[Arrhythmias in adult congenital heart disease at the emergency department: ANMCO Tuscany clinical pathway]. / I clinical pathways dell'ANMCO Toscana: la gestione in urgenza delle aritmie nel cardiopatico congenito adulto.

Arrhythmias are a common complication in the adult population with congenital heart disease (ACHD). Arrhythmias often lead to hemodynamic instability and, on the other hand, may be a marker of hemodynamic impairment in ACHD patients, both in natural history and after cardiac surgery. Treatment requires knowledge of basic anatomy and any previous cardiac surgery; the availability of patient's health records, if possible, is therefore crucial for therapeutic choices. In the emergency setting, the first target is represented by the patient's hemodynamic stabilization; mainly in moderate or high complexity ACHD, the connection with the referral center is recommended, to which patients should be entrusted for follow-up. A regional epidemiological observatory, aiming to assess the number, type and outcomes of emergency admissions of ACHD patients could be a useful tool for analyzing the effectiveness of the collaboration network between the different structures involved and for implementing organizational pathways.

[Pulmonary hypertension clinical pathway: ANMCO Tuscany Board model]. / Clinical pathway per l'ipertensione polmonare: la proposta di ANMCO Toscana.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mmHg at rest during right heart catheterization. PH prevalence is about 1% of the global population. The PH clinical classification includes five groups: pulmonary arterial hypertension, PH associated with left heart disease, PH associated with lung disease, PH associated with pulmonary artery obstructions, PH with unclear and/or multifactorial mechanisms. In case of clinical suspicion, echocardiography is the first-line tool to start the diagnostic process. Right heart catheterization is the gold standard for diagnosis of PH, requires great experience and should be performed in expert centers. The classification of the PH patient in a specific subgroup requires multidisciplinary clinical and instrumental skills that only a reference center can provide. This document proposes a clinical pathway for the management of PH patients in the Tuscany region in order to standardize access to specialized care.

[A clinical cardio-oncology pathway for the cardiology management of cancer outpatients: a joint proposal by ANMCO and AIOM Tuscany]. / Modello organizzativo e di un percorso clinico per la gestione cardiologica ambulatoriale del paziente oncologico: una proposta congiunta ANMCO e AIOM Toscana.

Cardio-oncology is now part of the standard clinical approach for patients with cancer and cannot be overlooked anymore. While its scientific background is solid and its clinical relevance is well known, its application in daily practice varies greatly among hospitals. To provide the best cardio-oncology care to cancer patients and to make cardio-oncology's clinical use uniform, we developed a shared multidisciplinary proposal for a dedicated clinical pathway. Our proposition presents the minimum requirements needed to which this path caters for, identifies patient categories to be entered into the path, highlights the role of a specific inter-hospital clinical and imaging network and indicates follow-up strategies during and after oncological treatments. The proposed pathway is based on some key elements and is easily adaptable to different hospitals with minimal changes.

Left ventricular rotation and twist assessed by four-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy subjects and pathological remodeling: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) twist represents a main aspect of ejection. It is defined as the difference between the apical and basal rotation and can be assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Twist may be underestimated when assessed by two-dimensional-echocardiography due to the difficulty of identifying the real apex. Aim of this study was to evaluate the LV twist by means of three-dimensional (3D)-STE and verify if the inclusion of the apex can modify the assessment of the global twist. METHODS: LV volume acquisition with a fully sampled matrix array transducer was performed in 30 healthy subjects and 79 patients with cardiomyopathy secondary to different etiologies. Thirty-nine patients had a LV ejection fraction (EF) ≥50% (Group A), 16 showed an EF between 40 and 50% (Group B), and 24 patients had an EF ≤40%(Group C). LV rotation was assessed by 3D-STE at basal, medium, apical, and apical-cap levels. Twist was computed considering the apex either at the apical level (Twist(Api) ) or at the apical-cap level (Twist(AC) ). RESULTS: LV rotation resulted to be progressively higher from base to apical-cap (P < 0.0001) with a significant difference between the apex and the apical-cap level (6.20 ± 3.90° vs. 10.23 ± 7.52°; P < 0.001). Such a difference was constantly found in all Groups (P < 0.01 for Group A, P < 0.05 for Group B and C). Twist(Api) was also significantly lower than Twist(AC) both in the overall population (6.2 ± 3.89° vs. 10.23 ± 7.51°; P < 0.001) and in the different subgroups ( CONTROLS: 9.61 ± 3.39° vs. 13.75 ± 6.51°; Group A: 10.49 ± 4.77° vs. 16.37 ± 8.49°; Group B: 6.67 ± 3.44° vs. 9.14 ± 5.55°; Group C: 33 ± 2.62° vs. 5.26 ± 3.74°; P < 0.05 for all the comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Identification and inclusion of apical-cap is relevant for twist assessment and can be carried out efficiently by 3D-STE. The inclusion of the true apex in the calculation significantly affects the analysis of twist both in normal individuals and patients with different myocardial diseases.

Left ventricular reverse remodeling in percutaneous and surgical aortic bioprostheses: an echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) is the definitive proven therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis who have symptoms or decreased left ventricular (LV) function. The development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) offers a viable and "less invasive" option for the treatment of patients with critical aortic stenosis at high risk with conventional approaches. The main objective of this study was the comparison of LV hemodynamic and structural modifications (reverse remodeling) between percutaneous and surgical approaches in the treatment of severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients who underwent TAVI with the CoreValve bioprosthetic valve were compared with 58 patients with similar characteristics who underwent SAVR. Doppler echocardiographic data were obtained before the intervention, at discharge, and after 6-month to 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Mean transprosthetic gradient at discharge was lower (P<.003) in the TAVI group (10±5 mm Hg) compared with the SAVR group (14±5 mm Hg) and was confirmed at follow-up (10±4 vs 13±4 mm Hg, respectively, P<.001). Paravalvular leaks were more frequent in the TAVI group (trivial to mild, 69%; moderate, 14%) than in the SAVR group (trivial to mild, 30%; moderate, 0%) (P<.0001). The incidence of severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) was significantly lower (P<.004) in the TAVI group (12%) compared with the SAVR group (36%). At follow-up, LV mass and LV mass indexed to height and to body surface area improved in both groups, with no significant difference. In patients with severe PPM, only the TAVI subgroup showed significant reductions in LV mass. LV ejection fraction improved at follow-up significantly only in TAVI patients compared with baseline values (from 50.2±9.6% to 54.8±7.3%, P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamic performance after TAVI was shown to be superior to that after SAVR in terms of transprosthetic gradient, LV ejection fraction, and the prevention of severe PPM, but with a higher incidence of aortic regurgitation. Furthermore, LV reverse remodeling was observed in all patients in the absence of PPM, while the same remodeling occurred only in the TAVI subgroup when severe PPM was present.

Early and late improvement of global and regional left ventricular function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with severe aortic stenosis: an echocardiographic study.

The recent development of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) treatment offers a viable option for high-risk patient categories. Our aim is to evaluate whether 2D strain and strain rate can detect subtle improvement in global and regional LV systolic function immediately after TAVI. 2D conventional and 2D strain (speckle analysis) echocardiography was performed before, at discharge and after three months in thirty three patients with severe AS. After TAVI, we assessed by conventional echocardiography an immediate reduction of transaortic peak pressure gradient (p<0.0001), of mean pressure gradient (p<0.0001) and a concomitant increase in aortic valve area (AVA: 1.08±0.31 cm(2)/m(2); p<0.0001). 2D longitudinal systolic strain showed a significant improvement in all patients, both at septal and lateral level, as early as 72 h after procedure (septal: -14.2±5.1 vs -16.7±3.7%, p<0.001; lateral: -9.4±3.9 vs -13.1±4.5%, p<0.001; respectively) and continued at 3 months follow-up (septal: -18.1±4.6%, p<0.0001; lateral: -14.8±4.4%, p<0.0001; respectively). Conventional echocardiography after TAVI proved a significant reduction of LV end-systolic volume and of LV mass with a mild improvement of LV ejection fraction (EF) (51.2±11.8 vs 52.9±6.4%; p<0.02) only after three months. 2D strain seems to be able to detect subtle changes in LV systolic function occurring early and late after TAVI in severe AS, while all conventional echo parameters seem to be less effective for this purpose. Further investigations are needed to prove the real prognostic impact of these echocardiographic findings.

Abnormal right ventricular mechanics in early systemic hypertension: a two-dimensional strain imaging study.

AIMS: To analyse the relationship between increasing systemic blood pressure (BP) and right ventricular (RV) function as assessed by two-dimensional strain imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: Longitudinal peak strain and strain rate (SR) were sampled by speckle-tracking methodology at the RV free wall and interventricular septum (IVS) and RV and left ventricular (LV) structure and function were evaluated by conventional echo-Doppler sonography in 89 never-treated, non-obese subjects with office BP values varying from the optimal to mildly hypertensive range. Data were analysed by 24 h systolic BP (SBP) tertiles (cut-offs: 117 and 130 mmHg, n = 29, 30, and 30, respectively), thus partitioning subjects with optimal BP from those with high-normal and mildly increased values. RV peak systolic strain and early diastolic SR decreased in the mid-BP third without further changes in the upper tertile. IVS thickened gradedly by increasing systemic 24 h SBP; posterior wall remodelled to a lesser extent and poorly related to BP load and LV mass index did not change. RV and IVS systolic and diastolic strain indices associated inversely with increasing septal thickness. Conventional right and left indices of global ventricular function, left atrial size, and estimated systolic pulmonary pressure did not differ. CONCLUSION: Two-dimensional strain-assessed RV function is sensitive to increased systemic BP, even at levels below the conventional diagnostic limits for arterial hypertension. Subclinical RV systolic and diastolic abnormalities paralleled BP-driven septal remodelling, perhaps as a reflection of the crucial role played by IVS in RV function.

Right ventricular dysfunction in early systemic hypertension: a tissue Doppler imaging study in patients with high-normal and mildly increased arterial blood pressure.

PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between increasing systemic blood pressure (BP) and right ventricular (RV) function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight never-treated, nonobese patients with BP values varying from the optimal to the mild hypertensive range. Peak early diastolic (Em) and systolic (Sm) velocities were recorded at the tricuspid and mitral annuli by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI); global RV and left ventricular (LV) structure and function by conventional echo-Doppler sonography; insulin sensitivity by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. Data were analyzed by 24-h systolic BP (cut-offs 117 and 130 mmHg), thus partitioning an optimal BP from an intermediate high-normal and an upper mildly increased BP stratum. RESULTS: Em decreased in the mid-third and decelerated further in association with reduced Sm in the upper BP tertile; both correlated negatively to septal thickness and positively to homologous TDI-derived LV indices. RV and LV indices of global ventricular function, estimated pulmonary pressure, HOMA did not differ by systemic BP. CONCLUSION: RV diastolic and systolic function deteriorates in response to slightly increased systemic BP. The process paralleled homologous changes at the LV side and was driven by interventricular septum remodeling, perhaps as a reflection of its role in RV function and biventricular interdependence. Insulin sensitivity seemed to play no relevant role.

Early left ventricular mechanics abnormalities in prehypertension: a two-dimensional strain echocardiography study.

BACKGROUND: Prehypertension predicts established hypertension. In this study, the aim was to analyze left ventricular (LV) mechanics in borderline prehypertensive (pre-HT) and hypertensive (HT) subjects through two-dimensional (2D)-strain echocardiography and then evaluate possible relations between cardiac parameters and insulin metabolism (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)). METHODS: Seventy-four consecutive newly diagnosed, untreated HT were divided, on the basis of their office blood pressure (BP) measurements, confirmed by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), in 41 borderline pre-HT (ABPM: 122.5 +/- 6.7/76.2 +/- 5.2 mm Hg) and 33 never-treated mild HT (ABPM: 138.3 +/- 7.3/87.6 +/- 7.1 mm Hg). Thirty-three healthy normotensive (NT) controls (ABPM: 114.8 +/- 6.3/73.1 +/- 6.1 mm Hg) (P < 0.0001) were also studied (NT). All subjects performed 2D color Doppler and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging (PW-TDI). RESULTS: Left ventricular mass (LVM) was significantly higher in pre-HT (39.2 +/- 8.7 g/m(2.7)) and in HT (43.6 +/- 8.5 g/m(2.7)) compared with NT (30.9 +/- 7.4 g/m(2.7)) (P < 0.0001). A mild LV diastolic dysfunction was found both with Doppler mitral flow velocity and PW-TDI at mitral annulus level analysis. Longitudinal 2D strain in pre-HT (-18.9% +/- 3.4) and in HT (-18.0% +/- 3.3) was significantly lower than in NT (-23.9% +/- 3.0) (P < 0.002). These LV abnormalities were associated with systolic ABPM, LVM, and HOMA(IR). CONCLUSIONS: Early abnormalities of LV longitudinal systolic deformation were found both in pre-HT and HT, together with a mild LV diastolic dysfunction. In both groups this early cardiac systolic and diastolic dysfunction is associated to insulin resistance, systolic pressure load, and cardiac remodeling.

Effect of aortic valve surgery on left ventricular diastole assessed by echocardiography and neuroendocrine response: percutaneous versus surgical approach.

OBJECTIVES: Aortic valve implantation through peripheral vascular access is an option for high-risk patients with severe aortic valve stenosis. The authors aimed to compare the acute effect of endovascular and surgical aortic valve procedures on left ventricular diastolic function. DESIGN: A case-matched, nonrandomized study. SETTING: A university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with aortic stenosis. INTERVENTIONS: B-natriuretic peptide was measured in 30 patients with a logistic EuroSCORE > or =20% undergoing endovascular aortic valve implantation. Patients were case matched (age, mitral flow propagation velocity, mitral annulus early diastolic velocity, and B-natriuretic peptide measurement) with 30 control patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement through sternotomy. Left ventricular diastole was evaluated initially and after valve procedures with echocardiography by mitral flow propagation velocity and mitral annulus early diastolic velocity. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: B-natriuretic peptide was similar preoperatively in the 2 groups (346 [188-438] v 367 [211-458] pg/mL) and higher (p = 0.006) in the surgical group postoperatively (389.5 [237-479] v 710.5 [389-822] pg/mL), with a postprocedural statistically significant increase only in the surgical group. Diastolic function was similar in the 2 groups preoperatively, improved postoperatively in the endovascular group, and worsened in the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: B-natriuretic peptide increased after surgical but not after endovascular aortic valve replacement. Furthermore, endovascular aortic valve implantation acutely improved left ventricular diastolic function as documented by increases in mitral flow propagation velocity and mitral annulus early diastolic velocity.

New echocardiographic techniques in the evaluation of left ventricular mechanics in subclinical thyroid dysfunction.

The new echocardiographic techniques for the study of physiopathological intramyocardial phenomena include video densitometry (VD), integrated backscatter (IBS), and color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI). Being more independent from cardiac load and from rotational and translational heart motion, these new sensible, noninvasive techniques such as CDMI and IBS show a real incremental value in comparison with conventional echocardiography and allow to detect subtle functional and textural abnormalities of intramural myocardium, partially undetectable by conventional two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction (STD), both in its hypo- and hyperthyroidism form, has a relatively high prevalence in general population (9-15% with a lower percentage of adult males), hence it could be very useful to study more deeply heart involvement in these physiopathological conditions and understand the complex relationship between thyroid and heart. The use of these new ultrasonic techniques in subclinical hypothyroidism helps to detect the early simultaneous involvement of both cardiac cycle phases, which causes a decrease of intramyocardial contractility and an impairment of both active and passive phases of diastole. In subclinical hyperthyroidism, these new ultrasonic techniques permitted to discover more complex and different early cardiac abnormalities of both systolic and diastolic phases.

Systemic hypertension and the right-sided cardiovascular system: a review of the available evidence.

Abnormal vasoconstriction of the lesser circulation characterizes a subset of patients with essential hypertension, a possible effect of mechanisms, such as enhanced sympathetic tone, increased delivery of blood-borne vasoconstrictor substances or abnormal local release of vasoactive factors, acting on both sides of the circulation or to backward transmission of increased pressure due to stiffer left ventricles with more advanced diastolic dysfunction. Elevated systemic pressure also associates with thickening of the right ventricle, a central element of the low-pressure system. Right ventricular remodelling develops in parallel with a similar process occurring at the left side, likely as a result of ventricular interdependence under the influence of trophic factors targeting both ventricles, though other mechanisms, including increased pulmonary afterload, may also be operative. By and large independent of the extent of structural remodelling of both ventricles, systemic hypertension also conditions an impaired filling rate of the right ventricle that accompanies a similar phenomenon at the left side. Thus, quite in contrast with the common and simplistic assumption of a separate behaviour of the two ventricles, the right-sided cardiovascular system is not immune to the effect of systemic hypertension, a concept whose clinical and pathophysiological implications require further studies.

Atrial and ventricular function in thalassemic patients with supra-ventricular arrhythmias.

The aims of this study were to evaluate through Color Doppler Myocardial Imaging (CDMI) echocardiography if atrial or ventricular myocardial alterations could be detectable in patients with thalassemia major (THAL) and if these alterations could be considered as predictive elements for supra-ventricular arrhythmic events. Twenty-three patients with THAL underwent clinical and electrocardiographic evaluation; patients were grouped in THAL1 (9 with supra-ventricular arrhythmias) and THAL2 (14 without arrhythmias); 12 healthy subjects were considered as control group (C). We examined through conventional 2D Color Doppler echocardiography some morphological and functional parameters regarding left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, and through CDMI the velocities at mitral annulus level, the regional LV and left atrial (LA) strain and strain rate. All THAL patients had LV dimension (p<0.05), LA area (p<0.01) and E/Em ratio (p<0.001) to be significantly higher than controls. The mitral annulus longitudinal velocities were significantly lower in THAL1 than in THAL2 (p<0.001); the E/Em ratio was higher in THAL1 than THAL2 (p<0.001). The THAL1 showed a lower systolic strain rate of atrial wall than THAL2 and C (p<0.05). The multiple regression highlighted a significantly inverse correlation among E/Em and atrial strain (p<0.02). CDMI showed both THAL subgroups had subtle systolic and diastolic left ventricular myocardial alterations, which could represent the onset of developing "iron cardiomyopathy" and are related to supra-ventricular arrhythmia. Monitoring these parameters in the THAL patients could contribute to decisions about follow-up and therapy.

Carotid intima-media thickness in asymptomatic patients with arterial hypertension without clinical cardiovascular disease: relation with left ventricular geometry and mass and coexisting risk factors.

We analyzed in NYHA I hypertensives the interactions between Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT), Hypertension and Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and relationships between IMT, CV risk factors and left ventricular (LV) geometric remodelling. 198 asymptomatic, never treated, essential hypertensives (age: 58.2 +/- 13) and 67 (age-gender matched) healthy subjects, were studied. Complete clinical examination, 2D Doppler echocardiography and vascular echography were performed in all study subjects. Major values of IMT are present in concentric LVH. Distribution of IMT among risk factors groups shows an higher IMT respect to increasing number of risk factors (P < 0.001). Significant correlation are present between pulse pressure and IMT (P < 0.006; r = 0.19) and IMT and LVM (P < 0.0001; r = 0.35). Altered patterns of LV geometry and carotid structural changes occur in many patients with essential hypertension. LVH or carotid remodeling are greater in elderly, in patients with higher systolic BP and with associated CV risk factors.

Identification, treatment and management of cardiovascular risks in patients with acromegaly.

Acromegaly, a syndrome related to growth hormone/IGF-1 excess, is frequently complicated by cardiovascular abnormalities (acromegalic cardiomyopathy). Extremely frequent are left ventricular hypertrophy and alterations of diastolic filling, which may progress to systolic dysfunction and eventually heart failure. Cardiac abnormalities may normalize after successful medical or surgical treatment of acromegaly, particularly in young patients with short-lasting disease, but this is less likely to occur in elderly patients. Both hypertension and cardiac valve disease are frequently encountered in acromegaly, but neither seems to be favorably influenced by disease control. The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is controversial but is probably not increased in acromegaly. Arrhythmias are relatively common in untreated acromegalic patients, although their clinical relevance is unknown. A cardiac evaluation of acromegalic patients should include echocardiography, basal electrocardiogram and blood pressure measurement, and evaluation of common risk factors for CHD. Appropriate and prompt treatment allowing a rapid control of growth hormone/IGF-1 hypersecretion is warranted because many features of acromegalic cardiomyopathy may be reverted, particularly in younger patients. In view of the lack of association with acromegaly, common risk factors for CHD, hypertension, arrhythmias or valve disease should be managed independently, irrespective of control of disease activity.

Early impairment of left ventricular function in hypercholesterolemia and its reversibility after short term treatment with rosuvastatin A preliminary echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia contributes to coronary heart disease but little is known about its direct effect on myocardial function. We evaluated left ventricular function using echocardiography and the effect of treatment with rosuvastatin in a group of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-three patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (HC) and without evidence of coronary heart disease and 25 aged matched healthy volunteers (C) were submitted to conventional echocardiography, pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (PWTDI), color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI) and integrated backscatter (IBS). Echocardiographic evaluation was repeated after 6 months of treatment with rosuvastatin (10mg/day) in 17 patients. Compared with C, patients with HC showed lower E/A ratio (p<0.0001) and higher Tei index mit (p<0.0001), as well as lower PW TDI E/A both at septum (p<0.0001) and at lateral level (p<0.0001) and higher modified Tei index both at septal annulus (p<0.0001) and lateral annulus (p<0.0001). Integrated backscatter parameters were significantly reduced in patients with HC (CVIsept p<0.0001 and CVI post wall p<0.05). CDMI derived indices in the two groups were not different. After 6 months of Rosuvastatin treatment a significant reduction of LDL cholesterol levels (51%, p<0.0001) was registered in HC patients together with a significant improvement of longitudinal global systolic and diastolic function (Tei index) and myocardial intrinsic contractility (CVI). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that in patients with hypercholesterolemia exists an early cardiomyopathy characterized by systolic and diastolic dysfunction. That could produce a substratum for an "impaired preconditioning". Rosuvastatin seems able to revert systolic abnormalities.

Effects of bariatric surgery on early myocardial alterations in adult severely obese subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss on structural and functional myocardial alterations in severely obese subjects treated with bariatric surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen severely obese patients (2 males and 11 females) were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent conventional 2D color Doppler echocardiography. The new ultrasonic techniques used were: (a) integrated backscatter for the analysis of myocardial reflectivity, referred to pericardial interface as expression of myocardial structure (increase in collagen content) and of cyclic variation index as expression of intrinsic myocardial contractility and (b) color Doppler myocardial imaging (CDMI) for the analysis of strain and strain rate (myocardial deformability). All subjects underwent bariatric surgery and were resubmitted to echocardiographic and biochemical examination 6-24 months after surgery. RESULTS: The main finding of the present study was a quite complete normalization of myocardial functional and structural alterations after weight loss. In particular, the cyclic variation index at septum level improved from 14.6 +/- 7.0 before to 25.7 +/- 11.2 (means +/- SD) after surgery (controls: 36.2 +/- 9.1). Mean reflectivity at septum level significantly decreased from 55.8 +/- 9.5 to 46.5 +/- 8.8 (controls: 43.0 +/- 8.0). Also, the strain at septum level significantly improved after surgery (from -11.9 +/- 3.2 to -20.4 +/- 5.3; controls: -23.4 +/- 9). CONCLUSION: This study establishes: (a) the utility of new ultrasonic techniques to detect very early structural and functional myocardial alterations in severely obese patients, and (b) the regression of these subclinical abnormalities after weight loss achieved by bariatric surgery.

High prevalence of cardiac hypertophy without detectable signs of fibrosis in patients with untreated active acromegaly: an in vivo study using magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis are considered the main pathological features of acromegalic cardiomyopathy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the proportion of LV hypertrophy and the presence of fibrosis in acromegalic cardiomyopathy in vivo using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Fourteen consecutive patients (eight women, mean age 46 +/- 10 years) with untreated active acromegaly were submitted to two-dimensional (2D) colour Doppler and integrated backscatter (IBS) echocardiography and CMR. MEASUREMENTS: LV volume, mass and wall thickness and myocardial tissue characterization (IBS and CMR). RESULTS: On echocardiography: mean LV mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMi) were 209 +/- 48 g and 110 +/- 24 g/m(2), respectively; hypertrophy was revealed in five patients (36%); abnormal diastolic function [evaluated by isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) or early (E) to late or atrial (A) peak velocities (E/A ratio)] was found in four patients (29%). Systolic function evaluated by measuring LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was normal (mean 72 +/- 12%) in all patients. Six patients (43%) had increased IBS (mean 57.4 +/- 6.2%). On CMR: mean LVM and LVMi were 151 +/- 17 g and 76 +/- 9 g/m(2), respectively; 10 patients (72%) had LV hypertrophy. Contrastographic delayed hyperenhancement was absent in all patients; on the contrary, mild enhancement was revealed in one patient. Systolic function was normal in all patients (LVEF 67 +/- 11%). LVMi was not related to serum IGF-1 concentrations or the estimated duration of disease. CONCLUSIONS: CMR is considered to be the gold standard for evaluating cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and systolic function. Using CMR, 72% patients with untreated active acromegaly had LV hypertrophy, which was only detected in 36% patients by echocardiography. However, cardiac fibrosis was absent in all patients irrespective of the estimated duration of disease. Although a very small increase in collagen content (as suggested by increased cardiac reflectivity at IBS), not detectable by CMR, could not be ruled out, it is unlikely that it would significantly affect cardiac function.

Risk factors for development of coronary heart disease in patients with acromegaly: a five-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Data on coronary heart disease (CHD) are scanty and matter of argument in acromegalic patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate risk factors for development of CHD and the occurrence of cardiac events in acromegalic patients during a 5-yr prospective study. DESIGN: Ten-year likelihood for CHD development was estimated by the Framingham scoring system (FS); patients were stratified as having low (FS < 10), intermediate (>or= 10 FS < 20), or high (FS >or= 20) risk. Coronary artery calcium content was measured using the Agatston score (AS) in all patients; those with positive AS were submitted to myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography; cardiac events were recorded during a 5-yr follow-up period. PATIENTS: Fifty-two consecutive patients (31 women, mean age 52 +/- 11 yr) with controlled or uncontrolled acromegaly were followed prospectively for 5 yr. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (71%) had low, 14 patients (27%) had intermediate, and one patient (2%) had high CHD risk. CHD risk was unrelated to acromegaly activity or the estimated duration of disease. Among patients with FS less than 10%, 24 had AS equal to 0, eight had AS of 1 or greater and less than 100, and five had AS 100 or greater and less than 300, respectively. Among patients with FS 10 or greater and less than 20%, nine had AS equal to 0, two had AS of one or greater and less than 100, one had AS of 100 or greater and less than 300, and two had AS of 300 or greater; a patient of the latter group, having AS of 400 or greater, increased his CHD risk from 11% to 20% or more. FS or AS did not differ in patients with controlled or uncontrolled acromegaly (P = 0.981). All patients with positive AS had no single photon emission computed tomography perfusion defects. During the 5-yr follow-up period no patient developed ischemic cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: CHD risk in acromegalic patients, predicted by FS as in nonacromegalic subjects, is low; AS might have adjunctive role only in a subset of patients. However, most patients have systemic complications of acromegaly, which participate in the assessment of global CHD risk.