The influence of pressure injury risk on the association between left ventricular ejection fraction and all-cause mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction 80 years or older

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether the pressure injury risk mediates the association of left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) with all-cause death in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) aged 80 years or older.METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 677 patients with AMI aged 80 years or older from a tertiary-level hospital. Pressure injury risk was assessed using the Braden scale at admission, and three risk groups(low/minimal, intermediate, high) were defined according to the overall score of six different variables. LVEF was measured during the index hospitalization for AMI. All-cause death after hospital discharge was the primary outcome.RESULTS: Over a median follow-up period of 1,176 d(interquartile range [IQR], 722–1,900 d), 226(33.4%) patients died. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that reduced LVEF was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death only in the high-risk group of pressure injury(adjusted hazard ratios [HR]=1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–3.20;P=0.040), but not in the low/minimal-(adjusted HR=1.29, 95%CI: 0.80–2.11;P=0.299) or intermediate-risk groups(adjusted HR=1.14, 95%CI: 0.65–2.02;P=0.651). Significant interactions were detected between pressure injury risk and LVEF(adjusted P=0.003). The cubic spline with hazard ratio plot revealed a distinct shaped curve relation between LVEF and all-cause death among different pressure injury risk groups.CONCLUSIONS: In older patients with AMI, the risk of pressure injury mediated the association between LVEF and all-cause death. The classification of older patients for both therapy and prognosis assessment appears to be improved by the incorporation of pressure injury risk assessment into AMI care management.

Interaction between the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular strain and its relationship with coronary stenosis

BACKGROUND Coronary artery stenosis(CAS)is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in both men and women globally.CAS occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle harden and become narrower due to plaque buildup-cholesterol and other material-on their inner walls.As a result,the heart muscle cannot receive the blood or oxygen it needs.Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts'blood supply,causing permanent heart damage.AIM To analyze the relationship between the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular strain(LVS),and coronary stenosis.METHODS A total of 190 participants were enrolled in this trail.The control group comprised 93 healthy individuals,and observation group comprised 97 patients with coronary heart disease who were hospitalized between July 2020 and September 2021.Coronary lesions were assessed using the Gensini score,and the LVEF and LVS were measured using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).The interaction between the LVEF and LVS was examined using a linear regression model.The relationship between LVEF and coronary stenosis was examined using Spearman’s correlation.RESULTS The LVEF of the observation group was lower than that of the control group.The left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)and left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).The longitudinal and circumferential strains(LS,CS)of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group;however,the radial strain(RS)of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).LVS,LS,and CS were significantly negatively correlated with the LVEF,and RS was positively correlated with the LVEF.There were significant differences in the LVEF,LVESV,and LVEDV of patients with different Gensini scores;the LVEF significantly decreased and the LVESV and LVEDV increased with increasing Gensini scores(P<0.05).In the observation group,the LVEF was negatively correlated and the LVESV and LVEDV were positively correlated with coronary stenosis(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The LVEF measured using MRI is significantly linearly correlated with LVS and negatively correlated with coronary stenosis.

The Clinical Association of Left Atrial Function with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

The left atrium (LA) has been recognized as a morphophysiological barometer of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. Because in the myocardial ischemia cascade where LV diastolic dysfunction often precedes LV systolic dysfunction, the LA which fashions as an early marker of diastolic anomaly, could equally reflect a declining LV function and/or be a good predictor of potential sequelae. We assessed this association of LA function with reduced LV systolic function among hospitalized patients. Among patients with reduced LV ejection fraction, LA passive ejection fraction was lower (0.172 ± 0.12 vs. 0.232 ± 0.14, p = 0.013) whereas LA kinetic energy was higher (6.48 ± 6.3 vs. 4.57 ± 3.5, p = 0.005). Echocardiographic assessment of LA function, therefore, appears correlated with LVEF and could be important when risk stratifying hospitalized patients.

Correction of hypovitaminosis D improved global longitudinal strain earlier than left ventricular ejection fraction in cardiovascular older adults after orthopaedic surgery

Background Cardiovascular diseases and insufficient levels of vitamin D are risk factors for adverse surgical outcomes, and they are both commonly present among older adults undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Giving the cardiovascular effects of vitamin D, pre-operative diagnosis of hypovitaminosis D would be a valuable step for the implementation of supplementation protocols. We investigated if the nor- malization of serum 25 [OH] D could ameliorate cardiac performance of older adults suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Methods We enrolled 47 older adults scheduled for major orthopaedic surgery and suffering from hypovitaminosis D. Patients underwent 6-months cal- cifediol supplementation with a starting dose at first post-operative day of 50 ~tg/die in liquid preparation. Down-titration to 20 Ixg/die at 3-months assessment was planned. Cardiac performance was evaluated by measuring left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and global longitudinal strain （GLS） during pre-operative assessments and at 1-month, 3-months, 6-months follow-ups. Results Six months of cal- cifediol supplementation were associated with a significant improvement of both LVEF （＋ 3.94%; 95% CI： -4.0789 to -0.8232; P 〈 0.01） and GLS （＋ 18.56%; Z = -5.895; P 〈 0.0001）. Conclusions Calcifediol supplementation normalized serum 25 [OH] D concentration after 1-month treatment. GLS offered better insights into myocardial contractile amelioration than LVEF, thus being useful for detecting earlier subclinical changes that may anticipate hemodynamic modifications.

Heart failure with reduced,mildly reduced,or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction:Has reasoning been lost?

Left ventricular(LV)ejection fraction(LVEF),defined as LV stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume,has been systematically used for the diagnosis,classification,and management of heart failure(HF)over the last three decades.HF is classified as HF with reduced LVEF,HF with midrange or mildly reduced LVEF,and HF with preserved LVEF using arbitrary,continuously changing LVEF cutoffs.A prerequisite for using this LVEF-based terminology is knowledge of the LVEF normal range,which is lacking and may lead to erroneous conclusions in HF,especially at the higher end of the LVEF spectrum.

Left bundle branch pacing vs biventricular pacing in heart failure patients with left bundle branch block:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Left bundle branch pacing(LBBP)is a novel pacing modality of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)that achieves more physiologic native ventricular activation than biventricular pacing(BiVP).AIM To explore the validity of electromechanical resynchronization,clinical and echocardiographic response of LBBP-CRT.METHODS Systematic review and Meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the standard guidelines as mentioned in detail in the methodology section.RESULTS In our analysis,the success rate of LBBP-CRT was determined to be 91.1%.LBBP CRT significantly shortened QRS duration,with significant improvement in echocardiographic parameters,including left ventricular ejection fraction,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter in comparison with BiVP-CRT.CONCLUSION A significant reduction in New York Heart Association class and B-type natriuretic peptide levels was also observed in the LBBP-CRT group vs BiVP-CRT group.Lastly,the LBBP-CRT cohort had a reduced pacing threshold at follow-up as compared to BiVP-CRT.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of heart failure with normal left ventricular ejection fraction in elderly patients

Background The term heart failure with normal ejection fraction （HFNEF） is often used to describe the syndrome of heart failure with normal ejection fraction. Based on the previous studies, HFNEF has a significant morbidity and mortality and is associated with a similar prognosis to heart failure with reduced ejection fraction （HFREF）. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of HFNEF in elderly patients. Methods Consecutive elderly patients （〉60 years old） hospitalized for the first episode of heart failure （HF） in Beijing Hospital from January 2003 to December 2009 were retrospectively recruited. Three hundred and ten patients with HF were eligible for our study. As recently recommended, a cut-off value of 50% was used to distinguish HFNEF （LVEF〉50%） from HFREF （LVEF〈50%）. Data were retrospectively obtained from hospital records and databases. Follow-up data were obtained by telephone and from hospital records. For every eligible patient, the clinical characteristics and prognosis were collected and compared between the HFNEF and HFREF groups. Results Patients with HFNEF accounted for 54.5% of all cases of elderly patients with HF. Compared with HFREF, the elderly patients with HFNEF had a higher proportion of females （62.1% vs. 32.6%, P 〈0.001）, higher body mass index （BMI） （（24.9±4.7） vs. （23.5±4.0） kg/m2, P=0.011）, higher systolic blood pressure at admission （（141.5±22.6） vs. （134.3±18.6） mmHg, P=0.002）, but lower hemoglobin levels （（118.3±22.7） vs. （125.8±23.8） g/L, P=0.005）. The incidence of coronary heart disease （43.2% vs. 65.2%, P 〈0.001） and myocardial infarction （16.6% vs. 46.1%, P 〈0.001） were significantly lower in elderly patients with HFNEF than in those with HFREF （P 〈0.001）. With a mean follow-up of 33.5 （0.5-93） months, 120 patients （38.7%） died, including 94 （30.3%） cardiac deaths. The HFNEF group had fewer deaths than the HFREF group at the end of the first follow-up （46/169 （27.2%） vs. 58/141 （41.1%）） and at the end of the second follow-up （56/169 （33.1%） vs. 64/141 （45.4%））. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly higher survival rate in elderly patients with HFNEF than those with HFREF （P=0.021 for total mortality and P 〈0.001 for cardiac mortality）. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that LVEF 〈50% was an independent risk factor for death in elderly patients with HF. Conclusions More than half of elderly patients with HF have a normal LVEF. The prognosis of the elderly patients with HFNEF is poor, though slightly better than the elderly patients with HFREF.

Baseline left ventricular ejection fraction associated with symptom improvements in both children and adolescents with postural tachycardia syndrome under metoprolol therapy

Background:Postural tachycardia syndrome(POTS)is a common childhood disease that seriously affects the patient’s physical and mental health.This study aimed to investigate whether pre-treatment baseline left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS)values were associated with symptom improvement after metoprolol therapy for children and adolescents with POTS.Methods:This retrospective study evaluated 51 children and adolescents with POTS who received metoprolol therapy at the Peking University First Hospital between November 2010 and July 2019.All patients had completed a standing test or basic head-up tilt test and cardiac echocardiography before treatment.Treatment response was evaluated 3 months after starting metoprolol therapy.The pre-treatment baseline LVEF and LVFS values were evaluated for correlations with decreases in the symptom score after treatment(DSS).Multivariable analysis was performed using factors with a P value of<0.100 in the univariate analyses and the demographic characteristics.Results:A comparison of responders and non-responders revealed no significant differences in demographic,hemodynamic characteristics,and urine specific gravity(all P>0.050).However,responders had significantly higher baseline LVEF(71.09%±4.44%vs.67.17%±4.88%,t=2.789,P=0.008)and LVFS values(40.00[38.00,42.00]%vs.36.79%±4.11%,Z=2.542,P=0.010)than the non-responders.The baseline LVEF and LVFS were positively correlated with DSS(r=0.378,P=0.006;r=0.363,P=0.009),respectively.Logistic regression analysis revealed that LVEF was independently associated with the response to metoprolol therapy in children and adolescents with POTS(odds ratio:1.201,95%confidence interval:1.039–1.387,P=0.013).Conclusions:Pre-treatment baseline LVEF was associated with symptom improvement after metoprolol treatment for children and adolescents with POTS.

Low gradient aortic stenosis with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and the role of valve replacement

Background Aortic valve replacement （AVR） improves survival in severe symptomatic aortic stenosis （AS）. Yet, in many patients with severe AS, the timing of AVR remains poorly defined. In particular, it is challenging in patients with low mean pressure gradient （〈 40 mmHg） and severe AS （aortic valve area （AVA）≤1.0 cm^2） with preserved left ventricular （LV） ejection fraction.

Left bundle branch area pacing:A new era of cardiac resynchronization therapy?

The recent systematic review and meta-analysis provided a comprehensive focus on the current state of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT).The authors determined the feasibility of physiological left bundle branch area pacing(LBBAP)in patients indicated for CRT through a careful analysis of trials.They found that LBBAP was associated with significant reductions in QRS duration,New York Heart Association functional class,B-type natriuretic peptide levels,and pacing thresholds as well as improvements in echocardiographic parameters compared to biventricular pacing.

CLINICAL RESEARCH ON THE EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON THE LEFT VENTRICULAR CONTRACTION FUNCTION IN SYMPTOMLESS CARDIAC FAILURE PATIENTS

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture therapy on the function of myocardial contraction in symptomless cardiac failure patients.Methods: A total of 60 cases of symptomless cardiac insufficiency inpatients were randomly divided into medication and acupuncture groups, with 30 cases in each group. For patients of acupuncture group, Neiguan (PC 6), Ximen (PC 4), Tanzhong (CV 17), Xinshu (BL 15), Jueyinshu (BL 14) and Geshu (BL 17) were punctured, twice daily, with 30 days being a therapeutic course. In medication group, patients were asked to take Capoten 25 mg (t.i.d.). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and its fractional shortening (FS) of the minor axis were used as the indexes for assessing the therapeutic effect and detected by using a color ultrasonic Doppler apparatus. Results: After one course of treatment, of the each 30 cases of acupuncture and medication groups, 13 (43.3%) and 16 (53.3%) had marked improvement, 16 (53.3%) and 14 (46.7%) had improvement, and 1 (3.3%) and 0 had no any effect respectively. No significant difference was found between two groups in the therapeutic effect. It shows acupuncture therapy can improve myocardial contraction function. Conclusion: Acupuncture has a similar effect in enhancing the systolic function of the myocardium.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: A distinct heart failure phenotype?

The present work discusses the serious confusion resulting from the arbitrary nomenclature of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF),the presumed underlying pathophysiology,and the supposed features.A consequence of this misconception is that HFpEF trials have recruited patients with entirely different characteristics rendering the extrapolation of the results of one study to the other infeasible and dramatically affecting diagnosis and treatment.

Impact of severe left ventricular dysfunction on mid-term mortality in elderly patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background Whether patients with reduced left ventricular function present worse outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation （TAVI） is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of baseline severe impairment of left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） on mortality after TAVI. Methods Six-hundred-forty-nine patients with aortic stenosis underwent TAVI with the CoreValve system （92.8%） or the Edwards SAPIEN valve system （7.2%）. Baseline LVEF was measured by the echocardiographic Simpson method. The impact of LVEF 〈 30% on mortality was assessed by Cox regression. Results Patients with LVEF 〈 30% （n = 63）, as compared to those with LVEF 〉 30% （n = 586）, had a higher prevalence of NHYA class 〉 2 （P 〈 0.001） and presented with a higher Euroscore （P 〈 0.001）. Procedural success was similar in both groups （98.4% vs. 97.2%, P = 1）. After a median follow-up of 436 days （25^-75th percentile, 357-737 days）, all-cause mortality [23.8% vs. 23.7%, P = 0.87, hazard ratios （HR）： 0.96, 95% confidence intervals （CI）： 0.56-1.63] and cardiac mortality （19.1% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.89, HR： 1.04, 95% CI： 0.57-1.90） were similar in patients with LVEF 〈 30% as compared to those with LVEF 〉 30%. Thirty-day all-cause mortality was not significantly different between the two groups （11.1% vs. 6.3%, P = 0.14, HR： 1.81, 95% CI： 0.814.06）. Patients with LVEF 〈 30% had a trend toward higher risk of 30-day cardiac mortality （11.1% vs. 5.3%; P = 0.06, HR： 2.16, 95% CI： 0.95-4.90）, which disappeared after multivariable adjustment （P = 0.22）. Conclusions Baseline severe impairment of LVEF is not a predictor of increased short-term and mid-term mortality after TAVI. Selected patients with severe impairment of left ventricular function should not be denied TAVI.

The Prevalence and Short-Term Outcomes of Ventricular Dyssynchrony after Right Ventricular Pacing

Objective: Long-term right ventricular pacing has been associated with an increased risk of heart failure and cardiomyopathy. The pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy associated with right ventricular pacing remains unclear. We aim to evaluate the burden and short-term outcomes of ventricular dyssynchrony after immediate permanent pacemaker implantation. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study examined consecutive patients who had permanent pacemaker implantation at Vajira Hospital in 2019. Left ventricular systolic function, specifically left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and echocardiographic ventricular dyssynchrony parameters were assessed. The endpoints included the prevalence of ventricular dyssynchrony, new-onset cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and death. The correlation between QRS complex duration, the burden of ventricular pacing, and echocardiographic ventricular dyssynchrony was measured. Results: Thirty-six consecutive patients underwent pacemaker implantation. The prevalence of mechanical ventricular dyssynchrony was 22.2% using the interventricular conduction delay method, 41.7% using LV pre-ejection period method, and 11.1% using the septal posterior wall motion abnormality method. Electrical ventricular dyssynchrony was 86.1% and new-onset cardiomyopathy was 17.1% after 3 months of permanent pacemaker implantation. The right ventricular pacing of more than 20% was significantly associated with cardiomyopathy (p < 0.022) and heart failure (log-rank, p = 0.049) within 3 months. But heart failure was not associated with mechanical ventricular dyssynchrony parameters (log-rank, p = 0.610;hazard ratio [HR], 1.53;95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29 - 7.96;p = 0.613 for IVMD and log-rank, p = 0.398;HR, 0.04;95% CI, 0.01 - 3316.7 for SPWMD). Conclusion: Mechanical and electrical ventricular dyssynchrony are common findings in right ventricular pacing. High-burden right ventricular pacing after 3 months of permanent pacemaker implantation is often associated with cardiomyopathy and heart failure, but mechanical and electrical ventricular dyssynchrony does not predict a short-term decline in left ventricular systolic function and heart failure.

Long Term Follow-Up of Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Treatment: A Case Report

Background: Cardiac toxicity is currently defined as a symptomatic decrease in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) of more than 5% or an asymptomatic decrease of at least 10% to a value of under 50% in repeated evaluations on conventional transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), as well as a Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) value Aims: To highlight using GLS rather than modified Simpson 2D-LVEF for the evaluation of long-term cardiotoxicity. Case Presentation: The case concerns a 73-year-old female patient with a history of breast cancer chemotherapy and anthracyclines-based therapy who presented symptoms of late cardiac toxicity related to the chemotherapeutic treatment. In the following years, the patient remained asymptomatic with a 2D-LVEF of 48%, dilation of the left atrium was found, and the reservoir phase strain was severely decreased. Conclusion: The preferred method for evaluating cardiovascular complications associated with chemotherapy is the TTE, which is performed prior to the start of treatment, during therapy, and in the follow-up. Myocardial deformation as a predictor of cardiotoxicity allows the identification of subclinical heart failure.

Clinical applications of feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Assessment of cardiac function is pivotal for early diag-nosis of primitive myocardial disorders, identification of cardiac involvement in systemic diseases, detection of drug-related cardiac toxicity as well as risk stratification and monitor of treatment effects in patients with heart failure of various etiology. Determination of ejection fraction with different imaging modalities currently represents the gold standard for evaluation of cardiac function. However, in the last few years, cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking techniques has emerged as a more accurate tool for quantitative evalu-ation of cardiovascular function with several parameters including strain, strain-rate, torsion and mechanical dispersion. This imaging modality allows precise quantification of ventricular and atrial mechanics by directly evaluating myocardial fiber deformation. The purpose of this article is to review the basic principles, current clinical applications and future perspectives of cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking, highlighting its prognostic implications.

Clinical and angiographic correlates of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with three vessel coronary disease

Background Among patients with advanced multivessel coronary disease, left ventricular （LV） function is widely variable, and clinical and angiographic correlates of ventricular dysfunction remain to be defined. Methods Among 73 339 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization at a single center in China, patients with left ventriculographic assessment were identified with three-vessel coronary disease with or without left main involvement. Clinical and angiographic characteristics were examined among patients with normal or varying extent of LV dysfunction, and predictors of LV impairment （ejection fraction （EF）： 〈25%, 25%-40% or 〉40%） were determined. Results Among 11 950 patients identified with three-vessel coronary disease, the sample distribution of LVEF was 〉40%, n=10 776; 25%-40%, n=948; 〈25%, n=226. Patients with reduced LV function （〈40%） more commonly were male and had a history of myocardial infarction （MI）, diabetes or unstable angina. Hypertension was more frequent in those with LVEF 〉40%. In a multivariate Logistic regression analysis, prior MI （odds ratio （OR）, 3.37; 95% confidence interval （CI）, 2.96-3.84） was most predictive of LVEF 〈40%, followed by male gender, diabetes, and presentation with unstable angina. For LVEF 〈25%, only prior MI was identified as a significant correlate of severe LV dysfunction （OR 4.06, 95% CI 3.06-5.39）. Following exclusion of patients with previous MI （n=7416）, male gender and diabetes were predictive of LVEF 〈40%, yet presentation with unstable angina was the only factor significantly associated with LVEF 〈25%. Conclusion Among individuals identified with three-vessel coronary disease with or without left main involvement, previous MI was the most significant risk factor of LV dysfunction.

Arrhythmia and its risk factors post myocardial infarction:A prospective study

Objectives:To determine the occurrence of arrhythmia and its associated risk factors in the first week after acute myocardial infarction(MI).Methods:A total of 100 patients with acute MI were recruited,who were followed up for one week to determine the occurrence of arrhythmia and its association with electrolyte disturbances,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and demographic factors.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify significant risk factors of arrhythmia.Results:Among 100 cases,arrhythmia was seen in 27 patients.Sinus tachycardia was the commonest,followed by ventricular premature beats and sinus bradycardia.Ejection fraction,serum calcium and magnesium were significantly different between non-arrhythmia and arrhythmia patients(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ejection fraction was an independent significant risk factor of arrhythmia.Patients with ejection fraction>40%had a significantly lower risk of arrhythmia with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.22(95%CI:0.08 to 0.64).Conclusions:Arrhythmia is common in the first week after myocardial infarction.The type of arrhythmia and the type of block may depend on the heart muscles involved during myocardial infarction.Ejection fraction is a risk factor that may affect the occurrence of arrhythmia.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever and cardiac involvement

Dengue viral infection(DVI)is one of the world’s most significant viral infections spreading.Most of the patients have been asymptomatic,with relatively benign clinical manifestations and outcomes.However,a small number of patients have progressed to severe dengue diseases,including hemorrhage,multi-organ impairment,and increased vascular leakage causing hypovolemic shock,which can cause cardiovascular collapse and death.Numerous lines of evidence have demonstrated that DVI could also cause cardiac dysfunction,arrhythmias,and severe myocarditis.The treatment for dengue hemorrhagic fever(DHF)patients remains symptomatic and supportive,with close monitoring of hemodynamic status.The contributory role of cardiac dysfunction in DHF patients has potentially critical implications on the management.This review will address the current knowledge of cardiac involvement in DHF patients and the management strategy to reduce the fatality outcome.

Assessment of Heart Rate Variability and Heart Rate Turbulence Parameters in the Patients with Arterial Hypertension of the II Degree

Background： AH （Arterial hypertension） due to the extremely high incidence is the most important risk factor for development of myocardial infarctions, strokes and lethal outcomes. It is very important to identify a group of patients with increased risk of adverse outcomes to modify treatment and prevention. Significant assistance in resolving this problem is to provide a method of HM （Holter monitoring） which allows estimating the HRV （heart rate variability） and HRT （heart rate turbulence） parameters that are independent risk predictors of sudden cardiac death. The aim of our study was to assess HRV and HRT parameters in patients with AH of the II degree. Materials and methods： We have studied parameters of HRV and HRT in 214 patients with AH of the II-nd degree aged 35 to 70 （57.7 ± 7.6） years： 121 women （56.5%） and 93 men （43.5%）. All patients underwent electrocardiography and echocardiography. Statistical analysis of the results has been made using the analytical package Statistics 10.0. Results： The parameters of HRV and HRT in patients with AH of the II degree were studied. Statistically significant correlations of the HRV parameters with the age of patients, average HR, circadian index, and EF （ejection fraction） were revealed. Statistically significant correlations of the HRT parameters with the LVMI （left ventricular mass index）, EF, HR average were received. High level of the statistical significance of the interrelation of HRT parameters （TO and TS） has been revealed. Conclusions： The received results can be used during the selection of the group of patients with AH having high risk for unfavorable outcomes. Taking into account the features of the HRV and turbulence parameters and factors associated with them this will enable the individualization of the assessment of the risk in AH as much as possible and prescription of adequate treatment for each patient.