Left ventricular remodeling in twin pregnancy, noninvasively assessed using hemodynamic forces and pressure-volume relation analysis: prospective, cohort study.

This study was designed to prospectively investigate the pattern of intraventricular hemodynamic forces (HDFs) associated with left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling in women with uncomplicated twin pregnancy. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 35 women (aged 35.9 ± 4.7-yr old) during gestation (T1, <14 wk; T2, 14-27 wk; T3, >28 wk) and 6-7 mo after delivery (T0). LV HDFs were computed from echocardiography long-axis data sets using a novel technique based on endocardial boundary tracking, both in apex-base (A-B) and latero-septal (L-S) directions. HDF distribution was evaluated by L-S over A-B HDF ratio (L-S:A-B HDF ratio). At T1, L-S:A-B HDF ratio was higher than in T0 (P < 0.05) indicating HDF misalignment. At T2, a slight impairment of cardiac function was then recorded with a reduction of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and left ventricular end-systolic elastance (Ees) at pressure-volume relationship analysis versus T1 (both P < 0.05). Finally, at T3, when HDF misalignment and LV contractility reduction (GLS and Ees) were all restored, a rightward shift of the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR) with an increase of ventricular capacitance was documented. In twin pregnancy, HDF misalignment in the first trimester precedes the slight temporary decrease in left ventricular systolic function in the second trimester; at the third trimester, a rightward shift of the EDPVR was associated with a realignment of HDF and normalization of ventricular contractility indexes. These coordinated changes that occur in the maternal heart during twin pregnancy suggest the role of HDFs in cardiac remodeling.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These changes indicate that 1) the misalignment of hemodynamic forces (HDFs) precedes a mild reduction in systolic function in twin pregnancy and 2) the positive left ventricular (LV) response to hemodynamic stress is mainly due to an improved diastolic function with enhanced LV cavity compliance.

Interaction between Geographical Areas and Family Environment of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Nutritional Knowledge and Obesity of Adolescents.

There are marked differences in the regional distribution of childhood obesity in Italy. This study sought to investigate the interaction between geographical areas and family environment of dietary habits, physical activity, nutritional knowledge and obesity of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 school-aged children and 298 parents residing in Central Italy (Florence, Tuscany) and Southern Italy (Corigliano, Calabria), in 2021. Survey questionnaire investigated anthropometry, eating behavior, nutritional knowledge and physical activity. BMI was determined and compared with reference percentile charts for adolescents. Multivariate regression analyses showed that: (1) an adolescent's BMI was directly influenced by their parents' BMI independently of parental nutritional knowledge and dietary or physical activity habits; (2) parents transmitted eating or physical activity habits to their children; (3) the geographic region of residence is not in itself an independent determinant of children's BMI. The clear message is that prevention of childhood obesity should consider family-based approaches. Parental obesity can be the point of convergence of the complex interactions between a parent's and child's habits and should be one of the most important factors to look for.

Difference in cardiac remodeling between female athletes and pregnant women: a case control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to detect possible differences in reversible cardiac remodeling occurring in sport training and twin pregnancy. BACKGROUND: cardiac remodeling occurs in athletes and pregnant women due to training and fetal requirements, respectively. These changes could be apparently similar. METHODS: 21 female elite athletes (23.2 ± 5.3 years), 25 women with twin pregnancies (35.4 ± 5.7 years) and 25 healthy competitive female athletes (controls), age-matched with pregnant women (34.9 ± 7.9 years), were enrolled. This latter group was included to minimize the effect of age on cardiac remodeling. All women evaluated through anamnestic collection, physical examination, 12 leads ECG, standard echocardiogram and strain analysis. Sphericity (SI) and apical conicity (ACI) indexes were also calculated. RESULTS: Pregnant women showed higher LA dimension (p < 0.001) compared to both groups of athletes. LV e RV GLS were significantly different in pregnant women compared to female athletes (p = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). RV GLS was also different between pregnant women and controls (p = 0.02). Pregnant women showed significantly higher S' wave compared to female athletes (p = 0.02) but not controls. Parameters of diastolic function were significantly higher in athletes (p = 0.08 for IVRT and p < 0.001 for E/A,). SI was lower in athletes in both diastole (p = 0.01) and systole (p < 0.001), while ACIs was lower in pregnant women (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac remodeling of athletes and pregnant women could be similar at first sight but different in LV shape and in GLS, highlighting a profound difference in longitudinal deformation between athletes and pregnant women. This difference seems not to be related with age. These findings suggest that an initial maternal cardiovascular maladaptation could occur in the third trimester of twin pregnancies.

Assessment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in patients with type 2 diabetes: Relationship with microvascular damage and glycemic control.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a higher risk of Heart Failure; Left Ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is often considered the first marker of Diabetic cardiomyopathy; however, early preclinical LV systolic dysfunction has also been observed by means of echocardiographic measurement of strain. This study is aimed at assessing determinants of impaired strain and diastolic ventricular dysfunction in patients with T2DM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cross-sectional study, performed on a consecutive series of patients with T2DM aged 30-80 years, BMI<40 kg/m2, free of cardiovascular disease, assessing metabolic control, microvascular complications, echocardiographic measures. Out of 206 patients, 19.6% had GLS lower than 18. GLS showed a significant inverse correlation with HBA1c, (p = 0.016), BMI (p = 0.002), waist (p < 0.0001), and mean L:H Ratio (p = 0.019). In a multivariate regression for LV GLS including HbA1c, age, sex, BMI and mean RR SDNN index, only HbA1c retained statistical significance: (B = -0.050 [-0.091; -0.009], p = 0.01. Among markers of LV diastolic function, only the E/E' ratio was associated with HbA1c at a univariate analysis, and it retained statistical significance in a multivariate regression including HbA1c, age, sex and disease duration (B = 0.038 [0.03; -0.073], p = 0.032). No significant difference in any parameter of systolic or diastolic function was observed between patients with or without microalbuminuria or diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSION: In patients with T2DM, a reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain appears to be independently associated with impaired glucose control and autonomic neuropathy, regardless of microvascular complications.

Gender differences in acculturation and cardiovascular disease risk-factor changes among Chinese immigrants in Italy: Evidence from a large population-based cohort.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the Chinese presence in Southern Europe has grown rapidly but no data is available on the influence that residing in Mediterranean countries has on Chinese immigrants. In this study, we aim to examine the association between acculturation and cardiovascular risk factors among first-generation Chinese immigrants in Italy. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. METHODS: A sample of 2589 Chinese first-generation immigrants (1599 women and 990 men) living in Prato, Italy, underwent blood pressure measurement, blood tests (with measurement of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides), and anthropometric measurements. The influence of length of residence (dependent variable) on hypertension, type 2 diabetes, overweight/obesity, and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) (independent variables) was investigated with multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, education and urban/rural home area in China before migration. RESULTS: Mean age of Chinese participants was 47.2 ± 10.7 years and 61.7% were women. Immigrants residing in Italy for ≥20 years were more likely to be hypertensive [odd ratio (OR) 1.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33 to 2.59], or diabetic (1.91; 1.26 to 2.86) than those residing in Italy for <10 years. Differently, prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol≥240 mg/dl) was lower in immigrants residing in Italy for ≥20 years than in those with <10 years of residence (0.52; 0.32 to 0.83). The association between indicators of acculturation and cardiovascular risk factors appeared to differ by sex. CONCLUSION: Acculturation of Chinese immigrants in Italy was associated with hypertension and type 2 diabetes whereas a favorable effect on hypercholesterolemia was observed.

Gender differences in the impact on physical activity and lifestyle in Italy during the lockdown, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Italy responded to the Covid-19 pandemic early by forcing the entire population into a 2-month domestic confinement. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in the impact of lockdown on physical activity and lifestyle habits. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in April 2020 on a general population sample residing in Italy. Participants completed validated questionnaires. Gender differences were assessed using a multivariable adjusted logistic regression model using gender as independent and exposures as dependent variables. Metabolic equivalents-hour/week was used to evaluate physical activity. A total of 2218 participants (761 men and 1457 women) agreed to participate in the study and completed the questionnaire. The survey found that women compared to men showed 1) a lower level of physical activity before the institution of lockdown, 2) a lower tendency to reduce physical activity levels during the lockdown, when gender differences in compliance with guideline recommendations for physical activity disappeared, 3) and a worsening of sleep and stool passage; men experienced an increase in alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Women, who previously had a lower level of physical activity than men, showed a lower tendency to reduce it during lockdown, revealing greater resilience than men. However, the worsening in sleep, in stool passage, and a trend to weight increase revealed signs of psychological suffering after a protracted lockdown period.

Gender differences in barriers to physical activity among adolescents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Great attention is now being paid to effective policies and programs to promote physical activity among adolescents, girls consistently found to be less active than boys. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences in perceived barriers for physical activity practice and their relationship with physical activity levels and physical condition among adolescents. METHODS AND RESULTS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in February-April 2017 among students (n = 368) in the last year of two state high schools in Florence (Italy). Participants underwent the measurements of anthropometric parameters (height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences), blood pressure and administration of 3 standardized questionnaires (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Mediterranean Diet Score Quiz, and Barriers to Being Active Quiz). Gender differences were assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted for age and body mass index). The prevalence of participants who reached recommended levels was lower among girls compared to boys (OR 0.27; 95% CI 0.17-0.43). The number of perceived barriers to physical activity was higher among girls than among boys (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.29-1.79), lack of energy for exercise and lack of willpower being the two barriers most frequently reported by girls. At multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis, gender (female), and positivity of at least one perceived barrier (score ≥ 5) were independently selected as the main determinants of non-compliance with WHO criteria for physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise professionals should be aware of the barriers that young girls can face during exercise prescription and be able to contrast them with useful individual strategies.

Integrated total body composition versus Body Mass Index in young athletes.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess if the evaluation of Body Mass Index is sufficient to define an overweight index in young athletes, or if a more effective evaluation is preferable in order to examine body fat mass, free-fat mass and hydration status in young athletes. METHODS: Two hundred ninety-nine young athletes between the ages of 8 to 18 have been analyzed in this study. Data from evaluation in body composition of young athletes were studied and subdivided by age, sex and method used. In order to measure body composition in young people, the participants who attend our Department for sport eligibility examination, were evaluated through anthropometric measurements as far as, fat mass, fat-free mass and hydration status are concerned. RESULTS: The statistical differences showed with Body Mass Index and body fat assessment reflect that more accurate evaluation is preferable: the normal-weight with Body Mass Index are 78.0%, overweight 18.7% and obese 3.3% respect to a 75.0%, 14.0% and 11.0% detected with a body fat evaluation (P<0.000); statistical differences have been found also subdividing the group per sex, higher in males (P=0.046) than to females (P<0.000). Bio-impedance data shown a statistical differences in young obese athletes. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained show clearly that the analysis of the Body Mass Index is not sufficient in young athletes. Therefore, for young athletes a full assessment of body composition would be appropriate to reduce classific-tion errors.

Evaluation of left ventricular remodelling in young Afro-Caribbean athletes.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac adaptation to intense physical training is determined by many factors including age, gender, body size, load training and ethnicity. Despite the wide availability of ECG analysis, with a higher presence of abnormalities in different races, echocardiographic studies on young Afro-Caribean (AA) and Caucasian athletes (CA) are lacking in literature. We aimed to assess the effect in the secondary LV remodelling of load training in young AA players compared to matched CA players. METHOD: Seventy-seven AA and 53 CA matched soccer players (mean age 17.35 ± 0.50 and 18.25 ± 0.77 y) were enrolled. They were evaluated with echocardiography. A subgroup of 30 AA and 27 CA were followed up for a period of 4 years. The myocardial contractile function was evaluated by speckle-tracking echocardiographic global longitudinal strain (GLS). RESULTS: No significant differences were found in weight and height and in blood pressure response to maximal ergometer test in either group. In AA a higher level of LV remodelling, consisting in higher LV wall thickness, higher interventricular septum (IVS) and posterior wall (PW) thickness were found (IVS: 10.04 ± 0.14 and 9.35 ± 0.10 in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.001. PW: 9.70 ± 0.20 and 9.19 ± 0.10 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.05). Strain data showed no significant differences between the two groups (22.35 ± 0.48 and 23.38 ± 0.69 in AA (n = 27) and CA (n = 25), respectively). At the beginning of the follow-up study AA showed a significantly higher left ventricular remodelling (IVS = 9.29 ± 0.3 and 8.53 ± 0.12 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.002. PW = 9.01 ± 0.2 and 8.40 ± 0.20 in AA and CA respectively, p = 0.1). During the next four years of follow-up we observed a regular parallel increase in LV wall thickness and chamber diameters in both groups, proportionally to the increase in body size and LV mass. (IVS = 10.52 ± 0.17 and 9.03 ± 0.22 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.001. PW: 10.06 ± 0.17 and 8.26 ± 0.19 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study shows that the ventricular remodelling observed in AA appears to be a specific phenotype already present in pre-adolescence. These data also suggest that genetic/ethnic factors play a central role in left ventricular remodelling during the first years of life in elite athletes.

Evaluation of physical activity and dietary behaviors in young athletes: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lifestyle based on the physical activity and eating habits of young athletes. METHODS: In order to measure physical activity and eating habits in young people, 922 young athletes between the ages of 8 to 18 have been analyzed in this study. The participants were all patients come to our Department for sport eligibility evaluation; we have asked them to complete an accurate questionnaire in order to assess their personal physical activity levels and their regular eating habits. Parents were invited to sign a letter explaining the aims of the study and were asked for permission on behalf of their child to take part on the study. RESULTS: The eating habits and the physical activity levels of the young athletes observed, resulted improper. We have noticed that the 13.7% of the participants were overweight and obese, despite their practiced sport activity. Physical activity, without sport activity, resulted inadequate in 38.6% of participants: they did not practice regular physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study clearly indicate that higher education is therefore necessary in order to promote a healthy lifestyle in terms of both eating habits and physical activity not only in young people, but also in parents and coaches of teams.

Left ventricular remodeling and the athlete's heart, irrespective of quality load training.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical exercise determines a progressive increase of the cardiac mass known as adaptive hypertrophy. Up to now, two morphological echocardiographic heart patterns of athletes have been described by Morganroth in 1975: predominant augmentation of wall thickness, and major cavity size in chamber dimensions in the case of prevalent static or dynamic components. The aim of the study was to follow up the impact of physical training on heart morphology and function in a group of elite soccer and rugby players for at least five years. METHOD: From January 1993 to December 2015 a group of 250 elite soccer players and 114 rugby players were examined: 78 soccer players and 60 rugby players were followed up for 5 years. They were matched with a control group. RESULTS: LV dimensions and LVMi were significantly higher in the athletes than in the inactive subjects (LVMi : 123.45; LVMi: 81.5 vs 94.36 g/m2 respectively). After the five-year follow up the athletes showed no significant modifications in cardiac dimensions: (LVDd from 52.00 ± mm to 52.90 ± mm; LVSd increased from 31.58 ± mm to 32.33 ± mm; Left Ventricular CMI from 120.77 to 121.45 g/m2;p = NS in soccer; from 50.43 ± mm to 52.22 ± mm; Left Ventricular Systolic diameter increased from 32.51 ± mm to 32.8 ± mm; Left Ventricular Mass index from 81,5 to 87,4 g/m2;p = NS and no significant enhancement of the aortic root diameter was observed (Aortic root: from 27.39 mm to 31.64 mm in soccer players; from 30,68 mm to 30.95 mm). CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found among the athletes practicing sports with different workload components, and resistance training. In trained athletes the dimensions of the LV chamber and LVMi are generally within the upper limits of the normal range. After a five-year follow-up, the dimensions of the chambers of the heart remain within the normal range, despite being within the the upper limits. Regular physical exercise induces mild LV hypertrophy which therefore can be considered an adaptive consequence to stress-exercise.

3D Strain helps relating LV function to LV and structure in athletes.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of cardiac contraction could benefit from a connection with the underlying helical structure of cardiac fibers in athletes either completely healthy or with minor common cardiopathies like Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV). This study aims to exploit the potential role of 3D strain to improve the physiological understanding of LV function and modification due to physical activity as a comparative model. METHODS: Three age-matched groups of young (age 20.3 ± 5.4) individuals are prospectively enrolled: 15 normal healthy subjects, 15 healthy athletes, and 20 athletes with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). All subjects underwent echocardiographic examination and both 2D and 3D strain analysis. RESULTS: All echo parameters were within the normal range in the three groups. Global values of end-systolic longitudinal and circumferential strain, assesses by either 2D or 3D analysis, were not significantly different. The 3D strain analysis was extended in terms of principal and secondary strain (PS, SS). Global PS was very similar, global SS was significantly higher in athletes and displays a modified time course. The comparative analysis of strain-lines pattern suggests that the enhancement of LV function is achieved by a more synchronous recruitment of both left- and right-handed helical fibers. CONCLUSIONS: 3D strain analysis allows a deeper physiological understanding of LV contraction in different types of athletes. Secondary strain, only available in 3D, identifies increase of performances due to physical activity; this appears to follow from the synergic activation of endocardial and epicardial fibers.

Comparative numerical study on left ventricular fluid dynamics after dilated cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION: The role of flow on the progression of left ventricular (LV) remodeling has been presumed, although measurements are still limited and the intraventricular flow pattern in remodeling hearts has not been evaluated in a clinical setting. Comparative evaluation of intraventricular fluid dynamics is performed here between healthy subjects and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. METHODS: LV fluid dynamics is evaluated in 20 healthy young men and 8 DCM patients by combination of 3D echocardiography with direct numerical simulations of the equation governing blood motion. Results are analyzed in terms of quantitative global indicators of flow energetics and blood transit properties that are representative of the qualitative fluid dynamics behaviors. RESULTS: The flow in DCM exhibited qualitative differences due to the weakness of the formed vortices in the large LV chamber. DCM and healthy subjects show significant volumetric differences; these also reflect inflow properties like the vortex formation time, energy dissipation, and sub-volumes describing flow transit. Proper normalization permitted to define purely fluid dynamics indicators that are not influenced by volumetric measures. CONCLUSION: Cardiac fluid mechanics can be evaluated by a combination of imaging and numerical simulation. This pilot study on pathological changes in LV blood motion identified intraventricular flow indicators based on pure fluid mechanics that could potentially be integrated with existing indicators of cardiac mechanics in the evaluation of disease progression.

Functional strain-line pattern in the human left ventricle.

Analysis of deformations in terms of principal directions appears well suited for biological tissues that present an underlying anatomical structure of fiber arrangement. We applied this concept here to study deformation of the beating heart in vivo analyzing 30 subjects that underwent accurate three-dimensional echocardiographic recording of the left ventricle. Results show that strain develops predominantly along the principal direction with a much smaller transversal strain, indicating an underlying anisotropic, one-dimensional contractile activity. The strain-line pattern closely resembles the helical anatomical structure of the heart muscle. These findings demonstrate that cardiac contraction occurs along spatially variable paths and suggest a potential clinical significance of the principal strain concept for the assessment of mechanical cardiac function. The same concept can help in characterizing the relation between functional and anatomical properties of biological tissues, as well as fiber-reinforced engineered materials.

Adaptative or maladaptative hypertrophy, different spatial distribution of myocardial contraction.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may be an adaptative remodelling process induced by physical training, or result from pathological stimuli. We hypothesized that different LVH aetiology could lead to dissimilar spatial distribution left ventricular (LV) contraction, and compared different components of LV contraction using 2-dimensional (2-D) speckle tracking derived strain in subjects with adaptative hypertrophy (endurance athletes), maladaptative hypertrophy (hypertensive patients) and healthy controls. METHOD: We enrolled 22 patients with essential hypertension, 50 endurance athletes and 24 healthy controls. All subjects underwent traditional echocardiography and 2-D strain evaluation of LV longitudinal, circumferential and radial function. LV basal and apical rotation and their net difference, defined as LV torsion, were evaluated. RESULTS: LV wall thicknesses, LV mass and left atrium diameter were comparable between hypertensive group and athletes. LV longitudinal strain was reduced only in hypertensive patients (P < 0.05). LV apex circumferential strain was higher in hypertensive patients than in other groups (P < 0.001), LV basal circumferential strain, although slightly increased, did not reach significant difference. Hypertensive patients showed significantly increased rotation and torsion (P < 0.001), while no differences were observed between athletes and control. CONCLUSION: In patients with pathological LVH, LV longitudinal strain was reduced, while circumferential deformation and torsion were increased. No differences were observed in LV contractile function between subjects with adaptative LVH and controls. In pathological LVH, increasing torsion could be considered a compensatory mechanism to counterbalance contraction and relaxation abnormalities to maintain a normal LV output.

Tissue doppler imaging can be useful to distinguish pathological from physiological left ventricular hypertrophy: a study in master athletes and mild hypertensive subjects.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography left ventricular wall thickness is often increased in master athletes and it results by intense physical training. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy can also be due to a constant pressure overload. Conventional Pulsed Wave (PW) Doppler analysis of diastolic function sometimes fails to distinguish physiological from pathological LVH.The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of Pulsed Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging in differentiating pathological from physiological LVH in the middle-aged population. METHODS: we selected a group of 80 master athletes, a group of 80 sedentary subjects with essential hypertension and an apparent normal diastolic function at standard PW Doppler analysis. The two groups were comparable for increased left ventricular wall thickness and mass index (134.4 +/- 19.7 vs 134.5 +/- 22.1 gr/m2; p > .05). Diastolic function indexes using the PW technique were in the normal range for both. RESULTS: Pulsed Wave TDI study of diastolic function immediately distinguished the two groups. While in master athletes the diastolic TDI-derived parameters remained within normal range (E' 9.4 +/- 3.1 cm/sec; E/E' 7.8 +/- 2.1), in the hypertensive group these parameters were found to be constantly altered, with mean values and variation ranges always outside normal validated limits (E' 7.2 +/- 2.4 cm/sec; E/E' 10.6 +/- 3.2), and with E' and E/E' statistically different in the two groups (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the TDI technique can be an easy and validated method to assess diastolic function in differentiating normal from pseudonormal diastolic patterns and it can distinguish physiological from pathological LVH emphasizing the eligibility certification required by legal medical legislation as in Italy.

Non-invasive tissue Doppler imaging pulmonary capillary wedge pressure measurement improves NT-proBNP prognostic value in heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the improvement of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) non-invasively assessed with tissue Doppler imaging is able to predict prognosis and cardiac-related mortality in patients with heart failure (HF), as previously demonstrated for NT-proBNP. METHODS: We prospectively studied 23 patients (74 +/- 10 y; 17 M, 6 F) with acute HF. NT-proBNP and PCWP were measured at admission and discharge. NT-proBNP concentrations were determined by a chemiluminescent immunoassay kit. PCWP was assessed using the ratio of transmitral E velocity to the early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E'), with the formula PCWP = 1.9 + 1.24 (E/E'). Patients were divided in two groups according to the clinical end-point based on cardiac death and hospital readmission for HF. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 230 days, 10 patients reached the end-point (group A), while 13 patients resulted event-free (group B). In group B, NT-proBNP values significantly decreased (3816 +/- 7424 vs. 6799 +/- 10537 pg/mL, P < 0.01) and PCWP improved (17 +/- 7 vs. 23 +/- 12 mmHg, P < 0.01). The decrease in both NT-proBNP and PCWP values was able to identify the majority of patients (77%) with an event-free survival at follow-up, whereas 70% of patients who reached the end-point had discordant changes in NT-proBNP and PCWP (chi2 = 5.06, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a biochemical marker such as NT-proBNP and a new indicator of LV filling pressure (E/E') allows to estimate the prognostic impact of standard medical therapy even in a small group of HF patients.

Speckle tracking for left ventricle performance in young athletes with bicuspid aortic valve and mild aortic regurgitation.

AIMS: Longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) quantifies regional and global heart function. Few data are available on left ventricle (LV) performance in young athletes with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), where a pattern of mild aortic insufficiency is relatively frequent, and the ejection fraction (EF) is often normal for a long time. We report the measurement of LV strain in young BAV athletes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three groups (20 athletes with BAV, 20 healthy athletes, and 20 sedentary healthy subjects, all aged 25 +/- 3 years) underwent standard echo examination to evaluate LPSS at the basal and medium-apical segments of the lateral wall (LW) and interventricular septum (IVS) of the LV. LPSS was within the normal range; however, in BAV athletes, the LPSS of the basal segments tended to be lower (S%IVS(basal), -17.7 +/- 2.7; S%LW(basal), -14.2 +/- 2.2; S%IVS(med-apic), -21 +/- 3.5; S%LW(med-apic), -18.8 +/- 4.2), producing a gradient from basal to apical regions. The EF was normal in all subjects. CONCLUSION: Young trained BAV athletes have normal LV performance. Nevertheless, these athletes tend to have lower strain than healthy subjects in the LV basal segments. The clinical implications of this finding are uncertain and require further investigation.