Left Atrial Longitudinal Strain Research Articles

Left atrial morpho-functional remodeling in atrial fibrillation assessed by three dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and its value in atrial fibrillation screening

BackgroundThree dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE) is a novel technique combining 3D echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis. 3D STE software dedicated to the left atrium (LA) was recently available. Our study aimed to assess (1) atrial fibrillation (AF) related LA morpho-functional remodeling using 3D STE and (2) value of LA function parameters in identifying paroxysmal AF (PAF).MethodsOne hundred thirty-nine PAF, 109 persistent AF (Per-AF) and 59 non-AF subjects underwent 3D STE. LA phasic volumes and total LA emptying fraction (LAEF) were obtained and used to calculate passive (pLAEF) and active LA emptying fraction (aLAEF) based on atrial contraction. LA longitudinal and circumferential strain representing reservoir (LASr/LASrc), conduit (LAScd/LAScdc) and pump (LASct/LASctc) function were also assessed.Results3D STE was found to have good reproducibility. Increase of LA volumes and decrease of parameters representing LA reservoir and pump function were independently associated with AF as well as AF burden. The correlations between LA emptying fraction and LA circumferential strain representing the same function were always stronger than those with LA longitudinal strain (p < 0.001). Minimal LA volume, LAEF, aLAEF, LASrc and LASctc can be used to accurately differentiate PAF from non-AF subjects (AUC > 0.8) with great sensitivity and specificity.ConclusionsAssessing LA remodeling in AF using 3D STE was feasible. AF and AF burden were independently associated with LA enlargement and impairment of reservoir and pump function but not conduit function. LA function parameters can indicate underlying PAF and thus can guide AF screening strategy.

Four-dimensional quantification on left atrial volume-strain in coronary heart disease patients without regional wall motion abnormalities: Correlation with the severity of coronary stenosis.

Echocardiography is a time and cost-effective imaging modality, providing evidence of myocardial ischemia by detecting the regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA). However, quite a few coronary heart disease (CHD) patients do not present RWMA. The left atrium (LA) plays an irreplaceable role in determining the prognosis and risk stratification of cardiovascular disease including CHD. In this present study, we intend to explore the myocardial mechanics changes of LA mainly using four-dimensional (4D) LA quantitative volume-strain in CHD patients without RWMA at rest but were confirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) and to figure out several variables of the LA that could contribute to the identification of those patients. We prospectively enrolled 76 patients who underwent two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), four-dimensional echocardiography (4DE), and CAG for suspected CHD but without echocardiographic visible RWMA at rest. Patients diagnosed with CHD by CAG were furtherly divided into three groups according to the extent of coronary stenosis accessed by Gensini score (GS) as the mild, moderate, and severe CHD group. Twenty-four subjects with negative CAG results served as the control group. LA end-systolic anteroposterior diameter (LAAPD) and biplane LV ejection fraction (Biplane LVEF) were measured by 2DE; LA maximum volume (LAVmax), LA minimum volume (LAVmin), LA volume at the onset of atrial contraction (LAVpreA), LAVmax index (LAVmaxI), LA ejection volume (LAEV), LA ejection fraction (LAEF) accompanied by LA longitudinal strain during reservoir phase (LASr), conduit phase (LAScd), contraction phase (LASct) and LA circumferential strain during reservoir phase (LASr_c), conduit phase (LAScd_c), contraction phase (LASct_c) were measured by 4DE automatically. We compared these parameters between groups, explored how they change and whether they are related to the CHD severity. LAEF, LASr_c, and LASct_c was lower in CHD group compared with the control group (p = .031, .002, .004, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed that LASr, LASct, LASr_c, and LASct_c negatively correlated with the GS. Additionally, LASr of patients in the severe CHD group decreased significantly compared with those in the mild CHD group, moderate CHD group, and control group, demonstrating the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) (AUC = .736 [p = .003, 95% CI .589-.884], sensitivity 67.8%, specificity 70.6%) with the cut-off value of 17.5% for predicting severe CHD patients. Four-dimensional LA strain may provide new insight into identification and management for CHD patients and correlate with CHD severity. LASr showed good sensitivity (67.8%) and specificity (70.6%) for diagnosing severe CHD individuals.

Prognostic value of left atrial strain quantification from 2D ultrasound imaging in post-ischemic heart failure patients: evidence from the REMODEL-HF study

Background. Left atrial (LA) function can be effectively assessed by measuring longitudinal LA strain (LAS) via two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). Here, we test 2DSTE-based LAS as marker of different left ventricle (LV) remodeling patterns and as prognostic index in ischemic heart failure (HF) candidates to surgical ventricular reconstruction.Methods. We retrospectively considered ischemic HF patients with anterior (group A, n=130) or posterior (group P, n=48) LV remodeling. Based on 2D ultrasound, LV and LA morpho-functional parameters were quantified including reservoir (LASRes), conduit (LASCond) and booster (LASBoost) LAS. We tested their capability to discriminate between groups A and P, and their group-specific prognostic significance for the composite end-point of death or HF re-hospitalization at follow-up (mean follow-up time=40 months, range 3-101 months).Results. Group A and group P displayed similar end-diastolic (p=0.89) and end-systolic (p=0.33) LV volume index, and LA volume index LAVi (p=0.44) corrected for the degree of mitral regurgitation. As compared to group P, group A revealed a significant reduction in LASBoost (9.2±0.4% vs. 11.1±0.7%, p=0.04) and a non-significant reduction in LASRes (16.9±0.7% vs. 19.3±1.1%, p=0.06).Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the median LASRes and LASBoost values effectively stratified patients based on their prognosis in the overall study population (Log-rank p=0.002 and Log_rank p<0.0001) and in group A, where the association was stronger for LASBoost (Log-rank p<0.001) than for LASRes (Log-rank p=0.013).Conclusions. 2DSTE-based LAS assessment is affordable, repeatable and non-invasive, and could add clinically-relevant mechanistic insight and prognostic value in the stratification of ischemic HF patients.

Association of Female Menopause With Atrioventricular Mechanics and Outcomes.

BackgroundDespite known sex differences in cardiac structure and function, little is known about how menopause and estrogen associate with atrioventricular mechanics and outcomes.ObjectiveTo study how, sex differences, loss of estrogen in menopause and duration of menopause, relate to atrioventricular mechanics and outcomes.MethodsAmong 4051 asymptomatic adults (49.8 ± 10.8 years, 35%women), left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) mechanics were assessed using speckle-tracking.ResultsPost-menopausal (vs. pre-menopausal) women had similar LV ejection fraction but reduced GLS, reduced PALS, increased LA stiffness, higher LV sphericity and LV torsion (all p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed menopause to be associated with greater LV sphericity (0.02, 95%CI 0.01, 0.03), higher indexed LV mass (LVMi), lower mitral e’, lower LV GLS (0.37, 95%CI 0.04–0.70), higher LV torsion, larger LA volume, worse PALS (∼2.4-fold) and greater LA stiffness (0.028, 95%CI 0.01–0.05). Increasing years of menopause was associated with further reduction in GLS, markedly worse LA mechanics despite greater LV sphericity and higher torsion. Lower estradiol levels correlated with more impaired LV diastolic function, impaired LV GLS, greater LA stiffness, and increased LV sphericity and LV torsion (all p < 0.05). Approximately 5.5% (37/669) of post-menopausal women incident HF over 2.9 years of follow-up. Greater LV sphericity [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.04, 95%CI 1.00–1.07], impaired GLS (aHR 0.87, 95%CI 0.78–0.97), reduced peak left atrial longitudinal strain (PALS, aHR 0.94, 95%CI 0.90–0.99) and higher LA stiffness (aHR 10.5, 95%CI 1.69–64.6) were independently associated with the primary outcome of HF hospitalizations in post-menopause. Both PALS < 23% (aHR:1.32, 95%CI 1.01–3.49) and GLS < 16% (aHR:5.80, 95%CI 1.79–18.8) remained prognostic for the incidence of HF in post-menopausal women in dichotomous analyses, even after adjusting for confounders. Results were consistent with composite outcomes of HF hospitalizations and 1-year all-cause mortality as well.ConclusionMenopause was associated with greater LV/LA remodeling and reduced LV longitudinal and LA function in women. The cardiac functional deficit with menopause and lower estradiol levels, along with their independent prognostic value post-menopause, may elucidate sex differences in heart failure further.

Association between CHARGE-AF risk score and LA mechanics: LA reservoir strain can be a single parameter for predicting AF risk

Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia and the leading preventable cause of cardioembolic stroke. Scoring systems for predicting AF risk do not use imaging modalities. We sought to determine whether LA longitudinal strain could be used as a single parameter for predicting the risk of AF. Methods and results Consecutive patients diagnosed with diastolic dysfunction between December 2019 and March 2020 were included. Two-dimensional, colour flow, continuous pulse-wave, and tissue Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed using a Vivid E9 imaging system (GE Medical Systems, Chicago, USA). Measurements were obtained in the standard manner recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography. Moreover, LA longitudinal strain was measured using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in the four-chamber view to evaluate left atrial function. The CHARGE-AF scoring system was used to predict AF risk. A total of 148 patients (mean age: 57.6 ± 11.9; male: 53%) with feasible views for LA strain measurement were divided into two groups based on a 10% CHARGE-AF cut-off score. The >10% group (48 patients; 32%) was defined as having a predicted 5-year AF risk >10%, and the ≤10% group (100 patients; 68%) was defined as having a predicted risk <10%. In the multivariate analysis, LA reservoir strain (LASr) was independently associated with CHARGE-AF score. Furthermore, using the Pearson correlation method, LASr was found to be highly correlated with CHARGE-AF score (r = –0.74, p < 0.0001). Conclusions LASr was highly correlated with CHARGE-AF risk score and may be used as a parameter to predict atrial myopathy and hence AF risk.

Multi-chamber speckle tracking imaging and diagnostic value of left atrial strain in cardiac amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) affects the four heart chambers, which can all be evaluated through speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). We evaluated 423 consecutive patients screened for CA over 5 years at two referral centres. CA was diagnosed in 261 patients (62%) with either amyloid transthyretin (ATTR; n = 144, 34%) or amyloid light-chain (AL; n = 117, 28%) CA. Strain parameters of all chambers were altered in CA patients, particularly those with ATTR-CA. Nonetheless, only peak left atrial longitudinal strain (LA-PALS) displayed an independent association with the diagnosis of CA or ATTR-CA beyond standard echocardiographic variables and cardiac biomarkers (Model 1), or with the diagnosis of ATTR-CA beyond the validated IWT score in patients with unexplained left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. Patients with the most severe impairment of LA strain were those most likely to have CA or ATTR-CA. Specifically, LA-PALS and/or LA-peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) in the first quartile (i.e. LA-PALS <6.65% and/or LA-PACS <3.62%) had a 3.60-fold higher risk of CA, and a 3.68-fold higher risk of ATTR-CA beyond Model 1. Among patients with unexplained LV hypertrophy, those with LA-PALS or LA-PACS in the first quartile had an 8.76-fold higher risk for CA beyond Model 1, and a 2.04-fold higher risk of ATTR-CA beyond the IWT score. Among STE measures of the four chambers, PALS and PACS are the most informative ones to diagnose CA and ATTR-CA. Patients screened for CA and having LA-PALS and/or LA-PACS in the first quartile have a high likelihood of CA and ATTR-CA.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the normal reference value of the longitudinal left atrial strain by three dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

The normal reference value of the global longitudinal left atrial strain during the reservoir phase (LASr) by 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) is needed to define the abnormal and normal spectra and to compare and interpret the obtained values. The present study is a meta-analysis of 3DSTE-derived normal reference value of the longitudinal LASr and an attempt to determine probable contributing factors in the variations of reported ranges. The databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase were searched for the following keywordS: “Left atrial/left atrium” and “strain/speckle/deformation” and "three-dimensional/3-dimensional/three dimensional/3 dimensional/three dimension/3 dimension/three-dimension/3-dimension/3D/3-D". The studies selected included those on adult healthy subjects without cardiovascular risk factors. A random-effect model was used to calculate the global 3DSTE-derived longitudinal LASr, and meta-regression was applied to determine inter-study heterogeneity. Our search yielded 316 adult subjects from 5 studies. The mean value of the global 3DSTE-derived longitudinal LASr was 27.5% (95% CI, 25.2–29.8%). There was significant heterogeneity between the studies. The meta-regression analysis revealed the publication year, the heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure as the sources of heterogeneity. The current meta-analysis determined a normal reference value of the global 3DSTE-derived longitudinal LASr of 27.5% (95% CI, 25.2–29.8%). The heterogeneity between studies may be explained by the publication year, the heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Proteins and pathways in atrial fibrillation and atrial cardiomyopathy underlying cryptogenic stroke.

BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent causes of cryptogenic stroke. Also, apart from AF itself, structural and remodelling changes in the atria might be an underlying cause of cryptogenic stroke. We aimed to discover circulating proteins and reveal pathways altered in AF and atrial cardiomyopathy, measured by left atrial volume index (LAVI) and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), in patients with cryptogenic stroke.MethodsAn aptamer array (including 1310 proteins) was measured in the blood of 20 cryptogenic stroke patients monitored during 28 days with a Holter device as a case-control study of the Crypto-AF cohort. Protein levels were compared between patients with (n = 10) and without AF (n = 10) after stroke, and the best candidates were tested in 111 patients from the same cohort (44 patients with AF and 67 without AF). In addition, in the first 20 patients, proteins were explored according to PALS and LAVI values.ResultsForty-six proteins were differentially expressed in AF cases. Of those, four proteins were tested in a larger sample size. Only DPP7, presenting lower levels in AF patients, was further validated. Fifty-seven proteins correlated with LAVI, and 270 correlated with PALS. NT-proBNP was common in all the discovery analyses performed. Interestingly, many proteins and pathways were altered in patients with low PALS.ConclusionsMultiple proteins and pathways related to AF and atrial cardiomyopathy have been revealed. The role of DPP7 as a biomarker for stroke aetiology should be further explored. Moreover, the present study may be considered hypothesis-generating.

Left atrial function in young strength athletes: four-dimensional automatic quantitation study

Athletes might suffer from potentially fatal heart disease, which has always been a concern in cardiovascular medicine. The changes in left atrial (LA) size and function are related to the occurrence of arrhythmia. In the present study, four-dimensional automatic quantitation (4D LAQ) was used to explore the changes in LA function of young strength athletes. Eighty professional young strength athletes and sixty healthy young adults matched in age were selected for the study. The LA volumes and strains were automatically analyzed by 4D LAQ. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of strain in athletes' LA function. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the potential association between conventional echocardiographic indexes and 4D parameters related to athletes' LA function. Compared to the control group, LA longitudinal and circumferential strain in the athlete group decreased, while LA volume increased (P < 0.05). However, LA strain was similar among 45 male and 35 female strength athletes (P > 0.05), while male athletes presented with a higher LA volume when compared to female controls (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that LA contraction longitudinal strain (LASct) was the best predictor in evaluating athletes' LA function. Athletes' heart rate and left ventricular mass index were significantly correlated with 4D LA function parameters.4D LAQ can be used for early detection of the changes in LA function in young strength athletes. There was no significant difference in LA strain between male and female athletes. The LASct was the most effective index for evaluating athletes' LA function.

Evaluation of Prognostic Impact of Left Atrial Longitudinal Strain on Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis

Evaluation of Prognostic Impact of Left Atrial Longitudinal Strain on Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis

Early improvement of cardiac performance after atrial fibrillation direct current cardioversion

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and one of the most prevalent cardiac disease. Restoring sinus rhythm improves long-term systolic and diastolic function, quality of life and relieve symptoms in patients with symptomatic AF. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the early effects of AF direct current cardioversion on myocardial deformation using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Methods 51 patients with persistent AF who underwent successful direct current cardioversion were enrolled (age: 70 ± 9 years; men: 72.5%). Patients with ischemic, dilatative, hypertrophic cardiomyopaties, valvular heart disease, previous cardiac interventions were excluded from the study. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 55.2 ± 7.0%. A transthoracic echocardiography was performed one day before the successful cardioversion and 6 hours after, employing 2d standard echocardiography and speckle-tracking technique to evaluate left atrial, left ventricular and free-wall right ventricular longitudinal strain. Results Restoration of sinus rhythm led to a reduction of the heart rate (83 ± 14 vs 70 ± 13 bpm, p &amp;lt; 0.001). After about six hours from successful AF direct current cardioversion, we highlighted an increase in left ventricular filling pressure estimated with the ratio E/E’ (8.19 ± 0.29 vs 9.34 ± 0.41, p = 0.0016). A significant increase in left atrial longitudinal strain (10.47 ± 0.64% vs 19.76 ± 1.01%, p &amp;lt; 0.001, Figure A) and in left ventricular longitudinal strain (-13.10 ± 0.60% vs -15.86 ± 0.51%, p &amp;lt; 0.001, Figure C) were noticed; also the free wall right ventricular longitudinal strain increased (-12.06 ± 1.16% vs -15.86 ± 1.29%, p = 0.047, Figure B). Conclusion Restoring sinus rhythm improves cardiac performance as evidenced by the increase in either left atrial and bi-ventricular longitudinal strain, suggesting an amelioration even if after early time. Abstract Figure

Left atrial functional remodeling assessed by echocardiography in patients undergoing ablation for atrial fibrillation: correlation with the presence of fibrosis and invasive atrial pressure

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Radiofrequency catheter ablation of pulmonary veins has become a common procedure for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Nevertheless, the procedure is characterized by an extremely variable success rate, which reflects a great heterogeneity of factors implicated in AF recurrence and AF burden. Purpose We focused on the role of left atrium (LA) in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF who underwent catheter pulmonary veins ablation procedure. In particular we paid attention to three factors: echocardiographic evaluation of LA function, LA scar evaluated by electroanatomic mapping and LA pressures (LAP) during ablation procedure. The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation between echocardiographic parameters indicating atrial dysfunction (LA volume indexed, E/E’, LAA contraction velocity, LA stiffness and LA longitudinal strain during reservoir phase (LASr)) and intraprocedural parameters (such as LAPpeak and the amount of fibrosis). Methods The study included 25 patients; mean age was 63 ± 8 years; nineteen patients (76%) had paroxysmal AF, eighteen patients (72%) were in sinus rhythm at the time of ablation. The population was divided into two subgroups according to the amount of fibrosis evaluated by electroanatomic mapping: patients with fibrosis ≥ 5% of the total LA volume were considered as having an atrial scar. All patients underwent a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography and a transesophageal echocardiography before the ablation procedure. Intraprocedural data regarding LAPpeak and electroanatomic mapping were collected. Measurements were acquired during both sinus rhythm (SR) and AF. Results Patients with atrial scar had similar LA volume compared to patients without scar (44 ml vs 37.4 ml, p = 0.108) , but presented a trend towards higher LAPpeak (24.3 mmHg vs 15.9 mmHg, p = 0.053) and had higher E/E’ (11 vs 7, p = 0.037) and consequently increased LA stiffness (0.72 vs 0.23, p= 0.006). Still, they had lower LASr (16.6% vs 33.2%, p = 0.013) and tended to have reduced LAA contraction velocity (0.4 m/sec vs 0.7 m/sec, p= 0.005). Conclusions The present findings suggest that functional remodeling of the LA, more than morphological changes, are correlated with the presence of atrial fibrosis and elevated atrial pressure detected during ablation procedures. These parameters may represent potential criteria to guide patients’ selection for ablation procedure and deserve dedicated studies to be confirmed. Abstract Figure.

Impairment of LA strain and LV myocardial work in Ph+ Chronic myeloid leukaemia patients treated with TKis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Worsening of cardiac function with increased arrhythmic risk is common in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Impaired LV Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) in these patients despite preserved ejection fraction is a common issue. Recently, myocardial work by speckle-tracking echocardiography has been used to overcome GLS limitations in various conditions, but little is known about its usefulness in the detection of cardiac toxicity. Moreover, left atrial (LA) toxicity may occur early in the course of cancer therapy. The main aim of the study was to assess the cardiotoxic effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+ CML) by using novel echocardiographic tools as myocardial work and atrial strain analysis. Methods We retrospectively enrolled Ph+ CML patients treated with TKIs followed at the cardio-oncology outpatient clinic of our hospital from December 2018 to March 2019 who underwent clinical evaluation with ECG and echocardiogram (TTE) before and after one year of treatment with TKIs. Healthy subjects were enrolled in the control group matched for gender, age and cardiovascular risk factors. Myocardial work was derived from the strain-pressure relation, integrating in its calculation the non-invasive arterial pressure. LA longitudinal strain (reservoir, conduit and booster) was obtained from an optimized apical 4-chamber view of the LA. Results The study recruited 32 patients in Ph+ CML group and 32 healthy controls. 39% of patients were treated with Imatinib, 29.3% with Nilotinib, 4.9% with Dasatinib and 4.9% with Ponatinib. Main results are detailed in the Table 1. At one-year follow-up there was a significant reduction compared to baseline in Global Constructive Work (2555.22 ± 564.33 vs 2119.31 ± 700.19; p = 0.0001), Global Work Efficiency (96.13 ± 1.90 vs 94.00 ± 2.96; p = 0.002) and Global Work Index (2340.75 ± 579.57 vs 1938.46 ± 680.23; p = 0.001), and a non-significant reduction in Global Wasted Work (p = 0.393). Regarding left atrial strain analysis at the one-year follow-up there was a statistically significant reduction in LA contractile strain (booster= 14.63 ± 1.408 vs 12.38 ± 1.581; p= 0.018). LA contractile strain reduction was also observed in the comparison with controls (12.38 ± 2.99 vs 14.91 ± 3.09; p = 0.009). Any other significant difference was detected between baseline and FU TTE data in the Ph+ CML group. Conclusions New imaging methods for the study of cardiotoxicity provide an additional tool for early prediction of potential adverse effects of antineoplastic drugs. TKIs therapy leads to an impairment of atrial contractility, which can be detected by atrial strain e myocardial work analysis. Abstract table 1 Abstract figure 1

Left atrial strain determinants across heart failure stages; insight from MASCOT registry

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. OnBehalf MASCOT investigators Background Few studies analyzed left atrial (LA) peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) determinants, particularly across heart failure (HF) stages. We aimed to analyze the pathophysiological and clinical PALS correlates in a large international prospective registry. Methods This is a multicenter prospective observational study enrolling 745 patients with HF stages 0-C from July to October 2018. Data included PALS and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS). Exclusion criteria were: valvular prosthesis; atrial fibrillation; cardiac transplantation; poor acoustic window. Results Median global PALS was 17% [24-32]. 29% of patients were in HF-stage 0/A, 35% in stage-B, and 36% in stage-C. Together with age, the echocardiographic determinants of PALS were LA volume and LV-GLS (overall model R²=0.50, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). LV-GLS had the strongest association with PALS at multivariable analysis (beta:-3.60 ± 0.20, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Among HF-stages (Figure 1), LV-GLS remained the most important PALS predictor (p &amp;lt; 0.0001) whereas age was only associated with PALS in lower HF-stage 0/A or B (R=-0.26 p &amp;lt; 0.0001, R=-0.23 p = 0.0001). LA volume increased its association to PALS moving from stage 0-A (R=-0.11; P = 0.1) to C (R=-0.42; P &amp;lt; 0.0001). PALS was the single most potent echocardiographic parameter in predicting HF stage (AUC for B vs. 0/A 0.81, and AUC vs. 0/A for C 0.76). PALS remained independently associated with HF stages after adjusting for ejection fraction, E/e’ ratio and mitral regurgitation grade (p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Conclusion Although influenced by LV-GLS and LA size across HF-stages, PALS is incrementally and independently associated with clinical status. LA function may reflect a substantial part of the hemodynamic consequences of ventricular dysfunction. Abstract Figure 1

Predicting maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion - novel versus conventional left atrial parameters

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The successful electrical cardioversion (EC) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) improves cardiac mechanical function and enables early assessment of atrial activity by echocardiography. Purpose To analyze conventional and novel parameters characterizing left atrium (LA) within 24 hours after the restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) and their prognostic value during 2-years follow-up. Methods Prospective study involved 71 patients with nonvalvular AF (mean age 64 ± 13 years, 61% male). All patients underwent echo 24 hours after conversion to SR. In addition, standard echocardiographic and Doppler parameters were assessed. Using speckle-tracking method we analysed LA longitudinal strain in reservoir and contractile phase. The clinical endpoint was predefined as AF recurrence. Results During a 24-months follow-up we noticed AF recurrence in 48 (68%) patients. The median time-to-event was 2.4 months (IQR 1 to 6.9). Standard echo measurements revealed a median of LV ejection fraction 55% (IQR 45-58) and median of LA volume indexed to body surface area 42 ml/m2 (IQR 34-51). Median mitral A wave was 0.46 m/s (IQR 0.39-0.5) vs 0.35 m/s (IQR 0.28-0.5) in patients without and with AF recurrence, respectively (p = 0.04). Patients without AF recurrence had also higher mitral annular A’ velocity obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (7.4 ± 2.8 cm/s vs 3.5 cm/s, IQR 2.8-4.8; p &amp;lt; 0.0001), LA reservoir strain (19.4 ± 7.3% vs 11%, IQR 9.6-15.3; p = 0.0003) and LA contractile strain (9.4 ± 4.1% vs 2.8%, IQR 1.2-4.4; p &amp;lt; 0.0001). The table presents results derived from univariate Cox regression analysis. Conclusion LA activity assessed early after the restoration of sinus rhythm is the predictor of AF recurrence. The strongest association was proven for LA contractile strain. Abstract Figure. Univariate Cox regression analysis

Reproducibility of 4D cardiac computed tomography feature tracking myocardial strain and comparison against speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with severe aortic stenosis

BackgroundMyocardial strain is an established parameter for the assessment of cardiac function and routinely derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Novel post-processing tools allow deformation imaging also by 4D cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCT). This retrospective study aims to analyze the reproducibility of CCT strain and compare it to that of STE. MethodsLeft (LV) and right ventricular (RV), and left atrial (LA) ejection fraction (EF), dimensions, global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS) were determined by STE and CCT feature tracking in consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Results106 patients (mean age 79.9 ​± ​7.8, 44.3% females) underwent CCT at a median of 3 days (IQR 0–28 days) after STE. In CCT, strain measures showed good to excellent reproducibility (intra- and inter-reader intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.75) consistently in the LV, RV and LA. In STE, only LV GLS and LA GLS yielded good reproducibility, whereas LV GCS and LV GRS showed moderate, and RV GLS and free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) poor reproducibility. Agreement between CCT and STE was strong for LV GLS only, while other strain features displayed moderate (LV GCS, LA GLS) or weak (LV GRS, RV GLS and FWLS) inter-modality correlation. ConclusionLV, RV and LA CCT strain assessments were highly reproducible. While a strong agreement to STE was found for LV GLS, inter-modality correlation was moderate or weak for LV GCS, LV GRS, and RV and LA longitudinal strain, possibly related to poor reproducibility of STE measurements.

710 Advanced echocardiographic analysis to identify cardiac toxicity after TKI exposure in patients with CML

Abstract Aims Worsening of cardiac function with increased arrhythmic risk is common in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Impaired LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in these patients despite preserved ejection fraction is a common issue. Recently, myocardial work by speckle-tracking echocardiography has been used to overcome GLS limitations in various conditions, but little is known about its usefulness in the detection of cardiac toxicity. Moreover, left atrial (LA) toxicity may occur early in the course of cancer therapy. The main aim of the study was to assess the cardiotoxic effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+ CML) by using novel echocardiographic tools as myocardial work and atrial strain analysis. Methods and results We retrospectively enrolled Ph+ CML patients treated with TKIs followed at the cardio-oncology outpatient clinic of our hospital from December 2018 to March 2019 who underwent clinical evaluation with ECG and echocardiogram (TTE) before and after 1 year of treatment with TKIs. Healthy subjects were enrolled in the control group matched for gender, age and cardiovascular risk factors. Myocardial work was derived from the strain-pressure relation, integrating in its calculation the non-invasive arterial pressure. LA longitudinal strain (reservoir, conduit, and booster) was obtained from an optimized apical 4-chamber view of the LA. The study recruited 32 patients in Ph+ CML group and 32 healthy controls. 39% of patients were treated with Imatinib, 29.3% with Nilotinib, 4.9% with Dasatinib and 4.9% with Ponatinib. Main results are detailed in Table 1. At 1-year follow-up there was a significant reduction compared to baseline in global constructive work (2555.22 ± 564.33 vs. 2119.31 ± 700.19; P = 0.0001), global work efficiency (96.13 ± 1.90 vs. 94.00 ± 2.96; P = 0.002), and global work index (2340.75 ± 579.57 vs. 1938.46 ± 680.23; P = 0.001), and a non-significant reduction in global wasted work (P = 0.393). Regarding left atrial strain analysis at the 1-year follow-up there was a statistically significant reduction in LA contractile strain (booster= 14.63 ± 1.408 vs. 12.38 ± 1.581; P = 0.018). LA contractile strain reduction was also observed in the comparison with controls (12.38 ± 2.99 vs. 14.91 ± 3.09; P = 0.009). Any other significant difference was detected between baseline and FU TTE data in the Ph+ CML group. Conclusions New imaging methods for the study of cardiotoxicity provide an additional tool for early prediction of potential adverse effects of antineoplastic drugs. TKIs therapy leads to an impairment of atrial contractility, which can be detected by atrial strain e myocardial work analysis.

411 Reproducibility and applicability of automated speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with aortic valve stenosis

Abstract Aims New speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) tools allow an automated detection of strain measurements, but in case of suboptimal image quality or electrocardiogram signal, both regions-of-interest (ROIs) tracking and cardiac cycle’s landmarks need to be edited. In this study, we aimed to assess the variability of STE measurement performed with Tomtec’s Autostrain LV/RV/LA® application across different operators’ expertise in patients with significant aortic valve stenosis, known to have often suboptimal acoustic windows. Methods and results Automated strain analysis was performed by two observers with different levels of expertise in STE (a student sonographer and a trained cardiologist) on scans from 30 consecutive patients with moderate to severe aortic stenosis. Interobserver variability was tested. Intra-observer variability was also assessed repeating measurements about one month after the first set. Manual editing of the automated ROIs or cardiac cycle landmarks tracing results was manually made from both users on the majority (&amp;gt;80%) of examinations; notably RV strain analysis required the least editing. At repeated measurement test (Figure), the average strain values were not found to be significantly different for measurements of apical-four-chamber-global-longitudinal-strain (A4C-GLS) (mean difference 0.96%, P = 0.08), left-atrium-longitudinal strain (LALS) (peak-atrial-longitudinal-strain, PALS, mean difference −0.89% P = 0.37; peak-atrial-contraction-strain, PACS, mean difference −0.76%, P = 0.13) and right-ventricle-free-wall-strain (RV-FWS) (mean difference 0.44%, P = 0.59). A stronger agreement between testers was observed for patients with markedly reduced left-ventricle-global-longitudinal-strain (LV-GLS) and was not affected by the quality of acoustic windows. Similar trend was evident for the left atrial and right ventricular parameters. Conclusions New tool AutoStrain LV/RV/LA® for automated strain analysis showed a good agreement between operators with different levels of expertise in the challenging setting of patients with aortic valve stenosis. The reproducibility was particularly accurate for A4C view and in patients with worse LV-GLS values, independently from image quality.

636 Global cardiovascular assessment in patients with PH+ chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with TKI: long-term follow-up

Abstract Aims Patients affected by Philadelphia chromosome+ chronic myeloid leukaemia (Ph+CML) undergoing to therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are prone to develop cardiovascular complications, which have relevant prognostic implications. Speckle-tracking echocardiography, allowing strain and myocardial work analyses, can be useful in the early detection of cardiac toxicity. Aim of our study was to assess the cardiotoxic effects of TKIs. Methods We evaluated, at baseline and during FU, 20 patients affected by Ph+ CML (59.7 ± 12.2 years, 13 males), treated Imatinib (52.6%), Nilotinib (36.8%), Ponatinib (5.3%), Dasatinib (5.3%). We measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP-DBP) and calculated corrected QT interval (QTc). In addition, we analysed echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), global work efficiency (GWE), and peak left atrial longitudinal strain (PALS). Cardiovascular (CV) events that we considered were symptomatic or asymptomatic LV dysfunction, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and arrhythmias. Results Follow-up (FU) time was 3.4 ± 1 years. Most of patients (63.2%) had cardiovascular risk factors, including arterial hypertension (50%), type2 diabetes mellitus (15%), dyslipidaemia (40%) and cigarette smoking (15%). At the end of FU, SBP was unchanged (128.9 ± 19.6 mmHg vs. 129.1 ± 9.8 mmHg; P=NS) whereas DBP increased (69.4 ± 8.5 mmHg vs. 75 ± 7.7 mmHg; P = 0.004); moreover QTc was longer than baseline (404.4 ± 20.1 ms vs. 424.3 ± 29.8 ms; P &amp;lt; 0.001) and LVEF showed a significant decrease (62.2 ± 3.9% at baseline vs. 59.3 ± 4.8% at FU; P = 0.003); similarly, GCW (2444.1 ± 540mmHg% vs. 2234.7 ± 179.4 mmHg%; P = 0.034), GWI (2158.1 ± 589.6 mmHg% vs. 1923.1 ± 174.5 mmHg%; P = 0.022) and PALS (36.3 ± 17.1% vs. 32.8 ± 9.7%; P = 0.002) decreased during cancer therapy. On the other hand, GLS (−18.6 ± 3.1% vs. −19.4 ± 1.1%; P=NS), GWE (94.3 ± 4.1% vs. 93.6 ± 3.6%; P=NS) and GWW (120.6 ± 94.3 mmHg% vs. 106.3 ± 68.9 mmHg%; P=NS) did not change significantly. CV events were observed in 66.7% of the study population. These were mostly represented by ACS, atrial arrhythmias and symptomatic LV dysfunction (30.7% for each) and, to a lesser extent, PAD (7.6%). By comparing patients with events (group A) with those without events (group B) we found that differently from group B, group A showed during FU a significant increase of DBP (from 66 ± 5.2 mmHg to 71.2 ± 6.1 mmHg, P = 0.010; vs. group B= from 76 ± 12.mmHg to 78 ± 4.1 mmHg, P=NS) and a significant QTc prolongation (from 415.7 ± 16.1 ms to 441 ± 29.8 ms, P &amp;lt; 0.001; vs. group B= from 390.4 ± 19.3 ms to 405.6 ± 23.3 ms, P=NS); as to echocardiographic parameters, we found, in patients with CV events, a significant decrease of: LVEF (from 62.7 ± 4.7% to 58.8 ± 4.3%, P = 0.004; vs. group B from 61.4 ± 2.8% to 60 ± 1.7%, P=NS), GCW (from 2566.2 ± 669.6 mmHg% to 2230.1 ± 199.4 mmHg%, P = 0.021, vs. group B 2194 ± 167.5 mmHg% to 2212.6 ± 160mmHg%, P=NS) and PALS (from 36.1 ± 17% to 29.6 ± 6.6%, P = 0.022 vs. group B from 32.7 ± 8% to 35 ± 8.5%, P = 0.003). Of these parameters, only PALS was significant independent predictor of CV events on logistic regression analysis (OR 0.82 CI 95 0.69–0.98, P = 0.034). Conclusions Advanced echocardiographic parameters, including myocardial work and left atrial strain analysis, are particularly valuable in the early detection of TKI-induced cardiac toxicity. PALS could be an useful tool to predict outcome in these patients.

417 Multi-chamber speckle tracking imaging and diagnostic value of left atrial strain in cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract Aims Amyloid deposits in all cardiac chambers, impairing their function. We investigated for the first time if a speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) analysis extended to all four chambers might hold additive diagnostic value for CA and its subtypes [amyloid transthyretin (ATTR-) and light-chain (AL)-CA]. Methods and results We evaluated 423 consecutive patients undergoing a diagnostic workup for CA in two referral centres from 2015 to 2020. CA was diagnosed in 261 patients (62%; ATTR-CA, n = 144, 34%; AL-CA, n = 117, 28%). Patients with CA had an impaired function of all cardiac chambers, particularly those with ATTR-CA. Peak left atrial longitudinal strain (LA-PALS) was the only STE parameter that predicted CA and ATTR-CA independent of laboratory and standard echocardiographic variables (Model 1). It also predicted ATTR-CA among patients with unexplained hypertrophy regardless of a diagnostic score (IWT score). Patients with either LA-PALS or LA-peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) in the first quartile (LA-PALS &amp;lt;6.65% or LA-PACS &amp;lt;3.62%) had an almost 4-fold higher likelihood of CA and ATTR-CA regardless of Model 1. Among patients with unexplained hypertrophy, those with LA-PALS or LA-PACS in the first quartile had an almost 9-fold higher likelihood of ATTR-CA irrespective of Model 1, and a 2-fold higher likelihood of ATTR-CA beyond the IWT score. Conclusions STE measures of all two chambers are abnormal in patients with CA, particularly in those with ATTR-CA. LA strain holds independent diagnostic significance. Among patients screened for CA, those with LA-PALS &amp;lt;6.65% and/or LA-PACS &amp;lt;3.62% have a high likelihood of CA and ATTR-CA.