Automated echocardiographic diastolic function grading: A hybrid multi-task deep learning and machine learning approach.

BACKGROUND: Assessing left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) with echocardiography as per ASE guidelines is tedious and time-consuming. The study aims to develop a fully automatic approach of this procedure by a lightweight hybrid algorithm combining deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML). METHODS: The model features multi-modality input and multi-task output, measuring LV ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial end-systolic volume (LAESV), and Doppler parameters: mitral E wave velocity (E), A wave velocity (A), mitral annulus e' velocity (e'), and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRmax). The algorithm was trained and tested on two internal datasets (862 and 239 echocardiograms) and validated using three external datasets, including EchoNet-Dynamic and CAMUS. The ASE diastolic function decision tree and total probability theory were used to provide diastolic grading probabilities. RESULTS: The algorithm, named MMnet, demonstrated high accuracy in both test and validation datasets, with Dice coefficients for segmentation between 0.922 and 0.932 and classification accuracies between 0.9977 and 1.0. The mean absolute errors (MAEs) for LVEF and LAESV were 3.7 % and 5.8 ml, respectively, and for LVEF in external validation, MAEs ranged from 4.9 % to 5.6 %. The diastolic function grading accuracy was 0.88 with hard criteria and up to 0.98 with soft criteria which account for the top two probability in total probability theory. CONCLUSIONS: MMnet can automatically grade ASE diastolic function with high accuracy and efficiency by annotating 2D videos and Doppler images.

Myocardial work by pressure-strain loop is associated with molecular imaging of fibroblast activation in hypertensive hearts using 99mTc-HFAPI SPECT.

99mTc-HFAPI can visualize fibroblast activation in hypertensive hearts. Myocardial work (MW) reflects the cardiac mechanical properties after accounting for the afterload in hypertensive patients. We investigated whether MW was associated with increased uptake of 99mTc-HFAPI. A total of 97 hypertensive patients and 41 healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE) were analyzed. According to whether myocardial uptake of FAPI was higher than the adjacent blood pool, hypertensive patients were divided into two groups, namely: FAPI + and FAPI- group, respectively. GWI, GCW and GWE of the FAPI + group were lower than the FAPI- group. The value of GWW in the FAPI + group was higher than in the FAPI- group. Multiple regression analyses revealed GWI, GWW and GWE were independently associated with early myocardial fibrosis. According to receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the best cutoff points for FAPI + of GWI, GWW and GWE were 1968.50 mmHg% (AUC: 0.687, 95% CI: 0.581-0.793, P = 0.002), 133.00 mmHg% (AUC: 0.778, 95% CI: 0.688-0.869, P < 0.001) and 95.07% (AUC: 0.813, 95% CI: 0.730-0.896, P < 0.001), respectively. GWI, GWW and GWE were impaired in hypertensive patients with cardiac 99mTc-HFAPI uptake and were associated with fibroblast activation in hypertensive hearts.

Association between Impaired Renal Function and Subclinical Myocardial Dysfunction in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Assessment Using Noninvasive Pressure-Strain Loop.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the abnormal myocardial function in HFpEF patients with renal dysfunction (RD) and investigate the relationship between renal function and myocardial mechanical characteristics in patients with HFpEF. METHODS: 134 patients with HFpEF and 32 control subjects were enrolled in our study. Clinical and echocardiography data were collected for offline analysis. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were measured after noninvasive pressure-strain loop analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the correlation between renal function and myocardial function in patients with HFpEF. RESULTS: In comparison to control subjects, patients with HFpEF tend to have higher GWW (78 [50-115] vs. 108 [65-160] mm Hg%, p < 0.05) and lower GWE (96 [95-97] vs. 95 [92-96] %, p < 0.05), while left ventricular ejection fraction (65.5 ± 3.3 vs. 64.3 ± 4.6%, p < 0.05) was comparable between them. Besides, increased GWW (86 [58-152] vs. 125 [94-187] mm Hg%, p < 0.05) and decreased GWE (96 [93-97] vs. 94 [92-96] %, p < 0.05) were detected in patients with RD compared to those with normal renal function. An independent correlation was found between estimated glomerular filtration rate and GWW after multivariate analysis. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: More severely impaired myocardial function was detected in HFpEF patients with RD compared to those with normal renal function. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was independently correlated to GWW in patients with HFpEF.

Diagnostic potential of myocardial early systolic lengthening for patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: During early systole, ischemic myocardium with reduced active force experiences early systolic lengthening (ESL). This study aimed to explore the diagnostic potential of myocardial ESL in suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with normal wall motion and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: Overall, 195 suspected NSTE-ACS patients with normal wall motion and LVEF, who underwent speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) before coronary angiography, were included in this study. Patients were stratified into the coronary artery disease (CAD) group when there was ≥ 50% stenosis in at least one major coronary artery. The CAD patients were further stratified into the significant (≥ 70% reduction of vessel diameter) stenosis group or the nonsignificant stenosis group. Myocardial strain parameters, including global longitudinal strain (GLS), duration of early systolic lengthening (DESL), early systolic index (ESI), and post-systolic index (PSI), were analyzed using STE and compared between groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic accuracy. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to establish the independent and incremental determinants for the presence of significant coronary stenosis. RESULTS: The DESL and ESI values were higher in patients with CAD than those without CAD. In addition, CAD patients with significant coronary stenosis had higher DESL and ESI than those without significant coronary stenosis. The ROC analysis revealed that ESI was superior to PSI for identifying patients with CAD, and further superior to GLS and PSI for predicting significant coronary stenosis. Moreover, ESI could independently and incrementally predict significant coronary stenosis in patients with CAD. CONCLUSIONS: The myocardial ESI is of great value for the diagnosis and risk stratification of clinically suspected NSTE-ACS patients with normal LVEF and wall motion.

Usefulness of layer-specific strain for evaluating and predicting recovery of left ventricular myocardial function in patients undergoing hybrid coronary revascularization.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine if layer-specific strain (LSS) can be used to evaluate and predict left ventricular (LV) recovery in patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). METHODS: A total of 187 consecutive CAD patients who received HCR in our hospital were prospectively enrolled. 30 healthy individuals with matched age and gender were enrolled as a control group. Echocardiography was performed for CAD patients before and 1, 2, and 6 months after HCR. Comprehensive conventional and LSS echocardiography parameters were collected. LV recovery was defined as improvement in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) > 5% at 6-months follow-up compared with baseline. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the correlates of LV recovery. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of correlates for predicting LV recovery. RESULTS: LVEF and LV strain in CAD patients were significantly decreased compared with control subjects. Endocardial global longitudinal strain (Endo-GLS) improved significantly at 1-month follow-up (14.2 ± 1.6% vs. 13.8 ± 1.5%, P < 0.05), and LVGLS and global circumferential strain (GCS) improved significantly at 2-months follow-up. Multivariate regression revealed that Endo-GLS, GLS, and SYNTAX score before HCR were independently correlated to LV recovery. Endo-GLS had an optimal cutoff value of 13.2% for predicting LV recovery with sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 78%. CONCLUSION: LV myocardial systolic function in CAD patients was impaired before HCR and significantly improved after HCR. Endo-GLS was independently correlated to and has optimal predictive value for LV recovery.

Association between left ventricular geometry and global myocardial work in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: assessment using strain-pressure loop.

Concentric LV remodeling and hypertrophy are common structural abnormalities in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and tend to be accompanied by impaired LV function. Assessment of global myocardial work (GMW) using strain-pressure loop may provide more comprehensive assessment of LV myocardial function, overcoming the limitations of the conventional parameters. We investigated the value of GMW in patients with HFpEF and assessed the relationship of GMW with concentric remodeling and hypertrophy. Consecutive patients with HFpEF (n = 107) and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 32) were prospectively enrolled. Clinical and conventional echocardiography variables were obtained. Further analyses of offline data were performed to obtain GMW indices including global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE). Association of concentric remodeling and hypertrophy with GMW was analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. HFpEF patients showed lower GWE (94% vs 96%, P < 0.001) and higher GWW (114 mmHg% vs 78 mmHg%, P = 0.003) than control group, while GWI (2111 mmHg% vs 2146 mmHg%, P = 0.877) and GCW (2369 mmHg% vs 2469 mmHg%, P = 0.733) were comparable in the two groups. HFpEF patients with relative wall thickness (RWT) > 0.42 had reduced GWE (94% vs 95%, P = 0.034) compared to HFpEF patients with RWT ≤ 0.42, while GWI, GCW, and GWW were comparable between these two subgroups. Multivariate analysis showed an independent association of RWT with GWI, GCW, and GWE, respectively. Impaired global myocardial work was detected in patients with HFpEF. Impaired LV GMW may be associated with increased RWT.

Subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: insights from noninvasive left ventricular myocardial work analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with various cardiovascular diseases and has aroused public concern. Early detection for declining myocardial function is of great significance. This study was aimed at noninvasively evaluating the subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction with LV pressure-strain loop (PSL) in patients with OSAS having normal LV ejection fraction. METHODS: We enrolled 200 patients with OSAS who visited the Beijing Chaoyang Hospital between February 2021 and December 2021. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups. The global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the left ventricle was analyzed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. The LV PSL was used to assess global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global waste work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE), and comparisons were made among groups. RESULTS: GLS was significantly lower in the severe group than in mild and moderate group. GWI, GCW, and GWE were lower in the severe group than in mild and moderate groups. GWW was significantly higher in the severe group than in the mild group. GLS, GWI, and GWE were moderately correlated with AHI (Spearman's ρ = -0.468, -0.321, and -0.319, respectively; P < 0.001), whereas GCW and GWW showed a weak correlation with AHI (Spearman's ρ = -0.226 and 0.255 respectively; P < 0.001). Multiple regression analyses revealed AHI was independently associated with GWI after adjusting for SBP, GLS, e', etc. AHI was independently associated with GCW after adjusting for SBP, GLS, etc. CONCLUSIONS: The LV PSL is a new technique to noninvasively detect myocardial function deterioration in patients with OSAS and preserved LV ejection fraction. Increased severity of OSAS was independent associated with both decreased GWI and GCW.

Comparison of fibrosing mediastinitis patients with vs. without markedly increased systolic pulmonary arterial pressure: a single-center retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) complicated with pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been considered as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to observe the possible effects of abnormal hemodynamics on patients by conducting a between-group comparison according to the presence of markedly increased systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP), so as to provide more information for clinical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with clinically diagnosed FM were divided in two groups (SPAP < 50 mmHg group; SPAP ≥ 50 mmHg group) and retrospectively included in the study. Data mainly including demographic factors, echocardiographic data, results of right heart catheter and computed tomography (CT) examination were retrieved from the medical database. Echocardiographic parameters pre- and post- balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) treatment were also collected in 8 patients. RESULTS: Significant changes in cardiac structure, hemodynamics and cardiac function were detected in patients complicated with markedly increased SPAP. Patients in the SPAP ≥ 50 mmHg group had increased right heart diameter, right heart ratio and velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (VTR) (p < 0.05). Deteriorated right heart function was also observed. There was no significant difference in CT findings between the two groups, except that more patients in the SPAP ≥ 50 mmHg group had pleural effusion (p < 0.05). After primary BPA in 8 patients, improvement in the right atrium proportion was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Changes due to significantly increased SPAP in patients with FM include adverse structure and function of the right heart, but differences in CT findings were not significant. Echocardiography has advantages as a noninvasive tool for the evaluation of cardiac structure, function and hemodynamics in patients with FM.

Right Ventricular Function Predicts Adverse Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) function plays a vital role in the prognosis of patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We used new machine learning (ML)-based fully automated software to quantify RV function using three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to predict adverse clinical outcomes in CTEPH patients. Methods: A total of 151 consecutive CTEPH patients were registered in this prospective study between April 2015 and July 2019. New ML-based methods were used for data management, and quantitative analysis of RV volume and ejection fraction (RVEF) was performed offline. RV structural and functional parameters were recorded using 3DE. CTEPH was diagnosed using right heart catheterization, and 62 patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance to assess right heart function. Adverse clinical outcomes were defined as PH-related hospitalization with hemoptysis or increased RV failure, including conditions requiring balloon pulmonary angioplasty or pulmonary endarterectomy, as well as death. Results: The median follow-up time was 19.7 months (interquartile range, 0.5-54 months). Among the 151 CTEPH patients, 72 experienced adverse clinical outcomes. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazard analysis showed that ML-based 3DE analysis of RVEF was a predictor of adverse clinical outcomes (hazard ratio, 1.576; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.046~2.372; P = 0.030). Conclusions: The new ML-based 3DE algorithm is a promising technique for rapid 3D quantification of RV function in CTEPH patients.

Right Ventricular Function and Its Coupling With Pulmonary Circulation in Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension: A Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study.

Objective: To assess right ventricular (RV) function and RV-pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling by three-dimensions echocardiography and investigate the ability of RV-PA coupling to predict adverse clinical outcomes in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods: We retrospectively collected a longitudinal cohort of 203 consecutive precapillary PH patients. RV volume, RV ejection fraction (RVEF), and RV longitudinal strain (RVLS) were quantitatively determined offline by 3D echocardiography. RV-PA coupling parameters including the RVEF/PA systolic pressure (PASP) ratio, pulmonary arterial compliance (PAC), and total pulmonary resistance (TPR) were recorded. Results: Over a median follow-up period of 20.9 months (interquartile range, 0.1-67.4 months), 87 (42.9%) of 203 patients experienced adverse clinical outcomes. With increasing World Health Organization functional class (WHO-FC), significant trends were observed in increasing RV volume, decreasing RVEF, and worsening RVLS. RV arterial coupling (RVAC) and PAC were lower and TPR was higher for WHO-FC III+IV than WHO-FC I or II. The RVEF/PASP ratio showed a significant correlation with RVLS. RVAC had a stronger correlation with the RVEF/PASP ratio than other indices. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazard analysis identified a lower 3D RVEF and worse RVLS as strong predictors of adverse clinical events. RVAC, TPR, and PAC had varying degrees of predictive value, with optimal cutoff values of 0.74, 11.64, and 1.18, respectively. Conclusions: Precapillary-PH with RV-PA uncoupling as expressed by a RVEF/PASP ratio <0.44 was associated with adverse clinical outcomes. PAC decreased and TPR increased with increasing WHO-FC, with TPR showing better independent predictive value.

Reduced mechanical function of the left atrial predicts adverse outcome in pregnant women with clustering of metabolic risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: The left atrial (LA) strain and strain rate are sensitive indicators of LA function. However, they are not widely used for the evaluation of pregnant women with metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the LA strain and strain rate of pregnant women with clustering of metabolic risk factors and to explore its prognostic effect on adverse pregnancy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three pregnant women with a clustering of metabolic risk factors (CMR group), fifty-seven women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH group), fifty-seven women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM group), and fifty matched healthy pregnant women (control group) were retrospectively evaluated. LA function was evaluated with two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging. Iatrogenic preterm delivery caused by severe preeclampsia, placental abruption, and fetal distress was regarded as the primary adverse outcome. RESULTS: The CMR group showed the lowest LA strain during reservoir phase (LASr), strain during contraction phase (LASct) and peak strain rate during conduit phase (pLASRcd) among the three groups (P < 0.05). LA strain during conduit phase (LAScd) and peak strain rate during reservoir phase (pLASRr) in the CMR group were lower than those in the control and GDM groups (P < 0.05). Multivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated systolic blood pressure (HR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.05, p = 0.001) and LASr (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.80-0.92, p < 0.0001) to be independent predictors of iatrogenic preterm delivery. An LASr cutoff value ≤ 38.35% predicted the occurrence of iatrogenic preterm delivery. CONCLUSIONS: LA mechanical function in pregnant women with metabolic aggregation is deteriorated. An LASr value of 38.35% or less may indicate the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Value of territorial work efficiency estimation in non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome: a study with non-invasive left ventricular pressure-strain loops.

Non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients with normal left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and wall motion require a non-invasive tool to detect LV risk areas. This study utilized non-invasive LV pressure-strain loops to evaluate territorial myocardial work efficiency (WE) for identifying obstructive coronary artery stenosis, in patients with non-obstructive or obstructive coronary artery stenosis NSTE-ACS, the latter with or without occlusion. Global and territorial longitudinal strain (LS) analyses were performed via speckle-tracking imaging before coronary angiography. LV pressure-strain loops estimated global and territorial myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (CW), wasted work (WW), and WE. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff value of independent parameters to detect obstructive coronary artery stenosis. Compared with non-obstructive, obstructive coronary artery stenosis showed significantly lower global and territorial LS, MWI, CW, and WE, and higher WW. Territorial LS, MWI, CW, and WE were significantly worse in territories of coronary occlusion. Territorial WE was the best parameter for predicting obstructive coronary artery stenosis (AUC 0.80, cutoff < 96%, sensitivity 73%, specificity 70%, P < 0.001). In patients with NSTE-ACS with normal wall motion and LVEF, territorial WE is more accurate than territorial LS or MWI to identify LV risk areas.

Speckle tracking for predicting outcomes of balloon pulmonary angioplasty in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) function is a prognostic marker of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We used two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) to evaluate the therapeutic effects of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in CTEPH patients. METHODS: A total of 46 CTEPH patients who underwent 2D STE before and after BPA were enrolled in this retrospective study. The following RV functional parameters were measured: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP), and free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS). Satisfactory BPA was defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) <25 mm Hg or improvement in mPAP > 10 mm Hg after BPA. Patients were divided into two groups according to mPAP values: group I had satisfactory BPA outcomes; group Ⅱ had unsatisfactory BPA outcomes. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cutoff values and the ability of RVFWLS to predict successful BPA outcomes. RESULTS: After BPA, SPAP measured by echocardiography (SPAPecho ) and RIMP decreased, but TAPSE, RVFAC, and RVFWLS increased. Before BPA, group Ⅰ had significantly better RV function than group Ⅱ. Multifactor logistic regression analysis identified RVFWLS as an independent factor associated with satisfactory BPA outcomes. The optimal cutoff value for RVFWLS in predicting satisfactory BPA outcomes was -12.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improves RV function in CTEPH patients. RVFWLS is a valuable noninvasive tool with which to assess the treatment effects of BPA. CTEPH patients with lower RVFWLS may have limited benefit from BPA.

Incidental finding of an asymptomatic pulmonary valve papillary fibroelastoma: A case report.

Primary cardiac tumors are rare, but papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is reportedly the most common form, which usually occurs on the left-side valves of the heart. However, PFE involving the tricuspid and pulmonary valves has also been documented. Although PFE is benign and seldom associated with valvular dysfunction, the associated embolic complications may lead to serious consequences. Most patients with PFE lack specific clinical symptoms and the diagnosis is incidental. Surgical resection is the mainstay treatment for PFE in order to prevent the occurrence of embolic complications. In this report, we present a case of a rare asymptomatic PFE of the pulmonary valve, which was incidentally noted during a routine examination with transthoracic echocardiography (TEE). There was neither valvular dysfunction nor hemodynamic change. The PFE was surgically removed, and the diagnosis was further confirmed with histopathology.

Influence of impaired right ventricular contractile reserve on exercise capacity in patients with precapillary pulmonary hypertension: A study with exercise stress echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: Right ventricular (RV) contractile reserve reflects the ability of RV to accommodate the increased afterload and may play an essential role in the evaluation of precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH). This study aimed to assess RV contractile reserve based on exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) and to determine the echocardiographic determinants of exercise capacity in patients with precapillary PH. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with precapillary PH and 15 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were prospectively recruited. All subjects underwent ESE to assess RV function at rest and under peak exercise. Changes in these parameters during exercise were calculated to quantify the RV contractile reserve. Patients with precapillary PH also underwent cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), and data pertaining to peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2 ) and minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 ) were collected. RESULTS: Right ventricular contractile reserve including change in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (∆TAPSE), change in RV fractional area change (∆RVFAC), and change in Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular peak systolic velocity (∆S') was significantly depressed in precapillary PH patients compared with control subjects (P < 0.05). Parameters of RV function and RV contractile reserve were markedly associated with maximal exercise capacity (P < 0.05). ∆RVFAC was an independent predictor of peak VO2 (r2  = 0.601, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of RV contractile reserve facilitates identification of subclinical dysfunction and evaluation of clinical status and severity of precapillary PH. ESE as a noninvasive method may provide a comprehensive clinical assessment and facilitate therapeutic decision-making for these patients.

Impaired Right Ventricular Mechanics at Rest and During Exercise Are Associated With Exercise Capacity in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background Impaired right ventricular ( RV ) function indicates RV involvement in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ( HCM ). We aimed to assess RV function at rest and during exercise in HCM patients and to examine the association between impaired RV mechanics and exercise capacity. Methods and Results A total of 76 HCM patients (48 without and 28 with RV hypertrophy) and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were prospectively recruited. RV function was evaluated at rest and during semisupine bicycle exercise by conventional echocardiography and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging. Exercise capacity was measured by metabolic equivalents. RV functional reserve was calculated as the difference of functional parameters between peak exercise and rest. Compared with controls, HCM patients had significantly higher RV free wall thickness, lower RV global longitudinal strain and RV free wall longitudinal strain at rest and during exercise, and reduced RV systolic functional reserve. Compared with those with HCM without RV hypertrophy, patients with HCM with RV hypertrophy had lower metabolic equivalents. Among HCM patients, an effective correlation was seen between exercise capacity and peak exercise RV global longitudinal strain and peak exercise RV free wall longitudinal strain. A binary logistic regression model revealed several independent predictors of exercise intolerance in HCM patients, but receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated exercise RV global longitudinal strain had the highest area under the curve for the prediction of exercise intolerance in HCM patients. Conclusions HCM patients have RV dysfunction and reduced contractile reserve. Exercise RV global longitudinal strain correlates with exercise capacity and can independently predict exercise intolerance. In addition, patients with HCM with RV hypertrophy exhibit more reduced exercise capacity, suggesting more severe disease and poorer prognosis.

Impaired left ventricular mechanics and functional reserve are associated with reduced exercise capacity in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Reduced metabolic equivalents (METs) are an indicator of exercise intolerance, which predicts poor prognosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients. We sought to evaluate the changes in left ventricular (LV) mechanics and functional reserves, as well as their association with functional capacity in HCM patients. METHODS: Seventy HCM patients and thirty controls were included in this study. LV mechanics were evaluated at rest and during exercise by echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging to obtain parameters of functional reserve, LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), strain rate (SR), and circumferential strain. RESULTS: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients had lower LVGLS, systolic SR, early and late diastolic SR at rest and during exercise, and reduced absolute and relative systolic and diastolic reserve compared to controls. LV circumferential strain was significantly higher at rest but lower during exercise in HCM patients. Exercise capacity was markedly reduced in HCM patients, and peak exercise LVGLS (LVGLS-exe) significantly correlated with exercise capacity. Multivariate regression analyses showed that LVGLS-exe, LV filling pressure during exercise (E/e'-exe), and LV mass index (LVMI) were independent predictors of exercise capacity. Moreover, LVGLS-exe displayed incremental predictive value over E/e'-exe and LVMI for exercise intolerance. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed LVGLS-exe had optimal accuracy for predicting exercise intolerance in HCM patients. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients have reduced LV mechanics at rest and during exercise and impaired mechanical reserve. LVGLS-exe is associated with exercise capacity and is an optimal predictive value for reduced exercise capacity in HCM patients.

Decreased biventricular mechanics and functional reserve in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients: implications for exercise capacity.

The present study investigated the changes of biventricular mechanics at rest and during exercise and examined the association between exercise capacity and biventricular mechanics and functional reserve in nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (NHCM) patients. A total of 50 NHCM patients and 25 controls were consecutively recruited for this study. Using echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging, an experienced echocardiographer determined the following indices: RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), strain rate (SR), and functional reserve of strain values. We also investigated the relationships between biventricular mechanics and exercise capacity using metabolic equivalents (METs). NHCM patients had lower RVFWLS, LVGLS, systolic SR, early diastolic SR, and systolic and diastolic reserve during exercise compared to controls. An association of biventricular mechanics (LVGLS, RVFWLS) with exercise capacity at rest and during exercise was established. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that RVFWLS and LVE/e' during exercise (RVFWLS-exe, E/e'-exe) were independent predictors of exercise intolerance. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that LVE/e'-exe had a higher area under the curve for predicting exercise intolerance in NHCM patients. In hierarchical analysis, RVFWLS-exe provided an incremental predictive value of exercise intolerance over LVGLS during exercise (LVGLS-exe) and LVE/e'-exe. LVE/e'-exe also changed incrementally compared to LVGLS-exe and RVFWLS-exe. NHCM patients have decreased biventricular mechanics at rest and during exercise and impaired biventricular functional reserve, and biventricular mechanics are associated with functional capacity. We propose that simultaneous evaluation of biventricular function should provide incremental predictive value for exercise intolerance.

17ß-estradiol preserves right ventricular function in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension: an echocardiographic and histochemical study.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is more prevalent in females. Paradoxically, female patients have better right ventricular (RV) function and higher survival rates than males. However, the effects of 17ß-estradiol (E2) on RV function in PAH has not been studied. Twenty-four male rats were exposed to monocrotaline (MCT) to induce experimental PAH, while treated with E2 or vehicle respectively. Together with eight control rats, thirty-two rats were examined by echocardiography 4 weeks after drug administration. Echocardiographic measurement of RV function included: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP), RV fractional area change (RVFAC) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (s'). RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVLSFW) and RV longitudinal shortening fraction (RVLSF) were also used to quantify RV function. RV morphology was determined by echocardiographic and histological analysis. TAPSE, RVFAC and s' were reduced, and RIMP was elevated in the MCT-treated group and vehicle-treated group, when compared with control group (P < 0.01). TAPSE, RVFAC and s' in the E2 group were higher, while RIMP was lower than those in the MCT-treated group and vehicle-treated group (P < 0.01). Myocardial functional parameters (RVLSFW and RVLSF) were also higher in the E2 group. Enhanced serum E2 levels were closely correlated with the improvement in RV functional parameters and enhancement of serum BNP levels (P < 0.01 for all groups). RV function decreased significantly in male rats with MCT-induced PAH, while E2 exhibited a protective effect on RV function, suggesting that E2 is a critical modulator of sex differences in PAH.

Measurement of Left Ventricular Volumes and Ejection Fraction in Patients with Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities Using an Automated 3D Quantification Algorithm.

Accurate and rapid left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) measurement is crucial for patients with wall motion abnormalities (WMAs). Conventional 2D echocardiographic imaging has limitations. The recently developed software HeartModel (HM, Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA, USA) has shown promise in automated 3D quantification. However, the accuracy and detailed features of HM in measurements of LV volume and EF in patients with regional WMAs have not been carefully investigated. In the present study, echocardiographic imaging (EPIQ, X5-1, Philips Healthcare) was performed in 72 patients with WMAs. The LV end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and EF were measured by HM in three modes: without editing and with global and regional endocardial border editing (Auto 3D-NE, Auto 3D-GE and Auto 3D-RE, respectively). The conventional 2D Simpson's biplane method and manual 3D quantification (QLAB-3DQA software, Philips Healthcare), as the standard method, were used for comparison. Among the three HM modalities, Auto 3D-RE exhibited the best correlation with manual 3D in assessing EDV, ESV and EF (r = 0.88, 0.93 and 0.91, respectively), although it took slightly longer (67.3 ± 13.0 s). Auto 3D-RE also exhibited a small degree of bias for the measurements (EDV: 11.7mL, ESV: 8.45mL, EF: -1.57%) and narrow limits of agreement. Heterogeneity of LV wall motion was defined to indicate the dispersion degree of WMAs. It associated with the difference in EF measurement between Auto 3D-RE and manual 3D (p = 0.014, hazard ratio = 5.19). In patients with WMAs, HM with regional contour editing enables accurate and efficient evaluation of LV volume and EF.