Systolic Mitral Annular Velocity Research Articles

Frequency of Left Ventricle Dysfunction in non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Patients Detected by Global Longitudinal Strain and Tissue Doppler Imaging in Babylon Province in Iraq

The aim of the study is an assessment of left ventricle systolic and diastolic function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by measuring global longitudinal strain, and tissue Doppler imagingTDI.Method: A Case-control study enrolled 30 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (mean age 44.13years) without a history of cardiac disease and 30 healthy controls (mean age 44.79 years). All participantshad been undergone trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) for assessmentof mitral annular systolic velocity (S`), E/A ratio, and E/e’, as well as left ventricle global longitudinal strain(GLS) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) technique.Results: NAFLD patients had shown The E/e’ ratio was significantly higher in the NAFLD group (9.86±1.69 vs 6.85 ±1.23),(P = < 0.001) . The difference in the E/A ratio between the groups was significant (P =0.04). GLS was also significantly lower negative in NAFLD patients in comparison with control (-18.85±1.07 vs -23.05 % ± 1.19) but within normal values.Conclusion: There is an increasing risk of subclinical LV dysfunction (systolic and diastolic)in NAFLDpatientscan be early confirmed by DTI and GLS.

Assessment of left Ventricular Longitudinal Function in Different Hypertensive Left Ventricular Geometry

Background: Hypertension remains as the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy was shown to be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Left ventricular radial function (Ejection fraction) tends to remain normal in hypertensive patients, particular attention should be given to longitudinal function along with diastolic function. Left ventricular longitudinal function may vary across different hypertensive LV geometry with different prognosis.
 Results: Of the total 214 study subjects, 109 (50.9%) were Cases and 105 (49.1%) were Controls. The mean ages of cases and controls were 52.66 (± 10.96) and 50.21 (± 10.91) years respectively. Left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) was almost identical in both groups [mean LVEF in case 68.7 % (± 6.9) Vs control 68.7(± 5.4), (p 0.947)]. Among the cases 43% had concentric hypertrophy (CH), 20% had eccentric hypertrophy (EH), 20% had concentric remodeling (CR), while normal geometry constituted the least 16.5%. Mean systolic mitral annular velocity (Vs) and mean early diastolic velocity (Ve) assesed by pulse wave tissue doppler imaging were observed to be significantly decreased in cases compared to their control counterpart (11.46 ± 1.26 vs. 15.41 ± 1.00 cm/sec, p < 0.001 and 13.80 ± 2.37 vs. 16.76 ± 2.67 cm/sec, p < 0.001. There was significant reduction of Vs in concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy (11.31 ± 1.41 and 12.27 ± 2.14). (p <0.001 and <0.005). Among cases 55 (50.5%) and among controls 17 (16%) had diastolic dysfunction. Mean systolic mitral annular velocity (Vs) in patients with diastolic dysfunction (12.42 ± 1.90 cm/sec) was significantly lower than that in patients without diastolic dysfunction (13.86 ± 2.30 cm/sec) (p < 0.001).
 Conclusion: Radial function (LVEF) remains normal in patients with systemic hypertension as compared to controls. LVH is common among hypertensive and concentric hypertrophy is the commonest geometry. LV longitudinal systolic function as assessed by systolic mitral annular velocity (Vs) by DTI was significantly reduced in hypertensives and CH is the most severely affected with EH at intermediate risk. Diastolic dysfunction is also common but almost alaways accompanied by impairment of LV longitudinal systolic function.
 University Heart Journal Vol. 17, No. 1, Jan 2021; 31-37

Cardiac hemodynamic disorders in patients with active chronic viral hepatitis and the effectiveness of antiviral therapy

Aim. To study cardiac hemodynamic disorders in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) and evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral therapy (AVT).Material and methods. Seventy-nine patients with CVH (mean age, 38,6 years, disease duration, 4,7 years) were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=42) — normal level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), group 2 — ALT 3-10 times higher than normal (n=37). Fourteen patients with CVH underwent AVT. Control group consisted of 23 people. Doppler echocardiography was performed. Statistical processing was carried out using Statistica 10.0.Results. In patients with active hepatitis, atrial volume, end diastolic volume, left ventricular (LV) mass index, LV stroke volume increased, and the tricuspid (TC) annular systolic velocity decreased in comparison with the control and 1st groups. In patients with normal ALT levels, the left atrial volume index increased by 8% in comparison with control group. Concentric remodeling was the predominant variant of LV remodeling in patients with active hepatitis. In patients with active hepatitis, LV lateral wall, interventricular septal (IVS), and TC Em/Am ratio decreased. LV diastolic dysfunction was reported in 12 patients with active and 3 patients with inactive CVH. After AVT, left atrium (LA) volume, IVS thickness, LV mass decreased, while TC and mitral annular systolic velocity increased. The viral load has a relationship with mitral annular systolic velocity (r=0,91, p=0,001) and LV mass (r=0,64, p=0,05).Conclusion. In patients with active hepatitis, along with LV and LA dilatation and hypertrophy, a relative right atrial increase, a decrease in the right ventricular longitudinal systolic velocity, and the formation of biventricular diastolic dysfunction develop. In patients with inactive hepatitis, only the left atrial volume increased. The established correlations indicate possible LV damage. Antiviral therapy has a beneficial effect on the main structural and functional cardiac parameters.

Abstract 16319: Large Weight Loss Improves Left Ventricular Geometry but Not Myocardial Function 6 Months After Bariatric Surgery (the Fatwest Study)

Background: Bariatric surgery causes rapid and large weight loss and improves cardiovascular risk profile, yet the effect on left ventricular (LV) systolic function has been less explored. Methods: In the prospective FatWest (Bariatric Surgery on the West Coast of Norway) study 98 severely obese patients (44±10 years, 72% women, preoperative body mass index [BMI] 41.8±4.8 kg/m 2 , 36% with hypertension) underwent echocardiography before and 5.9 months after gastric bypass surgery. We assessed changes in LV geometry and systolic function by biplane ejection fraction (EF), midwall shortening (MWS) and mitral annular systolic velocity (s′). LV hypertrophy was defined based on LV mass/height 2.7 . Myocardial O 2 demand was derived from the LV mass-wall stress-heart rate product. Results: Patients experienced on average a 10 kg/m 2 reduction in BMI, and a significant drop in heart rate and blood pressure (all p<0.001). LV mass (-12 g) and myocardial O 2 demand improved significantly (all p<0.01). However, LV EF (60 vs. 61%), s’ (8.5 vs. 8.3cm/s) and MWS (16.1 vs. 15.7%) remained unchanged, and 45% of patients had low MWS 6 months after surgery (Figure). In multivariable regression analyses, LV mass reduction was predicted by weight loss and female sex, independent of changes in blood pressure and heart rate (R 2 0.24, p <0.001) while lower myocardial O2 demand was explained by improvement in its three components, particularly lower LV end-systolic wall stress (R 2 0.9, p<0.001). Conclusion: In severely obese patients with normal EF, bariatric surgery induces a significant reduction in BMI, LV mass and myocardial O 2 demand, but no improvement in LV myocardial systolic function 6 months after surgery.

Identifying adolescent and young adult patients with sickle cell disease at highest risk of death.

Identifying adolescent and young adult patients with sickle cell disease at highest risk of death.

Assessment of left atrial appendage contractile function in patients of severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm and it’s correlation with mitral annular systolic velocity

Assessment of left atrial appendage contractile function in patients of severe rheumatic mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm and it’s correlation with mitral annular systolic velocity

Tissue Doppler-Derived Left Ventricular Systolic Velocity Is Associated with Lethal Arrhythmias in Cardiac Device Recipients Irrespective of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Life-threatening arrhythmias (LTAs) can trigger sudden cardiac death or provoke implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) discharges that escalate morbidity and mortality. Longitudinal myofibrils predominate in the subendocardium, which is uniquely sensitive to arrhythmogenic triggers. In this study, we test the hypothesis that mitral annular systolic velocity (S'), a simple routinely obtained tissue Doppler index of LV long-axis systolic function, might predict lethal arrhythmias irrespective of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This is a retrospective analysis of data from 302 patients (mean age, 68years; LVEF, 32%; 77% male; 52% ischemic; 35% primary prevention; and 53% cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator [CRT-D]) who were followed up (median, 15months) at two centers after receipt of an ICD or CRT-D for diverse indications. S', averaged from tissue Doppler-derived medial and lateral mitral annular velocities, was correlated with the primary outcome of time to sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) needing device therapy. The median S' was 5.1 (interquartile range, 4.0-6.2) cm/sec and lower in CRT-D than ICD subjects (4.5 [3.8-5.6] cm/sec vs 5.5 [4.8-6.8] cm/sec, P<.001). Fifty-six (19%) subjects had LTA. Each 1cm/sec higher S' correlated to a 30% decreased risk of LTA (hazard ratio=0.70; 95% CI, 0.57-0.87; P=.001) independently of age, sex, β-blocker use, center, ICD use, and LVEF. Adding S' to the baseline Cox model improved net reclassification (P=.02). An S' > 5.6cm/sec was the best cutoff and linked to a 58% lower LTA risk than an S' ≤ 5.6cm/sec (95% CI, 0.23-0.85; P=.02). A higher S' is associated with a reduced probability of LTA in cardiac device recipients irrespective of LVEF and may have the potential to be used clinically to titrate medical, device, and ablative therapies to mitigate future arrhythmic risk.

Hemodynamics in Shock Patients Assessed by Critical Care Ultrasound and Its Relationship to Outcome: A Prospective Study.

Background Shock is one of the causes of mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Traditionally, hemodynamics related to shock have been monitored by broad-spectrum devices with treatment guided by many inaccurate variables to describe the pathophysiological changes. Critical care ultrasound (CCUS) has been widely advocated as a preferred tool to monitor shock patients. The purpose of this study was to analyze and broaden current knowledge of the characteristics of ultrasonic hemodynamic pattern and investigate their relationship to outcome. Methods This prospective study of shock patients in CCUS was conducted in 181 adult patients between April 2016 and June 2017 in the Department of Intensive Care Unit of West China Hospital. CCUS was performed within the initial 6 hours after shock patients were enrolled. The demographic and clinical characteristics, ultrasonic pattern of hemodynamics, and outcome were recorded. A stepwise bivariate logistic regression model was established to identify the correlation between ultrasonic variables and the 28-day mortality. Results A total of 181 patients with shock were included in our study (male/female: 113/68). The mean age was 58.2 ± 18.0 years; the mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II score) was 23.7 ± 8.7, and the 28-day mortality was 44.8% (81/181). The details of ultrasonic pattern were well represented, and the multivariate analysis revealed that mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE), mitral annular peak systolic velocity (S′-MV), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and lung ultrasound score (LUSS) were the independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in our study, as well as APACHE II score, PaO2/FiO2, and lactate (p = 0.047, 0.041, 0.022, 0.002, 0.027, 0.028, and 0.01, respectively). Conclusions CCUS exam on admission provided valuable information to describe the pathophysiological changes of shock patients and the mechanism of shock. Several critical variables obtained by CCUS were related to outcome, hence deserving more attention in clinical decision-making. Trial Registration. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of West China Hospital Review Board for human research with the following reference number 201736 and was registered on ClinicalTrials. This trial is registered with NCT03082326 on 3 March 2017 (retrospectively registered).

The clinical significance of the incorporation of tissue Doppler imaging into low-dose Dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with aortic stenosis prior to Transcatheter aortic valve implantation

BackgroundLow-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is indicated in patients with low flow (stroke volume index [SVi] < 35 ml/m2) low gradient (mean pressure gradient < 40 mmHg) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% aortic stenosis (AS) to assess LV contractile reserve (> 20% increase in SVi) and severity grade of AS. Severe AS is defined by a mean pressure gradient of 40 mmHg occurring at any time during the test when aortic valve area remains < 1.0 cm2.Case presentationThis case report highlights the utility of mitral annular systolic velocity (S′) by tissue Doppler imaging and peak LV outflow tract (LVOT) velocity as markers of LV intrinsic contractile function during DSE in a patient with low flow low gradient AS and reduced EF prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).ConclusionsMitral annular S′ and peak LVOT velocities are reliable markers of LV intrinsic contractile function and should be incorporated into routine low-dose DSE.

Associations between cardiac function and retinal microvascular geometry among Chinese adults

Abnormal retinal microvascular geometry has been associated with cardiac remodeling and heart failure. However, its relation to cardiac function, prior to clinical disease has not been explored. In this cross-sectional study, 50 participants (mean age 62.5 ± 11.7 years) without cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recruited from the Cardiac Ageing Study. Transthoracic echocardiography imaging was performed to measure cardiac function indices, and retinal imaging was used to measure retinal vascular caliber and retinal vascular geometric indices. Multiple linear regressions were applied to examine associations between indices of cardiac function and retinal microvasculature, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, mean blood pressure and comorbidity (i.e. hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia). After adjusting for confounders, each unit decrease in peak systolic septal mitral annular velocity (Septal S′) indicating poorer left function was associated with smaller retinal venular branching angle (β: − 2.69°; 95% CI − 4.92, − 0.46). Furthermore, each unit increase in peak velocity flow in late diastole by atrial contraction (MV A Peak) indicating poorer left atrial function was associated with lower retinal venular fractal dimension (− 0.13Df; − 0.25, − 0.004). Our findings suggested a relationship between poorer cardiac function and suboptimal retinal microvascular geometry, among Chinese without CVD.

A novel index combining diastolic and systolic tissue Doppler parameters for predicting cardiac resynchronization therapy response.

Identification of patients who are nonresponders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) with the use of simple and objective parameters may be helpful in tailoring treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate whether E/(Ea×Sa) could be a predictor of CRT nonresponders (E=early diastolic transmitral velocity, Ea=early diastolic mitral annular velocity, Sa=systolic mitral annular velocity). In total, 53 heart failure patients were evaluated for this study, and 33 patients were included according to the study criteria. Before and 6months after CRT-D(CRT with a defibrillator) implantation, E, Ea, and Sa were determined at the medial and lateral mitral annular sites, and the average values were obtained. E/(Ea×Sa) was calculated (medial, lateral, average). The patients were followed for 6months to monitor their CRT response. A responder was defined as a patient with a reduction in end-systolic volume of ≥15% and an increase in 6-minute walking distance of 50m. At a 6-month follow-up, 24 (72.7%) of the 33 patients responded to CRT. At the 6-month follow-up, in the responder group, the E/Ea ratio, lateral mitral, and average E/(Ea×Sa) indices were significantly reduced (P<.01 for all). The baseline lateral mitral, medial mitral, and average E/(Ea×Sa) indices were significantly lower in the responder group than in the nonresponder group (P≤.01 for all). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that all the E/(Ea×Sa) indices predict the CRT nonresponder patients. The AUC values were 0.89 (lateral E/(Ea×Sa)), 0.85 (average E/(Ea×Sa)), and 0.77 (medial E/(Ea×Sa)) (P≤.01 for all). We found that the E/(Ea×Sa) index is a novel predictor of CRT nonresponder patients.

Can myocardial performance index predict early cardiac risks in erectile dysfunction?

Aim Myocardial performance index (MPI) is an easy-to-apply and non-invasive method that shows both systolic and diastolic functions of the heart. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and MPI. Methods: The study included 45 male patients admitted to the urology outpatient clinic for ED and 48 healthy male volunteers. Echocardiographic evaluation of all participants was performed. Isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) and ejection time (ET) were measured. MPI was calculated using the IVCT + IVRT/ET formula. Results: The average age of the study population was 50 ± 5.3. Early diastolic mitral inflow (E)/late diastolic mitral inflow (A) ratio was significantly lower in the ED group (p ≤ 0.05). In the TDI evaluation between the groups, while early diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em) was significantly higher in the ED group, there was no significant difference in late diastolic mitral annular velocity (Am) and systolic peak velocities (Sm) (p < 0.01 and p = 0.417 and p = 0.092, respectively). While IVRT was significantly lower in the ED group (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference in IVCT and ET (p = 311 and p = 0.261, respectively). MPI was statistically significantly higher in the ED group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ED has been found to affect MPI. This parameter, which is easily and non-invasively measured, can be used to predict the risk of CVDs in ED.

Tissue Doppler velocities for ruling out rejection in heart transplant recipients in the context of myocardial strain imaging: a multivariate, prospective, single-center study.

To investigate the value of tissue Doppler velocities for ruling out treatment-requiring acute cellular rejection (TR-ACR), in the context of myocardial deformation analysis performed by means of speckle tracking echocardiography. We performed serial echocardiograms in 37 heart transplant recipients in their first year post-transplantation within 3h of the routine surveillance endomyocardial biopsies (EMB). The association of the sum of lateral mitral annulus systolic (s') and early diastolic (e') velocities, in absolute values, measured by tissue Doppler echocardiography (s'+ e'), with TR-ACR (ACR grade ≥ 2R) was investigated by multivariate analysis, including classic echocardiographic parameters and myocardial deformation variables. A total of 251 pairs of EMB and echo exams were performed, 35 (14%) with rejection grade ≥ 2R (TR-ACR). s'+ e' was independently associated to TR-ACR (OR 0.80, 95%CI 0.72-0.89, p < 0.0005), with a C statistic of 0.79 (95%CI 0.71-0.87, p < 0.0005) by ROC curve analysis. An s'+ e' value ≥ 23cm/s, present in 43% of studies, had a negative predictive value of 98% for ruling out TR-ACR. Moreover, in the same patients, s'+ e' significantly decreased when TR-ACR occurred after a study without this condition (- 3.7 ± 3.3cm/s, p = 0.003), but it was similar when rejection status was the same in the present versus the previous study. A drop in s'+ e' value < 2.7cm/s from the previous echocardiogram, had a 99% negative predictive value for ruling out TR-ACR. Tissue Doppler velocities, a widely available echo parameter, were found to be a valuable marker for ruling out TR-ACR in this multivariate study which included myocardial deformation variables.

Age-related longitudinal change in cardiac structure and function in adults at increased cardiovascular risk.

AimHeart failure (HF) incidence increases markedly with age. We examined age‐associated longitudinal change in cardiac structure and function, and their prediction by age and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, in a community‐based cohort aged ≥60 years at increased CVD risk but without HF.Methods and resultsCVD risk factors were recorded in 3065 participants who underwent a baseline echocardiographic examination, of whom 2358 attended a follow‐up examination 3.8 [median, inter‐quartile range (IQR) 3.5, 4.2] years later. Median age was 71 (IQR 67, 76) years and 55% of participants were male. Age was associated with longitudinal increase in left ventricular (LV) mass index (LVMI); decrease in LV volumes; increase in LV ejection fraction; decrease in mitral annular systolic velocity; decrease in diastolic function (decreased mitral early diastolic annular velocity (e′); and increase in left atrial volume index, mitral peak early diastolic flow velocity (E)/e′ ratio, and tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRVmax) in men and women, except for TRVmax in men). In multivariable analysis, longitudinal increase in LVMI was explained by CVD risk factors alone, whereas age, together with CVD risk factors, independently predicted longitudinal change in all other echocardiographic parameters. CVD risk factors were differentially associated with longitudinal change in different echocardiographic parameters.ConclusionsWhereas the increase in LVMI with age was explained by CVD risk factors alone, age, together with risk factors, independently predicted longitudinal change in all other echocardiographic parameters, providing evidence for age‐specific mechanisms of change in cardiac structure and function as people age. Age‐associated change in LVMI, LV volumes, and diastolic function resembled what might be expected for the evolution of HF with preserved ejection fraction. Given the differential association of different CVD risk factors with longitudinal change in different echocardiographic parameters, therapies aimed at attenuation of age‐associated change in cardiac structure and function, and HF evolution, will likely need to address multiple CVD risk factors.

Clinical significance of diastolic late mitral annular velocity in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

ObjectivesBecause diastolic late mitral annular velocity (a') obtained by transthoracic-echocardiography (TTE) represents left atrial (LA) function, we investigated the clinical significance of a' in heart failure (HF) with a preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (HFpEF). MethodsWe enrolled 448 consecutive HFpEF patients (sinus rhythm: 66.3%, atrial fibrillation [AF] rhythm: 33.7%) and performed TTE under stable conditions after optimal therapy. In patients with sinus rhythm, a' values were measured at septal mitral annuli. ResultsA' had weak but significant negative correlations with the natural-logarithm-B-type natriuretic peptide (Ln-BNP), LA diameter, LV mass index and tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the best cut-off value of a' and systolic mitral annular velocity (s') for the prediction of HF-related events were 7.45 cm/s and 6.5 cm/s with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.841 and 0.682, respectively. The AUC of ROC analysis for the logistic regression model of a' plus s' was improved to 0.97. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, HFpEF patients with low-a' (<7.45 cm/s) had a significantly higher risk of total cardiovascular and HF-related events (both p < .01 by log-rank test) than those with high-a' (≥ 7.45 cm/s) and were prognostically equivalent to those with AF. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis identified low-a' as an independent predictor of both total cardiovascular (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.823, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.714–0.949, p = .007) and HF-related events (HR: 0.551, 95% CI: 0.422–0.720, p < .001). ConclusionA' value measurement is a non-invasive and useful method for risk stratification in HFpEF.

Over all variability of mitral annular plane peak systolic velocity and peak global longitudinal strain rate in relation to age, body size, and sex: The HUNT Study.

Left ventricular (LV) systolic global function can be assessed by peak annular systolic velocity S'. Global longitudinal strain rate (GLSR) is relative LV shortening rate, equivalent to normalizing S' for LV length (S'n ). It has previously been shown that mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) have similar biological variability, but GLS normalizes for one dimension only, inducing a systematic error, increasing body size dependence. The objective of this study was to compare S' with GLSR in the same way, comparing biological variability and body size dependence. A total of 1266 subjects from the third wave of Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), without evidence of heart disease, were examined. Strain rate, S' and wall lengths were measured in the four walls of the two- and four-chamber views. Mean S' was 8.4 (1.4)cm/s, (S'n ) was 0.7 (0.14)s-1 and GLSR 1.02 (0.14)s-1 . All measures declined with age. Normalization of mitral annular velocities for LV length, or the use of GLSR, did not reduce overall biological variability compared with S'. S' did show a weak, positive correlation to BSA, while S'n and GLSR a slightly stronger, negative correlation to BSA. S', S'n , and GLSR have similar biological variability, which is mainly due to age, not body size variation. Normalizing S' for LV length (as in Sn or GLSR) reverses correlation with BSA inducing a systematic error, due to the one-dimensional normalization for one dimension only.

Assessment of left ventricular dysfunction of sarcomere mutation carriers in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging combined with conventional echocardiography

Objective To explore the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) and conventional echocardiography in evaluating left ventricular function characteristics of sarcomere mutation carriers in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Methods Totally 91 subjects with sarcomere mutations in family HCM but without left ventricular hypertrophy (G+ /P- group), and 100 normal family members with gender and age matched as the control group (G-/P- group) were enrolled from the center of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy of Xijing Hospital affiliated to the Air Force Military Medical University from February 2013 to April 2017. They all received the comprehensive evaluation of 3D-STI and conventional echocardiography. The ultrasonic paramaters between the two groups were compared. And the diagnostic performance of these paramaters with sarcomere mutations was evaluated. Results Compared with the G-/P- group, the G+ /P-group had larger left atrial diameter (LAD), longer left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), reduced mitral annular systolic velocity (e′), elevated E/e′ ratio, as well as impaired left ventricular global longitudinal and radial strain(GLS and GRS) (P<0.05). Moreover, the GLS≤19.9%(AUC 0.861, sensitivity 61.4%, specificity 98.5%) and IVRT≥75.5 ms(AUC 0.762, sensitivity 61.4%, specificity 72.6%) showed the best diagnostic performance with sarcomere mutations (P<0.05). Conclusions In HCM family members, the sarcomere mutations carriers without left ventricular hypertrophy exhibit impaired left ventricular diastolic function, reduced longitudinal and radial systolic function.Moreover, the GLS and IVRT show the best diagnostic performance for those with sarcomere mutations. Key words: Three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging; Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; Sarcomere mutation carriers; Ventricular function, left

Left Ventricular Stiffness in Adolescents and Young Adults After Arterial Switch Operation for Complete Transposition of the Great Arteries.

We tested the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) myocardial stiffness is altered in patients with transposition of great arteries (TGA) after arterial switch operation (ASO) and explored its associations with myocardial calibrated integrated backscatter (cIB) and LV myocardial deformation. Thirty-one patients and twenty-two age-matched controls were studied. LV myocardial stiffness was assessed by diastolic wall strain (DWS) and stiffness indices including (E/e)/LV end-diastolic dimension, (E/LV global longitudinal early diastolic strain rate)/LV end-diastolic volume, and (E/LV global circumferential early diastolic strain rate)/LV end-diastolic volume, where E and e are early diastolic transmitral and mitral annular velocities, respectively. LV myocardial cIB and longitudinal and circumferential myocardial deformation were determined by conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography. Patients had significantly lower DWS, higher stiffness indices, and greater myocardial cIB than controls (all p < 0.05). The LV longitudinal and circumferential systolic strain and systolic and diastolic strain rates were significantly lower in patients than controls (all p < 0.05). Greater average myocardial cIB was associated with lower DWS (r = - 0.44, p = 0.002). Worse DWS and LV stiffness indices were found to correlate with lower mitral annular systolic velocity, mitral annular late diastolic velocity, and LV longitudinal late diastolic strain rate (all p < 0.05). LV longitudinal and circumferential systolic strain and strain rate were also found to correlate with DWS (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, LV myocardial stiffening occurs in adolescents and young adults with TGA after ASO and is associated with impairment of ventricular systolic and diastolic myocardial deformation and myocardial fibrosis.

Assessment of left ventricular longitudinal function in hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy by mitral annular plane systolic excursion

Background: Hypertension is an important risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function has a major diagnostic and prognostic importance in patients with hypertension. The use of mitral annular plane systolic excursion in the assessment of LV systolic dysfunction is helpful especially in cases of poor imaging quality, “since good imaging quality is needed for the modern echocardiographic techniques. Objectives: Detection of early subclinical LV longitudinal systolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients without LV hypertrophy (LVH) with preserved ejection fraction by mitral annular plane systolic excursion. Patients and Methods: A comparative case-control study which took place at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad/Iraq from October 2018 to October 2019. The study population consisted of 60 patients without LVH and 60 healthy subjects considered as controls. Echocardiographic parameters for left ventricular systolic assessments were done for all subjects. Results: Mean peak annular systolic velocity was significantly lower in hypertensive patients without LVH compared to controls (P = 0.034). There was no significant difference between hypertensive patients without LVH and controls regarding mitral annular plane systolic excursion (P = 0.4). There was positive linear correlation between mitral annular plane systolic excursion and peak annular systolic velocity for hypertensive patients without LVH (r = 0.535, P = 0.015). Conclusion: Although there was a significant linear correlation between mitral annular plane systolic excursion and peak systolic velocity and both are considered as a surrogate for LV longitudinal systolic function, mitral annular plane systolic excursion cannot be used for assessment of LV longitudinal systolic function in patients with hypertension without LVH.

Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with Coronary Slow-Flow Phenomenon: A Single-center Case-control Study.

Background:Coronary slow-flow phenomenon (CSFP), characterized by delayed distal vessel opacification of contrast, in the absence of significant epicardial coronary stenosis, has effects on exercise capacity and clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the systolic and diastolic function of patients with CSFP and to compare it with a group of controls with normal coronary anatomy and flow.Materials and Methods:In this case–control study, 45 consecutive CSFP patients and 45 age-, body mass index-, and presentation season-matched controls with normal coronary arteries and normal coronary flows were enrolled from Seyyedoshohada Heart Center from March 2015 to March 2016. A transthoracic echocardiography was done by a blinded echocardiographer using both conventional and tissue Doppler imaging techniques.Results:Patients with CSFP were more likely to be male (P = 0.006) and smoker (P = 0.02) compared to controls. Other risk factors were not different between the two groups. There were no differences between groups in terms of the peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic velocities, deceleration time, early (E’) and late (A’) peak diastolic velocities at the mitral annulus, and the systolic mitral annular velocity (S’). Global longitudinal strain and peak systolic strain rates was lower in patients with CSFP compared to controls (−16.7% ±2.4% vs. −18.9% ±1.6%, P < 0.001 and 1.10 ± 0.1 vs. 1.24 ± 0.3, P = 0.008, respectively).Conclusion:Patients with CSFP showed signs of the left ventricular systolic dysfunction in tissue Doppler echocardiography, which underlines the importance of close follow-up in these patients. Patients with CSFP should be screened for ventricular function preferably by tissue Doppler echocardiography.