Long-axis View Research Articles

Parasternal Versus Apical View in Cardiac Natural Mechanical Wave Speed Measurements.

Shear wave speed measurements can potentially be used to noninvasively measure myocardial stiffness to assess the myocardial function. Several studies showed the feasibility of tracking natural mechanical waves induced by aortic valve closure in the interventricular septum, but different echocardiographic views have been used. This article systematically studied the wave propagation speeds measured in a parasternal long-axis and in an apical four-chamber view in ten healthy volunteers. The apical and parasternal views are predominantly sensitive to longitudinal or transversal tissue motion, respectively, and could, therefore, theoretically measure the speed of different wave modes. We found higher propagation speeds in apical than in the parasternal view (median of 5.1 m/s versus 3.8 m/s, , n = 9 ). The results in the different views were not correlated ( r = 0.26 , p = 0.49 ) and an unexpectedly large variability among healthy volunteers was found in apical view compared with the parasternal view (3.5-8.7 versus 3.2-4.3 m/s, respectively). Complementary finite element simulations of Lamb waves in an elastic plate showed that different propagation speeds can be measured for different particle motion components when different wave modes are induced simultaneously. The in vivo results cannot be fully explained with the theory of Lamb wave modes. Nonetheless, the results suggest that the parasternal long-axis view is a more suitable candidate for clinical diagnosis due to the lower variability in wave speeds.

Impact of the distance from the chest wall to the heart on surface ECG voltage in athletes

ObjectiveAvailable ECG criteria for detection of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy have been reported to have limited diagnostic capability. Our goal was to describe how the distance between the chest wall...

A prospective randomized control trial of ultrasound guided internal jugular venous cannulation: The short versus the long axis approach.

Objectives: To compare the first pass success rate between long and short axis approaches in ultrasound guided IJV cannulation. Study Design: Prospective randomized controlled study. Setting: Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Period: Between 3rd Mar, 2016 to 2nd Sep, 2016. Material & Method: One hundred and ten patients admitted in the ICU were included in this study. Internal jugular vein was visualized ultrasonographically. In group A patients, long-axis view was used, while in group B patients, short-axis view was used to pass the needle. Under aseptic measures, US probe was placed on the neck and IJV viewed with either approach. During needle advancement if the needle penetrates the vein in the first attempt and blood flush-back is viewed, it was labeled as 1st pass success. This first pass success rate was noted. Results: One hundred and ten patients (55 in each group) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was found to be 33.89 ± 13.35 years in group A and 35.90 ± 14.10 years in group B. The primary outcome of the study was to compare 1st pass success rate in both groups. The first pass success rate was 74.5% in group B (short-axis) and 61.8% in group A (long-axis); independent sample test showed non-significant (P=0.219). There is no difference in the frequency of 1st pass success rate in short axis approach and long axis approach for Ultrasound-guided IJV cannulation. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided internal jugular venous cannulation with both approaches i.e. short-axis view and long-axis view have no significant difference in terms of first pass and therefore are equally successful.

Aortic valve area using computed tomography-derived correction factor to improve the validity of left ventricular outflow tract measurements.

Given the inherent inaccuracies stemming from the assumption that the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is circular, this study aimed to improve the accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-based aortic valve area (AVA) calculation using continuity equation (CE) by introducing a correction factor (CF) derived from multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) images and validate it in aortic stenosis (AS) patients. This retrospective study used MDCTA images of 400 patients for modeling and 403 TTE dataset for validation. Echocardiographic parasternal long-axis view was modeled using MDCTA, and LVOT diameter (D1) was measured. Direct planimetry of LVOT area was performed and subsequently converted into a theoretical circle. The assumed circle (D2) diameter was derived, and D2/D1 was calculated and termed as the CF. The CF was 1.13, and it improved the agreement between MDCTA- and TTE-derived LVOT areas and correlation between AVA and peak velocity, mean pressure gradient, and velocity ratio. In discordant subgroups of severe AS, the CF reclassified patients to moderate AS in 40% in the low flow (LF), low gradient (LG), and low ejection fraction (EF) group; 53% in the LF, LG, and normal EF group; and 68% in the LF, high gradient, and normal EF group. CF of 1.13 derived from MDCTA improved the accuracy of TTE-derived LVOT area and AVA and improved correlation with hemodynamic variables in AS patients. Reclassification of AS patients using CF may have clinical applicability for patient selection for early intervention.

1030 Usefulness of novel fully automated 2D speckle tracking software for left ventricular, left atrial, and right ventricular longitudinal strain analysis

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Philips Medical Systems Background Continuous efforts of EACVI-ASE strain standardization task force make inter-vendor variability of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) lower. However, observer variability is still a major source of measurement inconsistency. The adoption of fully automated 2D strain software has a potential to eliminate this problem. Purpose We aimed to validate the usefulness of novel fully automated LV, left atrial (LA), and right ventricular (RV) 2D speckle tracking software packages. Methods We retrospectively selected 91 healthy subjects who had undergone 2D echocardiography using a specific ultrasound machine (EPIQ, Philips Medical Systems). Standard apical 4-chamber, 2-chamber, and long-axis views which encompassed whole part of both left ventricle and left atrium and RV focused view were acquired in all subjects. Novel fully automated speckle tracking software packages (AutoStrain, QLAB 13.0) were used for measuring GLS on the three apical views, LA longitudinal strain (LALS) on the apical-4-chamber view, and RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVfwLS) on the RV-focused view. Image quality was assessed by 3-point scales (good, fair, and poor). Endocardial border detection was also classified into 3 groups (adequate, poor, and no detection). Endocardial border was manually adjusted, when required. Results of fully automated analysis and results with fully automated analysis + manual editing were compared. Results Mean age was 37 ± 13 years, and 61 subjects were men. The image quality was categorized more than "fair" in 80% of subjects. The software did not recognize LA border in 3 cases and RV border in 4 cases. Thus, the feasibility of fully automated LV, LA, and RV analysis were 100%, 97%, and 96%, respectively. LVGLS, LALS, and RVfwLS using fully automated approach were 19.7 ± 2.3%, 45.5 ± 11.6%, and 25.7 ± 5.6%, respectively. Manual correction was required in all cases. LVGLS, LALS, and RVfwLS after the manual editing were 18.9 ± 2.1%, 44.0 ± 10.4%, and 26.6 ± 6.4%. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the two methods were 0.86, 0.72, and 0.74. The fully automated analysis took 22 ± 2 sec, 11 ± 1 sec, and 10 ± 1 sec for the measurements of LVGLS, LALS, and RVfwLS. The corresponding values with manual editing were 98 ± 18 sec, 53 ± 12 sec, and 52 ± 12 sec, respectively. Inter-observer ICCs of LVGLS, LALS, and RVfwLS with fully automated approach were all 1.0, but corresponding values after the manual editing were 0.82, 0.74, and 0.79, respectively. Conclusions Novel fully automated 2D speckle tracking software packages provide LVGLS, LALS, and RVfwLS within one minute, and these values were well correlated with the corresponding values after the manual editing, especially for LVGLS. This is a time-saving approach for longitudinal strain analysis in the three cardiac chambers. Further studies should be required to validate their potential utility in clinical setting.

P1532 Segmental assessment of left ventricle in patients with Fabry"s disease

Abstract Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a rare X-linked metabolic disorder due to deficiency in lysosomal enzyme activity of a-galactosidase A, resulting in pathological accumulation of glycosphingolipids in several tissues and a progressive multi-organ dysfunction. The Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) of the left ventricle (LV) by Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has been show to detect subclinical cardiac involvement in many cardiomyopathies. The Mechanical Dispersion (MD), derived from STE is considered able to reflect a heterogeneous myocardial contraction, evaluated in many cardiopathies. A reduction in GLS was associated with myocardial fibrosis in the subclinical stages of AFD cardiomyopathy, but there is no MD data in AFD. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of GLS and MD of LV in patients with AFD. 47 consecutive AFD adult patients treated (37F, 12 M, age 45 + 17 years) were examined by a complete echocardiographic examination from a Vivid E95 ultrasound scanner (Horten, Norway). The STE post-processing was performed by Echopac 2.02, in apical long-axis, 4-chambers, and 2-chambers views to determine GLS and MD. Data were expressed as mean± standard deviation. The comparison between the AFD group and 20 normal subjects (N) was performed with unpaired T-test. Compared to N, the AFD group showed higher values of LVMi, LAVi, E/E’, and MD, but a lower value of GLS (Table). GLS was significantly lower in the basal (sept p<.002; post p<.0001) and mid segments (ant-sept p<.008; post p<.0001; ant p<.001). MD was significantly higher in the inferior (basal p<.003; mid p<.01; apical p<.005) and lateral segments (mid p<.004; apical p<.001). In patients with AFD, MD added to GLS seems to be a promising tool for the early diagnosis of segmental dysfunction . Table1: Results AFD N p< m SD m SD LVMi g/sqm 77.1 29.8 62.3 14.1 0.008 LVEF % 65.7 5 63.6 3.5 0.04 LAVi ml/sqm 25.5 11 18.2 4.5 0.000 E/E" 8.3 3 5.4 1.1 0.000 TV vmax m/s 2.2 0.4 2.1 0.3 - LV GLS % -17 4 -20 2 0.003 LV MD ms 52 38 29 8 0.000

Assessment of Left Ventricular Function after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation in Sever Aortic Stenosis: A Speckle Tracking Imaging Study

Background: Long standing aortic stenosis leads to elevated left ventricular (LV) pressure and as a result LV hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis shall increase. The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) usually remains adequately-preserved until advanced and late stages of aortic stenosis. But the preserved muscle of the LV is only limited to a portion of the entire myocardium. Speckle tracking echocardiography has proved its superiority to the standard two-dimensional echocardiography method in the detection of Left Ventricular (LV) function. Global Longitudinal strain (GLS) is considered as the most robust myocardial strain component. Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the early course of left ventricular reverse remodelling after Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) in patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis. Methods: 50 patients with severe symptomatic valvular aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI as decided by the heart team after comprehensive discussion. Standard transthoracic echocardiography including Doppler analysis was performed. 2D speckle-tracking strain assessment of Global radial, circumferential and longitudinal strain at parasternal mid-ventricular short-axis view (at the level of papillary muscle) and from the apical long-axis, two-chamber and four-chamber views with a frame rate between 40 and 80 frames per second. Tracing of endocardial borders was done. Patients with significant coronary artery disease were fully revascularized by percutaneous coronary intervention prior to the study and the procedure. Results: 23 (46%) patients were males, while 27 (54%) were females. The patients’ stratification according to comorbidities/associated risk factors revealed that 54% of the patients had DM, 86% were hypertensive, 38% had chronic kidney disease (CKD), and 32% had a previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The mean age for our study participants ranged from 60 to 92 years (Mean ± SD = 76.60 ± 5.96). Left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDd) was 44.24 ± 2.8 mm before TAVI that became 45.5 ± 2.6 mm after TAVI, and ejection fraction (EF) increased from 52.82 ± 6.3 before TAVI to 56.70 ± 5.4 after TAVI, both with highly significant difference (P P value less than 0.001. Global circumferential strain (GCS) also improved significantly from -20.14 ± 1.8 before TAVI to -21.72 ± 1.7 after TAVI with a P value less than 0.001. Global radial strain (GRS) also increased significantly from 37.38 ± 8 before TAVI to 41.68 ± 6.3 after TAVI with a P value less than 0.001. Conclusion: TAVI is effective in improving left ventricular function presented not only by ejection fraction (EF%), but also in global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global radial strain (GRS).

P1448 Thoracic aorta and circulating transforming growth factor-b in marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus

Abstract Purpose Current understanding of the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in Marfan syndrome (MS) focuses upon abnormal activity of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signalling pathway. Circulating TGF-β predicts cardiovascular events in patients with MS and is elevated in the entire spectrum of aortic syndromes. Marfanoid habitus (MH) patients not meeting the MS criteria (TAA, ectopia lentis, family history), but share the same skeletal features and are the part of the Marfan continuum. Our aim was to evaluate the possible role of elevated TGF-β level in the aortic dilatation at mid-term follow-up in Marfanoid habitus patients. Methods 33 consecutive patients with a presumptive clinical diagnosis of Marfan syndrome were referred to Almazov centre and enrolled in our observational, prospective, single-center study. Nine of them (mean age 27.9 ± 9.3) fulfilled diagnosis of MS according to revised Ghent criteria. 24 subjects (mean age 21.8 ± 3.4) with skeletal features of Marfanoid habitus have had no major findings of MS. Proximal aortic segments were visualized in the parasternal long-axis and suprasternal views. Concentration of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in serum was determined using a test system Human Platinum ELISA. End points analyzed during 5 years of follow-up were mortality, aortic-related events, and aortic dimension changes. Results During 122 person-years of the follow-up (median 5.1 years) no deaths or aortic-related events occurred in Marfanoid habitus patients. TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 serum levels were elevated in patients with Marfanoid habitus (14.2 ± 27.6 and 2.1 ± 1.7 ng/ml, respectively) but were lower than in MS group (44.6 ± 47.3 ng/ml, p = 0.03 and 2.7 ± 1.7 ng/ml, p = 0.39, respectively). A high TGF-β1 serum level (cutoff >14.75 ng/ml, provided by the manufacturer of our TGF-β assay) was detected in 44% and TGF-β2 (>2.0 ng/ml) in majority patients (67%) of the MS group. In Marfanoid habitus group we found a high TGF-β1 serum level only in 4 (17%) patients and TGF-β2 in 9 (38%) patients. Aortic diameter at the sinuses of Valsalva and Z-score were significantly lower in Marfanoid habitus group (29.2 ± 2.8 mm and 1.56 ± 0.93) than in MS patients (43.1 ± 15.1 mm, p = 0.0007 and 6.86 ± 5.83, p = 0.004) at the beginning of study and significantly increased during the follow-up (31.3 ± 2.9 mm and 1,69 ± 0,15, p < 0.001 for both). There was no correlation between TGF-β level and aortic dimensions in patients with MS and marfanoid habitus. Conclusion In young adults with Marfanoid habitus and the current absence of ascending aortic aneurysm we found the increased TGF-β level and aortic root enlargement during the follow-up. High TGF-β serum level may contribute to the excessive progression of aortic dilatation later over mid-to-late aging and requires further investigation to establish its role in the aortic aneurysm pathogenesis.

P668 Echocardiographic description of mitral annular disjunction in mitral valve prolapse and implication in arrhythmic risk stratification

Abstract Introduction Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is an anatomical variation of the mitral annulus, characterized by an atrial displacement of the leaflet’s hinge points. It is associated with severe ventricular arrhythmias (VA) in mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Purpose The aim of this study was to assess MAD in MVP by echocardiography, analyze the reproducibility of measurements and evaluate its importance for arrhythmic risk stratification along with strain analysis of myocardial deformation. Methods Two hundred and sixty patients with MVP were included. MAD was evaluated and measured by two observers in the parasternal long axis and in the apical views. Myocardial longitudinal strain was analyzed by speckle-tracking. Results Ninety four patients (36.2%) of MVP patients presented MAD. These patients were younger (53.7 ± 15.1 vs 58.4 ± 17.6, p = 0.033) with higher rate of atypical chest pain (21.3% vs 11.5%, p = 0,041) and bileaflet prolapse (50.5% vs 32.3%, p = 0.004). Para-sternal long-axis view was the incidence of choice to detect MAD with a moderate inter-observer concordance (Kappa of 0.55), good correlation (r = 0.69, p < 0.01) and inter-class correlation coefficient (0.82; 0.67 – 0.90). Twenty patients (7.7%) had a history of severe VA. Among them, no difference was noted in terms of presence (35% vs 36.3%, p = 0.911) or length of MAD (11.1 ± 2.5 vs 11.2 ± 3.1, p = 0.937). However, deformation analysis showed reduced global longitudinal strain (18.6 ± 3.1 vs 21.3 ± 3.3%, p = 0.001) and higher mechanical dispersion values (46 ± 13 vs 37.4 ± 12.9 ms, p = 0.002)in comparison to the rest of the MVP population. Conclusion No significant association was found between severe VA and the presence or severity of MAD in MVP patients. Increased mechanical dispersion and reduced global longitudinal strain may be helpful for arrhythmic risk stratification. Abstract P668 Figure. Comparison of MD and GLS

The association between epicardial adipose tissue thickness around the right ventricular free wall evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and left atrial appendage function.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). EAT thickness identified on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The relationship between EAT volume and left atrial appendage (LAA) function is not well-known. We aimed to investigate the associations between EAT thickness and LAA emptying flow velocity and LAA orifice area. This single-center retrospective study enrolled 202 patients who underwent both TTE and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). EAT thickness was measured on TTE in parasternal long-axis view. We measured LAA orifice areas in 41 patients with 3-dimensional TEE data. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationships between EAT thickness and LAA emptying flow velocity and LAA orifice area. We created a receiver operating characteristic curve for low LAA emptying flow velocity (< 20cm/s) and determined the best cutoff for EAT thickness according to the maximum Youden index. There was a significant negative correlation between EAT thickness and LAA emptying flow velocity (ρ = - 0.56, P < 0.001) and a significant positive correlation between EAT thickness and LAA orifice area (ρ = 0.38, P = 0.014). The best EAT thickness cutoff value for low LAA emptying flow velocity was > 5.1mm (c-statistics, 75.7%). A thickened EATT was associated with low LAA emptying flow velocity, which increases the risk of thromboembolic phenomena in the presence of AF.

3D Motion Estimation of Left Ventricular Dynamics Using MRI and Track-to-Track Fusion.

Objective: This study investigates the estimation of three dimensional (3D) left ventricular (LV) motion using the fusion of different two dimensional (2D) cine magnetic resonance (CMR) sequences acquired during routine imaging sessions. Although standard clinical cine CMR data is inherently 2D, the actual underlying LV dynamics lies in 3D space and cannot be captured entirely using single 2D CMR image sequences. By utilizing the image information from various short-axis and long-axis image sequences, the proposed method intends to estimate the dynamic state vectors consisting of the position and velocity information of the myocardial borders in 3D space. Method: The proposed method comprises two main components: tracking myocardial points in 2D CMR sequences and fusion of multiple trajectories correspond to the tracked points. The tracking which yields the set of corresponding temporal points representing the myocardial points is performed using a diffeomorphic nonrigid image registration approach. The trajectories obtained from each cine CMR sequence is then fused with the corresponding trajectories from other CMR views using an unscented Kalman smoother (UKS) and a track-to-track fusion algorithm. Results: We evaluated the proposed method by comparing the results against CMR imaging with myocardial tagging. We report a quantitative performance analysis by projecting the state vector estimates we obtained onto 2D tagged CMR images acquired from the same subjects and comparing them against harmonic phase estimates. The proposed algorithm yielded a competitive performance with a mean root mean square error of 1.3±0.5 pixels (1.8±0.6 mm) evaluated over 118 image sequences acquired from 30 subjects. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that fusing the information from short and long-axis views of CMR improves the accuracy of cardiac tissue motion estimation. Clinical Impact: The proposed method demonstrates that the fusion of tissue tracking information from long and short-axis views improves the binary classification of the automated regional function assessment.

P1344 Right ventricular mass: multimodality diagnostic approach to an incidental finding

Abstract Background Cardiac masses are rare entities and often diagnostically challenging. When incidentally found multimodality diagnostic approach is warranted for further characterization and evaluation of its contribution to the patient’s symptoms. Case report 62-year-old male, smoker, with a history of non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with radiation and chemotherapy 10 years ago, was admitted due to subacute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiogram showed subacute occlusion of partly collateralized RCA, subsequently treated with dilatation and stenting. Echocardiography revealed signs of dilated cardiomyopathy with severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (EF 20%), that could be due to chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity. On admission CTA was performed to exclude aortic dissection since the patient presented with very severe chest pain radiating to the back. It showed a heterogeneous formation within the right ventricle (RV) extending along the interventricular septum from the apex towards the tricuspid annulus, appearing to involve interventricular septum as well. According to the imaging characteristics the mass was suspected to be a liposarcoma (Figure A). With contrast echocardiography hypoechogenic formation in the RV on parasternal long-axis view could be visualized (Figure B). Due to previous history of malignancy PET scan was performed that revealed hypometabolic RV mass, suggesting a benign tumor, without any sign of metastasis. We decided for percutaneous biopsy that was done under intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) guidance using the view from the RV towards RV outflow tract (Figure C). Histology revealed proliferation of mature adipocytes, either orthotopic or multiplied (Figure D). To exclude well-differentiated liposarcoma FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) with amplification of MDM2 gene was undertaken, confirming benign lesion, most probably cardiac lipoma. It was concluded that the mass was an incidental finding, not related to the patient’s symptoms and not causing any functional disturbances; therefore surgical therapy could be avoided. Conclusion While echocardiography remains the first-line imaging modality, multimodality diagnostic approach is mandatory for evaluation and treatment decision of a newly-discovered cardiac mass. Histology provides definitive diagnosis and ICE could be helpful for guiding percutaneous biopsy, thus avoiding invasive open-heart procedures. Figure. Cardiac CTA (A), contrast echocardiography (B), intracardiac echocardiography (C) and histologic specimen (D) of the right ventricular mass (arrows). Abstract P1344 Figure.

P326 Changes in left atrial dimensions during stress echocardiography: linear vs planimetric methods

Abstract OnBehalf On behalf of the Stress Echo 2020 study group of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI) Background The measurement of left atrium (LA) can be obtained with simple linear or more complex biplane disk summation Simpson (S) method at rest and during stress echocardiography (SE). Although planimetric methods are mandatory to accurately assess resting LA volume, we sought to study if linear (L) methods can be equally valuable in assessing dynamic changes during SE. Purpose To assess accuracy of LA- SE with S compared to L method. Methods SE was performed in 34 patients (age 59 ± 16 years, 18 females) with known or suspected coronary artery disease. All had acceptable acoustic window at rest and were referred for clinically-driven SE (dobutamine in 21, dipyridamole in 13). LA was measured at rest and peak stress with both methods: 1- S biplane method from 4- and 2-chamber views; 2- L method with measurement of anteroposterior diameter from 2-D targeted M-mode in parasternal long-axis view. Two independent observers measured a set of 20 clips and repeated the measurements after 1 month on the same images. Stress-rest differences of L and S were compared with Spearman non-parametric correlation. Results LA measurement was obtained in all patients with L, 34/42 with S (feasibility 100%, and 80%, respectively). The off-line analysis time at each step (rest and stress) measured by stop-clock was 22.3 sec for L and 93 sec for S method (p &amp;lt; 0.001). The intra-rater intra-class correlation coefficient for L was 0.965 for single measures and 0.982 for average measures. For S, it was 0.830 in single measures and 0.907 for average measures. The inter-rater correlation coefficient for L was 0.920 for single measures and 0.958 for average measures. For S, it was 0.901 for single measures and 0.948 for average measures. Absolute LA dimensions were moderately correlated between S and L at rest (r = 0.61, p &amp;lt; 0.01), and during stress (r = 0.476, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Rest-stress variations were not correlated (r = 0.004, p = NS). Conclusion LA measurement is highly feasible during SE with L and S methods. Absolute values with both are only moderately correlated at rest, less at peak stress, and not correlated when only rest-to-stress variations are considered. Although L is more feasible, less time-consuming, and more reproducible, S should be the first choice for more accurate assessment of rest-stress LA dimensions in pharmacologic SE. Abstract P326 Figure. Correlation of LA rest-stress

539 Optimized multiparametric analysis of cardiac dyssynchrony: machine learning and prediction of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy based of the apical 4-chamber view

Abstract Aims. We hypothesized that a multiparametric evaluation, based on the combination of electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters, could enhance the appraisal of the likelihood of reverse remodeling and prognosis of favorable clinical evolution after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Also, we sought to test the respective value of automatically extracted parameters from left ventricular (LV) strain curves recorded in apical 4-chamber view as compared to the other echocardiographic views. Methods and results; This is a machine learning study based on a dataset of 161 patients who were treated by CRT according to current ESC-guidelines. The longitudinal strain curves of the 6 LV-segments of the left ventricle were plot for the three different apical views. Several features as times or integrals were extracted as previously published. These features were classified by importance using the out-of-bag method(fig1). Half of the most important features come from the 4-chamber view and a third from the 2-chamber view. The correlation between the most important features was studied to determine the relationship between them. Almost all the features from the 2-chamber and apical long-axis views are correlated with others and generally with one acquired from the 4-chamber view. Conclusion The high number of important features indicate the relevance of the 4-chamber as unique view for applying machine learning approaches on strain curves. Optimizing selection of patients for CRT should be possible just on the dataset coming from one apical 4-chamber view. Abstract 539 Figure. fig1

1093 Multi-modality imaging of a rare cause of constrictive physiology: pericardial ring

Abstract Introduction Proper pathophysiologic diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis (CP) usually mandates utilization of multiple diagnostic tools. We report a rare cause of constrictive pericarditis in a 33-year-old female presenting with painful epigastric pulsations, easy fatigability, and lower limb edema of 6 months duration. The patient had no past history of trauma, cardiac surgery, or tuberculosis. Trans-thoracic echocardiography (figure 1, panels A, parasternal long-axis view, and B, apical 4-chamber view) showed an echogenic band (arrow head) across the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles, with compressed RV cavity. Septal bounce, with shifting of the inter-ventricular septum towards the LV during deep inspiration, was noted; however, Doppler evaluation of the diastolic function was not conclusive of constriction. Cardiac magnetic resonance (figure 1, panel C) and computed tomography with 3D segmentation, using Materialise Mimics and 3-matic software (figure 1, panel D),showed an 8-mm thick, calcified pericardial ring (arrow head) encircling and indenting both ventricles at mid-cavitary level, resulting in bi-ventricular compression and dumbbell-shaped heart. Both ventricles were of average cavity size, with preserved LV size, systolic function and mildly impaired RV systolic function. Right heart catheterization confirmed the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. The patient was referred for surgical pericardiectomy. Conclusion Multi-modality imaging is integral for the diagnosis of CP. Our case represents a rare etiology of constrictive physiology. Abstract 1093 Figure 1

P687 Left atrial mass - a potential pitfall

Abstract Background. Echocardiography is an important diagnostic tool in differential diagnosis of retrosternal pain. Despite the high prevalence of hiatus hernia, a relatively small number of echocardiographically manifested cases have been reported. Case summary. A 75 y old female patient with rheumatic polymialgia and diabetes was admitted for progressive weakness, retrosternal pain and dyspnoea. Due to elevated levels of D-dimer and troponin I an urgent CT angiography was performed and a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was confirmed in the ER. Echocardiography showed a mildly hypertrophied left ventricle with normal EF, a mildly dilated right ventricle, moderate pulmonary hypertension 45 mmHg, and an apparent mass in the left atrium (picture). To further characterize the left atrial mass a cardiac MR angiography was made, that excluded potential cardiac tumor and confirmed that the suspected mass was a large hiatus hernia impressing the left atrium. Patient was treated with anticoagulant therapy due to PE and corticosteroids due to polymialgia and was discharged in improved condition. We also consulted thoracic surgeons regarding hernia and did not decide to operate on the hernia urgently but opted for conservative reflux measures and an outpatient follow up with barium contrast oesophagus imaging. Discussion. Hiatal hernia may exert a wide spectrum of manifestations mimicking acute cardiovascular events, from ECG changes to angina, dyspnoea and even syncope as a consequence of total compression of the left atrium. A history of known hiatus hernia and aforementioned clinical correlates postprandially may shed some clues. Echocardiographic features that may suggest a hiatus hernia include: 1. A large ill-defined mass filling the left atrial chamber from posteriorly, with its maximal size seen when imaged in a posterior plane. 2. Respiratory variation in the degree of encroachment of the mass on the left atrium. 3. Loss of the normal sharply defined sonolucency of the descending thoracic aorta in the apical 4-chamber and long-axis views due to superimposition of the hiatus hernia. 4. A swirling motion seen within the mass after consumption of effervescent fluids. 5. Occasionaly, identification of an inner lining reminiscent of gastric mucosa is possible. Various intracardiac or extrinsic lesions can resemble the echocardiographic appearance of hiatus hernia. Other potential causes of extracardiac masses that could encroach on the left atrium include structures such as aneurysm or dissection of the aorta, dilation of coronary sinus, abcesses, oesophageal carcinoma and other mediastinal space occupying structures. Conclusion. Hiatus hernia can simulate clinical and sonographic characteristics of cardiac disorders. Its echocardiographic manifestation may mimic a left atrial mass and must therefore be differentiated from such lesions. Abstract P687 Figure. Hiatal hernia mimicking LA mass(PLAX)

AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Fetal Echocardiography.

AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of Fetal Echocardiography.

Mitral annular calcification predicted major cardiovascular events in patients presented with acute coronary syndrome and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention

Background: Despite the presence of several clinical studies evaluating the association of atherosclerosis and MAC, no data is present regarding the value of MAC in predicting CV adverse events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Methods: Prospective, observational cohort study including 314 patients presented with ACS and underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). MAC was defined by increased echodensity located at the junction of the atrioventricular groove and posterior mitral leaflet on the parasternal long-axis, short-axis, or apical four-chamber view. Patients were followed for a median 25.1 (23.1–26.5) months for any occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).Results: Among 316 patients 46 (14%) had MAC. Seventy (22.1%) patients had MACE during the follow-up. Patients with MACE had higher creatinine, white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), peak troponin I, glucose level at admission compared to those without MACE. Age (HR = 1.026, 95% CI = 1.004–1.049; p = .023), myocardial blush grade (HR = 0.637, 95% CI = 0.480–0.846; p = .008), MAC (HR = 2.429, 95% CI = 1.126–5.239; p = .026), and WBC at admission (HR = 1.079, 95% CI = 1.007–1.157; p = .031) were independent predictors for MACE.Conclusion: In patients presented with ACS and underwent PCI, MAC detected by TTE was an independent predictor for MACE during the long-term follow-up.

Use of the Left Ventricular Internal Dimension at End-Diastole and the E-Point Septal Separation Ratio in the Prediction of the Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Midrange and Reduced Ejection Fractions: A Pilot Study

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of a new index, namely the left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole/mitral valve E-point septal separation (LVIDd/EPSS), to predict the left ventricular (LV) systolic function and to compare its performance with that of the EPSS index and to investigate the correlation between the LVIDd/EPSS and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: The current study recruited 142 patients who presented to the Cardiology Clinic of Sakarya University Education and Research Hospital and were followed for heart failure (HF).M-mode measurements of the EPSS and the LVIDd were recorded in the parasternal long-axis view. Results: Totally, 142 HF patients with midrange ejection fraction (HFmrEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) were enrolled in the study. There was a significantly correlation both between the EF and the EPSS and between the EF and the LVIDd/EPSS (P<0.001). In both HFmrEF and HFrEF groups, the correlation between the LVIDd/EPSS and the EF was more significant than was the correlation between the EPSS and the EF (P<0.001). The results of the linear regression analysis indicated that the LVIDd/EPSS was an independent predictor of the HFmrEF and the HFrEF (P<0.001). In the patients with EPSS≤12, there was a significant association between the EF and the LVIDd/EPSS (P<0.001) but not between the EF and the EPSS(P>0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the LVIDd/EPSS predicted advanced HF with 87% sensitivity and 72% specificity, using a cutoff value of 3.35,and it predicted the HFrEF (EF<40%) with 84% sensitivity and 81% specificity, using a cutoff value of 3.75. Conclusion: The LVIDd/EPSS may allow certain clinicians, especially beginners and emergency department physicians, to assess the LVEF when other methods are not available or questionable.

Echocardiogram Analysis Using Motion Profile Modeling.

Echocardiography is a widely used and cost-effective medical imaging procedure that is used to diagnose cardiac irregularities. To capture the various chambers of the heart, echocardiography videos are captured from different angles called views to generate standard images/videos. Automatic classification of these views allows for faster diagnosis and analysis. In this work, we propose a representation for echo videos which encapsulates the motion profile of various chambers and valves that helps effective view classification. This variety of motion profiles is captured in a large Gaussian mixture model called universal motion profile model (UMPM). In order to extract only the relevant motion profiles for each view, a factor analysis based decomposition is applied to the means of the UMPM. This results in a low-dimensional representation called motion profile vector (MPV) which captures the distinctive motion signature for a particular view. To evaluate MPVs, a dataset called ECHO 1.0 is introduced which contains around 637 video clips of the four major views: a) parasternal long-axis view (PLAX), b) parasternal short-axis (PSAX), c) apical four-chamber view (A4C), and d) apical two-chamber view (A2C). We demonstrate the efficacy of motion profile-vectors over other spatio-temporal representations. Further, motion profile-vectors can classify even poorly captured videos with high accuracy which shows the robustness of the proposed representation.