Optimal cut-off value of reverse remodeling to predict long-term outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Whether the optimal cut-off value of left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling is different in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) vs. non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) is unclear. This study aimed to clarify this value in patients with ICM and NICM.

Right Ventricular Deformation Analyses Using a Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic System Specialized for the Right Ventricle.

Background: Given the complex morphologic nature of the right ventricle, three-dimensional (3D) approaches would be more appropriate for assessing right ventricular (RV) function than two-dimensional approaches. Thus, the investigators have developed a novel 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic (STE) system specialized for the right ventricle. The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics of RV global and regional deformation as well as changes on stress tests using the 3D STE system in experimental studies.

Prognostic significance of persistent restrictive filling pattern after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may improve left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction as well as systolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction is a key for prognosis in patients with heart failure; therefore, we aimed to clarify the impact of CRT on diastolic function and prognosis.

Methods: In 67 patients who underwent CRT, LV diastolic function was assessed by pulsed Doppler transmitral flow pattern at baseline and 1 week after CRT, and classified into restrictive filling pattern (RFP) and non-RFP groups.

Difference in the Clinical Characteristics of Ventricular Fibrillation Occurrence in the Early Phase of an Acute Myocardial Infarction Between Patients With and Without J Waves.

Introduction: We recently showed that the presence of J waves increases the risk of ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurrence in the early phase of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of VF occurrences in the early phase of an AMI between patients with and without J waves.

Methods And Results: This retrospective, observational study included 281 consecutive patients with an AMI (69 ± 12 years; 207 men) in whom 12-lead ECGs before AMI onset could be evaluated.

Early repolarization increases the occurrence of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden death in the chronic phase of an acute myocardial infarction.

Background: We recently showed that the presence of early repolarization (ER) increases the risk of ventricular fibrillation occurrences in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study aimed to clarify whether an association exists between ER and occurrences of ventricular tachyarrhythmias or sudden death in the chronic phase of AMI.

Methods And Results: This study retrospectively enrolled 1131 patients (67±12 years; 862 men) with AMIs surviving 14 days post-AMI.

Application of 3-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to the assessment of right ventricular regional deformation.

Background: The aim of this study was to carry out 3-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3DSTI) of the right ventricle (RV) and evaluate RV regional wall deformation.

Methods And Results: 3DSTI of the RV was performed in 35 normal subjects, 8 patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and 8 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Peak systolic area change ratio and regional contraction timing relative to global systolic time (time to peak strain/time to end-systole×100) were measured in each segment.

Early repolarization is an independent predictor of occurrences of ventricular fibrillation in the very early phase of acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Recent evidence has linked early repolarization (ER) to idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (VF) in patients without structural heart disease. However, no studies have clarified whether or not there is an association between ER and the VF occurrences after the onset of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods And Results: This study retrospectively included 220 consecutive patients with an AMI (57 female; mean age, 69±11 years) in whom the 12-lead ECGs before the AMI onset could be evaluated.

Analysis of the left atrial appendage by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

This study was designed to determine the ability and reliability of 3-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to assess the geometry and size of the left atrial appendage (LAA). Three-dimensional TEE may allow more accurate assessment of, and provide additional information on, LAA morphology compared to 2-dimensional TEE. Validation studies for LAA morphology data derived from 3D TEE were performed using 10 isolated porcine LAA specimens.