Left Ventricular Pressure-strain Loop Research Articles

Noninvasive Left Ventricular Pressure-Strain Loop for Quantitative Assessment of Early Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) possess a pronounced risk for cardiovascular events. A noninvasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LV-PSL) has recently been introduced to detect subtler changes in cardiac function. This study aims to investigate the value of LV-PSL for quantitative assessment of myocardial work (MW) in patients with CKD. Seventy-five patients with CKD were enrolled retrospectively (37 patients with CKD Stages 2-3, and 38 patients with CKD Stages 4-5), and 35 healthy volunteers were included as controls. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography. LV-PSL analysis was performed to estimate LV MW and efficiency. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were obtained by echocardiography, and the differences among the groups were compared. There was a significant increase in GWW and reduction in GWE in patients with CKD compared to normal controls (p < 0.05). No significant difference in GWI and GCW was observed among the three groups. Multiple linear regression revealed that increased GWW was significantly associated with age, serum creatinine, and systolic pressure, and decreased GWE was associated with age, serum creatinine, and GLS. LV-PSL can be used for noninvasive quantitative assessment of MW in patients with CKD, providing a new sensitive approach for the clinical assessment of myocardial function.

Quantitative Analysis of Myocardial Work in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using Noninvasive Left Ventricular Pressure-Strain Loop Measurement.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses a risk for cardiovascular damage during pregnancy. This study focused on evaluating changes in left ventricular myocardial performance in GDM patients using the left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LV-PSL) method and examining risk factors associated with reduced myocardial function. A prospective, randomized study involving 112 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM was conducted from June 2021 to June 2024. Additionally, 84 healthy pregnant women from the same period served as the control group. Utilizing both conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, left ventricular myocardial work metrics were assessed using LV-PSL technology. GDM patients demonstrated significantly reduced values for global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), and global constructive work (GCW) (p < 0.05), while conventional ultrasound measures showed no significant difference between GDM and control groups. GWI, GWE, GCW, and GLS had high predictive value for cardiac function changes in GDM patients, with GWE showing the highest predictive value {Area under curve (AUC)=0.866, cutoff value=95.5%, specificity=0.77, sensitivity=0.87}. GWI, GWE, and GCW were negatively correlated with GLS (r=-0.532, -0.411, -0.425, all p < 0.001), whereas global wasted work (GWW) showed a positive correlation with GLS (r=0.325 and p < 0.001). These parameters were also correlated with HbA1c levels (r=-0.316, -0.256, -0.260, all p < 0.001 for negative correlations, and r=0.172, p < 0.05 for positive correlations). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that 1-h OGTT (mmol/L), 2-h OGTT (mmol/L), and HbA1c (%) were significant predictors of left ventricular systolic function (GWE) in GDM patients. LV-PSL is an effective tool for early detection of left ventricular systolic function impairment in GDM patients.

Analysis of ventricular-vascular properties during preeclampsia: an echocardiography study.

The aim of the study is to analyze ventricular-vascular properties with different ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) ratio in the preeclamptic women. Seventy-seven pregnant women with preeclampsia and eighty-nine with normal pregnancy were performed echocardiography. VAC was defined as the ratio between aortic elastance (Ea) and left ventricular (LV) end-systolic elastance (Ees). Using the VAC value of 0.8 as the cut-off near uncoupling, the preeclampsia cases were divided into two subgroups: VAC ratio ≥ 0.8 and <0.8. Cardiac structure and function, VAC properties, as well as four components of the LV pressure-strain loop, including global myocardial work index (GWI), constructive work (GCW), wasted work (GWW), and work efficiency (GWE) were determined. The preeclampsia with VAC ≥ 0.8 had an enlarger indexed ventricular volume and a thicker relative ventricular wall than the VAC < 0.8. The Ees significantly increased in the subgroup with VAC < 0.8 and decreased in the VAC ≥ 0.8, while the Ea increased in both of them. The preeclampsia with VAC ≥ 0.8 showed an obvious augmentation in GWI, GCW and GWE, along with a similar GWW compared to those with VAC < 0.8. There were variable relationships between the LV pressure-strain components and VAC properties. Thus, the preeclampsia with VAC ≥ 0.8 undergoes a more adverse remodeling and a greater impact on cardiac contractility. The increased stiffness of the heart and arterial system, and increased resistance of peripheral vessels net lead to the deteriorative ventricular efficiency with elevated myocardial oxygen consumption during a preeclampsia pregnancy.

The clinical value of noninvasive left ventricular myocardial work in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia in coronary heart disease: a comparative study with coronary flow reserve fraction.

The prompt and precise identification of hemodynamically significant coronary artery lesions remains an ongoing challenge. This study investigated the diagnostic value of non-invasive global left ventricular myocardial work indices by echocardiography in functional status of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with myocardial ischemia using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the gold standard. A total of 77 consecutive patients with clinically suspected CAD were prospectively enrolled. All participants sequentially underwent echocardiography, invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and FFR measurement. According to the results of ICA, patients were divided into myocardial ischemia group (FFR ≤ 0.8, n = 27) and non-myocardial ischemia group (FFR > 0.8, n = 50). Myocardial work indices including global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), global work efficiency (GWE), global positive work (GPW), global negative work (GNW), global systolic constructive work (GSCW) and global systolic wasted work (GSWW) were obtained by using the non-invasive left ventricular pressure strain loop (PSL) technique. Compared with the non-myocardial ischemia group, GWI, GCW, GPW and GSCW were significantly decreased in the myocardial ischemia group at either the 18-segment level or the 12-segment level (P < 0.001). At the 18-segment level, GWI < 1783.6 mmHg%, GCW < 1945.4 mmHg%, GPW < 1788.7 mmHg% and GSCW < 1916.5 mmHg% were optimal cut-off value to detect myocardial ischemia with an FFR ≤ 0.8. Global left ventricular myocardial work indices by echocardiography exhibited a good diagnostic value in patients with CAD and may have a good clinical significance for the screening of suspected myocardial ischemia.

Correlation between Left Ventricular Pressure–Strain Loop and Severity in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome and Its Application Value in Short-Term Prognosis Evaluation

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic value of nonintrusive left ventricular pressure–strain loop (LV-PSL) for assessing overall myocardial function in sufferers with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) with or without coronary stenosis. The results of this research might provide insights into the diagnosis and management of NSTE-ACS. Methods All 268 sufferers with NSTE-ACS who were received by the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between June 2019 and June 2021 were enrolled. Sufferers with single or multiple extramural coronary diameter stenosis ≥70% on coronary angiography were defined as the stenosis group. All sufferers underwent noninvasive LV-PSL construction by using cuff blood pressure as the left ventricular pressure before coronary angiography, and the resulting images were imported and analysed with offline analysis software to obtain global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE). The correlation between severity Gensini score and myocardial work (MW) parameters was identified through Spearman analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off values for predicting coronary stenosis, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent factors affecting left ventricular myocardial function in sufferers of NSTE-ACS. The occurrence of adverse cardiac events during the follow-up period was recorded. Results Through the comparative analysis of general clinical data, significant differences were found between the stenosis and nonstenosis groups in terms of gender, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and smoking. However, statistical difference was observed only for hypertension (stenosis group 54.2%; p &lt; 0.05) and hypercholesterolaemia (stenosis group 53.5%; p &lt; 0.05). GLS (tz value 3.063), GCW (tz value 11.494), GWI (tz value 9.627) and GWE (tz value 12.780) reduced and GWW (tz value 11.504) increased in the stenosis group compared with those in the nonstenosis group. All differences were statistically significant (all p &lt; 0.05). Severity Gensini scores were negatively correlated with GLS, GCW, GWI and GWE but positively correlated with GWW (p &lt; 0.001). The ROC curve and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that GWE (odds ratio (OR) 2.881; 95% confidence internal (95% CI) 2.176–3.816; p &lt; 0.001) had the largest area under the curve and greatest sensitivity for coronary stenosis diagnosis. GWE was (OR 2.875; 95% CI 2.217–3.727; p &lt; 0.001) and (OR 2.881; 95% CI 2.176–3.816; p &lt; 0.001). During an average follow-up period of 26.7 months, 19 sufferers experienced adverse cardiac events. GWE exhibited high predictive ability for identifying such events. Conclusions Noninvasive LV-PSL can identify whether sufferers of NSTE-ACS have acute coronary stenosis regardless of the location or size of the stenosis and can detect varying degrees of left ventricular dysfunction in such sufferers. Amongst indices, GWE had the highest diagnostic efficiency for diagnosing sufferers of NSTE-ACS with coronary stenosis and highest predictive ability for adverse cardiac events.

Assessing the early prognosis of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction using left ventricular pressure-strain loop: a prospective randomized controlled clinical study.

The left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LV-PSL) technique, which is noninvasive and independent of pressure load, is more sensitive than is left ventricular speckle tracking imaging in detecting subtle changes in myocardial function. This study evaluated the improvement in cardiac function after application of LV-PSL in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) after acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated with sacubitril/valsartan plus dapagliflozin as compared to treatment with sacubitril/valsartan monotherapy. This prospective, multicenter, open-label study recruited 60 MI survivors with HFrEF between March 2021 and June 2022. The patients were randomly assigned in 1:1 groups, as stratified by center. Patients were randomly categorized into either an observation group [n=30; conventional treatment + 100 mg (49/51 mg) of sacubitril/valsartan, + 10 mg of dapagliflozin] or a control group [n=30; conventional treatment + 100 mg (49/51 mg) of sacubitril/valsartan]. Patients were assessed at three time points: 1 month after discharge (T1), 3 months after discharge (T3), and 6 months after discharge (T6). Two-dimensional ultrasound images were routinely collected, two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging was applied to calculate the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) rate for both groups, and LV-PSL analysis was used for the assessment of myocardial work, including global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work, and global work efficiency. The results at the three follow-up visits were compared with the predischarge results (baseline, T0). Compared with the values at T0, the LV-GLS and left ventricular myocardial work index (LVMWI) values increased in both the observation and control groups at T1, T3, and T6, with GWI and GCW showing significantly greater improvement in the observation group at T6 (GWI: 1,204±336 vs. 987±417 mmHg%, P=0.03; GCW: 1,401±348 vs. 1,206±356 mmHg%, P=0.04). Survival analysis revealed that the overall incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.03). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis including GCW, GWI, GLS, and left ventricular eject fraction (LVEF), GCW emerged as the only independent predictor of occurrence of MACEs (odds ratio =1.08; 95% CI: 0.63-0.93; P<0.001). Sacubitril/valsartan and dapagliflozin combination therapy led to a moderate improvement of cardiac function in patients with post-MI heart failure (P-MI-HF) compared to treatment with sacubitril/valsartan alone. Moreover, LV-PSL analysis can be used to assess the early prognosis of patients with P-MI-HF.

Left Ventricular Pressure Strain Loops for Evaluation of Myocardial Work in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Hypertension.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension (HT) are the two most common underlying diseases worldwide, and they often coexist. The long-term existence of both may lead to left ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, evaluating the cardiac function of T2DM patients with HT is vital to guide treatment and improve prognosis. Left ventricular pressure strain loops (LVPSL) combine left ventricular strain and afterload, which can quantify left ventricular energy expenditure and detect left ventricular subclinical systolic dysfunction. Many studies have focused on myocardial work (MW) in uncomplicated T2DM patients or simple HT patients, but a few have focused on T2DM patients with HT. The study aimed to evaluate the MW changes in T2DM patients with HT using LVPSL and to find independent related factors of MW parameters. 40 T2DM patients, 35 HT patients, 40 T2DM patients with HT (T2DM+HT group), and 35 controls were enrolled. The differences between clinical data, conventional ultrasound parameters, and MW parameters were analyzed among the four groups. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the T2DM group, HT group, and T2DM+HT group was lower than the control group (P<0.05). The global work index (GWI) and global constructive work (GCW) in the T2DM group were lower than other groups (P<0.05). The GWI of the HT group was higher than other groups (P<0.05), while GCW was only higher than the T2DM group and T2DM+HT group (P<0.05). The GWI and GCW of the T2DM+HT group were higher than the T2DM group and were lower than the HT group(P<0.05), while there was no significant difference with the control group. HT group and T2DM+HT group had higher global work waste (GWW) (P<0.05). The global work efficiency (GWE) of the T2DM+HT group was lower than other groups (P<0.05). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were independent factors of each MW parameter. LVPSL can recognize left ventricular subclinical systolic dysfunction early in patients with T2DM and HT. Compared to simple T2DM or HT, the combination of T2DM and HT had greater damage to left ventricular systolic function. SBP and HbA1c are two factors that have a considerable impact on MW parameters. The impact of afterload on MW parameters should be paid more attention to.

Evaluation of global and regional myocardial work in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients by left ventricular pressure-strain loop

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the value of left ventricular (LV) press-strain loop (PSL) in evaluating global and regional myocardial work (MW) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients.MethodsA total of 30 HCM patients with interventricular septum hypertrophy (HCM group) and 35 healthy subjects (control group) were selected from First Hospital of Qinhuangdao. The general clinical data and conventional ultrasound parameters of two groups were acquired. The MW parameters were analyzed using LV PSL. The regional MW parameters in the HCM group were compared between ventricular septum and the free walls of left ventricle.ResultsThe epicardial adipose tissue thickness of the HCM group was significantly greater than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Global work efficiency was significantly reduced, while global wasted work was increased in patients with HCM compared with controls (all P < 0.05). The HCM group was compared in the group, to be specific, in the HCM group, the work index, the work efficiency, and the longitudinal strain on the interventricular septum were lower than those on the free wall (all P < 0.05).ConclusionPSL is more effective than LVEF in assessing left ventricular systolic function in HCM and is able to quantify regional myocardial work in the ventricular septum in HCM patients with preserved LVEF, suggesting a novel idea for clinical diagnosis and assessment.

The value of using left ventricular pressure-strain loops to evaluate myocardial work in predicting heart failure with improved ejection fraction

BackgroundThe ultrasound left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LV PSL) was applied to evaluate myocardial work in heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) versus patients with persistent heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to investigate the value of myocardial work parameters in predicting HFimpEF. MethodsWe collected 120 patients with HFrEF and recorded clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters (PSL technique) of patients. Patients were divided into HFimpEF group or persistent HFrEF group according to the outcome of follow-up.Furthermore, differential clinical and echocardiographic parameters were determined by Student's t-test. We recognized the important echocardiographic parameters to predict whether patients would recover to HFimpEF using the univariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curves. In addition, the multivariate logistic regression models were constructed and evaluated using Delong test and decision curve analysis. ResultsFirstly, the HFimpEF group had a higher prevalence of hypertension and higher systolic blood pressure (P-values <0.05). In terms of echocardiographic parameters, HFimpEF group also had higher LVEF, LV GLS, GCW, GWE, and GWI and lower LVEDD (P-values <0.01). In particular, LVEF, LVEDD, GLS, GWI, and GCW were robust predictors of the conversion of HFrEF patients to HFimpEF (AUC >0.70, P-values <0.05). Finally, we determined that the predictive Model 4 (LVEF, LVEDD, GLS, and GCW) had the optimal diagnostic power. ConclusionThe model constructed by GCW with LVEF, LVEDD, and GLS has important predictive value for HFimpEF, which is an effective clinical decision-making tool for providing disease assessment.

Left bundle branch pacing preserved left ventricular myocardial work in patients with bradycardia.

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) is an emerging physiological pacing modality. Left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) incorporates afterload and LV global longitudinal strain to estimate global and segmental myocardial contractility. However, the effect of LBBP on LV MW remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of LBBP on LV MW in patients receiving pacemaker for bradyarrhythmia. We prospectively enrolled 70 bradycardia patients with normal LV systolic function receiving LBBP (n = 46) and non-selective His-bundle pacing (NS-HBP) (n = 24). For comparative analysis, patients receiving right ventricular pacing (RVP) (n = 16) and control subjects (n = 10) were enrolled. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was performed. The LV pressure-strain loop was non-invasively constructed to assess global LV MW. After 6-month follow-up, LBBP group (with >40% ventricular pacing during 6 months) had shorter peak strain dispersion (PSD) compared with RVP group, and higher LV global longitudinal strain compared with RVP group and NS-HBP group, but had no difference in left intraventricular mechanical dyssynchrony, including septal-to-posterior wall motion delay and PSD, compared with NS-HBP group. During ventricular pacing, LBBP group had higher global MW index (GWI) (2,189 ± 527 vs. 1,493 ± 799 mmHg%, P = 0.002), higher global constructive work (GCW) (2,921 ± 771 vs. 2,203 ± 866 mmHg%, P = 0.009), lower global wasted work (GWW) (211 ± 161 vs. 484 ± 281 mmHg%, P < 0.001) and higher global MW efficiency (GWE) (91.4 ± 5.0 vs. 80.9 ± 8.3%, P < 0.001) compared with RVP group, and had lower GWW (211 ± 161 vs. 406 ± 234 mmHg%, P < 0.001) and higher GWE (91.4 ± 5.0 vs. 86.4 ± 8.1%, P < 0.001) compared with NS-HBP group. In this study we found that in patients with mid-term (6-month) high ventricular pacing burden (>40%), LBBP preserved more LV MW compared with NS-HBP and RVP. Further studies are warranted to assess the association between LV MW and long-term clinical outcomes in LBBP with high ventricular pacing burden.

Association between epicardial adipose tissue and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome

Given the inconsistent results on the prognostic significance of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), the purpose of the present study was to investigate the association of EAT thickness and myocardial work by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop in people with suspected metabolic syndrome (MS). A total of 194 participants imaged with echocardiography were evaluated. In accordance with the median EAT thickness, MS patients fell into thin EAT group and thick EAT group. Conventional echocardiographic parameters, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the global myocardial work parameters obtained by pressure-strain loop analysis, comprising the global work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW) and global wasted work (GWW) were compared between the two groups. In comparison with the thin EAT group, thick EAT group achieved significantly higher values in interventricular septal thickness, end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass index and GWW (p < 0.05). while the absolute value of GLS, GWI, GCW, and GWE were notably lower in the thick EAT group (p < 0.001). EAT thickness showed a significant correlation with GWI and GCW (r = − 0.328, p = 0.001; r = − 0.253, p = 0.012), and also independently correlated with GWI and GCW in the multivariate regression analysis (β = − 0.310, p = 0.001; β = − 0.199, p = 0.049). EAT thickness is associated with left ventricular myocardial function in subjects with suspected metabolic syndrome, independently of other risk factors. Further studies are supposed to ensure the causal associations and related mechanisms.

Incremental value of non-invasive myocardial work for the evaluation and prediction of coronary microvascular dysfunction in angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease.

Evidence suggests that patients suffering from angina with no obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) experience coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). We aimed to understand the diagnosis value of noninvasive myocardial work indices (MWIs) with left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LV PSL) by echocardiography in ANOCA patients with CMD. 97 patients with ANOCA were recruited. All subjects underwent standard echocardiography with traditional ultrasound parameters, two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography with global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV PSL with MWIs include global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE). In addition, all enrolled cases underwent high-dose adenosine stress echocardiography (SE) with coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR). CMD was defined as CFVR <2.0. Of the 97 patients with ANOCA, 52 were placed in the CMD group and 45 in the control group. GWI and GCW were decreased significantly in the CMD group compared with the control group (P < 0.001 for both). GWI and GCW were moderately correlated with CFVR (r = 0.430, P < 0.001 and r = 0.538, P < 0.001, respectively). In the multiple logistic regression analyses, GCW was identified as the only independent echocardiography parameter associated with CMD after adjusting for age and baseline APV [OR (95%CI) 1.009 (1.005-1.013); P < 0.001]. Moreover, the best predictor of CMD in patients with ANOCA using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was GWI and GCW, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.800 and 0.832, sensitivity of 67.3% and 78.8%, specificity of 80.0% and 75.6%, respectively. MWIs with LV PSL is a new method to detect LV systolic function noninvasively in ANOCA patients with CMD.

Left ventricular strain and myocardial work in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is recognized for its associated cardiovascular morbidity. Herein we describe left ventricular (LV) function and mechanics over long-term follow-up in ApHCM. A retrospective study of 98 consecutive ApHCM patients was performed (mean age: 64±15 years, 46% female) using 2D and speckle-tracking echocardiography. LV function and mechanics were characterized by global longitudinal strain (GLS), segmental strain, and myocardial work indices. Myocardial work was calculated by integrating longitudinal strain and blood pressure as estimated by the brachial artery cuff pressure, to generate an LV pressure-strain loop with adjusted ejection and isovolumetric periods. Composite complications were defined as all-cause mortality, sudden death, myocardial infarction, and/or stroke. Mean LV ejection fraction measured 67%±11% and GLS was -11.7%±3.9%. Global work index (GWI) was 1,073±349 mmHg%, constructive work was 1,379±449 mmHg%, wasted work was 233±164 mmHg%, and work efficiency was 82%±8%. In 72 patients with follow-up echocardiography, at a median of 3.9 years there was progressive impairment in GLS (-11.9% vs. -10.7%; P=0.006), GWI (1,105 vs. 989 mmHg%; P=0.02), and global constructive work (1,432 vs. 1,312 mmHg%; P=0.03), without change in wasted work or work efficiency. Atrial fibrillation (β=0.37; P<0.001), mitral annular e' velocity (β=-0.32; P=0.001), and glomerular filtration rate (β=-0.2; P=0.03) were independently associated with follow-up GLS; atrial fibrillation (β=-0.27; P=0.01) and glomerular filtration rate (β=0.23; P=0.04) were also associated with follow-up GWI. Global wasted work >186 mmHg% was predictive of composite complications (AUC =0.7, 95% CI: 0.53-0.82, sensitivity 93%, specificity 41%). ApHCM is associated with preserved LV ejection fraction but abnormal LV GLS and work indices, with progressive impairment. Important clinical and echocardiographic measures are independently predictive of long-term follow-up LV GLS, GWI and adverse events.

Prognostic contribution of left ventricular myocardial work assessment in mitral valve prolapse

Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) is the leading cause of primary mitral regurgitation (MR). Due to volume overload-induced changes in severe MR, assessment of left ventricular systolic function, an important marker to refer patients to surgery, is difficult. The aim of our study was to assess cardiac mechanics based on the non-invasive evaluation of myocardial work, by analysing the left ventricular pressure-strain loop, taking into account loading conditions. In total, 321 patients (63% male) with MVP (with or without severe MR), who underwent a comprehensive echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) between 2010 and 2021, were included. Myocardial work parameters were assessed using a dedicated software. The primary endpoint associated cardiovascular death, sustained ventricular arrhythmia, heart failure, new onset atrial fibrillation, or arterial embolism. Of the 321 patients 186 (58%) had a GWW (global wasted work) < 120 mmHg% and 135 (42%) a GWW ≥ 120 mmHg%. GWW < 120 mmHg% was associated with echographic and CMR parameters of abnormal filling, volume overload and more severe regurgitation. During a mean follow-up of 4.5 ± 2.8 years, censored at the time of mitral valve surgery, 36 cardiovascular events were recorded in the GWW < 120 mmHg% group versus 14 in the GWW ≥ 120 mmHg% group (19% vs. 10%; P = 0.028). Heart failure (15 vs. 6%; P = 0.011) and mitral valve intervention (69 vs. 59%; P = 0.045) rates were higher in the GWW < 120 mmHg% group. Five-year cardiovascular event-free survival was decreased in patients with GWW < 120 mmHg% (46.6 ± 7.7% vs. 59.1 ± 12.4%; P = 0.023). In multivariable analysis, MR severity, the presence of late enhancement on CMR, and GWW < 120 mmHg% (HR 1.76; 95% CI 0.93–3.34; P = 0.085) were associated with impaired event-free survival. Myocardial work-up provides additional diagnostic and prognostic information to echocardiography and cardiac MRI in MV.

Myocardial function including estimates of myocardial work in young adults born very preterm or with extremely low birthweight - a cohort study

BackgroundPreterm birth and low birthweight have been associated with increased risk of heart failure and cardiovascular disease in young adulthood. However, results from clinical studies of myocardial function are not consistent. Echocardiographic strain analyses allow detection of early stages of cardiac dysfunction, and non-invasive estimates of myocardial work can provide additional information on cardiac function. We aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial function including measures of myocardial work in young adults born very preterm (gestational age < 29 weeks) or with extremely low birthweight (< 1000 g) (PB/ELBW), compared with term-born age- and sex matched controls.Methods63 PB/ELBW and 64 controls born in Norway in the periods 1982–1985, 1991–1992, and 1999–2000 were examined with echocardiography. LV ejection fraction (EF) and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. Myocardial work was estimated from LV pressure-strain loops after determination of GLS and construction of a LV pressure curve. Diastolic function was evaluated by determination of the presence or absence of elevated LV filling pressure, including measures of left atrial longitudinal strain.ResultsThe PB/ELBW with mean birthweight 945 (standard deviation (SD) 217) grams, mean gestational age 27 (SD 2) weeks, and mean age 27 (SD 6) years had LV systolic function mainly within normal range. Only 6% had EF < 50% or impaired GLS >-16%, but 22% had borderline impaired GLS between − 16% and − 18%. Mean GLS in PB/ELBW (-19.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) -20.0, -18.9)) was impaired compared to controls (-20.6% (95% CI -21.1, -20.1)), p = 0.003. Lower birthweight was associated to more impaired GLS (Pearson correlation coefficient − 0.2). Means of EF, measures of diastolic function including left atrial reservoir strain, global constructive and wasted work, global work index and global work efficiency was similar in PB/ELBW and controls.ConclusionThe young adults born very preterm or with extremely low birthweight had impaired LV-GLS compared to controls, although systolic function mainly within normal range. Lower birthweight was associated with more impaired LV-GLS. These findings could indicate an elevated lifetime risk of developing heart failure in preterm born individuals. Measures of diastolic function and myocardial work were similar compared to controls.

Non-invasive left ventricular myocardial work identifies subclinical myocardial involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

ObjectiveGlobal myocardial work (MW) is a novel indicator that accounts for deformation and afterload, which may provide additional value for assessment of myocardial function. Non-invasive echocardiographic estimated left ventricular (LV) MW incorporates longitudinal strain curves and blood pressure data. This study sought to assess MW in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF) by two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (2D-STI) to reflect subclinical myocardial damage. Methods98 SLE patients and 98 gender and age-matched healthy subjects were included. The patients with SLE were divided into mild activity (SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) ≤ 4; n = 45), moderate activity (5 ≤ SLEDAI ≤ 9; n = 23), and high activity (SLEDAI ≥ 10; n = 30) subgroups. Standard transthoracic echocardiography was applied to evaluate the systolic myocardial function of the global LV. The parameters of non-invasive MW including global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE) were calculated from echocardiographic LV pressure-strain loops (PSL) and blood pressure at rest. ResultsThe SLE group had a significantly higher GWW (75.7 ± 39.1 mmHg% vs 37.9 ± 18.0 mmHg%, P < 0.001) and decreased GWE ratio (95.5 ± 2.0% vs 97.4 ± 1.0%, P < 0.001) compared with the controls. Among the subgroups with elevating level of disease activity, SLE patients with preserved LVEF had a significantly higher GWW (61.6 ± 29.9 mmHg% to 96.2 ± 42.2 mmHg%, P for trend = 0.001) and markedly decreased GWE (96.4 ± 1.5% to 94.4 ± 2.0%, P for trend = 0.001). In two separate multiple linear regression analyses, SLEDAI were independently associated with GWW (β = 0.271, P = 0.005) and GWE (β = −0.354, P<0.001). ConclusionGWW and GWE are promising novel tools for the early detection of subclinical LV dysfunction. GWW and GWE could distinguish distinct patterns in different grades of SLEDAI.

Echocardiographic Study of Left Ventricular Pressure-Strain Loop in Evaluating Changes in Left Ventricular Myocardial Work in Breast Cancer Patients After Chemotherapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) in breast cancer patients following chemotherapy by left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LVPSL).A total of 50 patients with newly breast cancer undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy containing anthracycline were selected. Echocardiography was performed before the treatment (T0), the second (T2) and fourth (T4) cycles of chemotherapy, and 3 (P3 m) and 6 (P6 m) months after the end of chemotherapy. The standard dynamic images of the required sections were collected. After off-line analysis, the routine, global myocardial strain, and global MW parameters were obtained, and the average regional MW index (RMWI) and regional MW efficiency (RMWE) at three levels of LV were calculated.Compared with those at T0 and T2, the global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global work efficiency (GWE), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) gradually decreased and global wasted work (GWW) gradually increased at T4, P0, and P6 m. The mean RMWI and RMWE of the three levels of LV exhibited a gradually decreasing trend at T4, P0, and P6 m compared with those at T0 and T2. The GWI, GCW, GWE, mean RMWI, and RMWE (basal, medial, and apical) were negatively correlated with the GLS (r = -0.76, -0.66, -0.67, -0.76, -0.77, -0.66, -0.67, -0.59, and -0.61, respectively), whereas the GWW was positively correlated with the GLS (r = 0.55).The mean RMWI and RMWE are effective parameters to reflect the cardiotoxicity of LV, and LVPSL has certain value in the evaluation of the left ventricular myocardial work (LVMW) during anthracycline treatment and follow-up in breast cancer patients.

Correlation analysis between myocardial work indices and liver function classification in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis: A study with non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop.

Liver cirrhosis is closely associated with cardiac dysfunction. The aims of this study were to evaluate left ventricular systolic function in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis by non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop (LVPSL) technique, and to explore the correlation between myocardial work indices and liver function classification. According to the Child-Pugh classification, 90 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were further divided into three groups: Child-Pugh A group (n = 32), Child-Pugh B group (n = 31), and Child-Pugh C group (n = 27). During the same period, 30 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control (CON) group. Myocardial work parameters, which included global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE), were derived from the LVPSL and compared among the four groups. The correlation between myocardial work parameters and Child-Pugh liver function classification was evaluated, and the independent risk factors affecting left ventricular myocardial work in patients with cirrhosis were investigated by univariable and multivariable linear regression analysis. GWI, GCW and GWE of Child-Pugh B and C groups were lower than those of CON group, while GWW was higher than that of CON group, and the changes were more obvious in Child-Pugh C group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that GWI, GCW, and GWE were negatively correlated with liver function classification to various degrees (r = -0.54, -0.57, and -0.83, respectively, all P < 0.001), while GWW was positively correlated with liver function classification (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that GWE was positively correlated with ALB (β = 0.17, P < 0.001), and negatively correlated with GLS (β = -0.24, P < 0.001). The changes in the left ventricular systolic function in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were identified using non-invasive LVPSL technology, and myocardial work parameters are significantly correlated with liver function classification. This technique may provide a new method for the evaluation of cardiac function in patients with cirrhosis.

Global Left Ventricular Myocardial Work Efficiency in Patients With Severe Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

Assessment of left ventricular (LV) function plays a pivotal role in the management of patients with valvular heart disease, including those caused by rheumatic heart disease. Noninvasive LV pressure-strain loop analysis is emerging as a new echocardiographic method to evaluate global LV systolic function, integrating longitudinal strain by speckle-tracking analysis and noninvasively measured blood pressure to estimate myocardial work. The aim of this study was to characterize global LV myocardial work efficiency in patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) with preserved ejection fraction (EF). We retrospectively included adult patients with severe rheumatic MS with preserved EF (> 50%) and sinus rhythm. Healthy individuals without structural heart disease were included as a control group. Global LV myocardial work efficiency was estimated with a proprietary algorithm from speckle-tracking strain analyses, as well as noninvasive blood pressure measurements. A total of 45 individuals with isolated severe rheumatic MS with sinus rhythm and 45 healthy individuals were included. In healthy individuals without structural heart disease, the mean global LV myocardial work efficiency was 96% (standard deviation [SD], 2), Compared with healthy individuals, median global LV myocardial work efficiency was significantly worse in MS patients (89%; SD, 4; p < 0.001) although the LVEF was similar. Individuals with isolated severe rheumatic MS and preserved EF, had global LV myocardial work efficiencies lower than normal controls.

Subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: insights from noninvasive left ventricular myocardial work analysis

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with various cardiovascular diseases and has aroused public concern. Early detection for declining myocardial function is of great significance. This study was aimed at noninvasively evaluating the subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction with LV pressure–strain loop (PSL) in patients with OSAS having normal LV ejection fraction.MethodsWe enrolled 200 patients with OSAS who visited the Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between February 2021 and December 2021. According to the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the left ventricle was analyzed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. The LV PSL was used to assess global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE), and comparisons were made among groups.ResultsGLS was significantly lower in the severe group than in mild and moderate group. GWI, GCW, and GWE were lower in the severe group than in mild and moderate groups. GWW was significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild group. GLS, GWI, and GWE were moderately correlated with AHI (Spearman’s ρ = −0.468, −0.321, and −0.319, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas GCW and GWW showed a weak correlation with AHI (Spearman’s ρ = −0.226 and 0.255 respectively; P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses revealed AHI was independently associated with GWI after adjusting for SBP, GLS, e’, etc. AHI was independently associated with GCW after adjusting for SBP, GLS, etc.ConclusionsThe LV PSL is a new technique to noninvasively detect myocardial function deterioration in patients with OSAS and preserved LV ejection fraction. Increased severity of OSAS was independent associated with both decreased GWI and GCW.