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(Circulation. 2004;110:2977.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.
Issue Highlights |
EXTRACORPOREAL CARDIAC SHOCK WAVE THERAPY MARKEDLY AMELIORATES ISCHEMIA-INDUCED MYOCARDIAL DYSFUNCTION IN PIGS IN VIVO, by Nishida et al.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (SW) has been used for the treatment of nephrolithiasis for several years. This study represents the first attempt at using SW for the treatment of a cardiovascular disorder, viz., chronic myocardial ischemia and resulting ischemic cardiomyopathy. On the basis of studies with cultured endothelial cells in which SW induced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and one of its receptors, the study investigators reasoned that application of SW to a chronically ischemic animal would stimulate angiogenesis, improve myocardial perfusion, and enhance left ventricular function. Using a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia, they demonstrated that SW induced complete recovery of left ventricular function and improved regional myocardial blood flow. These striking results suggest that this therapy should be considered for prospective study in patients with chronic myocardial ischemia. See p 3055.
MULTISCALE MOTION MAPPING: A NOVEL COMPUTER VISION TECHNIQUE FOR QUANTITATIVE, OBJECTIVE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MOTION MEASUREMENT INDEPENDENT OF DOPPLER: FIRST CLINICAL DESCRIPTION AND VALIDATION, by Sühling et al.
Conventional echocardiographic techniques that attempt to quantify cardiac function often are limited by the need for operator interaction in the assignment of borders and acquisition factors such as angle dependency. Moreover, complex parameters such as rotational deformation are challenging to quantify. In this issue of Circulation, Sühling, Jansen, and colleagues present the first clinical validation and application of multiscale motion mapping, a novel echocardiographic technique that uses concepts derived from the human visual system to create fully quantitative functional maps depicting motion and deformation that are not dependent on Doppler interrogation or on border definitions. The robust validation data in models and in a series of human studies suggest potential clinical usefulness. These data open a door for significantly advancing the use of quantitative analysis in echocardiography. See p 3093.
EVIDENCE FOR A HERITABLE COMPONENT IN DEATH RESULTING FROM AORTIC AND MITRAL VALVE DISEASES, by Horne et al.
"Did any of your relatives die of nonrheumatic mitral or aortic valve disease?" Perhaps after reading the report in this issue by Horne et al, one should conclude that a complete family history ought to include that question. This exciting study examines to what extent mortality from nonrheumatic valve disease is heritable. The findings of this study have the potential to alter the way patients with newly diagnosed valvular disease are considered. Moreover, they surely will spur a search for the genes involved in determining the predisposition to and outcome of valvular disease. See p 3143.
Visit www.circ.ahajournals.org:
Clinician Update
Platelet Function Testing in Cardiovascular Diseases. See p e489.
Images in Cardiovascular Medicine
Primary Stenting of an Anomalous Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Originating From the Proximal Right Coronary Artery in a Patient With Acute Non–ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction. See p e494.
Book Review
Renin Angiotensin System and the Heart. See p e496.
Correspondence
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Related Articles:
Circulation 2004 110: 3093-3099.
Circulation 2004 110: 3143-3148.
Circulation 2004 110: 3055-3061.
Circulation 2004 110: e489-e493.
Circulation 2004 110: e494-e495.
Circulation 2004 110: e496-e497.
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