Concetta Zito

Bio: Concetta Zito is an academic researcher from University of Messina. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Ejection fraction. The author has an hindex of 29, co-authored 151 publications receiving 2487 citations. Previous affiliations of Concetta Zito include University of Naples Federico II.

Echocardiographic correlates of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality in tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy

Abstract: Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine clinical and echocardiographic correlates of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock and in-hospital mortality in a large cohort of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) patients. Background Despite good long-term prognosis, life-threatening complications due to hemodynamic instability can occur early in TTC patients. Methods The study population consisted of 227 patients (66.2 ± 12.2 years of age; females, 90.3%) enrolled in the Tako-tsubo Italian Network, undergoing transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography on admission and at short-term follow-up (4.3 [4 to 6] weeks). Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of major adverse events, a composite of acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and in-hospital mortality. Results Major adverse events occurred in 59 patients (25.9%). The variables for elderly patients ≥75 years of age (42.4% vs. 23.8%; p = 0.011): left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (35.1 ± 5.9% vs. 38.4 ± 4.6%, p Conclusions Echocardiographic parameters provide additional information compared to other variables routinely used in clinical practice to identify patients at higher risk of hemodynamic deterioration and poor in-hospital outcome, allowing prompt institution of appropriate pharmacological treatment and adequate mechanical support.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal non-invasive myocardial work indices: results from the EACVI NORRE study

Abstract: Aims - To obtain the normal ranges for 2D echocardiographic (2DE) indices of myocardial work (MW) from a large group of healthy volunteers over a wide range of ages and gender. Methods and results - A total of 226 (85 men, mean age: 45 ± 13 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global work waste (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were estimated from left ventricle (LV) pressure-strain loops. Peak LV systolic pressure was non-invasively derived from brachial artery cuff pressure. The lowest values of MW indices in men and women were 1270 mmHg% and 1310 mmHg% for GWI, 1650 mmHg% and 1544 mmHg% for GCW, and 90% and 91% for GWE, respectively. The highest value for GWW was 238 mmHg% in men and 239 mmHg% in women. Men had significant lower values of GWE and higher values of GWW. GWI and GCW significantly increased with age in women. Conclusion - The NORRE study provides useful 2DE reference ranges for novel indices of non-invasive MW.

Distribution and Prognostic Significance of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Asymptomatic Significant Aortic Stenosis: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis

Abstract: OBJECTIVES In this individual participant data meta-analysis on left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), our objective was to 1) describe its distribution; 2) identify the most predictive cutoff values; and 3) assess its impact on mortality in asymptomatic patients with significant aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). BACKGROUND The evidence supporting the prognostic role of LVGLS in asymptomatic patients with AS has been obtained from several relatively small studies. METHODS A literature search was performed for studies published between 2005 and 2017 without language restriction according to the following criteria "aortic stenosis" AND "longitudinal strain." The corresponding authors of selected studies were contacted and invited to share their data that we computerized in a specific database. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. RESULTS Among the 10 studies included, 1,067 asymptomatic patients with significant AS and LVEF >50% were analyzed. The median of LVGLS was 16.2% (from 5.6% to 30.1%). There were 91 deaths reported during follow-up with median of 1.8 (0.9 to 2.8) years, resulting in a pooled crude mortality rate of 8.5%. The LVGLS performed well in the prediction of death (area under the curve 0.68). The best cutoff value identified was LVGLS of 14.7% (sensitivity, 60%; specificity, 70%). Using random effects model, the risk of death for patients with LVGLS 2.5 (hazard ratio 2.62; 95% confidence interval 1.66 to 4.13; p = 60% (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This individual participant data meta-analysis demonstrates that in asymptomatic patients with significant AS and normal LVEF, impaired LVGLS is associated with reduced survival. These data emphasize the potential usefulness of LVGLS for risk stratification and management of these patients. (C) 2019 the American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved.

Left ventricular function in hypertension: new insight by speckle tracking echocardiography.

Abstract: Background: Conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) are usually unable to reveal very early subtle abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) systolic function caused by hypertension, prior to manifestation of hypertrophy (LVH). This study was undertaken to assess whether speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) provides more insight into early hypertension-induced LV systolic dysfunction, with the purpose of identifying patients at higher risk for heart failure (HF). Methods: Fifty-one patients (56.5 ± 14 years) and 51 controls (52 ± 12.6 years) were enrolled. According to the presence or absence of LVH, patients were classified as LVH(+) and LVH(–), respectively. Global longitudinal function was calculated by TDI, global strains [longitudinal (LS), radial (RS), and circumferential (CS)] and twist were assessed by STE. Results: Conventional TTE showed a LV diastolic dysfunction with normal systolic function in all patients. TDI was able to detect a systolic dysfunction only in the LVH(+) group (P < 0.001) whereas STE revealed an impairment of systolic LS in all patients, including those without hypertrophy (P = 0.02). Furthermore, in the LVH(+) group, STE showed reduced RS and increased CS and twist. These last alterations were observed with respect to both controls (RS: P = 0.02; CS: P = 0.05; twist: P < 0.001) and LVH(–) patients (RS: P = 0.01; CS: P = 0.003; twist: P = 0.001). Conclusion: In hypertensive patients, STE provides more detailed information than conventional echocardiography and TDI, since it reveals a systolic dysfunction before hypertrophy occurs (Stage A of ACC/AHA classification of HF) and identifies some early LV mechanic changes that might improve the clinical management of these patients. (Echocardiography 2011;28:649-657)

Antineoplastic Drug-Induced Cardiotoxicity: A Redox Perspective.

Abstract: Antineoplastic drugs can be associated with several side effects, including cardiovascular toxicity (CTX). Biochemical studies have identified multiple mechanisms of CTX. Chemoterapeutic agents can alter redox homeostasis by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species RNS. Cellular sources of ROS/RNS are cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, stromal and inflammatory cells in the heart. Mitochondria, peroxisomes and other subcellular components are central hubs that control redox homeostasis. Mitochondria are central targets for antineoplastic drug-induced CTX. Understanding the mechanisms of CTX is fundamental for effective cardioprotection, without compromising the efficacy of anticancer treatments. Type 1 CTX is associated with irreversible cardiac cell injury and is typically caused by anthracyclines and conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Type 2 CTX, associated with reversible myocardial dysfunction, is generally caused by biologicals and targeted drugs. Although oxidative/nitrosative reactions play a central role in CTX caused by different antineoplastic drugs, additional mechanisms involving directly and indirectly cardiomyocytes and inflammatory cells play a role in cardiovascular toxicities. Identification of cardiologic risk factors and an integrated approach using molecular, imaging, and clinical data may allow the selection of patients at risk of developing chemotherapy-related CTX. Although the last decade has witnessed intense research related to the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of CTX of antineoplastic drugs, experimental and clinical studies are urgently needed to balance safety and efficacy of novel cancer therapies.

Clinical Features and Outcomes of Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy

Abstract: BackgroundThe natural history, management, and outcome of takotsubo (stress) cardiomyopathy are incompletely understood. MethodsThe International Takotsubo Registry, a consortium of 26 centers in Europe and the United States, was established to investigate clinical features, prognostic predictors, and outcome of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Patients were compared with age- and sex-matched patients who had an acute coronary syndrome. ResultsOf 1750 patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, 89.8% were women (mean age, 66.8 years). Emotional triggers were not as common as physical triggers (27.7% vs. 36.0%), and 28.5% of patients had no evident trigger. Among patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy, as compared with an acute coronary syndrome, rates of neurologic or psychiatric disorders were higher (55.8% vs. 25.7%) and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was markedly lower (40.7±11.2% vs. 51.5±12.3%) (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Rates of severe in-hospital complications including shock and death were ...

Validation of clinical classification schemes for predicting stroke: results from the national registry of atrial fibrillation☆

Abstract: a c statistic of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.80-0.84), the CHADS2 index was the most accurate predictor of stroke. The stroke rate per 100 patient-years without antithrombotic therapy increased by a factor of 1.5 (95% CI, 1.3-1.7) for each 1-point increase in the CHADS2 score: 1.9 (95% CI, 1.2-3.0) for a score of 0; 2.8 (95% CI, 2.0-3.8) for 1; 4.0 (95% CI, 3.1-5.1) for 2; 5.9 (95% CI, 4.6-7.3) for 3; 8.5 (95% CI, 6.3-11.1) for 4; 12.5 (95% CI, 8.2-17.5) for 5; and 18.2 (95% CI, 10.5-27.4) for 6. Conclusion The 2 existing classification schemes and especially a new stroke risk index, CHADS2, can quantify risk of stroke for patients who have AF and may aid in selection of antithrombotic therapy.