Micael Waldenborg

Multidisciplinary assessment of tako tsubo cardiomyopathy: a prospective case study

BackgroundThe cause of tako tsubo cardiomyopathy remains unclear. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate if a common pathophysiological denominator could be outlined.MethodsWithin 3 days following symptom presentation and again after 3 months we investigated all patients coming to our institution and diagnosed with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Patients underwent extensive biochemical screening. Left ventricular function was evaluated by echocardiography and contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiac autonomic function was studied by heart rate variability and signal-averaged electrocardiogram and posttraumatic stress and depression were investigated by questionnaires (the Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome 10-Questions Inventory, PTSS-10 and the Montgomery-Åsberg depression rating scale, self rated version, MADRS-S).ResultsDuring 2 years, 13 consecutive patients were included. Markers of myocardial damage and heart failure were slightly to moderately elevated and ejection fraction (echocardiography and MRi) was moderately reduced at hospitalization and improved to normal values in all patients. Signal averaged ECG demonstrated a statistically significant shorter duration of the filtered QRS complex in the acute phase as compared to follow-up. In heart rate variability analysis, SDNN and SDANN were shorter acutely compared to follow-up. Two patients fulfilled criteria for posttraumatic stress syndrome while 7 patients were in the borderline zone. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between PTSS-10 score and QRS duration in the signal-averaged ECG (r = -0.66, P = 0.01).ConclusionsPatients with tako tsubo cardiomyopathy have altered cardiac autonomic function and a high incidence rate of borderline or definite posttraumatic stress syndrome acutely. This is in line with findings in patients with myocardial infarction and does not allow conclusions on cause and effect.

Acute effects on the ventricular function in Swedish snuffers : an echocardiographic study

Aims:  Cigarettes and Swedish snuff contain nicotine, which influence the cardiovascular system. Cigarette smoke has been shown to give an acute impairment in diastolic heart parameters. The systolic and diastolic heart function in snuff users is not thoroughly enough investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate if Swedish snuff will give an acute decrease in systolic and diastolic heart parameters in the left and right ventricles in healthy Swedish snuffers.

Right ventricular ejection fraction measurements using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography by applying an ellipsoid model

BackgroundThere is today no established approach to estimate right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) using 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The aim of this study was to evaluate a new method for RVEF calculations using 2D TTE and compare the results with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE).MethodsA total of 37 subjects, 25 retrospectively included patients and twelve healthy volunteers, were included to give a wide range of RVEF. The right ventricle (RV) was modeled as a part of an ellipsoid enabling calculation of the RV volume by combining three distance measurements. RVEF calculated according to the model, RVEFTTE, were compared with reference CMR-derived RVEF, RVEFCMR. Further, TAPSE was measured in the TTE images and the correlations were calculated between RVEFTTE, TAPSE and RVEFCMR.ResultsThe mean values were RVEFCMR = 43 ± 12% (range 20–66%) and RVEFTTE = 50 ± 9% (range 34–65%). There was a high correlation (r = 0.80, p < 0.001) between RVEFTTE and RVEFCMR. Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean difference between RVEFCMR and RVEFTTE of 6 percentage points (ppt) with limits of agreement from −11 to 23 ppt. The mean value for TAPSE was 19 ± 5 mm and the correlation between TAPSE and RVEFCMR was moderate (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). The correlation between RVEFTTE and RVEFCMR was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the correlation between TAPSE and RVEFCMR.ConclusionsThe ellipsoid model shows promise for RVEF calculations using 2D TTE for a wide range of RVEF, providing RVEF estimates that were significantly better correlated to RVEF obtained from CMR compared to TAPSE.

Determination of Right Ventricular Volume by Combining Echocardiographic Distance Measurements.

The position of the right ventricle (RV), often partly behind the sternum, implies difficulties to image the RV free wall using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and consequently limits the possibilities of stroke volume calculations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the volume of the right ventricle (RV) can be determined by combining TTE distance measurements that do not need the RV free wall to be fully visualized.

Chronic nicotine effects on left ventricular function in healthy middle-aged people : an echocardiographic study

Cigarettes and Swedish snuff influence the cardiovascular system in many ways. Cigarette and snuff usage have been linked with an acute impairment in several diastolic cardiac parameters during intake. The aim of this study is to investigate whether long‐term usage of Swedish snuff or cigarettes also causes a more permanent impairment of systolic and/or diastolic cardiac parameters in the left ventricle in otherwise healthy middle‐aged snuffers and smokers.

Effect on left ventricular mass and geometry in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Abstract Objectives. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a condition of transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. The effects on LV mass (LVM) and geometry have not been studied enough in TTC. Retrospectively, we analyzed our TTC cohort both by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for comparative purposes. Design. Thirteen women undergoing TTE and MRI, at onset and three months later, were included. LVM was estimated by MRI, and two TTE methods. Segmental wall thickness (SWT) was measured, while radial strain was assessed by TTE. Data analysis included Wilcoxons test (between phases), Mann–Whitney U test and McNemars test (between and within groups). Bland–Altman analyses were used for intertechnique coherence, while interactions regarding TTE were tested using Spearmans coefficient. Results. LVM decreased during recovery (p < 0.05), by MRI and one of the TTE methods; truncated ellipsoid formula (TEF), which also showed relatively better coherence compared with MRI. SWT decreased in two of three sites, by both modalities, but with ambiguous coherence there between. The TEF data interacted partially with a demonstrated increase in radial strain. Conclusions. TTC associates with acute increase in LVM, which appears to be an apical effect, tending to follow the changes in concentric wall motion. MRI and TTE show adequate coherence; primarily for the TEF method regarding LVM.

BILBERRY AS A DIETARY SUPPLEMENT AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: THE BEAR SMART TRIAL

BilbErry as A dietaRy SuppleMent After myocaRdial infarcTion (the BEAR SMART trial) : Preliminary results of an open-label randomized clinical trial

Distance and area measurement of the right atrium and ventricle by echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging - do we measure the same thing?

Purpose: It has previously been shown that stroke volumes measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) are underestimated, compared to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in distance and area measurements of the right atrium (RA) and the right ventricle (RV) by TTE and CMR.Methods: TTE examinations and CMR examinations were subsequently performed in 12 healthy volunteers. Three distances (RAL - right atrial length, RVIT3 - right ventricular inflow tract, RVLAX - right ventricular long axis) and one area (RVA - right ventricular area) were measured in TTE and CMR. Stroke volumes were also calculated using conventional methods available on each modality. Both intramodality and intermodality comparisons were performed based on measurements from three observers. One of the observers performed measurements in both TTE and CMR.Results: Intermodality comparisons showed that all distance and area measurements were significantly smaller using TTE (Table 1). Two of the measurements, RVIT3 and RVA, differed at about 50%. Calculated stroke volumes showed, consistent with previous results, that the TTE stroke volumes are substantially underestimated compared to CMR volumes. Intramodality variations of distance and area measurements were considerably smaller (Table 1).Conclusions: Our results show that RV distances and areas measured by TTE are smaller compared to CMR, probably due to differences in defining the endocardial borders. These differences subsequently result in smaller stroke volumes when using TTE. Caution should be taken when comparing distances, areas and volumes measured by TTE and CMR.

Diastolic function improves after resolution of takotsubo cardiomyopathy

The p110alpha subunit of PI 3-kinase is crucially involved in neointima formation by mediating smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration and survivalRadiation exposure during electrophysiology procedures : results from the EPIC global survey