Additive value of torsion to global longitudinal left ventricular strain in patients with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Torsional and longitudinal deformations are essential components of left ventricular (LV) performance. A precise assessment of LV function must take into account both LV torsion (LVtor) and global longitudinal strain (LVE). We compared a new 2D-strain parameter, LVtor x LVE, with several other echocardiographic parameters, with respect to their strength of association with N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) in patients with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

A new tissue doppler index in predicting future atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure.

Background: Onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) is usually associated with a high occurrence of cardiovascular complications. E/(E'×S') ratio (E=early diastolic transmitral velocity, E'=early mitral annular diastolic velocity and S'=systolic mitral annulus velocity) has been shown to reflect left ventricular filling pressure.

Objective: We investigate whether E/(E'×S') could be a predictor of new-onset AF in patients with HF.

The relationship between the time interval difference of isovolumic relaxation (T[IVRT-IVRTa]) and serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with intermediate E/Ea ratio.

Introduction: The ratio of early diastolic transmitral velocity to early mitral annular diastolic velocity (E/Ea) can be used to group patients according to filling pressures. However this relationship has not been validated in the intermediate group (E/Ea = 8-15). The time difference between the onset of E and Ea also correlates with left ventricular (LV) filling pressures.

E/(EaxSa) estimates left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The early diastolic transmitral velocity/early mitral annular diastolic velocity ratio (E/Ea) reflects left ventricular (LV) filling pressure in a variety of cardiac diseases. The value of this parameter in patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) remains controversial. It has been hypothesized that, by combining the index of diastolic function (E/Ea) and a parameter that explores LV systolic performance (Sa, mitral annulus peak systolic velocity), a close prediction of the LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be provided.

Unusual cause of heart failure in a 65-year-old woman.

Left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture is a potentially lethal mechanical complication after myocardial infarction (MI). Pericardial adhesions or slow extracardiac leak and pericardial inflammation may result in a contained cardiac rupture. LV pseudoaneurysm is a relatively uncommon clinical entity.

A novel index combining diastolic and systolic Tissue Doppler parameters for the non-invasive assessment of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure.

Background: Early diastolic transmitral velocity (E)/early mitral annular diastolic velocity (Ea) ratio has been proposed as the best Doppler predictor for evaluating left ventricular (LV) filling pressure.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between a novel echocardiographic index, E/(EaxSa), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP); Sa is the peak systolic mitral annular velocity. We measured this index at different sites of the mitral annulus and compared it with other Tissue Doppler parameters.

The relationship between tissue Doppler imaging and seric NTproBNP levels in sinus rhythm patients: a prospective study.

Unlabelled: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) correlates with left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. The ratio between early diastolic transmitral velocity and early mitral annular diastolic velocity (E/Ea) reflects LV filling pressure in a variety of cardiac diseases. However this relationship was not validated in some categories of patients.

Relationship between global myocardial index and automatic left ventricular border detection pattern to identify biventricular pacing candidates.

Objective Of The Study: to evaluate the relation between global myocardial index (GMI) and the pattern of left ventricular (LV) volume curves variation, using automatic border detection (ABD), and their role in assessing LV asynchrony.

Methods: We studied 52 patients (mean age = 55 +/- 17 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy. QRS duration (QRSd) and GMI were measured.

Left atrial remodeling: assessment of size and shape to detect vulnerability to atrial fibrillation.

Background: The ellipse formula often underestimates left atrial (LA) dilation. Complete echocardiographic analysis of LA shape in relation to electrical remodeling has not been performed.

Aim Of The Study: To analyze the relation between LA shape/surface and vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF).

Electrophysiological and echocardiographic parameters predisposing to atrial fibrillation in patients with a structurally normal heart.

Background: The electroanatomical substrate of dilated atria is characterised by increased non-uniform anisotropy and macroscopic slowing of conduction, which promote reentrant circuits.

Aim: To analyse the relationship between electrophysiological properties of atria and echocardiographic markers of dilatation and increased filling pressure.

Methods: The study group consisted of 79 patients without structural heart disease, aged 53+/-22 years, who were referred for electrophysiological study.

Mechanism of atrial fibrillation: decremental conduction, fragmentation, and ectopic activity in patients with drug resistance paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and structurally normal heart.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been associated with premature beats and decreased atrial conduction velocity. This study examined a new index of dynamic inter-atrial conduction time (iaCT) in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF). We compared 42 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF (mean age = 52 +/- 16 years) without structural heart disease with 39 age-matched patients (mean age = 49 +/- 15 years) who underwent ablation of junctional tachycardias.

Can simple Doppler measurements estimate interatrial conduction time?

Unlabelled: Prolongation of the interatrial conduction time (ia-CT) is considered an important factor in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) and as a criterion to perform multisite atrial pacing. Measurement of ia-CT requires an electrophysiologic study. The aim of this study was to compare echocardiographic with electrophysiologic measurements to determine if they are correlated.