Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Research Articles

Assessment of left ventricular myocardial systolic dysfunction in premature ovarian insufficiency patients using echocardiographic layer-specific myocardial strain imaging.

Due to the lack of oestrogen, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an independent risk factor for ischaemic heart disease and overall cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to apply layer-specific myocardial strain for early quantitative evaluation of subclinical left ventricular myocardial systolic function changes in patients with POI. Forty-eight newly diagnosed, untreated patients with POI (POI group) and fifty healthy female subjects matched for age, height and weight (control group) were enrolled. Standard transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure conventional parameters and layer-specific strain parameters.The layer-specific strain parameters included subendomyocardial global longitudinal strain (GLSendo), mid-layer myocardial global longitudinal strain (GLSmid), subepimyocardial global longitudinal strain (GLSepi), subendomyocardial global circumferential strain (GCSendo), mid-layer myocardial global circumferential strain (GCSmid), and subepimyocardial global circumferential strain (GCSepi). There were no significant differences in age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between the two groups. The end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVST) was greater in the POI group (8.29 ± 1.32 vs. 7.66 ± 0.82, P = 0.008), and the POI group had lower E, E/A, and lateral e' (all P < 0.05). As for systolic functions,the POI group had lower GLSendo, GLSmid, GLSepi, GCSendo, GCSmid, and GCSepi (all P < 0.05).The intraobserver and interobserver coefficients of GLSendo, GLSmid, GLSepi, GCSendo, GCSmid, and GCSepi were greater than 0.900. POI patients with normal LVEF may suffer from subclinical left ventricular myocardial systolic dysfunction. Echocardiography of layer-specific myocardial strain could more sensitively detect subclinical impairment of left ventricular systolic function in POI patients.

Evaluation of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by combining myocardial work and triglyceride-glucose index.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) frequently presents subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The TyG index is a surrogate indicator of insulin resistance and is closely related to heart failure (HF). This study aimed to evaluate subclinical systolic dysfunction in T2DM by combining myocardial work (MW) and the TyG index and to investigate the risk factors for MW. This study included 102 diabetic patients and 78 healthy control subjects, and the diabetic group was divided into three subgroups based on the TyG index. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) were measured in all subjects. GLS and MW were compared between the diabetic and control groups and between subgroups. Regression models were applied to analyze the risk factors for MW in diabetic patients. GLS, GWI, GCW, and GWE significantly increased, and GWW significantly decreased in the diabetic group (all p<.01). GWI and GCW were significantly lower in the T3 subgroup than in the T1 and T2 subgroups (all p<.05). The TyG index, sex (female), BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and total cholesterol (TC) were independent risk factors for GWI and GCW, and HbA1c was an independent risk factor for GWI. MW accurately revealed subtle changes in subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients. An elevated TyG index was strongly associated with decreased GWI and GCW. The TyG index, sex (female), BMI, SBP, and TC were independent risk factors for GWI and GCW, and HbA1c was an independent risk factor for GWI.

Mild renal dysfunction causes aggravated cardiac damage in type 2 diabetic patients: a comprehensive echocardiography study.

We sought to detect left ventricular (LV) adverse alterations in structure and function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with or without mild renal dysfunction (MRD) using comprehensive echocardiography techniques and to explore the independent risk factors for LV remodeling (LVR) and dysfunction in these patients. The study included 82 T2DM patients with normal LV ejection fraction (presence (n = 42)/absence (n = 40) of MRD). Age- and gender-matched controls (n = 40) were also recruited. LV structure and function were evaluated using conventional echocardiography and three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3DSTE). Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS), and global radial strain (GRS) were all measured using 3DSTE. Compared with the controls with absolute advantage of LV normal geometry, LVR was more frequently present in the two T2DM groups, with the largest proportion in those with T2DM and MRD (P < 0.001). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and MRD were both significant risk factors for LVR in T2DM patients. The detection rates of LV diastolic dysfunction and subclinical systolic dysfunction were significantly higher in the T2DM groups than in the controls (P = 0.000). Moreover, the two case groups also showed significantly lower strain values in multiple directions than the controls (all P < 0.05). FPG was significantly associated with LV diastolic dysfunction, whereas FPG and MRD were both significantly associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients. The combined use of conventional echocardiography and 3DSTE allowed the timely detection of early cardiac damage in T2DM patients with or without MRD.

Association between the triglyceride-glucose index and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in obese patients

BackgroundThe association between the triglyceride–glucose (TyG) index and subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in obese patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the TyG index and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) in obese patients.MethodsA total of 1028 obese patients from January 2019 to January 2024 were included in the present study. Clinical parameters and biochemical and echocardiographic data were obtained from the participants. LV GLS was obtained from the GE EchoPAC workstation for evaluating subclinical LV function. The TyG index was calculated as Ln (fasting TG [mg/dL] × fasting glucose [mg/dL]/2). LV GLS was compared between obese patients with a high TyG index and those with a low TyG index.ResultsObese patients with a high TyG index had greater incidences of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidaemia. The LV GLS was significantly lower in the high TyG index group than in the low TyG index group (P = 0.01). After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, heart rate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, LV mass and LV hypertrophy, the TyG index remained an independent risk indicator related to an LV GLS < 20% (OR: 1.520, 95% CI: 1.040 to 2.221; P = 0.031).ConclusionsWe concluded that an increase in the TyG index is independently associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in obese patients.

Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis Assessed by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography.

Introduction Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is an emerging cardiovascular biomarker. Subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess LV systolic function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and investigate its association with EAT in RA patients without clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods 60 RA patients without manifestations of CVD and 60 age- and gender-matched healthy controls have been recruited for the study. We assessed LV systolic function and EAT in all subjects using conventional echocardiography and 2D-STE. EAT was measured as the relative echo-free region between the free wall of the right ventricle and the visceral layer of the pericardium at end-systole. Results Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was decreased and EAT was increased in the RA group compared to the control group. GLS was reduced as EAT increased in RA patients (r=-0.273, P=0.035). After adjusting for confounders, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a weakened correlation between EAT and GLS.Age and disease activity scores28 were independent factors influencing GLS in RA. Conclusion RA patients have significantly thickened EAT compared with controls. 2D-STE can detect early LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in RA, as shown by lower GLS.Accumulation of EAT is associated with lower GLS, but older age and higher disease activity may play a greater role in LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in RA.

HYPERTENSION-SPECIFIC ASSOCIATION OF CARDIO-ANKLE VASCULAR INDEX WITH SUBCLINICAL LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN A CHINESE POPULATION: DANYANG STUDY

Objective: The association of arterial stiffness, as measured by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), with subclinical cardiac dysfunction in hypertensive patients is unclear. Our study aims to examine their relationship in hypertensive patients compared with that in normotensive subjects. Design and method: Our study included 1887 subjects who were enrolled from Danyang between 2018 and 2019. CAVI was measured using VaSera VS-1500A device. We performed conventional echocardiography to measure ejection fraction (EF) and E/A, tissue Doppler to measure mitral annular early diastolic velocities (e’), and speckle tracking to estimate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS). Results: Increased LV mass index (76.3, 80.0, and 84.0 g/m2), decreased GLS (21.1, 21.0, and 20.4%), lower E/A (1.2, 1.0, and 0.8) and e’ velocity (11.2, 9.4, and 8.2 cm/s), and higher E/e’ (7.6, 8.2, and 8.8) were significantly associated with higher CAVI on unadjusted analyses (P &lt; 0.001). After adjustment for covariates, GLS, E/A, and e’ were still significantly decreased from tertiles 1 to 3 of CAVI (P &lt; 0.04). Further sensitive analyses revealed similar association pattern for diastolic function. However, the relationship of higher CAVI to worse GLS was stronger in hypertensives (P = 0.008) but not normotensives (P = 0.167) (Figure 1). Compared with lowest tertile, subjects with top tertile of CAVI were at higher risk of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients (OR = 2.61; P = 0.005). Conclusions: Increased CAVI is associated with worse subclinical diastolic function. However, this relationship of CAVI to subclinical systolic function was more prominent in hypertensive patients.

Determinants of early subclinical systolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aim. Type 2 Diabetes (DM2) is a risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is more sensitive than ejection fraction (EF) in diagnosing subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). Metabolic-associated fatty live disease has been involved in the development of subclinical LVSD-GLS. However, determinants of subclinical LVSD-GLS in DM2 remain poorly known. Our aim was to identify variables associated with altered GLS values in a cohort of DM2 individuals without heart disease and with normal EF. Methods. The study was performed on DM2 patients (n=150) recruited in the TESEO cohort study with available data on GLS (Speckle Tracking Echocardiography, Epiq CVx Philips), hepatic steatosis (CAP), and liver stiffness (LS) (Fibroscan). Subjects with symptomatic HF, cardiovascular disease (CVD), other heart diseases, EF&lt;50%, eGFR&lt;30 ml/min/1.73m2, alcohol abuse, non-metabolic liver disease, and hepatic cirrhosis were excluded. Multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were used to identify GLS determinants and variables associated with subclinical LVSD-GLS (GLS≥-18%). Results. Recruited subjects (age 61.39±7.89 years, male 57.3%) had a short DM2 duration (3.93±5.06 years) and good metabolic control (HbA1c 6.57%±1.00). Subclinical LVSD-GLS was present in 20% of subjects. Patients with LVSD-GLS had significantly higher LS values (5.77±1.75 vs 4.94±1.25, p=0.003). In multivariate regression analysis, LS values were a significant determinant of GLS, independent of age, waist circumference, diabetes duration, blood pressure, and e’ lateral. In logistic regression analysis, LS was associate with a 61% (95% CI 1.15-2,25) increased OR of LVSD-GLS independent of age, gender, WC, diabetes duration, blood pressure, ACR, LVH, and e’ lateral. Conclusions. This study demonstrated that LS is independently associated with LVSD-GLS in DM2 patients with normal HF and without CVD. Abnormal LS values may identify a subgroup of DM2 patients at higher risk of symptomatic HF, who may benefit from closer clinical and echocardiographic monitoring.

Prognostic and functional importance of both overt and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in systemic sclerosis

ObjectivesTo quantify the frequency and clinical implications of systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated left ventricular function (LV) impairment. MethodsAustralian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants meeting ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc with ≥1 echocardiographic LVEF measurement were included. Overt LV dysfunction was indicated by reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and subclinical LV dysfunction was measured using impaired LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS>-16 %). Those with secondary causes of LV dysfunction (myocardial ischaemia, valvulopathy and pulmonary arterial hypertension) were excluded. Chi-squared tests, two-sample t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for between-group comparison as appropriate. Generalised estimating equations(GEE) were used to model longitudinal data. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models were used for survival analyses. ResultsOf 1141 participants with no co-morbid cardiac disease, 2.4 % ever recorded a LVEF<50 %, while only 0.6 % ever recorded a LVEF≤40 %. LV-GLS data were available for 90 % of participants at one centre (n = 218). Impaired LV-GLS was detected in 21 % despite LVEF≥50 %. Those with a LVEF<50 % were more frequently male (p = 0.01) with dcSSc (p < 0.01), higher inflammatory markers (p < 0.02) and skeletal muscle disease (p < 0.05). In multivariable analyses, recording a LVEF<50 % was associated with increased mortality (HR2.3, 95 %CI1.0–4.8, p = 0.04). Impaired LV-GLS was also associated with poorer survival in univariable analyses (HR3.4, 95 %CI1.0–11.8, p = 0.05). Those with a LVEF<50 % more frequently recorded WHO Class III/IV dyspnoea (OR3.5, 95 %CI1.6–7.7, p < 0.01), with shorter six-minute walk distance (p = 0.01), higher Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index scores (p < 0.01) and lower Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary scores (p = 0.02). Increased dyspnoea (WHO Class III/IV dyspnoea; OR3.6, 95 %CI1.4–9.2, p < 0.01) was also seen in those with impaired LV-GLS. ConclusionsBoth overt and subclinical SSc-associated LV dysfunction are associated with worse survival and impaired physical function. The frequency of abnormal LV-GLS in those with consistently normal LVEF suggests an under-appreciated burden of subtle LV systolic dysfunction in SSc that has a significant impact on patient symptomatology.

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus under follow-up at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Ethiopia: a case-control study

BackgroundIndividuals with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, which in turn are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population. A peculiar feature of cardiovascular diseases in this population is that they can have significant cardiac disease while remaining asymptomatic. There is a paucity of data regarding subclinical cardiac imaging features among diabetic adults in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to compare the magnitude and spectrum of left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction among asymptomatic type 2 diabetic adults versus a normotensive, non-diabetic control group and to evaluate the determinants of left ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction.MethodsThis was a case-control study conducted at Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A standard transthoracic echocardiography was done for all study participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their normotensive and non-diabetic controls. Structured questionnaires were used to collect demographic and clinical characteristics and laboratory test results. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS 25.0 software. The data was summarized using descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the association between variables and echocardiographic parameters. The strength of statistical association was measured by adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals, with significant differences taken at p < 0.05.ResultsWe analyzed age- and sex-matched 100 participants in the study (diabetic) group and 200 individuals in the control group. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction were significantly more prevalent among diabetic adults than their sex and age matched controls. Among diabetic individuals, ages of 60 years and above, dyslipidemia, use of Metformin and Glibenclamide, high serum triglyceride level, presence of neuropathy and use of statins correlated significantly with the presence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Chronic kidney disease and neuropathy were determinants of left ventricular systolic dysfunction.ConclusionLeft ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction were significantly more prevalent among diabetic patients than their sex- and age-matched controls in our study. We recommend early screening for subclinical left ventricular dysfunction, especially in the elderly and in those with chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and microvascular complications such as neuropathy.

Hypertension-specific association of cardio-ankle vascular index with subclinical left ventricular function in a Chinese population: Danyang study.

The association of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), with subclinical cardiac dysfunction in hypertensive patients is unclear. We aim to examine their relationship in hypertensive patients compared with that in normotensive subjects. Our study included 1887 subjects enrolled from Danyang between 2018 and 2019. CAVI was measured using VaSera VS-1500A device. We performed conventional echocardiography to measure ejection fraction (EF) and E/A, tissue Doppler to measure mitral annular early diastolic velocities (e'), and speckle-tracking to estimate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS). LV mass index (76.3, 80.0, and 84.0g/m2), and E/e' (7.6, 8.2, and 8.8) were increased and GLS (21.1, 21.0, and 20.4%), E/A (1.2, 1.0, and 0.8) and e' velocity (11.2, 9.4, and 8.2cm/s) was decreased from tertiles 1-3 of CAVI on unadjusted analyses (P<.001). After adjustment for covariates, GLS, E/A, and e' were still significantly decreased from tertiles 1-3 of CAVI (P ≤.04). Further sensitive analyses revealed a similar association pattern for diastolic function but not systolic function. Compared with the lowest tertile, subjects with a top tertile of CAVI were at higher risk of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients (OR=2.61; P=.005). Increased CAVI is associated with worse subclinical diastolic function. However, this relationship of CAVI to subclinical systolic function was more prominent in hypertensive patients.

Novel adaptation of the KCC-questionnaire for cardiomyopathy screening in a racially diverse obstetric population

Cardiomyopathy occurring during pregnancy or postpartum represents a leading cause of maternal mortality. An overlap between pregnancy-associated symptoms and symptoms of cardiomyopathy contributes to delays in diagnosis. To address the need for screening and improve the diagnosis of pregnancy-related cardiomyopathy, we sought to evaluate the association between cardiovascular symptoms, an adapted version of the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire for pregnancy (KCCQ-P) and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). We conducted a single-arm prospective observational study of pregnant and postpartum participants enrolled between October 2021 and October 2022. A symptom questionnaire, KCCQ-P, and a resting echocardiogram were performed. The primary study outcome was LVSD, defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. We sub-divided those with LVEF (≥50%) into subclinical LVSD (left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) > –18), and no LVSD (GLS ≤ −18). Ninety women were included in the final analysis. The median age was 31 years (Q1: 28, Q3: 35), 37% identified as Non-Hispanic White, 30% as Non-Hispanic Black, and 23% as Hispanic or Latino. KCCQ-P total scores were markedly lower with LVSD (median: 30.2; Q1: 22.9, Q3: 61.5) vs. subclinical LVSD (median: 60.7; Q1: 47.0, Q3: 76.2) vs. no LVSD (median: 86.5; Q1: 62.5, Q3: 95.8) p < 0.001. KCCQ-P score was able to detect LVSD with an AUC of 0.848. While individual cardiovascular symptoms were not associated with LVSD, KCCQ-P scores were significantly lower in those with apparent and subclinical LVSD and may be useful as a screening tool pending additional evaluation in larger cohorts.

Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Lymphoma Patient After Initial Dose of Chemotherapy in Baghdad Teaching Hospital

Despite cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) can be initially asymptomatic, if not detected and properly managed, it may progress to severe and irreversible heart failure. Therefore, identification of high-risk patients and early detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction are fundamental tasks for the management of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, involving both cardiologists and oncologists. LVEF has low sensitivity for the detection of small changes in LV function. LVEF calculated by conventional 2DE often fails to detect small changes in LV contractility because of several factors. These factors include LV geometric assumptions, inadequate visualization of the true LV apex, lack of consideration of subtle regional wall motion abnormalities, and inherent variability of the measurement. Accordingly, strategies using newer echocardiographic technology, such as STE-derived strain imaging for the early detection of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. GLS being the most robust and reproducible among the myocardial strain parameters, this parameter has raised the interest of the investigators to detect early and subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients at risk of CTCRD

Coronary slow flow and its correlation with reduced left ventricle global longitudinal strain: a case–control study

BackgroundCoronary slow flow (CSF) often links to inflammation and endothelial function disturbance. While conventional ejection fraction measurements fall short in identifying myocardial dysfunction, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) has shown superior efficacy in this regard. Our study aimed to explore subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction by assessing LV GLS in patients diagnosed with coronary slow flow (CSF).MethodsThe study included sixty patients with CSF and sixty control individuals without CSF. Coronary angiography employed the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC) to identify CSF. LV GLS values were evaluated and compared between the two groups.ResultsSignificantly reduced LV GLS was evident in the CSF group compared to the control group (− 16.18 ± 1.25 vs. − 19.34 ± 1.33, p < 0.001). A notable correlation (r = 0.492, p < 0.001) between LV GLS and TFC was observed in the CSF group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis highlighted reduced LV-GLS (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.57–3.09, p < 0.001) and smoking (OR 11.55, 95% CI 3.24–41.2, p < 0.001) as significant predictors for CSF presence. The receiver operating characteristic curve established that an LV GLS value of ≥ − 17.8% accurately predicted the presence of CSF (AUC: 0.958, 95% CI: 0.924–0.991, p < 0.001) with 90% specificity and 91.7% sensitivity.ConclusionOur study indicates that reduced LV GLS is associated with CSF presence, offering a valuable means to early detect subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in high-risk patients susceptible to heart failure.Trial registration: ZU-IRB#7038/12-7-2021 Registered 12 July 2021, email: IRB_123@medicine.zu.edu.eg.

Evaluation of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in obese patients by global myocardial work

ObjectiveTo evaluate subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in obese patients by global myocardial work (MW).MethodsA total of 589 obese patients and 100 normal controls were enrolled in the study. The global longitudinal strain (GLS), global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE) were generated by a noninvasive pressure-strain loop (PSL) in apical 3-, 4- and 2-chamber views acquired by two-dimensional echocardiography. All obese patients were divided into three groups: class I obesity (mild) 30–35 kg/m2, class II obesity (moderate) 35–40 kg/m2 and class III obesity (severe) > 40 kg/m2. These values were compared among the three groups. The independent influencing factors of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in obese patients were explored by constructing a multiple regression model. ROC analysis was performed to determine the performance of MW to detect subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in obese patients.ResultsThe absolute value of GLS in obese patients was significantly lower than that in normal controls (P < 0.001). The values of GWI, GCW, GWE and GCW/GWW in obese patients were significantly lower than those in normal controls (P < 0.05), while GWW was significantly larger than that in normal controls (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis and trend analysis showed that the values of GWI, GCW, GWE and GCW/GWW in severe obese patients were lower than those in moderate obese patients and lower than those in mild obese patients (P < 0.01), while GWW in severe obese patients was larger than that in moderate obese patients and larger than that in mild obese patients (P < 0.05). Female sex, BMI and SBP were independent influencing factors of impaired GWI (β = 0.15, P < 0.001) (β=-0.18, P < 0.001) (β = 0.50, P < 0.001) and GCW (β = 0.17, P < 0.001) (β=-0.19, P < 0.001) (β = 0.57, P < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that the AUC of the combined global MW was significantly higher than the AUCs of the individual indices (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn this study, we conclude that subclinical LV systolic dysfunction was detected by the novel global MW technique in obese patients. Elevated BMI in obese patients results in an increased risk of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction, although the LVEF is normal. Controlling BMI in obese patients may reduce the impairment to the LV myocardial systolic function. Global MW is a novel and reproducible technique that can be well applied in the clinical evaluation of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction.

Three-dimensional echocardiography and strain cardiac imaging in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Several studies using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) have confirmed the presence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but there is a paucity of studies on whether three-dimensional (3D)-STE is superior to 2D-STE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of 3D-STE in assessing subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in prediabetic and diabetic patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and to investigate the independent risk factors for this medical disorder. This study included 40 diabetic patients, 35 prediabetic patients, and 33 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent LV peak systolic strain analysis using 3D- and 2D-STE, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the clinical diagnostic value of strain parameters for evaluating subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with prediabetes and type 2 DM (T2DM). Regression models were established to analyze independent risk factors for subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in patients with prediabetes and diabetes. The results of the 3D-STE-based analysis showed that the global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the control, prediabetic, and diabetic groups were (18.64%±2.43%, 15.21%±1.49%, and 13.49%±2.36%, respectively), global circumferential strain (GCS) was (18.09%±2.37%, 14.62%±1.75%, and 12.95%±2.20%, respectively), global area strain (GAS) was (31.30%±3.88%, 27.51%±3.31%, and 24.80%±3.86%, respectively), and global radial strain (GRS) was (49.18%±5.91%, 39.17%±4.55%, and 35.72%±7.19%, respectively). All 3D-STE global strain parameters gradually decreased from the controls, through the prediabetic group to the diabetic group, and there was statistical significance between the three groups (P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of the 3D-STE global strain parameters (GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS) were 0.898, 0.831, 0.863, and 0.868, respectively. The AUC of the 2D-STE global strain parameters (GLS and GCS) were 0.867 and 0.636, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis identified increased glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) as independent risk factors for subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. Prediabetic and diabetic patients with preserved LVEF are at risk of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. 3D-STE is a reliable imaging technique for evaluating early damage to LV myocardial mechanics. Early control of blood glucose (Glu) levels and weight can effectively prevent heart failure in the prediabetic and diabetic populations.

Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 by Strain: A 30-Day Echocardiographic Follow-Up.

Background and Objectives: Available studies confirm myocardial injury and its association with mortality in patients with COVID-19, but few data have been reported from echocardiographic studies. The aim of this study was to identify subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by global longitudinal strain (GLS) and its evolution in the short term in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one consecutive noncritical patients admitted for COVID-19 were included. Information on demographics, laboratory results, comorbidities, and medications was collected. Transthoracic echocardiograms were performed using a Philips Affinity 50, at the acute stage and at a 30-day follow-up. Automated left ventricular GLS was measured using a Philips Qlab 13.0. A GLS of <-15.9% was defined as abnormal. Results: The mean age was 65 ± 15.2 years, and 61.3% of patients were male. Nine patients (29%) had elevated levels of high-sensitivity troponin I. Left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved in all; however, 11 of them (35.5%) showed reduced GLS. These patients had higher troponin levels (median, 23.7 vs. 3.2 ng/L; p < 0.05) and NT-proBNP (median, 753 vs. 81 pg/mL; p < 0.05). The multivariate analysis revealed that myocardial injury, defined as increased troponin, was significantly associated with GLS values (coefficient B; p < 0.05). Follow-up at 30 days showed an improvement in GLS values in patients with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction (-16.4 ± 2.07% vs. -13.2 ± 2.40%; p < 0.01), without changes in the normal GLS group. Conclusions: Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction is common in noncritical hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (one in every three patients), even with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. This impairment tends to be reversible on clinical recovery.

Association of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction detected on 2d echocardiogram global longitudinal strain and in-hospital adverse clinical outcomes in covid 19 patients

Abstract Introduction There are no standardized recommendations regarding the cardiovascular evaluation of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Transthoracic echocardiography remains a useful imaging modality for patients with COVID-19. Normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) may not be a reliable parameter for the sole assessment of LV systolic function in COVID-19 patients. LV-GLS can evaluate subclinical impairment of myocardium earlier and more accurately as well as myocardial dysfunction than the conventional echocardiography. Purpose To determine the association of LV-GLS on transthoracic 2D echocardiogram (TTE) with heart failure, ACS and arrhythmia, length of hospital stay among patients with COVID-19. Methods This was a retrospective, analytical, observational, cross-sectional study involving COVID-19 patients admitted at a tertiray hospital who underwent transthoracic 2D echocardiographic examination with normal left ventricular systolic function. Results We analyzed 449 COVID-19 patients, in whom 253 patients had normal LV-GLS and 196 patients had abnormal LV-GLS. The mean age in years was 64 with male dominance (55.68 % vs 44.32%). There were more males in the abnormal LV-GLS group (61.22% vs 51.38%, p=.044). In terms of COVID-19 severity, many patients had severe infection (42.09%), while the rest had mild (4.9%), moderate (21.38%) and critical (31.63%) infection. Many patients also had abnormal BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m2 (40.09%). The top two most common comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Majority (89.09%) never smoked while for the 49 patients who were former/current smokers, their median cigarette consumption was 20 pack years. Most of the patients were taking maintenance medications (68.6%) and had COVID-19 medications (91.76%). The prevalence of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction among patients with COVID-19 was 43.7% (95% CI [39.0% to 48.4%]). There is no evidence of acute myocardial infarction (OR 1.29, 95% CI 018-9.27, p = 0.79), overt left systolic dysfunction (OR 2.60, 95% CI 0.23-28.86, p = 0.437), or longer hospital stay (average 11 days [7-19] p = 0.830) among patients with abnormal LV-GLS. However, abnormal LV-GLS is associated with incidence of arrhythmias requiring intervention (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.14-3.51, p = 0.015). Arrhythmia was associated with age, COVID-19 severity, and LV-GLS. For every unit increase in age, the odds of arrhythmia increase by 5% (aOR 1.02-1.08, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Patients with critical COVID were about 18 times more likely to have an arrhythmia (aOR 17.94, 95% CI 5.21 -61.74, p&amp;lt;.001), while those abnormal GLS were twice as likely to have arrhythmia (aOR 2.32, 95% CI 1.22-4.40, p = 0.01). Conclusion The prevalence of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in COVID-19 patients was at 43.7% which was significantly associated with arrhythmias requiring treatment. Age, COVID severity, obesity, and abnormal GLS were associated with COVID 19 mortality.Patient characteristic with mortalityPredictors of mortality

Osteoprotegerin is associated with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients: a 2D speckle tracking echocardiographic study.

Past studies have shown that non-dipper hypertensive patients have more frequent subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction compared to dippers. Many different parameters have been examined to predict subclinical LV dysfunction. The role of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the pathogenesis of heart failure and LV systolic dysfunction through different mechanisms had well described. In the present study, we hypothesized that increased OPG levels could predict subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to the results of ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Non-dipper patients were subsequently divided into two further groups (normal LV function and impaired LV function) according to LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). A total of 103 hypertensive patients (51 dippers, 52 non-dippers) were included in the study. In the non-dipper group, LV GLS was normal in 21 patients and impaired in 31 patients. Based on the results of the multivariate logistic regression test, it was determined that OPG levels (OR: 2.413, 95% CI: 1.284-4.535, P = 0.006) and LVMI (OR: 1.086, 95% CI: 1.013-1.165, P = 0.021) were independently associated with impaired GLS. Higher OPG values were associated with subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in non-dipper hypertensive patients. It could be used for the early diagnosis of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction, which would allow for strategies to be designed to reduce the cardiovascular event rate in this patient population.

Evaluation of subclinical left ventricular myocardial systolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without diabetes peripheral neuropathy by global myocardial work.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography can non-invasively estimate myocardial work (MW) to evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial systolic function. The present study evaluated whether MW may detect subclinical LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN). A total of 127 T2DM patients were included in the present study, including 67 T2DM patients with DPN. In addition, 73 sex- and age- matched healthy individuals served as normal controls. The global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), global positive work (GPW), global negative work (GNW), global work efficiency (GWE) and GCW/GWW were measured and analysed. Furthermore, the differences in MW parameters among normal controls, T2DM patients, and T2DM patients with DPN were analysed. Multiple regression models were built to explore for the independent influencing factors of GWI and GPW values in T2DM patients with DPN. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of MW in evaluating subclinical LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with DPN. The GWI, GCW and GPW of T2DM patients with DPN were significantly decreased compared with those of T2DM patients and normal controls (P < 0.001) and showed a significant decreasing trend overall (P trend < 0.001). GWE and GCW/GWW were significantly decreased in T2DM patients with DPN compared with normal controls (P < 0.05). Although GWW was not significantly different among the three groups, it showed an increasing trend (Ptrend = 0.033). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were independent influencing factor for decreased GWI (β = 0.21, P = 0.031) and GPW (β = 0.19, P = 0.043) values in T2DM patients with DPN. The combination of the GWI, GCW, GWE, GPW and GCW /GWW had good sensitivity (62.69%) and specificity (89.04%) when evaluating subclinical LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with DPN. Non-invasive evaluation of LV myocardial work can detect subclinical LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with and without DPN. DPN has additive deleterious effects on LV myocardial systolic function in T2DM patients. The reduction of HDL-C levels may indicate the occurrence of subclinical LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with DPN.

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular myocardial systolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without hypertension by global and segmental myocardial work

ObjectiveThe research was aimed to evaluate the subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with or without hypertension (HT) by global and segmental myocardial work (MW).MethodsA total of 120 T2DM patients (including 60 T2DM patients with HT) and 70 sex- and age- matched normal controls were included. The global and segmental variables of work index (WI), constrictive work (CW), waste work (WW), work efficiency (WE), and CW/WW were analysed by non-invasive pressure-strain loop. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for detection the subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with and without HT.ResultsThe global work index (GWI), global CW (GCW), global WE (GWE), and GCW/global WW (GWW) of T2DM and T2DM patients with HT were significantly lower than normal controls (p < 0.05). The WI, CW, WE, and CW/WW of the LV anterior wall in T2DM and T2DM patients with HT were significantly lower when compared with those of the normal controls (p < 0.05). ROC analysis showed that the value of area under the curve (AUC) in combined GWI, GCW, GWE, and GCW/GWW was significantly higher than the AUCs of the individual indices (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMW can non-invasively and accurately evaluate subclinical global and segmental LV myocardial systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with and without HT. Regulating total cholesterol levels and controlling blood pressure in T2DM patients with and without HT might reduce the impairment of LV myocardial systolic function.