Feasibility and correlation of standard 2D speckle tracking echocardiography and automated function imaging derived parameters of left ventricular function during dobutamine stress test.

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a method of quantitative assessment of myocardial function complementary to ejection fraction and visual evaluation. Standard STE analysis, demands manual tracing of the myocardium whereas automated function imaging (AFI) offers more convenient (based on selection of three points) assessment of longitudinal strain. Nevertheless, feasibility and correlation between both methods were not thoroughly examined, especially during tachycardia at peak stage of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). We performed DSE in 238 patients (pts) with recording of apical views during baseline (0) and peak (1) DSE and analyzed them by STE and AFI. According to angiography, 127/238 pts had significant (≥70%) lesions in coronary arteries. We assessed correlations between STE and AFI derived peak systolic longitudinal strain values for global and regional parameters, feasibility, time of analysis and interobserver agreement. Global systolic longitudinal strain measured during baseline and peak stage of DSE by AFI showed very good correlation with standard STE parameters, with correlation coefficients r = 0.90 and r = 0.86 respectively (p < 0.0001). For regional parameters correlation coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.85 for baseline and from 0.70 to 0.79 for peak DSE. Both methods provided good and similar feasibility with only 1% segments excluded from analysis at peak stage of DSE with shorter time and lower coefficient of variance offered by AFI. Global and regional longitudinal strain achieved by faster and less operator-dependent AFI method correlate well with standard more time-consuming STE analysis during baseline and peak stage of DSE.

Effect of sex on the diagnostic efficacy of dobutamine stress echocardiography with early atropine administration in the detection of coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: Considering a poorer diagnostic accuracy of exercise stress test in women, echocardiographic stress tests are often recommended for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in this patient group. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic value of a modified protocol of dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography between men and women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study including 250 patients with symptoms suggesting CAD. Coronary anatomy was examined in 248 subjects, and 1 female patient was excluded owing to coronary anomaly. We analyzed the results of dobutamine stress echocardiography with early atropine administration separately for patients with a history of myocardial infarction (109 women and 138 men; mean age, 62 ±9 years; group A) and patients without such history (72 women and 71 men; mean age, 62 ±9 years; group B). Atropine at a dose of up to 2 mg was administered after dobutamine infusion of 20 µg/kg/min. Coronary luminal stenosis of 50% or more in diameter in the left main coronary artery and of 70% and more in the other arteries was considered significant. RESULTS: In group A, echocardiography had higher specificity and negative predictive value in women compared with men (84.5% vs. 64.4%, P = 0.001, and 92.3% vs. 64.4%, P <0.0001, respectively). The accuracy was 85.3% and 76.8% in women and men, respectively (P = 0.03). In group B, a higher specificity was observed in women compared with men (82.6% vs. 60%, P = 0.01), but the accuracy was similar between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Dobutamine stress echocardiography with early atropine administration offers a higher diagnostic value in women, especially with regard to specificity.

[Critical stenosis left main coronary artery in 39-year-old woman treated with percutaneous angioplasty]. / Krytyczne ostialne zwezenie pnia lewej tetnicy wiencowej u 39-letniej kobiety leczonej przezskórna angioplastyka

Isolated critical stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) due to atherosclerosis is very rare and affects about 0.2% of patients. We present the case of a 39-year-old, non-smoker women with risk factors for diseases of the cardiovascular system in the form of hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension, in addition to positive family history and chronic oral contraception. Sick from occurring since atypical angina masked depressive symptoms, with a critical stenosis of LMCA and little suggestive symptoms of ischaemia because of the existing collateral circulation.

[Severe coronary artery disease in premenopausal woman with familial hypercholesterolaemia]. / Zaawansowana choroba wiencowa u premenopauzalnej kobiety z hipercholesterolemia rodzinna

We present a case of a 51 year-old, premenopausal, non-smoker for many years woman with severe, two-coronary artery disease in the form of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and severe hypercholesterolaemia as the predominant risk factor. The first clinical diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia has been established at the time of diagnosis of ACS. Satisfactory effect of pharmacological treatment is achieved by a complex lipid-lowering therapy.

[Is prevalence of the "white coat effect" correlated with a high risk of late diabetic complications in type 2 diabetic patients?]. / Czy wystepowanie "efektu bialego fartucha" u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2 wiaze sie z wiekszym ryzykiem wystepowania póznych powiklan cukrzycy?

BACKGROUND: On the ground of existing hitherto reports it is suggested that the "white coat effect" is not correlated with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases. Conducted studies did not ascertain a correlation between the value of the "white coat effect" and late diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of late diabetic complications: polyneuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy in type 2 diabetic, hypertensive patients, in which the "white coat effect" was detected. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 67 type 2 diabetic, hypertensive patients. In all cases blood count, creatinine and urea serum concentration, urine examination, kidney ultrasonography were performed as well as neurological and ophtalmological examinations. Blood pressure values were measured with the use of mercurial sphygmomanometer during clinic visits. In all patients ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) were conducted. The "white coat effect" was detected when mean "systolic office blood pressure" values were > 10 mmHg higher than mean systolic blood pressure in ABPM-day and mean "diastolic office blood pressure" values were > 5 mmHg higher than mean diastolic blood pressure in ABPM-day. RESULTS: The patients were devided into two groups depending on the presence of the "white coat effect". Group 1 (n = 41) consisted of patients with the "white coat effect" and the second group (n = 26) without this phenomen. There were differences between the studied groups in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values estimated by traditional blood pressure measurement during clinic visits (p < 0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure values estimated in ambulatory conditions with the use of ABPM were comparable in both groups (p > 0.05). The number of late diabetic complications in patients did not differ in both of the studied groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The "white coat effect" has not got an influence on polyneuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients with arterial hypertension.

[Glycosylated hemoglobin and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus]. / Zaleznosc miedzy stezeniem hemoglobiny glikowanej a stopniem niewydolnosci rozkurczowej serca u chorych na cukrzyce typu 2.

UNLABELLED: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a confirmed prognostic factor of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. The relative odds of cardiovascular disease (CD) increase by 20% for 1% increase of HbA1c above HbA1c 5%. The aim of the study was to assess relationship between diastolic dysfunction and HbA1c in patients with diabetes mellitus 2 (DM 2) without critical coronary stenosis in coronarography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study comprised 57 subjects (35 men and 22 women) with DM 2, without coronary stenosis in coronarography, with normal and elevated HbA1c levels. The subjects were divided into two groups depending on HbA1c level: with HbA1c < or = 6.1% and HbA1c >6.1%. Parameters of left ventricular diastolic function were assessed in echocardiography according to criterions of European Society of Cardiology. Subjects with decreased systolic function (EF<50%) were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle was observed in 43% of patients with HbA1c >6.1% comparing to 4.5% of patients in the group with HbA1 < or = 6.1%. In the group with HbA1c >6.1% in 38% of the patients abnormal relaxation in early filling phase and in 5% abnormal isovolumetric relaxation were observed. In the group with HbA1 < or = 6.1% in only 1 patient (4.5%) abnormal relaxation in early filling phase was observed. CONCLUSION: Diastolic function of the left ventricle in patients with diabetes is dependent on HbA1c levels.