Blood haemoglobin, renal insufficiency, fractional flow reserve and plasma NT-proBNP is associated with index of microcirculatory resistance in chronic coronary syndrome.

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMVD) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcome. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CMVD and factors related to index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) in consecutive patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) undergoing elective coronary angiography.

Methods And Results: Non-interventional physicians enrolled 274 patients with CCS before angiography, to minimize selection bias by PCI-operators.

Changes in Index of Microcirculatory Resistance during PCI in the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Relation to Total Length of Implanted Stents.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between stent length and changes in microvascular resistance during PCI in stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: We measured fractional flow reserve (FFR), index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and coronary flow reserve (CFR) before and after stenting in 42 consecutive subjects with stable coronary artery undergoing PCI with stent in the LAD. Patients that had very long stent length (38-78 mm) had lower FFR before stenting than patients that had long (23-37 mm) and moderate (12-22 mm) stent length (0.

Microvesicles from patients with acute coronary syndrome enhance platelet aggregation.

Microvesicles (MVs) released from leukocytes, platelets and endothelial cells are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In the present study, we assessed the potential pro-aggregatory properties of MVs obtained from ACS patients. Thus, we divided the patients into two groups based on clopidogrel-responsiveness, i.

Outcome and selection of revascularization strategy in left main coronary artery stenosis.

Objectives: To investigate clinical outcome in unselected real-life patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) stenosis and determine factors associated with selection of revascularization strategy.

Design: Consecutive patients with ULMCA stenosis at our institution in 2009-2013 (n = 308) were retrospectively analyzed with propensity score adjusted Cox proportional hazards models for outcome. Baseline characteristics in relation to selection of revascularization strategy were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression.

Myocardial Performance Index Determined by Tissue Doppler Imaging in Patients With Systolic Heart Failure Predicts Poor Long-Term Prognosis: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Myocardial performance index (MPI) is an echocardiographic parameter that reflects left ventricular (LV) function. MPI determined by means of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) at different LV sites (global MPI) and its long-term prognostic implications in congestive heart failure (HF) have not been evaluated.

Methods And Results: A total of 110 patients with HF during acute hospitalization were followed for a mean of 5.

Association between platelet reactivity and circulating platelet-derived microvesicles in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

High on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) to clopidogrel has been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Platelet-derived microvesicles (PMVs) may be prothrombotic and contribute to the risk of recurrent events observed in patients with HPR. However, PMVs may also serve as biomarkers and be used to assess platelet function.

Feasibility of myocardial performance index for evaluation of left ventricular function during dobutamine stress echocardiography before and after coronary artery bypass grafting.

Aims: Myocardial performance index (MPI) is a measure of combined systolic and diastolic myocardial function. In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) an increase in MPI is consistent with myocardial dysfunction. The objectives of this study were to characterize the changes in MPI after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) at rest and at peak dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).

The prognostic significance of right ventricular tissue Doppler parameters in patients with left ventricular systolic heart failure: an observational cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the value of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measurements of right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic function as a predictor of long term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic heart failure.

Background: In patients with LV systolic heart failure, RV function has been shown to be an important predictor of outcome. TDI is probably a clinically useful method for assessing RV function.

Comparison of venous and arterial blood sampling for the assessment of platelet aggregation with whole blood impedance aggregometry.

Platelet monitoring is presently under evaluation in the clinic as a tool to improve antiplatelet treatment in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Measuring platelet function has, however, many inherent problems. It is important not only to evaluate the method used, but also to evaluate and standardize sampling and sample handling.

Tricuspid annular velocity assessed by doppler tissue imaging as a marker of right ventricular involvement in the acute and late phase after a first ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) involvement in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a clinically important problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of tricuspid annular velocity assessed by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) as a marker of RV involvement in patients with a first STEMI.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with a first STEMI were examined by echocardiography before discharge and after 6 months.

Prognostic value of pulse-wave tissue Doppler parameters in patients with systolic heart failure.

The aim was to study the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) function using pulse-wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in an ordinary population with heart failure (HF). One hundred fifty-six patients hospitalized for HF and LV ejection fraction < or =40% were examined using conventional echocardiography and pulse-wave TDI for the assessment of longitudinal LV function. Mitral annular systolic and early diastolic (e') velocities were recorded from a mean of 4 annular sites from the apical 2- and 4-chamber views.

Detection of left ventricular dysfunction by Doppler tissue imaging in patients with complete recovery of visual wall motion abnormalities 6 months after a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, using Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), in patients with complete recovery of visual wall motion abnormalities six months after a first ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods: Out of 90 patients presenting with a STEMI, 68 patients without a history of heart disease were examined by echocardiography before discharge and after 6 months. The patients were compared to 41 age matched healthy subjects (HS).

Detection of abnormal left ventricular function by Doppler tissue imaging in patients with a first myocardial infarction and showing normal function assessed by conventional echocardiography.

Aims: The aim of the study was to characterize left ventricular (LV) function by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) after a first myocardial infarction (MI) where the conventional echo-Doppler parameters showed no abnormalities.

Methods: Out of 202 patients who were referred for an echocardiogram, 19 patients were previously healthy and had a normal ejection fraction and no wall motion abnormalities at echocardiogram. These 19 patients were compared with 16 age-matched healthy subjects (HS).

CRP, IL-6 and endothelin-1 levels in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Do preoperative inflammatory parameters predict early graft occlusion and late cardiovascular events?

Background: Inflammation is a major contributor to atherosclerotic vascular disease. Inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been shown to be strong predictors of cardiovascular events. The association between preoperative inflammatory parameters and early graft occlusion as well as cardiovascular events after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has not, however, been fully elucidated.

Characteristics of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with systolic heart failure: a Doppler tissue imaging study.

Objective: Our aim was to characterize myocardial velocity profiles in different types of diastolic dysfunction for patients with severely decreased left ventricular (LV) systolic function.

Methods: A total of 126 patients with congestive heart failure and an LV ejection fraction of 35% or less were included. Patients underwent an echocardiographic Doppler examination, with measurement of the transmitral inflow pattern, and Doppler tissue imaging of the mitral annulus.

Improvement in diastolic left ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting as assessed by recordings of mitral annular velocity using Doppler tissue imaging.

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in diastolic function after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), using pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging (DTI).

Methods: Fifty-three patients with coronary artery disease were studied before and 3 and 12 months after CABG. Using pulsed-wave DTI, the mitral annular velocities were determined at 4 sites in the left ventricle (LV).

Decreased right ventricular function after coronary artery bypass grafting and its relation to exercise capacity: a tricuspid annular motion-based study.

Background: Decreased right ventricular (RV) function is a known echocardiographic finding after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). For patients with heart failure, RV dysfunction is a predictor of poor exercise capacity. The significance and time course of RV dysfunction and its relation to exercise capacity after CABG have not been elucidated, however.

Right ventricular function before and after an uncomplicated coronary artery bypass graft as assessed by pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging of the tricuspid annulus.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function using myocardial velocities before and after a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is not known.

Methods: Using pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging, RV function was studied in 35 patients before and after CABG. Patients were followed-up for 1 year after the CABG.

Assessment of left ventricular function using mitral annular velocities in patients with congestive heart failure with or without the presence of significant mitral regurgitation.

Myocardial velocities in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) were studied using pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging. Velocities were recorded at the mitral and tricuspid annulus. Four sites at the mitral annuli were selected corresponding to the septal, lateral, inferior, and anterior walls of the left ventricle from apical 4- and 2-chamber views.

Acute effects of smoking on diastolic function in healthy participants: studies by conventional doppler echocardiography and doppler tissue imaging.

The acute effects of smoking on left ventricular (LV) function were studied in 36 healthy participants (mean age 38 +/- 10 years). The studies were made before and immediately and 30 minutes after smoking a cigarette. From apical 4- and 2-chamber views, the mitral annular velocities, determined by pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging, were measured at 4 LV sites corresponding to the septum and the anterior, lateral, and inferior walls.

Left Ventricular Regional Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with First Myocardial Infarction Determined by Diastolic Motion of the Atrioventricular Plane.

Motion of the left ventricular [left ventricle (LV)] atrioventricular (AV) plane has been used to assess systolic LV function. The method has not been used properly to assess diastolic function, especially after a first myocardial infarction (MI). The diastolic function was assessed in 47 previously healthy patients with a first MI assessed by echocardiographic diastolic motion of the LV AV plane.

Effects of Low-Dose Dobutamine on Displacement of the Atrioventricular Plane and Assessment of Myocardial Viability in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated with Thrombolysis.

Previous echocardiographic studies have highlighted the usefulness of atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement (the mitral annular motion) in assessing left ventricular function at rest. However, the effects of low-dose dobutamine on AV plane displacement in thrombolyzed patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are unknown. Thirty-four patients with AMI treated with a thrombolytic agent and having rest wall motion abnormalities at the infarct site were studied with rest and low-dose dobutamine echocardiography before discharge.