Heart : official journal of the British Cardiac Society
-
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Left atrial volume assessed by transthoracic three dimensional echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging: dynamic changes during the heart cycle in children.
To assess the dynamic changes in left atrial volume by transthoracic three dimensional echocardiography and compare the results with those obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). ⋯ Three dimensional echocardiography and MRI were both useful methods for studying the physiological volume changes in the left atrium in children. These methods may be used for further study of the systolic and diastolic function of the heart.
-
To examine the relation between cardiac autonomic tone, assessed by baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability, and left ventricular function, arrhythmias on Holter monitoring, and clinical variables in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. ⋯ The weak correlation between baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability suggests that these two indices explore different aspects of cardiac autonomic control in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The weak or absent correlation between baroreflex sensitivity, heart rate variability, and other potential non-invasive risk predictors, including left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end diastolic diameter, and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia on Holter monitoring, indicate that these variables may have independent prognostic value in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
-
Left ventricular enlargement with normal systolic function is common in asymptomatic relatives of patients with familial dilated cardiomyopathy, many of whom progress to overt dilated cardiomyopathy at follow up. ⋯ Maximal and submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise test variables are abnormal in asymptomatic relatives with left ventricular enlargement, in spite of normal systolic function. This provides further evidence that left ventricular enlargement represents subclinical disease in relatives of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Metabolic exercise testing can complement echocardiography in identifying relatives at risk for the development of dilated cardiomyopathy.