Arterial Aging Best Reflected in Pulse Wave Velocity Measured from Neck to Lower Limbs: A Whole-Body Multichannel Bioimpedance Study.

Pulse wave velocity is a commonly used parameter for evaluating arterial stiffness and the overall condition of the cardiovascular system. The main goal of this study was to establish a methodology to test and validate multichannel bioimpedance as a suitable method for whole-body evaluations of pulse waves. We set the proximal location over the left carotid artery and eight distal locations on both the upper and lower limbs. In this way, it was possible to simultaneously evaluate pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the upper and lower limbs and in the limbs via four extra PWV measurements. Data were acquired from a statistical group of 220 healthy subjects who were divided into three age groups. The data were then analysed. We found a significant dependency of aortic PWV on age in those values measured using the left carotid as the proximal. PWV values in the upper and lower limbs were found to have no significant dependency on age. In addition, the PWV in the left femoral artery shows comparable values to published already carotid-femoral values. Those findings prove the reliability of whole-body multichannel bioimpedance for pulse wave velocity evaluation and provide reference values for whole-body PWV measurement.

Novel ultra-high-frequency electrocardiogram tool for the description of the ventricular depolarization pattern before and during cardiac resynchronization.

INTRODUCTION: The present study introduces a new ultra-high-frequency 14-lead electrocardiogram technique (UHF-ECG) for mapping ventricular depolarization patterns and calculation of novel dyssynchrony parameters that may improve the selection of patients and application of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS: Components of the ECG in sixteen frequency bands within the 150 to 1000 Hz range were used to create ventricular depolarization maps. The maximum time difference between the UHF QRS complex centers of mass of leads V1 to V8 was defined as ventricular electrical dyssynchrony (e-DYS), and the duration at 50% of peak voltage amplitude in each lead was defined as the duration of local depolarization (Vd). Proof of principle measurements was performed in seven patients with left (left bundle branch block) and four patients with right bundle branch block (right bundle branch block) before and during CRT using biventricular and His-bundle pacing. RESULTS: The acquired activation maps reflect the activation sequence under the tested conditions. e-DYS decreased considerably more than QRS duration, during both biventricular pacing (-50% vs -8%) and His-bundle pacing (-77% vs -13%). While biventricular pacing slightly increased Vd, His-bundle pacing reduced Vd significantly (+11% vs -36%), indicating the contribution of the fast conduction system. Optimization of biventricular pacing by adjusting VV-interval showed a decrease of e-DYS from 102 to 36 ms with only a small Vd increase and QRS duration decrease. CONCLUSIONS: The UHF-ECG technique provides novel information about electrical activation of the ventricles from a standard ECG electrode setup, potentially improving the selection of patients for CRT and application of CRT.

Pilot study of sex differences in QTc intervals of heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Repolarization processes in female and male are different. This study provided pilot data on automatic measurements of QT intervals in heart transplant (HT) recipients stratified according to the sex of the recipient and the donor. METHODS AND RESULTS: The following groups were analyzed: Group A-20 males with male heart, group B-14 females with male heart, group C-13 females with female heart, group D-11 males with female heart, group E-20 healthy males, and group F-20 healthy females. Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were digitally captured during autonomic provocative test of five postural 8-minute stages-supine, unsupported sitting, supine, unsupported standing, and supine. Fridericia formula was used for heart rate correction together with a generic correction for QT/RR hysteresis. Neither female nor male HT recipients exhibit any differences in QTc interval duration related to the sex of the donor. There was, however, a trend towards longer QTc intervals in female HT recipients compared to male HT recipients irrespective of the sex of the donor. The QTc differences between healthy control females and males were highly statistically significant proving the assay sensitivity of the study. CONCLUSION: The available pilot data suggest that in HT patients, the sex of the donor has little influence on the QTc interval of the transplanted heart.

Ultra-high-frequency ECG volumetric and negative derivative epicardial ventricular electrical activation pattern.

From precordial ECG leads, the conventional determination of the negative derivative of the QRS complex (ND-ECG) assesses epicardial activation. Recently we showed that ultra-high-frequency electrocardiography (UHF-ECG) determines the activation of a larger volume of the ventricular wall. We aimed to combine these two methods to investigate the potential of volumetric and epicardial ventricular activation assessment and thereby determine the transmural activation sequence. We retrospectively analyzed 390 ECG records divided into three groups-healthy subjects with normal ECG, left bundle branch block (LBBB), and right bundle branch block (RBBB) patients. Then we created UHF-ECG and ND-ECG-derived depolarization maps and computed interventricular electrical dyssynchrony. Characteristic spatio-temporal differences were found between the volumetric UHF-ECG activation patterns and epicardial ND-ECG in the Normal, LBBB, and RBBB groups, despite the overall high correlations between both methods. Interventricular electrical dyssynchrony values assessed by the ND-ECG were consistently larger than values computed by the UHF-ECG method. Noninvasively obtained UHF-ECG and ND-ECG analyses describe different ventricular dyssynchrony and the general course of ventricular depolarization. Combining both methods based on standard 12-lead ECG electrode positions allows for a more detailed analysis of volumetric and epicardial ventricular electrical activation, including the assessment of the depolarization wave direction propagation in ventricles.

The relationship between ECG predictors of cardiac resynchronization therapy benefit.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is an effective treatment that reduces mortality and improves cardiac function in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB). However, about 30% of patients passing the current criteria do not benefit or benefit only a little from CRT. Three predictors of benefit based on different ECG properties were compared: 1) "strict" left bundle branch block classification (SLBBB); 2) QRS area; 3) ventricular electrical delay (VED) which defines the septal-lateral conduction delay. These predictors have never been analyzed concurrently. We analyzed the relationship between them on a subset of 602 records from the MADIT-CRT trial. METHODS & RESULTS: SLBBB classification was performed by two experts; QRS area and VED were computed fully automatically. High-frequency QRS (HFQRS) maps were used to inspect conduction abnormalities. The correlation between SLBBB and other predictors was R = 0.613, 0.523 and 0.390 for VED, QRS area in Z lead, and QRS duration, respectively. Scatter plots were used to pick up disagreement between the predictors. The majority of SLBBB subjects- 295 of 330 (89%)-are supposed to respond positively to CRT according to the VED and QRS area, though 93 of 272 (34%) non-SLBBB should also benefit from CRT according to the VED and QRS area. CONCLUSION: SLBBB classification is limited by the proper setting of cut-off values. In addition, it is too "strict" and excludes patients that may benefit from CRT therapy. QRS area and VED are clearly defined parameters. They may be used to optimize biventricular stimulation. Detailed analysis of conduction irregularities with CRT optimization should be based on HFQRS maps.

Comparison of noninvasive pulse transit time determined from Doppler aortic flow and multichannel bioimpedance plethysmography.

The main goal of this study was to make a comparison of aortic flow timing obtained by PW Doppler in four aortic sections with timing of - dZ/dt max obtained by bioimpedance measurement in nine locations on the thorax and neck. This knowledge is essential for determination of which bioimpedance channel could be used as a proximal for evaluation of pulse wave velocity (PWV) from the beginning of the ascending aorta or another aortic section. Time intervals between the Doppler flow and bioimpedance information (- dZ/dt max) were compared. It was found that the channel located on the left part of the neck is the most suitable as a proximal bioimpedance channel which corresponds to the aortic arch. This match is obtained with regard to the value of the time difference as well as inter-subject stability. This channel can be used as a proximal for evaluation of pulse wave velocity from the aortic arch to the desired distal target place in the body when distance between measured parts is known. The data from 35 volunteers with adequate signal quality were analyzed. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Prevalence and Clinical Significance of an E-Reversal Wave in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract.

Diastolic waves are commonly seen in the left ventricular outflow tract on echocardiography. This work focuses on the E-reversal wave (Er) that occurs early in diastole, shortly after the mitral E wave. Factors associated with Er presence and velocity were investigated in a broad patient sample: 100 subjects with normal ejection fraction (EF >55%) and 100 subjects with reduced EF (<45%). Er presence was noted in 58% of the total cohort and correlated inversely with age. It was more common with normal EF (70% vs 45%, p = 0.0005) and was associated with higher mitral E velocity (78.3 ± 23.3 vs 68.4 ± 19.0 cm/s; p = 0.002) and septal e' velocity (6.7 ± 2.5 vs 5.3 ± 2.3 cm/s; p <0.0001). Er velocity was higher in the normal EF group (50 ± 18 vs 34 ± 13 cm/s, p <0.0001) and showed moderate correlation with septal e' velocity (r = 0.43; p <0.0001); 56 subjects experienced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over 1.7 ± 0.3 years of follow-up. Those with an Er had less MACE (particularly heart failure), even after adjustment for multiple clinical and echocardiographic variables (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.65; p = 0.003). When stratified by EF, the association between Er presence and MACE was significant only in the low EF group. Thus, Er occurs more commonly in younger subjects and those with preserved EF. It is associated with less MACE although this effect appears to be limited to patients with reduced EF.

A multichannel bioimpedance monitor for full-body blood flow monitoring.

The design, properties, and possible diagnostic contribution of a multichannel bioimpedance monitor (MBM) with three independent current sources are presented in this paper. The simultaneous measurement of bioimpedance at 18 locations (the main part of the body, legs, arms, and neck) provides completely new information, on the basis of which more precise haemodynamic parameters can be obtained. The application of the MBM during various haemodynamic stages, such as resting in a supine position, tilting, exercise stress, and various respiration manoeuvres, is demonstrated. Statistical analysis on a group of 34 healthy volunteers is presented for demonstration of blood flow monitoring by using the proposed method.

Cardiac Calcifications on Echocardiography Are Associated with Mortality and Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Calcium deposits in the aortic valve and mitral annulus have been associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there is no accepted standard method for scoring such cardiac calcifications, and most existing methods are simplistic. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a semiquantitative score, one that accounts for all visible calcium on echocardiography, could predict all-cause mortality and stroke in a graded fashion. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 443 unselected subjects derived from a general echocardiography database. A global cardiac calcium score (GCCS) was applied that assigned points for calcification in the aortic root and valve, mitral annulus and valve, and submitral apparatus, and points for restricted leaflet mobility. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and the secondary outcome was stroke. RESULTS: Over a mean 3.8 ± 1.7 years of follow-up, there were 116 deaths and 34 strokes. Crude mortality increased in a graded fashion with increasing GCCS. In unadjusted proportional hazard analysis, the GCCS was significantly associated with total mortality (hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.17-1.35; P < .0001) and stroke (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.40; P = .003). After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors (age, gender, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, family history of coronary disease, chronic kidney disease, history of atrial fibrillation, and history of stroke), these associations remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: The GCCS is easily applied to routinely acquired echocardiograms and has clinically significant associations with total mortality and stroke.