Changes In Left Ventricular Geometry Research Articles

Twin pregnancies and maternal cardiovascular function: literature review and future prospects

Twin pregnancy – with a prevalence nearly doubled in the last decades due to the use of assisted reproductive technology and the increasing age of conception – is associated with physiological cardiovascular adaptations to meet the hemodynamic demands of pregnancy. Compared to singleton pregnancies, increased and earlier in pregnancy risk of developing perinatal complications and maternal cardiac disease is demonstrated due to additional stress on the maternal cardiovascular system due to higher circulation volume. Knowledge on maternal adaptation in twin pregnancies are still lacking and often data derive from research studies on singleton pregnancy and including twins without differentiations. Only a few trials considered the impact of twin pregnancies on the maternal cardiovascular system and included echocardiographic evaluations showing how the changes in left ventricular geometry, systolic and diastolic function were comparable to those observed later in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies or in presence of hypertensive disorders. The present work aimed to review the current state of research on maternal cardiovascular function in twin pregnancies as the basis for a new study focused to find premature echocardiographic parameters able to contribute to the design of effective preventive strategies of complications – such as hypertensive disorders – in pregnancies, particularly on twin pregnancy.

Outcomes in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy developing left ventricular systolic dysfunction after septal reduction therapy

Abstract Background In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), systolic dysfunction (SD), defined by a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% is associated with a poor prognosis. After septal reduction therapy (SRT), anticipated alterations in left ventricular geometry and septal desynchrony may lead to reduction in LVEF. The prognostic significance of a reduction in LVEF <50% following SRT has not been established. Purpose To investigate the relationship between new development of SD post SRT and outcomes in HCM patients. Methods Of the 4110 HCM patients at our referral centre, 179 patients (4.4%) developed SD during follow up. The composite cardiac outcome was defined as the occurrence of new resuscitated cardiac arrest, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, and cardiac death after the onset of SD. Results Of the 179 patients who developed systolic dysfunction (SD), 67 patients developed it after undergoing septal reduction therapy (SRT) (4 patients underwent alcohol septal ablation, and 63 patients underwent septal myectomy). Both groups had similar characteristics with respect to age at the time of SD identification (59.9 ± 13.5 years vs. 59.6 ± 14.2 years, P=0.88), gender (76% men vs. 66% men, P=0.18), and genotype (24% had pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants vs. 28%, P=0.07). Despite similar LVEF at the time of presentation with SD between the two groups (44.1 ± 4.2% vs. 44.4% ± 4.9%, P=0.75), patients who underwent SRT had a lower maximal wall thickness (17.4 ± 4.9mm vs. 19.2 ± 5.2mm, P=0.02), larger end-diastolic diameter (5.3 ± 0.8mm vs. 4.8 ± 0.8mm, P<0.001) and end-systolic diameters (3.8 ± 0.7mm vs. 3.2 ± 0.8mm, P<0.001) than patients without SRT. Furthermore, patients who underwent SRT had a longer QRS complex duration (162.3 ± 20.6ms vs. 125.1 ± 31ms, p<0.001) and lower brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (359.3 ± 632.9pg/ml vs. 690.8 ± 841.8pg/ml, p=0.04) during follow up than patients without prior SRT. During a mean follow up of 4.7 ± 4.1 years, the incidence of the composite cardiac outcome was significantly lower in patients who underwent SRT than in patients without prior SRT (7.5% vs. 20.5%, P=0.02). Notably, there were no observed sudden cardiac deaths observed in those who developed SD post SRT. Conclusion The prognosis for patients with HCM who underwent SRT and subsequently developed SD was significantly more favourable than for those who did not have a history of SRT. Thus, changes in left ventricular geometry and LVEF after SRT may not necessarily translate into a worsened prognosis.

Accuracy of Devereux and Teichholz formulas for left ventricular mass calculation in different geometric patterns: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass is important in the evaluation of cardiac remodeling and requires accurate assessment when performed on linear measurements in two-dimensional echocardiography (Echo). We aimed to compare the accuracy of the Devereux formula (DEV) and the Teichholz formula (TEICH) in calculating LV myocardial mass in Echo using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as the reference method. Based on preceding mathematical calculations, we identified primarily LV size rather than wall thickness as the main source of bias between DEV and TEICH in a retrospective derivation cohort (n = 1276). Although LV mass from DEV and TEICH were correlated with CMR, TEICH did not show a proportional bias as did DEV (− 2 g/m2 vs. + 22 g/m2). This could be validated in an independent prospective cohort (n = 226) with symptomatic non-ischemic heart failure. DEV systematically overestimated LV mass in all tiers of LV remodeling as compared to TEICH. In conclusion, the TEICH method accounts for the changes in LV geometry with increasing LV mass and thus better reflects the different pattern of LV remodeling than the DEV method. This has important clinical implications, as TEICH may be more appropriate for use in clinical practice, rather than DEV, currently recommended.

Elevated bile acids are associated with left ventricular structural changes in biliary atresia.

In children with biliary atresia (BA), pathologic structural changes within the heart, which define cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, are associated with adverse perioperative outcomes. Despite their clinical relevance, little is known about the pathogenesis and triggers of pathologic remodeling. Bile acid excess causes cardiomyopathy in experimental cirrhosis, but its role in BA is poorly understood. Echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) geometry [LV mass (LVM), LVM indexed to height, left atrial volume indexed to BSA (LAVI), and LV internal diameter (LVID)] were correlated with circulating serum bile acid concentrations in 40 children (52% female) with BA listed for transplantation. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was generated to determine optimal threshold values of bile acids to detect pathologic changes in LV geometry using Youden index. Paraffin-embedded human heart tissue was separately analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the presence of bile acid-sensing Takeda G-protein-coupled membrane receptor type 5. In the cohort, 52% (21/40) of children had abnormal LV geometry; the optimal bile acid concentration to detect this abnormality with 70% sensitivity and 64% specificity was 152µmol/L (C-statistics=0.68). Children with bile acid concentrations >152µmol/L had ∼8-fold increased odds of detecting abnormalities in LVM, LVM index, left atrial volume index, and LV internal diameter. Serum bile acids positively correlated with LVM, LVM index, and LV internal diameter. Separately, Takeda G-protein-coupled membrane receptor type 5 protein was detected in myocardial vasculature and cardiomyocytes on immunohistochemistry. This association highlights the unique role of bile acids as one of the targetable potential triggers for myocardial structural changes in BA.

Clinical Correlation of Left Ventricular Geometric Patterns at King Abdulaziz Hospital Al-Ahsa Eastern Province

Objective: Exploring the prevalence of alteration in left ventricular (LV) geometry by echocardiography and their correlation with cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Background: Alterations in LV geometry, by echocardiography, is an important prognostic determinant of CVD morbidity and mortality. Yet it is an underutilized tool and has yet to be established in laboratories. Methods: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were calculated by M-mode echocardiography. Patients were classified into four groups based on RWT and LVMI: normal geometry, concentric remodeling (CR), eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (eLVH), and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (cLVH). Results: LV geometry patterns revealed normal geometry prevalence (43.46%), followed by CR (30.76%). The commonest CV risk factor was hypertension (HTN) (85%), followed by diabetes mellitus (DM) (72%). A strong association was identified between CVD and LV geometry changes (p-value < 0.005). CVD prevalence among total patients was 66.5% within this group; coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence was 55.5% (p-value < 0.029), and heart failure (HF) prevalence was 29.6% (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: We strongly reinforce routine echocardiograms in determining LVM, RWT, and LV geometry patterns. It is an important, underutilized diagnostic and prognostic tool in risk stratification of patients with CVD and altered LV geometry and mass. Future studies for incorporating LVM and RWT in clinical decision algorithms are warranted.

Étude de la géométrie ventriculaire gauche chez des hypertendus Noirs Africains

AimTo determine the prevalence and determinants of different types of echocardiographic left ventricular remodeling in African black hypertensive patients. Patients and methodsA transversal descriptive study was conducted from January 1, 2015, to March 31, 2016, in the external explorations department of the Abidjan Heart Institute-Côte d'Ivoire. Transthoracic cardiac echo-graphs were performed in 524 (251 women) hypertensive subjects according to the American Society of Echocardiography convention. ResultsTwenty-nine percent of hypertensive patients had cardiac remodeling (in women and men, respectively, concentric remodeling 14.7 % and 15.7 %; concentric hypertrophy 6 % and 10.3 %; eccentric hypertrophy 7.6 % and 3.7 %). Only systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were significantly correlated with left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area. ConclusionThis study showed a significant proportion of hypertensives with abnormal left ventricular geometry and confirmed the relationship between blood pressure level and left ventricular geometry change.

Detection of left ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG through machine learning with a focus on obesity

Abstract Background Cardiac remodeling, an important aspect of cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression, is emerging as a significant therapeutic target. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is of paramount importance in the initial evaluation of a patient. However, the ECG is not a sensitive method of detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and as far as we know, it cannot detect changes in left ventricular geometry (LVG) at early stages, especially before LVH is present. Its sensitivity is particularly low for obese patients. Purpose To use a machine learning (ML) classifier to detect abnormal LVG from ECG parameters/markers, even before it becomes LVH, and to propose some indicative markers useful for practitioners. We also looked at the results of our model for obese patients to test the markers in this population. Methods We enrolled consecutive subjects, aged 30 years or older (mean age: 61.6±12 years old) with and without essential hypertension and no indications of CVD. All patients underwent a full echocardiographic evaluation and were classified into 2 groups; those with normal geometry (NG) vs. those with concentric remodeling (CR) or LVH defined as concentric hypertrophy (CH) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH). Abnormal LVG was identified as increased relative wall thickness (RWT) and/or left ventricular mass index (LVMi). We analyzed the EKG waveforms deduced to single beat averages for each lead using custom software and extracted 70 markers. We then trained a Random Forest machine learning model to classify subjects with abnormal LVG and calculated SHAP values to perform feature importance and interaction. Results After screening 1120 individuals, we enrolled 594 subjects, aged 30 years or older (mean age: 61.6±12 years old). The percentage of women was 56.5%, while 71.3% of all patients were hypertensive. Hypertension, age, body mass index divided by the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (BMI/S-L), QRS-T angle, and QTc duration were among the most important parameters (Figure, left panel) identified by the model as being predictive of abnormal LVG (AUC/ROC = 0.84, sensitivity = 0.94, specificity 0.61). Specifically for obese patients, whose prevalence in our population was 60.3%, our model performed well (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.92. When we tried our model without the the BMI/S-L parameter, the specificity dropped to 0.88. We also found that a cut-off point of 18 for the BMI/S-L marker predicted the patients who were more probable to have developed abnormal LVG. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate the promising potential of ML modeling for the efficient and cost-effective diagnostic screening of abnormal LVG and cardiac remodeling through ECG. We found specific clinical and ECG parameters that can predict early pathological changes of LVG in patients without established CVD and detect the population who will benefit from a detailed echocardiographic evaluation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Oxidative Stress as a Therapeutic Target of Cardiac Remodeling.

Cardiac remodeling is defined as a group of molecular, cellular, and interstitial changes that clinically manifest as changes in the heart's size, mass, geometry, and function after different stimuli. It is important to emphasize that remodeling plays a pathophysiological role in the onset and progression of ventricular dysfunction and subsequent heart failure. Therefore, strategies to mitigate this process are critical. Different factors, including neurohormonal activation, can regulate the remodeling process and increase cell death, alterations in contractile and regulatory proteins, alterations in energy metabolism, changes in genomics, inflammation, changes in calcium transit, metalloproteases activation, fibrosis, alterations in matricellular proteins, and changes in left ventricular geometry, among other mechanisms. More recently, the role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress as modulators of remodeling has been gaining attention. Therefore, this review assesses the role of oxidative stress as a therapeutic target of cardiac remodeling.

Detection of left ventricular hypertrophy on the ECG through machine learning with a focus on obesity

Abstract Background Cardiac remodeling, an important aspect of cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression, is emerging as a significant therapeutic target. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is of paramount importance in the initial evaluation of a patient. However, the ECG is not a sensitive method of detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and as far as we know, it cannot detect changes in left ventricular geometry (LVG) at early stages, especially before LVH is present. Its sensitivity is particularly low for obese patients. Purpose To use a machine learning (ML) classifier to detect abnormal LVG from ECG parameters/markers, even before it becomes LVH, and to propose some indicative markers useful for practitioners. We also looked at the results of our model for obese patients to test the markers in this population. Methods We enrolled consecutive subjects, aged 30 years or older (mean age: 61.6±12 years old) with and without essential hypertension and no indications of CVD. All patients underwent a full echocardiographic evaluation and were classified into 2 groups; those with normal geometry (NG) vs. those with concentric remodeling (CR) or LVH defined as concentric hypertrophy (CH) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH). Abnormal LVG was identified as increased relative wall thickness (RWT) and/or left ventricular mass index (LVMi). We analyzed the EKG waveforms deduced to single beat averages for each lead using custom software and extracted 70 markers. We then trained a Random Forest machine learning model to classify subjects with abnormal LVG and calculated SHAP values to perform feature importance and interaction. Results After screening 1120 individuals, we enrolled 594 subjects, aged 30 years or older (mean age: 61.6±12 years old). The percentage of women was 56.5%, while 71.3% of all patients were hypertensive. Hypertension, age, body mass index divided by the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (BMI/S-L), QRS-T angle, and QTc duration were among the most important parameters (Figure, left panel) identified by the model as being predictive of abnormal LVG (AUC/ROC = 0.84, sensitivity = 0.94, specificity 0.61). Specifically for obese patients, whose prevalence in our population was 60.3%, our model performed well (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.92. When we tried our model without the the BMI/S-L parameter, the specificity dropped to 0.88. We also found that a cut-off point of 18 for the BMI/S-L marker predicted the patients who were more probable to have developed abnormal LVG. Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate the promising potential of ML modeling for the efficient and cost-effective diagnostic screening of abnormal LVG and cardiac remodeling through ECG. We found specific clinical and ECG parameters that can predict early pathological changes of LVG in patients without established CVD and detect the population who will benefit from a detailed echocardiographic evaluation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Specific deformation pattern in hypertensive patients with septal bulge and preserved systolic function.

A wide range of subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry and function can be observed, even in the early course of arterial hypertension (HTN). Aim of the study was to investigate if the appearance of isolated basal septal hypertrophy (BSH, septal bulge) in asymptomatic young and middle-aged adults with HTN could be a marker of incipient LV systolic dysfunction when other measures of global LV function are still normal. A total of 138 patients with primary arterial hypertension, aged less than 65years, with no comorbidities and with preserved LV ejection fraction (EF) were included. Complete 2D transthoracic echocardiography study was preformed according to standardized protocol, as well as deformation study using speckle tracking echocardiography. Global and regional longitudinal strain was measured in apical 4-, 2- and 3-chamber views according to 18-segments model. Global and regional circumferential and radial strains were measured in short axis view. Average was taken from each of the six basal, middle and apical LV segments. Patients were divided into two groups according to BSH presence and values were compared. Basal septal hypertrophy was found in half of the patients (53.6%). The whole cohort had altogether normal LV global systolic function, as well as global indices of radial strain (GRS 43.86 ± 10.75%) and longitudinal strain (GLS - 19.73 ± 2.19%), while global circumferential strain (GCS) was mildly reduced (GCS - 19.5 ± 2.81%). BSH patients had more expressed LV geometry changes (LV mass: 89.19 ± 24.59g/m2 vs 109.15 ± 25.33g/m2, p < 0.001; relative wall thickness: 0.3 ± 0.08 vs 0.38 ± 0.11, p < 0.001) and also revealed a specific pattern of longitudinal deformation impairment in three LV segments (basal and mid interventricular septum, basal anteroseptum). "Strain gradient" from LV base to apex (basal < mid < apical) was observed in the whole population for longitudinal and circumferential strain, and it was more pronounced in the BSH group. This group had more impaired basal LS, while apical CS was improved. Subendocardial longitudinal strain was also more impaired in the BSH group. This study brings new meaning to basal septal hypertrophy (BSH) occurrence in hypertensive patients with discrete global concentric remodeling. Regional systolic dysfunction of the basal and mid LV segments is found, while apical segments increase in deformation. This specific "strain gradient" pattern was found to be more pronounced in patients with BSH. The recognition of BHS in apparently healthy hypertensive patients with no impairment in global systolic function may suggest latent target organ damage with regional impairment of systolic function and the need to imply more aggressive treatment approach.

PREDICTION OF ABNORMAL LEFT VENTRICULAR GEOMETRY ON THE ECG THROUGH MACHINE LEARNING WITH A FOCUS ON OBESITY

Objective: Although electrocardiogram (ECG) is of paramount importance in the initial evaluation of cardiac emodelling, it is not a sensitive method of detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and it cannot detect changes in left ventricular geometry (LVG) at early stages. Its sensitivity is particularly low for obese patients. We used a machine learning (ML) classifier to detect abnormal LVG from ECG parameters/markers, even before it becomes LVH and looked at the results of our model for obese patients. Design and method: We enrolled 594 consecutive subjects, aged 30 years or older (mean age: 61.6 ± 12 years old) with and without essential hypertension and no indications of cardiovascular disease. All patients underwent a full echocardiographic evaluation and were classified into 2 groups; those with normal geometry (NG) vs. those with concentric emodelling (CR) or LVH defined as concentric hypertrophy (CH) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH). Abnormal LVG was identified as increased relative wall thickness (RWT) and/or left ventricular mass index (LVMi). We trained a Random Forest machine learning model to classify subjects with abnormal LVG and calculated SHAP values to perform feature importance and interaction. Results: 71.3% of all patients were hypertensive. Hypertension, age, body mass index divided by the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (BMI/S-L), QRS-T angle, and QTc duration were among the most important parameters (Figure 1) identified by the model as being predictive of abnormal LVG (AUC/ROC = 0.84, sensitivity = 0.94, specificity 0.61). Specifically for obese patients, whose prevalence in our population was 60.3%, our model performed well (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.92. When we tried our model without the the BMI/S-L parameter, the specificity dropped to 0.88. We also found that a cut-off point of 18 kgr/ m2mV for the BMI/S-L marker predicted the patients who were more probable to have developed abnormal LVG. Conclusions: Specific clinical and ECG parameters can predict early pathological changes of LVG in patients without established CVD and detect the population who will benefit from a detailed echocardiographic evaluation. We also proved the hypothesis that ECG parameters can be useful in detecting abnormal LVG in obese patients.

Association of Abnormal Serum L-Carnitine Levels with Idiopathic Changes in Left Ventricular Geometry in Pediatric and Adolescent Patients.

Background: There is no compelling evidence to prove an association between serum free L-carnitine levels and changes in left ventricular (LV) geometry. The present study aimed to evaluate a possible association between these parameters.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 504 outpatients were randomly selected among those registered at Sanandaj Pediatric Heart Clinic (Sanandaj, Iran) during 2014-2020. The patients aged one to 25 years and were presented with cardiac complaints. The serum L-carnitine levels of all patients were evaluated and associated with changes in LV geometry measured by echocardiography. The association was assessed using the Chi squared test, Fisher’s exact test, and one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22.0). P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean serum L-carnitine levels in the normal, low, and high serum groups were 52.69, 14.16, and 178.67 nmol/dL, respectively. There was a significant statistical association between abnormal serum levels of free L-carnitine and changes in LV geometry (P<0.001).Conclusion: Our findings are indicative of an association between abnormal serum L-carnitine levels and changes in LV geometry in pediatric and adolescent patients.

Screening diagnosis of dementia in patients following heart failure decompensation is associated with a higher relative wall thickness.

The usefulness of echocardiographic characteristics for dementia prediction in patients with heart failure decompensation (HFD) is not determined. Therefore, we sought to investigate the echocardiographic features of patients with HFD and screening diagnosis of dementia (SDD). 139 patients aged over 65 years were hospitalized with the diagnosis of HFD. Clinical characteristics and echocardiographic characteristics were recorded during hospitalization. SDD was defined based on the result of ALFI- MMSE of <17 points. Patients with SDD were older (p=0.013), had thicker IVSd (p=0.021), thicker PWd (p=0.005) and had a higher RWT (0.40 vs 0.35, p=0.004) than patients without SDD, without differences in LVMI (p=0.13). There was no correlation between RWT and LVMI (r=-0.01, p=0.88). In the multivariate analysis, an older age (β=-0.116, 95% CI -0.224 - -0.008, p=0.035, per year) and a higher RWT (β=-0.069, 95% CI -0.137 - -0.002, p=0.045, per 0.01) influenced a lower ALFI-MMSE. For a prediction of SDD, the RWT reached the area under a ROC curve of 0.67 (95% CI 0.56-0.77, p=0.004 with sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 70% for RWT of ≥0.375). Apart from age, RWT reflecting left ventricular geometry changes but not hypertrophy was independently but moderately associated with SDD in patients following HFD (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

Prediction of abnormal left ventricular geometry on the ECG through machine learning with a focus on obesity

Abstract Background Cardiac remodeling, an important aspect of cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression, is emerging as a significant therapeutic target. However, the ECG is not a sensitive method of detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and as far as we know, it cannot detect changes in left ventricular geometry (LVG) at early stages, especially before LVH is present. Its sensitivity is particularly low for obese patients. Purpose To use a machine learning (ML) classifier to detect abnormal LVG from EKG parameters/markers, even before it becomes LVH, and to propose some indicative markers useful for practitioners. We also looked at the results of our model for obese patients to test the markers in this population. Methods We enrolled 594 consecutive subjects, aged 30 years or older (mean age: 61.6±12 years old) with and without essential hypertension and no indications of CVD. We tried to build a “clean” dataset through which we can target the clinical, anthropometric, and electrocardiogram measurements indicative of abnormal LVG. All patients underwent a full echocardiographic evaluation and were classified into 2 groups; those with normal geometry (NG) vs. those with concentric remodeling (CR) or LVH. Abnormal LVG was identified as increased relative wall thickness (RWT) and/or left ventricular mass index (LVMi). We analyzed the EKG waveforms deduced to single beat averages for each lead using custom software and extracted 70 markers. We then trained a Random Forest machine learning model to classify subjects with abnormal LVG and calculated SHAP values to perform feature importance and interaction. Results The percentage of women was 56.5%, while 71.3% of all patients were hypertensive. Hypertension, age, body mass index divided by the Sokolow-Lyon voltage (BMI/S-L), QRS-T angle, and QTc duration were among the most important parameters (Figure, left panel) identified by the model as being predictive of abnormal LVG (AUC/ROC = 0.84, sensitivity = 0.94, specificity 0.61). Specifically for obese patients, whose prevalence in our population was 60.3%, our model performed well (sensitivity = 0.71, specificity = 0.92. When we tried our model without the the BMI/S-L parameter, the specificity dropped to 0.88. We also found that a cut-off point of 18 for the BMI/S-L marker predicted the patients who were more probable to have developed abnormal LVG (Figure 1). Conclusions This study is the first to demonstrate the promising potential of ML modeling for the efficient and cost-effective diagnostic screening of abnormal LVG through ECG. We found specific clinical and ECG parameters that can predict early pathological changes of LVG in patients without established CVD and detect the population who will benefit from a detailed echocardiographic evaluation. Our model contributes to the development of human-centered and autonomous technologies and can optimize patient-management and treatment. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Abnormal left ventricular geometry in female collegiate swimmers

Abstract Background There is a paucity of data describing left ventricular geometry changes in female athletes. While some studies suggest that female athletes participating in dynamic sports exhibit higher prevalence of eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) when compared to men, a recent study suggested more concentric geometry changes in female basketball athletes. We were unable to identify studies describing the left ventricular geometry of female collegiate swimmers. Objectives To describe LV geometry changes in a cohort of female collegiate swimmers. Methods We analyzed a cohort of female collegiate swimmers who had a pre-participation cardiac evaluation by 12-lead ECG and 2-dimensional echocardiography. Left ventricular (LV) geometry was assessed based on relative wall thickness (RWT) (defined as: 2 x posterior wall thickness (PWT) divided by LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD)) and LV mass (LVM) (Devereux's formula: LVM = [0.8 x 1.04 [(LVEDD + interventricular septum + posterior wall thickness)3 − (LVEDD)3]] + 0.6g) and was indexed to body surface area (BSA).LVH was defined as LV mass index &amp;gt;95 g and was defined as concentric when associated with a relative wall thickness (RWT) &amp;gt;0.42 and as eccentric when RWT was ≤0.42. Concentric remodeling was defined as normal LVM index and increased RWT. Results A total of 83 female collegiate swimmers were included. Their age was 18.5±0.5 years (mean ± standard deviation, SD), 74 (89.2%) were White, BSA was 1.78±0.11 m2, height 173±6.3 cm, weight 66.2±7.2 K. Their interventricular septum diameter was 0.89±0.14 cm, PWT 0.92±0.15 cm, LVEDD 4.9±0.5 cm and LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD) 3.2±0.4 cm. Left atrium diameter ranged from 2.6 to 4.3 cm (mean 3.4 cm ± 0.4 cm). Aortic root diameter ranged from 1.9 to 3.5 cm (mean 2.7±0.3 cm) (Figure 1). LVH was present in 27 swimmers (32.5%). Eccentric LVH was present in 17 athletes (20.5%), concentric hypertrophy in 10 athletes (12%), and concentric remodeling in 12 (14.5%) (Figure 2). No athletes with LVH or concentric remodeling had borderline or abnormal ECG findings based on international criteria. Only two women with normal LV geometry had abnormal ECG findings: prolonged QT interval and abnormal T wave inversion. There was a linear correlation between BSA with LVEDD, LVESD and LV mass (r=0.40, 0.35, and 0.48 with P&amp;lt;0.001,0.002 and &amp;lt;0.001, respectively). However, there was no statistically significant difference between LV geometry groups based on BSA or blood pressure. Conclusion Our data document a high incidence of eccentric hypertrophy among female collegiate swimmers. Concentric remodeling and hypertrophy were also relatively high. Differentiating physiologic from pathologic cardiac remodeling in these athletes is critical to prevent potential complications such as sudden cardiac death, arrhythmias, and other adverse outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This work was supported in part by the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) Foundation Research Grant 2016 awarded to KE, and the University of Florida REDCap uses the NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) grant UL1 TR001427. Figure 1Figure 2. LV geometry in female swimmers

Left ventricular remodelling in a large cohort of strength competitive athletes: not so common and differs by sex

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This research was supported by FMBA of Russia Background. There are still very limited data about physiological cardiac adaptation in strength athletes. Purpose. To describe structural and functional features of left ventricular (LV) in a large cohort of healthy strength athletes. Methods. A total of 673 Caucasian athletes (weight-lifting, males/females = 238/157, and Martial Arts, males/females = 200/78) competing in Russian National and International level events were recruited within 2010-2017. Data of standard 2D echocardiography (Echo) and comprehensive medical history were analyzed. Data are presented as median (IQR) and compared by nonparametric tests (table). To assess LV geometry all athletes were divided into 6 groups according to 4-tiered classification based on mass index, concentricity and end-diastolic volume (EDV) index of LV (Figure). Results. Both absolute and indexed values of LV structural features were higher in males. Females exhibited higher functional parameters. Only 54 (8%) athletes had elevated LV mass (no sex difference), 23 (3.4%) – LV wall ≥ 12mm (only males) and 78 (11.6%) – changes in LV geometry. There was a prevalence of females in eccentric non-dilated LV hypertrophy (LVH) group (p = 0.088), which was previously accepted as a benign pattern of LV remodelling in non-athlete populations. Males had more often concentric types of LV remodelling (36 of 54 athletes). Among dilated types of LVH, there was a prevalence of males (p = 0.070). Conclusions. LV remodelling is not common in strength athletes and differs by sex with a more favourable profile in females. Clinical and Echo parameters Total n = 673 males n = 438 females n = 235 males vs females p-value Age, years 20(4) 20(4) 20(5) 0.06 BSA, m&amp;sup2; 1.84(0.39) 1.96(0.39) 1.66(0.25) &amp;lt;0.001 Sports practice, years 10(6) 10(7) 10(6) 0.12 LV EDD, mm 49(6) 50(5) 46(4) &amp;lt;0.001 LV EDD/(BSA)^0.5 35.8(3) 35.9(3) 35.6(3) 0.017 LV EDV, ml 108(38) 118(32) 92(24) &amp;lt;0.001 LV EDV/(BSA)^1.5 42.8(9) 42.9(10) 42.3(9) 0.14 Maximal LV WT, mm 10(1) 10(2) 9(1) &amp;lt;0.001 LV mass/BSA, g/m&amp;sup2; 86(24) 91(22) 75(16) &amp;lt;0.001 LV Concentricity, g/(ml)^0.67 6.9(1.6) 7.4(1.6) 6.2(1.4) &amp;lt;0.001 LV EF, % 60(5) 60(4) 62(4) &amp;lt;0.001 Mitral E velocity, cm/sec 87(19) 85(19) 89(19) &amp;lt;0.001 BSA - body surface area; EDD - end-diastolic dimension; WT - wall thickness Abstract Figure. Types of LV geometry in athletes

Left ventricular geometry transition in hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

AimsHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) develops in response to hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and is associated with increased cardiovascular events. Although the progression to systolic heart failure is a known consequence of LV hypertrophy and HFpEF, few data are available on the LV geometry change and frequency of deterioration to systolic dysfunction in this population.Methods and resultsWe evaluated the baseline and follow‐up characteristics in 680 patients with LV hypertrophy and HFpEF in this prospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was 5 year all‐cause mortality. The changes of LV geometry and heart failure transition were analysed. Systolic dysfunction [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%] occurred in 182 patients (26.8%) during a 5 year follow‐up. Patients with LVEF deterioration were associated with a lower survival rate. Beta‐blocker prescription was a protective factor for preserved LVEF. And concentric LV geometry shifted to eccentric hypertrophy was uncommon (10.6%) during a 5 year follow‐up.ConclusionsA quarter of patients with hypertensive LV hypertrophy and HFpEF progresses to systolic dysfunction during a 5 year follow‐up, which was accompanied by poor clinical outcomes. And beta‐blocker therapy might play a protective role for preserved LVEF in this population.

Computational Modeling Studies of the Roles of Left Ventricular Geometry, Afterload, and Muscle Contractility on Myocardial Strains in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Global longitudinal strain and circumferential strain are found to be reduced in HFpEF, which some have interpreted that the global left ventricular (LV) contractility is impaired. This finding is, however, contradicted by a preserved ejection fraction (EF) and confounded by changes in LV geometry and afterload resistance that may also affect the global strains. To reconcile these issues, we used a validated computational framework consisting of a finite element LV model to isolate the effects of HFpEF features in affecting systolic function metrics. Simulations were performed to quantify the effects on myocardial strains due to changes in LV geometry, active tension developed by the tissue, and afterload. We found that only a reduction in myocardial contractility and an increase in afterload can simultaneously reproduce the blood pressures, EF and strains measured in HFpEF patients. This finding suggests that it is likely that the myocardial contractility is reduced in HFpEF patients. Graphical abstract.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VASCULAR AGEING AND LEFT VENTRICULAR CONCENTRIC GEOMETRY IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING ELDERLY: THE NORTHERN SHANGHAI STUDY

Objective: There have been few recent studies regarding vascular ageing and its relationship between left ventricular (LV) geometry. Moreover, the association of abnormal LV geometry with various kinds of vascular ageing has not yet been systematically analysed. Thus, the study aimed to further elucidate this relationship. Design and method: In this study, 3363 elderly participants (43.6% male, aged 71.1 ± 5.9 years; 56.4% female, aged 71.1 ± 6.1 years) derived from the Northern Shanghai Study were enrolled. Vascular ageing criteria included arteriosclerosis, defined as cf-PWV &gt; 10 m/s or ba-PWV &gt; 1800 cm/s, peripheral atherosclerosis was defined as ABI &lt; 0.9, cIMT greater than 0.9 mm or carotid plaque indicating carotid artery abnormality. Micro-albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) above 30 mg/g. Decreased eGFR was defined as eGFR less than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 Results: When vascular ageing parameters were respectively adjusted for age and gender, arteriosclerosis, micro-albuminuria, and peripheral atherosclerosis were significantly associated with concentric remodelling, eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and concentric LVH (P &lt; 0.045), but not with decreased eGFR or abnormal cIMT and presence of plaque. Peripheral atherosclerosis was strongly associated with left ventricular concentric geometry (LVCG) when considering other covariates (risk factors, diseases, and treatments) (P &lt; 0.012). Conclusions: Vascular ageing parameters such as arteriosclerosis, micro-albuminuria, and peripheral atherosclerosis are significantly and independently associated with left ventricular concentric geometry in community-dwelling elderly Chinese population, suggesting the importance of vascular ageing during early clinical assessment of abnormal LV geometry change and serious cardiovascular events.

Abstract 16319: Large Weight Loss Improves Left Ventricular Geometry but Not Myocardial Function 6 Months After Bariatric Surgery (the Fatwest Study)

Background: Bariatric surgery causes rapid and large weight loss and improves cardiovascular risk profile, yet the effect on left ventricular (LV) systolic function has been less explored. Methods: In the prospective FatWest (Bariatric Surgery on the West Coast of Norway) study 98 severely obese patients (44±10 years, 72% women, preoperative body mass index [BMI] 41.8±4.8 kg/m 2 , 36% with hypertension) underwent echocardiography before and 5.9 months after gastric bypass surgery. We assessed changes in LV geometry and systolic function by biplane ejection fraction (EF), midwall shortening (MWS) and mitral annular systolic velocity (s′). LV hypertrophy was defined based on LV mass/height 2.7 . Myocardial O 2 demand was derived from the LV mass-wall stress-heart rate product. Results: Patients experienced on average a 10 kg/m 2 reduction in BMI, and a significant drop in heart rate and blood pressure (all p&lt;0.001). LV mass (-12 g) and myocardial O 2 demand improved significantly (all p&lt;0.01). However, LV EF (60 vs. 61%), s’ (8.5 vs. 8.3cm/s) and MWS (16.1 vs. 15.7%) remained unchanged, and 45% of patients had low MWS 6 months after surgery (Figure). In multivariable regression analyses, LV mass reduction was predicted by weight loss and female sex, independent of changes in blood pressure and heart rate (R 2 0.24, p &lt;0.001) while lower myocardial O2 demand was explained by improvement in its three components, particularly lower LV end-systolic wall stress (R 2 0.9, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: In severely obese patients with normal EF, bariatric surgery induces a significant reduction in BMI, LV mass and myocardial O 2 demand, but no improvement in LV myocardial systolic function 6 months after surgery.