Segmental Circumferential Strain Research Articles

Impact of the cone operation on left ventricular size, function, and dyssynchrony in Ebstein anomaly: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study

BackgroundIn addition to tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and right ventricular (RV) enlargement, patients with Ebstein anomaly are at risk for left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and dyssynchrony. We studied the impact of the cone tricuspid valve reconstruction operation on LV size, function, and dyssynchrony.MethodsAll Ebstein anomaly patients who had both pre- and postoperative cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies were retrospectively identified. From cine images, RV and LV volumes and ejection fractions (EF) were calculated, and LV circumferential and longitudinal strain were measured by feature tracking. To quantify LV dyssynchrony, temporal offsets (TOs) were computed among segmental circumferential strain versus time curves using cross-correlation analysis and patient-specific reference curves. An LV dyssynchrony index was calculated as the standard deviation of the TOs.ResultsTwenty patients (65% female) were included with a median age at cone operation of 16 years, and a median time between pre- and postoperative CMR of 2.8 years. Postoperatively, there was a decline in the TR fraction (56 ± 19% vs. 5 ± 4%, p < 0.001), RV end-diastolic volume (EDV) (242 ± 110 ml/m2 vs. 137 ± 82 ml/m2, p < 0.001), and RV stroke volume (SV) (101 ± 35 vs. 51 ± 7 ml/m2, p < 0.001). RV EF was unchanged. Conversely, there was an increase in both LV EDV (68 ± 13 vs. 85 ± 13 ml/m2, p < 0.001) and LV stroke volume (37 ± 8 vs. 48 ± 6 ml/m2, p < 0.001). There was no change in LV EF, or global circumferential and longitudinal strain but basal septal circumferential strain improved (16 ± 7% vs. 22 ± 5%, p = 0.04). LV contraction become more synchronous (dyssynchrony index: 32 ± 17 vs. 21 ± 9 msec, p = 0.02), and the extent correlated with the reduction in RV EDV and TR.ConclusionsIn patients with the Ebstein anomaly, the cone operation led to reduced TR and RV stroke volume, increased LV stroke volume, improved LV basal septal strain, and improved LV synchrony. Our data demonstrates that the detrimental effect of the RV on LV function can be mitigated by the cone operation.

Improved segmental myocardial strain reproducibility using deformable registration algorithms compared with feature tracking cardiac MRI and speckle tracking echocardiography.

Segmental myocardial strain using feature tracking (FT) cardiac MRI is not acceptable due to poor reproducibility. To assess the reproducibility of left ventricle (LV) segmental myocardial strain measured by deformation registration algorithm (DRA). Prospective clinical trial. Sixteen healthy volunteers and 28 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. Retrospective ECG gating cardiac MRI imaging was performed at 3.0T with a steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence. LV global and segmental myocardial strains were analyzed by DRA, FT, and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) by two experienced observers and the reproducibility of global and segmental strains were compared. Reproducibility was tested by coefficient of variation (COV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Receiver operator curves as well as comparison of areas under the curve (AUC) were analyzed. DRA showed the best observer agreement on segmental strain evaluated by ICC, LS (longitudinal strain): intraobserver variability range (0.98,1.00), interobserver variability range (0.83,0.92), CS (circumferential strain): intraobserver variability range (0.90,0.99), interobserver variability range (0.80,0.97), RS (radial strain): intraobserver variability range (0.84,0.99), interobserver variability range (0.85,0.99). Segmental LS, CS, and RS agreements evaluated by COV for FT and STE were poor. LV global myocardial strain of HCM was significantly lower than controls for all applied techniques, but global CS by DRA had better accuracy compared to FT or STE for distinguishing HCM from healthy subjects: AUC 0.880 (DRA) vs. 0.577 (FT) or 0.736 (STE), P < 0.05. DRA is a reliable and robust analysis tool for segmental myocardial strain. Global CS by DRA allows discrimination between HCM and normal controls with better accuracy compared with FT and STE. 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:404-414.

Left atrial dysfunction in light-chain cardiac amyloidosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – A comparative three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic analysis from the MAGYAR-Path Study

IntroductionWhile cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a rare systemic disease characterized by extracellular deposition of protein-derived fibrils, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is histopathologically characterized by myocyte hypertrophy and disarray, interstitial fibrosis, and small intramural coronary arteriole dysplasia. The aim of the present study was to compare left atrial (LA) volumetric and functional characteristics between light-chain (AL) CA and HCM by three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). MethodsThe AL-CA group initially consisted of 17 patients with AL-CA, but one patient was excluded due to inadequate image quality, and so the study population consisted of 16 patients (mean age: 64.0±9.6 years, five men). Their results were compared with data on 20 age-matched HCM patients (mean age: 59.8±5.2 years, 10 men) and on 16 age-matched healthy controls (mean age: 58.2±7.2 years, six men). Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3D-STE were performed in all cases. ResultsSignificantly increased LA volumes were observed in both AL-CA and HCM compared with the control group. Only active atrial emptying fraction was found to be significantly reduced in AL-CA patients compared to controls. Peak global and mean segmental circumferential, longitudinal and area strains showed significant reductions in AL-CA patients compared with controls, but only peak mean segmental longitudinal strain differed significantly between HCM patients and controls. While no differences were demonstrated in global and mean segmental strain at atrial contraction between HCM patients and controls, AL-CA patients showed reductions in certain strain parameters compared to controls and HCM patients. ConclusionsDifferent patterns of LA functional characteristics were demonstrated in AL-CA and HCM patients by 3D-STE.

Is there a relationship between increased aortic stiffness and segmental left ventricular deformation in elite athletes? (Insights from the MAGYAR-Sport Study).

Introduction Myocardial contractility of the left ventricle (LV) is related to arterial distensibility. Sport activity is frequently associated with changes in both LV and arterial functions. This study aimed to find correlations between three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived segmental LV deformation parameters and echocardiographically assessed aortic stiffness index (ASI) in athletes. This study comprised 26 young elite athletes (mean age: 26.7±8.4 years, nine men). Results Among segmental circumferential strains (CSs), only that of apical anterior (r = 0.40, p = 0.05), septal (r = 0.47, p = 0.01), inferior (r = 0.59, p = 0.001), lateral (r = 0.44, p<0.05), and midventricular anteroseptal (r = 0.44, p<0.05) segments correlated with ASI, whereas LV-CS of the midventricular anterior segment showed a correlation tendency. Only longitudinal strain of basal anteroseptal (r = -0.46, p < 0.05) and inferoseptal (r = -0.57, p < 0.01) segments showed correlations with ASI, whereas that of the basal anterior segment had only a tendency to correlate. Some segmental multidirectional strains also correlated with ASI. Conclusions Correlations could be demonstrated between increased aortic stiffness and circular function of the apical and midventricular LV fibers and longitudinal motion of the basal septum and LV anterior wall (part of LV outflow tract) in maintaining circulation in the elite athletes.

Comparison of Displacement Encoding With Stimulated Echoes to Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking for the Assessment of Myocardial Strain in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to compare myocardial strain by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) to those derived from displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Twenty patients (65 pa13years) with AMI underwent cine, DENSE, black-blood T2-weighted and late gadolinium enhancement CMR at 1.5T. Global and segmental strain was determined by CMR-FT analysis and DENSE on matched 3 short-axis planes. Global circumferential strain by CMR-FT showed a good agreement with that by DENSE (r= 0.85, p <0.001; bias 0.02, limits of agreement-0.03 to 0.06). For segmental circumferential strain, r coefficient between CMR-FT and DENSE was 0.61 (p <0.001) with bias of 0.02, limits of agreement of-0.07 to 0.11. Regional circumferential strain determined by CMR-FT in infarct segments (-0.08 ± 0.05) was significantly altered compared with that in remote normal segments (-0.15 ± 0.05, p <0.001). CMR-FT measurement of regional and global circumferential strain showed good agreement with DENSE in patients with AMI.

Assessment of left ventricular global systolic strain in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after modified Morrow surgery by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging

Objective To evaluate left ventriclular systolic function in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM) after modified Morrow surgery using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI). Methods Twenty three HOCM patients were recruited in this study. Echocardiographic data from HOCM patients during pre-operation, 1-month and 3-month post-operation were analyzed by Qlab software to compare the variation in systolic function indicators 1-month and 3-month post-operation including global and 16 segmental longitudinal strain, circumferential strain and conventional echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle. Results Compared with preoperative data of HOCM patients, postoperative LVOT diameter and pressure gradient, left atrial diameter and volume index were significantly decreased(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction(P<0.05). Compared with the preoperative case, global and segmental longitudinal strain showed significant reduction after 1 week and gradually recovered after 3 months, without significant variation. The longitudinal strain of the anteroseptum reduced significantly and the longitudinal strain of the free wall increased after 3 months, however, the circumferential strain reduced significantly. The circumferential strain of basal and middle segment after 3 months had improved significantly than those of postoperative 1 week. The circumferential strain of surgical site is no obvious change and the strain of free wall was improved after 3 months. Conclusions 2D-STI can effectively evaluate global and regional systolic function of left ventricle for HOCM patients after modified Morrow surgery. Key words: Echocardiography; Cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic; Ventricular function, left; Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging

The Use of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for Early Detection of Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Cardiac complications are the leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Two-dimensional echocardiography is the current standard for monitoring of LV systolic function in these patients, but it might not detect early systolic dysfunction. The current study examined the use of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) to detect early signs of cardiac dysfunction in DMD patients. A retrospective review of charts and offline strain analysis of transthoracic echocardiographic studies of DMD patients at our institution from April 2014 to January 2015 were performed and compared to age-matched healthy male subjects. Nineteen DMD patients (age range 12.6±3.1years) with normal ejection fraction and shortening fraction were compared with sixteen controls. The global circumferential strain was lower in DMD patients compared with controls (-14.7±4.7 vs. -23.1±2.9%, respectively, p value: 0.001). Circumferential strain measured at basal, mid-ventricular and apical parasternal short-axis views was lower in DMD patients compared with controls. Segmental circumferential strain was lower in DMD patients in most segments compared with controls. The global longitudinal strain was lower in DMD patients compared with controls (-13.6±5 vs. -18.8±3%, respectively, p value: 0.001). Segmental longitudinal strain measured in various segments was lower in DMD patients compared with controls. DMD patients can have occult cardiovascular dysfunction as shown by reduction in circumferential and longitudinal strain measurements with STE despite normal standard echocardiographic parameters. The clinical significance of early detection of cardiac dysfunction in these patients warrants further studies.

Characterization of left atrial dysfunction in hypereosinophilic syndrome – Insights from the Motion analysis of the heart and great vessels by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in pathological cases (MAGYAR-Path) Study

IntroductionThe present study was designed to compare three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)-derived left atrial (LA) volumetric, volume-based functional and strain parameters between patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and matched controls. MethodsA total of 10 HES patients and 19 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE were performed in all HES cases and controls. ResultsSignificantly increased maximum (72.9±38.8 ml vs. 45.6±15.5 ml, p=0.01) and minimum (46.3±33.3 ml vs. 26.0±15.0 ml, p=0.03) LA volumes and LA volume before atrial contraction (62.0±36.0 ml vs. 36.5±16.6 ml, p=0.01) were found in HES patients compared to controls. Both peak global (18.3±6.7% vs. 25.6±9.0%, p=0.03) and mean segmental (22.2±6.0% vs. 31.0±12.1%, p=0.04) circumferential strains were significantly reduced in HES patients, suggesting decreased LA reservoir function. ConclusionIncreased LA volumes can be demonstrated in HES patients, accompanied by reduced LA peak circumferential strain as assessed by 3DSTE, suggesting LA remodeling.

Characterization of left atrial dysfunction in hypereosinophilic syndrome – Insights from the Motion analysis of the heart and great vessels by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in pathological cases (MAGYAR-Path) Study

IntroductionThe present study was designed to compare three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE)-derived left atrial (LA) volumetric, volume-based functional and strain parameters between patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and matched controls. MethodsA total of 10 HES patients and 19 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Complete two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and 3DSTE were performed in all HES cases and controls. ResultsSignificantly increased maximum (72.9±38.8 ml vs. 45.6±15.5 ml, p=0.01) and minimum (46.3±33.3 ml vs. 26.0±15.0 ml, p=0.03) LA volumes and LA volume before atrial contraction (62.0±36.0 ml vs. 36.5±16.6 ml, p=0.01) were found in HES patients compared to controls. Both peak global (18.3±6.7% vs. 25.6±9.0%, p=0.03) and mean segmental (22.2±6.0% vs. 31.0±12.1%, p=0.04) circumferential strains were significantly reduced in HES patients, suggesting decreased LA reservoir function. ConclusionIncreased LA volumes can be demonstrated in HES patients, accompanied by reduced LA peak circumferential strain as assessed by 3DSTE, suggesting LA remodeling.

Comparison of heart deformation analysis and cine DENSE in volunteers and heart failure patients

Background Post-processing methods have been developed to quantify myocardial strain from steady-state free-precession (SSFP) cine images. In the left ventricle (LV), global strain measurements from SSFP in healthy volunteers and in some types of heart disease compare favorably with myocardial tagging as a reference. We compared heart deformation analysis (HDA) of SSFP images and cine Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) for the assessment of global and segmental circumferential strain (Ecc) and derivative indices in healthy volunteers and heart failure (HF) patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB).

Does the internal jugular vein affect the elasticity of the common carotid artery?

BackgroundArterial stiffness is an early marker of atherosclerosis. The carotid arteries are easily accessible by ultrasound and are commonly used for the evaluation of atherosclerosis development. However, this stiffness assessment is based on the elastic properties of the artery, which may be influenced by the adjacent internal jugular vein (IJV).The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of internal jugular vein morphology on the stiffness of the common carotid artery.MethodsBilateral carotid ultrasound was performed in 248 individuals. When no carotid plaque was detected (90.9 % cases), the distensibility coefficient and β - stiffness index were calculated. The global and segmental circumferential strain parameters of the carotid wall were evaluated with 2D-Speckle Tracking. The cross-sectional area of the IJV and degree of its adherence to the carotid wall (angle of adherence) were measured.ResultsThe morphology of the IJV did not influence the standard stiffness parameters nor the global circumferential strain. However, segmental analysis found the sector adjacent to the IJV to have significantly higher strain parameters than its opposite counterpart. In addition, the strain correlated significantly and positively with IJV cross-sectional area and angle of adherence.ConclusionsThe movement of the carotid artery wall caused by the passage of the pulse wave is not homogeneous. The greatest strain is observed in a segment adjacent to the IJV, and the degree of wall deformation is associated with the size of the vein and the degree of its adherence.

Complex evaluation of left atrial dysfunction in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography: results from the MAGYAR-Path Study.

Objective:Changes in left atrial (LA) function can be observed in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Three-dimensional (3-D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) seems to be a promising tool for volumetric and functional evaluation of LA. The objective of the present study was to compare 3DSTE-derived LA volumetric and strain parameters between T1DM patients and matched healthy controls.Methods:This prospective study consists of 17 subcutaneous insulin pump-treated non-obese patients with T1DM (mean age: 33.5±8.2 years, 8 males). To exclude possible cardiovascular disease, patients with complaints of chest pain, dyspnea, or signs of cerebrovascular disease or peripheral artery disease were not included. Their results were compared with 20 age-matched and gender-matched healthy controls (mean age: 36.9±11.0 years, 9 males). Independent sample Student t-test and Fisher’s exact test were used for comparisons. Bland–Altman method was used for evaluating intraobserver and interobserver correlations.Results:Anemia and impaired renal function were not confirmed in T1DM patients. Calculated LA maximum and minimum volumes and LA volume before atrial contraction were significantly increased in T1DM patients. Total atrial stroke volume was increased (23.6±6.9 mL vs. 19.6±4.6 mL, p=0.04), whereas mean segmental circumferential peak strain was decreased (28.9%±11.4% vs. 37.3%±12.5%, p=0.04). Segmental basal longitudinal and area strains were increased, whereas segmental superior circumferential and area strains and midatrial 3-D strain were decreased in T1DM.Conclusion:Both 3DSTE-derived volumetric and strain analysis confirmed alterations in LA function, suggesting early LA remodeling in patients with T1DM. (Anatol J Cardiol 2016; 16: 587-93)

Abstract 11093: Layer-specific Quantification of Myocardial Deformation by Strain Echocardiography May Reveal the Mechanism of Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate compensatory mechanisms in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients (pts) with preserved left-ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). Methods: Speckle-tracking echocardiography (Vivid E9, GE) was performed in 50 HCM with preserved LV EF (38 m; 49± 14 y, all LV EF &gt; 55%) and 50 age, gender matched controls (38 m; 49±12 y). The global and segmental longitudinal (LS), circumferential (CS) and radial strain (RS) strains of endocardia (End), mid-wall and epicardia layers were analyzed using a novel layer-specific TTE. The ratio of End to epicardia strain (End/Epi) was calculated. Results: The LV EF were similar in pts and controls (64±8 vs 64±7 %, p=0.95). The diastolic function was significantly impaired in HCM pts compared with controls (E/E’:18.4±8.4 vs 8.6 ±2.4, p&lt;0.0001). The absolute value of LS and CS was reserved at apical End layers (-34±7 vs -35±6, p=0.44); the remaining segments and LV global LS and CS of three layers were significantly smaller (LS,-16±5 vs -22±3; CS -24±8 vs -33±7; p&lt;0.0001), and LS and CS End/Epi (1.7±0.3 vs 1.3±0.1, 3.4±1.1 vs 1.7±0.2 respectively, P &lt;0.0001) was significantly higher in HCM pts than in controls. The RS and LV twist were preserved in all LV segments (27±10 vs 24±12, p=0.19; 20±8 vs 18±5, p=0.33; respectively). In HCM pts, the LV LS value at basal and middle levels revealed significant negative correlations with LV relative wall thickness (r=–0.65, –0.59 and –0.60, –0.54, respectively , p&lt; 0.0001); and mild negative correlations (r=-0.33,-0.29, p&lt;0.0001). The LV CS value at all levels revealed mild correlations with relative wall thickness (r=-0.22, p&lt;0.05) . The LS were significantly reduced at the hypertrophic segments (Figure). Conclusions: In HCM patients with preserved LVEF, LV GLS was impaired, but apical End LS and basal End CS, LV RS as well as LV twist were maintained as the compensation for reduction LV LS and CS. The Bull’s eye of LS may help us to localize the lesion segments and define the type of HCM.

TVP1022

The current cornerstone treatment of myocardial infarction (MI) is restoration of coronary blood flow by means of thrombolytic therapy or primary percutaneous coronary intervention. However, reperfusion of ischemic myocardium can actually provoke tissue damage, defined as "ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury." TVP1022 [the S-isomer of rasagiline (Azilect), FDA-approved anti-Parkinson's drug] was found to exert cardioprotective activities against various cardiac insults, such as chronic heart failure and I/R, in rat models. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that TVP1022 will provide cardioprotection against I/R injury and post-MI remodeling in a pig model. For inducing MI, we used an I/R model of midleft anterior descending artery occlusion for 90 minutes followed by follow-up for 8 weeks in 18 farm pigs (9 pigs in each group, MI + TVP1022 or MI + Vehicle). Echocardiographic measurements were performed and cardiac scar size was calculated using histopathological methods. For fibrosis evaluation, we measured the interstitial collagen volume fraction in the remote noninfarcted tissue. TVP1022 administration significantly decreased cardiac scar size, attenuated left ventricular dilation, and improved cardiac function assessed by segmental circumferential strain analysis. Furthermore, TVP1022 significantly reduced myocardial fibrosis 8 weeks post-MI. Collectively, these findings indicate that TVP1022 provides prominent cardioprotection against I/R injury and post-MI remodeling in this I/R pig model.

18 Relationship of myocardial strain and markers of myocardial injury to predict segmental recovery following acute st-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Background Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) predicts functional recovery in stunned myocardium. Acutely post STEMI, LGE overestimates infarct and underestimates potential for functional recovery. There are no large studies comparing CMR predictors of segmental recovery in acute STEMI. Purpose Determine whether segmental circumferential strain (Ecc), myocardial salvage (MSI), microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial haemorrhage (IMH) predict segmental functional recovery and offer incremental predictive value to segmental extent of enhancement (SEE) acutely post-PPCI. Methods 1.5T CMR was performed in 164 patients (2624 segments) at 48 hr and 9 month post-STEMI. LV function was assessed on wall-motion scoring on SSFP cines. Segmental dysfunction was WMS ≥2, improvement was WMS decrease of ≥1 and normalisation where WMS returned to 1 at follow-up. SEE and MVO were assessed on LGE using full-width half-maximum thresholding. Oedema and IMH were assessed on T2w imaging using Otsu’s Automated Method. Ecc was Feature Tracking-derived. MSI was the proportion of non-infarcted segmental oedema. Accuracy of baseline SEE, segmental Ecc, MSI, MVO and IMH in predicting improvement and normalisation in dysfunctional segments was assessed with Receiver Operator Curves. Results 32% of segments were dysfunctional at baseline and 19% at follow-up. With increasing SEE, segmental function worsened and proportion of dysfunctional segments recovering decreased. However 33% of SEE >75% segments improved (Figure 1a). SEE was a strong predictor of improvement (AUC 0.708) and normalisation (AUC 0.807). SEE was a stronger predictor than MVO, IMH and Ecc (p Conclusions This is the largest study assessing CMR predictors of segmental recovery in acute STEMI. Baseline SEE was the strongest predictor. Ecc, MSI, MVO and IMH provided no incremental predictive value to SEE. Functional improvement can occur where SEE >75%.

24 Peak circumferential strain assessed using strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance (dense) in healthy volunteers at 1.5- and 3.0 TESLA: Abstract 24 Table 1

<h3>Background</h3> Displacement Encoding with Stimulated Echoes (DENSE) is a strain-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) method that directly quantifies left ventricular (LV) mechanics within myocardial regions. Strain values might vary according to CMR field strength. In order to assess this possibility, we implemented strain-encoded CMR at 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla with DENSE in healthy adults. <h3>Methods</h3> Healthy volunteers without any medical history or treatment gave informed consent and underwent CMR at 1.5T (Magnetom Avanto, Siemens Healthcare) and 3.0T (Magnetom Verio; Siemens Healthcare) within 24 h. The imaging protocol included balanced steady state free precession (b-SSFP) sequences for cardiac anatomy and function and strain-encoded CMR with DENSE. (CIM_DENSE2D software (University of Auckland, New Zealand; Siemens Healthcare). Global- and segmental circumferential strain was measured at the mid-ventricular level. <h3>Results</h3> Sixty five participants (31 (48%) male, mean age 44 ± 18) were included (Table 1). Mean global and regional strain values differed slightly between 1.5T and 3.0T, and these differences were mainly related to strain values in the anterior and anterolateral LV segments were LV displacement is greatest. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Strain-encoded CMR with DENSE provides regionally localised measurements of circumferential strain. Subtle field-strength differences were apparent for anterior/antero-lateral LV strain. <h3>Funding</h3> Medical Research Scotland project grant. Professor Berry was supported by a Senior Clinical Fellowship from the Scottish Funding Council.

Comparison of cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking and tagging for the assessment of left ventricular systolic strain in acute myocardial infarction

AimsTo assess the feasibility of feature tracking (FT)-measured systolic strain post acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and compare strain values to those obtained with tagging. MethodsCardiovascular MRI at 1.5T was performed in 24 patients, 2.2 days post STEMI. Global and segmental circumferential (Ecc) and longitudinal (Ell) strain were assessed using FT and tagging, and correlated with total and segmental infarct size, area at risk and myocardial salvage. ResultsAll segments tracked satisfactorily with FT (p<0.001 vs. tagging). Total analysis time per patient was shorter with FT (38.2±3.8min vs. 63.7±10.3min, p<0.001 vs. tagging). Global Ecc and Ell were higher with FT than with tagging, apart from FT Ecc using the average of endocardial and epicardial contours (−13.45±4.1 [FT] vs. −13.85±3.9 [tagging], p=0.66). Intraobserver and interobserver agreement for global strain were excellent for FT (ICC 0.906–0.990) but interobserver agreement for tagging was lower (ICC<0.765). Interobserver and intraobserver agreement for segmental strain was good for both techniques (ICC>0.7) apart from tagging Ell, which was poor (ICC=0.15). FT-derived Ecc significantly correlated with total infarct size (r=0.44, p=0.03) and segmental infarct extent (r=0.44, p<0.01), and best distinguished transmurally infarcted segments (AUC 0.77) and infarcted from adjacent and remote segments. FT-derived Ecc correlated strongest with segmental myocardial salvage (rs=−0.406). ConclusionsFT global Ecc and Ell measurement in acute STEMI is feasible and robust. FT-derived strain is quicker to analyse, tracks myocardium better, has better interobserver variability and correlated more strongly with infarct, area at risk (oedema), myocardial salvage and infarct transmurality.

Myocardial shortening in 3 orthogonal directions and its transmural variation in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Although longitudinal strain (LS) is known to be reduced in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), it has not been elucidated whether or not circumferential strain (CS) is reduced. We aimed to determine whether multidirectional and layer-specific myocardial strain is reduced in patients with nonobstructive HCM. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed in 41 HCM patients and 27 control subjects. Segmental and global LS and CS were measured in the inner, mid, and outer layers. Global LS was significantly lower in the HCM group than in controls in the inner (-10.3±2.9 vs. -14.8±2.0%, P<0.001), mid (-8.7±2.6 vs. -13.8±1.9%, P<0.001), and outer (-7.2±2.6 vs. -11.9±1.9%, P<0.001) layers. Global CS was preserved in the inner layer (-23.8±4.7 vs. -24.3±3.3%, P=0.69) but reduced in the mid (-10.3±3.1 vs. -13.3±2.5%, P<0.001) and outer layers (-6.7±2.3 vs. -8.6±2.3%, P=0.002). Differences in CS between the inner and outer layers correlated with segmental relative wall thickness (r=-0.20, P=0.002). Furthermore, only the absolute value of global CS in the inner layer positively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (r=0.32, P<0.01) among these multidirectional and layer-specific strains. In patients with HCM, not only the LS in all layers but also CS in the mid and outer layers was reduced, presumably reflecting impaired myocardial function. In contrast, CS in the inner layer was preserved, being associated with maintenance of chamber function.

Abstract 11769: Impact of Exercise to the Heterogeneity of Regional Left Ventricular Mechanics

Background: The segmental heterogeneity of strain and strain rate in speckle tracking echocardiography are pitfalls in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) mechanics in subjects without LV wall motion abnormality. We aimed to assess the segmental heterogeneity of strain and strain rate at rest and during exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: Twenty-three healthy young volunteers (38 ± 10 years, 13 female) underwent supine bicycle stress testing. Segmental circumferential (Scirc), radial (Srad) and longitudinal (Slong) end-systolic strains and corresponding peak systolic strain rates (SRcirc, SRrad, SRlong) were obtained by STE (EchoPac, GE Medical) for each of 16 LV segments at rest and during exercise. Global values of strain and strain rate components were obtained by averaging segmental values. Results: At rest, all three end-systolic strains showed significant segmental heterogeneity (p &lt; 0.01 for all comparisons). In contrast, peak systolic SRcirc and SRrad had uniform values throughout segments, while SRlong had modest segmental heterogeneity (p = 0.02). During exercise, heart rate (67 ± 10 to 136 ± 19 bpm), systolic blood pressure (124 ± 13 to 170 ± 21mmHg), and biplane ejection fraction (58 ± 4 to 72 ± 5 %), increased significantly (p &lt; 0.001 for all comparisons). At peak exercise, there was a small, but significant increase in global Slong (-19.9 to -23.9%, p &lt; 0.001) and Scirc (-19.6 to -24.2%, p &lt; 0.001) without the change in Srad (46.8 to 41.1%, p &gt; 0.05). On the other hand, all global systolic strain rates almost doubled during exercise; SRcirc from -1.26 to -2.49 s -1 , p &lt; 0.0001; SRrad from 1.82 to 3.26 s -1 , p &lt; 0.0001; SRlong from -1.56 to -2.93 s -1 , p &lt; 0.0001. Importantly, segmental heterogeneity following exercise was not present for all strain and strain rate components (p &gt; 0.05 for all comparisons). Conclusions: Segmental heterogeneity was less pronounced in peak systolic strain rates than in end-systolic strains at rest. Exercise abolished segmental heterogeneity for all strain and strain rate components. Overall, peak systolic strain rate is least affected by segmental heterogeneity and may be more useful in the assessment of LV mechanics than end-systolic strain.

Abstract 18995: Radiation-Induced Constrictive Pericarditis(r-cp) With Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction is Associated With Lower Global and Regional Myocardial Mechanics Compared to Non-Radiation-Induced Constrictive-Pericarditis(cp)

Background: CP/R-CP may be associated with subtle features of ventricular dysfunction which are not easily detectable with the use of conventional echocardiographic modalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate myocardial mechanics by 2D-STE (2 Dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography) between CP and R-CP. We hypothesized that strain/ strain rate (S/SR) would be worse in the R-CP patients due to radiation-induced myocardial injury. Methods: We analyzed 180 patients (62% male, age 62±13 years, 127 CP and 53 R-CP) with suitable echocardiographic images and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF&gt;55%). The two groups were similar in terms of age, cardiovascular symptoms, risk factor profile and LVEF (Table). Selected images were analyzed off-line using Velocity Vector Imaging technology. The diagnosis of CP was based on clinical parameters as well as echocardiography and/or hemodynamic cardiac catheterization. Patients in whom radiation therapy was the primary etiology of CP were classified as R-CP. Global and segmental circumferential, radial, longitudinal, systolic and early diastolic strain and strain rate were analyzed in all patients. Results: Global and segmental radial (GRadS), global longitudinal (GLS), global basal (GBS), global mid-segment (GMS), septal wall (SWS), and anterior wall (AWS) strain was significantly reduced in the R-CP patients compared with the CP patients (Table). Antero-septal and anterior wall diastolic strain and strain rates (AS + AW Sre, SR) were reduced in the R-CP group. The best differentiators between the two groups were antero-septal (SAS), basal anterior (BAS) and mid anterior (MAS) segmental strain, based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analysis. ROC calculations were AUC: SAS 0.67, SBA 0.69, and SMA 0.71. Conclusion: The study showed that compared with CP, R-CP is associated more with myocardial dysfunction, likely due to radiation-induced myocardial injury.