Right Ventricular Strain Rate Research Articles

Speckle tracking echocardiography for diagnosis of right ventricular failure in children with totally corrected tetralogy of Fallot in Sulaimani, Iraq

ObjectivesThe study was aimed at using speckle tracking echocardiography as a novel technique to diagnose right ventricular failure (RVF) in children with total correction of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) through surgery. MethodsA quasi-experimental study was performed at the Children's Heart Hospital of Sulaimani for 9 months. A total of 150 children with completely repaired TOF were enrolled to investigate RVF. Conventional echocardiographic data were recorded, including right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial performance index (MPI), and RV end-systolic and diastolic volume (RVESV and RVEDV). Additionally, speckle tracking was performed for the regional and longitudinal strain and strain rate in four-chamber apical view. RVF diagnosis was determined on the basis of electrocardiography measurement of P-wave dispersion, T-wave dispersion, and QRS duration. ResultsChildren with repaired TOF who were diagnosed with RVF through conventional echocardiography exhibited abnormalities with respect to children with normal RV function, including a TAPSE of 1.3 ± 0.11 cm, RVEF of 35.5 ± 6.72, RVESV of 69.8 ± 15.13 ml, RVEDV of 110.1 ± 14.13 ml, MPI of 0.60 ± 0.12, and Pmax of 52.4 ± 14.08. The use of speckle tracking in RVF diagnosis revealed a relatively lower longitudinal strain and strain rate (−12.1 ± 2.3 and −0.9 ± 0.3, respectively) in the children with RVF. Moreover, longitudinal right ventricular strain was positively correlated with TAPSE (r = 0.656) and EF (r = 0.675), and negatively correlated with RVEDV (r = −0.684), RVESV (r = −0.718), MPI (r = −0.735), and Pmax (r = −0.767). ConclusionsThe application of speckle tracking with the longitudinal RV strain and strain rate to estimate RV function in children with repaired TOF is a new advanced method that, compared with conventional echo, significantly improves the diagnosis of regional myocardial deformations and cardiac muscle motion velocity.

Right Ventricular Function Indices at Rest and During Exercise in Hyperthyroid Patients: A Cross-sectional Study.

Since hyperthyroidism could be associated with right ventricular dysfunction, this study intended to investigate right ventricular (RV) function using strain echocardiography in hyperthyroid patients both at rest and in maximum-stress conditions. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Tehran, Iran, from January 2019 to January 2020. All study participants completed a maximum treadmill exercise test, as well as a complete two-dimensional echocardiogram at rest and the peak of stress test. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The independent samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for numerical, and the Chi square test was used for nominal variables. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The final analysis included 52 participants (26 subjects in each group). In a maximal stress situation, we found that among the RV function indices, RV global longitudinal strain (P=0.0001), systolic strain rate (P=0.0001), diastolic strain rate (P=0.0002), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P=0.019) werereduced significantly in the hyperthyroid patients compared to the control group. There was also a linear correlation between RV size and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level (P=0.009, r=0.36). Moreover, we found a negative linear correlation between TSH level with maximum stress RV strain and diastolic strain rate (P<0.001). The findings of the present study revealed a significant change in RV function indices among hyperthyroid patients. Therefore, it highlights the necessity of early diagnosis and treatment of hyperthyroidism, as well as RV function evaluation in these patients.

CMR-based right ventricular strain analysis in cardiac amyloidosis and its potential as a supportive diagnostic feature.

Right ventricular (RV) strain has provided valuable prognostic information for patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). However, the extent to which RV strain and strain rate can differentiate CA is not yet clinically established. CA underdiagnosis delays treatment strategies and exacerbates patient prognosis. Evaluation of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) quantified RV global and regional strain of CA and HCM patients along with CA subtypes. CMR feature tracking attained longitudinal, radial and circumferential global and regional strain in 47 control subjects (CTRL), 43 CA-, 20 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy- (HCM) patients. CA patients were subdivided in 21 transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR) and 20 acquired immunoglobulin light chain (AL) patients. Strain data and baseline clinical parameters were statistically analysed with respect to diagnostic performance and discriminatory power between the different clinical entities. Effective differentiation of CA from HCM patients was achieved utilizing global longitudinal (GLS: 16.5±3.9% vs. -21.3±6.7%, p=0.032), radial (GRS: 11.7±5.3% vs. 16.5±7.1%, p<0.001) and circumferential (GCS: -7.6±4.0% vs. -9.4±4.4%, p=0.015) right ventricular strain. Highest strain-based hypertrophic phenotype differentiation was attained using GRS (AUC=0.86). Binomial regression found right ventricular ejection fraction (RV-EF) (p=0.017) to be a significant predictor of CA-HCM differentiation. CA subtypes had comparable cardiac strains. CMR-derived RV global strains and various regional longitudinal strains provide discriminative radiological features for CA-HCM differentiation. However, in terms of feasibility, cine-derived RV-EF quantification may suffice for efficient differential diagnostic support.

Right ventricular systolic function and associated anatomic risk factors in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries: Evaluation by velocity vector imaging.

The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricular (RV) systolic function in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) using velocity vector imaging (VVI) and to investigate the impact of different factors on RV systolic function in TGA fetuses. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of fetuses referred to our tertiary center between 2015 and 2019. Maternal and fetal baseline characteristics and conventional echocardiographic and myocardial deformation indices were collected in fetuses with TGA at 20-28 weeks' gestation, which were compared with normal fetuses with comparable gestational age (GA). RV deformational parameters including global and regional longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate, and velocity were measured using off-line speckle tracking analysis. The univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were established to evaluate the independent risk factors for RV global longitudinal systolic strain (RVGLSs) and strain rate (RVGLSRs). In total, 78 fetuses with TGA [including 49 fetuses with complete transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) and 29 fetuses with Taussig-Bing anomaly (TBA)] and 49 normal fetuses were included. Compared with normal controls, global and most regional RV longitudinal systolic peak velocity, strain, and strain rate were lower in d-TGA and TBA fetuses (P < 0.05). Compared with normal controls, global and most regional RV longitudinal systolic strain was lower in d-TGA fetuses without pulmonary stenosis (PS) and ventricular septal defect (VSD), while RVGLSs and RVGLSRs were lower in TBA fetuses without PS. The VSD was an independent determinant of RVGLSRs (P = 0.024) in the d-TGA group. Additionally, PS was an independent determinant of RVGLSs and RVGLSRs (P = 0.012, P = 0.027) in the TBA group. Early impairment of RV systolic function has already occurred in TGA fetuses during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. PS, VSD, and foramen ovale (FO) were independent risk factors for decreased RV function.

Sağ Ventriküler Deformasyon Analizi İçin Transözofageal ve Transtorasik Ekokardiyografinin Karşılaştırmalı Değerlendirmesi

Objective: The transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the primary method to evaluate the right ventricular (RV) functions, but the assessment of the RV by TTE can be difficult due to the complex structural and anatomical position of the RV. The transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a good alternative to TTE when faced with difficulties in obtaining images. In this study, we investigated the agreement between TTE and TEE for the evaluation of the RV functions.Material and Methods: This study was carried out on 78 patients between January 2017 and May 2017. The TTE and TEE records of the patients were compared by using Bland Altman analysis, and the mean difference and confidence interval between them were analyzed.Results: Seventy-eight patients were involved in this study. The mean age of patients was 42 years, and 34% of the participants were female. In Bland Altman analysis, there was a moderate agreement between TTE and TEE in terms of mean difference of the E velocity, the A velocity, E’, A’. In contrast, there was a good agreement between TTE and TEE in terms of mean difference of RV strain, RV strain rate E, RV strain rate A, RV strain rate S which means that it could be appropriate to use them interchangeably.Conclusion: The deformation parameters are essential for analyzing the RV functions, making a clinical decision, and estimating adverse events. The deformation parameters measured using TEE may yield information as accurate and useful as those measured using TTE, and they may be used interchangeably in making a clinical decision.

Impact of Maternal Hyperoxygenation on Myocardial Deformation and Loading Conditions in Fetuses with and without Left Heart Hypoplasia

Maternal hyperoxygenation (MHO) is used in a variety of clinical applications, but its impact on fetal cardiovascular physiology is poorly understood. Our aims were to describe the effects of MHO on myocardial deformation parameters and on ultrasound-based metrics of preload and afterload and to assess the differential effect of MHO on fetuses with left heart hypoplasia (LHH). We hypothesized that the effects of MHO would be modulated by loading conditions and that fetuses with LHH would be more sensitive to changes in preload and afterload induced by MHO. We performed a post hoc analysis of 36 fetal echocardiograms performed as part of a pilot study of MHO in LHH (n=9) and control (n=9) fetuses. Oxygen was administered via 8L face mask for 10minutes. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain and strain rate, estimated aortic and pulmonary cardiac output, pulmonary vein velocity-time integral (VTI) and pulsatility indices (PI) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), pulmonary arteries (PA), and umbilical artery (UA) were measured at three time points: baseline, during MHO, and 10minutes after removal of MHO. Maternal hyperoxygenation induced decreases in LV strain and strain rate and increases in RV strain and strain rate. Pulmonary artery PI decreased and pulmonary vein VTI increased, suggesting decreased pulmonary vascular resistance and increased pulmonary venous return. Most findings did not return to baseline after removal of MHO. We found no significant effect of MHO on MCA or UA PI. Left heart hypoplasia cases demonstrated similar effects of MHO in control cases, with larger changes in pulmonary vein VTI and LV strain rate. The effects ofMHOon LV and RV mechanics suggest that changes in deformation indices may be explained by increases in LV preload and decreases in RV afterload. The time period for recovery of fetal hemodynamics from MHO is ill-defined.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance\u2010assessed fast global longitudinal strain parameters add diagnostic and prognostic insights in right ventricular volume and pressure loading disease conditions

BackgroundParameters of myocardial deformation may provide improved insights into right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. We quantified RV longitudinal myocardial function using a fast, semi-automated method and investigated its diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), who respectively exemplify patients with RV volume and pressure overload conditions.Methods The study enrolled 150 patients (rTOF, n = 75; PAH, n = 75) and 75 healthy controls. RV parameters of interest were fast global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rates during systole (GLSRs), early diastole (GLSRe) and late diastole (GLSRa), obtained by tracking the distance from the medial and lateral tricuspid valve insertions to the RV epicardial apex on cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).ResultsThe RV fast GLS exhibited good agreement with strain values obtained by conventional feature tracking approach (bias − 4.9%, error limits (± 2·standard deviation) ± 4.3%) with fast GLS achieving greater reproducibility and requiring reduced analysis time. Mean RV fast GLS was reduced in PAH and rTOF groups compared to healthy controls (PAH < rTOF < healthy controls: 15.1 ± 4.9 < 19.3 ± 2.4 < 24.4 ± 3.0%, all P < 0.001 in pairwise comparisons). In rTOF patients, RV fast GLS was significantly associated with metabolic equivalents, peak oxygen consumption (PVO2) and percentage of predicted PVO2 achieved during cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Lower RV fast GLS was associated with subnormal exercise capacity in rTOF (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.822, sensitivity = 72%, specificity = 91%, cut-off = 19.3%). In PAH patients, reduced RV fast GLS was associated with RV decompensated hemodynamics (AUC = 0.717, sensitivity = 75%, specificity = 58%, cut-off = 14.6%) and higher risk of clinical worsening (AUC = 0.808, sensitivity = 79%, specificity = 70 %, cut-off = 16.0%).ConclusionsQuantitative RV fast strain and strain rate parameters assessed from CMR identify abnormalities of RV function in rTOF and PAH and are predictive of exercise capacity, RV decompensation and clinical risks in these patients.Trial registry Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03217240

Right ventricular systolic and diastolic function assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common comorbidity in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), and can induce various changes in the right heart, such as right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, dilatation, and dysfunction. We hypothesized that RV function, not only systolic function but also diastolic function, could be worsened with PH progression. We aimed to compare RV systolic and diastolic function in dogs with MMVD. Twenty healthy dogs and sixty-eight dogs with MMVD were enrolled. Dogs with MMVD were classified into the probability of PH. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic indices for right heart and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography indices were measured. The morphological indicators of the right heart were significantly higher only in the high probability of PH group. The RV strain, early-diastolic and systolic strain rates were significantly lower in the high probability of PH group than those in the low and intermediate probability of PH groups. Multivariate analysis showed that increased RV internal dimension normalized by body weight and RV myocardial performance index were significantly associated with the presence of right-sided congestive heart failure. Speckle tracking echocardiography-derived RV systolic and diastolic function were activated in the low and intermediate probability of PH groups. However, dogs with high probability of PH showed RV myocardial dysfunction and dilatation. Increased RV myocardial performance index and end-diastolic RV internal dimension normalized by body weight were significantly associated with the presence of right-sided congestive heart failure in dogs with MMVD.

Strain and Strain Rate To Evaluate Right Heart Function of Ebstein Anomaly (EA) Patients Before and After Operation.

This study was aimed to elucidate the feasibility of using right ventricular (RV) strain and strain rate to evaluate right heart function of Ebstein anomaly (EA) patients before and after operation. Sixty EA patients and 30 healthy controls underwent echocardiography (UCG) for evaluation of right heart function. Preoperative UCG and 1-week and 3-month postoperative UCG were performed in EA patients. RV strain and strain rate were measured on the four-chamber section of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The strain and strain rate representative of right ventricle systolic function were reduced prior to operation. RV strain and strain rate improved after the operation (P < .001), most significantly in the basal segment and middle segment of the free wall of the right ventricle as well as the basal segment of the interventricular septum (P < .001). The measurement of RV strain and strain rate on tissue Doppler imaging can be employed to assess the preoperative and postoperative RV function, proves the positive effect of tricuspid valve repair on right heart function, and offers more insight on right heart function evaluation.

Reduced Myocardial Strain Parameters in Subjects With Pectus Excavatum: Impaired Myocardial Function or Methodological Limitations Due to Chest Deformity?

Pectus excavatum (PE) may cause symptoms and alter cardiopulmonary function. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function have been reported to be impaired in PE subjects. However, this issue has not been systematically investigated with respect to the degree of chest wall abnormality. We aimed to evaluate the influence of severity of chest shape abnormality on myocardial strain parameters in PE subjects. We studied 30 healthy subjects (55.8 ± 14.0 year/old, 18 males) with PE, assessed by the ratio of chest transverse diameter over the distance between sternum and spine (modified Haller index, MHI, >2.5), and 30 controls (MHI ≤2.5) matched by age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. Participants underwent 2-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography implemented with 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography. Right-heart and left-heart chamber dimensions, and stroke volume, were significantly reduced in PE subjects (all P< 0.0001). While LV ejection fraction, E/A, and E/e', did not significantly differ between the 2 groups, all LV and RV strain and strain rate parameters were severely reduced in subjects with PE (P < 0.0001). Importantly, in PE subjects, but not in controls, LV global longitudinal strain, LV global circumferential strain, LV global radial strain, and RV free wall systolic strain, were all linearly correlated to MHI (all P < 0.0001). In healthy subjects with PE, abnormal chest anatomy progressively impairs myocardial strain. However, this impairment is not due to subclinical myocardial dysfunction; it might reflect intraventricular dyssynchrony due to compressive phenomena, or technical limitations of strain methodology, due to chest wall abnormality.

Differences in right ventricular dysfunction in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension versus secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Right ventricular (RV) function in the setting of pulmonary hypertension based on different etiologies has not been well studied. In this study, we evaluated the RV function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPH) versus secon-dary pulmonary hypertension (SPH) due to congestive heart failure. Forty-five patients with pulmonary hypertension and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III were enrolled. Of these, 22 were diagnosed with IPH and 23 with SPH. Echocardiographic data, including Doppler and Doppler based strain, were assessed according to the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines for detailed evaluation of RV function in these two groups. Mean PAP was 60 ± 14.5 mm Hg in patients with IPH versus 43 ± 11.5 mm Hg in patients with SPH (p = 0.001). Considering conventional indexes of RV function, only Sm and dp/dt were significantly better in the first group compared with the second group (p-value for Sm = 0.042 and for dp/dt = 0.039). RV end diastolic dimension was significantly higher in the IPH group (p = 0.013). Using deformation indexes of RV function, the basal and mid portion of RV free wall strain and basal RV strain rates were significantly worse in the chronic systolic heart failure (PH-HF) group in comparison to the IPH group (p < 0.001 in basal RV strain, p = 0.034 in mid RV strain and p = 0.046 in basal RV strain rate respectively). IPH has less impact on RV function in comparison to PH-HF. Considering both entities are in the category of RV pressure overload, we conclude that the etiology of pulmonary hypertension also plays an important role in RV function in addition to pressure overload.

Transverse Right Ventricle Strain and Strain Rate Assessed by 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs with Pulmonary Hypertension.

Right ventricular (RV) strain analysis using 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) permits practitioners to assess regional and global deformation of the myocardium. Recently, assessment of the longitudinal right ventricle (RV) strain and strain rate using 2D STE has been reported in dogs. Although longitudinal deformation is the dominant component of the RV systole, RV myocardial fibers of the superficial layer are oriented circumferentially and these contribute to the RV pump function (radial deformation). Because this strain component has not been investigated in dogs, we have assessed radial RV strain and strain rate using 2D STE in healthy dogs and dogs with pulmonary hypertension (PH). We have recruited 74 dogs (40 healthy dogs and 34 dogs with PH) in which we have analyzed radial RV free wall strain and strain rate using XstrainTM software. We have used the left apical 4-chamber view optimized for the RV for analysis of the radial strain and strain rate variables (XstrainTM software denoted radial strain as “transverse”). Seven dogs were excluded during the analysis for low quality images. Transverse strain and strain rate obtained in healthy dogs showed no relationship with heart rate, body weight or age (r2 < 0.09 and p > 0.05 for all variables). Moreover, no relationship between transverse strain/strain rate variables and left atrial-to-aortic ratios was observed (r2 < 0.06 and p = 0.2, for both). Transverse strain and strain rate obtained in dogs with PH, showed weak negative relationships with tricuspid regurgitation velocity (r2 < 0.25 and p = 0.006, for both). Transverse RV strain and strain rate using 2D STE is feasible in most dogs and decrease with worsening of the PH, but these advanced echocardiographic indices do not help in identifying dogs with PH.

P1710 Reverse right ventricular remodeling using right ventricular strain and strain rate after mitral clip implantation in functional mitral regurgitation, an echocardiographic study

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements none OnBehalf none Background Chronic mitral regurgitation (MR) leads to right ventricular dysfunction because of volume and pressure overload over a long time. Mitral valve repair with a mitral clip will reduce the (MR) but how much its effect on the right ventricle. Aim The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of Mitral Valve Clipping on right ventricular (RV) remodeling (RV strain and strain rate) at med term after Mitral Clip implantation in high-risk surgical patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods Study population included 62 patients with severe functional MR. All the patients underwent full echocardiographic evaluation before MV clip, and at 12-month follow-up. RV systolic function was assessed using tissue Doppler and TAPSE. Using Tom-Tec software the RV endocardium is traced in the apical 4 chamber view to get the RV strain and strain rate. RV after load was evaluated using systolic pulmonary artery pressure. Results In our cohort, 62 patients had percutaneous mitral valve clip and completed at least 12 months of follow-up. The average age was 60.56 years, 24.19 were females, 50% were diabetic, 46.77 were hypertensive, 12.90 had ESRD and 11.29 % had anemia. Coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 59.41 %, prior CABG in 11.67% and prior PCI in 35.48%. All parameters value was compared pre MV clip and 12 ± 4.6 months after MV clip. The RV longitudinal strain was -12.4 ± 2.6% and improved to -14.6 ± 3.1% (P 0.005) (Figure A and B). The RV strain rate was -1.1 ± 0.41 and improved to -1.3 ± 0.57 (P 0.004) (Figure C and D). The tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was 1.76 ±0.57 mm, and improved to 1.82 ±0.63 mm (P 0.4). The systolic velocity at the tricuspid annulus was 9.50 ±2.33cm/sec and improved to 9.64 ±2.72 cm/sec (P 0.269). The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) was 50.49 ±13.92 and improved to 42.33 (P 0.036). Conclusion Mitral Clip implantation induces a significant reverse remodeling of RV. It produces significant improvement in the hemodynamics of the right side indicated by the significant reduction in SPAP and a significant increase in longitudinal RV strain and strain rate. Those changes could be a direct reflection of the concomitant reduction in LV filling pressure produced by the significant reverse remodeling of the LV caused by Mitral Clipping. Abstract P1710 Figure.

Assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in patients with mitral stenosis: A speckle tracking study.

Although it is affected at an early stage, there is a lack of studies investigating right ventricular (RV) function in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). We aimed to investigate the correlation between conventional echocardiographic variables and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), used as an indicator of RV dysfunction. We enrolled 59 consecutive patients with MS and assigned them in group 1 if TAPSE ≤16, or group 2 if: TAPSE >16. The mean age of the patients was 42.2 ± 8 years, and 74.6% were females. In univariate analysis, maximal mitral valve gradient, mean mitral valve gradient, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, RV strain, and RV strain rates were associated with RV dysfunction. In multivariate analysis, both strain variables were found to be independent predictors of RV dysfunction. Kaplan Maier survival analysis showed that patients with lower RV strain had more rehospitalization rate during the one-year follow-up period. RV dysfunction is common in patients with MS and is associated with higher rehospitalization rate and morbidity. Evaluation of RV strain and strain rate for early detection of RV dysfunction and prediction of rehospitalization may be an appropriate approach in mitral stenosis.

Biventricular tissue tracking demonstrating associations between left ventricular myocardial extracellular volume, pulmonary artery pressure, and reduced right ventricular ejection fraction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using cardiovascular MRI

To investigate the feasibility and prognostic value of biventricular strain analysis for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and relationship to left ventricular (LV) myocardial fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension (PAH), and right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (RVEF). A total of 50 SLE patients (47 women; 34.4±12 years) and 15 controls (13 women; 32.9±8.6 years) were imaged via echocardiography and a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) was assessed using echocardiography. Biventricular global circumferential strain (GCS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain rate (GCSR), and global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR) as well as LV myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) were derived for each subject. Elevated LV ECV was significantly associated with LV GCS (beta -0.428, p=0.000), GLS (beta 0.404, p=0.000), GCSR (beta -0.350, p=0.006), GLSR (beta -0.445, p=0.000) and RV GCS (beta -0.373, p=0.000), and the presence of reduced RVEF was significantly associated with LV GCS (beta -0.338, p=0.002), GLS (beta -0.465, p=0.000) and RV GCS (beta -0.465, p=0.000). Raised sPAP was significantly associated with RV GLS (beta 0.445, p=0.000) and GCSR (beta -0.387, p=0.001). Moreover, there were significantly correlations between LV and RV strain and strain rate. Biventricular strain analysis may be a better prognostic tool for patients with SLE as it allows greater comprehensive analysis and more definitive treatment planning compared to separate assessment of LV or RV contractility.

Levosimendan or milrinone for right ventricular inotropic treatment?-A secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of milrinone and levosimendan on right ventricular (RV) inotropy and lusitropy in patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR) for aortic stenosis, a procedure in which an abnormal postoperative RV function may be seen. In a prospective, blinded trial, 31 patients were randomized to receive either milrinone (0.4 and 0.8µg/kg/min, n=16) or levosimendan (0.1 and 0.2µg/kg/min, n=15) after AVR for aortic stenosis. RV performance, afterload (pulmonary arterial elastance), RV strain, systolic (SR-S) and early diastolic (SR-E) strain rate were measured by pulmonary artery thermodilution catheterization and transoesophageal two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. To circumvent the indirect effects of inodilator-induced hemodynamic changes on RV systolic and diastolic deformation, pulmonary arterial elastance, central venous pressure and heart rate were maintained constant by atrial pacing, plasma volume expansion with colloids and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction during treatment with the inotropes. A dose-dependent increase in stroke volume index and cardiac index by approximately 20% were seen with both agents at the highest doses, with no difference between groups (P=.792 and 0.744, respectively). In both groups, RV strain and SR-S dose-dependently increased by 20% and 15%-19%, respectively, at the highest doses (P=.742 and 0.259, respectively) with no difference between groups. SR-E improved by both agents 20%-24% at the highest dose with no difference between groups (P=.714). The direct RV inotropic and lusitropic effects of levosimendan and milrinone were comparable at clinically relevant infusion rates.

P310Differentiation between arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and athlete's heart using cardiac magnetic resonance based derived parameters and strain analysis

Abstract Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a major cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. However diagnosing ARVC in highly trained athletes may be complicated because of overlapping features such as elevated right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume index or T-wave inversion in precordial leads. The revised Task Force criteria contain no specific cut-off value for professional athletes. Additional CMR parameters and CMR deformation imaging may have an added diagnostic value in this special patient population. Our goal was to determine novel CMR parameters which can help to distinguish between ARVC and athlete's heart. CMR examination of ARVC patients with definite diagnosis based on the revised Task Force criteria (n=34; 41±13 y, 22 male) and healthy professional athletes (members of the Hungarian national water polo, canoing or rowing team performing minimum of 15 hours of training per week, n=34, 32±6 y, 22 male) was performed. We evaluated left and right ventricular end-systolic, end-diastolic (EDVi) and stroke volume index, ejection fraction (EF) and mass. We established derived parameters such as ejection fraction ratio (LVEF/RVEF) and end-diastolic volume ratio (LVEDV/RVEDV). Global and regional strain analysis for the right ventricle was performed using feature tracking technique. Area under the ROC curves (AUC) of conventional and derived CMR parameters and CMR based strain values were analysed. There was no significant difference between RVEDVi of ARVC patients and athletes (124±17 vs 142±47), RVEF was lower in ARVC patients compared to athletes (56±5 vs 41±14%; p&lt;0.001). Significant differences were found between athletes and ARVC patients in LVEDV/RVEDV (0.96±0.08 vs 0.82±0.23), LVEF/RVEF (1.04±0.06 vs 1.41±0.56), global circumferential strain (−34.8±5.9 vs −25.2±12.2) and regional strain values such as midventricular RV strain (−31.5±10.2 vs −20.0±13.4) or midventricular RV strain rate (−1.37±0.56 vs −1.04±0.68), respectively. RVEF and LVEF/RVEF showed excellent (AUC of 0.9–1.0), RV global strain and RV midventricular strain values showed good diagnostic accuracy (AUC of 0.8–0.9), while RVEDVi showed poor diagnostic accuracy (AUC of 0.59). Consequently, in highly trained healthy athletes RVEDVi is in the range of major Task Force criteria, while CMR based derived parameters such as LVEDV/RVEDV or LVEF/RVEF and both global and regional RV strain parameters can be useful parameters in the differential diagnosis. Acknowledgement/Funding National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NKFIH) of Hungary (K 120277), ÚNKP-18-3-IV New National Excellence Program of Human Capacities.

Age- and gender-related normal references of right ventricular strain values by tissue tracking cardiac magnetic resonance: results from a Chinese population.

Myocardial deformation is a sensitive marker for sub-clinical myocardial dysfunction and carries independent prognostic significance across a broad range of cardiovascular diseases. Reproducible and repeatable assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is vital for monitoring congenital and acquired heart diseases. The purpose of this study was to determine the normal references of RV strain and strain rate values using tissue tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A cohort of 120 normal human subjects from each decade of life between 20 and 70 without cardiac diseases were enrolled in this study. Retrospectively, electrocardiogram (ECG) gating cardiac MRI imaging was performed at 3.0T with balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging. RV global and segmental myocardial strains were analyzed by tissue tracking by two experienced observers. The global peak longitudinal strain (GLS) and global peak radial strain (GRS) was -24.3±4.7 and 23.0±8.5 respectively. For the peak circumferential strains (GCS), the values for global, basal, mid-cavity, and apical segments were -13.3±4.1, -13.1±4.0, -12.5±4.7, and -15.9±5.8, respectively. There were significant gender differences in peak GRS (P=0.009) and at the base (P=0.017) and the mid-cavity (P=0.011) with greater deformation in females than in males. There were also significant age differences in GRS (P<0.001), GCS for basal (P<0.001), and mid-cavity segments (P=0.037). On Bland-Altman analysis, peak GLS and GRS had the best intra-observer agreement (mean bias, -0.13±0.51; 95% CI, -1.13-0.87) and inter-observer (mean bias, 0.054±0.31; 95% CI, -0.55-0.66) agreement, respectively. Normal values of RV deformation for healthy individuals using tissue tracking cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR-TT) provided good RV peak strain reproducibility. There was a significant correlation between RV strain or strain rate parameters with either age or sex.

The right heart of the elite senior rugby football league athlete.

Right heart enlargement is common in the athletes' heart phenotype; however, few data exist regarding interpretation of normal athletic adaptation during Preparticipation Cardiac Screening (PCS) of Rugby Football League (RFL) athletes. Echocardiography is utilized during PCS and thus the primary aim of this study was to establish the normal right ventricular (RV) phenotype in elite RFL athletes using standard 2-D echocardiography and myocardial mechanics. The secondary aim was to describe right atrial (RA) structure and function using 2-D echocardiography. 139 male RFL athletes underwent echocardiographic evaluation of the right heart including RV strain (ɛ) and strain rate (SR) imaging using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Nonathletic males were used for comparison and allometric scaling was applied for conventional echocardiographic parameters. Scaled RV dimensions were larger in athletes (P<0.05) with the exception of the mid-cavity. No differences (P>0.05) in RV fractional area change (FAC) and RV longitudinal ɛ were observed between groups. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI)-indexed parameters and global strain rate (SR) were lower (P<0.05) in athletes with HR and weight found to have co-variance with SR. The RA was larger in athletes (P<0.001) with no functional difference (P>0.05) observed by volume assessment. Reduction in SR and indexed TDI are partly associated with lower HR and increased body mass and are likely to represent normal physiological adaptation in RFL athletes. RA enlargement appears proportional to RV enlargement. These data may aid interpretation of normal athletic adaptation during PCS of RFL athletes.

Influence of different dynamic sporting disciplines on right ventricular Structure and function in elite male athletes

Our objective was to assess the influence of different levels of exposure to dynamic training on right ventricular (RV) structure, function and mechanics in elite male athletes. We recruited 492 male elite athletes aged between 18 and 30 years old. Athletes were grouped according to their sporting discipline using the Mitchell Classification as Low Dynamic (LD), Moderate Dynamic (MD) or High Dynamic (HD). All participants underwent 2D, Doppler, tissue Doppler and strain (ε) echocardiography with a focused and comprehensive assessment of the right heart. Athletes involved in MD sports had the largest absolute RV chamber size and when scaled to body size RVOT PLAX, RVOT2, RVD1 and RVD3 were larger in HD compared to MD and LD athletes. There were no between group differences in conventional RV functional indices as well as global RV ε (LD: − 23.4 ± 3.1 vs. MD: − 22.7 ± 2.7 vs. HD: − 23.5 ± 2.6, %) and strain rate (P > 0.01). The base to apex ε gradient in the RV septum was lower in the MD athletes compared to HD and LD due to a lower apical septal ε which significantly correlated with absolute RV chamber size. After scaling for body size there was evidence of larger RV cavities in both MD and HD athletes compared to LD athletes. Global RV function, ε and strain rate were not different between groups. MD athletes had lower apical septal ε that contributed to a smaller base-to-apex ε gradient that is partially associated with larger absolute RV chamber dimensions.