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BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) strain is a novel parameter of LA function. However, its reference value has not been established, and the determining factors for LA strain remain elusive. We aimed to present LA strain with reservoir, conduit, and contractile components and associated parameters in a large-sized group of healthy individuals. METHODS: The present study was from a prospective multicenter registry in South Korea. Subjects who had no history of cardiovascular disease with adequate images were eligible for inclusion. LA reservoir, conduit, and contractile strains (LASRES, LASCD and LASCT, respectively) were measured. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) and early and late diastolic strain rates (DSRe and DSRa, respectively) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Among a total of 324 subjects (mean age: 49 ± 16 years, 167 females), the mean LASRES, LASCD, and LASCT values were 35.9% ± 10.6%, 21.9% ± 9.3%, and 13.9% ± 3.6%, respectively. Mean LV GLS was -20.4% ± 2.2%, and mean DSRe and DSRa were 1.6 ± 0.4 s-1 and 0.8 ± 0.3 s-1, respectively. With aging, LASRES and LASCD showed significant decreases. Factors showing independent associations with LASRES were age (B = -0.425, p < 0.001), DSRe (B = 4.706, p = 0.001), and LV GLS (B = -1.081, p < 0.001). Age (B = -0.319, p < 0.001), DSRe (B = 4.140, p = 0.002), DSRa (B = -3.409, p = 0.018), and LV GLS (B = -0.783, p < 0.001) showed associations with LASCD. With LASCT, only DSRa showed a correlation (R = 0.277, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We presented LA strain in a large-sized group of healthy subjects. Age is a significant determinant of LA function. Associations of LA strain with diastolic strain rates and LV GLS reflect cardiac mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although statins reduce cardiac events in hypertensive patients with cardiovascular risk factors, the effect of statins on coronary flow reserve (CFR) has not been examined. We tried to examine the effect of rosuvastatin on CFR in hypertensive patients at cardiovascular risk. CFR was studied in 56 hypertensive patients (40 men, 61 ± 9 years) with cardiovascular risk factors and without coronary artery disease in a prospective clinical trial. Using Doppler echocardiography, coronary flow velocity in the distal left anterior descending artery was recorded at baseline and during intravenous adenosine infusion, and CFR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic to basal average peak diastolic flow velocity. The primary efficacy measure was defined as the change in CFR after rosuvastatin therapy for 12 months. CFR was measured successfully in 55 of 56 enrolled patients (98%). CFR was 3.16 ± 0.44 at baseline and negatively correlated with age (R = -- 0.30, p = 0.025). All patients continued rosuvastatin 10 mg/day without any serious adverse events. After rosuvastatin therapy, serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein significantly decreased from 222 ± 18 to 142 ± 20 mg/dl, 148 ± 21 to 85 ± 18 mg/dl, and 1.7 ± 2.9 to 1.2 ± 3.1 mg/L, respectively (all p <0.01). CFR significantly increased from 3.16 ± 0.44 to 3.31 ± 0.42 (p <0.001). The change in CFR correlated with the change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (R = -- 0.28, p = 0.040) but not with the change in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In conclusion, CFR was significantly improved after 12 months of rosuvastatin therapy in hypertensive patients at cardiovascular risk and average levels of serum cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate factors associated with aortic enlargement in patients with a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and the impact of isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR). Design and setting A retrospective analysis of clinical data in a tertiary referral hospital. Patients and main outcome measures We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 595 patients with BAV to assess variables determining maximal ascending aortic dimension. To measure annual dilatation rates, baseline and follow-up echocardiograms were analysed in 70 patients with BAV (BAV-AVR group) and 48 with a tricuspid aortic valve (TVA-AVR group) who underwent isolated AVR, and compared with 65 patients with BAV who did not undergo AVR (BAV-NAVR group). Results Aortic regurgitation (AR) severity was associated with aortic sinus diameter (p<0.001), whereas aortic stenosis severity with the tubular diameter (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age was an independent factor for both sinus and tubular diameter with AR severity being for aortic sinus diameter and moderate to severe aortic stenosis or AR being for aortic tubular diameter. Despite younger age and lower prevalence of moderate to severe valvular dysfunction at baseline, the annual dilatation rates at sinus and tubular part were significantly higher in the BAV-NAVR than in the BAV-AVR and TAV-AVR groups (p<0.05 each), which did not differ in the BAV-AVR and TAV-AVR groups (p=0.402 for sinus and p=0.394 for tubular part). Conclusions Age-dependent aortic enlargement associated with significant valvular dysfunction and the protective effects of isolated AVR in patients with BAV indicate that valvular dysfunction is a major determinant to the development of aortopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background-The proper way of revascularization remains controversial in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR). We sought to compare the long-term results of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and surgical revascularization in IMR. Methods and Results-From 1996 to 2008, 185 consecutive patients (132 men; age, 63±9 years) with significant IMR underwent PCI (PCI group) (n=66) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OP group) (n=119). In the OP group, 68 (57%) patients also underwent concomitant mitral annuloplasty. Significant IMR was defined as functional MR occurring >1 week after myocardial infarction with an effective regurgitant orifice area ⩾0.2 cm2. During a median follow-up of 54 months, there were 2 operative mortalities, 26 cardiac deaths, and 11 heart failure hospitalizations in the OP group and 22 cardiac deaths and 10 heart failure hospitalizations in the PCI group. The survival and cardiac mortality rates were not significantly different between the 2 groups, but event-free survival rates were significantly higher in the OP group. For the 45 propensity score-matched pairs, the risk of cardiac events was significantly lower in the OP group than in the PCI group (hazard ratio, 0.499; 95% CI, 0.251 to 0.990; P=0.043). Compared with patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery alone, event-free survival rates were significantly higher in those who underwent additional mitral annuloplasty. Conclusions-Compared with PCI, surgical revascularization is associated with an improved long-term event-free survival, and concomitant mitral annuloplasty should be considered in patients with significant IMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial calcification can develop owing to several conditions. It is a rare complication following sepsis and renal failure. We report a case of rapid development of left ventricular mid-wall calcification observed using CT and cardiac MRI in a patient after recovery from sepsis and acute renal failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Aortic aneurysm (AA) is an enlargement of the aorta to greater than 1.5 times normal size. Although the US guideline recommends ultrasound screening for abdominal AA (AAA) in men older than 65 years regardless of symptoms, limited data describe the prevalence of AAA in Korea. In this study, we screened patients for AAA during transthoracic echocardiographic examination (TTE). METHODS: We screened for AAA in all consecutive subjects older than 60 years who underwent TTE. We defined AAA as an abdominal aorta with the diameter greater than 30 mm. RESULTS: We analyzed 5,679 persons (2,272 females, 74 ± 8 years old). The mean size of the abdominal aorta was 19.0 ± 6.1 mm. The prevalence of AAA was 2.9% (165/5,679) and was significantly higher in males (4.7% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.001). AAA was significantly associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 3.098, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.971-4.870, p < 0.001), older age (OR = 1.074, 95% CI = 1.050-1.097, p < 0.001), non-diabetes (OR = 1.886, 95% CI = 1.264-2.813, p < 0.001), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.475, 95% CI = 1.019-2.135, p = 0.040), ever-smoker (OR = 2.090, 95% CI = 1.448-3.015, p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (CKD, OR = 1.757, 95% CI = 1.182-2.612, p = 0.005), and coronary artery disease (CAD, OR = 2.452, 95% CI = 1.742-3.451, p < 0.001). A prediction score with a multivariate model (range: 3.34-10.51) detected AAA with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 66.8% with a reference value > 6.8 (area under the curve = 0.799). CONCLUSIONS: In Korea, the prevalence of AAA was 2.9% in subjects older than 60 years during TTE, and AAA was significantly associated with older age, male sex, non-diabetes, dyslipidemia, ever-smoker, CKD, and CAD. Prediction score (> 6.8%) detected AAA with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 66.8%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Valvular heart disease (VHD) is a common cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide; however, its epidemiological profile in Korea requires elucidation. METHODS: In this nationwide retrospective cohort study from the Korean valve survey, which collected clinical and echocardiographic data on VHD from 45 medical centers, we identified 4,089 patients with VHD between September and October 2019. RESULTS: The aortic valve was the most commonly affected valve (n = 1,956 [47.8%]), followed by the mitral valve (n = 1,598 [39.1%]) and tricuspid valve (n = 1,172 [28.6%]). There were 1,188 cases of aortic stenosis (AS) and 926 cases of aortic regurgitation. The most common etiology of AS was degenerative disease (78.9%). The proportion of AS increased with age and accounted for the largest proportion of VHD in patients aged 80-89 years. There were 1,384 cases of mitral regurgitation (MR) and 244 cases of mitral stenosis (MS). The most common etiologies for primary and secondary MR were degenerative disease (44.3%) and non-ischemic heart disease (63.0%), respectively, whereas rheumatic disease (74.6%) was the predominant cause of MS. There were 1,172 tricuspid regurgitation (TR) cases, of which 46.9% were isolated and 53.1% were associated with other valvular diseases, most commonly with MR. The most common type of TR was secondary (90.2%), while primary accounted for 6.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This report demonstrates the current epidemiological status of VHD in Korea. The results of this study can be used as fundamental data for developing Korean guidelines for VHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon monoxide is a nonirritant, odorless, colorless gas. Its effects are prominent in organs most sensitive to oxygen deprivation, such as the heart, brain, and kidney. Although less frequently, an association between thromboembolic events and carbon monoxide poisoning has been shown in the literatures. In this case, we report a case of atrial thrombus associated with carbon monoxide poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Retrograde embolism from the descending thoracic aorta is one possible cause of undetermined ischemic stroke. Significant aortic regurgitation can increase the amount of reversed flow in the thoracic aorta and thus is associated with an increased incidence of stroke. Aims: This study aimed to examine the association between significant aortic regurgitation and undetermined embolic infarction with aortic complex plaques. Methods: This study included 380 patients with undetermined embolic stroke who did not have abnormal flow such as atrial septal defect, patent foramen ovale determined by agitated saline bubble test, intracardiac thrombi on transesophageal echocardiography, atrial fibrillation, or small vessel stroke, cerebral artery, and carotid stenosis on the brain magnetic resonance imaging. The patients were divided into the complex aortic plaques group (n=63), which was defined as having plaque with >4mm in thickness, ulceration, or high mobility, and the no complex aortic plaques group (n=317). Results: Transesophageal echocardiography with a bubble study, brain MRI, and laboratory tests were performed for all subjects. Significant aortic regurgitation was more prevalent in patients with undetermined embolic stroke and complex aortic plaques than in patients without complex aortic plaques (adjusted OR=4.981; 95% CI=1.323-18.876, P=0.028). In addition, the distribution of complex aortic plaques according to the severity of aortic regurgitation in patients with undetermined embolic stroke had a tendency toward the ascending thoracic aorta and proximal aortic arch. Conclusions: Significant aortic regurgitation may affect undetermined embolic stroke in patients with complex aortic plaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Overestimation of the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) by the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method has been reported. We sought to test whether angle correction (AC) of the constrained flow field is helpful to eliminate overestimation in patients with eccentric MR. METHODS: In a total of 33 patients with MR due to prolapse or flail mitral valve, both echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance image (CMR) were performed to calculate regurgitant volume (RV). In addition to RV by conventional PISA (RVPISA), convergence angle (α) was measured from 2-dimensional Doppler color flow maps and RV was corrected by multiplying by α/180 (RVAC). RV measured by CMR (RVCMR) was used as a gold standard, which was calculated by the difference between total stroke volume measured by planimetry of the short axis slices and aortic stroke volume by phase-contrast image. RESULTS: The correlation between RVCMR and RV by echocardiography was modest [RVCMR vs. RVPISA (r = 0.712, p < 0.001) and RVCMR vs. RVAC (r = 0.766, p < 0.001)]. However, RVPISA showed significant overestimation (RVPISA - RVCMR = 50.6 ± 40.6 mL vs. RVAC - RVCMR = 7.7 ± 23.4 mL, p < 0.001). The overall accuracy of RVPISA for diagnosis of severe MR, defined as RV ≥ 60 mL, was 57.6% (19/33), whereas it increased to 84.8% (28/33) by using RVAC (p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: Conventional PISA method tends to provide falsely large RV in patients with eccentric MR and a simple geometric AC of the proximal constraint flow largely eliminates overestimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Early detection and prompt treatment of PAH associated with SSc (SSc-PAH) result in better prognosis. We conducted echocardiographic study to presume the prevalence of PAH in Korean adult SSc patients and to diagnose SSc-PAH in their early stages with right heart catheterization (RHC). METHODS: We performed free of charge echocardiographic study including 37 adult SSc patients at the Chungnam National University Hospital. The possibility of PAH is determined by the estimation of pulmonary arterial pressure by peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity of > 3.0 m/s. Patients with possible PAH were recommended to undergo RHC to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: In 37 patients, 8 patients were suspected with PAH. Among them, 6 patients agreed to be examined with RHC, and 4 were confirmed with PAH. The prevalence of possible PAH was 21.6% (8 of 37 patients), and that of confirmed PAH was 10.8% (4 of 37 patients). Four patients who were confirmed with SSc-PAH through RHC have been treated with specific pulmonary vasodilators and maintained stable. CONCLUSION: Eight patients (21.6%) were possible PAH and 4 (10.8%) were diagnosed as SSc-PAH by RHC after the echocardiographic screening study of 37 adult SSc patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unicuspid aortic valve (UAV) is an extremely rare form of congenital aortic valvular abnormality. Although UAV shows similar clinical characteristics to bicuspid aortic valve, the clinical symptoms develop at earlier age and progress at a faster pace in UAV. In this report, we are presenting a 42-year-old male with severe aortic stenosis associated with unicommissural UAV. The patients underwent a successful Bentall operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To evaluate the variation between individuals in terms of basal chordae (BC) attachment sites on the mitral valve (MV) and the influence of this variation on secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) severity. Background BC-mediated MV tenting is the main cause of secondary MR. Methods In this prospective cross-sectional study, 38 consecutive patients with dilated or ischaemic cardiomyopathy who were due for cardiac transplantation underwent preoperative 3D full volume/ colour Doppler echocardiography in sinus rhythm, and MV apparatus geometry, LV volume and MR severity were assessed. The lengths and insertion sites of four BC in the explanted hearts were measured posttransplantation before fixation. Results Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that the anterior leaflet systolic tenting angle and bending angle associated with the distance between the medial and lateral BC insertion sites. By contrast, the posterior leaflet tenting angle associated largely with LV volume indices. The mean longitudinal distance of the four BC from the MV edge was the main determinant of the distal length of the anterior MV from the angulation point. Square root of effective regurgitant orifice area (√EROA) only associated significantly with the mean longitudinal distance of the outer two BC from the MV edge (r=0.509, p=0.001) among pathological parameters, and the central MV tenting area (r=0.524, p=0.001) among echocardiographical parameters. √EROA did not correlate with LV volume indices, LVEF or BC lengths. Conclusions BC insertion sites were associated with systolic anterior MV configuration and secondary MR severity in dilated LV and severe systolic dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of 48-year-old male who presented with coronary artery fistula draining into left ventricle. Transthoracic echocardiography showed abnormal blood flow draining into left ventricle, with enlarged coronary arteries and multiple vascular structures around ventricular myocardium. Coronary computed tomography revealed dilatation of entire left coronary artery which was wrapping around left ventricle, and draining into the posterior side of left ventricle. He did not undergo any invasive treatment, because he was not symptomatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]