Effectiveness of surveillance by echocardiography for cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction of patients with breast cancer.

Background: Cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) affect the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Echocardiographic surveillance of patients treated with anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) antibodies has been recommended, but few reports have provided evidence on patients with breast cancer only. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of echocardiographic surveillance for breast cancer patients.

Right Ventricular Function and Beneficial Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients With Systolic Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: It has been recognized that a comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program improves mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. On the other hand, the magnitude of the improvement in exercise capacity after CR differs among individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the echocardiographic determinants of responders to CR using preload stress echocardiography.

Association of Decreased Docosahexaenoic Acid Level After Statin Therapy and Low Eicosapentaenoic Acid Level with In-Stent Restenosis in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Aim: It is speculated that statin therapy modulates the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, the data available on the effects of statin therapy on the serum levels of PUFA and the subsequent impact on in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are limited.

Methods: A total of 120 ACS patients who received emergent coronary stent implantation, follow-up coronary angiography to evaluate ISR, and new statin therapy were enrolled.

A clinical application of preload stress echocardiography for predicting future hemodynamic worsening in patients with early-stage heart failure.

Aim: To improve the prognosis of patients with heart failure, risk stratification in their early stage is important. We assessed whether the change in transmitral flow (TMF) velocity pattern during preload augmentation can predict future hemodynamic worsening in early-stage heart failure patients with impaired relaxation TMF pattern.

Methods: We designed a prospective cohort study that included 155 consecutive patients with impaired relaxation (IR) pattern at rest.

Preload Stress Echocardiography Predicts Outcomes in Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction and Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis.

Background: The projected aortic valve area (AVA) at a normal transvalvular flow rate using dobutamine is helpful to determine the actual severity of aortic stenosis (AS) and to predict risk of adverse events in low-gradient AS cases with unclear surgical indication. Our study aimed to identify the independent and incremental value of preload stress echocardiography-derived AVA to predict outcomes in patients with preserved ejection fraction and low-gradient AS.

Methods And Results: We prospectively performed echocardiographic studies in 79 patients with low-gradient AS (age, 77±7 years; 30% men) with preload stress echocardiography using leg positive pressure.

RV Myocardial Strain During Pre-Load Augmentation Is Associated With Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic HF.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between right ventricular (RV) function during pre-load augmentation and exercise tolerance.

Background: Peak oxygen uptake (VO) is a strong predictor of mortality in chronic heart failure. Cardiac function during pre-load augmentation is an important part of the phenomenon in the evaluation of exercise capacity.

Echocardiographic Predictors for Worsening of Six-Minute Walk Distances in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma).

Change in 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) has been used as a clinical marker in pulmonary hypertension. Determinants and worsening of 6MWD remain a matter of debate because nonpulmonary factors have an impact on the 6MWD. We hypothesized that future reduction of 6MWD in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) was more closely associated with cardiac dysfunction.

Clinical Utility of Longitudinal Strain to Predict Functional Recovery in Patients With Tachyarrhythmia and Reduced LVEF.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the time course of presumptive tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy and the predictors of left ventricular (LV) functional recovery in such patients.

Background: Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is a potentially reversible cardiomyopathy with effective treatment of the tachyarrhythmia. However, cases without improvement of LV systolic function were found occasionally.