Organization and Activity of Italian Echocardiographic Laboratories: A Survey of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging.

Background: The Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) conducted a national survey to understand better how different echocardiographic modalities are used and accessed in Italy.

Methods: We analyzed echocardiography laboratory activities over a month (November 2022). Data were retrieved via an electronic survey based on a structured questionnaire, uploaded on the SIECVI website.

Correlation between non-invasive myocardial work indices and main parameters of systolic and diastolic function: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: The present study sought to evaluate the correlation between indices of non-invasive myocardial work (MW) and left ventricle (LV) size, traditional and advanced parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function by 2D echocardiography (2DE).

Methods And Results: A total of 226 (85 men, mean age: 45 ± 13 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global work waste (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were estimated from LV pressure-strain loops using custom software.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal non-invasive myocardial work indices: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To obtain the normal ranges for 2D echocardiographic (2DE) indices of myocardial work (MW) from a large group of healthy volunteers over a wide range of ages and gender.

Methods And Results: A total of 226 (85 men, mean age: 45 ± 13 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global work waste (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were estimated from left ventricle (LV) pressure-strain loops.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left atrial function parameters: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To obtain the normal ranges for echocardiographic measurements of left atrial (LA) function from a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for age and gender.

Methods And Results: A total of 371 (median age 45 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions collaborating in the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI). Left atrial data sets were analysed with a vendor-independent software (VIS) package allowing homogeneous measurements irrespective of the echocardiographic equipment used to acquire data sets.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left ventricular 2D strain: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To obtain the normal ranges for 2D echocardiographic (2DE) measurements of left ventricular (LV) strain from a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for age and gender.

Methods And Results: A total of 549 (mean age: 45.6 ± 13.

Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic normal reference ranges for proximal aorta dimensions: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To report normal reference ranges for echocardiographic dimensions of the proximal aorta obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers recruited using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment, considering different measurement conventions, and taking into account gender, age, and body size of individuals.

Methods And Results: A total of 704 (mean age: 46.0 ± 13.

3D echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left ventricular volumes and strain: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aim: To obtain the normal ranges for 3D echocardiography (3DE) measurement of left ventricular (LV) volumes, function, and strain from a large group of healthy volunteers.

Methods And Results: A total of 440 (mean age: 45 ± 13 years) out of the 734 healthy subjects enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study had good-quality 3DE data sets that have been analysed with a vendor-independent software package allowing homogeneous measurements regardless of the echocardiographic machine used to acquire the data sets. Upper limits of LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were larger in men (97 and 42 mL/m2) than in women (82 and 35 mL/m2; P < 0.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac Doppler data: results from the NORRE Study.

Aims: Reference values for Doppler parameters according to age and gender are recommended for the assessment of heart physiology, specifically for left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. In this study, we report normal reference ranges for Doppler parameters obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers. Echocardiographic data were acquired using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment following Doppler acquisition and measurement protocols approved by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac chamber size: results from the NORRE study.

Aims: Availability of normative reference values for cardiac chamber quantitation is a prerequisite for accurate clinical application of echocardiography. In this study, we report normal reference ranges for cardiac chambers size obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for gender and age. Echocardiographic data were acquired using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment following chamber quantitation protocols approved by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography: rationale, study design, and methodology (NORRE Study).

Background: Availability of normative reference values for cardiac chamber dimensions, volumes, mass, and function is a prerequisite for the accurate application of echocardiography for both clinical and research purposes. However, due to the lack of consistency in current echocardiographic 'reference values', their use for clinical decision-making remains questionable.

Aims: The aim of the 'Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography Study (NORRE Study)' is to obtain a set of 'normal values' for cardiac chamber geometry and function in a large cohort of healthy Caucasian individuals aged over a wide range of ages (25-75 years) using both conventional and advanced echocardiographic techniques.

Left ventricular longitudinal systolic dysfunction is an independent marker of cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension.

Background: To explore the prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension.

Methods: In 156 hypertensive subjects, LV longitudinal systolic function was assessed by echocardiographic measurement of M-mode left atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) and Tissue Doppler (TD)-derived mitral annulus peak systolic velocity (Sm). Patients were followed for development of the following cardiovascular events: congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization, new-onset angina, nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization procedures, transient ischemic attack, nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death.

[Therapeutic angiogenesis of critical lower limb ischemia. Review of the literature and prospects of research on stem cells].

Chronic peripheral arterial disease affects up to 15% of adults over the age of 55 years; critical limb ischemia represents the most dramatic clinical outcome. Patients with chronic critical limb ischemia who are not candidate for surgical or percutaneous revascularization have impending limb loss; those who benefit from successful revascularization suffer from high rate of recurrent symptoms or revision surgery or progressive amputations. In these patients no medical treatment is considered effective for rest pain or ulcer healing.