Exploring the Prognostic Value of Novel Markers in Adults With a Systemic Right Ventricle.

Background Adults with a systemic right ventricle (sRV) have a high risk of cardiac complications. This study aimed to identify prognostic markers in adults with sRV based on clinical evaluation, echocardiography, and blood biomarkers. Methods and Results In this prospective cohort study, consecutive clinically stable adults with sRV caused by Mustard- or congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries were included (2011-2013).

The Prognostic Value of Myocardial Deformation in Adult Patients With Corrected Tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) are at risk for complications such as heart failure and sudden cardiac death, and identifying high-risk patients is important. Reduced left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function has been identified as a predictor of outcomes. However, LV ejection fraction is often preserved, and RV function is difficult to assess.

Echocardiographic parameters of severe pulmonary regurgitation after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot.

Aims: Reliable evaluation of the severity and consequences of pulmonary regurgitation (PR) in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is crucial to timely identify the need for pulmonary valve intervention. We aimed to identify the accuracy of echocardiographic parameters to differentiate between moderate and severe PR, using phase contrast cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as gold standard.

Methods And Results: In this cross-sectional study, 45 TOF patients with both echocardiographic and CMR measurements of PR were enrolled.

In-depth echocardiographic analysis of left atrial function in healthy adults using speckle tracking echocardiography and volumetric analysis.

Purpose: Left atrial (LA) dilatation is predictive for complications in a multitude of cardiac diseases; therefore, adequate assessment is essential. Technological advances have made it possible to quantify LA function with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE); however, there are currently no recommendations for normal values with regard to LA function. We aimed to assess LA myocardial and volumetric function in a healthy cohort and investigate correlations with baseline characteristics.

Prognostic significance of anterior mitral valve leaflet length in individuals with a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy gene mutation without hypertrophic changes.

Purpose: Previous studies suggest that anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL) elongation is a primary phenotypic feature in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Our aim was to assess AMVL length in individuals with HCM gene mutations and in healthy controls and to identify predictors of the development of HCM during follow-up.

Methods: A total of 133 HCM mutation carriers and 135 controls underwent cardiac examination including electro- and echocardiography.

Three-dimensional echocardiography for the assessment of left ventricular geometry and papillary muscle morphology in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is characterized by left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and associated with papillary muscle (PM) abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) for the geometric assessment of LV hypertrophy and PM morphology.

Methods: The study included 24 patients with an established diagnosis of HC and 31 healthy controls.

Prognostic value of galectin-3 in adults with congenital heart disease.

Objective: Galectin-3 is an emerging biomarker for risk stratification in patients with heart failure. This study aims to investigate the release of galectin-3 and its association with cardiovascular events in patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 602 consecutive patients with ACHD who routinely visited the outpatient clinic were enrolled between 2011 and 2013.

Normal myocardial strain values using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in healthy adults aged 20 to 72 years.

Aims: Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is useful for clinical and research purposes. However, strain measurements depend on the used software. Normative data for QLAB 10 (Philips) are scarce.

The unnatural history of pulmonary stenosis up to 40 years after surgical repair.

Objective: To provide prospective information on long-term outcome after surgical correction of valvular pulmonary stenosis (PS).

Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients operated for PS during childhood between 1968 and 1980 in one centre are followed longitudinally for 37±3.4 years, including extensive in-hospital examination every 10 years.

Quantitative assessment of the entire right ventricle from one acoustic window: an attractive approach.

Aims: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the feasibility and establish normal values of functional right ventricle (RV) parameters as assessed in our four, long-axis view RV model using iRotate echocardiography. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential use of this model in patients with abnormally loaded RVs.

Method And Results: One hundred and fifty-five healthy subjects aged 20-72 years (≥28 subjects per decile) were prospectively recruited.

Quantitative assessment of systolic left ventricular function with speckle-tracking echocardiography in adult patients with repaired aortic coarctation.

Despite successful aortic coarctation (CoA) repair, systemic hypertension often recurs which may influence left ventricular (LV) function. We aimed to detect early LV dysfunction using LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in adults with repaired CoA, and to identify associations with patient and echocardiographic characteristics. In this cross-sectional study, patients with repaired CoA and healthy controls were recruited prospectively.

A Novel 13-Segment Standardized Model for Assessment of Right Ventricular Function Using Two-Dimensional iRotate Echocardiography.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of transthoracic two-dimensional (2D) iRotate, a new echo modality, to assess the whole right ventricle (RV) from a single transducer position based on anatomic landmarks.

Methods And Results: The anatomic landmarks were first defined based on three-dimensional echocardiographic datasets using multiplane reconstruction analyses. Thereafter, we included 120 healthy subjects (51% male, age range 21-67 years).

Assessment of ventricular function in adults with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot using myocardial deformation imaging.

Aims: Many patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) have right ventricular (RV) volume overload due to pulmonary regurgitation (PR). We studied the effect of volume overload on global and regional RV and left ventricular (LV) deformation, and their relationships with conventional diagnostic parameters.

Methods And Results: In this cross-sectional study, 94 prospectively recruited ToF patients (61% male, age 32.

The unnatural history of the ventricular septal defect: outcome up to 40 years after surgical closure.

Background: Few prospective data are available regarding long-term outcomes after surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect (VSD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes>30 years after surgical VSD closure.

Methods: Patients who underwent surgical VSD closure during childhood between 1968 and 1980 were reexamined every 10 years.

Ventricular myocardial deformation in adults after early surgical repair of atrial septal defect.

Aims: It is unknown whether right-ventricular (RV) volume overload caused by an atrial septal defect (ASD) still has its effect on RV deformation long after repair. We evaluated RV and left-ventricular (LV) deformation beyond 30 years after surgical ASD repair in childhood, and studied relationships with conventional diagnostic parameters.

Methods And Results: In this prospective study, we included 102 subjects: 51 patients with repaired ASD (39% male, age 43.

Unnatural history of tetralogy of Fallot: prospective follow-up of 40 years after surgical correction.

Background: Prospective data on long-term survival and clinical outcome beyond 30 years after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot are nonexistent.

Methods And Results: This longitudinal cohort study consists of the 144 patients with tetralogy of Fallot who underwent surgical repair at <15 years of age between 1968 and 1980 in our center. They are investigated every 10 years.

Quantitative assessment of systolic right ventricular function using myocardial deformation in patients with a systemic right ventricle.

Aims: Late systolic dysfunction of the systemic right ventricle (RV) in patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is of major concern. Right ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) might be able to identify early dysfunction.

Methods And Results: Adults with TGA after Mustard operation (TGA-Mustard) or congenitally corrected-TGA (ccTGA) underwent echocardiography, electrocardiography, and NT-proBNP measurement.

Associations between N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and cardiac function in adults with corrected tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Amino-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) may detect early cardiac dysfunction in adults with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) late after corrective surgery. We aimed to determine the value of NT-proBNP in adults with ToF and establish its relationship with echocardiography and exercise capacity.

Methods And Results: NT-proBNP measurement, electrocardiography and detailed 2D-echocardiography were performed on the same day in 177 consecutive adults with ToF (mean age 34.

Abnormal left ventricular rotation and twist in adult patients with corrected tetralogy of Fallot.

Aims: Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a major determinant of late adverse clinical outcome in adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF). Therefore, early detection is important. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as a quantitative technique to assess LV function.

The unnatural history of an atrial septal defect: longitudinal 35 year follow up after surgical closure at young age.

Objective: To describe the very long-term outcome after surgical closure of an atrial septal defect (ASD).

Design: Longitudinal cohort study of 135 consecutive patients who underwent surgical ASD repair at age <15 years between 1968 and 1980. The study protocol included ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic hormone, Holter monitoring and cardiac MRI.