Showing papers on "Ventricle published in 2023"

A wearable cardiac ultrasound imager

Abstract: Continuous imaging of cardiac functions is highly desirable for the assessment of long-term cardiovascular health, detection of acute cardiac dysfunction and clinical management of critically ill or surgical patients1-4. However, conventional non-invasive approaches to image the cardiac function cannot provide continuous measurements owing to device bulkiness5-11, and existing wearable cardiac devices can only capture signals on the skin12-16. Here we report a wearable ultrasonic device for continuous, real-time and direct cardiac function assessment. We introduce innovations in device design and material fabrication that improve the mechanical coupling between the device and human skin, allowing the left ventricle to be examined from different views during motion. We also develop a deep learning model that automatically extracts the left ventricular volume from the continuous image recording, yielding waveforms of key cardiac performance indices such as stroke volume, cardiac output and ejection fraction. This technology enables dynamic wearable monitoring of cardiac performance with substantially improved accuracy in various environments.

An Image-Based Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Mitral Regurgitation in Presence of Prolapse

Abstract: In this work we performed an imaged-based computational study of the systolic fluid dynamics in presence of mitral valve regurgitation (MVR). In particular, we compared healthy and different regurgitant scenarios with the aim of quantifying different hemodynamic quantities.We performed computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations in the left ventricle, left atrium and aortic root, with a resistive immersed method, a turbulence model, and with imposed systolic wall motion reconstructed from Cine-MRI images, which allowed us to segment also the mitral valve. For the regurgitant scenarios we considered an increase of the heart rate and a dilation of the left ventricle.Our results highlighted that MVR gave rise to regurgitant jets through the mitral orifice impinging against the atrial walls and scratching against the mitral valve leading to high values of wall shear stresses (WSSs) with respect to the healthy case.CFD with prescribed wall motion and immersed mitral valve revealed to be an effective tool to quantitatively describe hemodynamics in case of MVR and to compare different regurgitant scenarios. Our findings highlighted in particular the presence of transition to turbulence in the atrium and allowed us to quantify some important cardiac indices such as cardiac output and WSS.

Non-invasive three-dimensional electrical activation mapping to predict cardiac resynchronization therapy response: site of latest left ventricular activation relative to pacing site.

Abstract: AIMS Pacing remote from the latest electrically activated site (LEAS) in the left ventricle (LV) may diminish response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). We tested whether proximity of LV pacing site (LVPS) to LEAS, determined by non-invasive three-dimensional electrical activation mapping [electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI)], increased likelihood of CRT response. METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive CRT patients underwent ECGI and chest/heart computed tomography 6-24 months of post-implant. Latest electrically activated site and the distance to LVPS (dp) were assessed. Left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) reduction of ≥15% at clinical follow-up defined response. Logistic regression probabilistically modelled non-response; variables included demographics, heart failure classification, left bundle branch block (LBBB), ischaemic heart disease (IHD), atrial fibrillation, QRS duration, baseline ejection fraction (EF) and LVESV, comorbidities, use of CRT optimization algorithm, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACE)/angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB), beta-blocker, diuretics, and dp. Of 111 studied patients [64 ± 11 years, EF 28 ± 6%, implant duration 12 ± 5 months (mean ± SD), 98% had LBBB, 38% IHD], 67% responded at 10 ± 3 months post CRT-implant. Latest electrically activated sites were outside the mid-to-basal lateral segments in 35% of the patients. dp was 42 ± 23 mm [31 ± 14 mm for responders vs. 63 ± 24 mm non-responders (P < 0.001)]. Longer dp and the lack of use of CRT optimization algorithm were the only independent predictors of non-response [area under the curve (AUC) 0.906]. dp of 47 mm delineated responders and non-responders (AUC 0.931). CONCLUSION The distance between LV pacing site and latest electrical activation is a strong independent predictor for CRT response. Non-invasive electrical evaluation to characterize intrinsic activation and guide LV lead deployment may improve CRT efficacy.

Myofilament Alterations Associated with Human R14del-Phospholamban Cardiomyopathy

Abstract: Phospholamban (PLN) is a major regulator of cardiac contractility, and human mutations in this gene give rise to inherited cardiomyopathies. The deletion of Arginine 14 is the most-prevalent cardiomyopathy-related mutation, and it has been linked to arrhythmogenesis and early death. Studies in PLN-humanized mutant mice indicated an increased propensity to arrhythmias, but the underlying cellular mechanisms associated with R14del-PLN cardiac dysfunction in the absence of any apparent structural remodeling remain unclear. The present study addressed the specific role of myofilaments in the setting of R14del-PLN and the long-term effects of R14del-PLN in the heart. Maximal force was depressed in skinned cardiomyocytes from both left and right ventricles, but this effect was more pronounced in the right ventricle of R14del-PLN mice. In addition, the Ca2+ sensitivity of myofilaments was increased in both ventricles of mutant mice. However, the depressive effects of R14del-PLN on contractile parameters could be reversed with the positive inotropic drug omecamtiv mecarbil, a myosin activator. At 12 months of age, corresponding to the mean symptomatic age of R14del-PLN patients, contractile parameters and Ca2+ transients were significantly depressed in the right ventricular R14del-PLN cardiomyocytes. Echocardiography did not reveal any alterations in cardiac function or remodeling, although histological and electron microscopy analyses indicated subtle alterations in mutant hearts. These findings suggest that both aberrant myocyte calcium cycling and aberrant contractility remain specific to the right ventricle in the long term. In addition, altered myofilament activity is an early characteristic of R14del-PLN mutant hearts and the positive inotropic drug omecamtiv mecarbil may be beneficial in treating R14del-PLN cardiomyopathy.

Challenges and opportunities of diagnostic markers of Alzheimer's disease based on structural magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract: This article aimed to carry out a narrative literature review of early diagnostic markers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on both micro and macro levels of pathology, indicating the shortcomings of current biomarkers and proposing a novel biomarker of structural integrity that associates the hippocampus and adjacent ventricle together. This could help to reduce the influence of individual variety and improve the accuracy and validity of structural biomarker.

An Overview of Deep Learning Methods for Left Ventricle Segmentation

Abstract: Cardiac health diseases are one of the key causes of death around the globe. The number of heart patients has considerably increased during the pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial to assess and analyze the medical and cardiac images. Deep learning architectures, specifically convolutional neural networks have profoundly become the primary choice for the assessment of cardiac medical images. The left ventricle is a vital part of the cardiovascular system where the boundary and size perform a significant role in the evaluation of cardiac function. Due to automatic segmentation and good promising results, the left ventricle segmentation using deep learning has attracted a lot of attention. This article presents a critical review of deep learning methods used for the left ventricle segmentation from frequently used imaging modalities including magnetic resonance images, ultrasound, and computer tomography. This study also demonstrates the details of the network architecture, software, and hardware used for training along with publicly available cardiac image datasets and self-prepared dataset details incorporated. The summary of the evaluation matrices with results used by different researchers is also presented in this study. Finally, all this information is summarized and comprehended in order to assist the readers to understand the motivation and methodology of various deep learning models, as well as exploring potential solutions to future challenges in LV segmentation.

Anti-Fibrotic Potential of Angiotensin (1-7) in Hemodynamically Overloaded Rat Heart

Abstract: Objective: Heart failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by cardiac dysfunction due to structural abnormalities of the myocardium that results in the inability of the heart to eject sufficient volume of the blood to the circulation. HF is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The ECM is a highly dynamic structure controlling the proper functioning of heart muscle. ECM remodelling with enhanced deposition of collagen due to hemodynamic overload impairs cardiomyocyte adhesion and electrical coupling that contributes to cardiac mechanical dysfunction and arrhythmias. Design and method: We aimed to explore ECM and connexin-43 (Cx43) signalling pathways in hemodynamically overloaded rat heart as well as the possible implication of Ang(1-7) to prevent/attenuate adverse myocardial remodelling. Males, 8 weeks-old, normotensive Hannover Spraque-Dawley rats (HSD), hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) and Ang(1-7)-transgenic rats (TGR(A1-7)) underwent aortocaval fistula (ACF) to produce volume overload. 5 weeks later, were right and left ventricular tissue samples used for biometric, biochemical, and proteomic analyzes. Results: Cardiac hypertrophy in response to volume overload was significantly less pronounced in TGR(A1-7) comparing to HSD rats. Moreover, a marker of fibrosis, hydroxyproline, was increased in both ventricles of volume overloaded TGR while reduced in Ang(1-7) right heart ventricle. Protein level and activity of MMP-2 were reduced in both ventricles of volume overloaded TGR/TGR(A1-7) compared to HSD. SMAD2/3 protein levels were decreased in the right ventricle of TGR(A1-7) compared to HSD/TGR in response to volume overload. In parallel, Cx43 and pCx43 implicated in electrical coupling were increased in TGR(A1-7) versus HSD/TGR. PKC↑ and PKC↗ showed a decrease in the TGR group compared to HSD and a decrease in the TGR(A1-7) ACF group compared to HSD and TGR after ACF in both chambers. Conclusions: It can be concluded that Ang(1-7) exhibits cardioprotective and anti-fibrotic potential in condition of cardiac volume overload. If we look at the results comprehensively, it can be concluded that Ang(1-7) exhibits cardioprotective and antifibrotic potential in condition of cardiac volume overload. Supported by grants VEGA 2/0006/23, APVV 21-0410.

Orientation of conduction velocity vectors on cardiac mapping surfaces

Abstract: Abstract Aims Electroanatomical maps using automated conduction velocity (CV) algorithms are now being calculated using two-dimensional (2D) mapping tools. We studied the accuracy of mapping surface 2D CV, compared to the three-dimensional (3D) vectors, and the influence of mapping resolution in non-scarred animal and human heart models. Methods and results Two models were used: a healthy porcine Langendorff model with transmural needle electrodes and a computer stimulation model of the ventricles built from an MRI-segmented, excised human heart. Local activation times (LATs) within the 3D volume of the mesh were used to calculate true 3D CVs (direction and velocity) for different pixel resolutions ranging between 500 μm and 4 mm (3D CVs). CV was also calculated for endocardial surface-only LATs (2D CV). In the experimental model, surface (2D) CV was faster on the epicardium (0.509 m/s) compared to the endocardium (0.262 m/s). In stimulation models, 2D CV significantly exceeded 3D CVs across all mapping resolutions and increased as resolution decreased. Three-dimensional and 2D left ventricle CV at 500 μm resolution increased from 429.2 ± 189.3 to 527.7 ± 253.8 mm/s (P < 0.01), respectively, with modest correlation (R = 0.64). Decreasing the resolution to 4 mm significantly increased 2D CV and weakened the correlation (R = 0.46). The majority of CV vectors were not parallel (<30°) to the mapping surface providing a potential mechanistic explanation for erroneous LAT-based CV over-estimation. Conclusion Ventricular CV is overestimated when using 2D LAT-based CV calculation of the mapping surface and significantly compounded by mapping resolution. Three-dimensional electric field-based approaches are needed in mapping true CV on mapping surfaces.

Dependence of Left Ventricular Rotational Mechanics on Left Atrial Volumes in Non-Smoker Healthy Adults: Analysis Based on the Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic MAGYAR-Healthy Study

Abstract: Introduction: As has been established, the left ventricle (LV) and the left atrium (LA) form an organic unit of the left heart; however, little is known about the dependence of LV rotational parameters on LA volumes, even in healthy circumstances. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the associations between basal and apical LV rotations and LA volumes and volume-based functional properties throughout the cardiac cycle in healthy adults by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Methods: The present study comprised 167 healthy adults (age: 33.4 ± 12.6 years, 77 males) with normally directed LV rotational mechanics. All subjects underwent complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography with three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)-derived data acquisition. The 3DSTE-derived LA volumes and LV rotational parameters were determined at a later date. Results: An increasing end-systolic maximum LA volume (Vmax) was associated with increasing pre-atrial-contraction early (VpreA) and minimum end-diastolic (Vmin) LA volumes, and all stroke volumes were increased as well. Systolic basal left ventricular rotation (LVrot) was highest in the case of the highest systolic Vmax and early-diastolic VpreA. Apical LVrot did not show obvious associations with any increasing LA volumes. The highest systolic basal LVrot was associated with significantly increased diastolic VpreA and Vmin. Reduced diastolic LA volumes (VpreA, Vmin) were seen in the case of increased apical LVrot. An increasing basal LVrot was associated with the tendentious lowering of the apical LVrot and the significant elevation of LV twist. Similarly, an increasing apical LVrot was associated with the tendentious lowering of basal LVrot and the significant elevation of LV twist. Conclusions: Strong associations and adaptations between 3DSTE-derived LA volumes throughout the cardiac cycle and LV rotational mechanics were evidenced, even in healthy circumstances.

Investigation of probability maps in deep-learning-based brain ventricle parcellation

Abstract: Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain disorder associated with ventriculomegaly. Accurate segmentation of the ventricle system into its sub-compartments from magnetic resonance images (MRIs) could help evaluate NPH patients for surgical intervention. In this paper, we modify a 3D U-net utilizing probability maps to perform accurate ventricle parcellation, even with grossly enlarged ventricles and post-surgery shunt artifacts, from MRIs. Our method achieves a mean dice similarity coefficient (DSC) on whole ventricles for healthy controls of 0.864 ± 0.047 and 0.961 ± 0.024 for NPH patients. Furthermore, with the benefit of probability maps, the proposed method provides superior performance on MRI with grossly enlarged ventricles (mean DSC value of 0.965 ± 0.027) or post-surgery shunt artifacts (mean DSC value of 0.964 ± 0.031). Results indicate that our method provides a high robust parcellation tool on the ventricular systems which is comparable to other state-of-the-art methods.

Baseline Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of a Tricuspid Regurgitation Referral Population.

Abstract: Adverse outcomes in tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have been associated with advanced regurgitation severity and right-sided cardiac remodeling, and late referrals for tricuspid valve surgery in TR have been associated with increase in postoperative mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and procedural utilization of a TR referral population. We analyzed patients with a diagnosis of TR referred to a large TR referral center between 2016 and 2020. We evaluated baseline characteristics stratified by TR severity and analyzed time-to-event outcomes for a composite of overall mortality or heart-failure hospitalization. In total, 408 patients were referred with a diagnosis of TR: the median age of the cohort was 79 years (interquartile range 70 to 84), and 56% were female. In patients evaluated on a 5-grade scale, 10.2% had ≤moderate TR; 30.7% had severe TR; 11.4% had massive TR, and 47.7% had torrential TR. Increasing TR severity was associated with right-sided cardiac remodeling and altered right ventricular hemodynamics. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, New York Heart Association class symptoms, history of heart failure hospitalization, and right atrial pressure were associated with the composite outcome. One-third of patients referred underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (19%) or surgery (14%); patients who underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention had greater preoperative risk than that of patients who underwent surgery. In conclusion, in patients referred for evaluation of TR, there were high rates of massive and torrential regurgitation and advanced right ventricle remodeling. Symptoms and right atrial pressure are associated with clinical outcomes in follow-up. There were significant differences in baseline procedural risk and eventual therapeutic modality. Adverse outcomes in tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have been associated with advanced regurgitation severity and right-sided cardiac remodeling, and late referrals for tricuspid valve surgery in TR have been associated with increase in postoperative mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, and procedural utilization of a TR referral population. We analyzed patients with a diagnosis of TR referred to a large TR referral center between 2016 and 2020. We evaluated baseline characteristics stratified by TR severity and analyzed time-to-event outcomes for a composite of overall mortality or heart-failure hospitalization. In total, 408 patients were referred with a diagnosis of TR: the median age of the cohort was 79 years (interquartile range 70 to 84), and 56% were female. In patients evaluated on a 5-grade scale, 10.2% had ≤moderate TR; 30.7% had severe TR; 11.4% had massive TR, and 47.7% had torrential TR. Increasing TR severity was associated with right-sided cardiac remodeling and altered right ventricular hemodynamics. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, New York Heart Association class symptoms, history of heart failure hospitalization, and right atrial pressure were associated with the composite outcome. One-third of patients referred underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (19%) or surgery (14%); patients who underwent transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention had greater preoperative risk than that of patients who underwent surgery. In conclusion, in patients referred for evaluation of TR, there were high rates of massive and torrential regurgitation and advanced right ventricle remodeling. Symptoms and right atrial pressure are associated with clinical outcomes in follow-up. There were significant differences in baseline procedural risk and eventual therapeutic modality.

Presentation of ventriculomegaly at 11–14 weeks of gestation: An analysis of longitudinal data

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the value of the sonographic measurements of the choroid plexus and the lateral ventricles at 11–14 gestational weeks in fetuses that had the diagnosis of second‐trimester ventriculomegaly (VM) as a clinical reference.

High-speed 2D light-sheet fluorescence microscopy enables quantification of spatially varying calcium dynamics in ventricular cardiomyocytes

Abstract: Introduction: Reduced synchrony of calcium release and t-tubule structure organization in individual cardiomyocytes has been linked to loss of contractile strength and arrhythmia. Compared to confocal scanning techniques widely used for imaging calcium dynamics in cardiac muscle cells, light-sheet fluorescence microscopy enables fast acquisition of a 2D plane in the sample with low phototoxicity. Methods: A custom light-sheet fluorescence microscope was used to achieve dual-channel 2D timelapse imaging of calcium and the sarcolemma, enabling calcium sparks and transients in left and right ventricle cardiomyocytes to be correlated with the cell microstructure. Imaging electrically stimulated dual-labelled cardiomyocytes immobilized with para-nitroblebbistatin, a non-phototoxic, low fluorescence contraction uncoupler, with sub-micron resolution at 395 fps over a 38 μm × 170 µm FOV allowed characterization of calcium spark morphology and 2D mapping of the calcium transient time-to-half-maximum across the cell. Results: Blinded analysis of the data revealed sparks with greater amplitude in left ventricle myocytes. The time for the calcium transient to reach half-maximum amplitude in the central part of the cell was found to be, on average, 2 ms shorter than at the cell ends. Sparks co-localized with t-tubules were found to have significantly longer duration, larger area and spark mass than those further away from t-tubules. Conclusion: The high spatiotemporal resolution of the microscope and automated image-analysis enabled detailed 2D mapping and quantification of calcium dynamics of n = 60 myocytes, with the findings demonstrating multi-level spatial variation of calcium dynamics across the cell, supporting the dependence of synchrony and characteristics of calcium release on the underlying t-tubule structure.

Immature human engineered heart tissues engraft in a guinea pig chronic injury model

Abstract: ABSTRACT Engineered heart tissue (EHT) transplantation represents an innovative, regenerative approach for heart failure patients. Late preclinical trials are underway, and a first clinical trial started recently. Preceding studies revealed functional recovery after implantation of in vitro-matured EHT in the subacute stage, whereas transplantation in a chronic injury setting was less efficient. When transplanting matured EHTs, we noticed that cardiomyocytes undergo a dedifferentiation step before eventually forming structured grafts. Therefore, we wanted to evaluate whether immature EHT (EHTIm) patches can be used for transplantation. Chronic myocardial injury was induced in a guinea pig model. EHTIm (15×106 cells) were transplanted within hours after casting. Cryo-injury led to large transmural scars amounting to 26% of the left ventricle. Grafts remuscularized 9% of the scar area on average. Echocardiographic analysis showed some evidence of improvement of left-ventricular function after EHTIm transplantation. In a small translational proof-of-concept study, human scale EHTIm patches (4.5×108 cells) were epicardially implanted on healthy pig hearts (n=2). In summary, we provide evidence that transplantation of EHTIm patches, i.e. without precultivation, is feasible, with similar engraftment results to those obtained using matured EHT.

Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Complications; Potential Causes and Risk Factors

Abstract: Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide despite the coexistence of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Current emergency management involves revascularization of the coronary arteries. Aims: Retrospectively evaluating the association between the used number of shunts and postoperative complications. And to evaluate the potential pre/postoperative risk factors for complications development. Objectives: Several complications are reported after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, such as postoperative arrythmia and postoperative stroke. However, the risk factors for the development remain not elaborated. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study involved 290 patients for the period 2017-2021 treated surgically for ischemic heart disease. The surgery includes shunts of the internal thoracic arteries with the post-occlusion coronary arteries. The number of shunts is varied depending on the size and number of occluded arteries. According to the number of shunts, the patient may be operated with artificial circulation (CPB; cardiopulmonary bypass), or without working heart (OFF pump; without artificial circulation. For statistical analysis, used T test, one way ANOVA test, and Pearson correlation test by using Statistica program. Results: The most frequently reported complication is postoperative hydrothorax, 28 (11.20%) patients. Patients with CABG and left ventricle aneurysm plastic surgery repair had a longer aortic cross-clamp time, t-value -2.20413, p <0.028306. Furthermore, patients with CABG have less ejection fraction, t-value 5.10667, p < 0.000001. Patients with post-CABG left ventricle (LV) aneurysm had less ejection fraction, t-value -2.01070, p <0.045292. Furthermore, patients with post-CABG LV aneurysm had a longer CPB time, t value -5.58113, p < 0.000000. Patients with post-CABG LV aneurysm had a longer aortic cross-clamp time, t-value -4.72802, p < 0.000004. Patients with postoperative hydrothorax are with low BMI and longer CPB and Aortic cross-clamp time, t-value -2.33929, p <0.020021; t-value 3.83233, P < 0.000157; t-value 2.71109, p < 0.007119, respectively. Subsequently, post-operative hydrothorax increases the intensive care unit (ICU) and total hospitalization days, t-value 5.80811, p < 0.000000; t-value 7.37431, p < 0.000000, respectively. Patients who have preoperative progressive angina have higher number of complications, t-value 2.108504, p < 0.035866. Post myocardial infarction myocardial sclerosis patients (PMIMS) have a higher number of complications, t-value 2.516784, p < 0.012396. No statistical correlation between number of the complications and the number of the shunts. Furthermore, there was no statistical association between the used number of internal thoracic arteries and the number of complications. A direct correlation between number of complications and age/CPB time/ aortic cross-clamp time/ICU hospitalization days/total hospitalization days, r= 0.138565, 0.204061, 0.162078, 0.487048, 0.408381; respectively. Conclusions: Postoperative complication rate associated with the pre-existence of progressive angina and PMIMS. Elderly people undergoing CABG are at higher risk of psychosis, arrythmia, longer total and ICU hospitalization days, and stroke. Advanced age, longed CPB time, prolonged Aortic cross-clamp time, long ICU hospitalization days, and long total hospitalization days are risks for more frequent post CABG complications. Others: The number of complications is not associated with the death and alive status of the patients or with the number of shunts.

Too Little of a Good Thing: Strong Associations Between Cardiac Size and Fitness Among Women.

Abstract: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with functional impairment and cardiac events, particularly heart failure (HF). However, the factors predisposing women to low CRF and HF remain unclear. This study sought to evaluate the association between CRF and measures of ventricular size and function and to examine the potential mechanism linking these factors. A total of 185 healthy women aged >30 years (51 ± 9 years) underwent assessment of CRF (peak volume of oxygen uptake [Vo2peak]) and biventricular volumes at rest and during exercise by using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The relationships among Vo2peak, cardiac volumes, and echocardiographic measures of systolic and diastolic function were assessed using linear regression. The effect of cardiac size on cardiac reserve (change in cardiac function during exercise) was assessed by comparing quartiles of resting left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV). Vo2peak was strongly associated with resting measures of LVEDV and right ventricular end-diastolic volume (R2 = 0.58-0.63; P < 0.0001), but weakly associated with measures of resting left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function (R2 = 0.01-0.06; P < 0.05). Increasing LVEDV quartiles were positively associated with cardiac reserve, with the smallest quartile showing the smallest reduction in LV end-systolic volume (quartile [Q]1: −4 mL vs Q4: −12 mL), smallest augmentation in LV stroke volume (Q1: +11 mL vs Q4: +20 mL) and cardiac output (Q1: +6.6 L/min vs Q4: +10.3 L/min) during exercise (interaction P < 0.001 for all). A small ventricle is strongly associated with low CRF because of the combined effect of a smaller resting stroke volume and an attenuated capacity to increase with exercise. The prognostic implications of low CRF in midlife highlight the need for further longitudinal studies to determine whether women with small ventricles are predisposed to functional impairment, exertional intolerance, and HF later in life.

Clinical controversies in the management of acute pulmonary embolism: evaluation of four important but controversial aspects of acute pulmonary embolism management that are still subject of debate and research

Abstract: ABSTRACT Introduction Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. While some patients can be treated at home or may even be left untreated, other patients require an aggressive approach with reperfusion treatment. Areas covered (1) Advanced reperfusion treatment in hemodynamically stable acute PE patients considered to be at high risk of decompensation and death, (2) the treatment of subsegmental pulmonary embolism, (3) outpatient treatment for hemodynamically stable PE patients with signs of right ventricle (RV) dysfunction, and (4) the optimal approach to identify and treatpost-PE syndrome. Expert opinion Outside clinical trials, hemodynamically stable acute PE patients should not be treated with primary reperfusion therapy. Thrombolysis and/or catheter-directed therapy are only to be considered as rescue treatment. Subsegmental PE can be left untreated in selected low-risk patients, after proximal deep vein thrombosis has been ruled out. Patients with an sPESI or Hestia score of 0 criteria can be treated at home, independent of the presence of RV overload. Finally, health-care providers should be aware of post-PE syndrome and diagnose chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) as early as possible. Persistently symptomatic patients without CTEPD benefit from exercise training and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.