INTRODUCTION: A variable proportion of non-responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) warrants the search for new approaches to optimize the position of the left ventricular (LV) lead and the CRT device programming. CineECG is a novel ECG modality proposed for the spatial visualization and quantification of myocardial depolarization and repolarization sequences. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate CineECG-derived parameters in different pacing modes and to test their associations with acute hemodynamic responses in CRT patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: CineECG was used to construct the average electrical path within the cardiac anatomy from the 12-lead ECG. CineECG and LV dP/dt max were tested in 15 patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and left bundle branch block (QRS: 170 ± 17 ms; LVEF: 26 ± 5.5%) under pacing protocols with different LV lead localizations. The CineECG-derived path directions were computed for the QRS and ST-T intervals for the anteroposterior (Xh), interventricular (Yh), and apicobasal (Zh) axes. In a multivariate linear regression analysis with adjustment for the pacing protocol type, the ST-T path direction Yh was independently associated with the increase in dP/dt max during CRT, [regression coefficient 639.4 (95% confidence interval: 187.9-1090.9), p = 0.006]. In ROC curve analysis, the ST-T path direction Yh was associated with the achievement of a 10% increase in dP/dt max (AUC: 0.779, p = 0.002) with the optimal cut-off > 0.084 (left-to-right direction) with sensitivity 0.67 and specificity 0.92. CONCLUSION: The acute hemodynamic response in CRT patients was associated with specific CineECG repolarization sequence parameters, warranting their further testing as potential predictors of clinical outcomes.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály MeSH
• blokáda Tawarova raménka * patofyziologie   terapie   diagnóza   MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• dilatační kardiomyopatie patofyziologie   terapie   diagnóza   MeSH
• elektrokardiografie * MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční * MeSH
• hemodynamika * MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prediktivní hodnota testů * MeSH
• prostředky srdeční resynchronizační terapie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční frekvence MeSH
• srdeční resynchronizační terapie * MeSH
• srdeční selhání patofyziologie   terapie   diagnóza   MeSH
• tepový objem MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause or aggravate heart failure (HF). Catheter ablation (CA) is an effective treatment for AF. This study focused on the feasibility and outcomes of emergent AF ablation performed during hospitalization for acute HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively investigated patients who underwent emergent CA for AF during hospitalization for acute HF in 2018-2024. Arrhythmia recurrence was the primary endpoint. The combination of arrhythmia recurrence, HF hospitalization, and all-cause death was the secondary endpoint. Patients were censored 1 year after the index procedure. We included 46 patients, 35% females, with median age of 67 [interquartile rage: 61, 72] years and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25 [23, 28]%. Thermal CA was performed in 14 patients, and pulsed field ablation (PFA) in 32 patients. Procedure time was significantly shorter with PFA compared to thermal CA (77 [57, 91] vs. 166 [142, 200] minutes, p < 0.001). Fluoroscopy time was longer with PFA (9.5 [7.6, 12.0] vs. 3.9 [2.9, 6.0] minutes, p < 0.001), with a borderline trend towards higher radiation dose (75 [53, 170] vs. 50 [30, 94] μGy.m2, p = 0.056). Extrapulmonary ablation was frequent (86% and 84% for thermal CA and PFA, p > 0.9). The estimated freedom from the primary endpoint was 79% after PFA and 64% after thermal CA (p = 0.44). The estimated freedom from the secondary endpoint was 76% after PFA and 57% after thermal CA (p = 0.43). LVEF improved by 24% ± 2% (p < 0.001) in patients with the first manifestation of HF and by 14% ± 4% (p = .004) in patients with decompensated HF diagnosed earlier. CONCLUSIONS: Emergent CA of AF during acute HF hospitalization is safe and associated with improved LVEF and good clinical outcomes. In the PFA era, the rate of these procedures is progressively increasing as they are readily available and easy to perform compared to thermal ablation.

• MeSH
• akční potenciály MeSH
• akutní nemoc MeSH
• časové faktory MeSH
• fibrilace síní * patofyziologie   chirurgie   diagnóza   MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční * MeSH
• katetrizační ablace * škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• recidiva * MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• rizikové faktory MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční frekvence MeSH
• srdeční selhání * patofyziologie   diagnóza   terapie   mortalita   MeSH
• studie proveditelnosti * MeSH
• tepový objem MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• srovnávací studie MeSH

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, often driven by prolonged exposure to pathological stimuli such as pressure and volume overload. These factors contribute to excessive oxidative stress, adverse cardiac remodeling, and dysregulation of the nitric oxide-soluble guanylate cyclase-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-sGC-cGMP) signaling pathway. Given the urgent need for effective treatments, this study investigated the potential of sGC stimulators to mitigate HF progression. We utilized male hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic (TGR) rats and a volume-overload HF model induced by an aortocaval fistula (ACF). Rats received the sGC stimulator BAY 41-8543 (3 mg/kg/day) for 30 weeks, while normotensive Hannover Sprague-Dawley rats served as controls. At the study endpoint (40 weeks of age), left ventricular tissue was analyzed using mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and histological assessment. TGR rats treated with sGC stimulators exhibited a significant increase in key antioxidant proteins (SOD1, CH10, ACSF2, NDUS1, DHE3, GSTM2, and PCCA), suggesting enhanced resistance to oxidative stress. However, sGC stimulator treatment also upregulated extracellular matrix remodeling markers (MMP-2, TGF-β, and SMAD2/3), which are typically associated with fibrosis. Despite this, Masson's trichrome staining revealed reduced collagen deposition in both TGR and TGR-ACF rats receiving sGC stimulators. Notably, all untreated TGR-ACF rats succumbed before the study endpoint, preventing direct assessment of sGC stimulator effects in advanced HF. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of sGC stimulators in HF, particularly through their antioxidant effects. However, their concurrent influence on fibrosis warrants further investigation to optimize treatment strategies.

• MeSH
• chronická nemoc MeSH
• fibróza MeSH
• guanosinmonofosfát cyklický metabolismus   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• morfoliny MeSH
• oxidační stres * účinky léků   MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley * MeSH
• potkani transgenní MeSH
• pyridiny farmakologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• pyrimidiny MeSH
• remodelace komor účinky léků   MeSH
• rozpustná guanylátcyklasa * metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• srdeční selhání * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Malignant lymphoma survivors are at increased risk for anthracycline and/or radiotherapy-induced chronic cardiotoxicity. Proper long-term follow-up is essential for malignant lymphoma survivors after-care. This study aimed to assess TTE parameters of potential subclinical cardiotoxicity and to examine their utility in diagnosing chronic cardiotoxicity. Improvement of the diagnostic process may precede the manifestation of cardiac adverse events. Main objective of the study was to improve the identification of cancer survivors in increased risk of treatment cardiotoxicity. To achieve this goal, utility of various echocardiography parameters was examined.In this retrospective study we analysed TTE of 167 subjects with speckle tracking according to the European Society of Echocardiography guidelines during the follow-up period. 88 of them were long-term lymphoma survivors diagnosed with malignant lymphoma between the years 1994-2015. Minimum follow up period was 5 years with the median of 10 years after anti-cancer treatment cessation. TTE were performed between the years 2017-2022 at cardio-oncology outpatient office during regular follow-up period. A total of 79 volunteers with no history of chronic heart failure (CHF) or decline in LVEF, 51 (64.6%) of whom were males, with the median age of 46 (16-58) years were included in the analysis as control group. Control subjects had various indications for TTE (e.g. preoperative examination, benign palpitations, or with well controlled arterial hypertension taking two antihypertensives at most). Ischemic heart disease was ruled out by stress test. None of the control subjects had history of stroke or chronic lower limb ischemia. All control subjects were considered clinically stable with no sign of cardiac impairment caused by primary disease. Both cancer survivors and control group were divided into subgroups based on LVEF: lower normal LVEF (53-61%), and higher normal LVEF (> 61%). Survivors with lower normal LVEF (53-61%) had a statistically significant decline in GLS compared to those with higher normal LVEF (> 61%). This phenomenon was not observed in control group indicating a possible additional diagnostic value of this parameter. Inclusion of GLS assessment in follow-up TTE examination of subjects with lower normal LVEF may improve the sensitivity of detection of chronic cardiotoxicity. Patients with declined GLS and lower normal LVEF are candidates for intensified follow-up to precede manifestation of cardiac adverse events.

• MeSH
• antracykliny škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• echokardiografie * MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční účinky léků   MeSH
• globální longitudinální strain MeSH
• kardiotoxicita * etiologie   diagnóza   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• lymfom * farmakoterapie   MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• následné studie MeSH
• přežívající onkologičtí pacienti * MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• tepový objem účinky léků   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes myocardial electrical remodeling and promotes ventricular tachycardia and/or fibrillation (VT/VF). However, experimental studies have been frequently unsuccessful in developing a DM model with the expected high level of arrhythmic outcomes. The present study aims at evaluating cardiac electrophysiological properties in the rats with different Type 1 DM (T1DM) durations and identifying an electrophysiological phenotype associated with the high incidence of VT/VF. METHODS: The experiments were performed in 109 male Wistar rats (6-10 weeks old), subdivided into the groups of control, 4-weeks and 8-weeks T1DM (streptozotocin model). The animals were studied with epicardial electrophysiological mapping, whole-cell patch-clamp and histological examination. The VT/VF susceptibility was tested in ischemia/reperfusion induced in the anesthetized animals. RESULTS: In the 4-weeks T1DM group, we observed the increase in the incidence of reperfusion VT/VF, collagen deposition and dispersion of repolarization, slowed longitudinal and transverse conduction velocity, prolonged action potential duration, increased INa and ICaL currents, nonchanged Ito and IK1 currents. In the 8-weeks T1DM group, the VT/VF incidence, dispersion of repolarization, INa and Ito currents decreased. Other parameters persisted unchanged as compared to the 4-weeks T1DM group. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively early (4 weeks) diabetic electrical remodeling was proarrhythmic and included augmentation of sodium and calcium currents in the presence of fibrosis and slowed conduction and increased dispersion of repolarization. An unexpected finding was that diabetic arrhythmogenesis was associated with the increase in depolarizing transmembrane currents. Further research is warranted to elucidate molecular mechanisms and test the potential for the control of observed changes.

• MeSH
• diabetes mellitus 1. typu * komplikace   patofyziologie   MeSH
• experimentální diabetes mellitus patofyziologie   komplikace   MeSH
• fibrilace komor patofyziologie   MeSH
• komorová tachykardie patofyziologie   etiologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• potkani Wistar * MeSH
• remodelace komor MeSH
• srdeční arytmie patofyziologie   etiologie   MeSH
• srdeční komory patofyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is common in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and it is associated with poor prognosis. However, no biomarker reflecting RVD is available for routine clinical use. METHODS: Proteomic analysis of myocardium from the left ventricle and right ventricle (RV) of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction with (n=10) and without RVD (n=10) who underwent heart transplantation was performed. Concentrations of 2 ECM (extracellular matrix) proteins with the highest myocardial upregulation in RVD, FMOD (fibromodulin) and FBLN5 (fibulin-5), were assayed in the blood and tested in a separate cohort of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n=232) to test for the association of the 2 proteins with RV function and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Multivariable linear regression revealed that plasma concentrations of both FMOD and FBLN5 were significantly associated with RV function regardless of the RV function assessment method. No association of FMOD or FBLN5 with left ventricular dysfunction, cardiac index, body mass index, diabetes status, or kidney function was found. Plasma levels of FMOD and FBLN5 were significantly associated with patient outcomes (P=0.005; P=0.004). Area under the curve analysis showed that the addition of FBLN5 or FMOD to RV function assessment had a significantly higher area under the curve after 4 years of follow-up (0.653 and 0.631, respectively) compared with RV function alone (0.570; P<0.05 for both). Similarly, the combination of MAGGIC (Meta-Analysis Global Group in Chronic Heart Failure) score, FBLN5, and FMOD had a significantly larger area under the curve (0.669) than the combination of MAGGIC score+RVD grade (0.572; P=0.02). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that patients with the elevation of both FMOD and FBLN5 (ie, FMOD >64 ng/mL and FMOD >27 ng/mL) had a worse prognosis than those with the elevation of either FBLN5 or FMOD (P=0.03) demonstrating the additive prognostic value of both proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proposes that circulating levels of FMOD and FBLN5 may serve as new biomarkers of RVD in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

• MeSH
• biologické markery * krev   MeSH
• extracelulární matrix - proteiny krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• fibromodulin * MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční fyziologie   MeSH
• funkce pravé komory srdeční fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• prognóza MeSH
• proteiny vázající vápník krev   metabolismus   MeSH
• proteomika * metody   MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční komory patofyziologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• srdeční selhání * patofyziologie   metabolismus   krev   MeSH
• tepový objem * fyziologie   MeSH
• transplantace srdce MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Myocardial remodelling involves structural and functional changes in the heart, potentially leading to heart failure. The deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)/salt model is a widely used experimental approach to study hypertension-induced cardiac remodelling. It allows to investigate the mechanisms underlying myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy, which are key contributors to impaired cardiac function. In this study, myocardial remodelling in rat deoxycorticosterone acetate/salt model was examined over a three-week period. The experiment involved 11 male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into two groups: fibrosis (n=6) and control (n=5). Myocardial remodelling was induced in the fibrosis group through unilateral nephrectomy, deoxyco-rticosterone acetate administration, and increased salt intake. The results revealed significant structural changes, including increased left ventricular wall thickness, myocardial fractional volume, and development of myocardial fibrosis. Despite these changes, left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved and even increased. ECG analysis showed significant prolongation of the PR interval and widening of the QRS complex in the fibrosis group, indicating disrupted atrioventricular and ventricular conduction, likely due to fibrosis and hypertrophy. Correlation analysis suggested a potential relationship between QRS duration and myocardial hypertrophy, although no significant correlations were found among other ECG parameters and structural changes detected by MRI. The study highlights the advantage of the DOCA/salt model in exploring the impact of myocardial remodelling on electrophysiological properties. Notably, this study is among the first to show that early myocardial remodelling in this model is accompanied by distinct electrophysiological changes, suggesting that advanced methods combined with established animal models can open new opportunities for research in this field. Key words Myocardial fibrosis, Remodelling, Animal model, DOCA-salt, Magnetic resonance imaging.

• MeSH
• deoxykortikosteron-21-acetát * MeSH
• elektrokardiografie * MeSH
• fibróza MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• kuchyňská sůl škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• modely nemocí na zvířatech MeSH
• myokard patologie   MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley * MeSH
• remodelace komor * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

• MeSH
• blokáda Tawarova raménka etiologie   terapie   MeSH
• elektrokardiografie MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční MeSH
• Hisův svazek * MeSH
• kardiomyopatie * etiologie   terapie   MeSH
• kardiostimulace umělá škodlivé účinky   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• srdeční komory MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Currently, use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in non-ischaemic cardiogenic shock (CS) is predominantly guided by shock-specific markers, and not by markers of cardiac function. We hypothesise that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) can identify patients with a higher likelihood to benefit from MCS and thus help to optimise their expected benefit. METHODS: Patients with non-ischaemic CS and available data on LVEF from 16 tertiary-care centres in five countries were analysed. Cox regression models were fitted to evaluate the association between LVEF and mortality, as well as the interaction between LVEF, MCS use and mortality. RESULTS: N = 807 patients were analysed: mean age 63 [interquartile range (IQR) 51.5-72.0] years, 601 (74.5%) male, lactate 4.9 (IQR 2.6-8.5) mmol/l, LVEF 20 (IQR 15-30) %. Lower LVEF was more frequent amongst patients with more severe CS, and MCS was more likely used in patients with lower LVEF. There was no association between LVEF and 30-day mortality risk in the overall study cohort. However, there was a significant interaction between MCS use and LVEF, indicating a lower 30-day mortality risk with MCS use in patients with LVEF ≤ 20% (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.02 for LVEF ≤ 20% vs. hazard ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 0.85-2.01 for LVEF > 20%, interaction-p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: This retrospective study may indicate a lower mortality risk with MCS use only in patients with severely reduced LVEF. This may propose the inclusion of LVEF as an adjunctive parameter for MCS decision-making in non-ischaemic CS, aiming to optimise the benefit-risk ratio.

• MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční MeSH
• kardiogenní šok * diagnóza   terapie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• podpůrné srdeční systémy * MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• tepový objem MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is pivotal in managing heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, and walking integrated into daily life is an especially suitable form of physical activity. This study aimed to determine whether a 6-month lifestyle walking intervention combining self-monitoring and regular telephone counseling improves functional capacity assessed by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with stable heart failure with reduced ejection fraction compared with usual care. METHODS: The WATCHFUL trial (Pedometer-Based Walking Intervention in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction) was a 6-month multicenter, parallel-group randomized controlled trial recruiting patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction from 6 cardiovascular centers in the Czech Republic. Eligible participants were ≥18 years of age, had left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, and had New York Heart Association class II or III symptoms on guidelines-recommended medication. Individuals exceeding 450 meters on the baseline 6MWT were excluded. Patients in the intervention group were equipped with a Garmin vívofit activity tracker and received monthly telephone counseling from research nurses who encouraged them to use behavior change techniques such as self-monitoring, goal-setting, and action planning to increase their daily step count. The patients in the control group continued usual care. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the distance walked during the 6MWT at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included daily step count and minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity as measured by the hip-worn Actigraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer, NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein biomarkers, ejection fraction, anthropometric measures, depression score, self-efficacy, quality of life, and survival risk score. The primary analysis was conducted by intention to treat. RESULTS: Of 218 screened patients, 202 were randomized (mean age, 65 years; 22.8% female; 90.6% New York Heart Association class II; median left ventricular ejection fraction, 32.5%; median 6MWT, 385 meters; average 5071 steps/day; average 10.9 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day). At 6 months, no between-group differences were detected in the 6MWT (mean 7.4 meters [95% CI, -8.0 to 22.7]; P=0.345, n=186). The intervention group increased their average daily step count by 1420 (95% CI, 749 to 2091) and daily minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity by 8.2 (95% CI, 3.0 to 13.3) over the control group. No between-group differences were detected for any other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the lifestyle intervention in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction improved daily steps by about 25%, it failed to demonstrate a corresponding improvement in functional capacity. Further research is needed to understand the lack of association between increased physical activity and functional outcomes. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03041610.

• MeSH
• chůze MeSH
• dysfunkce levé srdeční komory * MeSH
• funkce levé komory srdeční MeSH
• kvalita života MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• srdeční selhání * terapie   farmakoterapie   MeSH
• tepový objem MeSH
• životní styl MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• multicentrická studie MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH