The Value of Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Detection of Extra-Cardiac Lesions

Objective: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is generally recognized as the top choice for detecting myocardial and cardiac cavity lesions. Sonographers mostly focus on myocardial, cardiac cavity and cardiac hemodynamics, whereas the abnormal extra-cardiac lesions are always unrecognized. The aim of this study was to investigate the ultrasonic image features in abnormal extra-cardiac lesions and the value of TTE in the detection of extra-cardiac lesions.Methods: 49 cases of abnormal extra-cardiac lesion detected by TTE from January 2014 to December 2019 were collected, which were confirmed by pathology. The two-dimensional ultrasonic characteristics and the relationships with the cardiac and great vessels were summarized on the basis of multi-view by TTE. All patients were also performed by computed tomography (CT). Results: In 49 patients with abnormal extra-cardiac lesions, 37 malignant cases and 12 benign cases were included. There were 41 cases (41/49,86.67%) of mediastinal lesions and 8 cases (8/49,16.33% ) of lung lesions. The maximum diameter ranged from 3.2cm to 13.66cm, and the median diameter was about 7.4cm, among which 29 cases (29/49,59.18%) were larger than 5cm. 4 cases (4/49, 4.08%) of cystic anechoic lesions were pericardial cyst. 2 cases (2/49, 4.08%) of cystic-solid echogenic lesions were teratoma. The remaining 45 cases (45/49, 91.84%) presented as solid hypoechoic or heterogeneous masses. 6 cases compressed the heart and 21 cases encroached on the heart and vessels. Diagnosis coincidence rates of TTE and CT were respectively 77.55% and 93.88%, with a statistical difference (p =0.012).Conclusion: Although the diagnostic coincidence rate of TTE is slightly lower than that of CT, TTE has certain diagnostic value for extra-cardiac lesions.

Cardiovascular toxicity of antitumor therapy: effect on myocardial and vascular remodeling

Aim. To study the effect of multiagent chemotherapy on structural and functional vascular, electrophysiological parameters and cardiac hemodynamics in patients with stomach cancer.Material and methods. The study included 3 groups of 25 people: healthy volunteers, those with established cardiac disease (hypertension + coronary artery disease), gastric adenocarcinoma (fluoropyrimidine/platinum-based chemotherapy). Cancer patients before and after chemotherapy courses underwent non-invasive assessment of vascular wall and endothelial dysfunction (videocapillaroscopy, digital photoplethysmography), as well as electrocardiography and echocardiography. Healthy volunteers and cardiac patients were examined once.Results. In cancer patients, even before chemotherapy courses, endothelial dysfunction (ED) (occlusal index, 1,7 (1,4; 1,9), normal values >1,8) and structural vascular disorders (stiffness index, 8,9 m/s (7,7; 9,7), normal values <8 m/s; refractive index, 32,4% (27,5; 37,7), normal values <30%). All above-mentioned parameters significantly worsened after multiagent chemotherapy (progression of ED and vascular wall remodeling: occlusal index, 1,3 (1,2; 1,5) (p<0,0002); stiffness index, 10,3 m/s (9,5; 11,2) (p<0,0001); reflection index, 40,2% (35,5; 43,6) (p<0,001) Decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction and diastolic function was detected. The number of supraventricular and ventricular premature beats during chemotherapy increased 9 and 10 times, respectively (p<0,05).Conclusion. The study for the first time assessed the effect of multiagent chemotherapy on ED, vascular stiffness and cardiac hemodynamics in patients with gastric cancer. A significant aggravation of all endothelial function parameters after treatment has been proven, which requires further study in order to develop criteria for early cardiovascular toxicity.

The influence of nicergoline on cerebral, systemic and cardiac hemodynamics in patients who have had an ischemic stroke

The Aim of study was analysis of the effect of nicergoline on the cerebral, cardiac, systemic hemodynamics of patients after ischemic stroke, taking into account the hemispheric localization of the ischemic focus. Materials and methods. A comprehensive clinical and neurological examination was carried out in 38 elderly patients (mean age 64.3 ± 2.5 years) who had undergone atherothrombotic ischemic stroke in the carotid system (recovery period). There were 20 patients with left hemispheric stroke and 18 with right hemispheric stroke. All patients had arterial hypertension (AH). These were ACE inhibitors (enalapril 10-20 mg 1 tablet 2 times a day) and hydrochlorothiazide at a dose of 12.5 mg. Patients received nicergoline at a dose of 4 mg IV drip for 10 days. A comprehensive examination was carried out before and after treatment with nicergoline. The Results of the study allowed us to conclude that the course of nicergoline intake in patients after ischemic atherothrombotic stroke improves the subjective state and reduces the severity of neurological disorders, cerebral hemodynamics, increases linear systolic blood flow velocities (LBFVsys) and reduces peripheral resistance in individual extra- and intracranial vessels of the carotid and vertebro-basilar basins. In patients with right and left hemispheric localization of stroke under the influence of nicergoline, LBFVsys increases in the right and left ICA, PCA, and VA. In addition, LBFVsys increases in patients with right hemispheric stroke in the right MBA; in patients with left hemisphere - in two MBA and BA. In ischemic stroke patients, nicergoline affects systemic and cardiac hemodynamics: it reduces the systemic and cardiac hemodynamics, decreases the systemic vascular resistance and increases the ejection fraction, changes the structure of the relationship between systemic and cerebral hemodynamics, forming a positive relationship between blood pressure and hemodynamics in the vessels of the vertebro-basilar basin. Thus, the complex positive effect of nicergoline on various levels of cerebral, systemic and cardiac hemodynamics in ischemic stroke patients gives grounds to recommend the inclusion of this drug in the rehabilitation system of this category of patients.

Dapagliflozin Improves Cardiac Hemodynamics and Mitigates Arrhythmogenesis in Mitral Regurgitation‐Induced Myocardial Dysfunction

Background Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a major contributor for heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation. Despite the advancement of MR surgeries, an effective medical therapy to mitigate MR progression is lacking. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, a new class of antidiabetic drugs, has shown measurable benefits in reduction of HF hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality but the mechanism is unclear. We hypothesized that dapagliflozin (DAPA), a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, can improve cardiac hemodynamics in MR‐induced HF. Methods and Results Using a novel, mini‐invasive technique, we established a MR model in rats, in which MR induced left heart dilatation and functional decline. Half of the rats were randomized to be administered with DAPA at 10 mg/kg per day for 6 weeks. After evaluation of electrocardiography and echocardiography, hemodynamic studies were performed, followed by postmortem tissue analyses. Results showed that DAPA partially rescued MR‐induced impairment including partial restoration of left ventricular ejection fraction and end‐systolic pressure volume relationship. Despite no significant changes in electrocardiography at rest, rats treated with DAPA exhibited lower inducibility and decreased duration of pacing‐induced atrial fibrillation. DAPA also significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis, cardiac expression of apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress‐associated proteins. Conclusions DAPA was able to suppress cardiac fibrosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress and improve hemodynamics in an MR‐induced HF rat model. The demonstrated DAPA effect on the heart and its association with key molecular contributors in eliciting its cardio‐protective function, provides a plausible point of DAPA as a potential strategy for MR‐induced HF.

Pulmonary and cardiac hemodynamics in COPD and cystic fibrosis by Doppler echocardiography

Aim: to assess the functionality of the right heart in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mixed cystic fibrosis (CF), and cystic fibrosis lung disease by Doppler echocardiography. Patients and Methods: 30 adults with CF and 82 adults with COPD underwent ultrasonography to evaluate pulmonary and cardiac hemodynamics. All patients were divided into four groups based on the presence/absence of clinical signs of right ventricular failure and pulmonary hypertension. Results: in COPD, diastolic dysfunction of the right heart can be subclinical preceding systolic impairment. Right ventricular hypertrophy and failure in CF occur in relatively low pulmonary artery pressure. Thus, in systolic pulmonary pressure less than 40–50 mm Hg, hypertrophy and dilation were concomitant. As the diastolic function of the right ventricle worsens, right atrial contractility increases while the ratio of left ventricular filling velocities during the early atrial diastole and systole reduces in patients with CF. Conclusion: in severe COPD, significant structural and functional impairments of the right ventricle occur. Compensatory potentialities of the right and left ventricles exhaust, thereby providing the conditions for the progression of heart failure and the development of the chronic pulmonary heart. In CF, diastolic dysfunction of the right heart often precedes systolic dysfunction, as illustrated by changes in the proportion of various filling phases of the right ventricle. In right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, an increase in right atrial contractility occurs that reduces only in severe decompensation of the chronic pulmonary heart. KEYWORDS: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, echocardiography, Doppler cardiography, pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, diastolic function. FOR CITATION: Titova O.N., Kuzubova N.A., Aleksandrov A.L. et al. Pulmonary and cardiac hemodynamics in COPD and cystic fibrosis by Doppler echocardiography. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(7):456–461 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-7-456-461.

Long-Term Predialysis Systolic Blood Pressure Variability and Intradialytic Cardiac Hemodynamics in Hemodialysis Patients

The association in hemodialysis patients between long-term predialysis blood pressure variability and intradialytic cardiac hemodynamics was assessed prospectively in 1070 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis for more than 3 months. Predialysis blood pressure variability was assessed over 1-year intervals. Outcomes included factors were intradialytic hypotension and change in rate-pressure product. The final cohort’s mean age was 59 years, and 57% were males. Greater predialysis systolic blood pressure variability was associated with an increased risk of intradialytic hypotension (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.097; 95% confidence intervals 1.055 to 1.140) and change in rate-pressure product (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.213; 95% confidence intervals 1.163 to 1.265). Results were similar when blood pressure variability was stratified by baseline systolic blood pressure. Factors associated with higher systolic blood pressure variability were older age, female sex, longer duration of dialysis, and diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, and lower levels of serum albumin. In conclusion, greater predialysis systolic blood pressure variability among hemodialysis patients was associated with greater intradialytic cardiac hemodynamic instability. Strategies to reduce blood pressure variability might be beneficial for hemodialysis patients.