In diastolic heart failure, the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is normal and there is increased passive stiffness with impaired relaxation of the ventricle, resulting in disturbances in the pattern of filling and elevated diastolic pressure.1–3 The mechanism underlying such failure has been thought to be principally diastolic because LV diastolic function is universally abnormal a...

BACKGROUND In dogs, a large amount of intravenous cocaine causes a profound deterioration of left ventricular (LV) systolic function and an increase in LV end-diastolic pressure. This study was done to assess the influence of a high intracoronary cocaine concentration on LV systolic and diastolic function in humans. METHODS AND RESULTS In 20 patients (14 men and 6 women aged 39 to 72 years) r...

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) have been implicated in Chagas disease pathophysiology and may correlate with left ventricular (LV) function. OBJECTIVES We determined whether TGF-β1 and TNF serum levels correlate with LV systolic and diastolic functions and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) serum levels in chronic Chagas disease. METHODS This...

BACKGROUND The differing relations of steady and pulsatile components of central hemodynamics and aortic stiffness with cardiac dimensions and function have not been fully elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS Central hemodynamics and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CFPWV, a measure of aortic stiffness) were measured by arterial tonometry in 5799 participants of the Framingham Heart Study (mea...

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is increased in human and rat left ventricular (LV) myocytes with volume overload (VO) of mitral regurgitation and aortocaval fistula (ACF). In the setting of increased ATP demand, XO-mediated ROS can decrease mitochondrial respiration and contractile function. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that XO inhibition improves cardiomyocyte bioenergetics and LV function in chronic...

BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction is an early feature of vascular disease. Left ventricular (LV) diastolic reserve is the ability of the left ventricle to augment diastolic function with exercise and may be impaired in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). It is unclear if endothelial dysfunction is related to impaired LV diastolic reserve and diminished exercise capacity. METHODS 96 patient...

BACKGROUND Anthracycline affects various cell lines, which may contribute to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and vascular remodelling. AIM To assess the complex influence of anthracycline chemotherapy on the echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function and indices of vascular function and structure. METHODS 35 women (age 50 ± 9 years old) with breast cancer scheduled...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the independent effect of increased body size on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. BACKGROUND Obese and overweight persons are at increased risk of heart failure. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is an asymptomatic condition associated with future heart failure. It is unclear whether obesity and overweight are independently asso...

BACKGROUND Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is closely associated with LV hypertrophy or diabetes, as well as insufficient autophagic flux. Acute or chronic hyperglycemia is a prognostic factor for patients with myocardial infarction. However, the effect of acute hyperglycemia on LV dysfunction of the hypertrophic heart and the mechanisms involved are still unclear. This study aimed to confirm...

BACKGROUND The efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and isolated diastolic dysfunction is uncertain. METHODS AND RESULTS A prospective cohort of patients with normal and abnormal LV function underwent ablation for antiarrhythmic drug (AAD)-refractory AF. Three groups were compared: 111 patients with systol...