bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
1678 Impact of anemia in exercise stress echocardiography: effects on exercise capacity and stress testing safety
Authors: Bird J , Morant K , Kane G , Mccully R , Pellikka P , Luis S A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
None
Background/Purpose:
Anemia is a common condition in patients with cardiovascular disease. The effect of anemia in exercise stress testing has not been evaluated in a large cohort of patients.

Methods
We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing exercise stress echocardiography over a 10 year period who had blood hemoglobin assessed within 48 hours of stress testing. World Health Organization cutoffs were used in defining the degree of anemia. The effect of anemia on exercise capacity and stress testing safety outcomes was assessed.

Results
In 15,652 patients, 90.3% were non-anemic, 7.6% mildly anemic, 2.1% moderately anemic, and 0.1% severely anemic. The incidence of serious supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias and need to transfer to the hospital was low (0.1%) and did not correlate to anemia severity (p = 0.25). There was an increased incidence of non-sustained SVT or atrial fibrillation with moderate anemia and increased incidence of hypotension with stress testing with mild and moderate anemia. There was a significant reduction in duration of exercise (p &lt; 0.001) and METS (p &lt; 0.001) achieved with worsening anemia.

Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that exercise stress testing is safe in patients with mild and moderate anemia, albeit with reduced exercise capacity. Low numbers of severely anemic patients despite a large study population limit generalizability of these results in this group.
Exercise Capacity Severe Anemia (N = 9) Moderate Anemia (N = 332) Mild Anemia (N = 1183) Non-anemic (N = 14128) P value Resting heart rate 81 ± 13 # 79 ± 14 # 72 ± 14 74 ± 13 &lt;0.001* Peak heart rate 148 ± 22 139 ± 24 # 138 ± 23 # 147 ±22 &lt;0.001* Exercise duration 5.3 ± 2.5 # 6.3 ± 2.1 # 7.2 ± 2.5 # 8.6 ± 2.7 &lt;0.001* METS 6.3 ± 2.5 # 7.1 ± 2.2 # 8.0 ± 2.5 # 9.5 ± 2.7 &lt;0.001* Safety Hypotension with stress 0 (0%) 31 (9.4%) # 94 (8.0%) # 437 (3.1%) &lt;0.001* Mild supraventricular arrhythmia 1 (11.1%) 15 (4.5%) # 20 (1.7%) # 237 (2.3%) 0.04* Severe supraventricular arrhythmia 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 7 (0.1%) 0.99 Mild ventricular arrhythmia 0 (0%) 20 (6.0%) 74 (6.3%) 756 (5.4%) 0.94 Moderate ventricular arrhythmia 0 (0%) 3 (0.9%) 13 (1.1%) 182 (1.3%) 0.78 Severe ventricular arrhythmia 0 (0%) 1 (0.3%) 2 (0.2%) 1 (0.0%) 0.02 Transfer to hospital 0 (0%) 2 (0.6%) 1 (0.1%) 9 (0.1%) 0.29 Any severe arrhythmia or hospitalization 0 (0%) 2 (0.6%) 3 (0.3%) 17 (0.1%) 0.25 # Multi-comparison adjusted P-value &lt;0.05 compared to non-anemic when group P &lt; 0.05
1680 Left ventricular filling pressure assessment with exercise stress echocardiography in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation
Authors: Lara-Breitinger K , Ullah M W , Luong C L , Padang R , Oh J K , Pellikka P A , Mccully R B , Kane G C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Noninvasive parameters of LV filling pressure (E/e’) and pulmonary pressures (RVSP) by Doppler echocardiography correlate with functional capacity and outcome in sinus rhythm (SR). Their role in AF is less clear. Elevated left ventricular filling pressures (E/e’) and pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP) by Doppler stress echocardiography correlate with impaired functional capacity in patients in sinus rhythm (SR). However, there is limited data in atrial fibrillation (AF).

Purpose
The aim of this study was to delineate the characteristics of patients with AF referred for exercise stress echocardiography and determine the prevalence and significance of E/e’ and PASP elevations in AF.

Methods
Subjects were patients referred for exercise treadmill stress echocardiography (n= 14,937) and underwent regional wall motion assessment, Doppler assessment of mitral inflow (E) and early tissue relaxation (e’) velocities and PASP at rest and immediately following maximum symptom limited exercise. Exclusion criteria included significant valvular heart disease (moderate or greater stenosis and/or regurgitation of any cardiac valve or previous valve repair or replacement) (1%), congenital heart disease (&lt;1%) or refusal to participate in research (&lt;1%).

Results
Patients with AF (n = 310, 2%) were older (71 ± 10 vs 59 ± 13 years, p &lt; 0.001). While resting blood pressure was similar, resting heart rates were higher in AF (80 ± 17 bpm vs 73 ± 13 bpm, p &lt; 0.0001). AF patients achieved lower workloads (6.4 ± 2.4 METS vs 9 ± 2.4 METS, p &lt; 0.001) with lower peak double products (22336 ± 6677 vs 25148 ± 5438, p &lt; 0.001). Rates of resting (27% vs 10%, p &lt; 0.0001) and exercise-induced (37% vs 20%, p &lt; 0.0001) regional wall motion abnormalities were higher in AF. Mean E/e’ was higher in AF at rest (12 ± 5 vs 9 ± 3, p &lt; 0.001) and with exercise (12 ± 5 vs 10 ± 4, p &lt; 0.001), with a higher percentage of patients in AF having E/e’ ≥15 at rest (20% vs 6% in SR, p= &lt;0.001) and with exercise in (23% vs 8%, p &lt; 0.001). PASP was higher in AF at rest (33 ± 8 mm Hg vs 28 ± 6 mm Hg, p &lt; 0.001) and with exercise (48 ± 12 vs 42 ± 11, p &lt; 0.001) compared to SR. E/e’ correlated with exercise capacity in AF and in SR, with an E/e’ cutoff of 11.7 that was best predictive of impaired functional capacity (&lt; 5 METS in women and &lt; 7 METS in men).

Conclusions
Abnormalities of E/e’ and PASP are more prevalent in patients with AF and correlate with impaired functional capacity. In patients with AF, a medial E/e’ ratio of ≥ 12 immediately following exercise is best associated with impaired functional capacity.
1681 Carotid screening prior to stress echocardiography, an opportunity to assess cardiovascular risk?
Authors: Matangi M , Cases M , Brouillard D , Johri A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Screening for atherosclerosis is an important method for assessing cardiovascular (CV) risk. Our data with carotid imaging shows a normal a carotid is associated with a very low 10-year CV risk of 1.6%. Even a low risk carotid still predicts a favourable outcome, 5.6-7.0% CV risk over 10 years. Increasing plaque burden as assessed by either total plaque area (&gt;25mm2) or plaque score (&gt;1) is associated with increasing CV risk, ranging from 20% to &gt;30% over 10 years.

PURPOSE
This analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence and severity of carotid disease in men and women presenting for stress ECHO, with no prior documented evidence of CV disease.

METHODS
Data was collected from October 3, 2011 to January 22, 2019. Male patients aged 40-70yrs and female patients aged 50-75yrs undergoing stress ECHO underwent a screening carotid examination prior to the test. This involves only 2-3 images on each side to include, the CCA, carotid bulb and ICA. Maximal CCA IMT is measured using an automatic edge detection method, plaque score is calculated using the Rotterdam method and plaque area is measured in the carotid bulb and ICA bilaterally. Total plaque area being the sum of all area measurements. Apart from age criteria, patients were also excluded if they were diabetic, already taking a statin, or had a previous history of any vascular disease. A low-risk carotid was defined as a maximal CCA IMT &lt;1.00m,with a plaque score of "0" or "1" providing the total plaque area was &lt;25mm2. An unpaired t-test was used to detect differences between means and the Fisher’s exact test was used to detect differences between proportions. A p value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS
There were 1683 patients, 1175 females and 508 males with a mean age of 60.9 ± 7.4 years. Of the 1683 patients 1058 had evidence of carotid plaque (62.9%), 368 males (72.4%) and 690 females (58.7%). 726 patients were classified as low-risk and 957 patients were classified as high-risk. See Table 1.

CONCLUSIONS
A brief screening carotid examination prior to stress ECHO reveals a large percentage of both men and women who have evidence of atherosclerosis, of which 56.9% are high-risk. These patients could be identified while in the ECHO laboratory. The patients could then be offered guideline therapy with statin therapy and low dose ASA.
Table 1. Number Age CCA IMT PS 0-1 PS 2-3 PS 4-6 Low-risk High-risk Males 508 58.4 ± 7.8 1.14 ± 0.47 138 213 56 161 347 Females 1175 62.0 ± 7.0 0.99 ± 0.49 726 395 54 565 610 P value &lt;0.0001 &lt;0.0001 &lt;0.0001 &lt;0.005 &lt;0.0001 &lt;0.0001 &lt;0.0001 PS = Plaque score.
P1693 Mitral valve aneurysm complicating infective endocarditis
Authors: Hammad B , Ahmed F A , Elbadry A , Abayazeed R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Nothing to disclose

Background
Mitral valve aneurysm is an uncommon sequelae of infective endocarditis (IE), early diagnosis and timely intervention is of paramount importance to prevent aneurysm rupture and hemodynamic deterioration.

Clinical presentation
A 25-years old gentleman with no known past medical history, presented with a history of unexplained fever for the past month partially responding to antipyretics along with exertional dyspnea. On examination he had a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg, a heart rate of 110 bpm, a temperature of 39oC, a harsh pansystolic murmur over the apex and early diastolic murmur over the second aortic area. Laboratory results revealed anaemia, leukocytosis elevated ESR and CRP and blood cultures were positive for streptococcus viridians. Electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia.

Methods and results
Trans-Thoracic Echocardiography (TTE) revealed the presence of an echolucent cavity measured 1.6x1.6 cm overlying a perforation of the anterior mitral valve leaflet (AML) a long with two small vegetations attached to the AML at the perforation edge, largest measures 0.8cm. There was a severe mitral valve regurgitation. The aortic valve is thickened trileaflet with lack of diastolic cooptation and evidence of severe regurgitation. The left ventricle dimensions were dilated and function was reduced, estimated LVEF = 50%.
3DTrans-esophageal Echocardiography(TEE) was done for better visualization of the mitral valve. The cavity involved A2 scallop, it was perforated and communicating with the LA with an additional regurgitation jet. The aortic valve showed no detectable masses or abscesses.
Accordingly, patient was diagnosed with infective enfocarditis complicated with AML perforation and aneurysm formation, anti-biotics were commenced and patient was referred for double valve replacement.

Discussion
Mitral valve aneurysm most commonly occurs secondary to infective endocarditis of the aortic valve, while our patient does not demonstrate evidence of vegetations at the aortic valve but he had an unhealthy valve with severe regurgitation jet that hits AML and might by a cause of hit lesion at the AML and eventually complicated by aneurysm formation.

Discussion
Echocardiography is a crucial imaging modality in patient with long standing fever and underlying valvular heart disease to rule out infective endocarditis. 3D-TEE is of added value along with TTE in better definition of vegetations, detection of infective endocarditis complication and it has a crucial role in proper diagnosis and surgical planning for better clinical outcomes.
Abstract P1693 Figure. Mitral valve aneurysm
P1702 Libman-Sacks endocarditis of the mitral valve combined with right atrial thrombus formation
Authors: Klappacher G , Beitzke D 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Case presentation
A 46-years old female with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted to hospital care after the manifestation of a tonic-clonic generalized seizure. Since this had been the first neurological event, a thorough diagnostic work-up was performed. CT- and MRI-imaging of the brain revealed cerebral microangiopathy and two small fresh ischemic lesions in the left frontal and temporobasal regions, respectively. While the microangiopathy could be reconciled with cerebral SLE-vasculitis, the ischemic lesions pointed to thromboembolism whose source could be potentially cardiogenic.
Findings. In fact, the transesophageal echocardiogram showed a small vegetation (5x8 mm) on the posteromedial cusp of the posterior mitral leaflet (P3) with moderate regurgitation, likely to represent Libman-Sacks endocarditis and a potential source of systemic embolization. In addition, a mass of was visible protruding from the fossa ovalis into the right atrium, see figure. It represented a thrombus according to MRI which was subsequently performed. Since no interatrial passage of microbubbles occurred, the foramen ovale was unlikely to be patent and to allow for paradoxical embolism into the brain. However, the right atrial thrombus was compatible with a history of repeated deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the recent past.

Discussion
This case exemplifies the combination of Libman-Sacks endocarditis on the mitral valve with right atrial thrombus formation and ensuing embolism both into the venous and arterial system. It demonstrates the importance of closely monitoring and treating coagulopathies in SLE patients which makes them prone to thrombus formation both in the systemic and pulmonary circulation.
Abstract P1702 Figure.
P1707 Strain imaging - resolving the diagnostic conundrum of cardiac amyloidosis
Authors: Somarakis K , Ahmed H 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Cardiac amyloidosis is a common cardiac condition and is still significantly underdiagnosed. Autopsy studies revealed that myocardial tranthyretin amyloid deposition is found in up to 30% of patients with HFpEF (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction). A study in 2015 reported that 13% of patients hospitalised due to HFpEF (older than 60 years old and with left ventricular hypertrophy - LVH) had moderate to severe uptake on the Technetium DPD scintigraphy. Strain imaging through Echocardiography can be a useful diagnostic tool and can provide valuable clues towards the aetiology of LVH. Relative "apical sparing" pattern of longitudinal strain has been reported to have good sensitivity and specificity in differentiating patients with cardiac amyloidosis from controls.

Case
A 66 year old man presented with progressive breathlessness and peripheral oedema. His past medical history included peripheral neuropathy, bilateral decompression procedures for carpal tunnel syndrome and IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS). His B-type natriuretic peptide levels were elevated and his ECG showed normal sinus rhythm, RsR" pattern on the anterior leads and no evidence of LVH. The transthoracic echocardiogram showed moderate concentric LVH, normal left ventricular systolic function and mildly impaired left ventricular diastolic function. No evidence of pericardial effusion. Urine protein:creatinine ratio findings were consistent with nephrotic range proteinuria. He had a cardiac MRI that confirmed normal biventricular wall motion and systolic function and a moderate increase in the wall thickness of both ventricles, but showed no evidence of late gadolinium enhancement.
At this point, we repeated his transthoracic echocardiogram with the use of strain imaging and it revealed a pattern of apical sparing suggestive of cardiac amyloidosis. After collaboration with the Haematology team, a bone marrow biopsy was performed that showed that the MGUS had progressed to IgM multiple myeloma. There was however no evidence of amyloid deposits. He was subsequently referred to the national amyloidosis centre (as per family request), where a SAP (serum amyloid P) scan showed renal and splenic amyloid deposits confirming Light-chain Amyloidosis. To exclude the possibility of TTR Amyloidosis, he also had a 99mTc-DPD scintigraphy which did not detect any amyloid deposits. He was treated under the care of the Haematology team with Velcade/Cyclophosphamide/Dexamethasone chemotherapy.

Conclusion
In patients with a clinical suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis, Echocardiography with strain imaging can be very useful and should be performed routinely. Furthermore, in patients with high clinical suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis, diagnostic investigations should persist even if the initial workup does not yield specific findings.
Abstract P1707 Figure. Strain imaging findings
P1710 Reverse right ventricular remodeling using right ventricular strain and strain rate after mitral clip implantation in functional mitral regurgitation, an echocardiographic study
Authors: Abdo Naeim H , Amoudi O , Alharbi I H , Mahmood ABEER , Elasfar A , Khedr L , Waleed M S , Abuelatta REDA 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
none

OnBehalf
none

Background
Chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) leads to right ventricular dysfunction because of volume and pressure overload over a long time. Mitral valve repair with a mitral clip will reduce the (MR) but how much its effect on the right ventricle.

Aim
The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of Mitral Valve Clipping on right ventricular (RV) remodeling (RV strain and strain rate) at med term after Mitral Clip implantation in high-risk surgical patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR).

Methods
Study population included 62 patients with severe functional MR. All the patients underwent full echocardiographic evaluation before MV clip, and at 12-month follow-up. RV systolic function was assessed using tissue Doppler and TAPSE. Using Tom-Tec software the RV endocardium is traced in the apical 4 chamber view to get the RV strain and strain rate. RV after load was evaluated using systolic pulmonary artery pressure.

Results
In our cohort, 62 patients had percutaneous mitral valve clip and completed at least 12 months of follow-up. The average age was 60.56 years, 24.19 were females, 50% were diabetic, 46.77 were hypertensive, 12.90 had ESRD and 11.29 % had anemia. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 59.41 %, prior CABG in 11.67% and prior PCI in 35.48%. All parameters value was compared pre MV clip and 12 ± 4.6 months after MV clip. The RV longitudinal strain was -12.4 ± 2.6% and improved to -14.6 ± 3.1% (P 0.005) (Figure A and B). The RV strain rate was -1.1 ± 0.41 and improved to -1.3 ± 0.57 (P 0.004) (Figure C and D). The tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was 1.76 ±0.57 mm, and improved to 1.82 ±0.63 mm (P 0.4). The systolic velocity at the tricuspid annulus was 9.50 ±2.33cm/sec and improved to 9.64 ±2.72 cm/sec (P 0.269). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) was 50.49 ±13.92 and improved to 42.33 (P 0.036).

Conclusion
Mitral Clip implantation induces a significant reverse remodeling of RV. It produces significant improvement in the hemodynamics of the right side indicated by the significant reduction in SPAP and a significant increase in longitudinal RV strain and strain rate. Those changes could be a direct reflection of the concomitant reduction in LV filling pressure produced by the significant reverse remodeling of the LV caused by Mitral Clipping.
Abstract P1710 Figure.
P1715 Aortic stenosis with concomitant LVOTO: an alternative treatment to surgery
Authors: Silva C , Ribeiras R , Teles R , Brito J , Nolasco T , Oliveira A , Horta E , Mendes M 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The dilemma of the patient with both aortic stenosis (AS) and significant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is usually managed through conventional surgery. Patients included in TAVI studies are highly selected, and the presence of LVOTO is a common exclusion criteria. Permanent pacing is referred as a possible treatment in medically refractory symptomatic patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We report a case of AS and LVOTO that was submitted to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) due to high surgical risk, and submitted to a definitive pacemaker implantation after the procedure.
This case is about a female patient with 82 years old and a history of a severe aortic stenosis with a significant ventricular hypertrophy that causes LVOTO. She had a previous history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, osteoporosis and breast cancer. The patient presented with angina (grade II in Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Grade), dyspnea and weakness (classe II of New York Heart Association functional classification). Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) presented with severe aortic stenosis with a basal septal ventricular hypertrophy of 18 millimeters, a systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) both conditioning LVOTO (maximal gradient of 75 mmHg at rest) and moderate mitral regurgitation (MR). Coronariography showed no coronary lesions. Transfemoral TAVR was successfully implanted under general anesthesia and transesophageal echocardiography monitoring (TOE). During ballooning pre-dilatation a complete atrioventricular block developed. Immediately after the valve implantation TOE showed a well-positioned prothesis without intra or peri-prosthetic regurgitation but with an intraventricular gradient (IVG) above 50mmHg and a moderate to severe MR. SAM, IVG and MR were medically managed and the patient went to the intensive cardiac unit (ICU) with a IVG of 50mmHg and a moderate MR. In the next 24H in the ICU, the patient had a clinical deterioration and TTE found an increased intraventricular gradient (140 mmHg) and a severe mitral regurgitation. It was decided to implant a Dual Chamber pacemaker (DDD PM) and adjust beta-blocker and fluid therapy. A progressive clinical improvement was observed and clinical stabilization attained after 48H. At discharge (7 days after TAVR), TTE showed decreased intraventricular gradients (30 mmHg at rest, 50 mmHg with Valsalva maneuver), telesystolic SAM and a moderate mitral regurgitation. At 6 moths follow up, patient was free of cardiovascular events and had no symptoms of heart failure.
This case shows that TAVR is a safe procedure in patients with LVOTO, but we have to be aware of potentially severe hemodynamic consequences of sudden reduce in after load pressure in these patients. In high risk surgical patients, DDD-PM can accomplish acute and at least medium term clinical and hemodynamic stabilization.
Abstract P1715 Figure. Echocardiography images