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Cells Nov 2023There is an increasing recognition of the crucial role of the right ventricle (RV) in determining the functional status and prognosis in multiple conditions. In the past... (Review)
Review
There is an increasing recognition of the crucial role of the right ventricle (RV) in determining the functional status and prognosis in multiple conditions. In the past decade, the epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs) of gene expression has been raised as a critical determinant of RV development, RV physiological function, and RV pathological dysfunction. We thus aimed to perform an up-to-date review of the literature, gathering knowledge on the epigenetic modifications associated with RV function/dysfunction. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the contribution of epigenetic modifications to RV development and/or the progression of RV dysfunction regardless of the causal pathology. English literature published on PubMed, between the inception of the study and 1 January 2023, was evaluated. Two authors independently evaluated whether studies met eligibility criteria before study results were extracted. Amongst the 817 studies screened, 109 studies were included in this review, including 69 that used human samples (e.g., RV myocardium, blood). While 37 proposed an epigenetic-based therapeutic intervention to improve RV function, none involved a clinical trial and 70 are descriptive. Surprisingly, we observed a substantial discrepancy between studies investigating the expression (up or down) and/or the contribution of the same epigenetic modifications on RV function or development. This exhaustive review of the literature summarizes the relevant epigenetic studies focusing on RV in human or preclinical setting.
Topics: Humans; Heart Ventricles; Epigenesis, Genetic; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right; Myocardium; Ventricular Function, Right
PubMed: 38067121
DOI: 10.3390/cells12232693 -
Journal of the American Society of... Jul 2017Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common diagnosis with significant mortality if not appropriately treated. The use of transthoracic echocardiography in patients with PE is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common diagnosis with significant mortality if not appropriately treated. The use of transthoracic echocardiography in patients with PE is common; however, its diagnostic capabilities in this use are unclear. With the increased use of ultrasonography in medical settings, it is important to understand the strengths and limitations of echocardiography for the diagnosis of PE.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review of PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE through 2016 for articles assessing the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography for PE. Two authors independently abstracted relevant data from the studies. We assessed quality using the QUADAS-2 tool for diagnostic studies.
RESULTS
Undefined "right heart strain" was the most common sign used, and it had a sensitivity of 53% (95% CI, 45%-61%) and a specificity of 83% (95% CI, 74%-90%). Eleven other distinct signs were identified: ventricle size ratio, abnormal septal motion, tricuspid regurgitation, 60/60 sign, McConnell's sign, right heart thrombus, right ventricle hypokinesis, pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular end-diastolic diameter, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and right ventricular systolic pressure.
CONCLUSIONS
Studies show a consistently high specificity and low sensitivity for echocardiography in the diagnosis of PE, making it potentially adequate as a rule-in test at the bedside in critical care settings such as the emergency department and intensive care unit for patients with a suspicion of PE, especially those unable to get other confirmatory studies. Future research may continue to clarify the role of bedside echocardiography in conjunction with other tests and imaging in the overall management of PE.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Echocardiography; Humans; Pulmonary Embolism
PubMed: 28495379
DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2017.03.004 -
International Journal of Cardiology Oct 2023Patients with a transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and a systemic right ventricle are at risk of heart failure (HF) development, arrhythmia and early mortality.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Patients with a transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and a systemic right ventricle are at risk of heart failure (HF) development, arrhythmia and early mortality. Prognostic evaluations in clinical studies are hampered by small sample sizes and single-centred approaches. We aimed to investigate yearly rate of outcome and factors affecting it.
METHODS
A systematic literature search of four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus) was conducted from inception to June 2022. Studies reporting the association of a systemic right ventricle with mortality with a minimal follow-up of 2 years during adulthood were selected. Incidence of HF hospitalization and/or arrhythmia were captured as additional endpoints. For each outcome, a summary effect estimate was calculated.
RESULTS
From a total of 3891 identified records, 56 studies met the selection criteria. These studies described the follow-up (on average 7.27 years) of 5358 systemic right ventricle patients. The mortality incidence was 1.3 (1-1.7) per 100 patients/year. The incidence of HF hospitalization was 2.6 (1.9-3.7) per 100 patients/year. Predictors of poor outcome were a lower left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (standardized mean differences (SMD) of -0.43 (-0.77 to -0.09) and - 0.85 (-1.35 to -0.35), respectively), higher plasma concentrations of NT-proBNP (SMD of 1.24 (0.49-1.99)), and NYHA class ≥2 (risk ratio of 2.17 (1.40-3.35)).
CONCLUSIONS
TGA patients with a systemic right ventricle have increased incidence of mortality and HF hospitalization. A lower LVEF and RVEF, higher levels of NT-proBNP and NYHA class ≥2 are associated with poor outcome.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Transposition of Great Vessels; Heart Ventricles; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Right; Heart Failure; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Arteries
PubMed: 37433408
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131159 -
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine Jul 2022The etiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people continues to attract much attention. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the most frequent causes of SCD in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The etiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young people continues to attract much attention. This meta-analysis aimed to identify the most frequent causes of SCD in individuals aged ≤35 years, the differences between athletes and non-athletes and geographic areas.
METHODS
Studies published between 01/01/1990 and 01/31/2020 and evaluating post-mortem the aetiology of SCD in young individuals (≤35 years) were included. Individuals were divided into athletes and non-athletes. Studies that did not report separate data between athletes and non-athletes were excluded.
RESULTS
Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, and a total population of 5,060 victims of SCD were analyzed (2,890 athletes, 2,170 non-athletes). Comparing the causes of SCD between athletes and non-athletes, non-ischemic left ventricular scar (NILVS) (5.1% vs. 1.1%, p=0.01) was more frequent in the former, while coronary artery disease (CAD) (19.6% vs. 9.1%, p=0.009), arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) (11.5% vs. 4.7%, p=0.03) and channelopathies (8.4% vs. 1.9%, p=0.02) were more frequent in the latter. In studies published in the last decade, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (p=0.002), dilated cardiomyopathy (p=0.047), and anomalous origin of coronary arteries (AOCA) (p=0.009) were more frequently the causes of SCD in athletes while aortic dissection (0.022) was the cause in non-athletes. HCM (p=0.01) and AOCA (p=0.004) were more frequently the causes of SCD in the US while ACM (p=0.001), structurally normal heart (p=0.02), and channelopathies (p=0.02) were more frequent in Europe.
CONCLUSIONS
Among the causes of SCD, NILVS was the more frequent cause in athletes, while CAD, ACM and channelopathies were more frequent causes in non-athletes. The causes of SCD differ between the US and Europe.
Topics: Adolescent; Athletes; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Channelopathies; Coronary Artery Disease; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Heart Ventricles; Humans
PubMed: 34166791
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2021.06.001 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2023Left ventricular dysfunction and cardiomyopathy are well documented adverse effects associated with chemotherapy agents. Limited information exists regarding the impact... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular dysfunction and cardiomyopathy are well documented adverse effects associated with chemotherapy agents. Limited information exists regarding the impact of chemotherapeutic agents on the integrity and function of the right ventricle (RV).
OBJECTIVES
The current metanalysis compared pre- chemotherapy versus post- chemotherapy RV parameters measured on 2D echocardiography in patients receiving anthracycline and/or trastuzumab across all breast cancer patients.
METHODS
A systematic search across PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were performed from inception of the databases until November 2021 for relevant studies. We used the inverse variance method with a random effect model and DerSimonian and Laird method of Tau2 generation to calculate mean difference [MD] with 95% confidence interval [CI]. The analysis was carried out using RevMan Version 5.3 (Copenhagen: The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014).
RESULTS
Fifteen studies, constituting total of 644 patients, met the inclusion criteria, with most studies having a follow up period of less than 12 months from initiation of chemotherapy. Anthracycline and/or Trastuzumab chemotherapy resulted in a statistically significant reduction in right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) at follow-up [MD: 2.70, 95% CI: 0.27 to 5.13, -value- 0.03, - 71%, -value < 0.05]. Treatment with Anthracycline and/or Trastuzumab chemotherapy resulted in a significant reduction in RV fractional area change (RVFAC) at follow-up [MD: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.33 to 6.15, -value < 0.01, - 68%, -value < 0.05]. RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) was lower at baseline, while LVEF was significantly reduced at follow-up [MD: -1.00, 95% CI: -1.86 to -0.15, -value < 0.05, - 0%, -value-0.40], [MD: 4.04, 95% CI: 2.08 to 6.01, -value < 0.01, - 91%, -value < 0.05], respectively. However, treatment with Anthracycline and/or Trastuzumab chemotherapy had no statistically significant effect on Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) at follow-up [MD: 0.53, 95% CI: -0.11 to 1.17, -value-0.11, - 98%, -value < 0.05].
CONCLUSIONS
Chemotherapy with anthracyclines and trastuzumab negatively affects right ventricular function leading to decline in RVEF, RVFAC, RVFWLS and LVEF.
PubMed: 37600030
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1103941 -
The British Journal of Radiology Sep 2020In this review, we describe the technical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac imaging, starting with radiomics, basic algorithms of deep learning and...
In this review, we describe the technical aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiac imaging, starting with radiomics, basic algorithms of deep learning and application tasks of algorithms, until recently the availability of the public database. Subsequently, we conducted a systematic literature search for recently published clinically relevant studies on AI in cardiac imaging. As a result, 24 and 14 studies using CT and MRI, respectively, were included and summarized. From these studies, it can be concluded that AI is widely applied in cardiac applications in the clinic, including coronary calcium scoring, coronary CT angiography, fractional flow reserve CT, plaque analysis, left ventricular myocardium analysis, diagnosis of myocardial infarction, prognosis of coronary artery disease, assessment of cardiac function, and diagnosis and prognosis of cardiomyopathy. These advancements show that AI has a promising prospect in cardiac imaging.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Algorithms; Artificial Intelligence; Cardiomyopathies; Computed Tomography Angiography; Coronary Disease; Coronary Stenosis; Databases, Factual; Deep Learning; Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial; Heart; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Myocardial Infarction; Prognosis; Vascular Calcification
PubMed: 32017605
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20190812 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023Double-outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is an abnormal ventriculo-arterial connection characterized by the origin of both great arteries from the morphological left... (Review)
Review
Double-outlet left ventricle (DOLV) is an abnormal ventriculo-arterial connection characterized by the origin of both great arteries from the morphological left ventricle. The aim of our paper is to describe the morphological and imaging features of DOLV and to assess the prevalence of the associated malformations and their surgical outcomes. METHODS From 2011 to 2022, we retrospectively reviewed the electronic case records of patients diagnosed with DOLV at the Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital. A systematic search was developed in MEDLINE, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases to identify reports assessing the morphology and outcomes of DOLV between 1975 and 2023. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 9.9 years (IQR 7.8-11.7 y), four cases of DOLV were identified at our institution. Two patients were diagnosed with (S,D,D) DOLV subaortic VSD and pulmonary stenosis (PS): one patient had (S,D,D) DOLV with doubly committed VSD and hypoplastic right ventricle, and another patient had (S,D,L) DOLV with subaortic VSD and PS (malposition type). Pulmonary stenosis was the most commonly associated lesion (75%). LITERATURE REVIEW: After systematic evaluation, a total of 12 reports fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in our analysis. PS or right ventricular outflow tract obstruction was the most commonly associated lesion (69%, 95% CI 62-76%). The most common locations of VSD were subaortic (pooled prevalence: 75%, 95% CI 68-81), subpulmonary (15%, 95% CI 10-21), and doubly committed (7%, 95% CI 4-12). The position of the great arteries showed that d-transposition of the aorta was present in 128 cases (59% 95% CI 42-74), and l-transposition was present in 77 cases (35%, 95% CI 29-43).
PubMed: 37891996
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203175 -
Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine Dec 2021Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is used as mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock (CS). It restores peripheral perfusion, at the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is used as mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock (CS). It restores peripheral perfusion, at the expense of increased left ventricle (LV) afterload. In this setting, Impella can be used as direct unloading strategy. Aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate efficacy and safety of LV unloading with Impella during ECMO in CS. A systematic search on Medline, Scopus and Cochrane Library was performed using as combination of keywords: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, Impella, percutaneous micro axial pump, ECPELLA, cardiogenic shock. We aimed to include studies, which compared the use of ECMO with and without Impella (ECPELLA vs. ECMO). Primary endpoint was short-term all-cause mortality; secondary endpoints included major bleeding, haemolysis, need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Five studies met the inclusion criteria, with a total population of 972 patients. The ECPELLA cohort showed improved survival compared to the control group (RR (Risk Ratio): 0.86; 95% CI (Confidence Interval): 0.76, 0.96; = 0.009). When including in the analysis only studies with homogeneous comparator groups, LV unloading with Impella remained associated with significant reduction in mortality (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.75, 0.97; = 0.01). Haemolysis (RR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.35, 2.15; < 0.00001) and RRT (RR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.07, 3.21; = 0.03) occurred at a higher rate in the ECPELLA group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of major bleeding (RR: 1.37; 95% CI: 0.88, 2.13; = 0.16) and CVA (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.61, 1.38; = 0.66). In conclusion, LV unloading with Impella during ECMO was associated with improved survival, despite increased haemolysis and need for RRT, without additional risk of major bleeding and CVA.
Topics: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Heart Ventricles; Heart-Assist Devices; Humans; Shock, Cardiogenic; Stroke
PubMed: 34957789
DOI: 10.31083/j.rcm2204154 -
The International Journal of... Dec 2021Cardiac involvement has been frequently reported in COVID-19 as responsible of increased morbidity and mortality. Given the importance of right heart function in acute... (Review)
Review
Cardiac involvement has been frequently reported in COVID-19 as responsible of increased morbidity and mortality. Given the importance of right heart function in acute and chronic respiratory diseases, its assessment in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients may add prognostic accuracy. Transthoracic echocardiography has been proposed to early predict myocardial injury and risk of death in hospitalized patients. This systematic review presents the up-to-date sum of literature regarding right ventricle ultrasound assessment. We evaluated commonly used echocardiographic parameters to assess RV function and discussed their relationship with pathophysiological mechanisms involved in COVID-19. We searched Medline and Embase for studies that used transthoracic echocardiography for right ventricle assessment in patients with COVID-19.
Topics: COVID-19; Echocardiography; Heart Ventricles; Humans; Predictive Value of Tests; SARS-CoV-2; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right
PubMed: 34292433
DOI: 10.1007/s10554-021-02353-6 -
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Jan 2023Most patients who undergo tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair experience late right ventricle (RV) dysfunction due to pulmonary valve regurgitation (PVR). Cardiac magnetic... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Most patients who undergo tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair experience late right ventricle (RV) dysfunction due to pulmonary valve regurgitation (PVR). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard method for evaluating RV during follow-up. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has been introduced as a novel method for the assessment of RV dysfunction. We aimed to compare the feasibility of GLS and CMR for assessing RV function after TOF repair.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed the English literature using PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. Articles evaluating RV function comparing by GLS and CMR after TOF repair were included.
RESULTS
Nine studies including 465 patients were analyzed. Most patients were men (280; 60%), the male:female ratio was 1.5:1, and the age range was .8 to 57.7 years. The mean follow-up time was 6 to 32 months. The correlation between RV GLS and RV ejection fraction (EF) by CMR was negative for the articles and varied from moderate to strong (r = -.45, r = -.60, r = -.76).
CONCLUSION
Right ventricle GLS can be considered for routine follow-up of TOF repair patients, even though CMR remains the noninvasive gold standard method. Using a single parameter may not allow comparison of the accuracy of 3D RV EF by using CMR and GLS. Further studies with a larger number of patients undergoing TOF repair are required to evaluate the correlation between these examinations.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Child; Adolescent; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Tetralogy of Fallot; Heart Ventricles; Global Longitudinal Strain; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Ventricular Function, Right; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
PubMed: 36478414
DOI: 10.1111/echo.15486