Stage B Heart Failure Is Ubiquitous in Emergency Patients with Asymptomatic Hypertension.

Introduction: Hypertension is the leading risk factor for morbidity and mortality throughout the world and is pervasive in United States emergency departments (ED). This study documents the point prevalence of subclinical heart disease in emergency patients with asymptomatic hypertension. Method: This was a prospective observational study of ED patients with asymptomatic hypertension conducted at two urban academic EDs that belong to an eight-hospital healthcare organization in New York. Adult (≥18 years of age) English- or Spanish-speaking patients who had an initial blood pressure (BP) ≥160/100 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and second BP ≥140/90 mm Hg, and pending discharge, were invited to participate in the study. We excluded patients with congestive heart failure, renal insufficiency, and atrial fibrillation, or who were pregnant, a prisoner, cognitively unable to provide informed consent, or experiencing symptoms of hypertension. We assessed echocardiographic evidence of subclinical heart disease (left ventricular hypertrophy, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction). Results: A total of 53 patients were included in the study; a majority were young (mean 49.5 years old, [SD 14-52]), self-identified as Black or Other (n = 39; 73.5%), and female (n = 30; 56.6%). Mean initial blood pressure was 172/100 mm Hg, and 24 patients (45.3%) self-reported a history of hypertension. Fifty patients completed an echocardiogram. All (100%) had evidence of subclinical heart disease, with 41 (77.4%) displaying left ventricular hypertrophy and 31 (58.5%) diastolic dysfunction. There was a significant relationship between diastolic dysfunction and female gender [x2 (1, n = 53) = 3.98; P = 0.046]; Black or other race [x2 (3, n = 53) = 9.138; P = 0.03] and Hispanic or other ethnicity [x2 (2, n = 53) = 8.03; P = 0.02]. Less than one third of patients demonstrated systolic dysfunction on echocardiogram, and this was more likely to occur in patients with diabetes mellitus [x2 (1, n = 51) = 4.84; P = 0.02]. Conclusion: There is a high probability that Black, Hispanic, and female patients with asymptomatic hypertension are on the continuum for developing overt heart failure. Emergency clinicians should provide individualized care that considers their unique health needs, cultural backgrounds, and social determinants of health.

Tri-ponderal mass index and left ventricular hypertrophy in a cohort of caucasian children and adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric obesity is a global emerging burden for society; among its health-related consequences there are hypertension (HTN) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Several anthropometric indices have been investigated for the early identification of cardiovascular risk in children. The aim of the present study was to assess whether tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) was associated with LVH in a cohort of Caucasian children and adolescents with obesity. METHODS: In this observational study, 63 children and adolescents with obesity aged 7-to-16 years were enrolled. During outpatient visits, adiposity, and cardio-metabolic indices (BMI z-score, WHR, TMI, ABSI) were collected. All subjects underwent a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: Children and adolescents with obesity with LVH had significantly higher BMI z-score (p = 0.009), WHR (p = 0.006) and TMI (p = 0.026) compared to children without LVH. WC and WHR were the only indices significantly associated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI). CONCLUSION: Left ventricular remodeling is associated with the cardio-metabolic risk markers WC and WHR, but not with the adiposity index TMI among children with obesity.

Nomogram-based risk assessment model for left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension: Incorporating clinical characteristics and biomarkers.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a hypertensive heart disease that significantly escalates the risk of clinical cardiovascular events. Its etiology potentially incorporates various clinical attributes such as gender, age, and renal function. From mechanistic perspective, the remodeling process of LVH can trigger increment in certain biomarkers, notably sST2 and NT-proBNP. This multicenter, retrospective study aimed to construct an LVH risk assessment model and identify the risk factors. A total of 417 patients with essential hypertension (EH), including 214 males and 203 females aged 31-80 years, were enrolled in this study; of these, 161 (38.6%) were diagnosed with LVH. Based on variables demonstrating significant disparities between the LVH and Non-LVH groups, three multivariate stepwise logistic regression models were constructed for risk assessment: the "Clinical characteristics" model, the "Biomarkers" model (each based on their respective variables), and the "Clinical characteristics + Biomarkers" model, which amalgamated both sets of variables. The results revealed that the "Clinical characteristics + Biomarkers" model surpassed the baseline models in performance (AUC values of the "Clinical characteristics + Biomarkers" model, the "Biomarkers" model, and the "Clinical characteristics" model were .83, .75, and .74, respectively; P < .0001 for both comparisons). The optimized model suggested that being female (OR: 4.26, P <.001), being overweight (OR: 1.88, p = .02) or obese (OR: 2.36, p = .02), duration of hypertension (OR: 1.04, P = .04), grade III hypertension (OR: 2.12, P < .001), and sST2 (log-transformed, OR: 1.14, P < .001) were risk factors, while eGFR acted as a protective factor (OR: .98, P = .01). These findings suggest that the integration of clinical characteristics and biomarkers can enhance the performance of LVH risk assessment.

Differences Between Two Distinct Hypertrophic Cardiac Conditions: Fabry Disease versus Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. / Diferenças entre Duas Condições Cardíacas Hipertróficas Distintas: Doença de Fabry Versus Cardiomiopatia Hipertrófica.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and Fabry disease (FD) are genetically inherited diseases with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) phenotype characteristics that cause adverse cardiac outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the demographic, clinical, biochemical, electrocardiographic (ECG), and echocardiographic (ECHO) differences between HCM and FD. METHODS: 60 HCM and 40 FD patients were analyzed retrospectively as a subanalysis of the 'LVH-TR study' after excluding patients with atrial fibrillation, pace rhythm, bundle branch blocks, and second and third-degree atrioventricular (AV) blocks. The significance level was accepted as <0.05. RESULTS: Male gender (p=0.048) and creatinine (p=0.010) are significantly higher in favor of FD; however, ST depression (p=0.028), QT duration (p=0.041), interventricular septum thickness (IVSd) (p=0.003), posterior wall thickness (PWd) (p=0.009), moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) (p=0.013), and LV mass index (LVMI) (p=0.041) are significantly higher in favor of HCM in the univariate analyses. In multivariate analysis, statistical significance only continues in creatinine (p=0.018) and QT duration (0.045). FD was positively correlated with creatinine (rho=0.287, p=0.004) and HCM was positively correlated with PWd (rho=0.306, p=0.002), IVSd (rho=0.395, p<0.001), moderate-severe MR (rho=0.276, p<0.005), LVMI (rho=0.300, p=0.002), relative wall thickness (RWT) (rho=0.271, p=0.006), QT duration (rho=0.213, p=0.034) and ST depression (rho=0.222, p=0.026). CONCLUSION: Specific biochemical, ECG, and ECHO characteristics can aid in the differentiation and early diagnosis of HCM and FD.

FUNDAMENTO: A cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) e a doença de Fabry (DF) são doenças herdadas geneticamente com características fenotípicas de hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) que causam resultados cardíacos adversos. OBJETIVOS: Investigar as diferenças demográficas, clínicas, bioquímicas, eletrocardiográficas (ECG) e ecocardiográficas (ECO) entre CMH e DF. MÉTODOS: 60 pacientes com CMH e 40 pacientes com DF foram analisados retrospectivamente como uma subanálise do "estudo LVH-TR" após exclusão de pacientes com fibrilação atrial, ritmo de estimulação, bloqueios de ramo e bloqueios atrioventriculares (AV) de segundo e terceiro graus. O nível de significância foi aceito como <0,05. RESULTADOS: O sexo masculino (p=0,048) e a creatinina (p=0,010) são significativamente maiores a favor da DF; entretanto, infradesnivelamento do segmento ST (p=0,028), duração do QT (p=0,041), espessura do septo interventricular (SIVd) (p=0,003), espessura da parede posterior (PWd) (p=0,009), insuficiência mitral moderada a grave (IM) (p=0,013) e o índice de massa ventricular esquerda (IMVE) (p=0,041) são significativamente maiores a favor da CMH nas análises univariadas. Na análise multivariada, a significância estatística apenas permanece na creatinina (p=0,018) e na duração do intervalo QT (0,045). A DF foi positivamente correlacionada com a creatinina (rho=0,287, p=0,004) e a CMH foi positivamente correlacionada com o PWd (rho=0,306, p=0,002), IVSd (rho=0,395, p<0,001), IM moderada-grave (rho= 0,276, p<0,005), IMVE (rho=0,300, p=0,002), espessura relativa da parede (ERP) (rho=0,271, p=0,006), duração do QT (rho=0,213, p=0,034) e depressão do segmento ST (rho =0,222, p=0,026). CONCLUSÃO: Características bioquímicas, ECG e ECO específicas podem auxiliar na diferenciação e no diagnóstico precoce da CMH e da DF.

Kidney Function in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Impairment of kidney function is one of the long-term sequelae of hypertension and it contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common complication of hypertension which can worsen the outcome in affected patients. This study was designed to compare kidney function in hypertensive patients with LVH with that in hypertensive patients without LVH. METHODS: The study was conducted among hypertensive patients attending cardiology clinics at two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical information from the participants. Kidney function was determined by measuring serum urea and creatinine, urinary creatinine and microalbumin. Echocardiography was performed to detect LVH. Results of kidney function tests were compared between participants who had LVH and those who did not. RESULTS: Of the 105 participants recruited, 58 (55.2%) were males. The median age of all participants was 52 (interquartile range (IQR) 40-61) years and LVH was confirmed in 48 (45.7%) of them. Participants with LVH were older (55 vs 49 years; p=0.02) but had lower weight (74 vs 78 kg; p=0.04). Participants without LVH had higher microalbuminuria (5.2 vs 4.05 mg/dl; p=0.03), lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (62 vs 92 ml/min/1.73 m2; p=0.004), and higher stages of CKD. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive patients with LVH had lower levels of microalbuminuria, higher estimated GFR, and lower stages of CKD compared to those with no LVH.

CONTEXTE: L'altération de la fonction rénale est l'une des séquelles à long terme de l'hypertension et contribue à une morbidité et une mortalité accrues chez les patients hypertendus. L'hypertrophie ventriculaire gauche (HVG) est une complication fréquente de l'hypertension qui peut aggraver le pronostic chez les patients concernés. Cette étude visait à comparer la fonction rénale chez les patients hypertendus avec HVG à celle des patients hypertendus sans HVG. MÉTHODES: L'étude a été menée auprès de patients hypertendus fréquentant des cliniques de cardiologie dans deux hôpitaux tertiaires au Nigeria. Un questionnaire a été utilisé pour obtenir des informations démographiques et cliniques auprès des participants. La fonction rénale a été déterminée en mesurant l'urée sérique et la créatinine, la créatinine urinaire et la microalbuminurie. Une échocardiographie a été réalisée pour détecter l'HVG. Les résultats des tests de fonction rénale ont été comparés entre les participants présentant une HVG et ceux qui n'en présentaient pas. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 105 participants recrutés, 58 (55,2 %) étaient des hommes. L'âge médian de tous les participants était de 52 ans (plage interquartile (IQR) de 40 à 61) et l'HVG a été confirmée chez 48 (45,7 %) d'entre eux. Les participants avec une HVG étaient plus âgés (55 vs 49 ans ; p=0,02) mais avaient un poids plus faible (74 vs 78 kg ; p=0,04). Les participants sans HVG avaient une microalbuminurie plus élevée (5,2 vs 4,05 mg/dl ; p=0,03), un taux de filtration glomérulaire estimé plus bas (62 vs 92 ml/min/1,73 m2; p=0,004) et des stades plus élevés de maladie rénale chronique. CONCLUSION: Les patients hypertendus avec HVG présentaient des niveaux plus faibles de microalbuminurie, un taux de filtration glomérulaire estimé plus élevé et des stades plus bas de la maladie rénale chronique par rapport à ceux sans HVG. MOTS-CLÉS: Hypertrophie ventriculaire gauche, Hypertension, Fonction rénale, Maladie rénale chroniqu.

Left ventricular hypertrophy as a risk factor for accelerated brain aging: Results from the Study of Health in Pomerania.

Previous studies provided evidence for the importance of cardiac structure abnormalities, in particular greater left ventricular (LV) mass, for brain aging, but longitudinal studies are lacking to date. We included 926 individuals (median age 48 years; 53% women) from the TREND cohort of the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) without reduced ejection fraction or a history of myocardial infarction. LV mass index (LVMI) was determined by echocardiography at baseline. Brain morphometric measurements were derived from magnetic resonance images at baseline and 7-year follow-up. Direct effects of baseline LVMI on brain morphometry at follow-up were estimated using linear regression models with adjustment for baseline brain morphometry. At baseline, median LVMI was 40 g/m2.7 and 241 individuals (26%) met the criterion of LV hypertrophy. After correction for multiple testing, baseline LVMI was directly associated with reduced global cortical thickness and increased cortical brain age at follow-up independent from hypertension and blood pressure. Exposure-outcome relations were nonlinear and significantly stronger in the upper half of the exposure distribution. Specifically, an increase in baseline LVMI from the 50% quantile to the 95% quantile was associated additional 2.7 years (95% confidence interval = [1.5 years, 3.8 years]) of cortical brain age at follow-up. Additional regional analyses yielded bilateral effects on multiple frontal cortical regions. Our findings highlight the role of cardiac structure in brain aging. LVMI constitutes an easily measurable marker that might help to identify persons at risk for cognitive impairment and dementia.

Roxadustat reduces left ventricular mass index compared to rHuEPO in haemodialysis patients in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is highly prevalent in haemodialysis (HD) patients and is associated with an increased risk of death. Roxadustat and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, abbreviated as EPO) are the main treatment strategies for renal anaemia in HD patients, but it has not been clear whether there is a difference in their effect on LVH. METHODS: In this multi-centre, prospective, randomized trial of 12-month duration, study participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the roxadustat group or the EPO group. The doses of both treatment regimens were adjusted so that the patients had a haemoglobin level of 10.0-12.0 g per dL. The primary study endpoint was the change from baseline to 12 months in the left ventricular mass index (LVMI, g/m2) measured by echocardiography. RESULTS: In total, 114 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 50 years, and the median dialysis duration was 33 months. Sixty-one patients were men, and 24 were diabetic. LVMI decreased from 116.18 ± 27.84 to 110.70 ± 25.74 g/m2 in the roxadustat group. However, it increased from 109.35 ± 23.41 to 114.99 ± 28.46 g/m2 in the EPO group, with a significant difference in the change in LVMI between the two groups [-5.48 (-11.60 to 0.65) vs. 5.65 (0.74 to 10.55), p < 0.05]. Changes in left ventricular mass, end-diastolic volume and 6-min walk test seemed superior in the roxadustat group. There were no significant differences in other cardiac geometry, biochemical parameters and major adverse cardiovascular events between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to EPO, roxadustat is more helpful in the regression of LVH in HD patients.

Chronic kidney disease associated cardiomyopathy: recent advances and future perspectives.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiomyopathy in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex condition with multiple triggers and poor prognosis. This review provides an overview of recent advances in CKD-associated cardiomyopathy, with a focus on pathophysiology, newly discovered biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. RECENT FINDINGS: CKD is associated with a specific pattern of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, resulting in diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and often triggered by nonatherosclerotic processes. Novel biomarkers, including amino-terminal type III procollagen peptide (PIIINP), carboxy-terminal type I procollagen peptide (PICP), FGF23, marinobufagenin, and several miRNAs, show promise for early detection and risk stratification. Treatment options for CKD-associated cardiomyopathy are limited. Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have been shown to reduce left ventricle hypertrophy and improve ejection fraction in individuals with diabetes and mild CKD, and are currently under investigation for more advanced stages of CKD. In hemodialysis patients calcimimetic etelcalcetide resulted in a significant reduction in left ventricular mass. SUMMARY: CKD-associated cardiomyopathy is a common and severe complication in CKD. The identification of novel biomarkers may lead to future therapeutic targets. Randomized clinical trials in individuals with more advanced CKD would be well posed to expand treatment options for this debilitating condition.

Birth History and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Youth With Significant Obesity.

Children born prematurely have greater lifetime risk for hypertension. We aimed to determine (1) the association between prematurity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among 90 children with obesity and elevated blood pressure and (2) if dietary sodium intake modified these associations. Multivariable regression analysis explored for associations between prematurity (<37 weeks gestation; early gestational age) and low birth weight (<2.5 kg) with hypertension, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Effect modification by dietary sodium intake was also explored. Patients were predominately male (60%), black (78%), adolescents (13.3 years), and with substantial obesity (body mass index: 36.5 kg/m2). Early gestational age/low birth weight was not an independent predictor for hypertension, LVMI, or LVH. There was no effect modification by sodium load. Our results suggest the increased CVD risk conferred by prematurity is less significant at certain cardiometabolic profiles. Promoting heart-healthy lifestyles to prevent pediatric obesity remains of utmost importance to foster cardiovascular health.

Impact of Electrocardiographic Parameters on Sudden Death in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis: Ten-Year Outcomes of the Q-Cohort Study.

AIM: Sudden death is one of the most common causes of death among hemodialysis patients. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a noninvasive and inexpensive test that is regularly performed in hemodialysis clinics. However, the association between abnormal ECG findings and the risk of sudden death in hemodialysis patients is yet to be fully elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the ECG parameters linked to sudden death in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: The Q-Cohort Study is a multicenter, longitudinal, observational study of hemodialysis patients. In this study, 1,153 Japanese hemodialysis patients aged ≥ 18 years with ECG data recorded within 1 year of study enrollment were followed up for 10 years. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between ECG parameters and sudden death. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 9.0 years, 517 patients died, 76 of whom exhibited sudden death. After adjusting for confounding factors, higher heart rate, QT prolongation, and left ventricular hypertrophy as per the Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of sudden death. The adjusted HRs [95% CIs] for each abnormal ECG parameter were 2.02 [1.05-3.89], 2.10 [1.30-1.77], and 1.91 [1.18-3.09], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Higher heart rate, QT prolongation, and left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG have been determined to be associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Therefore, regular ECG recording could enable medical practitioners to identify hemodialysis patients who require intervention to prevent lethal arrhythmia.

Left Ventricular Morphology and Function in Normotensive, Metabolically Healthy Obese Individuals without Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the major risk factors for the development of heart failure (HF), although the exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the clinical setting, assessing the impact of obesity on the cardiovascular system is difficult due to comorbidities. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an independent influence of obesity on the left ventricular (LV) morphology and function. To eliminate hemodynamic and metabolic confounders, we performed an echocardiographic evaluation of severely obese but normotensive and metabolically healthy patients without fatty liver disease. METHODS: The patients were retrospectively selected from the cohort of 180 consecutive obese patients systematically evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography before bariatric surgery. Finally, 25 obese subjects, predominantly females, were evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography. Inclusion criteria were defined as absence of diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, no use of medications and no hepatic steatosis on liver biopsy. They were matched with a control group of healthy subjects with normal body mass index. RESULTS: In obese patients, LV hypertrophy (LVH) (expressed as LV mass indexed for height in meters2.7) was significantly more frequent in the obese group (48 vs. 0%, p < 0.001). LV longitudinal systolic function measured by mitral annular systolic velocity was significantly lower in the obese group (S' 8.5 vs. 9.7 cm/s, p = 0.002). All studied indices of the LV diastolic function (E/A, mean E' and E/E' ratio) were impaired in obese subjects, even after adjustment for systolic blood pressure and heart rate (E/A 1.31 vs. 1.64, p < 0.001, E' mean 11 vs. 14.8 cm/s, p < 0.001, E/E' 7.5 vs. 6.4, p = 0.002 for obese vs. controls, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LVH is significantly more common, and LV diastolic and longitudinal systolic function is significantly impaired in young, metabolically healthy, normotensive, severely obese individuals without fatty liver disease when compared to age and sex-matched lean subjects. These abnormalities may represent the independent effect of the obesity on the heart, which may contribute to the development the obesity-related HF in later life.

Routine first-trimester pre-eclampsia screening and maternal left ventricular geometry.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication associated with premature cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality (i.e. before 60 years of age or in the first year postpartum). PE is associated with adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in the peri- and postpartum periods, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare LV geometry by LV mass (LVM) and LVM index (LVMI) between participants with a high vs low screening risk for preterm PE in the first trimester. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks' gestation that underwent screening for preterm PE as part of their routine first-trimester ultrasound assessment at a tertiary center in London, UK, from February 2019 until March 2020. Screening for preterm PE was performed using the Fetal Medicine Foundation algorithm. Participants with a screening risk of ≥ 1 in 50 for preterm PE were classified as high risk and those with a screening risk of ≤ 1 in 500 were classified as low risk. All participants underwent two-dimensional and M-mode transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: A total of 128 participants in the first trimester of pregnancy were included in the analysis, with 57 (44.5%) participants screened as low risk and 71 (55.5%) participants as high risk for PE. The risk groups did not vary in maternal age and gestational age at assessment. Maternal body surface area and body mass index were significantly higher in the high-risk group (all P < 0.05). The high-risk participants were significantly more likely to be Afro-Caribbean, nulliparous and have a family history of hypertensive disease in pregnancy as well as other cardiovascular disease (all P < 0.05). In addition, mean arterial blood pressure (P < 0.001), mean heart rate (P < 0.001), median LVM (130.06 (interquartile range, 113.62-150.50) g vs 97.44 (81.68-114.16) g; P < 0.001) and mean LVMI (72.87 ± 12.2 g/m2 vs 57.54 ± 12.72 g/m2 ; P < 0.001) were significantly higher in the high-risk group. Consequently, those in the high-risk group were more likely to have abnormal LV geometry (37.1% vs 7.0%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early echocardiographic assessment in participants at high risk of preterm PE may unmask clinically healthy individuals who are at increased risk for future cardiovascular disease. Adverse cardiac remodeling in the first trimester of pregnancy may be an indicator of decreased cardiovascular reserve and subsequent dysfunctional cardiovascular adaptation in pregnancy. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

ECG left ventricular hypertrophy in aortic stenosis: Relationship with cardiac structure, invasive hemodynamics, and long-term mortality.

BACKGROUND: In aortic stenosis (AS), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the response to pressure overload and represents the substrate for a maladaptive cascade, the so-called AS-related cardiac damage. We hypothesized that in AS patients electrocardiogram (ECG) LVH not only predicts echocardiography LVH but also other noninvasive and invasive markers of cardiac damage and prognosis after aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: In 279 patients with severe AS undergoing ECG, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization before AVR, the Sokolow-Lyon index, the Cornell product, the Romhilt-Estes score, and the Peguero-Lo Presti score were assessed. RESULTS: The mean left ventricular mass index was 109 ± 34 g/m2 , and 131 (47%) patients had echocardiography LVH. The areas under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) for the Sokolow-Lyon index, the Cornell product, the Romhilt-Estes score, and the Peguero-Lo Presti score for the prediction of echocardiography LVH were 0.59, 0.70, 0.63, and 0.65. The Peguero-Lo Presti score had the numerically greatest AUC for the prediction of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure >15 mmHg, mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure >15 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance >3 Wood units, mean right atrial pressure >14 mmHg, and stroke volume index <31 mL/m2 . After a median follow-up of 1365 (interquartile range: 931-1851) days after AVR only the Peguero-Lo Presti score was significantly associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio: 1.24 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.54); per 1 mV increase; p = .045]. CONCLUSIONS: Among severe AS patients, the Peguero-Lo Presti score is associated with abnormalities in cardiac structure including LVH, invasive measures of cardiac damage, and long-term mortality after AVR.

Reassuring Data on the Cardiovascular Risk in Adults With X-linked Hypophosphatemia Receiving Conventional Therapy.

CONTEXT: X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a rare genetic disorder that results in increased plasma levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). Several studies have demonstrated a direct association between FGF23 and cardiovascular mortality in cohorts of patients with chronic renal failure. However, in patients with XLH, studies on the cardiovascular impact of the disease are rare, with contradictory results. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess whether the disease led to an increased cardiovascular risk. METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective observational study on a local cohort of adult patients with XLH. The primary endpoint was a composite endpoint of the frequency of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or presence of high blood pressure. Our secondary objectives were to assess echocardiographic, pulse wave velocity, and central blood pressure data as other markers of CV health. Independently of this cohort, tissue sodium content with magnetic resonance imaging was studied in 2 patients with XLH before and after burosumab. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included. Median serum phosphate was 0.57 (0.47-0.72) mmol/L and FGF23 94 pg/L (58-2226). Median blood pressure was 124 (115-130)/68 (65-80) mm Hg, with only 9% of patients being hypertensive. A majority of patients (69%) had no LVH, only 1 had a left ventricular mass >100 g/m² and 25% of patients had left ventricular remodeling. Pulse wave velocity was normal in all patients. No differences in skin and muscle sodium content were observed before and after burosumab in the 2 patients who underwent sodium magnetic resonance imaging. CONCLUSION: We found no elevated risk of developing hypertension or LVH in patients with XLH.

Metabolic surgery in improving arterial health in obese individuals.

PURPOSE: Arterial stiffness has gained recognition as a stand-alone risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Obesity is intricately linked to elevated arterial stiffness, the development of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, and the emergence of diastolic dysfunction, all of which collectively contribute substantially to an unfavorable prognosis. Weight loss has become a standard recommendation for all patients with CVD concurrent with morbid obesity; however, randomized evidence to support this recommendation was limited earlier. The latest scientific studies revealed dynamic changes in aortic stiffness after substantial weight loss by bariatric surgery, also known as metabolic surgery, in patients with obesity. There is also a favorable evolution in LV hypertrophy and a significant impact on arterial hypertension and other promising cardiovascular outcomes in obese people after bariatric surgery. METHODS/RESULTS: We aimed to examine the cardiovascular effects of various metabolic surgeries in morbidly obese individuals, especially their role in improving arterial health, the potential impact on surrogate markers of atherosclerotic vascular disease, and consequently reducing the likelihood of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, metabolic surgery is associated with a significant decrease in the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality among obese individuals, alongside remarkable enhancement of arterial health. These findings underscore the critical importance of implementing strategies to combat obesity and reduce adiposity within the general population.

Reclassification of Adolescent Ambulatory Prehypertension and Unclassified Blood Pressures by 2022 American Heart Association Pediatric Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of reclassification of prehypertensive and unclassified adolescents by 2022 American Heart Association pediatric ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) guidelines, and to evaluate the association of the new diagnostic categories with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). STUDY DESIGN: A single-center, retrospective review of ABPM reports from adolescents 13-21 years old, from 2015 through 2022, was performed. Adolescents with prehypertension or unclassified by 2014 guidelines were reclassified by 2022 definitions. Logistic regression models evaluated the association of reclassification phenotypes with LVH. RESULTS: A majority of prehypertensive adolescents reclassified to hypertension (70%, n = 49/70). More than one-half (57%, n = 28/49) of the hypertension was isolated nocturnal hypertension, and 80% was systolic hypertension. Reclassification to hypertension was more common in males. The majority (55.6%) of unclassified adolescents were reclassified to normotension. No demographic or clinical variables were associated with reclassification categories. LVH was not associated with hypertension in the reclassified prehypertensive or unclassified groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 2022 ABPM guidelines clearly define blood pressure phenotypes. However, reclassification to hypertension was not associated with an increased odds of LVH. Because most prehypertensive adolescents reclassified as hypertensive by nighttime BPs alone, this study highlights the lowered threshold for nocturnal hypertension. Prospective studies in larger, well-defined cohorts are needed to describe better the predictive value of 2022 BP phenotypes for target organ damage.

The Depiction of Hypertension in Heart Imaging Examinations: An Up-to-Date Review of the Evidence.

Hypertension is one of the main preventable cardiovascular (CV) risk factors all over the years, closely related to CV morbidity and mortality. One of the most common hypertensive target organ damages is hypertensive heart disease (HHD), including left ventricular hypertrophy, which progresses gradually and leads to systolic or diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricular, and finally to end-stage heart failure. Regarding its prevalence and the need for early diagnosis, assessment of heart imaging examination is of major importance. Echocardiography has been used as the standard imaging technique to evaluate HHD for years, providing an accurate evaluation of the left ventricular geometry, along with the systolic and diastolic function. However, nowadays there is a growing interest in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Despite the importance of the use of echocardiography in everyday clinical practice, numerous studies have shown the superiority of CMR as an imaging technique for clinical and research purposes, mainly due to its strength to provide an unlimited area of view, as well as the identification and quantification of the type and extent of myocardial fibrosis. Hence, this review aims to analyze the importance of heart imaging in the hypertensive population, with a special interest in CMR imaging.

Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation Developing in Hospital Stage After Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

Aim    To identify independent predictors associated with in-hospital atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Material and methods     The study included 80 patients (88.75 % men) who had elective CABG surgery at the Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Medicine. Based on the development of AF during the hospital stage of treatment (up to 10 days after CABG surgery), patients were divided into two groups. The group with AF consisted of 19 patients, and the group without AF consisted of 61 patients. All patients underwent electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography (EchoCG) with calculation of the left ventricular (LV) geometry type, and assessment of operational indexes. During surgery, biopsy of a part of the right atrial (RA) appendage was taken from 61 patients to verify the severity of myocardial fibrosis on a four-score scale where 0 is no interstitial fibrosis, 1 is slight fibrosis, 2 is moderate fibrosis, and 3 is severe fibrosis.Results    All included patients had a low risk of developing postoperative complications according to the EuroSCORE II scale. According to EchoCG data, patients with AF had significantly higher ratios of left ventricular myocardial mass to body surface area (LVMM / BSA) (p = 0.0006) and of left atrial volume to body surface area (LA volume / BSA), p = 0.008). The distribution of patients by type of LV geometry was as follows: in the group with AF, 52.63 % (n=10) of patients were diagnosed with concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) whereas in the group without AF, the majority of patients (83.60 %, n=51) had normal LV geometry and concentric LV remodeling (LVR) (p<0.0001). According to the results of histological study, patients of the AF group more frequently had moderate and severe interstitial fibrosis in the AF appendage (p = 0.003). After multivariate regression and ROC analysis, the predictive value remained for concentric LVH (p=0.002), LVMM / BSA ratio ≥97 g / m2 (p=0.006), LA volume / BSA ratio ≥ 34.4 ml / m2 (p=0.04), and for RA appendage interstitial fibrosis score ≥2 (p=0.004). Based on the identified predictors, a regression model was developed to predict the development of AF at the hospital stage after CABG (p<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of the model were 86.67 % and 78.26 %, respectively.Conclusion    In patients at low perioperative risk, the LVMM / BSA ratio ≥97 g / m2, the LA volume ratio / BSA ≥34.4 ml / m2, a RA appendage interstitial fibrosis score ≥2, and the presence of LVH were independent predictors of the development of AF at the hospital stage after CABG operation.Conclusion In patients at low perioperative risk, a LVMM / BSA ratio ≥97 g / m2, a LA volume / BSA ratio ≥34.4 ml / m2, a RA appendage interstitial fibrosis score ≥2, and the presence of LVH were independent predictors of the development of AF at the hospital stage after CABG.