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Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Pelloni S, Ravelli F. Systematic in-silico evaluation of fibrosis effects on re-entrant wave dynamics in atrial tissue. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11427. [PMID: 38763959 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-62002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the key role of fibrosis in atrial fibrillation (AF), the effects of different spatial distributions and textures of fibrosis on wave propagation mechanisms in AF are not fully understood. To clarify these aspects, we performed a systematic computational study to assess fibrosis effects on the characteristics and stability of re-entrant waves in electrically-remodelled atrial tissues. A stochastic algorithm, which generated fibrotic distributions with controlled overall amount, average size, and orientation of fibrosis elements, was implemented on a monolayer spheric atrial model. 245 simulations were run at changing fibrosis parameters. The emerging propagation patterns were quantified in terms of rate, regularity, and coupling by frequency-domain analysis of correspondent synthetic bipolar electrograms. At the increase of fibrosis amount, the rate of reentrant waves significantly decreased and higher levels of regularity and coupling were observed (p < 0.0001). Higher spatial variability and pattern stochasticity over repetitions was observed for larger amount of fibrosis, especially in the presence of patchy and compact fibrosis. Overall, propagation slowing and organization led to higher stability of re-entrant waves. These results strengthen the evidence that the amount and spatial distribution of fibrosis concur in dictating re-entry dynamics in remodeled tissue and represent key factors in AF maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 18, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Cristoforetti
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 18, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Samuele Pelloni
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 18, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 18, 38123, Povo, Trento, Italy
- CISMed-Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento, 38122, Trento, Italy
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Masè M, Rossi M, Setti M, Barbati G, Teso MV, Ribichini FL, Koni M, Stolfo D, Merlo M, Sinagra G. Applicability and performance of heart failure prognostic scores in dilated cardiomyopathy: the real-world experience of an Italian referral center for cardiomyopathies. Int J Cardiol 2024; 396:131562. [PMID: 37907097 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The performance of heart failure (HF) risk models is validated in the general population with HF but in specific aetiological settings, and specifically in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), has scarcely been explored. We tested eight of the main prognostic scores used in HF in a large real-world population of patients with DCM. METHODS We included 784 consecutive DCM patients enrolled, both inpatients and outpatients, enrolled between January 2000 and December 2017. The risk of 1 and/or 3-year all-cause mortality/heart transplantation/durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation (D/HTx/LVAD) was estimated in our cohort according to the following risk scores SHFM, 3-CHF, CHARM, MAGGIC, GISSI-HF, MECKI, Barcelona Bio-HF, Krakow score and their accuracy calculated through the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 5.8 years (Interquartile Range 3.2-7.6 years), 191 patients (20%) died or underwent HTx/LVAD (158 deaths, 30 heart transplantations, and 3 LVAD implantations). The high missing rate allowed to calculated only four prognostic models (MAGGIC, CHARM, 3-CHF and SHFM). All the scores overestimated the rate of D/HTx/LVAD. The prognostic accuracy was suboptimal for MAGGIC (AUC 0.754) and CHARM (AUC 0.720) scores and only modest for 3-CHF (AUC 0.677) and SHFM (AUC 0.667). CONCLUSIONS Main prognostic scores for the risk stratification of HF are only partially applicable to real-world patients with DCM. MAGGIC and CHARM scores showed the best accuracy, despite the overestimation of risk. Our findings corroborate the need of specific risk scores for the prognostic stratification of DCM. CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE What is new? The present study is the largest analysis in literature which investigate how the main existing heart failure prognostic risk scores performed in a real-world of dilated cardiomyopathy population, both in- and outpatients. What are the clinical implications? DCM is a stand-alone model of heart failure, where the performance of multiple heart failure prognostic scores for the risk stratification is quite limited. The need for contemporary, dedicated prognostic scores in this disease is increasingly evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Masè
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - M Rossi
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - M Setti
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Italy
| | - G Barbati
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - F L Ribichini
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Italy
| | - M Koni
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - D Stolfo
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy
| | - M Merlo
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy.
| | - G Sinagra
- Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies, Cardiothoracovascular Department, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) and University of Trieste, Via P. Valdoni 7, 34100 Trieste, Italy
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Masè M, Viziano A, Strapazzon G, Alessandrini M, Micarelli A. Auditory function in humans at high altitude. A scoping review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291919. [PMID: 37733697 PMCID: PMC10513325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE High-altitude (HA) affects sensory organ response, but its effects on the inner ear are not fully understood. The present scoping review aimed to collect the available evidence about HA effects on the inner ear with focus on auditory function. METHODS The scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for scoping reviews. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched to identify studies conducted in the last 20 years, which quantified in healthy subjects the effects of HA on auditory function. RESULTS The systematic search identified 17 studies on a total population of 888 subjects (88.7% male, age: 27.8 ± 4.1 years; median sample size of 15 subjects). Nine studies were conducted in a simulated environment and eight during real expeditions at HA. To quantify auditory function, six studies performed pure tone audiometry, four studies measured otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and eight studies measured auditory evoked responses (AER). Study protocols presented heterogeneity in the spatio-temporal patterns of HA exposure, with highly varying maximal altitudes and exposure durations. CONCLUSION Most studies reported a reduction of auditory function with HA in terms of either elevation of auditory thresholds, lengthening of AER latencies, reduction of distortion-product and transient-evoked OAEs. Future studies in larger populations, using standardized protocols and multi-technique auditory function evaluation, are needed to further characterize the spatio-temporal pattern of HA effects along the auditory pathways and clarify the pathophysiological implications and reversibility of the observed changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology–CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Andrea Viziano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, ENT Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Marco Alessandrini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, ENT Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Micarelli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Unit of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation and Sensory Organs, UNITER ONLUS, Rome, Italy
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van Veelen MJ, Roveri G, Regli IB, Dal Cappello T, Vögele A, Masè M, Falla M, Strapazzon G. Personal Protective Equipment Protocols Lead to a Delayed Initiation of Patient Assessment in Mountain Rescue Operations. High Alt Med Biol 2023; 24:127-131. [PMID: 37262193 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2022.0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
van Veelen, Michiel J., Giulia Roveri, Ivo B. Regli, Tomas Dal Cappello, Anna Vögele, Michela Masè, Marika Falla, and Giacomo Strapazzon. Personal protective equipment protocols lead to a delayed initiation of patient assessment in mountain rescue operations. High Alt Med Biol. 24:127-131, 2023. Introduction: Mountain rescue operations can be challenging in austere environmental conditions and remote settings. Airborne infection prevention measures include donning of personal protective equipment (PPE), potentially delaying the approach to a patient. We aimed to investigate the time delay caused by these prevention measures. Methods: This randomized crossover trial consisted of 24 rescue simulation trials intended to be as realistic as possible, performed by mountain rescue teams in difficult terrain. We analyzed the time needed to perform an airborne infection prevention protocol during the approach to a patient. Time delays in scenarios involving patients already wearing versus not wearing face masks and gloves were compared using a linear mixed model Results: The airborne infection prevention measures (i.e., screening questionnaire, hand antisepsis, and donning of PPE) resulted in a time delay of 98 ± 48 (26-214) seconds on initiation of patient assessment. There was a trend to a shorter time to perform infection prevention measures if the simulated patient was already wearing PPE consisting of face mask and gloves (p = 0.052). Conclusion: Airborne infection prevention measures may delay initiation of patient assessment in mountain rescue operations and could impair clinical outcomes in time-sensitive conditions. Trial registration number 0105095-BZ Ethics Committee review board of Bolzano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel J van Veelen
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giulia Roveri
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ivo B Regli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tomas Dal Cappello
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Anna Vögele
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences - CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
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van Veelen MJ, Roveri G, Voegele A, Cappello TD, Masè M, Falla M, Regli IB, Mejia-Aguilar A, Mayrgündter S, Strapazzon G. Drones reduce the treatment-free interval in search and rescue operations with telemedical support - A randomized controlled trial. Am J Emerg Med 2023; 66:40-44. [PMID: 36680868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Response to medical incidents in mountainous areas is delayed due to the remote and challenging terrain. Drones could assist in a quicker search for patients and can facilitate earlier treatment through delivery of medical equipment. We aim to assess the effects of using drones in search and rescue (SAR) operations in challenging terrain. We hypothesize that drones can reduce the search time and treatment-free interval of patients by delivering an emergency kit and telemedical support. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial with a cross-over design two methods of searching for and initiating treatment of a patient were compared. The primary outcome was a comparison of the times for locating a patient through visual contact and starting treatment on-site between the drone-assisted intervention arm and the conventional ground-rescue control arm. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used to evaluate the effect of using a drone on search and start of treatment times. RESULTS Twenty-four SAR missions, performed by six SAR teams each with four team members, were analyzed. The mean time to locate the patient was 14.6 min (95% CI 11.3-17.9) in the drone-assisted intervention arm and 20.6 min (95% CI 17.3-23.9) in the control arm. The mean time to start treatment was 15.7 min (95% CI 12.4-19.0) in the drone-assisted arm and 22.4 min (95% CI 19.1-25.7) in the control arm (p < 0.01 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION The successful use of drones in SAR operations leads to a reduction in search time and treatment-free interval of patients in challenging terrain, which could improve outcomes in patients suffering from traumatic injuries, the most commonly occurring incident requiring mountain rescue operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Jan van Veelen
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Department of Sport Science, Medical Section, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giulia Roveri
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Anna Voegele
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tomas Dal Cappello
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Center for Mind/Brain Sciences - CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy; Department of Neurology/Stroke Unit, General Hospital of Bolzano, Italy
| | - Ivo Beat Regli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Department of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Buergerspital, Solothurn, Switzerland
| | | | - Sebastian Mayrgündter
- NOI Techpark, Bolzano, Italy; Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico - CNSAS, Milano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico - CNSAS, Milano, Italy.
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Masè M, Ravelli F. Electrogram Morphology Recurrence and Cycle Length in AF Mapping: From Recurring Concepts to Clinical Practice? JACC Basic Transl Sci 2023; 8:234. [PMID: 36908669 PMCID: PMC9998453 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, Povo, 38123 Trento, Italy
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Ravelli F, Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Avogaro L, D’Amato E, Tessarolo F, Piccoli F, Graffigna A. Quantitative assessment of transmural fibrosis profile in the human atrium: evidence for a three-dimensional arrhythmic substrate by slice-to-slice histology. Europace 2022; 25:739-747. [PMID: 36349600 PMCID: PMC9935010 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Intramural fibrosis represents a crucial factor in the formation of a three-dimensional (3D) substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the transmural distribution of fibrosis and its relationship with atrial overload remain largely unknown. The aim of this study is to quantify the transmural profile of atrial fibrosis in patients with different degrees of atrial dilatation and arrhythmic profiles by a high-resolution 3D histology method. METHODS AND RESULTS Serial microtome-cut tissue slices, sampling the entire atrial wall thickness at 5 µm spatial resolution, were obtained from right atrial appendage specimens in 23 cardiac surgery patients. Atrial slices were picrosirius red stained, imaged by polarized light microscopy, and analysed by a custom-made segmentation algorithm. In all patients, the intramural fibrosis content displayed a progressive decrease alongside tissue depth, passing from 68.6 ± 11.6% in the subepicardium to 10-13% in the subendocardium. Distinct transmural fibrotic profiles were observed in patients with atrial dilatation with respect to control patients, where the first showed a slower decrease of fibrosis along tissue depth (exponential decay constant: 171.2 ± 54.5 vs. 80.9 ± 24.4 µm, P < 0.005). Similar slow fibrotic profiles were observed in patients with AF (142.8 ± 41.7 µm). Subepicardial and midwall levels of fibrosis correlated with the degree of atrial dilatation (ρ = 0.72, P < 0.001), while no correlation was found in subendocardial layers. CONCLUSIONS Quantification of fibrosis transmural profile at high resolution is feasible by slice-to-slice histology. Deeper penetration of fibrosis in subepicardial and midwall layers in dilated atria may concur to the formation of a 3D arrhythmic substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Ravelli
- Corresponding author. Tel: +39 0461 882776. E-mail address:
| | | | - Alessandro Cristoforetti
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Laura Avogaro
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elvira D’Amato
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Tessarolo
- Department of Industrial Engineering and BIOtech, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Federico Piccoli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Angelo Graffigna
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
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Mapelli M, Romani S, Magrì D, Merlo M, Cittar M, Masè M, Muratori M, Gallo G, Sclafani M, Carriere C, Zaffalon D, Salvioni E, Mattavelli I, Vignati C, De Martino F, Rovai S, Autore C, Sinagra G, Agostoni P. P295 EXERCISE OXYGEN KINETIC IN HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: RESULTS FROM A MULTICENTER CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE TESTING STUDY. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac012.283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
Reduced cardiac output (CO) has been considered crucial in symptoms’ genesis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We evaluated the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) response in HCM focusing on parameters strongly associated with stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO), such as oxygen uptake (VO2) and O2–pulse, considering both their absolute values and temporal behavior during physical exercise.
Methods and Results
We enrolled 312 non–end stage HCM patients, divided according to left ventricle outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) at rest or during Valsalva maneuver (72% with LVOTO<30; 10% between 30 and 49 and 18% ≥ 50mmHg). Peak VO2 (percent of predicted), O2–pulse and ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope did not change across LVOTO groups. Ninety–six (31%) HCM patients presented an abnormal O2–pulse temporal behavior, irrespective of LVOTO values. These patients showed lower peak systolic pressure, workload (106±45 vs. 130±49W), VO2 (74±17 vs. 80±20%) and O2–pulse (12 [9–14] vs. 14 [11–17]ml/beat), with higher VE/VCO2 slope (28 [25–31] vs. 27 [24–31]) (p < 0.005 for all). Only 2 patients had an abnormal VO2/work slope.
Conclusion
None of CPET parameters, either as absolute values or dynamic relationships, were associated with LVOTO. Differently, an abnormal O2–pulse exercise behavior, which is strongly related to inadequate SV during exercise, correlates with reduced functional capacity (peak and anaerobic threshold VO2 and workload) and increased VE/VCO2 slope, helping identifying more advanced disease irrespectively of LVOTO. Adding O2–pulse kinetics evaluation to standard CPET could lead to a potential incremental benefit in terms of HCM prognostic stratification and, then, therapeutic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mapelli
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - S Romani
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - D Magrì
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - M Merlo
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - M Cittar
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - M Masè
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - M Muratori
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - G Gallo
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - M Sclafani
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - C Carriere
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - D Zaffalon
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - E Salvioni
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - I Mattavelli
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - C Vignati
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - F De Martino
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - S Rovai
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - C Autore
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - G Sinagra
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
| | - P Agostoni
- CENTRO CARDIOLOGICO MONZINO, IRCCS, MILANO; DIPARTIMENTO DI MEDICINA CLINICA E MOLECOLARE, SAPIENZA, UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA, ROMA; CARDIOTHORACOVASCULAR DEPARTMENT, CENTER FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOMYOPATHIES, AZIENDA SANITARIA UNIVERSITARIA GIULIANO ISONTINA, UNIVERSITY OF TRIESTE, TRIESTE
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9
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Masè M, Werner A, Putzer G, Avancini G, Falla M, Brugger H, Micarelli A, Strapazzon G. Low Ambient Temperature Exposition Impairs the Accuracy of a Non-invasive Heat-Flux Thermometer. Front Physiol 2022; 13:830059. [PMID: 35309078 PMCID: PMC8931521 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.830059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Indirect core body temperature (CBT) monitoring from skin sensors is gaining attention for in-field applications thanks to non-invasivity, portability, and easy probe positioning. Among skin sensors, heat-flux devices, such as the so-called Double Sensor (DS), have demonstrated reliability under various experimental and clinical conditions. Still, their accuracy at low ambient temperatures is unknown. In this randomized cross-over trial, we tested the effects of cold temperature exposition on DS performance in tracking CBT. Methods Twenty-one participants were exposed to a warm (23.2 ± 0.4°C) and cold (−18.7 ± 1.0°C) room condition for 10 min, following a randomized cross-over design. The accuracy of the DS to estimate CBT in both settings was assessed by quantitative comparison with esophageal (reference) and tympanic (comparator) thermometers, using Bland–Altman and correlation analyses (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, r, and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient, CCC). Results In the warm room setting, the DS showed a moderate agreement with the esophageal sensor [bias = 0.09 (−1.51; 1.69) °C, r = 0.40 (p = 0.069), CCC = 0.22 (−0.006; 0.43)] and tympanic sensor [bias = 2.74 (1.13; 4.35) °C, r = 0.54 (p < 0.05), CCC = 0.09 (0.008; 0.16)]. DS accuracy significantly deteriorated in the cold room setting, where DS temperature overestimated esophageal temperature [bias = 2.16 (−0.89; 5.22) °C, r = 0.02 (0.94), CCC = 0.002 (−0.05; 0.06)]. Previous exposition to the cold influenced temperature values measured by the DS in the warm room setting, where significant differences (p < 0.00001) in DS temperature were observed between randomization groups. Conclusion DS accuracy is influenced by environmental conditions and previous exposure to cold settings. These results suggest the present inadequacy of the DS device for in-field applications in low-temperature environments and advocate further technological advancements and proper sensor insulation to improve performance in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Andreas Werner
- Institute of Physiology, Center for Space Medicine and Extreme Environments Berlin, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Air Force – Centre of Aerospace Medicine, Aviation Physiology Training Centre, Aviation Physiology Diagnostic and Research, Königsbrück, Germany
| | - Gabriel Putzer
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Giovanni Avancini
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Hermann Brugger
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alessandro Micarelli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- ITER Center for Balance and Rehabilitation Research (ICBRR), Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- *Correspondence: Giacomo Strapazzon,
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10
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Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Del Greco M, Ravelli F. A Divergence-Based Approach for the Identification of Atrial Fibrillation Focal Drivers From Multipolar Mapping: A Computational Study. Front Physiol 2021; 12:749430. [PMID: 35002755 PMCID: PMC8740027 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.749430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The expanding role of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has stimulated the development of novel mapping strategies to guide the procedure. We introduce a novel approach to characterize wave propagation and identify AF focal drivers from multipolar mapping data. The method reconstructs continuous activation patterns in the mapping area by a radial basis function (RBF) interpolation of multisite activation time series. Velocity vector fields are analytically determined, and the vector field divergence is used as a marker of focal drivers. The method was validated in a tissue patch cellular automaton model and in an anatomically realistic left atrial (LA) model with Courtemanche-Ramirez-Nattel ionic dynamics. Divergence analysis was effective in identifying focal drivers in a complex simulated AF pattern. Localization was reliable even with consistent reduction (47%) in the number of mapping points and in the presence of activation time misdetections (noise <10% of the cycle length). Proof-of-concept application of the method to human AF mapping data showed that divergence analysis consistently detected focal activation in the pulmonary veins and LA appendage area. These results suggest the potential of divergence analysis in combination with multipolar mapping to identify AF critical sites. Further studies on large clinical datasets may help to assess the clinical feasibility and benefit of divergence analysis for the optimization of ablation treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology – CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cristoforetti
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology – CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Maurizio Del Greco
- Division of Cardiology, Santa Maria del Carmine Hospital, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Translational Cardiology, Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology – CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- CISMed – Centre for Medical Sciences, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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11
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Masè M, Ravelli F. Understanding the effects of heartbeat irregularity on ventricular function in human atrial fibrillation: simulation models may help to untie the knot. Europace 2021; 23:1868. [PMID: 34160027 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euab143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, EURAC Research, Via Druso n.1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology-CIBIO, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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12
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Masè M, Micarelli A, Falla M, Regli IB, Strapazzon G. Insight into the use of tympanic temperature during target temperature management in emergency and critical care: a scoping review. J Intensive Care 2021; 9:43. [PMID: 34118993 PMCID: PMC8199814 DOI: 10.1186/s40560-021-00558-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Target temperature management (TTM) is suggested to reduce brain damage in the presence of global or local ischemia. Prompt TTM application may help to improve outcomes, but it is often hindered by technical problems, mainly related to the portability of cooling devices and temperature monitoring systems. Tympanic temperature (TTy) measurement may represent a practical, non-invasive approach for core temperature monitoring in emergency settings, but its accuracy under different TTM protocols is poorly characterized. The present scoping review aimed to collect the available evidence about TTy monitoring in TTM to describe the technique diffusion in various TTM contexts and its accuracy in comparison with other body sites under different cooling protocols and clinical conditions. METHODS The scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched to identify studies conducted in the last 20 years, where TTy was measured in TTM context with specific focus on pre-hospital or in-hospital emergency settings. RESULTS The systematic search identified 35 studies, 12 performing TTy measurements during TTM in healthy subjects, 17 in patients with acute cardiovascular events, and 6 in patients with acute neurological diseases. The studies showed that TTy was able to track temperature changes induced by either local or whole-body cooling approaches in both pre-hospital and in-hospital settings. Direct comparisons to other core temperature measurements from other body sites were available in 22 studies, which showed a faster and larger change of TTy upon TTM compared to other core temperature measurements. Direct brain temperature measurements were available only in 3 studies and showed a good correlation between TTy and brain temperature, although TTy displayed a tendency to overestimate cooling effects compared to brain temperature. CONCLUSIONS TTy was capable to track temperature changes under a variety of TTM protocols and clinical conditions in both pre-hospital and in-hospital settings. Due to the heterogeneity and paucity of comparative temperature data, future studies are needed to fully elucidate the advantages of TTy in emergency settings and its capability to track brain temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, I-39100, Bolzano, Italy.,IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Micarelli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, I-39100, Bolzano, Italy.,ITER Center for Balance and Rehabilitation Research (ICBRR), Rome, Italy
| | - Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, I-39100, Bolzano, Italy.,Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, CIMeC, University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Ivo B Regli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, I-39100, Bolzano, Italy.,Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, "F. Tappeiner" Hospital, Merano, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Drususallee/Viale Druso 1, I-39100, Bolzano, Italy.
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13
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Disertori M, Masè M, Rigoni M, Ravelli F, Nollo G. The paradox of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator: When guidelines may play against care improvement. Am Heart J 2021; 233:149-150. [PMID: 33610194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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14
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Tessarolo F, Masè M, Visonà A, van Doornmalen Gomez Hoyos JPCM. Monitoring Steam Penetration in Channeled Instruments: An Evidence-Based Worst-Case for Practical Situations. Front Med Technol 2020; 2:566143. [PMID: 35047877 PMCID: PMC8757681 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.566143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Steam sterilization of channeled medical devices requires steam penetration into narrow channels. However, a quantitative characterization of this phenomenon in practical situations is lacking. This study evaluates the effect of load, loading pattern, and wrapping system on steam penetration into channels. We tested the hypothesis that a 70 cm tube with one closed end could be representative of the worst case for steam penetration in wrapped channeled instruments in practical conditions. A validated sterilization process was run in a sterilizer equipped with infrared sensors for the measurement of water vapor fraction (WVF). WVF values collected at the closed end of an unwrapped 70 cm reference tube were compared to those obtained at the closed end of wrapped 50 cm test tubes, representative for channeled devices in the clinical practice. The open ends of the test tubes were placed inside packs, testing the effects of different combinations of wrappings, load amounts, and pack positions. The worst case for steam penetration was experimentally defined as the condition showing the lowest WVF value during the exposure phase. WVF values at the closed end of 50 cm long tubes were affected by load amount, wrapping, and pack position. Steam penetration was higher for heavier loads in rigid containers, but lower for heavier loads in soft wrappings (pouch, non-woven fabric, and crepe). In all the tested combinations of load/wrappings related to the clinical practice the 70 cm reference tube displayed lower WVF values than the wrapped 50 cm test tubes, indicating worse steam penetration in the reference than test tubes. Our findings provide experimental evidence that a 70 cm is the worst case in all practical combinations of load and wrapping encountered in the field. The 70 cm tube is a representative for a wrapped 50 cm channel with one end closed and for a wrapped 100 cm channel with both ends open. A measuring system integrating the WVF sensor on a 70 cm tube may provide a physics-based, quantitative steam penetration test for real-time monitoring of the steam sterilization process of channeled instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Tessarolo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (Innovazione e Ricerca in Clinica e Sanità - Health Technology Assessment), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesco Tessarolo
| | - Michela Masè
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (Innovazione e Ricerca in Clinica e Sanità - Health Technology Assessment), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Andrea Visonà
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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15
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Masè M, Micarelli A, Strapazzon G. Hearables: New Perspectives and Pitfalls of In-Ear Devices for Physiological Monitoring. A Scoping Review. Front Physiol 2020; 11:568886. [PMID: 33178038 PMCID: PMC7596679 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.568886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Technological advancements are opening the possibility of prolonged monitoring of physiological parameters under daily-life conditions, with potential applications in sport science and medicine, and in extreme environments. Among emerging wearable technologies, in-ear devices or hearables possess technical advantages for long-term monitoring, such as non-invasivity, unobtrusivity, good fixing, and reduced motion artifacts, as well as physiological advantages related to the proximity of the ear to the body trunk and the shared vasculature between the ear and the brain. The present scoping review was aimed at identifying and synthesizing the available evidence on the use and performance of in-ear monitoring of physiological parameters, with focus on applications in sport science, sport medicine, occupational medicine, and extreme environment settings. Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were systematically searched to identify studies conducted in the last 10 years and addressing the measurement of three main physiological parameters (temperature, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) in healthy subjects. Thirty-nine studies were identified, 24 performing temperature measurement, 12 studies on heart/pulse rate, and three studies on oxygen saturation. The collected evidence supports the premise of in-ear sensors as an innovative and unobtrusive way for physiological monitoring during daily-life and physical activity, but further research and technological advancement are necessary to ameliorate measurement accuracy especially in more challenging scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Alessandro Micarelli
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,ITER Center for Balance and Rehabilitation Research (ICBRR), Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
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16
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Ravelli F, Masè M. MicroRNAs: New contributors to mechano-electric coupling and atrial fibrillation. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2020; 159:146-156. [PMID: 33011190 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2020.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a multifactorial disease, which often occurs in the presence of underlying cardiac abnormalities and is supported by electrophysiological and structural alterations, generally referred to as atrial remodeling. Abnormal substrates are commonly encountered in various conditions that predispose to AF, such as hypertension, heart failure, obesity, and sleep apnea, in which atrial stretch plays a key mechanistic role. Emerging evidence suggests a role for microRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) in the pathogenesis of AF, where they can act as post-transcriptional regulators of the genes involved in atrial remodeling. This review summarizes the experimental and clinical evidence that supports the role of microRNAs in the modulation of atrial electrical and structural remodeling with a focus on overload-induced atrial alterations, and discusses the potential contribution of microRNAs to mechano-electrical coupling and AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
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17
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Disertori M, Masè M, Nollo G. Is the clinical benefit of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator overestimated? The role of sudden cardiac death to total mortality ratio. Eur Heart J 2020; 41:4525-4526. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
- Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Nollo
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, via Sommarive 18, 38123 Povo, Trento, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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18
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Masè M, Faes L, Ravelli F. Letter by Masè et al Regarding Article, "Granger Causality-Based Analysis for Classification of Fibrillation Mechanisms and Localization of Rotational Drivers". Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2020; 13:e008675. [PMID: 32809881 DOI: 10.1161/circep.120.008675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy (M.M.).,Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy (M.M.)
| | - Luca Faes
- Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Italy (L.F.)
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy (F.R.)
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19
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Ravelli F, Masè M. Towards the definition of selective markers for atrial fibrillation ablation targets: Robustness, complementarity, and integration of features as guiding principles. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2020; 31:2551-2552. [PMID: 32672379 DOI: 10.1111/jce.14662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Ravelli
- Biophysics and Biosignals Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy.,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, IRCS-HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
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20
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Ravelli F, Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Avogaro L, D’Amato E, Tessarolo F, Piccoli F, Graffigna A. Chronic Atrial Overload Contributes to the Slow Decay of Intramural Fibrosis in the Human Atrium: Assessment by High‐Resolution 3D Histology. FASEB J 2020. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.09303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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21
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Marinetti A, Tessarolo F, Ventura L, Falzone A, Neri M, Piccoli F, Rigoni M, Masè M, Cortese F, Nollo G, Della Sala SW. Morphological MRI of knee cartilage: repeatability and reproducibility of damage evaluation and correlation with gross pathology examination. Eur Radiol 2020; 30:3226-3235. [PMID: 32055948 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06627-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the performance of a morphological evaluation, based on a clinically relevant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, in scoring the severity of knee cartilage damage. Specifically, to evaluate the reproducibility, repeatability, and agreement of MRI evaluation with the gross pathology examination (GPE) of the tissue. METHODS MRI of the knee was performed the day before surgery in 23 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Osteochondral tissue resections were collected and chondral defects were scored by GPE according to a semi-quantitative scale. MR images were independently scored by four radiologists, who assessed the severity of chondral damage according to equivalent criteria. Inter- and intra-rater agreements of MRI evaluations were assessed. Correlation, precision, and accuracy metrics between MRI and GPE scores were calculated. RESULTS Moderate to substantial inter-rater agreement in scoring cartilage damage by MRI was found among radiologists. Intra-rater agreement was higher than 96%. A significant positive monotonic correlation between GPE and MRI scores was observed for all radiologists, although higher correlation values were obtained by radiologists with expertise in musculoskeletal radiology and/or longer experience. The accuracy of MRI scores displayed a spatial pattern, characterized by lesion overestimation in the lateral condyle and underestimation in the medial condyle with respect to GPE. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of knee cartilage morphology by MRI is a reproducible and repeatable technique, which positively correlates with GPE. Clinical expertise in musculoskeletal radiology positively impacts the evaluation reliability. These findings may help to address limitations in MRI evaluation of knee chondral lesions, thus improving MRI assessment of knee cartilage. KEY POINTS • MRI evaluation of knee cartilage shows moderate to strong correlation with gross pathology examination. • MRI evaluation overestimates cartilage damage in the lateral condyle and underestimates it in the medial condyle. • Education and experience of the radiologist play a role in MRI evaluation of knee chondral lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Marinetti
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Rovereto Hospital, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Tessarolo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via delle Regole, 101, I-38123, Mattarello, Trento, Italy. .,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (IRCS-FBK-PAT), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy.
| | - Luisa Ventura
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Rovereto Hospital, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
| | - Andrea Falzone
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Rovereto Hospital, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
| | - Marinella Neri
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Rovereto Hospital, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
| | - Federico Piccoli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Rigoni
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via delle Regole, 101, I-38123, Mattarello, Trento, Italy.,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (IRCS-FBK-PAT), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (IRCS-FBK-PAT), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cortese
- Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rovereto Hospital, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Nollo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via delle Regole, 101, I-38123, Mattarello, Trento, Italy.,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (IRCS-FBK-PAT), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Sabino Walter Della Sala
- Division of Diagnostic Radiology, Rovereto Hospital, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari, Trento, Italy
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Marsili IA, Biasiolli L, Masè M, Adami A, Andrighetti AO, Ravelli F, Nollo G. Implementation and validation of real-time algorithms for atrial fibrillation detection on a wearable ECG device. Comput Biol Med 2020; 116:103540. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Cristoforetti A, De Stavola L, Fincato A, Masè M, Ravelli F, Nollo G, Tessarolo F. Assessing the accuracy of computer-planned osteotomy guided by stereolithographic template: A methodological framework applied to the mandibular bone harvesting. Comput Biol Med 2019; 114:103435. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Masè M, Grasso M, Avogaro L, Nicolussi Giacomaz M, D'Amato E, Tessarolo F, Graffigna A, Denti MA, Ravelli F. Upregulation of miR-133b and miR-328 in Patients With Atrial Dilatation: Implications for Stretch-Induced Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1133. [PMID: 31551809 PMCID: PMC6748158 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial stretch and dilatation are common features of many clinical conditions predisposing to atrial fibrillation (AF). MicroRNAs (miRs) are emerging as potential molecular determinants of AF, but their relationship with atrial dilatation (AD) is poorly understood. The present study was designed to assess the specific miR expression profiles associated with AD in human atrial tissue. The expressions of a preselected panel of miRs, previously described as playing a role in cardiac disease, were quantified by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in atrial tissue samples from 30 cardiac surgery patients, who were characterized by different grades of AD and arrhythmic profiles. Our results showed that AD per se was associated with significant up-regulation of miR-328-3p and miR-133b (p < 0.05) with respect to controls, with a fold-change of 1.53 and 1.74, respectively. In a multivariate model including AD and AF as independent variables, miR-328-3p expression was mainly associated with AD grade (p < 0.05), while miR-133b was related to both AD (p < 0.005) and AF (p < 0.05), the two factors exerting opposite modulation effects. The presence of AF was associated with significant (p < 0.05) up-regulation of the expression level of miR-1-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-208b-3p, and miR-590-5p. These results showed the existence of specific alterations of miR expression associated with AD, which may pave the way to future experimental studies to test the involvement of post-transcriptional mechanisms in the stretch-induced formation of a pro-arrhythmic substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Laura Avogaro
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Elvira D'Amato
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Tessarolo
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Angelo Graffigna
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Alessandra Denti
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Disertori M, Masè M, Rigoni M, Nollo G, Ravelli F. Heart failure patients unresponsive to implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator therapy: a neglected problem. Eur J Heart Fail 2019; 21:1507-1509. [DOI: 10.1002/ejhf.1551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- IRCS‐HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation – FBK Trento Italy
- Department of CardiologySanta Chiara Hospital Trento Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- IRCS‐HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation – FBK Trento Italy
- Department of PhysicsUniversity of Trento Trento Italy
| | - Marta Rigoni
- IRCS‐HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation – FBK Trento Italy
| | - Giandomenico Nollo
- IRCS‐HTA, Bruno Kessler Foundation – FBK Trento Italy
- Department of Industrial EngineeringUniversity of Trento Trento Italy
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Cristoforetti A, Masè M, Bonmassari R, Dallago M, Nollo G, Ravelli F. A patient-specific mass-spring model for biomechanical simulation of aortic root tissue during transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Phys Med Biol 2019; 64:085014. [PMID: 30884468 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab10c1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The success of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is highly dependent on the prediction of the interaction between the prosthesis and the aortic root anatomy. The simulation of the surgical procedure may be useful to guide artificial valve selection and delivery, nevertheless the introduction of simulation models into the clinical workflow is often hindered by model complexity and computational burden. To address this point, we introduced a patient-specific mass-spring model (MSM) with viscous damping, as a good trade-off between simulation accuracy and time-efficiency. The anatomical model consisted of a hexahedral mesh, segmented from pre-procedural patient-specific cardiac computer tomographic (CT) images of the aortic root, including valve leaflets and attached calcifications. Nodal forces were represented by linear-elastic springs acting on edges and angles. A fast integration approach based on the modulation of nodal masses was also tested. The model was validated on seven patients, comparing simulation results with post-procedural CT images with respect to calcification and aortic wall position. The validation showed that the MSM was able to predict calcification displacement with an average accuracy of 1.72 mm and 1.54 mm for the normal and fast integration approaches, respectively. Wall displacement root mean squared error after valve expansion was about 1 mm for both approaches, showing an improved matching with respect to the pre-procedural configuration. In terms of computational burden, the fast integration approach allowed a consistent reduction of the computational times, which decreased from 36 h to 21.8 min per 100 K hexahedra. Our findings suggest that the proposed linear-elastic MSM model may provide good accuracy and reduced computational times for TAVI simulations, fostering its inclusion in clinical routines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cristoforetti
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy. Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Disertori M, Masè M, Rigoni M, Nollo G, Ravelli F. Ventricular tachycardia-inducibility predicts arrhythmic events in post-myocardial infarction patients with low ejection fraction. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc 2018; 20:7-13. [PMID: 29942854 PMCID: PMC6011046 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias at electrophysiological study (EPS) has long been suggested as predictive for subsequent arrhythmic events. Nevertheless, the usefulness of EPS in the clinical practice is still unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the predictive power of EPS in primary prevention of ventricular arrhythmias in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Methods MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify studies, which analyzed EPS predictive value in post-MI patients with mean EF < 40% for the composite arrhythmic endpoint defined by: sudden cardiac death (SCD), aborted SCD, ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) interventions. Results Nine studies, evaluating 3959 patients with 647 arrhythmic events, were included in the meta-analyses. EPS showed a strong predictive power for the arrhythmic endpoint with a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 4.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.30–6.96) in the whole set of studies, albeit a high level of heterogeneity among studies. EPS predictive power was higher in studies where VT-inducibility was tested (OR 6.52; 95% CI: 2.30–18.44; sensitivity 0.65, specificity 0.78, and negative predictive value 0.94), versus those assessing VT/VF-inducibility (OR 2.09; 95% CI: 1.34–3.26). VT-inducibility was predictive even when assessed within one month after MI (OR 7.85; 95% CI: 3.67–16.80). Conclusions Inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias at EPS is a strong predictor of the arrhythmic endpoint in post-MI patients with impaired EF, particularly when VT-inducibility is tested. EPS could help selecting the patients who can mostly benefit from ICD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy.,Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Rigoni
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Nollo
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy.,Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
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Disertori M, Masè M, Rigoni M, Nollo G, Arbustini E, Ravelli F. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Dilated Cardiomyopathy after the DANISH-Trial Lesson. A Poly-Parametric Risk Evaluation Is Needed to Improve the Selection of Patients. Front Physiol 2017; 8:873. [PMID: 29163215 PMCID: PMC5671592 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, Autonomous Province of Trento and Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy.,Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Rigoni
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, Autonomous Province of Trento and Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Nollo
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, Autonomous Province of Trento and Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
| | - Eloisa Arbustini
- Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospital Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Disertori M, Masè M, Rigoni M, Nollo G, Arbustini E, Ravelli F. The post-DANISH era in clinical cardiology: Need of a better selection of patients for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in dilated cardiomyopathy. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2017; 28:E7. [PMID: 29131933 DOI: 10.1111/jce.13345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy.,Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Marta Rigoni
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Eloisa Arbustini
- Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Foundation, University Hospital Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
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Masè M, Disertori M, Marini M, Ravelli F. Characterization of rate and regularity of ventricular response during atrial tachyarrhythmias. Insight on atrial and nodal determinants. Physiol Meas 2017; 38:800-818. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/aa6388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a multifactorial and multiscale disease, where electrical, structural, anatomical and genetic factors contribute to the emergence of a complex and dynamic macroscopic phenotype. The incomplete understanding of AF mechanisms and the diversity and multiplicity of factors promoting the arrhythmia in humans have hampered the development of effective therapeutic approaches. Computer models and simulation of atrial arrhythmias may represent a unique ally to investigate AF mechanisms and direct therapeutic strategies, being able to merge and provide interpretation for multiscale data from cellular to entire organ scale levels. This review presents a broad overview of the principal modeling approaches applied in AF research to model atrial activity and ventricular response. The description of methodological aspects is followed by representative contributions of modeling to the dissection of AF mechanisms at both the atrial and atrioventricular level. A specific focus is given to controversial themes in AF research, such as calcium dynamics, fibrosis, multiple wavelets versus rotors propagation patterns, and AF heritability. Following modeling mechanistic insights, the review showcases modeling contributions in the domain of AF management and therapy, including the development of antiarrhythmic agents for rate and rhythm control, the optimization of ablation strategy, and the validation of mapping techniques and signal processing tools for the investigation of AF. A summary of current challenges and future developments necessary to improve the model capability at different scales and to transfer modeling results into clinical practice is finally presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Biosignals, Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy -
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Disertori M, Masè M, Ravelli F. Myocardial fibrosis predicts ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2017; 27:363-372. [PMID: 28262437 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is a common pattern in the setting of different heart diseases, and promotes ventricular tachyarrhythmias by creating a vulnerable substrate for reentrant activity and by favoring the emergence of triggers. Currently, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance is considered the reference method for the noninvasive assessment of ventricular fibrosis. Several studies and meta-analyses have shown that ventricular fibrosis detected by LGE is a powerful predictor of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events in ischemic, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients. Both the presence and extension of ventricular fibrosis were shown to correlate with the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, irrespective of the grade of left ventricular dysfunction. Based on these results, the assessment of ventricular fibrosis has been suggested as a candidate marker to improve the decision making for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. These points will be discussed in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy; Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy.
| | - Michela Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
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Masè M, Grasso M, Avogaro L, D’Amato E, Tessarolo F, Graffigna A, Denti MA, Ravelli F. Selection of reference genes is critical for miRNA expression analysis in human cardiac tissue. A focus on atrial fibrillation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41127. [PMID: 28117343 PMCID: PMC5259703 DOI: 10.1038/srep41127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as key regulators of complex biological processes in several cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation (AF). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction is a powerful technique to quantitatively assess miRNA expression profile, but reliable results depend on proper data normalization by suitable reference genes. Despite the increasing number of studies assessing miRNAs in cardiac disease, no consensus on the best reference genes has been reached. This work aims to assess reference genes stability in human cardiac tissue with a focus on AF investigation. We evaluated the stability of five reference genes (U6, SNORD48, SNORD44, miR-16, and 5S) in atrial tissue samples from eighteen cardiac-surgery patients in sinus rhythm and AF. Stability was quantified by combining BestKeeper, delta-Cq, GeNorm, and NormFinder statistical tools. All methods assessed SNORD48 as the best and U6 as the worst reference gene. Applications of different normalization strategies significantly impacted miRNA expression profiles in the study population. Our results point out the necessity of a consensus on data normalization in AF studies to avoid the emergence of divergent biological conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Laura Avogaro
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
- Centre for Integrative Biology, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Elvira D’Amato
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Tessarolo
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program (IRCS-PAT), Bruno Kessler Foundation, Trento, Italy
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Angelo Graffigna
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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Disertori M, Masè M, Rigoni M, Nollo G, Ravelli F. Heart Rate Turbulence Is a Powerful Predictor of Cardiac Death and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Postmyocardial Infarction and Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2016; 9:e004610. [PMID: 27879279 DOI: 10.1161/circep.116.004610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart rate turbulence (HRT) has been proposed as a candidate marker of altered autonomic tone, and some studies showed its prognostic value for both cardiac death (CD) and sudden death. Nevertheless, HRT is not currently used in the clinical practice. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the predictive value of HRT for the end points of total mortality, CD, and fatal and nonfatal ventricular arrhythmias in postacute myocardial infarction and heart failure patients. MEDLINE and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched to identify studies, which analyzed the predictive value of abnormal HRT for the defined end points. Twenty studies (25 cohorts: 12 832 patients) were identified by the systematic review, and 15 studies (20 cohorts: 11 499 patients) were included in the meta-analyses. Abnormal HRT was a predictive marker for all the end points in heart failure patients and more markedly in postacute myocardial infarction patients, where 9 out of the 10 cohorts had an ejection fraction >30%. In postacute myocardial infarction patients, HRT had pooled risk ratios of 3.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.54-4.90), 4.82 (95% CI, 3.12-7.45), and 4.48 (95% CI, 3.04-6.60), and positive likelihood ratios of 3.5 (95% CI, 2.6-4.8), 4.1 (95% CI, 3.0-5.7), and 2.7 (95% CI, 2.2-3.3) for total mortality, CD, and arrhythmic events, respectively. The combination of abnormal HRT and T-wave alternans (5 cohorts: 1516 patients) increased the predictive power for CD and arrhythmic events. CONCLUSIONS HRT is a powerful predictor of both CD and arrhythmic events, particularly in postacute myocardial infarction patients with ejection fraction >30%. HRT power increases in combination with T-wave alternans analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- From the Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy (M.D., M.R., G.N.); Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy (M.D.); and Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy (M.M., F.R.).
| | - Michela Masè
- From the Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy (M.D., M.R., G.N.); Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy (M.D.); and Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy (M.M., F.R.)
| | - Marta Rigoni
- From the Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy (M.D., M.R., G.N.); Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy (M.D.); and Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy (M.M., F.R.)
| | - Giandomenico Nollo
- From the Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy (M.D., M.R., G.N.); Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy (M.D.); and Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy (M.M., F.R.)
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- From the Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy (M.D., M.R., G.N.); Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy (M.D.); and Department of Physics, University of Trento, Italy (M.M., F.R.)
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Disertori M, Rigoni M, Pace N, Casolo G, Masè M, Gonzini L, Lucci D, Nollo G, Ravelli F. Myocardial Fibrosis Assessment by LGE Is a Powerful Predictor of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Ischemic and Nonischemic LV Dysfunction. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2016; 9:1046-1055. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2016.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Avogaro L, Tessarolo F, Piccoli F, Caola I, Pederzolli C, Graffigna A, Ravelli F. A spectral approach for the quantitative description of cardiac collagen network from nonlinear optical imaging. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2016; 2015:6257-60. [PMID: 26737722 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2015.7319822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The assessment of collagen structure in cardiac pathology, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), is essential for a complete understanding of the disease. This paper introduces a novel methodology for the quantitative description of collagen network properties, based on the combination of nonlinear optical microscopy with a spectral approach of image processing and analysis. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy was applied to atrial tissue samples from cardiac surgery patients, providing label-free, selective visualization of the collagen structure. The spectral analysis framework, based on 2D-FFT, was applied to the SHG images, yielding a multiparametric description of collagen fiber orientation (angle and anisotropy indexes) and texture scale (dominant wavelength and peak dispersion indexes). The proof-of-concept application of the methodology showed the capability of our approach to detect and quantify differences in the structural properties of the collagen network in AF versus sinus rhythm patients. These results suggest the potential of our approach in the assessment of collagen properties in cardiac pathologies related to a fibrotic structural component.
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Disertori M, Masè M, Narula N, Mazzola S, dal Piaz EC, Quintarelli S, Cristoforetti A, Marini M, Ravelli F, Arbustini E. Atrial fibrillation and NPPA gene p.S64R mutation: are cardiologists helpless spectators of healthy mutation carriers? J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 2015. [PMID: 26200358 DOI: 10.2459/jcm.0000000000000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Heterozygous p.(Ser64Arg) mutation in the natriuretic peptide precursor A gene has been associated with atrial fibrillation in the presence of common single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs10033464 and rs2200733; 4q25) that would act as modifiers. METHODS We screened natriuretic peptide precursor A gene in 583 individuals and identified three unrelated carriers of the p.(Ser64Arg) mutation (0.5%). RESULTS Only one of the three mutation carriers had episodes of atrial fibrillation. Cascade screening of the three families identified seven additional mutation carriers, none showing atrial fibrillation. The patients with atrial fibrillation also carried the rs2200733, which was however found in four additional nonatrial fibrillation family members and carriers of the p.(Ser64Arg). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation in p.(Ser64Arg) carriers was 10% and in those combining the mutation with the risk single nucleotide polymorphisms was 20%. In the unique mutated patient with atrial fibrillation, the arrhythmias was refractory to both pharmacological and ablation treatment, during 16 years of follow-up; his electrophysiological phenotype was characterized by short atrial cycle lengths with a median value of 131 ms that suggests shortening of atrial action potential. CONCLUSION The prevalence of p.(Ser64Arg) mutation is low in the general population as is the prevalence of atrial fibrillation in mutation carriers (1/10). Atrial fibrillation in the affected mutated patient was lone at onset and progressively evolved with peculiar electrophysiological patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- aDepartment of Cardiology, Santa Chiara HospitalbHealthcare Research and Innovation Program. PAT-FBKcDepartment of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, TrentodCentre for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Foundation, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, ItalyeMayo Clinic, 200 1st St Sw, Rochester, MN 55905-0001, USA
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Masè M, Marini M, Disertori M, Ravelli F. Dynamics of AV coupling during human atrial fibrillation: role of atrial rate. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2015; 309:H198-205. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00726.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The causal relationship between atrial and ventricular activities during human atrial fibrillation (AF) is poorly understood. This study analyzed the effects of an increase in atrial rate on the link between atrial and ventricular activities during AF. Atrial and ventricular time series were determined in 14 patients during the spontaneous acceleration of the atrial rhythm at AF onset. The dynamic relationship between atrial and ventricular activities was quantified in terms of atrioventricular (AV) coupling by AV synchrogram analysis. The technique identified n: m coupling patterns ( n atrial beats in m ventricular cycles), quantifying their percentage, maximal length, and conduction ratio (= m/ n). Simulations with a difference-equation AV model were performed to correlate the observed dynamics to specific atrial/nodal properties. The atrial rate increase significantly affected AV coupling and ventricular response during AF. The shortening of atrial intervals from 185 ± 32 to 165 ± 24 ms ( P < 0.001) determined transitions toward AV patterns with progressively decreasing m/ n ratios (from conduction ratio = 0.34 ± 0.09 to 0.29 ± 0.08, P < 0.01), lower occurrence (from percentage of coupled beats = 27.1 ± 8.0 to 21.8 ± 6.9%, P < 0.05), and higher instability (from maximal length = 3.9 ± 1.5 to 2.8 ± 0.7 s, P < 0.01). Advanced levels of AV block and coupling instability at higher atrial rates were associated with increased ventricular interval variability (from 123 ± 52 to 133 ± 55 ms, P < 0.05). AV pattern transitions and coupling instability in patients were predicted, assuming the filtering of high-rate irregular atrial beats by the slow recovery of nodal excitability. These results support the role of atrial rate in determining AV coupling and ventricular response and may have implications for rate control in AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo-Trento, Italy
| | - M. Marini
- Division of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy; and
| | - M. Disertori
- Division of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy; and
- Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy
| | - F. Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo-Trento, Italy
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Ravelli F, Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Marini M, Disertori M. The logical operator map identifies novel candidate markers for critical sites in patients with atrial fibrillation. Prog Biophys Mol Biol 2014; 115:186-97. [PMID: 25077410 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2014.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The identification of suitable markers for critical patterns during atrial fibrillation (AF) may be crucial to guide an effective ablation treatment. Single parameter maps, based on dominant frequency and complex fractionated electrograms, have been proposed as a tool for electrogram-guided ablation, however the specificity of these markers is debated. Experimental studies suggest that AF critical patterns may be identified on the basis of specific rate and organization features, where rapid organized and rapid fragmented activities characterize respectively localized sources and critical substrates. In this paper we introduce the logical operator map, a novel mapping tool for a point-by-point identification and localization of AF critical sites. Based on advanced signal and image processing techniques, the approach combines in a single map electrogram-derived rate and organization features with tomographic anatomical detail. The construction of the anatomically-detailed logical operator map is based on the time-domain estimation of atrial rate and organization in terms of cycle length and wave-similarity, the logical combination of these indexes to obtain suitable markers of critical sites, and the multimodal integration of electrophysiological and anatomical information by segmentation and registration techniques. Logical operator maps were constructed in 14 patients with persistent AF, showing the capability of the combined rate and organization markers to identify with high selectivity the subset of electrograms associated with localized sources and critical substrates. The precise anatomical localization of these critical sites revealed the confinement of rapid organized sources in the left atrium with organization and rate gradients towards the surrounding tissue, and the presence of rapid fragmented electrograms in proximity of the sources. By merging in a single map the most relevant electrophysiological and anatomical features of the AF process, the logical operator map may have significant clinical impact as a direct, comprehensive tool to understand arrhythmia mechanisms in the single patient and guide more conservative, step-wise ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo-Trento, Italy.
| | - Michela Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo-Trento, Italy
| | | | | | - Marcello Disertori
- Division of Cardiology, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy; Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy
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Disertori M, Masè M, Marini M, Mazzola S, Cristoforetti A, Del Greco M, Kottkamp H, Arbustini E, Ravelli F. Electroanatomic mapping and late gadolinium enhancement MRI in a genetic model of arrhythmogenic atrial cardiomyopathy. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2014; 25:964-970. [PMID: 24758425 DOI: 10.1111/jce.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although atrial arrhythmias may have genetic causes, very few data are available on evaluation of the arrhythmic substrate in genetic atrial diseases in humans. In this study, we evaluate the nature and evolution of the atrial arrhythmic substrate in a genetic atrial cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS Repeated electroanatomic mapping and tomographic evaluations were used to investigate the evolving arrhythmic substrate in 5 patients with isolated arrhythmogenic atrial cardiomyopathy, caused by Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A (NPPA) gene mutation. Atrial fibrosis was assessed using late gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE-MRI). The substrate of atrial tachycardia (AT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) was biatrial dilatation with patchy areas of low voltage and atrial wall scarring (in the right atrium: 68.5% ± 6.0% and 22.2% ± 10.2%, respectively). The evolution of the arrhythmic patterns to sinus node disease with atrial standstill (AS) was associated with giant atria with extensive low voltage and atrial scarring areas (in the right atrium: 99.5% ± 0.7% and 57.5% ± 33.2%, respectively). LGE-MRI-proven biatrial fibrosis (Utah stage IV) was associated with AS. Atrial conduction was slow and heterogeneous, with lines of conduction blocks. The progressive extension and spatial distribution of the scarring/fibrosis were strictly associated with the different types of arrhythmias. CONCLUSION The evolution of the amount and distribution of atrial scarring/fibrosis constitutes the structural substrate for the different types of atrial arrhythmias in a pure genetic model of arrhythmogenic atrial cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Disertori
- Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy.,Healthcare Research and Innovation Program, PAT-FBK, Trento, Italy
| | - Michela Masè
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Mazzola
- Department of Cardiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | | | | | - Hans Kottkamp
- Department of Electrophysiology, Hirslanden Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eloisa Arbustini
- Centre for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases, IRCCS Foundation, Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Povo, Trento, Italy
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Ravelli F, Masè M. Computational mapping in atrial fibrillation: how the integration of signal-derived maps may guide the localization of critical sources. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 16:714-23. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/eut376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Masè M, Glass L, Disertori M, Ravelli F. The AV synchrogram: A novel approach to quantify atrioventricular coupling during atrial arrhythmias. Biomed Signal Process Control 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2013.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Ravelli F, Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Del Greco M, Centonze M, Disertori M. Morphology-based characterization of rapid electrogram activity in atrial fibrillation patients. J Electrocardiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2013.05.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Ravelli F, Masè M, Cristoforetti A, Del Greco M, Centonze M, Marini M, Disertori M. Anatomic localization of rapid repetitive sources in persistent atrial fibrillation: fusion of biatrial CT images with wave similarity/cycle length maps. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 5:1211-20. [PMID: 23236970 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2012.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 07/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomic distribution of critical sources in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) by fusion of biatrial computed tomography (CT) images with cycle length (CL) and wave similarity (WS) maps. BACKGROUND Experimental and clinical studies show that atrial fibrillation (AF) may originate from rapid and repetitive (RR) sources of activation. Localization of RR sources may be crucial for an effective ablation treatment. Atrial electrograms showing rapid and repetitive activations can be identified by combining WS and CL analysis. METHODS Patients with persistent AF underwent biatrial electroanatomic mapping and pre-procedural CT cardiac imaging. WS and CL maps were constructed in 17 patients by calculating the degree of repetitiveness of activation waveforms (similarity index [S]) and the cycle length at each atrial site. WS/CL maps were then integrated with biatrial 3-dimensional CT reconstructions by a stochastic approach. RESULTS Repetitive sources of activation (S ≥ 0.5) were present in most patients with persistent AF (94%) and were mainly located at the pulmonary veins (82% of patients), at the superior caval vein (41%), on the anterior wall of the right atrium (23%), and at the left atrial appendage (23%). Potential driver sources showing both rapid and repetitive activations (CL = 140.7 ± 25.1 ms, S = 0.65 ± 0.15) were present only in a subset of patients (65%) and were confined to the pulmonary vein region (47% of patients) and left atrial appendage (12%). Differently, the repetitive activity of the superior caval vein was characterized by a slow activation rate (CL = 184.7 ± 14.6 ms). CONCLUSIONS The identification and localization of RR sources is feasible by fusion of biatrial anatomic images with WS/CL maps. Potential driver sources are present only in a subset of patients with persistent AF and are mainly located in the pulmonary vein region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
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Faes L, Masè M, Nollo G, Chon KH, Florian JP. Measuring postural-related changes of spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity after repeated long-duration diving: frequency domain approaches. Auton Neurosci 2013; 178:96-102. [PMID: 23587978 DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Revised: 02/28/2013] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Sustained water immersion is thought to modulate orthostatic tolerance to an extent dependent on the duration and repetition over consecutive days of the diving sessions. We tested this hypothesis investigating in ten healthy subjects the potential changes in the cardiovascular response to head-up tilt induced by single and multiple resting air dives. Parametric cross-spectral analysis of spontaneous RR interval and systolic arterial pressure variability was performed in three experimental sessions: before diving (BD), after single 6-hour dive (ASD), and after multiple 6-hour dives (AMD, 5 consecutive days with 18-hour surface interval). From this analysis, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was computed as spectral power ratio (αBRS), non-causal transfer function gain (tfBRS) and causal transfer function gain (γBRS) evaluated at low frequency (0.04-0.14Hz) in the supine position (su) as well as in the standing upright position in the early tilt (et) and late tilt (lt) epochs. We found that, while αBRS decreased significantly in et and lt compared to su during all sessions, tfBRS and γBRS decreased during ASD and AMD but not during BD; moreover γBRS evidenced a progressive decrease from BD to ASD and to AMD in both et and lt epochs. These results indicate the necessity of following a causal approach for the estimation of BRS in the frequency domain, and suggest a progressive impairment of the baroreflex response to postural stress after single and multiple dives, which may reflect symptoms of increasing orthostatic intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Faes
- Department Physics and BIOtech Center, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
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Disertori M, Quintarelli S, Grasso M, Pilotto A, Narula N, Favalli V, Canclini C, Diegoli M, Mazzola S, Marini M, Del Greco M, Bonmassari R, Masè M, Ravelli F, Specchia C, Arbustini E. Autosomal recessive atrial dilated cardiomyopathy with standstill evolution associated with mutation of Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 6:27-36. [PMID: 23275345 DOI: 10.1161/circgenetics.112.963520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial dilatation and atrial standstill are etiologically heterogeneous phenotypes with poorly defined nosology. In 1983, we described 8-years follow-up of atrial dilatation with standstill evolution in 8 patients from 3 families. We later identified 5 additional patients with identical phenotypes: 1 member of the largest original family and 4 unrelated to the 3 original families. All families are from the same geographic area in Northeast Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS We followed up the 13 patients for up to 37 years, extended the clinical investigation and monitoring to living relatives, and investigated the genetic basis of the disease. The disease was characterized by: (1) clinical onset in adulthood; (2) biatrial dilatation up to giant size; (3) early supraventricular arrhythmias with progressive loss of atrial electric activity to atrial standstill; (4) thromboembolic complications; and (5) stable, normal left ventricular function and New York Heart Association functional class during the long-term course of the disease. By linkage analysis, we mapped a locus at 1p36.22 containing the Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A gene. By sequencing Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A, we identified a homozygous missense mutation (p.Arg150Gln) in all living affected individuals of the 6 families. All patients showed low serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide. Heterozygous mutation carriers were healthy and demonstrated normal levels of atrial natriuretic peptide. CONCLUSIONS Autosomal recessive atrial dilated cardiomyopathy is a rare disease associated with homozygous mutation of the Natriuretic Peptide Precursor A gene and characterized by extreme atrial dilatation with standstill evolution, thromboembolic risk, preserved left ventricular function, and severely decreased levels of atrial natriuretic peptide.
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Masè M, Glass L, Disertori M, Ravelli F. Nodal recovery, dual pathway physiology, and concealed conduction determine complex AV dynamics in human atrial tachyarrhythmias. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2012; 303:H1219-28. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00228.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The genesis of complex ventricular rhythms during atrial tachyarrhythmias in humans is not fully understood. To clarify the dynamics of atrioventricular (AV) conduction in response to a regular high-rate atrial activation, 29 episodes of spontaneous or pacing-induced atrial flutter (AFL), covering a wide range of atrial rates (cycle lengths from 145 to 270 ms), were analyzed in 10 patients. AV patterns were identified by applying firing sequence and surrogate data analysis to atrial and ventricular activation series, whereas modular simulation with a difference-equation AV node model was used to correlate the patterns with specific nodal properties. AV node response at high atrial rate was characterized by 1) AV patterns of decreasing conduction ratios at the shortening of atrial cycle length (from 236.3 ± 32.4 to 172.6 ± 17.8 ms) according to a Farey sequence ordering (conduction ratio from 0.34 ± 0.12 to 0.23 ± 0.06; P < 0.01); 2) the appearance of high-order alternating Wenckebach rhythms, such as 6:2, 10:2, and 12:2, associated with ventricular interval oscillations of large amplitude (407.7 ± 150.4 ms); and 3) the deterioration of pattern stability at advanced levels of block, with the percentage of stable patterns decreasing from 64.3 ± 35.2% to 28.3 ± 34.5% ( P < 0.01). Simulations suggested these patterns to originate from the combined effect of nodal recovery, dual pathway physiology, and concealed conduction. These results indicate that intrinsic nodal properties may account for the wide spectrum of AV block patterns occurring during regular atrial tachyarrhythmias. The characterization of AV nodal function during different AFL forms constitutes an intermediate step toward the understanding of complex ventricular rhythms during atrial fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Masè
- Department of Physics and BioTech, University of Trento, Povo-Trento, Italy
| | - Leon Glass
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada; and
| | | | - Flavia Ravelli
- Department of Physics and BioTech, University of Trento, Povo-Trento, Italy
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Ravelli F, Masè M, Del Greco M, Marini M, Disertori M. Effects of acute atrial dilatation on heterogeneity in conduction and arrhythmia vulnerability in the human atrium. J Electrocardiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2010.12.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Nollo G, Masè M, Mattei W, Cucino R, Faes L. Assessment of a prototype equipment for cuffless measurement of systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure. J Electrocardiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2010.12.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Masè M, Mattei W, Cucino R, Faes L, Nollo G. Feasibility of cuff-free measurement of systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure. J Electrocardiol 2011; 44:201-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2010.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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