Reduced global longitudinal strain at rest and inadequate blood pressure response during exercise treadmill testing in male heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia patients.

Background: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) is a genetic disorder leading to premature coronary artery disease (CAD). We hypothesized that the subclinical pathophysiologic consequences of hypercholesterolemia may be detected before the occurrence of clinically overt CAD by stress testing and myocardial strain imaging.

Patients-methods: We evaluated the treadmill tests (ETTs) of 46 heFH men without known arterial hypertension/diabetes mellitus/vasculopathy like CAD and of 39 healthy men matched for age, baseline systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR), using Bruce protocol.

Correlation between non-invasive myocardial work indices and main parameters of systolic and diastolic function: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: The present study sought to evaluate the correlation between indices of non-invasive myocardial work (MW) and left ventricle (LV) size, traditional and advanced parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function by 2D echocardiography (2DE).

Methods And Results: A total of 226 (85 men, mean age: 45 ± 13 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global work waste (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were estimated from LV pressure-strain loops using custom software.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal non-invasive myocardial work indices: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To obtain the normal ranges for 2D echocardiographic (2DE) indices of myocardial work (MW) from a large group of healthy volunteers over a wide range of ages and gender.

Methods And Results: A total of 226 (85 men, mean age: 45 ± 13 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global work waste (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were estimated from left ventricle (LV) pressure-strain loops.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left atrial function parameters: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To obtain the normal ranges for echocardiographic measurements of left atrial (LA) function from a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for age and gender.

Methods And Results: A total of 371 (median age 45 years) healthy subjects were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions collaborating in the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI). Left atrial data sets were analysed with a vendor-independent software (VIS) package allowing homogeneous measurements irrespective of the echocardiographic equipment used to acquire data sets.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left ventricular 2D strain: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To obtain the normal ranges for 2D echocardiographic (2DE) measurements of left ventricular (LV) strain from a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for age and gender.

Methods And Results: A total of 549 (mean age: 45.6 ± 13.

Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic normal reference ranges for proximal aorta dimensions: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aims: To report normal reference ranges for echocardiographic dimensions of the proximal aorta obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers recruited using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment, considering different measurement conventions, and taking into account gender, age, and body size of individuals.

Methods And Results: A total of 704 (mean age: 46.0 ± 13.

3D echocardiographic reference ranges for normal left ventricular volumes and strain: results from the EACVI NORRE study.

Aim: To obtain the normal ranges for 3D echocardiography (3DE) measurement of left ventricular (LV) volumes, function, and strain from a large group of healthy volunteers.

Methods And Results: A total of 440 (mean age: 45 ± 13 years) out of the 734 healthy subjects enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study had good-quality 3DE data sets that have been analysed with a vendor-independent software package allowing homogeneous measurements regardless of the echocardiographic machine used to acquire the data sets. Upper limits of LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were larger in men (97 and 42 mL/m2) than in women (82 and 35 mL/m2; P < 0.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac Doppler data: results from the NORRE Study.

Aims: Reference values for Doppler parameters according to age and gender are recommended for the assessment of heart physiology, specifically for left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. In this study, we report normal reference ranges for Doppler parameters obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers. Echocardiographic data were acquired using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment following Doppler acquisition and measurement protocols approved by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac chamber size: results from the NORRE study.

Aims: Availability of normative reference values for cardiac chamber quantitation is a prerequisite for accurate clinical application of echocardiography. In this study, we report normal reference ranges for cardiac chambers size obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for gender and age. Echocardiographic data were acquired using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment following chamber quantitation protocols approved by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.

Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography: rationale, study design, and methodology (NORRE Study).

Background: Availability of normative reference values for cardiac chamber dimensions, volumes, mass, and function is a prerequisite for the accurate application of echocardiography for both clinical and research purposes. However, due to the lack of consistency in current echocardiographic 'reference values', their use for clinical decision-making remains questionable.

Aims: The aim of the 'Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography Study (NORRE Study)' is to obtain a set of 'normal values' for cardiac chamber geometry and function in a large cohort of healthy Caucasian individuals aged over a wide range of ages (25-75 years) using both conventional and advanced echocardiographic techniques.

Successful epoprostenol withdrawal in pulmonary arterial hypertension: case report and literature review.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare and devastating disease characterized by vascular proliferation and remodeling. Epoprostenol, the drug counterpart of the eicosanoid prostacyclin, produced by the vascular endothelial cells, is the drug of choice for this disease. Its capacity to act rapidly and to significantly improve survival prospects in severe pulmonary hypertension patients has been supported by a wealth of evidence.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy decreases the mitral coaptation point displacement in heart failure patients.

Background: In patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction the mitral leaflet coaptation point (CPMA) is displaced towards the LV apex. The aim of our study was to estimate the value of CPMA measurement as a simple index regarding the acute effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), which is coming to be an established method of treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods: We studied 20 patients with CHF (NYHA III-IV) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) 22 +/- 4%.