Multimodal Imaging to Understand Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in a Patient With Sepsis-Related Myocardial Calcification.

A 52-year-old man with acute peritonitis developed severely decreased left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. Multimodal imaging allowed the diagnosis of sepsis-related myocardial calcification. Moreover, 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography allowed a better understanding of LV dysfunction and confirmed the hypothesis that regional LV dysfunction is in accordance with the localization of calcifications. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

Strain Imaging in Cardio-Oncology.

Echocardiographic imaging is crucial for patient management during cardiotoxic cancer therapy. Left ventricular ejection fraction is the most commonly used parameter for identifying left ventricular dysfunction. However, it lacks sensitivity to detect subclinical changes in cardiac function due to cardiotoxic treatment. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is the best studied strain parameter with established diagnostic and prognostic value. Multiple studies have demonstrated changes in GLS as an early marker of cardiotoxicity. This document serves as a primer to help clinicians in the acquisition and interpretation of strain in cardio-oncology. Cases with embedded videos illustrate a step-by-step approach to obtaining GLS measurements and common pitfalls to avoid. The document includes a concise summary of the indications of GLS in cardio-oncology and its role in guiding oncological therapy. Practical approaches on how to implement strain in the echo laboratory with guidance on training and quality assurance are also discussed.

Changes in Myocardial Microstructure and Mechanics With Progressive Left Ventricular Pressure Overload.

This study assessed the regional changes in myocardial geometry, microstructure, mechanical behavior, and properties that occur in response to progressive left ventricular pressure overload (LVPO) in a large animal model. Using an index of local biomechanical function at early onset of LVPO allowed for prediction of the magnitude of left ventricular chamber stiffness (Kc) and left atrial area at LVPO late timepoints. Our study found that LV myocardial collagen content alone was insufficient to identify mechanisms for LV myocardial stiffness with progression to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Serial assessment of regional biomechanical function might hold value in monitoring the natural history and progression of HFpEF, which would allow evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches.

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

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

Role of speckle tracking echocardiography in detecting early left atrial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension adversely affects left atrial (LA) size and function, effect on function may precede effect on size. Many techniques were used to assess LA function but with pitfalls. OBJECTIVES: Early detection of left atrial dysfunction with speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertensive patients with normal left atrial size. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 hypertensive patients and 50 age matched normotensive controls, all with normal LA volume index and free from any other cardiovascular disease that may affect the LA size or function. They were all subjected to history taking, clinical examination and echocardiographic study with assessment of LA functions [total LA stroke volume, LA expansion index by conventional 2D echocardiography and Global peak atrial longitudinal strain by speckle tracking (PALS)], left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions, and LV mass. RESULTS: Different indices of LA dysfunction (Total LA stroke volume, LA expansion index and global PALS) were significantly lower in the hypertensive group despite the normal LA volume index in all the studied subjects. The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and higher grade of LV diastolic dysfunction were significantly associated with lower global PALS. The higher age, systolic blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), LA volume index, and LV mass index and the lower LA expansion index were associated with lower global PALS. CONCLUSION: Speckle tracking echocardiography is a useful novel technique in detecting LA dysfunction in hypertension even before LA enlargement occurs.