Prevalence and factors associated with atrial mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of atrial tricuspid regurgitation (ATR) and atrial mitral regurgitation (AMR) in the setting of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and identify variables related to the severity of both types of regurgitation. METHODS: Cross-sectional study evaluating data from transthoracic echocardiograms performed during 2019. We included patients with AFib during the examination, and without primary valve disease or other significant heart disease. RESULTS: Four-hundred and thirty-two patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria (mean age 77.5±9.2 years, 49.1% women). We observed significant ATR in 14.8%, and significant AMR in 1.4% of patients. ATR and AMR severities were equal in 49.3% of patients, and 41% displayed greater ATR severity. ATR prevalence was significantly greater among women (23.1% vs 6.8%, p < 0.001), but AMR prevalence was similar between genders (1.9% vs .9%, p = 0.443). Variables related to greater ATR severity were: female sex (OR: 2.61, 95%CI: 1.60-4.24), left atrial (LA) volume (OR: 3.58, 95%CI: 1.50-8.55), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (OR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.07-1.13), and moderate AMR (OR: 2.21, 95%CI: 1.22-4.00). Variables related to greater AMR severity were female sex (OR: 1.96, 95%CI: 1.24-3.09), LA volume (OR: 11.68, 95%CI: 5.29-25.80), and body mass index (OR: .94, 95%CI: .90-.98). CONCLUSIONS: In the context of AFib, ATR was more prevalent than AMR and prevailed in women. LA enlargement was associated with higher degrees of both AMR and ATR. Pulmonary hypertension was also independently associated with ATR, as well as greater AMR severity, suggesting possible adaptive changes in leaflets that might modify the atrial regurgitation incidence.

Implication of Blood Rheology and Pulmonary Hemodynamics on Exercise-Induced Hypoxemia at Sea Level and Altitude in Athletes.

This study aimed to investigate the changes in blood viscosity, pulmonary hemodynamics, nitric oxide (NO) production, and maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) during a maximal incremental test conducted in normoxia and during exposure to moderate altitude (2,400 m) in athletes exhibiting exercise-induced hypoxemia at sea level (EIH). Nine endurance athletes with EIH and eight without EIH (NEIH) performed a maximal incremental test under three conditions: sea level, 1 day after arrival in hypoxia, and 5 days after arrival in hypoxia (H5) at 2,400 m. Gas exchange and oxygen peripheral saturation (SpO2) were continuously monitored. Cardiac output, pulmonary arterial pressure, and total pulmonary vascular resistance were assessed by echocardiography. Venous blood was sampled before and 3 min after exercise cessation to analyze blood viscosity and NO end-products. At sea level, athletes with EIH exhibited an increase in blood viscosity and NO levels during exercise while NEIH athletes showed no change. Pulmonary hemodynamics and aerobic performance were not different between the two groups. No between-group differences in blood viscosity, pulmonary hemodynamics, and V˙O2max were found at 1 day after arrival in hypoxia. At H5, lower total pulmonary vascular resistance and greater NO concentration were reported in response to exercise in EIH compared with NEIH athletes. EIH athletes had greater cardiac output and lower SpO2 at maximal exercise in H5, but no between-group differences occurred regarding blood viscosity and V˙O2max. The pulmonary vascular response observed at H5 in EIH athletes may be involved in the greater cardiac output of EIH group and counterbalanced the drop in SpO2 in order to achieve similar V˙O2max than NEIH athletes.

Sex-Related Differences in the Mechanism of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Predictive factors of significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) are not completely understood. We investigated sex-related differences in predictors of FTR progression. METHOD: Clinical and echocardiographic variables were recorded in a prospective single-centre observational cohort of 251 consecutive stable patients with FTR. Multivariable logistic regression analyses stratified by sex were performed to identify predictors of significant FTR. RESULTS: The mean age of the whole cohort was 72.2±11.4 years, and 133 (53%) patients were women. Females tended to have a higher prevalence of significant FTR (22.6% vs 13.6%; p=0.066). Women were also older than men (mean age 74.4 vs 69.6 years; p<0.001), with more frequent history of arterial hypertension, worse New York Heart Association functional class, higher E/e' quotient, and higher left ventricular ejection fraction. The independent predictors of significant FTR in women were atrial fibrillation (AF) (odds ratio [OR] 10.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9-40.7; p<0.001), indexed tricuspid diameter annulus (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.47; p=0.017), and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.15; p=0.001). The independent predictors of outcome in men were indexed tricuspid tenting height (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.20-6.11; p=0.016), indexed tricuspid diameter annulus (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.26-3.09; p=0.003), and PASP (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.16; p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of AF and longer indexed tenting height convey a greater risk of significant FTR in females and males, respectively. These findings suggest the existence of different physiopathological mechanisms involved in the progression of FTR in both sexes.

Long-term LVEF trajectories in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure: diabetic cardiomyopathy may underlie functional decline.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) trajectories and functional recovery with current heart failure (HF) management is increasingly recognized. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) leads to a worse prognosis in HF patients. However, it is unknown whether T2D interferes with LVEF trajectories. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess very long-term (up to 15 years) LVEF trajectories in patients with and without T2D and underlying HF. METHODS: Ambulatory patients admitted to a multidisciplinary HF clinic were prospectively evaluated by scheduled two-dimensional echocardiography at baseline, 1 year, and then every 2 years afterwards, up to 15 years. Statistical analyses of LVEF change with time were performed using the linear mixed effects (LME) models, and locally weighted error sum of squares (Loess) curves were plotted. RESULTS: Of the 1921 patients, 461 diabetic and 699 non-diabetic patients with LVEF < 50% were included in the study. The mean number of echocardiography measurements performed in diabetic patients was 3.3 ± 1.6. Early LVEF recovery was similar in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, but Loess curves showed a more pronounced inverted U shape in diabetics with a more pronounced decline after 9 years. LME analysis showed a statistical interaction between T2D and LVEF trajectory over time (p = 0.009), which was statistically significant in patients with ischemic etiologies (p < 0.001). Other variables that showed an interaction between LVEF trajectories and T2D were male sex (p = 0.04) and HF duration (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: LVEF trajectories in T2D patients with depressed systolic function showed a pronounced inverted U shape with a marked decline after 9 years. Diabetic cardiomyopathy may underlie the functional decline observed.

High-sensitivity troponin T in asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Background: In asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis (ASAS), treatment decisions are made on an individual basis, and case management presents a clinical conundrum. Methods: We prospectively phenotyped consecutive patients with ASAS using echocardiography, exercise echocardiography, cardiac MRI and biomarkers (NT-proBNP, high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) and ST2) (n = 58). The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, new-onset symptoms, cardiac hospitalization, guideline-driven indication for valve replacement and cardiovascular death at 12 months. Results: During the first year, 46.6% patients met primary endpoint. In multivariable analysis, aortic regurgitation ≥2 (p = 0.01) and hs-TnT (p = 0.007) were the only independent predictors of the primary endpoint. The best cutoff value was identified as hs-TnT >10ng/L, which was associated with a ∼10-fold greater risk of the primary endpoint (HR, 9.62; 95% CI, 2.27-40.8; p = 0.002). A baseline predictive model including age, sex and variables showing p < 0.10 in univariable analyses showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.79(0.66-0.91). Incorporation of hs-TnT into this model increased the AUC to 0.90(0.81-0.98) (p = 0.03). Patient reclassification with the model including hs-TnT yielded an NRI of 1.28(0.46-1.78), corresponding to 43% adequately reclassified patients. Conclusions: In patients with ASAS, hs-TnT >10ng/L was associated with high risk of events within 12 months. Including hs-TnT in routine ASAS management markedly improved prediction metrics.

Pulmonary vascular resistance versus pulmonary artery pressure for predicting right ventricular remodeling and functional tricuspid regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common cause of right ventricular (RV) remodeling and functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR), but incremental pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) does not always correlate with anatomic and functional RV changes. This study aimed to evaluate a noninvasive measure of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) for predicting RV dilatation, RV dysfunction, and severity of FTR. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed consecutive stable patients with PASP ≥ 35 mm Hg or any degree of RV dilatation or dysfunction secondary to PH. Noninvasive PVR was calculated based on FTR peak velocity and flow in RV outflow tract. RESULTS: We included 251 patients, aged 72.1 ± 11.4 years, 53% women, 74.9% with type 2 pulmonary hypertension. The mean PASP was 48.3 ± 12.2 mm Hg. Both PASP and PVR significantly correlated with FTR, RV dilatation, and RV systolic dysfunction. After dichotomizing FTR and RV dilatation and systolic dysfunction as nonsignificant vs significant, FTR and RV dilatation were similarly predicted by PASP and PVR, but RV dysfunction was better predicted by PVR (AUC = 0.78 [0.72-0.84] vs 0.66 [0.60-0.73] for PASP, P < 0.001). Patients with low PASP but high PVR showed worse RV and left ventricular function but lower rates of right heart failure and smaller inferior vena cava, compared to patients with high PASP but low PVR. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive PVR was superior to PASP for predicting RV systolic dysfunction, but both were similarly associated with RV dilatation or FTR grade. PASP and PVR complement each other to define the echocardiographic findings and clinical status of the patient.

Clinical and prognostic implications of left ventricular dilatation in heart failure.

AIMS: To assess the agreement between left ventricular end-diastolic diameter index (LVEDDi) and volume index (LVEDVi) to define LV dilatation and to investigate the respective prognostic implications in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with HF symptoms and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance were evaluated retrospectively. LV dilatation was defined as LVEDDi or LVEDVi above the upper normal limit according to published reference values. Patients were followed up for the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization during 5 years. A total of 564 patients (median age 64 years; 79% men) were included. LVEDDi had a modest correlation with LVEDVi (r = 0.682, P < 0.001). LV dilatation was noted in 84% of patients using LVEDVi-based definition and in 73% using LVEDDi-based definition, whereas 20% of patients displayed discordant definitions of LV dilatation. During a median follow-up of 2.8 years, patients with both dilated LVEDDi and LVEDVi had the highest cumulative event rate (HR 3.00, 95% CI 1.15-7.81, P = 0.024). Both LVEDDi and LVEDVi were independently associated with the primary outcome (hazard ratio 3.29, 95%, P < 0.001 and 2.8, P = 0.009; respectively). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients with HF and LVEF < 50% present both increased LVEDDi and LVEDVi whereas 20% show discordant linear and volumetric definitions of LV dilatation. Patients with increased LVEDDi and LVEDVi have the worst clinical outcomes suggesting that the assessment of these two metrics is needed for better risk stratification.

Timing of cardiac magnetic resonance and diagnostic yield in patients with myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The present study sought to establish the diagnostic yield of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in a large cohort of patients admitted with myocardial infarction (MI) with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) based on the timing of referral to CMR. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred to CMR from January 2009 to February 2022 with a working diagnosis of MINOCA were retrospectively evaluated. Cine, T2-weighted, early, and late gadolinium-enhanced images were acquired and analyzed. The frequency of the underlying diagnosis and the association between timing of CMR and relative frequency of each diagnosis were assessed. RESULTS: We included 207 patients (median age 50 years, 60% men). Final diagnosis after CMR was achieved in 91% of the patients (myocarditis in 45%, MI in 20%, tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy in 19%, and other cardiomyopathies in 7%). The performance of CMR within 7 days of admission with MINOCA (median, 5 days; 117 patients) allowed a higher diagnostic yield compared with CMR performed later (median, 10 days; 88 patients) (96% vs 86%, P=.02). Although myocarditis was the most frequent diagnosis in both groups according to time to CMR, its frequency was higher among patients with a CMR performed within the first 7 days (53% vs 35%, P=.02). The frequency of other underlying diagnoses was not influenced by CMR timing. CONCLUSIONS: CMR led to an underlying diagnosis of MINOCA in 91% of patients and its diagnostic yield increased to 96% when CMR was performed within 7 days of admission. The most frequent diagnosis was myocarditis..

Left-to-right ventricular volume ratio and outcome in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Age-specific and gender-specific reference values for left ventricular (LV) and right ventricle volumes are available. The prognostic implications of the ratio between these volumes in heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have never been evaluated. METHODS: We examined all HFpEF outpatients undergoing a cardiac magnetic resonance from 2011 to 2021. The left-to-right ventricular volume ratio (LRVR) was defined as the ratio between the LV and right ventricle end-diastolic volume indexes (LVEDVi/RVEDVi). RESULTS: Among 159 patients [median age 58 years (interquartile range 49-69), 64% men, LV ejection fraction 60% (54-70%)] the median LRVR was 1.21 (1.07-1.40). Over 3.5 years (1.5-5.0), 23 patients (15%) experienced all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization, and 22 (14%) cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization. The risk of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization increased with an LRVR less than 1.0 or at least 1.4. An LRVR less than 1.0 was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization [hazard ratio 5.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.67-21.28; P = 0.006] and cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 5.68, 95% CI 1.58-20.35; P = 0.008) as compared with LRVR 1.0-1.3. Furthermore, an LRVR at least 1.4 was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 4.10, 95% CI 1.58-10.61; P = 0.004) and cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio 3.71, 95% CI 1.41-9.79; P = 0.008) as compared with LRVR 1.0-1.3. These results were confirmed in patients without dilation of either ventricle. CONCLUSION: LRVR values less than 1.0 or at least 1.4 are associated with worse outcomes in HFpEF. LRVR may become a valuable tool for risk prediction in HFpEF.

Impact of Tricuspid Regurgitation Severity and Repair on Aortic Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis is one of the most prevalent valve diseases but is rarely accompanied by tricuspid regurgitation. Our objective was to analyze the impact of tricuspid regurgitation severity and its surgical treatment on prognosis of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including all patients presenting with aortic stenosis with some degree of tricuspid regurgitation between 2001 and 2018. Patients were grouped according to the degree of tricuspid regurgitation. RESULTS: From a sample of 8080 patients with aortic stenosis, 143 (1.8%) presented with more than trace tricuspid regurgitation. Among patients with mild, moderate, or severe tricuspid regurgitation, we observed no differences in 30-day (15.1% vs 14.8% vs 8.7%; P = .727), 12-month (51.2% vs 56% vs 55%; P = .892), or 5-year (64% vs 73.3% vs 66.7%; P = .798) survival. Aortic valve replacement plus tricuspid annuloplasty, when compared with aortic valve replacement only was associated with longer intensive care unit stay (9 vs 3 days; P = .043) but not higher 30-day (0% vs 15.5%; P = .112), 12-month (38.5% vs 54.3%; P = .278), or 5-year mortality (57.1% vs 67.1%; P = .594). Only history of liver disease and postoperative major morbidity were independent predictors of survival 30 days, 12 months and 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of tricuspid regurgitation in patients with aortic stenosis was not associated with increased mortality. Tricuspid annuloplasty did not improve survival in this subset of patients but was associated with increased postoperative morbidity.

Pro-Oxidant/Antioxidant Balance during a Prolonged Exposure to Moderate Altitude in Athletes Exhibiting Exercise-Induced Hypoxemia at Sea-Level.

This study examined to what extent athletes exhibiting exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH) possess an altered redox status at rest, in response to exercise at sea level (SL) and during moderate altitude exposure. EIH was defined as a fall in arterial O2 saturation of at least 4% during exercise. Nine endurance athletes with EIH and ten without (NEIH) performed a maximal incremental test under three conditions: SL, one (H1) and five (H2) days after arrival to 2400 m. Gas exchange and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) were continuously monitored. Blood was sampled before exercise and after exercise cessation. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), catalase, ferric-reducing antioxidant power, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) were measured in plasma by spectrophotometry. EIH athletes had higher AOPP and NOx concentrations at pre- and post-exercise stages compared to NEIH at SL, H2 but not at H1. Only the EIH group experienced increased SOD activity between pre- and post-exercise exercise at SL and H2 but not at H1. EIH athletes had exacerbated oxidative stress compared to the NEIH athletes at SL and H2. These differences were blunted at H1. Oxidative stress did not alter the EIH groups' aerobic performance and could lead to higher minute ventilation at H2. These results suggest that higher oxidative stress response EIH athletes could be involved in improved aerobic muscle functionality and a greater ventilatory acclimatization during prolonged hypoxia.

Long-term antibiotic therapy in patients with surgery-indicated not undergoing surgery infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: To date, there is little information regarding management of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) that did not undergo an indicated surgery. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate prognosis of these patients treated with a long-term antibiotic treatment strategy, including oral long term suppressive antibiotic treatment in five referral centres with a multidisciplinary endocarditis team. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter study retrieved individual patient-level data from five referral centres in Spain. Among a total of 1797, 32 consecutive patients with IE were examined (median age 72 years; 78% males) who had not undergone an indicated surgery, but received long-term antibiotic treatment (LTAT) and were followed by a multidisciplinary endocarditis team, between 2011 and 2019. Primary outcomes were infection relapse and mortality during follow-up. RESULTS: Among 32 patients, 21 had IE associated with prostheses. Of the latter, 8 had an ascending aorta prosthetic graft. In 24 patients, a switch to long-term oral suppressive antibiotic treatment (LOSAT) was considered. The median duration of LOSAT was 277 days. Four patients experienced a relapse during follow-up. One patient died within 60 days, and 12 patients died between 60 days and 3 years. However, only 4 deaths were related to IE. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results suggest that a LTAT strategy, including LOSAT, might be considered for patients with IE that cannot undergo an indicated surgery. After hospitalization, they should be followed by a multidisciplinary endocarditis team.

Left atrial intramural haematoma associated with mitral annular calcification.

Left atrial wall haematoma is a very uncommon entity, associated mainly to cardiac surgery, interventional procedures, or trauma. Spontaneous cases are supposed to be associated with left atrial wall pathology. We present a case of a 53-year-old male who was admitted for prolonged chest pain, with transthoracic and transesophagic echocardiography documentation of a left atrial mass in close proximity to a mitral annular calcification. Tissue characterization with cardiac magnetic resonance suggested the aetiology of the mass, which was confirmed histologically.

Muscle and cerebral oxygenation during exercise in athletes with exercise-induced hypoxemia: A comparison between sea level and acute moderate hypoxia.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of exercise-induced hypoxemia (EIH) on muscle and cerebral oxygenation responses during maximal exercise in normoxia and in acute moderate hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen: 15.3%, 2400 m). EIH was defined as a drop in hemoglobin saturation of at least 4% for at least three consecutive minutes during maximal exercise at sea level. Twenty-five athletes performed incremental treadmill tests to assess maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in normoxia and in hypoxia. Oxygenation of the vastus lateralis muscle and the left prefrontal cortex of the brain was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy. During the normoxic test, 15 athletes exhibited EIH; they displayed a larger change in muscle levels of oxyhemoglobin (ΔO2Hb) (p = 0.04) and a greater change in cerebral levels of deoxyhemoglobin (ΔHHb) (p = 0.02) than athletes without EIH (NEIH group). During the hypoxic test, muscle ΔO2Hb was lower in the EIH group than in the NEIH group (p = 0.03). At VO2max, hypoxia was associated with a smaller cerebral ΔO2Hb in both groups, and a greater cerebral ΔHHb compared to normoxia in the NEIH group only (p = 0.02). No intergroup differences in changes in muscle oxygenation were observed. The severity of O2 arterial desaturation was negatively correlated with changes in total muscle hemoglobin in normoxia (r = -0.48, p = 0.01), and positively correlated with the cerebral ΔHHb in normoxia (r = 0.45, p = 0.02). The occurrence of EIH at sea level was associated with specific muscle and cerebral oxygenation responses to exercise under both normoxia and moderate hypoxia.

Short- and long-term mortality in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis not undergoing surgery despite indication.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: In infective endocarditis (IE), decisions on surgical interventions are challenging and a high percentage of patients with surgical indication do not undergo these procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with surgical indication, comparing those who underwent surgery with those who did not. METHODS: We included 271 patients with left-sided IE treated at our institution from 2003 to 2018 and with an indication for surgery. There were 83 (31%) surgery-indicated not undergoing surgery patients with left-sided infective endocarditis (SINUS-LSIE). The primary outcome was all-cause death by day 60 and the secondary outcome was all-cause death from day 61 to 3 years of follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression and propensity score matching were used for the analysis. RESULTS: At the 60-day follow-up, 40 (21.3%) surgically-treated patients and 53 (63.9%) SINUS-LSIE patients died (P <.001). Risk of 60-day mortality was higher in SINUS-LSIE patients (HR, 3.59; 95%CI, 2.16-5.96; P <.001). Other independent predictors of the primary endpoint were unknown etiology, heart failure, atrioventricular block, and shock. From day 61 to the 3-year follow-up, there were no significant differences in the risk of death between surgically-treated and SINUS-LSIE patients (HR, 1.89; 95%CI, 0.68-5.19; P=.220). Results were consistent after propensity score matching. Independent variables associated with the secondary endpoint were previous IE, diabetes mellitus, and Charlson index. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of SINUS-LSIE patients died within 60 days. Among survivors, the long-term mortality depends more on host conditions than on the treatment received during admission.

Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Infrequently Evolves Toward a Reduced Phenotype in Long-Term Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Long-term trajectories of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure (HF) patients with preserved EF (HFpEF) remain unclear. Our objective was to assess long-term longitudinal trajectories in consecutive HFpEF patients and the prognostic impact of LVEF dynamic changes over time. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive ambulatory HFpEF patients admitted to a multidisciplinary HF Unit were prospectively evaluated by 2-dimensional echocardiography at baseline and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 years of follow-up. Exclusion criteria were patients having a previous known LVEF <50%, patients undergoing only 1 echocardiogram study, and those with a diagnosis of dilated, noncompaction, alcoholic, or toxic cardiomyopathy. One hundred twenty-six patients (age, 71±13 years; 63% women) were included. The main pathogeneses were valvular disease (36%) and hypertension (28%). Atrial fibrillation was present in 67 patients (53%). The mean number of echocardiographies performed was 3±1.2 per patient. Locally weighted error sum of squares curves showed a smooth decrease of LVEF during the 11-year follow-up that was statistically significant in linear mixed-effects modeling ( P=0.01). Ischemic patients showed a higher decrease than nonischemics. The great majority (88.9%) of patients remained in the HFpEF category during follow-up; 9.5% evolved toward HF with midrange LVEF, and only 1.6% dropped to HF with reduced LVEF. No significant relationship was found between LVEF dynamics in the immediate preceding period and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: LVEF remained ≥50% in the majority of patients with HFpEF for ≤11 years. Only 1.6% of patients evolved to HF with reduced LVEF. Dynamic LVEF changes were not associated with mortality.

Dynamic Trajectories of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Long-term trajectories of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure (HF) are incompletely characterized. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine LVEF trajectories in HF with reduced LVEF (<40%) and mid-range LVEF (40% to 49%) and the prognostic impact of LVEF dynamic changes over 15-year follow-up. METHODS: In this prospective, consecutive, observational registry of real-life HF outpatients, the authors performed 2-dimensional echocardiography at baseline and on a structured schedule after 1 year and then every 2 years up to 15 years. RESULTS: The mean number of LVEF measurements in the 1,160 included patients was 3.6 ± 1.7. As a whole, Loess curves of long-term LVEF trajectories showed an inverted U shape with a marked rise in LVEF during the first year, maintained up to a decade, and a slow LVEF decline thereafter (p for trajectory <0.001). This pattern was more pronounced in HF of nonischemic origin and in women. Patients with new-onset HF (≤12 months) had a higher early increase in LVEF, whereas patients with ischemic HF showed a lower LVEF increase at 1 year; both groups had a relative plateau thereafter. Patients with HF with mid-range LVEF had less of an increase (3 ± 9%) than those with HF with reduced LVEF (9 ± 12%) during the first year (p < 0.001), but the groups overlapped after 15 years. Patients who died had lower final LVEF and worse LVEF dynamics in the immediately preceding period than survivors. CONCLUSIONS: LVEF trajectories vary in HF depending on a number of disease modifiers, but an inverted U-shaped pattern with lower LVEF at both ends of the distribution emerged. A declining LVEF in the preceding period was associated with higher mortality.

[Left atrium diameter: a simple echocardiographic parameter with high prognostic value in heart failure]. / Diámetro de la aurícula izquierda: un parámetro ecocardiográfico sencillo con importante significado pronóstico en la insuficiencia cardíaca.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Left atrium diameter (LAD) is a very simple and easy parameter to obtain by echocardiography. It is influenced by systolic and diastolic ventricular dysfunction and by the coexistence of mitral regurgitation. We evaluated LAD as a predictor of prognosis (2 year mortality) in a heart failure (HF) population admitted to an outpatient HF unit. We compared LAD (mm/m2) with other echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters [mm/m2], mitral regurgitation, degree of diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary artery pressure). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We studied 368 patients (73% men; mean age [standard deviation]: 65.2 [11] years; 60% of ischemic etiology). The mean left ventricular ejection fraction by echocardiography was 32.3% (13.1%). The majority of patients were in NYHA (New York Heart Association) class II (48%) or III (43%). RESULTS: Two years mortality was 20.6%. In the univariate analysis LAD (p < 0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (p < 0.001), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (p = 0.003), the degree of mitral regurgitation (p = 0.002) and the pattern of diastolic dysfunction (p = 0.004) showed a significant relationship with 2 years mortality, but not left ventricular ejection fraction and pulmonary pressure. In the echocardiographic multivariate analysis, only LAD remained significantly associated with mortality. In the multivariate analysis including important clinical parameters such as age, sex, etiology, time lapsed since symptoms onset, NYHA functional class, and the presence of diabetes, hypertension and atrial fibrillation, LAD remained as independent predictor of 2 years mortality. Patients with LAD less than 25 mm/m2 have a 10.9% mortality, whereas those with LAD equal or greater than 25 mm/m2 have a 30.1% mortality (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LAD was a good predictor of 2 years mortality, better than other echocardiographic parameters in patients of our outpatient HF unit and was independent of strong clinical parameters.

Asymptomatic noncompaction myocardium and familial probable partial penetrant disease.

Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is thought to be caused by arrest of normal embryogenesis of the endocardium and myocardium. Clinical manifestations are highly variable, from no symptoms to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and systemic thromboemboli. Both familial and sporadic forms have been described, and mutations of certain genes have been related with this entity. Partial penetration of the disease is reported. We report an asymptomatic infant accomplishing the echocardiographic criteria, and his mother, showing prominent trabeculations and recesses, but not fulfilling all the diagnosis criteria.