Transmitral Doppler Research Articles

Tissue doppler imaging for estimation of left ventricular filling pressure in patients with systolic and diastolic heart failure: a comparative simultaneous doppler catheterization study

Background: Noninvasive assessment of diastolic filling by Doppler echocardiography provides important information about left ventricular (LV) status in selected subsets of patients. This study was designed to assess whether the lateral mitral annular velocity as assessed by tissue Doppler imaging is associated with invasive measures of diastolic LV performance in patients with diastolic and systolic heart failure. Aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of lateral mitral annular E/E′ as an estimate of LV filling pressure with invasive LVEDP measurement in subjects with systolic or purely diastolic heart failure.Methods: Total 100 patients were studied, 50 patients with diastolic heart failure and 50 patients with systolic heart failure in patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiogram. Detailed 2D Echocardiography, Trans mitral Doppler and Tissue Doppler velocities of lateral mitral annulus was obtained. The ratio of peak mitral velocity (E) to lateral mitral annular velocity (E′) by TDI (E/E′) was calculated.Results: The ratio of E/E′ in diastolic group was 13.4±4.9 and in systolic group it was 13.7±5.2. The mean LVEDP in diastolic heart failure patients was 14.3±4.5 and 14.2±4.9 in systolic heart failure patients. The ratio of E/E′ showed a better correlation with LVEDP. E/E′ <8 accurately predicted normal LVEDP, and E/E′ >15 identified increased LVEDP ≥15mmHg.Conclusions: E/E′ is a reliable estimate of LV filling pressures in subjects with systolic and diastolic heart failure. In subjects with diastolic heart failure, E/E′ seems helpful to identify those with truly elevated LV filling pressures. In patients with diastolic heart failure and normal E/E′, a search for other causes of symptoms (pulmonary disease, obesity and so forth) may be warranted.

Post-exertional increase in first-phase ejection fraction in recreational marathon runners.

ObjectivesRunning a marathon has been equivocally associated with acute changes in cardiac performance. First-phase ejection fraction is a novel integrated echocardiographic measure of left ventricular contractility and systo-diastolic coupling which has never been studied in the context of physical activity. The aim of this study was to assess first-phase ejection fraction following recreational marathon running along with standard echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function.Design and participants: Runners (n = 25, 17 males), age (mean ± standard deviation) 39 ± 9 years, were assessed before and immediately after a marathon race which was completed in 4 h, 10 min ± 47 min.Main outcome measuresCentral hemodynamics were estimated with applanation tonometry; cardiac performance was assessed using standard M-mode two-dimensional Doppler, tissue-doppler imaging and speckle-tracking echocardiography. First-phase ejection fraction was calculated as the percentage change in left ventricular volume from end-diastole to the time of peak aortic blood flow.ResultsConventional indices of systolic function and cardiac performance were similar pre- and post-race while aortic systolic blood pressure decreased by 9 ± 8 mmHg (P < 0.001) and first-phase ejection fraction increased by approximately 48% from 16.3 ± 3.9% to 22.9 ± 2.5% (P < 0.001). The ratio of left ventricular transmitral Doppler early velocity (E) to tissue-doppler imaging early annular velocity (e′) increased from 5.1 ± 1.8 to 6.2 ± 1.3 (P < 0.01).ConclusionIn recreational marathon runners, there is a marked increase in first-phase ejection fraction after the race despite no other significant change in cardiac performance or conventional measure of systolic function. More detailed physiological studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of this increase.

P874 A heart failure with brilliantly preserved ejection fraction

Abstract A 85 years old woman with shortness of breath and leg edema with proggresive intensity last three weeks is admited in the cardiology department. As significant comorbidities, the patient has arterial hypertension (although last months all the medication that she needed was discontinued due to tendency toward low blood pressure) and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. As previous surgical background, the patient only refers a carpal tunnel syndrome surgery (in both sides). In the physical exam she has a blood pressure of 110/60 Hg mm, lung crackles in the lower third of both lungs and a systolic murmur in the aortic area with a very low second sound. After being admitted in the cardiology department an echocardiography was done, showing severe left ventricle hypertrophy. As seen in the image (picture A), the myocardium, showed a characteristic granular ang bright pattern. It also showed a moderate to severe aortic stenosis. Although she was in atrial fibrillation during the echocardiography, the transmitral Doppler showed signs of significantly elevated filling pressures as for example, the presence of L waves. Finally, the exam was completed with an analysis of longitudinal deformation of the left ventricle, showing a clearly depressed global longitudinal strain, with a base-apex gradient (preserved at the apex, picture D). With these findings a Tc-PYP scintigraphy was performed, showing moderate and difuse uptake of the radioactive tracer in both ventricles (as shown in the image C). To complete the diagnosis, a cardiac magnetic resonance was performed showing a subendocardial ring pattern of delayed enhancement (image B). The diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis was done. Cardiac amyloidosis is clearly underdiagnosed entity, and sometimes differential diagnosis is really hard. Patients with cardiac amyloidosis are not always so "typical" as in this case. In fact, even a 5% of patients with history of aortic stenosis surgery may have also a cardiac amyloidosis. Maybe the use of myocardial deformation study and nuclear imaging can be useful solving this problem. Several studies have shown that nuclear imaging may be useful in the early diagnosis of this disease, even before that with echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance. Besides, new sequences of cardiac magnetic resonance may be very useful solving the problem of the differential diagnosis in left ventricle hypertrophy: The extracellular volume mapping. In cardiac amyloidosis hypertrophy is due to the deposit of amiloid in extracellular space. Because of that, the extracellular space is significantly increased in comparison with almost every other cause of left ventricle hypertrophy, making this sequence very useful in differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is a rare and very under-diagnosed disease. However these problems with the advance of cardiac imaging and the development of new treatments could change very soon. Abstract P874 Figure. Image 1

Correlation between Cardiac Biomarkers and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Acute Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction with and without Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction

Introduction: Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction (RVMI) along with inferior wall left ventricular (LV) dysfunction or Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction (IWMI) is found in 30-50% of the cases. Isolated Right Ventricular (RV) dysfunction or infarction is rare except in iatrogenic (interventional) procedures. RVMI is being more commonly diagnosed retrospectively in the era of primary angioplasty, when these patients post-procedure fail to improve satisfactorily as compared to isolated IWMI patients. Clues to identify early RV involvement in acute IWMI patients will help in better management and less morbidity in this group of patients. Aim: The study was undertaken to search for any correlation between cardiac biomarkers {Troponin I (Trop I), Creatinine Kinase-MB (CK-MB), Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)} and RV involvement using echocardiographic parameters in inferior Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), with and without associated RVMI, in patients who underwent primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted from September, 2018 to August, 2019, in the Cardiology Department of ABVIMS and Dr. Ram Manohar Hospital. A total of 294 patients, presenting with acute IWMI, were included in the study. Samples for Trop-I, CK-MB and BNP were taken immediately after admission. One hundred and thirty two patients had an associated RVMI. Two-dimensional Echocardiography was done within the first 12 hours of admission. Electrocardiography (ECG) and Echocardiography (EEG) assessments were used to determine RV involvement. Comparison was done first between patients with and without RV involvement, followed by comparison among groups for quantitative parameters, especially biomarkers, for finding correlation between biomarker levels and echocardiographic parameters (both RV and LV functions). Results: Patients presenting with IWMI with an associated RVMI had increased LV E/E’ ratio. Also, as predicted, they had a low Tricuspid Annulus Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) and a low RV fractional area change, as well, due to stunning of right ventricle in the acute phase. In the group with higher BNP levels (≥400 pg/mL), the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/E’) was increased; on the other hand LV ejection fraction and TAPSE were decreased. There was negative correlation between RSm (RV systolic wave), TAPSE and BNP levels. BNP, Trop I and CK-MB levels showed a positive correlation with E/E’ at higher levels. Hypotension was more in patients presenting with RVMI, but it did not reach statistical significance. The mortality was 4.5% in the inferior Myocardial Infarction (MI) with RV involvement group versus 1.8% in isolated inferior MI group (during hospital stay). Conclusion: In acute Inferior wall MI, higher levels of BNP, CK-MB, Trop I, alone or in combination, might be used for prediction of RV involvement. BNP levels ≥400 pg/mL, Trop I levels ≥1.1 ng/mL, and CK-MB levels ≥4.5 ng/mL, along with hypotension and higher E/E’ ratio were observed in such cases and were associated with RV dysfunction and increased mortality.

P204 Recovery of left atrial function after restoration of sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impaired mechanical function of the atria. The restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) leads to improvement of mechanics, however the onset of those changes is not established yet. Purpose To analyse changes in left atrial (LA) mechanical function after conversion to SR. Methods Forty patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years, 63% male) with nonvalvular AF underwent successful electrical cardioversion. Transthoracic echocardiography with speckle tracking analysis (STE) of LA was performed in AF and within 24 hours after cardioversion, in SR. We analysed standard parameters of left ventricle (LV) and LA. By the use of STE we assessed peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), time to PALS indexed to RR interval (TT-PALS/RR) and intra-atrial asynchrony. Results Heart rate during echocardiography was higher before cardioversion - median (IQR) 90 beats per minute (80-110) vs 61 (56-72); p &amp;lt; 0.0001. The mean LV ejection fraction in our study group was 48 ± 11%. We noticed significant improvement in LA STE measurements and in early diastolic (E’) mitral annular velocity. There were no significant changes in systolic (S’) mitral annular velocity and in the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to E’ (E/E’). Detailed results are present in the table. Conclusions Speckle tracking measurements are able to detect early mechanical changes in LA even within 24 hours of SR. Atrial fibrillation Sinus rhythm p S" (cm/s) 6 (5-6.5) 6 (5-6.6) NS E" (cm/s) 10 (7.5-13) 9.5 (6.8-10.5) 0.0008 E/E" 8.2 (6.3-12.3) 9.3 (7.5-13) NS PALS (%) 9.9 ± 4.6 14.5 ± 6 &amp;lt;0.0001 TTP-PALS/RR (%) 51 (44-58) 42 (38-45) 0.0001 LA asynchrony 15 (11-19) 9 (8-14) 0.0007

P637Effects of cardiac rehabilitation as independent predictor for favourable long term postoperative evolution in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Aim 1. To evaluate whether a supervised cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program improves physical capacity and quality of life (QoL) of patients with LV systolic dysfunction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared to patients training by their own. 2. To investigate LV diastolic function dynamics according to the results of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in these patients. 3. To define the echographic predictors for long term prognosis in these patients and their adjusted value for calculation of a preoperative risk score. Material and method Prospective randomized study on 665 CABG patients with LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF&lt;35%), comparing 12 weeks of supervised exercise training (SET) 3 times per week to home-based training based upon public health recommendations of minimum level of physical activity. Patients were evaluated including TDI preoperatively and till 5 years postoperatively. The primary endpoints were the composites of death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiac causes and the secondary endpoints were changes in peak oxygen uptake and in physical capacity (measured with cardiopulmonary exercise testing), changes in health-related QoL and changes in physical activity level (measured with International Physical Activity Questionnary). Stastistical analysis used SYSTAT and SPSS programs. Results 1. SET was more efficient in rehabilitating CABG patients being an independent predictor for a more favourable postoperative evolution, mostly in patients with normal LV diastolic filling pattern (LVDFP) (97,27%) compared with restrictive LV filling (89.83%). At 5 years postoperatively, cardiovascular event-free survival was significantly higher in nonrestrictive LVDFP group (74.94%) compared with restrictive LVDFP (55,75%). 2. Conventional transmitral diastolic Doppler indices before and after CABG remained unchanged. TDI showed significant improvement in SET group at 3 and 12 months postoperatively of both LV systolic (S: 6.1±0.9, 7.5±1.1 and 7.3±1.2cm/s) and diastolic function (e': 7.2±1.8, 8.3±1.4 and 8.8±1.5cm/s.; E/e' ratio: 17.8±2.1, 13.1±1.7 and 11.3±1.8; Vp 3.2±0.55, 2.4±0.28 and 1.9±0.26) 3. The main predictors for unfavorable evolution at 5 years postoperatively were: age &gt;75 years (RR=7.3), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) &gt;85cm3 (RR=6.4), restrictive LVDFP (RR=8.9) and pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (RR=5.2). Conclusions 1. SET improves physical capacity and QoL in CABG patients, mainly in those with normal LVDFP, the restrictive LVDFP being associated with an early and late postoperative unfavourable evolution and difficult CR. 2. Exercise capacity and symptoms are more closely correlated with indices assessed by TDI which demonstrate significant improvement of LV systolic and diastolic function in SET patients, regardless of transmitral flow pattern 3. On long term postoperatively the unfavorable evolution was predicted by: age&gt;75 years, LVESV&gt;85cm3, restrictive LVDFP and severe PHT.

P1484Exploring the grey zone of E/e' ratio: does left atrial strain help?

Abstract Background The combination of early trans-mitral inflow and mitral annular tissue Doppler velocities (E/e' ratio) is widely applied to noninvasively estimate left ventricular (LV) filling pressures. However E/e' ratio has a significant gray zone that restrict its accuracy and left atrial (LA) deformation analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was recently proposed as an alternative approach to estimate LV filling pressures, but the clinical application of LA strain in the subgroup of patients with E/E' between 8 and 14 has been under-investigated. Aims This study aimed to analyze the role of LA longitudinal function by STE (PALS) to estimate intra-cardiac pressures as assessed by systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), measured by Doppler, specifically in patients with an E/e' ratio &gt;8 and ≤14. Methods We enrolled 142 consecutive, non-selected patients, referred to our echocardiography laboratory for a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography. Exclusion criteria were: organic mitral valve disease or prosthesis and presence of disease possibly associated with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. Particular care was used for accurate measurement of maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity and of right atrial pressure and consequently sPAP estimation. PALS values were obtained by averaging all segments, and by separately averaging segments measured in the 4-chamber and 2-chamber views. Results Seventy-four patients (52% of total) showed an E/e' ratio &gt;8 and ≤14, with the following characteristics: mean age 65.5±11.9 years, LVEF 54.5±11.2, E/e' 11.2±1.9, sPAP 33±7 mmHg, PALS 31.6±11.7%. A negative correlation between PALS and sPAP was found (r=−0.55, p&lt;0.0001). From receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, PALS demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.78 (95% CI: 66%–90%)); the cutoff value of 23% showed an excellent specificity of 90% with a sensibility of 60%, to predict sPAP higher than 35 mmHg. Correlation between sPAP and PALS Conclusions LA function measured by STE is a simple parameter able to predict increased intra-cardiac pressure even in the intermediate E/E' group. This parameters might help in improving the diagnostic algorithm of diastolic function.

P4582The role of TDI diastolic measurements for prognostic prediction early and late after surgical ventricular reconstruction

Abstract Aim 1. To evaluate the impact of preoperative left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance on early and late outcomes in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR). 2. To investigate LV diastolic function dynamics according to the results of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in these patients. 3. To assess the echographic predictors for persistence of the restrictive LV diastolic filling pattern (LVDFP) late after CABG and SVR. Material and method Prospective study on 157 pts with LV systolic dysfunction (LVEF &lt;30%) who underwent CABG and SVR, evaluated including TDI preoperatively, early (&lt;1 month), medium (3 and 12 months) and late postoperatively (mean 4,8 years). Statistical analysis used SYSTAT and SPSS. The primary outcome was the time to death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiac causes. Results 1. The preoperative restrictive LVDFP was an independent and predominant predictor for increasing the early and late postoperative risk of cardiovascular events (p=0.001). At 5 years postoperatively, cardiovascular event-free survival was significantly higher in pts with nonrestrictive LVDFP (75%) compared with restrictive LVDFP (55,74%) (p&lt;0.0001). 2. Conventional transmitral diastolic Doppler indices before and after CABG +SVR remained unchanged. TDI showed significant improvement before and in 3 and 12months postoperatively of both LV systolic (S: 6.1±0.9, 7.5±1.1 and 7.3±1.2 cm/sec, p&lt;0.01) and diastolic function (e': 7.2±1.8, 8.3±1.4 and 8.8±1.5 cm/sec; E/e' ratio: 17.8±2.1, 13.1±1.7 and 11.3±1.8; Vp 3.2±0.55, 2.4±0.28 and 1.9±0.26, p&lt;0.01). 3. The evolution of LVEF, LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and mitral regurgitation (MR) severity was different in nonrestrictive group (early and late postoperatively these variables improved) compared with restrictive group (late after surgery the variables deteriorated: LVEF from 27±8% to 22±6%, LVEDV from 181±49 to 234±63 cm3 and MR degree from 0.9±0.6 to 1.8±0.7; p&lt;0.005). 4. Regression analysis identified as predictors for persistence of a restrictive LVDFP late after surgery: E/E' ratio &gt;14 (RR=19.3), LA dimension index &gt;30 mm/m2 (RR=9.2), LVEDV &gt;200 cm3 (RR=9.6), severe PHT (RR=11.4), 2 degree MR (RR=14.8). Conclusions 1. TDI evaluation demonstrate significant improvement of LV systolic diastolic function in CABG + SVR pts, regardless of transmitral flow pattern. TDI is more sensitive and preload independent method of LV function evaluation. 2. The preoperative LVDFP has an independent and incremental prognostic value in CABG+SVR pts, strongly related to higher mortality with aggravation of LV systolic function, MR severity or LV remodeling. This might be attributable to deterioration of diastolic function induced by SVR. 3. Late after CABG+SVR the restrictive LVDFP persistence was predicted by: E/E' ratio &gt;14, LA dimension index &gt;30 mm/m2, LVEDV &gt;200 cm3, severe PHT and 2 degree MR.

4301Diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of adverse events in patients with systolic dysfunction. Insights from the MADIT-CRT trial

Abstract Background Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is common in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, its prognostic relevance in HFrEF, on top of conventional risk factors including natriuretic peptides, is unknown Purpose To show the prognostic contribution of DD in HFrEF Methods We analyzed 1155 baseline echocardiograms (63% of all available exams) in the MADIT-CRT (Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial With Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy) study, comprising HFrEF patients with LVEF≤30%, QRS duration ≥130 ms, and NYHA class I/II. We classified DD according to ASE 2016 classification, based on transmitral Doppler velocities, mitral annular Tissue Doppler velocities, pulmonary venous flow velocities, and left atrial volumes. Using Cox regression and C-statistics we assessed the independent prognostic value of DD for nonfatal HF or death. We also evaluated CART (Classification And Regression Tree) analysis Results Patients were 64±11 years-old, 24% females, and mean LVEF was 24±5%. While 45% had impaired relaxation, 33% had pseudo-normal filling, 12% restrictive patter, 6% had indeterminate diastolic function, and 4% were not classifiable due to missing data. During a mean follow-up of 2.1±1.0 years, there were 233 adverse events. After multiple adjustment, compared to patients with impaired relaxation, those with pseudo-normal and restrictive filling had greater risk of HF/death (respectively HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.16–2.66, p=0.007; HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.58–4.60, p&lt;0.001), independently of assigned treatment (p-interaction 0.34). Adding DD to conventional markers of risk improved prediction (C-statistic 0.733, 95% CI 0.689–0.776 versus 0.708, 95% CI 0.663–0.753, p=0.024). Finally, at CART analysis DD was the first parameter to be considered to risk stratify patients (Figure) Risk stratification tree Conclusions DD is a strong independent predictor of death or heart failure in HFrEF patients with mild symptoms and should be considered in assessment of risk in this population

P2466The impact of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation on global and regional left atrial function in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract Introduction The effect of circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) on left atrial (LA) function has not been well defined. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate impact of ablation on parameters of global and regional LA function using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) Methods We studied 26 consecutive patients (age 56±10 years, 19 men) with paroxysmal AF using ICE before and immediately after circumferential PVI. All pulmonary veins were isolated in all patients. ICE measurements included LA fractional area shortening, peak A wave on transmitral Doppler flow, peak emptying velocity on the left atrial appendage (LAA) Doppler flow, as well as tissue Doppler myocardial velocities at the level of the posterior LA wall, interatrial septum, and lateral wall, which were used as parameters of regional LA function. Results The mean radiofrequency ablation time was 37±22min. Post ablation there was a significant reduction of the LA fractional area shortening from 27±8% to 22±6% (p&lt;0.01). The tissue Doppler velocity of atrial contraction at the posterior wall decreased significantly post ablation: from 8.9±1.8 cm/s to 6.9±1.4 cm/s (p&lt;0.01). There were no significant differences between the pre and post ablation values for tissue Doppler velocities at the level of the interatrial septum or LA lateral wall. The post ablation peak transmitral A wave and peak LAA Doppler velocities did not differ significantly from the pre ablation values. Conclusion In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, circumferential PVI results in an immediate decrease in LA function without a significant change in LAA function.

Association of Change in N-Terminal Pro–B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Following Initiation of Sacubitril-Valsartan Treatment With Cardiac Structure and Function in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction

In patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), treatment with sacubitril-valsartan reduces N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations. The effect of sacubitril-valsartan on cardiac remodeling is uncertain. To determine whether NT-proBNP changes in patients with HFrEF treated with sacubitril-valsartan correlate with changes in measures of cardiac volume and function. Prospective, 12-month, single-group, open-label study of patients with HFrEF enrolled in 78 outpatient sites in the United States. Sacubitril-valsartan was initiated and the dose adjusted. Enrollment commenced on October 25, 2016, and follow-up was completed on October 22, 2018. NT-proBNP concentrations among patients treated with sacubitril-valsartan. The primary outcome was the correlation between changes in log2-NT-proBNP concentrations and left ventricular (LV) EF, LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), LV end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), left atrial volume index (LAVI), and ratio of early transmitral Doppler velocity/early diastolic annular velocity (E/e') at 12 months. Among 794 patients (mean age, 65.1 years; 226 women [28.5%]; mean LVEF = 28.2%), 654 (82.4%) completed the study. The median NT-proBNP concentration at baseline was 816 pg/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 332-1822) and 455 pg/mL (IQR, 153-1090) at 12 months (difference, P < .001). At 12 months, the change in log2-NT-proBNP concentration was correlated with changes in LVEF (r = -0.381 [IQR, -0.448 to -0.310]; P < .001), LVEDVI (r = 0.320 [IQR, 0.246 to 0.391]; P < .001), LVESVI (r = 0.405 [IQR, 0.335 to 0.470]; P < .001), LAVI (r = 0.263 [IQR, 0.186 to 0.338]; P < .001), and E/e' (r = 0.269 [IQR, 0.182 to 0.353]; P < .001). At 12 months, LVEF increased from 28.2% to 37.8% (difference, 9.4% [95% CI, 8.8% to 9.9%]; P < .001), while LVEDVI decreased from 86.93 to 74.15 mL/m2 (difference, -12.25 mL/m2 [IQR, -12.92 to -11.58]; P < .001) and LVESVI decreased from 61.68 to 45.46 mL/m2 (difference, -15.29 mL/m2 [95% CI, -16.03 to -14.55]; P < .001). LAVI and E/e' ratio also decreased significantly. The most frequent adverse events were hypotension (17.6%), dizziness (16.8%), hyperkalemia (13.2%), and worsening kidney function (12.3%). In this exploratory study of patients with HFrEF treated with sacubitril-valsartan, reduction in NT-proBNP concentration was weakly yet significantly correlated with improvements in markers of cardiac volume and function at 12 months. The observedreverse cardiac remodeling may provide a mechanistic explanation for the effectsof sacubitril-valsartan in patients with HFrEF. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02887183.

Responses to Pirfenidone Treatment in Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is Not Associated with Changes in Echocardiographic Parameters of Left Ventricular Structure and Function

Background Pirfenidone, an FDA-approved novel anti-fibrotic agent used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has been implicated in mitigating myocardial fibrosis, systolic and diastolic dysfunction in animal models (Kuwahara et al, Circulation 2002). However to date, the effect of Pirfenidone on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in humans with IPF has not been studied. Hypothesis We hypothesize that changes in echocardiographic parameters of LV structure and function would be more favorable in responders compared to non-responders of pirfenidone in patients with IPF. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 27 consecutive patients with IPF on pirfenidone between 2014-2018 with serial baseline and follow up echocardiograms and pulmonary function testing. Treatment failure (non-response) was defined as an absolute decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of more than 10% whilst being on the medication. Comprehensive echocardiographic data extraction and analysis was performed in all patients. Changes in parameters of LV structure (LV mass, interventricular septal and posterior wall thickness, indexed end systolic and diastolic volumes), systolic function (LVEF), diastolic function (Indexed left atrial volume, trans-mitral Doppler flow patterns, tissue Doppler indices) and global LV longitudinal strain were compared between responders and non-responders. Results In our study cohort, 18 responders and 9 non-responders were identified. Responders were significantly older than non-responders, yet sex, history of CAD, hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, CKD and cardiac medication use were not significantly different. Baseline echocardiographic parameters were comparable, except for septal e/e’, which was higher in responders (11.68 vs 10.1; p Conclusion In contrary to our hypothesis, we observed that response to pirfenidone therapy in patients with IPF did not associate with echocardiographic changes of left ventricle structure and function.

Predictors of early cardiac changes in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: An echocardiography-based study.

In patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) imaging studies have demonstrated an increased prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and increased left ventricular mass (LVM) unrelated to arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The aim of our study was to identify potential predictors of early subclinical changes in cardiac chamber size and function in such patients. Sixty-one middle-aged asymptomatic normotensive patients with T1DM were included in the study. Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed and fasting serum levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, and creatinine were measured. We found moderate bivariate correlations of body mass index (BMI) with left atrial volume (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), LVM (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), left ventricular relative wall thickness (r = 0.32, p = 0.01), and all observed parameters of diastolic function of both ventricles. The five-year average value of HbA1c weakly correlated with the Doppler index of left ventricular filling pressure E/e´sept (r = 0.27, p = 0.04). We found no significant association of diabetes duration, five-year trend of HbA1c, serum lipids, and glomerular filtration rate with cardiac structure and function. After adjusting for other parameters, BMI remained significantly associated with left atrial volume, LVM as well as with the transmitral Doppler ratio E/A. In our study, BMI was the only observed parameter significantly associated with subclinical structural and functional cardiac changes in the asymptomatic middle-aged patients with T1DM.

Epicardial adipose tissue and its association with cardiovascular risk factors and mitral annular calcium deposits.

Epicardial fat is a variety of visceral adipose tissue that secretes pro-inflammatory cytokines that can lead to progression of atherosclerosis. Previous studies have shown a correlation between cardiovascular risk factors and severity of mitral annular calcification. The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between epicardial fat thickness and mitral annular calcification. This study recruited 188 patients who were considered for coronary angiography and underwent echocardiography within 24 hours of admission. Epicardial fat thickness was measured in the parasternal long axis view at the end-systole. Mitral annular calcification was visualized in the parasternal short-axis view and was grade as none, mild, moderate, and severe. Furthermore, left atrial diameter, severity of mitral regurgitation, left ventricular ejection fraction, and early diastolic velocities (E wave) determined by transmitral pulsed Doppler, the early mitral annular velocities measured by tissue Doppler (e'), and E/e' were obtained. Patients with an epicardial fat thickness ≥7 mm had higher prevalence of hypertension and higher SYNTAX score (p value = 0.002 and 0.0014, respectively). Also, mitral annular calcification was both more prevalent and more extensive (p value = 0.007 and <0.001, respectively) and left atrial diameter was larger in these patients compared with patients with epicardial fat thickness <7 mm (p value = 0.001). Our study showed significant association between increased epicardial fat thickness and calcium deposits in the mitral valve annulus that is a degenerative process associated with cardiovascular risk factors.

Magnesium supplementation improves diabetic mitochondrial and cardiac diastolic function.

In heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), the majority of patients have hypomagnesemia, and magnesium (Mg) supplementation has improved cardiac function and insulin resistance. Recently, we have shown that DM can cause cardiac diastolic dysfunction (DD). Therefore, we hypothesized that Mg supplementation would improve diastolic function in DM. High-fat diet-induced diabetic mouse hearts showed increased cardiac DD and hypertrophy. Mice with DM showed a significantly increased E/e' ratio (the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity [E] to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity [e']) in the echocardiogram, left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV), incidence of DD, left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (PWTd), and ratio of heart weight to tibia length (HW/TL) when compared with controls. DM mice also had hypomagnesemia. Ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from DM mice exhibited decreased mitochondrial ATP production, a 1.7- ± 0.2-fold increase of mitochondrial ROS, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. Dietary Mg administration (50 mg/ml in the drinking water) for 6 weeks increased plasma Mg concentration and improved cardiac function. At the cellular level, Mg improved mitochondrial function with increased ATP, decreased mitochondrial ROS and Ca2+ overload, and repolarized mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, Mg supplementation improved mitochondrial function, reduced oxidative stress, and prevented DD in DM.

Effect of Rosuvastatin in Preventing Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Women With Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity is a major and leading cause of death in breast cancer survivors. It can present decades after chemotherapy and can manifest in different ways; some chemotherapeutic agents have a powerful dose-dependent relationship with cardiotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rosuvastatin on preventing chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer. Our study was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial that involved 89 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who were scheduled to receive chemotherapy. Patients were randomly assigned to receive rosuvastatin or a placebo in a 1:1 ratio for 6 months. Echocardiography, using 2-dimensional (2D) Doppler, tissue Doppler, and speckle-tracking methods, was used to determine the absolute changes in the left ventricular systolic ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left atrial (LA) diameter, transmitral Doppler early diastolic velocity (E wave), tissue Doppler early diastolic (e') and peak systolic (s') mitral annular velocities, E/e' ratio, and global longitudinal systolic strain. The LVEF was significantly reduced in the placebo group at the end of the study when compared with the baseline value. However, there was no significant difference in the LVEF in the intervention group (intergroup P = .012). Furthermore, compared with the intervention group at the end of the study, there was a significant increase in the 4- and 2-chamber LVESV, LA diameter, and E/e' ratio in the placebo group (intergroup P = .019, P = .024, P < .001, and P = .021, respectively) and a significant decrease in the e' and s' velocities in the placebo group (intergroup P < .001 and P < .006, respectively). The present study showed that the prophylactic use of rosuvastatin may prevent the development of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effects of oral trazodone on echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables in healthy cats.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of oral trazodone on echocardiographic variables, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) in healthy cats. Client-owned domestic cats between 2 and 8 years of age were recruited. Cats were considered healthy based on physical examination, complete blood count, blood chemistry profile, urinalysis, total thyroxine concentration, non-invasive BP measurement by Doppler method and a screening transthoracic echocardiogram with simultaneous electrocardiogram. Echocardiographic variables assessed pre-trazodone and 90-120 mins post-trazodone (50 mg PO) included left ventricular internal diameter in systole and diastole, interventricular septal and left ventricular free-wall thickness in systole and diastole, left atrial size, left auricular function and left ventricular diastolic function assessed by spectral Doppler transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities, and tissue Doppler profiles. Mean echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables were calculated for pre- and post-trazodone examinations for each cat. Pre- and post-trazodone variables were analyzed with a paired t-test with significance set at P <0.05. Twelve healthy cats were evaluated. Trazodone was administered to all cats and a sedative effect was observed. There were no clinically significant differences in any echocardiographic variables post-trazodone administration. Systolic BP was significantly decreased after trazodone (P = 0.001) with no significant change in HR. Trazodone did not alter echocardiographic variables, in a clinically relevant manner, in this group of healthy cats. Trazodone may aid in obtaining transthoracic echocardiograms without affecting HR or echocardiographic variables but may significantly lower BP in healthy cats.

Assessment of right ventricular function by echocardiography in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

Left ventricle (LV), right ventricular (RV) structural and functional changes occurs in advanced heart failure (HF). Assessment of RV function is important as it has prognostic significance in prognosis. RV functions, depending on the underlying cause of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) or nonischemic cardiomyopathy(NICMP) are affected by different levels. Patients with clinical sign of HF and echocardiographic parameters as LVEF ≤ % 35 and LV end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) ≥ 55 mm, sinus rhythm (SR), clear image quality, absence or mild valve insufficiency were included in the study. The study consisted of 20 ICMP and 24 NICMP patients with LVEF < %35 and increased LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD > 5.5 cm), non severe valve disease and SR. RV and LV volume, diameter and function are assessed by echocardiography. Patients have similar basic characteristics. LV functions were evaluated by two-dimensional(2D) echocardiography, transmitral flow Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography and the analysis revealed similar results in both groups. RV longitudinal diameter in ICMP was significantly lower when compared to the NICMP(6.80 ± 0.83 cm, 7.4 ± 1.03 cm; p=0.03). Mean RVEF was comparable between groups and %59 in NICMP while 62% in ICMP. There were no significant differences between groups regarding RV transtricuspid flow Doppler parameters. In tissue Doppler parameters, lateral annulus Sm velocity which reflects RV systolic function was lower in ICMP than NICMP (0.09 ± 0.02 cm/sn vs 0.11 ± 0.018 cm/sn; p = 0.004). TAPSE assessed by M-mode echocardiography was significantly lower in ICMP group than NİCMP(1.98 ± 0.39, 2.28 ± 0.33; p = 0.009). The present study show that RV function was significantly decreased in ICMP when compared to NICMP.

Independent of left ventricular mass, circulating inflammatory markers rather than pressure load are associated with concentric left ventricular remodelling

BackgroundA reason for concentric left ventricular (LV) remodelling predicting cardiovascular outcomes independent of conventional risk factors and LV mass (LVM) has not been provided. We hypothesized that independent of LVM, concentric LV remodelling is associated with inflammatory changes rather than a pressure load on the LV. MethodsIn 764 randomly selected community participants, we assessed relations between several inflammatory markers (ELISA) and LV relative wall thickness (RWT) (echocardiography), LV mass index (LVMI), and indexes of diastolic function. ResultsNo independent relations were noted between circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers and LVM index (LVMI) (p > 0.13 for all). However, independent of confounders including LVMI and blood pressure (BP), circulating tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (partial r = 0.14, p < 0.0005) and to a lesser degree interleukin-6 (partial r = −0.09, p < 0.02) were associated with RWT. The impact (standardized β-coefficient) of TNF-α on RWT (0.12 ± 0.03, p < 0.0005) was at least as strong as age (0.13 ± 0.05, p < 0.005), and second only to LVMI (0.27 ± 0.04, p < 0.0001), whilst neither office, 24-hour, central aortic BP, nor aortic stiffness were associated with RWT independent of LVMI. With adjustments, as compared to participants with a normal LVMI and geometry (12.7 ± 0.8), circulating TNF-α concentrations (pg/ml) were increased as much in participants with concentric LV remodelling (16.8 ± 1.5, p < 0.05) as in those with concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) (17.0 ± 1.3, p < 0.005), whilst eccentric LVH (13.7 ± 0.9) was not. No independent relations between inflammatory markers and LV diastolic function (trans-mitral and tissue Doppler) were noted. ConclusionsIndependent of LVMI, a pro-inflammatory state rather than BP load is strongly associated with LV concentric remodelling.

Early myocardial changes in normotensive children of hypertensive parents: a tissue Doppler study.

The aim of this study was to examine early left ventricular systolic and diastolic changes using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in normotensive children of hypertensive parents (NCHP), a risk group for cardiovascular diseases. Ninety-two children characterized as NCHP (age range: 6-18 years) and 90 age-, gender-, height-, weight-, and body mass index-matched children characterized as normotensive children of normotensive parents (NCNP) were included in the study. Left ventricular diastolic parameters were assessed using transmitral flow pulse wave Doppler echocardiography and mitral septal and lateral annular TDI. Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function was evaluated globally using the TDI-derived myocardial performance index (MPI'). Mean systolic, diastolic, and average blood pressure values were found to be higher in the NCHP group than in the NCNP group. Echocardiographic parameters in the NCHP group showed statistically significant differences, including increased interventricular septum end-diastolic wall thickness (p = 0.039), left ventricular end-diastolic posterior wall thickness (p = 0.011), relative wall thickness (p = 0.013), and transmitral flow A velocity (p = 0.003); parameters determined by TDI included a prolonged isovolumetric relaxation time (p < 0.001) and isovolumetric contraction time (p = 0.002), shortened ejection time (p = 0.001), and increased MPI' (p < 0.001) in the NCHP group. Early alterations in myocardial function, indicated by increased MPI' values, had a positive correlation with systolic blood pressure and myocardial thickness. Conversely, they were negatively correlated with the ejection fraction and E/A ratio, which decreases with diastolic dysfunction. The MPI' is considered a repeatable, non-invasive, and low-cost assessment method that can surpass conventional methods in the detection of early left ventricular systolic and diastolic functional changes in the subclinical period of hypertension in children with familial risk.