BackgroundFibrosis of extracellular matrix (ECM) in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) corresponds to the myocardial over-production of various types of collagens. However, mechanism of this process is poorly understood.ObjectiveTo investigate whether enhanced metabolism of ECM occur in DCM.MethodsSeventy consecutive DCM patients (pts) (48 ± 12.1 years, EF 24.4 ± 7.4 %) and 20 healthy volunteers were studied. Based on symptoms duration, pts were divided into new-onset (n = 35, 6 months) and chronic DCM (n = 35, >6 months). Markers of collagen type I and III synthesis-procollagen type I carboxy- and amino-terminal peptides (PICP and PINP) and procollagen type III carboxy- and amino-terminal peptides (PIIICP and PIIINP), collagen 1 (col-1), ECM metabolism controlling factors—tumor growth factor beta-1 (TGF1-β), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and ECM degradation enzymes—matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) were measured in serum. All pts underwent right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy to study ECM fibrosis.ResultsThe presence of fibrosis was detected in 24 (34.3 %) pts and was more prevalent in chronic DCM [17 (48.6 %) vs. 7 (20 %), p < 0.01]. The levels of PIIINP [4.41 (2.17–6.08) vs. 3.32 (1.69–5.02) ng/ml, p < 0.001], CTGF [3.82 (0.48–23.87) vs. 2.37 (0.51–25.32) ng/ml, p < 0.01], MMP-2 [6.06 (2.72–14.8) vs. 4.43 (2.27–7.4) ng/ml, p < 0.001], MMP-9 [1.98 (0.28–9.25) vs. 1.01 (0.29–3.59) ng/ml, p < 0.002)], and TIMP-1 [15.29 (1.8–36.17) vs. 2.61 (1.65–24.09) ng/ml, p < 0.004] were significantly higher in DCM, whereas levels of col-1 [57.7 (23.1–233.4) vs. 159.4 (31.2–512.9) pg/ml, p < 0.001] were significantly lower in DCM compared to controls. There were no differences in all measured serum markers of ECM metabolism between newonset and chronic DCM and as well as fibrosis positive and negative pts. Fibrosis was weakly correlated only with the duration of DCM (r = 0.23, p < 0.05), however, not a single serum marker of fibrosis correlated with fibrosis. Neither unadjusted nor adjusted models, constructed from serum markers of ECM metabolism, predicted the probability of myocardial fibrosis.ConclusionsDynamics of ECM turnover in DCM is high, which is reflected by the increased levels CTGF and degradation enzymes. Synthesis of collagen type III prevailed over collagen type I. ECM metabolism was not different in DCM regardless of the duration of the disease and status of myocardial fibrosis. Serum markers of ECM metabolism were found not to be useful for the prediction of myocardial fibrosis in DCM.

Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) is reported in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients (pts). However, numerous definitions of LVRR exist. Measurements of serum markers of fibrosis provide insight into myocardial fibrosis. The relationship between LVRR and fibrosis is poorly understood. From July 2014 until October 2015, we included 63 consecutive DCM pts (48 ± 12.1 years, EF 24.4 ± 7.4%) with completed baseline and 3-month follow-up echocardiograms. LVRR was assessed on the basis of four differing definitions. Procollagens type I and III carboxy- and amino-terminal peptides (PICP, PINP, PIIICP, and PIIINP), collagen 1, ostepontin, tumor growth factor beta-1, connective tissue growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), and their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) were measured in serum. In addition, all pts underwent right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. Depending on the definition chosen, LVRR could be diagnosed in between 14.3 and 50.8% pts. Regardless of the LVRR definition used, the frequency of LVRR was similar in fibrosis negative and positive DCM. Minor differences of markers of fibrosis were detected between pts with and without LVRR. For every LVRR definition, adjusted and unadjusted models were constructed to evaluate the predictive value of serum fibrosis parameters. Only an increase of TIMP-1 by 1 ng/ml was found to independently increase the probability of LVRR by 0.016%. The choice of a particular definition of LVRR determines the final diagnosis, and this has a profound impact on subsequent management. LVRR is unrelated to biopsy-detected ECM fibrosis. Serum markers of fibrosis are only weakly related to LVRR, and are not of use in the prediction of LVRR.

Objective Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with a risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Several models have been developed to estimate SCD risk and guide preventive therapy. The comparison of the previous 2003 with novel 2014 SCD risk models have never been studied. Methods Over a year we included 103 consecutive HCM patients without previous cardiac arrest and/or ICD implanted (65% males; aged 53.3 ± 13.9 years; mean EF 62.3 ± 18%). The SCD risk was calculated for each patient. Results Based on the 2003 model, patients had following scores: 0 points -15 (15%) patients, 1-28 (27%), 2-34 (33%), 3-18 (17%), ≥ 4-8 (8%). According to the 2014 model 83 (80%) had low risk, 12 (12%) intermediate risk, and only 8 (8%) high risk. Patients who had an intermediate or high risk in the 2003 model but a low risk in 2014 model were the oldest, experienced less frequently syncope and nsVT, but had more often abnormal blood pressure response to exercise and an intermediate LVOT gradient in comparison to the patients who had consistently low or high risk in both models. Conclusions Calculation of SCD risk using two models provides completely different risk estimates and consequently different guidance on SCD primary prevention. According to the 2003 model up to 85% of patients have indications for ICD, whereas based on the 2014 risk model only 20% of the patients had non-negligible SCD risk and are candidates for ICD therapy. SCD risk markers, used in the 2003 and 2014 models, have various discriminating power.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inheritable cardiac disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1:500 in the general population. In minority of patients, with the prevalence approximately of 3-5%, HCM progresses into dilated, end-stage or burn-out phase, characterized by LV wall thinning, systolic dysfunction and LV cavity dilatation. We present a case of a 45 year-old man with endstage HCM with postcapillary pulmonary hypertension, who was experimentally treated with sildenafil. It resulted in noticeable clinical and haemodynamical improvement. JRCD 2014; 2 (1): 23-26