Using three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and isometric handgrip exercise (IHE), we investigated the determinants of exercise-induced mitral regurgitation (MR) according to MR etiologies. Seventy-six patients with more than moderate MR, 40 functional (FMR) 36 degenerative (DMR), underwent 3D TEE combined IHE. Mitral valve (MV) geometry vena contracta area (3D VCA) were...

Hypertension, or the chronic elevation in resting arterial blood pressure (BP), is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and estimated to affect ~1 billion adults worldwide. The goals of treatment are to lower BP through lifestyle modifications (smoking cessation, weight loss, exercise training, healthy eating and reduced sodium intake), and if not solely effective, the addition ...

Intravenous dipyridamole is widely used to produce coronary vasodilation during cardiac imaging procedures. However, the routinely used dose of dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg IV over 4 min) does not always result in maximal coronary dilation. The addition of isometric handgrip during dipyridamole coronary dilation has been reported to substantially increase coronary blood flow over dipyridamole alone...

The muscle metabo- and mechanoreflexes have been shown to increase muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) during exercise. Group III and IV muscle afferents, which are believed to mediate this response, have been shown to be thermosensitive in animals. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of muscle temperature on MSNA responses during exercise. Eleven subjects performed...