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Caminiti G, Volterrani M, Iellamo F, Marazzi G, Manzi V, D’Antoni V, Vadalà S, Di Biasio D, Catena M, Morsella V, Perrone MA. Changes in left atrial function following two regimens of combined exercise training in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy: a pilot study. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1377958. [PMID: 38774661 PMCID: PMC11106494 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1377958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Left atrial dysfunction has shown to play a prognostic role in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and is becoming a therapeutic target for pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The effects of exercise training on the atrial function in patients with ICM have been poorly investigated. In the present study, we assessed the effects of a 12-week combined training (CT) program on the left atrial function in patients with ICM. Methods We enlisted a total of 45 clinically stable patients and randomly assigned them to one of the following three groups: 15 to a supervised CT with low-frequency sessions (twice per week) (CTLF); 15 to a supervised CT with high-frequency sessions (thrice per week) (CTHF); and 15 to a control group following contemporary preventive exercise guidelines at home. At baseline and 12 weeks, all patients underwent a symptom-limited exercise test and echocardiography. The training included aerobic continuous exercise and resistance exercise. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare within- and inter-group changes. Results At 12 weeks, the CTLF and CTHF groups showed a similar increase in the duration of the ergometric test compared with the control (ANOVA p < 0.001). The peak atrial longitudinal strain significantly increased in the CTHF group, while it was unchanged in the CTLF and control groups (ANOVA p = 0.003). The peak atrial contraction strain presented a significant improvement in the CTHF group compared with the CTLF and control groups. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain significantly increased in both the CTHF and the CTLF groups compared with the control group (ANOVA p = 0.017). The systolic blood pressure decreased in the CTHF and CTLF groups, while it was unchanged in the control group. There were no side effects causing the discontinuation of the training. Conclusions We demonstrated that a CT program effectively improved atrial function in patients with ICM in a dose-effect manner. This result can help with programming exercise training in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caminiti
- Department of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, Rome, Italy
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Volterrani
- Department of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, Rome, Italy
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Iellamo
- Division of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Manzi
- Department of Wellbeing, Nutrition and Sport, Pegaso Open University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Sara Vadalà
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Catena
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Marco Alfonso Perrone
- Division of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Anwar AM. Incremental diagnostic and prognostic utility of left atrial deformation in heart failure using speckle tracking echocardiography. Heart Fail Rev 2024; 29:713-727. [PMID: 38466374 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-024-10392-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Left atrium (LA) is a very important component of cardiovascular performance. The assessment of LA function has gathered the interest with expanding research supporting the utility as a biomarker for outcomes in heart failure (HF). Echocardiography is the main imaging modality which helps in a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the LA size and function. Recent advances in probe technology and software analysis have provided a better understanding of LA anatomy, physiology, pathology, and function. A variety of parameters have been defined as markers of LA function but there is no single parameter that best defines LA function. Speckle tracking echocardiography-derived analysis of LA deformation provides a window on all phases of LA function (reservoir, conduit, and booster pump). There is accumulative published data that supported the diagnostic and prognostic values of LA deformation integration during echo assessment of LA in HF. This review article summarized the clinical utility of LA deformation that may help in prediction, diagnosis, categorization, risk stratification, and guiding the proper selection of therapy in HF patients in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf M Anwar
- Department of Cardiology, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, P.O. Box: 9862, Jeddah, 21159, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Girard AA, Denney TS, Gupta H, Dell'Italia LJ, Calhoun DA, Oparil S, Sharifov OF, Lloyd SG. Spironolactone improves left atrial function and atrioventricular coupling in patients with resistant hypertension. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING 2024; 40:487-497. [PMID: 38123867 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-023-03013-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
To determine the blood pressure independent effects of spironolactone on left atrial (LA) size and function in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN). Patients with RHTN (n = 36, mean age 55 ± 7) were prospectively recruited. Spironolactone was initiated at 25 mg/day and increased to 50 mg/day after 4 weeks. Other antihypertensives were withdrawn to maintain constant blood pressure. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and after 6 months of spironolactone treatment and changes in LA functional metrics were assessed. LA size and function parameters were improved (p < 0.05) from baseline to month-6: LA volumes indexed to body surface area (LAVI) were reduced (LAVImaximum 41.4 ± 12 vs. 33.2±9.7 mL/m2; LAVIpre-A 32.6 ± 9.8 vs. 25.6 ± 8.1 mL/m2; median LAVIminimum 18.5 [13.9-24.8] vs. 14.1 [10.9-19.2] mL/m2); left atrioventricular coupling index was reduced (28.2 ± 11.5 vs. 22.7 ± 9.2%); LA emptying fractions (LAEF) were increased (median total LAEF 52.4 [48.7-60.3] vs. 55.9 [50.3-61.1] %; active LAEF 40.2 ± 8.6 vs. 43.1 ± 7.8%). LA global longitudinal strain in the active phase was increased (16.3 ± 4.1 vs. 17.8 ± 4.2%). The effect of spironolactone was similar in patients with high (N = 18) and normal (N = 18) aldosterone status (defined by plasma renin activity and 24-h urine aldosterone). Treatment of RHTN with spironolactone is associated with improvements in LA size and function, and atrioventricular coupling, regardless of whether aldosterone levels were normal or high at baseline. This study suggests the need for larger prospective studies examining effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on atrial function and atrioventricular coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Girard
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Thomas S Denney
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | - Louis J Dell'Italia
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David A Calhoun
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Suzanne Oparil
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program, UAB, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Oleg F Sharifov
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1808 7th Avenue South, BDB 143, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
| | - Steven G Lloyd
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Perrone MA, Iellamo F, D’Antoni V, Gismondi A, Di Biasio D, Vadalà S, Marazzi G, Morsella V, Volterrani M, Caminiti G. Acute Changes on Left Atrial Function during Incremental Exercise in Patients with Heart Failure with Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction: A Case-Control Study. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1272. [PMID: 37623522 PMCID: PMC10456046 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13081272] [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: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND the aim of this study was to assess acute changes in left atrial (LA) function during incremental aerobic exercise in patients with heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) in comparison to healthy subjects (HS). METHODS twenty patients with established HFmrEF were compared with 10 HS, age-matched controls. All subjects performed a stepwise exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Echocardiography was performed at baseline, during submaximal effort, at peak of exercise, and after 5 min of recovery. RESULTS HS obtained a higher value of METs at peak exercise than HFmrEF (7.4 vs. 5.6; between group p = 0.002). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure presented a greater increase in the HS group than in HFmrEF (between groups p = 0.006 and 0.003, respectively). In the HFmrEF group, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and conduit strain were both increased at submaximal exercise (p < 0.05 for both versus baseline) and remained constant at peak exercise. Peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) did not show significant changes during the exercise. In the HS group, PALS and PACS increased significantly at submaximal level (p < 0.05 for both versus baseline), but PALS returned near baseline values at peak exercise; conduit strain decreased progressively during the exercise in HS. Stroke volume (SV) increased in both groups at submaximal exercise; at peak exercise, SV remained constant in the HFmrEF, while it decreased in controls (between groups p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS patients with HFmrEF show a proper increase in LA reservoir function during incremental aerobic exercise that contributes to maintain SV throughout the physical effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Alfonso Perrone
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.A.P.); (F.I.)
| | - Ferdinando Iellamo
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.A.P.); (F.I.)
| | - Valentino D’Antoni
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Alessandro Gismondi
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Deborah Di Biasio
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Sara Vadalà
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Giuseppe Marazzi
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Valentina Morsella
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Maurizio Volterrani
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
- Department of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, 00163 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caminiti
- Cardiology Rehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele, 00163 Rome, Italy; (V.D.); (A.G.); (D.D.B.); (S.V.); (G.M.); (V.M.); (M.V.)
- Department of Human Science and Promotion of Quality of Life, San Raffaele Open University, 00163 Rome, Italy
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