Preclinical abnormaltiy of left ventricular function in chronic alcoholics

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Alcohol-Induced Heart Disease

Background:

• Chronic alcohol consumption is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Subtle left ventricular dysfunction may exist in individuals with heavy alcohol intake, even in the absence of clinical heart disease.
• Non-invasive cardiac function assessment is crucial for early detection of alcohol-related cardiac effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate left ventricular function in individuals with chronic wine intake but no clinical signs of heart disease.
• To compare cardiac performance between chronic wine consumers and a healthy control group.
• To identify specific echocardiographic or polygraphic indicators of alcohol-induced cardiac malfunction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized non-invasive polygraphic recordings to assess cardiac function.
• Compared a cohort of subjects with chronic wine intake to a normal control group.
• Analyzed parameters including pre-ejection period (PEP), PEP index (PEPI), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), LVET index (LVETI), and the PEP/LVET ratio.

Main Results:

• Significant prolongation of PEP and PEPI was observed in the alcoholic group.
• A significant increase in the PEP/LVET ratio was found in subjects with chronic wine intake.
• Significant shortening of LVET and LVETI was noted in the alcoholic subjects compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Chronic wine consumption is associated with measurable left ventricular dysfunction.
• Abnormalities in PEP, PEPI, LVET, LVETI, and PEP/LVET ratio suggest impaired left ventricular performance.
• These findings indicate potential left ventricular malfunction in individuals with chronic alcohol intake, even without overt heart disease.