Browsing by Author "Satriano, Alessandro"

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    In-Silico and In-Vivo Functional Assessment of Cardiovascular Structures
    (2013-09-25) Satriano, Alessandro; Di Martino, Elena
    Understanding the current status and the progression of cardiovascular pathologies is paramount to assess therapeutic effectiveness and the course of action to be taken for a specific patient. The interplay between different physics and cardiovascular structures should not be neglected in a prediction-oriented simulation. Questions arise about the correct level of detail needed,and what interactions need to be reproduced to correctly quantify the physiological and pathological function of an organ. Within the present work we investigated two problems: 1) the adoption of numerical models to study the interaction between mechanical and electrical phenomena across the surface of the left atrium (LA) and their influence on atrial fibrillation; 2) the assessment of strain in-vivo from time-dependent diagnostic imaging in order to evaluate the organ functionality, applied to the case of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA). Cardiac muscle cell (cardiomyocyte) orientations contribute significantly to directional stiffness and electrical conductance in the LA. In the first part of the thesis we developed a feature-based algorithm for the application of inhomogeneous tissue properties such as cardiomyocytes directions, obtained through invasive and destructive investigative techniques, to the single patient case. Subsequently, using such cardiomyocyte directions we developed a strongly coupled Mechano-Electric model of the LA, taking into account its interaction with the surrounding structures (pericardium and left ventricle), the directional effect of cardiomyocytes both from an electrical and mechanical point of view, as well as the dependence of LA pressure on the transmitral flow, according to left ventricular pressure and current atrial compliance by means of a 0-D atrio-ventricular flow model.
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    P1.14 Analysis of Left Ventricular Filling Dynamics
    (2015-11-23) Burrowes, Lindsay; Satriano, Alessandro; Thompson, Richard; Shrive, Nigel; Tyberg, John
    Abstract Diastolic filling of the left ventricle (LV) occurs in two phases, early and late filling. Early filling, manifest as the “E-wave”, is thought to be substantially due to diastolic suction (DS), a phenomenon where the LV aspirates blood and fills itself, independent of atrial activity. Late filling, resulting in the mitral flow “A-wave” is a result of left atrial contraction. Adequate filling of the LV is necessary to maintain normal heart function at rest and under stress. DS is thought to be an important mechanism in the efficiency of filling. To study DS, we have invasively measured pressure and used cardiac MRI to evaluate cavitary volume and flow in an animal model to quantify different measures of DS under varied experimental conditions. The amount of filling due to DS (VDS), determined by the change in volume between mitralvalve opening and LV pressure minimum of the pressure-volume loop (Katz 1930), is related to the measured end systolic volume (ESV). As ESV decreases the VDS increases. The smaller the ESV, the larger the recoil energy of the LV as it relaxes towards resting volume. This contributes increased energy for the suction of blood into the ventricle in early filling. Wave intensity analysis (the separation of forward and backwards waves and wave type) and intraventricular pressure gradients will also be considered in order to determine which best describes DS and whether they can be used together to better understand changes in filling dynamics under varied loading conditions.
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    Right ventricular insertion site fibrosis in a dilated cardiomyopathy referral population: phenotypic associations and value for the prediction of heart failure admission or death
    (2021-06-17) Mikami, Yoko; Cornhill, Aidan; Dykstra, Steven; Satriano, Alessandro; Hansen, Reis; Flewitt, Jacqueline; Seib, Michelle; Rivest, Sandra; Sandonato, Rosa; Lydell, Carmen P.; Howarth, Andrew G.; Heydari, Bobak; Merchant, Naeem; Fine, Nowell; White, James A.
    Abstract Background Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is increasingly recognized as a heterogenous disease with distinct phenotypes on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. While mid-wall striae (MWS) fibrosis is a widely recognized phenotypic risk marker, other fibrosis patterns are prevalent but poorly defined. Right ventricular (RV) insertion (RVI) site fibrosis is commonly seen, but without objective criteria has been considered a non-specific finding. In this study we developed objective criteria for RVI fibrosis and studied its clinical relevance in a large cohort of patients with DCM. Methods We prospectively enrolled 645 DCM patients referred for LGE-CMR. All underwent standardized imaging protocols and baseline health evaluations. LGE images were blindly scored using objective criteria, inclusive of RVI site and MWS fibrosis. Associations between LGE patterns and CMR-based markers of adverse chamber remodeling were evaluated. Independent associations of LGE fibrosis patterns with the primary composite clinical outcome of heart failure admission or death were determined by multivariable analysis. Results The mean age was 56 ± 14 (28% female) with a mean left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) of 37%. At a median of 1061 days, 129 patients (20%) experienced the primary outcome. Any abnormal LGE was present in 306 patients (47%), inclusive of 274 (42%) meeting criteria for RVI site fibrosis and 167 (26%) for MWS fibrosis. All with MWS fibrosis showed RVI site fibrosis. Solitary RVI site fibrosis was associated with higher bi-ventricular volumes [LV end-systolic volume index (78 ± 39 vs. 66 ± 33 ml/m2, p = 0.01), RV end-diastolic volume index (94 ± 28 vs. 84 ± 22 ml/m2 (p < 0.01), RV end-systolic volume index (56 ± 26 vs. 45 ± 17 ml/m2, p < 0.01)], lower bi-ventricular function [LVEF 35 ± 12 vs. 39 ± 10% (p < 0.01), RV ejection fraction (RVEF) 43 ± 12 vs. 48 ± 10% (p < 0.01)], and higher extracellular volume (ECV). Patient with solitary RVI site fibrosis experienced a non-significant 1.4-fold risk of the primary outcome, increasing to a significant 2.6-fold risk when accompanied by MWS fibrosis. Conclusions RVI site fibrosis in the absence of MWS fibrosis is associated with bi-ventricular remodelling and intermediate risk of heart failure admission or death. Our study findings suggest RVI site fibrosis to be pre-requisite for the incremental development of MWS fibrosis, a more advanced phenotype associated with greater LV remodeling and risk of clinical events.
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    Three-dimensional thoracic aorta principal strain analysis from routine ECG-gated computerized tomography: feasibility in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement
    (2018-05-02) Satriano, Alessandro; Guenther, Zachary; White, James A; Merchant, Naeem; Di Martino, Elena S; Al-Qoofi, Faisal; Lydell, Carmen P; Fine, Nowell M
    Abstract Background Functional impairment of the aorta is a recognized complication of aortic and aortic valve disease. Aortic strain measurement provides effective quantification of mechanical aortic function, and 3-dimenional (3D) approaches may be desirable for serial evaluation. Computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) is routinely performed for various clinical indications, and offers the unique potential to study 3D aortic deformation. We sought to investigate the feasibility of performing 3D aortic strain analysis in a candidate population of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods Twenty-one patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) referred for TAVR underwent ECG-gated CTA and echocardiography. CTA images were analyzed using a 3D feature-tracking based technique to construct a dynamic aortic mesh model to perform peak principal strain amplitude (PPSA) analysis. Segmental strain values were correlated against clinical, hemodynamic and echocardiographic variables. Reproducibility analysis was performed. Results The mean patient age was 81±6 years. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 52±14%, aortic valve area (AVA) 0.6±0.3 cm2 and mean AS pressure gradient (MG) 44±11 mmHg. CTA-based 3D PPSA analysis was feasible in all subjects. Mean PPSA values for the global thoracic aorta, ascending aorta, aortic arch and descending aorta segments were 6.5±3.0, 10.2±6.0, 6.1±2.9 and 3.3±1.7%, respectively. 3D PSSA values demonstrated significantly more impairment with measures of worsening AS severity, including AVA and MG for the global thoracic aorta and ascending segment (p<0.001 for all). 3D PSSA was independently associated with AVA by multivariable modelling. Coefficients of variation for intra- and inter-observer variability were 5.8 and 7.2%, respectively. Conclusions Three-dimensional aortic PPSA analysis is clinically feasible from routine ECG-gated CTA. Appropriate reductions in PSSA were identified with increasing AS hemodynamic severity. Expanded study of 3D aortic PSSA for patients with various forms of aortic disease is warranted.