Tissue Doppler systolic velocity change during dobutamine stress echocardiography predicts contractile reserve and exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure.

Aims: Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is widely used to evaluate myocardial contractile reserve in patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the tissue Doppler (TD) mitral annulus systolic velocity (Sm) change during DSE, contractile reserve, and aerobic exercise capacity in HF patients.

Methods And Results: Sixty-four HF patients (age 67 ± 9 years, 58% with an ischaemic aetiology, and a mean value of the ejection fraction 29 ± 7%) underwent high-dose DSE.

Pressure-volume relationship during dobutamine stress echocardiography predicts exercise tolerance in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background: The pressure-volume relationship (PVR) is a useful method for evaluating left ventricular (LV) myocardial contractility during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). The investigators assessed PVRs, systolic and diastolic function, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and aerobic exercise capacity in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: A total of 84 patients with CHF (mean age, 68 +/- 9 years) underwent high-dose DSE.

Persistent diastolic dysfunction late after valve replacement in severe aortic regurgitation.

Background: Regression of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy with normalization of diastolic function has been reported in patients with aortic stenosis late after aortic valve replacement (AVR). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of AVR on LV function and structure in chronic aortic regurgitation early and late after AVR.

Methods And Results: Twenty-six patients were included in the present analysis.

Effect of intraventricular dyssynchrony on diastolic function and exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure.

Aims: Intraventricular dyssynchrony may contribute to the severity of heart failure [congestive heart failure (CHF)]. We assessed the correlates of intraventricular dyssynchrony and evaluated dyssynchrony as an independent predictive variable of exercise intolerance in CHF patients.

Methods And Results: Eighty-one CHF patients (66 +/- 9 years) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test.

Diastolic function and BNP changes during exercise predict oxygen consumption in chronic heart failure patients.

Unlabelled: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a diagnostic and prognostic marker in heart failure (CHF) patients.

Aim: To assess the relation between BNP, diastolic function and exercise capacity in CHF patients.

Methods: Fifty CHF patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing.