Left ventricular dyssynchrony in long-term childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines: a retrospective cross-sectional study

The purpose of this study was to investigate left ventricular contraction patterns in asymptomatic Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). Left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential myocardial parameters were assessed using 2DSTE, in asymptomatic CCS and age matched healthy controls. Time to peak (T2P) systolic strain was quantified. Dyssynchrony index (DI) was measured by calculating the standard deviation of T2P systolic strain of six segments in each view. Difference between T2P systolic longitudinal strain of septal and lateral wall was also assessed as a parameter for dyssynchrony. We included 115 CCS with a median age of 17.2 years (range 5.6–39.5) and a median follow up of 11.3 years (range 4.9–29.5) and 119 controls. Conventional echocardiographic parameters and global longitudinal strain were significantly decreased in CCS compared to controls (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Dyssynchrony index did not differ between CCS and controls. There was a clinically insignificant smaller absolute difference between T2P systolic longitudinal of septal and lateral wall in CCS compared to controls. We showed no difference in longitudinal or circumferential left ventricular dyssynchrony in CCS compared to controls using 2DSTE. Future research should focus on assessing dyssynchrony in more segments and a larger CCS population, using both 2D and 3DSTE.

Phase analysis to measure left ventricular dyssynchrony by Gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging showed by two different software

Conclusión Realizar el análisis fase de análisis por GS-PMI es factible. Sin embargo la DE mostró diferencias significativas entre los dos programas. Aunque los valores mostrados podrían ser utilizados como valores normales, se recomienda que éstos se obtengan y utilicen para cada programa por separado.

Left ventricular dyssynchrony and post-systolic shortening in young bodybuilders using anabolic-androgenic steroids

Background: Left ventricular (LV) remodeling, characterized by increased LV hypertrophy and depressed function, is observed in strength-trained athletes who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Previous studies reported an increase in cardiac fibrosis in these athletes, which could promote intraventricular dyssynchrony. In this context, this study evaluated LV dyssynchrony in strength-trained athletes using AA; hypothesizing that the use of AAS leads to an increase in LV dyssynchrony with an increase in post-systolic shortening. Methods: Forty-four participants (aged 20-40 years) were divided into three age-matched groups: strength-trained athletes using AAS (users, n=14) and those who were not (non-users, n=15), and healthy sedentary men (controls, n=15),. After completing a survey, each participant was assessed with 2D-strain echocardiography. Left ventricular dyssynchrony was quantified using the standard deviation of the time to peak for longitudinal strains (SD), the longitudinal strain delay index (LSDI) and the segmental post-systolic index (PSI). Results: Users exhibited a greater LV mass index and higher systolic and diastolic functions than both controls and non-users. The decrease in LV strains in users was predominantly observed at the interventricular segments. The SD, LSDI and PSI, calculated on the basal inferoseptal, basal anteroseptal and basal inferolateral segments, were higher in users. Conclusion: The results strongly support that the specific LV remodeling observed in young AAS users was associated with an increase in LV dyssynchrony. The correlations with ejection fraction suggested that wasted energy, due to post-systolic shortenings, contributed in part to the decrease in LV function in strength-trained athletes using AAS.

CRT operator challenges during procedure… tips and tricks

In addition to pharmacological treatment, cardiac resynchronization therapy is an important method of heart failure treating. It’s indicated for patients with advanced heart failure, decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, a wide QRS syndrome, and the presence of left ventricular dyssynchrony despite optimal pharmacotherapy. The procedure is technically difficult and laden with many possible complications. Based on our own experience, this paper presents management with one of the periprocedural complications – dissection of the coronary sinus.