Affiliation:
1. Cardiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
Greece
2. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Errikos Ntynan Hospital
Center, Athens, Greece
3. Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens,
Greece
4. First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of
Athens, Athens, Greece
Abstract
AbstractHypertension is the most common causative factor of cardiac remodeling, which, in
turn, has been associated with changes in brain and kidney function. Currently,
the role of blood biomarkers as indices of cardiac remodeling remains unclear.
In contrast, cardiac imaging, including echocardiography and cardiovascular
magnetic resonance (CMR), has been a valuable noninvasive tool to assess cardiac
remodeling. Cardiac remodeling during the course of systemic hypertension is not
the sole effect of the latter. “Remodeling” of other vital
organs, such as brain and kidney, also takes place. Therefore, it will be more
accurate if we discuss about “hypertensive remodeling” involving
the heart, the brain, and the kidneys, rather than isolated cardiac remodeling.
This supports the idea of their simultaneous assessment to identify the early,
silent lesions of total “hypertensive remodeling”. In this
context, magnetic resonance imaging is the ideal modality to provide useful
information about these organs in a noninvasive fashion and without radiation.
For this purpose, we propose a combined protocol to employ MRI in the
simultaneous assessment of the heart, brain and kidneys. This protocol should
include all necessary indices for the evaluation of “hypertensive
remodeling” in these 3 organs, and could be performed within a
reasonable time, not exceeding one hour, so that it remains patient-friendly.
Furthermore, a combined protocol may offer “all in one
examination” and save time. Finally, the amount of contrast agent used
will be limited granted that post-contrast evaluations of the three organs will
be performed after 1 injection.
Subject
Biochemistry (medical),Clinical Biochemistry,Endocrinology,Biochemistry,General Medicine,Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism