Mitral Valvular Coaptation-Zone Area Is Associated with the Severity of Atherosclerosis Assessed by Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index

Preservation of the mitral valve (MV) size is essential for valve function, and a reduced MV coaptation-zone area increases the risk of developing functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). We aimed to determine if the MV leaflet and coaptation-zone areas were associated with the severity of atherosclerosis assessed by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) in patients with normal left ventricle (LV) systolic function and size by real-time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE).We performed RT3DE analysis in 66 patients with normal LV size and ejection fraction who underwent 2D echocardiography and CAVI. MV coaptation-zone areas were measured by custom 3D software and indexed by body surface area (BSA). The associations of clinical factors and mean CAVI with MV leaflet and coaptation-zone areas were evaluated by univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses.On univariable analysis, MV leaflet area/BSA was significantly associated with age (r = -0.335, P = 0.0069) and mean CAVI (r = -0.464, P < 0.001), and MV coaptation-zone area was significantly associated with age (r = -0.626, P < 0.001), hypertension (r = -0.626, P < 0.001), dyslipidemia (r = -0.626, P < 0.001), E/e' (r = -0.626, P < 0.001), and CAVI (r = -0.740, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, mean CAVI was independently associated only with MV leaflet area/BSA (standardized coefficient = -0.611, P < 0.001) and MV coaptation-zone area/BSA (standardized coefficient = -0.74, P < 0.001).In patients with normal LV systolic function and size, MV leaflet and coaptation-zone areas might be reduced according to advancing atherosclerosis. Patients with atherosclerosis might be at increased risk of developing FMR.

Heart valve calcification and cardiac hemodynamics

PURPOSE

Heart valve calcification (VC) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but the hemodynamic and functional profile of patients affected by VC has not been fully explored.

METHODS

The study population was formed by consecutive unselected patients included in seven echocardiographic laboratories in a 2-week period. A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was performed. VC was defined by the presence of calcification on at least one valve.

RESULTS

Population was formed of 1098 patients (mean age 65 ± 15 years; 47% female). VC was present in 31% of the overall population. Compared with subjects without VC, VC patients were older (60 ± 14 vs 75 ± 9; P < .0001), had more hypertension (40% vs 57%; P = .0005), diabetes (11% vs 18%; P = .002), coronary artery disease (22% vs 38%; P = .04), and chronic kidney disease (4% vs 8%; P = .007). Furthermore, VC patients had lower ejection fraction (55 ± 14 vs 53 ± 25; P < .0001), worse diastolic function (E/e' 8.5 ± 4.6 vs 13.0 ± 7.1; P < .0001) and higher pulmonary artery pressure (29 ± 9 vs 37 ± 12; P < .0001). The association between VC and EF was not independent of etiology (p for VC 0.13), whereas the association with E/e' and PASP was independent in a full multivariate model (P < .0001 and P = .0002, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Heart valve calcification patients were characterized by a worse functional and hemodynamic profile compared to patients with normal valve. The association between VC and diastolic function and PASP were independent in comprehensive multivariate models.

Aortic distensibility in alkaptonuria

INTRODUCTION

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare inherited disorder of tyrosine metabolism resulting in an accumulation of homogentisic acid oxidation products in the joints and cardiovascular system. Aortic distensibility may be a non-invasive indicator of cardiovascular complications. Descending thoracic aortic distensibility in alkaptonuria has not been studied.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with alkaptonuria underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and gated non-contrast and contrast-enhanced cardiovascular computed tomography. Using MRI cine images, aortic distensibility of the descending thoracic aorta was determined.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients with alkaptonuria were imaged. When compared to literature normal values, aortic distensibility in AKU was impaired (5.2 vs 6.2 × 10^-3, p < .001). Aortic distensibility was inversely related to age (r = -0.6, p = .0001). Hypertensive patients with alkaptonuria had impaired distensibility compared to normotensive patients with alkaptonuria (4.6 vs 5.6 × 10^-3, p = .03), and hyperlipidemic patients with alkaptonuria had impaired distensibility compared to non-hyperlipidemic patients with alkaptonuria (4.1 vs 6.0 × 10^-3, p = .001). Male hypertensive patients with alkaptonuria had greater distensibility than their female counterparts (5.3 vs 2.9 × 10^-3, p = .02). Similarly, male hyperlipidemic patients with alkaptonuria had greater distensibility than their female counterparts (4.8 vs 2.5 × 10^-3, p < .01). Of patients with alkaptonuria, those with a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score greater than 100 had more impaired distensibility than those with a CAC score less than 100 (3.5 vs 5.1 × 10^-3, p = .01) and those with aortic calcium score greater than 100 had impaired distensibility compared to those with an aortic calcium score less than 100 (3.2 vs 4.9 × 10^-3, p = .02). Univariate analysis revealed age, aortic calcification, and hyperlipidemia to be significant factors of distensibility, and multiple regression analysis showed age as the only significant risk factor of distensibility.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with alkaptonuria have impaired aortic distensibility, which is likely an early marker for reduced cardiovascular health. Variables such as age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and aortic and coronary calcification were associated with impaired distensibility.

Circulating mRNA and microRNA profiling analysis in patients with ischemic stroke

To provide insight into molecular diagnosis and individualized treatment of ischemic stroke (IS), several available datasets in IS were analyzed to identify the differentially expressed genes and microRNAs (miRNAs). Series matrix files from GSE22255 and GSE16561 (mRNA profiles), a well as GSE110993 (miRNA profile) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. System-level clustering was performed with GeneCluster 3.0 software, and gene annotation and pathway enrichment were performed with gene ontology analysis and Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery software. For a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Biological General Repository for Interaction Datasets and IntAct interaction information were integrated to determine the interaction of differentially expressed genes. The selected miRNA candidates were imported into the TargetScan, miRDB and miRecords databases for the prediction of target genes. The present study identified 128 upregulated and 231 downregulated genes in female stroke patients, and 604 upregulated and 337 downregulated genes in male stroke patients compared with sex- and age-matched controls. The construction of a PPI network demonstrated that male stroke patients exhibited YWHAE, CUL3 and JUN as network center nodes, and in female patients CYLD, FOS and PIK3R1 interactions were the strongest. Notably, these interactions are mainly involved in immune inflammatory response, apoptosis and other biological pathways, such as blood coagulation. Female and male upregulated genes were cross-validated with another set of Illumina HumanRef-8 v3.0 expression beadchip (GSE16561). Functional item association networks, gene function networks and transcriptional regulatory networks were successfully constructed, and the relationships between miRNAs and target genes were successfully predicted. The present study identified a number of transcription factors, including DEFA1, PDK4, SDPR, TCN1 and MMP9, and miRNAs, including miRNA (miR)-21, miR-143/145, miR-125-5p and miR-122, which may serve important roles in the development of cerebral stroke and may be important molecular indicators for the treatment of IS.

Parathyroid Hormone and Ischemic Cerebrovascular Event

BACKGROUND

Increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) level is associated with coronary artery disease, hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy which are all predisposing factors for the ischemic cerebrovascular event (ICVE). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and aortic distensibility are the two early, subclinical predictors of atherosclerosis. The relation of PTH with CIMT and aortic distensibility in patients with ICVE has not been previously studied.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to study the relationship of PTH levels with aortic distensibility and CIMT in patients with ICVE.

METHODS

Sixty-four ICVE patients and 50 control group were enrolled in the study. PTH levels, aortic distensibility and CIMT were measured in all individuals.

RESULTS

PTH levels were significantly higher in ICVE patients than in the controls (60.1±21.6 vs. 52.3±6.2 pg/ml) (p=0. 008). PTH levels were found to be inversely correlated with aortic distensibility (r= -0. 420, p=0.001) and positively correlated with CIMT (r:0, 285, p=0,002).

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that PTH levels are increased in patients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular event compared to the control group. It also demonstrates that PTH levels are inversely related to aortic distensibility of ascending aorta and positively associated with CIMT.