Value Of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Research Articles

Pre-Procedural Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain and Post-Procedural Tricuspid Regurgitation Predict Mortality in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been linked to worse outcomes in patients undergoing TAVI. Assessment of RV function is challenging due to its complex morphology. RV longitudinal strain (LS) assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a novel measure that may overcome most of the limitations of conventional echocardiographic parameters of RV function. The aim of current study was to assess the prognostic value of RV LS in patients undergoing TAVI and to assess echocardiographic predictors of long-term mortality. Methods and results: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent TAVI at our hospital between 1 January 2015 and 1 June 2016. Indication for TAVI was approved by a local heart-team. Echocardiographic data at baseline and after TAVI were re-analyzed and RV LS was measured in all patients with adequate image quality. A total of 229 patients were included in our study (mean age 83.8 ± 5 years, 62% women, mean EuroSCORE II 5.7 ± 5%). All-cause mortality occurred in 17.3% over a mean follow-up of 929 ± 373 days. In multivariate analysis, only baseline average RV free-wall LS (HR 1.05, 95% CI (1.01 to 1.10), p = 0.049) and more than mild tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) after TAVI (HR 4.39, 95% CI (2.22 to 8.70), p < 0.001) independently increased the risk of all-cause mortality at long- term follow-up (2.5 years), while conventional echocardiographic parameters of RV function did not predict mortality. Conclusion: Pre-procedural RV LS and post-procedural tricuspid regurgitation significantly predicted long-term all-cause mortality in patients undergoing TAVI while conventional echocardiographic parameters of RV function failed in predicting long-term outcome. RV longitudinal strain by STE should be considered in the routine echocardiographic assessments of patients with severe AS.

The Predictive Value of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Pulmonary Hypertension, Heart Failure, and Valvular Diseases.

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has an important role in the prediction of adverse outcomes, including mortality, in a wide range of cardiovascular (CV) conditions. Because of complex RV geometry and load dependency of the RV functional parameters, conventional echocardiographic parameters such as RV fractional area change (FAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), have limited prognostic power in a large number of patients. RV longitudinal strain overcame the majority of these limitations, as it is angle-independent, less load-dependent, highly reproducible, and measure regional myocardial deformation. It has a high predictive value in patients with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, congenital heart disease, ischemic heart disease, pulmonary embolism, cardiomyopathies, and valvular disease. It enables detection of subclinical RV damage even when conventional parameters of RV systolic function are in the normal range. Even though cardiac magnetic resonance-derived RV longitudinal strain showed excellent predictive value, echocardiography-derived RV strain remains the method of choice for evaluation of RV mechanics primarily due to high availability. Despite a constantly growing body of evidence that support RV longitudinal strain evaluation in the majority of CV patients, its assessment has not become the part of the routine echocardiographic examination in the majority of echocardiographic laboratories. The aim of this clinical review was to summarize the current data about the predictive value of RV longitudinal strain in patients with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and valvular heart diseases.

The Prognostic Importance of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Cardiomyopathies, Connective Tissue Diseases, Coronary Artery Disease, and Congenital Heart Diseases.

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function represents an important independent predictor of adverse outcomes in many cardiovascular (CV) diseases. However, conventional parameters of RV systolic function (tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE), RV myocardial performance index (MPI), and fractional area change (FAC)) are not always able to detect subtle changes in RV function. New evidence indicates a significantly higher predictive value of RV longitudinal strain (LS) over conventional parameters. RVLS showed higher sensitivity and specificity in the detection of RV dysfunction in the absence of RV dilatation, apparent wall motion abnormalities, and reduced global RV systolic function. Additionally, RVLS represents a significant and independent predictor of adverse outcomes in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (CMP), hypertrophic CMP, arrhythmogenic RV CMP, and amyloidosis, but also in patients with connective tissue diseases and patients with coronary artery disease. Due to its availability, echocardiography remains the main imaging tool for RVLS assessment, but cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) also represents an important additional imaging tool in RVLG assessment. The findings from the large studies support the routine evaluation of RVLS in the majority of CV patients, but this has still not been adopted in daily clinical practice. This clinical review aims to summarize the significance and predictive value of RVLS in patients with different types of cardiomyopathies, tissue connective diseases, and coronary artery disease.

Preoperative Right Ventricular Free-Wall Longitudinal Strain as a Prognosticator in Isolated Surgery for Severe Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

BackgroundSevere tricuspid regurgitation (TR) should be intervened before the development of irreversible right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. However, current guidelines do not provide criterion related to RV systolic function to guide optimal surgical timing. We investigated the prognostic value of RV longitudinal strain in patients undergoing isolated surgery for severe functional TR.Methods and ResultsWe enrolled 115 consecutive patients (aged 62±10 years; 23.5% men; 62.6% [n=72] with previous left‐sided valve surgery) who underwent isolated surgery for severe functional TR at 2 tertiary centers. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including RV free‐wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL), were collected. The primary end point was a composite of cardiac death and unplanned readmission attributable to cardiovascular causes 5 years after surgery. Forty patients (34.8%) reached the primary end point during 333 person‐years of follow‐up. There were 11 cardiac deaths and 34 unplanned readmissions attributable to cardiovascular causes, with 5 patients experiencing both. An absolute preoperative RVFWSL <24% was associated with the primary end point (hazard ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.22–4.36; P=0.011), independent of clinical risk factors, including European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II and hemoglobin levels. Meanwhile, other conventional echocardiographic measures of RV systolic function were not significant. The addition of an absolute RVFWSL <24% provided incremental prognostic value to the clinical model for predicting the primary end point.ConclusionsPreoperative RVFWSL as an indicator of RV dysfunction was an independent prognosticator in patients undergoing isolated surgery for severe functional TR. Thus, preoperative RVFWSL could help determine the optimal surgical timing for severe functional TR.

Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Patients With COVID-19

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate whether right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) was independently predictive of higher mortality in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). BackgroundRVLS obtained from 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography has been recently demonstrated to be a more accurate and sensitive tool to estimate right ventricular (RV) function. The prognostic value of RVLS in patients with COVID-19 remains unknown. MethodsOne hundred twenty consecutive patients with COVID-19 who underwent echocardiographic examinations were enrolled in our study. Conventional RV functional parameters, including RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and tricuspid tissue Doppler annular velocity, were obtained. RVLS was determined using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. RV function was categorized in tertiles of RVLS. ResultsCompared with patients in the highest RVLS tertile, those in the lowest tertile were more likely to have higher heart rate; elevated levels of D-dimer and C-reactive protein; more high-flow oxygen and invasive mechanical ventilation therapy; higher incidence of acute heart injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and deep vein thrombosis; and higher mortality. After a median follow-up period of 51 days, 18 patients died. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors displayed enlarged right heart chambers, diminished RV function, and elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Male sex, acute respiratory distress syndrome, RVLS, RV fractional area change, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significant univariate predictors of higher risk for mortality (p < 0.05 for all). A Cox model using RVLS (hazard ratio: 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15 to 1.53; p < 0.001; Akaike information criterion = 129; C-index = 0.89) was found to predict higher mortality more accurately than a model with RV fractional area change (Akaike information criterion = 142, C-index = 0.84) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (Akaike information criterion = 144, C-index = 0.83). The best cutoff value of RVLS for prediction of outcome was −23% (AUC: 0.87; p < 0.001; sensitivity, 94.4%; specificity, 64.7%). ConclusionsRVLS is a powerful predictor of higher mortality in patients with COVID-19. These results support the application of RVLS to identify higher risk patients with COVID-19.

CMR-based heart deformation analysis for quantification of hemodynamics and right ventricular dysfunction in patients with CTEPH.

Quantification of hemodynamics and right ventricular (RV) function is crucial for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Cardiovascular magnetic resonance-based heart deformation analysis (CMR-HDA) has been used to assess the ventricular strain. This study was to determine the correlation of right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) assessed with CMR-HDA with RV function as well as hemodynamics in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Thirty-six CTEPH patients were prospectively included in this research. Each patients underwent CMR and right heart catheterization (RHC). RVLS and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was quantified from cine images acquired with a retrospectively gated turbo FLASH gradient-echo sequence. The late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images were acquired using a 2D inversion recovery phase-sensitive fast gradient-echo sequence. Hemodynamics were determined with RHC. Right ventricular longitudinal strain measured with CMR-HDA was -13.99±4.94%. Bland-Altman plots showed statistical agreement with RVLS with low intra- and interobserver variability. RVLS correlated with serum N-terminal-pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (r=0.615, P<.001). RVLS inversely correlated with RVEF (r=-0.699, P<.001), and it was positively correlated with both RVESV (r=0.664, P<.001) and myocardial the volume of LGE (r=0.447, P=.008). Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) indicated that RVLS values of >-14.20% could be used to predict RVEF <40% with a 100% sensitivity and a 96.7% specificity. Hemodynamically, RVLS was positively correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (r=0.598, P<.001) and pulmonary vascular resistance (r=0.685, P<.001). Right ventricular longitudinal strain assessed by CMR-HDA is a readily available and reproducible parameters of RV function. RVLS >-14.20% suggests the presence of RV dysfunction.

Prognostic value of longitudinal strain compared to conventional parameters of right ventricular function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

Right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction is an important predictor of poor outcomes in heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF), usually evaluated by conventional parameters. RV longitudinal strain (RVLS) is recently proposed to be more sensitive tool to evaluate RV function. The purpose of this study was to compare the prognostic value of strain and conventional parameters of RV function in HF with reduced EF. Echocardiography was performed in all patients discharged after decompensated HF with EF < 40% between January and June 2017. We measured TAPSE, S velocity, fractional area change(FAC). RVLS was assessed by averaging all segments in apical view. RV dysfunction was defined if at least one of the following parameters was impaired:TAPSE < 17 mm, FAC < 35%, Svelocity < 9.5 cm/s or Strain of free wall RV < 20%. Our patients have been followed for 1year. The end point was all major cardiac events (mortality, readmission). During a mean follow-up of 283 ± 67 days, major cardiac events rate were 28.7% after 3 months and 38.3% in 1year. RV dysfunction was associated with major cardiac events both in 3 months ( P = 0.01) and in 1 year ( P = 0.04). In patients with RV dysfunction, the survival rate decreased by 38,4% in 1year and by 60% when all parameters were impaired. The overall performance for the prediction of cardiac events was greatest for RVLS (area under the curve: 0.76; TAPSE: 0,68; FAC: 0.67). The cut-off value of RVLS was − 11,5% to predict cardiac events in 3 months (se = 65%, s P = 80) and in 1 year (se = 68%, s P = 75). In multivariate analyses, RVLS remained an independent predictor of major cardiac events in 3months (OR = 21,6; 95%CI:1,5-309; P = 0.02) and in 1 year (OR = 8,4; 95%CI: 1,3–52; P = 0,02). In HF with reduced EF, RVLS is a stronger predictor of outcome than RV conventional parameters, providing a stronger prognostic stratification.

Should the septum be included in the assessment of right ventricular longitudinal strain? An ultrasound two-dimensional speckle-tracking stress study

Right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is a useful parameter for assessing systolic function. However, the exact method to perform it is not well defined as some authors evaluate only free wall (FW) segments while others include all six RV segments. To compare the assessment of RVLS at rest and during exercise by these two approaches. Echocardiography was performed on 80 healthy subjects at rest and during exercise. The analysis consisted of standard and 2D-STE assessment of RV global and segmental strain tracing only RVFW and also tracing all six RV segments. At rest, RVLS could be assessed in 78 (feasibility 97.5%) subjects by both methods. However, during exercise, RVLS by RVFW method wasfeasible in 67 (83.8%) as compared to74 (92.5%) by RV6S approach. Both at rest and during exercise, RVLS values by the two methods showed excellent correlation (r = > 0.90). However, RVLS values assessed by RV6S were lower (absolute values) than those by RVFW approach (RV6S vs. RVFW; rest: -27.0 ± 3.9 vs. -9.5 ± 3.9, p < 0.001 and exercise: -30.7 ± 5.2 vs. -33.3 ± 5.1, p < 0.001). Furthermore, basal strain was higher and apical strain lower (absolute values) by RV6S approach. At rest, reproducibility for RVLS was excellent and similar for the two methods. However, during exercise, reproducibility for RVFW method was poorer, especially at the apex. The two currently described methods for RVLS assessment by 2D-STE demonstrated excellent agreement. However, the RV6S approach seemed to be more feasible and reproducible, particularly during exercise. Moreover, global and segmental strain values are different with both methods and should not be interchanged.

Prognostic value of right ventricular longitudinal strain in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with high morbidity and mortality and the predictive capacity of traditional functional echocardiographic measures is poor. Recent studies assessed the predictive capacity of right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS). Diversity in methods between these studies resulted in conflicting outcomes. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the independent prognostic value of RVLS for PH-related events and all-cause mortality. A systematic search in Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies that examined the prognostic value of RVLS in patients with PH. Studies reporting Cox regression based hazard ratios (HRs) for a combined endpoint of mortality and PH-related events or all-cause mortality for echocardiographic derived RVLS were included. A weighted mean of the multivariate HR was used to determine the independent predictive value of RVLS. Eleven studies met our criteria, including 1169 patients with PH (67% female, 0.6-3.8 years follow-up). PH patients with a relative reduction of RVLS of 19% had a significantly higher risk for the combined endpoint [HR 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-1.40], while patients with a relative reduction of RVLS of 22% had a significantly higher risk for all-cause mortality (HR 2.96, 95% CI 2.00-4.38). This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that RVLS has independent prognostic value for a combined endpoint and all-cause mortality in patients with PH. Collectively, these findings emphasize that RVLS may have value for optimizing current predictive models for clinical events or mortality in patients with PH.

Right heart remodeling induced by arterial hypertension: Could strain assessment be helpful?

Left ventricular structural and functional changes in patients with arterial hypertension are well established. However, the influence of arterial hypertension on right ventricular (RV) remodeling is still being investigated. The introduction of strain analysis provided an insight into RV function and mechanics. Previous research has demonstrated the predictive value of RV longitudinal strain in patients with various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, congenital heart diseases, and valvular disease. Nowadays, we are aware of the fact that conventional echocardiographic methods usually do not provide necessary information about RV dysfunction in patients with arterial hypertension, which is why the evaluation of new parameters that could detect RV subtle changes in hypertension is essential. The present review article is an overview of the main principles of RV deformation and a summary of the current knowledge and clinical significance of RV strain in patients with arterial hypertension.

Sex- and Method-Specific Reference Values for Right Ventricular Strain by 2-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

Despite the fact that assessment of right ventricular longitudinal strain (RVLS) carries important implications for patient diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, its implementation in clinical settings has been hampered by the limited reference values and the lack of uniformity in software, method, and definition used for measuring RVLS. Accordingly, this study was designed to establish (1) the reference values for RVLS by 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography; and (2) their relationship with demographic, hemodynamic, and cardiac factors. In 276 healthy volunteers (55% women; age, 18-76 years), free wall and septum RVLS (6 segments) and free wall RVLS (3 segments) using both 6- and 3-segment regions of interest were obtained. Feasibility of 6-segment RVLS was 92%. Free wall RVLS from 3- versus 6-segment regions of interest had similar values, yet 6-segment region of interest was more feasible (86% versus 73%; P<0.001) and reproducible. Reference values (lower limits of normality) were as follows: 6-segment RVLS, -24.7±2.6% (-20.0%) for men and -26.7±3.1% (-20.3%) for women; 3-segment RVLS, -29.3±3.4% (-22.5%) for men and -31.6±4.0% (-23.3%) for women (P<0.001). Free wall RVLS was 5±2 strain units (%) larger in magnitude than 6-segment RVLS, 10±4% larger than septal RVLS, and 2±4% larger in women than in men (P<0.001). At multivariable analysis, age, sex, pulmonary systolic pressure, right atrial minimal volume, as well as right atrial and left ventricular longitudinal strain resulted as correlates of RVLS values. This is the largest study providing sex- and method-specific reference values for RVLS. Our data may foster the implementation of 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived RV analysis in clinical practice.

Right Ventricular Function in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Combined Assessment by Three-Dimensional and Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

The aim of this study was to assess changes in right ventricular (RV) parameters determined by three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with acute pulmonary embolism and RV dysfunction without systemic hypotension (submassive pulmonary embolism). Sixty-six patients were prospectively studied at the onset of the acute episode and after median follow-up periods of 30 days and 6 months. Sixty-six controls were selected. RV fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and myocardial performance index were determined. RV systolic pressure was assessed using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. Three-dimensional RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was calculated. Two-dimensional peak systolic RV longitudinal strain (RVLS) was measured in the basal free wall, mid free wall (MFW), and apical free wall and the septum. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change were smaller and myocardial performance index was larger compared with controls (P < .05). Global RVLS (P < .05), MFW RVLS (P < .001), and 3D RVEF (P < .001) were lower in patients with pulmonary embolism than in controls. There was earlier reversal of MFW RVLS values on 30-day follow-up and longer reversal of 3D RVEF and RV systolic pressure values at 6-month follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that changes in 3D RVEF and MFW RVLS were the most sensitive predictors of adverse events. By multivariate analysis, RV systolic pressure (P = .007), MFW RVLS (P = .002), and 3D RVEF (P = .001) were independently associated with adverse outcomes. Acute submassive pulmonary embolism has a significant impact on RV function as assessed by 3D echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography. Decreases in MFW RVLS and 3D RVEF may persist during short-term and long-term follow-up and correlate with unfavorable outcomes.

Speckle tracking echocardiography as a new technique to evaluate right ventricular function in patients with left ventricular assist device therapy

Right ventricular (RV) systolic function has a critical role in determining the clinical outcome and the success of using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in patients with refractory heart failure. RV deformation analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) has recently allowed a deeper analysis of RV longitudinal function. The aim of the study was to observe RV function by STE in patients with advanced heart failure before and after LVAD implantation. Transthoracic echo Doppler was performed in 10 patients referred for LVAD therapy at baseline and with serial echocardiograms after LVAD implantation. In a sub-group of 4 patients, an echocardiographic evaluation was also made after intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support was initiated and before LVAD implantation. All echocardiographic images were analyzed off-line to calculate the free wall RV longitudinal strain (RVLS). Three patients who presented the lowest free wall RVLS values at baseline, showed a progressive decline of RVLS after LVAD implant, presenting finally RV failure; however, patients with higher values of RVLS at baseline presented a further and overt increase of strain values in the course of follow-up. The overall performance for the prediction of RV failure after LVAD implant was greatest for free wall RVLS (area under the curve, 0.93). For the sub-group receiving the IABP as an intermediate step, only 2 patients with an increase of RVLS after IABP implantation also showed an increase of RVLS levels, after subsequent LVAD implantation. The 2 patients without an increase of RVLS after IABP implantation also presented with RV failure after LVAD therapy. This study of 10 patients indicates that the new parameter of RVLS, representing RV myocardial deformation, may have important clinical implications for the selection and management of LVAD patients. A large multicenter study is required to confirm these observations and to quantify the clinical significance of changes in RVLS value.