Barros‐Gomes, Sergio

AbstractBackgroundThe severity of MI declined markedly in the last decade, and contemporary patterns of cardiac remodeling after MI are not defined.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled community patients with first MI and performed comprehensive two‐ and three‐dimensional echocardiography. Remodeling was defined as left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic volume index (ESVI) above American Society of Echocardiography normal values. Remodeling patterns were characterized as an increase in LVESVI or LV end‐diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), or both.ResultsBetween 2014 and 2016, 213 patients (63±13 years; 34% women) were enrolled within 3 days after MI (77% non‐ST‐elevation MI). Acute remodeling was present in 51% of patients. Higher troponin and wall motion score index were associated with greater remodeling (p < 0.001). Atrial annular area, leaflet tenting and papillary muscle areas increased with greater remodeling (p < 0.001). The greater the cardiac remodeling, the lower the LV ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain (p < 0.001). This decrease in LV function was accompanied by stroke volume augmentation and maintenance of cardiac index at the expense of increased LVEDVI. Different remodeling patterns were identified. Cases showing increased LVEDVI and normal LVESVI had smallest infarct size and better hemodynamics compared to cases with augmented LVESVI and normal LVEDVI.ConclusionAcute remodeling occurs in more than half of first MI cases and exhibits different patterns defined by cavity size and hemodynamic profile. Acute remodeling is a global phenomenon, which also involves the left atrium and the mitral apparatus.

Introduction: Diastolic dysfunction has been characterized in relation to the relaxation and compliance properties of the left ventricle; limited information exists regarding its relationship to systolic function as assessed by deformation imaging. Objectives: To determine if there is left ventricular systolic dysfunction detected by global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis with different degrees of diastolic dysfunction and normal ejection fraction (EF). Methods: Consecutive biopsy-proven AL patients with preserved EF (≥ 55%) who had a comprehensive echocardiogram performed and strain analysis were included. Cohort was divided into 5 groups according to the different grades of diastolic dysfunction: Group 0: normal filling pressures; Group 1: abnormal relaxation; Group 2: pseudo-normal pattern; Group 3: reversible restrictive; Group 4: fixed restrictive. Images were acquired and performed on a Vivid 9 from the 3 apical views, and analyzed on vendor-specific software (Echo-PAC, GE). GLS was averaged from the 16 segments, and their means compared by ANOVA and each pair with Student’s t test. Results: A total of 858 patients were included, mean age was 63.7 years ± 10.1, and 61.5% were male. From those, 205 (24%) were in group 0; 299 (35%) in group 1; 255 (30%) in group 2; 65 (7%) in group 3; and 34 in group 4 (4%). GLS means measurements were -18.95 ± 2.4, -16.86 ± 3.4, -15.60 ± 3.9, -12.31 ± 3.0, and -10.48 ± 3.3, respectively (P<0.0001). All individual GLS values were significantly different statistically when compared between each group (P<0.01 for all pairs; figure). Conclusions: Longitudinal systolic mechanical function is progressively impaired in AL amyloid patients as diastolic dysfunction progresses, despite normal EF. This systolic dysfunction provides insights into the intrinsic relationship between the components of the cardiac cycle.

Introduction: Presence of subclinical left ventricle (LV) dysfunction may influence outcomes after percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV), but cannot be detected by conventional echocardiography. Hypothesis: Preprocedure LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle tracking TTE detects subclinical LV dysfunction and predicts long-term outcome after successful PMVB. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing PMBV between 2003-2011 who had comprehensive baseline TTE were included. Patients with suboptimal immediate results (repeat PMBV or mitral surgery within first 6 months) and those with suboptimal TTE strain were excluded. LV strain was analyzed with commercial software (Syngo VVI), and GLS averaged from 18 segments. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Secondary end point was the composite of death and mitral valve reintervention. Results: Of 110 patients screened, 29 (26%) had unsuitable strain imaging, and 8 (7%) had poor immediate results, leaving 73 in the final cohort. Median follow-up was 3.7 years (interquartile range 1.3-7.2). There were 10 deaths (14%) and 25 late mitral valve interventions (34%). Univariate predictors of death were GLS, age, EF, stroke volume, pulmonary artery pressure, mitral valve area and coronary artery disease. In a multivariate Cox model, GLS was the strongest predictor of death after adjustment for age [HR=1.40 (1.09-1.84), P=0.008]. For the composite endpoint, GLS, mitral valve gradient, and invasively mean left atrial pressure were univariate predictors of death or reintervention. At multivariate analysis, GLS was the sole predictor of events [HR=1.17 (1.01-1.34), P=0.03]. Event-free survival is shown in figure. Intra and inter observer intra-class correlation for strain analysis was 0.87 (0.66-0.96) and 0.84 (0.53-0.95), respectively. Conclusions: GLS is a powerful predictor of long-term outcome after PMVB and appears to have an incremental prognostic value over traditional parameters.

Abstract Background Anthracyclines are one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents but can lead to a decline in cardiac function. Two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography derived strain can predict cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). However, little is known about the role of three-dimensional (3D) strain imaging in this setting. Purpose To evaluate different methods of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) and strain, and to identify the best strain parameter for the prediction of CTRCD in this group of patients during treatment with anthracycline based chemotherapy. Methods Patients with Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma receiving anthracycline based chemotherapy were enrolled. 2D-and 3D echocardiography was performed at 3 time points: baseline, at the completion of chemotherapy and at 1 year. 2D- and 3D LVEF (2D Modified Quinones, M-mode, 2D Biplane, 3D Philips, 3D GE and 3D TomTec), peak systolic left and right ventricular longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain and strain rate were measured. CTRCD was defined as a decrease in LVEF >10% to an absolute value of <53%. Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) was calculated to compare LVEF methods. ANOVA, uni and multivariate analysis was performed. Results A total of 130 patients (79 males, mean age 57±16 years) were enrolled; 104 non-Hodgkin.3D Philips and GE (CCC 0.88 [0.84, 0.92]), 3D Philips and biplane (CCC 0.84 [0.79, 0.89]), 3D Philips and Modified Quinones (CCC 0.86 [0.82, 091]) as well as 3D Philips and M-mode (CCC 0.77 [0.70, 0.85]) showed strong correlation for LVEF. 15 patients (12%) developed CTRCD. Mean cumulative anthracycline dose was 263±65 mg/m2. 2D and 3D global longitudinal and circumferential peak systolic strain, 2D global longitudinal systolic and early diastolic strain rate, 2D global early diastolic strain rate, 2D right ventricular longitudinal peak systolic strain and systolic strain rate, 2D global radial peak systolic strain and systolic strain rate measured at the completion of chemotherapy were independent predictors of the development of CTRCD at 1 year post-chemotherapy. The strongest predictors of CTRCD were 3D global longitudinal and circumferential strain either individually (area under the curve, 0.90 and 0.95 respectively) or combined (area under the curve, 0.95) at the completion of chemotherapy; a cutoff value of <-18% in 3D global longitudinal strain had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 99%, while for 3D global circumferential peak systolic strain of <-24% had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 95%. Conclusions To our knowledge this is the first prospective trial that shows that 3D EF correlates well with other EF methods and 3D strain predicts cardiac toxicity in this group of patients with a very good sensitivity and specificity. Acknowledgement/Funding Department of Cardiovascular Medicine-Mayo Clinic Rochester MN

Background Optimal management of patients with severe mitral stenosis ( MS ) and low transmitral gradient is incompletely understood. Methods and Results We examined 101 consecutive patients with severe rheumatic MS (mitral valve area ≤1.5 cm 2 ) who underwent balloon valvuloplasty. Low gradient was defined as mean transmitral gradient <10 mm Hg and low flow as stroke volume index ≤35 mL/m 2 by echocardiography. Symptoms and mortality data were collected. Systolic, diastolic, and arterial function were characterized by measuring left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic elastance, LV stiffness constant (β), diastolic capacitance (predicted LV end‐diastolic volume at a common LV filling pressure of 30 mm Hg), and effective arterial elastance. Low gradient (<10 mm Hg) was present in 55 patients, including low flow/low gradient in 11 and normal flow/low gradient in 44 patients, and high gradient was present in 46 patients. Participants with low‐flow/low‐gradient (LG) MS were older with higher rates of atrial fibrillation (64%) and subvalvular thickening, higher afterload, and decreased LV compliance with lower ejection fraction (57±10% versus 65±4% versus 63±6%, P =0.002) but similar end‐systolic elastance compared with patients with normal‐flow/ LG and high‐gradient MS . The normal‐flow/ LG group had larger mitral valve area and lower left atrial pressure by catheterization, as well as favorable long‐term outcomes compared with the low‐flow/ LG and high‐gradient MS group. A total of 40% of patients with LG MS had no symptomatic benefit from valvuloplasty compared with 18% of patients with high‐gradient MS ( P =0.02). Conclusions Presence of low gradient in patients with severe MS was associated with lesser symptomatic benefit from valvuloplasty. In the subset with low stroke volume index, this may be related to independent ventricular‐vascular uncoupling, decreased LV compliance, and high prevalence of atrial fibrillation in addition to intrinsic MS .

AbstractAimsMechanisms of chronic ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) are well-characterized by apically tethered leaflet caused by papillary muscles (PMs) displacement and adynamic mitral apparatus. We investigated the unique geometry and dynamics of the mitral apparatus in first acute myocardial infarction (MI) by using quantified 3D echocardiography.Methods and resultsWe prospectively performed 3D echocardiography 2.3 ± 1.8 days after first MI, in 174 matched patients with (n = 87) and without IMR (n = 87). 3D echocardiography of left ventricular (LV) volumes and of mitral apparatus dynamics throughout cardiac cycle was quantified. Similar mitral quantification was obtained at chronic post-MI stage (n = 44). Mechanistically, acute IMR was associated with larger and flatter annulus (area 9.29 ± 1.74 cm2 vs. 8.57 ± 1.94 cm2, P = 0.002, saddle shape 12.7 ± 4.5% vs. 15.0 ± 4.6%, P = 0.001), and larger tenting (length 6.36 ± 1.78 mm vs. 5.60 ± 1.55 mm, P = 0.003) but vs. chronic MI, mitral apparatus displayed smaller alterations (all P < 0.01) and annular size, PM movement remained dynamic (all P < 0.01). Specific to acute IMR, without PM apical displacement (P > 0.70), greater separation (21.7 ± 4.9 mm vs. 20.0 ± 3.4 mm, P = 0.01), and widest angulation of PM (38.4 ± 6.2° for moderate vs. 33.5 ± 7.3° for mild vs. 31.4 ± 6.3° for no-IMR, P = 0.0009) wider vs. chronic MI (P < 0.01).Conclusions3D echocardiography of patients with first MI provides insights into unique 4D dynamics of the mitral apparatus in acute IMR. Mitral apparatus remained dynamic in acute MI and distinct IMR mechanism in acute MI is not PM displacement seen in chronic IMR but separation and excess angulation of PM deforming the mitral valve, probably because of sudden-onset regional wall motion abnormality without apparent global LV remodelling. This specific mechanism should be considered in novel therapeutic strategies for IMR complicating acute MI.