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Objective: This investigation explored how aerobic interval training influences central or peripheral hemodynamic response(s) to exercise in patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) or those with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Design: One hundred twenty HF patients were divided into four groups: HFpEF and HFrEF with aerobic interval training (3-min intervals at 40% and 80% VO2peak for 30 mins/day, 3 days/wk for 12 wks) and general health care groups. Exercise hemodynamics in the heart, frontal cerebral lobe, and vastus lateralis muscle, and oxygenation in the frontal cerebral lobe and vastus lateralis muscle were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Aerobic interval training significantly (1) improved pumping function with enhanced peak cardiac power index in the HFrEF group and improved dia-stolic function with reduction of the E/E' ratio in the HFpEF group, (2) increased blood distribution to the frontal cerebral lobe/vastus lateralis muscle and O2 extraction by vastus lateralis muscle during exercise in the HFpEF group compared with the HFrEF group, (3) heightened VO2peak in both HFpEF and HFrEF groups and lowered the VE/VCO2 slope in the HFpEF group, and (4) increased the Short Form-36 physical/mental component scores and decreased the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire score in both HFpEF and HFrEF groups. Conclusions: Aerobic interval training effectively enhances cardiac hemodynamic response to exercise in HFrEF patients while increasing the delivery/use of O2 to exercising skeletal muscles and frontal cerebral lobe tissues in HFpEF patients, thereby improving global/disease-specific quality-of-life measures in these H F patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) has emerged as a more accurate and effective tool for assessing left ventricular (LV) function, compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) methods. In this study, we used this new tool to revise the controversial relationship between LV function and intra-dialytic hypotension. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Cyclosporin A (CsA) improves the success rate of transplantation. The CD26/dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) system plays a critical role in mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from bone marrow. This study investigated whether CsA manipulates CD26/DPP IV activity and increases EPC mobilization. C57BL/6 mice were divided into control and CsA-treated groups. Before and after hindlimb ischemia was induced, circulating EPC number and serum levels of different cytokines were measured. Compared with the controls, CsA treatment significantly increased the blood levels of stroma-derived factor-1α and stem cell factor after ischemic stress (P < 0.00 1). The CsA group displayed a significant increase in the number of circulating EPCs (sca-1+KDR+ and c-kit+CD31+ EPCs, both P < 0.05). In vivo, CsA caused a significant increase in the numbers of EPCs incorporated into the Matrigel and ischemic limbs (P < 0.05). In the peripheral blood, CsA significantly decreased CD26+ cell numbers and attenuated the plasma CD26/DPP IV activity (P < 0.001). Furthermore, short-term CsA treatment significantly improved the perfusion of ischemic limbs and decreased the spontaneous digital amputation rate. In summary, CsA manipulates the mobilization of EPCs into the circulation via the CD26/DPP IV system. Short-term CsA treatment has beneficial effects on angiogenesis of ischemic tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We tested the hypothesis that the apical myocardial mechanics differ from those of other ventricular segments in hypertensive patients with and without apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM). Methods We retrospectively studied hypertensive patients with and without ApHCM. Left ventricular longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strains were examined by two-dimensional speckletracking echocardiography at the basal, middle, and apical walls of the parasternal short-axis and apical 2-, 3- and 4-chamber views. Results Fourteen consecutive patients with hypertension and ApHCM and 14 patients with hypertension without ApHCM were studied. Lower mitral annular peak systolic velocity and greater diastolic dysfunction were present in hypertensive patients with ApHCM than in hypertensive patients without ApHCM. Compared with hypertensive patients without ApHCM, hypertensive patients with ApHCM had significantly lower apical longitudinal (-13.9% vs -21.9%, p = 0.010) and radial strains (4.4% vs 11.5%, p = 0.017) without the base-to-apex gradient. The global longitudinal (-15.6% vs -18.8%, p = 0.027) and circumferential strains (-16.1% vs -19.2%, p = 0.019) were significantly lower in hypertensive patients with ApHCM than in hypertensive patients without ApHCM. Among systolic parameters, the global longitudinal strain was independently associated with hypertension with ApHCM (odds ratio, 1.457; 95% confidence interval, 1.002-2.119; p = 0.049). Conclusions Reduced apical longitudinal and radial strains without a base-to-apex gradient were present in hypertensive patients with ApHCM. The global longitudinal strain was independently associated with ApHCM in hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]