Browsing by Author "Nešković, Aleksandar N. (35597744900)"

Objective - To assess the relation between ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction and left ventricular remodelling. Design - Prospective study with consecutive patients. Methods - 97 patients with acute myocardial infarction underwent serial echocardiographic examinations (days 1, 2, 3, and 7, and after 3 weeks) to determine end diastolic volume, end systolic volume, and ejection fraction; volumes were normalised for body surface area and expressed as indices. Holter monitoring was performed on the day of the final echocardiogram. Coronary angiography was performed in 88 patients before hospital discharge. Results - Complex ventricular arrhythmias (defined as Lown class 3-5) were found in 16 of 97 patients. In logistic regression models, variables predictive of complex ventricular arrhythmias were end systolic volume index on admission (b = 0.054, P = 0.015) and end diastolic volume index after three weeks (b = 0.034, P = 0.012). Complex arrhythmias were also related to the increase of end diastolic and end systolic volume indices throughout the study (F = 5.62, P = 0.046 and F = 6.42, P = 0.017, respectively by MANOVA). A two stage linear regression model of ventricular volume versus time from infarct showed that both intercept (initial volume) and slope (rate of increase) were higher for patients with complex arrhythmias in both diastole and systole (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions - Complex ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction are related to the increase of left ventricular volume rather than to depressed ejection fraction. Complex arrhythmias may be an aetiological factor linking left ventricular remodelling with higher mortality, but larger follow up studies of patients with progressive left ventricular dilatation after myocardial infarction are necessary to answer these questions.

In this article, the potential value of color Doppler in improving diagnostic accuracy of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with incomplete obstruction of large pulmonary vessels is illustrated. We present an unusual case of massive pulmonary embolism that was unequivocally detected by color Doppler TEE both before and after pulmonary angiography, which failed to demonstrate filling defects in the pulmonary artery.

Introduction/Objective The purpose of the Echocardiographic Society of Serbia (ECHOS) national survey was to assess current echocardiography practice in Serbia, the availability of different echocardiographic techniques and self-perceived need for improvement at personal and institutional level. Methods A survey comprising 20 questions about demographics, numbers and distribution of echo-cardiographic equipment and techniques, image acquisition and reporting standards as well as future educational preferences was sent to all ECHOS members via email. Results A total of 106 members (42%) answered the survey. Echocardiographic examinations are most frequently performed by cardiologists and internal medicine specialists. Transesophageal echocar-diography (TOE), stress echocardiography (SECHO) and speckle tracking echocardiography (SpTE) are available in approximately 20% of centers, three-dimensional echocardiography in 11%, while contrast echocardiography is practiced in only two centers. Less than a third of respondents always attach elec-trocardiographic electrodes and archive examinations. Almost all respondents (96%), always evaluate both systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV), although systolic LV function is frequently assessed (55%) using non-standard methods. The newer echocardiographic machines are more often available at university than non-university centers (87 versus 44%, p < 0.01). SECHO was perceived as the most needed technique at the institutional level, while SpTE and TOE were most often reported personal aspirations of the respondents. Conclusion Advanced techniques, SECHO and TOE are needed but rarely performed outside the university hospitals in Serbia. In order to achieve a better adherence to standards of practice in echocardiography, the development of national guidelines and personal and laboratory accreditation seem warranted. © 2020, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Background and hypothesis: It has been reported that high-dose dipyridamole echocardiography test (DET) can be successfully used for the detection of critical residual stenosis of the infarct-related artery (IRA). However, we have recently noticed low sensitivity of DET for the detection of residual IRA stenosis in patients with single-vessel disease. This study sought to determine the value of DET for the detection of significant residual stenosis of the IRA after thrombolysis. Methods: Dipyridamole echocardiography test was performed in 55 consecutive patients after a first acute myocardial infarction before hospital discharge. All patients underwent coronary angiography 23 ± 6 days after infarction. Results: Nine of 19 patients with positive DET revealed new adjacent asynergy and all of the patients had patent and significantly stenotic IRA. Sensitivity and specificity of DET in identifying significant residual stenosis of the IRA were 24 and 100%, respectively. Among 49 patients with significantly stenotic or occluded IRA, 40 patients without adjacent asynergy during DET had higher baseline wall motion score index (WMSI) compared with 9 patients who revealed adjacent asynergy during DET (1.45 ± 0.30 vs. 1.24 ± 0.18; p<0.05). When all patients with positive DET (adjacent or remote asynergy) were compared with those with negative DET no difference in baseline WMSI was found (1.37 ± 0.24 vs. 1.44 ±0.24; p>0.05). Conclusions: Our data indicate that sensitivity of DET in detecting significant residual stenosis of the IRA after thrombolysis is low. It seems that the extent of myocardial infarction affects the ability of DET to detect adjacent, but not remote asynergy.

Background: It is well known that mitral regurgitation may lead to left ventricular dilation; however, the relationship between progressive left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction (MI) and mitral regurgitation has not yet been clarified. Hypothesis: This study tested the hypothesis that early mitral regurgitation contributes to left ventricular remodeling after acute MI. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 131 consecutive patients by serial two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography on Days 1, 2, 3, and 7, after 3 and 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and 1 year following acute MI. Patients were divided into two groups: those with mitral regurgitation in the first week after acute MI (Group 1, n = 34) and those without mitral regurgitation (Group 2, n = 81). Results: Over 1 year, a significant increase in end-diastolic volume index (from 62.1 ± 12.9 to 70.5 ± 23.6 ml//m2, p = 0.001) with a strong linear trend (F = 15.1, p < 0.001) was noted. Initial end-diastolic volume index was higher in Group 1 (65.6 ± 13.3 vs. 60.4 ± 12.5 ml/m2, p = 0.047), but this difference remained constant throughout the study (F = 1.76, p = NS). Therefore, the pattern of end-diastolic volume changes was similar in both groups during the period of observation. Conclusions: These data indicate that early mitral regurgitation after acute MI does not contribute to subsequent left ventricular remodeling in the first year after myocardial infarction.

Introduction/Objective The purpose of the current Echocardiographic Society of Serbia (ECHOS) survey was to assess echocardiography practice in Serbia during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods An online survey consisting of 12 questions about the usa of echocardiography, the availability of portable ultrasound devices and personal protective equipment (PPE) was sent to all ECHOS members. Results Overall, 126 ECHOS members (43%) answered the survey. One-third of respondents (36%) were physicians from specialized COVID-19 centers. During the pandemic, indications for echocardiographic examination were restricted in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 centers. In COVID-19 centers, 41% of respondents performed lung ultrasound to each patient versus 26% in non-COVID-19 centers. Transesophageal echocardiography was not performed in suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases in any center. Portable ultrasound devices were available to 66% of respondents from COVID-19 versus 44% of respondents from non-COVID-19 centers (p = 0.018). The respondents reported regular use of PPE, regardless of the patient’s COVID-19 status and found their personal knowledge about protective measures and use of PPE satisfactory. Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, indications for echocardiography were restricted to clinical scenarios in which the results of examination were expected to alter patient management. In both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 centers, the use of PPE was in line with national and international recommendations. A wider availability of portable ultrasound devices and application of lung ultrasound could improve patient management in similar situations in the future. © 2020, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

Objective: To assess the effect of surgical revascularisation on left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with viable and non-viable dysfunctional LV segments determined by low dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Design: Prospective observational cohort study. Setting: Single tertiary care centre. Patients: Consecutive patients referred to surgical revascularisation (n=115). Interventions: DSE and surgical revascularisation. Main outcome measures: Functional recovery defined as increase in ejection fraction ≥5% 1 year after revascularisation in patients with and without viable myocardium (viability defined as improvement of contractility in ≥4 LV segments on DSE). Results: The mean age, ejection fraction and wall motion score index (WMSi) of patients were 59±9 years, 44±9% and 1.82±0.31, respectively. There was no difference between DSE positive and DSE negative patients for any of those parameters at baseline study (p>0.05 for all). After 12 months, the ejection fraction increased 11±1% in patients with viable myocardium vs 7±1% in patients without viable myocardium (p=0.002). Moreover, in patients with viable myocardium, the greatest increase of ejection fraction occurred 1 month after surgery (9±1%), whereas in those patients with negative DSE the ejection fraction increased more gradually (2±1% after 1 month, p=0.002 between groups for 1 month vs preoperative value), but still improved after 12 months follow-up (p<0.0001 in time for both groups). Conclusions: It appears that patients with LV dysfunction, but without viable myocardium, may also benefit from myocardial revascularisation. Functional recovery continuously occurs throughout the first year after surgical treatment.

Introduction Echocardiography is a highly operator-dependant technique which requires adequate training and skills that are frequently not present, considering the widespread use of cardiovascular ultrasound. This could particularly be true for hand-held echo devices which made echocardiography more accessible but are frequently used by non-cardiologists and non-experts. Outline of Cases We present a 45-year-old female and a 37-year-old male with heart murmurs due to atrial and ventricular septal defect, respectively. Congenital septal defects were undiagnosed in both patients during several outpatient examinations due to challenging image acquisition. Careful re-evaluation revealed that, depending on the scanning technique, it was possible to detect or overlook the real cause of the murmur using either hand-held or high-end echo device. Conclusion Our report underlines the need of adequate knowledge and training of medical professionals performing pocket-size hand-held echocardiography, since potential misdiagnoses may not be related to limited imaging capabilities of pocket-sized echo devices only, but also to inability of insufficiently trained users to obtain good quality images and interpret them adequately. © 2015, Serbia Medical Society.

In this article, we present an unusual case of hypertensive crisis associated with nonhemorrhagic cerebellar infarction due to embolization of loose tumor fragments of left atrial myxoma.

Background: It has been shown that successful reperfusion of the infarct- related artery by thrombolysis can prevent left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction; these beneficial effects were detected from several days to several months after infarction. To date, however, no study has shown that these effects can be demonstrated within hours after the onset of infarction. Furthermore, data are scarce on the independent impact of thrombolytic therapy and late vessel patency on ventricular volume and function. The aim of this study was to assess separate effects of thrombolysis and patency of the infarct-related artery on left ventricular size and function by serial two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations. Methods and Results: We evaluated 131 consecutive patients with first acute myocardial infarction by two-dimensional echocardiography in the following sequence: days 1, 2, 3, 7, and after 3 and 6 weeks. Intravenous streptokinase was administered in 81 patients, and 50 patients were treated without thrombolysis. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction were determined from apical two- and four-chamber views using the Simpson biplane formula and normalized to body surface area. Coronary angiography was performed in 107 patients after a mean of 26.0±20.2 (mean±SD) days after infarction. Patency of the infarct-related artery was assessed using TIMI criteria, with 54 considered patent (TIMI 3) and 53 with TIMI grade <3. On day 1, end-systolic volume was significantly higher in patients not receiving thrombolysis (37.7±15.3 versus 33.0±10.6 mL/m2, P=0.45). End-systolic volume (ESVi) was significantly higher in patients treated without thrombolysis throughout the study, whereas significant differences in end-diastolic volume (EDVi) were detected from day 3 (P=.041) onward and in ejection fraction (EF) from day 2 (P=.025) onward, all differences becoming progressively more significant with time (6-week values: EDVi, 78.8±25.4 versus 65.9±15.7 mL/m2, P=.001; ESVi, 45.4±22.6 versus 33.9±15.1 mL/m2, P=.002; EF, 45.1±11.6% versus 50.2±10.1%, P=.018). Patients with an occluded infarct-related artery (TIMI <3) demonstrated highly significant differences at 6 weeks compared with patients with patent vessels (EDVi, 76.8±24.7 versus 65.2±15.6 mL/m2, P=.006; ESVi, 44.6±23.3 versus 31.9±12.2 mL/m2, P=.001; EF, 45.0±11.6% versus 52.1±9.0%, P<.001), but these differences developed more slowly than that seen among the thrombolytic subgroups. Indeed, multivariate analysis demonstrated that thrombolysis was the major determinant of initial volumes (P=.08, .02, and .08 for EDVi, ESVi, and EF, respectively), while vessel patency was the overwhelming determinant of subsequent changes (P=.0033, .0002, and .0024 for EDVi, ESVi, and EF, respectively). Additionally, ventricular volumes were significantly higher and ejection fractions lower in patients with anterior versus inferior infarction, but even adjusting for these differences as well as those associated with age, sex, and initial ventricular volume, the additive and independent impact of thrombolysis and infarct vessel patency persisted. Conclusions: These data indicate that the beneficial effect of thrombolysis on left ventricular size and function can be demonstrated in the earliest phases of acute myocardial infarction and that subsequent changes are mediated primarily through patency of the infarct-related artery. Thrombolytic therapy and late vessel patency thus have an additive and complementary impact in reducing ventricular dilation after myocardial infarction.

Introduction Data on effects of thrombus aspiration on left ventricular diastolic function in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population are scarce. Objective We sought to compare echocardiographic indices of the diastolic function and outcomes in STEMI patients treated with and without manual thrombus aspiration, in an academic, high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) center. Methods A total of 433 consecutive patients who underwent primary PCI in 2011–2012 were enrolled in the study. Patients were not eligible for the study if they already suffered a myocardial infarction, had been previously revascularized, received thrombolytics, presented with cardiogenic shock, had significant valvular disease, atrial fibrillation or had previously implanted pacemaker. Comprehensive echocardiogram was performed within 48 hours. During follow-up patients’ status was assessed by an office visit or telephone interview. Results Patients treated with thrombus aspiration (TA+, n=216) had similar baseline characteristics as those without thrombus aspiration (TA-, n=217). Groups had similar total ischemic time (319±276 vs. 333±372 min; p=0.665), but TA+ group had higher maximum values of troponin I (39.5±30.5 vs. 27.6±26.9 ng/ml; p<0.001). The echocardiography revealed similar left ventricular volumes and systolic function, but TA+ group had significantly higher incidence of E/e’>15, as a marker of severe diastolic dysfunction (TA+ 23.1% vs. TA- 15.2%; p=0.050). During average follow-up of 14±5 months, major adverse cardiac/ cerebral events occurred at the similar rate (log rank p=0.867). Conclusion Thrombus aspiration is associated with a greater incidence of severe diastolic dysfunction in unselected STEMI patients treated with primary PCI, but it doesn’t influence the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events. © 2016, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

PURPOSE: The reported incidence of cardiac involvement in trichinosis is highly variable, ranging from 21% to 75%. This study sought to determine the incidence and type of cardiac lesions in trichinosis using serial echocardiographic examinations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-two consecutive patients admitted to the Banja Luka Medical Center during an outbreak of trichinosis (November to December 1996) were included in the study. Diagnosis was made by typical clinical presentation, positive epidemiologic history, serologic testing, and the detection of Trichinella larvae in contaminated meat. All patients underwent serial electrocardiograms and two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations within 20 days after the onset of symptoms. Repeated echocardiographic examinations were performed weekly during the hospital stay in all patients with electrocardiographic abnormalities or an abnormal initial echocardiogram. RESULTS: Cardiac involvement (electrocardiographic and/or echocardiographic changes) was detected in 8 (13%) of the 62 patients. Nonspecific transient electrocardiographic ST-T changes were found in 6 patients (10%); 1 patient had frequent premature ventricular complexes. Echocardiographic examinations revealed pericardial effusions in 6 patients (10%), 5 of whom had minimal effusions without impairment of global and regional left ventricular systolic function. One patient had hypokinesis of the interventricular septum with a small pericardial effusion, both of which resolved within 2 weeks. Only 2 of the patients with electrocardiographic abnormalities lacked echocardiographic evidence of cardiac involvement. At 6- month follow-up, none of the patients had electrocardiographic or echocardiographic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of cardiac involvement in trichinosis appears to be lower than previously reported. Pericardial effusion is the most common manifestation of cardiac involvement, and nonspecific transient electrocardiographic changes, traditionally ascribed to myocarditis, more frequently reflect pericarditis.

Background - Only a few texture measures can be used for texture characterization of infarcted myocardium and detection of reperfused myocardium early after infarction. This study was conducted to establish the relationship between texture properties of infarcted myocardium and infarct- related artery patency by quantitative computer analysis of 2-dimensional echocardiographic images with the wavelet-based method for texture characterization, evaluate the relationship between texture properties and myocardial viability, and correlate histopathologic changes after experimental infarction with the texture measures. Methods and Results - We analyzed 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic images in 18 patients at different time points after infarction using the wavelet transform method. Regional wall motion of infarcted segments was analyzed on a follow-up echocardiographic study obtained 6 months after infarction. To verify the accuracy of the proposed texture measure and energy difference cutoff value, we prospectively evaluated another group of 19 patients. In addition, histopathologic changes in 9 dogs with experimental infarction were correlated with the texture measures. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the wavelet method for detection of reperfusion in the study group were 73%, 86%, and 78%, respectively, on day 2; 91%, 86%, and 89%, at 1 week; and 100%, 100%, and 100% at 3 weeks. Among 9 patients with improvement in regional wall motion on a follow-up study, 7 on day 2, 8 at 1 week, and 9 at 3 weeks were classified into the reperfused group by the wavelet method. Histopathologic features associated with the classification of reperfusion by the wavelet method were infarct transmurality (P=0.024) and degree of necrosis (P=0.028). Conclusions-Our clinical and experimental data suggest that the wavelet method can be used to differentiate between viable myocardium with recovery potential and definite myocardial necrosis in the early postinfarction period.

Echocardiography is an indispensable diagnostic tool of cardi-ologists and other specialties involved in proving care to cardiovascular patients. In this paper, Echocardiographic Society of Serbia provides its viewpoint regarding the organization of basic education in transthoracic echocardiography, aiming at homogeneity of education and improving the quality of echo-cardiographic training in Serbia. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.

We investigated circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers pentraxin-3 (PTX3), cyclophilin A (CypA), and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF); oxidative stress; and antioxidant status markers in the patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) to better understand a relationship between inflammation and oxidative stress. We examined the impact of oxidative stress on high values of inflammatory parameters. The study included 87 patients with STEMI and 193 controls. We observed a positive correlation between PTX3 and HB-EGF (ρ = 0.24, P =.027), CyPA, and sulfhydryl (SH) groups (ρ = 0.25, P =.026), and a negative correlation between PTX3 and SH groups (ρ = −0.35, P =.001) in patients with STEMI. To better understand the effect of the examined parameters on the occurrence of high concentrations of inflammatory parameters, we grouped them using principal component analysis. This analysis identified the 4 most contributing factors. Optimal cutoff values for discrimination of patients with STEMI from controls were calculated for PTX3 and HB-EGF. An independent predictor for PTX3 above the cutoff value was a “metabolic-oxidative stress factor” comprised of glucose and oxidative stress marker prooxidant-antioxidant balance (odds ratio = 4.449, P =.030). The results show that higher PTX3 values will occur in patients having STEMI with greater metabolic and oxidative stress status values. © The Author(s) 2020.

To determine the prognostic value of the high-dose (0.84 mg/kg over a 10-minute period) dipyridamole echocardiography test (DET) after a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in comparison with clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and angiographic variables, follow-up data over an average period of 16 months were obtained in 93 consecutive patients. There were 41 total cardiac events (TCE): one death, two reinfarctions, 13 postinfarction anginas, five percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures, and 20 coronary artery bypass graft procedures. TCE without revascularization procedures were considered adverse cardiac events (ACE). The DET result was positive in 28 of 41 patients with TCE and in only 4 of 52 patients without TCE (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of positive DET in predicting TCE were 68%, 92%, and 82%, respectively. According to Cox's proportional regression model the best predictor of TCE was positivity of DET (p = 0.002, relative risk ratio 4.3), followed by multivessel coronary artery disease (p = 0.018, relative risk ratio 2.9) and patent infarct-related artery (p = 0.042, relative risk ratio 2.9). DET was positive in 12 of 16 patients with ACE and 20 of 77 patients without ACE (p = 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DET in predicting ACE were 75%, 74%, and 74%, respectively. According to Cox's proportional regression model significant predictors of ACE were positivity of DET (p = 0.002, relative risk ratio 29.4) and ejection fraction ≤40% at the time of DET (p = 0.017, relative risk ratio 22.2). These data indicate that the positivity of DET is an excellent predictor of cardiac events after AMI and is more powerful as a predictor than the extent of coronary artery disease, suggesting its ability to identify "functionally" critical stenosis. A positive DET result can identify high-risk patients after AMI who should undergo coronary angiography and may benefit from revascularization procedures. © 1995.

Thrombosis of the prosthetic valve is a highly lethal medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and prompt therapy. Establishing the diagnosis may be difficult, despite numerous physical, echocardiographic, fluoroscopic, and angiographic signs, which have been described. We report a case of prosthetic aortic valve thrombosis diagnosed by Doppler echocardiography.

This study was designed to determine the relationship between histomorphometric features and contractile reserve assessed by high-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Twenty-four consecutive patients (21 men, aged 43.4±8.7 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography. Wall motion score index, ejection fraction, cardiac power output and end-systolic pressure/volume ratio were used as indices of left ventricular contractility. Left ventricular endomyocardial biopsy specimens (3-5 per patient) were routinely processed and stained with Masson trichrome, interstitial fibrosis and myocyte diameter were calculated quantitatively. Myocyte diameter and interstitial fibrosis showed strongest correlation with change in wall motion score index (r=-0.667, p<0.001, and r=-0.567, p=0.004, respectively), followed by change in ejection fraction (r=-0.603, p=0.002, and r=-0.467, p=0.021, respectively). Interstitial fibrosis showed no correlation with change of cardiac power output and end-systolic pressure/volume ratio, whereas myocyte diameter was associated with change of both indices (r=-0.565, p=0.004, and r=-0.455, p=0.025). Contractile reserve elicited by high-dose dobutamine is strongly related to the degree of histological disruption in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. © 2004 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aim: To determine prognostic implications of the assessment of right (RV) vs. left ventricular (LV) contractile reserve with dobutamine echocardiography in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods and results: Forty-eight consecutive patients (41 male, NYHA class III/IV 13 patients, LV ejection fraction 19 ± 8%) were subjected to dobutamine stress echocardiography in incremental stages lasting 5 min each. Contractile reserve was defined as the difference between the values of LV ejection fraction and RV fractional area change obtained at peak dobutamine dose and the baseline values. Patients were followed for one year after enrollment for combined end-point of cardiac death, partial left ventriculectomy and hospitalization for congestive heart failure. During the follow-up 15/48 patients reached combined end-point. Patients who reached end-point had lower RV and LV contractile reserves (14 ± 5 vs. 8 ± 6%, p = 0.0014, and 9 ± 5 vs. 3 ± 2%, p < 0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that both LV and RV contractile reserves can identify patients with dismal prognosis (log rank = 17.02 and log rank = 14.66, respectively, p < 0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis identified dobutamine induced change in LV functional reserve as the only independent predictor of combined end-point (beta = -0.63, p = 0.0035). Conclusion: Both RV and LV contractile reserves can be used for prognostic stratification in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. It appears that dobutamine induced change in LV functional reserve may better identify patients with dismal prognosis. © 2005 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: Although partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) may have beneficial clinical effects in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), there are no reports on effects of PLV on myocardial histology. The objective of this study was to assess histological properties of the LV myocardium 1 year following PLV as compared to histology at the time of the operation. Methods: The study group consisted of 15 consecutive PLV survivors, predominantly male (13/15), aged 45±12 years. Surgical specimens and endomyocardial biopsies, taken 12 months postoperatively, were processed routinely and stained with Masson-trichrome. The following morphometric parameters were assessed semiquantitavely: (1) degree of hypertrophy and attenuation; (2) nuclear evidence of hypertrophy; (3) myofibrillar volume fraction; (4) degree of degenerative vacuolar changes; and (5) fibrosis volume fraction. Results: Both New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and ejection fraction (EF) improved 12 months following surgery as compared to preoperative values (2.40±0.69 vs. 3.33±0.49, p<0.001, and 33.21±12.05% vs. 20.21±9.07%, p<0.001, respectively). Morphometric analysis demonstrated postoperative decrease in the degree of attenuation as compared to preoperative values (1.40±0.51 vs. 2.47±0.64, p<0.01), as well as a decrease in fibrosis volume fraction (2.07±0.80 vs. 2.67±0.49, p<0.001) and nuclear hypertrophy (1.27±0.46 vs. 1.67±0.62, p<0.05). On the other hand, postoperative increase in myofibrillar volume fraction (1.87±0.61 vs. 1.40±0.61, p<0.01) was noted. Conclusion: One year postoperatively, PLV has favourable effects on myocardial morphology that parallels improvement in the patient's functional status and LV systolic function. © 2004 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.