bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with dyspnea and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: a role of left atrial strain
Authors: Katbeh A , De Potter T , Geelen P , Di Gioia G , Kodeboina M , Balogh Z , Albano M , Vanderheyden M , Bartunek J , Barbato E , Van Camp G , Penicka M
Published: November 2020

Background

Diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in patients with dyspnea and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is challenging. Speckle tracking-derived left atrial strain (LAS) provides an accurate estimate of left ventricular filling pressures and left atrial phasic function. However, data on clinical utility of LAS in patients with dyspnea and AF are scarce.

Objective

To assess relationship between LAS and probability of HFpEF in patients with dyspnea and paroxysmal AF.

Methods

The study included 205 consecutive patients (62±10 years, 58% males) with limiting dyspnea (NYHA ≥ II), paroxysmal AF and preserved LVEF (≥50%), who underwent speckle tracking echocardiography and natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assessment during sinus rhythm. Patients with manifest ischemic heart or valve disease, and cardiomyopathy were excluded. Probability of HFpEF was estimated using H2FPEF and HFA-PEFF scores, which combine clinical characteristics, echocardiographic parameters and natriuretic peptides.

Results

A total of 61 (30%), 115 (56%) and 29 (14%) had respectively high, intermediate and low probability of HFpEF. Patients with high probability of HFpEF were significantly older, had higher body mass index, NT-proBNP, E/e', pulmonary artery pressure and larger LA volume index than patients in low-to-intermediate probability groups (all p<0.05). Two distinct patterns of LA phasic function were observed. Firstly, reservoir LAS showed close inverse association with increasing probability of HFpEF. Secondly, contractile LAS showed initial decrease with subsequent compensatory increase in intermediate probability category with final decrease in patients with high HFpEF probability. In contrast, LV global longitudinal strain was similar between groups (NS). In multivariable regression analysis, reservoir LAS emerged as the strongest independent predictor of HFpEF defined by using both scores. Reservoir LAS with optimal cut off value of 24% showed sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 70% to identify high probability of HFpEF. Combination of LAS with NT-proBNP did not increase the accuracy of each parameter alone.

Conclusions

Reservoir LAS shows a strong independent association with probability of HFpEF in patients with dyspnea and paroxysmal AF. This advocates for more liberal use of LAS assessment to distinguish cardiac from non-cardiac dyspnea in patients with history of AF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): International PhD programme in Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Therapeutics (CardioPaTh).
Prognostic role of right ventricular and atrial mechanics in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Nogradi A.B , Varga Z , Szebenyi D , Porpaczy A , Vertes V , Czirjak L , Komocsi A , Faludi R
Published: November 2020

Background

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction implies a worse prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Little is known, however, about the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) mechanics in this disease. Thus we aimed to investigate the long term prognostic value of the traditional and modern echocardiographic parameters of the RV and RA function as well as N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in SSc patients.

Patients and methods

Seventy SSc patients (age: 57±12 years) were enrolled into the study. They underwent echocardiography in the years 2014–15. Parameters of the RV systolic function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion /TAPSE/, RV fractional area change /RVFAC/), inferior vena cava, collapsibility index, RV wall thickness were measured. Doppler data were collected: tricuspid E and A, peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), tricuspid annular myocardial systolic (S), early- (e') and late- (a') diastolic velocities, tricuspid E/e' ratio. Maximal RA volume index as well as RA reservoir (εR), conduit (εCD) and contractile (εCT) strain were measured with the speckle tracking method. RA stiffness was calculated as ratio of E/e' to εR. Survival was assessed after 5 years. Since in some cases the cause of death was unknown, all-cause mortality was chosen as outcome.

Results

During the follow-up period of 4.7±0.9 years, 6 patients (8.6%) died. In univariate Cox regression analysis TAPSE, peak velocity of TR, tricuspid annular a' and S, tricuspid E/e' ratio, maximal RA volume index, RA stiffness and lnNT-proBNP were significantly associated with outcome. In multivariate Cox regression analysis RA stiffness was proved to be the only independent predictor of mortality (p=0.013). Using ROC analysis, RA stiffness ≥0.156 was the strongest predictor of the mortality (sensitivity=83.3%, specificity =89.1%, AUC=0.859).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that RA stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in SSc. Larger prospective validation studies are required to prove our findings.

ROC and Kaplan-Meier survival curve

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Prognostic utility of routine assessment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain and peak atrial reservoir strain in stable heart disease patients
Authors: Bolog M.I , Dumitrescu M , Pacuraru E , Romanoschi F , Rapa A
Published: November 2020

Background

Left ventricular ejection fraction above 40% is a poor predictor of cardiac outcomes. Strain imaging seems to add incremental prognostic value in various heart conditions.

Purpose

The aim of the study is to investigate whether assessment of both left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and peak atrial reservoir strain (PARS) in routine daily practice is useful in predicting cardiac events.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 300 patients (212 men, mean age 64.8±10.9 years old) with stable cardiac disease, referred for echocardiographic examination and eligible for strain imaging. Conventional and speckle tracking 2D rest echocardiography were performed and clinical variables were recorded. We excluded patients with acute coronary syndromes, severe valvular disease, cardiomyopathies, arrhythmia and class IV NYHA.

Results

During a median follow up of 30 months, there were 111 cardiac events (CE) recorded including: 7 cardiac deaths (CD), 25 acute coronary syndromes (ACS), 45 hospitalisations for worsening heart failure (WHF), 23 episodes of atrial fibrillation (AF), 11 stroke (S). Average EF, LVGLS and PARS in patients with CE were significantly lower than in patients without CE (55.8±8.4%, −17.3±3.9% and 16.3±9.8% vs. 60.4±8.4%, −20.1±3.7% and 28.4±8.2%; p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.01). In univariate analysis, lower LVGLS, respectively lower PARS were associated with a higher risk of cardiac events [Hazard Ratio (HR)1.26; 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.08–1.34; p<0.01 per 1% decrease, respectively HR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.16–1.42; p<0.01 per 1% decrease]. On multivariate analysis this association was independent after adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, ejection fraction, left atrial indexed volume. Lower LVGLS was a better predictor of a composite of ACS and CD (HR 1.38 per 1% decrease 95% CI: 1.16–1.48; p<0.01). Lower PARS had a stronger association with AF, S and WHF (HR 1.49 per 1% decrease 95% CI: 1.19–1.58; p<0.01). In a model defined by depressed LVGLS (more positive than −18%) adding lower PALS, with a cut off point of 20%, significantly improved prediction of CE (C-statistic increased from 0.68 to 0.83, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain and peak atrial reservoir strain are independent predictors of cardiac events patients with stable heart disease. Acute coronary syndromes and death were better predicted by depressed LVGLS and onset of atrial fibrillation, stroke and worsening heart failure were better predicted by lower PARS. Routine assessment of both parameters improves significantly prediction of cardiac events and helps clinical decision making.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Evaluation of the local atrial function by regional speckle tracking imaging using intracardiac echocardiography
Authors: Inoue K , Ohnishi T , Iwakura K , Tanaka K , Oka T , Hirao Y , Tanaka N , Okada M , Kitagaki R , Yoshimoto I , Koyama Y , Okamura A , Fujii K
Published: November 2020

Background

It has been reported that low voltage areas and conduction abnormalities detected by electrophysiology catheters in the left atrium (LA) represent regional degeneration and fibrosis of the atrium and are related to a poor atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation outcome. Assessment of the local atrial function is clinically useful because atrial degeneration does not occur uniformly throughout the atrium. Though evaluating the global atrial function using speckle tracking imaging (STI) by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has been attempted, TTE does not have a sufficient image quality to assess local atrial STI.

Purpose

To evaluate the local atrial function by STI using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and to elucidate the characteristics of the STI in normal and abnormal voltage regions in the LA.

Methods

We included 9 patients undergoing AF ablation with written informed consent for this prospective observational study. After pulmonary vein isolation, we performed voltage mapping of the LA in sinus rhythm using a CARTO system (Biosense). Abnormal regions and normal regions were defined as those with low voltage areas (<0.5 mV) and those with normal voltages, respectively. Echo images were recorded by an ACUSON SC2000 (Siemens) and SOUNDSTAR catheter (Biosense). We inserted the SOUNDSTAR catheter into the LA to obtain clear images, recorded the STI of the anterior and inferior wall, and performed an offline analysis of the atrial strain with an eSie VVI work station (Siemens) and the LA voltage data with CARTO system at each site simultaneously (left figure). We compared the strain during the atrial contraction phase (Sct) between the normal and abnormal regions.

Results

Among the study population, 5 patients had low voltage areas in the LA. We evaluated the STI at 26 normal regions and 44 abnormal regions. The typical regional speckle tracking waveform in the normal region was similar to a jugular vein pressure waveform (right figure). There was a difference in the amplitude of the Sct between the groups; it was significantly smaller in the abnormal regions (normal and abnormal regions, 9.8±5.0% and 5.6±3.8%, p=0.0001). The duration of the Sct was significantly more prolonged in the abnormal regions than normal regions (98.8±26.3ms and 118.2±33.9ms, p=0.015).

Conclusions

This pilot study demonstrated that the local atrial function was evaluable by STI using ICE and that the regional strain tracking waveform during the atrial contraction phase in abnormal voltage regions was smaller and more prolonged than that in normal regions. An evaluation of the regional STI with an ICE may be useful to detect regional abnormalities of the atrium.

Representative case

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Very low birth weight is associated with reduced right ventricular function detected by strain imaging in early adulthood – findings from a prospective matched cohort study
Authors: Greer C , Adamson P , Harris S , Horwood J , Troughton R , Darlow B
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Being born at very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) is associated with increased rates of cardiopulmonary disorders in childhood. As survivors age, late cardiac effects, including right ventricular (RV) remodelling and occult pulmonary hypertension are emerging. Strain imaging provides prognostically important information regarding RV dysfunction in diverse cardiopulmonary conditions however, these indices have not previously been described within VLBW cohorts.

Purpose

To assess differences in right heart function using strain in young adults born at VLBW, compared to normal weight term born controls.

Methods

The New Zealand Very Low Birth Weight Study has followed all infants born in 1986 with birth weight <1500g. Of 323 survivors to adulthood, 228 (71%) had echocardiograms at 26–30 years which were compared to age and sex-matched term-born, normal-weight controls (n=100). RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured by speckle tracking echocardiography by an investigator blinded to group allocation. Established measures of RV function (fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular systolic velocity (RV S') and tricuspid regurgitation velocities) were also obtained.

Results

VLBW subjects were smaller than their peers as young adults (Table 1). Strain measurement showed reduced myocardial deformation among VLBW subjects (RV myocardial GLS: −22.4% vs −23.5%, p=0.008; RV endocardial GLS: −23.6% vs −24.9%, p=0.005; free wall myocardial GLS −25.2% vs −26.1%, p=0.039; free wall endocardial GLS −26.7% vs −27.9%, p=0.009). TR velocity was higher in VLBW: 224 cm/s v 210 cm/s (p=0.002). RV S', and FAC were not different.

Conclusion

Young adults born at VLBW have impaired myocardial strain despite preserved RV function as assessed by standard techniques. Echocardiographic strain imaging may be an important tool to detect subclinical RV dysfunction.

Graph 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
The future of cardiac prognostication: supervised machine learning to predict mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Hasani A , Mustehsan M.H , Taub C
Published: November 2020

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of morbidity and hospitalization worldwide with Right Ventricular (RV) dysfunction identified in association with morality. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is an imaging modality used to calculate cardiac strain which can be used to identify early mechanical stress in the RV.

Purpose

Combining imaging techniques with patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical parameters, we aim to create a supervised machine learning model to predict mortality within one year after PE and identify important variables.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 74 patients who presented with acute PE, confirmed by contrast CT or V/Q scanning, to our hospital system in 2017 who had a transthoracic echocardiogram within 48 hours after the event. STE was used to calculate Endocardial Global Longitudinal Strain (Endo-GLS), End-Diastolic Area (EDA), End-Systolic Area (ESA), and Fractional Area Change (FAC). These parameters were taken along with Size/location of PE, RV size, RV Function, RV Systolic Pressure (RVSP), and TR Velocity. A supervised machine learning model was created using logistic regression and random forest classifier algorithm 100 trees with bootstrapping using Python version 3.7.2. The data was randomly sampled and run through our classifier 50 times which our outcome measurements averaged.

Results

We identified Endo-GLS as the parameter with the highest weight (30.9%) followed by, FAC (14.0%), and ESA (10.8%). Non-echocardiographic variables that had high importance were patients BMI and Intervention at time of event. We found an Accuracy of 84.3%, Sensitivity of 57.1%, and Specificity of 91.5%. The AUC for our model was 0.87.

Conclusion

The use of novel imaging methods and supervised machine learning can help identify important variables such as Endo-GLS and help predict mortality in patients with PE. Extrapolated, strain patterns can be sensitively measured in the acute setting of diseases and be used to help predict clinical outcomes. Our next steps are to obtain larger sample size in to create a more robust classifier and to prospectively validate our model.

Random Forest Model

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Exercise induced reduction in myocardial work predicts significant coronary artery disease in patients with false negative stress echocardiography
Authors: Chilingaryan A.L , Tunyan L.G , Adamyan K.G , Zelveyan P.H , Tumasyan L.R , Kzhdryan H.K
Published: November 2020

Stress echocardiography (SE) is a reliable technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) with high sensitivity and specificity. However in patients with small left ventricular (LV) cavity caused by marked concentric hypertrophy the sensitivity of SE is low. We assumed that in patients with false negative SE evaluation of global myocardial work (GW) might detect significant CAD.

Methods

238 patents with chest pain (98 female, mean age 61±5 years) without history of CAD were referred to SE for CAD confirmation. 94 (39.5%) patients had negative SE and were enrolled in our study for re-examination. Age and gender matched 50 healthy subjects served as controls. GW index (GWI) was obtained from pressure-strain loops composed from speckle tracking analysis indexed to brachial systolic blood pressure. Global constructive work (GCW) as the sum of positive work due to myocardial shortening during systole and negative work due to lengthening during isovolumic relaxation, global wasted work (GWW) as energy loss by myocardial lengthening in systole and shortening in isovolumic relaxation, and GW efficiency (GWE) as the percentage ratio of constructive work to the sum of constructive work and wasted work were measured after submaximal treadmill SE at the heart rate of 100–110 beats per minute (109±11 s after SE) using EchoPac software by blinded experienced echocardiographer. All patients were referred to coronary angiography after re-examination.

Results

42 (44.7%) patients had lower GWI values than the lowest limit of GWI value in controls. These patients had significant reduction in GWI, compared with remaining 52 patients in whom GWI did not differ from those of controls (GWI 1897±112 mmHg% vs 2518±243 mmHg%, p<0.01). GCW, GWE and GWW were comparable between patients with or without reduced GWI (GCW 2283±107mmHg% vs 2321±110 mmHg%, p=NS; GWE 96.9±1.1% vs 97.4±1.2%, p=NS; GWW 57±3 mmHg% vs 53±4 mmHg%, p=NS). 28 (66.7%) of 42 patients with GWI reduction and 8 (15.0%) of 52 patients without GWI reduction had at least one vessel significant CAD. GWI had sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detection of CAD 78%, 76%, 77% respectively with 67% positive predictive value, and 85% negative predictive value. 29 (80.5%) patients out of 36 with significant CAD had concentric increase in LVMi compared with true negative SE patients (83±6 g/m2 vs 71±4 g/m2, p<0.01). GWI was the predictor of significant CAD (area under the curve 0.793).

Conclusion

GWI extends diagnostic power of conventional SE in detection of CAD, especially in patients with smaller LV cavity due to concentric hypertrophy when sensitivity of conventional SE is low.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Committee of Sience at Ministry of Education of Republic of Armenia
The value of regional myocardial function assessment in patients with acute myocarditis at baseline and mid term follow-up
Authors: Boidol J , Koziel M , Miszalski-Jamka K , Klys J , Kalarus Z , Kukulski T
Published: November 2020

Background

The clinical course and ventricular remodeling in inflammatory myocardial disease could be unpredictable. No single functional parameter has been confirmed as a powerful predictor of clinical course and functional recovery assessment in patients with acute inflammatory myocardial disease.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess the mechanical properties of the myocardium in patients with active myocarditis at baseline and follow-up.

Methods

Database from a high volume, tertiary cardiology center was analysed to identify patients with active myocarditis, based on clinical presentation and ≥1 diagnostic criteria from different categories (including electrocardiography/holter, elevated troponin T/I levels, functional or structural abnormalities on cardiac imaging or tissue characterization by cardiac magnetic resonance) between 2016 and 2019. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography including global longitudinal strain (GLS) mechanical dispersion (MD) was completed at baseline and at 17±13 months follow-up. MD was calculated as a standard deviation of time to peak longitudinal strain derived from all left ventricle segments in 3 apical views.

Results

61 consecutive patients [50 M, 11F, end-diastolic volume 212±84 ml, end-systolic volume 130±90ml, ejection fraction (EF) 42±16%] were enrolled. During the entire follow-up 1 patient died at early observation. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was implanted in 5 patients (primary prevention 4, secondary 1), cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker in 1 patient. Despite of significant global improvement (EF 42±16% vs 52±10%, p<0.001) the limited regional improvement was noticed (GLS 14±6% vs 15±4%, p = NS; MD 47±18 ms vs 45±20 ms, p=NS) in all patients at 17±13 months follow-up. There was a strong negative association between GLS and MD at baseline (Figure 1), and slightly weaker at follow-up (R=0.47, Pearson's correlation). Moreover, the GLS correlated well the change of MD in each individual patient.

Conclusions

Mechanical dispersion and global longitudinal strain may serve as an additional markers of myocardial damage and potential predictive markers in non ischemic cardiomyopathy patients with proven inflammatory origin.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
A two year echocardiographic follow-up of patients with chronic total occlusion treated with percutaneous coronary intervention or receiving only medical therapy
Authors: Juricic S , Petrovic O , Tesic M , Dobric M , Dikic M , Mehmedbegovic Z , Zivkovic M , Vukcevic V , Aleksandric S , Milasinovic D , Tomasevic M , Orlic D , Stankovic G , Beleslin B , Stojkovic S
Published: November 2020

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion (PCI CTO) can reduce angina and the need for bypass surgery, however, it is still not clear how it effects the myocardial function. Conventional echocardiography is subjective and experience-dependent while tissue Doppler imaging together with strain imaging provides a more objective assessment of myocardial contractility.

Purpose

Our aim was to access the effectiveness of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) along with optimal medical therapy (OMT) on myocardial function.

Methods

We compared two groups of patients. The first group of patients underwent PCI CTO with OMT while the second group of patients only received OMT (control group). The echocardiographic exam was performed before randomization and after 24 months of follow-up. Doppler time intervals- isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) and ejection time (ET) were measured from mitral inflow and left ventricular outflow Doppler tracings. Myocardial performance index (MPI) is equal to the sum of the IVRT and IVCT divided by the ET. Velocity of early mitral filling wave (E) was measured and divided by average peak early diastolic annular velocity (e'). Peak longitudinal strain was assessed in 17 left ventricular segments. Time intervals from start Q/R on electrocardiogram to peak negative strain during the cardiac cycle were assessed. Mechanical dispersion was defined as the standard deviation of this time interval from 17 left ventricular segments, reflecting myocardial contraction heterogeneity

Results

Comparing the groups at follow up, there was no significant change in ejection fraction (EF), diastolic function, and mechanical dispersion, however, there was improvement in GLS and MPI (Table 1).

Conclusion

Global longitudinal strain as a parameter of systolic function and Myocardial performance index as a parametar of global systolic and diastolic function are sensitive markers that can detect subtle improvement in myocardial function after recanalisation of CTO.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Right ventricular dysfunction parallels left ventricular functional involvement in women with breast cancer experiencing subclinical cardiotoxicity
Authors: Santoro C , Soloperto R , Casciano O , Esposito R , Luciano F , Canonico M , Lembo M , Arpino G , De Placido S , Galderisi M
Published: November 2020

Background

Cancer therapy related cardiac toxicity disease (CRCTD) of the left ventricle (LV)can influence the outcome of oncologic patients. Little is known on CRCTD related right ventricular (RV)dysfunction even though RV involvement has been proven to be a remarkable prognosticator in heart failure.

Purpose

To analyse parallel changes in LV and RV function occurring during the course of cancer therapy in women affected by breast cancer by using both standard and speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods

Fifty Her-2 positive breast cancer women (age = 53.6±11.7 years) underwent sequential cancer therapy protocol including anthracycline (ANT) epirubicine + cyclophosphamide (4 cycles) followed by a total amount of 18 cycles with trastuzumab (TRZ) + paclitaxel. A complete echo-Doppler exam, including LV and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS)as well as RV septal and free wall longitudinal strain (SLS and FWLS respectively) assessment, was performed at baseline, after ANT end and after TRZ completion. Patients with overt heart failure and LV ejection fraction <50%, coronary artery disease,atrial fibrillation, hemodinamically significant valve disease and inadequate echo were excluded. Overt CRCTD was defined according guidelines and both subclinical LV and RV CRCTD as a LV and RV GLS drop from baseline >15%.

Results

None of the patients experienced overt CTCRD but 6 patients (14%) showed subclinical LV dysfunction and 33 (66%) had a significant drop of RV longitudinal function.The comparison of standard echo-Doppler exam at baseline and after ANT and TRZ completion did not show significant changes of LV and RV systolic and diastolic parameters. Conversely, a progressive significant reduction of RV GLS (p<0.002 after TRZ), SLS and FWLS and, with a lower extent, of LV GLS (p<0.02 after TRZ) was observed after ANT and TRZ completion (Figure). Percentage reduction in RV GLS (DRV GLS) from baseline to ANT end correlated with LV GLS both at EC end (r=−0.40, p=0.006) and after TRZ completion (r=−0.62, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Detrimental cardiac effects of cancer therapy involve both LV and RV systolic longitudinal function. Progressive RV dysfunction is evident through ANT and TRZ treatment. Early RV dysfunction parallels LV involvement and predicts subsequent LV subclinical dysfunction. A comprehensive LV and RV longitudinal function assessment might better predict the onset of CRCTD in breast cancer patients.

LV and RV strain during cancer therapy

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Assessment of biventricular function using advanced echocardiography in patients with Ebstein's anomaly pre and post-tricuspid valve surgery
Authors: Ricci P , Ostenfeld E , Flick C , West C , Babu-Narayan S , Nihoyannopoulos P , Li W
Published: November 2020

Background

Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is a right ventricular myopathy with failure of tricuspid valve (TV) delamination. While conventional echocardiographic measurements of ventricular function such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tissue Doppler imaging RV systolic velocity (s'), fractional area change (FAC) and left ventricle ejection fraction (LV EF) are load dependent measures of systolic function and may not reflect true myocardial function, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) evaluates more subtle myocardial deformation on a regional level. However, the role of STE for the biventricular assessments in an adult cohort of EA before and after tricuspid valve repair/replacement (TVR) is not fully elucidated.

Purposes

To assess biventricular function by conventional echocardiographic parameters and global and regional longitudinal strain (GLS, RLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography in adult patients with EA pre- and post-TVR.

Methods

47 patients with EA (57% women, age at operation 37±16 years) who had TV repair/replacement (17/30) between 2005 and 2019 were retrospectively identified from Echo database. 2D conventional echocardiographic parameters (TAPSE, s', FAC and LV EF) and biventricular GLS and RLS were assessed pre-TVR, at 1-, 2- and 5-year post-TVR. RV and LV segments were visually graded for STE feasibility assessment (Figure 1).

Results

TAPSE and s' declined after TVR with no further changes over 5 years (both p<0.0001); FAC decreased after TVR (p=0.005) with some amelioration but remaining impaired at 5 years. RV GLS deteriorated at 1 year post-TVR with improvements at 2 and 5 years (p<0.0001, Table 1). LV EF remained preserved (p=0.2), however, LV GLS was low pre-TVR and decreased at 1 year with improvements at 2 and 5 years (p=0.004). Least feasible segments were RV mid (pre-TVR and 1y and 5y post-TVR) and apical free wall (both pre- and post-operative) and LV apical lateral (pre-TVR and 2y post-TVR) all with median score of 1.

Conclusions

Despite the TV regurgitation reduction, TV surgeries have led to RV dysfunction with only some amelioration of RV longitudinal strain and all conventional echocardiographic parameters after 5 years. The segmental analysis showed that the basal septal segment was the most negatively affected. LV strain was reduced before and after surgery despite preserved ejection fraction. Hence, speckle tracking echocardiography is a feasible and a sensitive method in detecting myocardial dysfunction in patients with Ebstein's anomaly.

Feasibility assessment

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Royal Brompton Hospital; Imperial College
Artificial intelligence applied to non-contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography for the prediction of cardiovascular events
Authors: Chiappino S , Della Latta D , Martini N , Ripoli A , Aimo A , Piagneri V , Susini C.L , Clemente A , Emdin M , Zanetti V , Battipaglia E , Chiappino D
Published: November 2020

Background

Non-contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) may provide two measures that are emerging as independent predictors of cardiovascular events: coronary calcium score (CCS) and the volume of epicardial fat, a metabolically and immunologically active tissue surrounding the coronary arteries. The quantification of epicardial fat volume (EFV) is not routinely performed in clinical practice for the long time required for image reconstruction and the intra- and inter-observer variability.

Purpose

We evaluated if artificial intelligence (AI) might prove a valuable tool to interpret the CT data-set, and to better understand the relative prognostic value of CCS and EFV compared to “traditional” cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods

The Montignoso HEart and Lung Project is a community-based study carried out in a small town of Northern Tuscany (Italy). Starting from 2009, asymptomatic individuals from the general population underwent a baseline screening including a non-contrast cardiac CT, and were followed-up. For the present study, CCS and EFV were automatically measured from CT scans through a deep learning (DL) strategy based on convolutional neural networks. Because of the low incidence of the primary endpoint (myocardial infarction [MI]), the observed cardiac events were predicted with a random forest model built using a subsampling approach.

Results

Study participants (n=1528; 48% males, age 40 to 77 years) experienced 47 MI events (3%) over 5.5±1.5 years. CCS and EFV independently predicted this endpoint (p values <0.001 and 0.005, respectively) in a model including other predictors, namely weight, age, male gender, and hypertension. The model displayed a good prognostic performance, with an out-of-bag accuracy of 80.43% (accuracy on non-event prediction: 81.17%; performance on event prediction: 57,45%). The CCS emerged as the most important predictor, followed by EFV, weight and age. Interestingly, the incidence of cardiovascular events linked with CCS levels was associated with elevated EFV and the subjects with elevated CCS values but low EFV had no events (figure 1).

Conclusions

The tools of AI allow to perform an automated analysis of non-contrast-enhanced CT scans, with rapid and accurate measurement of CCS and EFV through a DL approach. In asymptomatic individuals from the general population, these features are more predictive of non-fatal MI than other variables related to the cardiovascular risk, as we can be demonstrated through an application of AI.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Predictors of cerebral embolisation after percutaneous transfemoral aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the RETORIC substudy
Authors: Suhai F , Varga A , Nagy A.I , Apor A , Panajotu A , Szilveszter B , Bartykowszki A , Karady J , Merkely B , Maurovich-Horvat P
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To evaluate the predictors, occurrence and distribution of TAVI-related silent ischemic brain lesions using diffusion MRI.

Methods and materials

We investigated 109 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis from the prospective arm of the RETORIC study who underwent brain MRI one week afterpercutaneous transfemoral aortic valve implantation TAVI. To determine the occurrence and distribution of periprocedural cerebral ischemic lesions averaged diffusion-weighted images (trace) and mean diffusivity (MD) maps from the DTI dataset were used. To evaluate the aortic valve calcium score (AVCS), we assessed the preoperative prospectively ECG-triggered cardiac CT (256-slice MDCT). We also assessed the periprocedural factors such as periprocedural time, pre- and postdilatation. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent predictors of TAVI-related ischemic lesions.

Results

After TAVI, a total of 918 new cerebral ischemic lesions were detected in 100/109 patients (92%). The median ischemic lesion volume was 237 μl (interquartile range 89.5–650) with a median lesion number of 6 (2–10) per patient. 759/918 lesions (83%) were supratentorial (389 left vs 370 right). Most lesions (628/918, 68%) were subcortical; the left and right MCA territories were the most affected (190. The vast majority of ischemic lesions were clinically silent (96%); 4% of patients had stroke which was proven by MRI. The median AVCS was 2769 (interquartile range 1858–4537). Balloon predilatation during TAVI procedure showed significant correlation with increased total ischemic lesion volume (p<0.001, β = 0.370) on univariate analysis, AVCS, periprocedural time, or postdilatation were not associated with ischemic load on MRI (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Periprocedural ischemic lesions are frequent (92%), most of them are clinically silent, however. Only balloon dilatation during TAVI was a predictor of increased ischemic load.

Aortic valve Ca scoring and DWI MRI

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Cardiac damage grading in patients with aortic stenosis using multi-detector computed tomography and the impact on prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve intervention
Authors: Hirasawa K , Rosendael P.J , Fortuni F , Singh G.K , Kuneman J , Vollema E.M , Ajmone Marsan N , Delgado V , Bax J.J
Published: November 2020

Introduction

A staging of severe aortic stenosis (AS) based on additional extra-valvular cardiac damage has been associated with prognosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) has a central role in the evaluation of AS patients undergoing TAVI and can detect extra-valvular cardiac damage.

Purpose

To evaluate the prognostic implications of an MDCT staging system of severe AS in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods

Patients who underwent full-beat MDCT prior to TAVI were included. Patients with intra-cardiac devices, prior valvular surgery, and insufficient image quality were excluded. The extent of cardiac damage was assessed by MDCT and classified into following 5 groups; stage 0 (no cardiac damage), stage 1 (left ventricular damage), stage 2 (left atrium and mitral valve damage), stage 3 (right atrial damage), stage 4 (right ventricular damage). The primary end-point was all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 405 patients (80±7 years, 52% men) were stratified according to the MDCT staging system: 27 (7%) were in stage 0, 96 (24%) in stage 1, 152 (38%) in stage 2, 78 (19%) in stage 3, and 52 (13%) in stage 4 (left panel). During follow-up (median 3.7 years, IQR: 1.7–5.5 years), 150 (37%) died (right panel). On multivariable analysis, cardiac damage stage, presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, NYHA ≥3, eGFR, and transapical approach were independently associated with all-cause mortality. When evaluating each stage, stage 3 (HR: 4.725, P=0.033) and stage 4 (HR 5.678, P=0.018) were independently associated with worse outcomes as compared to the other stages.

Conclusion

MDCT-based staging system of severe AS identifies the patients who are at higher risk of death after TAVI.

MDCT staging and the mortality

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): ESC research grant
Dynamics of the right atrio-ventricular junction in human: a spatial high-resolution study with multiphase computed tomography
Authors: Jouan J , Masari I , Bliah V , Soulat G , Craiem D , Mousseaux E
Published: November 2020

Introduction

In order to improve knowledge of the tricuspid valve (TV) function and its coupling with the right atrio-ventricular junction (RAVJ) and right ventricle (RV), new four-dimensional high-definition imagery methods are mandatory (3D+t).

Purpose

Using an innovative reconstruction method based on multiphase cardiac computed tomography imaging (4D-MCCTI), we finely analyzed the morphological & dynamical features of tricuspid annulus (TA) and RAVJ components in order to assess new functional parameters of TV and RV functions.

Methods

Volume imaging data sets through time were obtained from 4D-MCCTI of 30 subjects (sex ratio 1, mean age 57±11y.) with no rhythm, valvular or ventricular abnormalities on echocardiography and implemented in a custom software for 3D semi-automated delineation of 18 points around TA perimeter. Coordinates of these points in each of the 10 time-phases within an RR interval were used to calculate specific geometrical features of TA such as 3D/2D areas, perimeters, 360°-diameters and vertical deformation. Subsequently, RV and Right Atrium (RA) inner contours were also delineated (Figure).

Results

TA shape was elliptical in horizontal projection with a mean eccentricity index (EcI) of 0.58±0.12; and saddle-shapped in vertical projection with a horn nearby the antero-septal commissure. This feature remained throughout the cardiac cycle but TA was more planar (minimal TA-height: 4.47±1.04 mm) and circular (minimal EcI=0.44±0.14) in mid-diastole when TA-3Darea and TA-3Dperimeter reached a maximum of 6.98±1.21 cm2/m2 and 7.41±0.91 cm, respectively. Correlation between TA-3Darea, TA-2Darea and latero-septal diameter (LSD) were R2=0.99 and R2=0.73, respectively. LSD was minimal in early-systole (18.83±3.04 mm/m2) and maximal in mid-diastole (20.04±3.05 mm/m2). Correlation of TA-3Darea with RV and RA cross-sectional areas were R2=0.82 and R2=0.71, respectively. Conversely, there was no significant correlation between TA, RV and RA concentric contractions.

Conclusions

Our method for 4D-MTCCI analysis has allowed confirming the shape and dynamics function of RAVJ throughout the cardiac cycle in healthy subjects, and giving new reference parameters for TV and RV evaluation.

Software multiplanar view of TA

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
The usefulness of coronary artery calcium score to rule out obstructive coronary artery disease before transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Natanzon S.S , Mazin I , Barbash I , Segev A , Guetta V , Konen E , Goitein O , Fardman A , Brodov Y
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Coronary clearance in patients undergoing TAVR is performed by invasive coronary angiography (ICA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA). We aimed to investigate whether CTA-derived low coronary calcium (CAC) score may rule out obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in these patients.

Methods

We included 232 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis (mean age 80±8; 50% female) who underwent both pre-TAVR CTA and ICA between 2012–2019. Obstructive CAD was defined as a >50% in left main or >70% in the 3 main epicardial vessels. Patients with prior coronary stents or bypass grafts were excluded. CAC score was calculated by Agatston method. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was applied to establish the CAC threshold for obstructive CAD, and adjustment for age, gender, diabetes and renal failure was applied.

Results

CAC scores range was 3.5–5200 (median = 1028). Eighty-eight patients (38%) had obstructive CAD. ROC curves showed high negative predictive value (NPV) for LAD - CAC score 280, NPV 95%; LCX - CAC score 320, NPV 93%; and RCA - CAC score 347, NPV 90% (figure). Binary logistic regression confirmed CAC score cutoffs per vessel as an independent predictor of obstructive CAD [LAD (OR 3.9, CI 1.1–14, p-0.033); CX (OR 5.7, CI 2.4–12, p<0.001); RCA (OR-5.6, CI 2.5–12, p<0.001)].

Conclusion

CAC score per-vessel can be useful to rule out obstructive CAD in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVR. Using specific CAC cut offs can identify patients who may omit ICA

CAC per vessel

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
Pericoronary adipose tissue inflammation on coronary computed tomography in patients with vasospastic angina
Authors: Ueno H , Hoshino M , Sugiyama T , Kanaji Y , Nogami K , Horie T , Yamaguchi M , Hada M , Sumino Y , Misawa T , Hirano H , Yonetsu T , Sasano T , Kakuta T
Published: November 2020

Background

A recent study has demonstrated that coronary spasm is associated with inflammation of peri-coronary adipose tissue (PAT) by using the combination of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (CT). PAT attenuation (FAI) on CT angiography (CTA) has been reported to reflect PAT inflammation. We sought to investigate if FAI on CTA was associated with coronary vasospasm in patients with suspected vasospastic angina (VSA).

Methods

A total of 88 patients who underwent CTA and acetylcholine provocation test (SPT) for suspected VSA were retrospectively investigated. FAI was assessed by the crude analysis of the mean CT attenuation value of 3 major coronary arteries on CTA. FAI was evaluated for the proximal reference diameter (FAI-Ref) and inner 2mm adipose tissue layer (FAI-2mm) from the vessel wall. Diagnosis of VSA (VSA group) was made by SPT and the subjects with negative SPT without organic coronary lesions served as non-VSA group. Association between VSA diagnosis and FAI was assessed and the predictors of VSA was explored by univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

In 45 patients (51.1%), VSA was diagnosed (VSA group). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the VSA and non-VSA groups. RCA-FAI was significantly higher in patients of VSA group than in non-VSA group. RCA-FAI-2mm provided significantly better diagnostic performance for VSA than RCA-FAI-Ref and LCA-derived FAI values. Furthermore, RCA-FAI-2mm showed a significant relationship with the severity of spasm evaluated by most stenotic segment diameter during SPT. (r=−0.28, p<0.001) Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that RCA-FAI-2mm was an independent predictor of predicting VSA (P<0.001).

Conclusion

Coronary spasm may be linked with PAT inflammation detected by CTA-derived RCA-FAI, particularly by inner PAT assessment close to the vessel wall.

Representative cases for FAI analyses

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None
High-risk plaque regression after intensive dietary intervention in patients with non-obstructive coronary artery disease: a randomised computed tomography angiography study (DISCO-CT)
Authors: Henzel J , Makarewicz-Wujec M , Wardziak L , Trochimiuk P , Kruk M , Kepka C , Dzielinska Z , Demkow M
Published: November 2020

Background

Lifestyle and diet modification are the forefront in the management of coronary artery disease (CAD), however, there is no data whether they may stop progression of atheroslcerosis. Some coronary plaque characteristics are known to increase the risk of future cardiovascular events independently of coronary stenosis severity. These plaques are characterized by the presence of lipids and necrotic elements, and can be identified with coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Purpose

To study the effect of intensive dietary intervention on changes in atherosclerotic plaque volume and composition.

Methods

We enrolled 89 patients (41% women, mean age 60±7.7 years) with nonobstructive coronary lesions (<70% stenosis) identified by CTA (2x192-multislice scanner, temporal resolution 66 ms), qualified to medical treatment. All participants were subjected to optimal medical therapy (OMT). Patients were randomised (1:1) to either A) OMT with regular follow-up (after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months) by a dietitian to stick to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) model, or B) routine management, ie. OMT alone. CTA was repeated in all patients after the mean time of 66.9±13.7 weeks. An experienced observer blinded to the allocated treatment group and other clinical data evaluated all of the scans. The outcome was change in total plaque volume, percent plaque volume and plaque composition, assessed with a dedicated software system. Based on tissue attenuation ranges in Hounsfield units (HU), the following components of atheroma were distinguished: dense calcium (>351 HU), fibrous plaque (151 to 350 HU), and fibrofatty plaque plus necrotic core (−100 to 150 HU), regarded as the vulnerable plaque component.

Results

Total plaque volume did not change significantly in any group (p=0.41; Figure 1A). Percent atheroma volume increased in the control arm vs. no significant change in the experimental arm, with no significant intergroup difference (p=0.79; Figure 1B). Vulnerable plaque component decreased in both subgroups, by 52.9±82.2 mm3 in the experimental vs. 20.8±58.5 mm3 in the control arm, and there was a significant difference in the reductions between the groups (p=0.04; Figure 1C). Fibrous plaque volume and dense calcium volume did not change significantly in any group (+9.5±117.8 mm3 in the experimental vs. +7.6±92.1 mm3 in the control arm, p=0.93, and +33±68.9 mm3 vs. +30.2±52.5 mm3, p=0.78, respectively).

Conclusions

Intensive diet intervention atop OMT can stop the progression of atherosclerosis and lead to a significant reduction in vulnerable plaque component compared to OMT alone.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw, Poland