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For a PERT network, a new method is developed for estimating the criticality index of activity i (AC[I.sub.i]) as a function of the expected duration of activity i ([[mu].sub.i]) and for the sensitivity analysis of the expected project completion time ([[mu].sub.T]) with respect to [[mu].sub.i]. The proposed method evaluates the frequency of activity i being on the critical path, and thereby its AC[I.sub.i] using Monte Carlo simulation or a Taguchi orthogonal array experiment at several values of [[mu].sub.i], fits a logistic regression model for estimating AC[I.sub.i] as a function of [[mu].sub.i], and then, using the estimated AC[I.sub.i] function, evaluates the amount of change in [[mu].sub.T] when [[mu].sub.i] is changed by a given amount. Unlike the previous works, the proposed method models AC[I.sub.i] as a nonlinear (ie, logistic) function of [[mu].sub.i], which can be used to estimate the amount of change in [[mu].sub.T] for a variety of changes in [[mu].sub.i]. Computational results indicate that the performance of the proposed method is comparable to that of direct Monte Carlo simulation. Published online 14 April 2004 Keywords: PERT; project management; regression

In a PERT network, the importance of each activity needs to be assessed in order to identify those that warrant more attention from the project management. For this purpose, two measures are frequently used: criticality index; and uncertainty importance measure. While the former is used to identify which activity's expected duration to decrease in order to decrease the expected project completion time, the latter can be used to identify those that deserve more attention in reducing the magnitude of the uncertainty (variability) in the project completion time (T). This paper defines an uncertainty-importance measure of an activity, or of a pair of activities, and develops a method for evaluating the defined measure under the assumption that the durations of activities are independently and symmetrically distributed. The method utilizes Taguchi tolerance design technique with modifications. First, PERT networks are classified into two types: Type A with a dominantly longer path than the others, and Type B without such a path. For a Type A network, T can be closely approximated by the sum of the duration of activities on the dominantly longer path, and the contribution of the uncertainty in each activity duration to the uncertainty in T can be analytically determined with ease. For a Type B network, however, such an analytic approach is not feasible. In addition, activity durations may have curvature and interaction effects on T. We therefore employ an appropriate experimental strategy for Type B networks, and calculate the so called contribution ratios which evaluate the main and/or interaction effects of activity durations on the variability of T. Contribution ratios are used to estimate the defined uncertainty importance measure of an activity or of a pair of activities. The proposed method is easy to use and, in particular, computationally efficient for large-sized PERT networks as compared to other existing methods which require Monte Carlo simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-blockers are commonly used in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), even in the absence of a compelling indication and despite the potential to cause harm. Identifying reasons for β-blocker prescription in HFpEF could permit the development of strategies to reduce unnecessary use and potentially improve medication prescribing patterns in this vulnerable population. We administered an online survey regarding β-blocker prescribing behavior to physicians trained in internal medicine or geriatrics (noncardiology physicians) and to cardiologists at 2 large academic medical centers. The survey assessed the reasons for β-blocker initiation, agreement regarding initiation and/or continuation of β-blockers by another clinician, and deprescribing behavior. The response rate was 28.2% (n = 231). Among respondents, 68.2% reported initiating β-blockers in patients with HFpEF. The most common reason for initiating a β-blocker was for treatment of an atrial arrhythmia. Notably, 23.7% of physicians reported initiating a β-blocker without an evidence-based indication. When a β-blocker was considered not necessary, 40.1% of physicians reported they were rarely or never willing to deprescribe. The most common reason for not deprescribing a β-blocker when the physician felt that a β-blocker was unnecessary was the concern about interfering with another physicians' treatment plan (76.6%). In conclusion, a significant proportion of noncardiology physicians and cardiologists report prescribing β-blockers to patients with HFpEF, even when evidence-based indications are absent, and rarely deprescribe β-blockers in these scenarios., Competing Interests: Disclosures Dr. Goyal receives personal fees for medicolegal consulting related to heart failure and has received honoraria from Akcea Therapeutics Inc and Bionest Inc. Dr. Steinman receives honoraria from UpToDate and the American Geriatrics Society. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The relation between ventricular arrhythmia and fibrosis in mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is reported, but underlying valve-induced mechanisms remain unknown. We evaluated the association between abnormal MVP-related mechanics and myocardial fibrosis, and their association with arrhythmia., Methods: We studied 113 patients with MVP with both echocardiogram and gadolinium cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for myocardial fibrosis. Two-dimensional and speckle-tracking echocardiography evaluated mitral regurgitation, superior leaflet and papillary muscle displacement with associated exaggerated basal myocardial systolic curling, and myocardial longitudinal strain. Follow-up assessed arrhythmic events (nonsustained or sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation)., Results: Myocardial fibrosis was observed in 43 patients with MVP, predominantly in the basal-midventricular inferior-lateral wall and papillary muscles. Patients with MVP with fibrosis had greater mitral regurgitation, prolapse, and superior papillary muscle displacement with basal curling and more impaired inferior-posterior basal strain than those without fibrosis ( P <0.001). An abnormal strain pattern with distinct peaks pre-end-systole and post-end-systole in inferior-lateral wall was frequent in patients with fibrosis (81 versus 26%, P <0.001) but absent in patients without MVP with basal inferior-lateral wall fibrosis (n=20). During median follow-up of 1008 days, 36 of 87 patients with MVP with >6-month follow-up developed ventricular arrhythmias associated (univariable) with fibrosis, greater prolapse, mitral annular disjunction, and double-peak strain. In multivariable analysis, double-peak strain showed incremental risk of arrhythmia over fibrosis., Conclusions: Basal inferior-posterior myocardial fibrosis in MVP is associated with abnormal MVP-related myocardial mechanics, which are potentially associated with ventricular arrhythmia. These associations suggest pathophysiological links between MVP-related mechanical abnormalities and myocardial fibrosis, which also may relate to ventricular arrhythmia and offer potential imaging markers of increased arrhythmic risk.

Introduction: Perceiving medication side effects but not reporting them to a clinician is common. Patterns of "under-reporting" and their implications are not well described. We aimed to address this gap by examining patterns of under-reporting perceived side effects of beta-blockers among patients with heart failure., Methods: In 2016, a survey that evaluated medication-taking behavior was administered to 1114 participants (46.5% response rate) from The Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort with prior adjudicated heart failure hospitalization or a heart failure Medicare claim. We examined the results of survey respondents who reported taking a beta-blocker to understand patterns of under-reporting perceived beta-blocker side effects. We defined an under-reporter as a participant who perceived experiencing a side effect from their beta-blocker but did not share it with their clinician (according to survey responses). We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify determinants of being an under-reporter. Co-variates included age, sex, race, income, level of education, geographical location, and pill burden. We also examined whether under-reporters differed in self-reported medication adherence and willingness to take additional medication to prevent a future healthcare encounter compared to participants who reported perceived side effects to their clinicians and those who did not experience side effects., Results: Among 310 respondents, 28% (n = 87) were under-reporters. Black race (odds ratio 2.11, confidence interval 1.21-3.67) and education less than college (odds ratio 2.00, confidence interval 1.09-3.67) were associated with being an under-reporter. Self-reported medication adherence was similar between groups (under-reporters: 46.3%; those who reported perceived side effects: 49.4%; those who did not experience side effects: 45.0%); under-reporters were more frequently unwilling to take additional medication to prevent a doctor's visit (18.9% vs 12.1% vs 10.8%), emergency room visit (21.6% vs 13.3% vs 9.9%), and hospitalization (17.6% vs 10.8% vs 9.0%) compared with the other groups., Conclusion: We conclude that under-reporting perceived side effects of beta-blockers among adults with heart failure is common, is associated with Black race and low education, and may contribute to patient willingness to take additional medication to prevent future medical encounters., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Given the role of comorbid conditions in the pathophysiology of HFpEF, we aimed to identify and rank the importance of comorbid conditions associated with post-hospitalization outcomes of older adults hospitalized for HFpEF. We examined data from 4,605 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized in 2007-2014 for HFpEF based on ICD-9-CM codes for acute diastolic heart failure (428.31 or 428.33). To identify characteristics with high importance for prediction of mortality, all-cause rehospitalization, rehospitalization for heart failure, and composite outcome of mortality or all-cause rehospitalization up to 1 year, we developed boosted decision tree ensembles for each outcome, separately. For interpretability, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional hazards models. Age and frailty were the most important characteristics for prediction of mortality. Frailty was the most important characteristic for prediction of rehospitalization, rehospitalization for heart failure, and the composite outcome of mortality or all-cause rehospitalization. In Cox proportional hazards models, a 1-SD higher frailty score (0.1 on theoretical range of 0 to 1) was associated with a HR of 1.27 (1.06 to 1.52) for mortality, 1.16 (1.07 to 1.25) for all-cause rehospitalization, 1.24 (1.14 to 1.35) for HF rehospitalization, and 1.15 (1.07 to 1.25) for the composite outcome of mortality or all-cause rehospitalization. In conclusion, frailty is an important predictor of mortality and rehospitalization in adults aged ≥66 years with HFpEF., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is widely used to identify cardiac neoplasms, for which diagnosis is predicated on enhancement stemming from lesion vascularity: Impact of contrast-enhancement pattern on clinical outcomes is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether cardiac metastasis (C MET ) enhancement pattern on LGE-CMR impacts prognosis, with focus on heterogeneous lesion enhancement as a marker of tumor avascularity., Methods: Advanced (stage IV) systemic cancer patients with and without C MET matched (1:1) by cancer etiology underwent a standardized CMR protocol. C MET was identified via established LGE-CMR criteria based on lesion enhancement; enhancement pattern was further classified as heterogeneous (enhancing and non-enhancing components) or diffuse and assessed via quantitative (contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR); signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)) analyses. Embolic events and mortality were tested in relation to lesion location and contrast-enhancement pattern., Results: 224 patients were studied, including 112 patients with C MET and unaffected (C MET -) controls matched for systemic cancer etiology/stage. C MET enhancement pattern varied (53% heterogeneous, 47% diffuse). Quantitative analyses were consistent with lesion classification; CNR was higher and SNR lower in heterogeneously enhancing C MET (p < 0.001)-paralleled by larger size based on linear dimensions (p < 0.05). Contrast-enhancement pattern did not vary based on lesion location (p = NS). Embolic events were similar between patients with diffuse and heterogeneous lesions (p = NS) but varied by location: Patients with right-sided lesions had threefold more pulmonary emboli (20% vs. 6%, p = 0.02); those with left-sided lesions had lower rates equivalent to controls (4% vs. 5%, p = 1.00). Mortality was higher among patients with C MET (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.64 [CI 1.17-2.29], p = 0.004) compared to controls, but varied by contrast-enhancement pattern: Diffusely enhancing C MET had equivalent mortality to controls (p = 0.21) whereas prognosis was worse with heterogeneous C MET (p = 0.005) and more strongly predicted by heterogeneous enhancement (HR = 1.97 [CI 1.23-3.15], p = 0.005) than lesion size (HR = 1.11 per 10 cm [CI 0.53-2.33], p = 0.79)., Conclusions: Contrast-enhancement pattern and location of C MET on CMR impacts prognosis. Embolic events vary by C MET location, with likelihood of PE greatest with right-sided lesions. Heterogeneous enhancement-a marker of tumor avascularity on LGE-CMR-is a novel marker of increased mortality risk.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a growing pandemic that confers augmented risk for right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and dilation; the prognostic utility of adverse RV remodeling in COVID-19 patients is uncertain., Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test whether adverse RV remodeling (dysfunction/dilation) predicts COVID-19 prognosis independent of clinical and biomarker risk stratification., Methods: Consecutive COVID-19 inpatients undergoing clinical transthoracic echocardiography at 3 New York City hospitals were studied; images were analyzed by a central core laboratory blinded to clinical and biomarker data., Results: In total, 510 patients (age 64 ± 14 years, 66% men) were studied; RV dilation and dysfunction were present in 35% and 15%, respectively. RV dysfunction increased stepwise in relation to RV chamber size (p = 0.007). During inpatient follow-up (median 20 days), 77% of patients had a study-related endpoint (death 32%, discharge 45%). RV dysfunction (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49 to 4.43; p = 0.001) and dilation (HR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.96; p = 0.02) each independently conferred mortality risk. Patients without adverse RV remodeling were more likely to survive to hospital discharge (HR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.90; p = 0.041). RV indices provided additional risk stratification beyond biomarker strata; risk for death was greatest among patients with adverse RV remodeling and positive biomarkers and was lesser among patients with isolated biomarker elevations (p ≤ 0.001). In multivariate analysis, adverse RV remodeling conferred a >2-fold increase in mortality risk, which remained significant (p < 0.01) when controlling for age and biomarker elevations; the predictive value of adverse RV remodeling was similar irrespective of whether analyses were performed using troponin, D-dimer, or ferritin., Conclusions: Adverse RV remodeling predicts mortality in COVID-19 independent of standard clinical and biomarker-based assessment., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Objectives: The aims of this study were to test the magnitude of agreement between echocardiography (echo)- and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left atrial (LA) strain and to study their relative diagnostic performance in discriminating diastolic dysfunction (DD) and predicting atrial fibrillation (AF)., Backgrounds: Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) is a novel performance index. Utility of echo-quantified LA strain has yet to be prospectively tested in relation to current DD guidelines or compared to CMR., Methods: The study population comprised 257 post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing echo and CMR, including prospective derivation (n = 157) and clinical validation (n = 100) cohorts. DD was graded on echo using established consensus guidelines blinded to strain results., Results: PALS on both echo and CMR was nearly 2-fold lower among patients with versus no DD (p < 0.001) and was significantly different in those with mild versus no DD (p < 0.01). In contrast, LA geometric parameters including echo- and CMR-derived volumes were significantly different between advanced versus no DD groups (p < 0.001) but not between groups with mild versus no DD (all p > 0.05). Echo and CMR PALS yielded small differences irrespective of orientation and similar diagnostic performance for DD in the derivation (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.70 to 0.78) and validation (AUC: 0.75 to 0.78) cohorts. Impaired PALS on both modalities was independently associated with MI size (p < 0.001). During 4.4 ± 3.8 years of follow-up in the derivation cohort, 8% developed AF. Both 2-chamber echo- and CMR-derived PALS stratified arrhythmic risk (p = 0.004 and p = 0.02, respectively), including a 4-fold difference among patients in the lowest versus remainder of quartiles of echo-derived PALS (24% vs. 6%). Similarly, echo and CMR PALS were lower (both p < 0.05) among patients with subsequent heart failure hospitalizations., Conclusions: Echo-derived PALS parallels results of CMR, yields incremental diagnostic utility versus LA geometry for stratifying presence and severity of DD, and improves prediction of AF and congestive heart failure after MI., (Copyright © 2020 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Echocardiography (echo) is widely used for right ventricular (RV) assessment. Current techniques for RV evaluation require additional imaging and manual analysis; machine learning (ML) approaches have the potential to provide efficient, fully automated quantification of RV function., Methods: An automated ML model was developed to track the tricuspid annulus on echo using a convolutional neural network approach. The model was trained using 7791 image frames, and automated linear and circumferential indices quantifying annular displacement were generated. Automated indices were compared to an independent reference of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) defined RV dysfunction (RVEF < 50%)., Results: A total of 101 patients prospectively underwent echo and CMR: Fully automated annular tracking was uniformly successful; analyses entailed minimal processing time (<1 second for all) and no user editing. Findings demonstrate all automated annular shortening indices to be lower among patients with CMR-quantified RV dysfunction (all P < .001). Magnitude of ML annular displacement decreased stepwise in relation to population-based tertiles of TAPSE, with similar results when ML analyses were localized to the septal or lateral annulus (all P ≤ .001). Automated segmentation techniques provided good diagnostic performance (AUC 0.69-0.73) in relation to CMR reference and compared to conventional RV indices (TAPSE and S') with high negative predictive value (NPV 84%-87% vs 83%-88%). Reproducibility was higher for ML algorithm as compared to manual segmentation with zero inter- and intra-observer variability and ICC 1.0 (manual ICC: 0.87-0.91)., Conclusions: This study provides an initial validation of a deep learning system for RV assessment using automated tracking of the tricuspid annulus., (© 2020 The Authors. Echocardiography published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Unintended shocks from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are often distressing to patients and family members, particularly at the end of life. Unfortunately, a large proportion of ICDs remain active at the time of death among do not resuscitate (DNR) and comfort care patients., Methods: We designed standardised teaching sessions for providers and implemented a novel decision tool in the electronic medical record (EMR) to improve the frequency of discussions surrounding ICD deactivation over a 6-month period. The intended population was patients on inpatient medicine and cardiology services made DNR and/or comfort care. These rates were compared with retrospective data from 6 months prior to our interventions., Results: After our interventions, the rates of discussions regarding deactivation of ICDs improved from 50% to 93% in comfort care patients and from 32% to 70% in DNR patients. The rates of deactivated ICDs improved from 45% to 73% in comfort care patients and from 29% to 40% in DNR patients., Conclusion: Standardised education of healthcare providers and decision support tools and reminders in the EMR system are effective ways to increase awareness, discussion and deactivation of ICDs in comfort care and DNR patients., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) has been associated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) on the basis of small observational studies, but the mechanism and clinical significance of PH in MPN are not well established. The aims of this study were to expand understanding of PH in a well-characterized MPN cohort via study of PH-related symptoms, mortality risk, and cardiac remodeling sequalae of PH using quantitative echocardiographic methods., Methods: The population comprised a retrospective cohort of patients with MPN who underwent transthoracic echocardiography: Doppler-derived pulmonary arterial systolic pressure applied established cutoffs for PH (≥35 mm Hg) and advanced PH (≥50 mm Hg); right ventricular (RV) performance was assessed via conventional indices (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE], S') and global longitudinal strain. Symptoms and mortality were discerned via standardized review., Results: Three hundred one patients were studied; 56% had echocardiography-demonstrated PH (20% advanced) paralleling a high prevalence (67%) among patients with invasively quantified PASP. PH was associated with adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling indices, including increased myocardial mass and diastolic dysfunction (P ≤ .001 for all): LV mass and filling pressure (P < .01) were associated with PH independent of LV ejection fraction. RV dysfunction by strain and TAPSE and S' increased in relation to PH (P ≤ .001) and was about threefold greater among patients with advanced PH compared with those without PH. Patients with RV dysfunction were more likely to report dyspnea, as were those with advanced PH (P < .05). During median follow-up of 2.2 years, all-cause mortality was 27%. PH grade (hazard ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0; P = .012) and TAPSE- and S'-demonstrated RV dysfunction (hazard ratio, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.3-8.2; P = .01) were independently associated with mortality; substitution of global longitudinal strain for TAPSE and S' yielded similar associations of RV dysfunction with death (hazard ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5-6.7; P = .003) independent of PH., Conclusions: PH is highly prevalent in patients with MPN and is linked to LV diastolic dysfunction; echocardiography-quantified RV dysfunction augments risk for mortality independent of PH., (Copyright © 2019 American Society of Echocardiography. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To better understand indications for β-blocker (BB) prescriptions among older adults hospitalized with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)., Design/setting: Retrospective observational study of hospitalizations derived from the geographically diverse Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort., Participants: We examined Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with an expert-adjudicated hospitalization for HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction = 50% or greater)., Measurements: Discharge medications and indications for BBs were abstracted from medical records., Results: Of 306 hospitalizations for HFpEF, BBs were prescribed at discharge in 68%. Among hospitalizations resulting in BB prescriptions, 60% had a compelling indication for BB-44% had arrhythmias, and 29% had myocardial infarction (MI) history. Among the 40% with neither indication, 57% had coronary artery disease (CAD) without MI and 38% had hypertension alone (without arrhythmia, MI, or CAD), both clinical scenarios with little supportive evidence of benefit of BBs. Among hospitalizations resulting in BB prescription at discharge, 69% had geriatric conditions (functional limitation, cognitive impairment, hypoalbuminemia, or history of falls). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of geriatric conditions between hospitalizations of individuals with compelling indications for BBs and hospitalizations of individuals with noncompelling indications., Conclusions: BBs are commonly prescribed following a hospitalization for HFpEF, even in the absence of compelling indications. This occurs even for hospitalizations of individuals with geriatric conditions, a subpopulation who may be at elevated risk for experiencing harm from BBs., (© 2019 The American Geriatrics Society.)

Background: Intraoperative or post procedure right ventricular (RV) dysfunction confers a poor prognosis in the post-operative period. Conventional predictors for RV function are limited due the effect of cardiac surgery on traditional RV indices; novel echocardiographic techniques hold the promise to improve RV functional stratification., Methods: Comprehensive echocardiographic data were collected prospectively during elective cardiac surgery. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), peak RV systolic velocity (S'), and RV fractional area change (FAC) were quantified on transesophageal echo (TEE). RV global and regional (septal and free wall) longitudinal strain was quantified using speckle-tracking echo in RV-focused views. Two intraoperative time points were used for comparison: pre-sternotomy (baseline) and after chest closure., Results: The population was comprised of 53 patients undergoing cardiac surgery [15.1% coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) only, 28.3% valve only, 50.9% combination (e.g. valve/CABG, valve/aortic graft) surgeries], among whom 38% had impaired RV function at baseline defined as RV FAC < 35%. All conventional RV functional indices including TAPSE, S' and FAC declined immediately following CPB (1.5 ± 0.3 vs.1.1 ± 0.3 cm, 8.0 ± 2.1 vs. 6.2 ± 2.5 cm/s, 36.8 ± 9.3 vs. 29.3 ± 10.6%; p < 0.001 for all). However, left ventricular (LV) and RV hemodynamic parameters remained unchanged (LV ejection fraction (EF): 56.8 ± 13.0 vs. 55.8 ± 12.9%; p = 0.40, pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP): 26.5 ± 7.4 vs 27.3 ± 6.7 mmHg; p = 0.13). Speckle tracking echocardiographic data demonstrated a significant decline in RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) [19.0 ± 6.5 vs. 13.5 ± 6.9%, p < 0.001]. Pre-procedure FAC, GLS and free wall strain predicted RV dysfunction at chest closure (34.7 ± 9.1 vs. 41.6 ± 8.1%, p = 0.01, 17.7 ± 6.5 vs. 21.8 ± 5.4%; p = 0.03, 20.3 ± 6.4 vs. 24.2 ± 5.8%; p = 0.04), whereas traditional linear RV indices such as TAPSE and RV S' at baseline had no impact on intraoperative RV dysfunction (p = NS for both)., Conclusions: Global and regional RV function, as measured by 2D indices and strain, acutely decline intraoperatively. Impaired RV strain is associated with intraoperative RV functional decline and provides incremental value to traditional RV indices in predicting those who will develop RV dysfunction.

Ischemic mitral regurgitation (iMR) augments risk for right ventricular dysfunction (RV DYS ). Right and left ventricular (LV) function are linked via common coronary perfusion, but data is lacking regarding impact of LV ischemia and infarct transmurality-as well as altered preload and afterload-on RV performance. In this prospective multimodality imaging study, stress CMR and 3-dimensional echo (3D-echo) were performed concomitantly in patients with iMR. CMR provided a reference for RV DYS (RVEF < 50%), as well as LV function/remodeling, ischemia and infarction. Echo was used to test multiple RV performance indices, including linear (TAPSE, S'), strain (GLS), and volumetric (3D-echo) approaches. 90 iMR patients were studied; 32% had RV DYS . RV DYS patients had greater iMR, lower LVEF, larger global ischemic burden and inferior infarct size (all p < 0.05). Regarding injury pattern, RV DYS was associated with LV inferior ischemia and infarction (both p < 0.05); 80% of affected patients had substantial viable myocardium (< 50% infarct thickness) in ischemic inferior segments. Regarding RV function, CMR RVEF similarly correlated with 3D-echo and GLS (r = 0.81-0.87): GLS yielded high overall performance for CMR-evidenced RV DYS (AUC: 0.94), nearly equivalent to that of 3D-echo (AUC: 0.95). In multivariable regression, GLS was independently associated with RV volumetric dilation on CMR (OR - 0.90 [CI - 1.19 to - 0.61], p < 0.001) and 3D echo (OR - 0.43 [CI - 0.84 to - 0.02], p = 0.04). Among patients with iMR, RV DYS is associated with potentially reversible processes, including LV inferior ischemic but predominantly viable myocardium and strongly impacted by volumetric loading conditions.

Microbiological contamination of eggs should be prevented in the poultry industry, as poultry is one of the major reservoirs of human Salmonella. ClO2 gas has been reported to be an effective disinfectant in various industry fields, particularly the food industry. The aims of this study were to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of chlorine dioxide gas on two strains of Salmonella inoculated onto eggshells under various experimental conditions including concentrations, contact time, humidity, and percentage organic matter. As a result, it was shown that chlorine dioxide gas under wet conditions was more effective in inactivating Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Gallinarum compared to that under dry conditions independently of the presence of organic matter (yeast extract). Under wet conditions, a greater than 4 log reduction in bacterial populations was achieved after 30 min of exposure to ClO2 each at 20 ppm, 40 ppm, and 80 ppm against S. Enteritidis; 40 ppm and 80 ppm against S. Gallinarum. These results suggest that chlorine dioxide gas is an effective agent for controlling Salmonella, the most prevalent contaminant in the egg industry.