Ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk factors and disease are well-known and may originate in early-life. We examined the ethnic differences in cardiac structure and function in children using... Show moreEthnic differences in cardiovascular risk factors and disease are well-known and may originate in early-life. We examined the ethnic differences in cardiac structure and function in children using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a European migrant population, and whether any difference was explained by early life factors. We used a prospective population-based cohort study among 2317 children in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We compared children from Dutch (73%), Cape Verdean (3.5%), Dutch Antillean (3.3%), Moroccan (6.1%), Surinamese-Creoles (3.9%), Surinamese-Hindustani (3.4%), and Turkish (6.4%) background. Main outcomes were cMRI-measured cardiac structures and function. Cardiac outcomes were standardized on body surface area. Cape Verdean, Surinamese-Hindustani, and Turkish children had smaller right ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular end-diastolic volume relative to their body size than Dutch children (p < 0.05). These results were not fully explained by fetal and childhood factors. Right ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular ejection fraction did not differ between ethnicities after adjustment for fetal and childhood factors. Conclusion: Right ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular end-diastolic volume differ between ethnic subgroups in childhood, without affecting ejection fraction. Follow-up studies are needed to investigate whether these differences lead to ethnic differences in cardiac disease in adulthood.What is Known:center dot Ethnic differences in cardiovascular risk factors and disease are well-known and may originate in early-life.center dot The prevalence of cardiovascular disease differs between ethnic groups. What is New:center dot We examined ethnic differences in left and right cardiac structure and function in children using cMRI.center dot Right and left cardiac dimensions differ between ethnic groups in childhood and are only partly explained by fetal and childhood factors. Show less
Early identification of patients with subclinical cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease manifestation is highly relevant as organ damage might still be reversible. Imaging can be used for... Show moreEarly identification of patients with subclinical cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease manifestation is highly relevant as organ damage might still be reversible. Imaging can be used for risk stratification and optimizing individual prevention and treatment strategies in patients with metabolic syndrome. This thesis evaluates MR and CT imaging techniques for identifying risk factors and subclinical disease in metabolic syndrome. Show less
