Background-Because the process of myocardial remodelling starts before the onset of symptoms, recent heart failure (HF) guidelines place special emphasis on the detection of subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction and the timely identification of risk factors for HF. Our goal was to describe the prevalence and determinants (risk factors) of LV diastolic dysfunction in a general population and to compare the amino terminal probrain natriuretic peptide level across groups with and without diastolic dysfunction. Methods and Results-In a randomly recruited population sample (nϭ539; 50.5% women; mean age, 52.5 years), we measured early and late diastolic peak velocities of mitral inflow (E and A), pulmonary vein flow by pulsed-wave Doppler, and the mitral annular velocities (Ea and Aa) at 4 sites by tissue Doppler imaging. A healthy subsample of 239 subjects (mean age, 43.7 years) provided age-specific cutoff limits for normal E/A and E/Ea ratios and the differences in duration between the mitral A and the reverse pulmonary vein flows during atrial systole (⌬AdϪARd). The number of subjects in diastolic dysfunction groups 1 (impaired relaxation), 2 (elevated LV end-diastolic filling pressure), and 3 (elevated E/Ea and abnormally low E/A) were 53 (9.8%), 76 (14.1%), and 18 (3.4%), respectively. We used ⌬(AdϽARdϩ10) to confirm possible elevation of LV filling pressures in group 2. Compared with subjects with normal diastolic function (nϭ392, 72.7%), group 1 (209 versus 251 pmol/L; Pϭ0.015) and group 2 (209 versus 275 pmol/L; Pϭ0.0003) but not group 3 (209 versus 224 pmol/L; Pϭ0.65) had a significantly higher adjusted NT-probrain natriuretic peptide. Higher age, body mass index, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, serum insulin, and creatinine were significantly associated with a higher risk of LV diastolic dysfunction. Conclusions-The overall prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction in a random sample of a general population, as estimated from echocardiographic measurements, was as high as 27.3%. (Circ Heart Fail. 2009;2:105-112.)

Compared with older series, we observed more prosthetic valve IE, nosocomial IE, and surgery. Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were predominant microorganisms. Age, staphylococci, and a contraindication to surgery predicted 6-month mortality. Nearly half of deaths had a contraindication to surgery. Six-month mortality did not differ significantly between patients who received surgical treatment as against those who received medical treatment without a contraindication to surgery.

Background-Prosthesis-patient mismatch (P-PtM) after aortic valve replacement results in disturbed valve performance associated with increased pressure gradients. However, it is unknown whether this can be related to future structural valve deterioration (SVD) of the bioprosthesis. Methods and Results-In 564 patients (mean age, 74Ϯ5 years) receiving an aortic valve bioprosthesis, clinical follow-up (median, 6.1 years; maximum, 16.4 years) was analyzed including echocardiography. SVD was diagnosed in 40 patients (7%) as substantially increased stenosis (nϭ24) or regurgitation (nϭ16) of the operated valve over time. When patients with P-PtM (effective orifice area index Ͻ0.85 cm 2 /m 2 ; nϭ285) developed SVD, it was preferentially of the stenosis type, whereas when patients without P-PtM (nϭ279) developed SVD, the majority was of the incompetence type (PϽ0.05). Multivariable analysis including patient-and valve-related variables revealed that P-PtM and label size Յ21 were independent predictors of SVD (Pϭ0.04 and Pϭ0.02, respectively). A nonparametric Turnbull estimate analysis showed that SVD is virtually nonexistent for up to 9 years in patients without P-PtM. Thereafter, SVD starts to occur and is mainly of the incompetence-type SVD (79% of cases). In patients with P-PtM, SVD starts to occur after 2 to 3 years after implantation and is mainly of the stenosis-type SVD (81% of cases). Conclusions-These data suggest that stenosis-type SVD is an early, P-PtM-related, and thus preventable phenomenon.Incompetence-type SVD is a time-dependent, nonspecific wear damage to bioprosthetic valves, which is not related to P-PtM. (Circulation. 2010;121:2123-2129.)

We explored the early signs of LV systolic dysfunction in a general population, using tissue Doppler imaging technique. LV strain and SR decrease with age, body weight, central obesity, and RWT. Our current study resulted in the proposal for diagnostic thresholds for strain and SR, based on a healthy subgroup recruited via random sampling of the population.