Tissue Doppler imaging data of mitral and tricuspid annulus data obtained by transesophageal echocardiography.

<p>Va1ues are mean ± SD.</p><p>W = Wistar; SAD = sinoaortic denervation; SHR = spontaneously hypertensive rats; SHRSAD = spontaneously hypertensive rats with sinoaortic denervation.</p><p>S’ = peak velocity of systolic velocity obtained by tissue Doppler imaging; E’ = peak velocity of early diastolic velocity obtained by tissue Doppler imaging; A’ = peak velocity of late diastolic velocity obtained by tissue Doppler imaging.</p>a<p>p<0.05 vs. W, ^bp<0.05 vs. SAD, and ^cp<0.05 vs. SHR.</p

Blood pressure, heart rate, baroreflex sensitivity and cardiovascular autonomic modulation of normotensive and hypertensive groups.

<p>Va1ues are mean ± SD.</p><p>W = Wistar; SAD = sinoaortic denervation; SHR = spontaneously hypertensive rats; SHRSAD = spontaneously hypertensive rats with sinoaortic denervation.</p><p>HR = heart rate; PI = pulse interval; SD PI = standard deviation of pulse interval; SBP = systolic blood pressure; SD SBP = standard deviation of systolic blood pressure; PIV = pulse interval variance; LF (ms²) = low-frequency band of heart rate variability; HF (ms²) = high-frequency band of heart rate variability; LF band (%) = low-frequency band of heart rate variability; HF band (%) = high-frequency band of heart rate variability; SBPV = SBP variability; LF SBP (mmHg²) = low frequency band of SBPV; BRI = bradycardic response index; TRI = tachycardic response index;</p>a<p>p<0.05 vs. W, ^bp<0.05 vs. SAD, and ^cp<0.05 vs. SHR.</p

Transesophageal echocardiography of spontaneously hypertensive rats showing right ventricle (RV) (A), tricuspid inflow (B) and tissue Doppler imaging of the tricuspid annulus (C).

<p>Transesophageal echocardiography of spontaneously hypertensive rats showing right ventricle (RV) (A), tricuspid inflow (B) and tissue Doppler imaging of the tricuspid annulus (C).</p

Characterization of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Variables in Patients with Endomyocardial Fibrosis after Endocardial Resection

<div><p>Abstract Background: Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare disease, characterized by diastolic dysfunction which leads to reduced peak oxygen consumption (VO2). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been proved to be a fundamental tool to identify central and peripheral alterations. However, most studies prioritize peak VO2 as the main variable, leaving aside other important CPET variables that can specify the severity of the disease and guide the clinical treatment. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate central and peripheral limitations in symptomatic patients with EMF by different CPET variables. Methods: Twenty-six EMF patients (functional class III, NYHA) were compared with 15 healthy subjects (HS). Functional capacity was evaluated using CPET and diastolic and systolic functions were evaluated by echocardiography. Results: Age and gender were similar between EMF patients and HS. Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in EMF patients, but decreased compared to HS. Peak heart rate, peak workload, peak VO2, peak oxygen (O2) pulse and peak pulmonary ventilation (VE) were decreased in EMF compared to HS. Also, EMF patients showed increased Δ heart rate /Δ oxygen uptake and Δ oxygen uptake /Δ work rate compared to HS. Conclusion: Determination of the aerobic capacity by noninvasive respiratory gas exchange during incremental exercise provides additional information about the exercise tolerance in patients with EMF. The analysis of different CPET variables is necessary to help us understand more about the central and peripheral alterations cause by both diastolic dysfunction and restrictive pattern.</p></div

Volumes and ejection fraction of the right ventricle, and biventricular diastolic function data obtained by transesophageal echocardiography.

<p>Va1ues are mean ± SD.</p><p>W = Wistar; SAD = sinoaortic denervation; SHR = spontaneously hypertensive rats; SHRSAD = spontaneously hypertensive rats with sinoaortic denervation.</p><p>FE VD = right ventricular ejection fraction; E/A = ratio of peak velocity of E and A waves of mitral or tricuspid inflow; DT = deceleration time of E wave; IVRT = isovolumic relaxation time of LV; AFF = atrial filling fraction.</p>a<p>p<0.05 vs. W, ^bp<0.05 vs. SAD and ^cp<0.05 vs. SHR.</p

Correlations between invasive and noninvasive data in all animals.

<p>Values are mean ± SD.</p><p>AFF = atrial filling fraction; LV = left ventricle; AcT TTE = aceleration time of right ventricular outflow (transthoracic echocardiography); AcT TEE = aceleration time of right ventricular outflow (transesophageal echocardiography); TT = time from the beginning to the end of right ventricular outflow; CI = cardiac index; LVMass = left ventricular mass; MPI = myocardial performance index; EF = ejection fraction; E/E’ =  ratio of peak velocity of E wave of mitral inflow and peak velocity of early diastolic velocity obtained by tissue Doppler imaging; EDP = end-diastolic pressure.</p

Myocardial performance index, right ventricular outflow by transesophageal, transthoracic echocardiography and invasive data.

<p>Va1ues are mean ± SD.</p><p>W = Wistar; SAD = sinoaortic denervation; SHR = spontaneously hypertensive rats; SHRSAD = spontaneously hypertensive rats with sinoaortic denervation.</p><p>MPI = myocardial performance index; LV = left ventricle; RV = right ventricle; AcT = aceleration time of right ventricular outflow; TT = time from the beginning to the end of right ventricular outflow; EDPRV = end-diastolic pressure of right ventricle; EDPLV = end-diastolic pressure of left ventricle; ESPRV = end-systolic pressure of the right ventricle.</p>a<p>p<0.05 vs. W, ^bp<0.05 vs. SAD, and ^cp<0.05 vs. SHR.</p

Cardiac morphology obtained by M-mode transthoracic echocardiography.

<p>Va1ues are mean ± SD.</p><p>W = Wistar; SAD = sinoaortic denervation; GSHR = spontaneously hypertensive rats; GSHRDSA = spontaneously hypertensive rats with denervation;</p><p>LVd = left ventricular end-diastolic dimension; LVd = left ventricular end-systolic dimension; IVSd = interventricular septum thickness in diastole; PWd = posterior wall thickness in diastole; FS = fractional shortening; CI = cardiac index; LVMass = left ventricular mass; RWT = relative wall thickness; Ao = aortic dimension; LA = left atrium thickness in diastole.</p>a<p>p<0.05 vs. W and ^bp<0.05 vs. SAD.</p

Correlation among cytokine plasma levels of endomyocardial fibrosis patients.

<p>Dot plots represent correlation between cytokine levels (interleukin 2, 4, 6, 10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) from endomyocardial fibrosis patients, evaluated by CBA.</p

Cytokine plasma levels of endomyocardial fibrosis patients and healthy subjects.

<p>Dot plot represents cytokine levels (interleukin 2, 4, 6, 10, TNF-α and IFN-γ) from endomyocardial fibrosis patients (EMF) and healthy subjects (HS), evaluated by CBA. Horizontal lines indicate the median values. *Differences where <i>P</i>≤0.05 are indicated. (•Healthy Subjects;▪EMF patients).</p