Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Henriette Kuhle, Steven K. S. Cho, Nathaniel Barber, Datta Singh Goolaub, Jack R. T. Darby, Janna L. Morrison, Christoph Haller, Liqun Sun, Mike Seed
Summary: Over the past few decades, advanced imaging techniques have been used to assess cardiovascular physiology and cardiac function in the fetus. Technical development has been necessary to make these assessments feasible in the fetus, while an understanding of the unique physiology of fetal circulation is needed for proper interpretation of the results. This review discusses recent advances in fetal echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance, providing examples of their application in research and clinical settings, as well as future directions for these technologies.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Giulia Elena Mandoli, Flavio D'Ascenzi, Giulia Vinco, Giovanni Benfari, Fabrizio Ricci, Marta Focardi, Luna Cavigli, Maria Concetta Pastore, Nicolo Sisti, Oreste De Vivo, Ciro Santoro, Sergio Mondillo, Matteo Cameli
Summary: Advances in cardiac imaging techniques have enabled non-invasive tissue characterization of the myocardium, providing valuable insights into specific disease processes. The diagnostic accuracy, incremental yield, and prognostic value of speckle tracking echocardiography, late gadolinium enhancement, and parametric mapping modules by cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography have been validated against tissue samples, offering relevant clinical information to cardiologists.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Wenjing Bi, Yangjie Xiao, Xin Wang, Li Cui, Guang Song, Zeyu Yang, Ying Zhang, Weidong Ren
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of assisted reproductive technology (ART) on fetal and infant cardiac remodeling. The results showed that ART fetuses demonstrated cardiac alterations compared to spontaneously conceived controls, including globular enlarged left ventricle (LV), larger right ventricle (RV), and reduced LV systolic deformation. However, these alterations did not persist in early infancy. Furthermore, different ART procedures showed similar unfavorable changes in the fetal heart.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Alberto Aimo, Iacopo Fabiani, Alberto Giannoni, Giulia Elena Mandoli, Maria Concetta Pastore, Giuseppe Vergaro, Valentina Spini, Vladyslav Chubuchny, Emilio Maria Pasanisi, Christina Petersen, Elisa Poggianti, Claudia Taddei, Vincenzo Castiglione, Sara Latrofa, Giorgia Panichella, Carlotta Sciaccaluga, Georgios Georgiopoulos, Claudio Passino, Matteo Cameli, Michele Emdin
Summary: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) affects all four heart chambers, and strain parameters of all chambers are altered in CA patients, particularly those with amyloid transthyretin (ATTR; n = 144, 34%) or amyloid light-chain (AL; n = 117, 28%) CA. Peak left atrial longitudinal strain (LA-PALS) is independently associated with the diagnosis of CA or ATTR-CA beyond standard echocardiographic variables and cardiac biomarkers. Patients with the most severe impairment of LA strain are most likely to have CA or ATTR-CA.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Denio A. Ridjab, Ignatius Ivan, Fanny Budiman, Riki Tenggara
Summary: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) can identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis. This systematic review found that cirrhosis is associated with reduced left ventricular and right ventricular GLS values, and the severity of cirrhosis is related to GLS reduction.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Georgiana-Gratiela Malaescu, Oana Mirea, Razvan Capota, Aniela Monica Petrescu, Jurgen Duchenne, Jens-Uwe Voigt
Summary: The present study investigated the determinants of left atrial (LA) strain in all phases of the cardiac cycle. The results showed that LA strain is largely determined by left ventricular (LV) strain and further modulated by the ratio of LV and LA volumes. Nonetheless, measuring LA strain is of high clinical interest because it integrates several parameters into a single, robust, and reproducible measurement.
JACC-CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Rosaria Sofia, Veronica Melita, Antonio De Vita, Antonio Ruggiero, Alberto Romano, Giorgio Attina, Lisa Birritella, Priscilla Lamendola, Antonella Lombardo, Gaetano Antonio Lanza, Angelica Bibiana Delogu
Summary: In long-term pediatric cancer survivors who received anthracycline therapy, this study found a significantly reduced three-dimensional left ventricle ejection fraction, despite no significant differences in two-dimensional left ventricle ejection fraction and longitudinal strain values. These findings suggest that long-term cancer survivors who had received anthracycline therapy may exhibit subclinical features of myocardial dysfunction. Further studies are needed to validate new imaging techniques, including speckle tracking echocardiography and three-dimensional echocardiography, for identifying patients at risk for cardiomyopathy in the long-term follow-up of childhood cancer survivors.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Massimiliano Cantinotti, Pietro Marchese, Marco Scalese, Paola Medino, Vivek Jani, Eliana Franchi, Pak Vitali, Giuseppe Santoro, Cecilia Viacava, Nadia Assanta, Shelby Kutty, Martin Koestenberger, Raffaele Giordano
Summary: STE epsilon analysis revealed significant LV systolic impairment after surgery, with improvement thereafter but incomplete normalization at discharge. Differences between base and apex emerged, with apical segments showing relative hypercontractility after surgery. Slower recovery of LV epsilon values compared to LVEF suggests that STE epsilon analysis may be more accurate for follow-up of mild LV post-surgical impairment.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rossana Orabona, Edoardo Sciatti, Enrico Vizzardi, Ivano Bonadei, Marco Metra, Enrico Sartori, Tiziana Frusca, Antonio Pinna, Rino Bellocco, Federico Prefumo
Summary: This study investigated the maternal left ventricular (LV) function in uncomplicated twin pregnancies longitudinally. The results showed that maternal LV geometry, dimensions, and function were significantly impaired during twin pregnancies, particularly in the second half of gestation. However, there were no significant differences compared to singleton pregnancies.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rong Huang, Jiewen Jin, Pengyuan Zhang, Kemin Yan, Hanrong Zhang, Xin Chen, Wei He, Hongyu Guan, Zhihong Liao, Haipeng Xiao, Yanbing Li, Hai Li
Summary: Cardiovascular disease has become a major concern for individuals with acromegaly, and identifying cardiac dysfunction early is crucial. Speckle tracking echocardiography has proven to be an effective method for assessing myocardial function and detecting subclinical and clinical abnormalities. This technique offers valuable insights for risk stratification and prognosis, aiding in the timely intervention and optimal treatment for acromegaly patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Erwan Donal, L. Elif Sade, Liza Thomas
Summary: This article examines how measures of left atrial function can predict incident heart failure in a low-risk general population.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ahmed M. Dohain, Wael Lotfy, Gaser Abdelmohsen, Rodina Sobhy, Osama Abdelaziz, Marwa Elsaadany, Mohamed H. Abdelsalam, Hossam Ibrahim
Summary: The study evaluated cardiac function in children with cardiomyopathy induced by ectopic atrial tachycardia, finding abnormalities in left ventricular and right ventricular function, as well as reduced right atrial reservoir function.
PACE-PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lina Hamabe, Kazumi Shimada, Ahmed S. Mandour, Tomohiko Yoshida, Miki Hirose, Hanan Hendawy, Hussein M. El-Husseiny, Ryou Tanaka
Summary: Standard and advanced echocardiographic techniques are important tools for assessing cardiac performance in animals. Factors such as breed, age, and body weight can affect echocardiographic parameters, but breed does not have a significant association with these parameters. However, left ventricular dimensions increase with body weight, and certain parameters are influenced by age.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yilin Chen, Tingyan Xu, Jianzhong Xu, Limin Zhu, Dian Wang, Yan Li, Jiguang Wang
Summary: Speckle tracking echocardiography is a novel technique used to evaluate cardiac function and damage, and it has been applied in cardiovascular diseases such as primary aldosteronism.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Arjun Sinha, Yinan Zheng, Drew Nannini, Yishu Qu, Lifang Hou, Sanjiv J. Shah, Clyde W. Yancy, Elizabeth M. McNally, Myriam Fornage, Joao Lima, Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, Laura J. Rasmussen-Torvik, Sadiya S. Khan
Summary: This study focused on 875 Black participants from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults cohort to investigate the association between the V122I TTR genetic variant and cardiac structure and function in middle age individuals without heart failure. The findings revealed a significant link between the TTR V122I variant and worse left ventricular structure and cardiac mechanics at an average age of 54 years, suggesting that early screening with echocardiography in Black middle-aged adults carrying the TTR V122I variant can help guide the use of novel therapies and risk factor modification to prevent or delay heart failure.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sophie G. Groene, Kristine M. Openshaw, Laura R. Jansen-Storbacka, Femke Slaghekke, Monique C. Haak, Bastiaan T. Heijmans, Jeanine M. M. van Klink, Arno A. W. Roest, Lotte E. van der Meeren, Enrico Lopriore
Summary: Placental angioarchitecture and placental share discordance are important factors influencing birthweight discordance in monochorionic twins. Large arterioarterial anastomoses can compensate for the effect of unequal placental sharing on birthweight discordance.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pediatrics
Jef Van den Eynde, Simone Bartelse, Friso M. Rijnberg, Shelby Kutty, Monique R. M. Jongbloed, Christiaan de Bruin, Mark G. Hazekamp, Saskia Le Cessie, Arno A. W. Roest
Summary: This study mapped the somatic growth patterns of single ventricle patients after Fontan palliation and summarized key modifiers that may improve growth. The findings provide guidance for optimizing somatic growth strategies and can serve as a benchmark for clinical follow-up.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Saskia Koene, Floortje Klerx-Melis, Arno Anne Willem Roest, Maarten Cornelis Kleijwegt, Marianne Bootsma, Monique C. Haak, Meike Heleen van Haeringen, Claudia Antoinette Laetitia Ruivenkamp, Esther Anne Rieky Nibbeling, Arie van Haeringen
Summary: In this study, a 3-generation family with caudal appendage, sacral anomalies, skeletal abnormalities, and prenatal cardiomyopathy was described. Genetic analysis revealed a nonsense variant in the TAB2 gene.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART A
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sophie G. Groene, Lisette Jansen, Ratna N. G. B. Tan, Sylke J. Steggerda, Monique C. Haak, Arno A. W. Roest, Enrico Lopriore, Jeanine M. M. van Klink
Summary: This study investigated the psychosocial development of monochorionic twins born after selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) and found that they had a higher level of attachment insecurity and school problems. Smaller twins were more prone to negative emotions and internalizing behaviors compared to larger twins.
EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Pia Todtenhaupt, Melissa van Pel, Arno A. W. Roest, Bastiaan T. Heijmans
Summary: The intrauterine environment has a long-lasting impact on disease risk through epigenomic alterations. Current human studies primarily focus on DNA methylation, a single epigenetic mark, measured in blood. To gain mechanistic insights into the developmental origins of disease, it is important to explore innovative tissue types. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could serve as a novel tool to investigate the full epigenome, beyond DNA methylation, and explore other omics levels, as well as perform functional assays.
TRENDS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Art Schuermans, Jef Van den Eynde, Xander Jacquemyn, Alexander Van De Bruaene, Adam J. Lewandowski, Shelby Kutty, Tal Geva, Werner Budts, Marc Gewillig, Arno A. W. Roest
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preterm birth on cardiac structure and function as well as transplant-free survival in infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and associated anomalies. The results, obtained from the Single Ventricle Reconstruction trial, showed that preterm-born infants had lower echocardiographic measures at birth but higher measures at 14 months compared to term-born infants. Preterm-born infants had an increased risk of death or heart transplantation from birth to age 6, with a higher risk as gestational age decreased below 37 weeks. Approximately 27.3% of the total effect of preterm birth on transplant-free survival was mediated through birth weight.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Meddy N. Bongers-Karmaoui, Clarissa J. Wiertsema, Annemarie G. M. G. J. Mulders, Wim A. Helbing, Alexander Hirsch, Arno A. W. Roest, Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, Romy Gaillard
Summary: This study aimed to examine the association between gestational hypertensive disorders and gestational blood pressure with subclinical changes in cardiac structure and function of offspring. The results showed that offspring exposed to pre-eclampsia had lower right ventricular ejection fraction. Higher maternal diastolic blood pressure in early and late pregnancy was associated with lower left and right ventricular end-diastolic volumes. There were no consistent associations with other cardiac outcomes.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Charlotte C. Poot, Eline Meijer, Annet Bruil, Melanie Venema, Niko J. H. Vegt, Nicole Donkel, Veronique van Noort, Niels H. Chavannes, Arno A. W. Roest
Summary: This study developed an eHealth solution to diminish preprocedural stress and anxiety among children and evaluated its use and user experience in practice. The app was evaluated positively on usability and user-experience and proved to be feasible. The findings suggest that this child-centered app can support children in their entire hospital journey and potentially reduce stress and anxiety.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Pia Todtenhaupt, Laura A. Franken, Sophie G. Groene, Marcella van Hoolwerff, Lotte E. van der Meeren, Jeanine M. M. van Klink, Arno A. W. Roest, Christiaan de Bruin, Yolande F. M. Ramos, Monique C. Haak, Enrico Lopriore, Bastiaan T. Heijmans, Melissa van Pel
Summary: This study presents a robust and standardized method for isolating and expanding hUC-MSCs, and evaluates the impact of donor variability on hUC-MSC characteristics. The results demonstrate the stability of the method across multiple steps, with UC collection possible up to 6 hours after birth and UC processing able to start within 48 hours of collection. The use of specific medium and supplements improves the reproducibility of expansion rate and MSC characteristics.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sophie G. Groene, Irma J. Gremmen, Erik W. van Zwet, Arno A. W. Roest, Monique C. Haak, Jeanine M. M. van Klink, Enrico Lopriore, Bastiaan T. Heijmans, Christiaan de Bruin
Summary: Objective research suggests that postnatal catch-up growth after fetal growth restriction (FGR) occurs frequently. Identical twins with discordant prenatal growth, termed selective FGR (sFGR), can be regarded as a natural experiment eliminating these sources of bias. This observational cohort study found that identical twins with sFGR exhibit persistent differences in height, weight, and head circumference, indicating the long-lasting inhibitory effect of the adverse intrauterine environment on childhood growth.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Evangeline G. G. Warmerdam, Jos J. M. Westenberg, Michiel Voskuil, Friso M. M. Rijnberg, Arno A. W. Roest, Hildo J. J. Lamb, Bram van Wijk, Gertjan T. T. Sieswerda, Pieter A. A. Doevendans, Henriette ter Heide, Gregor J. J. Krings, Tim Leiner, Heynric B. B. Grotenhuis
Summary: This study compared the measurement of maximum velocities and stroke volumes in the pulmonary artery (PA) after arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA) using four-dimensional flow (4D flow) CMR, two-dimensional phase-contrast (2D PCMR), and echocardiography. The results showed that the maximum velocities measured by 4D flow CMR were significantly higher than those measured by 2D PCMR, and echocardiography was not able to assess the PA in most cases. There was good agreement in stroke volumes between 4D flow CMR and 2D PCMR.
PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jette J. Peek, Wouter Bakhuis, Amir H. Sadeghi, Kevin M. Veen, Arno A. W. Roest, Nico Bruining, Theo van Walsum, Mark G. Hazekamp, Ad J. J. C. Bogers
Summary: This study examines the added value of 3D printing and 3D virtual reality models for surgical planning in complex double outlet right ventricle (DORV) patients. The results show that both methods provide better visualization of spatial relationships compared to 2D imaging, leading to more accurate surgical planning.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC SURGERY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Malenka M. Bissell, Francesca Raimondi, Lamia Ait Ali, Bradley D. Allen, Alex J. Barker, Ann Bolger, Nicholas Burris, Carl-Johan Carhaell, Jeremy D. Collins, Tino Ebbers, Christopher J. Francois, Alex Frydrychowicz, Pankaj Garg, Julia Geiger, Hojin Ha, Anja Hennemuth, Michael D. Hope, Albert Hsiao, Kevin Johnson, Sebastian Kozerke, Liliana E. Ma, Michael Markl, Duarte Martins, Marci Messina, Thekla H. Oechtering, Pim van Ooij, Cynthia Rigsby, Jose Rodriguez-Palomares, Arno A. W. Roest, Alejandro Roldan-Alzate, Susanne Schnell, Julio Sotelo, Matthias Stuber, Ali B. Syed, Johannes Toeger, Rob van der Geest, Jos Westenberg, Liang Zhong, Yumin Zhong, Oliver Wieben, Petter Dyverfeldt
Summary: This consensus paper provides an updated overview of the importance of four-dimensional cardiovascular magnetic resonance flow imaging (4D Flow CMR) in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease. It discusses sequence options, imaging considerations, acquisition parameters, post-processing workflows, and integration into clinical practice. The paper also defines quality assurance and validation standards for clinical centers, addresses challenges in the research setting, and includes a checklist for publication standards.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Tjerry Hut, Arno Roest, Duco Gaillard, Mark Hazekamp, Pieter van den Boogaard, Hildo Lamb, Lucia Kroft, Monique Jongbloed, Jos Westenberg, Jolanda Wentzel, Friso Rijnberg, Sasa Kenjeres
Summary: Virtual expansion of Fontan conduits from 16 mm to 24-32 mm based on patient-specific flow significantly improves TCPC efficiency, while thrombosis risk remains low.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Meddy N. Bongers-Karmaoui, Alexander Hirsch, Ricardo P. J. Budde, Arno A. W. Roest, Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, Romy Gaillard
Summary: This study examined the cardiovascular response to an isometric handgrip exercise in a low-risk pediatric population using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance measurements. The results showed significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and functional measurements of the left ventricle during exercise. This approach offers new opportunities to detect subtle differences in cardiovascular health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGING
(2023)
