Influence of chest wall conformation on reproducibility of main echocardiographic indices of left ventricular systolic function.

Background: The possible influence of chest wall conformation, as noninvasively assessed by Modified Haller Index (MHI, the ratio of chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine), on reproducibility of both left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) has never been previously investigated.

Methods: Two equal groups of healthy individuals, matched by age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors and categorized according to MHI in those with concave-shaped chest wall (MHI>2.5) and those with normal chest shape (MHI≤2.

The influence of chest wall conformation on myocardial strain parameters in a cohort of mitral valve prolapse patients with and without mitral annular disjunction.

Purpose: To evaluate the possible influence of chest wall conformation on myocardial strain parameters in a cohort of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) patients with and without mitral annular disjunction (MAD).

Methods: All consecutive middle-aged patients with MVP referred to our Outpatient Cardiology Clinic for performing two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as part of work up for primary cardiovascular prevention between March 2018 and May 2022, were included into the study. All patients underwent clinic visit, physical examination, modified Haller index (MHI) assessment (the ratio of chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine) and conventional 2D-TTE implemented with speckle tracking analysis of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS).

Molecular Approaches and Echocardiographic Deformation Imaging in Detecting Myocardial Fibrosis.

The pathological remodeling of myocardial tissue is the main cause of heart diseases. Several processes are involved in the onset of heart failure, and the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the pathological phenotype deserves special attention to find novel procedures to identify the site of injury and develop novel strategies, as well as molecular druggable pathways, to counteract the high degree of morbidity associated with it. Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is recognized as a critical trigger for disruption of heart functionality due to the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, in response to an injury.

Modified Haller index is inversely correlated with true positive exercise stress echocardiographic results.

Aims: The influence of chest wall shape on exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) results has been poorly investigated. We aimed at evaluating the main predictors of true positive (TP)-ESE in a population of subjects with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), categorized according to chest wall conformation, assessed by modified Haller index (MHI, chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine).

Methods: All consecutive patients with suspected CAD referred to our EchoLab for performing ESE between September 2011 and October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled.

Impact of Chest Wall Conformation on the Outcome of Primary Mitral Regurgitation due to Mitral Valve Prolapse.

Background: The possible influence of chest wall conformation on cardiovascular (CV) outcome of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) due to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has never been previously investigated.

Methods: This retrospective study included all consecutive symptomatic patients with MVP and moderate MR who underwent exercise stress echocardiography at our institution between February 2014 and February 2021. Modified Haller Index (MHI; chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine) was noninvasively assessed.

Liver stiffness measurement identifies subclinical myocardial dysfunction in non-advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients without overt heart disease.

Patients with non-advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have an increased cardiovascular risk. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) and myocardial deformation indices of all cardiac chambers in NAFLD patients without overt heart disease. All consecutive NAFLD patients diagnosed with LSM < 12.

CHADS-VASc score stratifies mortality risk in heart failure patients aged 75 years and older with and without atrial fibrillation.

Background: During the last decade, the CHADS-VASc score has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in several cardiovascular (CV) and non-cardiovascular diseases beyond atrial fibrillation (AF). Whether the CHADS-VASc score stratifies mortality risk in elderly patients with AF and without AF is not well established.

Methods: All consecutive patients aged ≥ 75 yrs hospitalized due to heart failure (HF), between January 2020 and November 2020, were retrospectively enrolled.

Prognostic Value of Modified Haller Index in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease Referred for Exercise Stress Echocardiography.

Background: The influence of chest conformation on outcome of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) is actually unknown.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included all consecutive patients who underwent exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) for suspected CAD at our institution between February 2011 and September 2019. Modified Haller index (MHI; chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine) was assessed in all patients.

Case Report: An Unusual Case of Biventricular Thrombosis in a COVID-19 Patient With Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Assessment of Mass Mobility and Embolic Risk by Tissue Doppler Imaging.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor on vascular cells. As a consequence, patients with COVID-19 have an increased incidence of thromboembolic complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent endothelial cell damage with consequence of development of systemic vasculitis and diffuse intravascular coagulation. The present case describes a COVID-19 female patient with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, who presented with congestive heart failure and echocardiographic evidence of biventricular apical thrombi.

Does chest shape influence exercise stress echocardiographic results in patients with suspected coronary artery disease?

Despite the good specificity of exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) for the detection of coronary artery disease (CAD), false positive (FP) results may occur. We have previously reported that chest abnormalities may affect parameters of cardiac contractility. The influence of chest shape on ESE results has never been previously investigated.

Appropriate use criteria implementation with modified Haller index for predicting stress echocardiographic results and outcome in a population of patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

The hypothesis that modified Haller index (MHI) integration with the existing appropriate use criteria (AUC) categories may predict exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) results and outcome of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) has never been previously investigated. We retrospectively analyzed 1230 consecutive patients (64.8 ± 13.

Influence of chest conformation on ventricular-arterial coupling during normal pregnancy.

Purpose: There is still controversy regarding the changes of ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) during normal pregnancy. The possible influence of chest shape on VAC during normal pregnancy has never been investigated.

Methods: Between October 2019 and June 2020, 59 healthy pregnant women (33.

Incremental prognostic role of left atrial reservoir strain in asymptomatic patients with moderate aortic stenosis.

Left atrial (LA) mechanics assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) have not been extensively studied and clearly characterized in patients with moderate aortic stenosis (AS). Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the usefulness of LA reservoir strain for risk stratification of asymptomatic patients with moderate AS. This retrospective study included all consecutive asymptomatic patients with moderate AS who underwent transthoracic echocardiography implemented with 2D-STE analysis of LA myocardial strain and strain rate indices at our Institution, between February 2011 and September 2019.

An unusual case of painless type A aortic dissection.

The pathogenesis of acute aortic dissection (AAD) is not fully elucidated yet, but it was recently shown that inflammation contributes to the occurrence and development of both Stanford type A and type B AAD. We describe a rare case of a painless type A aortic dissection that occurred in an 85-year-old male, with moderate calcified aortic stenosis and a moderately dilated ascending aorta in 6-month clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. A chronic calculous cholecystitis with neutrophilic leukocytosis and severely increased C reactive protein was diagnosed in the last 3 months.

Incremental diagnostic role of left atrial strain analysis in thrombotic risk assessment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients planned for electrical cardioversion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for left atrial appendage thrombosis (LAAT) detection should be limited to situations of absolute necessity. We sought to identify the main conventional and functional echocardiographic parameters associated with LAAT on TEE in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients planned for electrical cardioversion (ECV). This retrospective study included 125 consecutive NVAF patients (71.

Mechanical atrial recovery after cardioversion in persistent atrial fibrillation evaluated by bidimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Background: Atrial fibrillation induces reversible electrical and mechanical modifications (atrial remodeling). Atrial stunning is a mechanical dysfunction with preserved bioelectrical function, occurring after successful atrial fibrillation electrical cardioversion (ECV). Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is a new technology for evaluating atrial mechanical function.

Incremental prognostic value of global left atrial peak strain in women with new-onset gestational hypertension.

Background: Left atrial strain and strain rate parameters, measured by bidimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography, have been proposed as predictors of atrial fibrillation, stroke, congestive heart failure and cardiovascular death. However, they have not yet been tested in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of global left atrial peak strain (GLAPS) in a population of pregnant women with new-onset hypertension in a medium-term follow-up.

Prognostic value of global left atrial peak strain in patients with acute ischemic stroke and no evidence of atrial fibrillation.

Prognostic stratification of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients without atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) has recently been introduced for dynamic evaluation of left atrial function. However only few data are actually available regarding the application of 2D-STE in AIS patients.

AnatoMy and physIopathoLogy of the heArt in a ceNtenarian cOhort (MILANO study).

Background: Centenarians are increasingly being encountered in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to characterize centenarians' clinical features and cardiovascular system.

Methods: A prospective, observational, cross-sectional, case-control study included 118 hospitalized >100-year-old patients compared to 50 octogenarians, selected in Milan (Italy) from December 2010 to December 2017, to assess their clinical and echocardiographic characteristics.

Is There a Role for Tissue Doppler Imaging in Infective Endocarditis?

An 87-year-old woman was admitted to our Cardiology Department with symptoms and signs of acute congestive heart failure and fever. She had a long history of hypertension and chronic atrial fibrillation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a large (>10 mm) and mobile mitral valve vegetation, prolapsing into the left ventricular inflow tract, with severe mitral regurgitation due to a perforation in the posterior leaflet, in a mitral valve with fibro-calcific degeneration.