Cardiac hypertrophy simulations using parametric and echocardiography-based left ventricle model with shell finite elements.

In our paper, we simulated cardiac hypertrophy with the use of shell elements in parametric and echocardiography-based left ventricle (LV) models. The hypertrophy has an impact on the change in the wall thickness, displacement field and the overall functioning of the heart. We computed both eccentric and concentric hypertrophy effects and tracked changes in the ventricle shape and wall thickness.

Mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and methodological challenges of gut microbiota and cardiovascular diseases: a position paper by the ESC Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation.

The human gut microbiota is the microbial ecosystem in the small and large intestines of humans. It has been naturally preserved and evolved to play an important role in the function of the gastrointestinal tract and the physiology of its host, protecting from pathogen colonization, and participating in vitamin synthesis, the functions of the immune system, as well as glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism, among others. Mounting evidence from animal and human studies indicates that the composition and metabolic profiles of the gut microbiota are linked to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, particularly arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure.

Prognostic Value of Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve in Patients With Asymmetric Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background Microvascular dysfunction might be a major determinant of clinical deterioration and outcome in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, long-term prognostic value of transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TDE) coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) on clinical outcome is uncertain in HCM patients. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess long-term prognostic value of CFVR on clinical outcome in HCM population.

Impairment of coronary flow velocity reserve and global longitudinal strain in women with cardiac syndrome X and slow coronary flow.

Background: Microvascular dysfunction (MVD) is associated with adverse prognosis and may account for abnormal stress tests and angina symptoms in women with cardiac syndrome X (CSX). The aim of our study was to assess MVD by coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) and left ventricular (LV) contractile function by LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) in CSX patients with respect to presence of slow coronary flow (SCF). It was of additional importance to evaluate clinical status of CSX patients using Seattle Angina Questionnaire.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis - A trouble or a challenge?

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) represents a rare and serious complication of valve replacement associated with high morbidity and mortality, which significantly differs from native valve endocarditis (NVE). There are two major problems: establishing diagnosis and treatment of PVE. Diagnosis in PVE is challenging and often requires several imaging methods besides standard microbiological analyzes.

Successful establishment of a left ventricular assist device program in an emerging country: one year experience.

Background: The primary goal of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) who underwent continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) in a developing country and to compare to those reported by more developed countries. The secondary goal was on determining factors that may be connected to improved survival.

Methods: We prospectively analyzed 47 consecutive patients who underwent CF-LVAD at our institution.

Coronary Microcirculation in Heart Failure with Preserved Systolic Function.

Background: The Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) is defined as the preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) with the signs of heart failure, elevated natriuretic peptides, and either the evidence of the structural heart disease or diastolic dysfunction. The importance of this form of heart failure was increased after studies where the mortality rates and readmission to the hospital were founded similar as in patients with HF and reduced EF (HFrEF). Coronary microvascular ischemia, cardiomyocyte injury and stiffness could be important factors in the pathophysiology of HFpEF.

Assessment of Coronary Microcirculation with Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography.

Myocardial contrast echocardiography has been used in clinical arena and for scientific research extensively in the last fifteen years. This non-invasive, bed-side and radiation free imaging technique offers several important possibilities: better delineation of the endocardial border, more reliable assessment of the left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, both in rest and during stress, and myocardial perfusion evaluation. Here we provide an overview on different applications of the myocardial contrast echocardiography in the ischemic heart disease with the special focus on perfusion studies and evaluation of coronary microcirculation.

The relationship between causative microorganisms and cardiac lesions caused by infective endocarditis: New perspectives from the contemporary cohort of patients.

Background: The etiology of infective endocarditis (IE) is changing. More aggressive forms with multiple IE cardiac lesions have become more frequent. This study sought to explore the relationship between contemporary causative microorganisms and IE cardiac lesions and to analyze the impact of multiple lesions on treatment choice.

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is related with coronary flow velocity reserve and diastolic dysfunction in patients with asymmetric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: The relations of elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) and cardiac ischemia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients is uncertain. Therefore we designed the study with the following aims: (1) to analyze plasma concentrations of NT-pro-BNP in various subsets of HCM patients; (2) to reveal the correlations of NT-pro-BNP, myocardial ischemia, and diastolic dysfunction; (3) to assess predictors of the elevated plasma levels of NT-pro-BNP.

Methods And Results: In 61 patients (mean age 48.

Gauging the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: The important interplay between predictor variables and definition of a favorable outcome.

Aims: Selection of patients who are viable candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), prediction of the response to CRT as well as an optimal definition of a favorable response, all require further exploration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interplay between the prediction of the response to CRT and the definition of a favorable outcome.

Methods: Seventy patients who received CRT were included.

Silent diabetic cardiomyopathy in everyday practice: a clinical and echocardiographic study.

Background: Whether type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in the absence of hypertension (HTA) and coronary artery disease (CAD) affects left ventricular (LV) phenotype and function among asymptomatic DM patients that can be easily discovered in everyday practice, what is the clinical risk profile for diabetic cardiomyopathy and how HTA and CAD modulate LV structure and function above diabetic cardiomyopathy, are still incompletely answered questions.

Methods: In 210 DM patients (group I: 70 asymptomatic DM patients without HTA and CAD; group II: 70 DM patients with HTA and no CAD; group III: 70 DM patients with CAD and no HTA) and 80 healthy individuals, comprehensive echocardiography including speckle tracking strain and strain rate analysis, was done.

Results: Compared to control DM patients without HTA and CAD had increased LV mass, more frequently concentric remodeling, impaired LV relaxation and lower LV ejection fraction (EF), fraction of shortening (FS) and mitral annular plane excursion (MAPSE).

Sex and age differences and outcomes in acute coronary syndromes.

Background: There is conflicting information about sex differences in presentation, treatment, and outcome after acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the era of reperfusion therapy and percutaneous coronary intervention. The aim of this study was to examine presentation, acute therapy, and outcomes of men and women with ACS with special emphasis on their relationship with younger age (≤65years).

Methods: From January 2010 to June 2015, we enrolled 5140 patients from 3 primary PCI capable hospitals.

The combined exercise stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test for identification of masked heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with hypertension.

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is commonly associated with hypertension (HTN). However, resting echocardiography (ECHO) can underestimate the severity of disease. Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) and the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) appeared to be useful tests in dynamic assessment of HFpEF.

Valvulo-arterial impedance is the best mortality predictor in asymptomatic aortic stenosis patients.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Risk stratification is particularly complex in asymptomatic patients with significant aortic stenosis (AS). The study aim was to assess which hemodynamic/Doppler-echocardiographic parameter best predicts mortality in asymptomatic patients with severe AS and a normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: This prospective study included 128 consecutive asymptomatic patients (75 males, 53 females; mean age 66.

Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein and High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein in Non-Diabetic, Pre-Diabetic and Diabetic Patients in the Acute Phase of the First Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Background: Oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are elevated in diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Little is known about their dynamics in the acute phase of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), especially in relation to the presence of DM and pre-diabetes (pre-DM). This study aimed to analyze time-dependent changes in ox-LDL and hs-CRP regarding the presence of pre-DM and DM in STEMI patients treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).