• Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.279-289
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: In many cardiovascular disorders, the contractile performance of the right ventricle (RV) is the primary determinant of prognosis. For evaluating RV volumes and function, 4 dimensional (4D)-echocardiography has become common. This research used 2D and 4D modalities to assess RV contractile performance in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 150 patients with essential hypertension were enrolled in this study, along with 75 age and sex-matched volunteers. Clinical evaluation and echocardiographic examination (including M-mode, tissue Doppler imaging, and 2D speckle tracking) were conducted on all participants. RV volumes, 4D-ejection fraction (EF), 4D-fractional area change (FAC), 4D-tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), 4D-septal and free wall (FW) strain were all measured using 4D-echocardiography. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients showed 2D-RV systolic and diastolic dysfunction (including TAPSE, 2D-right ventricular global longitudinal strain, RV-myocardial performance index and average E/EaRV) and 4D-RV impairment (including right ventricular EF, FAC, RV strain and TAPSE, right ventricular end-diastolic volume and right ventricular end-systolic volume) compared to the control group. We verified the prevalence of RV systolic dysfunction in hypertension patients using the following parameters: 1) 15% of them had 2D-TAPSE < 17 mm vs. 40% by 4D-TAPSE; 2) 25% of them had 2D-GLS < 19% vs. 42% by 4D-septal strain and 35% by 4D FW strain; 3) 35% of hypertensive patients had 4D-EF < 45%; and finally; 4) 25% of hypertensive patients had 2D-FAC < 35% compared to 45% by 4D-FAC. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of RV involvement was greater in 4D than in 2D-modality trans-thoracic echocardiography. We speculated that 4D-echocardiography with 4D-strain imaging would be more beneficial for examining RV morphology and function in hypertensive patients than 2D-echocardiography, since 4D-echocardiography could estimate RV volumes and function without making geometric assumptions.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2005

A new method for real-time estimating left ventricular relaxation time constant (T) from the left ventricular (LV) pressure waveform, based on the isovolumic relaxation model, is proposed. The presented method uses a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm to accomplish real-time estimation. A new criterion to detect the end-point of the isovolumic relaxation period (IRP) for the estimation of T is also introduced, which is based on the pattern analysis of mean square errors between the original and reconstructed pressure waveforms. We have verified the performance of the new method in over 4,600 beats obtained from 70 patients. The results demonstrate that the proposed method provides more stable and reliable estimation of τ than the conventional 'off-line' methods.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2016

Purpose: Severe aplastic anemia (SAA), a fatal disease, requires multiple transfusion, immunosuppressive therapy, and finally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as the definitive treatment. We hypothesized that iron overloading associated with multiple transfusions and HSCT-related complications may adversely affect cardiac function. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed in children after HSCT for SAA. Methods: Forty-six consecutive patients with a median age of 9.8 years (range, 1.5-18 years), who received HSCT for SAA and who underwent comprehensive echocardiography before and after HSCT, were included in this study. The data of LV functional parameters obtained using conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) were collected from pre- and post-HSCT echocardiography. These data were compared to those of 40 age-matched normal controls. Results: In patients, the LV ejection fraction, shortening fraction, end-diastolic dimension, mitral early diastolic E velocity, TDI mitral septal E' velocity, and STE LV longitudinal systolic strain rate (SSR) decreased significantly after HSCT. Compared to normal controls, patients had significantly lower post-HSCT early diastolic E velocity and E/A ratio. On STE, patients had significantly decreased LV deformational parameters including LV longitudinal systolic strain (SS), SSR, and diastolic SR (DSR), and circumferential SS and DSR. Serum ferritin levels showed weak but significant correlations (P<0.05) with LV longitudinal SS and SSR and circumferential SS and DSR. Conclusion: Subclinical LV dysfunction is evident in patients after HSCT for SAA, and was associated with increased iron load. Serial monitoring of cardiac function is mandatory in this population.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-120
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• 1996

Cardiac function is evaluated quantitatively using angiographic images via the analysis of the shape change or the heart wall boundaries. To kin with, boundary defection or ESLV(End Systolic Lert Ventricular) and EDLV(End Diastolic Left Ventricular) is essential for the quantitative analysis of cardiac function. The boundary detection methods proposed in the past were almost semi-automatic. Intervention by a knowledgeable human operator was still required Of con, manual tracing of the boundaries is currently used for subsequent analysis and diagnosis. This method would not cut excessive time, labor, and subjectivity associated with manual intervention by a human operator. EDLV images have noncontiguous and ambiguous edge signal on some boundary regions. In this paper, we propose a new method for automated detection of boundaries in noncontiguous and ambiguous EDLV images. The boundary detection scheme which based on a priori knowledge information is divided into two steps. The first step is to detect the candidate edge points of EDLV using ESLV boundaries. The second step is to correct detected boundaries of EDLV using the LV shape. We developed the algorithm of modifying EDLV boundaries defined adaptive modifier. We experimented the method proposed in this paper and compared our proposed method with the manual method in detecting boundaries of EDLV. In the areas within estimated boundaries of EDLV, the percentage of error was about 1.4%. We verified the useflilness and obtained the satisfying results througll the experiments of the proposed method.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.406-417
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Pathophysiological changes of right ventricle (RV) after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) are coupled with a highly compliant low-pressure pulmonary artery (PA) system. This study aimed to determine whether pulmonary vascular function was associated with RV parameters and exercise capacity, and its impact on RV remodeling after pulmonary valve replacement. Methods: In a total of 48 patients over 18 years of age with repaired TOF, pulmonary arterial elastance (Ea), RV volume data, and RV-PA coupling ratio were calculated and analyzed in relation to exercise capacity. Results: Patients with a low Ea showed a more severe pulmonary regurgitation volume index, greater RV end-diastolic volume index, and greater effective RV stroke volume (p=0.039, p=0.013, and p=0.011, respectively). Patients with a high Ea had lower exercise capacity than those with a low Ea (peak oxygen consumption [peak VO₂] rate: 25.8±7.7 vs. 34.3±5.5 mL/kg/min, respectively, p=0.003), while peak VO₂ was inversely correlated with Ea and mean PA pressure (p=0.004 and p=0.004, respectively). In the univariate analysis, a higher preoperative RV end-diastolic volume index and RV end-systolic volume index, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, and higher RV-PA coupling ratio were risk factors for suboptimal outcomes. Preoperative RV volume and RV-PA coupling ratio reflecting the adaptive PA system response are important factors in optimal postoperative results. Conclusions: We found that PA vascular dysfunction, presenting as elevated Ea in TOF, may contribute to exercise intolerance. However, Ea was inversely correlated with pulmonary regurgitation (PR) severity, which may prevent PR, RV dilatation, and left ventricular dilatation in the absence of significant pulmonary stenosis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 1980

Most of clinical morbidity in cardiology are associated with abnormalities of the left ventricle. Several methods have been developed to measure the left ventricular function, including cardiac catheterization with cineangiography, echocardiography, and systolic time interval. But these methods have many limitations. ECG gated cardiac blood pool scan provides a safe, noninvasive, repeatable method for determining the left ventricular function. Utilizing the cardiac blood pool scan, we measured the left ventricular function in 165 cardiac patients, and in 26 normal subject. 1. Left ventricular ejection fractions were measured by cardiac blood pool scan, and compared in 20 patients with that measured by x-ray cineangiography. Correlation coefficient was 0.885. 2. Ejection fractions were classified by funtional class made in New York Heart Association. Ejection fractions well represented the functional status. 3. Ejection fractions decreased in cardiomyopathy ($20.1{\pm}4.8%$) and ischemic heart disease ($34.4{\pm}16.7%$). Impaired ejection fractions in myocardial infarction were associated with the extent of infarction. 4. Regional left ventricular wall motion was evaluated from the end-diastolic and end-systolic images. In cardiomyopathy diffuse hypokinesia was noted and in myocardial infarction akinesia was noted on the infarcted areas.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.27-34
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• 2002

Clinical study on hemodynamics of healthy elders before and after tread mill. Using doubleblind, placebo-controlled study design. Seventy-five 50-70 years old volunteers without organic disease were divided into two groups, Ginseng group and control group. Each subject was received 3 g Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) capsules or placebo per day for 4 weeks. Before and after administration 4 weeks, the symptoms were asked and hemodynamics parameter such as pump function, systolic function, preload and afterload were recorded before and after tread mill 1,5, 10 minutes by the method of thoracic impedance cardiograph. The result showed that Ginseng could improve quality of life, had obvious effect of increasing PEP (pre-ejection period), PEP/LVET (pre-ejection period/left ventricular ejection period), PCWP (wedged pressure pulmonary capillary). The change rate of HR (heart rate), SV (stroke volume) in KRG group were much lowered, while EF (ejection fraction), LVET (left ventricular ejection period), LVEDP (left ventricular end diastolic pressure) was recovered much quickly. The circulation showed Ginseng could improve the quality of life though its promoting circulation function which are increasing both the systolic function and the preload.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.64.1-64.12
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• 2021

Background: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), a neurodegenerative disease leading to reduced dopamine production, is a common disease in aged horses. The treatment is based on administration of the dopamine agonist pergolide. This drug has been related to valvular fibrosis in humans, but the cardiovascular effect of this drug has not yet been investigated in horses. Objectives: To determine whether pergolide induces valvular disease in horses or affects the cardiac function. Methods: Standard, tissue Doppler (TDE) and two-dimensional speckle tracking (STE) echocardiography were performed in horses with diagnosed PPID based on adrenocorticotropic hormone dosage. Measurements taken in horses treated with pergolide were compared with those from untreated horses with nonparametric t-tests. Furthermore, measurements from follow-up examinations performed at least three months after the initial exam were compared with a Wilcoxon signed rank test for repeated measurements in each group. Results: Twenty-three horses were included. None of the 12 horses under treatment developed valvular regurgitation. Furthermore, no differences in the measurements of the left ventricular systolic or diastolic function could be seen between the group of horses with treatment and those without treatment. Measurements taken in the follow-up exam did not differ compared to those taken in the initial exam in both groups. Conclusions: No changes of the left ventricular function assessed by TDE and STE could be shown in a small population of horses with confirmed PPID. Treatment with pergolide did not affect the ventricular function nor induce valvular disease.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2008

Purpose : We sought to determine the early change of ventricular geometry and function after concomitant surgeries of modified Dor procedure and mitral valve annuloplasty by using magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and Methods : We enrolled 21 patients with dilated heart failure who underwent modified Dor procedure (n=8), mitral valve annuloplasty (n=6), or both surgeries (n=7). Cine MRI was used to assess left ventricular dimensions and function before and after surgery. We measured the left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and the dimensions of the left ventricular long-axis and short-axis. Left ventricular stroke volume, ejection fraction, and sphericity index were calculated from these measurements. These parameters were analyzed and compared between three different surgery groups to explain the combined effect of the concomitant surgeries. Results : MRI was performed within average $12\;{\pm}\;15$ days (range 1-58 days) before and $38\;{\pm}\;50$ days (range 7- 231 days) after the surgery. The patients who underwent concomitant surgeries had more profound enlargement of left ventricle and decreased contractility prior to surgery than those in the patients who underwent single surgical procedure. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume and endsystolic volume significantly decreased in all patients regardless of surgery type after surgery. Ejection fraction significantly increased only in the patients who got modified Dor procedure without mitral valve annuloplasty (25.4% to 40.7%). Sphericity index increased in patients with modified Dor procedure but decreased in patients with mitral valve annuloplasty (0.65 to 0.78 vs. 0.75 to 0.65). In the patients who underwent concomitant surgeries showed no significant change in sphericity index after surgery. Conclusion : The early change of the left ventricular geometry and function after the concomitant surgeries with modified Dor procedure and mitral valve annuloplasty in patients with dilated heart failure includes a marked reduction in left ventricular volume and in stroke volume. The shape of the left ventricle does not change because the effect of sphericity index decrease from mitral valve annuloplasty is counteracted by the effect of sphericity index increase from modified Dor procedure. Improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction is not the early change after the concomitant surgeries.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.476-483
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• 2007

Purpose : The objective of this study was to assess ventricular function by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who have been undergoing open heart surgery (OHS) using cardiopulmonary bypass. We tried to compare the parameters of tissue Doppler imaging before and after OHS in patients with congenital heart disease. Methods : This study was conducted on 32 patients with CHD after OHS from January 2005 to December 2005 at Kyungpook National University hospital. Patients who underwent 2-D echocardiography before and after their OHS. All patients were divided into three groups, left ventricular volume overloading group (group 1), and right ventricular volume overloading group (group 2), and right ventricular pressure overloading group (group 3). The TDIs were examined before and 1 to 3 months after OHS. Peak early diastolic (E), and peak late diastolic (A) velocity of transmitral flow were measured by pulsed wave Doppler examination. Peak systolic (Sm), peak early diastolic (Em), and peak late diastolic (Am) velocity in apical 4-chamber and 2-chamber views were measured by TDI. The author calculated E/Em ratio. Results : The patients were 14 boys and 18 girls and the average age of patients was 2 years and 3 months. The congenital heart diseases which have to get OHS were ventricular septal defect (13 cases), atrial septal defect (7), atrioventricular septal defect (3), isolated pulmonary stenosis (2) and tetralogy of Fallot (7). There were significant decrease of Sm, Em, Am measured on tricuspid annulus and E/Em measured on mitral annulus in apical 4 chamber view (P<0.05). Conclusion : This study showed significant decrease of Sm, Em, Am measured on tricuspid annulus and E/Em measured on mitral annulus in apical 4 chamber view after OHS. These changes might be due to the effects of cardiopulmonary bypass in OHS and/or hemodynamic changes after correction of congenital heart disease. To clarify these changes, further study on more patients is needed.