Incidence of atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation and its correlation with tricuspid valvular deformation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: With the growing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), concomitant atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is increasing. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the incidence of significant atrial FTR and its association with tricuspid valvular (TV) deformation in patients with persistent AF.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 344 patients (73.

Prevalence, Determinants, and Prognostic Value of Left Atrial Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Coronary Syndrome and Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), even when they have complete revascularization and normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function, experience subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD), highlighting the importance of surrogate markers to prevent adverse consequences. Speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived left atrial (LA) reservoir strain has emerged as a sensitive marker for CVD in various clinical settings. The present study investigated the prevalence, determinants, and prognostic value of LA dysfunction in CCS.

Factors influencing inferior vena cava diameter and its respiratory variation: Simultaneous comparison with hemodynamic data.

Background: Ultrasound assessment of inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and its respiratory variation is widely used to estimate right atrial pressure (RAP). Generally, the IVC distends as the RAP rises; however, there may be discrepancies between the values. Therefore, it is critical to recognize clinical factors other than RAP that may influence IVC measurements.

Atrioventricular and Ventricular Functional Interdependence in Individuals Without Overt Cardiac Disease.

Background Left atrial (LA) and right ventricular (RV) performance play an integral role in the pathophysiology and prognosis of heart failure. We hypothesized that subclinical left ventricular dysfunction adversely affects LA/RV geometry and function even in a preclinical setting. This study aimed to investigate the atrioventricular and ventricular functional interdependence in a community-based cohort without overt cardiovascular disease.

Independent effect of visceral fat on left atrial phasic function in the general population.

Background And Aims: Obesity increases the risk for atrial fibrillation (AF), although the impact of abdominal fat distribution on left atrial (LA) morphology and functional remodeling remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether increased abdominal adiposity is independently associated with impaired LA function and/or LA enlargement in a sample of the general population and to evaluate the role of adipokines in this association.

Methods And Results: The study cohort consisted of 527 participants (362 men; 57 ± 10 years) without overt cardiac disease who underwent laboratory testing, abdominal computed tomographic examination and echocardiography.

Combined evaluation of right ventricular function using echocardiography in non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Although comprehensive assessment of right ventricular (RV) function using multiple echocardiographic parameters is recommended for management of patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), it is unclear which RV parameters to combine. Additionally, normalization of RV parameters by estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), in consideration of RV-pulmonary artery coupling, may be clinically significant. The aim of our study was to elucidate the best combination of echocardiographic RV functional parameters, with or without indexing for PASP, to predict outcome in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction secondary to DCM.

Impact of insulin resistance on subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in normal weight and overweight/obese japanese subjects in a general community.

Background: Insulin resistance carries increased risk of heart failure, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography has emerged as an important tool to detect early LV systolic abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease.

Relation of Body Mass Index to Adverse Right Ventricular Mechanics.

Although higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with adverse left ventricular morphology and functional remodeling, its possible association with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has not been extensively evaluated. RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVLS) is emerging as an important tool to detect early RV dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the independent effect of increased BMI on RVLS in a large sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease.

Subclinical Hypothyroidism as an Independent Determinant of Left Atrial Dysfunction in the General Population.

Purpose: Although subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common clinical entity and carries independent risk for incident heart failure (HF), its possible association with subclinical cardiac dysfunction is unclear. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and left atrial (LA) phasic strain can unmask subclinical left heart abnormalities and are excellent predictors for HF. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SCH and subclinical left heart dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease.

Are there gender differences in the association between body mass index and left ventricular diastolic function? A clinical observational study in the Japanese general population.

Background: Increased body mass index (BMI) is a major risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), and HFpEF is more prevalent in elderly females than males. We hypothesized that there may be gender differences in the association between BMI and echocardiographic left ventricular (LV) diastolic parameters.

Methods: We enrolled 456 subjects (243 males) without overt cardiac diseases, all of whom underwent a health checkup.

Carotid intima-media thickness and subclinical left heart dysfunction in the general population.

Background And Aims: Although carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) is an established marker of atherosclerosis and carries independent risk for cardiovascular disease, its possible association with subclinical cardiac dysfunction has not been extensively evaluated. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and peak left atrial longitudinal systolic strain (PALS) can detect subclinical left heart dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the association between carotid IMT and subclinical left heart dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease.

Sex-specific difference in the association between arterial stiffness and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction.

Aims: Increased arterial stiffness is one of the key mechanisms of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the possible association between arterial stiffness and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and its sex-specific difference remains unclarified. LV strain is emerging as a highly sensitive tool to unmask early LV abnormalities.

Association of arterial stiffness with left atrial structure and phasic function: a community-based cohort study.

Objectives: Increased arterial stiffness is currently recognized as an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of arterial stiffness with left atrial (LA) volume and phasic function in a community-based cohort.

Methods: We included 1156 participants without overt cardiovascular disease who underwent extensive cardiovascular examination.

Serum uric acid level and subclinical left ventricular dysfunction: a community-based cohort study.

Aims: Although serum uric acid (SUA) level is correlated with oxidative stress and serves as a marker of poor prognosis in heart failure patients, its possible association with subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate the association between SUA and subclinical LV dysfunction in a sample of a general population without overt cardiac disease.

Methods And Results: We examined 1175 participants who underwent extensive cardiovascular health check-up including laboratory tests and speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LV global longitudinal strain (GLS).

Influence of visceral adiposity accumulation on adverse left and right ventricular mechanics in the community.

Aims: Obesity carries significant risk for unfavorable ventricular remodeling and subsequent heart failure (HF) development, although the association between abdominal fat distribution and subclinical ventricular dysfunction is unclear. This study aimed to compare the subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adiposity with the risk of decreased ventricular strain.

Methods: We included 340 participants without overt cardiac disease who underwent laboratory testing, abdominal computed tomographic examination, and speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Alteration of Cardiac Performance and Serum B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level in Healthy Aging.

Background: The impact of aging on cardiac function is not fully elucidated. Speckle-tracking echocardiography can unmask subclinical cardiac dysfunction.

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of healthy aging on left ventricular (LV), right ventricular (RV), and left atrial (LA) performance and their relationship with serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in a sample of the general population without prevalent cardiovascular risk factors and structural heart disease.

Detection of Pulmonary Hypertension with Systolic Pressure Estimated by Doppler Echocardiography.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as a mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) ≥ 25 mmHg at rest as assessed by right heart catheterization (RHC), and Doppler-derived systolic PAP (sPAP) or tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (TRPG) is widely used to screen for PH. However, the cutoff value of sPAP or TRPG for detecting a mean PAP ≥ 25 mmHg that was determined invasively has not been well defined.We studied 189 patients who underwent RHC.

Acute Myocardial Infarction Caused by Thrombotic Microangiopathy Complicated With Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a rare but lethal multisystem disease characterized by peripheral thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, fever, and various stages of renal and neurological dysfunctions.(1,2)) The causes of TMA are mainly thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), and cases of TMA related to myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are quite rare. Herein, we report a case of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) caused by TMA which is strongly suspected to have a relationship to MDS, and discuss the treatment of our patient who needed antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy after AMI, while on the other hand, had pancytopenia and a bleeding event due to MDS.