Changes in Left Ventricular Mechanics After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle (LV) mechanics in obese patients before and after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-five obese individuals submitted to laparoscopic SG were enrolled in this study. Echocardiography was performed before and after the procedure, and left ventricle mechanics were evaluated by speckle tracking imaging. RESULTS: Before surgery, altered global longitudinal strain (GLS) values were present in 56% of the patients. In a mean follow-up of 3.6 ± 0.5 months after surgery, there was an increase in GLS values (from 17.4 ± 3.2 to 19.3 ± 2.7%, P = 0.01). There was an inverse correlation between the absolute values of GLS in the preoperative period and the variation in the GLS at follow-up (r = 0.577, P = 0.002). Measurements of global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and LV twist were normal preoperatively and did not change after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Altered global longitudinal strain values were common in young obese patients. Sleeve gastrectomy increased global longitudinal strain even in the early postoperative phase without promoting changes in global radial strain, global circumferential strain, and left ventricle twist measurements.

Embolization by Bullet Dislodged from the Heart.

Embolization by a dislodged projectile is a rare complication that may occur in cases of gunshot cardiac injuries. We report a case of a firearm projectile cardiac injury that evolved, with dislocation of the projectile during cardiac surgery, into embolization of the right external carotid artery.

Embolization by Bullet Dislodged from the Heart

Abstract Embolization by a dislodged projectile is a rare complication that may occur in cases of gunshot cardiac injuries. We report a case of a firearm projectile cardiac injury that evolved, with dislocation of the projectile during cardiac surgery, into embolization of the right external carotid artery.

Peñaloza-Tranchesi sign secondary to ascending aortic aneurysm and not due to right atrium enlargement.

Low QRS amplitude in V1, with relative three-to-fourfold or greater increase in V2, is considered an indirect sign of right atrium enlargement (Peñaloza-Tranchesi sign). We describe a patient with Peñaloza-Tranchesi sign caused by an ascending aortic aneurysm, with normalization of the QRS complex amplitude in V1 after aortic replacement.

Efeitos da cirurgia bariátrica na estrutura e na função do ventrículo esquerdo / Effects of bariatric surgery on left ventricular structure and function

Fundamentos: A obesidade está associada a alterações estruturais e funcionais do ventrículo esquerdo (VE). A cirurgia bariátrica tem o potencial de reverter tais achados. Os efeitos do procedimento nas funções diastólica e sistólica do VE não foram claramente definidos. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar as alterações na estrutura e funções sistólica e diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo de pacientes obesos que se submeteram à cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos: Foram avaliados 23 pacientes (16 mulheres e 7 homens, com idade média de 32,9 ± 8,9 anos), com índice de massa corporal ≥ 40 kg/m2 , que foram submetidos à derivação gástrica em Y de Roux (RYGB). As avaliações clínicas eecocardiográficas foram realizadas no pré-operatório e em 3 a 7 meses após a cirurgia. Resultados: Após período médio de seguimento de 4,7 meses, foram observadas reduções significativas no índice de massa corporal (de 46,7 ± 5,3 para 36,2 ± 4,7 kg/m2 ; p < 0,001); na espessura do septo interventricular(de 10,3 ± 1,4 para 8,9 ± 1,2 mm); na parede posterior do VE (de 9,3 ± 1,3 para 8,4 ± 1,1 mm; p < 0,001) e na massa do VE (valor absoluto: de 168,7 ± 35,2 para 149,8 ± 40,7 g, p = 0,008; indexada pela altura: de 45,1 ± 11,3 para 39,7 ± 10,3, p = 0,006). A geometria normal do VE foi observada em 60,9% dos pacientes antes da cirurgia e em 91,3% no período de seguimento. O Doppler tecidual revelou melhora na função diastólica do VE (velocidade de onda E’ mitral lateral, 0,16 ± 0,03 no pré-operatório contra 0,17 ± 0,03 m/s no seguimento; p = 0,026). No pós‑operatório, não houve diferença significativa na função sistólica do VE. Conclusões: Após um seguimento médio de 4,7 meses, a cirurgia bariátrica promoveu melhora na estrutura ventricular esquerda e em um dos parâmetros da função diastólica (velocidade de E’). Não houve alterações nos parâmetros sistólicos do ventrículo esquerdo.

Background: Obesity is associated with changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function. Bariatric surgery can favorably improve cardiac remodeling. The effects of the procedure in LV diastolic and systolic function have not been clearly defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in left ventricular structure, systolic and diastolic function in obese patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.Methods: We evaluated 23 patients (16 women, seven men; age, 32.9 ± 8.9 years) with body mass index > 40 kg/m2 who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Clinical and echocardiographic evaluations were performed preoperatively and 3–7 months after surgery. Results: After a mean follow-up of 4.7 months, significant reductions were observed in body mass index (from 46.7 ± 5.3 to 36.2 ± 4.7 kg/m2; p< 0.001); thickness of the interventricular septum (from 10.3 ± 1.4 to 8.9 ± 1.2 mm); LV posterior wall (from 9.3 ± 1.3 to 8.4 ± 1.1mm; p < 0.001) and LV mass (absolute value: from 168.7 ± 35.2 to 149.8 ± 40.7 g, p = 0.008; indexed by height: from 45.1 ± 11.3 to 39.7 ± 10.3, p = 0.006). Normal LV geometry was observed in 60.9% of patients before surgery and in 91.3% at follow-up. Tissue Doppler imaging revealed improved LV diastolic function (mitral E’ lateral 0.16 ± 0.03 preoperatively vs. 0.17 ± 0.03 m/s at follow-up; p = 0.026). Postoperatively, there was no significant difference in LV systolic function. Conclusions: After a mean follow-up of 4,7 months, bariatric surgery promoted improvement in left ventricular structure and in one of the parameters of diastolic function (E’ velocity). There were no changes in left ventricular systolic parameters.