Color Tissue Doppler Research Articles

A Potential Diagnostic Approach for Foetal Long-QT Syndrome, Developed and Validated in Children

In patients with Long-QT Syndrome (LQTS), mechanical abnormalities have been described. Recognition of these abnormalities could potentially be used in the diagnosis of LQTS, especially in the foetus where an ECG is not available and DNA-analysis is invasive. We aimed to develop and validate a marker for these mechanical abnormalities in children and to test its feasibility in foetuses as a proof of principle. We measured the myocardial contraction duration using colour Tissue Doppler Imaging (cTDI) in 41 LQTS children and age- and gender-matched controls. Children were chosen to develop and validate the measurement of the myocardial contraction duration, due to the availability of a simultaneously recorded ECG. Feasibility of this measurement in foetuses was tested in an additional pilot study among seven LQTS foetuses and eight controls. LQTS children had a longer myocardial contraction duration compared to controls, while there was no statistical difference in heart rate. Measuring the myocardial contraction duration in children had a high inter- and intra-observer validity and reliably correlated with the QT-interval. There was an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.71, and the optimal cut-off value showed an especially high specificity in diagnosing LQTS. Measuring the myocardial contraction duration was possible in all foetuses and had a high inter- and intra-observer validity (ICC = 0.71 and ICC = 0.88, respectively). LQTS foetuses seemed to have a longer myocardial contraction duration compared to controls. Therefore, a prolonged contraction duration may be a potential marker for the prenatal diagnosis of LQTS in the future. Further studies are required to support the measurement of the myocardial contraction duration as a diagnostic approach for foetal LQTS.

OP-605 - Evaluation of the Left Ventricular Functions with Tissue and Colour Tissue Doppler in Patients with Coronary Slow Flow

Introduction: Pulse wave Doppler echocardiography can evaluate left ventricular diastolic functions via mitral and pulmonary venous flows. However, several factors can affect the results of this method. Examination of mitral annulus movements with pulsed wave tissue Doppler is important for early detection of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Strain (S) and strain rate (SR) data are superior to velocities or displacement in determining contractile changes caused by ischemia and can be used to assess regional changes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions by tissue/colour tissue Doppler echocardiographic imaging.

Segmental Myocardial Displacement and Tissue Velocity Analysis of the Right Ventricle in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Fetuses and Controls Using Color Tissue Doppler Imaging (C-TDI)

Abstract Introduction: The long-term outcome of patients with HLHS (hypoplastic left heart syndrome) is mainly determined by right ventricular function. Our study examines, whether there are differences in segmental right ventricular myocardial displacement and tissue velocities of fetuses with HLHS compared to healthy fetuses during gestation. Materials and methods: A prospective study was conducted including 20 fetuses with HLHS and 20 gestational age matched controls. c-TDI (colour tissue Doppler imaging) derived systolic and diastolic velocities as well as myocardial displacement were assessed in three different locations of the right ventricle (RV). A ROI (region of interest) was placed in the basal, middle and apical part of the myocardium. Possible changes of c-TDI indices in the course of pregnancy and between the three different segments were investigated in both groups. Results: HLHS fetuses showed significantly lower e' velocities measured in the basal and middle part of the RV compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). Basal displacement showed significantly lower values in HLHS fetuses compared to controls. In control fetuses but not in HLHS fetuses there was a significant increase of basal diastolic velocities and displacement in the course of pregnancy. According to myocardial velocities and displacement values there was a significant decrease from the base of the fetal heart to the apex pointed in both groups. Conclusions: An altered right ventricular myocardial function in HLHS fetuses within different myocardial segments could be demonstrated. An apicobasal gradient with higher velocity and displacement values in the basal part of RV myocardium could be found in both groups. The technique may be of value in the prenatal assessment of myocardial function, however its role as a monitoring tool and outcome predictor needs to be defined.

Presence of post-systolic shortening is an independent predictor of heart failure in patients following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Following an ischemic event post systolic shortening (PSS) may occur. We investigated the association between PSS in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) following primarypercutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) and occurrence of cardiovascular events at follow-up. A total of 373 patients admitted with STEMI and treated with pPCI were prospectively included in the study cohort. All patients were examined by echocardiography a median of 2days after admission (interquartile range, 1-3days). PSS was measured by color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in six myocardial walls from all three apical projections. During a median follow-up period of 5.4years (interquartile range, 4.1-6.0years), 180 events occurred: 59 deaths, 70 heart failures (HF) and 51 new myocardial infarctions (MI). In multivariable analysis adjusting for: age, sex, peak troponin, left ventricle ejection fraction, TIMI flow grade, left ventricle mass index, hypertension and diabetes, presence of PSS by TDI in the culprit region was associated with a nearly twofold increased risk of HF (HR 1.90, 95% CI 1.02-3.53, P = 0.043) and the risk of HF increased incrementally with increasing numbers of walls displaying PSS. The increased risk of HF was confirmed when assessing the post-systolic index by STE (HR 1.29 95% CI 1.09-1.53, P = 0.003, per 1% increase). A regional analysis showed that PSS by TDI in the septal wall was the strongest predictor of HF (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.08-2.92, P = 0.024). Presence of PSS was not associated with increased risk of death or MI. In patients with STEMI treated with pPCI, the presence of PSS examined by TDI and STE provides prognostic information on development of HF. Presence of PSS in the septal wallis the strongest predictor of HF.

Automatic Measurements of Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion and Velocities to Detect Left Ventricular Dysfunction

The purpose of the study described here was to evaluate an automatic algorithm for detection of left ventricular dysfunction, based on measurements of mitral annular motion indices from color tissue Doppler apical four-chamber recordings. Two hundred twenty-one patients, among whom 49 had systolic and 11 had diastolic dysfunction, were included. Echocardiographic evaluation by cardiologists was the reference. Twenty patients were also examined by medical students. The ability of the indices to detect systolic and diastolic dysfunction were compared in receiver operating characteristic analyses, and the agreement between automatic and reference measurements was evaluated. Mitral annular plane systolic excursion ≤10 mm detected left ventricular dysfunction with 82% specificity, 76% specificity, 56% positive predictive value and 92% negative predictive value. The automatic measurements acquired from expert recordings better agreed better with the reference than those acquired from student recordings. We conclude that automatic measurements of systolic mitral annular motion indices can be helpful in detection of left ventricular dysfunction.

The effect of pericardial incision on right ventricular systolic function: a prospective observational study.

Echocardiographic longitudinal markers of right ventricular (RV) systolic function are commonly depressed after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) despite an uncomplicated course and good clinical recovery. The exact timing and cause of these changes is unknown. The aim of this observational study was to monitor echocardiographic markers of RV systolic function intraoperatively during CABG. We used angle-independent speckle tracking to measure the primary endpoints of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (S') before and after pericardiotomy. Twenty-four patients undergoing elective on-pump CABG were enrolled in the study. Speckle tracking-derived TAPSE, S', free wall systolic strain, RV outflow tract strain, colour tissue Doppler-derived isovolumic acceleration (IVA) and two-dimensional RV dimensions and fractional area change (FAC) were measured at three intraoperative time points: 1) after sternotomy immediately prior to pericardiotomy; 2) after pericardiotomy and placement of pericardial retraction sutures; and 3) following cardiopulmonary bypass after chest closure. Adequate image quality to perform speckle tracking measurements was obtained in twenty-one patients. We found that there were no significant changes to echocardiographic parameters of RV systolic function between pre- and post-pericardiotomy. The mean (SD) of the primary endpoints were: TAPSE [28.1 (5.1) mm vs 27.7 (7.4) mm, respectively; mean difference, -0.4mm; 97.5% confidence interval (CI), -4.0 to 3.1; P=0.76] and S' [10.4 (2.1) cm·sec-1 vs 10.8 (1.9) cm·sec-1, respectively; mean difference, 0.4cm·sec-1; 97.5% CI, -0.9 to 1.7; P=0.48]. Significant reductions in the parameters of RV systolic function were found only after cardiopulmonary bypass and chest closure. Pericardial opening and suspension had no significant effect on the indices of RV systolic function derived from speckle tracking or colour tissue Doppler.

Evaluation of age-depending changes on myocardial velocity using pulsed wave and colour tissue Doppler imaging in juvenile warmblood horses

Evaluation of age-depending changes on myocardial velocity using pulsed wave and colour tissue Doppler imaging in juvenile warmblood horses

Echocardiography in shock management.

Echocardiography is pivotal in the diagnosis and management of the shocked patient. Important characteristics in the setting of shock are that it is non-invasive and can be rapidly applied.In the acute situation a basic study often yields immediate results allowing for the initiation of therapy, while a follow-up advanced study brings the advantage of further refining the diagnosis and providing an in-depth hemodynamic assessment. Competency in basic critical care echocardiography is now regarded as a mandatory part of critical care training with clear guidelines available. The majority of pathologies found in shocked patients are readily identified using basic level 2D and M-mode echocardiography. A more comprehensive diagnosis can be achieved with advanced levels of competency, for which practice guidelines are also now available. Hemodynamic evaluation and ongoing monitoring are possible with advanced levels of competency, which includes the use of colour Doppler, spectral Doppler, and tissue Doppler imaging and occasionally the use of more recent technological advances such as 3D or speckled tracking.The four core types of shock—cardiogenic, hypovolemic, obstructive, and vasoplegic—can readily be identified by echocardiography. Even within each of the main headings contained in the shock classification, a variety of pathologies may be the cause and echocardiography will differentiate which of these is responsible. Increasingly, as a result of more complex and elderly patients, the shock may be multifactorial, such as a combination of cardiogenic and septic shock or hypovolemia and ventricular outflow obstruction.The diagnostic benefit of echocardiography in the shocked patient is obvious. The increasing prevalence of critical care physicians experienced in advanced techniques means echocardiography often supplants the need for more invasive hemodynamic assessment and monitoring in shock.

Evaluation of right ventricular function in fetal hypoplastic left heart syndrome by color tissue Doppler imaging.

Postnatal outcome of fetuses with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is determined mainly by right ventricular function. Our study examines whether there are differences in right ventricular function during gestation of fetuses with HLHS compared with healthy fetuses. A prospective study was conducted including 20 fetuses with HLHS and 20 gestational age-matched controls. Peak systolic and diastolic right ventricular free wall velocities were assessed using color tissue Doppler imaging (c-TDI). Subsequently, isovolumic time intervals, ejection time (ET'), E'/A' ratio and tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (MPI') were calculated. Possible changes to c-TDI indices during the course of pregnancy in both the HLHS group and the control group were investigated. Examination of right ventricular function revealed significantly lower E' velocities (13.6 vs 21.0 cm/s; P = 0.017) and E'/A' ratios (0.55 vs 0.76; P = 0.012) and prolonged isovolumic contraction time (ICT') (57.0 vs 45.7 ms; P = 0.008) in the HLHS group compared with healthy fetuses. Furthermore, isovolumic relaxation time and MPI' increased significantly with gestational age in HLHS fetuses but not in controls. Values for systolic and diastolic peak velocities (E', A', S'), ET' and ICT' did not change significantly during gestation in either group. Right ventricular function in HLHS is altered as early as in fetal life, well before palliative surgery is performed. Future research should provide further insight into ventricular remodeling during gestation in cases of HLHS. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Early reduced myocardial diastolic function in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus a population-based study.

BackgroundReduced diastolic myocardial function is an early sign of diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D), but without other known complications, have early reduced diastolic myocardial function diagnosed with echocardiographic color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI).MethodscTDI examination was carried out in 173 T1D patients and 62 age-matched controls. The T1D-patients were 8–18 years old with (mean (SD)) diabetes duration of 5.6 (3.4) years and HbA1c of 8.4 (1.3). All were treated with either insulin pumps or 4–6 daily insulin injections. cTDI early (E’) and late (A’) peak diastolic velocities and systolic peak velocity were measured from the lateral, septal, anterior and posterior mitral annulus and from the lateral tricuspidal annulus.ResultsMyocardial diastolic function was reduced in the T1D-patients with higher peak A’-velocity and lower E’/A’-ratio in all registrations. Overall mean (SD) mitral E’/A’-ratio was 2.3 (0.5) in T1D and 2.7 (0.6) in the controls (p < 0001). The overall mitral E’/A’-ratio was negative associated with blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI). Stratifying all participants into three groups according to BMI (<25, 25–75, >75 centile, respectively), the T1D had lower E’/A’-values in all stratified groups, except for in the highest BMI-group where both T1D and controls had the lowest E’/A’-ratio. Systolic function did not differ in any of the measurements. There were no associations with sex, diabetes duration, carotid artery intima-media-thickness, vessel elasticity or HbA1c.ConclusionDiabetic children and adolescents using modern intensive insulin treatment had echocardiographic signs of reduced diastolic myocardial function despite short duration of disease. The reduced function was associated with higher BP and higher BMI.

Assessment of right heart function in preeclampsia by echocardiography.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria that is specific to pregnancy and associated with maternal and fetal morbidity-mortality. To assess right heart structure and function in PE by echocardiography using conventional and tissue Doppler techniques. In total, 67 women with untreated PE and 46 matched healthy pregnant women were included. PE was defined according to the ACOG (2002) criteria. Right and left heart functions were evaluated using transthoracic two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography with color Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging techniques. Right ventricular basal and outflow tract diameters and free wall thickness, right atrial end-systolic maximum diameter, and area were significantly higher in the PE group than the control group (p<0.05). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, isovolumic acceleration time, tissue Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S'), right ventricle fractional area change, and myocardial performance index (Tei) were significantly lower in the PE group than the controls (p<0.05). PE does not only affect the left side of the heart but also the right side. This finding may open new scenarios, because right ventricular dysfunction may also be responsible for PE-related morbidity.

Fetal colour tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI): biventricular reference ranges for the time segments of the cardiac cycle in second and third trimesters of gestation.

To construct biventricular reference ranges for isovolumic time intervals (isovolumic contraction time, ICT; isovolumic relaxation time, IRT) and ejection time (ET) for colour tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) between 15 and 37weeks' in healthy fetuses. This was a prospective multicentre cross-sectional study involving 160 singleton pregnancies between 15 and 37weeks of gestation, using cTDI. ICT, ET, IRT and myocardial performance index (MPI) were analysed offline using a small region of interest (ROI) within the basal part of the right and left ventricular wall immediately distal to the annulus. Regression analysis was used to determine gestational age-adjusted reference ranges and to construct nomograms for cTDI parameters. Right and left ventricular ICT (p=0.004 and p<0.001) and ET (p=0.011 and p=0.050) increased, whereas IRT (p=0.862 and p=0.067) and MPI (p=0.476 and p=0.777) remained constant with gestational age. This is the first study to evaluate fetal isovolumic time intervals in the second and third trimesters of gestation using cTDI. Normal data for fetal isovolumic time intervals and biventricular MPI by colour tissue Doppler imaging are provided. The reference ranges may be useful in research or clinical studies and can be used in fetuses with compromised cardiac function.

Color Tissue Doppler to Analyze Fetal Cardiac Time Intervals: Normal Values and Influence of Sample Gate Size.

To assess the time intervals of the cardiac cycle in healthy fetuses in the second and third trimester using color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) and to evaluate the influence of different sizes of sample gates on time interval values. Time intervals were measured from the cTDI-derived Doppler waveform using a small and large region of interest (ROI) in healthy fetuses. 40 fetuses were included. The median gestational age at examination was 26 + 1 (range: 20 + 5 - 34 + 5) weeks. The median frame rate was 116/s (100 - 161/s) and the median heart rate 143 (range: 125 - 158) beats per minute (bpm). Using small and large ROIs, the second trimester right ventricular (RV) mean isovolumetric contraction times (ICTs) were 39.8 and 41.4 ms (p = 0.17), the mean ejection times (ETs) were 170.2 and 164.6 ms (p < 0.001), the mean isovolumetric relaxation times (IRTs) were 52.8 and 55.3 ms (p = 0.08), respectively. The left ventricular (LV) mean ICTs were 36.2 and 39.4 ms (p = 0.05), the mean ETs were 167.4 and 164.5 ms (p = 0.013), the mean IRTs were 53.9 and 57.1 ms (p = 0.05), respectively. The third trimester RV mean ICTs were 50.7 and 50.4 ms (p = 0.75), the mean ETs were 172.3 and 181.4 ms (p = 0.49), the mean IRTs were 50.2 and 54.6 ms (p = 0.03); the LV mean ICTs were 45.1 and 46.2 ms (p = 0.35), the mean ETs were 175.2 vs. 172.9 ms (p = 0.29), the mean IRTs were 47.1 and 50.0 ms (p = 0.01), respectively. Isovolumetric time intervals can be analyzed precisely and relatively independent of ROI size. In the near future, automatic time interval measurement using ultrasound systems will be feasible and the analysis of fetal myocardial function can become part of the clinical routine.

Total average diastolic longitudinal displacement by colour tissue doppler imaging as an assessment of diastolic function.

BackgroundThe current method for a non-invasive assessment of diastolic dysfunction is complex with the use of algorithms of many different echocardiographic parameters. Total average diastolic longitudinal displacement (LD), determined by colour tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) via the measurement of LD during early diastole and atrial contraction, can potentially be used as a simple and reliable alternative.MethodsIn 206 patients, using GE Healthcare Vivid E7 and 9 and Echopac BT11 software, we determined both diastolic LD, measured in the septal and lateral walls in the apical 4-chamber view by TDI, and the degree of diastolic dysfunction, based on current guidelines. Of these 206 patients, 157 had cardiac anomalies that could potentially affect diastolic LD such as severe systolic heart failure (n = 45), LV hypertrophy (n = 49), left ventricular (LV) dilation (n = 30), and mitral regurgitation (n = 33). Intra and interobserver variability of diastolic LD measures was tested in 125 patients.ResultsA linear relationship between total average diastolic LD and the degree of diastolic dysfunction was found. A total average diastolic LD of 10 mm was found to be a consistent threshold for the general discrimination of patients with or without diastolic dysfunction. Using linear regression, total average diastolic LD was estimated to fall by 2.4 mm for every increase in graded severity of diastolic dysfunction (β = −0.61, p-value <0.001). Patients with LV hypertrophy had preserved total average diastolic LD despite being classified as having diastolic dysfunction. Reproducibility of LD measures was acceptable.ConclusionsThere is strong evidence suggesting that patients with a total average diastolic LD under 10 mm have diastolic dysfunction.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12947-016-0083-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Genotype–phenotype correlation between the cardiac myosin binding protein C mutation A31P and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a cohort of Maine Coon cats: a longitudinal study

ObjectivesA missense mutation (A31P) in the cardiac myosin binding protein C gene has been associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Maine Coon cats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of A31P on development of HCM, myocardial diastolic dysfunction detected by color tissue Doppler imaging and occurrence of cardiac death during longitudinal follow-up in a cohort of Maine Coon cats. AnimalsThe original cohort comprised 282 cats (158 of wild-type genotype, 99 heterozygous for A31P and 25 homozygous for A31P). MethodsProspective longitudinal study including echocardiography and registration of survival. ResultsThe median age at the initial examination was 1.7 years (range, 0.8–9.2 years) and 6.4% (18/282) of the cats were diagnosed with HCM. One hundred sixty-five cats were eligible for echocardiographic re-examination, and during an average follow-up period of 2.7 years an additional 6.7% (11/165) of the cats developed HCM. Survival data could be obtained for 262 of the cats originally included, and among these 9.2% (24/262) died of causes that met the study criteria for cardiac death. In the homozygous group 80% (20/25) of cats included were diagnosed with HCM and 48% (12/25) suffered cardiac death during follow-up. These results corresponded to a significantly higher risk for cats homozygous for A31P to develop HCM (p<0.001) and die from cardiac-related causes compared with both other genotypes (p<0.001). ConclusionsHomozygosity for A31P was associated with a high penetrance of HCM and a substantial risk for cardiac death in the study population.

Wide-Angle Tissue Doppler Imaging at High Frame Rate Using Multi-Line Transmit Beamforming: An Experimental Validation In Vivo.

Color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a well-established methodology to assess local myocardial motion/deformation. Typically, a frame rate of ∼ 200 Hz can be achieved by imaging a narrow sector (∼ 30°, covering one cardiac wall) at moderate line density, using a dedicated pulse sequence and multi-line acquisition. However, a wide angle field-of-view is required in some clinical applications to image the whole left ventricle, which implies a drop in temporal resolution. Hereto, the aim of this study was to propose a novel imaging sequence using a multi-line transmit (MLT) beamforming approach to achieve high frame rate color TDI while preserving a wide field-of-view (i.e., 90° sector). To this end, a color MLT-TDI sequence achieving a frame rate of 208 Hz with a 90°-sector was implemented on an ultrasound experimental scanner interleaved with a conventional color TDI sequence achieving the same frame rate but only with a 22.5°-sector. Using this setup, the septal wall of 9 healthy volunteers was imaged and the corresponding velocity was extracted. The M-mode velocity images and the velocity profiles obtained from the MLT-TDI images presented physiologic patterns, very similar to those from conventional TDI. Moreover, for the peak systolic/diastolic velocities, good agreement and strong correlation between MLT-TDI and conventional TDI were found. The results thus demonstrate the feasibility of the novel MLT based TDI methodology to achieve high frame rate color TDI without compromising the field-of-view. This may open the opportunity to simultaneously assess regional myocardial function of the whole left ventricle at high temporal resolution.

Automated analysis of color tissue Doppler velocity recordings of the fetal myocardium using a new algorithm.

BackgroundTissue Doppler imaging (TDI) can be used to assess fetal cardiac function and it has been shown to detect changes associated with hypoxia in animal models. However, the analysis is cumbersome and time consuming. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new algorithm developed for the automated analysis of color TDI velocity recordings of the fetal myocardium. Furthermore, we wanted to assess the effect of different sizes of region of interests (ROI) on the measurement of cardiac cycle time intervals and myocardial velocities at different gestations.MethodsThis study included analysis of 261 TDI velocity traces obtained from 17 fetal echocardiographic examinations performed longitudinally on five pregnant women. Cine-loops of fetal cardiac four chamber view were recorded with color overlay in TDI mode and stored for off-line analysis. ROIs of different sizes were placed at the level of the atrioventricular plane in the septum and in the right and left ventricular walls of the fetal heart. An automated algorithm was then used for the analysis of velocity traces.ResultsOut of the total 261 velocity traces, it was possible to analyze 203 (78 %) traces with the automated algorithm. It was possible to analyze 93 % (81/87) of traces recorded from the right ventricular wall, 82 % (71/87) from the left ventricular wall and 59 % (51/87) from the septum. There was a trend towards decreasing myocardial velocities with increasing ROI length. However, the cardiac cycle time intervals were similar irrespective of which ROI size was used.ConclusionsAn automated analysis of color TDI fetal myocardial velocity traces seems feasible, especially for measuring cardiac cycle time intervals, and has the potential for clinical application.

Association of Exercise Intolerance in Type 2 Diabetes With Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow Reserve

ObjectivesThis study sought to investigate the association of exercise intolerance in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with skeletal muscle capillary blood flow (CBF) reserve. BackgroundExercise intolerance in T2DM strongly predicts adverse prognosis, but associations with muscle blood flow independent of cardiac dysfunction are undefined. MethodsIn 134 T2DM patients without cardiovascular disease, left ventricular function and contrast-enhanced ultrasound of the quadriceps (for CBF; i.e., product of capillary blood volume and velocity) were assessed at rest and immediately following treadmill exercise for peak oxygen uptake (Vo2peak). Left ventricular systolic and diastolic functional reserve indexes were derived from changes in systolic and early diastolic color tissue Doppler velocities. Cardiac index reserve and its constituents (stroke volume and chronotropic indexes) and left ventricular filling pressure (ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow and annular velocities) were also measured. ResultsVo2peak correlated with muscle CBF reserve (β = 0.16, p = 0.005) independent of cardiac index reserve and clinical covariates. This was explained by higher muscle capillary blood velocity reserve (β = 0.18, p = 0.002), rather than blood volume reserve (p > 0.10) in patients with higher Vo2peak. A concurrent association of Vo2peak with cardiac index reserve (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) appeared to reflect chronotropic index (β = 0.15, p = 0.012) rather than stroke volume index reserve (p > 0.10), although the systolic functional reserve index was also identified as an independent correlate (β = 0.16, p = 0.028). No associations of Vo2peak with diastolic functional reserve were identified (p > 0.10). ConclusionsVo2peak is associated with muscle CBF reserve in T2DM, independent of parallel associations with cardiac functional reserve. This is consistent with a multifactorial basis for exercise intolerance in T2DM.

Identification of a definite diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 2 diabetes by comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation: A cross‐sectional comparison with non‐diabetic weight‐matched controls

Subclinical left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is prevalent in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). As obesity has been proposed as one causal factor in the disease process, this could bias the reported prevalences. We wanted to characterize echocardiographic LV dysfunction in obese T2DM subjects as compared to non-diabetic obese controls. One hundred patients with T2DM without clinical signs of heart failure (29% females, mean ± SD age 58.4 ± 10.5 years, body mass index (BMI) 30.1 ± 5.5 kg/m(2), blood pressure (BP) 141 ± 18/83 ± 9 mmHg) and 100 non-diabetic controls (29% females) matched for age (58.6 ± 10.5 years), BMI (29.8 ± 4.0 kg/m(2) and systolic BP (140 ± 14 mmHg) underwent echocardiography and color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Diastolic function was evaluated with conventional Doppler recordings and early (e') and late (a') myocardial velocities. The ratio between early transmitral filling (E) and the corresponding myocardial tissue velocity (e') served as an index of LV filling pressure. T2DM patients had more concentric hypertrophy with a relative wall thickness of 0.42 ± 0.07 vs controls 0.38 ± 0.07, P < 0.001. The T2DM group had signs of diastolic dysfunction with lower E/A ratio (0.91 ± 0.27 vs. 1.12 ± 0.38, P < 0.001), deceleration time (195 ± 49 vs 242 ± 72 ms, P < 0.001), e' (5.7 ± 2.0 vs. 6.6 ± 1.8 cm/s, P = 0.001), and a' (6.5 ± 2.0 vs. 7.6 ± 1.5 cm/s, P < 0.001) compared to the controls, and higher E/e' (13.3 ± 4.7 vs. 11.1 ± 3.5, P < 0.001). Thus, there were indications of pseudo normalization and increased filling pressure in the T2DM group, whereas the controls had evidence for relaxation abnormalities without elevated filling pressure. Compared to a non-diabetic obese group, more advanced subclinical impairment of diastolic function was seen in T2DM.

Echocardiographic assessment of the cardiac amyloidoses.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a cardiomyopathy characterized by increased left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and normal or decreased LV cavity size. Congestive heart failure in cardiac amyloidosis is generally considered a predominantly diastolic phenomenon, with systolic dysfunction only occurring in late-stage disease. Echocardiography is a noninvasive, reproducible method of assessing cardiac features and function in cardiac amyloidosis, and some echocardiographic indices are prognostic for the amyloidoses, with M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiography able to detect increased LV wall thickness. Moreover, Doppler flow measurements can incrementally assess diastolic LV dysfunction, which is characteristic of cardiac amyloidosis, and provide important prognostic information. Additionally, tissue Doppler imaging can detect subtle changes in both systolic and diastolic LV function, which cannot be detected by Doppler flow measurements, and LV longitudinal strain assessed by color tissue Doppler and speckle tracking echocardiography can provide more accurate LV functional and prognostic information than tissue Doppler imaging. This review describes the advances in echocardiography and its crucial role in the diagnosis and management of cardiac amyloidosis.