Improved assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction using artificial intelligence in echocardiography: A comparative analysis with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurement in echocardiography (Echo) using the recommended modified biplane Simpson (MBS) method is operator-dependent and exhibits variability. We aimed to assess the accuracy of a novel fully automated (Auto) artificial intelligence (AI) in view selection and biplane LVEF calculation compared to MBS-Echo, with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as reference.

Methods: Each of the 301 consecutive patients underwent CMR and Echo on the same day.

Accuracy of Devereaux and Teichholz formulas for left ventricular mass calculation in different geometric patterns: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass is important in the evaluation of cardiac remodeling and requires accurate assessment when performed on linear measurements in two-dimensional echocardiography (Echo). We aimed to compare the accuracy of the Devereaux formula (DEV) and the Teichholz formula (TEICH) in calculating LV myocardial mass in Echo using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as the reference method. Based on preceding mathematical calculations, we identified primarily LV size rather than wall thickness as the main source of bias between DEV and TEICH in a retrospective derivation cohort (n = 1276).

Benefit of 3D Vena Contracta Area over 2D-Based Echocardiographic Methods in Quantification of Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

Background: The two-dimensional proximal isovelocity surface area (2D PISA) method in the quantification of an effective regurgitation orifice area (EROA) has limitations in functional mitral valve regurgitation (FMR), particularly in non-circular coaptation defects.

Objective: We aimed to validate a three-dimensional vena contracta area (3D VCA) against a conventional EROA using a 2D PISA method and anatomic regurgitation orifice area (AROA) in patients with FMR.

Methods: Both 2D and 3D full-volume color Doppler data were acquired during consecutive transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations.

The predictive role of early CRP values for one-year mortality in the first 2 d after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: An excessive inflammatory reaction after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is known to be harmful. New anti-inflammatory therapies are required.

Purpose: This study assessed the predictive role of early CRP in patients with STEMI.

Evaluation of systemic inflammation in response to remote ischemic preconditioning in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: Systemic inflammation can occur after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and correlates with adverse outcome. The impact of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on TAVR associated systemic inflammation is unknown and was focus of this study.

Methods: We performed a prospective controlled trial at a single center and included 66 patients treated with remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) prior to TAVR, who were matched to a control group by propensity score.

Spatio-temporal regulation of calpain activity after experimental myocardial infarction in vivo.

Background: Calpains are calcium activated cysteine proteases that play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of cardiac remodeling.

Methods: Here, we performed left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in rats as a model for ischemic systolic heart failure and examined the time- and region-specific regulation of calpain-1 and calpain-2 in the left ventricular myocardium.

Results: Following anterior wall myocardial infarction, calpain activity was significantly increased restricted to the ischemic anterior area at days 1, 5 and 14.

Cardiac manifestation is evident in chorea-acanthocytosis but different from McLeod syndrome.

Introduction: We aimed to study the various cardiac manifestations of the two core neuroacanthocytosis (NA) syndromes, namely chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc) and McLeod syndrome (MLS). So far, cardiac involvement has been described as specific feature only for MLS.

Methods: We studied six patients with ChAc (mean age 44.

Myocardial strain analysis using cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with calpainopathy.

Background: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of rare muscular dystrophies. Subtype 2A (LGMD2A) also known as "calpainopathy" is an inherited autosomal recessive gene defect. Cardiac dysfunction is common in several forms of LGMD.

Frailty is associated with chronic inflammation and pro-inflammatory monocyte subpopulations.

Aim Of The Study: Frail patients with high grade aortic valve stenosis (AS) undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) have an increased mortality. A connection between frailty and inflammation has been suggested. Monocyte subpopulations are associated with both cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Evaluation of Myocardial Strain Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Patients with Wilson's Disease.

(1) Background: Wilson's disease (WD) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder with the excessive deposition of copper into different organs, including the heart. Previous studies showed structural cardiac changes even in patients with no signs of heart failure. The aim of this study was to perform cardiac magnetic resonance-based strain analysis in WD patients, as it is a powerful independent predictor of mortality.

Vascular changes of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA): A new component of the hypovolemic shock complex (HSC).

Purpose: To assess the type and frequency of vascular changes in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) associated with the hypovolemic shock complex (HSC).

Methods: Twenty-six patients (14 males, 70.6 ± 11.

Adrenal glands enhancement in computed tomography as predictor of short-and intermediate term mortality in critically ill patients.

Purpose: To investigate whether adrenal gland radiodensities alone or compared to the inferior vena cava (IVC) can correctly predict hospital mortality in patients in intensive care.

Methods: One hundred thirteen intensive care patients (76 males, age: 67.2 ± 14.

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Neither Improves Survival nor Reduces Myocardial or Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).

Background: Peri-interventional myocardial injury occurs frequently during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on myocardial injury, acute kidney injury (AKIN) and 6-month mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods: We performed a prospective single-center controlled trial.

The infarction zone rather than the noninfarcted remodeling zone overexpresses angiotensin II receptor type 1 and is the main source of ventricular atrial natriuretic peptide.

Chromogranin B and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-associated calcium signaling leading to increased natriuretic peptide production has been described in cardiac hypertrophy. Here, we performed left anterior descending coronary artery ligation in rats as a model for systolic heart failure and examined protein and gene expression clusters in the infarcted and noninfarcted myocardium and moreover under treatment with metoprolol. We found that atrial natriuretic peptide gene transcription was significantly more elevated in the infarcted compared with the noninfarcted myocardium.

Left ventricular clefts - incidental finding or pathologic sign of Wilson's disease?

Background: Wilson's disease is an inherited autosomal recessive multi-systemic disorder characterized by reduced excretion and consequently excessive accumulation of copper in different organs, such as the heart.

Results: In a prospective controlled trial, which is the largest to date, we evaluated 61 patients with Wilson's disease, age- and sex-matched to 61 healthy patients, for cardiac manifestation using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were under stable disease and had no signs of heart failure at the time of examination.

Influence of the plasminogen activator system on necrosis in acute myocardial infarction: analysis of urokinase- and urokinase receptor-knockout mouse models.

Serine proteases and G-protein-coupled receptors have been studied extensively as effectors of cell death. However, their roles in myocardial infarction have not been determined. In this study, we investigated the influence of the plasminogen activator system involving urokinase and urokinase receptor on necrosis after acute myocardial infarction.

Cardiac and autonomic function in patients with Wilson's disease.

Background: The clinical effect of copper accumulation on the heart of patients suffering from Wilson's disease (WD) is not completely understood. We aimed to determine if patients with WD show signs of cardiac involvement, structural heart disease or autonomic dysfunction. In this prospective trial, we studied 61 patients (mean age 44.

Left Ventricular Torsion - A New Echocardiographic Prognosticator in Patients With Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) torsion is a key parameter in cardiac function and predicts functional capacity (FC) more appropriately than LV ejection fraction (EF). We sought to investigate LV torsion as a marker of hospitalization for worsening heart failure (HF) in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients.

Methods and results: The 91 outpatients with newly diagnosed DCM (53±13 years, 20% female) were evaluated with 3D speckle-tracking imaging and followed up for 12 months; 43 healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers served as controls.

Regulation of circulating chromogranin B levels in heart failure.

Background: Chromogranin B (CGB) regulates B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) production. Circulating CGB levels are elevated in heart failure (HF) animal models and HF patients, but also increase in healthy individuals in response to physical activity. Therefore, CGB seems to integrate information from myocardial stress and systemic neuro-endocrine activation.

Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography is crucial for valid assessment of mitral valve leaflet morphology in severe mitral regurgitation prior to interventional repair.

Background: Interventional mitral valve (MV) repair of severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) is a therapeutic option in high-risk surgical or inoperable patients. Assessment of the MV remains a crucial part of pre-interventional screening. Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TOE) may compensate for well-known pitfalls that occur in 2D-TOE.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin shields the remote myocardium from apoptosis after experimental myocardial infarction in vivo.

Background: Following myocardial infarction (MI), apoptosis occurs early in the remote myocardium and contributes to the processes of myocardial remodelling. Increased nitrosative stress is a well-known and potent inductor of myocardial apopto¬sis. Excess activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) increases its uncoupling potential and results in nitrosative stress via formation of peroxynitrite.

ELMSTREET (Esophageal Lesions during MitraClip uSing TRansEsophageal Echocardiography Trial).

Aims: We aimed to evaluate possible detrimental effects of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on the oesophageal tissue during percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR).

Methods And Results: From March 2014 to July 2015, 186 patients were treated for severe mitral regurgitation with PMVR using the MitraClip system. In 40 patients, oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy was performed due to symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract.