Evaluation of heart chambers and left ventricular geometry in civil aviation pilots of senior age groups according to echocardiography data

The structural- functional changes of heart chambers (changes in size, volume, shape and function of the heart) are the basis of the cardiac remodeling — an important element of the cardiovascular continuum, which is a key mechanism for the progression of the main cardiovascular diseases. Echocardiography is the main and available method for its assessment.Material and methods. 1189 civil aviation pilots aged 54–68 who underwent routine in-patient examination at the Central Clinical Hospital of Civil Aviation were examined on a regular basis with further medical assessment at the Central Medical Flight Expert Commission of Civil Aviation of the Russian Federation in 2009–2010. The average age was 56.75 ± 0.07. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed for evaluation of the structural-functional indicators of the cardiovascular system in 1170 of flight personnel (98.4%).Results. Enlarged size of the heart chambers was minor and moderate without heart failure and was detected in 4.8% of civil aviation pilots of senior age group. Abnormal geometry of left ventricular (LV) was revealed in 61.7% of the examined civil aviation pilots of senior age group: left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) — in 1% of pilots (concentric LVH — 0.6 % and eccentric LVH — 0.4% cases), concentric remodeling of the LV — in 60.7% pilots. The decrease in LV ejection fraction was observed only in one pilot with EF— 53%. Pilots inapt for flying had enlarged chambers more often than pilots with fitness to fly (9.8% vs 3.35% pilots; p < 0,0001) and LVH (2.9% vs 0.45%; p < 0,001).Conclusions. Echocardiography is an important method for cardiac chambers evaluation, including determination of type LVH geometry. It can be used in the medical assessment of civil aviation pilots of the senior age group.

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Structure-function indices of echocardiography in civil aviation pilots of senior age groups

Clinical Medicine (Russian Journal) ◽

10.30629/0023-2149-2020-98-6-424-430 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (6) ◽

pp. 424-430

Author(s):

A. Yu. Kuzmina ◽

M. V. Khodyreva

Keyword(s):

Heart Valves ◽

Age Groups ◽

Civil Aviation ◽

Type I ◽

Age Group ◽

Functional Changes ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Small Heart ◽

Expert Commission ◽

Aviation Pilots

Echocardiography is an important method for non-invasive evaluation of the structural and functional indicators of the cardiovascular system, which is valuable in early detection of the cardiovascular pathology, especially in older people, because, the prevalence of the most cardiovascular diseases significantly increases with age. Material and methods. 1189 civil aviation pilots aged 54–68 years who underwent routine in-patient examination at the Central Clinical Hospital of Civil Aviation on a regular basis were examined with further medical assessment at the Central Medical Flight Expert Commission of Civil Aviation of the Russian Federation in 2009–2010. The average age was 56.75 ± 0.07. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 1170 flight personnel (98.4%) for evaluation of the structural and functional indicators of the cardiovascular system. Results. Echocardiography abnormalities were detected in 95.7% of pilots of the senior age group, 14.1% of these changes were in mixt form. Signs of atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta were most common — 94% of cases. Left ventricle diastolic dysfunction of type I was noted in 60.3% of pilots. Structural and/or functional changes of the heart valves were noted in 18.2% of the subjects, most of them were localized in the aortic valves: 16% of cases. Dilation of the heart chambers were detected in 4.8% of the examined. LVH was found in 1% of pilots of the senior age group, and signs of LV concentric remodeling — in 60.7% of individuals. The decrease in LV myocardial contractility was detected only in one pilot with EF 53%. Small heart abnormalities were identified only in 0.6% of cases. Conclusions. Echocardiography abnormalities are quite common in pilots of the senior age group, however, «gross» echocardiographic changes are much less common than in the population, which is natural, because these individuals undergo initial medical screening and subsequent follow-up. The use of this method for screening in civil aviation pilots of senior age groups is reasonable, because the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in this group is increasing.

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The mitral regurgitation effects of cardiac structure and function in left ventricular noncompaction

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84233-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Qing Zou ◽

Rong Xu ◽

Xiao Li ◽

Hua-yan Xu ◽

Zhi-gang Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Nyha Class ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Left Ventricular Geometry ◽

Cardiac Structure ◽

Left Ventricular Noncompaction ◽

Ventricular Noncompaction ◽

Cardiac Structure And Function ◽

And Function

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of mitral regurgitation (MR) on cardiac structure and function in left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) patients. The clinical and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) data for 182 patients with noncompaction or hypertrabeculation from three institutes were retrospectively included. We analyzed the difference in left ventricular geometry, cardiac function between LVNC patients with and without MR. The results showed that patients with MR had a worse New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and a higher incidence of arrhythmia (P < 0.05). MR occurred in 48.2% of LVNC patients. Compared to LVNC patients without MR, the two-dimensional sphericity index, maximum/minimum end-diastolic ratio and longitudinal shortening in LVNC patients with MR were lower (P < 0.05), and the peak longitudinal strain (PLS) of the global and segmental myocardium were obviously reduced (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in strain in LVNC patients with different degree of MR; end diastolic volume, end systolic volume, and global PLS were statistically associated with MR and NYHA class (P < 0.05), but the non-compacted to compacted myocardium ratio had no significant correlation with them. In conclusion, the presence of MR is common in LVNC patients. LVNC patients with MR feature more severe morphological and functional changes. Hypertrabeculation is not an important factor affecting structure and function at the heart failure stage.

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INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON LEFT VENTRICULAR GEOMETRY (STRUCTURE) AND FUNCTION IN ISOLATED SYSTOLIC ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

European Journal of Internal Medicine ◽

10.1016/s0953-6205(11)60163-5 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. S40

Author(s):

Dafni Koumoutsea ◽

Stavros Chrisanthopoulos ◽

Vasilios German ◽

Pantelis Kapralos ◽

Damianos Aslanoglou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arterial Hypertension ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Left Ventricular Geometry ◽

Ventricular Geometry ◽

Geometry Structure ◽

And Function

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Dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors is related to abnormality of left ventricular geometry and function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic minipigs

International Journal of Experimental Pathology ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2613.2008.00579.x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 89 (2) ◽

pp. 125-137 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Lin Lu ◽

Qi Zhang ◽

Li Jin Pu ◽

Wen Hui Peng ◽

Xiao Xiang Yan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Geometry ◽

Tissue Inhibitors ◽

Ventricular Geometry ◽

And Function

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Left Ventricular Geometry and Function in Normotensive and Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus without Overt Cardiac Symptoms

Journal of BioMedical Research and Clinical Practice ◽

10.46912/jbrcp.206 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

GA Amusa ◽

SU Uguru ◽

BI Awokola

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Geometry ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Lv Dysfunction ◽

Cardiac Symptoms ◽

And Function

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common cause of morbidity/mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Echocardiography can detect changes in cardiac geometry/function before overt CVD symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in normotensive/hypertensive patients with T2DM without overt cardiac symptoms. A cross-sectional study in which fifty normotensives and fifty hypertensive adults with DM without overt cardiac symptoms were enrolled from the cardiology/diabetes clinics of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in a simple random manner. Relevant history, physical examination and biochemical investigations were performed. 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiograph assessment of LV geometry and function were also performed. Data was analyzed using Epi-info 7 statistical software; p value < 0.05 was considered significant. There were 27 females and 29 females in both groups. The prevalence of abnormal LV geometry was 36.0%, 95% CI 33.2-38.8% and 58.0%, 95% CI 55.2-60.8% in the normotensive and hypertensive groups respectively, P=0.028. Similarly, the prevalence of LV dysfunction was 38.0%, 95%CI 35.2-40.8% and 62.0%, 95%CI 59.2-64.8% respectively, P=0.017. The independent predictors of LV dysfunction were found to be duration of diabetes (OR 7.74, 95%CI 4.46-10.46), duration of hypertension ≥5years (OR 4.15, 95%CI 4.01-9.27), smoking (OR 4.34, 95%CI 1.32-6.23), body mass index ≥25 (OR 5.53, 95%CI 1.38-2.09) and glycosylated haemoglobin ≥7 (OR 7.11, 95%CI 2.15-0.81). There is high prevalence of LV dysfunction/abnormal LV geometry in T2DM patients without overt cardiac symptoms; co-morbid hypertension worsens these abnormalities. Early and periodic echocardiography is recommended with appropriate intervention in these patients.

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Cardiovascular adaptations in Andean natives after 6 wk of exposure to sea level

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/jappl.1991.70.6.2650 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 70 (6) ◽

pp. 2650-2655 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

D. C. McKenzie ◽

L. S. Goodman ◽

C. Nath ◽

B. Davidson ◽

G. O. Matheson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Barometric Pressure ◽

Cycle Ergometer ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Noninvasive Methods ◽

Functional Changes ◽

And Function ◽

Quechua Indians

Six male Quechua Indians (34.0 +/- 1.1 yr, 159.5 +/- 2.1 cm, 60.5 +/- 1.6 kg), life-long residents of La Raya, Peru (4,350-m altitude with an average barometric pressure of 460 Torr), were studied using noninvasive methods to determine the structural and functional changes in the cardiovascular system in response to a 6-wk deacclimation period at sea level. Cardiac output, stroke volume, and left ventricular ejection fractions were determined using radionuclide angiographic techniques at rest and during exercise on a cycle ergometer at 40, 60, and 90% of a previously determined maximal O2 consumption. Subjects at rest were subjected to two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms and a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram. Hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured on arrival at sea level by use of a Coulter Stacker S+ analyzer. After a 6-wk deacclimation period, all variables were remeasured using the identical methodology. Hemoglobin values decreased significantly over the deacclimation period (15.7 +/- 1.1 to 13.5 +/- 1.2 g/dl; P less than 0.01). The results indicate that the removal of these high-altitude-adapted natives from 4,300 m to sea level for 6 wk results in only minor changes to the cardiac structure and function as measured by these noninvasive techniques.

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