Speckle-tracking Longitudinal Strain Research Articles

Indexing of Speckle Tracking Longitudinal Strain of Right Ventricle to Body Surface Area Does Not Improve Its Efficiency in Diagnosis and Mortality Risk Stratification in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with a serious mortality rate. Thus, the rapid diagnosis and identification of patients at high risk of death is pivotal. The search for echocardiographic parameters for this purpose continues. Recent publications reveal correlations between myocardial longitudinal strain (LS) and body surface area (BSA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of indexing the right ventricular (RV) speckle tracking LS to BSA in detecting PE and stratifying the risk of 30-day all-cause mortality. the prospective cross-sectional observational study group consisted of 167 consecutive patients (76 men, 45.5%) aged 69.5 ± 15.3 years, and they were referred for computed tomography pulmonary angiography. Patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiographic examination within 24 h of admission to the hospital ward. RVLS and their derivatives indexed to BSA were included in the analysis. PE was confirmed in 88 patients, while 79 patients had no radiological features of PE. The only echocardiographic parameters that differed between subgroups were pulmonary flow acceleration (Act), McConnell's sign, LS of the middle segment of the RV free wall, and its derivative indexed to BSA. During the 30-day follow-up of a subgroup of subjects with PE, 12 patients died. The mortality predictors with increasing prediction value included a RV free wall mid-segment LS (cut-off value: -21%, Area Under the Curve-AUC 0.6, p = 0.02) and its derivative indexed to BSA (-14 %/m2, AUC 0.62, p = 0.003), body mass index (24.7 kg/m2, AUC 0.63, p = 0.002), D-dimer serum concentration (3559 pg/mL, AUC 0.66, p < 0.001), Act (67 ms, AUC 0.67, p < 0.001), septal basal LS (-15%, AUC 0.68, p = 0.02), RV free wall basal segment LS (-14%, AUC 0.7, p = 0.015), age (66 years, AUC 0.74, p = 0.004), NT-proBNP (1120 pg/mL, AUC 0.75, p = 0.01), troponin T (66 ng/mL, AUC 0.78, p = 0.005), and the complex score of the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (AUC 0.88, p < 0.001). indexing of RVLS to BSA does not improve its prognostic value in patients with acute PE.

Prognostic Value of Global Longitudinal Speckle-Tracking Strain after Coronary Revascularization in Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Prognostic Value of Global Longitudinal Speckle-Tracking Strain after Coronary Revascularization in Patients with Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction

MORPHOLOGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL CHANGES OF THE LEFT ATRIUM IN OBESITY

Obesity-related atrial cardiomyopathy is a clinical entity characterized by a variety of functional and structural abnormalities in the atria's myocardium. This study aimed to investigate the morphological and functional alterations of the left atrium (LA) in overweight and obese subjects. The study included 56 subjects aged 47+9.6 years, categorized into 4 groups according to their body mass index (BMI): group 1 - overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2); group 2 - class I obesity (BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2); group 3 - class II obesity (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2) and group 4 - class III obesity (BMI &gt;40 kg/m2). All subjects underwent two-dimensional (2D) conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking myocardial deformation assessment. Left atrial enlargement (LAE) was registered in all four groups, with an average value of LA diameter 40.0±4.9 mm and LA volume (LAV) indexed to height (LAVh) 35.0 +7.8 ml. Global longitudinal strain (GLS%) and circumferential strain (GCS%) of LA were lower than reference normal values in all groups. LAV indexed to body surface area (LAVI) correlated with hip circumference (r=0.264; p=0.049), whereas LAVh correlated with waist and hip circumference (r=0.378; p=0.004). Linear regression analysis showed that hip circumference was a predictive factor for increasing LAVI (B=0.114; p=0.049; 95%CI 0.000-0.227) and LAVh (B=0.266; p =0.0001; 95%CI 0.129–0.403). LAVh is a clinically useful echocardiographic parameter to assess LA size in obese population. A sensitive method for detecting subclinical functional alterations of LA is assessment of its speckle tracking longitudinal strain.

Normative Reference Values of Left Ventricular Mechanical Dispersion Assessed by Two-Dimensional Longitudinal Speckle-Tracking Strain in Normal Subjects

Normative Reference Values of Left Ventricular Mechanical Dispersion Assessed by Two-Dimensional Longitudinal Speckle-Tracking Strain in Normal Subjects

Cardio-oncology in Austria: cardiotoxicity and surveillance of anti-cancer therapies : Position paper of the Heart Failure Working Group of the Austrian Society of Cardiology.

Survival in cancer is continuously improving due to evolving oncological treatment. Therefore, cardiovascular short-term and long-term side effects gain crucial importance for overall outcome. Cardiotoxicity not only presents as heart failure, but also as treatment-resistant hypertension, acute coronary ischemia with plaque rupture or vasospasm, thromboembolism, arrhythmia, pulmonary hypertension, diastolic dysfunction, acute myocarditis and others. Recent recommendations have proposed baseline cardiac risk assessment and surveillance strategies. Major challenges are the availability of monitoring and imaging resources, including echocardiography with speckle tracking longitudinal strain (GLS), serum biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP) and highly sensitive cardiac troponins. This Austrian consensus encompasses cardiotoxicity occurrence in frequent antiproliferative cancer drugs, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and cardiac follow-up considerations in cancer survivors in the context of the Austrian healthcare setting. It is important to optimize cardiovascular risk factors and pre-existing cardiac diseases without delaying oncological treatment. If left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) deteriorates during cancer treatment (from >10% to <50%), or myocardial strain decreases (>15% change in GLS), early initiation of cardioprotective therapies (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin or beta receptor blockers) is recommended, and LVEF should be reassessed before discontinuation. Lower LVEF cut-offs were recently shown to be feasible in breast cancer patients to enable optimal anticancer treatment. Interdisciplinary cardio-oncology cooperation is pivotal for optimal management of cancer patients.

Incremental Value of Left Atrial Function Analysis in the Assessment of Left Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background:Left atrial (LA) reservoir strain provides interesting information about left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. However, the advantages of atrial reservoir strain in comparison with conventional parameters in patients with myocardial infarction are not clear yet.Methods:Fifty patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) prospectively underwent echocardiographic assessment of LV systolic and diastolic function by conventional parameters and two-dimensional speckle tracking longitudinal strain of left atrium. LV filling pressure was estimated by brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels.Results:Systolic and conventional diastolic parameters did not show significant differences between patients with increased and normal BNP values, whereas LA reservoir strain was reduced (33.1 ± 8% vs. 46.5 ± 9.8%; P = 0.001) in patients with higher BNP levels. LA reservoir strain had higher area under curve value (0.880) than the other parameters in identifying patients with elevated BNP and a cut-off value of 40.5% reached sensitivity and specificity values of 93% and 86% and positive and negative predictive values of 92% and 85%. LA reservoir strain reclassified 23 patients with increased BNP values, which were previously estimated to have normal (16 patients) and undeterminable LA pressure (seven patients) by using the recommended algorithm for diastolic function.Conclusions:LA reservoir strain is a useful tool for the evaluation of diastolic function and seems to be more sensitive than conventional parameters in the detection of subtle increase of LV filling pressure in patients with STEMI. It allows physicians to reclassify patients with undeterminable diastolic function according to conventional algorithm.

Evaluation of temporal changes in longitudinal strain distribution during the systolic period to determine left ventricular activation sequence: a study using 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography

Abstract Background Evaluation of two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking longitudinal strain (LS) is useful for assessing global and regional left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Purpose The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that temporal changes in regional 2D-LS distribution, (i.e., changes in area and intensity of the negative strain), during the systolic period may reflect the LV activation sequence. Methods We studied 52 patients with an ejection fraction &amp;lt;35% who were classified into four groups: complete left bundle branch block (LBBB, QRS 162±17 ms, n=17); right ventricular pacing from inferior septum (RVP, QRS 180±29 ms, n=16); left VP from lateral branch of the coronary sinus (LVP, QRS 182±21 ms, n=9); and no conduction block (Narrow QRS, QRS 100±9 ms, n=19). Longitudinal strain was evaluated in three standard apical views, and then bulls-eye distribution maps were constructed every 50 ms from the QRS onset to aortic valve closing (AVC) and at the time of the end of QRS. Segments indicating negative strain at the end of QRS were regarded as an early contraction site. Segments with intensifying negativity of strain as it got closer to the AVC were regarded as a late contraction site. Results In patients with LBBB, negative strain appeared initially in the septum region. Then, the contracted area enlarged including the apical region, and the basal lateral region contracted late. On the other hand, Narrow QRS showed a few regional differences in strain at the end of QRS (standard deviation in 17-segments: Narrow QRS 1.3±0.4%*, LBBB 3.3±1.1%, RVP 3.2±1.0%, LVP 3.3±1.1%, *p&amp;lt;0.001), and contracted homogeneously during the systolic period. RVP and LVP showed negative strain at the end of QRS in septum and lateral regions respectively, with the contracted area becoming enlarged towards the opposite regions of the early contracted regions. Conclusion The 2D-LS distribution during the systolic period reflects the LV contraction process in patients with an altered ventricular activation sequence, and may have potential for identifying the regions of early activation site and subsequent activation propagation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Left bundle-branch block is associated with asimilar dyssynchronous phenotype in heart failure patients with normal and reduced ejection fractions

Few therapies improve outcomes in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). If left bundle-branch block (LBBB) is associated with left ventricular dyssynchrony and impaired cardiac performance in HFpEF, cardiac resynchronization therapy could be a promising treatment. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of selected patients with HFpEF (ejection fraction ≥50%) with and without LBBB (normal conduction, NC) and patients with HFrEF and LBBB who were suitable cardiac resynchronization therapy candidates to describe and contextualize the mechanical phenotype of LBBB in HFpEF. Systolic and diastolic isovolumic times, ejection time(ET), and diastolic filling time(DFT) were measured on spectral tissue Doppler echocardiographic images and indexed to the heart rate. Dyssynchrony pattern was assessed using speckle-tracked longitudinal strain patterns. Comparisons were performed using analysis of variance and χ2 test with posthoc pairwise comparisons as indicated. Eighty-two HFpEF (50 with NC, 32 with LBBB) and 149 HFrEF (all with LBBB) patients met criteria. Overall, 84.4% with HFpEF/LBBB and 91.3% with HFrEF/LBBB had demonstrable mechanical dyssynchrony compared to 0% with HFpEF/NC. Compared to HFpEF/NC, HFpEF/LBBB had significantly prolonged isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and total isovolumetric time and significantly shorter ET (all indexed). LBBB/HFrEF patients, compared to LBBB/HFpEF patients, had increased ICT and IRT with decreased DFT but similar ET. Patients with HFpEF and LBBB frequently have an LBBB dyssynchrony phenotype, prolonged ICT and IRT, and reduced ET compared to HFpEF patients with NC. The electromechanical dyssynchrony and disordered cardiac timing of HFpEF with LBBB are similar to HFrEF with LBBB.

Effects of balloon pulmonary angioplasty for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension on remodeling in right-sided heart.

Remodeling in the right-sided heart plays an important role in the management of pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. However, the effect of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) on right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) morphology of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) remains uncertain. This study involved 45 CTEPH patients who underwent BPA with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) of 37.0 mmHg (all ≥ 25 mmHg). All patients underwent echocardiography and right-heart catheterization at baseline and 3 months after BPA. RV and RA remodeling was assessed as RV and the RA area, and RV systolic function was calculated by averaging peak speckle-tracking longitudinal strain of the RV free-wall (RV free-wall strain). Significant reverse remodeling in the right-sided heart was observed after BPA, resulting in improvement of mPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (RV area: from 15.0 ± 5.3 to 9.6 ± 3.0 cm2, p < 0.0001; RA area: from 17.3 ± 6.6 to 13.4 ± 3.8 cm2, p = 0.0002; RV free-wall strain: from 15.9 ± 5.6 to 21.2 ± 4.9%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed that the baseline RV area was an independent predictor of post-BPA normalization of RV systolic function defined as RV free-wall strain ≥ 20% (odds ratio = 1.16, p = 0.0305). Interestingly, significant RV reverse remodeling was also observed after additional BPA even in 18 CTEPH patients with residual pulmonary arterial stenosis, whose mPAP was normalized after BPA (RV area: from 11.5 ± 3.8 to 9.2 ± 3.8 cm2, p = 0.0045; RV free-wall strain: from 17.2 ± 4.8 to 22.8 ± 7.4%, p = 0.0216). Significant reverse remodeling in the right-sided heart, as well as hemodynamic improvement, was observed in CTEPH patients after BPA.

P775 Assessment of left ventricular function in patients with atrial fibrillation using real time triplain speckle tracking in comparison with 2D speckle tracking

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases in the world, can cause many structural and functional cardiac abnormalities, one of them is left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction which may not be detected by conventional echocardiographic parameters (CEP) and need to use a modality of real time triplain (3P) speckle tracking strain for early detection and improvement of prognosis Purpose Assessment of LV systolic function in AF patients with normal ejection fraction (EF) using 3P speckle-tracking strain and its role as early predictor of subclinical dysfunction Methods A case-control study was conducted at Baghdad Heart Center, Baghdad Medical City since July 2017 to July 2018, including patients with AF and control group. The CEP (EF, diastolic function, mitral annular plane systolic excursion) and speckle tracking longitudinal strain were done for the patients by 3P in comparison with two dimension (2D) Results The study included two groups. First group: 100 patients with AF, mean age (48 ± 12.2) ranging between (25-81), (48%) men, (52%) women. Second group: 100 control patients with mean age (46.4 ± 13.1) ranging between (20-84), (58%) men, (42%) women. 3P method showed more easy and accurate in comparison with 2D method in patients with AF. Applying cut off value of (-17.5%), it was found that 71% of AF patients had undetected LV systolic dysfunction even with preserved EF. Global longitudinal strain was reduced significantly in those with AF group and reduced mitral annular plane systolic excursion Conclusion(s) Real time triplain speckle tracking can be dependable which is easy, useful, and more accurate in comparison with 2D method in assessment of LV function in patients with AF. 3P method is a useful tool in the early detection of subtle LV systolic dysfunction in AF patients with preserved EF and in whom more aggressive interventions could have a significant impact on prognosis. 3P vs 2D in Patients with AF and Control Average GLS by 3P % Average GLS by 2D % p-value No. Mean± SD No. Mean± SD AF group EF &amp;lt; 52 % 29 -11.23± 3.89 29 -12.05± 3.84 0.01 EF ≥53 % 71 -13.30± 2.55 71 -14.20± 2.64 0.001 Control group EF &amp;lt; 52 % 2 -21.15± 4.45 2 -20.20± 1.84 0.6 EF ≥53 % 98 -19.14± 1.49 98 -19.91± 1.66 0.001 3P, real time triplain; 2D, two dimension; AF, atrial fibrillation; GLS, global longitudinal strain; SD, standard deviation; EF, ejection fraction

Evaluation of left ventricular remodelling in young Afro-Caribbean athletes

BackgroundCardiac adaptation to intense physical training is determined by many factors including age, gender, body size, load training and ethnicity. Despite the wide availability of ECG analysis, with a higher presence of abnormalities in different races, echocardiographic studies on young Afro-Caribean (AA) and Caucasian athletes (CA) are lacking in literature. We aimed to assess the effect in the secondary LV remodelling of load training in young AA players compared to matched CA players.MethodSeventy-seven AA and 53 CA matched soccer players (mean age 17.35 ± 0.50 and 18.25 ± 0.77 y) were enrolled. They were evaluated with echocardiography. A subgroup of 30 AA and 27 CA were followed up for a period of 4 years. The myocardial contractile function was evaluated by speckle-tracking echocardiographic global longitudinal strain (GLS).ResultsNo significant differences were found in weight and height and in blood pressure response to maximal ergometer test in either group. In AA a higher level of LV remodelling, consisting in higher LV wall thickness, higher interventricular septum (IVS) and posterior wall (PW) thickness were found (IVS: 10.04 ± 0.14 and 9.35 ± 0.10 in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.001. PW: 9.70 ± 0.20 and 9.19 ± 0.10 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.05). Strain data showed no significant differences between the two groups (22.35 ± 0.48 and 23.38 ± 0.69 in AA (n = 27) and CA (n = 25), respectively). At the beginning of the follow-up study AA showed a significantly higher left ventricular remodelling (IVS = 9.29 ± 0.3 and 8.53 ± 0.12 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.002. PW = 9.01 ± 0.2 and 8.40 ± 0.20 in AA and CA respectively, p = 0.1). During the next four years of follow-up we observed a regular parallel increase in LV wall thickness and chamber diameters in both groups, proportionally to the increase in body size and LV mass. (IVS = 10.52 ± 0.17 and 9.03 ± 0.22 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.001. PW: 10.06 ± 0.17 and 8.26 ± 0.19 mm in AA and CA respectively, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe study shows that the ventricular remodelling observed in AA appears to be a specific phenotype already present in pre-adolescence. These data also suggest that genetic/ethnic factors play a central role in left ventricular remodelling during the first years of life in elite athletes.

ALTERATIONS IN LEFT ATRIAL AND LEFT VENTRICULAR MYOCARDIAL FUNCTION IN MIXED AORTIC VALVE DISEASE

Patients with mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD; combined moderate or > aortic stenosis (AS) and moderate or > aortic regurgitation) have poorer outcomes compared to those with isolated severe AS. Little is known of the impact of MAVD on left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) myocardial mechanics. We aim to characterize LA and LV myocardial function in MAVD patients. We retrospectively identified 184 patients, 35 moderate MAVD (moderate AS and moderate aortic regurgitation), 40 severe MAVD (severe AS and moderate aortic regurgitation), 33 isolated severe AS, 31 isolated severe aortic regurgitation, and 45 controls, who underwent transthoracic echocardiogram. Simultaneous speckle-tracking longitudinal strain (LS) analysis of the LA and LV were performed on the apical 4-chamber view (EchoInsight, Epsilon) to obtain LV peak LS and LA peak, contractile, and conduit strain. ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test was used to compare groups. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results are presented in Table 1. Compared to controls, LV peak LS was significantly reduced in moderate MAVD, severe MAVD and severe AS patients. LV peak LS was not significantly different between moderate MAVD and severe AS patients but was significantly lower in the severe MAVD group. Severe aortic regurgitation patients had higher peak LS compared to controls, moderate MAVD, severe MAVD and severe AS patients. LA peak, conduit and contractile strains were significantly reduced in moderate MAVD, severe MAVD and severe AS patients compared to controls and severe aortic regurgitation patients. LA peak and contractile strains were not different between the moderate MAVD, severe MAVD or severe AS groups. However, LA conduit strain was significantly reduced in those with severe MAVD compared to the moderate MAVD but not the severe AS group. The severe aortic regurgitation group had preserved LA peak, conduit and contractile strain compared to the other groups. Moderate MAVD patients have a reduction in LV and LA myocardial function comparable to isolated severe AS patients. Severe MAVD patients have a greater decline in LV peak LS and LA conduit strain compared to moderate MAVD or severe AS patients. These changes may contribute to the poorer outcomes observed in MAVD patients.

DOZ047.112: Myocardial strain in vascular anomalies with severe tracheomalacia: preliminary results

Abstract Background Vascular anomalies (VA) may cause severe tracheomalacia in some cases. Chronic upper airway obstruction (UAO) is the most common symptom. Increased pulmonary pressure and cardiac dysfunction have been described in patients with chronic UAO, but not in infants with VA. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate myocardial strain in infants with VA. Method Demographics characteristics, respiratory symptoms, and the percentage of tracheal obstruction measured on CT were collected. Left and right ventricle (LV, RV) systolic function were measured with speckle tracking longitudinal strain (LS) analysis. Pulmonary artery pressure was evaluated on tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jet and quantified by end-systolic eccentricity index (EI). Conclusion Of 15 cases, 6 had tracheal obstruction &lt; 50%, 9 &gt; 50%. LS LV and RV was significantly reduced in cases with obstruction &gt; 50% compared to those with &lt; 50% (LV −15.9% vs −19.9%; RV −15.7% vs −20.5%, respectively) and respiratory symptoms were significantly more pronounced in cases with obstruction &gt; 50%. There are no significant data for TR and EI. Results In cases with VA with severe tracheomalacia RV and LV myocardial strain is reduced, suggesting myocardial impairment. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these data and investigate cardiac function. Association with lung function test may be investigated too.

The Association of a classical left bundle Branch Block Contraction Pattern by vendor-independent strain echocardiography and outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy

BackgroundThe association of a Classical left bundle branch block (LBBB) contraction pattern and better outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has only been studied using vendor-specific software for echocardiographic speckle-tracked longitudinal strain analysis. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a Classical LBBB contraction pattern on longitudinal strain analysis using vendor-independent software is associated with clinical outcome in CRT recipients with LBBB.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study including CRT recipients with LBBB, heart failure, and left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≤35%. Speckle-tracked echocardiographic longitudinal strain analysis was performed retrospectively on echocardiograms using vendor-independent software. The presence of a Classical LBBB contraction pattern was determined by consensus of two readers. The primary end point was a composite of time to death, heart transplantation or LV assist device implantation. Secondary outcome was ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume. Intra- and inter-reader agreement of the longitudinal strain contraction pattern was assessed by calculating Cohen’s κ.ResultsOf 283 included patients, 113 (40%) were women, mean age was 66 ± 11 years, and 136 (48%) had ischemic heart disease. A Classical LBBB contraction pattern was present in 196 (69%). The unadjusted hazard ratio for reaching the primary end point was 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 1.36–2.76, p < 0.001) when comparing patients without to patients with a Classical LBBB contraction pattern. Adjusted for ischemic heart disease and QRS duration < 150 milliseconds the hazard ratio was 1.65 (95% confidence interval, 1.12–2.43, p = 0.01). Of the 123 (43%) patients with a follow-up echocardiogram, 64 of 85 (75%) of patients with a Classical LBBB contraction pattern compared to 13 of 38 (34%) without, had ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume (p < 0.001). Cohen’s κ were 0.86 (95% confidence interval, 0.71–1.00) and 0.42 (95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.54) for intra- and inter-reader agreement, respectively.ConclusionUsing vendor-independent strain software, a Classical LBBB contraction pattern is associated with better outcome in CRT recipients with LBBB, but inter-reader agreement for the classification of contraction pattern is only moderate.

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.

Echocardiography during preload stress for evaluation of right ventricular contractile reserve and exercise capacity in pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by marked and sustained elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure, and subsequent right-sided heart failure. Right ventricular (RV) function and exercise capacity have been recognized as important prognostic factors for PH. Our aim was to investigate RV contractile reserve and exercise capacity during a leg-positive pressure (LPP) maneuver. The study population comprised 43 PH patients and 17 normal controls. All patients underwent echocardiography at rest and during LPP stress. Exercise capacity was assessed by 6-minute walk distance for PH patients. RV relative wall thickness was calculated from dividing by RV free wall thickness by basal RV linear dimensions at end-diastole. RV function was calculated by averaging peak speckle-tracking longitudinal strain from the RV free wall. RV contractile reserve was assessed as the difference in RV free wall strain at rest and during LPP stress. Changes in left ventricular stroke volume (ΔSV) during LPP stress were also calculated. ΔSV and RV contractile reserve of PH patients were significantly lower than of controls (3.6±6.0mL vs 8.5±2.3mL, and 8.2±11.9% vs 14.5±6.6%; both P<0.01). RV contractile reserve of PH patients with ΔSV <3.3mL was significantly lower than of PH patients with ΔSV >3.3mL (3.9±13.2% vs 12.3±8.9%; P=0.02). ΔSV had also significant correlation with 6-minute walk distance (r=0.42, P=0.006). Multivariate regression analysis showed that RV relative wall thickness was an independent determinant parameter of ΔSV during LPP stress for PH patients (β=3.2, P=0.003). Preload stress echocardiography in response to LPP maneuver, a noninvasive and easy-to-use procedure for routine clinical use, proved to be useful for the assessment of RV contractile reserve and exercise capacity of PH patients.

Regional Mechanical Changes Assessed by 2D Speckle-Tracking Longitudinal Strain do not Parallel Electrical Post-Pacing Cardiac Memory.

Cardiac memory (CM) refers to persistent T-wave changes that appear after cessation of a period of abnormal ventricular activation, such as ventricular pacing. Prior animal studies using tagged magnetic resonance imaging have suggested that CM is associated with prolonged action potential duration and increased strain of late-activated myocardial segments. The aim of the present study is to determine whether CM induced by ventricular pacing in human subjects is accompanied by regional mechanical changes in late-activated myocardial segments, assessed by left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (peak LS) and time-to-peak longitudinal strain (TTP-LS), using 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSE). We included 20 patients (16 women, age 71±11 years), with DDD pacemakers and with normal AV conduction and QRS/T morphology at baseline. CM was induced by DDD pacing with a short AV delay. ECGs and 2DSE were performed before pacing (baseline), at peak CM (immediately after two weeks of pacing), and at CM washout (4 weeks after cessation of pacing). We measured by echocardiography: left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LV diastolic function (E, A, E/E'), peak LS and TTP-LS for the earliest (i.e. adjacent to the pacing site) and latest (i.e. latest-activated during ventricular pacing) segments, using an 18-segment LV model. All patients had electrical (ECG) CM changes, which disappeared by CM washout. LV global systolic and diastolic functions, as well as regional LS (peak LS for both the latest and earliest activated segments) were similar between evaluations. TTP for the latest and earliest activated segments, as well as mean TTP-LS, increased from baseline to peak CM, but did not decrease at CM washout. The dispersion of TTP-LS was not changed. These results suggest that regional mechanical changes, as can be assessed by 2DSE longitudinal strain, do not overlap electrical CM.

P853Reliability of speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain: comparison of different acquisition methods

P853Reliability of speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain: comparison of different acquisition methods

Three-dimensional speckle tracking longitudinal strain is related to myocardial fibrosis determined by late-gadolinium enhancement

Three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a reliable clinical tool for accurate measurements of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF). In this prospective study, we sought to identify an association between 3DSTE longitudinal strain abnormalities and areas of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). In 50 patients (52 ± 18.5 years old) referred to our hospital for clinically indicated CMR, 3D full-volume trans-thoracic acquisitions on apical views were performed within 1h of CMR, in order to obtain LV volumes and ejection fraction as well as global and segmental peak systolic longitudinal strain. Relative amount of fibrosis was defined based on LGE CMR with grey-scale threshold of 5 standard deviations above the mean signal intensity of the normal remote myocardium. We found a moderate positive correlation between global longitudinal strain (GLS) by 3DSTE and LGE proportion (r = 0.465, p = 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.79. In addition, abnormal GLS could detect LGE-determined myocardial fibrosis with a sensitivity of 84.6%, a specificity of 84.8%, a positive predictive value of 69% and negative predictive value of 93%, considering an optimal GLS cut-off value of - 15.25%. Regarding 3DSTE capacity of localizing segmental LGE involvement, about 70% of LGE-positive segments presented a concomitant longitudinal strain reduction. This prospective study shows that 3DSTE longitudinal deformation is moderately associated with the extent of myocardial fibrosis, with a promising potential role in ruling out prognostically relevant fibrosis as detected by LGE.

Abstract 13884: Predictor of Right Ventricular Reverse Remodeling After Treatment in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function is one of the most important determinants of outcome for patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Furthermore, mid-term RV reverse remodeling after treatment is also associated with long-term outcome as well as RV remodeling before treatment. However, baseline factors influencing mid-term RV reverse remodeling after treatment remains unclear. Methods: We studied 54 PH patients. RV function was calculated by averaging peak speckle-tracking longitudinal strain from RV free-wall (RV free-wall strain). Mid-term RV remodeling was assessed in terms of the RV area, which was traced planimetrically at the end-systole (RVESA). RV reverse remodeling was defined as a relative decrease in RVESA of at least 15% at 10.2 ± 9.4 months after treatment. Long-term follow-up was tracked for 5 years. Results: Adverse events occurred in 10 patients (19%). Mid-term RV reverse remodeling after treatment was observed in 37 patients (69%). Patients with mid-term RV reverse remodeling had more favorable long-term outcome than those without (log-lank p=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that RV relative wall thickness (RV-RWT), which was calculated from RV free-wall thickness/RV basal linear dimension at end-diastole, was the independent predictor of mid-term RV reverse remodeling (OR 1.403; 95% CI, 1.090-1.807; p=0.009). In addition, patients with RV-RWT≥0.21 experienced favorable long-term outcome than those without (log-rank p=0.03). Sequential Cox models show that a model based on symptom, hemodynamic parameters was improved by addition of RV free-wall strain (χ 2 =13.3; p=0.08), and was further improved by addition of RV-RWT (χ 2 =28.9; p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: RV-RWT could predict mid-term RV reverse remodeling after treatment in PH patients, and was associated with long-term outcomes. Our findings may have clinical implications for better management of PH patients.