Browsing by Author "Tadic, Marijana (36455305000)"

[No abstract available]

We present the case of a 51-year-old patient with acute pericarditis as the dominant manifestation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The patient was admitted to the emergency department during a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak with a suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction. A coronary angiogram was normal. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in a nasopharyngeal swab was positive. Laboratory tests revealed an increased white blood cell count, with neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia, elevated level of C-reactive protein, borderline elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and slightly elevated interleukin 6. Echocardiography showed a hyperechogenic pericardium posterolaterally with minimal localized pericardial effusion. A chest computed tomography scan showed a small zone of ground-glass opacity in the right lower lobe (classified as CO-RADS 3). In patients with chest pain, ST elevation on electrocardiogram, a normal coronary angiogram, and suspected COVID-19, we should think of pericarditis as an unusual presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. © 2020 The Author(s)

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to define the relationship between the metabolic syndrome (MS), nondipping pattern, and their interaction on right ventricular (RV) structural and functional changes in untreated hypertensive patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 318 recently diagnosed hypertensive patients. MS was defined by the presence of at least 3 National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. All patients underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and a complete two-dimensional echocardiography examination. RESULTS: MS was found in 144 (45%) hypertensive patients and the nondipping pattern was detected in 147 (46%) patients. Hypertensive patients with MS had higher 24-h and night-time blood pressure levels in comparison with non-MS patients with the same nocturnal blood pressure pattern. RV wall thickness was significantly increased and RV diastolic function was significantly deteriorated in nondippers (with and without MS), but still more impaired in MS patients. MS, nondipping pattern, and their interaction had a huge impact on RV wall thickness, parameters of RV diastolic function (E/At, E/e′t, e′/a′t), as well as RV global function estimated by the myocardial performance index. Among the MS criteria, only fasting glucose level and abdominal obesity were associated independently with RV hypertrophy, diastolic, and global dysfunction. CONCLUSION: MS, nondipping pattern, and their interaction significantly impact RV structure, diastolic, and global function. Fasting glucose level and abdominal obesity are the most important MS criteria for RV remodeling in arterial hypertension. Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to define the relationship between the metabolic syndrome (MS), nondipping pattern, and their interaction on right ventricular (RV) structural and functional changes in untreated hypertensive patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 318 recently diagnosed hypertensive patients. MS was defined by the presence of at least 3 National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. All patients underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and a complete two-dimensional echocardiography examination. RESULTS: MS was found in 144 (45%) hypertensive patients and the nondipping pattern was detected in 147 (46%) patients. Hypertensive patients with MS had higher 24-h and night-time blood pressure levels in comparison with non-MS patients with the same nocturnal blood pressure pattern. RV wall thickness was significantly increased and RV diastolic function was significantly deteriorated in nondippers (with and without MS), but still more impaired in MS patients. MS, nondipping pattern, and their interaction had a huge impact on RV wall thickness, parameters of RV diastolic function (E/At, E/e′t, e′/a′t), as well as RV global function estimated by the myocardial performance index. Among the MS criteria, only fasting glucose level and abdominal obesity were associated independently with RV hypertrophy, diastolic, and global dysfunction. CONCLUSION: MS, nondipping pattern, and their interaction significantly impact RV structure, diastolic, and global function. Fasting glucose level and abdominal obesity are the most important MS criteria for RV remodeling in arterial hypertension. Copyright © Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

We aimed to determine left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) structure, function and mechanics, as well as heart rate variability (HRV), and their relationship, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The study included 41 SSc patients and 30 age-matched healthy volunteers. All the patients underwent clinical examination, serological tests, pulmonary function testing, 24-h Holter monitoring and complete two-dimensional echocardiography including strain analysis. The parameters of LV structure (interventricular septum thickness and LV mass index) and RV structure (RV wall thickness) were significantly higher in SSc patients. LV and RV diastolic function (estimated by mitral and tricuspid E/e′ ratio) was significantly impaired in SSc group comparing with the healthy controls. LV and RV longitudinal function was significantly deteriorated in SSc patients. LV circumferential strain was also significantly lower in SSc group, whereas LV radial strain was similar between the observed groups. All parameters of time and frequency domain of HRV were decreased in SSc patients. LV and RV cardiac remodeling parameters, particularly diastolic function and longitudinal strain, were associated with HRV indices without regard to the main demographic or the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. Rodnan Skin Score was also independently associated with biventricular cardiac remodeling in SSc patients. LV and RV structure, function and mechanics, as well as autonomic nervous function, were significantly impaired in SSc patients. There is the significant association between biventricular cardiac remodeling and autonomic function in these patients, which could be useful for their everyday clinical assessment. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

We aimed to determine left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) structure, function and mechanics, as well as heart rate variability (HRV), and their relationship, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The study included 41 SSc patients and 30 age-matched healthy volunteers. All the patients underwent clinical examination, serological tests, pulmonary function testing, 24-h Holter monitoring and complete two-dimensional echocardiography including strain analysis. The parameters of LV structure (interventricular septum thickness and LV mass index) and RV structure (RV wall thickness) were significantly higher in SSc patients. LV and RV diastolic function (estimated by mitral and tricuspid E/e′ ratio) was significantly impaired in SSc group comparing with the healthy controls. LV and RV longitudinal function was significantly deteriorated in SSc patients. LV circumferential strain was also significantly lower in SSc group, whereas LV radial strain was similar between the observed groups. All parameters of time and frequency domain of HRV were decreased in SSc patients. LV and RV cardiac remodeling parameters, particularly diastolic function and longitudinal strain, were associated with HRV indices without regard to the main demographic or the clinical and echocardiographic characteristics. Rodnan Skin Score was also independently associated with biventricular cardiac remodeling in SSc patients. LV and RV structure, function and mechanics, as well as autonomic nervous function, were significantly impaired in SSc patients. There is the significant association between biventricular cardiac remodeling and autonomic function in these patients, which could be useful for their everyday clinical assessment. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Arterial hypertension represents the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor that is associated with cardiac remodeling. Hypertensive heart disease was defined by the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction, and it has been diagnosed by echocardiography in everyday clinical practice. Interstitial myocardial fibrosis is the underlying cause of hypertension-induced cardiac remodeling, and it could not be visualized with different echocardiographic methods. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and its methods such as late gadolinium enhancement, and T1 mapping provides qualitative and quantitative assessment of interstitial myocardial fibrosis in hypertensive patients. Furthermore, CMR can provide differentiation of LVH between hypertensive patients and cardiomyopathies (hypertrophic or Fabry disease). Timely diagnosis of cardiac impairment and early treatment is essential because regression of LVH could be achieved with adequate treatment. Diffuse cardiac fibrosis in hypertensive patients might be an underlying mechanism that explains the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population. Future longitudinal investigations are necessary to determine causal relationship between diffuse fibrosis and cardiovascular outcome in these patients. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding CMR techniques and their potential usage in patients with hypertensive heart disease. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nondipping arterial blood pressure pattern and the metabolic syndrome (MS), as well as their interaction, on left ventricular (LV) structural and function remodeling. The study included 352 never-treated hypertensive patients with and without MS. Nondipping pattern and MS, separately, as well as their interaction, significantly impacted LV structure, LV geometry pattern, systolic, diastolic and global function in hypertensive patients. Abdominal obesity was the only MS criterion which was simultaneously associated with LV hypertrophy, LV diastolic dysfunction and, LV global dysfunction. © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of nondipping arterial blood pressure pattern and the metabolic syndrome (MS), as well as their interaction, on left ventricular (LV) structural and function remodeling. The study included 352 never-treated hypertensive patients with and without MS. Nondipping pattern and MS, separately, as well as their interaction, significantly impacted LV structure, LV geometry pattern, systolic, diastolic and global function in hypertensive patients. Abdominal obesity was the only MS criterion which was simultaneously associated with LV hypertrophy, LV diastolic dysfunction and, LV global dysfunction. © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate right atrial (RA) phasic function in hypertensive patients with different left ventricular (LV) geometric patterns by using two-dimensional (2DE) and three-dimensional (3DE) echocardiography. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 177 hypertensive patients who underwent 2DE and 3DE examination. The updated criteria of LV geometry that included LV mass index, LV end-diastolic diameter, and relative wall thickness were applied. Using this classification, patients were separated into six groups: normal geometry, concentric remodeling, eccentric nondilated LV hypertrophy (LVH), concentric LVH, dilated LVH, and concentric–dilated LVH. Results: Two-dimensional echocardiography and 3DE RA volumes were significantly higher in concentric and dilated LVH than in other LV geometric types. RA reservoir function, estimated by total 2DE and 3DE RA emptying fraction (EF), was decreased in subjects with dilated LVH compared with normal geometric and concentric LV remodeling patterns. RA conduit function assessed with 2DE and 3DE RA passive EF, gradually reduced from normal LV geometry to dilated LVH. RA pump function was increased in patients with concentric and dilated LVH than in subjects with normal LV geometry and concentric remodeling. 2DE strain analysis confirmed these findings about RA phasic function. Concentric LVH and dilated LVH were associated with RA enlargement and dysfunction irrespectively of main demographic and clinical parameters. Conclusion: Left ventricular geometric patterns have significant impact on RA phasic function in hypertensive patients. Concentric and dilated LVH patterns have the most prominent negative effect on RA morphological and functional remodeling. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Our aim was to compare left ventricular (LV) deformation in subjects with masked hypertension (MH) to normotensive and sustained hypertensive patients. This cross-sectional study included 185 untreated subjects who underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and complete two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) examination including multilayer strain analysis. MH was diagnosed if clinic BP was normal (<140/90 mm Hg), and 24-hour BP was increased (≥130/80 mm Hg). 2DE LV longitudinal and circumferential strains gradually and significantly decreased from normotensive controls across MH individuals to sustained hypertensive patients. 2DE radial strain was not different between groups. 2DE longitudinal and circumferential endocardial and midmyocardial layer strains progressively decreased from normotensive control to sustained hypertensive individuals. Longitudinal and circumferential epicardial layer strains were lower in sustained hypertensive patients than in normotensive controls. Clinic and 24-hour systolic BP were associated with 2DE LV longitudinal endocardial strain, midmyocardial strain, and 2DE circumferential endocardial strain in the whole-study population independent of LV structure and diastolic function. MH significantly affect LV deformation assessed by 2DE traditional strain and 2DE multilayer strain. Clinic and 24-hour systolic BP were associated with LV mechanics evaluated with comprehensive 2DE strain analysis independent of LV structure and diastolic function. © 2016 American Society of Hypertension

Background: We sought to investigate right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) deformation obtained using 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and 2-dimensional (2DE) strain in subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 108 untreated subjects with the MS and 75 control subjects similar according to sex and age. The MS was defined by the presence ® 3 American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria. All the subjects underwent adequate laboratory analyses and complete 2DE and 3DE examination. Results: 2DE global longitudinal strain of the RV was significantly decreased in the MS group compared with the control subjects (-24 ± 5 vs-27 ± 5%; P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for the RA longitudinal strain (40 ± 5 vs 44 ± 7%; P < 0.001). Systolic and early diastolic RV and RA strain rates were decreased, whereas late diastolic strain rates were increased among the MS participants compared with the control subjects. 3DE RV ejection fraction was significantly decreased in the MS subjects (55 ± 4 vs 58 ± 4%; P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis of MS criteria showed that systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting glucose were independently associated with RV and/or RA myocardial function and deformation. Conclusions: RV mechanics and RA mechanics, assessed using 3DE and 2DE strain, were significantly deteriorated in the MS subjects. Among all MS risk factors, systolic blood pressure, abdominal circumference, and fasting glucose were the most responsible for the right heart remodelling. © 2014 Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

[No abstract available]

Objectives-Right heart function and mechanics have not been investigated in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Our aim was to investigate right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) function and deformation as evaluated by 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and speckle-tracking 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in these individuals. Methods-We included 39 untreated women with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism and 39 healthy women matched by age. All participants underwent laboratory analyses that included thyroid hormone levels and comprehensive 2DE and 3DE examinations. Results-Three-dimensional echocardiographic RV volumes were significantly elevated in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (P < .05), whereas the 3DE RV ejection fraction was reduced in this group, but with borderline significance. Twodimensional echocardiographic longitudinal RV and RA strain were significantly reduced in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Two-dimensional echocardiographic RV systolic and early diastolic strain rates were reduced, whereas late diastolic strain rates were increased in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. The same changes were detected in RA mechanics among the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. The thyrotropin (TSH) level correlated with the left ventricular mass index, transmitral early diastolic peak flow velocity (E)/late diastolic flow velocity (A) ratio, tricuspid E/A ratio, 2DE RV global strain, 2DE RA, strain, and 3DE RV enddiastolic volume. A multivariate regression analysis showed that the mitral E/A ratio, 2DE RV global strain, and 3DE RV end-diastolic volume were independently associated with the TSH level. Conclusions-Right ventricular and RA function as evaluated by 3DE and speckletracking 2DE is significantly impaired in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. The TSH level correlated with parameters for RV function and mechanics in the whole study population. © 2016 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Objectives-Right heart function and mechanics have not been investigated in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Our aim was to investigate right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) function and deformation as evaluated by 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and speckle-tracking 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) in these individuals. Methods-We included 39 untreated women with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism and 39 healthy women matched by age. All participants underwent laboratory analyses that included thyroid hormone levels and comprehensive 2DE and 3DE examinations. Results-Three-dimensional echocardiographic RV volumes were significantly elevated in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism (P < .05), whereas the 3DE RV ejection fraction was reduced in this group, but with borderline significance. Twodimensional echocardiographic longitudinal RV and RA strain were significantly reduced in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Two-dimensional echocardiographic RV systolic and early diastolic strain rates were reduced, whereas late diastolic strain rates were increased in the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. The same changes were detected in RA mechanics among the patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. The thyrotropin (TSH) level correlated with the left ventricular mass index, transmitral early diastolic peak flow velocity (E)/late diastolic flow velocity (A) ratio, tricuspid E/A ratio, 2DE RV global strain, 2DE RA, strain, and 3DE RV enddiastolic volume. A multivariate regression analysis showed that the mitral E/A ratio, 2DE RV global strain, and 3DE RV end-diastolic volume were independently associated with the TSH level. Conclusions-Right ventricular and RA function as evaluated by 3DE and speckletracking 2DE is significantly impaired in patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. The TSH level correlated with parameters for RV function and mechanics in the whole study population. © 2016 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of abdominal involvement, distribution pattern and evaluate role of hybrid molecular imaging in patients with abdominal sarcoidosis. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2011, 98 patients with chronic sarcoidosis and presence of prolonged symptoms or other findings suggestive of active disease were referred to FDG PET/CT examination. Active disease was found in 82 patients, and they all were screened for the presence of abdominal sarcoidosis on FDG PET/CT. All patients also underwent MDCT and assessment of serum ACE level. Follow up FDG PET/CT examination was done 12.3±5.4 months after the baseline. Results: Abdominal sarcoidosis was present in 31/82 patients with active sarcoidosis. FDG uptake was present in: retroperitoneal lymph nodes (77%), liver (26%), spleen (23%), adrenal gland (3%). Majority of patients had more than two locations of disease. Usually thoracic disease was spread into the extrathoracic localizations, while isolated abdominal sarcoidosis was present in 10% of patients. After first FDG PET/CT examination therapy was changed in all patients. Eleven patients came to the follow up examination where SUVmax significantly decreased in the majority of them. Three patients had total remission, three had absence of abdominal disease but discrete findings in thorax and others had less spread disease. ACE levels did not correlate with SUVmax level. Conclusion: FDG PET/CT can be a useful tool for detection of abdominal sarcoidosis and in the evaluation of therapy response in these patients. Awareness of the presence of intra-abdominal sarcoidosis is important in order to prevent long-standing unrecognized disease. © 2019 Bentham Science Publishers.

To determine the prevalence of head and neck sarcoidosis (HNS) and evaluate the role of hybrid molecular imaging in HNS. Between 2010 and 2018, 222 patients with chronic sarcoidosis and presence of prolonged symptoms of active disease were referred to FDG PET/CT. Active disease was found in 169 patients, and they were all screened for the presence of HNS. All patients underwent MDCT and assessment of the serum ACE level. Follow-up FDG PET/CT examination was done 19.84 ± 8.98 months after the baseline. HNS was present in 38 out of 169 patients. FDG uptake was present in: Cervical lymph nodes (38/38), submandibular glands (2/38), cerebrum (2/38), and bone (1/38). The majority of patients had more than two locations of disease. After FDG PET/CT examination, therapy was changed in most patients. Fourteen patients returned to follow-up FDG PET/CT examination in order to assess the therapy response. PET/CT revealed active disease in 12 patients and complete remission in two patients. Follow-up ACE levels had no correlation with follow-up SUVmax level (ρ = −0.18, p = 0.77). FDG PET/CT can be useful in the detection of HNS and in the evaluation of the therapy response. It may replace the use of non-purposive mounds of insufficiently informative laboratory and radiological procedures. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Background: It is still disputable whether negative effects of comorbid depression in diabetics can be diminished by successful treatment of depression. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether addition of antidepressants to existing insulin treatment would further improve glycemic control in these patients. A secondary objective was to assess whether such treatment impairs their lipid and inflammatory status. Material/Methods: Total of 192 patients with poorly controlled diabetes (defined as HbA1c ³8%) in the absence of any uncontrolled medical condition entered the 6-month run-in phase with optimization of diabetic therapy. Depression status was screened at the end of this phase by BDI-II depression testing. Patients with BDI-II ³14 and psychiatric confirmation of depression (58 patients) entered the 6-month interventional phase with SSRI class antidepressants. Results: Fifty patients completed the study. During the run-in phase, HbA1c dropped from 10.0}1.8% to 8.5}1.2% (p<0.001), and during the interventional phase it dropped from 8.5}1.2% to 7.7}0.7% (p<0.001). BDI-II scores improved significantly from 30.4}13.2 to 23.5}11.0 (p=0.02) during the interventional phase. A positive linear correlation between improvement in depression scale and improvement in glycemic control was observed (R2=0.139, p=0.008). Lipid profile and inflammatory status did not change significantly during the interventional phase. Conclusions: Patients with poorly controlled diabetes and comorbid depression might benefit from screening and treatment of depression with SSRI antidepressants by achieving an incremental effect on glycoregulation. This therapy did not have any adverse effects on lipid profile or inflammatory status. © Med Sci Monit, 2016.

[No abstract available]

Background Detailed analysis of layer-specific mechanical changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) might improve insight into left ventricular (LV) remodelling and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Aim We sought to investigate layer-specific LV deformation in patients with DM, with and without hypertension. Methods This cross-sectional study included 146 subjects (44 controls; 48 patients with DM; 54 patients with DM and hypertension) who underwent complete examination by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), including multilayer strain analysis. Results 2DE LV longitudinal and circumferential strains deteriorated progressively and significantly from controls, through patients with DM, to patients with DM and hypertension. 2DE radial strain was lower in patients with DM and hypertension than in controls. 2DE longitudinal and circumferential mid-myocardial and epicardial layer strains decreased progressively from controls to patients with DM and hypertension, whereas endocardial layer strain was lower in patients with DM and patients with DM and hypertension than in controls. Variables of DM control (fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin) were associated with 2DE LV longitudinal and circumferential layer-specific strains, independent of age, body mass index, blood pressure, LV diastolic function and hypertrophy in patients with DM. Conclusion DM and hypertension significantly affect LV deformation assessed by 2DE traditional strain and 2DE multilayer strain. Hypertension showed an additional negative effect on LV deformation in patients with DM. Fasting glucose and glycated haemoglobin were associated with LV mechanics evaluated by comprehensive 2DE strain analysis, independent of LV structure and diastolic function. © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS