Validating real-time three-dimensional echocardiography against cardiac magnetic resonance, for the determination of ventricular mass, volume and ejection fraction: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) is currently being developed to overcome the challenges of two-dimensional echocardiography, as it is a much cheaper alternative to the gold standard imaging method, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The aim of this meta-analysis is to validate RT3DE by comparing it to CMR, to ascertain whether it is a practical imaging method for routine clinical use. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis method was used to synthesise the evidence and studies published between 2000 and 2021 were searched using a PRISMA approach. Study outcomes included left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular mass (LVM), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV), right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). Subgroup analysis included study quality (high, moderate), disease outcomes (disease, healthy and disease), age group (50 years old and under, over 50 years), imaging plane (biplane, multiplane) and publication year (2010 and earlier, after 2010) to determine whether they explained the heterogeneity and significant difference results generated on RT3DE compared to CMR. RESULTS: The pooled mean differences for were - 5.064 (95% CI - 10.132, 0.004, p > 0.05), 4.654 (95% CI - 4.947, 14.255, p > 0.05), - 0.783 (95% CI - 5.630, 4.065, p > 0.05, - 0.200 (95% CI - 1.215, 0.815, p > 0.05) for LVEF, LVM, RVESV and RVEF, respectively. We found no significant difference between RT3DE and CMR for these variables. Although, there was a significant difference between RT3DE and CMR for LVESV, LVEDV and RVEDV where RT3DE reports a lower value. Subgroup analysis indicated a significant difference between RT3DE and CMR for studies with participants with an average age of over 50 years but no significant difference for those under 50. In addition, a significant difference between RT3DE and CMR was found in studies using only participants with cardiovascular diseases but not in those using a combination of diseased and healthy participants. Furthermore, for the variables LVESV and LVEDV, the multiplane method shows no significant difference between RT3DE and CMR, as opposed to the biplane showing a significant difference. This potentially indicates that increased age, the presence of cardiovascular disease and the biplane analysis method decrease its concordance with CMR. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates promising results for the use of RT3DE, with limited difference to CMR. Although in some cases, RT3DE appears to underestimate volume, ejection fraction and mass when compared to CMR. Further research is required in terms of imaging method and technology to validate RT3DE for routine clinical use.

Interaction between the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular strain and its relationship with coronary stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery stenosis (CAS) is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in both men and women globally. CAS occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle harden and become narrower due to plaque buildup - cholesterol and other material - on their inner walls. As a result, the heart muscle cannot receive the blood or oxygen it needs. Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts' blood supply, causing permanent heart damage. AIM: To analyze the relationship between the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular strain (LVS), and coronary stenosis. METHODS: A total of 190 participants were enrolled in this trail. The control group comprised 93 healthy individuals, and observation group comprised 97 patients with coronary heart disease who were hospitalized between July 2020 and September 2021. Coronary lesions were assessed using the Gensini score, and the LVEF and LVS were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The interaction between the LVEF and LVS was examined using a linear regression model. The relationship between LVEF and coronary stenosis was examined using Spearman's correlation. RESULTS: The LVEF of the observation group was lower than that of the control group. The left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The longitudinal and circumferential strains (LS, CS) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group; however, the radial strain (RS) of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). LVS, LS, and CS were significantly negatively correlated with the LVEF, and RS was positively correlated with the LVEF. There were significant differences in the LVEF, LVESV, and LVEDV of patients with different Gensini scores; the LVEF significantly decreased and the LVESV and LVEDV increased with increasing Gensini scores (P < 0.05). In the observation group, the LVEF was negatively correlated and the LVESV and LVEDV were positively correlated with coronary stenosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The LVEF measured using MRI is significantly linearly correlated with LVS and negatively correlated with coronary stenosis.

Improved mid-term stability of MR reduction with an increased number of clips after percutaneous mitral valve repair in functional MR.

Background: Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) has evolved to be a standard procedure in suitable patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) not accessible for open surgery. Here, we analyzed the influence of the number and positioning of the clips implanted during the procedure on MR reduction analyzing also sub-collectives of functional and degenerative MR (DMR). Results: We included 410 patients with severe MR undergoing PMVR using the MitraClip® System. MR and reduction of MR were analyzed by TEE at the beginning and at the end of the PMVR procedure. To specify the clip localization, we sub-divided segment 2 into 3 sub-segments using the segmental classification of the mitral valve. Results: We found an enhanced reduction of MR predominantly in DMR patients who received more than one clip. Implantation of only one clip led to a higher MR reduction in patients with functional MR (FMR) in comparison to patients with DMR. No significant differences concerning pressure gradients could be observed in degenerative MR patients regardless of the number of clips implanted. A deterioration of half a grade of the achieved MR reduction was observed 6 months post-PMVR independent of the number of implanted clips with a better stability in FMR patients, who got 3 clips compared to patients with only one clip. Conclusions: In patients with FMR, after 6 months the reduction of MR was more stable with an increased number of implanted clips, which suggests that this specific patient collective may benefit from a higher number of clips.

Reshaping the Ventricle From Within: MIRTH (Myocardial Intramural Remodeling by Transvenous Tether) Ventriculoplasty in Swine.

MIRTH (Myocardial Intramural Remodeling by Transvenous Tether) is a transcatheter ventricular remodeling procedure. A transvenous tension element is placed within the walls of the beating left ventricle and shortened to narrow chamber dimensions. MIRTH uses 2 new techniques: controlled intramyocardial guidewire navigation and EDEN (Electrocardiographic Radial Depth Navigation). MIRTH caused a sustained reduction in chamber dimensions in healthy swine. Midventricular implants approximated papillary muscles. MIRTH shortening improved myocardial contractility in cardiomyopathy in a dose-dependent manner up to a threshold beyond which additional shortening reduced performance. MIRTH may help treat dilated cardiomyopathy. Clinical investigation is warranted.

Prospective multiparametric CMR characterization and MicroRNA profiling of anthracycline cardiotoxicity: A pilot translational study.

Background: Anthracycline cardiotoxicity is a significant clinical challenge. Biomarkers to improve risk stratification and identify early cardiac injury are required. Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to prospectively characterize anthracycline cardiotoxicity using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), echocardiography and MicroRNAs (MiRNAs), and identify baseline predictors of LVEF recovery. Methods: Twenty-four patients (age 56 range 18-75 years; 42 % female) with haematological malignancy scheduled to receive anthracycline chemotherapy (median dose 272 mg/m2 doxorubicin equivalent) were recruited and evaluated at three timepoints (baseline, completion of chemotherapy, and 6 months after completion of chemotherapy) with multiparametric 1.5 T CMR, echocardiography and circulating miRNAs sequencing. Results: Seventeen complete datasets were obtained. CMR left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) fell significantly between baseline and completion of chemotherapy (61 ± 3 vs 53 ± 3 %, p < 0.001), before recovering significantly at 6-month follow-up (55 ± 3 %, p = 0.018). Similar results were observed for 3D echocardiography-derived LVEF and CMR-derived longitudinal, circumferential and radial feature-tracking strain. Patients were divided into tertiles according to LVEF recovery (poor recovery, partial recovery, good recovery). CMR-derived mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) was significantly different at baseline in patients exhibiting poor LVEF recovery (11.7 ± 1.5 mm) in comparison to partial recovery (13.7 ± 2.7 mm), and good recovery (15.7 ± 3.1 mm; p = 0.028). Furthermore, baseline miRNA-181-5p and miRNA-221-3p expression were significantly higher in this group. T2 mapping increased significantly on completion of chemotherapy compared to baseline (54.0 ± 4.6 to 57.8 ± 4.9 ms, p = 0.001), but was not predictive of LVEF recovery. No changes to LV mass, extracellular volume fraction, T1 mapping or late gadolinium enhancement were observed. Conclusions: Baseline CMR-derived MAPSE, circulating miRNA-181-5p, and miRNA-221-3p were associated with poor recovery of LVEF 6 months after completion of anthracycline chemotherapy, suggesting their potential predictive role in this context. T2 mapping increased significantly on completion of chemotherapy but was not predictive of LVEF recovery.

Limits of Cardiovascular Adaptation During an Extreme Ultramarathon: Insights From Serial Multidimensional, Multiparametric CMR.

Extreme endurance athletic challenges provide unique opportunities to study the cardiovascular system's capacity for structural, functional, and hemodynamic adaptation. The authors present a case of a male subject who ran 2,469 km, with serial multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance imaging used to demonstrate adaptive and maladaptive alterations in cardiac remodeling and myocardial tissue health. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Role of Strauss ECG criteria as predictor of response in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a standard treatment in patients with heart failure; however, approximately 20-40% of recipients of (CRT) do not respond to it based on the current patients' selection criteria. The purpose of this study was to identify the baseline parameters that predict the CRT response and how the ECG morphology can affect the outcome. The study aimed to evaluate the Strauss ECG criteria as a predictor of response in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy. RESULTS: Out of 70 patients, 3 patients missed the 6-month follow-up after CRT implantation, so the study enrolled 67 patients that have been classified according to ECG morphology of LBBB to 37 patients with non-Strauss ECG criteria-one of whom died after 4 months-and 30 patients with Strauss ECG criteria. The number of responders in the study was 50 patients with percentage 75.8%; 52% of CRT responder (26 patients) had non-Strauss ECG criteria, while 48% of CRT responders (24 patients) had Strauss ECG criteria with P value = 0.463. While there was no statistical significance of overall CRT response nor 6-month hospitalization and mortality between patients of Strauss and non-Strauss ECG criteria, there was a significant improvement in NYHA class, EF assessed by biplane Simpson's, end-systolic volume, global longitudinal strain and global circumferential strain by speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with Strauss ECG criteria of LBBB. CONCLUSIONS: There is no statistical significance in overall CRT response nor the 6-month hospitalization and mortality after 6 months of follow-up between patients with Strauss and non-Strauss ECG criteria of LBBB; however, patients with Strauss ECG criteria have better improvement in NYHA class, echocardiographic parameters such as EF and ESV and speckle tracking parameters (GLS and GCS).

A Phase 1 Dose-Escalation Study of the Cardiac Myosin Inhibitor Aficamten in Healthy Participants.

This phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of aficamten (formerly CK-3773274) in healthy adults identified a pharmacologically active range of doses and exposures. At doses that were pharmacologically active (single doses of ≤50 mg or daily dosing of ≤10 mg for 14 or 17 days), aficamten appeared to be safe and well tolerated. Adverse events were generally mild and no more frequent than with placebo. Pharmacokinetic assessments showed dose proportionality over the range of single doses administered, and pharmacokinetics were not affected by administration with food or in otherwise healthy individuals with a cytochrome P450 2D6 poor metabolizer phenotype. (A Single and Multiple Ascending Dose Study of CK-3773274 in Health Adult Subjects; NCT03767855).

Cardiac Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Fibrosis and Remodeling in Heart Failure: Role of PDGF Signaling.

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by progressive fibrosis. Both fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into pro-fibrotic myofibroblasts. MSCs secrete and express platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptors. We hypothesized that PDGF signaling in cardiac MSCs (cMSCs) promotes their myofibroblast differentiation and aggravates post-myocardial infarction left ventricular remodeling and fibrosis. We show that cMSCs from failing hearts post-myocardial infarction exhibit an altered phenotype. Inhibition of PDGF signaling in vitro inhibited cMSC-myofibroblast differentiation, whereas in vivo inhibition during established ischemic HF alleviated left ventricular remodeling and function, and decreased myocardial fibrosis, hypertrophy, and inflammation. Modulating cMSC PDGF receptor expression may thus represent a novel approach to limit pathologic cardiac fibrosis in HF.

MicroRNA-34c-5p provokes isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating autophagy via targeting ATG4B.

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy serves as a significant foundation for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Recently, growing evidence has revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) play multiple roles in biological processes and participate in cardiovascular diseases. In the present research, we investigate the impact of miRNA-34c-5p on cardiac hypertrophy and the mechanism involved. The expression of miR-34c-5p was proved to be elevated in heart tissues from isoprenaline (ISO)-infused mice. ISO also promoted miR-34c-5p level in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs). Transfection with miR-34c-5p mimic enhanced cell surface area and expression levels of foetal-type genes atrial natriuretic factor (Anf) and ß-myosin heavy chain (ß-Mhc) in NRCMs. In contrast, treatment with miR-34c-5p inhibitor attenuated ISO-induced hypertrophic responses. Enforced expression of miR-34c-5p by tail intravenous injection of its agomir led to cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy in mice, whereas inhibiting miR-34c-5p by specific antagomir could protect the animals against ISO-triggered hypertrophic abnormalities. Mechanistically, miR-34c-5p suppressed autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes, which contributed to the development of hypertrophy. Furthermore, the autophagy-related gene 4B (ATG4B) was identified as a direct target of miR-34c-5p, and miR-34c-5p was certified to interact with 3' untranslated region of Atg4b mRNA by dual-luciferase reporter assay. miR-34c-5p reduced the expression of ATG4B, thereby resulting in decreased autophagy activity and induction of hypertrophy. Inhibition of miR-34c-5p abolished the detrimental effects of ISO by restoring ATG4B and increasing autophagy. In conclusion, our findings illuminate that miR-34c-5p participates in ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, at least partly through suppressing ATG4B and autophagy. It suggests that regulation of miR-34c-5p may offer a new way for handling hypertrophy-related cardiac dysfunction.

Isolated OPCABG in moderate chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation: is it a justifiable alternative approach ?

OBJECTIVE: Current evidence does not allow a consensus on the management of moderate chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (CIMR). We compared moderate CIMR patients undergoing off-pump CABG (OPCABG) alone and CABG + MV repair for early mortality, major adverse systemic events (MASE) and mid-term functional outcomes. METHODS: 210 patients with moderate CIMR who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) Group I (n = 106) or CABG + mitral valve repair (MV rep) Group II (n = 104) were followed prospectively. For comparison, patients were further sub-divided based on the product of regurgitant fraction and ejection fraction "RFEF"(Good/Bad) and MR jet direction (Central/Eccentric). The primary end point of the study was mortality and secondary end points were MASE, percentage improvements in indexed left ventricle end-systolic volume (LVESVI %), MR grade and functional outcomes of the patients. RESULTS: In-hospital and overall mortality was significantly lower in Group I (1.89% vs. 13.46%, p < 0.001 and 5.66% vs. 15.38%; p = 0.024 respectively). Group II had significantly higher MASE, ventilation time, mean ICU and hospital stay. At 36 months, LVESVI% (17.56% ± 9.12% vs. 18.81% ± 7.48%; p = 0.279), MR grade improvement (80.18% vs. 83.50%; p = 0.544), NYHA class and MLHF scores were also similar in both groups. On subgroup analysis, Good RFEF with Central jet subgroup had comparable improvement in LVESVI% and MR grade with either procedure, while Bad Eccentric subgroup showed a significantly higher improvement in LVESVI% and MR grade with CABG + MV repair. CONCLUSION: OPCABG is associated with significantly reduced mortality and MASE with comparable improvement in LVEDVI% and MR grade. CABG + MV Rep results in significant improvement in LVEDVI% and MR grade in patients with bad eccentric MR. The recommended procedures in the "Good Central" and "Bad Eccentric" subsets are CABG and CABG + Mvrepair, respectively.

Patterns of cardiovascular magnetic resonance inflammation in acute myocarditis from South Asia and Middle East.

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the test of choice for diagnosis and risk stratification of myocardial inflammation in acute viral myocarditis. The objective of this study was to assess patterns of CMR inflammation in a cohort of acute myocarditis patients from Northern Africa, Asia, and the Middle East using unsupervised machine learning. Methods: A total of 169 racially and ethnically diverse adults ( ≥ 18 years of age) with CMR confirmed acute myocarditis were studied. The primary outcome was a combined clinical endpoint of cardiac death, arrhythmia, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Machine learning was used for exploratory analysis to identify patterns of CMR inflammation. Results: Our cohort was diverse with 25% from Northern Africa, 33% from Southern Asia, and 28% from Western Asia/the Middle East. Twelve patients met the combined clinical endpoint - 3 had arrythmia, 8 had dilated cardiomyopathy, and 1 died. Patients who met the combined endpoint had increased anterior (p = 0.034) and septal (p = 0.042) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, and BMI, found that patients from Southern Asia (p = 0.041) and the Middle East (p = 0.043) were independently associated with lateral LGE. Unsupervised machine learning and factor analysis identified two distinct CMR patterns of inflammation, one with increased LGE and the other with increased myocardial T1/T2. Conclusions: We found that anteroseptal inflammation is associated with worsened outcomes. Using machine learning, we identified two patterns of myocardial inflammation in acute myocarditis from CMR in a racially and ethnically diverse group of patients from Southern Asia, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.

Imaging of arrhythmia: Real-time cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Quantitative evaluations of function, volume and mass are fundamental in the diagnostic workup of different cardiovascular diseases and can be exactly determined by CMRI in sinus rhythm. This does not hold true in arrhythmia as CMR is hampered by reconstruction artifacts caused by inconsistent data from multiple heartbeats. Real-time (RT) MRI at high temporal resolution might reduce these problems. Methods: Consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation were prospectively included and underwent RT and conventional CINE CMR in randomized order. 29 patients were studied at 1.5 T and 30 patients at 3 T. At 3 T a group of 20 subjects in sinus rhythm served as controls. RT and CINE image quality was evaluated in different planes and for different wall sections using a Likert scale (from zero to four). Volumetric analysis was performed using two types of software and differences between RT and CINE CMR were evaluated. Results: In patients with atrial fibrillation RT CMR short axis (SA) resulted in a significantly higher image quality compared to CINE imaging both at 1.5 T and 3 T (1.5 T: mid SA: 3.55 ± 0.5 RT vs 2.6 ± 0.9 CINE, p = 0.0001; 3 T: mid SA: 3.15 ± 0.9 RT vs 2.6 ±1.0 CINE, p = 0.03); This qualitative difference was more marked and significant for the long axis views (2CV and 4CV) at 1.5 T (1.5 T: 2CV: 3.2 ± 0.6 RT vs 2.65 ± 1.1 CINE; p = 0.011; 4CV: 2.9 ± 0.69 RT vs 2.4 ± 0.9 CINE; p = 0.0044). During sinus rhythm CINE images were superior concerning diagnostic quality (3 T mid SA: 3.35 ± 0.45 RT vs 3.8 ± 0.5 CINE, p = 0.008). Quantitative analysis was successful with both software packages and the results showed a good correlation (Pearson correlation between 0.679 and 0.921 for patients). RT CMR resulted in slightly lower functional volumes than CINE CMR (3 T: patients: EDVI 86 ± 29 ml/m2 RT vs 93 29 ml/m2± 29 CINE, Pearson r = 0.902) but similar ejection fractions (3 T: patients: EF 47 ± 16% RT vs 45 ± 13% CINE, Pearson r = 0679; controls: EF 63 ± 6 RT vs 63 ± 3 CINE, Pearson r = 0.695). Conclusion: RT CMR improves image quality in arrhythmic patients and renders studies more comfortable. Volumetric analysis is feasible with slightly lower values relative to CINE CMR, while ejection fractions are comparable.

Usefulness of Optimization of Interventricular Delay Using an Electrical Cardiometry Method in Patients with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Implantation.

There are no studies examining interventricular (VV) delay optimization by an electrical cardiometry method in relation to subsequent cardiac function in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) -implanted patients. This study aimed to compare the VV delay in CRT-implanted patients by the dp/dt and electrical cardiometry and to examine the optimization of VV delay and improvement of cardiac function. We examined 19 consecutive CRT-implanted patients. The protocol included biventricular stimulation with either simultaneous or sequential pacing, and we evaluated systolic volume (SV) using an electrical cardiometry and the dp/dt of the left ventricle. The optimal VV delay was determined by the maximum SV using the electrical cardiometry. Two groups were defined, those whose increase in SV was at or above the median and those whose SV increase was below the median; changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The correlation between the VV delay optimized by the electrical cardiometry and dp/dt methods was high (R = 0.61, P = 0.006). Compared to the baseline SV (43.4 mL), the SV increased to 47.8 mL with simultaneous biventricular pacing (versus baseline P = 0.008) and further increased to 49.8 mL with optimized VV delay (versus simultaneous biventricular pacing P = 0.020). LVEF after 6 months significantly improved in the above-median SV increase group (37.6 versus 28.2%, P = 0.041), but not in the below-median SV increase group (26.5 versus 26.5%, P = 0.985). In conclusion, the optimal VV delay by electrical cardiometry method was almost concordant with that by the dp/dt method. Cardiac function significantly improved in the group with the above-median SV increase.

NOMOGRAM CONTAINING SIMPLE ROUTINE CLINICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS CAN PREDICT PATHOLOGIC VENTRICULAR REMODELING IN STEMI PATIENTS.

Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with ischemic heart disease being one of the most important etiologic factors. Heart failure develops due to ventricular remodeling, which leads to increases in left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes. In this prospective observational study, we included 101 patients with first episode of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in whom percutaneous coronary intervention was conducted within 12 h and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction III flow was achieved. The aim was to determine which clinical and biochemical parameters can help predict pathologic ventricular remodeling 1 year after myocardial infarction. We created a nomogram based on routinely used blood tests and vital parameters which showed highest correlation with pathologic ventricular remodeling. The nomogram included NTproBNP value 12 h after reperfusion, aspartate transaminase value 12 h after reperfusion, systolic blood pressure value on admission, and culprit coronary artery. We performed ROC analysis which yielded great predictive value of the nomogram. The area under curve was 0.907 (95% CI 0.842-0.973). The nomogram value of -3.54 had 91.4% sensitivity and 74.0% specificity. We believe that this nomogram, once validated, could offer a widely available, low-cost option that would help identify patients at risk of developing pathologic left ventricular remodeling and achieve this at a very early stage of myocardial infarction (12 h after reperfusion has been achieved).

A Glimpse Into the Future of Transcatheter Interventional Heart Failure Therapies.

Chronic heart failure is one of the most debilitating chronic conditions affecting millions of people and adding a significant financial burden to health care systems worldwide. Despite the significant therapeutic advances achieved over the last decade, morbidity and mortality remain high. Multiple catheter-based interventional therapies targeting different physiological and anatomical targets are already under different stages of clinical investigation. The present paper provides a technical overview of the most relevant catheter-based interventional therapies under clinical investigation.

Diagnosis and Management of Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy refers to the structural and functional changes in the heart leading to either impaired systolic, diastolic, electrocardiographic, and neurohormonal changes associated with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is present in 50% of patients with cirrhosis and is clinically seen as impaired contractility, diastolic dysfunction, hyperdynamic circulation, and electromechanical desynchrony such as QT prolongation. In this review, we will discuss the cardiac physiology principles underlying cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, imaging techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and scintigraphy, cardiac biomarkers, and newer echocardiographic techniques such as tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking, and emerging treatments to improve outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed available literature from MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, and real-world outcomes using the search terms "cirrhotic cardiomyopathy," "left ventricular diastolic dysfunction," "heart failure in cirrhosis," "liver transplantation," and "coronary artery disease". RESULTS: Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is associated with increased risk of complications such as hepatorenal syndrome, refractory ascites, impaired response to stressors including sepsis, bleeding or transplantation, poor health-related quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. The evaluation of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy should also guide the feasibility of procedures such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, dose titration protocol of betablockers, and liver transplantation. The use of targeted heart rate reduction is of interest to improve cardiac filling and improve the cardiac output using repurposed heart failure drugs such as ivabradine. Liver transplantation may also reverse the cirrhotic cardiomyopathy; however, careful cardiac evaluation is necessary to rule out coronary artery disease and improve cardiac outcomes in the perioperative period. CONCLUSION: More data are needed on the new diagnostic criteria, molecular and biochemical changes, and repurposed drugs in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. The use of advanced imaging techniques should be incorporated in clinical practice.