Use Of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Research Articles

The usefulness of speckle tracking echocardiography for the prediction of cardiac involvement in patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis.

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is commonly diagnosed based on clinical criteria and abnormalities in noninvasive imaging reported in patients with biopsy-proven extracardiac sarcoidosis. Electrocardiogram and two-dimensional echocardiography have a low sensitivity for CS detection. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and positron emission tomography (PET) have limitations in terms of cost and availability. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of left ventricular longitudinal strain, measured using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), for the prediction of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) presence in CMR in patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. A total of 119 patients with biopsy-proven extracardiac sarcoidosis were divided, according to the clinical criteria proposed by the 2014 Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement (HRS 2014), into two groups: 43 individuals with "probable cardiac sarcoidosis", CS(+) and 76 individuals without cardiac sarcoidosis, CS (-). Data from echocardiography, CMR, 12-lead ECG and 24h Holter monitoring were analyzed. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) was slightly reduced in the entire sarcoidosis group (-18.61±2.96), no difference between the CS (+) and CS (-) subgroups was found (-18.0%±3.2% and -18.9%±2.8%, respectively; p=.223). No cut-off value for LV-GLS was identified that could predict the presence of LGE. Segmental longitudinal strain impairment partially correlated with the presence of LGE on CMR. In our cohort of sarcoidosis patients, segmental longitudinal strain proved more helpful in the diagnostic process than LV-GLS. The ultimate role of STE in the diagnosis of CS remains to be established.

The Role of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Predicting Mortality and Morbidity in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is now routinely included in cardiac evaluations, but its role in predicting mortality and morbidity in congenital heart disease (CHD) is not well described. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of STE in patients with CHD. The EMBASE, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched from inception to January 2023 for terms related to all CHD, STE, and prognosis. Meta-analysis of association of right ventricle and left ventricle strain (RV Sl and LV Sl, respectively) with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) was performed in atrial switch transposition of the great arteries (asTGA)/congenitally corrected TGA (ccTGA), tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), and congenital aortic stenosis (cAS)/bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). P-value combination analysis was additionally performed for all CHD groups. A total of 33 studies (30 cohorts, n=8,619 patients, children, and adults) were included. Meta-analysis showed the following parameters as being associated with MACE: RV Sl in asTGA/ccTGA (hazard ratio [HR]=1.1/%; CI, [1.03; 1.18]), RV Sl and LV Sl in ToF (HR=1.14/%; CI, [1.03; 1.26] and HR=1.14/%; CI, [1.08; 1.2], respectively), and LV Sl in cAS/BAV (HR=1.19/%; CI, [1.15; 1.23]). The RV Sl and strain rate were associated with outcomes also in single ventricle/hypoplastic left heart syndrome (at all palliation stages except before Norwood stage 1) and LV Sl in Ebstein's anomaly. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that biventricular strain and strain rate were associated with outcomes in a variety of CHD, highlighting the need for updated recommendations on the use of STE in the current guidelines, specific to disease types.

Right ventricular longitudinal strain in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA)

Abstract Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by a restrictive phisiology. This condition can be hereditary (ATTRv) or acquired (ATTRwt). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) measured with speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has been well described and it appears to be significantly lower in ATTR-CA than in other hypertrophic phenotypes, presenting with a typical "apical sparing" pattern. Furthermore, LVGLS can predict prognosis among patients with ATTR-CA beyond LVEF. Few studies investigated the role of right ventricular longitudinal strain in ATTR-CA. The aim of this study is to describe right ventricular (RV) involvement in patients with ATTR-CA with the use of STE and to explore its prognostic implications. We retrospectively analyzed echocardiographic images of 221 patients with ATTR-CA evaluated between 1995 and 2019 at our Centre. Since the right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWSL) is the current standard parameter being evaluated when performing STE, we chose it as variable of interest among the others collected. Finally, univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to analyze variables related with clinical events such as heart failure and death. The median age of our cohort was 76,7 years old and they were predominantly males. Among these, most patients had a diagnosis of ATTR-CA wild-type (only 32,1% of study population was affected by ATTRv). At STE, LVGLS was abnormal in both ATTRwt patients (-12%; IQR: -13,75% -10,15%) and ATTRv patients (-12,5%; IQR: -15,5% -10,73%) with no significant difference between groups (p= 0,1715). Furthermore, STE showed impaired right ventricular longitudinal function in both aetiologies, but with a different grade of involvement as the median RVFWLS was -19,8% (IQR: -25,1% -13,9% ) in the ATTRv group and -16,4% in the ATTRwt group (IQR: -21,65% -12,2%) (p=0,043). In our study, a right ventricular apical sparing pattern was not observed. In the univariate analysis, RVFWLS and other parameters such as age, eGFR, tricuspid regurgitation and LVGLS were significantly associated with heart failure, so they were forced into multivariable analysis, but RVFWLS did not show an independent correlation with the endpoint, although a certain trend toward significance could be observed (HR 1,037 95%CI 0.998 - 1.077; p=0,063). Finally, we explored the association between our collected variables and death. At univariate analysis, RVFWLS showed a strong correlation with death (HR 1,034; 95%CI 1.005 - 1.064; p= 0,021), together with NYHA class, eGFR, LVEF and LVGLS. Notably, RVFWLS predicted death at our multivariable regression analysis (HR 1.041 95%CI 1.010 - 1.072; p= 0,008). RVFWLS is an emerging parameter to evaluate RV dysfunction which appears significantly impaired in patients with ATTR-CA. In this setting, it might have not only a diagnostic role, but also a prognostic power, although further data are needed.

Use of speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluating cardiac dysfunction in patients with acromegaly: an update.

In recent years, cardiovascular disease has garnered increasing attention as the second leading cause of death in individuals with acromegaly, following malignancy. Identifying cardiac dysfunction early in acromegaly patients for timely intervention has become a focal point of clinical research. Speckle tracking echocardiography, a well-established ultrasound technique, surpasses conventional Doppler ultrasound in its sensitivity to assess both local and global cardiac mechanics. It can accurately detect subclinical and clinical myocardial dysfunction, including myocardial ischemia, ventricular hypertrophy, and valvular changes. Over the past five years, the use of speckle tracking echocardiography in acromegaly patients has emerged as a novel approach. Throughout the cardiac cycle, speckle tracking echocardiography offers a sensitive evaluation of the global and regional myocardial condition by quantifying the motion of myocardial fibres in distinct segments. It achieves this independently of variations in ultrasound angle and distance, effectively simulating the deformation of individual ventricles across different spatial planes. This approach provides a more accurate description of changes in cardiac strain parameters. Importantly, even in the subclinical stage when ejection fraction remains normal, the strain parameters assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography hold a good predictive value for the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in acromegaly patients with concomitant cardiovascular disease. This information aids in determining the optimal timing for interventional therapy, offering important insights for cardiac risk stratification and prognosis. In the present study, we comprehensively reviewed the research progress of speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluating of cardiac dysfunction in acromegaly patients, to pave the way for early diagnosis of acromegaly cardiomyopathy.

Clinical Usefulness of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is defined as HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) not less than 50%. HFpEF accounts for more than 50% of all HF patients, and its prevalence is increasing year to year with the aging population, with its prognosis worsening. The clinical assessment of cardiac function and prognosis in patients with HFpEF remains challenging due to the normal range of LVEF and the nonspecific symptoms and signs. In recent years, new echocardiographic techniques have been continuously developed, particularly speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), which provides a sensitive and accurate method for the comprehensive assessment of cardiac function and prognosis in patients with HFpEF. Therefore, this article reviewed the clinical utility of STE in patients with HFpEF.

Study of usefulness of speckle-tracking echocardiography in detecting left ventricular dysfunction among adult cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Objective: Cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is a significant concern for patients undergoing chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to study the accuracy and value of longitudinal strain in prediction of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in cancer patients undergoing cancer therapy. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted among 183 adult patients undergoing chemotherapy between 2018 and 2020. Patients with congenital or acquired valvular disease, prior myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, or cardiac surgery were excluded. The patients were evaluated using a detailed history, clinical examination and echocardiography at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after chemotherapy. Speckle-tracking strain analysis was used to evaluate left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (GCS), and radial strain (GRS). LVD was defined as &qt;15% decrease in GLS, GCS, or GRS from baseline to 6 months. Accuracy of longitudinal strain in prediction of LVD was studied using ROC analysis. Results: Of the 183 patients, 59% were male, and 54.1% were between 46-60 years of age. Breast cancer was the most common malignancy (10.9%). The most common chemotherapy regimen was doxorubicin + paclitaxel (9.9%). At baseline, the mean GLS, GCS, and GRS were -18.6 (1.03)%, -20.4 (1.11)%, and 39.9 (6.09)%, respectively. At the 6-month follow-up, 27 (14.8%) patients had LVD. The incidence of LVD was higher (51.48%) in patients who received doxorubicin-containing regimens compared to non-doxorubicin-containing regimens (P <0.0001). GLS has good accuracy in prediction of LVD at 6 months of follow-up (88.37%). Conclusions: The incidence of LV dysfunction was higher (51.48%) in patients who received doxorubicin-containing regimens. GLS is different in LVD vs non LVD and the accuracy of GLS is more in prediction of LVD development during 6-month follow-up (88.37%).

Left Atrial Function Assessment By Speckle Tracking Echocardiography In Low-Risk Atrial Fibrillation Patients.

To compare the left atrial function utilising speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with low-risk and high-risk non-valvular atrial fibrillation. The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the cardiology department of Kafrelsheikh University Hospital, Egypt, from January 2021 to January 2022, and comprised low-risk atrial fibrillatin participants in group I, high-risk atrial fibrillatin patients in group II, and healthy controls in group III. After detailed medical history, the subjects underwent 12-lead electrocardigram, and echocardiographic assessment, including two dimensional, M-mode, tissue doppler, and speckle tracking of the left atrium. The association of left atrial strain with Congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 (doubled), diabetes,stroke (doubled), vascular disease sex category (female)score was explored. Data was analysed using SPSS 28. Of the 90 subjects, there were 30(33.3%) in each of the 3 groups. The mean age among the groups was significantly different among the groups (p=0.014). Left atrial ejection fraction and left atrial strain had an overall significant difference among the groups(p<0.001). Congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease sex category (female)score was negatively correlated with Left atrial ejection fraction and (p<0.001) and left atrial strain (p<0.001). In individuals with atrial fibrillatin, there was a significant decrease in left atrial strain and left atrial function. The use of speckle tracking echocardiography allowed for a more detailed analysis of left atrial mechanics. The correlation of left atrialstrain and left atrial ejection fraction with Congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 (doubled), diabetes, stroke (doubled), vascular disease sex category (female) score was significantly negative.

Strain Echocardiography in Acute COVID-19 and Post-COVID Syndrome: More than Just a Snapshot.

Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has become an established, widely available diagnostic method in the past few years, making its value clear in cases of COVID-19 and the further course of the disease, including post-COVID syndrome. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many studies have been published on the use of STE in this condition, enabling, on the one hand, a better understanding of myocardial involvement in COVID-19 and, on the other, a better identification of risk to patients, although some questions remain unanswered in regard to specific pathomechanisms, especially in post-COVID patients. This review takes a closer look at current findings and potential future developments by summarising the extant data on the use of STE, with a focus on left and right ventricular longitudinal strain.

Role of myocardial deformation imaging in transfusion-dependent thalassemia—Correlation with severity of myocardial siderosis

ObjectivesTo study clinical and echocardiographic parameters in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) patients, correlating them with T2*CMRI. To identify features of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) in those with severe TDT to prioritize patients in need of early T2*CMRI and aggressive chelation. BackgroundHemosiderosis from life-long transfusions in TDT is amplified in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) when access to resources may be scarce, delaying timely chelation. T2* imaging is the gold standard to non-invasively estimate myocardial iron and guide therapy. In resource constraint areas, we propose use of STE to prioritize those with severe disease to obtain early T2* CMRI. MethodsTDT patients (N = 25) who underwent clinical, echocardiographic, and CMRI evaluation were included, with recruitment of age matched controls. Echocardiographic indices of ventricular function and strain were correlated with T2*. Severe disease was defined as T2* < 10 ms. Differences among patients with severe disease and controls were analyzed in addition to differences between those with normal and abnormal T2*. ResultsThere was moderate (R −0.60, p = 0.002) inverse correlation between T2* and peak systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) and regional basal strain (R −0.62, p < 0.001) indicating these parameters were lower in patients with severe disease when compared with controls and non-severe TDT group. GLS and most indices of regional strain were lower in patients with severe disease (T2* < 10 ms) when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The Apex- base ratio reached significance (p = 0.02) in patients with abnormal T2*(<20 ms) when compared with normal T2*(<20 ms) in TDT positive patients. ConclusionsEarly decrease in global and regional strain can serve as a useful tool to identify patients with severe TDT before reduction in ejection fraction. This study makes a case for utilizing STE as an adjunct or initial screen to T2* CMRI in LMIC to prioritize patients in need of T2*CMRI to facilitate aggressive iron chelation protocols.

Additive effects of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome on left ventricular torsion and linear deformation abnormalities during dobutamine stress echocardiography.

ObjectiveThe interplay between metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) on regional myocardial mechanics and the potential additional effects of their combination remain poorly understood. In this context, we evaluated left ventricular (LV) torsion and linear deformation at rest and under dobutamine (DB) stress in patients with T2D, MS or both.MethodsThirty-nine T2D patients without MS (T2D), 37 MS patients free from T2D (MS), 44 patients with both T2D and MS (T2D-MS group) and 38 healthy patients (control group) were prospectively recruited. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) was conducted at rest and low dose DB to evaluate LV myocardial longitudinal (LS) as well as circumferential (CS) strain and early diastolic strain rate (LSrd, CSrd) and twist-untwist mechanics.ResultsAt rest, MS, T2D and controls presented with similar resting LS and LSrd while significant lower values were obtained in T2D-MS compared to controls. DB revealed reduced LS, LSrd, CS and CSrd in MS and T2D groups compared to controls. In T2-MS, the decline in LS and LSrd established at rest was exacerbated under DB. Stress echocardiography revealed also lower basal rotation and subsequently lower twist in MS and T2D patients compared to controls. T2D-MS showed major impairments of apical rotation and twist under DB stress, with values significantly lower compared to the 3 other groups. From stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, epicardial adipose tissue for Δ (rest to DB) LS, numbers of MS factors for Δ CS and Δ Twist emerged as major independent predictors.ConclusionThese results demonstrate synergic and additive effects of T2D and MS on LV torsion and linear deformation abnormalities in asymptomatic patients with metabolic diseases. They also highlight the usefulness of speckle tracking echocardiography under DB stress in detecting multidirectional myocardial mechanics impairments that can remain barely detectable at rest, such as in isolated T2D or MS patients.

The usefulness of speckle tracking echocardiography in identifying subclinical myocardial dysfunction in young adults recovered from mild COVID-19.

BackgroundMyocardial strain assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography is a sensitive marker of cardiac dysfunction. Both left‐ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV‐GLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RV‐LS) were affected by severe SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. However, data about cardiac involvement in patients with asymptomatic/mild Coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) is still lacking.AimTo evaluate myocardial function using LV‐GLS and RV‐LS in patients with previous asymptomatic/mild COVID‐19.MethodsForty young adults without previously known comorbidities/cardiovascular risk factors and with a confirmed diagnosis of asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were retrospectively included. A 2D‐transthoracic echocardiogram with speckle tracking analysis was performed at least 3 months after the diagnosis. Forty healthy subjects, matched for age, sex, and body surface area in a 1:1 ratio were used as the control group.ResultsLeft ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV‐LS were comparable between the two groups. LV‐GLS was significantly lower in the cases compared to the control group (−22.7 ± 1.6% vs. −25.7 ± 2.3%; p < .001). Moreover, the prevalence of regional peak systolic strain below −16% in at least two segments was three times higher in patients with previous COVID‐19 compared to controls (30% vs. 10%, p = .02). In multivariable logistic regression, previous COVID‐19 infection was independently associated with reduced LV‐GLS values (p < .001).ConclusionSARS‐CoV‐2 infection may affect left ventricular deformation in 30% of young adult patients despite an asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic acute illness. Speckle‐tracking echocardiography could help early identification of patients with subclinical cardiac involvement, with potential repercussions on risk stratification and management.

Abstract 203: Inter-rater Reliability Of Myocardial Strain Measurements In Comparison With Ejection Fraction In A Rural, Clinical Setting Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis via speckle tracking echocardiography is a relatively new and promising imaging technology for the assessment of structural and functional abnormalities in the heart. GLS can be used in conjunction with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as a valuable predictor of left ventricular function. In fact, current data suggest strain to be a more effective indicator for ventricular dysfunction than LVEF. Despite its promise, the use of speckle tracking echocardiography has been limited to robust academic and research institutions due to concerns of reliability in clinical settings. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that high inter-rater reliability can be obtained in the measurement of mean global longitudinal strain in a non-academic, rural setting. GLS and LVEF were evaluated on twenty-one patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment during routine standard-of-care visits. The echocardiograms were performed on each patient by two separate technologists on the same day and the measurements were compared via intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) values. Briefly, higher inter-rater reliability was observed in GLS (ICC 0.895) compared to LVEF (ICC 0.569), suggesting GLS is a reliable and reproducible measure of systolic function.

Left ventricle function after arterial switch procedure for D-transposition of the great arteries: Long term evaluation by speckle-tracking analysis

AimThe objective of this study was to assess left ventricle (LV) function in patients underwent arterial switch procedure (ASO) for transposition of great arteries (TGA) in long-term follow-up. MethodsWe studied 59 asymptomatic patients (43 male) who have undergone single-stage ASO for TGA, aged 13.9 ± 4.8 years, with a normal LV ejection fraction, compared to healthy peers. We evaluated LV volume, function and myocardial deformation in asymptomatic patients with normal ejection fraction by using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). ResultsGlobal longitudinal strain (GLS) was lower in patients compared to healthy peers throughout all age groups (5–9 years: −20.03 ± 0.65% vs 21.00 ± 1.30%, p = 0.083; 10–14 years: −19.43 ± 1.75% vs −21.80 ± 1.30%, p < 0.0001; 15–19 years: −19.05 ± 1.65% vs −22.50 ± 1.30%, p < 0.0001; 20–24 years: −17.90 ± 0.85% vs −20.90 ± 1.30%, p < 0.0001; >25 years: −18.60 ± 0.42% vs 20.60 ± 1.20%, p = 0.041). At the univariate analysis GLS resulted significantly related only to the presence of restrictive patent foramen ovale at birth (p = 0.0016). At the multivariate analysis GLS was significantly related to prenatal diagnosis, restrictive patent foramen ovale and by-pass time. ConclusionChildren and young adults late after ASO demonstrate normal ejection fraction, but present subclinical signs of myocardial dysfunction, such as reduction of longitudinal strain. Our findings support the usefulness of STE to detect it precociously.

The value of myocardial strain imaging in the evaluation of patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot: a review of the literature.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is considered to be the most common, complex, cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) representing 7-10% of all congenital heart defects, whereas the patients with ToF are the most frequently operated in their early infancy or childhood. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) consists a valuable imaging technique for the diagnosis and serial follow-up of CHD patients. Furthermore, in recent years, advanced echocardiography imaging techniques have come to the fore, aiming to achieve a complete and more accurate evaluation of cardiac function using speckle tracking imaging modalities. We conducted a review of the literature in order to assess the myocardial deformation of patients with repaired ToF (rToF) using echocardiographic and CMR parameters. Patients with rToF have impaired myocardial strain parameters, that are well standardized either with the use of speckle tracking echocardiography or with the use of CMR imaging. Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction (low GLS) and myocardial dyssynchrony are commonly identified in rToF patients. Impaired left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) mechanics are, also, a common finding in this study population, but the studies using atrial strain are a lot fewer than those with LV and RV strain. No studies using myocardial work were identified in the literature, as far as rToF patients are concerned, which makes it an ideal field for further investigation.

Use of speckle tracking echocardiography to detect late anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer: A prospective controlled cross-sectional study

BackgroundThis study aimed to detect late sub-clinical patterns of cardiac dysfunction using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in children with cancer remission more than 12 months after the end of anthracycline treatment. MethodsThis prospective controlled study enrolled 196 children, 98 of which had been treated with anthracyclines (mean age 10.8 ± 3.6 years; 51% female) and 98 were age- and gender-matched healthy subjects in a 1:1 case-control design. Conventional echocardiographic variables were collected for left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). STE analyses were performed in the LV longitudinal, radial, and circumferential displacements and in the RV free wall longitudinal displacement. The association between LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the main clinical and biological parameters was evaluated. ResultsAfter a mean time interval of 5.1 ± 3.2 years since the end of chemotherapy (mean cumulative anthracycline dose of 192 ± 96 mg/m2), conventional echocardiographic measures were normal. GLS was significantly decreased in the anthracycline group (−19.1% vs. −21.5%, P < 0.0001), with a higher proportion of children with abnormal values (Z-score < −2 in 18.6% vs. 1.0%, P < 0.0001). No association was found between GLS and clinical or biological parameters. Circumferential strain was significantly worse in the anthracycline group (−16.8% vs. −19.4%, P < 0.0001), and radial strain significantly better (+51.4% vs. +35.9%, P < 0.0001). RV conventional echocardiography and STE parameters were normal and not different between anthracycline and control groups. ConclusionsThe existence of a modified LV strain despite normal LV function in children treated with anthracyclines represents an important perspective for cardiomyopathy surveillance in childhood cancer survivors.Clinical Trial Registration -ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02893787.

Use of speckle tracking echocardiography to detect anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer: A prospective controlled cross-sectional study

To detect sub-clinical patterns of cardiac dysfunction using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in children with cancer remission more than 12 months after the end of anthracycline treatment. This prospective controlled study enrolled 196 children, 98 of which had been treated with anthracyclines (mean age 10.8 ± 3.6 years; 51% female) and 98 were age- and gender-matched healthy subjects in a 1:1 case-control design. Conventional echocardiographic variables were collected for left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). STE analyses were performed in the LV longitudinal, radial, and circumferential displacements and in the RV free wall longitudinal displacement. The association between LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the main clinical and biological parameters was evaluated. After a mean time interval of 5.1 ± 3.2 years since the end of chemotherapy (mean cumulative anthracycline dose of 192 ± 96 mg/m2), conventional echocardiographic measures were normal. GLS was significantly decreased in the anthracycline group (−19.1% vs. −21.5%, P < 0.0001), with a higher proportion of children with abnormal values (Z-score < −2 in 18.6% vs. 1.0%, P ≤ 0.0001). No association was found between GLS and clinical or biological parameters. Circumferential strain was significantly worse in the anthracycline group (−16.8% vs. −19.4%, P < 0.0001), and radial strain significantly better (+51.4% vs. +35.9%, P < 0.0001). RV conventional echocardiography and STE parameters were normal and not different between anthracycline and control groups. The existence of a modified LV strain despite normal LV function in children treated with anthracyclines represents an important perspective for cardiomyopathy surveillance in childhood cancer survivors.

Assessment of the left ventricular performance in hypertensive patients with normal coronary angiography and ejection fraction: Insight by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

Aim: To evaluate the validity of the longitudinal speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in the detection of early changes in the performance of the left ventricle for hypertensive patients with normal ejection fraction (EF) and coronary angiography. Patients and Methods: A case-control study enrolled 50 patients and a randomly collected control group of 30, who consulted Ibn-Albitar Cardiac Center from November 2016 to the first September 2017. The patients had hypertension while the control did not. Both had normal coronary angiography, assessed by conventional echocardiography, two-dimensional STE, and anthropometric measures. Results: The mean age for the patients or cases was 52.48 ± 4.292 years, and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.10 ± 1.854 kg/m2. They had been diagnosed with hypertension for a mean duration of 8.14 ± 3.326 years. All were on treatment; the mean left ventricular (LV) mass was 108.96 ± 19.469 (g/m2) while the mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) was −16.720 ± 3.191. There was an approximately equal number of males and females among the cases: 24 (48.0%) and 26 (52.0%), respectively. Twenty-seven (54.0%) had LV hypertrophy (LVH), and only 4 (8.0%) cases had diastolic dysfunction with GLS −12. The mean age of the controls was 55 ± 4.792 years, and their BMI was 30.77 ± 2.063 kg/m2. They had a mean LV mass of 92.50 ± 10.058 (g/m2) and their GLS was slightly lower (more negative) than the cases, at −17.517 ± 2.222. Thirteen controls were males (43.3%) while 17 (56.7%) were females. Only 2 (6.7%) had diastolic dysfunction with GLS −14. GLS was significantly higher (less negative) in the cases with LVH compared to the controls: 15.278% compared to −17.517% respectively, with a mean difference of −2.238%. There was no statistically significant difference between controls and cases without LVH. Conclusions: The use of STE is beneficial in the detection of subtle changes in the LV of hypertensive patients with normal coronary angiography and normal EF.

Speckle tracking echocardiography as a promising tool for the prognostic assessment of patients with sarcoidosis

Abstract Background Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease characterized by multiorgan inflammatory involvement and recurrent relapses with significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The prognostic assessment of these patients is still challenging. Although the international guidelines didn't recommend basic transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for diagnostic and prognostic assessment of sarcoidosis, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as more sensitive for the early detection of cardiac sarcoidosis and outcome. Purpose This prospective study aimed to assess the potential value of STE parameters for the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and sarcoidosis relapse. Methods Consecutive patients with confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and subsequent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were enrolled. Patients with acute events or treatment escalation between TTE and PFTs and previous cardiac surgery were excluded. All patients were followed for sarcoidosis relapse requiring increase in step-up therapy and MACE (cardiovascular death, cardiovascular hospitalizations, arrhythmias). Results 172 patients were included (111 females, 57.4±12.6 years); 56 patients showed extrapulmonary localizations of sarcoidosis; at baseline, 99 patients were on steroid and/or immunosuppressive therapy. During a median follow up of 2217 days, 8 deaths (3 cardiovascular deaths), 23 MACE and 36 sarcoidosis relapses were reported. Patients with MACE were older (p=0.0022), but didn't show significant differences in PFTs and sarcoidosis phenotype. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) was the only echocardiographic index to show significant differences (lower values) in patients with MACE (p=0.025). LV GLS ≤17.13% (absolute value) was identified as a fair predictor of MACE both with ROC curves (AUC=0.64) and Kaplan Meier analysis (Fig. 1). No significant differences of demographic, clinical, functional, and therapeutic data were observed between patients with/without sarcoidosis relapse. TTE revealed a significant reduction of LV ejection fraction (p=0.0432), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE, p=0.0272) and global peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS, p=0.0012) in patients with relapse. Among these 3 parameters, PALS ≤28.5% showed to be the best predictor of sarcoidosis relapse with ROC (AUC=0.7155) and Kaplan Meier curves (Fig. 2). Conclusions Our results highlight a potential role of LV GLS and PALS as prognostic markers in sarcoidosis, suggesting the use of STE in the clinical management of these patients, regardless the evidence or the suspect of cardiac localizations of the disease. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

Strain Echocardiography Is a Promising Tool for the Prognostic Assessment of Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic chronic granulomatous disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Although basic transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is not recommended for the assessment of sarcoidosis, speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as more sensitive for the early detection of cardiac sarcoidosis and its outcome. The aim of the study was to assess the utility of left atrial and left ventricular longitudinal STE for the prediction of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and sarcoidosis relapses. We enrolled 172 consecutive patients with sarcoidosis who underwent TTE and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). All patients were followed for a sarcoidosis relapse and MACE. During a median follow-up of 2217 days, 8 deaths, 23 MACE and 36 sarcoidosis relapses were observed. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) was significantly lower in patients with MACE (p = 0.025). LV-GLS < 17.13% (absolute value) was identified as a fair predictor of MACE. Concerning the sarcoidosis control, TTE revealed a reduction of the LV ejection fraction (p = 0.0432), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (p = 0.0272) and global peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS, p = 0.0012) in patients with relapses. PALS < 28.5% was the best predictor of a sarcoidosis relapse. Our results highlight a potential role of LV-GLS and PALS as prognostic markers in sarcoidosis, supporting the use of STE in the clinical management of these patients.

Późna postać zespołu takotsubo w przebiegu zatorowości płucnej

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute condition characterized by transient decrease of regional contractility most often involving apical segments of left ventricle. We present the case report of 87-year old woman diagnosed with intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism, previously discharged in a stable condition, who was presented again to the Emergency Department because of a syncope and increasing levels of troponin. After differential diagnostics including coronaroangiography and transthoracic echocardiography complemented by the longitudinal strain assessment with the use of speckle tracking echocardiography a diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy was made. This case shows the significance of strain echocardiography in diagnostics of TTS.