Vortex formation time in female athletes.

Regular, vigorous physical activity can have a significant impact on cardiac function, leading to cardiac morphological alterations that may be challenging to distinguish from pathological changes. Therefore, new screening methods are needed to accurately differentiate between adaptive changes and pathological alterations in athletes. Vortex formation time (VFT) is an emerging method that shows potential in this regard, as it involves the formation of a rotating vortex ring in the left ventricle during the early filling phase of diastole. In this study, we investigated the difference in VFT between two groups of women: professional handball players and healthy middle-aged female athletes, along with their corresponding control groups. By using echocardiography-Doppler analysis of the heart, VFT was calculated based on the left ventricular ejection fraction, the ratio between the end-diastolic volume and the diameter of the mitral annulus, and the ratio of the atrial contraction volume to the total inflow via the mitral valve. The study reveals a significant increase in VFT in both professional handball players and middle-aged female athletes compared to their respective control groups. Moreover, statistically significant differences between handball players and middle-aged female athletes were observed, indicating that the level of physical activity may affect the VFT. These results suggest that VFT could be a promising screening tool for identifying cardiac adaptations due to long-term vigorous training, potentially enabling more accurate diagnoses of cardiac morphological alterations in athletes.

Galectin-4 is associated with diabetes and obesity in a heart failure population.

An association between high Galectin-4 (Gal-4) and prevalence of diabetes in subjects with heart failure (HF) has previously been reported. The purpose of this study was to confirm these findings, as well as to further investigate this association, in a Swedish HF population. In addition, a second aim was to explore Gal-4's association with obesity and biomarkers of metabolism and heart failure. Gal-4 was measured using a proximity extension array technique in 324 hospitalized HF patients within the Swedish HeArt and bRain failure investigation trial cohort. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to explore associations between Gal-4 and diabetes/obesity, and linear regression models were used to explore the associations between Gal-4 and biomarkers. A total of 309 participants (29.1% female; mean age 74.8 years) provided complete data for the analysis of associations between Gal-4 and diabetes. Additionally, for the analysis of heart failure phenotype, complete data was available for 230 subjects. Gal-4 was positively associated with prevalent diabetes (OR 2.60; CI 95% 1.56-4.32). In multivariable models, Gal-4 levels were significantly associated with obesity, but only for subjects with diabetes (OR 2.48; 1.09-5.62). Additionally, Gal-4 demonstrated a significant association with the incretin Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), as well as with biomarkers of HF. In the stratified analyses, the association between Gal-4 and diabetes was prominent in patients with reduced ejection fraction (n = 160, OR 3.26; 95%CI 1.88-5.66), while it was not observed in those without (n = 70, 1.96 (0.75-5.10)). In this cross-sectional, observational study, higher Gal-4 levels in HF patients were associated with higher GIP levels. Further, increased levels of Gal-4 were associated with increased likelihood of diabetes, and obesity. This association was particularly pronounced in individuals with HF characterized by reduced ejection fraction. Additionally, Gal-4 levels were significantly elevated in heart failure patients with diabetes and obesity.

Continuous ex vivo glucose sensing in human physiological fluids using an enzymatic sensor in a vein replica.

Managing blood glucose can affect important clinical outcomes during the intraoperative phase of surgery. However, currently available instruments for glucose monitoring during surgery are few and not optimized for the specific application. Here we report an attempt to exploit an enzymatic sensor in a vein replica that could continuously monitor glucose level in an authentic human bloodstream. First, detailed investigations of the superficial venous systems of volunteers were carried out using ocular and palpating examinations, as well as advanced ultrasound measurements. Second, a tubular glucose-sensitive biosensor mimicking a venous system was designed and tested. Almost ideal linear dependence of current output on glucose concentration in phosphate buffer saline was obtained in the range 2.2-22.0 mM, whereas the dependence in human plasma was less linear. Finally, the developed biosensor was investigated in whole blood under homeostatic conditions. A specific correlation was found between the current output and glucose concentration at the initial stage of the biodevice operation. However, with time, blood coagulation during measurements negatively affected the performance of the biodevice. When the experimental results were remodeled to predict the response without the influence of blood coagulation, the sensor output closely followed the blood glucose level.

Core competencies for a biomedical laboratory scientist - a Delphi study.

BACKGROUND: After completing university education, biomedical laboratory scientists work in clinical laboratories, in biomedical research laboratories, in biotech, and in pharmaceutical companies. Laboratory diagnostics have undergone rapid development over the recent years, with the pace showing no signs of abatement. This rapid development challenges the competence of the staff and will most certainly influence the education of future staff. This study aimed to examine what was considered the necessary competencies needed to pursue a career as a biomedical laboratory scientist. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was used, with the panel of experts expressing their views in a series of three questionnaire. Consensus was defined as the point which 75 % or more of the panel participants agreed that a particular competency was necessary. RESULTS: The study highlights the perceived importance of mostly generic competencies that relate to quality, quality assurance, and accuracy, as well as different aspects of safety, respect, trustworthiness (towards patients/clients and colleagues), and communication skills. The results also stress the significance of self-awareness and professionality. CONCLUSIONS: We identified important competencies for biomedical laboratory scientists. Together with complementary information from other sources, i.e., guidelines, laws, and scientific publications, the competencies identified can be used as learning outcomes in a competency-based education to provide students with all the competencies needed to work as professional biomedical laboratory scientists.

Translation and validation of the Swedish version of the IPECC-SET 9 item version.

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is essential to prepare future health-care professionals for collaborative practice, but IPE requires evaluation. One psychometrically sound instrument is the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competence Self-Efficacy Tool consisting of nine items (IPECC-SET 9). This tool does not, to date, exist in a Swedish version. Therefore, the aim of this study was to translate and validate the Swedish version of the IPECC-SET 9. The English version was translated into Swedish and tested among 159 students in the 3-year Bachelor Programs in Nursing and in Biomedical Laboratory Science. The psychometric analysis was guided by a Rasch model, which showed that the items functioned well together, confirming unidimensionality, and that the person misfit was also lower than the set criterion. The separation index was 2.98, and the Rasch-equivalent Cronbach-alpha measure was estimated to .92, supporting internal consistency. No systematic differences on item level in IPECC-SET 9 further supported fairness in testing. The Swedish IPECC-SET 9 demonstrates sound psychometric properties and has the potential to be used as a measure of self-efficacy for competence in interprofessional collaborative practice among health profession students. However, the IPECC-SET 9 is recommended to be further tested in larger samples representing the entirety of health-care teams.

Exploring biomarkers associated with deteriorating vascular health using a targeted proteomics chip: The SABPA study.

ABSTRACT: In this observational study, by the use of a multiplex proteomic platform, we aimed to explore associations between 92 targeted proteins involved in cardiovascular disease and/or inflammation, and phenotypes of deteriorating vascular health, with regards to ethnicity.Proteomic profiling (92 proteins) was carried out in 362 participants from the Sympathetic activity and Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Africans (SABPA) study of black and white African school teachers (mean age 44.7 ±â€Š9.9 years, 51.9% women, 44.5% Black Africans, 9.9% with known cardiovascular disease). Three proteins with <15% of samples below detectable limits were excluded from analyses. Associations between multiple proteins and prevalence of hypertension as well as vascular health [Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV)] measures were explored using Bonferroni-corrected regression models.Bonferroni-corrected significant associations between 89 proteins and vascular health markers were further adjusted for clinically relevant co-variates. Hypertension was associated with growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) and C-X-C motif chemokine 16 (CXCL16). cIMT was associated with carboxypeptidase A1 (CPA1), C-C motif chemokine 15 (CCL15), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), scavenger receptor cysteine-rich type 1 protein M130 (CD163) and osteoprotegerin, whereas PWV was associated with GDF15, E-selectin, CPA1, fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), CXCL16, carboxypeptidase B (CPB1), and tissue-type plasminogen activator. Upon entering ethnicity into the models, the associations between PWV and CPA1, CPB1, GDF-15, FABP4, CXCL16, and between cIMT and CCL-15, remained significant.Using a multiplex proteomic approach, we linked phenotypes of vascular health with several proteins. Novel associations were found between hypertension, PWV or cIMT and proteins linked to inflammatory response, chemotaxis, coagulation or proteolysis. Further, we could reveal whether the associations were ethnicity-dependent or not.

Learning echocardiography- what are the challenges and what may favour learning? A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is a frequently used imaging modality requiring extensive training to master. In order to develop curriculums and teaching material fully favouring students learning within echocardiography, this study aims to investigate students' experiences of learning echocardiography, focusing on that which is perceived as the main challenges as well as what might aid learning within the area. The findings could serve as a foundation in the development of new teaching material or curriculums. METHODS: A qualitative study was performed with data gathered through two audio-recorded focus group interviews with four third year students from the biomedical laboratory programme at Malmö University in each group. Data was analysed by manifest content analysis. RESULTS: Findings were clustered into two categories reflecting the main findings in the text - practical skills and bridging the theory-practice-gap. Students expressed that main challenges when initially learning echocardiography were the projections and handling the probe as well as connecting ultrasound physics and measurements to practical application. Things that aided their learning were immediate feedback, "playing" with the ultrasound machine, video lectures, the possibility to swiftly alternate between practice and theory as well as the learning by their mistakes in a risk-free environment. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the main challenges when initially learning echocardiography and what might be helpful during the learning process. These findings may be useful when developing curriculums or new teaching material within echocardiography. One suggestion might be to develop digital resources such as virtual laboratories (vLABs).

Myocardial performance index in female athletes.

BACKGROUND: Long-term intensive training leads to morphological and mechanical changes in the heart generally known as "athlete's heart". Previous studies have suggested that the diastolic and systolic function of the ventricles is unaltered in athletes compared to sedentary. The purpose of this study was to investigate myocardial performance index (MPI) by pulsed wave Doppler (PWD) and by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in female elite athletes compared to sedentary controls. METHODS: The study consisted of 32 athletes (mean age 20 ± 2 years) and 34 sedentary controls (mean age 23 ± 2 years). MPI by PWD and TDI were measured in the left (LV) and right ventricle (RV) in both groups. Moreover, comparisons of MPI by the two methods and between the LV and RV within the two groups were made. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in MPI between athletes and controls (p > 0.05), whereas the LV had significantly higher MPI compared to RV (p < 0.001, in athletes and controls). The agreement and the correlation between the two methods measuring MPI showed low agreement and no correlation (athletes RV r = -0.027, LV r = 0.12; controls RV r = 0.20, LV r = 0.30). CONCLUSION: The global function of the LV and RV measured by MPI with PWD and TDI is similar in female athletes compared to sedentary controls. Conversely, both MPI by PWD and by TDI shows a significant difference between the LV and RV. However, the agreement and correlation between conventional methods of measuring MPI by PWD compared to MPI by TDI is very poor in both these populations.

Segmentation of B-mode cardiac ultrasound data by Bayesian Probability Maps.

In this paper we present a model for describing the position distribution of the endocardium in the two-chamber apical long-axis view of the heart in clinical B-mode ultrasound cycles. We propose a novel Bayesian formulation, including priors for spatial and temporal smoothness, and preferred shapes and position. The shape model takes into account both endocardium, atrial region and apex. The likelihood is built using a statistical signal model, which attempts to closely model a censored signal. In addition, the use of a censored Gamma mixture model with unknown censoring point, to handle artefacts resulting from left-censoring of the in US clinical B-mode, is to our knowledge novel. The posterior density is sampled by the Gibbs method to estimate the expected latent variable representation of the endocardium, which we call the Bayesian Probability Map; the map describes the probability of pixels being classified as being within the endocardium. The regularization parameters of the model are estimated by cross-validation, and the results are compared against the two-chamber apical model of Chen et al.

A genetic variant of the atrial natriuretic peptide gene is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in a non-diabetic population--the Malmö preventive project study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have shown considerable heritability of blood pressure, thus suggesting a role for genetic factors. Previous studies have shown an association of a single nucleotide polymorphism rs5068 in the NPPA locus gene with higher levels of circulating atrial natriuretic peptide as well as with lower intra individual blood pressure, but up to date, no association between rs5068 and cardiac organ damage, i.e. left ventricular hypertrophy, has been accounted for in humans. We sought to explore if rs5068 is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy as measured by echocardiographic examination in a non-diabetic population. METHODS: 968 non-diabetic individuals from the Malmö Preventive Project (mean age 67 years; 31% women) were genotyped and examined with echocardiography. Logistic regression was used to adjust for covariates. RESULTS: The minor allele of rs5068 was associated with decreased prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.021) after adjustment for sex and age. In the multivariate logistic analysis including; age, sex, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive and/or cardioprotective treatment, body mass index and fasting plasma glucose, the association of rs5068 with left ventricular hypertrophy was, as expected, attenuated (p = 0.061). CONCLUSION: In a non-diabetic population, the minor allele of rs5068 was associated with lower left ventricular mass. These findings suggest that rs5068, or genetic variants in linkage disequilibrium, might affect susceptibility to left ventricular hypertrophy and support the possible protective role of natriuretic peptides.

Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) in shock: a valuable echocardiographic parameter in intensive care patients.

BACKGROUND: Assessing left ventricular (LV) dysfunction by echocardiography in ICU patients is common. The aim of this study was to investigate mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) in critically ill patients with shock and its relation to LV systolic and diastolic function, myocardial injury and to outcome. METHODS: In a prospective, observational, cohort study we enrolled 50 patients with SIRS and shock despite fluid resuscitation. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) measuring LV function was performed within 12 hours after admission and daily for a 7-day observation period. TTE and laboratory measurements were related to 28-day mortality. RESULTS: MAPSE on day 1 correlated significantly with LV ejection fraction (LVEF), tissue Doppler indices of LV diastolic function (é, E/é) and high-sensitive troponin T (hsTNT) (p< 0.001, p= 0.039, p= 0.009, p= 0.003 respectively) whereas LVEF did not correlate significantly with any marker of LV diastolic function or myocardial injury. Compared to survivors, non-survivors had a significantly lower MAPSE (8 [IQR 7.5-11] versus 11 [IQR 8.9-13] mm; p= 0.028). Other univariate predictors were age (p=0.033), hsTNT (p=0.014) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (p=0.007). By multivariate analysis MAPSE (OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.5- 0.9), p= 0.015) and SOFA score (OR 1.6 (95% CI 1.1- 2.3), p= 0.018) were identified as independent predictors of mortality. Daily measurements showed that MAPSE, as sole echocardiographic marker, was significantly lower in most days in non-survivors (p<0.05 at day 1-2, 4-6). CONCLUSIONS: MAPSE seemed to reflect LV systolic and diastolic function as well as myocardial injury in critically ill patients with shock. The combination of MAPSE and SOFA added to the predictive value for 28-day mortality.

High-sensitive cardiac Troponin T is superior to echocardiography in predicting 1-year mortality in patients with SIRS and shock in intensive care.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is well documented in the critically ill. We assessed 1-year mortality in relation to cardiac biomarkers and LV function parameters by echocardiography in patients with shock. METHODS: A prospective, observational, cohort study of 49 patients. B-natriuretic peptide (BNP), high-sensitive troponin T (hsTNT) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were assessed within 12 h of study inclusion. LV systolic function was measured by ejection fraction (LVEF), mean atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPDm), peak systolic tissue Doppler velocity imaging (TDIs) and velocity time integral in the LV outflow tract (LVOT VTI). LV diastolic function was evaluated by transmitral pulsed Doppler (E, A, E/A, E-deceleration time), tissue Doppler indices (é, á, E/é) and left atrial volume (La volume). APACHE II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) and SOFA (Sequential Organ Failure Assessment) scores were calculated. RESULTS: hsTNT was significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors (60 [17.0-99.5] vs 168 [89.8-358] ng/l, p = 0.003). Other univariate predictors of mortality were APACHE II (p = 0.009), E/é (p = 0.023), SOFA (p = 0.024) and age (p = 0.031). Survivors and non-survivors did not differ regarding BNP (p = 0.26) or any LV systolic function parameter (LVEF p = 0.87, AVPDm p = 0.087, TDIs p = 0.93, LVOT VTI p = 0.18). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified hsTNT (p = 0.010) as the only independent predictor of 1-year mortality; adjusted odds ratio 2.0 (95% CI 1.2- 3.5). CONCLUSIONS: hsTNT was the only independent predictor of 1-year mortality in patients with shock. Neither BNP nor echocardiographic parameters had an independent prognostic value. Further studies are needed to establish the clinical significance of elevated hsTNT in patients in shock.

Assessing left ventricular systolic function in shock: evaluation of echocardiographic parameters in intensive care.

INTRODUCTION: Assessing left ventricular (LV) systolic function in a rapid and reliable way can be challenging in the critically ill patient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of, as well as the association between, commonly used LV systolic parameters, by using serial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). METHODS: Fifty patients with shock and mechanical ventilation were included. TTE examinations were performed daily for a total of 7 days. Methods used to assess LV systolic function were visually estimated, "eyeball" ejection fraction (EBEF), the Simpson single-plane method, mean atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPDm), septal tissue velocity imaging (TDIs), and velocity time integral in the left ventricular outflow tract (VTI). RESULTS: EBEF, AVPDm, TDIs, VTI, and the Simpson were obtained in 100%, 100%, 99%, 95% and 93%, respectively, of all possible examinations. The correlations between the Simpson and EBEF showed r values for all 7 days ranging from 0.79 to 0.95 (P < 0.01). the Simpson correlations with the other LV parameters showed substantial variation over time, with the poorest results seen for TDIs and AVPDm. The repeatability was best for VTI (interobserver coefficient of variation (CV) 4.8%, and intraobserver CV, 3.1%), and AVPDm (5.3% and 4.4%, respectively), and worst for the Simpson method (8.2% and 10.6%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: EBEF and AVPDm provided the best, and Simpson, the worst feasibility when assessing LV systolic function in a population of mechanically ventilated, hemodynamically unstable patients. Additionally, the Simpson showed the poorest repeatability. We suggest that EBEF can be used instead of single-plane Simpson when assessing LV ejection fraction in this category of patients. TDIs and AVPDm, as markers of longitudinal function of the LV, are not interchangeable with LV ejection fraction.

Three-dimensional echocardiography using single-heartbeat modality decreases variability in measuring left ventricular volumes and function in comparison to four-beat technique in atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Three dimensional echocardiography (3DE) approaches the accuracy of cardiac magnetic resonance in measuring left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF). The multibeat modality in comparison to single-beat (SB) requires breath-hold technique and regular heart rhythm which could limit the use of this technique in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) due to stitching artifact. The study aimed to investigate whether SB full volume 3DE acquisition reduces inter- and intraobserver variability in assessment of LV volumes and EF in comparison to four-beat (4B) ECG-gated full volume 3DE recording in patients with AF. METHODS: A total of 78 patients were included in this study. Fifty-five with sinus rhythm (group A) and 23 having AF (group B). 4B and SB 3DE was performed in all patients. LV volumes and EF was determined by these two modalities and inter- and intraobserver variability was analyzed. RESULTS: SB modality showed significantly lower inter- and intraobserver variability in group B in comparison to 4B when measuring LV volumes and EF, except for end-systolic volume (ESV) in intraobserver analysis. There were significant differences when calculating the LV volumes (p < 0.001) and EF (p < 0.05) with SB in comparison to 4B in group B. CONCLUSION: Single-beat three-dimensional full volume acquisition seems to be superior to four-beat ECG-gated acquisition in measuring left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction in patients having atrial fibrillation. The variability is significantly lower both for ejection fraction and left ventricular volumes.

Myocardial structure and function by echocardiography in relation to glucometabolic status in elderly subjects from 2 population-based cohorts: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been associated with impaired glucometabolic status. However, studies of older subjects are lacking. We examined associations between echocardiographic indices of LV diastolic function and LV mass index (LVMI) and glucometabolic status among middle-aged and elderly subjects free from heart disease, hypothesizing that the associations would be comparative to younger cohorts. METHODS: We examined the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study (Iceland; n = 607, 76 +/- 6 years) and the Malmö Preventive Project Re-Examination Study (MPP-RES) cohorts (Sweden; n = 1,519, 67 +/- 6 years), evaluating associations with multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: In the Age Gene/Environment Susceptibility Reykjavik Study, LVMI was positively correlated with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (P = .001). Otherwise, echocardiographic variables were not associated with glucometabolic status. In the MPP-RES, LVMI increased with increasing glucometabolic disturbance among both older (70-80 years) and middle-aged (57-69 years) subjects. Among older subjects, HbA1c was positively correlated with 2 variables reflecting LV diastolic function: late transmitral peak flow velocity (A) (P = .001) and early transmitral peak flow velocity (E)/early diastolic peak tissue velocity (Em) (P = .046). In middle-aged MPP-RES subjects, increasing glucometabolic disturbance was correlated with increasing late diastolic peak tissue velocity (Am) (P = .002) and, after age adjustment, with increasing A (P = .001) and decreasing Em/Am (P = .009). With age adjustment, Am and A were positively correlated with fasting glucose and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our hypothesis, in 2 independent cohorts of older individuals, associations between glucometabolic status and LV diastolic function were generally weak. These contrast with previous reports, as well as with observations among middle-aged subjects in the present study. Changes in LV diastolic function may be more age-related than associated with glucose metabolism in older subjects.

Visually estimated ejection fraction by two dimensional and triplane echocardiography is closely correlated with quantitative ejection fraction by real-time three dimensional echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Visual assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is often used in clinical routine despite general recommendations to use quantitative biplane Simpsons (BPS) measurements. Even thou quantitative methods are well validated and from many reasons preferable, the feasibility of visual assessment (eyeballing) is superior. There is to date only sparse data comparing visual EF assessment in comparison to quantitative methods available. The aim of this study was to compare visual EF assessment by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and triplane echocardiography (TPE) using quantitative real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) as the reference method. METHODS: Thirty patients were enrolled in the study. Eyeballing EF was assessed using apical 4-and 2 chamber views and TP mode by two experienced readers blinded to all clinical data. The measurements were compared to quantitative RT3DE. RESULTS: There were an excellent correlation between eyeballing EF by 2D and TP vs 3DE (r = 0.91 and 0.95 respectively) without any significant bias (-0.5 +/- 3.7% and -0.2 +/- 2.9% respectively). Intraobserver variability was 3.8% for eyeballing 2DE, 3.2% for eyeballing TP and 2.3% for quantitative 3D-EF. Interobserver variability was 7.5% for eyeballing 2D and 8.4% for eyeballing TP. CONCLUSION: Visual estimation of LVEF both using 2D and TP by an experienced reader correlates well with quantitative EF determined by RT3DE. There is an apparent trend towards a smaller variability using TP in comparison to 2D, this was however not statistically significant.

Quantitative detection of myocardial ischaemia by stress echocardiography; a comparison with SPECT.

AIMS: Real-time perfusion (RTP) adenosine stress echocardiography (ASE) can be used to visually evaluate myocardial ischaemia. The RTP power modulation technique angio-mode (AM), provides images for off-line perfusion quantification using Qontrast software, generating values of peak signal intensity (A), myocardial blood flow velocity (beta) and myocardial blood flow (Axbeta). By comparing rest and stress values, their respective reserve values (A-r, beta-r, Axbeta-r) are generated. We evaluated myocardial ischaemia by RTP-ASE Qontrast quantification, compared to visual perfusion evaluation with 99mTc-tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients admitted to SPECT underwent RTP-ASE (SONOS 5500) using AM during Sonovue infusion, before and throughout adenosine stress, also used for SPECT. Visual myocardial perfusion and wall motion analysis, and Qontrast quantification, were blindly compared to one another and to SPECT, at different time points off-line.We analyzed 201 coronary territories (left anterior descendent [LAD], left circumflex [LCx] and right coronary [RCA] artery territories) in 67 patients. SPECT showed ischaemia in 18 patients and 19 territories. Receiver operator characteristics and kappa values showed significant agreement with SPECT only for beta-r and Axbeta-r in all segments: area under the curve 0.678 and 0.665; P < 0.001 and < 0.01, respectively. The closest agreements were seen in the LAD territory: kappa 0.442 for both beta-r and Axbeta-r; P < 0.01. Visual evaluation of ischaemia showed good agreement with SPECT: accuracy 93%; kappa 0.67; P < 0.001; without non-interpretable territories. CONCLUSION: In this agreement study with SPECT, RTP-ASE Qontrast quantification of myocardial ischaemia was less accurate and less feasible than visual evaluation and needs further development to be clinically useful.

Head to head comparisons of two modalities of perfusion adenosine stress echocardiography with simultaneous SPECT.

BACKGROUND: Real-time perfusion (RTP) contrast echocardiography can be used during adenosine stress echocardiography (ASE) to evaluate myocardial ischemia. We compared two different types of RTP power modulation techniques, angiomode (AM) and high-resolution grayscale (HR), with 99mTc-tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for the detection of myocardial ischemia. METHODS: Patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), admitted to SPECT, were prospectively invited to participate. Patients underwent RTP imaging (SONOS 5500) using AM and HR during Sonovue(R) infusion, before and throughout the adenosine stress, also used for SPECT. Analysis of myocardial perfusion and wall motion by RTP-ASE were done for AM and HR at different time points, blinded to one another and to SPECT. Each segment was attributed to one of the three main coronary vessel areas of interest. RESULTS: In 50 patients, 150 coronary areas were analyzed by SPECT and RTP-ASE AM and HR. SPECT showed evidence of ischemia in 13 out of 50 patients. There was no significant difference between AM and HR in detecting ischemia (p = 0.08). The agreement for AM and HR, compared to SPECT, was 93% and 96%, with Kappa values of 0.67 and 0.75, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between AM and HR in correctly detecting myocardial ischemia as judged by SPECT. This suggests that different types of RTP modalities give comparable data during RTP-ASE in patients with known or suspected CAD.

Effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy on coronary blood flow: evaluation by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Relatively limited and conflicting data are available on the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on coronary blood flow (CBF). AIMS: To investigate changes in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) flow under different CRT pacing modes by means of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE). METHODS: Twenty-two responders to CRT (67+/-11 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy underwent TTE assessment of LAD flow and Tissue Velocity Imaging during 4 programming modes: intrinsic conduction (IC), right ventricular pacing (RV), simultaneous biventricular pacing (BVP), BVP with left ventricular (LV) pre-activation. RESULTS: Mean coronary flow velocity (CFV) was increased by simultaneous BVP (p=0.0063 vs. IC) and BVP with LV pre-activation (p<0.0001 vs. IC; p=0.027 vs. simultaneous BVP). Peak CFV and LAD flow velocity/time integral were highest during BVP with LV pre-activation. A reduction in septal-to-lateral delay and an increase in peak systolic velocity in the basal septum were observed during simultaneous BVP and BVP with LV pre-activation. CONCLUSIONS: In CRT responders with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, an increase in LAD flow, assessed by TTE, was observed during simultaneous BVP and BVP with LV pre-activation. This was associated with an improvement in regional myocardial contraction and a decrease in intraventricular dyssynchrony.

Flow-volume loops derived from three-dimensional echocardiography: a novel approach to the assessment of left ventricular hemodynamics.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the feasibility of non-invasive evaluation of left ventricular (LV) flow-volume dynamics using 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography, and the capacity of such an approach to identify altered LV hemodynamic states caused by valvular abnormalities. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with moderate-severe aortic (AS) and mitral (MS) stenoses (21 and 10 patients, respectively) and 10 healthy volunteers underwent 3D echocardiography with full volume acquisition using Philips Sonos 7500 equipment. The digital 3D data were post- processed using TomTec software. LV flow-volume loops were subsequently constructed for each subject by plotting instantaneous LV volume data sampled throughout the cardiac cycle vs. their first derivative representing LV flow. After correction for body surface area, an average flow-volume loop was calculated for each subject group. RESULTS: Flow-volume loops were obtainable in all subjects, except 3 patients with AS. The flow-volume diagrams displayed clear differences in the form and position of the loops between normal individuals and the respective patient groups. In patients with AS, an "obstructive" pattern was observed, with lower flow values during early systole and larger end-systolic volume. On the other hand, patients with MS displayed a "restrictive" flow-volume pattern, with reduced diastolic filling and smaller end-diastolic volume. CONCLUSION: Non-invasive evaluation of LV flow-volume dynamics using 3D-echocardiographic data is technically possible and the approach has a capacity to identify certain specific types of alteration of LV flow-volume pattern caused by valvular abnormalities, thus reflecting underlying hemodynamic states specific for these abnormalities.