Right Ventricular (RV) dysfunction is a common cause of heart failure in patients with congenital heart defects and often leads to impaired functional capacity and premature death. 3D cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-based RV/LV combination models with fluid-structure interactions have been introduced to perform mechanical analysis and optimize RV remodeling surgery. Obtaining accurate RV/LV morphology is a very important step in the model-constructing process. A semi-automatic segmentation process was introduced in this project to obtain RV/LV/Valve geometry from patient-specific 3D CMR images. A total of 420 contour results were obtained from one patient CMRI data using QMASS software package at Department of Cardiology of Children¡¯s hospital. The digital contour data were automatically acquired using a self-developed program written in MATLAB. 3D visualizations of the RV/LV combination model at different phases throughout the cardiac cycle were presented and RV/LV volume curves were given showing the volume variation based on digital contour data under MATLAB environment. For the patient considered, the RV stoke volume (SV) is 190.8 ml (normal value is 60-136 ml) and ejection fraction is 43.5% (normal value is 47%-63%). In future work, the surgical, CMR imaging and computational modeling will be integrated together to optimize patch design and RV volume reduction surgery procedures to maximize recovery of RV cardiac function.

Bakgrund: Uträkning av vänsterkammarens (VK) volymer (Enddiastolisk volym, EDV; Endsystolisk volym, ESV; Slagvolym, SV) och ejektionsfraktion (EF) går att göra med elektrokardiografi (EKG)-styrd gating vid positronemissionstomografi (PET) med spårämnet 15O-vatten. Metoden behöver utredas noggrannare och optimeras för att kunna introduceras i klinisk rutinverksamhet. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka bildanalys av PET-rekonstruktioner med olika spatial och temporal upplösning i samband med 15O-vatten-PET utförd med EKG-gating, samt jämföra analysutfallen av VK-volymer och EF mot CMR och sinsemellan, för att utreda möjligheten att optimera metoden. Metod: Totalt 25 patienter som genomgått en 15O-vatten-PET, varav n=11 hade undersökts med CMR samma dag, inkluderades. Olika gating-rekonstruktioner med varierande upplösning utfördes retrospektivt och analyserades automatiskt samt manuellt. Analysutfallen för VK-volymer och EF för PET och CM jämfördes statistiskt. Resultat: I studien fanns en stark till mycket stark korrelation mellan PET och CMR för EDV, stark korrelation för ESV, medel till stark korrelation för SV och svag till medel korrelation för EF. Rekonstruktion med 12 gating-bins och 256x256 matrisstorlek hade starkast korrelation för SV och EF. Samtliga PET-rekonstruktioner korrelerade starkt-till mycket starkt med varandra för VK-volymer och EF. Bland-Altman-analyser visade på en god repeterbarhet, framförallt vid manuell analys, för beräkning av EF med 15O-vatten-PET. Slutsats: VK-volymer och EF kan beräknas med 15O-vatten-PET med en repeterbarhet liknande den för andra, mer använda modaliteter. Att använda en högre upplösning än vad som tidigare testats gav högre värden för EF, och starkare korrelation i jämförelse mot CMR. / Background: Calculation of left ventricle (LV)-volumes (End Diastolic Volume, EDV; End Systolic Volume, ESV; Stroke Volume, SV) and ejection fraction (EF) is possible with electrocardiography (ECG)-gated Positron Emission Tomography (PET) using 15O-water, but the method needs to be further investigated and optimized before clinical routine implementation. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate how altered image resolution affects the analysis and values of LV-volumes and ejection fraction on 15O-water-PET and compare the results against Cardiac Magnetic Resonance imaging (CMR) to enable optimization of the PET-method.  Method: In total, 25 patients who previously underwent a 15O-water-PET, where n=11 also performed CMR on the same day were included in the study. Different gating-reconstructions with varying resolution were performed retrospectively and underwent analysis, both automatically and manually.  Results: Correlation analysis found a strong to very strong correlation comparing PET against CMR for EDV, a strong correlation for ESV, a moderate to strong correlation for SV and a weak to moderate correlation for EF. The reconstruction containing 12 gating-bins and a 256x256 matrix size showed the strongest correlation for SV and EF. All PET-reconstructions correlated strong to very strong against each other for all LV-volumes and EF. Bland-Altman-plots showed good repeatability, especially for manual analysis, when calculating EF on 15O-water-PET.  Conclusion: LV-volumes and EF can be calculated on 15O-water-PET, with repeatability close to that of other modalities. Using an increased resolution than previously tested resulted in higher EF and stronger correlation in comparison with CMR.

Bedömningen av höger kammares systoliska funktion kan med fördel göras med ekokardiografi, bl.a. med tekniker som tvådimensionell ekokardiografi, motion-mode (M-mode) och Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI). Mätvärden som kan fås ut av dessa tekniker är Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) och s`. TAPSE beskriver annulus tricuspidalis longitudinella rörlighet. s´ beskriver den maximala systoliska hastigheten i annulus tricuspidalis. Syftet med examensarbetet var att undersöka sambandet mellan TAPSE och s´ vid högerkammarfunktionsbestämning. Studien är en retrospektiv tvärsnittsstudie och består av 99 deltagare i åldrarna 18–90 år. Både friska och hjärt-och kärlsjuka deltagare inkluderades, men inte patienter med förmaksflimmer eller individer som var yngre än 18 år. Deltagarna undersöktes med transthorakal ekokardiografi (TTE) vid Länssjukhuset Ryhov i Jönköping, vid undersökningen mättes TAPSE och s´. Det var samma biomedicinska analytiker (BMA) som utförde undersökningarna. McNemars test utfördes och ett Kappa-värde räknades ut. Resultatet visade signifikant skillnad och Kappa-värdet var lågt vilket talar för dåligt samband mellan de båda variablerna. Utfallet i studien visar att fler deltagare klassas med normal högerkammarfunktion mätt med TAPSE, medan samma individer klassas med högerkammardysfunktion mätt med s´. Orsaken till det dåliga sambandet mellan parametrarna är okänt och bör studeras vidare i kommande studier. / The assessment of right ventricular systolic function is done by echocardiography, with techniques as twodimensional echocardiography, motion-mode (M-mode) and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI). Measurements ​​obtained from these techniques are Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) and s`. TAPSE describes the longitudinal movement of annulus tricuspidalis. s´ describes annulus tricuspidalis maximal systolic velocity. The purpose of this essay was to explore the relationship between TAPSE and s´. The study consists of 99 participants between the ages of 18 and 90. The population was consisted of individuals with or without cardiovascular disease, but not individuals with atrial fibrillation. Participants were investigated with transthorakal echocardiography (TTE) at Länssjukhuset Ryhov in Jönköping. At the examination both TAPSE and s´ was measured. McNemar's test was performed and a Kappa value was calculated. The result showed a significant difference and the Kappa value was low which indicates a low relationship between the variables. The outcome of the study shows that several participants are classified with normal right ventricular function measured with TAPSE, but the same individuals are classified with right ventricular dysfunction measured by s'. The reason for the poor relationship between the parameters is unknown and should be studied further in future studies.

Introdução: O bloqueio atrioventricular congênito isolado (BAVCi) é raro e tem múltiplas apresentações clínicas. O implante de marca-passo cardíaco permanente (MP) é o tratamento de escolha, resultando em evolução clínica satisfatória para a maioria dos casos, porém, aproximadamente 10% deles apresentam remodelamento ventricular e insuficiência cardíaca grave. Objetivos: Estudar a evolução tardia de crianças e adultos jovens com BAVCi e estimulação crônica do ventrículo direito (VD), visando determinar: a prevalência de sinais clínicos e laboratoriais de insuficiência cardíaca e de remodelamento ventricular; a capacidade funcional; a qualidade de vida e fatores preditores de alterações clínicas, funcionais ou ecocardiográficas. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em coorte de portadores de BAVCi e MP implantado antes de 21 anos de idade com estimulação no VD há mais de um ano. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a avaliação clínica e laboratorial, da capacidade funcional, da qualidade de vida e a ecocardiograma. Mães e sujeitos da pesquisa foram investigados para doenças reumatológicas. Os dados foram armazenados no sistema REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) e analisados pelos programas SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) e R Studio. A análise dos dados incluiu: análise univariada para pesquisa de associações entre variáveis preditoras e desfechos, coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e modelo de regressão linear multivariado. Resultados: De março/2010 a dezembro/2013, foram avaliados 63 indivíduos, 68% do sexo feminino, com idade de 1 a 40 anos, com MP por 13,4 ± 6,5 anos e estimulação do VD por 10,0 ± 5,4 anos. O modo de estimulação era atrioventricular em 55,6%, o percentual de estimulação de VD de 97,9 ± 4,2% e a duração do complexo QRS estimulado de 152,4 ± 20,1 ms. A maioria (88,9%) era assintomática e não utilizava medicamentos de ação cardiovascular. Maior tempo de MP (P= 0,013), maior tempo de estimulação do VD (P= 0,005), maior idade na inclusão no estudo (P= 0,032) ou menor fração de ejeção do ventrículo (FEVE) (P= 0,013) associaram-se com a presença de classe funcional II (NYHA) e/ou uso medicamentos. Os valores do peptídeo natriurético tipo B foram normais em todos os exames laboratoriais, mas houve alteração da proteína C reativa ultrassensível, fator de necrose tumoral alfa e interleucina-6 em 66%, 34% e 13% exames, respectivamente. A distância média percorrida no teste de caminha de seis minutos foi de 546,9 ± 76,2 metros (91,0 ± 12,5% do valor predito). Os escores médios da qualidade de vida foram 78,1 ± 17,7 para o \"Sumário Físico\" e 76,6 ± 17,1 para o \"Sumário Mental\" do questionário Short Form 36 (SF-36) e de 77,4 ± 18,5, para o \"Sumário Físico\" e de 77,7 ± 21,6 para o \"Sumário Psicossocial\", do Child Health Questionnaire - Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50). Diminuição da FEVE foi detectada em 39,7% e aumento do diâmetro diastólico do ventrículo esquerdo (DDVE) em 22,2% dos indivíduos. A idade mais avançada no primeiro implante de MP se correlacionou negativamente com menor FEVE (r= -0,302; P= 0,016); a duração do complexo QRS estimulado (r= 0,447; P= 0,002) e maior tempo sob estimulação do VD (r= 0,416; P= 0,007) se correlacionaram positivamente ao aumento do DDVE. Foi detectada dissincronia ventricular em 60,3% dos indivíduos. O retardo da ativação eletromecânica intraventricular esquerda foi de 86,5 ± 56,9 ms e interventricular, de 141,9 ± 88 ms. Contudo, não houve correlação com os fatores estudados. Autoanticorpos anti-Ro/SSA foram detectados em 18 (32,1%) mães, com associação entre idade no momento do implante do MP (P= 0,032) e uso de MP ventricular no momento do estudo (P= 0,022). A regressão linear multivariada confirmou a correlação entre a idade no momento do implante do MP com a FEVE (P= 0,016), da duração do complexo QRS estimulado (P= 0,004) e do tempo sob estimulação do VD (P= 0,014) com o DDVE. Conclusões: A prevalência de manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais de insuficiência cardíaca foi baixa; por outro lado, a de remodelamento ventricular esquerdo foi elevada. A capacidade funcional foi satisfatória, assim como a qualidade de vida, nos aspectos físicos e emocionais. Idade mais avançada no primeiro implante de MP, maior tempo sob estimulação cardíaca e complexo QRS estimulado mais alargado foram fatores independentes de remodelamento ventricular e/ou de manifestação de insuficiência cardíaca / Introduction: Isolated congenital atrioventricular block (iCAVB) is a rare condition with multiple clinical presentations. Permanent cardiac pacing is the most effective therapy for this population resulting in satisfactory long-term outcomes. However, approximately 10% of patients may have ventricular remodeling and severe heart failure. Objectives: To study the long-term effects of chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing in children and young adults with iCAVB in order to determine: prevalence of clinical and laboratory signs of heart failure and ventricular remodeling, functional capacity, quality of life and predictors of clinical, functional or echocardiographic abnormalities. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of iCAVB patients with <= 21 years old at initial pacemaker (PM) implantation and single or dual-chamber pacing in a unique RV site for a minimum of one year. All subjects underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, functional capacity, quality of life and echocardiogram. Mothers and research subjects were investigated for rheumatic diseases. Data were stored in REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) system and analyzed by SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and R Studio programs. Data analysis included: univariate analysis for associations between predictor variables and outcomes, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression multivariate model. Results: Between March/2010 and December/2013, we evaluated 63 subjects aged 1-40 years old, 68% female, under PM for 13.4 ± 6.5 years and under RV pacing for 10.0 ± 5.4 years. Pacing mode was atrioventricular in 55.6%, percentage of RV pacing was 97.9 ± 4.2% and paced QRS duration was 152.4 ± 20.1 ms. Overall, the majority (88.9%) were asymptomatic and did not use cardiovascular drugs. Longer time under PM (P= 0.013), or even under RV pacing (P= 0.005), higher age at study inclusion (P= 0.032) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P= 0.013) were associated with functional class II (NYHA) and / or drug use. B-natriuretic peptide values were normal in all tests. C reactive protein ultrasensitive, tumor necrosis factor alfa and interleukin-6 were increased in 66%, 34% and 13% tests, respectively. The mean walked distance in the sex minute walk test was 546.9 ± 76.2 meters (91.0 ± 12.5% of the predicted value). Mean scores of quality of life were 78.1 ± 17.7 for \"Physical Summary\" and 76.6 ± 17.1 for \"Mental Summary\" in the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and 77.4 ± 18.5 for \"Physical Summary\" and 77.7 ± 21.6 for \"Psychosocial Summary\", of Child Health Questionnaire - Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50). Decreased LVEF was detected in 39.7% and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) in 22.2% of subjects. Higher age at the first PM implant was negatively correlated with lower LVEF (r= -0.302; P= 0.016); paced QRS duration (r= 0.447; P= 0.002) and time under RV pacing (r= 0.416; P= 0.007) were positively correlated with LVDD. Ventricular dyssynchrony was detected in 60.3 % of individuals. Intra-left ventricular electromechanical delay was 86.5 ± 56.9 ms and interventricular was 141.9 ± 88 ms. However, ventricular dyssynchrony was not correlated with the studied variables. Autoantibodies anti-SSA/Ro were detected in 18 (32.1%) mothers. There was association between age at PM implant (P= 0.032) and use of ventricular PM at the time of the study (P= 0.022) and presence of anti-SSA/Ro. Multivariate linear regression showed significant correlation between age at PM implant with LVEF (P= 0.016); and paced QRS duration (P= 0.005) and time under RV pacing (P= 0.014) with LVDD. Conclusions: Clinical and laboratorial manifestations of heart failure presented low prevalence in this population. On the other hand, the prevalence of left ventricular remodeling was high. Functional capacity was adequate, as well as quality of life, in both physical and emotional aspects. Higher age at first PM implant, longer time under pacing and wider paced QRS duration were independent factors of ventricular remodeling and/or manifestation of heart failure

Introdução: O bloqueio atrioventricular congênito isolado (BAVCi) é raro e tem múltiplas apresentações clínicas. O implante de marca-passo cardíaco permanente (MP) é o tratamento de escolha, resultando em evolução clínica satisfatória para a maioria dos casos, porém, aproximadamente 10% deles apresentam remodelamento ventricular e insuficiência cardíaca grave. Objetivos: Estudar a evolução tardia de crianças e adultos jovens com BAVCi e estimulação crônica do ventrículo direito (VD), visando determinar: a prevalência de sinais clínicos e laboratoriais de insuficiência cardíaca e de remodelamento ventricular; a capacidade funcional; a qualidade de vida e fatores preditores de alterações clínicas, funcionais ou ecocardiográficas. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado em coorte de portadores de BAVCi e MP implantado antes de 21 anos de idade com estimulação no VD há mais de um ano. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a avaliação clínica e laboratorial, da capacidade funcional, da qualidade de vida e a ecocardiograma. Mães e sujeitos da pesquisa foram investigados para doenças reumatológicas. Os dados foram armazenados no sistema REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) e analisados pelos programas SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) e R Studio. A análise dos dados incluiu: análise univariada para pesquisa de associações entre variáveis preditoras e desfechos, coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e modelo de regressão linear multivariado. Resultados: De março/2010 a dezembro/2013, foram avaliados 63 indivíduos, 68% do sexo feminino, com idade de 1 a 40 anos, com MP por 13,4 ± 6,5 anos e estimulação do VD por 10,0 ± 5,4 anos. O modo de estimulação era atrioventricular em 55,6%, o percentual de estimulação de VD de 97,9 ± 4,2% e a duração do complexo QRS estimulado de 152,4 ± 20,1 ms. A maioria (88,9%) era assintomática e não utilizava medicamentos de ação cardiovascular. Maior tempo de MP (P= 0,013), maior tempo de estimulação do VD (P= 0,005), maior idade na inclusão no estudo (P= 0,032) ou menor fração de ejeção do ventrículo (FEVE) (P= 0,013) associaram-se com a presença de classe funcional II (NYHA) e/ou uso medicamentos. Os valores do peptídeo natriurético tipo B foram normais em todos os exames laboratoriais, mas houve alteração da proteína C reativa ultrassensível, fator de necrose tumoral alfa e interleucina-6 em 66%, 34% e 13% exames, respectivamente. A distância média percorrida no teste de caminha de seis minutos foi de 546,9 ± 76,2 metros (91,0 ± 12,5% do valor predito). Os escores médios da qualidade de vida foram 78,1 ± 17,7 para o \"Sumário Físico\" e 76,6 ± 17,1 para o \"Sumário Mental\" do questionário Short Form 36 (SF-36) e de 77,4 ± 18,5, para o \"Sumário Físico\" e de 77,7 ± 21,6 para o \"Sumário Psicossocial\", do Child Health Questionnaire - Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50). Diminuição da FEVE foi detectada em 39,7% e aumento do diâmetro diastólico do ventrículo esquerdo (DDVE) em 22,2% dos indivíduos. A idade mais avançada no primeiro implante de MP se correlacionou negativamente com menor FEVE (r= -0,302; P= 0,016); a duração do complexo QRS estimulado (r= 0,447; P= 0,002) e maior tempo sob estimulação do VD (r= 0,416; P= 0,007) se correlacionaram positivamente ao aumento do DDVE. Foi detectada dissincronia ventricular em 60,3% dos indivíduos. O retardo da ativação eletromecânica intraventricular esquerda foi de 86,5 ± 56,9 ms e interventricular, de 141,9 ± 88 ms. Contudo, não houve correlação com os fatores estudados. Autoanticorpos anti-Ro/SSA foram detectados em 18 (32,1%) mães, com associação entre idade no momento do implante do MP (P= 0,032) e uso de MP ventricular no momento do estudo (P= 0,022). A regressão linear multivariada confirmou a correlação entre a idade no momento do implante do MP com a FEVE (P= 0,016), da duração do complexo QRS estimulado (P= 0,004) e do tempo sob estimulação do VD (P= 0,014) com o DDVE. Conclusões: A prevalência de manifestações clínicas e laboratoriais de insuficiência cardíaca foi baixa; por outro lado, a de remodelamento ventricular esquerdo foi elevada. A capacidade funcional foi satisfatória, assim como a qualidade de vida, nos aspectos físicos e emocionais. Idade mais avançada no primeiro implante de MP, maior tempo sob estimulação cardíaca e complexo QRS estimulado mais alargado foram fatores independentes de remodelamento ventricular e/ou de manifestação de insuficiência cardíaca / Introduction: Isolated congenital atrioventricular block (iCAVB) is a rare condition with multiple clinical presentations. Permanent cardiac pacing is the most effective therapy for this population resulting in satisfactory long-term outcomes. However, approximately 10% of patients may have ventricular remodeling and severe heart failure. Objectives: To study the long-term effects of chronic right ventricular (RV) pacing in children and young adults with iCAVB in order to determine: prevalence of clinical and laboratory signs of heart failure and ventricular remodeling, functional capacity, quality of life and predictors of clinical, functional or echocardiographic abnormalities. Methods: Cross-sectional study of a cohort of iCAVB patients with <= 21 years old at initial pacemaker (PM) implantation and single or dual-chamber pacing in a unique RV site for a minimum of one year. All subjects underwent clinical and laboratory assessment, functional capacity, quality of life and echocardiogram. Mothers and research subjects were investigated for rheumatic diseases. Data were stored in REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) system and analyzed by SAS (Statistical Analysis System), SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) and R Studio programs. Data analysis included: univariate analysis for associations between predictor variables and outcomes, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression multivariate model. Results: Between March/2010 and December/2013, we evaluated 63 subjects aged 1-40 years old, 68% female, under PM for 13.4 ± 6.5 years and under RV pacing for 10.0 ± 5.4 years. Pacing mode was atrioventricular in 55.6%, percentage of RV pacing was 97.9 ± 4.2% and paced QRS duration was 152.4 ± 20.1 ms. Overall, the majority (88.9%) were asymptomatic and did not use cardiovascular drugs. Longer time under PM (P= 0.013), or even under RV pacing (P= 0.005), higher age at study inclusion (P= 0.032) and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (P= 0.013) were associated with functional class II (NYHA) and / or drug use. B-natriuretic peptide values were normal in all tests. C reactive protein ultrasensitive, tumor necrosis factor alfa and interleukin-6 were increased in 66%, 34% and 13% tests, respectively. The mean walked distance in the sex minute walk test was 546.9 ± 76.2 meters (91.0 ± 12.5% of the predicted value). Mean scores of quality of life were 78.1 ± 17.7 for \"Physical Summary\" and 76.6 ± 17.1 for \"Mental Summary\" in the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and 77.4 ± 18.5 for \"Physical Summary\" and 77.7 ± 21.6 for \"Psychosocial Summary\", of Child Health Questionnaire - Parent Form 50 (CHQ-PF50). Decreased LVEF was detected in 39.7% and increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDD) in 22.2% of subjects. Higher age at the first PM implant was negatively correlated with lower LVEF (r= -0.302; P= 0.016); paced QRS duration (r= 0.447; P= 0.002) and time under RV pacing (r= 0.416; P= 0.007) were positively correlated with LVDD. Ventricular dyssynchrony was detected in 60.3 % of individuals. Intra-left ventricular electromechanical delay was 86.5 ± 56.9 ms and interventricular was 141.9 ± 88 ms. However, ventricular dyssynchrony was not correlated with the studied variables. Autoantibodies anti-SSA/Ro were detected in 18 (32.1%) mothers. There was association between age at PM implant (P= 0.032) and use of ventricular PM at the time of the study (P= 0.022) and presence of anti-SSA/Ro. Multivariate linear regression showed significant correlation between age at PM implant with LVEF (P= 0.016); and paced QRS duration (P= 0.005) and time under RV pacing (P= 0.014) with LVDD. Conclusions: Clinical and laboratorial manifestations of heart failure presented low prevalence in this population. On the other hand, the prevalence of left ventricular remodeling was high. Functional capacity was adequate, as well as quality of life, in both physical and emotional aspects. Higher age at first PM implant, longer time under pacing and wider paced QRS duration were independent factors of ventricular remodeling and/or manifestation of heart failure