Analysis of myocardial deformation based on pixel tracking in two dimensional echocardiographic images enables quantitative assessment of regional left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether myocardial strain and strain rate calculated from two dimensional echocardiography by automatic frame-by-frame tracking of natural acoustic markers enables objective description of regional left ventricular (LV) function. METHODS: In 64 patients parasternal two dimensional echocardiographic views at the apical, mid-ventricular and basal levels were obtained. An automatic frame-by-frame tracking system of natural acoustic echocardiographic markers was used to calculate radial strain, circumferential strain, radial strain rate and circumferential strain rate for each LV segment in a 16 segment model. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) was performed to define segmental LV function as normokinetic, hypokinetic or akinetic. RESULTS: Image quality was sufficient for adequate strain and strain-rate analysis from two dimensional echocardiographic images obtained from parasternal views in 88% of segments. Obtained radial strain data were highly reproducible and analysis was affected by only small intraobserver (mean 4.4 (SD 1.6)%) and interobserver variabilities (7.3 (2.5)%). Each of the analysed strain and strain-rate parameters was significantly different between segments defined as normokinetic, hypokinetic or akinetic by cMRI (radial strain 36.8 (10.5)%, 24.1 (7.5)% and 13.4 (4.8)%, respectively, p < 0.001). Peak systolic radial strain enabled detection of hypokinesis or akinesis with a sensitivity of 83.5% and a specificity of 83.5% (cut off value 29.1%, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area 0.905, 95% CI 0.883 to 0.923). Peak systolic radial strain analysis also enabled detection of akinesis versus hypokinesis with a sensitivity of 82.7% and a specificity of 94.5% (cut off value 21.0%, ROC curve area 0.946). Peak systolic radial strain-rate analysis was less accurate than peak systolic radial strain analysis to detect cMRI-defined segmental function abnormalities. The accuracy of peak systolic circumferential strain and strain rate was similar to that of corresponding radial parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Frame-by-frame tracking of acoustic markers in two dimensional echocardiographic images enables accurate analysis of regional systolic LV function.

Telephonic transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms during acute myocardial infarction.

To test the feasibility of a small and simple system for telephonic transmission of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs), 70 patients with acute coronary syndrome admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) were included in a feasibility study. The transmission system consisted of a belt with multiple electrodes, which was positioned around the chest. The ECG signal was sent to a call centre via a standard telephone line. In parallel, a standard 12-lead ECG was recorded on site. In a retrospective analysis, each lead of the transmitted ECG was compared with the on-site 12-lead ECG with regard to ST-segment changes and final diagnosis. In all 37 patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction, the diagnosis was correctly established on the basis of telephone-transmitted ECGs. In 96% of limb and 88% of chest leads, ST elevations which were visible in standard ECGs were correctly displayed on telephonically transmitted ECGs. In the remaining 33 patients no false-positive diagnosis was made using transtelephonic ECG analysis. A control group of 31 patients without apparent heart disease showed high concordance between standard ECGs and telephonically transmitted ECGs. Telephonically transmitted 12-lead ECGs interpreted by a hospital-based internist/cardiologist might allow a rapid and accurate diagnosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction and may increase diagnostic safety for the emergency staff during prehospital decision making and treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

[Cardiogenic shock in a 61 year old female with recurrent panic attacks]. / Kardiogener Schock bei 61-jähriger Patientin mit rezidivierenden Panikattacken.

A 61 year old patient in a severely reduced general condition complaining of epigastric pain was admitted to our emergency room. Because of elevated troponin T and creatine kinase levels and severely reduced left ventricular function as seen in echocardiography as well as negative T-waves in the anterolateral ECG leads we suspected an acute coronary syndrome. The patient underwent coronary angiography after intubation and a coronary artery disease was excluded. The initial therapy included the use of an intraaortic balloon pump, volume and catecholamine administration controlled by a pulmonary artery catheter. Conducting an abdominal ultrasound we detected a mass at the right adrenal gland. The suspected diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by elevated catecholamine levels in the urine and a CT scan. After recompensation and subsequent administration of phenoxybenzamine a benign pheochromocytoma was resected. A massive catecholamine secretion due to a pheochromocytoma can lead to a cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure. In patients with recurrent panic attacks and hypertension a pheochromocytoma should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Superiority of sirolimus eluting stent compared with intracoronary beta radiation for treatment of in-stent restenosis: a matched comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To compare acute and follow up clinical and angiographic results after treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) by sirolimus eluting stents (SES) with results obtained after intracoronary radiation therapy (IRT). DESIGN: Matched pair analysis. METHODS: 62 consecutive ISR lesions (< 30 mm lesion length, reference diameter < 3.5 mm) in 62 patients were treated with SES. From a database of 174 lesions (n = 141 patients) treated for ISR by intracoronary beta radiation, 62 lesions (62 patients) were pair matched with the SES group for diabetes mellitus, lesion length, vessel size, and pattern of ISR. Six month angiographic and 12 month clinical follow up results were obtained. RESULTS: Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between the groups (not significant). SES implantation resulted in significantly lower postprocedural in-lesion diameter stenosis than did IRT (mean (SD) 14.2 (9.5)% v 21.1 (10.6)%, p = 0.001), significantly higher minimum lumen diameter at follow up (1.91 (0.58) v 1.55 (0.72) mm, p = 0.005), and a higher net gain (1.16 (0.55) v 0.77 (0.70) mm, p = 0.002). Angiographic binary in-lesion restenosis rate at six months was 11% in the SES group and 29% in the IRT group (p = 0.046). In 16 ISR lesions SES were used after failed IRT and in 46 lesions for first time ISR. In-lesion late loss was higher after use of SES for failed IRT than after use of SES for first time ISR (0.61 (0.67) mm v 0.24 (0.41) mm, p = 0.018). In a multivariate analysis prior failed IRT was the only independent predictor for recurrent restenosis after SES for ISR (p = 0.052, odds ratio 5.8). Six patients (10%) in the SES group and 17 patients (27%) in the IRT group underwent target lesion revascularisation during the 12 months of follow up (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: In this non-randomised matched cohort SES achieved acute and follow up results superior to IRT for treatment of ISR even if cases of failed IRT are included. Failed IRT is a predictor of impaired SES effectiveness.

The impact of transesophageal echocardiography on daily clinical practice.

The development of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) almost 20 years ago has tremendously widened the diagnostic potential of cardiac ultrasound and has, without doubt, strongly improved our pathophysiological understanding of many cardiovascular diseases such as aortic dissection, mitral valve disease or ischemic stroke. Especially the introduction of multiplane transducers that allow imaging of the cardiac structures from various scan plane orientations has yielded a level of diagnostic accuracy that is seldom attained by other imaging modalities. The outstanding image quality as well as the high temporal and spatial resolution provided by TEE renders the method especially suited to visualize small and rapidly moving structures, such as left atrial thrombus formation and valvular vegetations. In addition, TEE is exceptional in its capability to scan the heart from perspectives that cannot be easily attained by any other modality, thus enhancing its diagnostic yield. In the last few years the clinical application of TEE has been extended from a pure diagnostic tool to an indispensable monitoring adjunct for percutaneous interventional procedures as well as for the intra- and peri-operative monitoring in the operating theatre and on the intensive care unit. In the surroundings of emerging sophisticated technologies to image the heart and the great vessels within the thorax such as multi-slice computed tomography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging TEE asserts a firm place in the diagnostic armamentarium for the cardiologist. This review will focus the impact of TEE in daily clinical practice and on possible future applications of the technique.

[Acute and chronic-constrictive pericarditis]. / Akute und chronisch-konstriktive Perikarditis.

Acute pericarditis is an inflammatory disease of the pericardium of variable etiology. A viral infection may sometimes precede symptoms but frequently the etiology re-mains unknown (idiopathic pericarditis). The disease is typically associated with left-sided chest pain and ECG abnormalities mimicking acute myocardial infarction. At physical examination the characteristic finding is a pericardial friction rub. A pericardial effusion of varying extent may be present or develop in the course of the disease. Pericardial tamponade, which may develop insidiously, represents a life-threatening complication. Pathophysiologically, filling of the cardiac chambers is impeded resulting in orthopnea, tachycardia, and eventually shock. Emergency pericardiocentesis is the treatment of choice. Constrictive pericarditis is the result of a chronic inflammation of the pericardium. Clinically it is characterized by dyspnea during exercise, symptoms of right heart failure and typical hemodynamic findings. Treatment primarily includes surgical removal of the thickened pericardium.

QRS prolongation on surface ECG and brain natriuretic peptide as indicators of left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the combination of prolonged QRS duration and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels predicts left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) with a higher accuracy compared with QRS duration or BNP alone. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: We studied 128 consecutive patients with suspected cardiac disease. At rest the QRS duration on 12-lead ECG and BNP levels were determined. A left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% at echocardiography was defined as LVSD. RESULTS: QRS duration in the LVSD group (n = 66, LVEF 30 +/- 8%) was longer than in the group without LVSD (n = 62, LVEF 60 +/- 5%; QRS 129 +/- 34 vs. 96 +/- 20 ms, P < 0.001). BNP was higher in the LVSD group compared with controls (467 +/- 397 vs. 169 +/- 242 pg mL(-1), P < 0.001). A QRS duration of >0.1, >0.11 or >0.12 s was highly specific (63, 90 and 98%) but less sensitive (84, 81 and 75%) for the prediction of LVSD. A QRS cut-off value of 106 ms was moderately sensitive (65%) but very specific (87%) for the prediction of LVSD, whereas a BNP cut-off value of >84 pg mL(-1) was highly sensitive (89%) but only modestly specific (58%). The positive likelihood ratio for LVSD of abnormal BNP (2.0) and QRS prolongation >0.1 s (2.3) was improved by the combination of both criteria (5.1). In multivariate analysis, BNP and QRS duration were independent predictors of LVSD. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of abnormal BNP and QRS prolongation yields a higher positive likelihood ratio for the detection of LVSD compared with the two criteria alone.

Mid-systolic septal deceleration. A new sign of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction obtained by color-coded tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is characterized by the presence of a dynamic left ventricular outflow tract gradient. We studied septal longitudinal motion by color coded tissue Doppler echocardiography in a 69-year old HOCM patient during and after catheter based treatment by trans coronary alcohol ablation of septal hypertrophy. The presence of dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction was associated with a characteristic abrupt mid-systolic septal deceleration pattern in the tissue Doppler velocity trace. Five weeks after treatment, this pattern was no longer visible at rest.

M-mode echocardiography overestimates left ventricular mass in patients with normal left ventricular shape: a comparative study using three-dimensional echocardiography.

AIMS: We sought to evaluate whether left ventricular (LV) mass (M) determined by M-mode echocardiography is overestimated compared with LVM calculated by three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (E) in patients with normal LV shape. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 112 studies in 56 patients (60+/-13 years) with hypertension (n=25) or aortic stenosis (n=31) and 30 control subjects (57+/-14 years) evaluated for cardiac sources of embolism were analyzed. LVM by M-mode and 3DE was highly correlated (r=0.85; p<0.001). However, there were broad limits of agreement (-58 to 110 g) demonstrating large variability between the methods. M-mode overestimated 3DE LVM by a mean of 15+/-24% (p<0.001) with overestimation in controls and the different patient groups. Variability was unrelated to increasing quartiles of LVM values. Using technique-specific partition values for normal LVM, the agreement between M-mode and 3DE for the detection of LV hypertrophy was 83% (Kappa=0.59; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although M-mode and 3DE correlate well for the calculation of LVM, there is a systematic difference between the two techniques leading to overestimation of LVM by the 1D technique. Thus, previously published cutoff values for normal LVM derived from M-mode may not apply for 3DE. However, the use of technique-specific partition values allows stratification of patients for the presence of LV hypertrophy with reasonable agreement.

Relation of coronary flow pattern to myocardial blush grade in patients with first acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of myocardial blush grade (MBG) and coronary flow velocity pattern has been used to obtain direct or indirect information about microvascular damage and reperfusion injury after percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography for acute myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relation between coronary blood flow velocity pattern and MBG immediately after angioplasty plus stenting for acute myocardial infarction. DESIGN: The coronary blood flow velocity pattern in the infarct related artery was determined immediately after angioplasty in 35 patients with their first acute myocardial infarct using a Doppler guide wire. Measurements were related to MBG as a direct index of microvascular function in the infarct zone. RESULTS: Coronary flow velocity patterns were different between patients with absent myocardial blush (n = 14), reduced blush (n = 7), or normal blush (n = 14). The following variables (mean (SD)) differed significantly between the three groups: systolic peak flow velocity (cm/s): absent blush 10.9 (4.2), reduced blush 14.2 (6.4), normal blush 19.2 (11.2); p = 0.036; diastolic deceleration rate (ms): absent blush 103 (58), reduced blush 80 (65), normal blush 50 (19); p = 0.025; and diastolic-systolic velocity ratio: absent blush 4.06 (2.18), reduced blush 2.02 (0.55), normal blush 1.88 (1.03); p = 0.002. In a multivariate analysis MBG was the only variable with a significant impact on the diastolic deceleration rate (p = 0.034,) while age, infarct location, time to revascularisation, infarct vessel diameter, and maximum creatine kinase had no significant impact. CONCLUSIONS: The coronary flow velocity pattern in the infarct related epicardial artery is primarily determined by the microvascular function of the dependent myocardium, as reflected by MBG.

The interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism is associated with elevated leukocyte, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts and reduced physical fitness in young healthy smokers.

Smoking and interleukin-6 are important factors in driving inflammation. This study assessed the relationship between smoking, interleukin-6 genotype, physical fitness, and peripheral blood count in healthy young men. For this interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism -174 genotype-phenotype association study 1,929 healthy German male aviators recruited at the central German Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine were stratified by smoking habits. Cardiovascular fitness was expressed as maximal physical working capacity (PWCmax) in watts per kilogram body weight as assessed by maximal exercise testing by cycle ergometry up to physical exhaustion. Smokers had higher leukocyte and lymphocyte counts than nonsmokers and lower PWCmax. In the overall study population the C allele of the interleukin-6 polymorphism was weakly associated with elevated leukocytes and lymphocytes; in nonsmokers the interleukin-6 polymorphism was not associated with altered phenotypes, but in smokers the interleukin-6 C allele was associated with higher leukocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes and with lower PWCmax. Smoking is thus associated with elevated leukocytes and lymphocytes and with reduced physical fitness. Gene carriers with the interleukin-6 C allele may suffer particularly from cigarette smoking.

Cardiovascular risk factors in patients with aortic stenosis predict prevalence of coronary artery disease but not of aortic stenosis: an angiographic pair matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Traditional cardiovascular risk factors have been associated with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease. As these two conditions often co-exist, the association of cardiovascular risk factors with aortic stenosis may reflect confounding. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cardiovascular risk profile in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing elective coronary angiography with that of patients without aortic stenosis or calcification undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS: 523 patients referred for elective diagnostic left heart catheterisation because of severe aortic stenosis formed the case population; 3925 patients without valve disease referred for elective diagnostic left heart catheterisation formed the base control population. Of the latter, 523 were pair matched to the case population for sex, age, and prevalence of relevant coronary artery disease, forming a pair matched control population. Cardiovascular risk factors (male sex, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, family history of coronary artery disease) were assessed in all the patients. RESULTS: None of the cardiovascular risk factors was more prevalent in patients with aortic stenosis than in the base control population or in the pair matched control population. However, male sex, hypercholesterolaemia, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and a family history of coronary artery disease were significantly associated with the presence of additional coronary artery disease in patients with aortic stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular risk factors are commonly present in patients with aortic stenosis. However, when compared with controls matched for age, sex, and angiographically defined coronary artery disease, no risk factor was significantly associated with the prevalence of aortic stenosis. Thus other factors are likely to be more important in the pathogenesis of aortic stenosis.

Relation between the angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T gene polymorphism and blood pressure in a large, homogeneous study population.

The aim of this study was to assess the association of the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism with arterial blood pressure (BP) at rest and under physical stress in a homogeneous large-scale study population. In all, 1903 men who passed routine medical examination for military flying duty were recruited. BP and heart rate were measured at rest, during, and after bicycle ergometry. Genotyping for the AGT M235T polymorphism was carried out by PCR and RFLP technique. The AGT T235 allele was associated with a significantly higher diastolic BP (n=1903; MM 81+/-8, MT 83+/-7, TT 83+/-8; P=0.003). Pulse pressure (PP) at rest differed significantly between AGT genotypes (n=1903; MM 51+/-10 mmHg, MT 49+/-10 mmHg, TT 49+/-10 mmHg; P=0.001). During physical activity, BP values showed no significant difference between genotypes. In healthy young men, the AGT T235 allele is significantly associated with elevated diastolic BP but also reduced PP at rest. During physical activity, the AGT polymorphism had no impact on blood pressure, indicating the existence of other counteracting mechanisms, which might balance the influence of this gene.

The vitamin D receptor gene variant and physical activity predicts fasting glucose levels in healthy young men.

AIMS: Vitamin D can influence lipolysis and insulin secretion. A common genetic polymorphism of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which has been found to be associated with bone mineral density, has been reported to be also associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). To test the influence of the VDR polymorphism on fasting glucose in healthy young men before the onset of Type 2 DM, we studied a homogeneous population of aircrew members. METHODS: A total of 1539 individuals were recruited during routine medical qualification for flying duty. Physical activity was assessed in all individuals and categorized into low physical activity ( 3 h per week). The BsmI VDR polymorphism was analysed by polymerase chain reaction. On the day of blood testing the individuals were fasting for at least 8 h overnight. Serum glucose was measured within 60 min after sampling venous blood. RESULTS: In young males with low physical activity (n = 752) gene carriers with the VDR genotype BB (n = 137) have significantly (P < 0.001) higher levels of fasting glucose (5.61 +/- 0.49 mmol/l) than gene carriers with the genotype Bb (n = 370; 5.44 +/- 0.44 mmol/l) or bb (n = 245; 5.38 +/- 0.44 mmol/l). Of BB gene carriers, 47% had fasting glucose levels > 5.55 mmol/l compared with 36% of Bb gene carriers and 34% of bb gene carriers (P = 0.018). This effect is absent in gene carriers with high physical activity (n = 787). CONCLUSIONS: The VDR genotype is associated with altered fasting glucose levels in young men with low physical activity. If this association is confirmed in other populations it might be worthwhile studying the particular benefits of an exercise programme in dependents of the VDR genotype.