Ramon Martos

Diastolic Heart Failure Evidence of Increased Myocardial Collagen Turnover Linked to Diastolic Dysfunction

Background— The pathophysiology of diastolic heart failure (DHF) is poorly understood. One potential explanation is an active fibrotic process that produces increased ventricular stiffness, which compromises filling. The present study investigates collagen metabolism in hypertensive patients in different phases of diastolic function with and without proven DHF. Methods and Results— We studied 86 hypertensive patients divided into groups according to the presence of DHF (32 with, 54 without) and phase of diastolic function (20 with normal function, 38 with impaired relaxation, 10 with pseudonormalization, and 16 with restrictive-like filling). Serum carboxy-terminal, amino-terminal, and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of procollagen type I, amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs; total MMP-1, active MMP-2, and MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of MMPs levels were assayed by radioimmunoassay and ELISA. Doppler-echocardiographic assessment of diastolic filling was made with measurements of E/A ratio, E-wave deceleration time, and isovolumic relaxation time. Serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of procollagen type I, carboxy-terminal telopeptide of procollagen type I, amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III, MMP-2, and MMP-9 levels (P<0.001 for all, controlled for age and gender) were greater in patients with DHF than in those without. When we controlled for age and gender, levels of serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of procollagen type I, tissue inhibitor of MMP-1, amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III (all P<0.001), carboxy-terminal telopeptide of procollagen type I(P=0.008), and MMP-2 (P=0.03) were greater in more severe phases of diastolic dysfunction. Within phases of diastolic dysfunction, serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of procollagen type I, amino-terminal propeptide of procollagen type III, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were elevated in those with DHF compared with those without DHF (all P<0.001). Conclusions— These data demonstrate serological evidence of an active fibrotic process in DHF, which is more marked in more severe diastolic dysfunction. This observation may help explain the pathophysiology of DHF and may suggest new avenues for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention.

Can emerging biomarkers of myocardial remodelling identify asymptomatic hypertensive patients at risk for diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure

Hypertension is one of the main drivers of the heart failure (HF) epidemic. The aims of this study were to profile fibro‐inflammatory biomarkers across stages of the hypertensive heart disease (HHD) spectrum and to examine whether particular biochemical profiles in asymptomatic patients identify a higher risk of evolution to HF.

Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: improved accuracy with the use of markers of collagen turnover

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF‐PEF) can be difficult to diagnose in clinical practice. Myocardial fibrosis is a major determinant of diastolic dysfunction (DD), potentially contributing to the progression of HF‐PEF. The aim of this study was to analyse whether serological markers of collagen turnover may predict HF‐PEF and DD.

Cardiac MR imaging of nonischemic cardiomyopathies: imaging protocols and spectra of appearances.

Cardiac MR is an excellent noninvasive imaging technique for the detection and assessment of the morphology, function, and myocardial contrast-enhancement characteristics of the nonischemic cardiomyopathies.

Modest elevation in BNP in asymptomatic hypertensive patients reflects sub-clinical cardiac remodeling, inflammation and extracellular matrix changes.

In asymptomatic subjects B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes even at levels well below contemporary thresholds used for the diagnosis of heart failure. The mechanisms behind these observations are unclear. We examined the hypothesis that in an asymptomatic hypertensive population BNP would be associated with sub-clinical evidence of cardiac remodeling, inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) alterations. We performed transthoracic echocardiography and sampled coronary sinus (CS) and peripheral serum from patients with low (n = 14) and high BNP (n = 27). Peripheral BNP was closely associated with CS levels (r = 0.92, p<0.001). CS BNP correlated significantly with CS levels of markers of collagen type I and III turnover including: PINP (r = 0.44, p = 0.008), CITP (r = 0.35, p = 0.03) and PIIINP (r = 0.35, p = 0.001), and with CS levels of inflammatory cytokines including: TNF-α (r = 0.49, p = 0.002), IL-6 (r = 0.35, p = 0.04), and IL-8 (r = 0.54, p<0.001). The high BNP group had greater CS expression of fibro-inflammatory biomarkers including: CITP (3.8±0.7 versus 5.1±1.9, p = 0.007), TNF-α (3.2±0.5 versus 3.7±1.1, p = 003), IL-6 (1.9±1.3 versus 3.4±2.7, p = 0.02) and hsCRP (1.2±1.1 versus 2.4±1.1, p = 0.04), and greater left ventricular mass index (97±20 versus 118±26 g/m2, p = 0.03) and left atrial volume index (18±2 versus 21±4, p = 0.008). Our data provide insight into the mechanisms behind the observed negative prognostic impact of modest elevations in BNP and suggest that in an asymptomatic hypertensive cohort a peripheral BNP measurement may be a useful marker of an early, sub-clinical pathological process characterized by cardiac remodeling, inflammation and ECM alterations.

Practical tips and tricks for assessing prosthetic valves and detecting paravalvular regurgitation using cardiac CT

Paravalvular leaks are an uncommon but serious complication of prosthetic valves. Transthoracic echocardiography is used in the assessment of prosthetic valves but can be limited by acoustic shadowing from the prosthesis and poor acoustic windowing. Small case series have previously shown cardiac CT to have promising results in detecting paravalvular leaks. We assessed 32 valves in our institution on cardiac CT using echocardiography results as standard and developed methods for improved evaluation of prosthetic valves. These include optimizing prescan drug therapy for heart rate control, optimum window and center adjustments, and carefully selected image planes to best demonstrate the valve ring and valve annulus. Recognition of surgical material is also important to recognize. In this review, we provide a detailed description of these techniques with imaging examples of prosthetic valve evaluation using cardiac CT.

Quantification of mitral regurgitation on cardiac computed tomography: comparison with qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic parameters.

Purpose: To assess whether cardiac computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) can quantify the severity of chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) compared to qualitative and quantitative echocardiographic parameters. Materials and Methods: Cardiac computed tomographic angiography was performed in 23 patients (mean ± SD age, 63 ± 16 years; range, 24-86 years) with MR and 20 patients without MR (controls) as determined by transthoracic echocardiography. Multiphasic reconstructions (20 data sets reconstructed at 5% increments of the electrocardiographic gated R-R interval) were used to analyze the mitral valve. Using CCTA planimetry, 2 readers measured the regurgitant mitral orifice area (CCTA ROA) during systole. A qualitative echocardiographic assessment of severity of MR was made by visual assessment of the length of the regurgitant jet. Quantitative echocardiographic measurements included the vena contracta, proximal isovelocity surface area, regurgitant volume, and estimated regurgitant orifice (ERO). Comparisons were performed using the independent t test, and correlations were assessed using the Spearman rank test. Results: All controls and the patients with MR were correctly identified by CCTA. For patients with mild, moderate, or severe MR, mean ± SD EROs were 0.16 ± 0.03, 0.31 ± 0.08, and 0.52 ± 0.03 cm2 (P < 0.0001) compared with mean ± SD CCTA ROAs 0.09 ± 0.05, 0.30 ± 0.04, and 0.97 ± 0.26 cm2 (P < 0.0001), respectively. When echocardiographic measurements were graded qualitatively as mild, moderate, or severe, strong correlations were seen with CCTA ROA (R = 0.89; P < 0.001). When echocardiographic measurements were graded quantitatively, the vena contracta and the ERO showed modest correlations with CCTA ROA (0.48 and 0.50; P < 0.05 for both). Neither the proximal isovelocity surface area nor the regurgitant volume demonstrated significant correlations with CCTA ROA. Conclusions: Single-source 64-slice CCTA provides a strong agreement with qualitative echocardiographic parameters but only a moderate correlation with quantitative echocardiographic parameters of chronic MR. Cardiac computed tomographic angiography slightly overestimates mild MR while slightly underestimating severe MR.

Cardiac carcinoid: tricuspid delayed hyperenhancement on cardiac 64-slice multidetector CT and magnetic resonance imaging.

IntroductionCarcinoid heart disease is a rare condition in adults. Its diagnosis can be easily missed in a patient presenting to a primary care setting. We revised the advantages of using coronary multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing this condition.Materials and methodsWe studied a 65-year-old patient with carcinoid heart disease and right heart failure using transthoracic Doppler-echocardiogram, cardiac MDCT and MRI. Cardiac echocardiogram revealed marked thickening and retraction of the tricuspid leaflets with dilated right atrium and ventricle. Cardiac MDCT and MRI demonstrated fixation and retraction of the tricuspid leaflets with delayed contrast hyperenhancement of the tricuspid annulus.ConclusionThis case demonstrates fascinating imaging findings of cardiac carcinoid disease and highlights the increasing utility of contrast-enhanced MRI and cardiac MDCT in the diagnosis of this interesting condition.

Coronary ostial involvement in acute aortic dissection: detection with 64-slice cardiac CT

A 41-year-old man collapsed after lifting weights at a gym. Following admission to the emergency department, a 64-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT) revealed a Stanford Type A aortic dissection arising from a previous coarctation repair. Multiphasic reconstructions demonstrated an unstable, highly mobile aortic dissection flap that extended proximally to involve the right coronary artery ostium. Our case is an example of the application of electrocardiogram-gated cardiac CT in directly visualizing involvement of the coronary ostia in acute aortic dissection, which may influence surgical management.

Thrombosed prosthetic valve in Ebstein's anomaly: Evaluation with echocardiography and 64-slice cardiac computed tomography

Ebsteins anomaly (EA) is a rare cardiac congenital malformation with displacement of septal and posterior tricuspid leaflets, resulting in atrialization of the right ventricle. We report a case of EA in which the etiology of a malfunctioning prosthetic tricuspid valve is depicted on cardiac computed tomography to be as a result of thrombus lodged in the valve.