Myocardial Global Longitudinal Strain Research Articles

Transmural Extent in Relation to Clinical Scoring in Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients: Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic Study.

Background:To assess the extent of transmurality in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in relation to their risk categorization to improve the risk stratification of NSTEMI patients through detecting the presence of transmural infarction.Patients and Methods:It included 96 patients with NSTEMI. All patients were subjected to GRACE score (GS) calculation, transthoracic and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE): To detect left ventricular ejection fraction and myocardial global longitudinal strain [GLS] and circumferential strain [CS].Results:As compared to low-GS group; high-risk group was older with the increased prevalence of hypertension (HTN), diabetes, and smoking. There was no significant difference between both groups regarding LS and CS of all 17 segments except for apex where longitudinal strain (LS) was significantly decreased in low-risk group (−17.2 ± 1.1) as compared to high-risk group (−18.6 ± 1.4). GLS was significantly decreased in high-risk group (15.4 ± 0.6) as compared to low-risk group (16 ± 0.8), P = 0.02 with no significant difference in the global CS (P = 0.8). Transmural infarction constitutes 37.5% of all patients. The prevalence of transmural infarction was increased in the low-risk group without significant difference. GS showed a positive correlation with age, male, HTN, diabetes, and smoking and negative correlation with GLS. There was no significant correlation between GS and global CS. Age, GS, and LS were significantly related to transmural infarction. None was found to predict the occurrence of transmural infarction.Conclusion:Transmural extent as detected by STE had been found in a relatively substantial number of patients with NSTEMI, and it may serve as a tool in conjunction with risk stratification scores for the selection of high-risk patients.

Evaluation of Subtle Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction by Longitudinal Systolic Strain in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Although left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a major cause of morbidity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, there is limited data on cardiac functions of these patients. Compared to the conventional echocardiography, the global longitudinal strain (GLS) can detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction at an earlier stage. In our study, we aimed to evaluate left ventricular systolic functions using the GLS in HIV-infected patients and to investigate the effect of cluster of differentiation 4 T-cell values on LVSD. This prospective, case-control study included a total of 65 HIV-infected patients and 48 healthy volunteers. Conventional and strain echocardiography were performed on all participants. In HIV-infected patients, CD4 T-cell counts and HIV-ribonucleic acid (HIV-RNA) values were measured. The median CD4 T-cell count was 529.65 cells/mm3 in the HIV-infected patients and median duration of living with HIV was 16.25 (range: 2 to 120) months. Baseline characteristics and left ventricular ejection fraction values were similar in both groups. However, there was a significant difference in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, interventricular septum, left ventricular posterior wall, and GLS between the groups (p = 0.013, p = 0.005, 0.041, p = 0.013, and p = 0.003, respectively). There was a positive correlation between GLS and CD4 levels (r = 0.463, p < 0.001). Our study results suggest that reduced CD4 T-cell counts in HIV-infected patients may cause myocardial dysfunction and GLS can be useful to show subtle LVSD asymptomatic cases.

Possibilities of modern echocardiographic technologies in the early diagnosis of the cardiotoxic effect of chemotherapy drugs anthracycline series in cancer patients

Chronic heart failure following chemotherapy for cancer is a relevant issue of an adverse cardiovascular prognosis and premature death in cancer patients. This category of patients requires thorough and chronic monitoring of the cardiovascular system, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular complications of chemotherapy, such as IHD, systolic or diastolic myocardial dysfunction, arterial or pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary thromboembolism, pericarditis, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. However, many aspects of this important interdisciplinary issue presently remain understudied. For instance, it is still impossible to predict long-term consequences of chemotherapy for cancer and development of the associated cardiovascular complications listed above. Baseline evaluation of the risk for cardiovascular complications is a major component in management of such patients. High-risk patients need an individual, detailed schedule of cardiovascular treatment throughout and after the course of chemotherapy. Furthermore, early detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction is critical for prevention of the most threatening cardiovascular complications of chemotherapy, CHF. Detecting impaired LV EF following chemotherapy is, unfortunately, only a late predictor of irreversible changes, such as toxic cardiomyopathy and clinically pronounced, rapidly progressing CHF. Markers of myocardial injury, high-sensitivity troponins and natriuretic peptides, in combination with up-to-date EchoCG technologies have been recently used. Their use, for instance, for evaluation of LV myocardial global longitudinal strain to detect early, reversible changes in structure and mechanics of the myocardium is promising for ultimate improvement of prediction for such patients.

The Index of Microcirculatory Resistance as a Predictor of Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Performance Recovery in Patients With ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Successful Primary Angioplasty.

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between IMR (Index of Microcirculatory Resistance) and the echocardiographic evolution of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic performance after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), undergoing primary angioplasty (P-PCI). IMR was evaluated immediately after P-PCI. Echocardiograms were performed within the first 24 hours (Echo1) and at 3 months (Echo2): LV volumes, ejection fraction (LVEF), wall motion score index (WMSI), E/é ratio, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and left atrial volume were measured. Forty STEMI patients were divided in 2 groups according to median IMR: Group 1 (IMR < 26), with less microvascular dysfunction, and Group 2 (IMR > = 26), with more microvascular dysfunction. In Echo1 GLS was significantly better in Group 1 (-14.9 vs. -12.9 in Group 2, P = 0.005). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in LV systolic volume, LVEF and WMS. Between Echo1 and Echo2, there were significant improvements in LVEF (0.48 ± 0.06 vs. 0.55 ± 0.06, P < 0.0001), GLS (-14.9 ± 1.3 vs. -17.3 ± 7.6, P = 0.001), and E/é ratio (9.3 ± 3.4 vs. 8.2 ± 2.0, P = 0.037) in Group 1, but not in Group 2: LVEF (0.49 ± 0.06 vs. 0.50 ± 0.05, P = 0.47), GLS (-12.9 ± 2.4 vs. -14.4 ± 3.2, P = 0.052), and E/é ratio (8.8 ± 2.4 vs. 10.0 ± 4.7, P = 0.18). WMSI improved significantly more in Group 1 (reduction of -17.1% vs. -6.8% in Group 2, P = 0.015). Lower IMR was associated with better myocardial GLS acutely after STEMI, and with a significantly higher recovery of the LVEF, WMSI, E/E' ratio and GLS, suggesting that IMR is an early marker of cardiac recovery, after acute myocardial infarction.

Multiparametric carotid and cardiac ultrasound compared with clinical risk scores for the prediction of angiographic coronary artery disease: a multicenter prospective study.

Cardiovascular risk prediction is deemed fundamental and the assessment of organ damage is emerging as a potentially 'downstream' picture of individual risk. Our aim was to assess the feasibility and value of prediction of coronaropathy [coronary artery disease (CAD)] of integrated cardiovascular ultrasound examination. This multicenter study involved eight cardiology centers that enrolled 457 consecutive patients. Blood pressures, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid pulse wave velocity (cPWV), semiquantitative score of cardiac calcifications, global myocardial longitudinal strain (GLS), and rest Doppler flow velocity on the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery were measured. After coronary angiography, patients were divided in CAD, n = 273, at least one coronary stenosis higher than 50%, and no CAD, n = 184. CAD were older (65.9 ± 10.7 versus 63.1 ± 11.2 years, mean ± standard deviation, P = 0.01), and had higher blood pressure (137.0 ± 18.8/77.5 ± 11.1 versus 130.2 ± 17.4/75.1 ± 9.7 mmHg, P < 0.02), cIMT (791.4 ± 165.5 versus 712.0 ± 141.5 mcm, P < 0.0001), cPWV (median: 9 versus 8.1 m/s, P < 0.01), score of calcium (median, 2 versus 1, P < 0.0001), LAD velocity (median, 38 versus 36, P < 0.07), and lower GLS (-17.6 ± 4.3 versus -19.3 ± 5.1, P < 0.05) than no CAD. Score of calcium was feasible in the totality of patients, cIMT in 97%, cPWV in 86%, GLS in 88%, and LAD in 84%. A combination of at least three variables was measurable in 80% of the patients. All ultrasound parameters significantly predicted CAD. However, in a stepwise logistic regression, the only combined predictors of obstructive CAD were score of calcium, cIMT, and LAD velocity. In Echo-Lab, Rome, Italy, the integrated cardiovascular ultrasound study is feasible in a high percentage of patients. The combination of three parameters, that is, score of calcium, cIMT, and LAD velocity, has incremental predictive value for obstructive CAD.

Abstract P1-03-01: Cardiac function in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with a history of breast cancer (BC) treated with anthracyclines (anthra)

Abstract Introduction: Animal data suggest that cardiac-specific loss of BRCA1/2 genes leads to increased cardiac dysfunction in the setting of stressors such as ischemia or anthra chemotherapy (CT). Women with BRCA1/2 mutations who develop BC may receive anthra-based CT. It is not known whether BRCA1/2 mutation carriers treated for early stage BC with anthra-based CT are at higher risk for anthra-induced cardiac toxicity than similarly treated women with sporadic BC. This study investigates left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and myocardial global longitudinal strain (GLS), a novel echocardiographic measure of cardiac contractility, in women with and without BRCA1/2 mutations who were treated with anthra-based CT. Methods: We identified 41 women with a history of BRCA1/2 mutation-associated BC and 52 women with a history of sporadic BC, all of whom received anthra-based adjuvant or neoadjuvant CT. We excluded women who received HER2 therapy or who had stage IV disease. BC CT was completed at least 6 months prior to study enrollment. All participants completed a cardiac questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive 2D and 3D echocardiographic exam with assessment of myocardial GLS using speckle-tracking software (QLAB10, Philips, Andover, MA). Abnormal LVEF was defined as less than 55% (50-54.9% borderline reduced and 40-49% mildly reduced) and abnormal GLS was defined as absolute value of less than 18.9%. Patients with history of hypertension (HTN) were excluded from this analysis to avoid confounding effects of HTN on GLS. Results: We present data on 57 normotensive participants, 34 BRCA1/2 mutation-carriers and 23 non-mutation carriers. Mean age was 49.5 +/- 8.7 years in the BRCA mutation-carrier group and 51.1 +/- 8.7 years in the non-mutation carrier group (p=0.496). Women with BRCA1/2 mutations were more likely to be Caucasian (p=0.026) and have undergone oophorectomy (p&amp;lt;0.001). The average time from anthra treatment to study enrollment was 5 +/- 4.4 years. Groups were well balanced with regards to age, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, history of coronary disease, smoking and cumulative dose of anthra. Four BRCA1/2 mutation-carriers (12%) and 4 non-mutation carriers (17%) had reduced GLS (p= 0.450). Mean LVEF was similar between the groups: LVEF was borderline reduced in one BRCA1/2 mutation-carrier (3%) and borderline or mildly reduced in 4 non-mutation carriers (18%)(p= 0.091). Conclusions: In this population, reduced LVEF and myocardial GLS were present in a small percentage of women treated with anthra-based CT for early stage BC. However, reduction in LVEF and myocardial GLS did not differ between the BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and the women with a history of sporadic BC. Larger studies are needed to definitively rule out a difference in cardiac toxicity by BRCA mutation status in BC survivors treated with anthra. This project is supported by Fisher Center for Familial Cancer Research Award at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. AB is supported by Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical &amp; Translational Science (GHUCCTS) post-doctoral KL2 Award (5KL2TR000102-04). Citation Format: Filipa Lynce, Ana Barac, Karen L Smith, Mihriye Mete, Lynette Wray, Madeline Nardacci, Pia Herbolsheimer, Raquel Nunes, Sandra M Swain, Robert Warren, Claudine Isaacs. Cardiac function in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with a history of breast cancer (BC) treated with anthracyclines (anthra) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-03-01.

THU0176 Subclinical myocardial dysfunction in primary antiphospholipid syndrome assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography

BackgroundBackground. Measurement of myocardial deformation or Global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is useful for detection of microvascular damage and myocardial contractility impairment in patients with ischemic...

Abstract 2435: The Role of Myocardial Longitudinal Strain in Monitoring Subclinical Heart Failure in Survivors of Childhood Cancer

Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated that myocardial longitudinal strain and strain rate is decreased in asymptomatic patients treated with anthracyclines. In this study, the relation between global myocardial longitudinal strain, conventional echocardiographic parameters, NT-pro-BNP levels, cumulative anthracycline dosage and follow up duration was investigated in a large group of asymptomatic long term survivors of childhood cancer. Methods: 79 asymptomatic survivors (45% children) underwent a detailed echocardiographic examination for obtaining conventional parameters and global myocardial longitudinal strain values in 4-chamber view. In addition to this, we collected blood samples for NT-pro-BNP estimation. Results: the survivors had a mean age of 20 years (range: 6 –37 years), a mean follow up duration of 14 years (range 5–27 years) and a mean cumulative anthracycline dose of 240 mg/m 2 (range 50 –524 mg/m 2 ). Reduced global myocardial longitudinal strain was significantly related to an EF&lt;55% (p&lt;0.001) and to reduced left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole indexed by body surface area (LVPWd/BSA) (p&lt;0.003). Reduced myocardial global longitudinal strain was not related to abnormal NT-pro-BNP levels, follow up duration and cumulative anthracycline dosage. Conclusion: reduced global myocardial longitudinal strain is related to subclinical heart failure, e.g. abnormal EF and reduced LVPWd/BSA in asymptomatic survivors of childhood cancer. The role of myocardial strain in the early detection of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity needs to be explored by further longitudinal prospective studies.