Search Results (17)

Electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony (MD) underlies left ventricular (LV) contractile dysfunction in patients with heart failure (HF) and left bundle branch block (LBBB). In some cases, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) almost completely reverses LV contractile dysfunction. The LBBB electrocardiographic Strauss criteria and MD assessment were proposed to improve CRT response. However, using these techniques separately does not improve LV contraction in 20–40% of patients after CRT device implantation. We aimed to evaluate whether the combined use of electrocardiography (ECG), speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) and cardiac scintigraphy could improve the prognosis of CRT super-response in patients with HF and Strauss LBBB criteria during a 6-month follow-up period. The study prospectively included patients with HF, classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (FC) II–III in sinus rhythm with Strauss LBBB criteria and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Before and 6 months after CRT device implantation, ECG, STE and cardiac scintigraphy were performed. The study’s primary endpoint was the NYHA class improvement ≥ 1 and left ventricle end systolic volume decrease > 30% or LVEF improvement > 15% after 6 months of CRT. Based on collected data, we developed a prognostic model regarding the CRT super-response. Out of 54 (100.0%) patients, 39 (72.2%) had a CRT super-response. Patients with CRT super-response were likelier to have a greater S wave amplitude in V₂ lead (p = 0.004), higher rates of global longitudinal strain (GLS) (p = 0.001) and interventricular delay (IVD) (p = 0.005). Only three indicators (S wave amplitude in V₂ lead, GLS and IVD) were independently associated with CRT super-response in univariable and multivariable logistic regression. We created a prognostic model based on the logistic equation and calculated a cut-off value (>0.73). The resulting ROC curve revealed a discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.957 (sensitivity 87.2%; specificity 100.0%). The electrical and mechanical dyssynchrony assessment using ECG, STE and cardiac scintigraphy is useful in the prediction of CRT super-response in patients with HF and Strauss LBBB criteria during a 6-month follow-up period. Our prognostic model can identify patients who are super-responders to CRT. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare and severe multisystem disorder, associated with an average survival of approximately five years. Recently, Tafamidis has emerged as a promising treatment for transthyretin-related CA. This retrospective study aimed to assess disease progression through echocardiographic findings in patients with transthyretin-related CA, with a specific focus on evaluating the impact of Tafamidis in a cohort managed at our Cardiomyopathy Clinic. Methods: A total of 39 patients were included, of whom 28 received Tafamidis treatment, while 11 did not. Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, biological, and other imaging data were collected at diagnosis. Comprehensive echocardiographic data were collected every six months over a two-year period (2021–2023). Results: At 1-year follow-up, the Tafamidis-treated cohort demonstrated stable global systolic and diastolic function. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global work index (GWI) showed minimal change (GLS −12.9% (−15.6; −10.7) vs. −13.0% (−14.0; −10.7), p = 0.054; GWI 1113 mmHg/% (963; 1301) vs. 1208 mmHg/% (850; 1420), p = 0.054), and there was no significant increase in indexed LV mass (135.0 g/m² (118.0; 167.0) vs. 148.0 (128.0; 173.0), p = 0.25). Similarly, valvular heart disease severity remained unchanged. Longitudinal analysis using generalized linear mixed models further confirmed the stability of echocardiographic parameters over the 2-year follow-up period. Systolic function metrics, including LV ejection fraction (slope: −0.0098 ± 0.011, p = 0.38) and GLS (slope: 0.0036 ± 0.0041, p = 0.39) showed no significant decline. Diastolic function assessed through E/A ratio (slope: −0.0007 ± 0.0013, p = 0.59) and E/e’ (slope: −0.0042 ± 0.0073, p = 0.57) also remained stable. Indexed LV mass exhibited no significant progression (slope: 0.050 ± 0.061, p = 0.41). These findings were consistent across the various subgroups. Conclusions: Tafamidis appears to effectively stabilize transthyretin-related CA, limiting disease progression over the follow-up period. Full article

Dynamic hydrogels have attracted considerable attention in the application of flexible electronics, as they possess injectable and self-healing abilities. However, it is still a challenge to combine high conductivity and antibacterial properties into dynamic hydrogels. In this work, we fabricated a type of dynamic hydrogel based on acylhydrazone bonds between thermo-responsive copolymer and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with hydrazide groups. The hybrid hydrogels exhibited sol–gel transition, self-healable, injectable and thermo-responsive abilities. The self-healing efficiency was over 92%. Moreover, the hydrogel displayed antimicrobial properties and high conductivity (6.85 S/m). Notably, the fabricated hydrogel-based sensors exhibited strain and temperature sensing (22.05%/°C) and could detect human motion and speech, and electrocardiographic (ECG) and electromyography (EMG) signals. Overall, this work provides a simple strategy to synthesize AgNPs-based dynamic hydrogels with multi-functions, and the hydrogels may find potential applications in antibacterial wearable electronics, health monitoring and speech recognition. Full article

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can cause characteristic electrocardiographic (ECG) changes due to right ventricular hypertrophy and/or strain. The aims of the present study were to explore the diagnostic accuracy of ECG parameters for the diagnosis of PH, applying the recently adjusted mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) threshold of >20 mmHg, and to determine the role of “R V1, V2 + S I, aVL − S V1”. Methods: Between July 2012 and November 2023, 100 patients without PH, with pulmonary arterial hypertension, or with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were retrospectively enrolled. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the ECG parameters for the diagnosis of PH varied from 3 to 98% and from 3 to 100% (means: 39% and 87%). After optimising the parameters’ cut-offs, the mean sensitivity (39% to 66%) increased significantly but the mean specificity (87% to 74%) slightly decreased. “R V1, V2 + S I, aVL − S V1” was able to predict an mPAP >20 mmHg (OR: 34.33; p < 0.001) and a pulmonary vascular resistance >5 WU (OR: 17.14, p < 0.001) but could not predict all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Even with improved cut-offs, ECG parameters alone are not able to reliably diagnose or exclude PH because of their low sensitivity. However, they still might be helpful to reveal a suspicion of PH, especially in early diagnostic stages, e.g., in primary care with general practitioners or non-specialised cardiologists and pulmonologists. “R V1, V2 + S I, aVL − S V1” was able to predict the diagnosis of (severe) PH but could not predict all-cause mortality. Nevertheless, it can still be useful in risk stratification. Full article

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common disease with an annual incidence of about 1/1000 persons. About every sixth patient dies within the first 30 days after diagnosis. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the first diagnostic tests performed, and is able to confirm the suspicion of PE with typical electrocardiographic signs. Some ECG signs and their regression are also prognostically relevant. Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy is one option for PE treatment, and aims to relieve right heart strain immediately. The first studies on endovascular mechanical thrombectomy using a dedicated device (FlowTriever System, Inari Medical, Irvine, CA, USA) yielded promising results. Methods: In the following, we report the case of a 66-year-old male patient who presented with New York Heart Association III dyspnea in our emergency department. Among typical clinical and laboratory results, he displayed very impressive electrocardiographic and radiological findings at the time of PE diagnosis. Results: After endovascular mechanical thrombectomy, the patient’s complaints and pulmonary hemodynamics improved remarkably. In contrast, the ECG worsened paradoxically 18 h after intervention. Nevertheless, control echocardiography 4 days after the intervention no longer showed any signs of right heart strain, and dyspnea had disappeared completely. At a 4-month follow-up visit, the patient presented as completely symptom-free with a high quality of life. His ECG and echocardiography were normal and excluded recurrent right heart strain. Conclusions: Overall, the patient benefitted remarkably from endovascular mechanical thrombectomy, resulting in an almost complete resolution of electrocardiographic PE signs at the 4-month follow-up after exhibiting multiple typical electrocardiographic PE signs at time of diagnosis and initial electrocardiographic worsening 18 h post successful intervention. Full article

The optimal timing for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in aortic stenosis (AS) is still controversial and may be guided by markers of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. We aim to assess electrocardiographic (ECG) strain in relation to LV remodeling and myocardial fibrosis. 83 severe AS patients underwent surgical AVR, with preoperative 12-lead ECG, cardiovascular magnetic resonance with T1 mapping and echocardiography with global longitudinal strain analysis. Collagen volume fraction (CVF) was measured in myocardial biopsies sampled during AVR. Patients with ECG strain had more severe AS, more advanced LV remodeling and evidence of heart failure. Patients with ECG strain had more diffuse fibrosis, as evident by higher mean native T1 values (974.8 ± 34 ms vs. 946.5 ± 28 ms, p < 0.001). ECG strain was the only predictor of increased LV mass index on multivariate regression analysis (OR = 7.10, 95% CI 1.46–34.48, p = 0.02). Patients with persistent ECG strain at 1 year following AVR had more advanced LV remodeling and more histological fibrosis (CVF 12.5% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.009) at baseline assessment. Therefore, ECG strain is a marker of adverse LV remodeling and interstitial myocardial fibrosis. Lack of improvement in ECG strain following AVR indicates more advanced baseline LV injury and higher levels of myocardial fibrosis. Full article

Introduction. The tricuspid valve and its annulus (TA) are thought to be integrally related to right atrial (RA) size and function. The present study aimed to assess associations between TA dimensions and RA strains, and quantitative features of its contractility were determined by 3DSTE in healthy adults. Methods. The study comprised 145 healthy volunteers with a mean age of 34.4 ± 12.5 years (73 males). Electrocardiographic, two-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic and 3DSTE parameters were in normal reference ranges in all subjects. Results. Enlarged TA areas, regardless of which phase of the cardiac cycle were measured, were not associated with the deterioration of peak RA strains in longitudinal (LS) and circumferential (CS) directions. Increased end-diastolic TA area was associated with reduced RA strain in the radial direction (RS). Dilation of end-diastolic and end-systolic TA areas was related to increased RA volumes. End-diastolic TA area was the smallest in case of increased peak global RA-RS, and other associations between increasing TA areas and peak global strains could not be detected. Peak global RA-CS and RA-LS were not related to TA areas. Increasing peak global RA-RS was not associated with peak global RA-LS and RA-CS, while increasing peak global RA-LS and RA-CS were not associated with peak global RA-RS. Increasing peak global RS did not show associations with RA volumes, V_min was the smallest in the case of highest peak global RA-CS and RA-LS. V_max increased with increasing peak global RA-LS. Conclusions. 3DSTE is suitable for simultaneous non-invasive determination of TA dimensions and RA volumes and strains using the same acquired 3D dataset, allowing physiologic studies. RA volumes are associated with end-diastolic and end-systolic TA areas. RA strains in radial direction (RS) show associations with end-diastolic TA area. Full article

Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) may lead to typical electrocardiographic changes that can be reversed by balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA). The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of rarely used electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters, possible electrocardiographic differences between residual and significantly improved CTEPH and the role of electrocardiographic parameters in low mPAP (mean pulmonary arterial pressure) ranges since the mPAP threshold for the definition of pulmonary hypertension has recently been adjusted (≥25 mmHg to >20 mmHg). Material and Methods: Between March 2014 and October 2020, 140 patients with CTEPH and 10 with CTEPD (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease) without pulmonary hypertension (PH) were retrospectively enrolled (12-lead ECG and right heart catheterization before and 6 months after BPA). The ECG parameters of right heart strain validated by studies and clinical experience were evaluated. Special attention was paid to six specific ECG parameters. After BPA, the cohort was divided into subgroups to investigate possible electrocardiographic differences with regard to the haemodynamic result. Results: The present study confirmed that the typical electrocardiographic signs of CTEPH can be found on an ECG, can regress after BPA and partially correlate well with haemodynamic parameters. “R V1, V2 + S I, aVL − S V1” was a parameter of particular note. BPA reduced its frequency (47% vs. 29%) statistically significantly after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.001). Moreover, it showed a good correlation with mPAP and PVR (r-values: 0.372–0.519, p-values: < 0.001). Exceeding its cut-off value before therapy was associated with more severe CTEPH before therapy (higher mPAP, PVR, NT-pro-BNP and troponin and lower TAPSE) and an increased risk of death. Exceeding its cut-off value before and after therapy was associated with more severe CTEPH after therapy (higher RAP, mPAP, PVR, NT-pro-BNP and NYHA class) and an increased risk of death. Men tend to be affected more frequently. After subgrouping, it was observed that a higher median mPAP was associated with a higher right atrial pressure (RAP), a higher pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and a lower cardiac output (CO) before and after BPA. In addition, under these conditions, more and more severe electrocardiographic pathologies were detected before and after BPA. Some patients with low mPAP also continued to show mild ECG changes after BPA. In some cases, very few to no pathological ECG changes were detected, and the ECG could present as mostly normal in some patients (5% before BPA and 13% after BPA). Conclusion: “R V1, V2 + S I, aVL − S V1” seems to be able to support the diagnosis of CTEPH, indicate therapeutic improvement and estimate haemodynamics. It also seems capable of predicting a (persistent) severe disease with probably increased need for therapy and increased mortality. Mild PH has been observed to have either no or few mild ECG changes. This might complicate the (early) detection of PH. Full article

Background: The presence of an electrocardiographic (ECG) strain pattern—among other ECG features—has been shown to be predictive of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. However, data evaluating its impact on symptomatic patients undergoing TAVI are scarce. Therefore, we tried to investigate the prognostic impact of baseline ECG strain pattern on clinical outcomes after TAVI. Methods: A sub-group of patients of the randomized DIRECT (Pre-dilatation in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Trial) trial with severe aortic stenosis who underwent TAVI with a self-expanding valve in one single center were consecutively enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the presence of ECG strain. Left ventricular strain was defined as the presence of ≥1 mm convex ST-segment depression with asymmetrical T-wave inversion in leads V5 to V6 on the baseline 12-lead ECG. Patients were excluded if they had paced rhythm or left bundle branch block at baseline. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were generated to assess the impact on outcomes. The primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality at 1 year after TAVI. Results: Of the 119 patients screened, 5 patients were excluded due to left bundle branch block. Among the 114 included patients (mean age: 80.8 ± 7), 37 patients (32.5%) had strain pattern on pre-TAVI ECG, while 77 patients (67.5%) did not exhibit an ECG strain pattern. No differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups. At 1 year, seven patients reached the primary clinical endpoint, with patients in the strain group demonstrating significantly higher mortality in Kaplan–Meier plots compared to patients without left ventricular strain (five vs. two, log-rank p = 0.022). There was no difference between the strain and no strain group regarding the performance of pre-dilatation (21 vs. 33, chi-square p = 0.164). In the multivariate analysis, left ventricular strain was found to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality after TAVI [Exp(B): 12.2, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 1.4–101.9]. Conclusion: Left ventricular ECG strain is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality after TAVI. Thus, baseline ECG characteristics may aid in risk-stratifying patients scheduled for TAVI. Full article

Chagas disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, and affects seven million people in Latin America. Side effects and the limited efficacy of current treatment have led to new drug research. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of nitazoxanide (NTZ) and electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) in a canine model of experimental CD. Náhuatl dogs were infected with the T. cruzi H8 strain and NTZ- or EOW-treated orally for 10 days. Seronegativity was shown at 12 months post-infection (mpi) in the NTZ-, EOW-, and benznidazole (BNZ)-treated groups. The NTZ and BNZ groups had high levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12B, and IL-1β at 1.5 mpi and low levels of IL-10. Electrocardiographic studies showed alterations from 3 mpi and worsening at 12 mpi; NTZ treatment produced fewer cardiac pathomorphological changes compared to EOW, similar to BNZ treatment. There was no cardiomegaly in any group. In conclusion, although NTZ and EOW did not prevent changes in cardiac conductivity, they were able to avoid the severity of heart damage in the chronic phase of CD. NTZ induced a favorable proinflammatory immune response after infection, being a better option than EOW as a possible treatment for CD after BNZ. Full article

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The majority of infected patients develop the clinical picture of a respiratory disease, although some may develop various complications, such as arterial or venous thrombosis. The clinical case presented herein is a rare example of sequential development and combination of acute myocardial infarction, subclavian vein thrombosis (Paget Schroetter syndrome), and pulmonary embolism in the same patient after COVID-19. Case presentation: A 57-year-old man with a 10-day history of a SARS-CoV-2 infection was hospitalized with a clinical, electrocardiographic, and laboratory constellation of an acute inferior-lateral myocardial infarction. He was treated invasively and had one stent implanted. Three days after implantation, the patient developed shortness of breath and palpitation on the background of a swollen and painful right hand. The signs of acute right-sided heart strain observed on the electrocardiogram and the elevated D-dimer levels strongly suggested pulmonary embolism. A Doppler ultrasound and invasive evaluation demonstrated thrombosis of the right subclavian vein. The patient was administered pharmacomechanical and systemic thrombolysis and heparin infusion. Revascularization was achieved 24 h later via successful balloon dilatation of the occluded vessel. Conclusion: Thrombotic complications of COVID-19 can develop in a significant proportion of patients. Concomitant manifestation of these complications in the same patient is extremely rare, presenting at the same time, quite a therapeutic challenge to clinicians due to the need for invasive techniques and simultaneous administration of dual antiaggregant therapy combined with an anticoagulant treatment. Such a combined treatment increases the hemorrhagic risk and requires a serious accumulation of data for the purpose of a long-term antithrombotic prophylaxis in patients with such pathology. Full article

Ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are enzymes located on the surface of the T. cruzi plasma membrane, which hydrolyze a wide range of tri-/-diphosphate nucleosides. In this work, we used previously developed genetically modified strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), hemi-knockout (KO +/−) and overexpressing (OE) the TcNTPDase-1 gene to evaluate the parasite infectivity profile in a mouse model of acute infection (n = 6 mice per group). Our results showed significantly higher parasitemia and mortality, and lower weight in animals infected with parasites OE TcNTPDase-1, as compared to the infection with the wild type (WT) parasites. On the other hand, animals infected with (KO +/−) parasites showed no mortality during the 30-day trial and mouse weight was more similar to the non-infected (NI) animals. In addition, they had low parasitemia (45.7 times lower) when compared with parasites overexpressing TcNTPDase-1 from the hemi-knockout (OE KO +/−) group. The hearts of animals infected with the OE KO +/− and OE parasites showed significantly larger regions of cardiac inflammation than those infected with the WT parasites (p < 0.001). Only animals infected with KO +/− did not show individual electrocardiographic changes during the period of experimentation. Together, our results expand the knowledge on the role of NTPDases in T. cruzi infectivity, reenforcing the potential of this enzyme as a chemotherapy target to treat Chagas disease (CD). Full article

Background: Measures of global left ventricular (LV) systolic function have limitations for the prediction of post-infarct LV remodeling (LVR). Therefore, we tested the association between a new measure of regional LV systolic function—the percentage of severely altered strain (%SAS)- and LVR after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). As a secondary objective, we also evaluated the association between %SAS and clinical events during follow-up. Methods: Of 177 patients undergoing echocardiography within 24 h from primary percutaneous coronary angioplasty, 172 were studied for 3 months, 167 for 12 months, and 10 died. The %SAS was calculated by dividing the number of LV myocardial segments with ≥−5% peak systolic longitudinal strain by the total number of segments. LVR was defined as the increase in end-diastolic volume >20% at its first occurrence compared to baseline. Results: LVR percentage was 10.2% and 15.8% at 3 and 12 months, respectively. Based on univariable analysis, a number of clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables were associated with LVR. Based on multivariable analysis, %SAS and TnI peak remained associated with LVR (for %SAS 5% increase, OR 1.226, 95% CI 1.098–1.369, p < 0.0005; for TnI peak, OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.004–1.047, p = 0.022). %SAS and LVR were also associated with occurrence of clinical events at a median follow-up of 43 months (HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.0–1.04, p = 0.0165). Conclusions: In patients treated for acute STEMI, acute %SAS is associated with post-infarct LVR. Therefore, we suggest performing such evaluations on a routine basis to identify, as early as possible, STEMI patients at higher risk. Full article

RNA (mRNA) vaccines used to prevent COVID-19 infection may cause myocarditis. We describe a case of acute myocarditis in a 27-year-old male after receiving the second dose of a Pfizer immunization. Three days after receiving the second dose of vaccine, he had acute chest pain. Electrocardiographic examination revealed non-specific ST-T changes in the inferior leads. Troponin levels in his laboratory tests were 733 ng/L. No abnormalities were detected on his echocardiography or coronary angiography. The basal inferoseptal segment was hypokinetic. The LV EF was 50%, whereas the RV EF was 46%. Epicardial and mesocardial LGE were shown in the left ventricle’s basal and mid anterolateral, posterolateral, and inferoseptal segments. The native T1 was 1265 ± 54 ms, and the native T2 was 57 ± 10 ms. Myocardial strain indicated that the baseline values for LV GLS (−14.55), RV GLS (−15.8), and RVCS (−6.88) were considerably lower. The diagnosis of acute myocarditis was determined based on the clinical presentation and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) findings. Full article

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked disorder with α-galactosidase A deficiency. Males (>30 years) and females (>40 years) often present with cardiac manifestations, predominantly left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The aim of this study was to evaluate electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics within FD patients to identify gender related differences, and to additionally explore the association of ECG parameters with structural and functional alterations on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 45 FD patients with contemporaneous ECG and TTE was performed and compared to age and gender matched healthy controls. FD patients demonstrated alterations in several ECG parameters particularly in males, including prolonged P-wave duration (91 vs. 81 ms, p = 0.022), prolonged QRS duration (96 vs. 84 ms, p < 0.001), increased R-wave amplitude in lead I (8.1 vs. 5.7 mV, p = 0.047), increased Sokolow–Lyon index (25 vs. 19 mV, p = 0.002) and were more likely to meet LVH criteria (31% vs. 7%, p = 0.006). FD patients with impaired basal longitudinal strain (LS) on TTE were more likely to meet LVH criteria (41% vs. 0%, p = 0.018). Those with more advanced FD (increased LV wall thickness on TTE) were more likely to meet LVH criteria but additionally demonstrated prolonged ventricular depolarization (QRS duration 101 vs. 88 ms, p = 0.044). Therefore, alterations on ECG demonstrating delayed atrial activation, delayed ventricular depolarization and evidence of LVH were more often seen in male FD patients. Impaired basal LS, a TTE marker of early cardiac involvement, correlated with ECG abnormalities. Increased LV wall thickness on TTE, a marker of more advanced FD, was associated with more severe ECG abnormalities. Full article