Long-term follow-up of atrioventricular valve function in Fontan patients: effect of atrioventricular valve surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between atrioventricular valve and ventricular function in Fontan survivors, including the effect of atrioventricular valve surgery. METHODS: Analysis focused on transplant-free survival and the need for atrioventricular valve surgery in single ventricle patients after Fontan completion. Longitudinal echocardiographic examination of long-term valve and ventricular function was performed. RESULTS: Fontan completion was performed in 113 patients, having a right univentricular morphology in 33.6%, a left ventricle morphology in 62.8% and ambiguous in 3.6%. Perioperative mortality was 2.7% (n = 3). Within a median follow-up of 16.3 years (interquartile range 10.6-23.6), transplant-free survival was 96.1 ± 1.9% and 90.4 ± 5.8% at 10-25 years. Twenty AV valve procedures were performed in 14 (12.4%) children, respectively, pre-Fontan (n = 10), per-Fontan (n = 8) and post-Fontan (n = 2), resulting in a cumulative incidence of AV valve surgery is 5.7 ± 2.2% and 12.3 ± 3.2% at 1-5 years. Atrio-ventricular valve function deteriorated over time [hazard ratio (HR) 1.112, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.089-1.138, P < 0.001], without difference for valve morphology (P = 0.736) or ventricular dominance (P = 0.484). AV valve dysfunction was greater in patients requiring AV valve surgery (HR 20.383, 95% CI 6.223-36.762, P < 0.001) but showed a comparable evolution since repair to those without valve surgery (HR 1.070, 95% CI 0.987-1.160, P = 0.099). Progressive time-related ventricular dysfunction was observed (HR 1.141, 95% CI 1.097-1.182, P < 0.001), significantly less in left ventricle-dominance (HR 0.927, 95% CI 0.860-0.999, P = 0.047) but more after AV valve surgery (HR 1.103, 95% CI 1.014-1.167, P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: In a homogeneously treated Fontan population, 25-year transplant-free survival is encouraging. Atrio-ventricular valve surgery was necessary in 12.4%, resulting mostly in a durable valve function. However, a slow time-related decline of atrioventricular valve function as of ventricular function is worrisome, evoking a role for additional heart failure therapy.

Impact of Ventricular Dysfunction and Atrioventricular Valve Regurgitation on Pre-Fontan Attrition.

BACKGROUND: There is a significant incidence of pre-Fontan attrition-defined as failure to undergo Fontan completion-after superior cavopulmonary connection. This study investigated the impact of at least moderate ventricular dysfunction (VD) and atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) on pre-Fontan attrition. METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included all infants who underwent Norwood palliation from 2008 to 2020 and subsequently underwent superior cavopulmonary connection. Pre-Fontan attrition was defined as death, listing for heart transplantation before Fontan completion, or unsuitability for Fontan completion. The study's secondary outcome was transplant-free survival. RESULTS: Pre-Fontan attrition occurred in 34 of 267 patients (12.7%). Isolated VD was not associated with attrition. However, patients with isolated AVVR had 5 times the odds of attrition (odds ratio, 5.4; 95% CI 1.8-16.2), and patients with both VD and AVVR had 20 times the odds of attrition (odds ratio, 20.1; 95% CI 7.7-52.8) compared with patients without VD or AVVR. Only patients with both VD and AVVR had significantly worse transplant-free survival compared with patients without VD or AVVR (hazard ratio, 7.7; 95% CI 2.8-21.6). CONCLUSIONS: The additive effect of VD and AVVR is a powerful contributor to pre-Fontan attrition. Future research investigating therapies that can mitigate the degree of AVVR may help improve Fontan completion rates and long-term outcomes.

Longitudinal analysis of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve function after the Fontan procedure.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the longitudinal change of systemic ventricular function and atrioventricular valve (AVV) regurgitation after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). METHODS: In 620 patients who underwent TCPC between 1994 and 2021, 4219 longitudinal echocardiographic examinations of systemic ventricular function and AVV regurgitation were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The most frequent primary diagnosis was hypoplastic left heart syndrome in 172, followed by single ventricle in 131, tricuspid atresia in 95 and double inlet left ventricle (LV) in 91 patients. Dominant right ventricle (RV) was observed in 329 (53%) and dominant LV in 291 (47%). The median age at TCPC was 2.3 (1.8-3.4) years. Transplant-free survival at 5, 10 and 15 years after TCPC was 96.3%, 94.7% and 93.6%, respectively, in patients with dominant RV and 97.3%, 94.6% and 94.6%, respectively, in those with dominant LV (P = 0.987). Longitudinal analysis of systemic ventricular function was similar in both groups during the first 10 years postoperatively. Thereafter, systemic ventricular function worsened significantly in patients with dominant RV, compared with those with dominant LV (15 years: P = 0.007, 20 years: P = 0.03). AVV regurgitation was more frequent after TCPC in patients with dominant RV compared with those with dominant LV (P < 0.001 at 3 months, 3 years, 5 years, 10 years and 15 years, P = 0.023 at 20 years). There was a significant correlation between postoperative systemic ventricular dysfunction and AVV regurgitation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were no transplant-free survival difference and no difference in ventricular function between dominant RV and dominant LV for the first 10 years after TCPC. Thereafter, ventricular function in dominant RV was inferior to that in dominant LV. The degree of AVV regurgitation was significantly higher in dominant RV, compared with dominant LV, and it was positively associated with ventricular dysfunction, especially in dominant RV.

Factores clínicos y ecocardiográficos asociados al bajo gasto cardíaco posoperatorio en pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico cardiovascular / Clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with the postoperative low cardiac output in patients with cardiovascular surgical treatment i: en

Introducción: Entre las diferentes complicaciones que surgen en el periodo posoperatorio inmediato, el bajo gasto cardíaco presenta mayor morbilidad y mortalidad asociadas, con una incidencia de hasta 45,0 %. Objetivo: Determinar los factores relacionados con la aparición posoperatoria del bajo gasto cardíaco en pacientes con tratamiento quirúrgico cardiovascular y circulación extracorpórea, según variables demográficas, clínicas y ecocardiográficas. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación analítica, de casos y controles, la cual incluyó a pacientes que recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico cardíaco en el Servicio de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular del Hospital Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero hasta diciembre de 2019. Cada grupo de estudio estuvo conformado por 43 integrantes, para lo cual se consideró la presencia del síndrome de bajo gasto cardíaco (casos) o no (controles). Resultados: En la serie predominaron los pacientes menores de 65 años de edad en ambos grupos de estudio (51,2 y 73,5 % para casos y controles, respectivamente), así como el sexo masculino (60,9 %); de igual modo, resultó más frecuente la intervención quirúrgica de emergencia (80,2 %). La fibrilación auricular y la función sistólica del ventrículo derecho presentaron alta significación estadística (p<0,05). Conclusiones: Algunos elementos clínicos y ecocardiográficos (edad, fibrilación auricular, función sistólica de los ventrículos izquierdo y derecho, así como intervención quirúrgica de emergencia) se asociaron de manera independiente a la aparición del bajo gasto cardíaco.

Introduction: Among the different complications that arise in the immediate postoperative period, the low cardiac output presents higher associated morbidity and mortality, with an incidence of up to 45.0 %. Objective: To determine the factors related to the postoperative emergence of the low cardiac output in patients with cardiovascular surgical treatment and extracorporeal circulation, according to demographic, clinical and echocardiographic variables. Methods: An analytic, cases and controls investigation was carried out, which included patients that received heart surgical treatment in the Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery Service of Saturnino Lora Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January to December, 2019. Each study group was conformed by 43 members, for which was considered the presence (cases) or not (controls) of the low cardiac output syndrome. Results: In the series there was a prevalence of the patients under 65 years in both study groups (51.2 and 73.5 % for cases and controls, respectively), as well as the male sex (60.9 %); in a same way, the emergency surgical intervention was the most frequent (80.2 %). The atrial fibrillation and the systolic function of the right ventricle presented high statistical significance (p <0.05). Conclusions: Some clinical and echocardiographic elements (age, atrial fibrillation, systolic function of the left and right ventricles, as well as emergency surgical intervention) were associated in an independent way with the emergence of the low cardiac output.

Nicorandil attenuates ventricular dysfunction and organ injury after cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND: Nicorandil, an adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel agonist and nitric oxide donor, is a coronary vasodilator used to treat ischemia-induced chest pain, but it's potential cardioprotective benefits during open heart surgery have not been thoroughly investigated. The study objective was to assess the impact of nicorandil on postoperative ventricular dysfunction and end-organ injury in an established experimental model of open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardioplegic arrest. We hypothesized that nicorandil would attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, preserve ventricular function, and reduce end-organ injury. METHODS: Rabbits were cannulated for CPB, followed by 60 min of aortic cross-clamp (ACC) with cold cardioplegic arrest, and 120 min of recovery after ACC removal. Nicorandil (or normal saline vehicle) was given intravenously 5 min before ACC and continued throughout the recovery period. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), systolic contractility (LV + dP/dt), and diastolic relaxation (LV -dP/dt) were continuously recorded, and blood and tissue samples were collected for measurement of oxidant stress (OS), inflammation, apoptosis, and organ injury. RESULTS: Nicorandil significantly attenuated IR-induced LV dysfunction compared to saline control (R-120: LV + dP/dt: 1596 ± 397 vs. 514 ± 269 mmHg/s, p = 0.010; LV -dP/dt: -1524 ± 432 vs. -432 ± 243 mmHg/s, p < 0.001; LVDP: 55 ± 11 vs. 22 ± 5 mmHg, p = 0.046). Furthermore, nicorandil inhibited IR-induced increases in OS, inflammation, apoptosis, and organ injury. CONCLUSIONS: Nicorandil exhibits myocardial protection by attenuation of IR-induced LV dysfunction associated with OS, inflammation, apoptosis, and organ injury. Nicorandil should be explored further as a potential therapeutic strategy for limiting global IR injury during open-heart surgery in humans.

Cardiomyocyte-specific loss of plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1 impacts cardiac rhythm and is associated with ventricular repolarisation dysfunction.

Plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1 (PMCA1, Atp2b1) is emerging as a key contributor to cardiac physiology, involved in calcium handling and myocardial signalling. In addition, genome wide association studies have associated PMCA1 in several areas of cardiovascular disease including hypertension and myocardial infarction. Here, we investigated the role of PMCA1 in basal cardiac function and heart rhythm stability. Cardiac structure, heart rhythm and arrhythmia susceptibility were assessed in a cardiomyocyte-specific PMCA1 deletion (PMCA1CKO) mouse model. PMCA1CKO mice developed abnormal heart rhythms related to ventricular repolarisation dysfunction and displayed an increased susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. We further assessed the levels of cardiac ion channels using qPCR and found a downregulation of the voltage-dependent potassium channels, Kv4.2, with a corresponding reduction in the transient outward potassium current which underlies ventricular repolarisation in the murine heart. The changes in heart rhythm were found to occur in the absence of any structural cardiomyopathy. To further assess the molecular changes occurring in PMCA1CKO hearts, we performed proteomic analysis. Functional characterisation of differentially expressed proteins suggested changes in pathways related to metabolism, protein-binding, and pathways associated cardiac function including ß-adrenergic signalling. Together, these data suggest an important role for PMCA1 in basal cardiac function in relation to heart rhythm control, with reduced cardiac PMCA1 expression resulting in an increased risk of arrhythmia development.

Early prediction of failure to progress in single ventricle palliation: A step toward personalizing care for severe congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Advances in surgical technique and medical surveillance have improved outcomes of single ventricle (SV) palliation, particularly during the first interstage period. However, there remains a considerable mortality risk beyond this period. METHODS: Patients born between January 2004 and December 2011 who required SV palliation were retrospectively identified. Patients who survived stage 1 palliation, were discharged home, and then were evaluated for Glenn candidacy, and continued care at our institution were included. Perioperative echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and operative data were analyzed at each surgical stage. The primary outcome was death or need for transplant. Univariate and multivariate analysis was completed using Cox proportional-hazards modeling. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were included. Three patients died after pre-operative evaluation before Glenn. Glenn was completed in 168 patients, 16 died before Fontan. Fontan was completed in 149 patients; 117 were alive without need for transplant, 17 died post-Fontan, and 1 required transplantation. Twenty-one patients were lost to follow-up throughout the study period and were censored at time of last follow-up. Pre-Glenn moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) was an independent risk factor for death/transplant (HR 2.41; p-value .026). Pre-Glenn moderate ventricular dysfunction was also an independent risk factor (HR 5.29; p-value .012). Other risk factors included right ventricular (RV) dominant morphology and perinatal acidosis. CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in SV palliation, a subset of these children remains at increased risk for poor outcomes. Early risk factors include RV dominant morphology and perinatal acidosis. Patients with substantial AVVR or ventricular dysfunction before Glenn palliation are also at significantly higher risk for death or requirement of transplantation later in childhood.

Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and improves diastolic dysfunction in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, has shown promising clinical efficacy in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction. However, its potential effects on heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are still not fully understood. We evaluated the effect of LCZ696 on HFpEF in transverse aortic constriction mice and compared it with the effect of the angiotensin receptor blocker, valsartan. We found that LCZ696 improved cardiac diastolic function by reducing ventricular hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice with overload-induced diastolic dysfunction. In addition, there was superior inhibition of LCZ696 than stand-alone valsartan. As a potential underlying mechanism, we demonstrated that LCZ696 behaves as a potent suppressor of calcium-mediated calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) signalling transduction pathways. Hence, we demonstrated the protective effects of LCZ696 in overload-induced HFpEF and provided a pharmaceutical therapeutic strategy for related diseases.

Dominant Ventricular Morphology and Early Postoperative Course After the Fontan Procedure.

BACKGROUND: Single ventricle heart disease comprises a wide variety of critical heart defects that lead to the provision of systemic cardiac output by one dominant ventricle. It requires staged surgical palliation that culminates in Fontan circulation. Dominant ventricular morphology in single ventricle patients reportedly has an impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality with varying results. The objectives of this study were to examine the association between ventricular morphology and the early postoperative course after the Fontan procedure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral pediatric medical center that included 98 consecutive patients who underwent Fontan procedure between October 2009 and May 2016. Postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with left ventricular morphology and those with right ventricular morphology (crude effect and regression analysis). RESULTS: Patients with right ventricular morphology had longer postoperative hospitalizations compared to patients with left ventricular morphology (26.5 days vs 18.2 days, respectively, P = .028), higher postoperative maximal vasoactive-inotropic scores (25.6 vs 12.4, P = .02), higher serum lactate levels (7.7 mmol/L vs 6.4 mmol/L, P = .03), higher proportions of ventilation throughout 24 h or more (16 patients [38%] vs 8 patients [14%], P = .009), higher proportions of ventricular dysfunction (12 patients [29%] vs 5 patients [9%], P = .0001), and lower blood oxygen saturation levels at discharge (87% vs 92%, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The Fontan procedure in patients with right ventricular morphology is associated with longer postoperative hospitalization and worse early postoperative characteristics (ventricular dysfunction and atrioventricular valve regurgitation) as well as higher rates of early, transient signs of sub-optimal postoperative hemodynamics compared to those with left ventricular morphology.

Influence of right ventricular pressure and volume overload on right and left ventricular diastolic function.

BACKGROUND: Ventricular interdependence may account for altered ventricular mechanics in congenital heart disease. The present study aimed to identify differences in load-dependent right ventricular (RV)-left ventricular (LV) interactions in porcine models of pulmonary stenosis (PS) and pulmonary insufficiency (PI) by invasive admittance-derived hemodynamics in conjunction with noninvasive cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: Seventeen pigs were used in the study (7 with PS, 7 with PI, and 3 controls). Progressive PS was created by tightening a Teflon tape around the pulmonary artery, and PI was created by excising 2 leaflets of the pulmonary valve. Admittance catheterization data were obtained for the RV and LV at 10 to 12 weeks after model creation, with the animal ventilated under temporary diaphragm paralysis. CMR was performed in all animals immediately prior to pressure-volume catheterization. RESULTS: In the PS group, RV contractility was increased, manifested by increased end-systolic elastance (mean difference, 1.29 mm Hg/mL; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-2.00 mm Hg/mL). However, in the PI group, no significant changes were observed in RV systolic function despite significant changes in RV diastolic function. In the PS group, LV end-systolic volume was significantly lower compared with controls (mean difference, 25.1 mL; 95% CI, -40.5 to -90.7 mL), whereas in the PI group, the LV showed diastolic dysfunction, demonstrated by an elevated isovolumic relaxation constant and ventricular stiffness (mean difference, 0.03 mL-1; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.09 mL-1). CONCLUSIONS: The LV exhibits systolic dysfunction and noncompliance with PI. PS is associated with preserved LV systolic function and evidence of some LV diastolic dysfunction. Interventricular interactions influence LV filling and likely account for differential effects of RV pressure and volume overload on LV function.

Initial experience with del Nido cardioplegia solution at a Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery Program in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcome measures between our standard multidose cardioplegia protocol and a del Nido cardioplegia protocol in congenital heart surgery patients. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study including 250 consecutive patients that received del Nido cardioplegia (DN group) with a mandatory reperfusion period of 30% of cross clamp time and 250 patients that received a modified St. Thomas' solution (ST group). Groups were matched by age, weight, gender, and Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS-1) scores. Preoperative hematocrit and oxygen saturation were also recorded. Outcomes analyzed were the vasoactive inotropic score (VIS), lactate, ventilation time, ventricular dysfunction with low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, bypass and aortic cross-clamp times, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable demographically. Statistically significant differences (p ⩽ 0.05) were noted for cardiac dysfunction with LCOS, hematocrit at end of surgery (p = 0.0038), VIS on ICU admission and at end of surgery (p = 0.0111), and ICU LOS (p = 0.00118) with patients in the DN group having more desirable values for those parameters. Other outcome measures did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: In our congenital cardiac surgery population, del Nido cardioplegia strategy was associated with less ventricular dysfunction with LCOS, a lower VIS and decreased ICU LOS compared with patients that received our standard myocardial protection using a modified St. Thomas' solution. Despite the limitation of this study, including its retrospective nature and cohort size, these data supported our transition to incorporate del Nido cardioplegia solution with a mandatory reperfusion period as the preferred myocardial protection method in our program.

Unique Association of Aortopulmonary Window With Anomalous Origin of Left Coronary Artery From Pulmonary Artery in an Infant: A Blessing in Disguise?

Aortopulmonary window (APW) seen in association with anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is extremely uncommon. When faced with this combination, ALCAPA usually goes undetected since most of the clinical and echocardiographic features of ALCAPA, including ventricular dysfunction are absent due to co-existent pulmonary hypertension. Herein we report a 5-month-old child with a large APW in whom a preoperative computed tomography angiogram facilitated the diagnosis of ALCAPA. The case is described for its rarity and the challenges faced during management. Also, it is extremely crucial that this coronary anomaly is identified and corrected during surgery, since failure to do so results in unforeseen postoperative ventricular dysfunction.

Acometimento miocárdico na Doença de Chagas: uma perspectiva a partir da avaliação pela ressonância magnética cardiovascular / Myocardial involvement in Chagas Disease: from the perspective of cardiovascular magnetic ressonance assessment

A doença de Chagas representa um importante problema de saúde pública, sobretudo nos países endêmicos da América Latina. Dentre suas apresentações clínicas, a cardiomiopatia crônica é a mais frequente. De patogênese multifatorial, o acometimento miocárdico pode levar à insuficiência cardíaca, a eventos tromboembólicos, a arritmias e à morte súbita. Nesse contexto, a ressonância magnética cardiovascular é um excelente método não invasivo para a investigação do dano miocárdico e a compreensão dos mecanismos e consequências relacionados às essas lesões. Com elevada resolução espacial e capacidade de caracterização tecidual, a ressonância magnética cardiovascular proporciona análise morfofuncional altamente confiável e possibilita a identificação de marcadores de risco de eventos adversos em pacientes com doença de Chagas, sendo de grande utilidade para o diagnóstico e o acompanhamento desses indivíduos na rotina clínica. (AU)

Chagas disease represents an important public health problem, especially in endemic countries in Latin America. Chronic cardiomyopathy is its most frequent clinical presentation. Myocardial involvement has a multifactorial pathogenesis and can lead to heart failure, thromboembolic events, arrhythmias, and sudden death. In this context, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is an excellent noninvasive method for investigating myocardial damage and understanding the mechanisms and consequences of these injuries. CMR has high spatial resolution and tissue characterization capacity, enabling a highly reliable morphofunctional analysis and the identification of risk markers for adverse events in patients with Chagas disease. This exam is very useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients in the routine clinical setting. (AU)

Left atrial function analysis in patients with functional mitral regurgitation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy / Análise da função atrial esquerda em pacientes com insuficiência mitral funcional associada à miocardiopatia dilatada

BACKGROUND: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC), heart failure (HF), and worsening left atrial function (LAF). Patients with DC and FMR may present left atrial dysfunction resulting from both ventricular dysfunction and valve disease, but it is unknown whether the presence of valve disease will lead to greater LAF impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between LAF parameters and FMR degree in patients with DC. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included 214 patients with DC, 46 without FMR (control group) and 168 with mild, moderate or severe FMR. An LAF analysis was performed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and atrial volumetric variation. RESULTS: LAF analyzed by STE by means of reservoir strain, conduit strain and active contraction strain was reduced in the sample, with values of 14.3%, 8.49% and 5.92%, respectively. FMR degree was significantly associated with reservoir strain (0.27 ± 0.16 versus 0.15 ± 0.09; p < 0.001) and contraction strain (19.2 ± 7.3 versus 11.2 ± 2.7; p < 0.001). FMR was also associated with a reduced LAF assessed by volumetric analysis: total atrial emptying fraction of 0.51 ± 0.13 versus 0.34 ± 0.11 and active atrial emptying fraction of 0 .27 ± 0.16 versus 0.15 ± 0.09 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In a population with DC, FMR was associated with reduced LAF assessed by STE and atrial volume variation.

FUNDAMENTO: A insuficiência mitral funcional (IMF) está associada à miocardiopatia dilatada (MD), à insuficiência cardíaca (IC) e à piora da função atrial esquerda (FAE). A FAE pode decair tanto pela disfunção ventricular quanto pela valvopatia, mas não se sabe se esta leva a um prejuízo maior da FAE. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a relação entre a piora de parâmetros de FAE com o grau de IMF, em pacientes com MD. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo observacional transversal, que incluiu 214 pacientes com MD, sendo 46 sem IMF (controle) e 168 com IMF discreta, moderada ou grave. A análise da FAE foi realizada por ecocardiografia por speckle tracking (STE) e por variação volumétrica atrial. RESULTADOS: A FAE, analisada por STE­ por meio do strain de reservatório, conduto e contração ativa ­ encontrou-se reduzida na amostra, com valores respectivos de 14,3%, 8,49% e 5,92%. O grau de IMF associou-se significativamente com os valores do strain de reservatório (0,27±0,16 versus 0,15±0,09; p <0,001. CONCLUSÃO: Em uma população com MD, a presença de IMF associa-se à redução da FAE de reservatório e de contração, avaliada por STE e pela variação volumétrica atrial.

Association of Genetic Variants With Outcomes in Patients With Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The clinical relevance of genetic variants in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is unsettled. OBJECTIVES: The study sought to assess the prognostic impact of disease-causing genetic variants in DCM. METHODS: Baseline and longitudinal clinical data from 1,005 genotyped DCM probands were retrospectively collected at 20 centers. A total of 372 (37%) patients had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants (genotype positive) and 633 (63%) were genotype negative. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events. Secondary endpoints were end-stage heart failure (ESHF), malignant ventricular arrhythmia (MVA), and left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR). RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 4.04 years (interquartile range: 1.70-7.50 years), the primary endpoint had occurred in 118 (31.7%) patients in the genotype-positive group and in 125 (19.8%) patients in the genotype-negative group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-1.94; P = 0.001). ESHF occurred in 60 (16.1%) genotype-positive patients and in 55 (8.7%) genotype-negative patients (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.16-2.41; P = 0.006). MVA occurred in 73 (19.6%) genotype-positive patients and in 77 (12.2%) genotype-negative patients (HR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.09-2.07; P = 0.013). LVRR occurred in 39.6% in the genotype-positive group and in 46.2% in the genotype-negative group (P = 0.047). Among individuals with baseline left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35%, genotype-positive patients exhibited more major adverse cardiovascular events, ESHF, and MVA than their genotype-negative peers (all P < 0.02). LVRR and clinical outcomes varied depending on the underlying affected gene. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, DCM patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants had worse prognosis than genotype-negative individuals. Clinical course differed depending on the underlying affected gene.

Value of point-of-care neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin in early diagnosis of acute kidney injury in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction after coronary angiography.

BACKGROUND: Increased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels are associated with toxic or ischemic renal injury. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the usefulness of serial NGAL measurements with a point-of-care assay in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) for earlier detection of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients with LVSD patients referred for coronary angiography were consecutively enrolled in the study. The study population was divided into two groups as the CIN and the non-CIN groups according to the CIN's determination. The serum creatinine levels were calculated 24 h before the procedure and at the 48th and 72nd h after the cardiac catheterization. The plasma NGAL concentration was measured before and at 4 and 24 h after the cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: Baseline and serial NGAL levels were significantly higher in patients with CIN compared to the patients without CIN. NGAL 24th h levels after the index procedure were found to be an independent and significant predictor of CIN in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Serial point-of-care NGAL measurements might help earlier detection of CIN in patients with heart failure after coronary angiography.

Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of right ventricular remodeling after anthracycline therapy.

There are limited data on the effects of anthracyclines on right ventricular (RV) structure, function, and tissue characteristics. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of anthracyclines on the RV using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). This was a post-hoc analysis of a prospective study of 27 breast cancer (BC) patients (51.8 ± 8.9 years) using CMR prior, and up to 3-times after anthracyclines (240 mg/m2) to measure RV volumes and mass, RV extracellular volume (ECV) and cardiomyocyte mass (CM). Before anthracyclines, LVEF (69.4 ± 3.6%) and RVEF (55.6 ± 9%) were normal. The median follow-up after anthracyclines was 399 days (IQR 310-517). The RVEF reached its nadir (46.3 ± 6.8%) after 9-months (P < 0.001). RV mass-index and RV CM decreased to 13 ± 2.8 g/m2 and 8.13 ± 2 g/m2, respectively, at 16-months after anthracyclines. The RV ECV expanded from 0.26 ± 0.07 by 0.14 (53%) to 0.40 ± 0.1 (P < 0.001). The RV ECV expansion correlated with a decrease in RV mass-index (r = -0.46; P < 0.001) and the increase in CK-MB. An RV ESV index at baseline above its median predicted an increased risk of LV dysfunction post-anthracyclines. In BC patients treated with anthracyclines, RV atrophy, systolic dysfunction, and a parallel increase of diffuse interstitial fibrosis indicate a cardiotoxic response on a similar scale as previously seen in the systemic left ventricle.