Right Atrial Conduit Research Articles

Right atrial and ventricular strain detects subclinical changes in right ventricular function in precapillary pulmonary hypertension

Right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) correlates to outcome in precapillary pulmonary hypertension (pPH) patients, but is insensitive to early changes. Strain might provide incremental information. In this study, we compare right atrial (RA) and RV strain in pPH patients to healthy controls, and evaluate the prognostic value of strain in pPH. In this cross-sectional study, 45 pPH patients and 20 healthy controls underwent CMR, and feature-tracking derived RA and RV strain were evaluated. pPH patients had impaired RA reservoir and conduit strain, and RV longitudinal strain (LS), compared to healthy controls. In pPH patients with preserved RVEF (≥ 50%, n = 18), RA reservoir (35% ± 9 vs. 41% ± 6, p = 0.02) and conduit strain (16% ± 8 vs. 23% ± 5, p = 0.004), and RV–LS (−25% ± 4 vs. −31% ± 4, p < 0.001) remained impaired, compared to healthy controls. The association of strain with the primary endpoint (combination of all-cause death, lung transplantation, and heart failure hospitalization) was evaluated using a multivariable Cox regression model. RV–LS (HR 1.18, 95%–CI 1.04–1.34, p = 0.01) and RA strain (reservoir: HR 0.87, 95%–CI 0.80–0.94, p = 0.001; conduit: HR 0.85, 95%–CI 0.75–0.97, p = 0.02, booster: HR 0.81, 95%-CI 0.71–0.92, p = 0.001) were independent predictors of outcome, beyond clinical and imaging features. In conclusion, pPH patients have impaired RA strain and RV–LS, even when RVEF is preserved. In addition, RA strain and RV–LS were independent predictors of adverse prognosis. These results emphasize the incremental value of RA and RV strain analyses, to detect alterations in RV function, even before RVEF declines.

Prognostic value of right atrial strain derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

BackgroundThe value of right atrial (RA) function in cardiovascular diseases is currently limited. This study was to explore the prognostic value of RA strain derived from fast long axis method by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).MethodsWe prospectively enrolled patients with DCM who underwent CMR from June 2012 to March 2019 and 120 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Fast long-axis strain method was performed to assess the RA phasic function including RA reservoir strain, conduit strain, and booster strain. The predefined primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The composite heart failure (HF) endpoint included HF death, HF readmission, and heart transplantation. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival curve were performed to describe the association between RA strain and outcomes.ResultsA total of 624 patients (444 men, mean 48 years) were studied. After a median follow-up of 32.5 months, 116 patients (18.6%) experienced all-cause mortality and 205 patients (32.9%) reached composite HF endpoint. RA function was impaired in DCM patients compared with healthy subjects (all P < 0.001). After adjustment for covariates, RA reservoir strain [hazard ratio (HR) (per 5% decrease) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.37, P = 0.022] and conduit strain [HR (per 5% decrease) 1.37, 95% CI 1.03–1.84, P = 0.033] were independent predictors of all-cause mortality. Moreover, RA strain added incremental prognostic value for the prediction of adverse cardiac events over baseline clinical and CMR predictors (all P < 0.05).ConclusionRA strain by fast long-axis analysis is independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with DCM.Trial registration: Trial registration number: ChiCTR1800017058; Date of registration: 2018-07-10 (Retrospective registration); URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov

A randomized controlled trial of enhancing hypoxia-mediated right cardiac mechanics and reducing afterload after high intensity interval training in sedentary men

Hypoxic exposure increases right ventricular (RV) afterload by triggering pulmonary hypertension, with consequent effects on the structure and function of the RV. Improved myocardial contractility is a critical circulatory adaptation to exercise training. However, the types of exercise that enhance right cardiac mechanics during hypoxic stress have not yet been identified. This study investigated how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) influence right cardiac mechanics during hypoxic exercise A total of 54 young and healthy sedentary males were randomly selected to engage in either HIIT (3-min intervals at 40% and 80% of oxygen uptake reserve, n = 18) or MICT (sustained 60% of oxygen uptake reserve, n = 18) for 30 min/day and 5 days/week for 6 weeks or were included in a control group (CTL, n = 18) that did not engage in any exercise. The primary outcome was the change in right cardiac mechanics during semiupright bicycle exercise under hypoxic conditions (i.e., 50 watts under 12% FiO2 for 3 min) as measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.: After 6 weeks of training, HIIT was superior to MICT in improving maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Furthermore, the HIIT group showed reduced pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR, pre-HIIT:1.16 ± 0.05 WU; post-HIIT:1.05 ± 0.05 WU, p < 0.05) as well as an elevated right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF, pre-HIIT: 59.5 ± 6.0%; post-HIIT: 69.1 ± 2.8%, p < 0.05) during hypoxic exercise, coupled with a significant enhancement of the right atrial (RA) reservoir and conduit functions. HIIT is superior to MICT in dilating RV chamber and reducing radial strain but ameliorating radial strain rate in either systole (post-HIIT: 2.78 ± 0.14 s-1; post-MICT: 2.27 ± 0.12 s-1, p < 0.05) or diastole (post-HIIT: − 2.63 ± 0.12 s-1; post-MICT: − 2.36 ± 0.18 s-1, p < 0.05). In the correlation analysis, the changes in RVEF were directly associated with improved RA reservoir (r = 0.60, p < 0.05) and conduit functions (r = 0.64, p < 0.01) but inversely associated with the change in RV radial strain (r = − 0.70, p < 0.01) and PVR (r = − 0.70, p < 0.01) caused by HIIT. HIIT is superior to MICT in improving right cardiac mechanics by simultaneously increasing RA reservoir and conduit functions and decreasing PVR during hypoxic exercise.

Longitudinal assessment of right atrial conduit fraction provides additional insight to predict adverse events in pediatric pulmonary hypertension

BackgroundRecent studies show adverse right atrial (RA) emptying pattern is prognostic for clinical worsening events in pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). No study has reported changes in RA emptying over time or evaluated whether serial measurements offer further prognostic information. MethodsProspective study of 32 children with idiopathic or heritable PAH undergoing echocardiogram at baseline and 1-year. RA conduit fraction percent (RA cF%) was measured as percentage of total diastolic RA area change prior to the electrical p wave. Clinical worsening was analyzed with a predefined composite adverse event outcome. ResultsLongitudinal subjects (median age 13.3 yr) had RA cF% 61% (IQR 32–68%) at baseline and 60% (IQR 35–73%) at 1-year (NS). 11 subjects had a qualifying event during median 21-month follow-up. Subjects with an event had 1-year RA cF% = 33% (IQR 20–40%) compared to 72% (IQR 63–75%) for those with no event (p < 0.001). Event rates were lowest for subjects with both echocardiograms showing RA cF% > 60% (0%), highest for subjects with neither (80%), and intermediate for those with one (38%, p = 0.003). ConclusionsChanges in RA cF% inform risk of adverse events in pediatric PAH. This finding supports the role of RA cF% as both a prognostic biomarker and potential treatment target.

Right atrial strain in acute pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening disease, with mortality related to right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Right atrial (RA) dysfunction may be a new marker of PE severity. In this study, we aimed to assess RA function in patients with acute PE, as compared to a control population and to correlate RA function parameters to classic PE severity parameters. We conducted a case-control study, including 27 consecutive PE patients, excluding high-risk PE patients. All patients underwent 2D transthoracic echocardiography with atrial function study within 6 hours of PE diagnosis including RA longitudinal strain (LS) with reservoir (RArLS), conduit (RAcLS) and contractile (RActLS) phases. RA function was assessed using Autostrain LA (TomTec-Philips Medical System). A control group of 18 patients with no structural heart disease in sinus rhythm was recruited in the outpatient clinic. During acute PE, RA strain was impaired in PE patients as compared to controls: P < 0.001 for RAcLS and P = 0.01 for RArLS while no difference in RActLS was observed. When PE severity was graded from 1 to 3 (from intermediate-high to low risk), RAcLS and RArLS were significantly correlated to age and PE severity ( Fig. 1 ). Our RA strain study demonstrates an impaired RA reservoir and conduit function in PE patients, which seems to be related to PE severity. Further studies should help improve our understanding of RA dysfunction in PE.

Relationship between right ventricular diastolic dysfunction, right atrial phasic function and ventricular filling in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract Background In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients, the right ventricle (RV) stiffens due to hypertrophy, fibrosis and intrinsic (sarcomeric) stiffness. In these patients, end-diastolic elastance (stiffness, Eed) is associated with parameters of disease severity and predicts mortality. However, the effect of RV stiffness on RV filling and the effect of increased filling pressures on right atrial (RA) function remain elusive. Purpose To examine the relationship between RV diastolic stiffness and RA phasic function and the effect of diastolic dysfunction on ventricular filling in PAH patients. Methods Using single-beat pressure-volume analyses we determined Eed in controls (n=31) and baseline, treatment naive PAH patients (63 idiopathic, 9 hereditary and 25 connective tissue disease associated). We also measured RA reservoir, conduit and active strain by tissue tracking on cardiac magnetic resonance images. Furthermore, interventricular dyssynchrony was defined as a right to left difference in time to peak circumferential strain &amp;gt;52ms (97.5th percentile in controls). Results End-diastolic pressure was higher in PAH patients (16±7 mmHg) than in controls (8±4 mmHg; p&amp;lt;0.001). Median Eed in patients was 0.635 mmHg/mL (IQR: 0.40–0.99), while in controls it was 0.20 mmHg/mL (IQR: 0.15–0.24). In comparison with controls, patients had reduced RA reservoir (14.3±5.1% vs. 19.1±4.3%; p&amp;lt;0.001) and conduit strain (−5.6±3.4% vs. −12.4±3.3%; p&amp;lt;0.001), while RA active strain was enhanced (−9.0±4.0% vs. −7.5±2.8%; p=0.019). In patients with a stiff RV (Eed above median), RA conduit strain was worse than in patients with a more compliant RV as illustrated in figure A. However, no correlation between RA active strain and Eed was observed (Spearman rho 0.06; p=0.57). Passive filling time of the RV (end-systole until start of atrial contraction) was shorter in patients than in controls (244±136ms vs. 365±103ms; p&amp;lt;0.001). Higher heart rate and ventricular dyssynchrony are causes of a shorter passive filling time in patients as illustrated in figure B. When comparing patients with short vs. long passive filling time (cutoff median of 220ms), the RV passive filling volume was lower (24±15ml vs. 42±19ml; p&amp;lt;0.001). The active filling volume was slightly higher, although not significantly (25±17ml vs. 19±15ml; p=0.12). Conclusion Stiffening of the RV in PAH patients is accompanied by increased filling pressures and decreased RA conduit strain, while there is no correlation between Eed and RA active strain. Higher heart rate and ventricular dyssynchrony lead to shorter passive filling time of the RV, which in turn leads to lower passive filling volume. In contrast, the active filling volume is preserved in these patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research

Prognostic role of right ventricular and atrial mechanics in systemic sclerosis

Abstract Background Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction implies a worse prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Little is known, however, about the prognostic value of right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) mechanics in this disease. Thus we aimed to investigate the long term prognostic value of the traditional and modern echocardiographic parameters of the RV and RA function as well as N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels in SSc patients. Patients and methods Seventy SSc patients (age: 57±12 years) were enrolled into the study. They underwent echocardiography in the years 2014–15. Parameters of the RV systolic function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion /TAPSE/, RV fractional area change /RVFAC/), inferior vena cava, collapsibility index, RV wall thickness were measured. Doppler data were collected: tricuspid E and A, peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR), tricuspid annular myocardial systolic (S), early- (e') and late- (a') diastolic velocities, tricuspid E/e' ratio. Maximal RA volume index as well as RA reservoir (εR), conduit (εCD) and contractile (εCT) strain were measured with the speckle tracking method. RA stiffness was calculated as ratio of E/e' to εR. Survival was assessed after 5 years. Since in some cases the cause of death was unknown, all-cause mortality was chosen as outcome. Results During the follow-up period of 4.7±0.9 years, 6 patients (8.6%) died. In univariate Cox regression analysis TAPSE, peak velocity of TR, tricuspid annular a' and S, tricuspid E/e' ratio, maximal RA volume index, RA stiffness and lnNT-proBNP were significantly associated with outcome. In multivariate Cox regression analysis RA stiffness was proved to be the only independent predictor of mortality (p=0.013). Using ROC analysis, RA stiffness ≥0.156 was the strongest predictor of the mortality (sensitivity=83.3%, specificity =89.1%, AUC=0.859). Conclusion Our results suggest that RA stiffness is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in SSc. Larger prospective validation studies are required to prove our findings. ROC and Kaplan-Meier survival curve Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

The effects of doxorubicin on left and right atrial mechanics in patients with lymphoma

Abstract Background Despite the associated dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, anthracyclines continue to form the backbone of modern chemotherapy regimens. Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) has been a popular method of quantifying cardiac function but most studies have focused on left ventricular function. Research into the effects of anthracyclines on left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) function continues to be neglected. Purpose To investigate the effects of doxorubicin, a commonly used anthracycline, on both the LA and RA systolic and diastolic strain and strain-rate parameters in two groups of patients with lymphoma: Group 1 (G1) with a conventional drop in ejection fraction (EF &amp;lt;53%), and Group 2 (G2) without. Methods We retrospectively studied 46 patients treated for lymphoma between 2015 and 2018; G1 (n=12) and G2 (n=34). Echocardiograms performed at baseline (T0), mid-chemotherapy (T1), and post-chemotherapy (T2), were analysed by using offline vendor-independent software (TomTec, 2D Cardiac Performance Analysis). Using 2D STE, LA and RA reservoir, conduit and contractile strains, systolic and diastolic strain-rates were measured. Multi-level longitudinal model was used for statistical analysis.This study was ethically approved by the Health Research Association (REC Reference 18/SS/0139). Results Median age was 64 years (IQR 51–74 years) in G1, and 65 years (IQR 57–73 years) in G2. In G1, there was no significant change in LA reservoir strain with time, however a significant decline with an average mean difference of −7.52 was seen between T0 to T2 (p=0.016) in G2. LA conduit strain did not significantly change in either group with incremental doses of doxorubicin. However, LA contraction strain was seen to significantly increase in G1 between T1 to T2 (p=0.045) with an average change of 7.23. LA peak systolic strain rate, and late diastolic strain rate did not show any significant change with time in both groups. Yet, a significant increase was seen in LA early diastolic strain rate between T0 to T2 (p=0.017) in G1 but not G2. No significant changes were seen in the RA strain parameters in both groups. Conclusion In patient with a reduction in LV function, a significant change was noted in the left atrial contraction strain and early diastolic strain rate with incremental doses of doxorubicin. These changes shows the close relationship between the LA and LV, and the importance of LA in providing a compensatory mechanism for a decline in LV function secondary to anthracycline cardiotoxicity. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Right Atrial Strain by Echocardiography is Associated with Survival After LVAD

Background Right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is an important source of morbidity and mortality but is difficult to predict. Right atrial (RA) strain by echocardiography is a novel hemodynamic parameter likely indicative of atrial functional capacity and RV diastolic function. Previous studies have suggested that pre-LVAD RV strain may be a predictor of RVF, but no studies have systematically evaluated the association of RA strain with outcomes after LVAD. We hypothesized that pre-LVAD RA strain may improve the ability to predict RVF after LVAD. Methods We evaluated 31 adults who received continuous flow LVAD between 2008-2018. Peak RA and RV strain values were measured by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. RA strain was measured during three phases: reservoir phase (end-diastole to onset of ventricular filling), conduit phase (onset of ventricular filling to onset of atrial contraction), and contractile phase (onset of atrial contraction to end-diastole). RVF was defined as need for inotropic support longer than 14 days, inhaled nitric oxide for longer than 48 hours, or unplanned RVAD. Pearson correlation was used to compare RA and RV strain parameters. Logistic regression was performed for the outcome of RVF. Cox-proportional hazards modelling was performed for the outcome of survival free from transplant or device explant/exchange and hazard ratios were calculated per standard deviation change in regressors. Results Four patients (13%) developed RVF. Median time from echo to LVAD was 31 days. Correlation between RV free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) and RA reservoir (R=-0.45, p=0.01), conduit (R=-0.30, p=0.10), and contractile strain (R=-0.27, p=0.15) was modest at best. None of the RA strain parameters were associated with RVF. Lower RA reservoir strain (HR 2.26, p=0.003) and RA conduit strain (HR 3.63, p=0.004) were associated with decreased survival free from transplant or device explant/exchange, while RA contractile strain was not. Conclusions In this small cohort, RA strain parameters were not associated with early RVF following LVAD implant. However, RA reservoir strain and RA conduit strain were strongly associated with post LVAD long term survival. RA strain parameters may represent a form of RV diastolic dysfunction that impacts long term outcomes more so than early post operative events. The utility of RA strain parameters for predicting outcomes following LVAD implant deserves further investigation and validation in a larger cohort.

Impact of Right Atrial Physiology on Heart Failure and Adverse Events after Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function is a known predictor of adverse events in heart failure and following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). While right atrial (RA) involvement is well characterized in pulmonary arterial hypertension, its relative contributions to adverse events following AMI especially in patients with heart failure and congestion need further evaluation. Methods: In this cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-substudy of AIDA STEMI and TATORT NSTEMI, 1235 AMI patients underwent CMR after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 15 centers across Germany (n = 795 with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and 440 with non-ST-elevation MI). Right atrial (RA) performance was evaluated using CMR myocardial feature tracking (CMR-FT) for the assessment of RA reservoir (total strain εs), conduit (passive strain εe), booster pump function (active strain εa), and associated strain rates (SR) in a blinded core-laboratory. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) 12 months post AMI. Results: RA reservoir (εs p = 0.061, SRs p = 0.049) and conduit functions (εe p = 0.006, SRe p = 0.030) were impaired in patients with MACE as opposed to RA booster pump (εa p = 0.579, SRa p = 0.118) and RA volume index (p = 0.866). RA conduit function was associated with the clinical onset of heart failure and MACE independently of RV systolic function and atrial fibrillation (AF) (multivariable analysis hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.92 to 0.99, p = 0.009), while RV systolic function and AF were not independent prognosticators. Furthermore, RA conduit strain identified low- and high-risk groups within patients with reduced RV systolic function (p = 0.019 on log rank testing). Conclusions: RA impairment is a distinct feature and independent risk factor in patients following AMI and can be easily assessed using CMR-FT-derived quantification of RA strain.

Association of right atrial conduit phase with right ventricular lusitropic function in pulmonary hypertension.

Alterations of right atrial (RA) function have emerged as determinants of outcome in pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to clarify the pathophysiological associations of impaired RA conduit function with right ventricular (RV) function in PH. In 51 patients with PH (48 with pulmonary arterial hypertension), RA conduit function was assessed as echocardiographic peak early diastolic strain rate (PEDSR). PEDSR and cardiac magnetic resonance parameters were measured within 24h of right heart catheterization and generation of pressure-volume loops to assess RV diastolic (RV end-diastolic pressure [EDP] and relaxation [Tau]) and systolic function. Spearman rho correlation and linear regression analysis were used to determine the association of PEDSR with RV function. The impact of PEDSR on time to clinical worsening was assessed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Median (interquartile range) PEDSR was - 0.56s - 1 (- 1.08 to - 0.37). Impaired PEDSR was significantly correlated with RV diastolic stiffness [EDP (rho = 0.570; p < 0.001) and Tau (rho = 0.500; p < 0.001)] but not with RV contractility or coupling. In multivariate linear regression including parameters of RV lusitropic and inotropic function, EDP remained independently associated with impaired PEDSR. During a median follow-up of 9months, 23 patients deteriorated. After multivariate adjustment, PEDSR remained associated with clinical worsening (hazard ratio: 2.85; 95% confidence interval: 1.20-6.78). Altered RV lusitropy is associated with impaired RA conduit phase. PEDSR emerged as a promising, non-invasive, bedside-ready parameter to evaluate RV diastolic function and to predict prognosis in PH.

565 Impact of right atrial physiology on heart failure and adverse events after myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Right ventricular (RV) function is a known predictor of adverse events in heart failure and following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). While right atrial (RA) involvement is well characterized in pulmonary arterial hypertension, its relative contributions to adverse events following AMI especially in patients with heart failure and congestion needs further evaluation. Methods 1235 MI patients underwent CMR after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 15 centers across Germany (n = 795 with ST-elevation MI and 440 with non ST-elevation MI). Right atrial (RA) performance was evaluated using cardiac magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking (CMR-FT) for the assessment of RA reservoir (total strain εs), conduit (passive strain εe), booster pump function (active strain εa) and associated strain rates (SR) in a blinded core-laboratory. The primary clinical endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) 12 months post MI. Results RA reservoir (εs p = 0.061, SRs p = 0.049) and conduit functions (εe p = 0.006, SRe p = 0.030) were impaired in patients with MACE as opposed to RA booster pump (εa p = 0.579, SRa p = 0.118) and RA volume index (p = 0.866). RA conduit function was associated with clinical onset of heart failure and MACE independently of RV systolic function (multi-variable analysis HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.99, p = 0.006) while RV systolic function was no independent prognosticator (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-1.00, p = 0.055). Furthermore, RA conduit strain identified low- and high-risk groups within patients with relatively preserved and reduced RV and LV systolic functions (p &amp;lt; 0.019 on log rank testing). Conclusions Right atrial impairment is a distinct feature and independent risk factor in patients following AMI and can be easily assessed using CMR-FT derived quantification of RA strain.

Right Heart Remodeling in Patients with End-Stage Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis: Speckle Tracking Point of View.

Background: Data regarding cardiac remodeling in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis are scarce. We sought to investigate right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) structure, function, and mechanics in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional investigation included 67 end-stage cirrhotic patients, who were referred for evaluation for liver transplantation and 36 healthy controls. All participants underwent echocardiographic examination including strain analysis, which was performed offline. Results: RV basal diameter and RV thickness were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis. Conventional parameters of the RV systolic function were similar between the observed groups. Global, endocardial, and epicardial RV longitudinal strains were significantly lower in patients with cirrhosis. Active RA function was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients than in controls. The RA reservoir and conduit strains were significantly lower in cirrhotic patients, while there was no difference in the RA contractile strain. Early diastolic and systolic RA strain rates were significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than in controls, whereas there was no difference in the RA late diastolic strain rate between the two groups. Transaminases and bilirubin correlated negatively with RV global longitudinal strain and RV-free wall strain in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis. The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, predictor of 3-month mortality, correlated with parameters of RV structure and systolic function, and RA active function in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis. Conclusions: RA and RV remodeling is present in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis even though RV systolic function is preserved. Liver enzymes, bilirubin, and the MELD score correlated with RV and RA remodeling.

Right Ventricular Diastolic Function and Right Atrial Function and Their Relation With Exercise Capacity in Ebstein Anomaly

BackgroundRight ventricular (RV) diastolic function and right atrial (RA) function are poorly characterized in patients with Ebstein anomaly (EA) but may influence functional capacity. We aimed to evaluate RV diastolic function and RA function in EA and study their relationship with biventricular systolic function and exercise capacity. MethodsSeventy-two patients with EA and 69 controls prospectively underwent echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to investigate RV systolic and diastolic function, RA function, and exercise capacity. ResultsAltered RV diastolic function was indicated by the reduced tricuspid valve E/A ratio, percentage RV filling time, and early and late diastolic strain rate; and by the increased tricuspid valve E/E′, isovolumic relaxation time, and RV myocardial performance index. The average of 6-RV-segment early diastolic strain rate correlated modestly with peak VO2 (r = 0.38, P < 0.01), RV ejection fraction (r = 0.41, P < 0.01), and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.33, P < 0.05). Patients with EA had impaired RA reservoir, conduit, and pump function, which were associated with peak VO2 (r = 0.54, P < 0.001 for reservoir function). ConclusionsAltered RV diastolic function and RA function in patients with EA are associated with impaired biventricular systolic function and exercise capacity. The stronger correlation of RA vs RV function with exercise capacity suggests that it may be important to evaluate RA function in this population.

Clinical Utility and Prognostic Value of Right Atrial Function in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Background Although right atrial (RA) enlargement is an established marker for adverse outcomes, the prognostic importance of RA dysfunction independent of RA size in pulmonary arterial hypertension is not known. Methods and Results Study subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension were prospectively enrolled from 2010 to 2014. RA function was measured using RA speckle-tracking longitudinal strain and strain rate (SR) during each phase of the cardiac cycle: (1) RA reservoir (peak longitudinal strain, peak systolic SR), (2) RA conduit (peak early diastolic SR), and (3) RA active contraction (peak active contraction strain, peak contraction SR). The primary outcome was a composite of time to hospitalization or death assessed on follow-up. A total of 63 subjects had complete echocardiographic data. Of these, 91% were females, and the mean age was 58±12 years. During the follow-up period (range: 1-58 months), 39 were hospitalized or had died. After multivariable adjustment for age, sex, and left atrial size, peak longitudinal strain, peak active contraction strain, and peak early diastolic SR were significantly associated with increased risk of the composite outcome ( P=0.0005, P=0.0167, and P=0.0054, respectively). Conclusions RA dysfunction independently predicts mortality and hospitalizations in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Relation of Right Atrial Mechanics to Functional Capacity in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) implies a worse prognosis. Little is known about the right atrial (RA) mechanics in this disease, but recent data suggest that it correlates well with the functional capacity of the patients in conditions with known right heart involvement. Thus we aimed to investigate the abnormalities of the RA function as compared with healthy subjects and to assess the potential correlations between RA mechanics and the functional capacity in SSc patients using 2D speckle tracking technique. A total of 70 SSc patients (age: 57 ± 12 years) were investigated. Functional capacity was measured with 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Echocardiographic parameters of the right ventricular (RV) systolic function (TAPSE, RVFAC), parameters of the tricuspid inflow (E, A), and tricuspid annular systolic (S), early- (e') and late- (a') diastolic myocardial velocities were measured. RV wall thickness was obtained. RA reservoir (εR), conduit (εCD), and contractile (εCT) strain were measured. RA stiffness was calculated as ratio of E/e' to εR. Echocardiographic data were compared with an age- and gender-matched group of 25 healthy volunteers. RA εR (49.3 ± 10.7 vs 59.6 ± 9.9%, p = 0.000) and εCD (26.8 ± 8.1 vs 34.3 ± 7.3%, p = 0.000) were significantly lower in SSc patients. No significant difference was found in εCT (22.9 ± 5.8 vs 25.3 ± 5.7%, p = 0.082). RA stiffness was significantly increased in SSc patients (0.11 ± 0.04 vs 0.08 ± 0.02, p = 0.001). 6MWT distance was 391 ± 95m. In stepwise multiple linear regression analysis RV wall thickness (r = -0.289, p = 0.030) and RA stiffness (r = -0.418, p = 0.002) became independent predictors of 6MWT distance. In conclusion, RA εR and εCD are impaired, while RA stiffness is increased in SSc compared with healthy subjects. Speckle tracking-derived RA stiffness is turned out to be one of the main determinants of the functional capacity in SSc patients.

Normative reference data, determinants, and clinical implications of right atrial reservoir function in women assessed by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography.

We aim to determine normative reference data of phasic right atrial (RA) strain and to investigate determinants, possible clinical implications as well as feasibility and reproducibility of RA strain analysis. Right atrial strain was analyzed in 266 participants of the cross-sectional Berlin Female Risk Evaluation (BEFRI) study using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D STE). To determine reference values, phasic RA strain was determined in a subgroup of 123 individuals without known cardiovascular diseases or risk factors. Mean RA reservoir strain (RAS), RA conduit, and contraction strain in this reference group were 44.9±11.6%, 27.1±9.5%, and 17.0±5.9%, respectively. Regarding possible clinical implications, RAS was significantly reduced in women with a BMI≥25, compared with women with a BMI<25 (35.5±11.1% vs 43.4 ± 11.6%, P<0.0001). RA strain analysis showed a good feasibility (92.7%); intra- and inter-observer variability was low (<5%). BMI, global longitudinal peak systolic LV strain (LVGLS%), RA area, TAPSE, and early diastolic myocardial relaxation velocity of the RV (RV-e') were significantly associated with RA mechanics in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. In this cross-sectional trial, we determined reference values, feasibility and reproducibility, clinical and echocardiographic determinants, and possible clinical implications of RA strain analysis. Our data may help to introduce the analysis of RA mechanics into future echocardiographic routine use.

Right Atrial Deformation in Predicting Outcomes in Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension.

Elevated right atrial (RA) pressure is a risk factor for mortality, and RA size is prognostic of adverse outcomes in pulmonary hypertension (PH). There is limited data on phasic RA function (reservoir, conduit, and pump) in pediatric PH. We sought to evaluate (1) the RA function in pediatric PH patients compared with controls, (2) compare the RA deformation indices with Doppler indices of diastolic dysfunction, functional capacity, biomarkers, invasive hemodynamics, and right ventricular functional indices, and (3) evaluate the potential of RA deformation indices to predict clinical outcomes. Sixty-six PH patients (mean age 7.9±4.7 years) were compared with 36 controls (7.7±4.4 years). RA and right ventricular deformation indices were obtained using 2-dimensional speckle tracking (2DCPA; TomTec, Germany). RA strain, strain rates, emptying fraction, and right ventricular longitudinal strain were measured. RA function was impaired in PH patients versus controls (P<0.001). There were significant associations between RA function with invasive hemodynamics (P<0.01). RA reservoir, pump function, the rate of RA filling, and atrial minimum volume predicted adverse clinical outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 0.15; confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.73; P<0.01; HR, 0.05; CI, 0.003-0.43; P<0.004; HR, 0.04; CI, 0.006-0.56; P<0.01; and HR, 8.6; CI, 1.6-37.2; P<0.01, respectively). RA deformation properties are significantly altered in pediatric PH patients. Progressive worsening of RA reservoir and conduit functions is related to changes in right ventricular diastolic dysfunction. RA reservoir function, pump function, the rate of atrial filling, and atrial minimum volume emerged as outcome predictors in pediatric PH.

Reliability of echocardiographic speckle-tracking derived bi-atrial strain assessment under different hemodynamic conditions

The aim of this study was to assess intra- and inter-observer variability of left (LA) and right atrial (RA) strain indices obtained by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) in a healthy group of individuals at low-altitude and after rapid ascent to high-altitude in order to provoke altered systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics otherwise seen in various cardiac diseases. Twenty healthy subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography during a baseline examination at low-altitude (424 m) as well as 7, 20 and 44 h after arrival at high-altitude (4559 m). Atrial strain indices (i.e. reservoir, conduit and contractile strain) were determined off-line by two independent observers. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of variables was assessed by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficients of variation and Bland Altman plots. Heart rate, systemic blood pressure and pulmonary artery pressure increased significantly from low-altitude to the first examination at high-altitude. Intra-observer ICCs were ≥0.90 except for RA conduit strain with an ICC of 0.86. The mean intra-observer differences were small and limits of agreement of relative differences were narrow for all atrial strain parameters (<3 and <16%, respectively). Inter-observer ICCs (0.80–0.90), mean biases and limits of agreement (<4 and <20%, respectively) were greater than intra-observer results for all parameters. Intra- and inter-obserer ICCs for all atrial strain variables did not differ between low- and high-altitude. 2D-STE-derived bi-atrial strain indices have excellent intra- and moderate inter-observer reproducibility with no effect of high-altitude-induced hemodynamic changes on reliability results.

Right atrial deformation analysis in isolated left ventricular noncompaction – insights from the three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Path Study

ObjectiveIsolated left ventricular noncompaction (ILVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy characterized by a prominent trabecular meshwork and deep intertrabecular recesses. The present study aimed to examine right atrial (RA) volumes, volume-based functional properties and strains by three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) in ILVNC patients. MethodsThe study group consisted of 13 patients with ILVNC (mean age: 54.6±14.1 years, six male) and 23 healthy age- and gender-matched volunteers (mean age: 50.4±12.4 years, 10 male), who served as normal controls. Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE were performed in all cases. ResultsIncreased systolic maximum (58.2±15.3 ml vs. 40.5±11.8 ml, p=0.0004) and diastolic pre-atrial contraction (39.6±16.1 ml vs. 28.2±9.2 ml, p=0.01) and minimum (46.2±17.5 ml vs. 34.6±11.6 ml, p=0.02) RA volumes were detected in ILVNC patients. Only total (18.6±8.5 ml vs. 12.2±5.9 ml, p=0.01) and passive (12.0±13.3 vs. 5.9±3.7 ml, p=0.05) RA stroke volumes, representing features of RA reservoir and conduit phases, were increased in ILVNC; active RA stroke volume and all emptying fractions did not differ between ILVNC patients and matched controls. Moreover, global, mean segmental and regional peak strains and strains at atrial contraction showed no differences between ILVNC patients and controls. Conclusions3DSTE-derived volumetric analysis confirmed increased cyclic RA volumes in ILVNC. Only mild RA functional alterations were demonstrated in ILVNC.