CMR reveals myocardial damage from cardiotoxic oncologic therapies in breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a common and increasingly treatable disease. However, survivors have a significantly elevated risk of cardiac events afterwards. This study aimed to characterise cardiac changes during cardiotoxic cancer therapy using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. METHODS: This study involved 34 patients with histologically proven breast cancer and planned cardiotoxic therapy. All patients underwent CMR before starting therapy, and 6 and 12 months thereafter. The CMR protocol included volumetric and functional analyses, parametric mapping, and deformation analysis using feature tracking. As the control group, 10 healthy female volunteers were scanned using the same protocol. RESULTS: With therapy, there was a significant reduction of left ventricular and right ventricular ejection fractions (both p < 0.05) without reaching pathologic values. Left ventricular radial (p = 0.008), circumferential (p = 0.010), and longitudinal strain (p = 0.036) were also reduced at follow-up. In the parametric mapping, there was a significant increase in native T1 time (start: 1037 ± 41 ms vs. 6 months: 1068 ± 51 ms vs. 12 months: 1017 ± 57 ms, p < 0.001) and T2 time (start: 55 ± 4 ms vs. 6 months: 59 ± 3 ms vs. 12 months: 57 ± 3 ms, p = 0.001), with unchanged extracellular volume and relative late gadolinium enhancement. Twelve months after cancer diagnosis, the breast cancer patients exhibited significant impairments in left ventricular global radial (p = 0.001), circumferential (p = 0.001), and longitudinal strain (p = 0.002) and T2 time (p = 0.008) compared to the healthy controls. DISCUSSION: Breast cancer patients receiving cardiotoxic chemotherapy show persistent deterioration in left ventricular strain values. This is accompanied by inflammatory changes in non-invasive tissue characterisation. Larger studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to identify patients at risk and establish preventive and therapeutic approaches.

TRI-SCORE is superior to EuroSCORE II and STS-Score in mortality prediction following transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair.

BACKGROUND: The development of transcatheter tricuspid edge-to-edge repair for tricuspid regurgitation is a therapeutic milestone but a specific periprocedural risk assessment tool is lacking. TRI-SCORE has recently been introduced as a dedicated risk score for tricuspid valve surgery. AIMS: This study analyzes the predictive performance of TRI-SCORE following transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair. METHODS: 180 patients who underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve repair at Ulm University Hospital were consecutively included and stratified into three TRI-SCORE risk groups. The predictive performance of TRI-SCORE was assessed throughout a follow-up period of 30 days and up to 1 year. RESULTS: All patients had severe tricuspid regurgitation. Median EuroSCORE II was 6.4% (IQR 3.8-10.1%), median STS-Score 8.1% (IQR 4.6-13.4%) and median TRI-SCORE 6.0 (IQR 4.0-7.0). 64 patients (35.6%) were in the low TRI-SCORE group, 91 (50.6%) in the intermediate and 25 (13.9%) in the high-risk groups. The procedural success rate was 97.8%. 30-day mortality was 0% in the low-risk group, 1.3% in the intermediate-risk and 17.4% in the high-risk groups (p < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 168 days mortality was 0%, 3.8% and 52.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). The predictive performance of TRI-SCORE was excellent (AUC for 30-day mortality: 90.3%, for one-year mortality: 93.1%) and superior to EuroSCORE II (AUC 56.6% and 64.4%, respectively) and STS-Score (AUC 61.0% and 59.0%, respectively). CONCLUSION: TRI-SCORE is a valuable tool for prediction of mortality after transcatheter edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair and its performance is superior to EuroSCORE II and STS-Score. In a monocentric cohort of 180 patients undergoing edge-to-edge tricuspid valve repair TRI-SCORE predicted 30-day and up to one-year mortality more reliably than EuroSCORE II and STS-Score. AUC area under the curve, 95% CI 95% confidence interval.

Right Ventricle and Radiotherapy: More Questions than Answers.

The injury of the left ventricle (LV) during anticancer therapy has long been recognized, and guidelines recommend a specific set of parameters for determination of LV impairment. The influence of anticancer therapy on the right ventricle (RV) has been insufficiently investigated, and there are only a few studies that have considered the effect of radiotherapy on RV remodeling. On the other hand, large number of patients with different types of cancers located in the chest are treated with radiotherapy, and the negative clinical effects of this treatment such as accelerated coronary artery disease, valve degeneration and heart failure have been documented. The anatomical position of the RV, which is in the front of the chest, is responsible for its large exposure during radiation treatment, particularly in patients with left-sided breast and lung cancers and mediastinal cancers (hematological malignancies, esophagus cancers, thymomas, etc.). For the same reason, but also due to its anatomical complexity, the RV remains under-investigated during echocardiographic examination, which remains the cornerstone of cardiac imaging in everyday practice. In the last decade many new echocardiographic imaging techniques that enable better evaluation of RV structure, function and mechanics appeared, and they have been used in detection of early and late signs of RV injuries in oncological patients. These investigations are related to some important restrictions that include limited numbers of patients, used parameters and imaging techniques. Many questions about the potential impact of these changes and possible predictions of adverse events remain to be evaluated in future large longitudinal studies. The current body of evidence indicates an important role of radiotherapy in RV remodeling, and therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize currently available data regarding RV changes in patients with various oncological conditions and help clinicians in the assessment of possible cardiac damage.

Targeting Left Ventricular Mechanics In Patients With Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma: An Updated Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies targeting left ventricular (LV) systolic function by measuring LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) either failed to reveal any impairment of this parameter or found a super-normal systolic function compared to essential hypertensives or normotensive controls. To provide an updated piece of information on LV systolic dysfunction in the PPGL setting, we performed a meta-analysis of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) studies investigating LV mechanics via global longitudinal strain (GLS), a more sensitive index of LV systolic function than LVEF. METHODS: A computerized search was performed using PubMed, OVID, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases from inception until September 30, 2022. Full articles reporting data on LV GLS and LVEF in patients with PPGL and controls were considered suitable. RESULTS: A total of 252 patients with PPGL and 187 controls were included in 6 studies. LV GLS was worse in the pooled PPGL group than in the control group (-17.3 ± 1.2 vs. -20.0 ± 0.6) with a standard means difference (SMD) of 1.13 ± 0.36 confidence interval (CI: 0.43-1.84, P = 0.002), whereas this was not the case for LVEF (67.3 ± 1.9 and 66.4 ± 1.6%, respectively), SMD: 0.12 ± 0.03, (CI: -0.41/0.65, P = 0.66). A meta-regression analysis in PPGL patients showed an inverse relationship between adrenergic activity and GLS (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that early changes in LV systolic function not detectable by conventional echocardiography in the PPGL setting can be revealed by STE; therefore, STE implementation in the workup of patients with PPGL may improve the detection of subclinical systolic dysfunction.

Bariatric Surgery and Myocardial Mechanics: A Meta-Analysis of Speckle Tracking Echocardiographic Studies.

Aim: Current evidence on the effects of bariatric surgery on cardiac mechanics in patients with obesity is based on a few single studies. We investigated this issue through a meta-analysis of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) studies that reported data on changes in left ventricular (LV) mechanics as assessed by global longitudinal strain (GLS). Methods: The PubMed, OVID-MEDLINE and Cochrane library databases were systematically analysed to search English-language articles published from inception to 31 May 2022. Studies were identified by using Me-SH terms and crossing the following terms: "obesity", "bariatric surgery", "left ventricular mechanics", "left ventricular hypertrophy", "systolic dysfunction", "global longitudinal strain", "echocardiography" and "STE echocardiography". Results: The meta-analysis, including a total of 512 patients with obesity from 13 studies (follow-up 1−23 months), showed a significant GLS improvement after bariatric procedures, with standard mean difference (SMD) being 0.50 ± 0.08, CI: 0.34/0.65, p < 0.0001. Corresponding SMD value for LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 0.15 ± 0.09, CI: −0.04/0.34, p = 0.11. A sensitivity analysis restricted to 11 studies with follow-up ≥ 6 months confirmed that GLS (SMD: 0.47 ± 0.08, CI: 0.30/0.63, p < 0.0001) but not LVEF (SMD: 0.14 ± 0.11, CI: −0.08/0.37, p = 0.21) improved after surgery. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis adds a new piece of information on the beneficial effects of bariatric surgery on LV systolic function and, more importantly, suggests that the assessment of myocardial strain should be routinely implemented for a comprehensive evaluation of cardiac functional changes associated with bariatric procedures.

Case Report: Myocarditis After COVID-19 Vaccination - Case Series and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic demands a series of measures and, above all, the vaccination of a substantial proportion of the population. Acute myocarditis is a rare complication of the widely used mRNA-based vaccines. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case series of four patients (three men and one woman, 16 to 47 years old) with acute pericarditis/myocarditis 3 to 17 days after mRNA vaccination. They presented with chest pain, fever, and flu-like symptoms. Diagnosis was made based on the synopsis of clinical presentation, elevated levels of troponin T and NT-proBNP, impaired systolic function on echocardiography, and findings in non-invasive tissue characterization by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Two patients also underwent endomyocardial biopsies. As none of the patients showed signs of cardiogenic shock, they were discharged from ward care only a few days after their initial presentations. CONCLUSIONS: Our data are consistent with other case reports of myocarditis early after mRNA vaccination and demonstrate the need for multimodal diagnostics. In view of its rarity and mild course, the risk-benefit ratio of vaccination remains positive compared to potential SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Myocardial Late Contrast Enhancement CT in Troponin-Positive Acute Chest Pain Syndrome.

Background Acute chest pain with mild troponin rise and inconclusive diagnosis after clinical evaluation represents a diagnostic challenge. Triple-rule-out (TRO) CT may exclude coronary artery disease (CAD), as well as acute aortic syndrome and pulmonary embolism, but cannot help identify other causes of myocardial injury. Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of a comprehensive CT protocol including both an angiographic and a late contrast enhancement (LCE) scan in participants with troponin-positive acute chest pain. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, consecutive patients with troponin-positive acute chest pain or anginal equivalent and inconclusive diagnosis after clinical evaluation (symptoms, markers, electrocardiography, and echocardiography) who underwent TRO CT between June 2018 and September 2020 were enrolled. TRO CT was performed to evaluate the presence of obstructive CAD (stenosis ≥50%), acute aortic syndrome, and pulmonary embolism. If the findings on the TRO CT scan were negative, an LCE CT scan was acquired after 10 minutes to assess the presence and pattern of scar and quantify the myocardial extracellular volume fraction. CT-based diagnoses were compared with diagnoses obtained with reference standard methods, including invasive coronary angiography, cardiac MRI, and endomyocardial biopsy. Results Eighty-four patients (median age, 69 years [interquartile range, 50-77 years]; 45 men) were enrolled. TRO CT helped identify obstructive CAD in 35 participants (42%), acute aortic syndrome in one (1.2%), and pulmonary embolism in six (7.1%). LCE CT scans were acquired in the remaining 42 participants. The following diagnoses were reached with use of LCE CT: myocarditis (22 of 42 participants [52%]), takotsubo cardiomyopathy (four of 42 [10%]), amyloidosis (three of 42 [7.1%]), myocardial infarction with nonobstructed coronary arteries (three of 42 [7.1%]), dilated cardiomyopathy (two of 42 [4.8%]), and negative or inconclusive findings (eight of 42 [19%]). The addition of LCE CT improved the diagnostic rate of TRO CT from 42 of 84 participants (50% [95% CI: 38.9, 61.1]) to 76 of 84 (90% [95% CI: 82.1, 95.8]) (P < .001). Conclusion A CT protocol including triple-rule-out and late contrast enhancement CT scans improved diagnostic rate in participants presenting with acute chest pain syndrome. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Nagpal and Bluemke in this issue.

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain in secondary hypertension: A meta-analysis of echocardiographic studies.

AIM: Information on systolic dysfunction, as assessed by left ventricular (LV) mechanics in secondary hypertension is still largely limited. We performed a systematic meta- analysis of 2D/3D speckle tracking studies in order to provide an updated comprehensive information on this topic. METHODS: The PubMed, OVID-MEDLINE, and Cochrane library databases were analysed to search for articles published from the inception up to March 31st 2021. Studies were identified by using MeSH terms and crossing the following search items: "myocardial strain" "left ventricular mechanics", "speckle tracking echocardiography", "systolic dysfunction", "hypertensive heart disease", "left ventricular hypertrophy", "secondary hypertension", "primary aldosteronism", "pheochromocytoma", "Cushing disease", "renal artery stenosis". RESULTS: On the whole, 515 patients with secondary hypertension (169 pheochromocytoma, 165 primary aldosteronism, 144 renal artery stenosis and 37 Cushing's syndrome) and 601 essential hypertensive patients from 11 studies were considered. Pooled ejection fraction (EF) was similar in essential hypertensive controls and in patients with secondary hypertension (SMD 0.12±0.06, CI: 0.001/0.25, p=0.05). Of note, EF was higher in patients with pheochromocytoma than in essential hypertensives (0.50±0.11, CI: 0.27/0.73, p<0.001). In contrast, pooled GLS was impaired in patients with secondary hypertension compared to their essential hypertensive counterparts (SMD 0.83±0.26, CI: 0.32/1.30, p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis adds a new piece of evidence by showing that GLS performs better than EF in identifying systolic dysfunction in the setting of secondary hypertension. In particular, this is true in patients with pheochromocytoma in whom conventional EF suggests a normal or even super-normal systolic function.

Left atrial volume index predicts adverse events in asymptomatic moderate or severe aortic stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: In aortic stenosis (AS), chronic pressure overload on left ventricle (LV) leads to LV hypertrophy, impaired relaxation, increased chamber stiffness, fibrosis and left atrial (LA) dilatation. An enlarged LA may be a marker of longstanding diastolic dysfunction (DD) and more advanced disease in AS. We aimed to assess the impact of LA volume index (LAVI) on events in patients with moderate or severe AS. METHODS: A total of 324 patients (mean age 69 ± 13 years, 61% men) were included. LA volume was measured by biplane Simpson's method using apical four- and two-chamber views and indexed to body surface area. An increased LAVI was defined as > 34 ml/m2 . RESULTS: The mean EF was 64 ± 8%, LAVI 35 ± 14 ml/m2 and flow rate 244 ± 70 ml/s. The number of total events was 275 (85%): 243 (75%) aortic valve replacement and 32 (10%) deaths. Mean follow-up 23.7 ± 23.8 months (median 15.2 months). An increased LAVI (45% [n = 145]) was associated with adverse events (HR 1.86; 95% CI 1.24-2.82, p = 0.003) independent of age, smoking, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, LV ejection fraction, LV mass, aortic valve area, and low flow rate (<200 ml/s). In the same multivariate model, when increased LAVI was replaced by E/e' ratio ≥14 cm, no association was found between E/e' ratio ≥14 cm and adverse events (HR 1.18; 95% CI .78-1.78, p = 0.430). CONCLUSION: LAVI was an independent predictor of adverse events in patients with moderate or severe AS and preserved ejection fraction. Including LAVI in the risk assessment of AS patients may further improve risk stratification.

The Prognostic Importance of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Cardiomyopathies, Connective Tissue Diseases, Coronary Artery Disease, and Congenital Heart Diseases.

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function represents an important independent predictor of adverse outcomes in many cardiovascular (CV) diseases. However, conventional parameters of RV systolic function (tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE), RV myocardial performance index (MPI), and fractional area change (FAC)) are not always able to detect subtle changes in RV function. New evidence indicates a significantly higher predictive value of RV longitudinal strain (LS) over conventional parameters. RVLS showed higher sensitivity and specificity in the detection of RV dysfunction in the absence of RV dilatation, apparent wall motion abnormalities, and reduced global RV systolic function. Additionally, RVLS represents a significant and independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP), hypertrophic CMP, arrhythmogenic RV CMP, and amyloidosis, but also in patients with connective tissue diseases and patients with coronary artery disease. Due to its availability, echocardiography remains the main imaging tool for RVLS assessment, but cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) also represents an important additional imaging tool in RVLG assessment. The findings from the large studies support the routine evaluation of RVLS in the majority of CV patients, but this has still not been adopted in daily clinical practice. This clinical review aims to summarize the significance and predictive value of RVLS in patients with different types of cardiomyopathies, tissue connective diseases, and coronary artery disease.

Left ventricular mass reduction and hypertrophy regression following renal artery revascularization: a meta-analysis.

AIM: Few echocardiographic studies have focused on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with renal artery stenosis after revascularization, with inconsistent results. We performed a systematic meta-analysis of these studies in order to offer a comprehensive information on this topic. METHODS: The PubMed, OVID-MEDLINE, and Cochrane library databases were analyzed to search English-language articles published from 1 January 1990 up to 31 March 2020. Studies were identified by crossing the following terms: 'renal artery stenosis', 'renovascular hypertension', 'fibromuscular dysplasia', 'renal artery stenting', 'renal artery surgery' with 'cardiac damage', 'hypertensive heart disease' 'left ventricular mass', 'left ventricular hypertrophy', 'echocardiography'. RESULTS: A total of 726 hypertensive patients with renal artery stenosis (mean age 61 years, 64% men, 98% treated, 10% with fibromuscular dysplasia) were included in 13 studies. Baseline and postintervention pooled mean LVM values were 220 ±â€Š15 and 203 ±â€Š19 g, respectively (SMD -0.24 ±â€Š0.06, CI -0.37 to -0.21, P<0.0001); corresponding values for LV mass index were 129.0 ±â€Š6 and 115 ±â€Š7 g/m, respectively (SMD -0.28 ±â€Š0.04, CI -0.36 to 0.21, P < 0.0001). Renal revascularization was associated with a 40% lower risk of LVH. This trend was accompanied by a reduction in the number of antihypertensive drugs (SMD -0.27 ±â€Š0.04, CI -0.37 to 0.17, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis suggests that renal artery revascularization added to antihypertensive therapy promotes a favourable effect on LV structure, as reflected by a significant decrease in absolute and indexed LV mass index as well by a lower risk of LVH. Limitations include: high prevalence of modest renal artery stenosis (≥50%); small sample of fibromuscular dysplasia; lack of randomized design of most studies.

The role of cardiac magnetic resonance in diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease with a high prevalence of cardiac involvement in autopsic studies. Cardiac sarcoidosis is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Endomyocardial biopsy is a specific technique, but unfortunately not sensitive enough. Non-invasive cardiac imaging has an important role in the evaluation of patients with suspected or confirmed cardiac sarcoidosis. Echocardiography remains the first choice imaging technique because of its availability and low cost. However, this method could not provide tissue characterization or evaluation of disease activity level. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has essential role in diagnosis and monitoring of patients with suspected or confirmed cardiac sarcoidosis. Nevertheless, more recently it has been shown that cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) might provide useful information about cardiac sarcoidosis. Hybrid imaging approach that includes PET-CMR and PET-CT is particularly interesting for diagnosis, assessment of activity and follow-up in these patients. Diagnostic algorithm in sarcoidosis patients should include clinical data, hybrid imaging and biopsy. Use of different CMR sequences such as cine imaging, late gadolinium enhancement, T1 and T2 mapping, as well as strain imaging, may significantly contribute to diagnosis and monitoring of patients with cardiac sarcoidosis. However, validation of these techniques and particularly T1 and T2 mapping in sarcoidosis patients in large studies is necessary. This review aimed to summarize current knowledge about clinical usefulness of CMR in patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.

Left ventricular mechanics in patients with hematological malignancies before initiation of chemo- and radiotherapy.

Objective We sought to investigate left ventricular (LV) structure, function and mechanics in the patients with leukemia and lymphoma before initiation of chemotherapy, as well as the relationship between hematological malignancies and reduced LV longitudinal strain. Methods This retrospective investigation included 71 patients with leukemia and lymphoma before chemotherapy and 36 healthy controls. All participants underwent echocardiographic examination before initiation of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results LV global longitudinal strain (- 20.2 ± 1.7% vs. - 17.9 ± 3.0%, p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the patients with hematological malignancies than in controls. There was no difference in LV circumferential and radial strains between two observed groups. Subendocardial and subepicardial longitudinal strains were significantly lower in the patients with hematological malignancies (- 20.5 ± 3.6% vs. - 22.5 ± 3.8%, p = 0.001 for subendocardial strain; - 18.0 ± 1.5% vs. - 15.8 ± 2.6%, p < 0.001 for subepicardial strain). Hematological malignancies were associated with reduced global LV longitudinal strain (OR 21.0; 95%CI 2.04-215.0, p = 0.010) independently of age, gender, heart rate, body mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index, and glucose level. Conclusions LV longitudinal strain was impaired in the patients with leukemia and lymphoma even before initiation of chemotherapy. Endocardial and epicardial LV layers are equally affected in the patients with hematological malignancies. Newly diagnosed hematological malignancies were related with reduced LV global longitudinal strain independently of common clinical and echocardiographic parameters.

COVID-19 and diabetes: Is there enough evidence?

The pandemic of COVID-19, a disease caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent data showed that hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the most prevalent comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, data indicate that hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are important risk factors for progression and unfavorable outcome in COVID-19 patients. There is only limited amount of data regarding follow-up of these patients, and they provided conflicting results. The main limitation is a small number of participants and particularly those who experienced primary composite outcome (admission in intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death). Additionally, the limited number of patients was essential obstacle for performing analysis that would include many confounding factors such as advanced age, smoking status, and obesity and potentially change conclusion. So far, there is no study that demonstrated independent predictive value of diabetes on mortality in COVID-19 patients, but there are many speculations about the association between diabetes and susceptibility to novel coronavirus, as well as its impact on progression and prognosis of COVID-19. The aim of this review article was to summarize the current knowledge about the relationship between diabetes and COVID-19 and its role in outcome in these patients.

Right heart masses in a patient with endometrial stromal sarcoma.

We present the case of a 61-year-old woman with a large tumoral infiltration extending from the pelvis throughout the inferior vena cava inferior to the right atrium, protruding into the right ventricle and right ventricular outflow tract. She had been treated 10 years before for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma by hysterectomy and adnexectomy followed by hormone- and radio-therapy. Due to cancer recurrence, she underwent peritonectomy, appendectomy, and resection of terminal ileum.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and right ventricular mechanics in uncomplicated diabetic patients: Is there any relationship?

AIMS: This study investigated the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and right ventricular (RV) strain in uncomplicated diabetic patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 70 controls and 61 uncomplicated patients with type 2 diabetes, who underwent laboratory analysis, comprehensive echocardiographic study and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. RESULTS: RV endocardial and mid-myocardial longitudinal strains were significantly reduced in diabetic subjects (- 27.5 ± 4.2% vs. - 25.3 ± 4.3%, p = 0.004 for endocardial strain; - 25.6 ± 3.5% vs. - 24.1 ± 3.2%, p = 0.012 for mid-myocardial strain). The same was revealed for endocardial and mid-myocardial of RV free wall. There was no difference in RV epicardial strain. VO2 was significantly lower in the diabetic group (27.8 ± 4.5 ml/kg/min vs. 21.5 ± 4.2 ml/kg/min, p < 0.001), whereas ventilation/carbon dioxide slope was significantly higher in diabetic subjects (25.4 ± 2.9 vs. 28.6 ± 3.3). Heart rate recovery was significantly lower in diabetic patients. HbA1c and global RV endocardial longitudinal strain were independently associated with peak VO2 and oxygen pulse in the whole study population. CONCLUSION: Diabetes impacts RV mechanics, but endocardial and mid-myocardial layers are more affected than epicardial layer. RV endocardial strain and HbA1c were independently associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in the whole study population. Our findings show that impairment in RV strain and cardiorespiratory fitness may be useful indicators in early type 2 diabetes, prior to the development of further complications.

The Influence of Tobacco Use on Pulmonary Function in Elite Athletes.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the prevalence of smoking and lung function in the large cohort of elite athletes. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 804 athletes competing at international level who were consecutively examined from January to December 2017. Elite athletes were classified in four groups of sport disciplines (skill, power, endurance and mixed): skill (n = 141), power (n = 107), endurance (n = 105) and mixed sport disciplines (n = 451). All participants underwent pre-participation screening, including spirometry. RESULTS: Study included 745 (92.7%) non-smokers, 20 (2.5%) former smokers and 39 (4.8%) active smokers. The percentage of body fat was higher and the percentage of muscle was lower in active smokers than in non-smokers and former smokers. Active smokers were more prevalent among skill and mixed than in power and endurance sports. FEV1 and FVC, as well as FEV1/FVC ratio, were significantly lower in active smokers than in non-smokers. There was no significant difference in PEF assessed in absolute values and in percentages. Forced expiratory flows, evaluated at the usual intervals (25%, 50% and 75% of FVC), were significantly lower in active smokers than in non-smokers. FEV1 and MEF25 were the lowest among active smokers in the skill sport group, whereas FEV1/FVC, MEF50 and MEF25 were the lowest among active smokers in the power sport group. In mixed and endurance disciplines there was no difference in pulmonary function between non-smokers, former smokers and active smokers. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary function was reduced in active smokers and these differences were the most prominent in skill and power sports. The percentage of body fat was the highest and percentage of muscle was the lowest in active smokers.

Biatrial Remodeling in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis Running Title: Atrial Function in Cystic Fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have focused on left and right ventricular remodeling in cystic fibrosis (CF), whereas atrial function has not been assessed in detail so far. We sought to investigate left and right atrial (LA and RA) function in patients with CF. METHODS: This retrospective investigation included 82 CF patients (64 survivors and 18 non-survivors) who were referred to CF department over the period of four years, as well as 32 control subjects matched by age and gender. All participants underwent an echocardiographic examination including a strain analysis, which was performed offline and blinded for groups. RESULTS: LA and RA volume indexes were significantly higher in CF patients than in controls and were particularly high in CF non-survivors. LA conduit and reservoir functions were significantly worse in CF survivors and non-survivors, compared with control subjects. RA phasic function was not different between controls, CF survivors and non-survivors. The parameters of lung function (forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)) and the LA and RA volume indexes were predictors of mortality in CF patients. However, in a multivariate analysis, only FVC was an independent predictor of mortality in CF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that both atria are enlarged, but only LA function is impaired in CF patients. LA reservoir and conduit function is particularly deteriorated in CF patients. Though statistical significance was not reached due to our limited sample size, there was a trend of deterioration of LA and RA function from controls across CF survivors to CF non-survivors. LA and RA enlargement represented predictors of mortality in CF patients.