One size doesn't fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements.

Background: The assessment of right ventricular (RV) size is an important part of 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Current chamber quantification guidelines provide reference values as unindexed numbers, similar for men and women. We sought to evaluate normal ranges of RV dimensions based on age, sex, body surface area (BSA), and height.

Impact of valvulo-vascular haemodynamics on left ventricular remodelling and the prevalence of discordant moderate aortic stenosis.

Aims: This study aims to describe the prevalence of discordant mild/moderate aortic stenosis (AS) in a population-based study and to identify the mechanisms that lead to reduced stroke volume (SV) and discordant moderate AS.

Methods And Results: Discordant high-gradient (HG)-mild AS, defined as AVA > 1.5 cm2 and mean pressure gradient (MG) of 20-40 mmHg, and discordant low-gradient (LG) moderate AS, defined as AVA 1.

Comparative analysis of global urban land surface phenology between the MODIS and VIIRS products and extraction methods.

The reliability of land surface phenology (LSP) derived from satellite remote sensing is crucial for obtaining accurate estimates of the phenological response of vegetation to future climate change in urban ecosystems. Differences in phenological definition and extraction methodology using remote sensing can generate systemic errors in estimating the phenological temperature sensitivity to predict the biological response of vegetation. Here, we evaluated the start of the season (SOS), the end of the season (EOS), and the growing season length (GSL) between the Terra and Aqua combined Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land Cover Dynamics (MCD12Q2) and the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership NASA Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Land Cover Dynamics (VNP22Q2) over 1470 urban clusters worldwide.

Use of artificial intelligence to predict outcomes in mild aortic valve stenosis.

Aims: Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common and progressive disease, which, if left untreated, results in increased morbidity and mortality. Monitoring and follow-up care can be challenging due to significant variability in disease progression. This study aimed to develop machine learning models to predict the risks of disease progression and mortality in patients with mild AS.

Left Ventricular Elastance With Resting Volumetric Transthoracic Echocardiography Identifies Different Phenotypes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Retrospective Analysis of a Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous entity including different phenotypes of near normal, normal, and supernormal left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study was to assess the value of resting LV elastance (also known as force) using transthoracic echocardiography to identify HFpEF phenotypes.

Methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, 2,380 patients with HFpEF were recruited from July 2016 to May 2024.

Prevalence, Etiology and Outcomes of Native Pulmonary Regurgitation in the General Adult Population.

Aims: Pulmonary regurgitation (PR) after reparative intervention for congenital heart disease has been studied extensively. However, the burden, distribution of causes, and outcome of PR in adults is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, types, and outcomes of moderate/severe PR in adults in the community setting.

Exercise-Induced Reduction in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in the Absence of Coronary Artery Disease: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes.

Background: During exercise stress echocardiography (ESE), there are patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who paradoxically develop reduced LVEF during exercise despite absence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a significant hypertensive response. This study sought to describe the clinical features and outcomes of this population.

Methods: Among ESEs performed between 2003 and 2022, patients without CAD by angiogram within 90 days of ESE and resting LVEF ≥50% with a ≥5% LVEF decrease during ESE were included.

Machine Learning Identifies Clinically Distinct Phenotypes in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation.

Background: Aortic regurgitation (AR) is a prevalent valve disease with a long latent period before symptoms appear. Recent data has suggested the role of novel markers of myocardial overload in assessing onset of decompensation.

Methods: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of unsupervised cluster analyses in identifying different clinical clusters, including clinical status, and a large number of echocardiographic variables including left ventricular volumes, and their associations with mortality.

Echocardiographic Markers of Early Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Asymptomatic Aortic Regurgitation: Is It Time to Change the Guidelines?

Background: The ideal timing for surgery in asymptomatic chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) remains unclear. New thresholds for left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular (LV) indexed end-systolic volume (iESV), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) have been associated with mortality in these patients. These represent markers of early LV dysfunction.

Impact of moderate or severe mitral and tricuspid valves regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Background: Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and mitral regurgitation (MR) are common valvular conditions encountered in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This retrospective study investigates the impact of moderate or severe TR and MR on all-cause mortality in 1-year post-TAVR patients.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent TAVR at the 3 academic tertiary care centers in our health system between 2012 and 2018 were identified.

Left atrial function during exercise stress echocardiography as a sign of paroxysmal/persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objective: Atrial cardiomyopathy is closely associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), and some patients exhibit no dysfunction at rest but demonstrate evident changes in left atrial (LA) function and LA volume during exercise. This study aimed to identify distinguishing signs during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) among patients in sinus rhythm (SR), with and without history of paroxysmal/persistent AF (PAF).

Methods: A prospective cohort of 1055 patients in SR was enrolled across 12 centers.

Predictors of hypercontractile heart phenotype in patients with chronic coronary syndromes or heart failure.

Hypercontractile phenotype (HP) of the left ventricle (LV) is an actionable therapeutic target in patients with chronic coronary syndromes (CCS) or heart failure (HF), but its clinical recognition remains difficult. To assess the clinical variables associated with the HP. In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we recruited 5122 patients (age 65 ± 11 years, 2974 males, 58%) with CCS and/or HF with preserved ejection fraction (EF).

Artificial Intelligence Echocardiography in Resource-Limited Regions: Applications and Challenges.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing cardiac imaging, including echocardiography. However, AI has scarce penetration in resource-limited regions. The implementation of AI-aided echocardiography (AIE) poses unique challenges and opportunities in resource-limited areas.