Abnormal Left Ventricular Function Research Articles

Abstract 18068: Isometric Handgrip Exercise Myocardial Perfusion Reserve Correlates With Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction and Abnormal Left Ventricular Strain: A Report From the Women’s Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Pre-Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Study

Background: Impaired coronary artery response to isometric handgrip exercise (IHE) has previously been demonstrated to reflect endothelial dysfunction, an important contributor to ischemia with no obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is typically performed with pharmacologic stress using myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) as a measure of CMD. IHE-MPRI has not been comprehensively studied in patients with INOCA, who are at risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Hypothesis: IHE-MPRI is related to CMD measured by pharm-MPRI and left ventricular (LV) structural and functional abnormalities in INOCA patients at risk for HFpEF. Methods: Participants with INOCA underwent comprehensive CMR with first-pass perfusion with adenosine or regadenoson, rest, and IHE. MPRI was adjusted to rest rate-pressure product (RPP). Lack of a satisfactory IHE response (defined as increase in heart rate≥10 bpm or systolic blood pressure ≥10 mmHg) was excluded. CMR measures of LV structure, function, MPRI, T1 and T2 mapping were analyzed using commercial software, blinded to clinical data. Pearson correlations were performed. Results: Of the participants (n=44) with IHE-MPRI, mean age was 55±11 years, body mass index 27±7 kg/m 2 , and 98% female, 31% hypertension, 12.5% diabetes, 19% hyperlipidemia. IHE-MPRI adjusted for rest RPP significantly correlated positively with pharm-MPRI and inversely with time to peak strain, diastolic strain measures and myocardial T2 ( Figure ). IHE-MPRI was not related to resting or IHE heart rate, systolic strain, LV mass, volumes, mass-volume ratio, native T1 or extracellular volume. Conclusion: IHE-MPRI relates to CMD and LV strain among patients with INOCA. Measurement of IHE-MPRI may improve understanding of CMD and LV structural and functional abnormalities that may contribute to development of HFpEF.

Abstract 17284: Prognostic Impact of Silent Cerebral Microbleeds in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Introduction: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are known to be associated with age, various cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive impairment, the use of antithrombotic drugs, and future neurological or cardiovascular events. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) has emerged as a rapidly evolving treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). However, data on CMBs in those patients are scarce. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the presence of CMBs in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing TAVR may be associated with some clinical factors or have prognostic implications. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 137 consecutive patients (mean age: 84 ± 5 years, 55 male) with severe AS who underwent T2*-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prior to TAVR. The brain MRI was assessed by researchers blinded to the patients' clinical information. Additionally, conventional echocardiography was performed to evaluate left ventricular function and valvular abnormalities. Results: CMBs were identified in 42 out of 137 patients (31%). No significant differences were observed between patients with and without CMBs in age, gender, serum BNP levels, or antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy. However, there were significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) between the two groups (LVEF: 58 ± 14% vs. 64 ± 10%, p = 0.01; LVESV: 38 ± 25 ml vs. 28 ± 16 ml, p < 0.01, respectively). Over a median follow-up period of 618 days, patients with CMBs had a higher incidence of major adverse cardiac events (defined as death or heart failure re-hospitalization) compared to those without CMBs (24.0% vs. 13.0%, log-rank test, p = 0.04). (Figure). Conclusions: Our study reveals a high prevalence of CMBs in patients with severe AS. The presence of CMBs is associated with lower LVEF, increased LVESV, and poor prognosis following TAVR.

Abnormal left ventricular systolic reserve function detected by treadmill exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes

AimsSubclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction may occur in T2DM patients at the early asymptomatic stage, and LV reserve function is a sensitive index to detect subtle LV dysfunction. The purpose of our study is (1) to assess the LV reserve function using treadmill exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients; (2) to explore the link of serum biological parameters and LV reserve function.MethodsThis study included 84 patients with asymptomatic T2DM from September 2021 to July 2022 and 41 sex- and age-matched healthy controls during the corresponding period. All subjects completed treadmill ESE, LV systolic function-related parameters such as global longitudinal strain (GLS) and systolic strain rate (SRs), as well as diastolic function-related parameters such as E wave (E), early diastolic velocity (e′), E/e′ ratio, early diastolic SR (SRe), and late diastolic SR (SRa) were compared at rest and immediately after exercise. The difference between LV functional parameters after treadmill exercise and its corresponding resting value was used to compute LV reserve function. In addition, the associations of LV reserve function and serum biological parameters were analyzed.ResultsPatients with T2DM did not significantly vary from the controls in terms of alterations in LV diastolic reserve measures, the changes of LVGLS and SRs (ΔGLS: 2.19 ± 2.72% vs. 4.13 ± 2.79%, P < 0.001 and ΔSRs:0.78 ± 0.33 s−1 vs. 1.02 ± 0.28 s−1, P < 0.001) in the T2DM group were both lower than those in the control group. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), waist circumference, and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were identified as independent predictors of LV systolic reserve by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis.ConclusionLV systolic reserve function, as measured by pre- and post-exercise differences in GLS and SRs were significantly impaired in patients with asymptomatic T2DM, whereas diastolic reserve remained normal during exercise and was comparable to that of the control group. This was different from previous findings. High levels of HbA1c, NTproBNP, hsCRP, and increasing waist circumference were independent predictors of LV systolic reserve.

Effect of thyroid hormone replacement treatment on cardiac diastolic function in adult patients with subclinical hypothyroidism: a meta-analysis.

Although subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is related to abnormalities in left ventricular diastolic function, the use of levothyroxine as a regular treatment remains debatable. This meta-analysis aimed to determine whether thyroid hormone replacement therapy affects cardiac diastolic function in patients with SCH as measured by echocardiography. This meta-analysis included a search of the EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception to May 18, 2023, for studies analyzing cardiac morphology and functional changes in patients with SCH before and after thyroid hormone replacement. The outcome measures were cardiac morphology and diastolic and overall cardiac function, as assessed using ultrasound parameters (including ventricular wall thickness, chamber size, mitral wave flow, tissue Doppler, and speckle tracking). The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The standard mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 568 patients participated and completed the follow-up. All studies specifically stated that serum thyrotropin levels returned to normal by the end of the study period. Compared with baseline levels, no significant morphological changes were observed in the heart. In terms of diastolic function, we discovered that the ratios of E-velocity to A-velocity (E/A) had greatly improved after thyroid hormone replacement therapy, whereas the ratios of the mitral inflow E wave to the tissue Doppler e' wave (E/e') had not. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) increased significantly after treatment with levothyroxine. In adult patients with SCH, thyroid hormone supplementation can partially but not completely improve parameters of diastolic function during the observation period. This meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement, an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews (11) and was registered with INPLASY (INPLASY202320083). https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2023-2-0083.

Air pollution is associated with abnormal left ventricular diastolic function: a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundAir pollution is a growing public health concern of global significance. Till date, few studies have explored the associations between air pollutants and cardiac imaging phenotypes. In this study, we aim to explore the association of ambient air pollution and abnormal left ventricular diastolic function (ALVDF) among a large-scale free-living population.MethodsThe participants were from a national representative large-scale cross-sectional study, i.e., the China Hypertension Survey (CHS), 2012–15. After exclusion, 25,983 participants from 14 provinces and 30 districts in China were included for the final analysis. The annual average ambient PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 concentrations were obtained from the chemical data assimilation system (ChemDAS). The clinical evaluation of left ventricular function was conducted in the survey field which was based on echocardiography. Grading diastolic dysfunction was based on Recommendations for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function by echocardiography (2009).ResultsThe mean age of 25,983 participants was 56.8 years, 46.5% were male, and the crude prevalence of GradeI-III ALVDF were 48.1%, 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively. The ORs (95% CI) for ALVDF in the fully adjusted model were 1.31 (1.11–1.56), 1.11 (1.01–1.21) and 1.18 (0.90–1.54) for an increase of 10 μg/m3 of PM2.5, PM10 and NO2, respectively. And for different grades of ALVDF, elevated concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 exposures significantly increased the risk of gradeIinstead of gradeII ~ III ALVDF. There was a positive linear and “J” shape concentration–response association between annual average ambient PM2.5 and NO2 and the ALVDF risk assessed by the restricted cubic spline. The exposure level of most participants to PM10 was less than 130 μg/m3, and the risk of ALVDF increased significantly with the concentration rise.ConclusionsThis large-scale nationwide population study demonstrated a significantly positive association between ambient PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 with ALVDF, especially for mild ALVDF. The functional abnormality may partially explain the enhanced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with air pollution, which highlights the importance of appropriate interventions to reduce ambient air pollution in China.

Baseline Intraoperative Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Is Associated with Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery.

Detailed understanding of the association between intraoperative left atrial and left ventricular diastolic function and postoperative atrial fibrillation is lacking. In this post hoc analysis of the Posterior Left Pericardiotomy for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery (PALACS) trial, we aimed to evaluate the association of intraoperative left atrial and left ventricular diastolic function as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with postoperative atrial fibrillation. PALACS patients with available intraoperative TEE data (n = 402 of 420; 95.7%) were included in this cohort study. We tested the hypotheses that preoperative left atrial size and function, left ventricular diastolic function, and their intraoperative changes were associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Normal left ventricular diastolic function was graded as 0 and with lateral e' velocity 10 cm/s or greater. Diastolic dysfunction was defined as lateral e' less than 10 cm/s using E/e' cutoffs of grade 1, E/e' 8 or less; grade, 2 E/e' 9 to 12; and grade 3, E/e' 13 or greater, along with two criteria based on mitral inflow and pulmonary wave flow velocities. A total of 230 of 402 patients (57.2%) had intraoperative diastolic dysfunction. Posterior pericardiotomy intervention was not significantly different between the two groups. A total of 99 of 402 patients (24.6%) developed postoperative atrial fibrillation. Patients who developed postoperative atrial fibrillation more frequently had abnormal left ventricular diastolic function compared to patients who did not develop postoperative atrial fibrillation (75.0% [n = 161 of 303] vs. 57.5% [n = 69 of 99]; P = 0.004). Of the left atrial size and function parameters, only delta left atrial area, defined as presternotomy minus post-chest closure measurement, was significantly different in the no postoperative atrial fibrillation versus postoperative atrial fibrillation groups on univariate analysis (-2.1 cm2 [interquartile range, -5.1 to 1.0] vs. 0.1 [interquartile range, -4.0 to 4.8]; P = 0.028). At multivariable analysis, baseline abnormal left ventricular diastolic function (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.63; P = 0.016) and pericardiotomy intervention (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.78, P = 0.004) were the only covariates independently associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Baseline preoperative left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on TEE, not left atrial size or function, is independently associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Further studies are needed to test if interventions aimed at optimizing intraoperative left ventricular diastolic function during cardiac surgery may reduce the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation.

The effects of cardiac structure, valvular regurgitation, and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction on the diagnostic accuracy of Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio.

The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Murray law-based quantitative flow ratio (μQFR) from a single angiographic view in patients with abnormal cardiac structure, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and valvular regurgitation. μQFR is a novel fluid dynamics method for deriving fractional flow reserve (FFR). In addition, current studies of μQFR mainly analyzed patients with normal cardiac structure and function. The accuracy of μQFR when patients had abnormal cardiac structure, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, and valvular regurgitation has not been clear. This study retrospectively analyzed 261 patients with 286 vessels that underwent both FFR and μQFR prior to intervention. The cardiac structure and function were measured using echocardiography. Pressure wire-derived FFR ≤0.80 was defined as hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis. μQFR had a moderate correlation with FFR (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), and the Bland-Altman plot presented no difference between the μQFR and FFR (0.006 ± 0.075, p = 0.192). With FFR as the standard, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of μQFR were 94.06% (90.65-96.50), 82.56% (72.87-89.90), 99.00% (96.44-99.88), 97.26 (89.91-99.30), and 92.96% (89.29-95.44), respectively. The concordance of μQFR/FFR was not associated with abnormal cardiac structure, valvular regurgitation (aortic valve, mitral valve, and tricuspid valve), and left ventricular diastolic function. Coronary hemodynamics showed no difference between normality and abnormality of cardiac structure and left ventricular diastolic function. Coronary hemodynamics demonstrated no difference among valvular regurgitation (none, mild, moderate, or severe). μQFR showed an excellent agreement with FFR. The effect of abnormal cardiac structure, valvular regurgitation, and left ventricular diastolic function did not correlate with the diagnostic accuracy of μQFR. Coronary hemodynamics showed no difference in patients with abnormal cardiac structure, valvular regurgitation, and left ventricular diastolic function.

Prevalence of myocardial injury in patients after acute ischaemic stroke according to standard criteria.

This study examined the prevalence of acute and chronic myocardial injury according to standard criteria in patients after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and its relation to stroke severity and short-term prognosis. Between August 2020 and August 2022, 217 consecutive patients with AIS were enrolled. Plasma levels of high-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) were measured in blood samples obtained at the time of admission and 24 and 48 h later. The patients were divided into three groups according to the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction: no injury, chronic injury, and acute injury. Twelve-lead ECGs were obtained at the time of admission, 24 and 48 h later, and on the day of hospital discharge. A standard echocardiographic examination was performed within the first 7 days of hospitalization in patients with suspected abnormalities of left ventricular function and regional wall motion. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, functional outcomes, and all-cause mortality were compared between the three groups. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at the time of admission and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 90 days following hospital discharge were used to assess stroke severity and outcome. Elevated hs-cTnI levels were measured in 59 patients (27.2%): 34 patients (15.7%) had acute myocardial injury and 25 patients (11.5%) had chronic myocardial injury within the acute phase after ischaemic stroke. An unfavourable outcome, evaluated based on the mRS at 90 days, was associated with both acute and chronic myocardial injury. Myocardial injury was also strongly associated with all-cause death, with the strongest association in patients with acute myocardial injury, at 30 days and at 90 days. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that all-cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with acute and chronic myocardial injury than in patients without myocardial injury (P < 0.001). Stroke severity, evaluated with the NIHSS, was also associated with acute and chronic myocardial injury. A comparison of the ECG findings between patients with and without myocardial injury showed a higher occurrence in the former of T-wave inversion, ST segment depression, and QTc prolongation. In echocardiographic analysis, a new abnormality in regional wall motion of the left ventricle was identified in six patients. Chronic and acute myocardial injury with hs-cTnI elevation after AIS are associated with stroke severity, unfavourable functional outcome, and short-term mortality.

P404 MYOCARDIAL WORK EVALUATION IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE AORTIC STENOSIS UNDERGOING TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT

Abstract Background myocardial work (MW) is a novel echocardiographic technique that enables the study of left ventricular performance. It overcomes speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) limitations, dependent on afterload, which is increased in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). Aims: To evaluate myocardial performance indexes obtained with MW in patients with AS and indication to percutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVR) before and after the procedure. Methods patients with severe AS and preserved left ventricular systolic function (LVEF) and indication to TAVR underwent complete echocardiographic evaluation the day before and within two days after the procedure. MW indices were calculated considering noninvasive systolic blood pressure (SBP) and corrected for the mean transvalvular aortic gradient. Results 39 patients (78±6 years, 61.5% women) were enrolled, they presented at baseline preserved LVEF (59.4±8.2%) and reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) (–16.8±3.3%). Corrected global work index (cGWI) and corrected global constructive work (cGCW) appeared elevated before the procedure, and were significantly reduced within 2 days after TAVR (cGWI –2460.5±839.7 mmHg% vs 1844.4±521.6 mmHg%, p&amp;lt;0.01; cGCW 3061.3 ± 796.0 vs 2277.4 ± 536.5mmHg%, p&amp;lt;0.01). Adjusted global wasted work (cGWW) and adjusted global work efficiency (cGWE) did not change significantly after TAVR (cGWW 262.6±151.8 vs 244.2±129.2 mmHg%, p=0.236; cGWE 90.1±4.5 vs 88.5±5.2%, p=0.079) in the overall population. In the subgroup of patients who had not developed new atrioventricular or intraventricular conduction abnormalities, cGWW also significantly decreased following TAVR (275±152.6 vs 216.3 ± 99.7 mmHg%, p=0.018), with no change in cGWE (89.7±4.8 vs 89.3±5.8%, p=0.838). Conclusions The reduction in cGWI and cGWC values and thus myocardial oxygen consumption in the immediate post–TAVR is attributable to the reduction in afterload. Left ventricular function abnormalities do not totally regress after the procedure, although the lack of reduction in cGWW could be partly due to the development of atrioventricular or intraventricular conduction defects. Further studies are desirable to define a role of MW in prognostic stratification of patients with severe AS.

AN UNUSUAL CASE OF PATIENT WITH DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY SECONDARY TO HYPOTHYROIDISM: A CASE REPORT

Background: Alteration in thyroid hormone may affect on the cardiovascular system because the heart is very sensitive to an alteration of thyroid hormone. Alteration in thyroid hormone has been known to cause the changes in cardiac structure and function, such as the development of dilated cardiomyopathy which is a very rare manifestation of hypothyroidism.&#x0D; Case Illustration: A 26-year-old woman came to a cardiology clinic with a chief complaint of fatigue and breathlesness. On physical examination are unremarkable. On clinical laboratory examinations showed elevated TSH serum levels and decreased FT4 serum levels. On echocardiography, the patient had moderate mitral regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation, all chamber dilatation, and abnormal left ventricular systolic function with ejection fraction 26.9%. The treatment of this patient are levothyroxine 50ug/day, furosemide 40 mg, spironolactone 25 mg, bisoprolol 2.5 mg, ramipril 1.25 mg, and acetylsalicylic acid 80 mg all in once daily.&#x0D; Discussion: Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by enlargement of the ventricular chamber with impaired systolic function. Hypothyroidism is associated with decreased cardiac contractility and decreased cardiac output because of the genomic effect of thyroid hormone to the cardiovascular system is involved in the regulation of mRNA transcription of genes associated with the contractile system.&#x0D; Conclusions: Hyperthyroidism is often cause dilated cardiomyopathy, but in this case, hypothyroidism also can cause dilated cardiomyopathy. Early diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism are very important to restore the cardiac function.

Machine learning derived echocardiographic image quality in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: insights on the echo views of greatest image quality.

We sought to determine the cardiac ultrasound view of greatest quality using a machine learning (ML) approach on a cohort of transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) with abnormal left ventricular (LV) systolic function. We utilize an ML model to determine the TTE view of highest quality when scanned by sonographers. A random sample of TTEs with reported LV dysfunction from 09/25/2017-01/15/2019 were downloaded from the regional database. Component video files were analyzed using ML models that jointly classified view and image quality. The model consisted of convolutional layers for extracting spatial features and Long Short-term Memory units to temporally aggregate the frame-wise spatial embeddings. We report the view-specific quality scores for each TTE. Pair-wise comparisons amongst views were performed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Of 1,145 TTEs analyzed by the ML model, 74.5% were from males and mean LV ejection fraction was 43.1 ± 9.9%. Maximum quality score was best for the apical 4 chamber (AP4) view (70.6 ± 13.9%, p<0.001 compared to all other views) and worst for the apical 2 chamber (AP2) view (60.4 ± 15.4%, p<0.001 for all views except parasternal short-axis view at mitral/papillary muscle level, PSAX M/PM). In TTEs scanned by professional sonographers, the view with greatest ML-derived quality was the AP4 view.

Using Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (MAPSE) and Tissue Doppler Imaging Systolic Velocity (TDIS’) As Surrogates of Left Ventricular Systolic Function

Purpose: Echocardiography has become a useful method for assessing structural diseases of the heart. MAPSE and TDI S’ have also been shown to be reproducible assessments of longitudinal heart changes as LVEF is ineffective in cases of sub-optimal echocardiographic imagery caused by artefacts or air trapping.&#x0D; Methodology: One hundred patients referred for echocardiography at the cardiac laboratory of DELSUTH, Oghara, Nigeria was recruited for the study. All patients had trans-thoracic echocardiography done with M-Mode, 2D and Spectral Doppler and Tissue Doppler echocardiographic images acquired. Data obtained was analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 22. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant for all comparisons.&#x0D; Findings: Hypertension was the commonest indication for an echocardiogram. The prevalence of abnormal left ventricular function was 13%, 24% and 28% as determined using LVEF, TDI S’ and MAPSE. MAPSE had a higher specificity than TDI S’ with statistically significant correlations found between TDI S’ (p&lt;0.001); MAPSE (p=0.032) and LVEF. Multiple linear and binomial logistic regression analysis showed significant relationships (beta=0.423; p &lt;0.001) and odd ratios [OR(CI) = 10.80(2.56- 49.07)] respectively between TDI S’ and LVEF.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: MAPSE’s specificity allows for diagnosis of longitudinal heart functional changes even in cases where the LVEF may be within normal limits. A combination of both MAPSE and TDI S’ offer a greater prognostic significance. The correlation between MAPSE and TDI S’ were good. Thus, MAPSE and TDI S’ can serve as surrogates for LVEF in assessing left ventricular systolic function and prognosticating cardiac disease

AN UNUSUAL CASE OF PATIENT WITH DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY SECONDARY TO HYPOTHYROIDISM: A CASE REPORT

Background:Alteration in thyroid hormone may affect on the cardiovascular system because the heart is very sensitive to an alteration of thyroid hormone. Alteration in thyroid hormone has been known to cause the changes in cardiac structure and function, such as thedevelopment of dilated cardiomyopathy which is a very rare manifestation of hypothyroidism. Case Illustration:A 26-year-old woman came to a cardiology clinic with a chief complaint of fatigue and breathlesness. On physical examination are unremarkable. On clinical laboratory examinations showed elevated TSH serum levels and decreased FT4 serum levels. On echocardiography, the patient had moderate mitral regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation, all chamber dilatation, and abnormal left ventricular systolic function with ejection fraction 26.9%. The treatment of this patient are levothyroxine 50ug/day, furosemide 40 mg, spironolactone 25 mg, bisoprolol 2.5 mg, ramipril 1.25 mg, and acetylsalicylic acid 80 mg all in once daily. Discussion:Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by enlargement of the ventricular chamber with impaired systolic function. Hypothyroidism is associated with decreased cardiac contractility and decreased cardiac output because of the genomic effect of thyroid hormone to the cardiovascular system is involved in the regulation of mRNA transcription of genes associated with the contractile system. Conclusions:Hyperthyroidism is often cause dilated cardiomyopathy, but in this case, hypothyroidism also can cause dilated cardiomyopathy. Early diagnosis and management of hypothyroidism are very important to restore the cardiac function.

Abnormal left ventricular subendocardial perfusion and diastolic function in women with obesity and heart failure and preserved ejection fraction

Purpose– Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is common in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. Stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has been proposed as a non-invasive tool for detection of CMD. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between CMD and diastolic function in patients with HFpEF using a novel CMR technique.Methods– Patients with obesity and HFpEF without epicardial coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent Doppler echocardiography to measure diastolic function, followed by vasodilator stress CMR, using a single bolus, dual sequence, quantitative myocardial perfusion mapping to measure myocardial blood flow (MBF) at rest and at peak hyperemia. With this, myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR), global stress endocardial-to-epicardial (endo:epi) perfusion ratio, and total ischemic burden (IB, defined as myocardial segments with MBF < 1.94 mL/min/g) were calculated. Results are reported as median and interquartile range.Results– Nineteen subjects were enrolled (100% female, 42% Black). Median age was 64 [56–72] years. Global stress MBF was 2.43 ml/min/g [2.16–2.78] and global myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR) was 2.34 [2.07–2.88]. All had an abnormal subendocardial perfusion with an endo:epi of less than 1 (0.87 [0.81–0.90]). Regional myocardial hypoperfusion was detected in 14 (74%) patients with an IB of 6% [0-34.4]. Endo:epi ratio significantly correlated with IB (R=-0.510, p = 0.026) and measures of diastolic function (R = 0.531, p = 0.019 and R=-0.544, p = 0.014 for e’ and E/e’ respectively).Conclusion– Using a novel quantitative stress CMR myocardial perfusion mapping technique, women with obesity and HFpEF were found to have patterns of abnormal subendocardial perfusion which significantly correlated with measures of diastolic dysfunction.

Left Ventricular Function in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Imaging Study

Introduction: Although maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) appears to induce some risk factors and strengthen cardiac function, the morbidity of ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis remains high. This study aimed to identify left ventricular (LV) structural and functional abnormalities in ESRD patients on MHD using three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (3D-STI). Methods: Eighty-five ESRD patients with normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF >50%) participated in this study, including 55 MHD patients comprising the chronic kidney disease (CKD) V-D group and 30 nondialysis patients comprising the CKD V-ND group. Thirty age- and sex-matched control participants who had normal kidney function were enrolled as the N group. Conventional echocardiography and 3D-STI were conducted, and global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS), and global radial strain (GRS) values were measured. Results: No substantial differences in two-dimensional LVEF were observed among the three groups, and LV hypertrophy was the most common abnormality in patients with ESRD, irrespective of whether they had received or not received MHD. There were no significant differences in the 3D LV mass index between the CKD V-ND and N groups (p > 0.05). Conversely, the 3D LV mass index was considerably higher in the CKD V-D group than in both the N and CKD V-ND groups. The GLS, GAS, and GRS values were significantly lower in the CKD V-ND group than in the N group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the CKD V-D group had significantly lower GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS values than the N and CKD V-ND groups (p < 0.05). The interventricular septal thickness and E/e’ ratio were independently associated with LV strain values in all patients with ESRD. Conclusions: MHD can exacerbate LV deformation and dysfunction in ESRD patients with preserved LVEF, and 3D-STI can be potentially useful for detecting these asymptomatic preclinical abnormalities.

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain by speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertension: a mini-review

The aim of this mini-review is to report current knowledge about left ventricular systolic function assessed by global longitudinal strain in hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, that is, stage A and B heart failure. We conducted a literature search through PubMed, Web of science and Cochrane Library by using terms such as myocardial strain, speckle tracking echocardiography, systolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular geometry, essential hypertension. We identified 2 meta-analyses including 30 studies, 1 review including 8 studies and 5 other studies. The evaluation of published studies suggests that global longitudinal strain is significantly reduced in hypertensive patients than in normotensive subjects, despite normal ejection fraction. This alteration may be present in both patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy, though it is more relevant in those with left ventricular hypertrophy. Global longitudinal strain is a more sensitive marker for early abnormalities of left ventricular function and can be of greater help than conventional methods in predicting hypertensive disease progression and outcomes. However, the prevalence of left ventricular longitudinal dysfunction in hypertension, its predicting factors and its clinical relevance are not yet completely clear. Thus, other studies are needed to shed further light on this topic.

Inflammatory cytokines and their correlations with different left ventricular geometries and functions in PHT patients.

To investigate relationships between hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), and interferon -γ (IFN-γ), with left ventricular geometry (LVG) and function in patients with primary hypertension (PHT). A total of 396 PHT patients were assigned into four groups: Normal Geometry (NG), Concentric Remodeling (CR), Eccentric Hypertrophy (EH), and Concentric Hypertrophy (CH). The correlation between hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and clinical, biochemical parameters were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis and Logistic regression. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the clinical values of hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IFN-γ for abnormal LVG prediction. NG, CR, EH, and CH group all presented increasingly higher levels of Hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IFN-γ, and the increase was the most prominent in the CH group. Pearson correlation analysis showed that hs-CRP, IL-17A, and IFN-γ were all positively correlated with LASct. Hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-17A were all negatively correlated with GLS, LASr, and LAScd. However, IFN-γ was only negatively correlated with GLS and LAScd. Logistic regression analysis showed that hs-CRP and IL-17A were independently correlated with CR; hs-CRP, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17A were independently correlated with EH and CH. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of hs-CRP was 0.816. When the optimal diagnostic threshold of hs-CRP was 3.04mg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of the abnormal LVG were 72.1% and 81.5%, respectively. In PHT patients, hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IFN-γ were correlated with abnormal LVG and left ventricular function, suggesting that inflammatory cytokines may be involved in the process of PHT-induced abnormal left ventricular structure and function. In addition, hs-CRP can be used as a health screening index for patients at high risk of abnormal LVG.

Early Diagnosis of Abnormal Left Ventricular Systolic Functions of Rare Pathogenic Titin Mutation Gene Carriers in FHCM by Three-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Combined with Gene Detection.

Objective This study aimed to explore the early diagnosis of abnormal left ventricular systolic function of rare pathogenic titin (TTN) mutation gene carriers in familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) combined with gene detection. Methods Eighteen members of a Hui nationality family in Ningxia province of China were enrolled in this study in July 2019. The proband was tested with high-throughput sequencing of gene detection technology to detect the whole exome, and the mutation locus of pathogenic TTN gene was analyzed. According to the result, 16 subjects were divided into two groups: carrier group (n = 4) and noncarrier group (n = 12). Related indicators from 2DE were obtained, and myocardial strain indicators from 3D-STE were analyzed by postprocessing software of Tomtec. Strain indicators included global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumference strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), regional longitudinal strain (RLS), regional circumference strain (RCS), and regional radial strain (RRS). All those indicators were compared between the two groups, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for further analysis. Results There were 4 subjects diagnosed as asymptomatic TTN gene carriers with the mutation locus of Val135643Ile. Compared with the noncarrier group, GLS and partial RLS were significantly reduced in the carrier group. The ROC curve shows that GLS has the largest AUC, and its sensitivity was better than LVPWD and specificity was better than IVSD and LVMI obtained from 2DE in the carrier group. Conclusions There were 4 subjects diagnosed as asymptomatic TTN gene carriers with the mutation locus of Val135643Ile, and their GLS and partial RLS were significantly reduced; GLS had the better sensitivity and specificity than LVPWD, IVSD, and LVMI.

Efficacy of Exercise Rehabilitation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation after Radiofrequency Ablation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background and Aims Radiofrequency ablation is a commonly used treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), but postoperative rehabilitation exercises are needed to reverse left ventricular structural and functional abnormalities. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the intervention effect of exercise training in patients with AF after radiofrequency ablation. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted to identify articles in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from January 1, 2010 to December 1, 2021. The mean difference with 95% CI was pooled for continuous variables. We used Review Manager 5.3 for the standard meta-analysis. This study followed the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, with a total of 892 patients with AF. The quality of one study was grade A, and the rest were grade B. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the improvement of 6 min walking distance (MD = 34.42, 95% CI: 3.20 to 65.63, P=0.03), peak oxygen uptake (MD = 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.78, P < 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (MD = 0.09, 95% CI:0.01–0.17, P=0.02), resting heart rate (MD = −4.50, 95% CI: −8.85 to −0.14, P=0.04), and physical component summary (PCS) (MD = 3.00, 95% CI: 0.46 to 5.54, P=0.02) in the experimental group was significantly better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion Exercise training can improve the level of exercise endurance and cardiac function in patients. However, the results were limited by the quantity and quality of the studies. Large samples and high-quality studies are still needed to verify its long-term efficacy.

Exploring the Possible Impact of Echocardiographic Diastolic Function Parameters on Outcome in Paediatric Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Diastolic dysfunction is an important determinant for prognosis and survival in several paediatric heart diseases. We aimed to explore its possible impact on outcome in children with dilated cardiomyopathy. From 2006 to 2016, children less than 18 years old with dilated cardiomyopathy were retrospectively enrolled. Echocardiographic diastolic function parameters and child outcomes were analysed. Of 43 children aged 0.2 to 16.1 years old referred with dilated cardiomyopathy, 8 patients required cardiac transplant or mechanical assist devices (18%), 24 had persistently abnormal left ventricular function and/or dilatation (56%) and 11 patients recovered (26%). There was no significant difference in mitral velocities on Tissue Doppler Imaging, mitral valve inflow velocities, isovolumic relaxation time, left atrial area z-score and mitral lateral E/e’ ratios between patients with recovery and patients with disease progression or persistently abnormal ventricular function and/or dilation. This is the first study on childhood dilated cardiomyopathy to address individual echocardiographic diastolic function parameters and their association to recovery. In this study, echocardiographic parameters for diastolic function did not predict recovery.