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Bacich D, Tessari C, Ciccarelli G, Lucertini G, Cerutti A, Pradegan N, Toscano G, Di Salvo G, Gambino A, Gerosa G. A Comprehensive Excursus of the Roles of Echocardiography in Heart Transplantation Follow-Up. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3205. [PMID: 38892916 PMCID: PMC11172807 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Current guidelines for the care of heart transplantation recipients recommend routine endomyocardial biopsy and invasive coronary angiography as the cornerstones in the surveillance for acute rejection (AR) and coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Non-invasive tools, including coronary computed tomography angiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, have been introduced into guidelines without roles of their own as gold standards. These techniques also carry the risk of contrast-related kidney injury. There is a need to explore non-invasive approaches providing valuable information while minimizing risks and allowing their application independently of patient comorbidities. Echocardiographic examination can be performed at bedside, serially repeated, and does not carry the burden of contrast-related kidney injury and procedure-related risk. It provides comprehensive assessment of cardiac morphology and function. Advanced echocardiography techniques, including Doppler tissue imaging and strain imaging, may be sensitive tools for the detection of minor myocardial dysfunction, thus providing insight into early detection of AR and CAV. Stress echocardiography may offer a valuable tool in the detection of CAV, while the assessment of coronary flow reserve can unravel coronary microvascular impairment and add prognostic value to conventional stress echocardiography. The review highlights the role of Doppler echocardiography in heart transplantation follow-up, weighting advantages and limitations of the different techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bacich
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Chiara Tessari
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giulia Ciccarelli
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giovanni Lucertini
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Alessia Cerutti
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Nicola Pradegan
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Toscano
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giovanni Di Salvo
- Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Antonio Gambino
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Gino Gerosa
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (D.B.); (G.C.); (G.L.); (N.P.); (G.T.); (A.G.); (G.G.)
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Pergola V, Mattesi G, Cozza E, Pradegan N, Tessari C, Dellino CM, Savo MT, Amato F, Cecere A, Perazzolo Marra M, Tona F, Guaricci AI, De Conti G, Gerosa G, Iliceto S, Motta R. New Non-Invasive Imaging Technologies in Cardiac Transplant Follow-Up: Acquired Evidence and Future Options. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2818. [PMID: 37685356 PMCID: PMC10487200 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13172818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart transplantation (HT) is the established treatment for end-stage heart failure, significantly enhancing patients' survival and quality of life. To ensure optimal outcomes, the routine monitoring of HT recipients is paramount. While existing guidelines offer guidance on a blend of invasive and non-invasive imaging techniques, certain aspects such as the timing of echocardiographic assessments and the role of echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as alternatives to serial endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) for rejection monitoring are not specifically outlined in the guidelines. Furthermore, invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is still recommended as the gold-standard procedure, usually performed one year after surgery and every two years thereafter. This review focuses on recent advancements in non-invasive and contrast-saving imaging techniques that have been investigated for HT patients. The aim of the manuscript is to identify imaging modalities that may potentially replace or reduce the need for invasive procedures such as ICA and EMB, considering their respective advantages and disadvantages. We emphasize the transformative potential of non-invasive techniques in elevating patient care. Advanced echocardiography techniques, including strain imaging and tissue Doppler imaging, offer enhanced insights into cardiac function, while CMR, through its multi-parametric mapping techniques, such as T1 and T2 mapping, allows for the non-invasive assessment of inflammation and tissue characterization. Cardiac computed tomography (CCT), particularly with its ability to evaluate coronary artery disease and assess graft vasculopathy, emerges as an integral tool in the follow-up of HT patients. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging, including myocardial blood flow quantification, as a non-invasive method for diagnosing and prognosticating CAV. These advanced imaging approaches hold promise in mitigating the need for invasive procedures like ICA and EMB when evaluating the benefits and limitations of each modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Pergola
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Giulia Mattesi
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Elena Cozza
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Nicola Pradegan
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (N.P.); (C.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Chiara Tessari
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (N.P.); (C.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Carlo Maria Dellino
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Maria Teresa Savo
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Filippo Amato
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Annagrazia Cecere
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Francesco Tona
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Andrea Igoren Guaricci
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University Hospital “Policlinico” of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | | | - Gino Gerosa
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (N.P.); (C.T.); (G.G.)
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Cardiology Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy; (G.M.); (C.M.D.); (M.T.S.); (F.A.); (A.C.); (M.P.M.); (F.T.); (S.I.)
| | - Raffaella Motta
- Unit of Radiology, Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy;
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Abstract
Heart transplantation (HTx) remains the optimal treatment for selected patients with end-stage advanced heart failure. However, survival is limited early by acute rejection and long term by cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Even though the diagnosis of rejection is based on histology, cardiac imaging provides a pivotal role for early detection and severity assessment of these hazards. The present review focuses on the use and reliability of different invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities to detect and monitor CAV and rejection after HTx. Coronary angiography remains the corner stone in routine CAV surveillance. However, angiograms are invasive and underestimates the CAV severity especially in the early phase. Intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography are invasive methods for intracoronary imaging that detects early CAV lesions not evident by angiograms. Non-invasive imaging can be divided into myocardial perfusion imaging, anatomical/structural imaging and myocardial functional imaging. The different non-invasive imaging modalities all provide clinical and prognostic information and may have a gatekeeper role for invasive monitoring. Acute rejection and CAV are still significant clinical problems after HTx. No imaging modality provides complete information on graft function, coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion. However, a combination of invasive and non-invasive modalities at different stages following HTx should be considered for optimal personalized surveillance and risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hans Eiskjær
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
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Abstract
The assessment of pediatric patients after orthotropic heart transplantation (OHT) relies heavily on non-invasive imaging. Because of the potential risks associated with cardiac catheterization, expanding the role of non-invasive imaging is appealing. Echocardiography is fast, widely available, and can provide an accurate assessment of chamber sizes and function. Advanced echocardiographic methods, such as myocardial deformation, have potential to assess for acute rejection or cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). While not currently part of routine care, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and computed tomography may potentially aid in the detection of graft complications following OHT. In particular, CMR tissue characterization holds promise for diagnosing rejection, while quantitative perfusion and myocardial late gadolinium enhancement may have a role in the detection of CAV. This review will evaluate standard and novel methods for non-invasive assessment of pediatric patients after OHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan H Soslow
- Thomas P. Graham Jr. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Margaret M Samyn
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Pediatrics (Cardiology), Herma Heart Institute, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Barberato SH, Romano MMD, Beck ALDS, Rodrigues ACT, Almeida ALCD, Assunção BMBL, Gripp EDA, Guimarães Filho FV, Abensur H, Castillo JMD, Miglioranza MH, Vieira MLC, Barros MVLD, Nunes MDCP, Otto MEB, Hortegal RDA, Barretto RBDM, Campos TH, Siqueira VND, Morhy SS. Position Statement on Indications of Echocardiography in Adults - 2019. Arq Bras Cardiol 2019; 113:135-181. [PMID: 31411301 PMCID: PMC6684182 DOI: 10.5935/abc.20190129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Silvio Henrique Barberato
- CardioEco-Centro de Diagnóstico Cardiovascular, Curitiba, PR - Brazil.,Quanta Diagnóstico e Terapia, Curitiba, PR - Brazil
| | - Minna Moreira Dias Romano
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP - Brazil
| | - Adenalva Lima de Souza Beck
- Instituto de Cardiologia do Distrito Federal, Brasília, DF - Brazil.,Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia (ICDF/FUC), Brasília, DF - Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Tude Rodrigues
- Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | | | | | - Eliza de Almeida Gripp
- Hospital Pró-Cardíaco, Rio de Janeiro, RJ - Brazil.,Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Niterói, RJ - Brazil.,DASA, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | | | - Henry Abensur
- Hospital Beneficência Portuguesa de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Haertel Miglioranza
- Fundação Universitária de Cardiologia (ICDF/FUC), Brasília, DF - Brazil.,Instituto de Cardiologia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
| | - Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira
- Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (InCor-HCFMUSP), São Paulo, SP - Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP - Brazil
| | - Márcio Vinicius Lins de Barros
- Faculdade de Saúde e Ecologia Humana (FASEH), Vespasiano, MG - Brazil.,Rede Materdei de Saúde, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil.,Hospital Vera Cruz, Belo Horizonte, MG - Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Thais Harada Campos
- Diagnoson-Fleury, Salvador, BA - Brazil.,Hospital Ana Nery, Salvador, BA - Brazil
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6
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Elkaryoni A, Abu-Sheasha G, Altibi AM, Hassan A, Ellakany K, Nanda NC. Diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography in the detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant recipients: A systematic review and meta-analysis study. Echocardiography 2019; 36:528-536. [PMID: 30726558 DOI: 10.1111/echo.14268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a well-established imaging modality used to screen patients with mild-to-moderate risk for coronary artery disease. In heart transplantation recipients, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a common and lethal complication. The use of DSE to detect CAV showed promising results initially, but later studies showed limitation in its use to detect CAV. It is unclear if this cohort of patients derives benefit from DSE. METHODS We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, and Scopus from inception through March 2018 for studies examining the accuracy of DSE in correlation to coronary angiography (CA) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to detect CAV. Original studies comparing the ability of DSE to detect CAV in comparison with CA or IVUS were included. Relevant data were extracted and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to test the overall diagnostic accuracy of DSE for patients with CAV. RESULTS Eleven studies (749 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The sensitivity of DSE varied from 1.7% to 93.8%, and specificity, from 54.8% to 98.8%. Pooled sensitivity was 60.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), 33.0%-82.3%) and specificity 85.7% (95% CI, 73.8%-92.7%). DSE had an overall diagnostic odds ratio (OR) of 9.1 (95% CI, 4.6-17.8), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 4.1 (95% CI, 2.8-6.1), negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.23-0.73), and area under curve (AUC) of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.72-0.75). Heterogeneity among studies was not statistically significant (τ2 = 0.32, Cochran's Q = 9.5, P = 0.483). CONCLUSION Dobutamine stress echocardiography has a limited sensitivity to detect early CAV but its specificity is much higher. There remains a need for an alternative noninvasive modality which will have both high sensitivity and high specificity for detecting CAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elkaryoni
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Ghada Abu-Sheasha
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Medical Informatics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Altibi
- Division of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Allegiance Health, Jackson, Michigan
| | - Adil Hassan
- Division of Internal Medicine, University of Missouri Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Karim Ellakany
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alexandria School of medicine, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Navin C Nanda
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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7
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Bansal M, Sengupta PP, Khandheria BK. Echocardiography in Heart Failure. Echocardiography 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-71617-6_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major limitation to long-term survival after heart transplantation. Innovative new techniques to diagnose CAV have been applied to detect disease. This review will examine the current diagnostic and treatment options available to clinicians for CAV. RECENT FINDINGS Diagnostic modalities addressing the pathophysiology underlying CAV (arterial wall thickening and decreased coronary blood flow) improve diagnostic sensitivity when compared to traditional (angiography and dobutamine stress echocardiography) techniques. SUMMARY Limited options are available to prevent and treat CAV; however, progress has been made in making an earlier and more accurate diagnosis. Future research is needed to identify the optimal time to modify immunosuppression and investigate novel treatments for CAV.
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9
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Post-transplant surveillance for acute rejection and allograft vasculopathy by echocardiography: Usefulness of myocardial velocity and deformation imaging. J Heart Lung Transplant 2017; 36:117-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2016.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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11
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Abstract
The prevalence of heart failure continues to rise due to the aging population and longer survival of people with conditions that lead to heart failure, eg, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Although medical therapy has had an important impact on survival of patients and improving quality of life, heart transplantation remains the definitive therapy for patients that eventually deteriorate. Since the first successful heart transplantation in 1967, significant improvements have been made regarding donor and recipient selection, surgical techniques, and postoperative care. However, the number of potential organ donors has not changed and the growing number of patients in need for transplantation has resulted an increase in waiting list time, and the need for mechanical support. To overcome this issue, the United Network for Organ Sharing implemented an allocation system to prioritize the sickest patients on the list to receive organs. Despite the careful selection of patients, pretransplant immunological screening, and multidrug immunosuppressive regimens, acute and chronic rejections occur and potentially limit graft and patient survival. Treatment for rejection largely depends on the type of rejection, the presence of hemodynamic compromise, and time after transplantation. The limiting factor for long-term graft survival is allograft vasculopathy, an immune-mediated process causing diffuse narrowing of the coronary arteries. Percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass surgery are often not an option for this vasculopathy due to the lack of focal lesions, and retransplantation is the only option in appropriate patients.
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12
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Javaheri A, Saha N, Lilly SM. How to Approach the Assessment of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in the Modern Era: Review of Invasive Imaging Modalities. Curr Heart Fail Rep 2016; 13:86-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s11897-016-0283-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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13
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Badano LP, Miglioranza MH, Edvardsen T, Colafranceschi AS, Muraru D, Bacal F, Nieman K, Zoppellaro G, Marcondes Braga FG, Binder T, Habib G, Lancellotti P, Sicari R, Cosyns B, Donal E, Lombardi M, Sarvari S. European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging/Cardiovascular Imaging Department of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology recommendations for the use of cardiac imaging to assess and follow patients after heart transplantation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 16:919-48. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jev139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi P. Badano
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, School of Medicine, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Thor Edvardsen
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Denisa Muraru
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, School of Medicine, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | - Fernando Bacal
- Heart Transplant Department, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Koen Nieman
- Intensive Cardiac Care Unit and Cardiac CT Research, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giacomo Zoppellaro
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, School of Medicine, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy
| | | | - Thomas Binder
- Department of Cardiology, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Gilbert Habib
- Service de Cardiologie, Hôpital La Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Patrizio Lancellotti
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Valve Clinic, University of Liège, GIGA Cardiovascular Sciences, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium
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14
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Gibson PH, Riesgo F, Choy JB, Kim DH, Becher H. Dobutamine stress echocardiography after cardiac transplantation: implications of donor-recipient age difference. Echo Res Pract 2015; 2:65-71. [PMID: 26693335 PMCID: PMC4676477 DOI: 10.1530/erp-15-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is widely used during follow-up after cardiac transplant for the diagnosis of allograft vasculopathy. We investigated the effect of donor–recipient age difference on the ability to reach target heart rate (HR) during DSE. All cardiac transplant patients who were undergoing DSE over a 3-year period in a single institution were reviewed. Target HR was specified as 85%×(220 – patient age). Further patient and donor demographics were obtained from the local transplant database. 61 patients (45 male, 55±12 years) were stressed with a median dose of 40 mcg/kg per min dobutamine. Only 37 patients (61%) achieved target HR. Donor hearts were mostly younger (mean 41±14 years, P<0.001), with only 11 patients (18%) having donors who were older than they were. Patients with older donors required higher doses of dobutamine (median 50 vs 30 mcg/kg per min, P<0.001) but achieved a lower percentage target HR (mean 93% vs 101%, P=0.003) than those with younger donors did. Patients with older donors were less likely to achieve target HR (18% vs 67%, P=0.003). In conclusion, donor–recipient age difference affects the likelihood of achieving target HR and should be considered when a patient is consistently unable to achieve ‘adequate’ stress according to the patient's age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick H Gibson
- Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh , 51 Little France Crescent, Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA , UK
| | - Fernando Riesgo
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta Hospital , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
| | - Jonathan B Choy
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta Hospital , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
| | - Daniel H Kim
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta Hospital , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
| | - Harald Becher
- Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta Hospital , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
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15
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Dobutamine stress echocardiography during follow-up surveillance in heart transplant patients: Diagnostic accuracy and predictors of outcomes. J Heart Lung Transplant 2015; 34:710-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2014.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Revised: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 11/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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16
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Benatti RD, Taylor DO. Evolving concepts and treatment strategies for cardiac allograft vasculopathy. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE 2013; 16:278. [PMID: 24346852 DOI: 10.1007/s11936-013-0278-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT The central event in the development of allograft vasculopathy is the inflammatory response to immune-mediated and nonimmune-mediated endothelial damage. This response is characterized by the release of inflammatory cytokines, upregulation of cell-surface adhesion molecules, and subsequent binding of leukocytes. Growth factors stimulate smooth muscle cell proliferation and circulating progenitor cells are recruited to sites of arterial injury leading to neointima formation. Because of its diffuse nature, intravascular ultrasound is more sensitive than angiography for early diagnosis. Proliferation signal inhibitors (PSIs) have the capacity to slow vasculopathy progression by inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation, but its side effects profile makes its use as a first line agent difficult. Retransplantation is still the only definitive therapy but is available only in selected cases. The current hope is that immunomodulation at the time of transplant could induce long-term tolerance and graft accommodation, leading to less vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Denadai Benatti
- Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, J3-4 desk, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
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Pollack A, Nazif T, Mancini D, Weisz G. Detection and Imaging of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 6:613-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2012] [Revised: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Rutz T, de Marchi SF, Roelli P, Gloekler S, Traupe T, Steck H, Eshtehardi P, Cook S, Vogel R, Mohacsi P, Seiler C. Quantitative myocardial contrast echocardiography: a new method for the non-invasive detection of chronic heart transplant rejection. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 14:1187-94. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jet066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Calé R, Rebocho MJ, Aguiar C, Almeida M, Queiroz e Melo J, Silva JA. Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE CARDIOLOGIA (ENGLISH EDITION) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repce.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Calé R, Rebocho MJ, Aguiar C, Almeida M, Queiroz E Melo J, Silva JA. [Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy]. Rev Port Cardiol 2012; 31:721-30. [PMID: 22999223 DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The major limitation of long-term survival after cardiac transplantation is allograft vasculopathy, which consists of concentric and diffuse intimal hyperplasia. The disease still has a significant incidence, estimated at 30% five years after cardiac transplantation. It is a clinically silent disease and so diagnosis is a challenge. Coronary angiography supplemented by intravascular ultrasound is the most sensitive diagnostic method. However, new non-invasive diagnostic techniques are likely to be clinically relevant in the future. The earliest possible diagnosis is essential to prevent progression of the disease and to improve its prognosis. A new nomenclature for allograft vasculopathy has been published in July 2010, developed by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), establishing a standardized definition. Simultaneously, the ISHLT published new guidelines standardizing the diagnosis and management of cardiac transplant patients. This paper reviews contemporary concepts in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of allograft vasculopathy, highlighting areas that are the subject of ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Calé
- Departamento de Cardiologia e Cirurgia Cardiotorácica, Hospital Santa Cruz, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Jeewa A, Dreyer WJ, Kearney DL, Denfield SW. The Presentation and Diagnosis of Coronary Allograft Vasculopathy in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients. CONGENIT HEART DIS 2012; 7:302-11. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0803.2012.00656.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Utility of exercise stress echocardiography in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients: a single-center experience. J Heart Lung Transplant 2012; 31:517-23. [PMID: 22301421 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2011.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2011] [Revised: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Annual coronary angiography (ANG) to assess for significant epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) is an integral part of follow-up care for pediatric cardiac transplant recipients at Children's Hospital Boston. Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is an important, non-invasive tool for the detection of ischemia in adults but has been rarely used in children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and utility of ESE in excluding ANG-detected epicardial CAD at our center, where ESE has been implemented since 2007. METHODS We conducted a retrospective review of all pediatric cardiac transplant recipients at our institution who had undergone ESE and ANG between January 2007 and December 2010, and with testing performed < 12 months apart. ESE results were compared against ANG. RESULTS The study cohort comprised 47 cardiac transplant recipients. One patient's ESE images were inadequate for interpretation. Of the remaining 46 patients, ESE had a sensitivity of 88.9% (95% confidence limits [CL], 51.8%, 99.7%), a specificity of 91.9% (95% CL, 71.8%, 98.3%), and a negative predictive value of 97% (95% CL, 85.1%, 99.1%) for the ANG-detected CAD. CONCLUSIONS This large, single-center study showed ESE was feasible and had a high specificity and excellent negative predictive value in excluding epicardial CAD in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients. Future prospective, large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings and help identify a subset of children for whom a negative ESE could decrease the frequency of routine ANG.
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Miller CA, Chowdhary S, Ray SG, Sarma J, Williams SG, Yonan N, Mittal TK, Schmitt M. Role of Noninvasive Imaging in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2011; 4:583-93. [PMID: 21934085 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.110.961425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Miller
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Saqib Chowdhary
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Simon G. Ray
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Jaydeep Sarma
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Simon G. Williams
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Nizar Yonan
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Tarun K. Mittal
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
| | - Matthias Schmitt
- From the North West Regional Heart Centre and Heart and Lung Transplant Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, Manchester, United Kingdom (C.A.M., S.C., S.G.R., J.S., S.G.W., N.Y., M.S.); and Harefield Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, Middlesex, London, United Kingdom (T.K.M.)
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Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), characterized by diffuse intimal thickening and luminal narrowing in the arteries of the allograft, is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cardiac transplant recipients. Many transplant centers perform routine annual surveillance coronary angiography. However, angiography can underdiagnose or miss CAV due to its diffuse nature. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is more sensitive than angiography. IVUS provides not only accurate information on lumen size, but also quantification of intimal thickening, vessel wall morphology, and composition. IVUS has evolved as a valuable adjunct to angiography and the optimal diagnostic tool for early detection. Noninvasive testing such as dobutamine stress echocardiography and nuclear stress test have shown considerable accuracy in diagnosing significant CAV. Computed tomographic imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are promising new modalities but require further study. This article reviews the diagnostic methods that are currently available.
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Mehra MR, Crespo-Leiro MG, Dipchand A, Ensminger SM, Hiemann NE, Kobashigawa JA, Madsen J, Parameshwar J, Starling RC, Uber PA. International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation working formulation of a standardized nomenclature for cardiac allograft vasculopathy-2010. J Heart Lung Transplant 2010; 29:717-27. [PMID: 20620917 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2010.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 640] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2010] [Accepted: 05/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy remains the Achilles heel of cardiac transplantation. Unfortunately, the definitions of cardiac allograft vasculopathy are diverse, and there are no uniform international standards for the nomenclature of this entity. This consensus document, commissioned by the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation Board, is based on best evidence and clinical consensus derived from critical analysis of available information pertaining to angiography, intravascular ultrasound imaging, microvascular function, cardiac allograft histology, circulating immune markers, non-invasive imaging tests, and gene-based and protein-based biomarkers. This document represents a working formulation for an international nomenclature of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, similar to the development of the system for adjudication of cardiac allograft rejection by histology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandeep R Mehra
- ISHLT Working Group on Classification of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy commissioned by the Education Committee and Board of Directors of the Society.
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Manrique A, Bernard M, Hitzel A, Bubenheim M, Tron C, Agostini D, Cribier A, Véra P, Bessou JP, Redonnet M. Diagnostic and prognostic value of myocardial perfusion gated SPECT in orthotopic heart transplant recipients. J Nucl Cardiol 2010; 17:197-206. [PMID: 20151240 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-009-9166-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) limits long-term survival after heart transplantation. Diagnostic and prognostic value of gated single photon emission computed tomography (gated SPECT) has not been documented in this setting. METHODS AND RESULTS We identified 110 consecutive heart transplant recipients (with transplantation >18 months) who underwent stress-rest gated SPECT and coronary angiography within 1 month, and were clinically monitored in a single heart transplantation center. Visual scoring of perfusion and wall motion images used a 16-segment model. Left ventricular function was automatically calculated. Coronary angiography was normal in 64 patients (58%) and abnormal in 46 (any CAV, 42%), of whom 19 had severe stenoses. Sensitivity and negative predictive (NPV) value were .63 and .75 for identification of any CAV, and .84 and .96 for severe CAV. Cox regression analysis showed that independent predictors of cardiac death and retransplantation were the presence of any angiographic CAV lesions (RR = 8.816, P = .043) and a stress perfusion defect >3 segments (RR = 5.607, P = .0053). A stress perfusion defect >3 segments predicted the need for late coronary revascularization >2 months (RR = 6.11, P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that perfusion gated SPECT is a useful noninvasive screening test and may be proposed to help identify heart transplant recipients with a high risk of poor clinical outcome. A normal gated SPECT was associated with a low risk of cardiac hard event and might alleviate the need for coronary angiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Manrique
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Rouen University Hospital, Henri Becquerel Center, Rouen, France.
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Estep JD, Shah DJ, Nagueh SF, Mahmarian JJ, Torre-Amione G, Zoghbi WA. The role of multimodality cardiac imaging in the transplanted heart. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2009; 2:1126-40. [PMID: 19761994 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2009.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2009] [Revised: 06/19/2009] [Accepted: 06/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Heart transplantation (HT) is an established life-saving treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure. Despite many advances in the field, the development of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) represent significant causes of 1- and 5-year morbidity and mortality, respectively. The search for noninvasive techniques to assess cardiac allograft function and detect treatable ACR and CAV remains a priority objective for heart transplant professionals. In this review we will: 1) highlight the clinical significance of ACR and CAV in adult cardiac transplant recipients and 2) discuss how different noninvasive imaging modalities (echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, myocardial perfusion imaging, and cardiac magnetic resonance) have been used in the evaluation of these clinical challenges after HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry D Estep
- Department of Cardiology, Section of Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation, and Cardiovascular Imaging Institute, Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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Gastwirth VG, Yang HS, Steidley DE, Scott RL, Chandrasekaran K. Dobutamine Stress–induced Cardiomyopathy in an Orthotopic Heart Transplant Patient. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009; 28:968-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2009.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2008] [Revised: 02/02/2009] [Accepted: 03/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Dual-source CT coronary angiogram in heart transplant recipients in comparison with dobutamine stress echocardiography for detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Transplantation 2009; 87:587-90. [PMID: 19307798 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e318195a5a7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Conventional coronary angiography (CCA) is the gold standard in the diagnosis of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in heart transplant recipients. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a useful technique for screening. Dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) is the last generation of computed tomography scanners, which could be useful to noninvasively assess CAV. Thirty cardiac transplant recipients underwent DSE and DSCT coronary angiogram. Exclusion criteria were as follows: renal insufficiency, iodinated contrast media allergy, less than 12 months since transplant, and unstable clinical conditions. DSE showed ischemia in two patients. At DSCT scan 13 patients had a normal angiogram, 13 ones wall thickening and four significant diseases. DSCT showed a sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 92%. DSCT allowed detection of more patients with CAV than DSE. Four patients showed significant CAV at DSCT compared with two at DSE. Thirteen patients showed initial signs of disease at DSCT despite a normal DSE.
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Sicari R, Nihoyannopoulos P, Evangelista A, Kasprzak J, Lancellotti P, Poldermans D, Voigt JU, Zamorano JL. Stress echocardiography expert consensus statement: European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) (a registered branch of the ESC). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2008; 9:415-37. [PMID: 18579481 DOI: 10.1093/ejechocard/jen175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 395] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Stress echocardiography is the combination of 2D echocardiography with a physical, pharmacological or electrical stress. The diagnostic end point for the detection of myocardial ischemia is the induction of a transient worsening in regional function during stress. Stress echocardiography provides similar diagnostic and prognostic accuracy as radionuclide stress perfusion imaging, but at a substantially lower cost, without environmental impact, and with no biohazards for the patient and the physician. Among different stresses of comparable diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, semisupine exercise is the most used, dobutamine the best test for viability, and dipyridamole the safest and simplest pharmacological stress and the most suitable for combined wall motion coronary flow reserve assessment. The additional clinical benefit of myocardial perfusion contrast echocardiography and myocardial velocity imaging has been inconsistent to date, whereas the potential of adding - coronary flow reserve evaluation of left anterior descending coronary artery by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography adds another potentially important dimension to stress echocardiography. New emerging fields of application taking advantage from the versatility of the technique are Doppler stress echo in valvular heart disease and in dilated cardiomyopathy. In spite of its dependence upon operator's training, stress echocardiography is today the best (most cost-effective and risk-effective) possible imaging choice to achieve the still elusive target of sustainable cardiac imaging in the field of noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Sicari
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) continues to limit the long-term success of cardiac transplantation. Recent insights have underscored the fact that innate and adaptive immune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of CAV. Vascular lesions are the result of cumulative endothelial injuries induced both by alloimmune responses and by nonspecific insults (including ischemia-reperfusion injury, viral infections, and metabolic disorders) in the context of impaired repair mechanisms. Intravascular ultrasound is the most sensitive method for detection of CAV, and progressive intimal thickening in the first posttransplant year identifies patients at high risk for future cardiovascular events. Encouraging results with regard to the detection of CAV by noninvasive methods should be an incentive to apply routine noninvasive imaging during mid- to long-term follow-up. Improved immunosuppressive drugs, including mycophenolate mofetil and proliferation signal inhibitors, as well as statins (in part via immunomodulation), have beneficial effects on CAV progression, although there is still a need to confirm the impact of vasodilators in improving outcome after heart transplantation. Coronary revascularization for CAV is only palliative, with no long-term survival benefit. Three main strategies for CAV prevention are currently under investigation: inhibition of growth factors and cytokines, cell therapy, and tolerance induction. However, because individual responses to an allograft change over time, assays to monitor the recipient's immune response and individualized methods for therapeutic immune modulation are clearly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Schmauss
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, University Hospital Munich-Grosshadern, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Mondillo S, Maccherini M, Galderisi M. Usefulness and limitations of transthoracic echocardiography in heart transplantation recipients. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2008; 6:2. [PMID: 18190712 PMCID: PMC2249582 DOI: 10.1186/1476-7120-6-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2007] [Accepted: 01/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthoracic echocardiography is a primary non-invasive modality for investigation of heart transplant recipients. It is a versatile tool which provides comprehensive information about cardiac structure and function. Echocardiographic examinations can be easily performed at the bedside and serially repeated without any patient's discomfort. This review highlights the usefulness of Doppler echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function, of left ventricular mass, valvular heart disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension and pericardial effusion in heart transplant recipients. The main experiences performed by either standard Doppler echocardiography and new high-tech ultrasound technologies are summarised, pointing out advantages and limitations of the described techniques in diagnosing acute allograft rejection and cardiac graft vasculopathy. Despite the sustained efforts of echocardiographic technique in predicting the biopsy state, endocardial myocardial biopsies are still regarded as the gold standard for detection of acute allograft rejection. Conversely, stress echocardiography is able to identify accurately cardiac graft vasculopathy and has a recognised prognostic in this clinical setting. A normal stress-echo justifies postponement of invasive studies. Another use of transthoracic echocardiography is the monitorisation and the visualisation of the catheter during the performance of endomyocardial biopsy. Bedside stress echocardiography is even useful to select appropriately heart donors with brain death. The ultrasound monitoring is simple and effective for monitoring a safe performance of biopsy procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Mondillo
- Cardiologia Universitaria, Università di Siena, Siena, Italy.
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Sade LE, Sezgin A, Eroğlu S, Bozbaş H, Uluçam M, Müderrisoğlu H. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography in the Assessment of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Asymptomatic Recipients. Transplant Proc 2008; 40:267-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2007.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Abstract
Despite the widespread use of echocardiography in the cardiac allograft recipient, the clinical usefulness of this practice is not well defined. In this article, the authors review the spectrum of echocardiographic findings in the adult heart transplant patient. Appreciation of typical alterations from "normal" allows the transplant physician to identify clinically significant changes and to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures based on misinterpretation of these differences. Though abnormalities of systolic and diastolic function correlate with episodes of acute rejection, the primary diagnostic usefulness of echocardiography in acute rejection is guiding the endomyocardial biopsy. Additionally, echocardiography has found a role as a supplement to invasive angiography in the diagnosis of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M Thorn
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201-1595, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Graft coronary artery disease is the leading cardiac cause of death in patients who have undergone cardiac transplantation. Due to denervation, classic symptoms of angina are not reliable. Many transplant centers have a protocol of routine annual surveillance cardiac angiography because treatment options are limited, especially with advanced disease. Angiography is an assessment of the arterial lumen, however, and can miss nonfocal disease. This paper reviews invasive and noninvasive diagnostic tools for graft coronary artery disease. Intravascular ultrasound is the most sensitive, but the cost and lack of widespread expertise make it unpopular. Noninvasive techniques have been studied. An ideal test would be sufficiently sensitive to detect disease and allow for prognostic information. Dobutamine echocardiography is the most sensitive noninvasive test but can have a high false-positive rate. It is also not universally available. Exercise nuclear imaging is specific and can be used as a confirmatory test in patients with positive dobutamine echocardiograms. RECENT FINDINGS Computed tomographic imaging and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are exciting new modalities but require further study. SUMMARY There is no test sensitive and specific enough yet that can be confidently used to replace coronary angiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malek Kass
- Division of Cardiology, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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36
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Sebbag L, Bergerot C, Jamal F, Roussoulieres A, Boissonnat P, Bastien O, Obadia JF, Barthelet M, Ovize M. Alteration of the left ventricular contractile reserve in heart transplant patients: a dobutamine stress strain rate imaging study. Transplant Proc 2004; 35:3072-4. [PMID: 14697982 DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2003.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Strain rate imaging (SRI), a recently developed Doppler-derived process, allows quantification of myocardial systolic function. We investigate whether SRI quantifies the contractile reserve during dobutamine stress tests in heart transplant patients (HT), when compared with normal individuals. METHODS An incremental dobutamine test (5 to 40 microg/kg per minute) was performed in 10 HT and 15 control subjects, all of whom displayed normal coronary angiography. Gray-scale and color myocardial Doppler data were acquired in standard B-mode views at baseline, low-dose, peak, and recovery. Longitudinal SR was processed from the myocardial velocities for each segment. The changes in maximal systolic SR were used to quantify myocardial contractile reserve. RESULTS Dobutamine infusion failed to induce clinical symptoms or electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in either group. Visually determined wall motion score was considered normal in all segments for each stage of the dobutamine stress. Heart rate was augmented similarly in both groups during dobutamine infusion. In controls, systolic SR increased gradually with incremental dobutamine dose and returned to baseline values upon recovery. Conversely, in HT patients, the increase in systolic SR was blunted at peak dobutamine, at which point it was significantly different vs controls. CONCLUSIONS Quantitative assessment of myocardial function using SRI during dobutamine stress revealed an impaired contractile reserve in HT patients with normal coronary angiography. These subtle changes in regional myocardial function could not be identified using visual wall motion scoring. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate whether SR imaging detection of contractile reserve impairment will improve clinical efficiency or event prediction in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Sebbag
- Pôle de Transplantation and EMIU-0226, Hôpital Louis Pradel, BP Lyon Montchat 69394, Lyon Cedex 03, France.
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Ciliberto GR, Parodi O, Cataldo G, Mangiavacchi M, Alberti A, Parolini M, Frigerio M. Prognostic value of contractile response during high-dose dipyridamole echocardiography test in heart transplant recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 2003; 22:526-32. [PMID: 12742414 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-2498(02)01238-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronary allograft vasculopathy (CAV) remains a main factor limiting long-term survival after heart transplantation (HTX). The diagnosis of CAV is still based on serial coronary angiography. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of high-dose dipyridamole echocardiography in HTX. METHODS Sixty-eight patients underwent dipyridamole echocardiography within 48 hours of their scheduled annual coronary angiography. Coronary allograft vasculopathy was defined as CAV 1 (focal or diffuse stenosis <50%) or CAV 2 (focal or diffuse stenosis >or=50%). Wall-motion score index (WMSI) was evaluated at rest and after dipyridamole administration. RESULTS Results of coronary angiography were normal in 43 patients (63%), showed CAV 1 in 11 (16%), and showed CAV 2 in 14 (21%). Rest wall motion was normal in 39 patients and abnormal in 29. After dipyridamole administration, wall motion remained normal in all 39 (Group 1, no CAV in 34 and CAV 1 in 5). Of 29 patients with rest wall-motion abnormalities, all reversed to normal after dipyridamole in 8 patients (Group 2, no CAV in 7 and CAV 1 in 1) and remained or worsened in 21 (Group 3, CAV 2 in 14 and no CAV or CAV 1 in 7). During follow-up (6 +/- 3 years), 15 patients had major cardiac events: 11 occurred in Group 3, whereas 4 occurred in Groups 1 and 2. Wall motion at rest and after dipyridamole administration and CAV were independent predictors for cardiac events; only dipyridamole WMSI >1 remained significant (p < 0.0001) at multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Dipyridamole echocardiography is a simple, non-invasive test that after HTX may identify patients with altered wall motion who deserve stricter surveillance.
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Jackson PA, Akosah KO, Kirchberg DJ, Mohanty PK, Minisi AJ. Relationship between dobutamine-induced regional wall motion abnormalities and coronary flow reserve in heart transplant patients without angiographic coronary artery disease. J Heart Lung Transplant 2002; 21:1080-9. [PMID: 12398873 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-2498(02)00444-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) demonstrated by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) are a sensitive predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD) in heart transplant recipients. However, RWMA have been shown to occur in patients with angiographically "normal" coronary arteries. The reasons for this are unknown. We sought to determine if abnormal responses to dobutamine in this setting can be explained by microvascular dysfunction in the coronary circulation as detected by decreased coronary flow reserve (CFR). METHODS Twenty-six consecutive heart transplant patients were evaluated prospectively. Five of 26 (19.2%) patients (seven coronary arteries) were excluded for poor acoustic windows on echocardiography. Another three patients were excluded for angiographically apparent CAD. CFR and wall motion score index (WMSI) derived from DSE were measured in the remaining 18 patients and formed the basis of this study. Patients were divided into two groups based on the absence (Group 1; n = 5) or presence (Group 2; n = 13) of RWMA on DSE. CFR was measured with the Doppler Flo-Wire in 34 coronary arteries (18 patients) and correlated with WMSI. RESULTS In Group 1 patients, CFR measured in eight coronary arteries was normal (2.6 +/- 0.4). In Group 2 patients, CFR measured in 26 coronary arteries also was normal (2.2 +/- 0.6; p = NS vs Group 1). In Group 2, CFR was measured in 20 of 24 vessels assigned to segments that developed RWMA. Only 6 of these 20 vessels (30%) had abnormal CFR. Overall, there was no correlation between decreased CFR and the presence of RWMA induced by dobutamine. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that, in cardiac transplant patients with angiographically "normal" coronary arteries, inducible wall motion abnormalities during DSE cannot be attributed to coronary microvascular dysfunction as manifested by decreased CFR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Jackson
- McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia 23249, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Malcolm I Burgess
- Department of Cardiology, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.
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Elhendy A, van Domburg RT, Vantrimpont P, Poldermans D, Bax JJ, van Gelder T, Baan CC, Schinkel A, Roelandt JRTC, Balk AHMM. Prediction of mortality in heart transplant recipients by stress technetium-99m tetrofosmin myocardial perfusion imaging. Am J Cardiol 2002; 89:964-8. [PMID: 11950436 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(02)02247-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a major cause of mortality in heart transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of stress myocardial perfusion imaging in heart transplant recipients. We studied 166 patients (age 54 +/- 10 years, 140 men) by symptom-limited bicycle exercise or dobutamine (up to 40 microg/kg/min) stress myocardial perfusion imaging 7.4 +/- 2.5 years after heart transplantation. An intravenous dose of 370 MBq of technetium-99m tetrofosmin was injected at peak stress and 24 hours after the stress test. An abnormal test was defined as reversible or fixed perfusion defects. Perfusion abnormalities were detected in 55 patients (33%). During a median follow-up of 2.5 years, 54 deaths (33%) occurred, 16 of which were due to cardiac causes. The incidence of perfusion abnormalities was higher in patients with subsequent cardiac death than in patients without subsequent cardiac death (69% vs 29%, p = 0.01). In an incremental multivariate Cox analysis, cardiac death was not predicted by age, gender, duration of transplantation, number of rejection episodes, or cytomegalovirus infection. In the next step, stress test parameters were added. The peak rate-pressure product was the only significant predictor at this step (risk ratio 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.73 to 0.97, chi-square 7.7, p = 0.006). In the final step, the presence of abnormal myocardial perfusion was an independent predictor of cardiac death (risk ratio 3.5, 95% confidence interval 1.6 to 11.7, chi-square 4.7, incremental to clinical and stress test variables, p = 0.01). It is concluded that stress myocardial perfusion imaging with technetium-99m tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography provides incremental data for the prediction of cardiac death in heart transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdou Elhendy
- Heart Transplant Unit, Thoraxcenter, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Picano E, Bedetti G, Varga A, Cseh E. The comparable diagnostic accuracies of dobutamine-stress and dipyridamole-stress echocardiographies: a meta-analysis. Coron Artery Dis 2000; 11:151-9. [PMID: 10758817 DOI: 10.1097/00019501-200003000-00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dobutamine-stress and dipyridamole-stress echocardiographies are widely used for pharmacological stress echocardiography, with wide geographical variations. OBJECTIVE To assess whether evidence derived from the literature indicates or disapproves that either stress modality confers diagnostic superiority. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed literature of published trials with head-to-head comparison, on the same population, of high-dose (0.84 mg/kg) dipyridamole-stress versus high-dose (up to 40 micrograms/kg per min) dobutamine-stress echocardiography. Data from 12 studies performed in 12 institutions in seven countries were analysed. Angiographic information about 818 patients was considered. RESULTS The diagnostic accuracies of the two tests were similar (631 of 818, 77%, for dipyridamole versus 654 of 818, 80%, for dobutamine, NS). Overall sensitivities were 403 of 568 (71%) for dipyridamole and 437 of 568 (77%) for dobutamine (P < 0.05). Sensitivities for patients with single-vessel disease were 177 of 275 (64%) for dipyridamole and 203 of 275 (74%) for dobutamine (P < 0.05). Sensitivities for patients with multivessel disease were 162 of 203 (80%) for dipyridamole and 163 of 203 (80%) for dobutamine (NS). Specificities were 232 of 250 (93%) for dipyridamole and 217 of 250 (87%) for dobutamine (P < 0.05). Data from an additional 26 studies with dipyridamole alone and 47 studies with dobutamine alone were analysed. The diagnostic accuracies were 80% for dipyridamole (n = 2038 patients; 95% confidence interval 75-82%) and 82% for dobutamine (n = 4264 patients; 95% confidence interval 79-84%). CONCLUSION High-dose dobutamine-stress and high-dose dipyridamole-stress echocardiographies have comparable diagnostic accuracies, with a slightly higher sensitivity with dobutamine and a slightly higher specificity with dipyridamole.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Picano
- CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy.
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43
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Akosah KO, Denlinger B, Mohanty PK. Safety profile and hemodynamic responses to beta-adrenergic stimulation by dobutamine in heart transplant patients. Chest 1999; 116:1587-92. [PMID: 10593781 DOI: 10.1378/chest.116.6.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) has been used as a screening tool for coronary artery disease after heart transplantation and in the identification of patients at risk for development of cardiac events. However, the safety profile of high-dose dobutamine in heart transplant patients has not been systematically examined. Accordingly, we studied the safety profile and hemodynamic responses to escalating doses of dobutamine to determine the influence of denervation. DESIGN We assessed the hemodynamic responses, heart rate (HR), and arterial BP indexes (mean arterial pressure, systolic BP [SBP], diastolic BP [DBP], and pulse pressure) to dobutamine in 87 heart transplant patients ([mean +/- SD] age, 51 +/- 1 years) and compared the results with 97 nontransplant patients (age, 63.0 +/- 1 years) who served as innervated control subjects. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The baseline HR (84 +/- 2 vs 69 +/- 1 beats/minute, respectively; p < 0.001) and peak HR response (144 +/- 2 vs 117 +/- 2 beats/minute, respectively; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in heart transplant patients than in the nontransplant patients. SBP was lower in heart transplant patients than in nontransplant patients at baseline (131 +/- 2 vs 138 +/- 2 mm Hg, respectively; p < 0.02) and at peak (150 +/- 3 vs 158 +/- 3 mm Hg, respectively; p < 0.03). However, baseline DBP was higher in transplant patients than in nontransplant patients (86 +/- 1 vs 77 +/- 1 mm Hg, respectively; p < 0.001). The decrease in DBP was similar in both groups (15 mm Hg). The dose-response curve for HR was shifted leftward in heart transplant patients. Heart transplant patients attained a higher absolute HR at each infusion stage and higher rates of increase, but the decrease in DBP was not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS These results show that there is augmented chronotropic response and expected decline in DBP in response to dobutamine infusion in heart transplant patients. This increase in myocardial oxygen demand and a decrease in coronary perfusion pressure may be important mechanisms in the development of ischemic abnormalities that are detectable as regional dysynergy on echocardiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- K O Akosah
- Gundersen Lutheran Heart Institute, La Crosse, WI 54601, USA
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Spes CH, Klauss V, Mudra H, Schnaack SD, Tammen AR, Rieber J, Siebert U, Henneke KH, Uberfuhr P, Reichart B, Theisen K, Angermann CE. Diagnostic and prognostic value of serial dobutamine stress echocardiography for noninvasive assessment of cardiac allograft vasculopathy: a comparison with coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound. Circulation 1999; 100:509-15. [PMID: 10430765 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.100.5.509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Routine methods for surveillance of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) are coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). This study analyzed the diagnostic and prognostic value of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for noninvasive assessment of CAV. METHODS AND RESULTS In 109 heart transplant recipients, 333 DSEs were compared with 285 coronary angiograms and 199 IVUS analyses. Studies were repeated after 1, 2, 3, 4, and >/=5 years in 88, 74, 37, 18, and 7 patients, respectively. Resting 2D echocardiography detected CAV defined by IVUS and angiography with a sensitivity of 57% (specificity 88%). DSE increased the sensitivity to 72% (P=0.002). M-mode analysis increased the sensitivity of 2D rest and stress analysis (P=0.001, 0.004). Cardiac events occurred after 1.9% of normal stress tests by 2D analysis (combined 2D and M-mode: 0%), compared with 6.3% (3.8%) of normal resting studies. Worsening of serial DSE indicated an increased risk of events compared with no deterioration (relative risk 7.26, P=0.0014). Serial deterioration detected by stress only was associated with a higher risk of events than changes evident from resting studies (relative risk 3.06, P=0.0374). CONCLUSIONS DSE identifies patients at risk for events and facilitates monitoring of CAV. A normal DSE predicts an uneventful clinical course and justifies postponement of invasive studies. The prognostic value of DSE is comparable to that of IVUS and angiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Spes
- Departments of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, the Institute of Medical Informatics, University of München, Germany
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Pahl E, Crawford SE, Swenson JM, Duffy CE, Fricker FJ, Backer CL, Mavroudis C, Chaudhry FA. Dobutamine stress echocardiography: experience in pediatric heart transplant recipients. J Heart Lung Transplant 1999; 18:725-32. [PMID: 10452350 DOI: 10.1016/s1053-2498(99)00009-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplant coronary arteriopathy causes late death and is difficult to detect noninvasively. Dobutamine stress echocardiography is being used for risk stratification in adult recipients at some transplant centers, thus we investigated its role in a pediatric population. METHODS We performed 46 stress echo studies (mean age = 11.8 years; mean years post transplantation = 4.3). An atropine/dobutamine protocol (5-40 mcg/kg/min) was used to attain a predicted target heart rate. Serial echocardiographic images were acquired at baseline and at each increment of dobutamine and recovery, and were digitized online. Data were correlated with endomyocardial biopsy (n = 23), coronary angiography (n = 26) or autopsy (n = 6). All studies were well tolerated. RESULTS Target heart rate was achieved in 41/46 (89%) studies. The mean heart rate significantly increased from 95 to 169 beats/min and mean systolic blood pressure from 123 to 153 mm Hg (p<.05). The mean peak pressure-rate product was 23,041 beats-mm Hg/min. Coronary arteriopathy was confirmed in 5 patients by angiography (n = 3) explanted heart (n = 1) or autopsy (n = 4). In this group, abnormalities included a new reversible wall motion abnormality (n = 2), left ventricular cavity dilation with stress (n = 3), ischemia (n = 2), increased mitral insufficiency (n = 1) and marked diastolic dysfunction (n = 1). A positive study predicted death or graft failure (p< .0005). CONCLUSIONS Echocardiographic abnormalities during stress correlated with coronary arteriopathy in this small cohort of patients; however, larger multi-center studies are warranted to assess the utility of dobutamine stress echocardiography for risk stratification for coronary disease in pediatric transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pahl
- Heart Transplantation, The Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA
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Weston MW, Spoto E, Aranda J, Sears N. Endovascular stenting of an unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a heart transplant patient. Clin Cardiol 1998; 21:919-22. [PMID: 9853187 PMCID: PMC6655726 DOI: 10.1002/clc.4960211213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/1998] [Revised: 06/25/1998] [Accepted: 06/25/1998] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoluminal revascularizaion of left main coronary artery vessels is considered to be relatively contraindicated because of a high procedural mortality and restenosis rate. This report describes the first successful case of endovascular stenting in an unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a heart transplant patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Weston
- LifeLink Transplant Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Sebastian C, Patel JJ, Sadaniantz A, Nesser HJ, Currie PJ, Nanda NC, Chandrasekaran K. Stress Echocardiography: A Review of the Principles and Practice. Echocardiography 1998; 15:669-692. [PMID: 11175098 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8175.1998.tb00667.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress echocardiography, both pharmacologic and physiological, is an established noninvasive diagnostic method of detecting coronary artery disease. It also has a role in the assessment of patients with chest pain, the assessment of cardiovascular risk before noncardiac surgery, the assessment of patients after a myocardial infarction, the detection of viability in dysfunctional myocardium, and the prediction of functional recovery. The prognostic value of stress echocardiography is emerging. In this article, we discuss the methodology, diagnostic accuracy, and various clinical applications of stress echocardiography. We also review its limitations and compared it with other noninvasive methods of assessing patients with coronary artery disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherian Sebastian
- Professor of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 920 SL Young, 5SP-300, Oklahoma City, OK 73190
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Larsen RL, Applegate PM, Dyar DA, Ribeiro PA, Fritzsche SD, Mulla NF, Shirali GS, Kuhn MA, Chinnock RE, Shah PM. Dobutamine stress echocardiography for assessing coronary artery disease after transplantation in children. J Am Coll Cardiol 1998; 32:515-20. [PMID: 9708485 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(98)00260-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety and diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) for evaluating posttransplant coronary artery disease (TxCAD) in children, and to determine the frequency of selected cardiac events after normal or abnormal DSE. BACKGROUND Posttransplant coronary artery disease is the most common cause of graft loss (late death or retransplantation) after cardiac transplantation (CTx) in children. Coronary angiography, routinely performed to screen for TxCAD, is an invasive procedure with limited sensitivity. The efficacy of DSE for detecting atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is established, but is unknown in children after CTx. METHODS Of the 78 children (median age 5.7 years, range 3 to 18) entered into the study, 72 (92%) underwent diagnostic DSE by means of a standard protocol, 4.6 +/- 1.9 years after CTx. The results of coronary angiography performed in 70 patients were compared with DSE findings. After DSE, subjects were monitored for TxCAD-related cardiac events, including death, retransplantation and new angiographic diagnosis of TxCAD. RESULTS No major complications occurred. Minor complications, most often hypertension, occurred in 11% of the 72 subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of DSE were 72% and 80%, respectively, when compared with coronary angiography. At follow-up (21 +/- 8 months), TxCAD-related cardiac events occurred in 2 of 50 children (4%) with negative DSE, versus 6 of 22 children (27%) with positive DSE (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS DSE is a feasible, safe and accurate screening method for TxCAD in children. Positive DSE identifies patients at increased risk of TxCAD-related cardiac events. Negative DSE predicts short-term freedom from such events.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Larsen
- Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, California, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplant-associated arteriosclerosis is the major limitation to long-term survival in the cardiac transplant recipient, and annual surveillance angiography is used in many centers to monitor its progression. Noninvasive methods would be preferable because angiography is invasive, costly, and insensitive; however, the reliability of such methods has been questioned. METHODS All publications relating to the assessment of the cardiac allograft by noninvasive testing were identified through MEDLINE and a review of references from the published literature on transplant-associated arteriosclerosis. RESULTS Resting and stress ECG, radionuclide scintigraphy, echocardiography, and positron emission tomography have all been used in cardiac transplant recipients with variable results. Most techniques are insensitive, but this limitation may be improved with pharmacologic stress imaging like dobutamine echocardiography. Although insensitive, some methods have good specificity (i.e., radionuclide scintigraphy). The noninvasive measurement of absolute coronary blood flow is promising as a specific and sensitive technique but is limited by availability and cost. CONCLUSIONS In general, noninvasive techniques to assess transplant-associated coronary arteriosclerosis are limited by variable sensitivity and specificity. However, certain methods, such as dobutamine echocardiography and radionuclide scintigraphy, can provide important adjunctive physiologic information to angiography. Such techniques can therefore help to guide the care and treatment of the cardiac transplant recipient with allograft coronary arteriosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Fang
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass 02115, USA
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Akosah KO, McDaniel S, Hanrahan JS, Mohanty PK. Dobutamine stress echocardiography early after heart transplantation predicts development of allograft coronary artery disease and outcome. J Am Coll Cardiol 1998; 31:1607-14. [PMID: 9626841 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(98)00169-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the prognostic significance of serial dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in new heart transplant recipients and to examine the relation between persistent wall motion abnormalities and the eventual development of coronary artery disease (CAD) as assessed by angiography. BACKGROUND Allograft CAD is a major cause of graft failure. However, clinical diagnosis of the early disease remains difficult. The reasons for this include the diffuse nature of the disease and its predilection for the microvasculature, which are not easily detected by coronary angiography. Identifying patients at risk for the development of angiographic CAD early after transplantation may allow such patients to be targeted for aggressive treatment options to prevent subsequent cardiac events and early graft failure. METHODS Twenty-two new heart transplant recipients were selected to undergo serial DSE at the time of their regularly scheduled endomyocardial biopsy. In addition, patients underwent scheduled annual coronary angiography. DSE was performed in 5-min stages with infusion of intravenous dobutamine at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 microg/kg body weight per min. RESULTS Twenty-two patients had 91 DSE studies and 45 coronary angiograms. The patients were categorized into three groups based on the echocardiographic results. Group 1 (n = 7) had normal serial stress echocardiographic studies. Group 2 (n = 4) had transient inducible wall motion abnormalities. Group 3 (n = 11) developed persistent wall motion abnormalities. During a mean follow-up time of 32 +/- 11 months (range 5 to 50), 8 (73%) of 11 patients in Group 3 developed events. The events included angiographic CAD (n = 7), myocardial infarction (MI) (n = 1) and cardiac death (n = 3). The patient who developed an MI had a normal coronary angiogram. No cardiac event or angiographic disease occurred in either Group 1 or 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that dobutamine-induced wall motion abnormalities, which are persistent in new heart transplant recipients, are predictive of the development of angiographic CAD, MI or death.
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Affiliation(s)
- K O Akosah
- Gunderson Lutheran Heart Institute, LaCrosse, Wisconsin 54601, USA.
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