Abstract Background Impaired left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular functions are important predictors of cardiovascular risk. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) provides superior sensitivity for assessing systolic function compared to traditional parameters, enhancing diagnostic accuracy in various cardiac conditions. However, GLS reference values in diverse populations are lacking. Objectives To establish reference values for LVGLS and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) in a Brazilian multiethnic population without cardiovascular risk factors or disease. We also explore how clinical and echocardiographic […]

Abstract Background Echocardiography is essential for the assessment of patients with heart transplants. However, normal values in such individuals are not clearly defined. Objectives To compare conventional echocardiographic and speckle tracking variables between patients with unrejected heart transplants and healthy individuals. Methods :A prospective study was conducted with adult patients having undergone heart transplantation at least one year earlier and submitted to endomyocardial biopsy followed by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE). Conventional TTE measures and mechanical heart strain assessments using speckle tracking […]

Introduction Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction has a prevalence of 10% in anterior myocardial infarctions and up to 50% in inferior myocardial infarctions. It is responsible for cardiogenic shock secondary to an acute coronary syndrome in 5% of cases. In patients with myocardial infarction, RV dysfunction is an important prognostic factor of mortality, ventricular arrhythmias, mechanical complications, cardiogenic shock, stent thrombosis, and increased in-hospital and one-year mortality. – Tajima et al. investigated RV function, its association with exercise tolerance, and the […]

Abstract Background Spirometry is underused in heart failure (HF) and the extent to which each defect associates with exercise capacity and prognosis is unclear. Objective To determine the distinct relationship of continuous %predicted FVC (ppFVC) and FEV1/FVC with: 1) maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), exercise performance; and 2) prognosis for the composite of cardiovascular death, heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implant. Methods A cohort of 111 HF participants (AHA stages C/D) without diagnosed pneumopathy, […]

Abstract Background Atrioventricular conduction time ( AVCT ) is influenced by autonomic input and subject to physiological remodeling. Objective To evaluate beat-by-beat AVCT and RR-interval variability in athletes and healthy sedentary subjects. Methods Twenty adults, including 10 healthy sedentary (Controls) and 10 elite long-distance runners (Athletes), age, weight and height-adjusted, underwent maximal metabolic equivalent (MET) assessment, and 15-min supine resting ECG recording seven days later. The interval between P-wave and R-wave peaks defined the AVCT . Mean (M) and standard […]

Abstract Background: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance is in need of a simple and robust method for diastolic function assessment that can be done with routine protocol sequences. Objective: To develop and validate a three-dimensional (3D) model-based volumetric assessment of diastolic function using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and compare the results obtained with the model with those obtained by echocardiography. Methods: The study participants provided written informed consent and were included if having undergone both echocardiography and cine steady-state free precession […]

Abstract Fundamento: The role of papillary muscle function in severe mitral regurgitation with preserved and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and the method of choice to evaluate PM have still been the subjects of controversy. Objectives: To evaluate and compare papillary muscle function in and between patients with severe degenerative and functional mitral regurgitation by using the free strain method. Methods: 64 patients with severe mitral regurgitation – 39 patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR group) and 25 patients with […]