Circumferential Strain Measurements Research Articles

Increasing region of interest width reduces neonatal circumferential strain.

There is growing interest in speckle tracking echocardiography-derived strain as a measure of left ventricular function in neonates. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the effect of image acquisition and processing parameters on circumferential strain measurements. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using different region of interest (ROI) widths on speckle tracking derived circumferential strain in healthy neonates. Thirty healthy-term-born neonates were examined with speckle-tracking echocardiography in the short-axis view. Circumferential strain values were acquired and compared using two different ROI widths. Furthermore, strain values in the different vendor-defined wall layers were also compared. Increasing ROI width led to a decrease in global circumferential strain (GCS) in the midwall and epicardial layers, the respective decreases in strain being -23.4±.6% to -22.0±1.1%, p<.0001 and 18.5±1.7% to -15.6±2.0%, p<.0001. Segmental analyses were consistent with these results, apart from two segments in the midwall. There was no statistically significant effect on strain for the endocardial layer. A gradient was seen where strain increased from the epicardial to endocardial layers. Increasing ROI width led to a decrease in GCS in the midwall and epicardium. There is an increase in circumferential strain when moving from the epicardial toward the endocardial layer. Clinicians wishing to implement circumferential strain into their practice should consider ROI width variation as a potential confounder in their measurements.

Evaluation of the relation between subclinical systolic dysfunction defined by four-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and growth differentiation factor-15 levels in patients with acromegaly.

In patients with acromegaly, the long-term presence of elevated GH and IGF-1 levels is associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. We aimed to assess the relationship of four-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic (4DSTE) measurements with growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) levels and the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score (FRS) in patients with acromegaly. A single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted. The study included 40 acromegaly and 32 age- and gender-matched controls. Anthropometric, biochemical, and echocardiographic assessments were performed. GDF-15 levels were measured using ELISA. In the controlled acromegaly group, global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), area (GAS), and radial (GRS) strain measurements identified by 4DSTE were lower than those of the controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, strain parameters were lower in active acromegaly patients than in controls, but the difference was not statistically significant. The GLS was negatively correlated with age, the estimated disease duration, and FRS. Serum GDF-15 levels showed no significant difference between the acromegaly and control groups. In patients with acromegaly, serum GDF-15 levels were positively correlated with age, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, FRS, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c, but not with strain parameters. The multiple regression analysis revealed that FRS was an independent factor associated with serum GDF-15 levels in patients with acromegaly and the overall cohort (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrates that while LVEF was within normal limits, global strain parameters (GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS) measured by using a novel imaging technique, 4DSTE, were lower in patients with acromegaly, suggesting the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction in patients with acromegaly. GDF-15 can be a potential predictor of cardiovascular risk in patients with acromegaly.

Intraoperative Augmented Rotation and Circumferential Strain Compensate for Reduction of Left Ventricular Longitudinal Function After On-Pump CABG Surgery

Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function is reduced after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), while global LV function often is preserved. There are only limited data on the underlying compensatory mechanism. Therefore, the authors aimed to describe intraoperative changes of LV contractile pattern by myocardial strain analysis. A prospective observational study. At a single university hospital. A total of 30 patients scheduled for isolated on-pump CABG with an uneventful intraoperative course and preoperative preserved LV and RV function, sinus rhythm, without more-than-mild heart valve disease, or elevated pulmonary pressure. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed after induction of anesthesia (T1), after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (T2), and after sternal closure (T3). Echocardiographic evaluation was performed under stable hemodynamics, in sinus rhythm or atrial pacing, and vasopressor support with norepinephrine ≤0.1 µg/kg/min. EchoPAC v204 software (GE Vingmed Ultrasound AS, Norway) was used for analysis of 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) LV ejection fraction (EF), LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV global circumferential strain (GCS), LV global radial strain (GRS), LV apical rotation (aRot), LV basal rotation (bRot), and LV twist. Strain analysis was feasible in all included patients after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass (T2). Although there were no significant differences in the values of conventional echocardiographic parameters during the intraoperative interval, GLS deteriorated significantly after CABG compared to pre-bypass assessment (T1 v T2, -13.4% ± 2.9 v -11.8% ± 2.9; p=0.007). GCS improved significantly after surgery (T1 v T2, -19.4% (IQR -17.1% to -21.2%) v -22.8% (IQR -21.1% to -24.7%); p < 0.001) as well as aRot (T1 v T2, -9.7° (IQR -7.1° to -14.1°) v -14.5° (IQR -12.1° to -17.1°); p < 0.001), bRot (T1 v T2, 5.1° (IQR 3.8°-6.7°) v 7.2° (IQR 5.6°-8.2°); p=0.02), and twist (T1 v T2, 15.8° (IQR 11.7°-19.4°) v 21.6° (IQR 19.2°-25.1°); p < 0.001), while GRS remained unchanged. There were no significant changes in the values of GLS, GCS, GRS, aRot, bRot, or twist, as well as in the values of 2D and 3D LV EF before and after sternal closure (T2 v T3). Beyond evaluation of longitudinal LV strain, measurements of circumferential and radial strain, as well as LV rotation and twist mechanics, were feasible in the intraoperative course of this study. Reduction of longitudinal function after on-pump CABG was compensated intraoperatively by improvement of GCS and rotation in the authors' group of patients. Perioperative assessment of GCS, GRS, as well as rotation and twist, might provide deeper insight into perioperative changes of cardiac mechanics.

Novel Findings of Early Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients With Childhood-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Layer-Specific Strain Analysis.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases than healthy individuals, owing to persistent chronic inflammation and treatment effects. This study aimed to assess left ventricular function in patients with childhood-onset IBD using layer-specific strain analysis and to identify early indicators of cardiac dysfunction in them. A total of 47 patients with childhood-onset ulcerative colitis (UC), 20 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 75 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included in this study. Conventional echocardiographic measurements of layer-specific (ie, endocardium, midmyocardium, and epicardium) global longitudinal strain and global circumferential strain (GCS) were evaluated in these participants. Layer-specific strain analysis showed that global longitudinal strain was lower in all layers for the UC (P < .001) and CD (P < .001) groups, regardless of the age at onset, but that GCS was only lower in the midmyocardial (P = .032) and epicardial (P = .018) layers in the CD group than in the control group. Although the mean left ventricular wall thickness was not significantly different among the groups, it was significantly correlated with the GCS of the endocardial layer in the CD group (ρ= -0.615; P = .004), suggesting that thickening of the left ventricular wall occurred as a compensatory mechanism to maintain the endocardial strain in the CD group layer. Children and young adults with childhood-onset IBD displayed decreased midmyocardial deformation. Layer-specific strain could also be useful to identify indicators of cardiac dysfunction in patients with IBD.

Highly accelerated free-breathing real-time myocardial tagging for exercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BackgroundExercise cardiovascular magnetic resonance (Ex-CMR) myocardial tagging would enable quantification of myocardial deformation after exercise. However, current electrocardiogram (ECG)-segmented sequences are limited for Ex-CMR. MethodsWe developed a highly accelerated balanced steady-state free-precession real-time tagging technique for 3 T. A 12-fold acceleration was achieved using incoherent sixfold random Cartesian sampling, twofold truncated outer phase encoding, and a deep learning resolution enhancement model. The technique was tested in two prospective studies. In a rest study of 27 patients referred for clinical CMR and 19 healthy subjects, a set of ECG-segmented for comparison and two sets of real-time tagging images for repeatability assessment were collected in 2-chamber and short-axis views with spatiotemporal resolution 2.0 × 2.0 mm2 and 29 ms. In an Ex-CMR study of 26 patients with known or suspected cardiac disease and 23 healthy subjects, real-time images were collected before and after exercise. Deformation was quantified using measures of short-axis global circumferential strain (GCS). Two experienced CMR readers evaluated the image quality of all real-time data pooled from both studies using a 4-point Likert scale for tagline quality (1-excellent; 2-good; 3-moderate; 4-poor) and artifact level (1-none; 2-minimal; 3-moderate; 4-significant). Statistical evaluation included Pearson correlation coefficient (r), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and coefficient of variation (CoV). ResultsIn the rest study, deformation was successfully quantified in 90% of cases. There was a good correlation (r = 0.71) between ECG-segmented and real-time measures of GCS, and repeatability was good to excellent (ICC = 0.86 [0.71, 0.94]) with a CoV of 4.7%. In the Ex-CMR study, deformation was successfully quantified in 96% of subjects pre-exercise and 84% of subjects post-exercise. Short-axis and 2-chamber tagline quality were 1.6 ± 0.7 and 1.9 ± 0.8 at rest and 1.9 ± 0.7 and 2.5 ± 0.8 after exercise, respectively. Short-axis and 2-chamber artifact level was 1.2 ± 0.5 and 1.4 ± 0.7 at rest and 1.3 ± 0.6 and 1.5 ± 0.8 post-exercise, respectively. ConclusionWe developed a highly accelerated real-time tagging technique and demonstrated its potential for Ex-CMR quantification of myocardial deformation. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical utility of our technique.

Pediatric Normal Values and Z Score Equations for Left and Right Ventricular Strain by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Derived from a Large Cohort of Healthy Children

Strain values vary with age in children and are both vendor and platform specific. Philips QLAB 10.8 and TomTec AutoSTRAIN are two widely used strain analysis platforms, and both incorporate recent European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging/American Society of Echocardiography/Industry Task Force to Standardize Deformation Imaging guidelines. The aims of this study were to establish normal strain values and Z scores for both platforms using a large data set of healthy children and to compare values among these two platforms and a previous version, QLAB 10.5, which predated the task force guidelines. Echocardiograms from 1,032 subjects <21years old with structurally and functionally normal hearts were included. Images were obtained on the Philips EPIQ platform. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) strain was analyzed using QLAB 10.8 and AutoSTRAIN, and measurement reliability was assessed. Z score equations were derived as a function of age for QLAB 10.8 (LV longitudinal and circumferential strain) and AutoSTRAIN (LV and RV longitudinal strain). A subset (n=309) was analyzed using QLAB 10.5. Strain values were compared among the three platforms. For both of the newer platforms, strain varied with age, with magnitude reaching a maximum at 4 to 5years. For LV longitudinal strain, the largest differences in value were observed in the youngest patients when using QLAB 10.5; the other two platforms were similar. LV circumferential strain measurements (QLAB 10.5 vs QLAB 10.8) were different for all ages, as were measurements of RV longitudinal strain (QLAB 10.8 vs AutoSTRAIN). Reliability was greater for AutoSTRAIN than for QLAB 10.8 and greater for LV than for RV strain. Normal RV and LV strain values and Z scores were generated from a large cohort of children for two commonly used platforms in pediatric echocardiography laboratories. Following the incorporation of task force guidelines, the greatest improvement in standardization was seen in infants. Small differences persist between modern platforms; however, these results support the cautious consideration of comparing interplatform measurements.

Abstract 12059: Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography Derived Global Circumferential Strain Predicts Adverse Outcomes in Cardiac Sarcoidosis With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Introduction: Risk stratification in cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) remains challenging, especially in those with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Myocardial strain parameters are more sensitive than LVEF for detecting early sub-clinical myocardial dysfunction, but their prognostic value in CS is not known. Methods: We investigated consecutive newly diagnosed CS patients between 2015 and 2018. All patients underwent 2D echocardiography including global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) measurement, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and FDG-PET imaging to derive the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax). The LGE score was quantified as the number of myocardial segments with LGE. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were all-cause death, sustained ventricular arrhythmia (VA), device implantation and new onset heart failure (HF) admission. Results: A total of 120 patients were included with age of 55±12 years; 87% were Caucasian, 43% had hypertension and 13% had diabetes. Mean LVEF was 55±12.3%, GLS was -13.4±4.2%, GCS was -16.0±5.6% and regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) occurred in 36% of cases. During median follow-up of 4.3 years, 43 patients experienced MACE consisting of 15 deaths, 19 VAs, 7 devices and 2 HF admissions. In multivariate analysis syncope, ethnicity, echo-derived left atrial volume and RWMA were independent predictors of MACE along with CMR-derived right ventricular EF and LGE score. Although GLS and GCS were lower in those with MACE, neither had independent prognostic value. SUVmax was also not predictive of events. In a subgroup analysis of the 86 patients with LVEF ≥50%, 20 patients experienced MACE. Multivariate analysis showed non-Caucasian ethnicity (HR 3.18 [95% CI 1.02-9.88]; P = 0.04), RWMA (HR 3.76 [95% CI 1.29-10.98]; P = 0.02), LGE-score (HR 1.26 95% CI 1.05-1.51]; P = 0.01 and GCS (HR 1.18 [95% CI 1.04-1.36]; P = 0.01) were independent predictors of MACE. A GCS value above the optimal cut-off of -16.4% was associated with a worse outcome (log-rank P = 0.005). Conclusion Ethnicity, RWMA and LGE-score are robust markers of outcome in newly diagnosed CS. Reduced GCS provides additional prognostic information in those with preserved LVEF.

Diffuse myocardial fibrosis precedes subclinical functional myocardial impairment and provides prognostic information in systemic sclerosis.

Myocardial involvement is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and causes myocardial fibrosis and subtle ventricular dysfunction. However, the temporal onset of myocardial involvement during the progression of the disease and its prognostic value are yet unknown. We used cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) to investigate subclinical functional impairment and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in patients with very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) and established SSc and examined whether this was associated with mortality. One hundred and ten SSc patients (86 established SSc, 24 VEDOSS) and 15 healthy controls were prospectively recruited. The patients were followed-up for a median duration of 7.0 years (interquartile range 6.0-7.3 years). Study subjects underwent CMR including assessment of myocardial fibrosis [native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV)] and measurement of global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS) myocardial strain. Native T1 values and ECV were elevated in VEDOSS and SSc patients compared with controls (P < 0.001). GLS was similar in VEDOSS and controls but significantly impaired in patients with established SSc (P < 0.001). GCS was similar over all groups (P = 0.88). There were 12 deaths during follow-up. Elevated native T1 [hazard ratio (HR) 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-20.4; P = 0.006] and reduced GLS (HR 6.1, 95% CI: 1.3-29.9; P = 0.038) identified subjects with increased risk of death. Only native T1 was predictive for cardiovascular mortality (P < 0.001). Subclinical myocardial involvement first manifests as diffuse myocardial fibrosis identified by the expansion of ECV and increased native T1 in VEDOSS patients while subtle functional impairment only occurs in established SSc. Native T1 and GLS have prognostic value for all-cause mortality in SSc patients.

Age- and sex-specific reference values of biventricular strain and strain rate derived from a large cohort of healthy Chinese adults: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking study

BackgroundAs a noninvasive tool, myocardial deformation imaging may facilitate the early detection of cardiac dysfunction. However, normal reference ranges of myocardial strain and strain rate (SR) based on large-scale East Asian populations are still lacking. This study aimed to provide reference values of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) strain and SR based on a large cohort of healthy Chinese adults using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking (FT).MethodsFive hundred and sixty-six healthy Chinese adults (55.1% men) free of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were included. On cine CMR, biventricular global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strain (GRS, GCS, and GLS), and the peak radial, circumferential, and longitudinal systolic, and diastolic SRs (PSSRR, PSSRC, PSSRL, PDSRR, PDSRC, and PDSRL), and regional radial and circumferential strain at the basal, mid-cavity, and apical levels were measured. Associations of global and regional biventricular deformation indices with age and sex were investigated.ResultsWomen demonstrated greater magnitudes of LV GRS (37.6 ± 6.1% vs. 32.1 ± 5.3%), GCS (− 20.7 ± 1.9% vs. − 18.8 ± 1.9%), GLS (− 17.8 ± 1.8% vs. − 15.6 ± 1.8%), RV GRS (25.1 ± 7.8% vs. 22.1 ± 6.7%), GCS (− 14.4 ± 3.6% vs. − 13.2 ± 3.2%), GLS (− 22.4 ± 5.2% vs. − 20.2 ± 4.6%), and biventricular peak systolic and diastolic SR in all three coordinate directions (all P < 0.05). For the LV, aging was associated with increasing amplitudes of GRS, GCS, and decreasing amplitudes of PDSRR, PDSRC, PDSRL (all P < 0.05). For the RV, aging was associated with an increase in the magnitudes of GRS, GCS, GLS, PSSRR, PSSRC, PSSRL, and a decrease in the magnitude of PDSRR, PDSRC (all P < 0.05). Biventricular radial and circumferential strain measurements at the basal, mid-cavity, and apical levels were all significantly related to age and sex in both sexes (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsWe provide age- and sex-specific normal values of biventricular strain and SR based on a large sample of healthy Chinese adults with a broad age range. These results may be served as a reference standard for cardiac function assessment, especially for the Chinese population.

Reproducibility of global and segmental myocardial strain using cine DENSE at 3\xa0T: a multicenter cardiovascular magnetic resonance study in healthy subjects and patients with\xa0heart disease

BackgroundWhile multiple cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) methods provide excellent reproducibility of global circumferential and global longitudinal strain, achieving highly reproducible segmental strain is more challenging. Previous single-center studies have demonstrated excellent reproducibility of displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) segmental circumferential strain. The present study evaluated the reproducibility of DENSE for measurement of whole-slice or global circumferential (Ecc), longitudinal (Ell) and radial (Err) strain, torsion, and segmental Ecc at multiple centers.MethodsSix centers participated and a total of 81 subjects were studied, including 60 healthy subjects and 21 patients with various types of heart disease. CMR utilized 3 T scanners, and cine DENSE images were acquired in three short-axis planes and in the four-chamber long-axis view. During one imaging session, each subject underwent two separate DENSE scans to assess inter-scan reproducibility. Each subject was taken out of the scanner and repositioned between the scans. Intra-user, inter-user-same-site, inter-user-different-site, and inter-user-Human-Deep-Learning (DL) comparisons assessed the reproducibility of different users analyzing the same data. Inter-scan comparisons assessed the reproducibility of DENSE from scan to scan. The reproducibility of whole-slice or global Ecc, Ell and Err, torsion, and segmental Ecc were quantified using Bland–Altman analysis, the coefficient of variation (CV), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). CV was considered excellent for CV ≤ 10%, good for 10% < CV ≤ 20%, fair for 20% < CV ≤ 40%, and poor for CV > 40. ICC values were considered excellent for ICC > 0.74, good for ICC 0.6 < ICC ≤ 0.74, fair for ICC 0.4 < ICC ≤ 0.59, poor for ICC < 0.4.ResultsBased on CV and ICC, segmental Ecc provided excellent intra-user, inter-user-same-site, inter-user-different-site, inter-user-Human-DL reproducibility and good–excellent inter-scan reproducibility. Whole-slice Ecc and global Ell provided excellent intra-user, inter-user-same-site, inter-user-different-site, inter-user-Human-DL and inter-scan reproducibility. The reproducibility of torsion was good–excellent for all comparisons. For whole-slice Err, CV was in the fair-good range, and ICC was in the good–excellent range.ConclusionsMulticenter data show that 3 T CMR DENSE provides highly reproducible whole-slice and segmental Ecc, global Ell, and torsion measurements in healthy subjects and heart disease patients.

The Use of Two Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Veterinary Cardiology

The aim of this study is to present short-axis radial and circumferential strain and strain rate measurements by speckle tracking echocardiography technique in healthy cats and dogs. The study was performed at Small Animal Training and Research Hospital, Ankara University. Retrospective data from cats (n=5) and dogs (n=5), which are applied to the animal hospital for cardiological examination, were analyzed. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography was performed without sedation, and patients were manually restrained in the right and left lateral positions. Peak systolic radial strain, radial strain rate, circumferential strain, circumferential strain rate means were 24.47 ± 1.22%, 0.29 ± 0.20 s-1, -15.33 ± 2.56%, 0.05 ± 0.27 s-1 respectively for cats and were 39.33 ± 14.02%,-0.47s -1 ± 0.55 s-1, -23.13 ± 1.53%, -0.63 s-1± 0.18 s-1 respectively for dogs. It is thought that speckle tracking echocardiography can be included in routine echocardiographic examinations because this technique provides detailed information for determining the systolic potential of the left ventricle and the examination time is not much different compared to conventional echocardiographic examinations.

Differences in left ventricular twisting and different strains in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction versus patients with arterial hypertension

Abstract Patients with advanced arterial hypertension (HPT) without heart failure often have left ventricular (LV) changes similar to hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). We assumed that cardiac mechanics may be different in both groups. Methods We study 58 patients (23 female) with HPT and with left ventricular concentric hypertrophy (LVH) as well as negative diastolic stress test and 52 HPT patients (29 female) with HFpEF NYHA II-III 72±5 years. All patients where in sinus rhythm. HPT and HFpEF patients has comparable degree of LV mass index (LVMI 85.3±8.6 g/m2 vs 86.2±8.9 g/m2, P=NS). Incidence of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease or chronic obstructive lung disease was comparable between groups. 43 sex and age matched healthy subjects served as control (C). Comprehensive 2D/3D echocardiography (EchoCG) with offline measurements of longitudinal (LS), circumferential (CS) and radial strain (RS) global values of entire walls and 3 myocardial layers, LV twist (LVT)was performed before and after symptom limited or heart rate of 120 bpm limited diastolic stress test. Results HPT and HFpEF patients had significantly lower absolute values LS, CS, AS, as well as lower values of RS, and LVT compared with controls at rest and after stress test. The values of LS, RS and LVT did not significantly differ at rest in HPT patients and HFpEF patients, but HFpEF patients had lower values of global CS (GCS) due to reduction only in endocardial layer CS (ECS) (LS: 16.4±5.2% vs 16,8±5.9, p=0.07; ECS: 10.9±2,3% vs 17.3±4.1%, p&amp;lt;0.01; GCS: 12.8±3.5% vs 15.1±2.1%, p&amp;lt;0.03; RS: 29.7±10.2% vs 31.1±12.4%, p=0.06; LVT: 2.3±1.4deg vs 2.6±1.7deg, p=0.06). After diastolic stress test patients with HFpEF had significantly lower values of LVT and GCS compared with HPT patients (LVT: 1.8±0.9deg vs 3.4±1.8deg, p&amp;lt;0.001; GCS: 10.4±2.7% vs 17.1±3.4%, p&amp;lt;0.01). We also found greater relative increase (RI) in endocardial LS and LVT in patients with HPT after stress test compared with HFpEF patients, RI of other parameters did not differ between these two groups (RI ELS: 16±2.1% vs 10.5±1,7%, p&amp;lt;0.03; RI LVT 33.3±6,4% vs −21.7±4.1%, p&amp;lt;0.0001). ECS had the diagnostic value to predict HFpEF (area under curve 0.874), RI LVT was the best predictor of HFpEF symptoms (area under curve 0.912) with cut off value 22.3%. Conclusion ECS is reduced in HFpEF patients compared with HPT patients with the same degree of structural abnormalities on conventional EchoCG and is a predictor of HFpEF. HPT patients have more relative improvement in ELS during stress test compared with HFpEF patients. RI LVT was the best predictor of HFpEF symptoms. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): City Hall resources

Evaluation of myocardial strain assessed by CMR tissue-tracking to predict adverse cardiovascular events in patients with cardiac amyloidosis

Abstract Background Cardiac affectation in amyloidosis is presented among 50% patients what implies worse prognostic. Early diagnosis and prognostic stratification is mandatory after the appearance of new therapies that could modify the course of the disease. Purpose The aim of our study was to assess the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance parameters, including Tissue deformation, in cardiac amyloidosis patients. Methods We recruited patients (p) prospectively followed in our cardiomyopathy unit, for a mean period of 10 years (from 2010 to 2020) who were diagnosed with CA. Baseline clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic data were obtained. Contrast-enhanced CMR was performed on a 1.5 T clinical scanner. Routine analysis was performed with a semi-automatic software for volumetric analysis. When late gadolinium enhancement was present, percentage of area of enhancement (LGE) was calculated.All strain parameters were measured off-line using dedicated software. Left ventricular circumferential strain (CS) measurements were obtained using mid-ventricular level short-axis cine views. Longitudinal strain (LS) derived from cine SSFP of 2-, 3-, and 4-chamber long axis views.Finally we evaluated the CMR parameters related with the combined event of mortality and heart failure in the follow-up. Results A total of 98 p were included, with a mean age of 67.5±16.9 years old. Mean follow-up was 42,2±32 months. 22 p (24,4%) had light-chain amyloidosis (AL), 34 p (37,8%) wild type transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRwt) and 34 p (37,8%) familiar transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRm). 59p (60,8%) died or present heart failure during the follow-up. Patients who died or present heart failure in the follow-uo had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (48,25±12,2% vs 56,13±11,03%, p=0,003), higher myocardial mass (156,05±54,8g vs 120,84±56,1g, p=0,007), higher LGE (8,6±6,8% vs 4,4±2%), worst GLS (−14,76±6,1% vs −18,67±6,2%) and worst GCS (−23,3±9,7% vs −30,04±9,1%). Both, GLS and GCS were independently associated with the combined event of dead or heart failure when evaluated within a multivariate analysis in a Cox regression model, but GCS was the stronger predictor of events in the follow-up over other CMR parameters like LGE an myocardial mass (p&amp;lt;0,001). Tertile distribution for GCS identified subgroups with different adverse events, particularly for the lowest-risk tertile: GCS &amp;lt;−34%, who had a combinated event in 13,6% of cases, significantly lower than patients in the mid-risk tertile (41,5%) and highest-risk tertile (53,8%) (Log-rank p=0,02) Conclusion Mortality and appearance of heart failure in cardiac amyloid patients is high. The assessment of myocardial strain parameters by CMR tissue-tracking in this population is useful to predict adverse outcomes in the follow-up. Particularly, GCS, stratify patients in subgroups with different risk of events, with added value to classical CMR parameters. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Death &amp; Heart Failure by GCS

The Value of 4D Speckle-Tracking Strain Echocardiography in Evaluating the Relationship Between Asprosin and Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Levels and Subclinical Systolic Dysfunction in Patients With Acromegaly and Prolactinoma

Introduction: In patients with acromegaly and prolactinoma, the long-term presence of elevated GH and PRL levels is associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. Early recognition of dysfunctions related to cardiovascular complications, which can be a significant contributor to mortality, is important. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of four-dimensional speckle-tracking strain echocardiographic (4DSTE) measurements with asprosin, GDF-15 levels, and the Framingham cardiovascular risk score (FRS) in patients with acromegaly and prolactinoma. Methods: The study included 41 acromegaly [20F/21M, age: 49 (41-57)], 29 prolactinoma patients [18F/11M, age: 40 (28-48)] and 33 healthy control subjects [15F/18M, age: 48 (37-54)]. Data are presented as median with interquartile ranges (IQR). Anthropometric, biochemical and echocardiographic measurements were performed. Asprosin and GDF-15 levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Plasma asprosin concentration in the prolactinoma group [2.4 ng/mL (0.0-9.7)] was significantly lower than the concentration in both the acromegaly group [6.8 ng/mL (2.6-9.9)] and the control group [10.2 ng/mL (2.3-18.0)] (p=0.022 and p=0.006, respectively). In the study population, asprosin levels were positively correlated with age, FRS, and GDF-15 levels (r=0.361, p<0.001; r=0.275, p=0.005 and r=0.240, p=0.015; respectively). Plasma GDF-15 concentration was lower in prolactinoma group [262.2 pg/mL (169.3-336.1)] than in the acromegaly [332.5 pg/mL (257.4-438.8)] and control groups [331.3 pg/mL (233.6-428.9)] (p=0.008 and p=0.047, respectively). In multiple linear regression analysis, GDF-15 level was independently positively related to the FRS in both patient groups (p<0.001). FRS was highest in patients with acromegaly (p=0.004). In 2DE; the left ventricular ejection fraction although within normal limits, was lower in acromegaly [63% (63-65)] and prolactinoma [63% (60-65)] patients compared to the healthy controls [66% (63-68)] (p=0.003). In both acromegaly and prolactinoma groups; global longitudinal, circumferential, areal and radial strain measurements identified by 4DSTE were lower than the control group (acromegaly: p=0.007, p=0.008, p=0.015, p=0.008; prolactinoma: p=0.033, p=0.019, p=0.030, p=0.025, respectively). In contrast, diastolic functions were evaluated as normal in 85% of acromegaly patients, 86% of prolactinoma patients, and 93% of the control group (p=0.365). Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate the isolated subclinical systolic dysfunction identified by four-dimensional echocardiography in patients with acromegaly and prolactinoma. Asprosin may be associated with cardiovascular diseases in addition to its role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and GDF-15 can be used as a biomarker to predict cardiovascular risk in these patient groups.

Electromechanical changes of the myocardium after anthracycline chemotherapy

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background and objectives The most common side effects of chemotherapeutics in breast cancer is on the cardiovascular system. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is the only parameter recommended for follow-up in current guidelines with limited evidence. Other strain imaging parameters and electrical changes after chemotherapy is not well studied. It is not known whether electrical or mechanical changes occur initially. The aim of this study is to evaluate repolarization parameters on ECG and mechanical changes together after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Subjects and method Consecutive patients who received chemotherapy due to breast cancer were included. Strain echocardiography and ECGs were performed pre-treatment (T0) and 3rd month after chemotherapy (T2). Additionally, just in three hours of first dose of chemotherapy (T1) another ECG was performed. QT and QT correction for heart rate (QTc), QT dispersion (QT disp) and QTc dispersion (QTc disp), T wave peak to end time (Tpe) and Tpe corrected for QT-QTc measurements were performed (figüre 1 and 2). GLS, longitudinal strain for myocardial layers, circumferential strain (CS), radial strain (RS) and torsion measurements were performed. All mechanical and electrical parameters from different time intervals were compared. Results Thirty-five consecutive patients (35 females, mean age 48.9 ± 11.8 years) who received chemotherapy (mean doxorubicin cumulative dose 415 ± 32 mg/m2) due to breast cancer were included. There was no significant change in mean GLS values before and after treatment (T0 -%18.8 ± 6.82, T1 18.6 ± 3.5 p = 0,863 respectively). However, there was a significant decrease in CS, RS and torsion (T0 -%17,2 ± 3,5, T1-%13 ± 2,84 p &amp;lt;0,001, T0 %45,1 ± 8,3, T1 %35,6 ±10 p &amp;lt;0,001 and T0 %12,1 ± 3.5, T1 %7.7 ± 2.1 p &amp;lt;0,001, respectively). QT, QTc, QTc disp and Tpe, Tpe/QTc parameters were prolonged just after chemotherapy and were still prolonged 3 months after ((QTc: T1 440.01 ± 27.63, T2 468.00 ± 38.98, T3 467.86 ± 35.09), (QTc disp T1 55.48 ± 20.22, T2 78.59 ± 16.15, T3 66.16 ± 14.62), (Tpe (QTc) T1 104 ± 18.52, T2 148.62 ± 19.16, T3 139.77 ± 21.63), (Tpe/QTc T1 0.213 ± 0.05, T2 0.281 ± 0.08, T3 0.258 ± 0.06). Conclusion Electrical and mechanical functions of the heart could be impaired together acutely even three months after doxorubicin chemotherapy. Cardio toxicity should be evaluated in terms of both electrically and mechanically. Abstract Figure. ECG repolarization parameters

Comparison of myocardial deformation by speckle-tracking echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with fontan circulation: Diagnostic algorithm

Background:While the short- and median-term survival has improved considerably in patients with Fontan circulation, cardiac function and exercise capacity are still reduced and may deteriorate over time. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for the assessment of ventricular volume and function. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a myocardial deformation technique to assess ventricular function, with promising results. The aim of our study is to validate STE and conventional echocardiography parameters and to compare them with CMR. Furthermore, we aimed to design a diagnostic algorithm applying some parameters in series for early detection of myocardial dysfunction.Materials and Methods:We performed a cross-sectional single-center study in 64 patients with Fontan circulation. Longitudinal and circumferential strain, strain rates, and conventional echocardiographic measurements were registered. Ventricular volumes and ejection fraction (EF) were obtained by CMR.Results:Seven patients presented ventricular dysfunction (EF <45% by CMR), without showing a significant correlation between STE parameters or conventional measures by echocardiography and CMR. After the application of the diagnostic algorithm with the optimal cutoff points (global longitudinal strain – 24.5%, global circumferential strain – 20%, and annular plane systolic excursion – 16.5 mm), we got a sensitivity rate and a negative predictive value of 100%. In 19 patients (40.1%), the absence of ventricular dysfunction was demonstrated without no false-negative cases.Conclusions:STE should be considered a complementary diagnostic tool in Fontan patients. These suggested parameters applied in series are a useful tool for identifying early ventricular dysfunction and for diagnostic tests improvement with a fewer CMRs in the follow-up of these patients.

Experimental Investigation of Hydraulic Fracturing and Stress Sensitivity of Fracture Permeability Under Changing Polyaxial Stress Conditions

AbstractUnderstanding and predicting fracture propagation and subsequent fluid flow characteristics is critical to geoenergy technologies that engineer and/or utilize favorable geological conditions to store or extract fluids from the subsurface. Fracture permeability decreases nonlinearly with increasing normal stress, but the relationship between shear displacement and fracture permeability is less well understood. We utilize the new Geo‐Reservoir Experimental Analogue Technology (GREAT cell), which can apply polyaxial stress states and realistic reservoir temperatures and pressures to cylindrical samples and has the unique capability to alter both the magnitude and orientation of the radial stress field by increments of 11.25° during an experiment. We load synthetic analogue materials and real rock samples to stress conditions representative of 500–1,000 m depth, investigate the hydraulic stimulation process, and then conduct flow experiments while changing the fluid pressure and the orientation of the intermediate and minimum principal stresses. High‐resolution circumferential strain measurements combined with fluid pressure data indicate fracture propagation can be both stable (no fluid pressure drop) and unstable (fluid pressure drop). The induced fractures exhibit both opening and shear displacements during their creation and/or during fluid flow with changing radial stress states. Flow tests during radial stress field rotation reveal that fracture normal effective stress has first‐order control on fracture permeability but increasing fracture offset can lead to elevated permeabilities at maximum shear stress. The results have implications for our conceptual understanding of fracture propagation as well as fluid flow and deformation around fractures.

Assessment of left ventricular contractile functions in inflammatory bowel disease according to disease activity.

The study aimed to investigate the subclinical involvement of cardiac functions in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) according to their disease activity status by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). This prospective study included 72 consecutive patients with IBD and 93 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). All participants underwent conventional and 2DSTE assessments. The IBD patients were subdivided into active disease and remission groups for further investigation of the effect of disease activity on left ventricular (LV) contractile functions. The longitudinal strain values differed significantly between the IBD group and the control group (global longitudinal strain [GLS] from two-chamber view: [-15.74 ± 6.33]% vs [-18.8 ± 2.87]%, P = 0.001; GLS from four-chamber view: [-16.61 ± 9.91]% vs [-20.12 ± 2.57]%, P = 0.008; GLS: [-15.47 ± 6.87]% vs [-19.48 ± 2.16]%, P = 0.0001). The circumferential strain measurements showed a nonsignificant trend of depressed contractile functions in the IBD group. Patients with active IBD had similar GLS and global circumferential strain (GCS) values as those in remission. A correlation analysis revealed that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio was positively correlated and the platelet count was negatively correlated with GCS. Deterioration of LV diastolic functions examined with E/e' and mitral deceleration time was found in the IBD group compared with the controls. LV global longitudinal contractile and diastolic functions were decreased in patients with IBD. Clinicians should maintain patients' remission periods and prevent flare-ups.

Comparison of cardiac MR feature tracking and myocardial MR tagging for assessment of regional ventricular function

Abstract Background Quantification of regional myocardial function allows risk stratification in heart disease. CMR tagging (TAG) enables the evaluation of segmental cardiac deformation, but it has not reached clinical routine due to the long acquisition and post-processing times. Conversely, CMR feature-tracking (FT) is a post-processing method based on standard cine-MR imaging. Purpose To compare myocardial strain and torsion obtained with CMR-TAG and CMR-FT in healthy volunteers and myocardial infarction (MI). Methods 42 subjects (18 healthy; 24 MI) underwent CMR (1.5T, cine/TAG sequences). Global and segmental (16-segment) circumferential strain (CS), and torsion were measured using FT (CVI42, Canada) and tagging (InTag, France). Inter-method agreement was assessed using 2-way-mixed intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results The agreement for segmental and global CS measurements was good to excellent in both groups (Table). Torsion angle showed excellent (0.763) and good (0.697) agreement for healthy and MI. Conclusion CMR-FT strain and torsion measurements showed high agreement with CMR-tagging. Thus, CMR-FT provides a potential clinical alternative in the assessment of regional ventricular function. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Carlos III Health Institute, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness; Agencia Valenciana de la Innovaciόn, Generalitat Valenciana

Active Tobacco Smoking Impairs Cardiac Systolic Function

Tobacco smoking is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but its direct effect on myocardial structure and function remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of smoking using a nested matched case-control study design. 5,668 participants of the UK Biobank study who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging were screened for inclusion. 102 smokers (56 males) with a median age of 56 years were matched to non-smokers based on sex, age, and body surface area. Manual post-processing and feature tracking analyses were performed to determine left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) structure and function measures. Linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effect of tobacco smoking on imaging measures. Tobacco smoking was associated with increased LV and RV end-systolic volume (4.98 ± 2.08 mL, 5.19 ± 2.62 mL, P = 0.018, 0.049 respectively), reduced LV and RV ejection fraction (β: −2.21 ± 0.82%, −2.06 ± 0.87%, P = 0.007, 0.019 respectively), and reduced absolute measures of LV peak global longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strain (β: 0.86 ± 0.30%, −2.52 ± 0.99%, 1.05 ± 0.32%, P = 0.004, 0.011, 0.001 respectively). Effect sizes were larger in daily smokers compared to occasional smokers. In a general Caucasian population without known clinical cardiovascular disease, active tobacco smoking was dose dependently associated with impaired cardiac systolic function.