Left ventricular global longitudinal strain using a novel fully automated method: A head-to-head comparison with a manual layer-specific strain and establishment of normal reference ranges.

BACKGROUND: A novel automated method for measuring left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) along the endocardium has advantages in terms of its rapid application and excellent reproducibility. However, it remains unclear whether the available normal range for conventional GLS using the manual method is applicable to the automated GLS method. This study aimed to compare automated GLS head-to-head with manual layer-specific GLS, and to identify whether a specialized normal reference range for automated GLS is needed and explore the main determinants. METHODS: In total, 1683 healthy volunteers (men, 43%; age, 18-80 years) were prospectively enrolled from 55 collaborating laboratories. LV GLS was measured using both manual layer-specific and automated methods. RESULTS: Automated GLS was higher than endocardial, mid-myocardial, and epicardial GLS. Women had a higher automated GLS than men. GLS had no significant age dependency in men, but first increased and then decreased with age in women. Accordingly, sex- and age-specific normal ranges for automated GLS were proposed. Moreover, GLS appeared to have different burdens in relation to dominant determinants between the sexes. GLS in men showed no dominant determinants; however, GLS in women correlated with age, body mass index, and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: Using the novel automated method, was LV GLS higher than when using the manual GLS method. The normal ranges of automated GLS stratified according to sex and age were provided, with dominant determinants showing sex disparities that require full consideration in clinical practice.

Normal reference values for mitral annular plane systolic excursion by motion-mode and speckle tracking echocardiography: a prospective, multicentre, population-based study.

AIMS: Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is a simple and reliable index for evaluating left ventricular (LV) systolic function, particularly in patients with poor image quality; however, the lack of reference values limits its widespread use. This study aimed to establish the normal ranges for MAPSE measured using motion-mode (M-mode) and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and to explore its principal determinants. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicentre, prospective, cross-sectional study included 1952 healthy participants [840 men (43%); age range, 18-80 years] from 55 centres. MAPSE was measured using M-mode echocardiography and 2D-STE. The results showed that women had a higher MAPSE than men and MAPSE decreased with age. The age- and sex-specific reference values for MAPSE were established for these two methods. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that MAPSE on M-mode echocardiography correlated with age and MAPSE on 2D-STE with age, blood pressure (BP), heart rate, and LV volume. Moreover, MAPSE measured by 2D-STE correlated more strongly with global longitudinal strain compared with that measured using M-mode echocardiography. CONCLUSION: Normal MAPSE reference values were established based on age and sex. BP, heart rate, and LV volume are potential factors that influence MAPSE and should be considered in clinical practice. Normal values are useful for evaluating LV longitudinal systolic function, especially in patients with poor image quality, and may further facilitate the use of MAPSE in routine assessments.

[Evaluation of the cardiomyopathies with predominant right ventricular involvement by echocardiography].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the echocardiographic features of cardiomyopathies with predominant right ventricular involvement. METHODS: Echocardiography was used for diagnosis of cardiomyopathies with predominant right ventricular involvement in 13 cases. RESULTS: Obvious right atrial enlargement was observed in 11 patients, and all the 13 patients had tricuspid regurgitation of different degrees with normal or basically normal left ventricular size. One patient had mild left ventricular enlargement. Echocardiography demonstrated in these cases characteristic abnormalities of right ventricular cardiomyopathy, classified into two types based on the echocardiographic features of the right ventricular dilation or apical obliteration. Eight patients had pronounced right ventricular dilatation and hypokinesia with right ventricular wall thinning, evident echo enhancement and irregularity of the moderator band and right ventricular papillary muscles, as well as prominent trabeculations. In the other 5 patients, obliterative changes were found in the apical trabecular region of the right ventricle, presenting deflated and deformed right ventricle with shrinkage or obliteration of the apical trabecular region, increased right ventricular wall thickness producing echo enhancement, but the pericardial thickness remained normal with normal or dilated right ventricular inflow and outflow tracts. CONCLUSIONS: The echocardiographic features of cardiomyopathies with predominant right ventricular involvement can be classified into two types, one of which is characterized by obviously dilated right ventricle with wall thinning and hypokinesia, and the other by obliterative changes in the apical trabecular region of the right ventricle with deformed right ventricular cavity, stiffened and thickened right ventricular wall with echo enhancement and normal pericardium. The echocardiographic characteristics are useful for the diagnosis of this disease.

[Value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide detection in cardiac function assessment in hemodialysis patients].

OBJECTIVE: To detect plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) changes in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and assess the diagnostic value of BNP for cardiac function. METHODS: Plasma BNP concentration was measured in 93 hemodialysis patients with CRF and 52 healthy control subjects. In the 93 patients, echocardiographic examinations were performed to determine the relationship between BNP and cardiac function. RESULTS: The median plasma BNP levels in 52 normal controls were 3.35 pg/ml (1.00-9.73 pg/ml), and 146.5 pg/ml (56.2-546.9 pg/ml) and 90.0 pg/ml (18.3-310.5 pg/ml) in 93 patients before and after hemodialysis, respectively, showing significant difference among those 3 groups (P<0.001). The plasma BNP levels in patients with CRF complicated by heart failure (LVEF<50%) before and after hemodialysis were 686.0 pg/ml (334.5-1319.3 pg/ml) and 248.0 pg/ml (80.3-814.5 pg/ml) respectively, significantly higher than 62.8 pg/ml (22.0-321.6 pg/ml) and 20.7 pg/ml (1.0-200.9 pg/ml) in patients with normal cardiac function (LVEF > or = 50%) (P=0.002). The plasma BNP levels in patients with dilated left ventricle before and after hemodialysis were 609.0 pg/ml (254-1152.0 pg/ml) and 310.0 pg/ml (28.3-839.6 pg/ml) respectively, significantly higher than 62.8 pg/ml (23.2-192.5 pg/ml) and 22.4 pg/ml (1.0-80.7 pg/ml) in patients with normal left ventricle. Multiple linear regression analysis for left ventricular diastolic dimension, LVEF and plasma BNP level before hemodialysis showed that high BNP level was significantly correlated with dilated left ventricle and poor cardiac function (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with CRF are significantly higher than those in healthy controls, and are significantly lowered after hemodialysis but still remain higher than the normal level. Plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with dilated left ventricle or heart failure are significantly higher than those in patients with normal left ventricle or cardiac function, and high plasma BNP level is significantly correlated with dilated left ventricle and poor cardiac function.

[Relationship between Tpeak-Tend interval and coronary artery stenosis and effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on Tpeak-Tend].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between Tpeak-Tend interval (Tpe) and the extent and severity of coronary artery stenosis, and evaluate the effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent implantation (PCI) on Tpe in the patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: The ECG data were collected from 187 CHD patients undergoing coronary angiography and PCI to evaluate the extend and severity of coronary artery stenosis before and after the interventions. RESULTS: The Tpe of patients with severe stenosis increased significantly as compared with that in patients with moderate stenosis (138.9-/+16.2 ms vs 116.5-/+13.7 ms, P<0.05), and a significant difference was also noted between the moderate stenosis and mild stenosis (86.4-/+12.9 ms) groups (P<0.05). The Tpe decreased significantly in the patients in the order of multi-vessel involvement (140.7-/+17.8 ms), double vessel involvement (118.6-/+14.9 ms), singly vessel involvement (100.5-/+13.2 ms), and stenosis-free (84.3-/+12.4 ms) groups (P<0.05). Tpe was correlated to the extent and severity of coronary artery stenosis (r>0.4). In patients with severe stenosis, the Tpe was significantly reduced at 1 h, 24 h, and 1 week after PCI (115.8-/+14.5, 92.7-/+12.9, and 88.2-/+11.3 ms, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Tpe can reflect the severity and range of coronary artery stenosis, which can be reduced by PCI. Tpe can be a new index for evaluating myocardial ischemia in CHD patients.

[Clinical assessment of Tpeak-end interval for prediction of myocardial infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of Tpeak-end interval (Tpe) in predicting myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Tpe and Tpeak-end internal after correcting the heart rate (TpeRR) were measured and analyzed in 234 MI patients, who were followed-up for an average of 32 ± 10 months. RESULTS: Clinical events occurred in 45 (19.2%) patients at the end TpeRR of the follow-up. Tpe and of the patients with clinical events were significantly higher than those in patients without the clinical events (P < 0.001). The incidence of clinical events in patients with Tpe > 140 ms were significantly higher than that in patients with Tpe ≤ 140 ms by Kaplan-Meier analysis (P < 0.001). With clinical event as the end point, the proportional hazards rate was 2.48 in univariate COX analysis (P < 0.01). After controlling for risk factors, the hazards rate was 2.66 by multvariate COX regression (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Tpe is positively correlated to the prognosis of MI and serves as an new index for predicting the clinical events in MI patients.

[Classification of congenital ventricular defects using echocardiography for transcatheter closure].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anatomical variation and classification of ventricular septal defect (VSD) using echocardiography for percutaneous catheter closure in eligible cases. METHOD: The isolated ventricular septal defect was diagnosed with echocardiography in 240 patients , and 167 patients screened by transthoracic echocardiography were suitable for percutaneous catheter closure, but only 62 with isolated perimembranous VSD voluntarily received the procedure. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in 58 patients, with a success rate of 93.5% with Amplatzer device. The diameter of VSD ranged from 2.4 to 13.9 (mean 5.3-/+2.0) mm with echocardiography, and the size of Amplatzer device ranged from 4-18 (mean 8.3-/+2.9) mm. Perimembranous ventricular septal defect was complicated by aneurysm formation in 22 patients. Residual trivial or mild shunt was seen in seven (12%) patients at 24 h and one (1.7%) patient at 3 months. Seven (12.1%) patients developed heart block, 3 (5.2%) had intermittence and transient complete heart block, and one had transient second degree atrioventricular block disappearing in 3 to 10 days, and 3 (5.2%) patients had complete right bundle branch block lasting for one month. None of the patients developed significant aortic regurgitation (P>0.05), although 22 showed a superior margin of the defect less than 3 mm from the aortic valve. The mean distance from the aortic valve was 3.7-/+2.7 (1.0 to 10.5) mm. No significant mitral and tricuspid regurgitation occurred in these patients. Four patients had unsuccessful procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous closure with Amplatzer device can be carried out successfully in a majority of suitable defects screened using transthoracic echocardiography. Echocardiography can exactly demonstrate the anatomical variation and classification of ventricular septal defect in adults. Attention should be given to the misdiagnosis by echocardiography of a doubly committed defect as a perimembranous outflow defect. Heart block can be an important complication of the procedure.

[Echocardiographic features of congenital mitral valve anomalies].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the echocardiographic features of a wide spectrum of congenital mitral valve anomalies. METHODS: The medical records, echocardiograms, cardiac catheterization studies, and surgical reports were reviewed. The mitral valve anomalies evaluated in the study included parachute mitral valve, double orifice mitral valve, congenital mitral stenosis with 2 papillary muscles, anomalous papillary muscle rotation, and 3 commissures and papillary muscles in 15 cases. Surgeries were performed in 11 patients, and 1 patient underwent transcatheter closure of the patent ductus arteriosus. RESULTS: The echocardiograms of 6 cases of parachute mitral valve were characterized by a hypoplastic mitral valve with short chordal attachments to a single posterior medial papillary muscle. The mitral valve demonstrated restricted motion. The double orifice mitral valve were featured by two separate mitral valve orifice, with each suborifice supported by its own tension apparatus in 4 patients. Asymmetric hypoplastic mitral valve stenosis with two papillary muscles was found in 1 patient with short and unbalanced chordal attachments to the anterior lateral major papillary muscle. Anomalous papillary muscle rotation was found in 1 patient. Mirtal anomaly with 3 major commissures and 3 papillary muscles was found in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography offers clear demonstration of the mitral valve thickness and chordal attachments, and allows visualization of the position and the number of the papillary muscles and interpapillary spaces for evaluation of the mobility of the valve leaflets, therefore can be a valuable diagnostic modality for congenital mitral valve anomalies, especially congenital mitral stenosis.

[Morphological features of congenital heart defects in en face imaging with 2-dimensional echocardiography].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the morphological features of congenital heart defects and their spatial orientations to the neighboring structures in special two-dimensional echocardiographic views. METHODS: Conventional two-dimensional echocardiographic sections were obtained in 45 patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) and 15 with ventricular septal defect (VSD) before the en face imaging, a special echocardiographic view, was performed using a transthoracic probe for morphological characterization of the ASD and VSD. En face views of the secundum ASD and perimembranous and outflow tract or doubly committed subarterial VSD were imaged on the interatrial septal section and inflow and outflow interventricular septal section at parasternal or apical position, respectively. RESULTS: The special echocardiographic section provided en face plane views of the congenital heart defects in 35/43 (81%) of secundum ASD and 10/15 (67%) of VSD patients, and allowed full assessment of their size, shape, circumference and spatial orientations to the neighboring structures, showing also the relationship between two or multiple defects. CONCLUSION: The special transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography not only displays the morphological features of ASD and VSD, but also provides additional information for making clinical decisions.