaging-based digital twin generation of patients with left ventricular mechanical discoordination.

BACKGROUND: Integration of a patient's non-invasive imaging data in a digital twin (DT) of the heart can provide valuable insight into the myocardial disease substrates underlying left ventricular (LV) mechanical discoordination. However, when generating a DT, model parameters should be identifiable to obtain robust parameter estimations. In this study, we used the CircAdapt model of the human heart and circulation to find a subset of parameters which were identifiable from LV cavity volume and regional strain measurements of patients with different substrates of left bundle branch block (LBBB) and myocardial infarction (MI). To this end, we included seven patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and LBBB (study ID: 2018-0863, registration date: 2019-10-07), of which four were non-ischemic (LBBB-only) and three had previous MI (LBBB-MI), and six narrow QRS patients with MI (MI-only) (study ID: NL45241.041.13, registration date: 2013-11-12). Morris screening method (MSM) was applied first to find parameters which were important for LV volume, regional strain, and strain rate indices. Second, this parameter subset was iteratively reduced based on parameter identifiability and reproducibility. Parameter identifiability was based on the diaphony calculated from quasi-Monte Carlo simulations and reproducibility was based on the intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC ) obtained from repeated parameter estimation using dynamic multi-swarm particle swarm optimization. Goodness-of-fit was defined as the mean squared error ( χ 2 ) of LV myocardial strain, strain rate, and cavity volume. RESULTS: A subset of 270 parameters remained after MSM which produced high-quality DTs of all patients ( χ 2 < 1.6), but minimum parameter reproducibility was poor ( ICC min = 0.01). Iterative reduction yielded a reproducible ( ICC min = 0.83) subset of 75 parameters, including cardiac output, global LV activation duration, regional mechanical activation delay, and regional LV myocardial constitutive properties. This reduced subset produced patient-resembling DTs ( χ 2 < 2.2), while septal-to-lateral wall workload imbalance was higher for the LBBB-only DTs than for the MI-only DTs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: By applying sensitivity and identifiability analysis, we successfully determined a parameter subset of the CircAdapt model which can be used to generate imaging-based DTs of patients with LV mechanical discoordination. Parameters were reproducibly estimated using particle swarm optimization, and derived LV myocardial work distribution was representative for the patient's underlying disease substrate. This DT technology enables patient-specific substrate characterization and can potentially be used to support clinical decision making.

Multipotent adult progenitor cells prevent functional impairment and improve development in inflammation driven detriment of preterm ovine lungs.

Background: Perinatal inflammation increases the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm neonates, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Given their anti-inflammatory and regenerative capacity, multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) are a promising cell-based therapy to prevent and/or treat the negative pulmonary consequences of perinatal inflammation in the preterm neonate. Therefore, the pathophysiology underlying adverse preterm lung outcomes following perinatal inflammation and pulmonary benefits of MAPC treatment at the interface of prenatal inflammatory and postnatal ventilation exposures were elucidated. Methods: Instrumented ovine fetuses were exposed to intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS 5 mg) at 125 days gestation to induce adverse systemic and peripheral organ outcomes. MAPC (10 × 106 cells) or saline were administered intravenously two days post LPS exposure. Fetuses were delivered preterm five days post MAPC treatment and either killed humanely immediately or mechanically ventilated for 72 h. Results: Antenatal LPS exposure resulted in inflammation and decreased alveolar maturation in the preterm lung. Additionally, LPS-exposed ventilated lambs showed continued pulmonary inflammation and cell junction loss accompanied by pulmonary edema, ultimately resulting in higher oxygen demand. MAPC therapy modulated lung inflammation, prevented loss of epithelial and endothelial barriers and improved lung maturation in utero. These MAPC-driven improvements remained evident postnatally, and prevented concomitant pulmonary edema and functional loss. Conclusion: In conclusion, prenatal inflammation sensitizes the underdeveloped preterm lung to subsequent postnatal inflammation, resulting in injury, disturbed development and functional impairment. MAPC therapy partially prevents these changes and is therefore a promising approach for preterm infants to prevent adverse pulmonary outcomes.

Translating myosin-binding protein C and titin abnormalities to whole-heart function using a novel calcium-contraction coupling model.

Mutations in cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) or titin may respectively lead to hypertrophic (HCM) or dilated (DCM) cardiomyopathies. The mechanisms leading to these phenotypes remain unclear because of the challenge of translating cellular abnormalities to whole-heart and system function. We developed and validated a novel computer model of calcium-contraction coupling incorporating the role of cMyBP-C and titin based on the key assumptions: 1) tension in the thick filament promotes cross-bridge attachment mechanochemically, 2) with increasing titin tension, more myosin heads are unlocked for attachment, and 3) cMyBP-C suppresses cross-bridge attachment. Simulated stationary calcium-tension curves, isotonic and isometric contractions, and quick release agreed with experimental data. The model predicted that a loss of cMyBP-C function decreases the steepness of the calcium-tension curve, and that more compliant titin decreases the level of passive and active tension and its dependency on sarcomere length. Integrating this cellular model in the CircAdapt model of the human heart and circulation showed that a loss of cMyBP-C function resulted in HCM-like hemodynamics with higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressures and smaller volumes. More compliant titin led to higher diastolic pressures and ventricular dilation, suggesting DCM-like hemodynamics. The novel model of calcium-contraction coupling incorporates the role of cMyBP-C and titin. Its coupling to whole-heart mechanics translates changes in cellular calcium-contraction coupling to changes in cardiac pump and circulatory function and identifies potential mechanisms by which cMyBP-C and titin abnormalities may develop into HCM and DCM phenotypes. This modeling platform may help identify distinct mechanisms underlying clinical phenotypes in cardiac diseases.

How to assess and treat right ventricular electromechanical dyssynchrony in post-repair tetralogy of Fallot: insights from imaging, invasive studies, and computational modelling.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Right bundle branch block (RBBB) and resulting right ventricular (RV) electromechanical discoordination are thought to play a role in the disease process of subpulmonary RV dysfunction that frequently occur post-repair tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). We sought to describe this disease entity, the role of pulmonary re-valvulation, and the potential added value of RV cardiac resynchronization therapy (RV-CRT). METHODS: Two patients with repaired ToF, complete RBBB, pulmonary regurgitation, and significantly decreased RV function underwent echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and an invasive study to evaluate the potential for RV-CRT as part of the management strategy. The data were used to personalize the CircAdapt model of the human heart and circulation. Resulting Digital Twins were analysed to quantify the relative effects of RV pressure and volume overload and to predict the effect of RV-CRT. RESULTS: Echocardiography showed components of a classic RV dyssynchrony pattern which could be reversed by RV-CRT during invasive study and resulted in acute improvement in RV systolic function. The Digital Twins confirmed a contribution of electromechanical RV dyssynchrony to RV dysfunction and suggested improvement of RV contraction efficiency after RV-CRT. The one patient who underwent successful permanent RV-CRT as part of the pulmonary re-valvulation procedure carried improvements that were in line with the predictions based on his Digital Twin. CONCLUSION: An integrative diagnostic approach to RV dysfunction, including the construction of Digital Twins may help to identify candidates for RV-CRT as part of the lifetime management of ToF and similar congenital heart lesions.

Increased Chamber Resting Tone Is a Key Determinant of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Twitch-independent tension has been demonstrated in cardiomyocytes, but its role in heart failure (HF) is unclear. We aimed to address twitch-independent tension as a source of diastolic dysfunction by isolating the effects of chamber resting tone (RT) from impaired relaxation and stiffness. METHODS: We invasively monitored pressure-volume data during cardiopulmonary exercise in 20 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 17 control subjects, and 35 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction. To measure RT, we developed a new method to fit continuous pressure-volume measurements, and first validated it in a computational model of loss of cMyBP-C (myosin binding protein-C). RESULTS: In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, RT (estimated marginal mean [95% CI]) was 3.4 (0.4-6.4) mm Hg, increasing to 18.5 (15.5-21.5) mm Hg with exercise (P<0.001). At peak exercise, RT was responsible for 64% (53%-76%) of end-diastolic pressure, whereas incomplete relaxation and stiffness accounted for the rest. RT correlated with the levels of NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide; R=0.57; P=0.02) and with pulmonary wedge pressure but following different slopes at rest and during exercise (R2=0.49; P<0.001). In controls, RT was 0.0 mm Hg and 1.2 (0.3-2.8) mm Hg in HF with preserved ejection fraction patients and was also exacerbated by exercise. In silico, RT increased in parallel to the loss of cMyBP-C function and correlated with twitch-independent myofilament tension (R=0.997). CONCLUSIONS: Augmented RT is the major cause of LV diastolic chamber dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and HF with preserved ejection fraction. RT transients determine diastolic pressures, pulmonary pressures, and functional capacity to a greater extent than relaxation and stiffness abnormalities. These findings support antimyosin agents for treating HF.

Electrophysiological effects of stretch-activated ion channels: a systematic computational characterization.

Cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics are strongly interconnected. Their interaction is, among others, mediated by mechano-electric feedback through stretch-activated ion channels (SACs). The electrophysiological changes induced by SACs may contribute to arrhythmogenesis, but the precise SAC-induced electrophysiological changes remain incompletely understood. Here, we provide a systematic characterization of stretch effects through three distinguished SACs on cardiac electrophysiology using computational modelling. We implemented potassium-selective, calcium-selective and non-selective SACs in the Tomek-Rodriguez-O'Hara-Rudy model of human ventricular electrophysiology. The model was calibrated to experimental data from isolated cardiomyocytes undergoing stretch, considering inter-species differences, and disease-related remodelling of SACs. SAC-mediated effects on the action potential (AP) were analysed by varying stretch amplitude, application timing and/or duration. Afterdepolarizations of different amplitudes were observed with transient 10-ms stretch stimuli of 15-18% applied during phase 4, while stretch ≥18% during phase 4 elicited triggered APs. Longer stimuli shifted the threshold of AP trigger during phase 4 to lower amplitudes, while shorter stimuli increased it. Continuous stretch provoked electrophysiological remodelling. Furthermore, stretch shortened duration or changed morphology of a subsequent electrically evoked AP, and, if applied during a vulnerable time window with sufficient amplitude, prevented its occurrence because of stretch-induced modulation of sodium and L-type calcium channel gating. These effects were more pronounced with disease-related SAC remodelling due to increased stretch sensitivity of diseased hearts. We showed that SACs may induce afterdepolarizations and triggered activities, and prevent subsequent AP generation or change its morphology. These effects depend on cardiomyocyte stretch characteristics and disease-related SACs remodelling and may contribute to cardiac arrhythmogenesis. KEY POINTS: The interplay between cardiac electrophysiology and mechanics is mediated by mechano-electric feedback through stretch-activated ion channels (SACs). These channels may be pro-arrhythmic, but their precise effect on electrophysiology remains unclear. Here we present a systematic in silico characterization of stretch effects through three SACs by implementing inter-species differences as well as disease-related remodelling of SACs in a novel computational model of human ventricular cardiomyocyte electrophysiology. Our simulations showed that, at the cellular level, SACs may provoke electrophysiological remodelling, afterdepolarizations, triggered activities, change the morphology or shorten subsequent electrically evoked action potentials. The model further suggests that a vulnerable window exists in which stretch prevents the following electrically triggered beat occurrence. The pro-arrhythmic effects of stretch strongly depend on disease-related SAC remodelling as well as on stretch characteristics, such as amplitude, time of application and duration. Our study helps in understanding the role of stretch in cardiac arrhythmogenesis and revealing the underlying cellular mechanisms.

Monitoring of Myocardial Involvement in Early Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy Across the Age Spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by fibrofatty replacement of primarily the right ventricular myocardium, a substrate for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Repeated cardiac imaging of at-risk relatives is important for early disease detection. However, it is not known whether screening should be age-tailored. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to assess the need for age-tailoring of follow-up protocols in early ARVC by evaluating myocardial disease progression in different age groups. METHODS: We divided patients with early-stage ARVC and genotype-positive relatives without overt structural disease and VA at first evaluation into 3 groups: age <30 years, 30 to 50 years, and ≥50 years. Longitudinal biventricular deformation characteristics were used to monitor disease progression. To link deformation abnormalities to underlying myocardial disease substrates, Digital Twins were created using an imaging-based computational modeling framework. RESULTS: We included 313 echocardiographic assessments from 82 subjects (57% female, age 39 ± 17 years, 10% probands) during 6.7 ± 3.3 years of follow-up. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain slightly deteriorated similarly in all age groups (0.1%-point per year [95% CI: 0.05-0.15]). Disease progression in all age groups was more pronounced in the right ventricular lateral wall, expressed by worsening in longitudinal strain (0.6%-point per year [95% CI: 0.46-0.70]) and local differences in myocardial contractility, compliance, and activation delay in the Digital Twin. Six patients experienced VA during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Disease progression was similar in all age groups, and sustained VA also occurred in patients aged >50 years without overt ARVC phenotype at first evaluation. Unlike recommended by current guidelines, our study suggests that follow-up of ARVC patients and relatives should not stop at older age.

The Maastricht Acquisition Platform for Studying Mechanisms of Cell-Matrix Crosstalk (MAPEX): An Interdisciplinary and Systems Approach towards Understanding Thoracic Aortic Disease.

Current management guidelines for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (aTAA) recommend intervention once ascending or sinus diameter reaches 5-5.5 cm or shows a growth rate of >0.5 cm/year estimated from echo/CT/MRI. However, many aTAA dissections (aTAAD) occur in vessels with diameters below the surgical intervention threshold of <55 mm. Moreover, during aTAA repair surgeons observe and experience considerable variations in tissue strength, thickness, and stiffness that appear not fully explained by patient risk factors. To improve the understanding of aTAA pathophysiology, we established a multi-disciplinary research infrastructure: The Maastricht acquisition platform for studying mechanisms of tissue-cell crosstalk (MAPEX). The explicit scientific focus of the platform is on the dynamic interactions between vascular smooth muscle cells and extracellular matrix (i.e., cell-matrix crosstalk), which play an essential role in aortic wall mechanical homeostasis. Accordingly, we consider pathophysiological influences of wall shear stress, wall stress, and smooth muscle cell phenotypic diversity and modulation. Co-registrations of hemodynamics and deep phenotyping at the histological and cell biology level are key innovations of our platform and are critical for understanding aneurysm formation and dissection at a fundamental level. The MAPEX platform enables the interpretation of the data in a well-defined clinical context and therefore has real potential for narrowing existing knowledge gaps. A better understanding of aortic mechanical homeostasis and its derangement may ultimately improve diagnostic and prognostic possibilities to identify and treat symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with existing and developing aneurysms.

Evidence in Clinical Studies for the Role of Wall Thickness in Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm is a chronic degenerative pathology characterized by dilatation of this segment of the aorta. Clinical guidelines use aortic diameter and growth rate as predictors of rupture and dissection. However, these guidelines neglect the effects of tissue remodeling, which may affect wall thickness. The present study aims to systematically review observational studies to examine to what extent wall thickness is considered and measured in clinical practice. METHODS: Using PubMed and Web of Science, studies were identified with data on ascending aortic wall thickness, morphology, aortic diameter, and measurement techniques. RESULTS: 15 included studies report several methods by which wall thickness is measured. No association was observed between wall thickness and aortic diameter across included studies. Wall thickness values appear not materially different between aneurysmatic aortas and non-aneurysmal aortas. CONCLUSIONS: The effects on and consequences of wall thickness changes during ATAA formation are ill-defined. Wall thickness values for aneurysmatic aortas can be similar to aortas with normal diameters. Given the existing notion that wall thickness is a determinant of mechanical stress homeostasis, our review exposes a clear need for consistent as well as clinically applicable methods and studies to quantify wall thickness in ascending aortic aneurysm research.

Impact of Estimated Left Atrial Pressure on Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Outcome.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact of baseline left atrial (LA) strain data and estimated left atrial pressure (LAP) by applying the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (ASE/EACVI) guidelines on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) outcomes. METHODS: Datasets of 219 CRT patients were retrospectively analysed. All patients had full echocardiographic diastolic function assessment before CRT and were classified based on the guideline algorithm into normal LAP (nLAP = 40%), elevated LAP (eLAP = 49%) and indeterminate LAP (iLAP = 11%). All relevant baseline characteristics were analysed. CRT-induced left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling was measured as the relative change of LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) at 12 ± 6 months after CRT compared to baseline. Patients were followed up for all-cause mortality for a mean of 4.8 years [interquartile range (IQR): 2.7-6.0 years]. RESULTS: At follow-up, CRT resulted in more pronounced reduction of LVESV in patients with nLAP than in patients with eLAP. In univariate analysis, nLAP was associated with LV reverse remodelling (p < 0.001), as well as long-term survival after CRT (p < 0.01). However, multivariable analysis showed that only the association between nLAP and LV reverse remodelling after CRT is independent (p < 0.01). Adding LA strain analysis to the guideline algorithm improved the feasibility of LAP estimation without affecting the association between estimated LAP and CRT outcome. CONCLUSION: Normal LAP before CRT, estimated using the 2016 ASE/EACVI guideline algorithm, is associated with LV reverse remodelling and long-term survival after CRT. Albeit non-independent, it can serve as a non-invasive imaging-based predictor of effective therapy. Furthermore, the inclusion of LA reservoir strain in the guideline algorithm can enhance the feasibility of LAP estimation without affecting the association between LAP and CRT outcome.

Manual vs. automatic assessment of the QT-interval and corrected QT.

AIMS: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is challenging to predict. Electrocardiogram (ECG)-derived heart rate-corrected QT-interval (QTc) is used for SCD-risk assessment. QTc is preferably determined manually, but vendor-provided automatic results from ECG recorders are convenient. Agreement between manual and automatic assessments is unclear for populations with aberrant QTc. We aimed to systematically assess pairwise agreement of automatic and manual QT-intervals and QTc. METHODS AND RESULTS: A multi-centre cohort enriching aberrant QTc comprised ECGs of healthy controls and long-QT syndrome (LQTS) patients. Manual QT-intervals and QTc were determined by the tangent and threshold methods and compared to automatically generated, vendor-provided values. We assessed agreement globally by intra-class correlation coefficients and pairwise by Bland-Altman analyses and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Further, manual results were compared to a novel automatic QT-interval algorithm. ECGs of 1263 participants (720 LQTS patients; 543 controls) were available [median age 34 (inter-quartile range 35) years, 55% women]. Comparing cohort means, automatic and manual QT-intervals and QTc were similar. However, pairwise Bland-Altman-based agreement was highly discrepant. For QT-interval, LoAs spanned 95 (tangent) and 92 ms (threshold), respectively. For QTc, the spread was 108 and 105 ms, respectively. LQTS patients exhibited more pronounced differences. For automatic QTc results from 440-540 ms (tangent) and 430-530 ms (threshold), misassessment risk was highest. Novel automatic QT-interval algorithms may narrow this range. CONCLUSION: Pairwise vendor-provided automatic and manual QT-interval and QTc results can be highly discrepant. Novel automatic algorithms may improve agreement. Within the above ranges, automatic QT-interval and QTc results require manual confirmation, particularly if T-wave morphology is challenging.

Biomechanical Characterisation of Thoracic Ascending Aorta with Preserved Pre-Stresses.

Mechanical properties of an aneurysmatic thoracic aorta are potential markers of future growth and remodelling and can help to estimate the risk of rupture. Aortic geometries obtained from routine medical imaging do not display wall stress distribution and mechanical properties. Mechanical properties for a given vessel may be determined from medical images at different physiological pressures using inverse finite element analysis. However, without considering pre-stresses, the estimation of mechanical properties will lack accuracy. In the present paper, we propose and evaluate a mechanical parameter identification technique, which recovers pre-stresses by determining the zero-pressure configuration of the aortic geometry. We first validated the method on a cylindrical geometry and subsequently applied it to a realistic aortic geometry. The verification of the assessed parameters was performed using synthetically generated reference data for both geometries. The method was able to estimate the true mechanical properties with an accuracy ranging from 98% to 99%.

Myocardial perfusion and flow reserve in the asynchronous heart: mechanistic insight from a computational model.

The tight coupling between myocardial oxygen demand and supply has been recognized for decades, but it remains controversial whether this coupling persists under asynchronous activation, such as during left bundle branch block (LBBB). Furthermore, it is unclear whether the amount of local cardiac wall growth, following longer-lasting asynchronous activation, can explain differences in myocardial perfusion distribution between subjects. For a better understanding of these matters, we built upon our existing modeling framework for cardiac mechanics-to-perfusion coupling by incorporating coronary autoregulation. Regional coronary flow was regulated with a vasodilator signal based on regional demand, as estimated from regional fiber stress-strain area. Volume of left ventricular wall segments was adapted with chronic asynchronous activation toward a homogeneous distribution of myocardial oxygen demand per tissue weight. Modeling results show that 1) both myocardial oxygen demand and supply are decreased in early activated regions and increased in late-activated regions; 2) but that regional hyperemic flow remains unaffected; while 3) regional myocardial flow reserve (the ratio of hyperemic to resting myocardial flow) decreases with increases in absolute regional myocardial oxygen demand as well as with decreases in wall thickness. These findings suggest that septal hypoperfusion in LBBB represents an autoregulatory response to reduced myocardial oxygen demand. Furthermore, oxygen demand-driven remodeling of wall mass can explain asymmetric hypertrophy and the related homogenization of myocardial perfusion and flow reserve. Finally, the inconsistent observations of myocardial perfusion distribution can primarily be explained by the degree of dyssynchrony, the degree of asymmetric hypertrophy, and the imaging modality used.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This versatile modeling framework couples myocardial oxygen demand to oxygen supply and myocardial growth, enabling simulation of resting and hyperemic myocardial flow during acute and chronic asynchronous ventricular activation. Model-based findings suggest that reported inconsistencies in myocardial perfusion and flow reserve responses with asynchronous ventricular activation between patients can primarily be explained by the degree of dyssynchrony and wall mass remodeling, which together determine the heterogeneity in regional oxygen demand and, hence, supply with autoregulation.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Standing Test in Adults Suspected for Congenital Long-QT Syndrome.

Background An elegant bedside provocation test has been shown to aid the diagnosis of long-QT syndrome (LQTS) in a retrospective cohort by evaluation of QT intervals and T-wave morphology changes resulting from the brief tachycardia provoked by standing. We aimed to prospectively determine the potential diagnostic value of the standing test for LQTS. Methods and Results In adults suspected for LQTS who had a standing test, the QT interval was assessed manually and automated. In addition, T-wave morphology changes were determined. A total of 167 controls and 131 genetically confirmed patients with LQTS were included. A prolonged heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) (men ≥430 ms, women ≥450 ms) at baseline before standing yielded a sensitivity of 61% (95% CI, 47-74) in men and 54% (95% CI, 42-66) in women, with a specificity of 90% (95% CI, 80-96) and 89% (95% CI, 81-95), respectively. In both men and women, QTc≥460 ms after standing increased sensitivity (89% [95% CI, 83-94]) but decreased specificity (49% [95% CI, 41-57]). Sensitivity further increased (P<0.01) when a prolonged baseline QTc was accompanied by a QTc≥460 ms after standing in both men (93% [95% CI, 84-98]) and women (90% [95% CI, 81-96]). However, the area under the curve did not improve. T-wave abnormalities after standing did not further increase the sensitivity or the area under the curve significantly. Conclusions Despite earlier retrospective studies, a baseline ECG and the standing test in a prospective evaluation displayed a different diagnostic profile for congenital LQTS but no unequivocal synergism or advantage. This suggests that there is markedly reduced penetrance and incomplete expression in genetically confirmed LQTS with retention of repolarization reserve in response to the brief tachycardia provoked by standing.

Comparison of novel ventricular pacing strategies using an electro-mechanical simulation platform.

AIMS: Focus of pacemaker therapy is shifting from right ventricular (RV) apex pacing (RVAP) and biventricular pacing (BiVP) to conduction system pacing. Direct comparison between the different pacing modalities and their consequences to cardiac pump function is difficult, due to the practical implications and confounding variables. Computational modelling and simulation provide the opportunity to compare electrical, mechanical, and haemodynamic consequences in the same virtual heart. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the same single cardiac geometry, electrical activation maps following the different pacing strategies were calculated using an Eikonal model on a three-dimensional geometry, which were then used as input for a lumped mechanical and haemodynamic model (CircAdapt). We then compared simulated strain, regional myocardial work, and haemodynamic function for each pacing strategy. Selective His-bundle pacing (HBP) best replicated physiological electrical activation and led to the most homogeneous mechanical behaviour. Selective left bundle branch (LBB) pacing led to good left ventricular (LV) function but significantly increased RV load. RV activation times were reduced in non-selective LBB pacing (nsLBBP), reducing RV load but increasing heterogeneity in LV contraction. LV septal pacing led to a slower LV and more heterogeneous LV activation than nsLBBP, while RV activation was similar. BiVP led to a synchronous LV-RV, but resulted in a heterogeneous contraction. RVAP led to the slowest and most heterogeneous contraction. Haemodynamic differences were small compared to differences in local wall behaviour. CONCLUSION: Using a computational modelling framework, we investigated the mechanical and haemodynamic outcome of the prevailing pacing strategies in hearts with normal electrical and mechanical function. For this class of patients, nsLBBP was the best compromise between LV and RV function if HBP is not possible.

Guideline recommendations on minimal blood vessel diameters and arteriovenous fistula outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical guidelines provide recommendations on the minimal blood vessel diameters required for arteriovenous fistula creation but the evidence for these recommendations is limited. We compared vascular access outcomes of fistulas created in agreement with the ESVS Clinical Practice Guidelines (i.e. arteries and veins >2 mm for forearm fistulas and >3 mm for upper arm fistulas) with fistulas created outside these recommendations. METHODS: The multicenter Shunt Simulation Study cohort contains 211 hemodialysis patients who received a first radiocephalic, brachiocephalic, or brachiobasilic fistula before publication of the ESVS Clinical Practice Guidelines. All patients had preoperative duplex ultrasound measurements according to a standardized protocol. Outcomes included duplex ultrasound findings at 6 weeks after surgery, vascular access function, and intervention rates until 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: In 55% of patients, fistulas were created in agreement with the ESVS Clinical Practice Guidelines recommendations on minimal blood vessel diameters. Concordance with the guideline recommendations was more frequent for forearm fistulas than for upper arm fistulas (65% vs 46%, p = 0.01). In the entire cohort, agreement with the guideline recommendations was not associated with an increased proportion of functional vascular accesses (70% vs 66% for fistulas created within and outside guideline recommendations, respectively; p = 0.61) or with decreased access-related intervention rates (1.45 vs 1.68 per patient-year, p = 0.20). In forearm fistulas, however, only 52% of arteriovenous fistulas created outside these recommendations developed into a timely functional vascular access. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas upper arm arteriovenous fistulas with preoperative blood vessel diameters <3 mm had similar vascular access function as fistulas created with larger blood vessels, forearm arteriovenous fistulas with preoperative blood vessel diameters <2 mm had poor clinical outcomes. These results support that clinical decision-making should be guided by an individual approach.