Exercise Stress Echocardiography Research Articles

The Multicenter STudy On a Precise algorithm for diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, STOP-HFPEF study: study protocol and design.

This study aims to develop a new heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) diagnostic algorithm tailored to Asian populations, addressing limitations of current diagnostic models. Existing HFpEF diagnostic algorithms primarily target patients with dyspnea and metabolic comorbidities, such as obesity, which are more prevalent in Western populations. However, in Asian countries, HFpEF cases are less frequently associated with obesity, leading to less prominent dyspnea and more noticeable symptoms such as fatigue. By incorporating exercise stress echocardiography and focusing on early-stage HFpEF, particularly in patients with symptoms beyond dyspnea, we seek to enable early diagnosis and intervention, ultimately extending healthy life expectancy and improving quality of life. The STOP-HFPEF (The Multicenter STudy On a Precise algorithm for diagnosis of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction) study is a multicenter prospective observational investigation in Japan. Certified by the Japanese Society of Echocardiography, the study includes participants aged 20 and older who undergo exercise stress echocardiography. The primary goal is to develop a scoring model for diagnosing HFpEF in heart-failure stages A, B, and C. Secondary outcomes will assess the clinical utility of the new diagnostic score by comparing heart-failure incidence, cardiovascular events, and mortality rates.Study registration: Registered at the UMIN registry (UMIN000054565) on 1 July 2024.

Access to Scientist Led Exercise Stress Echocardiography Reduces Wait Times and Improves Consumer Engagement

Access to Scientist Led Exercise Stress Echocardiography Reduces Wait Times and Improves Consumer Engagement

Excessive Blood Pressure Rise and Cardiovascular Remodeling in Marathon Runners.

Exercise-induced hypertension (EIH) is thought to be associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risks. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of EIH on CV systems in marathon runners without CV risk factors using both 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). This study firstly described differences in CV adaptations according to EIH assessed by both exams. Marathon runners between 35 and 64 years of age without CV risk factors were eligible. All the participants underwent both 24-hr ambulatory BP monitoring and ESE. EIH was defined as a maximal exercise systolic BP≥210 mmHg. The EIH group (n=19) had shorter training history and higher exercise intensity compared to the non-EIH group (n=23). The average systolic BP was higher in the EIH group than in the non-EIH group. Left cardiac chamber size and left ventricular mass (LVM) were also higher in the EIH group compared to the non-EIH group. Maximal BP during ESE was positively correlated with both parameters. Exaggerated BP response during exercise needs to be monitored for pre-emptive measurements before it results in progressive cardiovascular maladaptation.

The roles of exercise stress echocardiography for the evaluation of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in the heart failure pandemic era.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for nearly 70% of all HF and has become the dominant form of HF. The increased prevalence of HFpEF has contributed to a rise in the number of HF patients, known as the "heart failure pandemic". In addition to the fact that HF is a progressive disease and a delayed diagnosis may worsen clinical outcomes, the emergence of disease-modifying treatments such as sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists has made appropriate and timely identification of HFpEF even more important. However, diagnosis of HFpEF remains challenging in patients with a lower degree of congestion. In addition to normal EF, this is related to the fact that left ventricular (LV) filling pressures are often normal at rest but become abnormal during exercise. Exercise stress echocardiography can identify such exercise-induced elevations in LV filling pressures and facilitate the diagnosis of HFpEF. Exercise stress echocardiography may also be useful for risk stratification and assessment of exercise tolerance as well as cardiovascular responses to exercise. Recent attention has focused on dedicated dyspnea clinics to identify early HFpEF among patients with unexplained dyspnea and to investigate the causes of dyspnea. This review discusses the role of exercise stress echocardiography in the diagnosis and evaluation of HFpEF.

Aortic valve area index values of Trifecta implants correlate with energy loss and increased valve stress.

Biological valves are becoming more frequently used in aortic valve replacement. While several reports have evaluated the performance of biological valves, echocardiography studies during exercise stress remain scarce. Furthermore, no current reports compare rate changes in the aortic valve area of biological valves under increased exercise load. Here, we performed exercise stress echocardiography in patients after AVR with Trifecta or Inspiris valves and compared the rates of change in aortic valve areas (AVA). In addition, hydrodynamic analysis at rest was conducted with four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging (4D-flow MRI). Exercise stress echocardiography was performed in seven Trifecta and seven Inspiris patients who underwent AVR at our hospital while 4D flow MRI was performed in all but two Trifecta cases. Comparing the percentage change in AVA when loaded to 25W versus at rest, Trifecta was greater than Inspiris (28.7 ± 36.0 vs - 0.8 ± 12.4%). The smaller AVA at rest was considered causative for this. Meanwhile, Trifecta systolic energy loss in the prosthetic valve segment on 4D-flow MRI (97.5 ± 35.9 vs 52.7 ± 25.3mW) was higher than Inspiris. The opening of the Trifecta valve was considered to be restricted at rest and this may reflect the current reports of early valve degradation requiring reoperation. Taken together, we observed that the Trifecta design may promote faster wear due to higher valve stress.

Prognostic utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing with simultaneous exercise echocardiography in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) combined with exercise echocardiography (CPETecho) allows simultaneous assessments of cardiac, pulmonary, and ventilation in heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This study sought to determine whether simultaneous assessment of CPET variables could provide additive predictive value over exercise stress echocardiography in patients with dyspnoea. CPETecho was performed in 443 patients with suspected HFpEF (240 HFpEF and 203 controls without HF). Patients with HFpEF were divided based on peak oxygen consumption (VO2, ≥10 or <10 ml/min/kg) or the slope of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE vs. VCO2 slope ≥45.0 or <45.0). The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, HF hospitalization, unplanned hospital visits requiring intravenous diuretics, or intensification of oral diuretics. During a median follow-up of 399 days, the composite outcome occurred in 57 patients. E/e' ratio during peak exercise was associated with adverse outcomes. Patients with HFpEF and lower peak VO2 had increased risks of the composite event (hazard ratio [HR] 5.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.65-9.62, p < 0.0001 vs. controls; HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.69-5.84, p = 0.0003 vs. HFpEF with higher peak VO2). Elevated VE versus VCO2 slope was also associated with adverse events in HFpEF. The addition of either the presence of abnormal peak VO2 or VE versus VCO2 slope increased the predictive ability over the model based on age, sex, atrial fibrillation, left atrial volume index, and exercise E/e' (p < 0.05). These data provide new insights into the role of CPETecho in patients with HFpEF.

Percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation after 5-year follow-up

ObjectiveThe objective is to evaluate the 5-year follow-up results of percutaneous intramyocardial septal radiofrequency ablation (PIMSRA) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), including clinical status, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic characteristics.Methods27 patients (age:...

Combined low-dose dobutamine and exercise stress echocardiography: a new hybrid protocol to detect inducible ischaemia.

Myocardial response to stress echocardiography may be elicited physiologically, through exercise, or pharmacologically, often with dobutamine. Both have advantages but also limitations due to reduced exercise capacity or side-effects to stressor agent/lack of closeness to true pathophysiology of ischaemic cascade. We have combined low-dose dobutamine and exercise, creating a 'hybrid' protocol to utilize the advantages of both techniques and limit the drawbacks. The aim of the study was to evaluate its safety and feasibility. In the hybrid protocol, low-dose dobutamine infusion (up to 10 µg/kg/min) is enhanced by supine bicycle exercise at 3-min increments of workload of 25 W to achieve target heart rate (THR). We analysed safety and outcome data for all the patients who underwent this protocol from 2017 to 2022. Out of 835, 727 (87.1%) patients referred for evaluation of ischaemia underwent the hybrid protocol. The median age was 61 years old and 61% (442/727) were men. The median exercise time was 11 (9-13.5) min with a median maximum workload of 100 W (75-125). Out of 727, 670 (92.2%) achieved THR. Atropine was not used. Out of 727, 192 (26.4%) of studies were positive for ischaemia. Out of 122, 102 (83.6%) with positive stress who underwent invasive angiography had significant coronary disease. The incidence of complications was low: 1/727-severe arrhythmia, 5/727 (0.7%) developed a vasovagal episode, and 14/727 (1.9%) had a hypertensive response to exercise. Our findings suggest that this protocol is safe, feasible, and has a high success rate in achieving THR.

Performance of the left ventricular myocardium in patients with a negative test result during exercise stress echocardiography

Aim. To determine the possibility of identifying patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD) by evaluation of the left ventricular (LV) myocardial work indicators by constructing pressure-strain loops despite a negative test result during exercise stress echocardiography. Materials and methods. The study included 79 patients with suspected or previously confirmed CAD, of which 47 (59%) men, who had a negative test result during exercise stress echocardiography on the treadmill. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE) were evaluated using the technique of constructing pressure-strain loops at rest and at peak exercise. Results. With similar systolic blood pressure and LV ejection fraction at peak exercise between the control group and the group of patients with single-vessel CAD, there was revealed significant difference in GWI, GCW and GWE at peak exercise. In patients with multi-vessel CAD, GWI and GCW also significantly differed from the control group at peak exercise. Conclusion. The evaluation of LV myocardial work indicators may be recommended for a more accurate diagnosis of CAD in negative or unreliable test results during exercise stress echocardiography.

Clinical Application of Exercise Stress Echocardiography in an Outpatient Pediatric Population.

Background: Exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is commonly employed in adults, but its applicability in pediatric populations remains to be clarified. Methods: A total of 309 consecutive children (C), with a mean age of 14.1 ± 2.6 years (range 6-17 years), underwent treadmill ESE starting in 2002. They were divided into two groups: Group I comprised 258 children, including 237 with symptoms related to exercise (such as chest pain, fatigue, lipothymia/syncope, or one aborted sudden death), 15 with electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, and 6 with a positive ECG stress test showing ST changes. Group II consisted of 10 asymptomatic children whose parents requested routine screening, 11 with symptoms unrelated to exercise, 12 with a family history of sudden death, and 17 with known pathologies (including 10 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 2 with aortic coarctation, and the remainder with various conditions, such as Cortriatriatum sinister, pulmonary stenosis, subaortic stenosis, bicuspid aortic valve, left ventricular hypertrophy related to arterial hypertension, and aortic switch operation). Regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs) and transvalvular or intraventricular (IVG) gradients were assessed using 2D and continuous-wave Doppler, respectively, in all cases. Results: The success rate was 100% (309/309). Stress-induced RWMAs were observed in two children. A significant IVG (>30 mmHg) was detected in 101 out of the 258 children (39%) in Group I, who presented with exercise-related symptoms, ECG abnormalities, or positive stress ECG. In Group I, the odds ratio (OR) of ESE reproducing the symptoms in children with IVG compared to those without IVG was 8.22 (95% CI: 4.84-13.99, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Treadmill ESE is both feasible and safe for pediatric populations. RWMAs demonstrated limited utility in our cohort of children, while IVG induced by exercise was frequently observed in symptomatic children.

Current awareness and use of transthoracic echocardiography in evaluation of valvular heart disease in Kumamoto Prefecture -a report from the Kumamoto cardiovascular echocardiography standardization project.

There are few reports on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for the evaluation of valvular heart disease in a specific area or region. This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 2023 in Kumamoto Prefecture, where 106 hospitals provide cardiology services. Ninety-three (88%) of the hospitals completed questionnaires regarding TTE. The severity of low flow/low gradient AS was evaluated by dobutamine stress echocardiography in only 7% of hospitals and exercise stress echocardiography for asymptomatic mitral regurgitation in only 5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that participation in remote multi-institutional echocardiographic meetings and use of the Kumamoto Prefecture echocardiographic manual were significantly associated with the use of a multi-window approach (P < 0.05). In Kumamoto Prefecture, echocardiographic measurements are performed according to the recommendations at a relatively low rate. Dissemination of recommendations through remote meetings and the use of the echocardiographic manual may increase the likelihood of TTE being performed according to the recommendations.

Exercise Pulmonary Hypertension in Heart Valve Disease.

The optimal management of heart valve disease (HVD) is still debated and many studies are underway to identify the best time to refer patients for the most appropriate treatment strategy (either conservative, surgical or transcatheter interventions). Exercise pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be detected during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) and has been demonstrated to have an important prognostic role in HVD, by predicting symptoms and mortality. This review article aims to provide an overview on the prognostic role of exercise PH in valvulopathies, and its possible role in the diagnostic-therapeutic algorithm for the management of HVD.

Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Long-Term Survivors of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) among long-survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair. Study designThis is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of CDH survivors who underwent exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) at Boston Children’s Hospital from January 2006 to June 2020. PH severity was assessed by echocardiogram at baseline and after exercise. Patients were categorized by right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) after exercise: Group 1 - no or mild PH; and Group 2 - moderate or severe PH (RVSP ≥ 60 mmHg or ≥ ½ systemic blood pressure). ResultsEighty-four patients with CDH underwent 173 ESE with median age 8.1 (4.8 – 19.1) years at first ESE. Sixty-four patients were classified as Group 1, 11 as Group 2, and 9 had indeterminate RVSP with ESE. Moderate to severe PH after exercise was found in 8 (10%) patients with no or mild PH at rest. Exercise-induced PH was associated with larger CDH defect size, patch repair, use of ECMO, supplemental oxygen at discharge, and higher WHO functional class. Higher VE/VCO2 slope, lower peak oxygen saturation, and lower percent predicted FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio were associated with Group 2 classification. ESE changed management in 9/11 Group 2 patients. PH was confirmed in all 5 Group 2 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization after ESE. ConclusionsAmong long-term CDH survivors, 10% had moderate-severe exercise-induced PH on ESE, indicating ongoing pulmonary vascular abnormalities. Further studies are needed to optimally define PH screening and treatment for patients with repaired CDH.

Evaluation of left ventricular flow field changes after stress in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease using ultrasonic flow vector imaging.

Vector flow mapping and treadmill exercise stress echocardiography were used to evaluate and explore changes in the left ventricular (LV) flow field of patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Overall, 34 patients with nonobstructive (<50%) left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis (case group) and 36 patients with no coronary artery stenosis (control group) were included. Apical four-, three-, and two-chamber echocardiographic images were collected at rest and during early recovery from treadmill exercise. LV flow field, vortex area, and circulation (cir) changes were recorded in different phases: isovolumetric systole (S1), rapid ejection (S2), slow ejection (S3), isovolumetric diastole (D1), rapid filling (D2), slow filling (D3), and atrial systole (D4). Intra- and inter-group differences were compared before and after exercise loading. The control and case groups demonstrated regular trends of eddy current formation and dissipation at rest and under stress. Compared with the control group, the case group had irregular streamline distributions. Abnormal vortices formed in the S1 and D3 apical segments and D1 left ventricular middle segment in the resting group. Compared with the control group, the resting group had decreased left ventricular S1 vortex areas and increased S3 vortex areas. The post-stress D1 and D3 vortex areas and D1 and D2 cir increased. Compared with at rest, after stress, the control group had decreased S1, S3, D2, and D3 vortex areas; increased S2, D1, D3, and D4 cir; and decreased D2 cir. After stress, the case group had decreased S3 and D2 vortex areas, increased D1 vortex areas, and increased S2, D1, D3, and D4 cir (P all < 0.001). Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses show that increased D1 vortex area after stress is an independent risk factor for stenosis in nonobstructive stenosis of coronary arteries (OR: 1.007, 95% CI: 1.005-1.010, P < 0.05). A D1 vortex area cutoff value of 82.26 had an AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.67, 0.655, and 0.726, respectively. The resting left ventricular flow field changed in patients with nonobstructive left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis. Both groups had more disordered left ventricular blood flow after stress. The increased D1 vortex area after stress is an independent risk factor for mild coronary stenosis and may contribute to the assessment of nonobstructive coronary stenosis. VFM combined with treadmill stress is useful in evaluating left ventricular flow field changes in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease, which is valuable in the early evaluation of coronary heart disease.

Prediction of symptom development and aortic valve replacement in patients with low-gradient severe aortic stenosis.

Current evidence on the prognostic value of exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in asymptomatic patients with low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (AS) is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate its prognostic implications for patients with low-gradient severe AS and determine the added value of ESE in risk stratification for this population. This retrospective observational study included 122 consecutive asymptomatic patients with either moderate [mean pressure gradient (MPG) < 40 mmHg and aortic valve area (AVA) 1.0-1.5 cm2] or low-gradient severe (MPG < 40 mmHg and AVA < 1.0 cm2) AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%) who underwent ESE. All patients were followed up for AS-related events. Of 143 patients, 21 who met any exclusion criteria, including early interventions, were excluded, and 122 conservatively managed patients [76.5 (71.0-80.3) years; 48.3% male] were included in this study. During a median follow-up period of 989 (578-1571) days, 64 patients experienced AS-related events. Patients with low-gradient severe AS had significantly lower event-free survival rates than those with moderate AS (log-rank test, P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the mitral E/e' ratio during exercise was independently associated with AS-related events (hazard ratio = 1.075, P < 0.001) in patients with low-gradient severe AS. This study suggests that asymptomatic patients with low-gradient severe AS have worse prognoses than those with moderate AS. Additionally, the mitral E/e' ratio during exercise is a useful parameter for risk stratification in patients with low-gradient severe AS.

Usefulness of cardiopulmonary exercise test combined with exercise stress echocardiography in mild chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) can lead to exercise limitations even without right ventricular (RV) dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension at rest. Combining exercise stress echocardiography with cardiopulmonary exercise testing (ESE-CPET) for RV function and pressure changes combined measuring overall function may be useful for CTEPD evaluation. This study aims to investigate CPET and ESE results to elucidate the mechanisms of exercise limitation in mild CTEPD cases. Among our CTEPD registry, 50 patients who performed both right heart catheterization data of mild disease (less than 30mm Hg of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP)) and ESE-CPET were enrolled.Echocardiography and CPET-derived parameters were compared with hemodynamic parameters measured through right heart catheterization. Peak VO2 (maximal oxygen consumption) was decreased in overall population (71.3±16.3% of predictive value). Peak VO2 during exercise was negatively correlate with mPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance at rest. A substantial increase in RV systolic pressure (RVSP) was observed during exercise (RVSP: pre-exercise 37.2±11.8mm Hg, postexercise 64.3±24.9mm Hg, p-value<.001). Furthermore, RV function deteriorated during exercise when compared to the baseline (RV fractional area change: 31.5±10.0% to 37.8±7.0%, p-value<.001; RV global longitudinal strain: -17.1±4.2% to -17.7±3.3%, p-value<.001) even though basal RV function was normal. While an excessive increase in RVSP during exercise was noticed in both groups, dilated RV and RV dysfunction during exercise were demonstrated only in the impaired exercise capacity group. CTEPD patients with mild PH or without PH exhibited limited exercise capacity alongside an excessive increase in RVSP during exercise. Importantly, RV dysfunction during exercise was significantly associated with exercise capacity. ESE-CPET could aid in comprehending the primary cause of exercise limitation in these patients.

Is It Possible to Predict False-Positive Exercise Stress Echocardiography Results by Measuring the Left Atrial Antero-Posterior Diameter?

Left atrial (LA) size is a well-known prognostic determinant in the setting of coronary artery disease (CAD). No previous study has evaluated LA antero-posterior (A-P) diameter as a potential screening method for identifying individuals with a low probability of CAD. We aimed to assess the influence of LA A-P diameter adjusted for chest wall conformation (A-P thoracic diameter) on the occurrence of false-positive (FP) results on exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in patients with suspected CAD. All consecutive patients who had undergone coronary angiography at MultiMedica IRCCS (via San vittore 12, 20123, Milan, Italy) within two months from a positive ESE over a seven-year periodwere retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent LA A-P diameter/A-P thoracic diameter ratio assessment, resting transthoracic echocardiography, and subsequent ESE. The primary endpoint was FP-ESE, defined as a positive ESE with no evidence of obstructive CAD (≥70% stenosis in any epicardial coronary artery) on subsequent coronary angiography. A total of 160 patients (64.4±13.0 years, 56.9% females) with a positive ESE were retrospectively analyzed. In light of coronary angiography results, 129 patients (80.6%) had an obstructive CAD, while 31 (19.4%) did not (FP). On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the LA A-P diameter/A-P thoracic diameter ratio (odds ratio (OR) 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.57) showed a strong inverse correlation with the primary endpoint. An LA A-P diameter/A-P thoracic diameter ratio ≤0.25 had 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity for predicting FP-ESE results (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.94). A strong linear correlation was demonstrated between the LA A-P diameter and A-P thoracic diameter (r = 0.85), whereas the correlation between the LA volume index and A-P thoracic diameter was moderate (r = 0.47). Echocardiographic assessment of the LA A-P diameter adjusted for the A-P thoracic diameter may allow clinicians to identify, among individuals with suspected CAD, those at lower risk of obstructive CAD.

Feasibility of coronary flow velocity reserve during semi-supine exercise echocardiography: a single center study of 3,014 patients

Aim: There is a lack of studies that analyzed factors influencing on feasibility of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) during exercise stress echocardiography (SE). The aim of the study was to define the feasibility of assessment of CFVR during exercise through SE depending on experience, techniques, and clinical factors. Methods: This is a single-center study. SE was performed using three generations of echo systems in five consecutive cohorts of patients by experienced and novice specialists. All patients performed a supine bicycle testing. CFVR was calculated in the middle/middle-distal parts of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Three different adjustment settings were used for LAD visualization. Results: The study included 3,014 patients (59 years old ± 11 years old, 54% males). Age [odds ratio (OR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–0.99, P &lt; 0.01], body mass index (BMI; OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91–0.98, P &lt; 0.003), rest heart rate (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99, P &lt; 0.0005) and doctor’s experience (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.57–4.53, P &lt; 0.0003) were independent factors that influence on feasibility. The feasibility of CFVR assessment during exercise SE in the whole population by experienced doctors was 89.4%. The feasibility of CFVR assessment of LAD in obese patients performed by experienced doctors using modern echo machines and new techniques was high (86.0%). Conclusions: Coronary artery velocity reserve during supine exercise SE is a feasible, non-invasive available tool. The new generation echo machine and the new techniques provide a good feasibility of CFVR assessment, even in novice doctors. Despite a lower level of possibility to assess CFVR in obese patients or with a higher resting heart rate, this method is feasible in a great majority of such patients.

A new protocol for a single-stage combined cardiopulmonary and echocardiography exercise test: a pilot study.

The value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in managing cardiac disease is well known, but no standard CPET-ESE protocol is currently recommended. This pilot study aims to compare feasibility and cardiac function responses between a new high-intensity single-stage combined test (CPET-hiESE) and a standard maximal ESE (smESE). After screening and maximal CPET, all volunteers (n = 21) underwent three ESE modalities: (i) based on the gas exchange threshold (hiESE-GET, 40% of peak-GET, 6 min), (ii) based on heart rate (HR) (hiESE-HR, 80% of peak HR, 6 min), and (iii) smESE (85% of predicted peak HR for age, 3 min). Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were measured at each step. There was superior image quality and data completeness for the right ventricle strain for both hiESE modalities compared with smESE (71.4 and 76.2 vs. 42.9%, P = 0.07). Left ventricular STE data completeness was similar for all three conditions. Despite systematically higher HR, work rate and levels of exertion in the smESE compared with hiESE, STE and TDI parameters were not systematically different. Concordance correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.88, lowest for strain rate parameters and mean difference from -0.34 to 1.53, highest for TDI measurements. The novel CPET-hiESE protocol allowed for better data completeness, at lower levels of exertion compared with smESE, without systematically different cardiac reserve measurements in healthy participants. This single-stage protocol can be individualized to clinical populations, which would provide practical advantages to standard testing.

Variability in approach to exercise stress echocardiography for diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an international survey on real-world practice

Abstract Aims The diagnosis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains challenging based on resting assessments. Exercise echocardiography is often used to unmask abnormalities that develop during exercise, but the diagnostic criteria have not been standardized. This study aimed to elucidate how cardiologists utilize exercise echocardiography to diagnose HFpEF in real-world practice. Methods and results An international web-based survey involving 87 cardiologists was performed. We also performed a retrospective cross-sectional study to investigate the impact of different exercise echocardiographic diagnostic criteria in 652 dyspnoeic patients who underwent exercise echocardiography. The HFA-PEFF algorithm was the most commonly used exercise echocardiography criterion for HFpEF diagnoses (48%), followed by the ASE/EACVI criteria (24%) and other combinations of multiple parameters (22%). Among 652 patients, the proportion of HFpEF diagnosis varied substantially according to the criteria used ranging from 20.1% (ASE/EACVI criteria) to 44.3% (HFA-PEFF algorithm). Many cases (49.4–70.5%) remained indeterminate after exercise echocardiography, but only 41% of surveyed cardiologists would utilize exercise right heart catheterization to resolve an indeterminate result. Despite these diagnostic uncertainties, 54% of surveyed cardiologists would utilize exercise echocardiography results to initiate sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors. Conclusion In real-world practice, exercise echocardiographic criteria utilized across cardiologists vary, which meaningfully impacts the frequency of HFpEF diagnoses, with indeterminate results being common. Despite these diagnostic uncertainties, many cardiologists initiate pharmacotherapy based on exercise echocardiography. The lack of consensus on universal diagnostic criteria for exercise echocardiography and approaches to indeterminate results may limit the delivery of evidence-based treatment for HFpEF.