Transthoracic anatomy and pathology: Chambers and vessels

2020 ◽  
pp. 127-286

This chapter deals with the anatomy and pathology of the chambers and vessels in transthoracic echocardiography. It covers the left ventricle, global systolic function, regional systolic function, diastolic function and dysfunction, heart failure, the right ventricle, pulmonary hypertension, the left and right atria, the interatrial septum and interventricular septum, pericardium, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, the aorta, primary cardiac tumours and other masses, extra-cardiac tumours, cardiomyopathies, and athlete’s heart.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanda Iacobas ◽  
Bogdan Amuzescu ◽  
Dumitru A. Iacobas

AbstractMyocardium transcriptomes of left and right atria and ventricles from four adult male C57Bl/6j mice were profiled with Agilent microarrays to identify the differences responsible for the distinct functional roles of the four heart chambers. Female mice were not investigated owing to their transcriptome dependence on the estrous cycle phase. Out of the quantified 16,886 unigenes, 15.76% on the left side and 16.5% on the right side exhibited differential expression between the atrium and the ventricle, while 5.8% of genes were differently expressed between the two atria and only 1.2% between the two ventricles. The study revealed also chamber differences in gene expression control and coordination. We analyzed ion channels and transporters, and genes within the cardiac muscle contraction, oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, calcium and adrenergic signaling pathways. Interestingly, while expression of Ank2 oscillates in phase with all 27 quantified binding partners in the left ventricle, the percentage of in-phase oscillating partners of Ank2 is 15% and 37% in the left and right atria and 74% in the right ventricle. The analysis indicated high interventricular synchrony of the ion channels expressions and the substantially lower synchrony between the two atria and between the atrium and the ventricle from the same side.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Majos ◽  
A Kraska ◽  
I Kowalik ◽  
E Smolis-Bak ◽  
H Szwed ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Assessment of the right ventricle (RV) in heart failure (HF) is challenging and requires applicable methods and parameters. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common and clinically significant arrhythmia in 30–50% of HF patients. Assessment of the RV function in patients with AF is problematic. Still little is known about RV function in HF and AF patients. The aim of the study was to assess RV function in HF with focus on AF patients. Methods Patients with HF of ischemic etiology, NYHA II-III, LVEF ≤40%, with AF and sinus rhythm (SR), underwent two- and three- dimensional echocardiography (2DE and 3DE) for assessment of the RV with use of multiple parameters. The RV was examined for: linear dimensions, end-diastolic and end-systolic areas adjusted to body surface area (RV EDA and RV ESA/BSA) and end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes adjusted to lean body mass (RV EDV and RV ESV/LBM) to reflect volume overload and in terms of right ventricular pressure (RVSP) as an index of pressure overload. RV systolic function was assessed with 2DE: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RV FAC), tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (s') and 3DE parameters: right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) and free wall right ventricular longitudinal strain (FW RVLS). Also, TAPSE/RVSP parameter was included. Results The study included 126 patients: 94 with AF and 32 with SR. Within the AF group 28 patients were treated medically, 41 had RV pacing (pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, ICD) and 25 had cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). In comparison with SR group AF patients had: larger RV inflow tract dimension (4.49±0.85 vs. 3.95±0.72 cm; p=0.0017), RV EDA/BSA (12.7±3.9 vs. 11.1±3.0 cm2/m2; p=0.0358) and RV ESA/BSA (8.0±3.0 vs. 6.7±2.4 cm2/m2; p=0.0226). Similarly, patients with AF had greater RV volumes in 3DE than patients with SR: RV EDV/LBM (1.82±0.60 vs. 1.61±0.38ml/kg, p=0.0267) and RV ESV/LBM (1.11±0.40 ml/kg vs. 0.81±0.28, p<0,0001). Also, in patients with AF right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) was higher (40.8±10.2 vs. 34.0±8.1 mmHg, p=0,0010). No differences in TAPSE and RVFAC were found but the relation TAPSE/RVSP was higher in AF than in SR group (0.51±0.21 vs. 0.65±0.24 cm/mmHg; p=0.0046). Also, in AF patients in comparison to SR group some parameters had worse values: s' (9.7±2.31 vs. 12.1±3.83, p=0.014), RVEF (37.2±7.3 vs. 48.2±7.5, p<0.0001 and FW RVLS (−18.3±4.6 vs. −23.9±4.23%, p<0,0001). Within the AF group no significant differences in studied variables depending on RV pacing or CRT were found. Conclusions Larger volumes and higher pressure overload of the RV were observed in patients with AF in comparison to SR. Systolic function of the RV seems to be more depressed in AF compared to SR patients with systolic heart failure. Further research in larger groups is required to identify the most applicable and valuable methods of RV evaluation.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Artola ◽  
B Santema ◽  
R De With ◽  
B Nguyen ◽  
D Linz ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Grant support from the Dutch Heart Foundation [NHS2010B233] Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are two cardiovascular conditions that often coexist. Overlapping symptoms, biomarker profile, and echocardiographic changes hinder the diagnosis of underlying HFpEF in patients with AF and suggest that both conditions might reflect similar remodelling processes in the heart. Purpose. To assess cardiac remodelling in AF patients with versus without concomitant HFpEF by transthoracic echocardiography, focusing on atrial dimension and strain. Methods. We selected 120 patients included in AF-RISK, a prospective, observational, multicentre study aiming to identify a risk profile to guide atrial fibrillation therapy study. Patients had paroxysmal AF diagnosed within three years before inclusion, had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% and were in sinus rhythm at the moment of performing echocardiography and blood sampling. Patients were matched by nearest neighbour by age and sex with a 1:1 ratio and were classified into two groups: 1) AF with HFpEF (n = 60) and 2) AF without HFpEF (n = 60). The diagnosis of HFpEF was based on the 2016 ESC heart failure guidelines, including symptoms and signs of heart failure, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) ≥125pg/ml, and one of the following echocardiographic measures: left atrium volume index (LAVI) &gt;34ml/m2, left ventricular mass index ≥115g/m2 for men and ≥95g/m2 for women, average E/e’ ≥13cm/s and average e’ &lt;9cm/s. Measurements of reservoir, conduit and contraction strain of both atria were performed in apical four-chamber by echocardiography (GE, EchoPac BT12). Associations of clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were tested for collinearity by multivariable logistic regression analyses. LAVI, LV mass index and NT-proBNP were excluded from multivariable analysis since these markers were part of the HFpEF diagnostic criteria. Results. Patients with paroxysmal AF and concomitant HFpEF had more often hypertension (72% vs. 45%, P = 0.005), had more impaired strain phases of both the left and right atria (figure 1), had comparable LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (P = 0.168 and P = 0.212, respectively). In a model adjusted for the number of comorbidities and sex, LA contraction decrease was associated with presence of HFpEF (odds ratio per 1% LA contraction-percent was 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.87–0.99, P = 0.042). LA contraction was not explained by LAVI in patients with concomitant HFpEF (Spearman’s rho= -0.07, P = 0.08). Conclusion. Our results show that atrial function may differentiate paroxysmal AF patients with HFpEF from those without HFpEF. In patients with paroxysmal AF, more impaired strain phases of the left and right atria were associated with concomitant HFpEF, whereas ventricular function, reflected by LVEF and GLS, did not differ. Abstract Figure. Strain distribution of both atria


Author(s):  
L. Hay ◽  
R.A. Schultz ◽  
P.J. Schutte

Previous studies have shown that crude extracts from Pavetta harborii as well as dried plant material have cardiotoxic effects on rats and sheep that can lead to heart failure. The active component has since been isolated and identified. This substance has been named pavetamine. The aim of this study was to determine whether pavetamine has cardiotoxic effects similar to those seen in previous reports, when administered to rats intraperitoneally. Sprague Dawley rats received two doses, initially 4 mg / kg and then 3 mg / kg pavetamine respectively and were monitored for 35 days before cardiodynamic parameters were measured by inserting a fluid-filled catheter into the left ventricle via the right carotid artery. These values were compared to those of control rats that had received only saline. Pavetamine significantly reduced systolic function and body mass in the treated rats, which indicates that it has the potential to induce heart failure in this animal model.


1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 785-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Y. Coe ◽  
P. M. Olley ◽  
F. Hamilton ◽  
T. Vanhelder ◽  
F. Coceani

New methods for chronic instrumentation of the newborn piglet are described, which allow continuous monitoring of not only pressures in the pulmonary artery and aorta but also in the left and right atria, pulmonary vein, as well as main branch pulmonary artery flows. Changes in pulmonary vascular tone to short-acting vasoactive agents can be recognized by redistribution of flow between lungs and localized to the precapillary vessels or pulmonary veins. Furthermore, vasoactive response in small pulmonary veins may be investigated as well as selective metabolic studies across the right lung. Methods are also described for the chronic cannulation of the neck vessels permitting repeated introduction of catheters on separate study days in the conscious piglet. The pulmonary circulation of the piglet constricts briskly to moderate hypoxemia ([Formula: see text], 1 Torr = 133.32 Pa) with little change in cardiac output or systemic resistance. The piglet demonstrated responses to dilator and constrictor prostaglandins generally similar to the lambs and other species. None of these agents significantly affect pulmonary venous tone.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2457-2457
Author(s):  
Luigi Mancuso ◽  
Angela Vitrano ◽  
Massimiliano Sacco ◽  
Andrea Mancuso ◽  
Antonietta Ledda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is the most important cause of death in Thalassemia Major (TM) patients, and results from iron overload which determines progressive systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) is the only non-invasive tool for detecting and quantifying myocardial iron storage.We had observed that a large number of Thalassemia patients recently observed at our Centre develops a different form of HF, with evidence of diastolic dysfunction and often in absence of systolic dysfunction. Methods We evaluated the clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and Doppler data of 16 adult Thalassemia patients with HF observed at our Centre between 2008 and 2016, together with the data obtained by means of T2* CMR. All statistical analyses were descriptive. Results are provided as means ± standard deviations, medians with interquartile ranges (IQR), and percentages. Results Table 1 describes demographics, T2* and Echo-Doppler data of 16 TM patients. The 31.2% were females and the mean age was 44.2±5.7 years.One patient presented systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle whereas the others had echocardiographic and Doppler evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction of the right ventricle was also found in 81.25% of cases. Furthermore, 30.75% of cases had T2* values consistent with significant risk for heart failure (≤14 ms), whereas the others had normal values. In 68.75% of the cases ECG showed inversion of T wave beyond V2 lead, and low voltages. Conclusions Most of the patients with heart failure recently observed at our Centre had diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle with normal systolic function, and impairment of systolic function of the right ventricle, and normal values of cardiacT2*. In 68.75% of cases ECG showed inversion of T wave beyond V2 lead and low voltages. Limitations of this study can be summarizes in: a) small number of cases (16 pts); b) Evidence of normal values of T2* values in most patients does not exclude an iron overload in precedent years. However patients with HF due to systolic dysfunction usually show low or very low values; c) a possible bias of this study may be linked to the Centre where this study has been performed. Our Centre is the Reference Centre of Sicilian Region for Thalassemia patients. This implies the possibility of a very strict surveillance of chelation therapy with frequent evaluations of the data of T2* in order to improve at best the treatment with chelation therapy. It is possible that this, at least in part, might prevent the onset of the classical form of systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle due to iron overload, and that in these patients, differently than in patients followed up in other centres, different forms of HF noit linked to cardiac iron overload may occur: that is heart failure preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), with prevalent left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Table 1. Demographics, Echo-Doppler and T2* data Table 1. Demographics, Echo-Doppler and T2* data Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Angiology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Ripa ◽  
Fabiola Olivieri ◽  
Roberto Antonicelli

A 78-year-old woman presented herself at emergency for the appearance of severe dyspnea. An electrocardiogram showed signs of inferior and anterior necrosis, and laboratory tests showed a small increase of myocardial cytonecrosis enzymes. An echocardiogram detected a reduction of global systolic function (ejection fraction [EF] approximately 40%) as well as akinesia of the apex, interventricular septum middle segments, and anterior and anterolateral walls, with basal segments showing compensatory hyperkinesia. The coronarography showed a coronary tree substantially free from significant lesions. The patient was transferred to the cardiology unit of our hospital. Based on the contained increase of the cardiac enzymes, the absence of coronary lesions, and the presence of typical echocardiography alterations, we suspected a Tako-tsubo-like syndrome. On deeper anamnestic investigation, an event of strong emotional stress emerged preceding the hospital admission that confirmed the pathology, even though it is atypical to see clinical presentation a long time after a stressful event.


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