Takotsubo syndrome presenting with syncope and third-degree atrioventricular block requiring permanent pacemaker implantation

Takotsubo syndrome (TS) is an acute but transient heart failure syndrome and it is very uncommon for TS to present as syncope with complete atrioventricular (AV)block.In this report,we aimed to present a case of TS complicated by third-degree AV block presented to the emergency department with syncope and requiring permanent pacemaker implantation.A 53-year-old female admitted to our emergency department with complaints of syncopal episodes and chest pain.Due to ongoing chest pain,electrocardiography (ECG) findings and segmentary wall motion abnormality on the transthoracic echocardiography (TTE),she was immediately transferred to cardiac catheterization laboratory.Coronary angiogram revealed normal coronary arteries and left ventriculography demonstrated apical ballooning and hypokinesis of the apex.As the diagnosis of TS was established,patient was transferred to coronary intensive care unit(CICU).Initial ECG at CICU demonstrated complete AV block with a heart rate of 35 beats/min.On third day of hospitalization,repeat TTE showed improved left ventricular functions with an ejection fraction of 50%.During the follow-up period in CICU,complete AV block persisted and the rhythm did not return to normal sinus rhythm after 6 days of monitorization.An electrophysiologic study demonstrated supra-hisian atrioventricular block and atrioventricular dissociation.On seventh day of hospitalization,TTE demonstrated recovered ventricular functions with an ejection fraction of 65% and a dual pacemaker was then implanted.Her third month follow-up was uneventful and TTE showed normal left ventricular functions but pacemaker interrogation revealed 99% of ventricular pacing.This case report demonstrated that,the decision to implant a permanent pacemaker on such patients should be considered on a case-by-case basis,and electrophysiologic study could be valuable on this decision.

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Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in a Patient with Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy and Complete Atrioventricular Block

Case Reports in Cardiology ◽

10.1155/2021/6637720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Toshihiro Terui ◽

Masumi Iwai-Takano ◽

Tomoyuki Watanabe

Keyword(s):

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy ◽

Wall Motion ◽

Pacemaker Implantation ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Permanent Pacemaker ◽

Av Block ◽

Permanent Pacemaker Implantation ◽

History Of ◽

Complete Atrioventricular ◽

Complete Av Block

This case report presents a patient with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) and complete atrioventricular (AV) block who was treated with permanent pacemaker implantation. A 78-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presented with a 6-month history of palpitations. On initial evaluation, her heart rate was 40 beats/minute. Electrocardiography revealed a complete AV block and T-wave inversion in these leads: I, II, aVL, aVF, and V3–6. Echocardiography showed akinesis from the midventricle to the apex and hyperkinesis on the basal segments. The patient was diagnosed with TCM and complete AV block. Because improvement of TCM may subsequently improve the AV node dysfunction associated with TCM, the patient was admitted for treatment of heart failure without pacemaker implantation. The left ventricular (LV) abnormal wall motion improved gradually; however, the AV block persisted intermittently. On hospital day 14, a pause of 5–6 seconds without LV contraction was observed, and permanent pacemaker implantation was performed. On day 92, echocardiography revealed normal LV wall motion. However, electrocardiography revealed that the pacemaker rhythm with atrial sensing and ventricular pacing remained. Although specific degree of damage that may result from AV block associated with TCM is unknown, some of these patients require pacemaker implantation, despite improvement of abnormality in LV wall motion.

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Reversal of Left Ventricular Functions in Chronic Mitral Regurgitation after Mitral Valve Replacement

The Heart Surgery Forum ◽

10.1532/hsf.1440 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 160

Author(s):

Montaser Elsawy Abd elaziz ◽

Islam Moheb Ibrahim

Keyword(s):

Mitral Valve ◽

Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Valve Replacement ◽

Mitral Valve Replacement ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

The Mean ◽

Ventricular Functions

Background: Mitral valve regurgitation leads to deterioration of left ventricular functions if not treated early. We aimed to study the effect of mitral valve replacement on normalization of ejection fraction, remodeling of left ventricular dimensions, and left atrial reduction in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation. Methods: Between December 2012 and August 2014, 45 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation underwent isolated mitral valve replacement. None of the patients had any other severe valvular or concomitant disease or severe coronary heart disease. The patients were evaluated by echocardiography (preoperative, 1-week, and 1-year postoperative). The results were statistically analyzed by paired t test. Results: Forty-five patients who underwent mitral valve replacement in our hospital were included in the study. The group comprised 20 men and 25 women; the mean age was 31.8 ± 6.76 years. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 61.09 ± 7.6 and decreased significantly to 59.04 ± 6.65 and 59.67 ± 6.56, 1-week and 1-year postoperative follow up, respectively. The left atrium showed significant reduction in size (4 ± 0.54 cm) at 1-year postoperative follow up, from (4.51 ± 0.57 cm) one-week postoperative, and from (5.55 ± 0.88 cm) preoperatively. The mean left ventricular end systolic diameter significantly decreased from 4.06 ± 0.65 cm preoperatively to 3.4 ± 0.4 cm, 1-week postoperative (P = .01), and also decreased significantly to 3.45 ± 0.51 cm at 1-year follow up postoperatively, but was higher than that at 1-week follow up. Also, the mean left ventricular end diastolic diameter decreased significantly during periods of follow up (P < .001). Conclusion: Reversal of left ventricular functions and reduction of left-sided chamber dimensions are possible if early mitral valve replacement is considered in chronic mitral regurgitation before worsening of the condition.

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Prognostic Utility of ST2 in Patients with Acute Dyspnea and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Clinical Chemistry ◽

10.1373/clinchem.2010.159277 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 874-882 ◽

Cited By ~ 54

Author(s):

Keyur B Shah ◽

Willem J Kop ◽

Robert H Christenson ◽

Deborah B Diercks ◽

Sue Henderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Emergency Department ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Risk Stratification ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Acute Dyspnea ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Multivariate Adjustment

BACKGROUND Soluble ST2 (sST2), an interleukin-1 receptor family member, is an emerging risk indicator for patients with cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the prognostic role of sST2 for patients presenting to the emergency department with acute dyspnea, with a focus on those with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≥50%), as risk stratification is often most complex in this subgroup. METHODS We conducted a post hoc analysis of 387 patients [39% female, mean (SD) age 57.6 (14.5) years] presenting to the emergency department with dyspnea and followed for 1 year (97% complete follow-up). We examined clinical data, concentrations of serum biomarkers [sST2, amino-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)], and transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS Patients had a median sST2 concentration of 38.4 U/mL [interquartile range (IQR) 25.5–64 U/mL]. Forty-six patients (12%) died during follow-up. Log sST2 [hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) 2.85 (2.04–3.99), P < 0.001rsqb] and log NT-proBNP [1.28 (1.13–1.45), P < 0.001] concentrations were significant predictors of mortality at 1 year. After multivariate adjustment, only sST2 remained predictive of mortality [per log: 2.14 (1.37–3.38), P = 0.001]. In the subpopulation of individuals with normal systolic function (n = 200), only sST2 continued to predict mortality after multivariate adjustment [per log: 2.57 (1.12–5.91), P = 0.03]. Only NT-proBNP, but not sST2, concentrations correlated with multiple echocardiographic indices of left ventricular diastolic function. CONCLUSIONS sST2 is a strong predictor of mortality in patients presenting with acute dyspnea, particularly those with preserved LVEF, and may be useful for triage and risk stratification of this challenging group.

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One-year cardiac morphological and functional evolution following permanent pacemaker implantation in right ventricular septal position in chagasic patients

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical ◽

10.1590/s0037-86822012000300012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 340-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Otaviano da Silva Júnior ◽

Paula Mayumi Maeda ◽

Maria Cândida Calzada Borges ◽

Celso Salgado de Melo ◽

Dalmo Correia

Keyword(s):

Ventricular Remodeling ◽

Left Ventricular Remodeling ◽

Pacemaker Implantation ◽

Cardiac Pacing ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Functional Class ◽

Permanent Pacemaker ◽

Av Block ◽

One Year

INTRODUCTION: The septal position is an alternative site for cardiac pacing (CP) that is potentially less harmful to cardiac function. METHODS: Patients with Chagas disease without heart failure submitted to permanent pacemaker (PP) implantation at the Clinics Hospital of the Triângulo Mineiro Federal University (UFTM), were selected from February 2009 to February 2010. The parameters analyzed were ventricular remodeling, the degree of electromechanical dyssynchrony (DEM), exercise time and VO2 max during exercise testing (ET) and functional class (NYHA). Echocardiography was performed 24 to 48h following implantation and after one year follow-up. The patients were submitted to ET one month postprocedure and at the end of one year. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included. Patient mean age was 59±13 years-old. Indication for PP implantation was complete atrioventricular (AV) block in 22 (73.3%) patients and 2nd degree AV block in the other eight (26.7%). All patients were in NYHA I and no changes occurred in the ET parameters. No variations were detected in echocardiographic remodeling measurements. Intraventricular dyssynchrony was observed in 46.6% of cases and interventricular dyssynchrony in 33.3% of patients after one year. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this work suggest that there is not significant morphological and functional cardiac change following pacemaker implantation in septal position in chagasic patients with normal left ventricular function after one year follow-up. Thus, patients may remain asymptomatic, presenting maintenance of functional capacity and no left ventricular remodeling.

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Peak Oxygen Consumption and Resting Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Changes After Cardiomyoplasty at 6-Month Follow-up

Circulation ◽

10.1161/01.cir.92.9.216 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 92 (9) ◽

pp. 216-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Edimar Alcides Bocchi ◽

Guilherme Veiga Guimarães ◽

Luiz Felipe P. Moreira ◽

Fernando Bacal ◽

Alvaro Vilela de Moraes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Ejection ◽

Peak Oxygen Consumption ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction

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Prognostic value of peak stress cardiac power in patients with normal ejection fraction undergoing exercise stress echocardiography

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa941 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vidhu Anand ◽

Garvan C Kane ◽

Christopher G Scott ◽

Sorin V Pislaru ◽

Rosalyn O Adigun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ejection Fraction ◽

Stress Echocardiography ◽

Stress Test ◽

Peak Stress ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Exercise Stress ◽

Cardiac Power ◽

Exercise Stress Echocardiography ◽

Lv Mass

Abstract Aims Cardiac power is a measure of cardiac performance that incorporates both pressure and flow components. Prior studies have shown that cardiac power predicts outcomes in patients with reduced left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). We sought to evaluate the prognostic significance of peak exercise cardiac power and power reserve in patients with normal EF. Methods and results We performed a retrospective analysis in 24 885 patients (age 59 ± 13 years, 45% females) with EF ≥50% and no significant valve disease or right ventricular dysfunction, undergoing exercise stress echocardiography between 2004 and 2018. Cardiac power and power reserve (developed power with stress) were normalized to LV mass and expressed in W/100 g of LV myocardium. Endpoints at follow-up were all-cause mortality and diagnosis of heart failure (HF). Patients in the higher quartiles of power/mass (rest, peak stress, and power reserve) were younger and had higher peak blood pressure and heart rate, lower LV mass, and lower prevalence of comorbidities. During follow-up [median 3.9 (0.6–8.3) years], 929 patients died. After adjusting for age, sex, metabolic equivalents (METs) achieved, ischaemia/infarction on stress test results, medication, and comorbidities, peak stress power/mass was independently associated with mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), highest vs. lowest quartile, 0.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4–0.6, P < 0.001] and HF at follow-up [adjusted HR, highest vs. lowest quartile, 0.4, 95% CI (0.3, 0.5), P < 0.001]. Power reserve showed similar results. Conclusion The assessment of cardiac power during exercise stress echocardiography in patients with normal EF provides valuable prognostic information, in addition to stress test findings on inducible myocardial ischaemia and exercise capacity.

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Outcomes of surgical repair of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in infants and children

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s104795112100161x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Tong Feng ◽

Guo Zhangke ◽

Bai Song ◽

Fan Fan ◽

Zhen Jia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery ◽

Mitral Regurgitation ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Pulmonary Artery ◽

Left Coronary Artery ◽

Surgical Repair ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Anomalous Origin ◽

Dimension Index

Abstract Objectives: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is associated with high mortality if not timely surgery. We reviewed our experience with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery to assess the preoperative variables predictive of outcome and post-operative recovery of left ventricular function. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted and collected data from patients who underwent anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery repair at our institute from April 2005 to December 2019. Left ventricular function was assessed by ejection fraction and the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension index. The outcomes of reimplantation repair were analysed. Results: A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery repair, with a median age of 14.7 months (range, 1.5–59.6 months), including 14 females (46.67%). Surgery was performed with direct coronary reimplantation in 12 patients (40%) and the coronary lengthening technique in 18 (60%). Twelve patients had concomitant mitral annuloplasty. There were two in-hospital deaths (6.67%), no patients required mechanical support, and no late deaths occurred. Follow-up echocardiograms demonstrated significant improvement between the post-operative time point and the last follow-up in ejection fraction (49.43%±19.92% vs 60.21%±8.27%, p < 0.01) and in moderate or more severe mitral regurgitation (19/30 vs 5/28, p < 0.01). The left ventricular end-diastolic dimension index decreased from 101.91 ± 23.07 to 65.06 ± 12.82 (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Surgical repair of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery has good mid-term results with low mortality and reintervention rates. The coronary lengthening technique has good operability and leads to excellent cardiac recovery. The decision to concomitantly correct mitral regurgitation should be flexible and be based on the pathological changes of the mitral valve and the degree of mitral regurgitation.

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Left and right ventricular dysfunction in patients with COVID-19-associated myocardial injury

Infection ◽

10.1007/s15010-020-01572-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stéphanie Bieber ◽

Angelina Kraechan ◽

Johannes C. Hellmuth ◽

Maximilian Muenchhoff ◽

Clemens Scherer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ejection Fraction ◽

Right Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Function ◽

Myocardial Injury ◽

Ventricular Dysfunction ◽

Right Ventricular Dysfunction ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Strain Echocardiography

Abstract Purpose SARS-COV-2 infection can develop into a multi-organ disease. Although pathophysiological mechanisms of COVID-19-associated myocardial injury have been studied throughout the pandemic course in 2019, its morphological characterisation is still unclear. With this study, we aimed to characterise echocardiographic patterns of ventricular function in patients with COVID-19-associated myocardial injury. Methods We prospectively assessed 32 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 and presence or absence of elevated high sensitive troponin T (hsTNT+ vs. hsTNT-) by comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) and strain echocardiography. Results A minority (34.3%) of patients had normal ventricular function, whereas 65.7% had left and/or right ventricular dysfunction defined by impaired left and/or right ventricular ejection fraction and strain measurements. Concomitant biventricular dysfunction was common in hsTNT+ patients. We observed impaired left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) in patients with myocardial injury (-13.9% vs. -17.7% for hsTNT+ vs. hsTNT-, p = 0.005) but preserved LV ejection fraction (52% vs. 59%, p = 0.074). Further, in these patients, right ventricular (RV) systolic function was impaired with lower RV ejection fraction (40% vs. 49%, p = 0.001) and reduced RV free wall strain (-18.5% vs. -28.3%, p = 0.003). Myocardial dysfunction partially recovered in hsTNT + patients after 52 days of follow-up. In particular, LV-GLS and RV-FWS significantly improved from baseline to follow-up (LV-GLS: -13.9% to -16.5%, p = 0.013; RV-FWS: -18.5% to -22.3%, p = 0.037). Conclusion In patients with COVID-19-associated myocardial injury, comprehensive 3D and strain echocardiography revealed LV dysfunction by GLS and RV dysfunction, which partially resolved at 2-month follow-up. Trial registration COVID-19 Registry of the LMU University Hospital Munich (CORKUM), WHO trial ID DRKS00021225.

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Left ventricular fibrosis and hypertrophy are associated with mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79729-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pankaj Garg ◽

Hosamadin Assadi ◽

Rachel Jones ◽

Wei Bin Chan ◽

Peter Metherall ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

T1 Mapping ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Preserved Ejection Fraction ◽

Native T1 ◽

Lv Mass ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Ventricular Fibrosis

AbstractCardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is emerging as an important tool in the assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study sought to investigate the prognostic value of multiparametric CMR, including left and right heart volumetric assessment, native T1-mapping and LGE in HFpEF. In this retrospective study, we identified patients with HFpEF who have undergone CMR. CMR protocol included: cines, native T1-mapping and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The mean follow-up period was 3.2 ± 2.4 years. We identified 86 patients with HFpEF who had CMR. Of the 86 patients (85% hypertensive; 61% males; 14% cardiac amyloidosis), 27 (31%) patients died during the follow up period. From all the CMR metrics, LV mass (area under curve [AUC] 0.66, SE 0.07, 95% CI 0.54–0.76, p = 0.02), LGE fibrosis (AUC 0.59, SE 0.15, 95% CI 0.41–0.75, p = 0.03) and native T1-values (AUC 0.76, SE 0.09, 95% CI 0.58–0.88, p < 0.01) were the strongest predictors of all-cause mortality. The optimum thresholds for these were: LV mass > 133.24 g (hazard ratio [HR] 1.58, 95% CI 1.1–2.2, p < 0.01); LGE-fibrosis > 34.86% (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.1–2.8, p = 0.01) and native T1 > 1056.42 ms (HR 2.36, 95% CI 0.9–6.4, p = 0.07). In multivariate cox regression, CMR score model comprising these three variables independently predicted mortality in HFpEF when compared to NTproBNP (HR 4 vs HR 1.65). In non-amyloid HFpEF cases, only native T1 > 1056.42 ms demonstrated higher mortality (AUC 0.833, p < 0.01). In patients with HFpEF, multiparametric CMR aids prognostication. Our results show that left ventricular fibrosis and hypertrophy quantified by CMR are associated with all-cause mortality in patients with HFpEF.

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Natural Progression of Low-Gradient Severe Aortic Stenosis with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Texas Heart Institute Journal ◽

10.14503/thij-13-3167 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 273-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Antony Leslie Innasimuthu ◽

Sanjay Kumar ◽

Jason Lazar ◽

William E. Katz

Keyword(s):

Aortic Stenosis ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Severe Aortic Stenosis ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Aortic Valve Area ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Mild Stenosis ◽

Natural Progression

Because the natural progression of low-gradient aortic stenosis (LGAS) has not been well defined, we performed a retrospective study of 116 consecutive patients with aortic stenosis who had undergone follow-up echocardiography at a median interval of 698 days (range, 371–1,020 d). All patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (>0.50) during and after follow-up. At baseline, patients were classified by aortic valve area (AVA) as having mild stenosis (≥1.5 cm2), moderate stenosis (≥1 to <1.5 cm2), or severe stenosis (<1 cm2). Severe aortic stenosis was further classified by mean gradient (LGAS, mean <40 mmHg; high-gradient aortic stenosis [HGAS], mean ≥40 mmHg). We compared baseline and follow-up values among 4 groups: patients with mild stenosis, moderate stenosis, LGAS, and HGAS. At baseline, 30 patients had mild stenosis, 54 had moderate stenosis, 24 had LGAS, and 8 had HGAS. Compared with the moderate group, the LGAS group had lower AVA but similar mean gradient. Yet the actuarial curves for progressing to HGAS were significantly different: 25% of patients in LGAS reached HGAS status significantly earlier than did 25% of patients in the moderate-AS group (713 vs 881 d; P=0.035). Because LGAS has a high propensity to progress to HGAS, we propose that low-gradient aortic stenosis patients be closely monitored as a distinct subgroup that warrants more frequent echocardiographic follow-up.

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