Epicardial fat volume correlates with severity of coronary artery disease in nonobese patients.

Objective: It has been reported that epicardial adipose tissue could locally modulate the coronary artery functions through secretion of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Epicardial fat tissue is further implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) because of its proximity to the adventitia of the major epicardial coronary arteries. We investigated the relationship between epicardial fat volume (EFV) and severity of CAD in nonobese patients using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Increased (99m)Tc-sestamibi washout reflects impaired myocardial contractile and relaxation reserve during dobutamine stress due to mitochondrial dysfunction in dilated cardiomyopathy patients.

Objectives: This study investigated whether the technitium-99m sestamibi (MIBI) washout rate (WR) would predict mitochondrial damage and myocardial dysfunction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Background: Myocardial mitochondrial damage reduces adenosine triphosphate production, resulting in myocardial dysfunction. Increased myocardial (99m)Tc-MIBI washout is reportedly caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.

Impact of mild to moderate renal dysfunction on left ventricular relaxation function and prognosis in ambulatory patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

The relationship between mild-to-moderate renal dysfunction and cardiac diastolic dysfunction and cardiac events in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NDCM) has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between renal and cardiac function, as well as clinical outcome in patients with NDCM.We measured plasma BNP and eGFR, and performed cardiac catheterization in 135 patients with NDCM.

Association between cardiopulmonary exercise and dobutamine stress testing in ambulatory patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a comparison with peak VO₂ and VE/VCO₂ slope.

Background: Both peak VO(2) and VE/VCO(2) slope are considered to be useful predictors of cardiovascular events. The left ventricular (LV) response to dobutamine stress testing (DST) also provides useful prognostic information. However, the relationship between these variables has not been fully investigated.

Association of diabetes mellitus with myocardial collagen accumulation and relaxation impairment in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: To assess the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on myocardial collagen accumulation, myocardial relaxation, and prognosis in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods: A total of 102 consecutive DCM patients with a New York Heart Association functional class of I or II were enrolled. Patients were allocated to two groups on the basis of the presence (DCM+DM group, n = 30) or absence (DCM-DM group, n = 72) of DM.

Altered microRNA expression associated with reduced catecholamine sensitivity in patients with chronic heart failure.

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs discovered as potential new gene regulators. Their roles in the development of chronic heart failure (CHF), however, are largely unknown. Reduced catecholamine sensitivity is an early step of CHF.

Accuracy of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography for classification and quantitation of coronary plaque: comparison with integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound.

Background: Noninvasive assessment of coronary plaque is important for coronary risk stratification. Whereas integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS) has proven effective for analysis of the tissue components of coronary plaque, plaque assessment by 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has not been established. We therefore evaluated the accuracy of MDCT compared with IB-IVUS for identification of coronary plaque components and determination of plaque volume.