Lack of right ventricular hypertrophy is associated with right heart failure in patients with left ventricular failure.

Presence of right heart failure (RHF) is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with left ventricular failure (LVF). While the cause of RHF secondary to LVF is multifactorial, an increased right ventricular (RV) afterload is believed as the major cause of RHF. However, data are scarce on the adaptive responses of the RV in patients with LVF. Our aim was to understand the relationship of right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) with RHF and RV systolic and diastolic properties in patients with LVF. 55 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less were included in the present study. A comprehensive two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic examination was done to all participants. 12 patients (21.8%) had RHF, and patients with RHF had a significantly lower right ventricular free wall thickness (RVFWT) as compared to patients without RHF (5.3 ± 1.7 mm vs. 6.6 ± 0.9 mm, p = 0.02) and the difference remained statistically significant after adjusting for confounders (Δx̅:1.34 mm, p = 0.002). RVFWT had a statistically significant correlation with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r = 0.479, p < 0.001) and tricuspid annular lateral systolic velocity (r = 0.360, p = 0.007), but not with the indices of the RV diastolic function. None of the patients with concentric RVH had RHF, while 22.2% of patients with eccentric RVH and 66.7% of patients without RVH had RHF (p < 0.01 as compared to patients with concentric RVH). In patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction, absence of RVH was associated with worse RV systolic performance and a significantly higher incidence of RHF.

Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Index Predicts 1-Year Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure: An Analysis of the SELFIE-TR Study.

OBJECTIVE: Predicting outcomes is an essential part of evaluation of patients with heart failure (HF). While there are multiple individual laboratory and imaging variables as well as risk scores available for this purpose, they are seldom useful during the initial evaluation. In this analysis, we aimed to elucidate the predictive usefulness of Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Risk Index (TIMI-RI), a simple index calculated at the bedside with three commonly available variables, using data from a multicenter HF registry. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 728 patients from 23 centers were included in this analysis. Data on hospitalizations and mortality were collected by direct interviews, phone calls, and electronic databases. TIMI-RI was calculated as heart rate × (age/10)2/systolic pressure. Patients were divided into three equal tertiles to perform analyses. RESULTS: Rehospitalization for HF was significantly higher in patients within the 3rd tertile, and 33.5% of patients within the 3rd tertile had died within 1-year follow-up as compared to 14.5% of patients within the 1st tertile and 15.6% of patients within the 2nd tertile (p < 0.001, log-rank p < 0.001 for pairwise comparisons). The association between TIMI-RI and mortality remained significant (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.05-2.86, p = 0.036) after adjustment for other variables. A TIMI-RI higher than 33 had a negative predictive value of 84.8% and a positive predictive value of 33.8% for prediction of 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: TIMI-RI is a simple index that predicts 1-year mortality in patients with HF; it could be useful for rapid evaluation and triage of HF patients at the time of initial contact.

Combined past preeclampsia and gestational diabetes is associated with a very high frequency of coronary microvascular dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: A history of preeclampsia (pPE) and gestational diabetes (pGDM) are female-specific risk markers for atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular risk. In addition to increasing the risk of established risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as hypertension or diabetes, evidence suggests that pregnancy-related complications can also directly accelerate atherosclerosis by inducing endothelial dysfunction. A combination of both conditions is seen in a subset of patients with pregnancy, though it is not known whether this combination increases the overall risk for cardiovascular events. AIMS: Present study aimed to find the impact of combined pPE/pGDM on the prevalence of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). METHODS: A total of 24 patients with combined pPE/pGDM, 19 patients with isolated pPE and 63 patients with pGDM were included to the present study and a further 36 healthy women with no previous pregnancy-related complications served as controls. Coronary flow reserve was measured using echocardiography and CMD was defined as a coronary flow reserve ≤2.5. RESULTS: Patients with combined pPE/pGDM had a high prevalence of CMD (91%), which was significantly higher than controls (5.6%, p < 0.001) and patients with pGDM (55%, p = 0.01). A history of pPE on top of pGDM was associated with an increased risk of CMD (HR:6.28, 95%CI:1.69-23.37, p = 0.006) after multivariate adjustment, but pGDM did not increase the odds for CMD in those with pPE. CONCLUSIONS: Combined pPE/pDM is associated with a very high prevalence of CMD, which may indicate an increased risk for future cardiovascular events.

Pressure-dimension index: A novel "morphologic-functional" index of right ventricle that predicts short-term survival after left ventricular assist device implantation.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of multiple imaging parameters, none of these parameters had adequate predictive accuracy for post-LVAD RVF. AIM: To study whether right ventricular pressure-dimension index (PDI), which is a novel echocardiographic index that combines both morphologic and functional aspects of the right ventricle, is predictive of post-LVAD RVF and survival. METHODS: 49 cases that underwent elective LVAD implantation were retrospectively analyzed using data from an institutional registry. PDI was calculated by dividing systolic pulmonary artery pressure to the square of the right ventricular minor diameter. Cases were categorized according to tertiles. RESULTS: Patients within the highest PDI tertile (PDI>3.62 mmHg/cm2 ) had significantly higher short-term mortality (42.8%) and combined short-term mortality and severe RVF (50%) compared to other tertiles (P < .05 for both, log-rank p for survival to 15th day 0.014), but mortality was similar across tertiles in the long-term follow-up. PDI was an independent predictor of short-term mortality (HR:1.05-26.49, P = .031) and short-term composite of mortality and severe RVF (HR:1.37-38.87, P = .027). CONCLUSIONS: Increased PDI is a marker of an overburdened right ventricle. Heart failure patients with a high PDI are at risk for short-term mortality following LVAD implantation.

Correlation and agreement between 2D and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography for left ventricular volumetric, strain, and rotational parameters in healthy volunteers and in patients with mild mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances had allowed measurement of myocardial deformation parameters using 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). Agreement between these two modalities and interchangeability of findings remain as an issue since 2DSTE is more widely available than 3DSTE. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation and agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE in healthy volunteers and in patients with mild mitral stenosis (MS). METHODS: Data from 31 patients with mild MS and 27 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Data were analyzed for the correlation and agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE for volumetric, strain, and rotational parameters. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between 2DSTE and 3DSTE in both control and MS groups for left ventricular volumetric and rotational parameters. 3D global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were significantly higher in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001 for both), while only 3DGCS was significantly higher than 2DGCS in MS group (P < 0.001). The correlation between 3DSTE and 2DSTE was weak-to-moderate in both groups for strain and rotational parameters, and overall, correlation coefficients were higher in MS group. An exception was GLS in MS group, where coefficient of correlation was excellent (r = 0.907). Agreement between two modalities was poor for strain and rotational parameters, and the average bias was high. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE for strain and rotational measures was poor with a high average bias. The agreement between 2DSTE and 3DSTE is affected by the presence of underlying MS and the direction of strain.

Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dilation in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Absence of Clinical or Echocardiographic Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Involvement of right-sided heart chambers (RSHCs) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common and is usually attributed to pulmonary arterial or venous hypertension (PH). However, myocardial involvement in patients with HIV is also common and might affect RSHCs even in the absence of overt PH. Our aim was to define morphologic and functional alterations in RSHC in patients with HIV and without PH. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 50 asymptomatic patients with HIV and 25 control subjects without clinical or echocardiographic signs for PH were included in the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to obtain measurements. Patients with HIV had significantly increased right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (RVEDD) and right ventricular free wall thickness (RVFWT), as well as increased right atrial area and pulmonary arterial diameter, compared with control subjects. After adjustment for age, sex, and body surface area, RVFWT (average 1.81 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35-3.26 mm) and RVEDD (average 6.82 mm, 95% CI 2.40-11.24 mm) were significantly higher in subjects infected with HIV. More patients with right ventricular hypertrophy were on antiretroviral treatment, and RVFWT was on average 1.3 mm higher (95% CI 0.24-2.37 mm) in patients on antiretroviral treatment after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that alterations in RSHCs were present in patients with HIV without PH.

An unusual "mass" within the left atrium: Localized aneurysm of a patent foramen ovale tunnel.

Masses on the interatrial septum are usually caused by myxomas or thrombi within a patent foramen ovale. We report a 53-year-old male patient with a hollow mass within the left atrium that was incidentally found during a routine transthoracic echocardiography. Further investigation of the mass with transesophageal two- and three-dimensional echocardiography has revealed that the mass was a localized aneurysm of a patent foramen ovale tunnel. While aneurysms of interatrial septum are relatively common in normal population, to the best of our knowledge, present case is the first report of a localized aneursym of a patent foramen ovale tunnel.

A "congenitally corrected" variant of Ebstein's anomaly.

Ebstein's anomaly is a rare CHD that is characterised by caudal displacement of the functional tricuspid annulus and a dysfunctional tricuspid valve owing to a failure of proper leaflet coaptation. We present a balanced variant of Ebstein's anomaly, in which the overgrowth of the septal leaflet had allowed proper coaptation of the tricuspid leaflets, thus preserving the valve function.

Reverberation and multiple shadow artifacts recorded from patients with intra-pericardial centrifugal continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.

Artifacts are by-products of ultrasound imaging that may cause confusion or misdiagnosis if not interpreted correctly. There are, however, several disorders where a specific pattern of artifacts can aid in diagnosis, especially when the object in question cannot be visualized directly. In this manuscript, we report two patients with reverberation and shadow artifacts originating from the housing and the propeller of a continuous-flow intra-pericardial left ventricular assist device. Visualization of the artifacts required modified transthoracic views, so these artifacts should not pose a diagnostic challenge during a routine echocardiographic evaluation. However, we consider that shadow artifacts might be used to evaluate pump thrombosis in patients with intra-pericardial assist devices.

The Effect of Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation on Serum Albumin, Total Protein and Body Mass: A Short-Term, Longitudinal Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac cachexia and low serum albumin levels are poor prognostic signs in advanced heart failure, while overweight patients or patients who gain weight after treatment have more favourable outcomes. Weight gain following LVAD implantation is common, while the dynamic changes in body mass or serum proteins have not been studied adequately. Our aim was to study short-term changes in serum albumin, total protein and body weight following LVAD implantation and to compare these changes with heart failure patients treated medically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients scheduled for LVAD implantation and 15 patients receiving medical treatment were prospectively enrolled. Anthropometric and laboratory data for the patients were obtained at baseline and at first and sixth months after LVAD implantation. RESULTS: Anthropometric, demographic and clinical characteristics between two groups were similar at baseline. Both serum albumin (3.59±0.71 vs. 4.17±0.46g/dl, p=0.01) and total protein (6.45±0.80 vs. 7.12±0.35g/dl, p<0.01) levels were significantly lower in LVAD group at baseline. Both total protein and serum albumin levels increased significantly in LVAD group (final total protein 7.60±0.62g/dl and serum albumin 4.20±0.46g/dl; p<0.01 for both), while there was a nonsignificant small decrease in serum albumin in medical group. The change in serum albumin, but not total protein was significantly different between LVAD and medical groups at the sixth month. Body weight initially decreased in LVAD group at first month but was nonsignificantly higher compared to baseline and medical group at the sixth month. There was a moderate correlation between the percentage weight gain and percentage increase in serum albumin in LVAD group at six months (r=0.44). CONCLUSIONS: In suitable patients with advanced heart failure, LVAD treatment can correct hypoalbuminaemia associated with heart failure within six months after implantation.

Digoxin is Not Related to Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure: Results from the SELFIE-TR Registry.

AIMS: Digoxin has been used in the treatment for heart failure for centuries, but the role of this drug in the modern era is controversial. A particular concern is the recent observational findings suggesting an increase in all-cause mortality with digoxin, although such observations suffer from biased results since these studies usually do not provide adequate compensation for the severity of disease. Using a nationwide registry database, we aimed to investigate whether digoxin is associated with 1-year all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure irrespective of phenotype. METHODS: A total of 1014 out of 1054 patients in the registry, of whom 110 patients were on digoxin, were included in the study. Multivariable adjustments were done and propensity scores were calculated for various prognostic indicators, including signs and symptoms of heart failure and functional capacity. Crude mortality, mortality adjusted for covariates, mortality in the propensity score-matched cohort, and Bayesian factors (BFs) were analyzed. RESULTS: Crude 1-year mortality rate did not differ between patients on and off digoxin (17.3% vs 20.1%, log-rank p = 0.46), and digoxin was not related to mortality following multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.539-1.402, p = 0.57). Similarly, all-cause mortality was similar in 220 propensity-score adjusted patients (17.3% vs 20.0%, log-rank p = 0.55). On Bayesian analyses, there was moderate to strong evidence suggesting a lack of difference between in unmatched cohort (BF10 0.091) and weak-to-moderate evidence in the matched cohort (BF10 0.296). CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide cohort, we did not find any evidence for an increased 1-year mortality in heart failure patients on digoxin.

Interatrial Block and Electrocardiographic Markers of Repolarization in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19: Classical and Bayesian Analysis.

Objective: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular arrhythmias. Several electrophysiological abnormalities on surface electrocardiography (ECG) are associated with AF and ventricular arrhythmias, either as markers of abnormal interatrial conduction or abnormal repolarization. The present study sought to understand whether such ECG markers are more common in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection during the pandemic. Methods: A total of 87 COVID-19 patients formed the study group, whereas 64 patients who were hospitalized for any reason other than COVID-19 infection served as controls. The frequency of partial and advanced interatrial block (IAB), QT and corrected QT (QTc) durations, QT dispersion (QTd), and T peak-to-end duration (Tpe) were measured from ECGs at admission. Results: Both partial and advanced IAB were more common in patients with COVID-19, although statistical significance was only observed for advanced IAB (11.5% in COVID-19 patients vs. 0.0% in controls, p=0.005). There were no differences between the groups for QTc, QTd or Tpe. On Bayesian analyses, there was strong evidence favoring an association between COVID-19 and advanced IAB (BF10:16), whereas there was no evidence for an association for partial IAB, QTc, QTd, or Tpe (BF10<1 for all). Conclusions: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were more likely to have advanced IAB, which may explain why AF is more frequent in these patients.

Effect of renal function on the prognostic importance of chloride in patients with heart failure.

Hypochloremia has recently gained interest as a potential marker of outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The exact pathophysiologic mechanism linking hypochloremia to HF is unclear but is thought to be mediated by chloride-sensitive proteins and channels located in kidneys. This analysis aimed to understand whether renal dysfunction (RD) affects the association of hypochloremia with mortality in patients with HF. Using data from a nationwide registry, 438 cases with complete data on serum chloride concentration and 1-year survival were included in the analysis. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/m2 at baseline were accepted as having RD. Hypochloremia was defined as a chloride concentration <96 mEq/L at baseline. For HF patients without RD at baseline, patients with hypochloremia had a significantly higher 1-year all-cause mortality than those without hypochloremia (41.6% vs 13.0%, log-rank p < 0.001) and the association remained significant after multivariate adjustment (odds ratio (OR): 2.55, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25-5.21). The evidence supporting the association was very strong in this subgroup (Bayesian Factor (BF)10: 48.25, log OR: 1.56, 95% CI: 0.69-2.43). For patients with RD at baseline, there was no statistically significant difference for 1-year mortality for patients with or without hypochloremia (36.3% vs 29.7, log-rank p = 0.35) and there was no evidence to support an association between hypochloremia and mortality (BF10: 1.18, log OR :0.66, 95% CI: -0.02 to 1.35). In patients with HF, the association between low chloride concentration and mortality is limited to those without RD at baseline.

Usefulness of Age, Creatinine and Ejection Fraction - Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Score for Predicting Survival in Patients with Heart Failure. / Utilidade da Idade, Creatinina e Fração de Ejeção - Modificação da Dieta no Escore de Doença Renal para Prever a Sobrevivência em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca.

BACKGROUND: Central Illustration: Usefulness of Age, Creatinine and Ejection Fraction - Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Score for Predicting Survival in Patients with Heart Failure Summary of the study design and key findings. ACEF: Age, creatinine and ejection fraction, MDRD: Modified Diet in Renal Disease. While many risk models have been developed to predict prognosis in heart failure (HF), these models are rarely useful for the clinical practitioner as they include multiple variables that might be time-consuming to obtain, they are usually difficult to calculate, and they may suffer from statistical overfitting. OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a simpler model, namely the ACEF-MDRD score, could be used for predicting one-year mortality in HF patients. METHODS: 748 cases within the SELFIE-HF registry had complete data to calculate the ACEF-MDRD score. Patients were grouped into tertiles for analyses. For all tests, a p-value <0.05 was accepted as significant. RESULTS: Significantly more patients within the ACEF-MDRD high tertile (30.0%) died within one year, as compared to other tertiles (10.8% and 16.1%, respectively, for ACEF-MDRD low and ACEF-MDRD med , p<0.001 for both comparisons). There was a stepwise decrease in one-year survival as the ACEF-MDRD score increased (log-rank p<0.001). ACEF-MDRD was an independent predictor of survival after adjusting for other variables (OR: 1.14, 95%CI:1.04 - 1.24, p=0.006). ACEF-MDRD score offered similar accuracy to the GWTG-HF score for predicting one-year mortality (p=0.14). CONCLUSIONS: ACEF-MDRD is a predictor of mortality in patients with HF, and its usefulness is comparable to similar yet more complicated models.

FUNDAMENTO: Figura Central: Utilidade da Idade, Creatinina e Fração de Ejeção - Modificação da Dieta no Escore de Doença Renal para Prever a Sobrevivência em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca Resumo do desenho do estudo e principais conclusões. ACEF: Idade, creatinina e fração de ejeção (Age, creatinine and ejection fraction) MDRD: Dieta Modificada em Doença Renal (Modified Diet in Renal Disease). Embora muitos modelos de risco tenham sido desenvolvidos para prever o prognóstico na insuficiência cardíaca (IC), esses modelos raramente são úteis para o clínico, pois incluem múltiplas variáveis que podem ser demoradas para serem obtidas, são geralmente difíceis de calcular e podem sofrer de overfitting estatístico. OBJETIVOS: Investigar se um modelo mais simples, nomeadamente o escore ACEF-MDRD, poderia ser usado para prever a mortalidade em um ano em pacientes com IC. MÉTODOS: 748 casos do registro SELFIE-HF tinham dados completos para calcular o escore ACEF-MDRD. Os pacientes foram agrupados em tercis para análise. Para todos os testes, um valor de p <0,05 foi aceito como significativo. RESULTADOS: Significativamente mais pacientes dentro do tercil ACEF-MDRD alto (30,0%) morreram dentro de um ano, em comparação com outros tercis (10,8% e 16,1%, respectivamente, para ACEF-MDRD baixo e ACEF-MDRD med , p<0,001 para ambas as comparações). Houve uma diminuição gradual na sobrevida em um ano à medida que o escore ACEF-MDRD aumentou (log-rank p<0,001). ACEF-MDRD foi preditor independente de sobrevida após ajuste para outras variáveis (OR: 1,14, IC95%:1,04 ­ 1,24, p=0,006). O escore ACEF-MDRD ofereceu precisão semelhante ao escore GWTG-HF para prever a mortalidade em um ano (p=0,14). CONCLUSÕES: ACEF-MDRD é um preditor de mortalidade em pacientes com IC e sua utilidade é comparável a modelos semelhantes, porém mais complicados.

Estimated plasma volume is not a robust indicator of the severity of congestion in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Congestion is the main cause of morbidity and a prime determinant of survival in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the assessment of congestion is subjective and estimation of plasma volume (ePV) has been suggested as a more objective measure of congestion. This study aimed to explore the relationships and interactions between ePV, the severity of congestion and survival using a nationwide registry. METHODS: Of the 1054 patients with HF enrolled in the registry, 769 had sufficient data to calculate ePV (using the Duarte, Kaplan, and Hakim equations) and relative plasma volume status (rPVS), and these patients were subsequently included in the present analysis. The severity of congestion was assessed using a 6-point congestion score (CS). Patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of congestion. RESULTS: Out of four equations tested, only ePVDuarte and rPVS were statistically higher in patients with severe congestion as compared to patients with no congestion (p<0.001 for both). Both ePVDuarte (r = 0.197, p<0.001) and rPVS (r = 0.153, p<0.001) showed statistically significant correlations with CS and both had a modest accuracy (70.4% for ePVDuarte and 69.4% for rPVS) to predict a CS ≥3. After a median follow up of 496 days, both ePVDuarte (OR:1.14,95%CI:1.03-1.26, p = 0.01) and rPVS (OR:1.02, 95%CI:1.00-1.03, p = 0.03) were associated with all-cause mortality after adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. However, none of the indices were associated with mortality following the introduction of CS to the models (p>0.05 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated ePVDuarte and rPVS were indicators of congestion but with a limited robustness, and either parameter could be clinically useful when a comprehensive clinical evaluation of congestion is not feasible.

Reliability and Validity of Turkish Version of Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Sexual Coercion in Intimate Relationships Scale in the Turkish population. Methods: 353 women aged 18-65 were included in the study. In addition to the 34 questions in the original scale, 8 questions from other scales in the literature were added, which were not included in the scale. Sociodemographic Data Form, World Health Organisation Women's Violence Against Partner Questionnaire, The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale, Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization, and Relationship Stability Scale were also applied to the participants. Results: 3 items were removed due to low factor load values in the analyzes performed with the Varimax rotation method. The values obtained as a result of exploratory factor analysis made over 39 items were 21.718%, 24.424%, and 12.901%, respectively. This explained 53.88% of the total variance. The value of the scale was determined in high-level reliability (Cronbach's alpha:0.96). Subdomains were similar to the original survey. Its correlation with other scales showed a significant and strong relationship. Conclusion: In our study, the necessary analyzes for the quality of the measurement tool were applied and this scale is found psychometrically reliable and valid. This scale can evaluate all partner sexual violence, such as subtle and physical force types and their frequency.

Comparison of Novel Martin/Hopkins and Sampson Equations for Calculation of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Diabetic Patients. / Comparação das Novas Equações de Martin/Hopkins e Sampson para o Cálculo do Colesterol de Lipoproteína de Baixa Densidade em Pacientes Diabéticos.

BACKGROUND: The accurate determination of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is important to reach guideline-recommended LDL-C concentrations and to reduce adverse cardiovascular outcomes in diabetic patients. The commonly used Friedewald equation (LDL-Cf), gives inaccurate results in diabetic patients due to accompanying diabetic dyslipidemia. Recently two new equations - Martin/Hopkins (LDL-Cmh) and Sampson (LDL-Cs) - were developed to improve the accuracy of LDL-C estimation, but data are insufficient to suggest the superiority of one equation over the other one. OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the accuracy and clinical usefulness of novel Martin/Hopkins and Sampson equations in diabetic patients. METHODS: This study included 402 patients with diabetes. Patients' cardiovascular risk and LDL-C targets were calculated per European guidelines. Calculated LDL-Cmh, LDL-Cs, and LDL-Cf concentrations were compared with direct LDL-C concentration (LDL-Cd) to test agreement between these equations and LDL-Cd. A p-value <0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: Both LDL-Cmh and LDL-Cs had a better agreement with LDL-Cd as compared to LDL-Cf, but no statistical differences were found among novel equations for agreement with LDL-Cd (Cronbach's alpha 0.955 for both, p=1). Likewise, LDL-Cmh and LDL-Cs showed a similar degree of agreement with LDL-Cd in determining whether a patient was in a guideline-recommended LDL-C target (96.3% for LDL-Cmh and 96.0% for LDL-Cs), which were marginally better than LDL-Cf (94.6%). In patients with a triglyceride concentration >400 mg/dl, agreement with LDL-Cd was poor, regardless of the method used. CONCLUSION: Martin/Hopkins and Sampson's equations show a similar accuracy for calculating LDL-C concentrations in patients with diabetes, and both equations were marginally better than the Friedewald equation.

FUNDAMENTOS: A determinação precisa do colesterol de lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL-C) é importante para se alcançar concentrações de LDL-C recomendadas por diretrizes e para reduzir resultados cardiovasculares adversos em pacientes diabéticos. A equação de Friedewald comumente usada (LDL-Cf) produz resultados imprecisos em pacientes diabéticos devido a dislipidemia diabética associada. Recentemente, duas novas equações ­ Martin/Hopkins (LDL-CMH) e Sampson (LDL-Cs) ­ foram desenvolvidas para melhorar a precisão da estimativa de LDL-C, mas os dados são insuficientes para sugerir a superioridade de uma equação sobre a outra. OBJETIVOS: O presente estudo comparou a precisão e a utilidade clínica das novas equações de Martin/Hopkins e Sampson em pacientes diabéticos. MÉTODO: Foram incluídos no estudo quatrocentos e dois (402) pacientes com diabetes. O risco cardiovascular dos pacientes e as metas de LDL-C foram calculadas por diretrizes europeias. As concentrações de LDL-Cmh, LDL-Cs, e LDL-Cf calculadas foram comparadas à concentração de LDL-C direto (LDL-Cd) para testar a concordância entre essas equações e LDL-Cd. Um P valor <0,05 foi aceito como estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: A LDL-CMH e a LDL-Cs tiveram concordância melhor com o LDL-Cd em comparação com a LDL-Cf, mas não houve diferenças estatísticas entre as novas equações para concordância com o LDL-Cd (Alfa de Cronbach de 0,955 para ambos, p=1). Da mesma forma, a LDL-CMH e a LDL-Cs tinham um grau semelhante de concordância com o LDL-Cd para determinar se o paciente estava dentro da meta de LDL-C (96,3% para LDL-Cmh e 96,0% para LDL-Cs), que eram ligeiramente melhores que a LDL-Cf (94,6%). Em pacientes com uma concentração de triglicérides >400 mg/dl, a concordância com o LDL-Cd foi ruim, independentemente do método usado. CONCLUSÃO: As equações de Martin/Hopkins e Sampson mostram uma precisão similar para o cálculo de concentrações de LDL-C nos pacientes com diabetes, e ambas as equações são ligeiramente melhores que a equação de Friedewald.

Alterations in right ventricular mechanics in patients with Behcet's disease.

Manifest myocardial involvement is somewhat rare in patients with Behcet's disease (BD), although echocardiographic studies suggest that subclinical alterations in left ventricular (LV) contractility is rather common. Data on right ventricular (RV) involvement in BD is rather scarce. This study aims to determine whether RV systolic performance is affected in BD patients, and to understand the clinical and echocardiographic correlates of RV contractility in these patients. Forty-five patients who fulfilled criteria for BD and 45 age and gender matched controls were enrolled. All participants underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination, including deformation imaging, to characterize RV mechanics. Conventional morphologic and echocardiographic indicators of RV morphology and function were not different between groups, but RV apical strain and RV free wall strain (FWS) were significantly lower in BD patients as compared to the controls (P < 0.001 and P = 0.02, respectively). The only significant correlates of FWS were tricuspid regurgitation velocity and related indices in healthy controls, while FWS correlated with LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), morphologic measures of left and right atria and ventricles, and with conventional measures of right ventricular contractility. The relationship between FWS and GLS remained statistically significant after adjusting for other clinical and echocardiographic parameters (ß = 0.379, P = 0.01). In patients with BD, there is a subclinical alteration in RV contractility and the degree of alteration in the RV systolic performance paralleled that of LV. Thus, present results support the presence of RV involvement in these patients.

Contemporary usefulness of pulmonary venous flow parameters to estimate left ventricular end-diastolic pressure on transthoracic echocardiography.

Measurement of pulmonary venous flow (PVF) parameters can be used to estimate left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) on transthoracic echocardiography. Despite that, 2016 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) algorithm gave a secondary role to PVF to assess left ventricular filling pressure. We aimed to test correlations between several PVF parameters, including novel measurements, with LVEDP and to analyze whether PVF parameters have an incremental usefulness over ASE/EACVI algorithm to estimate LVEDP. Seventy-two patients that underwent left and right cardiac catheterization for assessment of heart failure or pulmonary hypertension were enrolled. All patients had a detailed echocardiographic study immediately before catheterization. Patients were categorized into those with an LVEDP < 15 mmHg vs. LVEDP ≥ 15 mmHg to analyze data. Patients with an elevated LVEDP had significantly lower peak S/D velocity ratio, S wave deceleration time, D wave acceleration time and D wave deceleration time (DWDT), as well as higher D wave acceleration rate (DWAR), but only peak S/D velocity ratio (ß = - 0.28, p = 0.01), DWDT (ß = - 0.33, p = 0.001) and DWAR (ß = 0.23, p = 0.03) were independent predictors for an elevated LVEDP. ASE/EACVI algorithm had a sensitivity of 71% and specificity of 74% to predict an elevated LVEDP. When PVF parameters were adjusted for ASE/EACVI algorithm; DWDT and DWAR remained as independent predictors. Sensitivity and specificity of ASE/EACVI algorithm increased to 79% and 96%, respectively, if either DWDT or DWAR was also suggestive of an elevated LVEDP. DWDT and DWAR have incremental usefulness over existing algorithm to determine LVEDP.

Plasma lipids in patients with inflammatory bowel disease : Observations on the associations between lipid indices and coronary flow reserve.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD), even after adjusting for traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. While inflammation is widely regarded as the pathophysiologic link between IBD and CAD, the exact mechanisms are largely unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the association of lipid parameters and indices with coronary flow reserve and markers of inflammation in IBD patients. METHODS: A total of 73 patients with IBD and 26 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients in the IBD arm were either in remission or had mild disease activity. Lipid parameters, C­reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were analyzed using standard laboratory techniques. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was measured using two-dimensional echocardiography. RESULTS: Both CRP and ESR were higher and CFR was significantly lower in IBD patients, but there were no differences in terms of lipid parameters or indices; however, patients with IBD and a CFR <2.0 had significantly higher triglyceride (TG) level (155.0 (80.0) mg/dl vs. 108.0 (68.0) mg/dl, p < 0.001) and there was a strong trend towards lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (40.0 (8.5) mg/dl vs. 45.0 (10.0) mg/dl, p = 0.05) level in the latter group when compared to patients with a CFR ≥2.0. The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), measured as log(TG/HDL-C) had the best predictive value for CFR in IBD group and was an independent predictor of CFR after multivariate adjustment for confounders (unstandardized coefficient: -0.75, 95% CI: (-1.13)-(-0.37)), ß = -0.41, p = <0.001). CONCLUSION: The atherogenic index of plasma is a marker for reduced CFR in IBD patients and could be useful to screen those at risk for early atherogenesis and CAD.