R-Wave Peak Time and Subclinical Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients: Insights From Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography.

Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) may identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). The aims of the present retrospective single centre study were to determine the independent prognostic value of LV GLS over LV ejection fraction (EF) and the role of LV GLS to further risk stratify severe AS patients before aortic valve replacement. A total of 688 patients (median age 72 years, 61.2% men) with mild (n = 130), moderate (n = 264) and severe AS (n = 294) were included. LV GLS was determined by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography. A total of 114 (16.6%) patients died before surgery during the study. When patients with severe AS and normal LVEF were dichotomized based on the median LV GLS value (-14.0%), patients with normal LVEF and 'preserved' LV GLS of ≤ -14% had significantly higher survival than patients with 'impaired' LV GLS of > -14%. There was no difference in survival between patients with normal LVEF but 'impaired' LV GLS ( > -14%) and patients with impaired LVEF (log-rank P = 0.34). LV GLS was independently associated with all-cause mortality on multivariable Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.09-1.26; P < 0.001). LV GLS is independently associated with all-cause mortality in AS patients. It can further risk stratify severe AS patients and may influence the optimal timing of aortic valve replacement.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): ESC Training Grant App000064741 Background Impaired left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis, but its prognostic value in patients with moderate aortic stenosis (MAS) is largely unknown. Purpose To investigate the prognostic implications of LV GLS in patients with MAS and preserved LV ejection fraction (EF). Methods LV GLS was evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography in 621 patients (age 71 ± 12 years, 59% men) with MAS (aortic valve area 1.0 – 1.5cm2) and preserved LVEF (≥50%). Impaired LV GLS was defined as an LV GLS value &amp;lt;16%, based on spline curve analysis (i.e. where the hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was ≥1). Clinical outcomes were defined as all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and aortic valve replacement. Results Patients with LV GLS &amp;lt;16% (n = 282) were significantly older, more likely to be male and had more comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, more impaired renal function) compared to patients with LV GLS ≥16% (n = 339). In terms of echocardiographic data, patients with LV GLS &amp;lt;16% had larger LV volumes, lower LVEF and higher E/e’. During a median follow-up of 53 (27 – 102) months, 199 (32%) patients died. For the composite endpoint, 409 patients (66%) underwent AVR (n = 290) or died (n = 119) during a median follow-up of 29 (IQR 14 – 54) months. Patients with LV GLS &amp;lt;16% experienced significantly lower survival rates (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and event-free survival rates (p = 0.001) compared to patients with LV GLS ≥16% (Figure 1). On multivariable analysis, LV GLS was independently associated with all-cause mortality (HR 2.442; 95% CI: 1.762 – 3.384; p &amp;lt; 0.001) and the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and aortic valve replacement (HR 1.862; 95% CI: 1.498 – 2.315; p = 0.040) (Figure 2). Conclusions In patients with MAS and preserved LVEF, reduced LV GLS is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality and AVR. Assessment of LV GLS may be useful in the risk stratification of these patients. Abstract Figure. Kaplan-Meier curves Abstract Figure. Cox regression analysis

BackgroundThis study investigated whether left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS), as an LV function parameter less affected by mitral valve (MV) repair or prosthesis, is associated with clinical outcomes in patients with surgically treated MV disease.MethodsAmong 750 patients who underwent MV surgery, we assessed LV-GLS by speckle tracking echocardiography in 344 patients (148 men, mean age 58 ± 13 years) who showed preserved LV ejection fraction on echocardiography between 6 months and 2 years after MV surgery and who did not undergo aortic valve surgery. The assessed clinical events included admission for worsening of heart failure and cardiac death.ResultsDuring a period of 42.4 ± 26.0 months, 32 (9.3%) patients were hospitalized for worsening heart failure, and 3 (0.8%) died due to cardiac causes. The absolute value of LV-GLS (|LV-GLS|) was significantly lower in patients with clinical events than in those without (12.1 ± 3.1 vs. 15.0 ± 3.2%, p < 0.001) despite comparable LV ejection fraction between groups. |LV-GLS| showed predictive value for clinical events (cut-off 13.9%, area under the curve 0.744, p < 0.001). Patients with |LV-GLS| ≤14.0% had poorer outcomes than those with |LV-GLS| >14.0% (log-rank p < 0.001). Prognosis was worse in patients with |LV-GLS| ≤14.0% and pulmonary hypertension than among those who with |LV-GLS| ≤14.0% without pulmonary hypertension (log rank p < 0.001). In nested Cox proportional hazard regression models, reduced |LV-GLS| was independently associated with the occurrence of clinical events.ConclusionsIn patients with surgically treated MV and preserved LV ejection fraction, assessment of LV-GLS provides functional information associated with cardiovascular outcomes.

Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is widely recognized as a more sensitive measure of LV systolic function compared with LV ejection fraction (LVEF). In addition, the measurement of LVGLS is more reproducible than two-dimensional LVEF. Current guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease include LVEF as one of the parameters to take into consideration in the clinical decision-making. However, a large body of evidence is showing that LVGLS may be a better prognosticator than LVEF in various valvular heart diseases. In this timely state-of-the-art review, the evidence and role of LVGLS as a clinical tool in patients with aortic and mitral valve disease is appraised. Majority of research on LVGLS and valvular heart disease focused on high-gradient aortic stenosis. Increasingly, LVGLS has also been shown to be prognostic in low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved LVEF, and in low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with reduced LVEF. The role of LV GLS in patients with aortic regurgitation and mitral regurgitation is less well established. LVGLS is increasingly used to identify subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with valvular heart disease to identify optimal timing for surgery and prognosticate outcomes after surgery.

BACKGROUNDWe aimed to investigate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) in end-stage renal disease patients and its change after kidney transplantation (KT).METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent KT between 2007 and 2018 at two tertiary centers. We analyzed 488 patients (median age, 53 years; 58% male) who had obtained echocardiography both before and within 3 years after KT. Conventional echocardiography and LV GLS assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography were comprehensively analyzed. Patients were classified into three groups according to the absolute value of pre-KT LV GLS (|LV GLS|). We compared longitudinal changes of cardiac structure and function according to pre-KT |LV GLS|.RESULTSCorrelation between pre-KT LV EF and |LV GLS| were statistically significant, but the constant was not high (r = 0.292, p < 0.001). |LV GLS| was widely distributed at corresponding LV EF, especially when the LV EF was > 50%. Patients with severely impaired pre-KT |LV GLS| had significantly larger LV dimension, LV mass index, left atrial volume index, and E/e’ and lower LV EF, compared to mildly and moderately reduced pre-KT |LV GLS|. After KT, the LV EF, LV mass index, and |LV GLS| were significantly improved in three groups. Patients with severely impaired pre-KT |LV GLS| showed the most prominent improvement of LV EF and |LV GLS| after KT, compared to other groups.CONCLUSIONSImprovements in LV structure and function after KT were observed in patients throughout the full spectrum of pre-KT |LV GLS|.

Cardiovascular sequelae may occur in patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recent studies have detected a considerable incidence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction-assessed with speckle-tracking echocardiography-and of long-COVID symptoms in these patients. This study aimed to define the long-term prognostic role of subclinical myocardial dysfunction and long-COVID condition in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia. We prospectively followed up 110 patients hospitalized at our institution due to COVID-19 pneumonia in April 2020 and then recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection. A 7-month clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed, followed by a 21-month clinical follow-up. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and all-cause mortality. A subclinical myocardial dysfunction-defined as an impairment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (≥-18%)-was identified at a 7-month follow-up in 37 patients (34%), was associated with an increased risk of long-term MACE with a good discriminative power (area under the curve: .73) and resulted in a strong independent predictor of extended MACE in multivariate regression analyses. Long-COVID condition was not associated with a worse long-term prognosis, instead. In patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, a subclinical myocardial dysfunction is present in one-third of the whole population at 7-month follow-up and is associated with a higher risk of MACE at long-term follow-up. Speckle-tracking echocardiography is a promising tool to optimize the risk-stratification in patients recovered from COVID-19 pneumonia, while the definition of a long-COVID condition has no prognostic relevance.

Myocardial work (MW) is a novel indicator measured by noninvasive echocardiography, which could detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction before reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The study aimed to evaluate subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with normal LVEF, using left ventricular MW through two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (2D-STI). Eighty patients with SSc, which included 40 diffuse skin type SSc (dcSSc) and 40 limited skin type SSc (lcSSc) according to LeRoy's criteria, and 40 gender and age matched health subjects were enrolled. The images were collected using standard transthoracic echocardiography. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were obtained. Our study showed that there were no significant differences in LVEF and GLS between the SSc group and the control group. Both the lcSSc group and the dcSSc group had lower GWI, GCW, and GWE and higher GWW than the control group (P < 0.05). GWI, GCW, and GWE were lower in the dcSSc group than those in the lcSSc group, while GWW was higher in the dcSSc group (P < 0.05). GWI and GCW were positively correlated with LVEF (P < 0.001). GWI, GCW, and GWE were negatively correlated with GLS (P < 0.001), and GWW was positively correlated with GLS (P < 0.05). Elevated CRP was associated with reduced GWI and GCW (P < 0.05). Our study demonstrates the presence of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in SSc patients. The dcSSc patients may be more prone to have subclinical myocardial dysfunction than the lcSSc patients. Noninvasive left ventricular myocardial work may be a promising novel tool for detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction.

Purpose of the state-of-the-art review: Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is recently recognized as a more sensitive measure of LV myocardial systolic function compared with LV ejection fraction (LVEF). In addition, left ventricular GLS , myocardial performance index (MPI) and maximum rate of LV pressure rise during isovolumetric contraction (LV dP/dtmax) are more reproducible than traditional assessment of LV systolic function by two dimensional echocardiography (2DE) LVEF. These underutilized techniques can detect preclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients who are at risk of LV failure in valvular-induced heart disease . Current guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of valvular heart disease (VHD) include LVEF as one of the parameters to take into consideration in the clinical decision-making. However, a large body of evidence has shown that left ventricular GLS, MPI and LV dP/dtmax have been classically considered as a sensitive marker of LV contractility and inotropic state. In turn GLS and myocardial performance may be a better prognosticator than LVEF in aortic and mitral valve heart diseases. This timely state-of-the-art review, appraised the evidence and role of GLS, MPI and dP/dT as clinical tools in patients with aortic and mitral valve disease. Recent findings: Left ventricular GLS has been shown to be prognostic in low-flow, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis with preserved LVEF. The role of left ventricular GLS, Tei index (MPI) and maximum rate of LV pressure rise (LV dP/dtmax) in patients with aortic regurgitation and mitral valve diseases (regurgitation and stenosis) is less well established. Summary: Echocardiography is considered the primary non-invasive imaging tool for valvular heart disease assessment and the cornerstone method in diagnosing and evaluating the morphology and severity of aortic and mitral valve diseases. Currently, diagnostic-cardiac catheterization is no more recommended except in very rare cases when echocardiographic image quality is suboptimal, non-diagnostic and when the results of 2DE are discrepant with clinical data. Once clinical decision-making is based on the 2DE and three dimensional echocardiographic in assessment of the severity of mitral and aortic valve diseases, it is crucial that standards should be adopted to maintain accuracy and consistency across echocardiographic laboratories. This illustrative review article assesses left ventricular systolic function (LVEF) employing two and/or three dimensional echocardiography in comparison to GLS, MPI and LV dP/dtmax, especially applied for aortic valve (AV) and mitral valve (MV) diseases. It is noteworthy that this document only provides echocardiographic standards rather than making recommendations for clinical management. Conclusion: It is concluded that GLS, MPI and maximum rate of LV pressure rise during isovolumetric contraction (LV dP/dtmax) are recommended and more so, they should be increasingly used to identify subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction in patients with mitral and aortic valve heart diseases, to identify optimal timing for surgery and prognosticate outcomes after surgery

BackgroundInsulin resistance carries increased risk of heart failure, although the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography has emerged as an important tool to detect early LV systolic abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the association between insulin resistance and subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease.Methods We investigated 539 participants who voluntarily underwent extensive cardiovascular health check including laboratory test and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Glycemic profiles were categorized into 3 groups according to homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR): absence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR < 1.5), presence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR ≥ 1.5) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the association between abnormal glucose metabolism and impaired LVGLS (> − 16.65%).ResultsForty-five (8.3%) participants had DM and 66 (12.2%) had abnormal HOMA-IR. LV mass index and E/e′ ratio did not differ between participants with and without abnormal HOMA-IR, whereas abnormal HOMA-IR group had significantly decreased LVGLS (− 17.6 ± 2.6% vs. − 19.7 ± 3.1%, p < 0.05). The prevalence of impaired LVGLS was higher in abnormal HOMA-IR group compared with normal HOMA-IR group (42.4% vs. 14.0%) and similar to that of DM (48.9%). In multivariable analyses, glycemic abnormalities were significantly associated with impaired LVGLS, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.38, p = 0.007 for abnormal HOMA-IR; adjusted OR 3.02, p = 0.003 for DM]. The independent association persisted even after adjustment for waist circumference as a marker of abdominal adiposity. Sub-group analyses stratified by body mass index showed significant association between abnormal HOMA-IR and impaired LVGLS in normal weight individuals (adjusted OR 4.59, p = 0.001), but not in overweight/obese individuals (adjusted OR 1.62, p = 0.300).ConclusionsIn the general population without overt cardiac disease, insulin resistance carries independent risk for subclinical LV dysfunction, especially in normal weight individuals.

Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) reflects LV systolic function and correlates inversely with the extent of LV myocardial scar and fibrosis. The present subanalysis of the Echocardiography Guided CRT trial investigated the prognostic value of LV GLS in patients with narrow QRS complex. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured on the apical 2-, 4- and 3-chamber views using speckle tracking analysis. Measurement of baseline LV GLS was feasible in 755 patients (374 with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)-ON and 381 with CRT-OFF). The median value of LV GLS in the overall population was 7.9%, interquartile range 6.2-10.1%. After a mean follow-up period of 19.4 months, 95 patients in the CRT-OFF group and 111 in the CRT-ON group reached the combined primary endpoint of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization. Each 1% absolute unit decrease in LV GLS was independently associated with 11% increase in the risk to reach the primary endpoint (Hazard ratio 1.11; 95% confidence interval 95% 1.04-1.17, P < 0.001), after adjusting for ischaemic cardiomyopathy and randomization treatment among other clinically relevant variables. When categorizing patients according to quartiles of LV GLS, the primary endpoint occurred more frequently in patients in the lowest quartile (<6.2%) treated with CRT-ON vs. CRT-OFF (45.6% vs. 28.7%, P = 0.009) whereas, no differences were observed in patients with LV GLS ≥6.2% treated with CRT-OFF vs. CRT-ON (23.7% vs. 24.5%, respectively; P = 0.62). Low LV GLS is associated with poor outcome in heart failure patients with QRS width <130 ms, independent of randomization to CRT or not. Importantly, in the group of patients with the lowest LV GLS quartile, CRT may have a detrimental effect on clinical outcomes.

Background Patients with dilatied cardiomyopathy (DCM) have an increased risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) which may be prevented by an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Current guidelines set the indication to implant an ICD in DCM patients based on a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of ≤ 35 %. However, this approach has been questioned by recent research in non-ischemic DCM. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) as assessed by speckle-tracking-echocardiography (STE), directly measuring myocardial deformation in the longitudinal dimension, is a new method to characterize global LV function. Data is scarce regarding the diagnostic value of LV-GLS in predicting sudden cardiac death (SCD) events. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess whether LV-GLS measurements predict the rate of appropriate ICD therapies in DCM patients better than LVEF. Methods Patients with DCM who underwent primary prophylactic ICD implantation from 2011-2016 at our hospital, who had baseline echocardiographic data adequate for STE analysis, and a follow-up duration of &amp;gt; 6 months were included. ICD interrogation data were retrieved from hospital electronic records. Patients with secondary preventive ICD indication were excluded. Results 115 patients were included (26% females, age: 61.3 ± 12.4 years, LVEF 27.9 ± 5.4%, NYHA functional class 2.7 ± 0.5). During a follow-up time of 35.2 ± 12.3 months 30 patients had at least one appropriate ICD therapy (25 patients had anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP), 8 patients had ICD-shocks). Mean LV-GLS in patients with ICD therapy was significantly worse than in those without ICD therapy (-6.4% vs. -7.8%, p=0.018). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that LV-GLS (odds ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-1.60, p= 0.01) but not LVEF (OR 0.97, p= 0.47) was an independent predictors of appropriate ICD therapy. Using ROC analysis, we found a cut-off value of -9,7% for LV-GLS to best predict ICD therapy over follow-up with a sensitivity of 93.3% sensitivity (c-statistic 0.64). Conclusion Our findings indicate that LV-GLS is a useful marker to risk stratify patients with DCM, outperforming the current standard LVEF. LV-GLS should be implemented in the standard echocardiographic assessment of patients with cardiomyopathy.

Detection of Left Ventricular Dysfunction by Global Longitudinal Systolic Strain in Patients with Chronic Aortic Regurgitation

The relationship between acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and cardiac function is not well established. This study aimed to evaluate whether AML patients exist early myocardial damages prior to chemotherapy and to investigate its association with cardiovascular biomarkers. Conventional echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle-tracking strain analysis were performed prospectively in 72 acute leukemia (AL) patients before any chemotherapy therapy (of whom 44 were AML patients, 28 ALL patients). The results were compared with those from 58 control group matched for age and gender. There were no significant differences in conventional biventricular systolic function parameters between AL patients and controls. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) were significantly lower in AL patients (-23.0 ± 1.4% vs. -24.1 ± 1.3% and -27.9 ± 7.1% vs. -33.0 ± 4.6%, respectively, P < 0.001 for all). Compared with ALL patients, AML patients had lower LVGLS and RVFWLS (-22.7 ± 1.3% vs. -23.5 ± 1.6% and -26.2 ± 7.6% vs. -30.4 ± 5.5%, respectively, P < 0.05 for all). LVGLS was lower in ALL patients compared with controls (-23.5 ± 1.6% vs. -24.7 ± 1.4%, P < 0.05), however, there was no difference in right ventricular systolic function parameters between the two groups. LVGLS in AL patients was independently correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the absolute number of circulating lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that baseline myocardial systolic function is lower in AL patients than controls. AML patients had lower baseline LVGLS and RVFWLS than controls and ALL patients. The decreased LVGLS is correlated with LVEF and the absolute number of circulating lymphocytes.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of Left Ventricular Strain Imaging in Adults with Coarctation of aorta

PurposeImpaired left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the presence of microalbuminuria indicate early cardiac and renal dysfunction. We aimed to determine the relationships among 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) variables, LV GLS, and urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) in hypertensive patients.Materials and MethodsA total of 130 hypertensive patients (mean age 53 years; 59 men) underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, measurements of peripheral and central BPs, and transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with apparent LV systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction <50%) or chronic kidney disease were not included. LV GLS was calculated using two-dimensional speckle tracking, and UACR was analyzed from spot urine samples.ResultsIn simple correlation analysis, LV GLS showed the most significant correlation with mean daytime diastolic BP (DBP) (r=0.427, p<0.001) among the various BP variables analyzed. UACR revealed a significant correlation only with night-time mean systolic BP (SBP) (r=0.253, p=0.019). In multiple regression analysis, daytime mean DBP and night-time mean SBP were independent determinants for LV GLS (β=0.35, p=0.028) and log UACR (β=0.49, p=0.007), respectively, after controlling for confounding factors. Daytime mean DBP showed better diagnostic performance for impaired LV GLS than did peripheral or central DBPs, which were not diagnostic. Night-time mean SBP showed satisfactory diagnostic performance for microalbuminuria.ConclusionThere are different associations for daytime and night-time BP with early cardiac and renal dysfunction. Ambulatory BP monitoring provides more relevant BP parameters than do peripheral or central BPs regarding early cardiac and renal dysfunction in hypertensive patients.