Advanced Echocardiography Research Articles

Evaluation, prevention and management of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity: a contemporary approach for clinicians.

While targeted therapies have improved cancer outcomes, unique cardiovascular toxicities are increasingly recognized, particularly when administered sequentially after anthracyclines or radiation. Patients with cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity benefit from collaborative care involving cardiology and oncology, leading to a new interdisciplinary field called cardio-oncology. The present review will highlight contemporary clinical issues in cardio-oncology. Recently, risk factors for cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity have been evaluated in real-world rather than in clinical trial patients. Biomarkers and advanced echocardiography are emerging as sensitive tools for preclinical identification of cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Single-center studies suggest that cancer therapy-induced cardiotoxicity responds to prompt heart failure medical treatment, and such therapy may even prevent cardiotoxicity. Modern cancer therapy has short-term cardiac risk that may require collaborative management by clinicians with expertise in cardiology and oncology. The increased effectiveness of modern cancer therapy is resulting in a growing population of cancer survivors who are at long-term risk for cardiovascular disease. The present review of contemporary clinical issues in cardio-oncology will be of interest to healthcare providers who manage cardiotoxicity during cancer therapy, and who follow patients who survive cancer but face increased long-term cardiovascular risk.

Clinical significance of echocardiography in patients supported by venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Although there are extensive published data regarding venous-arterial (VA) ECMO, particularly in the pediatric population, there is a paucity of data (mainly including case reports and observational studies) delineating the role of echocardiography in the management of adult patients supported by venous-venous (VV) ECMO. The present review is aimed at specifically addressing the rationale for echocardiography use in patients supported by VV-ECMO and at summarizing the available evidence on this topic. Based on the available evidence and on the experience of our group, practical considerations on the use of echocardiography in adult patients on VV-ECMO support are reported. To date, echocardiography is mainly used for selecting the type of ECMO (VA vs VV), monitoring cannulation and the early detection of complications, but it is underused in patients supported by VV-ECMO. Nevertheless, in these patients, this methodology can provide useful information in monitoring cardiac function, cannula positioning, pericardial fluid (for early detection of tamponade) during ECMO support, and therefore it can contribute to the integrated assessment and management of these complex patients. There is a clinical need to elaborate shared protocols for echocardiography use during VV ECMO support, particularly at this time when advanced echocardiography is gaining interest among intensivists.

Assessing anthracycline‐treated childhood cancer survivors with advanced stress echocardiography

Surveillance for anthracycline cardiotoxicity in cancer survivors typically utilizes resting M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, which are insensitive to detection of subtle myocardial changes. We examined childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines during exercise using various echocardiography techniques to investigate if these tools can better detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction. We recruited asymptomatic survivors at least five years post treatment. Echocardiography was performed at rest and at termination of exercise utilizing tissue Doppler techniques and strain rate imaging. Eighty participants were characterized by cardiotoxicity risk status (high [12], moderate [23], low [24], no risk [21]) as defined by the Children's Oncology Group Long Term Follow-Up Guidelines v3.0. The high-risk group had a higher resting heart rate than controls (100 vs. 88 bpm [P for trend = 0.049]). Peak aerobic capacity in all groups was similar. Compared to controls at rest, the high-risk group had evidence of diastolic dysfunction with lower E/A ratios (1.4 vs. 2.0, P = 0.008) and higher septal early diastolic velocities (E/E') of 11.7 versus 9.9 (P = 0.165). With exercise, this difference resolved and myocardial contractile reserve was preserved. Asymptomatic, pediatric cancer survivors at high-risk for anthracycline cardiotoxicity have some evidence of diastolic filling abnormalities at rest. With exercise, they augment their systolic and diastolic function to achieve normal maximal aerobic capacity suggesting they are able to compensate for mild cardiac dysfunction in the early years after exposure. Additionally, findings suggest that routine exercise echocardiography may not be a useful surveillance tool to assess anthracycline cardiotoxicity.

Mythbusters in rowing medicine and physiotherapy: nine experts tackle five clinical conundrums

### Cardiac arrhythmias Dr Chris Milne: Medical Director, Rowing New Zealand What is your experience as a team physician in dealing with insidious onset of cardiac disorders in rowers? Any...

Influence of renal impairment on myocardial function in outpatients with systolic heart failure: An echocardiographic and cardiac biomarker study

BackgroundRenal dysfunction (RD) is associated with poor outcome in systolic heart failure (HF). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is not depressed to a greater extent in patients with RD compared to patients with normal renal function, but it is relatively unknown whether other measures of myocardial function are impaired by RD. The objective of the present study is to evaluate whether RD in systolic HF is associated with excessive impairment of myocardial function, evaluated by strain analysis and cardiac biomarkers. MethodsPatients with LVEF <0.45% were enrolled from an outpatient HF clinic. The patients underwent advanced echocardiography. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by the CKD-EPI equation (eGFR) and patients grouped by eGFR: eGFRgroup-I, ≥90ml/min/1.73m2; eGFRgroup-II, 60–89ml/min/1.73m2; and eGFRgroup-III, ≤59ml/min/1.73m2. Multivariate regression models were developed to evaluate the associations between eGFR groups, echocardiographic measures and cardiac biomarkers. ResultsA total of 149 patients participated in the study. Median age was 69years, 26% were female; LVEF was 33%. Patients with a low eGFR were older (P<0.001), but there were no differences in frequency of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes and ischemic heart disease between eGFR groups (P>0.05 for all). RD was associated with impaired global longitudinal strain (P=0.018), increased E/e′ (P=0.032), larger left atria (P=0.038) and increased levels of proANP (P<0.001), NT-proBNP (P<0.001) and troponin I (P=0.019) after adjustment for traditional confounders. ConclusionsEchocardiographic measures and biomarkers reflecting different aspects of myocardial function are impaired in systolic HF patients with RD and the increased mortality risk in these patients may partly be explained by a depressed cardiac function.

Standard and Advanced Echocardiography in Takotsubo (Stress) Cardiomyopathy: Clinical and Prognostic Implications

Echocardiography is frequently the initial noninvasive imaging modality used to assess patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC). Standard transthoracic echocardiography can provide, even in the acute care setting, useful information about left ventricular (LV) morphology as well as regional and global systolic or diastolic function. It allows the differentiation of different LV morphologic patterns according to the localization of wall motion abnormalities. A "circumferential pattern" of LV myocardial dysfunction characterized by symmetric wall motion abnormalities involving the midventricular segments of the anterior, inferior, and lateral walls should be considered suggestive of TTC and included in the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes. Moreover, advanced echocardiographic techniques, including speckle-tracking, myocardial contrast, and coronary flow studies, are providing mechanistic and pathophysiologic insights into this unique syndrome. Early identification of any potential complications (i.e., LV outflow tract obstruction, reversible moderate to severe mitral regurgitation, right ventricular involvement, thrombus formation, and cardiac rupture) are crucial for the management, risk stratification, and follow-up of patients with TTC. Because of the dynamic evolution of the syndrome, comprehensive serial echocardiographic examinations should be systematically performed. This review focuses on these aspects of imaging and the increasing understanding of the clinical and prognostic utility of echocardiography in TTC.

A protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effect of LIraglutide on left VEntricular function in chronic heart failure patients with and without type 2 diabetes (The LIVE Study)

IntroductionHeart failure is one of the most common cardiovascular complications of diabetes and the most disabling and deadly complication too. Many antidiabetic agents have been associated with increased morbidity and...

Troponin Elevation in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Serum troponin concentrations predict mortality in almost every clinical setting they have been examined, including sepsis. However, the causes for troponin elevations in sepsis are poorly understood. We hypothesized that detailed investigation of myocardial dysfunction by echocardiography can provide insight into the possible causes of troponin elevation and its association with mortality in sepsis. Prospective, analytic cohort study. Tertiary academic institute. A cohort of ICU patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Advanced echocardiography using global strain, strain-rate imaging and 3D left and right ventricular volume analyses in addition to the standard echocardiography, and concomitant high-sensitivity troponin-T measurement in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Two hundred twenty-five echocardiograms and concomitant high-sensitivity troponin-T measurements were performed in a cohort of 106 patients within the first days of severe sepsis or septic shock (2.1 ± 1.4 measurements/patient). Combining echocardiographic and clinical variables, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction defined as increased mitral E-to-strain-rate e'-wave ratio, right ventricular dilatation (increased right ventricular end-systolic volume index), high Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score, and low glomerular filtration rate best correlated with elevated log-transformed concomitant high-sensitivity troponin-T concentrations (mixed linear model: t = 3.8, 3.3, 2.8, and -2.1 and p = 0.001, 0.0002, 0.006, and 0.007, respectively). Left ventricular systolic dysfunction determined by reduced strain-rate s'-wave or low ejection fraction did not significantly correlate with log(concomitant high-sensitivity troponin-T). Forty-one patients (39%) died in-hospital. Right ventricular end-systolic volume index and left ventricular strain-rate e'-wave predicted in-hospital mortality, independent of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score (logistic regression: Wald = 8.4, 6.6, and 9.8 and p = 0.004, 0.010, and 0.001, respectively). Concomitant high-sensitivity troponin-T predicted mortality in univariate analysis (Wald = 8.4; p = 0.004), but not when combined with right ventricular end-systolic volume index and strain-rate e'-wave in the multivariate analysis (Wald = 2.3, 4.6, and 6.2 and p = 0.13, 0.032, and 0.012, respectively). Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and right ventricular dilatation are the echocardiographic variables correlating best with concomitant high-sensitivity troponin-T concentrations. Left ventricular diastolic and right ventricular systolic dysfunction seem to explain the association of troponin with mortality in severe sepsis and septic shock.

International consensus statement on training standards for advanced critical care echocardiography

International consensus statement on training standards for advanced critical care echocardiography

Advanced Echocardiography for the Critical Care Physician: Part 2

This article is the second part of a series that describes practical techniques in advanced critical care echocardiography and their use in the management of hemodynamic instability. Measurement of left ventricular function and segmental wall motion abnormalities, evaluation of left ventricular filling pressures, assessment of right-sided heart function, and determination of preload sensitivity, including passive leg raising, are discussed. Video examples help to demonstrate techniques described in the text.

Serial monitoring of LV function following chemotherapy: assessment using advanced echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Background Patients receiving anthracyclines (A) and herceptin (H) for treatment of breast cancer require serial monitoring of LV function. Although CMR is considered the gold standard for assessment of volumes and function, most tertiary institutions rely on echocardiography or gated heart pool scans. 2D transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) image quality relies on appropriate acoustic windows, and accuracy and reproducibility may be particularly limited in this population due to mastectomy and scar. We sought to assess the utility of TTE (LVEF and GLS) compared to CMR in the diagnosis of Stage B heart failure (defined as evidence of structural disease but without signs and symptoms of heart failure [1]) in breast cancer patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. Methods

Advanced Echocardiography for the Critical Care Physician: Part 1

This is the first of a two-part series that reviews advanced critical care echocardiography (CCE) techniques designed for critical care physicians. In this section, we review training in basic and advanced CCE. This is followed by a review of Doppler principles, including pulsed wave, continuous wave, and color flow Doppler. Included are Doppler measurement techniques that are useful for assessing the patient with cardiopulmonary failure and the common pitfalls of Doppler. This section ends with a review of the quantitative and semiquantitative measurements of stroke volume, as well as problems with measurement of stroke volume in the ICU and its useful clinical applications. Video-based examples will help demonstrate the techniques that are described in the text.

Re: Isolated ventricular septal defects in the era of advanced fetal echocardiography: risk of chromosomal anomalies and spontaneous closure rate from diagnosis to age of 1 year. O. Gómez, J. M. Martínez, A. Olivella, M. Bennasar, F. Crispi, N. Masoller,J

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2014:43:65–71

Isolated ventricular septal defects in the era of advanced fetal echocardiography: risk of chromosomal anomalies and spontaneous closure rate from diagnosis to age of 1 year

To evaluate, in a cohort of 248 fetuses seen at a tertiary referral center, the frequency of isolated ventricular septal defects (VSD) among all congenital heart defects (CHD), the association with chromosomal and postnatal anomalies and the rate of spontaneous closure. This was a 6-year study on 10,800 women referred for fetal echocardiography, with 995 confirmed cases of CHD. The prevalence and characteristics of VSDs were analyzed, including follow-up until 1 year of age. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to test the independent contribution of the ratio of the diameter of the VSD to that of the aorta (VSD/aorta ratio) (< 0.5 or ≥ 0.5) and location of VSD (perimembranous or muscular) in the prediction of spontaneous closure before the age of 1 year. Two hundred and forty-eight VSDs (24.9% of all CHDs) were diagnosed, of which 216 (87.1%) were muscular and 32 (12.9%) perimembranous. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 30.4 (range, 17-41) weeks and mean size 2.6 ± 0.77 mm. Clinically relevant chromosomal anomalies were found in one (3.1%) perimembranous VSD compared with none in 216 muscular defects (P = 0.12). Postnatal malformations were diagnosed in eight of the 211 cases (3.8%) evaluated at 12 months postpartum. Spontaneous closure occurred prenatally in 13 fetuses (5.2%) and postnatally in 151 of the 198 infants (76.3%) who had an open VSD at birth. Closure was predicted by the VSD/aorta ratio (odds ratio (OR) 0.445 (95% CI, 0.216-0.914); P < 0.03) and location (OR 0.385 (95% CI, 0.160-0.926); P < 0.03). In our fetal cardiology unit, isolated muscular VSD is today the most prevalent CHD. In contrast to the findings of postnatal studies, muscular VSDs were more common than perimembranous VSDs. Perimembranous VSDs were associated with a higher risk of chromosomal anomalies than were muscular VSDs, which had a similar risk to those of normal pregnancies. Spontaneous closure of the VSD was frequent and occurred in most cases postnatally.

Systolic Function and Intraventricular Mechanical Dyssynchrony Assessed by Advanced Speckle Tracking Imaging with N-terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide for Outcome Prediction in Chronic Heart Failure Patients

The aim of this study was to assess longitudinal systolic function and mechanical synchrony parameters derived from advanced speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and to determine their correlation with N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Their influence on heart failure (HF) outcomes at a one-year follow-up, not clarified in previous studies, was also examined. Advanced STE was performed from August 2009 to January 2012 in 103 chronic HF patients at the University Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center to assess their longitudinal systolic function and synchrony parameters; NT-proBNP blood measurement was taken at the same time. Longitudinal cardiac velocity; strain; strain rate; displacement; intraventricular mechanical dyssynchrony based on the standard deviation (SD) of time to peak systolic strain rate (Tsr-SD); displacement, and antero-septal to posterior (AS-P) delay were associated with cardiac events. In multivariate analysis, NT-proBNP and AS-P delay were identified as independent predictors for cardiac events. Significant correlations were found between NT-proBNP and longitudinal velocity; displacement; strain; strain rate, and ejection fraction. Log NT-proBNP levels correlated moderately with the SD of time to peak displacement and to peak strain, and there was a small correlation with maximal differences and SD of time to peak velocity. A multiple linear analysis revealed that NT-proBNP levels significantly correlated to age, ejection fraction and velocity. Advanced STE is a promising technique which accelerates the clinical application of the quantification of myocardial function and synchrony. STE parameters and NT-proBNP have the ability to identify patients at higher risk of death and hospitalisation.

Ventricular Performance After Surgery for a Congenital Heart Defect as Assessed Using Advanced Echocardiography: From Doppler Flow to 3D Echocardiography and Speckle-Tracking Strain Imaging

A varying degree of impairment of ventricular performance is observed over the long-term after surgery for a congenital heart defect (CHD). Impaired ventricular performance has been shown to be of prognostic value for increased risk of cardiovascular events in adult CHD patients. This emphasizes the importance of delineating the timing and cause of this postoperative impairment. Impairment of ventricular performance could develop over time as a consequence of residua, sequelae and complications of the CHD or surgical procedure. Yet, impaired ventricular performance has also been observed immediately after surgery and can persist and/or worsen over time. This postoperative impairment of ventricular performance is the focus of this review. This article provides an overview of echocardiographic techniques currently used to assess ventricular performance. Furthermore, we review current literature describing ventricular performance, as assessed using echocardiography, after correction of a CHD. In general, a decrease in ventricular performance is observed directly after surgery for CHD’s. Subsequent follow-up of ventricular performance is characterized by a varying degree of postoperative recovery. A consistent observation is the persistent impairment of right-ventricular performance after repair in several different subgroups of CHD patients ranging from ventricular septal defect repair to surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot.

Echocardiographic predictors of exercise capacity and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduces exercise capacity, but lung function parameters do not fully explain functional class and lung-heart interaction could be the explanation. We evaluated echocardiographic predictors of mortality and six minutes walking distance (6MWD), a marker for quality of life and mortality in COPD.MethodsNinety COPD patients (GOLD criteria) were evaluated by body plethysmography, 6MWD and advanced echocardiography parameters (pulsed wave tissue Doppler and speckle tracking).ResultsMean 6MWD was 403 (± 113) meters. All 90 subjects had preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction 64.3% ± 8.6%. Stroke volume decreased while heart rate increased with COPD severity and hyperinflation. In 66% of patients, some degree of diastolic dysfunction was present. Mitral tissue Doppler data in COPD could be interpreted as a sign of low LV preload and not necessarily an intrinsic impairment in LV relaxation/compliance. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) increased with COPD severity and hyperinflation. Age (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), DLCO SB (p < 0.001) and TR (p 0.005) were independent predictors of 6MWD and a multivariable model incorporating heart function parameters (adjusted r2 = .511) compared well to a model with lung function parameters alone (adjusted r2 = .475). LV global longitudinal strain (p = 0.034) was the only independent predictor of mortality among all baseline, body plethysmographic and echocardiographic variables.ConclusionsAmong subjects with moderate to severe COPD and normal LVEF, GLS independently predicted all-cause mortality. Exercise tolerance correlated with standard lung function parameters only in univariate models; in subsequent models including echocardiographic parameters, longer 6MWD correlated independently with milder TR, better DLCO SB, younger age and lower BMI. We extended the evidence on COPD affecting cardiac chamber volumes, LV preload, heart rate, as well as systolic and diastolic function. Our results highlight lung-heart interaction and the necessity of cardiac evaluation in COPD.

Can Emergency Physicians Accurately Identify Complex Abnormalities on Point-of-Care Echocardiogram?

Prior studies have demonstrated the ability of emergency physicians to accurately perform focused bedside echocardiograms. Focused bedside echocardiography has become a valuable tool in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion, assessment of volume status, estimation of left ventricular function, management of shock and cardiac arrest. In the recent years, there is growing interest among emergency physicians to learn advanced echocardiography. To our knowledge, no prior study has shown that emergency physicians can accurately identify complex abnormalities on echocardiograms.

Advanced Echocardiographic Imaging of the Congenitally Malformed Heart

There have been significant advancements in the ability of echocardiography to provide both morphological and functional information in children with congenitally malformed hearts. This progress has come through the development of improved technology such as matrix array probes and software which allows for the off line analysis of images to a high standard. This article focuses on these developments and discusses some newer concepts in advanced echocardiography such is multi-planar reformatting [MPR] and tissue motion annular displacement [TMAD].Our aim is to discuss important aspects related to the quality and reproducibility of data, to review the most recent published data regarding advanced echocardiography in the malformed heart and to guide the reader to appropriate text for overcoming the technical challenges of using these methods. Many of the technical aspects of image acquisition and post processing have been discussed in recent reviews by the authors and we would urge readers to study these texts to gain a greater understanding [1]. The quality of the two dimensional image is paramount in both strain analysis and three dimensional echocardiography. An awareness of how to improve image quality is vital to acquiring accurate and usable data.Three dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is an attempt to visualise the dynamic morphology of the heart. Although published media is the basis for theoretical knowledge of how to practically acquire images, electronic media [eg.www.3dechocardiography.com] is the only way of visualising the advantages of this technology in real time.It is important to be aware of the limitations of this technology and that much of the data gleaned from using these methods is at a research stage and not yet in regular clinical practice.

Controversial issues and working practice in myocarditis: from scientific data to clinical grounds

Although the cause of myocarditis often remains unknown, a large variety of infections, systemic diseases, drugs and toxins have been associated with this disease. In most cases, myocarditis is induced by cardiotropic viruses and often evolves silently without discernible prognostic impact. However, in some patients, the lack of complete viral clearance and/or the association of a heart-specific inflammation can cause persistent myocyte damage, ultimately leading to progressive myocardial dilation and dysfunction or life-threatening arrhythmias. Spontaneous improvement of left ventricular function is described for 40-50% of patients. The diagnostic work-up and prognostic assessment of myocarditis should be multiparametric and all available resources should be employed, i.e. biomarkers of myocardial damage and ventricular dysfunction (troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide), advanced echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance and, in selected cases, endomyocardial biopsy (with histopathologic, immunohistochemical and virological analyses). These are the necessary prerequisites for an evidence-based and personalized management of myocarditis, which may require in some cases specific immunoactive treatments. However, controversial issues regarding diagnosis (such as role and timing of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, role of endomyocardial biopsy) and therapy of myocarditis still remain unsolved. The purpose of this review is to analyze these crucial features in order to provide useful instructions for clinical practice.