Evolution of ventricular and valve function in patients with right ventricular pacing - A randomized controlled trial comparing leadless and conventional pacing.

BACKGROUND: Leadless pacemakers (PMs) were recently introduced to overcome lead-related complications. They showed high safety and efficacy profiles. Prospective studies assessing long-term safety on cardiac structures are still missing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical impact of Micra with conventional PM on heart function. METHODS: We conducted a non-inferiority trial in patients with an indication for single chamber ventricular pacing. Patients were 1:1 randomized to undergo implantation of either Micra or conventional monochamber ventricular pacemaker (PM). Patients underwent echocardiography at baseline, 6 and 12 months after implantation. Analysis included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS) and valve function. N-terminal-pro hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels were measured at baseline and 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (27 in Micra group and 24 in conventional group) were included. Baseline characteristics were similar for both groups. At 12 months, (1) the left ventricular function as assessed by LVEF and GLS worsened similarly in both groups (∆LVEF -10 ± 7.3% and ∆GLS +5.7 ± 6.4 in Micra group vs. -13.4 ± 9.9% and +5.2 ± 3.2 in conventional group) (p = 0.218 and 0.778, respectively), (2) the severity of tricuspid valve regurgitation was significantly lower with Micra than conventional pacing (p = 0.009) and (3) median NT-pro-BNP was lower in Micra group (970 pg/dL in Micra group versus 1394 pg/dL in conventional group, p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: Micra is non inferior to conventional PMs concerning the evolution of left ventricular function at 12-month follow-up. Our data suggest that Micra has a comparable mechanical impact on the ventricular systolic function but resulted in less valvular dysfunction.

Left ventricular regional glucose metabolism in combination with septal scar extent identifies CRT responders.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is effective in selective heart failure (HF) patients, but non-response rate remains high. Positron emission tomography (PET) may provide a better insight into the pathophysiology of left ventricular (LV) remodeling; however, its role for evaluating and selecting patients for CRT remains uncertain. PURPOSE: We investigated if regional LV glucose metabolism in combination with myocardial scar could predict response to CRT. METHODS: Consecutive CRT-eligible HF patients underwent echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET within 1 week before CRT implantation. Echocardiography was additionally performed 12 months after CRT and end-systolic volume reduction ≥ 15% was defined as CRT response. Septal-to-lateral wall (SLR) FDG uptake ratio was calculated from static FDG images. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) CMR was analyzed semi-quantitatively to define scar extent. RESULTS: We evaluated 88 patients (67 ± 10 years, 72% males). 18F-FDG SLR showed a linear correlation with volumetric reverse remodeling 12 months after CRT (r = 0.41, p = 0.0001). In non-ischemic HF patients, low FDG SLR alone predicted CRT response with sensitivity and specificity of more than 80%; however, in ischemic HF patients, specificity decreased to 46%, suggesting that in this cohort low SLR can also be caused by the presence of a septal scar. In the multivariate logistic regression model, including low FDG SLR, presence and extent of the scar in each myocardial wall, and current CRT guideline parameters, only low FDG SLR and septal scar remained associated with CRT response. Their combination could predict CRT response with sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive value of 80%, 83%, 70%, and 90%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: FDG SLR can be used as a predictor of CRT response and combined with septal scar extent, CRT responders can be distinguished from non-responders with high diagnostic accuracy. Further studies are needed to verify whether this imaging approach can prospectively be used to optimize patient selection.

Impact of left bundle branch block on myocardial perfusion and metabolism: A positron emission tomography study.

BACKGROUND: Better understanding of pathophysiological changes, induced by left bundle branch block (LBBB), may improve patient selection for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Therefore, we assessed the effect of LBBB on regional glucose metabolism, 13N-NH3-derived absolute and semiquantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF), and their relation in non-ischemic CRT candidates. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive non-ischemic patients with LBBB underwent 18F-FDG and resting dynamic 13N-NH3 PET/CT prior to CRT implantation. Regional 18F-FDG uptake, absolute MBF, and late 13N-NH3 uptake were analyzed and corresponding septal-to-lateral wall ratios (SLR) were calculated. Segmental analysis was performed to evaluate "reverse mismatch," "mismatch," and "match" patterns, based on late 13N-NH3/18F-FDG uptake ratios. RESULTS: A significantly lower 18F-FDG uptake was observed in the septum compared to the lateral wall (SLR 0.53 ± 0.17). A similar pattern was observed for MBF (SLR 0.68 ± 0.18), whereas late 13N-NH3 uptake showed a homogeneous distribution (SLR 0.96 ± 0.13). 13N-NH3/18F-FDG "mismatch" and "reverse mismatch" segments were predominantly present in the lateral (52%) and septal wall (61%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Non-ischemic CRT candidates with LBBB demonstrate lower glucose uptake and absolute MBF in the septum compared to the lateral wall. However, late static 13N-NH3 uptake showed a homogenous distribution, reflecting a composite measure of altered regional MBF and metabolism, induced by LBBB.

Imaging predictors of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: left ventricular work asymmetry by echocardiography and septal viability by cardiac magnetic resonance.

AIMS: Left ventricular (LV) failure in left bundle branch block is caused by loss of septal function and compensatory hyperfunction of the LV lateral wall (LW) which stimulates adverse remodelling. This study investigates if septal and LW function measured as myocardial work, alone and combined with assessment of septal viability, identifies responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective multicentre study of 200 CRT recipients, myocardial work was measured by pressure-strain analysis and viability by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging (n = 125). CRT response was defined as ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume after 6 months. Before CRT, septal work was markedly lower than LW work (P < 0.0001), and the difference was largest in CRT responders (P < 0.001). Work difference between septum and LW predicted CRT response with area under the curve (AUC) 0.77 (95% CI: 0.70-0.84) and was feasible in 98% of patients. In patients undergoing CMR, combining work difference and septal viability significantly increased AUC to 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.95). This was superior to the predictive power of QRS morphology, QRS duration and the echocardiographic parameters septal flash, apical rocking, and systolic stretch index. Accuracy was similar for the subgroup of patients with QRS 120-150 ms as for the entire study group. Both work difference alone and work difference combined with septal viability predicted long-term survival without heart transplantation with hazard ratio 0.36 (95% CI: 0.18-0.74) and 0.21 (95% CI: 0.072-0.61), respectively. CONCLUSION: Assessment of myocardial work and septal viability identified CRT responders with high accuracy.

Right ventricular remodelling after transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation.

OBJECTIVES: To define the optimal timing for percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) in patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation (PR) after Fallot's Tetralogy (ToF) correction. BACKGROUND: PPVI among the aforementioned patients is mainly driven by symptoms or by severe right ventricular (RV) dilatation/dysfunction. The optimal timing for PPVI is still disputed. METHODS: Twenty patients [age 13.9 ± 9.2 years, (range 4.3-44.9), male 70%] with severe PR (≥3 grade) secondary to previous correction of ToF, underwent Melody valve (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) implantation, after a pre-stent placement. Full echocardiographic assessment (traditional and deformation analysis) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance evaluation were performed before and at 3 months after the intervention. 'Favorable remodelling' was considered the upper quartile of RV size decrease (>20% in 3 months). RESULTS: After PPVI, indexed RV effective stroke volume increased from 38.4 ± 9.5 to 51.4 ± 10.7 mL/m2 , (P = 0.005), while RV end-diastolic volume and strain indices decreased (123.1 ± 24.1-101.5 ± 18.3 mL/m2 , P = 0.005 and -23.5 ± 2.5 to -21 ± 2.5%, P = 0.002, respectively). After inserting pre-PPVI clinical, RV volumetric and deformation parameters in a multiple regression model, only time after last surgical correction causing PR remained as significant regressor of RV remodelling [R2 = 0.60, beta = 0.387, 95%CI(0.07-0.7), P = 0.019]. Volume reduction and functional improvement were more pronounced in patients treated with PPVI earlier than 7 years after last RV outflow tract (RVOT) correction, reaching close-to-normal values. CONCLUSIONS: Early PPVI (<7 years after last RVOT operation) is associated with a more favorable RV reverse remodelling toward normal range and should be considered, before symptoms or RV damage become apparent. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tissue Doppler, strain and strain rate in ischemic heart disease "how I do it".

Echocardiography is the standard method for assessing myocardial function in patients with ischemic heart disease. The acquisition and interpretation of echocardiographic images, however, remains a highly specialized task which often relies entirely on the subjective visual assessment of the reader and requires therefore, particular training and expertise. Myocardial deformation imaging allows quantifying myocardial function far beyond what can be done with sole visual assessment. It can improve the interpretation of regional dysfunction and offers sensitive markers of induced ischemia which can be used for stress tests. In the following, we recapitulate shortly the pathophysiological and technical basics and explain in a practical manner how we use this technique in investigating patients with ischemic heart disease.

Implementation of transmural disease management in patients admitted with advanced heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and impact on readmissions of transmural disease management across the borders of the cardiology department in patients with advanced heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients, readmitted within one year for advanced HF by a dedicated specialist (n = 55), were followed for 22 +/- 10 months after implementation of a hospitalwide transmural disease management strategy. Participants received a tag in their electronic medical record, triggering a HF caregiver contact, with subsequent guideline-recommended, protocol-driven care on each cardiac or non-cardiac hospitalization as well as outpatient evaluation. Upon transition to outpatient follow-up, patients were instructed to call the HF caregiver with any question at low threshold. Readmission rates were prospectively collected. Despite receiving adequate treatment with neurohumoral blockers, patients (71 +/- 11 years; ejection fraction 35 +/- 13%) had spent 4% (27%) of the year preceding study inclusion in hospital, with 73% admitted once, 20% twice, and 7% more than twice for acute decompensated HF (ADHF). During the study, patients were exposed to 6 +/- 4 dedicated HF caregiver contacts. Participation in remote device monitoring increased from 31% to 92%, with 1 (0-3) additional phone contacts per patient-year of follow-up in this subgroup (n = 24). All-cause mortality and readmission rates for ADHF were 10% and 25% after one year, and 19% and 39% after 2 years, respectively. Follow-up time spent in hospital decreased significantly to 2% (16%) (P value = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of advanced HF patients through transmural disease management is feasible and associated with favourable clinical outcome.

Left bundle branch pacing better preserves ventricular mechanical synchrony than right ventricular pacing: a two-centre study.

AIMS: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has been shown to better maintain electrical synchrony compared with right ventricular pacing (RVP), but little is known about its impact on mechanical synchrony. This study investigates whether LBBP better preserves left ventricular (LV) mechanical synchronicity and function compared with RVP. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty patients with pacing indication for bradycardia were included: LBBP (n = 31) and RVP (n = 29). Echocardiography was performed before and shortly after pacemaker implantation and at 1-year follow-up. The lateral wall-septal wall (LW-SW) work difference was used as a measure of mechanical dyssynchrony. Septal flash, apical rocking, and septal strain patterns were also assessed. At baseline, LW-SW work difference was small and similar in two groups. SW was markedly decreased, while LW work remained mostly unchanged in RVP, resulting in a larger LW-SW work difference compared with LBBP (1253 ± 687 mmHg·% vs. 439 ± 408 mmHg·%, P < 0.01) at last follow-up. In addition, RVP more often induced septal flash or apical rocking and resulted in more advanced strain patterns compared with LBBP. At 1 year follow-up, LV ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were more decreased in RVP compared with LBBP (ΔLVEF: -7.4 ± 7.0% vs. 0.3 ± 4.1%; ΔLVGLS: -4.8 ± 4.0% vs. -1.4 ± 2.5%, both P < 0.01). In addition, ΔLW-SW work difference was independently correlated with LV adverse remodelling (r = 0.42, P < 0.01) and LV dysfunction (ΔLVEF: r = -0.61, P < 0.01 and ΔLVGLS: r = -0.38, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: LBBP causes less LV mechanical dyssynchrony than RVP as it preserves a more physiologic electrical conduction. As a consequence, LBBP appears to preserve LV function better than RVP.

An interventional sheep model of severe aortic valve stenosis hemodynamics for the evaluation of alterations in coronary physiology and microvascular function.

We aimed to develop a large animal model of subcoronary aortic stenosis (AS) to study intracoronary and microcirculatory hemodynamics. A total of three surgical techniques inducing AS were evaluated in 12 sheep. Suturing the leaflets together around a dilator (n = 2) did not result in severe AS. Suturing of a pericardial patch with a variable opening just below the aortic valve (n = 5) created an AS which was poorly tolerated if the aortic valve area (AVA) was too small (0.38-1.02 cm2), but was feasible with an AVA of 1.2 cm2. However, standardization of aortic regurgitation (AR) with this technique is difficult. Therefore, we opted for implantation of an undersized AV-bioprosthesis with narrowing sutures on the leaflets (n = 5). Overall, five sheep survived the immediate postoperative period of which three had severe AS (one patch and two bioprostheses). The surviving sheep with severe AS developed left ventricular hypertrophy and signs of increased filling-pressures. Intracoronary assessment of physiological indices in these AS sheep pointed toward the development of functional microvascular dysfunction, with a significant increase in coronary resting flow and hyperemic coronary resistance, resulting in a significantly higher index of microvascular resistance (IMR) and lower myocardial resistance reserve (MRR). Microscopic analysis showed myocardial hypertrophy and signs of fibrosis without evidence of capillary rarefaction. In a large animal model of AS, microvascular changes are characterized by increased resting coronary flow and hyperemic coronary resistance resulting in increased IMR and decreased MRR. These physiological changes can influence the interpretation of regularly used coronary indices.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In an animal model of aortic valve stenosis (AS), coronary physiological changes are characterized by increased resting coronary flow and hyperemic coronary resistance. These changes can impact coronary indices frequently used to assess concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD). At this point, the best way to assess and treat CAD in AS remains unclear. Our data suggest that fractional flow reserve may underestimate CAD, and nonhyperemic pressure ratios may overestimate CAD severity before aortic valve replacement.

Erratum to: Electro-energetics of Biventricular, Septal and Conduction System Pacing.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.15420/aer.2021.30.].

Right ventricular strain related to pulmonary artery pressure predicts clinical outcome in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

AIMS: In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), the right ventricle (RV) is exposed to an increased afterload. In response, RV mechanics are altered. Markers which would relate RV function and afterload could therefore aid to understand this complex response system and could be of prognostic value. The aim of our study was to (i) assess the RV-arterial coupling using ratio between RV strain and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), in patients with PAH, and (ii) investigate the prognostic value of this new parameter over other echocardiographic parameters. METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiograms of 65 pre-capillary PAH patients (45 females, age 61 ± 15 years) were retrospectively analysed. Fractional area change (FAC), sPAP, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and RV free-wall (FW) longitudinal strain (LS) were measured. A primary endpoint of death or heart/lung transplantation described clinical endpoint. Patients who reached a clinical endpoint had worse functional capacity (New York Heart Association), reduced RV function, and higher sPAP. Left ventricle function was similar in both groups. Only RVFW LS/sPAP ratio was found as an independent predictor of clinical endpoint in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio 8.3, 95% confidence interval 3.2-21.6, P < 0.001). The RWFW LS/sPAP (cut-off 0.19) demonstrated a good accuracy for the prediction of reaching the clinical endpoint, with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 82.5%. CONCLUSION: RVFW LS/sPAP ratio significantly predicts all-cause mortality and heart-lung transplantation, and was superior to other well-established parameters, in patients with pre-capillary PAH. We therefore propose RVFW LS/sPAP as a new prognostic echocardiographic marker.

Serial Non-Invasive Myocardial Work Measurements for Patient Risk Stratification and Early Detection of Cancer Therapeutics-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Patients: A Single-Centre Observational Study.

Serial transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) assessment of LVEF and GLS are the gold standard in screening Cancer Therapeutics-Related Cardiac Dysfunction (CTRCD). Non-invasive left-ventricle (LV) pressure-strain loop (PSL) emerged as a novel method to quantify Myocardial Work (MW). This study aims to describe the temporal changes and longitudinal trajectories of MW indices during cardiotoxic treatment. We included 50 breast cancer patients with normal LV function referred for anthracycline therapy w/wo Trastuzumab. Medical therapy, clinical and echocardiographic data were recorded before and 3, 6, and 12 months after initiation of the chemotherapy. MW indices were calculated through PSL analysis. According to ESC guidelines, mild and moderated CTRCD was detected in 10 and 9 patients, respectively (20% CTRCDmild, 18% CTRCDmod), while 31 patients remained free of CTRCD (62% CTRCDneg). Prior to chemotherapy MWI, MWE and CW were significantly lower in CTRCDmod than in CTRCDneg and CTRCDmild. Overt cardiac dysfunction in CTRCDmod at 6 months was accompanied by significant worse values in MWI, MWE and WW compared to CTRCDneg and CTRCDmild. MW features such as low baseline CW, especially when associated with a rise in WW at follow-up, may identify patients at risk for CTRCD. Additional studies are needed to explore the role of MW in CRTCD.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Identifies Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with an Assessment of Septal Scar and Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony.

Background: The response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) depends on septal viability and correction of abnormal septal motion. This study investigates if cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as a single modality can identify CRT responders with combined imaging of pathological septal motion (septal flash) and septal scar. Methods: In a prospective, multicenter, observational study of 136 CRT recipients, septal scar was assessed using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) (n = 127) and septal flash visually from cine CMR sequences. The primary endpoint was CRT response, defined as ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume with echocardiography after 6 months. The secondary endpoint was heart transplantation or death of any cause assessed after 39 ± 13 months. Results: Septal scar and septal flash were independent predictors of CRT response in multivariable analysis (both p < 0.001), while QRS duration and morphology were not. The combined approach of septal scar and septal flash predicted CRT response with an area under the curve of 0.86 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.94) and was a strong predictor of long-term survival without heart transplantation (hazard ratio 0.27, 95% CI: 0.10-0.79). The accuracy of the approach was similar in the subgroup with intermediate (130-150 ms) QRS duration. The combined approach was superior to septal scar and septal flash alone (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The combined assessment of septal scar and septal flash using CMR as a single-image modality identifies CRT responders with high accuracy and predicts long-term survival.

Continuous shear wave measurements for dynamic cardiac stiffness evaluation in pigs.

Ultrasound-based shear wave elastography is a promising technique to non-invasively assess the dynamic stiffness variations of the heart. The technique is based on tracking the propagation of acoustically induced shear waves in the myocardium of which the propagation speed is linked to tissue stiffness. This measurement is repeated multiple times across the cardiac cycle to assess the natural variations in wave propagation speed. The interpretation of these measurements remains however complex, as factors such as loading and contractility affect wave propagation. We therefore applied transthoracic shear wave elastography in 13 pigs to investigate the dependencies of wave speed on pressure-volume derived indices of loading, myocardial stiffness, and contractility, while altering loading and inducing myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Our results show that diastolic wave speed correlates to a pressure-volume derived index of operational myocardial stiffness (R = 0.75, p < 0.001), suggesting that both loading and intrinsic properties can affect diastolic wave speed. Additionally, the wave speed ratio, i.e. the ratio of systolic and diastolic speed, correlates to a pressure-volume derived index of contractility, i.e. preload-recruitable stroke work (R = 0.67, p < 0.001). Measuring wave speed ratio might thus provide a non-invasive index of contractility during ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Scar imaging in the dyssynchronous left ventricle: Accuracy of myocardial metabolism by positron emission tomography and function by echocardiographic strain.

PURPOSE: Response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is reduced in patients with high left ventricular (LV) scar burden, in particular when scar is located in the LV lateral wall or septum. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can identity scar, but is not feasible in all patients. This study investigates if myocardial metabolism by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and contractile function by echocardiographic strain are alternatives to LGE-CMR. METHODS: In a prospective multicenter study, 132 CRT candidates (91% with left bundle branch block) were studied by speckle tracking strain echocardiography, and 53 of these by FDG-PET. Regional myocardial FDG metabolism and peak systolic strain were compared to LGE-CMR as reference method. RESULTS: Reduced FDG metabolism (<70% relative) precisely identified transmural scars (≥50% of myocardial volume) in the LV lateral wall, with area under the curve (AUC) 0.96 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90-1.00). Reduced contractile function by strain identified transmural scars in the LV lateral wall with only moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.77, CI 0.71-0.84). However, absolute peak systolic strain >10% could rule out transmural scar with high sensitivity (80%) and high negative predictive value (96%). Neither FDG-PET nor strain identified septal scars (for both, AUC < 0.80). CONCLUSIONS: In CRT candidates, FDG-PET is an excellent alternative to LGE-CMR to identify scar in the LV lateral wall. Furthermore, preserved strain in the LV lateral wall has good accuracy to rule out transmural scar. None of the modalities can identify septal scar. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The present study is part of the clinical study "Contractile Reserve in Dyssynchrony: A Novel Principle to Identify Candidates for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRID-CRT)", which was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (identifier NCT02525185).

Mechanical Dyssynchrony Combined with Septal Scarring Reliably Identifies Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

Background and aim: The presence of mechanical dyssynchrony on echocardiography is associated with reverse remodelling and decreased mortality after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Contrarily, myocardial scar reduces the effect of CRT. This study investigated how well a combined assessment of different markers of mechanical dyssynchrony and scarring identifies CRT responders. Methods: In a prospective multicentre study of 170 CRT recipients, septal flash (SF), apical rocking (ApRock), systolic stretch index (SSI), and lateral-to-septal (LW-S) work differences were assessed using echocardiography. Myocardial scarring was quantified using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) or excluded based on a coronary angiogram and clinical history. The primary endpoint was a CRT response, defined as a ≥15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume 12 months after implantation. The secondary endpoint was time-to-death. Results: The combined assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony and septal scarring showed AUCs ranging between 0.81 (95%CI: 0.74-0.88) and 0.86 (95%CI: 0.79-0.91) for predicting a CRT response, without significant differences between the markers, but significantly higher than mechanical dyssynchrony alone. QRS morphology, QRS duration, and LV ejection fraction were not superior in their prediction. Predictive power was similar in the subgroups of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The combined assessments significantly predicted all-cause mortality at 44 ± 13 months after CRT with a hazard ratio ranging from 0.28 (95%CI: 0.12-0.67) to 0.20 (95%CI: 0.08-0.49). Conclusions: The combined assessment of mechanical dyssynchrony and septal scarring identified CRT responders with high predictive power. Both visual and quantitative markers were highly feasible and demonstrated similar results. This work demonstrates the value of imaging LV mechanics and scarring in CRT candidates, which can already be achieved in a clinical routine.

Finding New Insights in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and the Pathophysiology behind Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony.

Over the past two decades, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) became an established treatment option for patients with symptomatic heart failure [...].

Comparison between Nondedicated and Novel Dedicated Tracking Tool for Right Ventricular and Left Atrial Strain.

BACKGROUND: Recently, dedicated speckle-tracking solutions for right ventricular (RV) and left atrial (LA) strain assessment have become commercially available. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of agreement between nondedicated (left ventricular [LV] tracking software) and novel dedicated tracking software for RV and LA strain. METHODS: In 200 patients with various cardiovascular pathologies, we measured global longitudinal strain (GLS), free wall strain (FWS), and segmental values, as well as LA strain during reservoir, conduit, and contraction phases, by using the (1) LV-tracking software and (2) the novel dedicated tracking software for RV or LA strain analysis. Agreement between corresponding measurements obtained with the LV and dedicated RV or LA software was determined by using mean absolute difference (MAD) and Bland-Altman test. The intra- and interobserver reproducibility related to the nondedicated and novel dedicated tracking software was tested in 30 randomly selected subjects. RESULTS: The dedicated RV-tracking software provided slightly lower strain values without reaching statistical significance. The agreement between software was best for RV GLS (MAD, 2.4 ± 1.8) and significantly poorer for segmental values (MAD ranging from 4.5 ± 3.8 to 5.1 ± 4.0; analysis of variance, P < .05). The intra- and interobserver reproducibility for RV measurements was similar with both software (P > .05 for all parameters). Left atrial mean values showed no statistical difference when obtained with the two tracking tools. The use of LA dedicated tracking software increased significantly the intra- and interobserver reproducibility for LA strain during reservoir and atrial contraction (P < .01 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the choice of tracking software does not significantly impact RV strain measurements. Nonetheless, the use of the same tracking software is recommended when performing serial measurements. The use of the dedicated software for LA strain analysis significantly improved the intra- and interobserver reproducibility.

Predictability of cardiotoxicity: Experience of a Belgian cardio-oncology clinic.

BACKGROUND: New oncological treatments improved survival but also increased awareness of cardiovascular side-effects during and after cancer therapy. METHODS: We report the experience of the cardio-oncology clinic at a large Belgian tertiary care center and investigated the predictability of cardiotoxicity based on referring department, cardiovascular risk factors, cancer treatment and existing risk scores of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) and Mayo Clinic. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a 10% reduction in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) compared to the baseline transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in asymptomatic patients or 5% in symptomatic patients. RESULTS: Of the 324 patients included, 14.5% died during follow-up. Most deaths were oncological, yet 19% of deaths were attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Models based on cardiovascular risk factors alone and cardiovascular risk factors combined with cardiotoxic medication poorly predicted cardiotoxicity. Existing risk scores from ASCO and Mayo Clinic also poorly predicted cardiotoxicity. A weighed model based on the Mayo Clinic cardiotoxicity risk score was the best risk assessment tool with still a limited predictive value with an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve of 0.654 (CI 95%: 0.601-0.715). CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are common in cancer patients and survivors and stress the unmet need of adequate risk prediction tools for systematic screening and rigorous cardiovascular follow-up. In our outpatient cohort, cardiotoxicity risk could not be adequately predicted by cancer type, using classic cardiovascular risk factors, nor by the combination of cardiovascular risk factors and the proposed cancer treatment. Furthermore, we showed that existing cardiotoxicity risk scores are suboptimal and should thus be interpreted with caution.