In patients with aortic stenosis, accurate assessment of severity with echocardiography is central to surgical decision making. But, when image quality is poor or equivocal results obtained, another robust non-invasive technique would be invaluable. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may be a useful alternative. Phase contrast CMR can measure ow and velocity, therefore it is theoretically possible to estimate the main determinant of severity aortic valve area, using the continuity approach. However, it was found that the phase contrast estimate of stroke volume, sampled in the stenotic jet, systematically underestimated left ventricular stroke volume. This underestimation was greater with increasing aortic stenosis severity. Critical clinical treatment decisions depend on the ability to reliably differentiate between patients with moderate and severe aortic stenosis. To achieve accurate estimation of aortic valve areas the velocity and ow data obtained in these turbulent, high velocity jets must be accurate. In this thesis, non-stenotic and stenotic phantoms were designed and constructed to experimentally interrogate the error. It was determined that signal loss, due to intravoxel dephasing, decreased the reliability of the measured forward ow jet velocities. Extreme signal loss in the jet eventuated in salt and pepper noise, which, with a mean velocity of zero, resulted in the underestimation. Intravoxel dephasing signal loss due to higher order motions, turbulence and spin mixing could all be mitigated by reducing the duration of the velocity sensitivity gradients and shortening the overall echo time (TE). However, improvements in an optimised PC sequence (TE 1:5ms) were not satisfactory. Flow estimates remained variable and were underestimated beyond the aortic valve. To reduce the TE further, a new phase contrast pulse sequence based on an ultrashort TE readout trajectory and velocity dependent slice excitation with gradient inversion was designed and implemented. The new sequence's TE is approximately 25% (0:65ms) of what is currently clinically available (TE 2:8ms). Good agreement in the phantom was maintained up to very high ow rates with improved signal characteristics shown in-vivo. This new phase contrast pulse sequence is worthy of further investigation as an accurate evaluation of patients with aortic stenosis. / This work in this thesis was conducted at The Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The Centre for Advanced MRI and The Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance in collaboration with Siemens Health care.

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Cicogna / Resumo: Introdução: A remodelação cardíaca compreende mudanças no fenótipo cardíaco, determinadas por alterações na expressão gênica em resposta a estresse biomecânico de etiologia fisiológica ou patológica. A RC, eventualmente, pode evoluir para um quadro de disfunção e posteriormente insuficiência cardíaca grave (ICG); alterações no sistema β-adrenérgico podem estar envolvidas nesse processo. Medidas não farmacológicas, como o treinamento físico (TF) são empregadas no manejo das cardiopatias, e entre os efeitos benéficos dessa terapia está a modulação do sistema β-adrenérgico. Apesar das evidencias de que o TF impacta positivamente a sinalização β-adrenérgica e a função cardíaca, não encontramos na literatura trabalhos que avaliaram a associação entre treinamento físico aeróbio de baixa intensidade, sistema β-adrenérgico e função cardíaca em ratos com sobrecarga pressórica e disfunção ventricular. Objetivo: Testar a hipótese de que o TF atenua as alterações β-adrenérgicas miocárdicas e a deterioração do desempenho cardíaco em ratos com sobrecarga pressórica e disfunção ventricular previamente instalada. Métodos: Ratos Wistar machos (70-90 g), submetidos à cirurgia de estenose aórtica supravalvar (EAo), foram inicialmente divididos em dois grupos: Controle operado (Sham) e estenose aórtica (EAo). Após 18 semanas do procedimento cirúrgico, foi realizada análise da função cardíaca para redistribuição dos grupos: não expostos ao treinamento físico (Sham, n= 18 e EAo, ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: Cardiac remodeling comprises changes in the cardiac phenotype, determined by changes in genic expression in response to biomechanical stress of physiological or pathological etiology. CR can eventually evolve into a condition of dysfunction and subsequently severe heart failure (GCI); Alterations in the β- adrenergic system may be involved in this process. Non-pharmacological measures such as physical training (PT) are used in the management of heart diseases, and among the beneficial effects of this therapy is the β-adrenergic system modulation. Despite the evidence that TF has a positive effect on β-adrenergic signaling and cardiac function, we did not find in the literature studies that evaluate the association between low-intensity aerobic physical exercise, β-adrenergic system and cardiac function in rats with pressure overload and ventricular dysfunction. Objective: To test the hypothesis that PT attenuates myocardial β-adrenergic alterations and deterioration of cardiac performance in rats with pressure overload and previously installed ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (70-90 g) submitted to supravalvular aortic stenosis surgery (AS), were initially divided into two groups: Operated control (Sham) and aortic stenosis (AS). After 18 weeks of the surgical procedure, cardiac function analysis was performed for redistribution of the groups: non-exposed to physical training (Sham, n = 18 and AS, n = 18) and trained (TFSham, ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by SÉRGIO LUIZ BORGES DE SOUZA null (enfeborges@gmail.com) on 2017-05-10T16:06:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SOUZA, SLB DISSERTAÇÃO DE MESTRADO.pdf: 3472837 bytes, checksum: 674f72f28688f4341f5c0af589d80f98 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-05-10T16:34:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 souza_slb_me_bot.pdf: 3472837 bytes, checksum: 674f72f28688f4341f5c0af589d80f98 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-10T16:34:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 souza_slb_me_bot.pdf: 3472837 bytes, checksum: 674f72f28688f4341f5c0af589d80f98 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Introdução: A remodelação cardíaca compreende mudanças no fenótipo cardíaco, determinadas por alterações na expressão gênica em resposta a estresse biomecânico de etiologia fisiológica ou patológica. A RC, eventualmente, pode evoluir para um quadro de disfunção e posteriormente insuficiência cardíaca grave (ICG); alterações no sistema β-adrenérgico podem estar envolvidas nesse processo. Medidas não farmacológicas, como o treinamento físico (TF) são empregadas no manejo das cardiopatias, e entre os efeitos benéficos dessa terapia está a modulação do sistema β-adrenérgico. Apesar das evidencias de que o TF impacta positivamente a sinalização β-adrenérgica e a função cardíaca, não encontramos na literatura trabalhos que avaliaram a associação entre treinamento físico aeróbio de baixa intensidade, sistema β-adrenérgico e função cardíaca em ratos com sobrecarga pressórica e disfunção ventricular. Objetivo: Testar a hipótese de que o TF atenua as alterações β-adrenérgicas miocárdicas e a deterioração do desempenho cardíaco em ratos com sobrecarga pressórica e disfunção ventricular previamente instalada. Métodos: Ratos Wistar machos (70-90 g), submetidos à cirurgia de estenose aórtica supravalvar (EAo), foram inicialmente divididos em dois grupos: Controle operado (Sham) e estenose aórtica (EAo). Após 18 semanas do procedimento cirúrgico, foi realizada análise da função cardíaca para redistribuição dos grupos: não expostos ao treinamento físico (Sham, n= 18 e EAo, n= 18) e treinados (ShamTF, n= 23 e EAoTF, n= 26) durante 10 semanas. O protocolo de TF foi complementado com teste de esforço para ajuste de carga e avaliação da capacidade funcional, aplicado antes do início do programa de treinamento, após a 3ª e 7ª semana e ao fim do protocolo. A remodelação cardíaca foi caracterizada in vivo pela análise estrutural e funcional por ecocardiograma na 18ª e 28ª semana, in vitro, pelo músculo papilar isolado e pelo estudo macroscópico post mortem. O sistema β-adrenérgico foi avaliado pela expressão proteica dos β-adrenoceptores β-1 e β-2, adenilato ciclase e proteína quinase A, e pela manobra com agonista β-adrenérgico, isoproterenol, no músculo papilar isolado. Resultados: Na 18ª semana, antes de iniciar o TF, os animais EAo apresentavam hipertrofia ventricular esquerda concêntrica, disfunção diastólica e sistólica e prejuízo da capacidade funcional. Após o período de TF, os grupos ShamTF e EAoTF apresentaram aumento da capacidade funcional, visualizado pela tolerância e desempenho no exercício, e redução na ocorrência e intensidade dos sinais de insuficiência cardíaca. Na 28ª semana, o grupo EAo manteve a disfunção diastólica e sistólica, enquanto que o grupo EAoTF mostrou atenuação do prejuízo diastólico em ambas as análises, in vivo e in vitro. Não houve diferença entre os grupos na expressão proteica dos componentes do sistema β-adrenérgico; entretanto, os grupos EAo e EAoTF mostraram capacidade reduzida de resposta à estimulação por isoproterenol in vitro. Conclusão: Em conclusão, a exposição ao treinamento físico atenuou a disfunção diastólica e não alterou os os níveis proteicos dos componentes do sistema β-adrenérgico miocárdico, que não se modificaram com o processo de remodelação cardíaca. / Introduction: Cardiac remodeling comprises changes in the cardiac phenotype, determined by changes in genic expression in response to biomechanical stress of physiological or pathological etiology. CR can eventually evolve into a condition of dysfunction and subsequently severe heart failure (GCI); Alterations in the β- adrenergic system may be involved in this process. Non-pharmacological measures such as physical training (PT) are used in the management of heart diseases, and among the beneficial effects of this therapy is the β-adrenergic system modulation. Despite the evidence that TF has a positive effect on β-adrenergic signaling and cardiac function, we did not find in the literature studies that evaluate the association between low-intensity aerobic physical exercise, β-adrenergic system and cardiac function in rats with pressure overload and ventricular dysfunction. Objective: To test the hypothesis that PT attenuates myocardial β-adrenergic alterations and deterioration of cardiac performance in rats with pressure overload and previously installed ventricular dysfunction. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (70-90 g) submitted to supravalvular aortic stenosis surgery (AS), were initially divided into two groups: Operated control (Sham) and aortic stenosis (AS). After 18 weeks of the surgical procedure, cardiac function analysis was performed for redistribution of the groups: non-exposed to physical training (Sham, n = 18 and AS, n = 18) and trained (TFSham, n = 23 and PTAS, n = 26) for 10 weeks. The PT protocol was complemented with an exercise test for load adjustment and functional capacity assessment, applied before the start of the training program, after the 3rd and 7th week and at the end of the protocol. Cardiac remodeling was characterized in vivo by structural and functional analysis by echocardiogram at the 18th and 28th week, in vitro by the isolated papillary muscle and by the macroscopic post mortem study. The β-adrenergic system was evaluated by protein expression of β-1 and β-2 adrenoceptors, adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A, and by adding the isoproterenol β-adrenergic agonist in the isolated papillary muscle. Results: At the 18th week, before starting PT, the AS animals presented concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic and systolic dysfunction and impairment of functional capacity. After the PT period, the PTSham and PTAS groups showed increased functional capacity, visualized by tolerance and exercise performance, and reduction in the occurrence and intensity of the signs of heart failure. At week 28, the AS group maintained diastolic and systolic dysfunction, whereas the PTAS group showed attenuation of diastolic damage in both analyzes, both in vivo and in vitro. There was no difference between groups in the protein expression of β- adrenergic system components; However, the AS and PTAS groups showed reduced ability to respond to isoproterenol stimulation in vitro. Conclusion: In conclusion, exposure to physical training attenuated diastolic dysfunction and did not alter the protein levels of components of the myocardial β-adrenergic system, which did not change with the cardiac remodeling process.

Submitted by Loreta Casquel de Tomasi null (loretacasquel@hotmail.com) on 2017-09-15T21:44:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese doutorado final.pdf: 1729009 bytes, checksum: a58f06348f3ca04d50ce35f533fd920a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Monique Sasaki (sayumi_sasaki@hotmail.com) on 2017-09-19T17:57:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tomasi_lc_dr_bot.pdf: 1729009 bytes, checksum: a58f06348f3ca04d50ce35f533fd920a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-19T17:57:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tomasi_lc_dr_bot.pdf: 1729009 bytes, checksum: a58f06348f3ca04d50ce35f533fd920a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-17 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Introdução: Embora existam contradições, de uma maneira geral, os dados da literatura mostram que em modelos experimentais de hipertrofia cardíaca por sobrecarga pressórica com disfunção ventricular e fração de ejeção preservada, o metabolismo de carboidratos e ácidos graxos está normal. Na fase em que há redução da capacidade de ejeção, com ou sem insuficiência cardíaca, ocorre um desvio para a programação fetal, aumento na utilização de glicose e diminuição na oxidação de ácidos graxos, por redução da expressão e atividade de proteínas envolvidas no metabolismo de lipídios. Não foram encontrados trabalhos que avaliaram o efeito de dieta hiperlipídica no metabolismo energético e função cardíaca após o estabelecimento da hipertrofia ventricular com disfunção diastólica isolada. Objetivo: Testar a hipótese de que o aumento na oferta de ácidos graxos insaturados, proveniente de dieta hiperlipídica, atenua a queda no metabolismo lipídico e a piora do desempenho cardíaco em ratos com hipertrofia ventricular e disfunção diastólica por sobrecarga pressórica. O mecanismo responsável seria o estímulo do PPARα pelos ácidos graxos, atenuando a queda na expressão de genes e proteínas envolvidas na regulação do metabolismo energético lipídico. Métodos: Ratos Wistar machos (80g) foram separados em dois grupos: controle operado (Sham) e estenose aórtica supravalvar (EAo). Após 6 semanas do procedimento cirúrgico, os animais Sham e EAo foram redistribuídos em novos grupos: tratados com dieta normolipídica insaturada (Sham-N, n=13 e EAo-N, n=11) ou com dieta hiperlipídica insaturada (Sham-H, n=12 e EAo-H, n=14) por 12 semanas, até a 18ª semana. A remodelação cardíaca foi caracterizada pelas análises estrutural e funcional por ecocardiograma na 6ª e 18ª semana e estudo macroscópico post mortem. O metabolismo energético lipídico cardíaco foi analisado pela expressão gênica e proteica do PPARα, PGC1α, FAT/CD36, CPT1β, MCAD, pela atividade da beta-hidroxiacilCoA desidrogenase (OHADH) e pelo conteúdo de triacilglicerol (TAG). Foi analisada a atividade da hexoquinase (HK) e da fosfofrutoquinase (PFK), envolvidas na via glicolítica, e da citrato sintase (CS), referente ao ciclo de Krebs. A expressão proteica da lactato desidrogenase (LDH), da piruvato desidrogenase (PDH) e dos sensores metabólicos, AMPK total, AMPK fosforilada na treonina 172 e SIRT1 foram também analisadas, bem como as relações intracelulares AMP/ATP e NAD+/NADH. Resultados: Na 6ª semana, ao iniciar o tratamento dietético, os animais EAo apresentavam hipertrofia ventricular esquerda concêntrica, disfunção diastólica e melhoria da função sistólica. Na 18ª semana os grupos EAo mantiveram a disfunção diastólica e melhoria do desempenho sistólico, ou seja, não houve piora da performance cardíaca durante o período experimental de 12 semanas. Não houve diferença na estrutura e função cardíaca entre os grupos EAo-N e EAo-H. Houve diminuição da expressão dos genes relacionados à captura e oxidação de lipídios (CD36, CPT1β, MCAD) nos grupos EAo em comparação com os Sham, e não houve diferença entre os grupos EAo. A atividade da hexoquinase e fosfofrutoquinase foi maior nos EAo comparado com os Sham, e foi semelhante entre EAo-N e EAo-H. A atividade da OHADH não foi diferente entre EAo-N e Sham-N e também não diferiu entre EAo-N e EAo-H. O conteúdo de TAG miocárdico foi menor no grupo EAo-N vs Sham-N e não foi diferente entre os grupos EAo. A expressão das proteínas PGC1α, PPARα, CPT1β, MCAD, LDH, PDH, dos sensores SIRT1, AMPK, pAMPK Thr172, e a relação NAD+/NADH não foram diferentes entre os quatro grupos. Conclusão: Em contraste com a nossa hipótese, durante a evolução da remodelação cardíaca, os animais com estenose aórtica apresentaram alteração parcial no metabolismo lipídico miocárdico e não tiveram piora da função cardíaca. A dieta hiperlipídica insaturada não teve efeito no processo metabólico e na função cardíaca desses animais. Os mecanismos no qual a dieta hiperlipídica não foi capaz estimular o PPARα nos animais com estenose aórtica são desconhecidos. / Introduction: Although controversial, in general, data from literature show that in experimental models with ventricular dysfunction and preserved ejection fraction, the carbohydrates and fatty acids metabolism is normal. At the stage of reduced ejection capacity, with or without heart failure, there is a switch for fetal programming, increased glucose utilization, and decrease in fatty acid oxidation due to downregulation of proteins involved in lipids uptake and oxidation. There are no studies that evaluated the effects of high-fat diet on energy metabolism and cardiac function after the establishment of ventricular hypertrophy with isolated diastolic dysfunction. Objective: To test the hypothesis that increased unsaturated fatty acid supply, from a high-fat diet, attenuate the downregulation of lipid metabolism and the impairment of cardiac function in rats with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction by stimulating genes and proteins involved in the regulation of lipid energy metabolism. Methods: Male Wistar rats (80g) underwent aortic stenosis (AS) or Sham surgery. After 6 weeks, rats received either normolipid diet (N, 17% calories from fat) or high-fat diet (H, 40% calories from fat) for 12 weeks yielding 4 groups: Sham-N (n=13), AS-N (n=11), Sham-H (n=12), AS-H (n=14). Cardiac structure and function was assessed by echocardiography at 6 and 18 weeks after surgery. Cardiac lipid energy metabolism was analyzed by gene and protein expression of PPARα, PGC1α, FAT/CD36, CPT1β, MCAD, the activity of beta-hydroxy-acyl CoA dehydrogenase (OHADH) and TAG content. We analysed the activities of hexokinase (HK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK), involved in the glycolytic pathway, and citrate synthase (CS), from Krebs cycle. The protein expression of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and the metabolic sensors, total AMPK, AMPK phosphorylated on threonine 172 and SIRT1 were also evaluated, as well as the intracellular AMP/ATP and NAD+ /NADH ratios. Results: In the 6th week, prior to dietary treatment, the AS animals had left ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction and improved systolic function. In the 18th week, AS animals kept diastolic dysfunction and improved systolic function, that is, there was no worsening of cardiac performance. There was no difference in cardiac structure and function between the AS-N and AS-H groups. There was a decrease in the expression of genes related to lipid uptake and oxidation (CD36, CPT1β, MCAD) in the AS groups compared to the Sham, and there was no difference between the AS groups. The activity of hexokinase and phosphofructokinase was higher in AS compared to Sham, and was similar between AS-N and AS-H. The activity of OHADH was not different between AS-N and Sham-N and also did not differ between AS-N and AS-H. TAG content was reduced in AS-N vs Sham-N and was not different between AS groups. Expression of the proteins PGC1α, PPARα, CPT1β, MCAD, LDH, PDH, the sensors SIRT1, AMPK, pAMPK Thr172, and the NAD+ /NADH ratio were not different among the four groups. Conclusion: In contrast to our hypothesis, during the progression of cardiac remodeling, animals with aortic stenosis showed partial alterations in myocardial lipid metabolism and did not present worsening of cardiac function. The high-unsaturated fat diet had no effect on the metabolic process and cardiac function of these animals. The mechanisms in which the high-fat diet was unable to stimulate PPARα in animals with aortic stenosis is unknown. / FAPESP: 2012/19679-0

Abstract Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common valvular heart disease in the Western world. Although it shares mainly the same risk factors as coronary heart disease (CHD), i.e. similar initial events in both diseases but with time, they lead to different clinical outcomes. Thus, when it affects the coronary arteries, the disease leads to an obstructive or rupture-prone plaque whereas in the aortic valve, it causes massive calcification and ossification. This obstructs the blood flow from the left cardiac ventricle, causing myocardial hypertrophy, and if left untreated, heart failure and death. Many of the pathobiological differences between CAVD and CHD remain unknown. Currently, there are no effective lifestyle- or pharmacologic treatments for CAVD and the only therapy is a valve replacement operation. In this thesis, several studies utilizing large-scale methods were undertaken to profile the molecular events leading to CAVD. Surgically removed valves from patients in different stages of the disease were obtained and gene transcripts, microRNA-molecules and several proteins were identified as being differentially expressed. Several of these were investigated further, including two pro-inflammatory CC-type chemokine ligands 3 and 4 (CCL3 and CCL4), microRNA-125b, several granzyme-proteins and heat-shock protein 90. The results of this thesis provide a large dataset of hundreds of molecular changes associated with CAVD. It is proposed that they can be used as a basis for the generation of new hypotheses and assist in the design of experiments to clarify the mechanisms driving CAVD. / Tiivistelmä Aorttaläpän kalkkeutuva ahtauma on länsimaiden yleisin sydänläppäsairaus. Riskitekijät ovat pääosin samat kuin sepelvaltimotaudissa, ja molemmat saavat alkunsa samalla tavalla. Ajan myötä ne kuitenkin johtavat varsin erilaisiin kliinisiin ilmenemismuotoihin: sepelvaltimoihin kasvaa ahtauttavia ja repeytymisherkkiä plakkeja, kun taas aorttaläppään muodostuu runsaasti kalkkia ja luuta. Se haittaa verenvirtausta sydämen vasemmasta kammiosta aorttaan, mikä aiheuttaa sydänlihaksen paksuuntumista. Hoitamattomana tauti johtaa lopulta sydämen vajaatoimintaan ja kuolemaan. Monet syyt eroihin sepelvaltimotaudin ja aorttaläpän ahtauman välillä ovat edelleen tuntemattomia. Tällä hetkellä aorttaläpän ahtaumaan ei ole olemassa tehokasta elintapa- tai lääkehoitoa, ja ainoa hoitomuoto onkin vioittuneen aorttaläpän korvaaminen proteesilla. Tässä väitöskirjatyössä tehtiin useita laaja-alaisia molekyylitason profilointitutkimuksia, joilla selvitettiin aorttaläpän ahtaumaan mahdollisesti johtavia mekanismeja. Aineistona oli leikkauksessa potilailta poistettuja, erilaisissa taudin vaiheissa olevia aorttaläppiä. Niistä kerättiin tietoja kaikkien geenien ilmentymisestä, mikroRNA-molekyyleistä sekä koko proteomitason muutoksista. Useat tunnistetuista molekyyleistä valittiin jatkotutkimuksiin niiden tarkempien ominaisuuksien selvittämiseksi. Näitä olivat tulehdusta välittävät kemokiinit CCL3 ja CCL4, mikroRNA-125b, useat grantsyymiproteiinit sekä lämpöshokkiproteiini 90. Väitöskirjatyön tuloksista voidaan muodostaa ainutlaatuinen aineisto sadoista erilaisista aorttaläpän ahtaumaan johtavista molekyylitason muutoksista. Sitä voidaan hyödyntää uusien tutkimushypoteesien muodostamisessa sekä aorttaläpän ahtauman tarkempien mekanismien selvittämiseen tähtäävien kokeellisten tutkimusten suunnittelussa.

INTRODUÇÃO: Avaliação da função diastólica de pacientes portadores de estenose ou insuficiência aórtica submetidos à troca valvar. OBJETIVOS: Avaliação da função diastólica através da análise do NTpró-BNP como método não invasivo para caracterização da insuficiência cardíaca diastólica, comparando com os dados ecocardiográficos através do Doppler Pulsado em Fluxo Mitral, Doppler Pulsado em Veias Pulmonares e Doppler Tecidual em portadores de IAO e EAO. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 63 pacientes, 32 pacientes com IAO (25 pacientes do sexo masculino e 7 do sexo feminino), 31 pacientes com EAO (11 pacientes do sexo masculino e 20 pacientes do sexo feminino). As variáveis foram comparadas na média entre os pacientes portador de IAO e EAO no pré e pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: A idade dos pacientes variou de 21 a 81 com média de 55 anos. Observa-se diferença quanto à média de idades entre as diferentes patologias (t-Student p< 0,0001). Os pacientes com IAO apresentam uma média de idade igual a 45,7±14,3 com variação entre 21 e 79 anos e os pacientes com EAO apresentam uma média de idade igual a 61,5±14,7 com variação entre 21 e 81 anos. Na IAO em relação à disfunção diastólica tivemos os seguintes dados com significância estatística do pré para o pós-operatório (6 meses): TRIV (p=0,0011), diferença entre Tempo de onda A mitral e onda A pulmonar (p=0,0097), Vol. Sistólico de AE (p=0,0019), Vol Sistólico de AE Indexado (0,0011), Vol. Diastólico de AE (p=0,0110), DDVE (p<0,0001), DSVE (p<0,0001), VSF (p<0,0001), VDF (p<0,0001), Massa Indexada de VE (p<0,0001) e Relação Volume/Massa do VE (p<0,0001). Na EAO em relação à disfunção diastólica tivemos os seguintes dados com significância estatística do pré para o pós-operatório (6 meses): E/E (p=0,0379), TRIV (p=0,0072), diferença entre o tempo de onda A mitral e tempo de onda A pulmonar (p=0,0176), Vol sistólico de AE(p=0,0242), Vol. Sistólico de AE indexado (p=0,0237), FEdeAE (p=0,0339), DDVE (p=0,0002), DSVE (p=0,0085), VDF (p=0,0194), Massa Indexada de VE (p<0,0001) e Relação Volume/Massa de VE(p<0,0001). O NTpró-BNP se correlacionou positivamente com os diversos graus de disfunção diastólica tanto no pré como pós-operatório CONCLUSÃO: Foram verificados no estudo da função diastólica variação com significância estatística tanto na IAO como na EAO na comparação do pré e o pós-operatório. Da mesma forma notamos variação do NT-proBNP com correlação com as variáveis ecocardiográficas que caracterizam a disfunção diastólica. / INTRODUCTION: Assessment of diastolic function in patients with aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation waiting for aortic valve replacement. OBJECTIVE: Assesment of diastolic function with Doppler methods:Doppler signals from transvalvar mitral inflow, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and Doppler in pulmonary veins(DPV) correlating with serum brain peptide natriuretic (NTproNP) before and 6 months after aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS: We have analyzed 63 patients, 32 with AR (25 males and 7 females), 31 AS (11 males and 20 females).The indices were compared with AS and AR before and after AVR. RESULTS: The ages of patients ranged from 21 to 81 mean age was 55 years old.We have seen difference between mean age of AS and AR (t-Student-p<0.0001). Patients with AR have had mean age 45.67 plus/minus 14.28, range 21 to 79 years old and patients with AS have had mean age 61.50 plus/minus 14.72, range 21 to 81 years old. The patients who had AR the indices showed differences: Isovolumetric Relaxation Time IRT(p=0.0011), Diference between the pulmonary A wave duration and mitral A duration (p=0.0097), Left Atrial Systolic Volume (p=0.0019), Left Atrial Systolic Volume Index(p=0.0011), Left Atrial Diastolic Volume (p=0.0110), Left Ventricular Diastolic Diameter (p<0.0001), Left Ventricular Systolic Diameter (p<0.0001), End Systolic Volume (p<0.0001), End Diastolic Volume (p<0.0001), Left Ventricular Mass Index (p<0.0001) and Left Ventricular Volume and Left Ventricular Mass Index ratio (p<0.0001). Analyzing patients with AS the indices who showed differences: (The ratio of mitral velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus) E/E (p=0.0379)(Isovolumetric Relaxation Time)(p=0.0072) IRT, Diference between the pulmonary A wave duration and mitral A duration (p=0.0176), Left Atrial Sistolic Volume (p=0.0242), Left Atrial Systolic Volume Index (p=0.0237), Left Atrial Ejection Fraction (p=0.0339) Left Ventricular Diastolic Diameter (p=0.0002), Left Ventricular Systolic Diameter (p=0.0085), End Diastolic Volume (LVEDV) (p=0.0194), Left ventricular Mass Index(p<0.0001), Left Ventricular Volume and Mass Index Ratio (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: As we studied diastolic function we have verified significant statistic variation in aortic regurgitation and aortic stenosis comparing before and after aortic valve replacement. Likewise we have seen there is correlation between NTproBNP and echocardiographic variables that show diastolic dysfunction.

Introduction and Objectives Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common valvular disease, accounting for 50% of all valve disorders and is the third most common cardiovascular disease following coronary disease and hypertension.[1,2] Currently, there is no pharmacological agent capable of reversing or slowing down the progression of CAVD and treatment of severe cases consists of surgical repair or valve replacement[2]. Hence, there is a crucial need for earlier detection using predictive biomarkers that will allow for preventative intervention as opposed to post-symptomatic disease treatment or management. Namely, one target of particular interest is the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (specifically MMP-1, -2, and -9) which are upregulated in CAVD prior to calcification events and have been previously shown to serve as an attractive molecular imaging target.1–3 The primary objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of detecting biomarkers of CAVD by various in vivo imaging modalities, such as PET and echocardiography. In addition, this study assesses disease progression in various mouse strains to qualify an appropriate CAVD animal model. Methods In vivo and ex vivo imaging of C57Bl/6 and ApoE-/- (n = 8 per strain cohort) mouse models are used to link unique features of matrix remodelling with CAVD progression. At baseline and longitudinal follow-up (4, 8, and 12 months), in vivo hemodynamic impairment is assessed through echocardiography, and calcification and MMP activity are measured using PET with a series of radiotracers: [18F]NaF for calcification, [18F]BR351 for the molecular targets of MMP-2 and -9, and [18F]FMBP with molecular target specificity for MMP-13. Following imaging, aortic valve (AV) tissue is harvested, sectioned, and analyzed for calcification, inflammatory markers, collagen types, and MMP activity in AV leaflets. Tracer autoradiography, immunofluorescence, and in situ zymography are used to confirm in vivo imaging results with improved resolution and quantification in valves. Histological sample preparation, experimentation, and analyses are then repeated in human AV tissue samples for relative comparison of biomarker expression in animal models. Results Echocardiography suggests positive signs of disease progression in experimental animal models. In comparison to WT, ApoE-/- mice show: increased peak velocity (p<0.0001), decreased aortic valve area (p<0.001), and irregular valve dynamics. [18F]NaF PET imaging shows expected bone uptake and low calcium-burden in young and WT animals. [18F]FMBP shows increased uptake in the valve area of diseased models at later timepoints, 1.530 compared to <0.001 %ID/g (p<0.005), in disease vs control animals respectively. Furthermore, confirmation of sought-after biomarkers has also been assessed by analysis of various histological sample preparations including the presence of leaflet calcification, upregulation of MMP-2, -9, and -13, matrix remodelling, lipids, inflammatory markers, and activated MMP expression. Conclusion Findings from this study suggest that molecular imaging techniques using target-specific radiotracers, as well as echocardiography for assessment of hemodynamic impairment, are feasible solutions in predicting disease onset in CAVD specific animal models.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a frequent comorbidity in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). If significant CAD can be excluded on coronary CT-angiography (cCTA), invasive coronary angiography (ICA) may be avoided. However, a high plaque burden may make the exclusion of CAD challenging, particularly for less experienced readers. The objective was to analyze the ability of machine learning (ML)-based CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) to correctly categorize cCTA studies without obstructive CAD acquired during pre-TAVI evaluation and to correlate recategorization to image quality and coronary artery calcium score (CAC). Methods: In total, 116 patients without significant stenosis (≥50% diameter) on cCTA as part of pre-TAVI CT were included. Patients were examined with an electrocardiogram-gated CT scan of the heart and high-pitch scan of the torso. Patients were re-evaluated with ML-based CT-FFR (threshold = 0.80). The standard of reference was ICA. Image quality was assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: ML-based CT-FFR was successfully performed in 94.0% (109/116) of patients, including 436 vessels. With CT-FFR, 76/109 patients and 126/436 vessels were falsely categorized as having significant CAD. With CT-FFR 2/2 patients but no vessels initially falsely classified by cCTA were correctly recategorized as having significant CAD. Reclassification occurred predominantly in distal segments. Virtually no correlation was found between image quality or CAC. Conclusions: Unselectively applied, CT-FFR may vastly increase the number of false positive ratings of CAD compared to morphological scoring. Recategorization was virtually independently from image quality or CAC and occurred predominantly in distal segments. It is unclear whether or not the reduced CT-FFR represent true pressure ratios and potentially signifies pathophysiology in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Background: Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common finding in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Assessment of CAD prior to TAVI is recommended by current guidelines and is mainly performed via invasive coronary angiography (ICA). In this study we analyzed the ability of coronary CT-angiography (cCTA) to rule out significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 50%) during routine pre-TAVI evaluation in patients with high pre-test probability for CAD. Methods: In total, 460 consecutive patients undergoing pre-TAVI CT (mean age 79.6 ± 7.4 years) were included. All patients were examined with a retrospectively ECG-gated CT-scan of the heart, followed by a high-pitch-scan of the vascular access route utilizing a single intravenous bolus of 70 mL iodinated contrast medium. Images were evaluated for image quality, calcifications, and significant CAD; CT-examinations in which CAD could not be ruled out were defined as positive (CAD+). Routinely, patients received ICA (388/460; 84.3%; Group A), which was omitted if renal function was impaired and CAD was ruled out on cCTA (Group B). Following TAVI, clinical events were documented during the hospital stay. Results: cCTA was negative for CAD in 40.2% (188/460). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV in Group A were 97.8%, 45.2%, 49.6%, and 97.4%, respectively. Median coronary artery calcium score (CAC) was higher in CAD+-patients but did not have predictive value for correct classification of patients with cCTA. There were no significant differences in clinical events between Group A and B. Conclusion: cCTA can be incorporated into pre-TAVI CT-evaluation with no need for additional contrast medium. cCTA may exclude significant CAD in a relatively high percentage of these high-risk patients. Thereby, cCTA may have the potential to reduce the need for ICA and total amount of contrast medium applied, possibly making pre-procedural evaluation for TAVI safer and faster.

(1) Background: Hemodynamic assessment of prosthetic heart valves using conventional 2D transthoracic Echocardiography-Doppler (2D-TTE) has limitations. Of those, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area measurement is one of the major limitations of the continuity equation, which assumes a circular LVOT. (2) Methods: This study comprised 258 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), who were treated with the ACURATE neo2. The LVOT area and its dependent Dopplerderived parameters, including effective orifice area (EOA) and stroke volume (SV), in addition to their indexed values, were calculated from post-TAVI 2D-TTE. In addition, the 3D-LVOT area from pre-procedural MDCT scans was obtained and used to calculate corrected Doppler-derived parameters. The incidence rates of prosthesis patient mismatch (PPM) were compared between the 2D-TTE and MDCT-based methods (3) Results: The main results show that the 2D-TTE measured LVOT is significantly smaller than 3D-MDCT (350.4 62.04 mm2 vs. 405.22 81.32 mm2) (95% Credible interval (CrI) of differences: 55.15, 36.09), which resulted in smaller EOA (2.25 0.59 vs. 2.58 0.63 cm2) (Beta = 0.642 (95%CrI of differences: 0.85, 0.43), and lower SV (73.88 21.41 vs. 84.47 22.66 mL), (Beta = 7.29 (95% CrI: 14.45, 0.14)), respectively. PPM incidence appears more frequent with 2D-TTE- than 3D-MDCT-corrected measurements (based on the EOAi) 8.52% vs. 2.32%, respectively. In addition, significant differences regarding the EOA among the three valve sizes (S, M and L) were seen only with the MDCT, but not on 2D-TTE. (4) Conclusions: The corrected continuity equation by combining the 3D-LVOT area from MDCT with the TTE Doppler parameters might provide a more accurate assessment of hemodynamic parameters and PPM diagnosis in patients treated with TAVI. The ACURATE neo2 THV has a large EOA and low incidence of PPM using the 3D-corrected LVOT area than on 2D-TTE. These findings need further confirmation on long-term follow-up and in other studies.