Early menopause is associated with abnormal diastolic function and poor clinical outcomes in women with suspected angina.

Early identification of women at high risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), with subsequent monitoring, will allow for improved clinical outcomes and generally better quality of life. This study aimed to identify the associations between early menopause, abnormal diastolic function, and clinical outcomes. This retrospective study included 795 menopausal women from is a nationwide, multicenter, registry of patients with suspected angina visiting outpatient clinic. The patients into two groups: early and normal menopause (menopausal age ≤ 45 and > 45 years, respectively). If participants met > 50% of the diastolic function criteria, they were classified as having normal diastolic function. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to test associations between menopausal age and clinical outcomes including the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), over a median follow-up period of 771 days. Early menopause was associated with increased waist circumference (p = 0.001), diabetes prevalence (p = 0.003), obstructive coronary artery disease (p = 0.005), abnormal diastolic function (p = 0.003) and greater incidences of MACE, acute coronary syndrome, and hospitalization for heart failure. In patients with abnormal diastolic function, early menopause increased MACE risk significantly, with no significant difference in normal diastolic function. These findings highlight early menopause and abnormal diastolic function as being potential risk markers in women for midlife CVD events.

Sex differences of sequential changes in coronary blood flow and microvascular function in patients with suspected angina.

AIMS: This study evaluated the sex differences of sequential changes in coronary blood flows and microvascular function in patients with suspected angina but with no obstructed coronary arteries. METHODS: A total of 202 consecutive patients who experienced chest pain but had no significant coronary artery stenosis and who underwent adenosine stress echocardiography were included in the study. Coronary blood flow (CBF) velocities were measured at 1, 2, and 3 min after adenosine infusion. RESULTS: The mean age was 61 years, and 138 (68%) were women. Approximately 40% of patients had coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD, coronary flow velocity reserve < 2.3), with women exhibiting higher CMD prevalence. The left ventricular (LV) mass index was similar between men and women, while women exhibited higher baseline rate pressure products (RPP). At baseline, coronary blood flow velocities were similar between the sexes. However, CBF velocities in women gradually increased during the examination; and in men, the increase was abrupt and steep during the early stages of examination (p = 0.015 for interaction between time and sex), even with similar RPP in stress. Coronary flow velocity reserve was steadily lower in women compared to men (1 min, 2.09 ± 0.86 vs 2.44 ± 0.87; 2 min, 2.39 ± 0.72 vs 2.63 ± 0.85; 3 min, 2.45 ± 0.70 vs 2.68 ± 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected angina but with no obstructed coronary arteries, CMD was especially prevalent among women. Women exhibited higher oxygen consumption, while exhibiting slower and gradual increases in CBF velocities. Conversely, men exhibited faster and steeper increases in CBF velocities even with similar RPP in stress.

Atrial Cardiomyopathy with Impaired Functional Reserve in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Impaired atrial functional reserve during exercise may represent an early stage of atrial cardiomyopathy. To test this hypothesis, the authors evaluated left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) function reserve during exercise in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). METHODS: Sixty-one patients with PAF undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation and 38 healthy control subjects were prospectively enrolled. LV global longitudinal strain and LA reservoir strain (RS) were measured at rest and during supine bicycle exercise. To identify the early stage of atrial cardiomyopathy without LA structural remodeling, patients with PAF were divided into two groups according to LA volume index (LAVI): atrial fibrillation (AF) group 1 (LAVI ≥ 34 mL/m2) and AF group 2 (LAVI < 34 mL/m2). RESULTS: LV ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain did not differ between patients with AF and control subjects. LAVI and LA RS did not differ between AF group 2 and control subjects. During exercise, LV global longitudinal strain improved in all groups. Increases in LA RS were attenuated in both AF groups, which also exhibited lower LA functional reserve index than the control subjects. Although resting LA RS was similar between AF group 2 and control subjects, LA functional reserve index was significantly lower in AF group 2. LA functional reserve index was associated with risk for AF recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.852; 95% CI, 0.736-0.988). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial cardiomyopathy can be anticipated by impaired LA functional reserve during exercise in patients with AF, even in those with normal-sized left atria. Atrial cardiomyopathy occurs independently of changes in LV function and is associated with the recurrence of AF in patients with PAF after radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Incremental value of QT interval for the prediction of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain.

Identification of obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) in patients with chest pain is a clinical challenge. The value of corrected QT interval (QTc) for the prediction of OCAD has yet to be established. We consecutively enrolled 1741 patients with suspected angina. The presence of obstructive OCAD was defined as ≥ 50% diameter stenosis by coronary angiography. The pre-test probability was evaluated by combining QTc prolongation with the CAD Consortium clinical score (CAD2) and the updated Diamond-Forrester (UDF) score. OCAD was detected in 661 patients (38.0%). QTc was longer in patients with OCAD compared with those without OCAD (444 ± 34 vs. 429 ± 28 ms, p < 0.001). QTc was increased by the severity of OCAD (P < 0.001). QTc prolongation was associated with OCAD (odds ratio (OR), 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.81-2.85). With QTc, the C-statistics increased significantly from 0.68 (95% CI 0.66-0.71) to 0.76 (95% CI 0.74-0.78) in the CAD2 and from 0.64 (95% CI 0.62-0.67) to 0.74 (95% CI 0.72-0.77) in the UDF score, respectively. QT prolongation predicted the presence of OCAD and the QTc improved model performance to predict OCAD compared with CAD2 or UDF scores in patients with suspected angina.

Impact of cardiovascular disease and risk factors on fatal outcomes in patients with COVID-19 according to age: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies that evaluated cardiovascular risk factors considered age as a potential confounder. We aimed to investigate the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors on fatal outcomes according to age in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed on data collected from PubMed and Embase databases up to 11 June 2020. All observational studies (case series or cohort studies) that assessed in-hospital patients were included, except those involving the paediatric population. Prevalence rates of comorbid diseases and clinical outcomes were stratified by mean patient age in each study (ranges: <50 years, 50-60 years and ≥60 years). The primary outcome measure was a composite fatal outcome of severe COVID-19 or death. RESULTS: We included 51 studies with a total of 48 317 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Overall, the relative risk of developing severe COVID-19 or death was significantly higher in patients with risk factors for CVD (hypertension: OR 2.50, 95% CI 2.15 to 2.90; diabetes: 2.25, 95% CI 1.89 to 2.69) and CVD (3.11, 95% 2.55 to 3.79). Younger patients had a lower prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and CVD compared with older patients; however, the relative risk of fatal outcomes was higher among the former. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the meta-analysis suggest that CVD and its risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) were closely related to fatal outcomes in COVID-19 for patients across all ages. Although young patients had lower prevalence rates of cardiovascular comorbidities than elderly patients, relative risk of fatal outcome in young patients with hypertension, diabetes and CVD was higher than in elderly patients. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020198152.

Impact of carotid atherosclerosis in CHA2DS2-VASc-based risk score on predicting ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular disease is an established risk factor for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), which is included in CHA2DS2-VASc score. However, the role of carotid atherosclerosis remains to be determined. METHODS: Three hundred-ten patients with AF who underwent carotid sonography were enrolled. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 31 months, 18 events (5.8%) of stroke were identified. Patients with stroke had higher carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) (1.16 ± 0.33 mm vs. 0.98 ± 0.25 mm, p = 0.017). CIMT was significantly increased according to the CHA2DS2-VASc score (p < 0.001) and it was correlated with left ventricular mass index and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e'), a ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to e' (E/e') and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (all p < 0.05). Cox regression using multivariate models showed that carotid plaque was associated with the risk of stroke (hazard ratio, 3.748; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.107 to 12.688; p = 0.034). C-statistics increased from 0.648 (95% CI, 0.538 to 0.757) to 0.716 (95% CI, 0.628 to 0.804) in the CHA2DS2-VASc score model after the addition of CIMT and carotid plaque as a vascular component (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Increased CIMT and presence of carotid plaque are associated with a high risk of ischemic stroke, and CIMT is related to myocardial remodeling and diastolic dysfunction, suggesting that carotid atherosclerosis can improve risk prediction of stroke in patients with AF, when included under vascular disease in the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system.

Additional roles of diastolic parameters in the diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: A recent guideline emphasizes the role of four indicators, including annular e´ velocity, E/e´, left atrial (LA) size, and peak tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity, in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. This study was performed to determine the relationships among these four parameters and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: The study data were obtained from a nation-wide registry, composed of 1307 patients (age, 60.4 ± 10.8 years; 964 women) with normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF) who underwent invasive coronary angiography in the suspicion of CAD. Septal e´, E/e´, LA dimension (LAd), and TR velocity were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: Compared with patients without obstructive CAD, those with obstructive CAD showed changes in diastolic parameters indicating more progressed LV diastolic dysfunction in univariate analyses. In multiple logistic regression analysis, low septal e´ velocity (<7 cm/s) was identified as an independent risk factor associated with obstructive CAD (odd ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-3.36; P = 0.026). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that septal e´ velocity had the most powerful value in the detection of obstructive CAD than the other three diastolic parameters (P < 0.01 for each comparison). Septal e´ velocity significantly increased diagnostic value of treadmill exercise test (TET) in the detection of obstructive CAD (P < 0.001 for integrated discrimination improvement index). CONCLUSIONS: Among the four diastolic parameters, septal e´ velocity had the most powerful relationship with obstructive CAD in stable patients with normal LVEF. The addition of septal e´ velocity could improve the diagnostic value of TET.

Oestrogen inhibits salt-dependent hypertension by suppressing GABAergic excitation in magnocellular AVP neurons.

AIMS: Abundant evidence indicates that oestrogen (E2) plays a protective role against hypertension. Yet, the mechanism underlying the antihypertensive effect of E2 is poorly understood. In this study, we sought to determine the mechanism through which E2 inhibits salt-dependent hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: To this end, we performed a series of in vivo and in vitro experiments employing a rat model of hypertension that is produced by deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment after uninephrectomy. We found that E2 prevented DOCA-salt treatment from inducing hypertension, raising plasma arginine-vasopressin (AVP) level, enhancing the depressor effect of the V1a receptor antagonist (Phenylac1,D-Tyr(Et)2,Lys6,Arg8,des-Gly9)-vasopressin, and converting GABAergic inhibition to excitation in hypothalamic magnocellular AVP neurons. Moreover, we obtained results indicating that the E2 modulation of the activity and/or expression of NKCC1 (Cl- importer) and KCC2 (Cl- extruder) underpins the effect of E2 on the transition of GABAergic transmission in AVP neurons. Lastly, we discovered that, in DOCA-salt-treated hypertensive ovariectomized rats, CLP290 (prodrug of the KCC2 activator CLP257, intraperitoneal injections) lowered blood pressure, and plasma AVP level and hyperpolarized GABA equilibrium potential to prevent GABAergic excitation from emerging in the AVP neurons of these animals. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we conclude that E2 inhibits salt-dependent hypertension by suppressing GABAergic excitation to decrease the hormonal output of AVP neurons.

Sex Difference in the Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis of Data from the KoRean wOmen'S chest pain rEgistry (KoROSE).

Background: The sex-related impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) has not been well evaluated. Methods: A total of 1156 patients (62 years and 58% women) with chest pain undergoing invasive coronary angiography (CAG) were recruited from the database of the nation-wide chest pain registry. MetS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. OCAD was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the left main coronary artery and/or ≥70% stenosis of any other coronary arteries. Results: Women were older than men (65 vs. 59 years, p < 0.001). OCAD (32.0% vs. 30.9%) and MetS (27.8% vs. 27.9%) prevalence rates were similar in both sexes (p > 0.05). The presence of MetS was associated with higher prevalence of OCAD in women (24.5% vs. 47.3%, p < 0.001), but not in men (31.0% vs. 34.3%, p = 0.487). The linear association between the number of components meeting MetS criteria and OCAD prevalence was significant in both sexes (p < 0.001 for each), but it was stronger in women than in men (Chi-square value: 81.9 vs. 14.8, p < 0.001). In a multivariable model, the presence of MetS was independently associated with OCAD in women even after controlling for potential confounders (odds ratio, 1.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.31-2.81; p = 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with chest pain undergoing invasive CAG, the association between the number of components meeting MetS criteria and OCAD prevalence was stronger in women than in men.

Protective Effects of Statin and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker in a Rat Model of Doxorubicin- and Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy has led to improved survival in patients with breast cancer; however, it is associated with an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. We investigated the protective effects of rosuvastatin and candesartan, alone and in combination, in a doxorubicin- and trastuzumab-induced rat model of cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Forty-two rats were allocated into six groups (G1-G6): G1, control; G2, doxorubicin only; G3, doxorubicin + trastuzumab; G4, doxorubicin + trastuzumab + rosuvastatin; G5, doxorubicin + trastuzumab + candesartan; and G6, doxorubicin + trastuzumab + rosuvastatin + candesartan. Doxorubicin and trastuzumab were sequentially administered for 28 days. Left ventricular end-systolic dimension and longitudinal strain (LS) were assessed via echocardiography. Left ventricular (LV) performance was evaluated using a microcatheter in the LV apex on day 28. Blood for biomarker analysis was collected from the inferior vena cava before sacrifice. RESULTS: Doxorubicin in combination with trastuzumab increased the LV end-systolic dimension but worsened LS compared with the control group (all P < .05). The level of C-reactive protein was lower in the rosuvastatin treatment group (P = .007) than in the controls but not in the candesartan treatment group. Both rosuvastatin and candesartan attenuated the increase in glutathione. Candesartan treatment improved +dP/dt (P = .011), whereas rosuvastatin did not. In the combination treatment group, the worsening of LS was significantly attenuated compared with that in either the rosuvastatin or candesartan group (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model of doxorubicin- and trastuzumab-induced cardiomyopathy, rosuvastatin alleviated systemic inflammation, while candesartan improved LV performance. Combination therapy with rosuvastatin and candesartan demonstrated additional preventive effects on myocardial strain. The protective mechanisms of rosuvastatin and candesartan appear to be different but complementary in chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy.

Transmural difference in myocardial damage assessed by layer-specific strain analysis in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction.

We performed layer-specific strain analysis with speckle-tracking echocardiography to investigate the transmural difference of myocardial damage as the predicting factor for the viability of damaged myocardium in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We analysed patients with acute STEMI who had undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention and echocardiography within 24 h from the intervention and 2 months after the event. Segmental strains of the left ventricular (LV) endocardium, myocardium, epicardium, and strain gradient (SG) between the endocardium and epicardium were evaluated. In 34 patients, 112 akinetic/dyskinetic and 94 hypokinetic segments were observed among 612 segments of the LV at baseline, and 65 akinetic/dyskinetic segments had viability. In our study, layer-specific strains were gradually deteriorated by their wall motion. SG was augmented in the hypokinetic segments where inhomogeneous wall motion impairment was progressed. SG in the akinetic/dyskinetic segments was different between the viable and non-viable myocardium and was maintained in viable segments. We therefore believe that significantly reduced SG is indicative of irreversible transmural damage in the acute stage of STEMI and can be suitably used as a parameter for predicting myocardial viability.

Sex differences of the association between marital status and coronary artery disease in patients experiencing chest pain: The Korean Women's Chest Pain Registry.

OBJECTIVE: Marriage is an important social practice that predicts various health outcomes, including those of cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the sex-specific association between marital status and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients experiencing chest pain. METHODS: Study data were obtained from a nationwide registry of patients with suspected CAD who underwent coronary angiography. We dichotomized all participants according to marital status as follows: without a spouse (single, divorced, or widowed), and with a spouse. Significant CAD was defined as greater than 50% narrowing of the lumen diameter in any of the coronary arteries. RESULTS: The presence of significant CAD was significantly higher in female participants without a spouse than in female participants with a spouse. However, there was no significant difference in the presence of CAD in men between the two groups. Interestingly, there was also no significant difference in the presence of CAD between women without a spouse and men without a spouse. After adjustment for all possible confounding factors, women without a spouse had a 1.62-fold increased hazard for significant CAD in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to men, a without spouse status is independently associated with significant CAD in women experiencing chest pain. Women with a spouse had the lowest presence of CAD among all groups. In the management of female patients experiencing chest pain, clinicians should consider their social characteristics, including marital status, to predict subsequent cardiovascular disease and determine the appropriate treatment. : Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A567.

Video Summary:http://links.lww.com/MENO/A567.

Assessment of the Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Its Association with the Left Atrial Pressure in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

Background and Objectives: The evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is challenging. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the diagnostic algorithm for LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in the current guidelines and to evaluate the association between increased left atrial pressure (LAP) and LV diastolic parameters. Methods: One hundred and twenty-four patients with non-valvular AF and a preserved LV ejection fraction who had the same rhythm status on echocardiography and LAP measurements during catheter ablation were included. LV diastolic function was classified as normal, indeterminate, or LVDD according to the recent guidelines. Increased LAP was defined as mean LAP (mLAP) ≥15 mmHg. Results: The mLAP was not different among the normal, indeterminate, and LVDD groups. However, the prevalence of increased LAP was higher in the LVDD group. Among the LV diastolic parameters, only medial E/e' was independently associated with mLAP in the whole study population. In patients with persistent AF (PeAF), E/e' and e' were significantly associated with mLAP, whereas in paroxysmal AF (PAF), mLAP was not associated with the LV diastolic parameters but with left atrial conduit function. Conclusions: In general, increased LAP is known to be closely related with LVDD. However, the algorithm for LVDD from recent guidelines does not reflect well the increased LAP in AF patients. The diastolic parameters may aid in estimating the increased LAP in PeAF but may only have limited value for assessing increased LAP in PAF.

Gender differences in the presentation of chest pain in obstructive coronary artery disease: results from the Korean Women's Chest Pain Registry.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chest pain in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) is affected by several social factors. The gender-based differences in chest pain among Koreans have yet to be investigated. METHODS: The study consecutively enrolled 1,549 patients (male/female, 514/1,035; 61 ± 11 years old) with suspected angina. The predictive factors for OCAD based on gender were evaluated. RESULTS: Men experienced more squeezing type pain on the left side of chest, while women demonstrated more dull quality pain in the retrosternal and epigastric area. After adjustment for risk factors, pain in the retrosternal area (odds ratio [OR], 1.491; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.178 to 1.887) and aggravation by exercise (OR, 2.235; 95% CI, 1.745 to 2.861) were positively associated with OCAD. In men, shorter duration (OR, 1.581; 95% CI, 1.086 to 2.303) and dyspnea (OR, 1.610; 95% CI, 1.040 to 2.490) increased the probability for OCAD, while left-sided chest pain suggested a low probability for OCAD (OR, 0.590; 95% CI, 0.388 to 0.897). In women, aggravation by emotional stress (OR, 0.348; 95% CI, 0.162 to 0.746) and dizziness (OR, 0.457; 95% CI, 0.246 to 0.849) decreased the probability for OCAD. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to focus on gender differences in chest pain among Koreans with angina. Symptoms with high probability for OCAD were different between sexes. Our findings suggest that patient's medical history in pretest assessment for OCAD should be individualized considering gender.

Association between obesity type and obstructive coronary artery disease in stable symptomatic postmenopausal women: data from the KoRean wOmen'S chest pain rEgistry (KoROSE).

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the association between obesity type and obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Study data were obtained from a nation-wide registry, composed of 659 women older than 55 years with chest pain undergoing elective invasive coronary angiography in the suspicion of CAD. Obstructive CAD was defined as angiographic findings of ≥50% diameter stenosis with any major epicardial coronary artery. Overall obesity was defined as a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m, and central obesity was defined as a waist circumference of ≥85 cm. RESULTS: A total of 311 women (47.2%) had obstructive CAD. The incidence of overall obesity was not different between participants with and without obstructive CAD (P = 0.340), but the prevalence of obstructive CAD was significantly higher in participants with central obesity than those without (55.5% vs 41.0%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in body mass index between participants with and without obstructive CAD (P = 0.373). Multivariable analysis showed that central obesity was associated with obstructive CAD even after controlling for potential confounders (odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.34; P = 0.013). However, overall obesity was not associated with obstructive CAD in the same multivariable analysis (P = 0.228). CONCLUSIONS: Central obesity but not overall obesity is associated with obstructive CAD in postmenopausal women with stable chest pain undergoing invasive coronary angiography. : Video Summary: Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/MENO/A440.

Serum Aldosterone Is Related to Left Ventricular Geometry and Function in Young Adults with Never-Treated Primary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Although aldosterone has been demonstrated to induce left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy not only in primary aldosteronism but also in primary hypertension (HT), it can be affected by multiple factors, including age, and the effect of aldosterone on LV function is controversial. This study was to investigate the relationship of aldosterone to changes in LV geometry and function in young adults with never-treated HT. METHODS: Seventy-five consecutive patients (age, 29.8 ± 6.3 years) with never-treated HT and 45 normal controls were enrolled. Echocardiographic values and LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) were obtained. Serum aldosterone concentration (SAC) and serum procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP) level were obtained in HT patients. RESULTS: HT patients had higher LV mass index, higher relative wall thickness (RWT), and worse LV function than normal controls. LVGLS and e' velocity were worse in HT patients with normal geometry than in normal controls. SAC was well correlated with LV mass index, RWT, e' velocity, LVGLS, and PIIINP (all p < 0.05). LV geometry pattern was most related to SAC among clinical parameters (p = 0.019). LVGLS was most related to LV geometry and diastolic blood pressure. In contrast, e' velocity was most related to PIIINP. CONCLUSION: Our findings may indicate that in young patients with never-treated HT, aldosterone significantly contributes to changes in LV geometry and functional impairment through its pro-hypertrophic and myocardial fibrosis effects beyond blood pressure.

Clinical and Echocardiographic Risk Factors Predict Late Recurrence after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

The benefits of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly decrease with late recurrence (LR). We aimed to develop a scoring system to identify patients at high and low risk for LR following RFCA, based on a comprehensive evaluation of multiple risk factors for AF recurrence, including echocardiographic parameters. We studied 2,352 patients with AF undergoing first-time RFCA in a single institution. The LR-free survival rate up to 5 years was measured using a Kaplan-Meier analysis. The influence of clinical and echocardiographic parameters on LR was calculated with a Cox-regression analysis. Duration of AF ≥4 years (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.75; p < 0.001), non-paroxysmal AF (HR = 3.18; p < 0.001), and diabetes (HR = 1.34; p = 0.015) were associated with increased risk of LR. Left atrial (LA) diameter ≥45 mm (HR = 2.42; p < 0.001), E/e' ≥ 10 (HR = 1.44; p < 0.001), dense SEC (HR = 3.30; p < 0.001), and decreased LA appendage flow velocity (≤40 cm/sec) (HR = 2.35; p < 0.001) were echocardiographic parameters associated with increased risk of LR following RFCA. The LR score based on the aforementioned risk factors could be used to predict LR (area under curve = 0.717) and to stratify the risk of LR (HR = 1.45 per 1 point increase in the score; p < 0.001). In conclusion, LR after RFCA is affected by multiple clinical and echocardiographic parameters. This study suggests that combining these multiple risk factors enables the identification of patients with AF at high or low risk for having arrhythmia recurrence.

Impact of Left Bundle Branch Block on Left Atrial Dyssynchrony and Its Relationship to Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients with Heart Failure and Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background and Objectives: The impact of left bundle branch block (LBBB) on left atrial (LA) dyssynchrony in heart failure (HF) patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been clearly elucidated. Methods: Eighty consecutive symptomatic HF patients with non-ischemic DCM (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF<35%) were included. LBBB was defined on electrocardiography. Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony index and LA dyssynchrony index were obtained by color-coded tissue Doppler imaging. Results: There was no significant difference in LV size, LVEF, LV global longitudinal strain, peak atrial longitudinal strain and LA volume between patients with LBBB (n=38) and no LBBB (n=42). There was a significant difference in LV systolic dyssynchrony index (p=0.014) and there was a mild difference in LV diastolic synchronicity index (p=0.045) between patients with LBBB and no LBBB. However, there was no difference in LA dyssynchrony index between the 2 groups (p=0.60). LA dyssynchrony index was not related to LV systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony indexes, but it was related to the deceleration time of mitral early diastolic velocity (E), the ratio of E to mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e') and LA volume. E/e' was most related to LA dyssynchrony index (r2=0.325, p=0.002). Conclusions: LBBB influences both LV systolic and diastolic dyssynchrony, but not LA dyssynchrony. LA dyssynchrony was related to LV diastolic function regardless of the presence of LBBB in in patients with non-ischemic DCM.

Sex Differences in Traditional and Nontraditional Risk Factors for Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease in Stable Symptomatic Patients.

BACKGROUND: There have been limited data on sex-specific risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with stable chest pain. This study was performed to investigate whether risk factors for CAD differ by sex in stable symptomatic patients. METHODS: Data were obtained from a nation-wide registry, enrolling 1025 patients (age, 62.0 ± 11.0 years, 587 women) with chest pain who underwent elective invasive coronary angiography under the suspicion of CAD. RESULTS: A total of 373 patients (36.4%) had obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis) (men vs. women: 33.8% vs. 38.3%, p = 0.135). In men, univariate analyses showed that age, renal function, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), left ventricular (LV) systolic function, and septal annular velocity of LV (e') were significantly associated with the presence of obstructive CAD. Among these factors, a high CRP level (≥0.50 mg/dL) was an independent predictor of CAD in multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-6.82; p = 0.012). In women, univariate analyses showed that age, waist circumference, heart rate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LV systolic function, LV mass index, e' velocity, E/e', and left atrial size were significantly associated with the presence of obstructive CAD. Among these factors, lower e' velocity (<6.35 cm/s) was an independent predictor of CAD in multivariable analysis (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.21-4.70; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with stable chest pain, inflammation and LV diastolic dysfunction are independently associated with obstructive CAD in men and women, respectively.

Effects of multiparity on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in women: cross-sectional study of the KoRean wOmen'S chest pain rEgistry (KoROSE).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and multiparity in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Linked secondary and tertiary care records from 29 cardiac centres which participated in KoRean wOmen'S chest pain rEgistry. PARTICIPANTS: 960 women with suspected CAD who underwent invasive coronary angiography from February 2011 to May 2017. The patients were classified by parity number, as follows: low-parity, 0 to <3; multiparity, ≥3 pregnancies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction. RESULTS: There were 302 and 658 low-parity and multiparity patients, respectively. The prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly higher in the multiparity than in the low-parity group. The multiparity group had significantly lower E and e´ septal velocities and E/A ratio, and had a significantly higher E/e´ ratio and right ventricular systolic pressure, which are parameters of LV diastolic dysfunction, than the low-parity group. The prevalence of CAD was significantly higher in the multiparity than in the low-parity group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified a parity of 2.5 as the cut-off for predicting LV diastolic dysfunction (area under the curve, 0.66; sensitivity, 74.1%; specificity, 52.0%; 95% CI 0.607 to 0.706; p<0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, multivariate regression analysis showed that multiparity had a 1.80-fold increased risk for LV diastolic dysfunction (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.053 to 3.081, p=0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction was higher in multiparity than in low-parity women with suspected CAD. Multiparity was an independent risk factor for LV diastolic dysfunction. LV diastolic dysfunction should be evaluated in multiparous women for the risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease and facilitate the initiation of appropriate treatment.