Intrinsic Wave Velocity Propagation: A Novel Parameter for Assessing the Effect of Anthracycline Chemotherapy Agents on Cardiac Diastolic Function in Breast Cancer Patients.

Objective: Anthracycline chemotherapeutic agents have significant cardiotoxicity. The present study emphasized the effect of anthracycline chemotherapy drugs on left ventricular (LV) myocardial stiffness in breast cancer patients by measuring the intrinsic wave velocity propagation (IVP), and evaluating the potential clinical value of IVP in detecting early LV diastolic function impairment.

Methods: A total of 68 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, who were treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy, were analyzed.

Quantitative Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Using the Novel Non-invasive Pressure-Strain Loop.

Objective: Current echocardiography evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function, which heralds the prognosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is of limited utility. The non-invasive pressure-strain loop (PSL), an emerging technique, has been found to feasible, sensitive and accurate in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate, using the non-invasive PSL, the right ventricular myocardial work (RVMW) in SLE patients.

Persistent Endothelial Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease-2019 Survivors Late After Recovery.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can result in an endothelial dysfunction in acute phase. However, information on the late vascular consequences of COVID-19 is limited.

Methods: Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) examination were performed, and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed in 86 survivors of COVID-19 for 327 days (IQR 318-337 days) after recovery.

Normalized Cardiac Structure and Function in COVID-19 Survivors Late After Recovery.

Coronavirus disease 2019 can result in myocardial injury in the acute phase. However, information on the late cardiac consequences of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. We conducted a prospective observational cohort study to investigate the late cardiac consequences of COVID-19.

Evaluation of Long-Term Impact of Pericardiectomy on Left Atrial Functions in Patients with Constrictive Pericarditis Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

The aims of this study were to explore the long-term impact of pericardiectomy on left atrial (LA) functions in patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and to correlate post-operative LA functions with clinical status. Echocardiographic examinations were undertaken in 29 patients with CP 1 wk before and 1, 6 and 12 mo after pericardiectomy. STE was performed to obtain LA global longitudinal strain, including strain during the conduit phase (LAScd), strain during the contraction phase (LASct) the sum of the latter and strain during the reservoir phase (LASr).

Enlarged Size and Impaired Elastic Properties of the Ascending Aorta are Associated with Endothelial Dysfunction and Elevated Plasma Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Level in Patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

The aim of this study was to test whether enlarged size and impaired elastic properties of the ascending aorta are associated with impaired endothelial function and increases in plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 concentrations in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) without significant valvular dysfunction. The size and the elasticity of the ascending aorta and the flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in the brachial artery in response to hyperemia were evaluated with 2-D echocardiography and high-frequency linear ultrasound in 42 patients with BAV without significant valvular dysfunction and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. In the BAV group, diastolic ascending aortic diameter (AoD) (32.

Long-Term Effects of Pericardiectomy on Left Ventricular Mechanics Evaluated by Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Constrictive Pericarditis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term changes in left ventricular (LV) mechanics after pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP) and to correlate post-operative LV mechanics with clinical status. A total of 24 patients with CP underwent serial speckle tracking echocardiography 1 wk before and 1, 6 and 12 mo after pericardiectomy. Global LV longitudinal, circumferential and radial strains, along with LV twist, were measured.

Usefulness of contrast perfusion echocardiography for differential diagnosis of cardiac masses.

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of contrast perfusion echocardiography in the differential diagnosis of different types of cardiac masses. Conventional echocardiography and contrast perfusion echocardiography were performed in 72 patients with cardiac masses. The degree of contrast enhancement of the mass and an adjacent section of myocardium after injection of contrast agent was determined by visual inspection and quantitative time-signal intensity curve analysis.

Left ventricular systolic strain of the cardiac allograft evaluated with three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.

Three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was employed to evaluate the changes of left ventricular systolic strain in 23 heart transplant recipients at 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th month after heart transplantation, and 23 healthy subjects served as controls. The three-dimensional full-volume echocardiographic images of left ventricle were recorded and then were analyzed using EchoPAC software. The strain curves and peak systolic strain values for each segment and overall left ventricular wall were obtained.

Correlation between enhanced intensity of atherosclerotic plaque at contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and density of histological neovascularization.

The feasibility of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the assessment of atherosclerotic plaque neovascularization and its relation to histological findings were investigated. Abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque model was induced in 25 New Zealand white rabbits by a combination of high cholesterol-rich diet and balloon aortic denudation. Standard and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed at the 16th week of the model induction period.

Use of carotid plaque neovascularization at contrast-enhanced US to predict coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease.

Purpose: To determine whether carotid plaque neovascularization as assessed with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US) can help predict future coronary events in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by the hospital ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Three hundred twelve consecutive patients (228 men; mean age, 63 years ± 9; age range, 42-88 years) with both CAD and at least one carotid plaque thicker than 2.