Prevalence of left atrial appendage thrombus and spontaneous echo contrast on transesophageal echocardiography in patients scheduled for pulmonary vein isolation.

BACKGROUND: To avoid causing a thromboembolic event in patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), patients are treated with oral anticoagulants (OAC) prior to the procedure. Despite being on anticoagulants, some patients develop a left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT). To exclude the presence of LAAT, transesophageal ultrasound (TEE) is performed in all patients prior to the procedure. We hypothesized continuous treatment with anticoagulants would result in a low prevalence of LAAT, in patients with low CHA2DS2-VASc score. METHOD: Medical records of consecutive patients planned to undergo AF ablation at Lund University Hospital during the years 2018-2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Examination protocols from transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography were examined for LAAT and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC). Patients with LAAT and SEC were compared to patients without using Mann-Whitney U-test and Pearson Chi-squared analysis to test for correlation. RESULTS: Of 553 patients, three patients (0.54%) had LAAT, and 18 (3.25%) had spontaneous contrast (SEC). Patients with LAAT or SEC had a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, more often presented in AF at TEE and less often had a normal sized left atrium. CONCLUSION: There is a low prevalence of LAAT and SEC in patients with AF scheduled for pulmonary vein isolation. Patients with SEC or LAAT tend to have paroxysmal AF less often and more often presented in AF at admission. No patients with CHA2DS2-VASc 0, paroxysmal AF, normal sized left atrium and sinus rhythm at TEE were found to have LAAT or SEC.

Hemodynamic forces from 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging predict left ventricular remodeling following cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB) may receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), but current selection criteria are imprecise, and many patients have limited treatment response. Hemodynamic forces (HDF) have been suggested as a marker for CRT response. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate left ventricular (LV) HDF as a predictive marker for LV remodeling after CRT. METHODS: Patients with heart failure, EF < 35% and LBBB (n = 22) underwent CMR with 4D flow prior to CRT. LV HDF were computed in three directions using the Navier-Stokes equations, reported in median N [interquartile range], and the ratio of transverse/longitudinal HDF was calculated for systole and diastole. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and 6 months after CRT. Patients with end-systolic volume reduction ≥ 15% were defined as responders. RESULTS: Non-responders had smaller HDF than responders in the inferior-anterior direction in systole (0.06 [0.03] vs. 0.07 [0.03], p = 0.04), and in the apex-base direction in diastole (0.09 [0.02] vs. 0.1 [0.05], p = 0.047). Non-responders had larger diastolic HDF ratio compared to responders (0.89 vs. 0.67, p = 0.004). ROC analysis of diastolic HDF ratio for identifying CRT non-responders had AUC of 0.88 (p = 0.005) with sensitivity 57% and specificity 100% for ratio > 0.87. Intragroup comparison found higher HDF ratio in systole compared to diastole for responders (p = 0.003), but not for non-responders (p = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Hemodynamic force ratio is a potential marker for identifying patients with heart failure and LBBB who are unlikely to benefit from CRT. Larger-scale studies are required before implementation of HDF analysis into clinical practice.

Right ventricular stroke work index by echocardiography in adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: In adult patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), right ventricular (RV) failure may worsen rapidly, resulting in a poor prognosis. In this population, non-invasive assessment of RV function is challenging. RV stroke work index (RVSWI) measured by right heart catheterization (RHC) represents a promising index for RV function. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively evaluate non-invasive measures to calculate RVSWI derived by echocardiography (RVSWIECHO) using RHC (RVSWIRHC) as a reference in adult PAH patients. METHODS: Retrospectively, 54 consecutive treatment naïve patients with PAH (65 ± 13 years, 36 women) were analyzed. Echocardiography and RHC were performed within a median of 1 day [IQR 0-1 days]. RVSWIRHC was calculated as: (mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP)-mean right atrial pressure (mRAP)) x stroke volume index (SVI)RHC. Four methods for RVSWIECHO were evaluated: RVSWIECHO-1 = Tricuspid regurgitant maximum pressure gradient (TRmaxPG) x SVIECHO, RVSWIECHO-2 = (TRmaxPG-mRAPECHO) x SVIECHO, RVSWIECHO-3 = TR mean gradient (TRmeanPG) x SVIECHO and RVSWIECHO-4 = (TRmeanPG-mRAPECHO) x SVIECHO. Estimation of mRAPECHO was derived from inferior vena cava diameter. RESULTS: RVSWIRHC was 1132 ± 352 mmHg*mL*m-2. In comparison with RVSWIRHC in absolute values, RVSWIECHO-1 and RVSWIECHO-2 was significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas RVSWIECHO-4 was lower (p < 0.001). No difference was shown for RVSWIECHO-3 (p = 0.304). The strongest correlation, with RVSWIRHC, was demonstrated for RVSWIECHO-2 (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) and RVSWIECHO-1 ( r = 0.75, p < 0.001). RVSWIECHO-3 and RVSWIECHO-4 had moderate correlation (r = 0.66 and r = 0.69, p < 0.001 for all). A good agreement (ICC) was demonstrated for RVSWIECHO-3 (ICC = 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-0.88, p < 0.001), a moderate for RVSWIECHO-4 (ICC = 0.73, 95% CI 0.27-0.87, p < 0.001) and RVSWIECHO-2 (ICC = 0.55, 95% CI - 0.21-0.83, p < 0.001). A poor ICC was demonstrated for RVSWIECHO-1 (ICC = 0.45, 95% CI - 0.18-0.77, p < 0.001). Agreement of absolute values for RVSWIECHO-1 was - 772 ± 385 (- 50 ± 20%) mmHg*mL*m-2, RVSWIECHO-2 - 600 ± 339 (-41 ± 20%) mmHg*mL*m-2, RVSWIECHO-3 42 ± 286 (5 ± 25%) mmHg*mL*m-2 and for RVSWIECHO-4 214 ± 273 (23 ± 27%) mmHg*mL*m-2. CONCLUSION: The correlation with RVSWIRHC was moderate to strong for all echocardiographic measures, whereas only RVSWIECHO-3 displayed high concordance of absolute values. The results, however, suggest that RVSWIECHO-1 or RVSWIECHO-3 could be the preferable echocardiographic methods. Prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical utility of such measures in relation to treatment response, risk stratification and prognosis in patients with PAH.

Regional contributions to left ventricular stroke volume determined by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) restores ventricular synchrony and induces left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling in patients with heart failure (HF) and dyssynchrony. However, 30% of treated patients are non-responders despite all efforts. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can be used to quantify regional contributions to stroke volume (SV) as potential CRT predictors. The aim of this study was to determine if LV longitudinal (SVlong%), lateral (SVlat%), and septal (SVsept%) contributions to SV differ from healthy controls and investigate if these parameters can predict CRT response. METHODS: Sixty-five patients (19 women, 67 ± 9 years) with symptomatic HF (LVEF ≤ 35%) and broadened QRS (≥ 120 ms) underwent CMR. SVlong% was calculated as the volume encompassed by the atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) from end diastole (ED) to end systole (ES) divided by total SV. SVlat%, and SVsept% were calculated as the volume encompassed by radial contraction from ED to ES. Twenty age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were used as controls. The regional measures were compared to outcome response defined as ≥ 15% decrease in echocardiographic LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) from pre- to 6-months post CRT (delta, Δ). RESULTS: AVPD and SVlong% were lower in patients compared to controls (8.3 ± 3.2 mm vs 15.3 ± 1.6 mm, P < 0.001; and 53 ± 18% vs 64 ± 8%, P < 0.01). SVsept% was lower (0 ± 15% vs 10 ± 4%, P < 0.01) with a higher SVlat% in the patient group (42 ± 16% vs 29 ± 7%, P < 0.01). There were no differences between responders and non-responders in neither SVlong% (P = 0.87), SVlat% (P = 0.09), nor SVsept% (P = 0.65). In patients with septal net motion towards the right ventricle (n = 28) ΔLVESV was - 18 ± 22% and with septal net motion towards the LV (n = 37) ΔLVESV was - 19 ± 23% (P = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal function, expressed as AVPD and longitudinal contribution to SV, is decreased in patients with HF scheduled for CRT. A larger lateral contribution to SV compensates for the abnormal septal systolic net movement. However, LV reverse remodeling could not be predicted by these regional contributors to SV.

Right ventricular function parameters in pulmonary hypertension: echocardiography vs. cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) function is a major determinant of outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is gold standard to assess RV ejection fraction (RVEFCMR), however this is a crude measure. New CMR measures of RV function beyond RVEFCMR have emerged, such as RV lateral atrio-ventricular plane displacement (AVPDlat), maximum emptying velocity (S'CMR), RV fractional area change (FACCMR) and feature tracking of the RV free wall (FWSCMR). However, it is not fully elucidated if these CMR measures are in parity with the equivalent echocardiography-derived measurements: tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), S'-wave velocity (S'echo), RV fractional area change (FACecho) and RV free wall strain (FWSecho). The aim of this study was to compare regional RV function parameters derived from CMR to their echocardiographic equivalents in patients with pulmonary hypertension and to RVEFCMR. METHODS: Fifty-five patients (37 women, 62 ± 15 years) evaluated for pulmonary hypertension underwent CMR and echocardiography. AVPDlat, S'CMR, FACCMR and FWSCMR from cine 4-chamber views were compared to corresponding echocardiographic measures and to RVEFCMR delineated in cine short-axis stack. RESULTS: A strong correlation was demonstrated for FAC whereas the remaining measurements showed moderate correlation. The absolute bias for S' was 2.4 ± 3.0 cm/s (relative bias 24.1 ± 28.3%), TAPSE/AVPDlat 5.5 ± 4.6 mm (33.2 ± 25.2%), FWS 4.4 ± 5.8% (20.2 ± 37.5%) and for FAC 5.1 ± 8.4% (18.5 ± 32.5%). In correlation to RVEFCMR, FACCMR and FWSecho correlated strongly, FACecho, AVPDlat, FWSCMR and TAPSE moderately, whereas S' had only a weak correlation. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated a moderate to strong correlation of regional CMR measurements to corresponding echocardiographic measures. However, biases and to some extent wide limits of agreement, exist between the modalities. Consequently, the equivalent measures are not interchangeable at least in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The echocardiographic parameter that showed best correlation with RVEFCMR was FWSecho. At present, FACecho and FWSecho as well as RVEFCMR are the preferred methods to assess and follow up RV function in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Future investigations of the CMR right ventricular measures, beyond RVEF, are warranted.

Effects of oxygen therapy on wall-motion score index in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction-the randomized SOCCER trial.

BACKGROUND: Although oxygen (O2 ) is routinely used in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it may have negative effects. In this substudy of the SOCCER trial, we aimed to evaluate the effects of O2 -treatment on myocardial function in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS: Normoxic (≥94%) STEMI patients were randomized in the ambulance to either supplemental O2 or room air until the end of the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The patients underwent echocardiography on day 2-3 after the PCI and once again after 6 months. The study endpoints were wall-motion score index (WMSI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). RESULTS: Forty-six patients in the O2 group and 41 in the air group were included in the analysis. The index echocardiography showed no significant differences between the groups in WMSI (1.32±0.27 for O2 group vs 1.28±0.28 for air group) or LVEF (47.0±8.5% vs 49.2±8.1%). Nor were there differences at 6 months in WMSI (1.16±0.25 vs 1.14±0.24) or LVEF (53.5±5.8% vs 53.5±6.9%). CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate no harm or benefit of supplemental O2 on myocardial function in STEMI patients. Our results support that it is safe to withhold supplemental O2 in normoxic STEMI patients.

The Effects of Oxygen Therapy on Myocardial Salvage in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Acute Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: The Supplemental Oxygen in Catheterized Coronary Emergency Reperfusion (SOCCER) Study.

OBJECTIVES: Despite a lack of scientific evidence, oxygen has long been a part of standard treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, several studies suggest that oxygen therapy may have negative cardiovascular effects. We here describe a randomized controlled trial, i.e. Supplemental Oxygen in Catheterized Coronary Emergency Reperfusion (SOCCER), aiming to evaluate the effect of oxygen therapy on myocardial salvage and infarct size in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with a primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: One hundred normoxic STEMI patients accepted for a primary PCI are randomized in the ambulance to either standard oxygen therapy or no supplemental oxygen. All patients undergo cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) 2-6 days after the primary PCI, and a subgroup of 50 patients undergo an extended echocardiography during admission and at 6 months. All patients are followed for 6 months for hospital admission for heart failure and subjective perception of health. The primary endpoint is the myocardial salvage index on CMR. DISCUSSION: Even though oxygen therapy is a part of standard care, oxygen may not be beneficial for patients with AMI and is possibly even harmful. The results of the present and concurrent oxygen trials may change international treatment guidelines for patients with AMI or ischemia.

A comparison between radial strain evaluation by speckle-tracking echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, for assessment of suitable segments for left ventricular lead placement in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

AIMS: A cut-off of 9.8% maximum speckle-tracking radial strain in the segment with the latest mechanical delay has been proposed as predictive for selecting the best left ventricular lead placement for positive response on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). However, pacing transmural scar should be avoided, and the purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of echocardiographic radial strain to predict the presence of scar in the left ventricle segments. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 404 left ventricular segments were analysed, from 34 patients eligible for CRT. Pre-operative cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and echocardiography were performed, and maximal strain values from echocardiography speckle tracking were compared with CMR data. Hypokinesia and strain values showed a strong correlation (P < 0.001). Even though segments with CMR-verified scar had lower strain values than segments without scar (14.8 ± 7 vs. 16.0 ± 10), the predictive value of the proposed 9.8% cut-off was low (sensitivity 33% and specificity 72%). Scar burden was higher in ischaemic patients (13.5 vs. 5.3% P = 0.0001). Relative difference in strain values (target segment strain compared with the average strain value of the adjacent segments) was higher if there was transmural scar in the target segment as compared with a hypokinetic but viable target segment (87 vs. 38% difference, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Speckle tracking radial strain should ideally be complemented by CMR for accurate assessment of viability, especially for patients with ischaemic aetiology of heart failure where transmural scar is more common. Comparison of strain values with the adjacent segments may be helpful for assessing viability.

Low atrial fibrillatory rate is associated with spontaneous conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

AIMS: Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) is considered a non-invasive index of atrial remodelling. Low AFR has been associated with favourable outcome of interventions in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). However, AFR has never been studied in unselected patients with short duration of AF, prone to regain sinus rhythm (SR) spontaneously. The aim of the study was to assess if AFR can predict spontaneous conversion in patients with recent-onset AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Files of consecutive patients with AF < 48 h seeking emergency room care during a 12-month period were screened (n = 225). Patients with thyroid illness, acute ischaemic heart disease (IHD) or acute congestive heart failure, significant valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, history of cardiac surgery or catheter ablation, or on class I/III antiarrhythmics were excluded. Atrial fibrillatory rate was obtained by QRST cancellation and time frequency analysis of electrocardiogram at admission. The study population comprised 148 patients (age 64 ± 13 years, 52 men), of whom 48 converted to SR within 18 h. Those converting spontaneously comprised more women, had a higher prevalence of first-ever AF episode, IHD, and a lower AFR. The multivariate analysis revealed: AFR < 350 fibrillations per minute [odds ratio (OR) 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-10.5, P = 0.016], IHD (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.5-22.4, P = 0.012) and first-ever AF episode (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.3-13.0, P = 0.015) as independent predictors of spontaneous conversion. CONCLUSION: A low AFR was predictive of spontaneous conversion in patients with recent-onset AF. Along with first-ever AF episode and IHD, AFR can be used in assessing likelihood of spontaneous conversion, if proven in prospective studies.

Manual correction of semi-automatic three-dimensional echocardiography is needed for right ventricular assessment in adults; validation with cardiac magnetic resonance.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and semi-automatic right ventricular delineation has been proposed as an appropriate method for right ventricle (RV) evaluation. We aimed to examine how manual correction of semi-automatic delineation influences the accuracy of 3DE for RV volumes and function in a clinical adult setting using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as the reference method. We also examined the feasibility of RV visualization with 3DE. METHODS: 62 non-selected patients were examined with 3DE (Sonos 7500 and iE33) and with CMR (1.5T). Endocardial RV contours of 3DE-images were semi-automatically assessed and manually corrected in all patients. End-diastolic (EDV), end-systolic (ESV) volumes, stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF) were computed. RESULTS: 53 patients (85%) had 3DE-images feasible for examination. Correlation coefficients and Bland Altman biases between 3DE with manual correction and CMR were r = 0.78, -22 ± 27 mL for EDV, r = 0.83, -7 ± 16 mL for ESV, r = 0.60, -12 ± 18 mL for SV and r = 0.60, -2 ± 8% for EF (p < 0.001 for all r-values). Without manual correction r-values were 0.77, 0.77, 0.70 and 0.49 for EDV, ESV, SV and EF, respectively (p < 0.001 for all r-values) and biases were larger for EDV, SV and EF (-32 ± 26 mL, -21 ± 15 mL and - 6 ± 9%, p ≤ 0.01 for all) compared to manual correction. CONCLUSION: Manual correction of the 3DE semi-automatic RV delineation decreases the bias and is needed for acceptable clinical accuracy. 3DE is highly feasible for visualizing the RV in an adult clinical setting.

Impact of bridging with left ventricular assist device on right ventricular function following heart transplantation.

AIMS: Patients awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) can be bridged utilizing a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) that reduces left ventricular filling pressures, decreases pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and maintains adequate cardiac output. This study set out to examine the poorly investigated area of if and how pre-treatment with LVAD impacts right ventricular (RV) function following OHT. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively evaluated 59 (LVAD n = 20) consecutive OHT patients. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in conjunction with right heart catheterization (RHC) at 1, 6, and 12 months after OHT. RV function TTE-parameters included tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), systolic tissue velocity (S'), fractional area change, two-dimensional RV global longitudinal strain and longitudinal strain from the RV lateral wall (RVfree). At 1 month after OHT, the LVAD group had significantly better longitudinal RV function than the non-LVAD group: TAPSE (15 ± 3 mm vs. 12 ± 2 mm, P < 0.001), RV global longitudinal strain (-19.8 ± 2.1% vs. -14.3 ± 2.8%, P < 0.001), and RVfree (-19.8 ± 2.3% vs. -14.1 ± 2.9%, P < 0.001). At this time point, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was also lower [1.2 ± 0.4 Wood Units (WU) vs. 1.6 ± 0.6 WU, P < 0.05] in the LVAD group compared with the non-LVAD group. At 6 and 12 months, no difference was detected in any of the TTE and RHC measured parameters between the two groups. Between 1 and 12 months, all parameters of RV function improved significantly in the non-LVAD group but remained unaltered in the LVAD group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that pre-treatment with LVAD decreases PVR and is associated with significantly better RV function early following OHT. During the first year following transplantation, RV function progressively improved in the non-LVAD group such that at 6 and 12 months, no difference in RV function was detected between the groups.

Echocardiographic assessment of chamber size and ventricular function during the first year after heart transplantation.

AIMS: Detecting changes in ventricular function after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is important but interpretation of findings is complicated by lack of data on early graft adaptation. We sought to evaluate echocardiographic measures of ventricular size and function the first year following OHT including speckle tracking derived strain. We also aimed to compare echocardiographic findings to haemodynamic parameters obtained by right heart catheterization (RHC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty OHT patients were examined prospectively with TTE and RHC at 1, 6, and 12 months after OHT. Left ventricle (LV) was assessed with fractional shortening, ejection fraction and systolic tissue velocities. Right ventricular (RV) evaluation included tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), systolic tissue velocity (S´) and fractional area change (FAC). LV global longitudinal and circumferential strain and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and RV lateral wall strain (RVfree) were analysed. No relevant changes occurred in LV echocardiographic parameters, whereas all measures of RV function improved significantly during follow-up. There was an increase in TAPSE (12.4 ± 3.3 mm to 14.4 ± 4.3 mm, p < .01), FAC (36% ± 8% to 41% ± 8%, p < .01), RV GLS (-15.8% ± 4% to -17.8% ± 3.6%, p < .01), and RVfree (-15.5% ± 3.7% to -18.6% ± 3.6%, p < .001). Between 1 and 12 months, pulmonary pressures decreased, whereas pulmonary vascular resistance did not. CONCLUSION: Stable OHT recipients reached steady state regarding LV function 1 month after transplantation. In contrast, RV function displayed gradual improvement the first year following OHT, indicating delayed RV adaptation as compared to the LV. Improved RV function parameters were independent of invasively measured pulmonary pressures.

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Guided by Echocardiography, MRI, and CT Imaging: A Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated if selecting the left ventricular (LV) target segment by echocardiography-derived late mechanical activation, with access to multimodality imaging for scar and venous anatomy, could help to increase responder rates to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). BACKGROUND: LV lead placement is important for clinical outcome, but the optimal strategy for LV lead placement in CRT is still debated. METHODS: This study conducted a prospective, blinded randomized controlled trial on 102 patients with indication for CRT (27% women, 46% with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 63% in New York Heart Association functional class III, 74% with left bundle branch block, and with mean ejection fraction of 23%). Optimal LV lead location was defined as the latest mechanically activated available segment (free of transmural scar), determined by radial strain echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance (n = 70). The primary endpoint was reduction of LV end-systolic volume by ≥15% at 6 months post-implantation. RESULTS: Patients were followed for 47 ± 21 months. Based on imaging, optimal or adjacent lead placement was feasible in 96% of all cases and was obtained in 83% of the intervention group versus 80% of the control group. Fifty-six percent of the patients were LV end-systolic volume responders compared with the control group (55%) (p = 0.96), and 71% improved ≥1 New York Heart Association functional class (74% vs. 67%; p = 0.43). Death or heart failure hospitalization within 2 years occurred in 6% (2% of the intervention group vs. 10% of the control group; p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Radial strain-guided LV lead placement, in combination with multimodality imaging, did not result in increased clinical or echocardiographic response, nor in a significant reduction of death or heart failure hospitalization. (Combining Myocardial Strain and Cardiac CT to Optimize Left Ventricular Lead Placement in CRT Treatment [CRT Clinic]; NCT01426321).

The prevalence of moderate mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing CABG.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) in the contemporary CABG population. We also aimed to correlate the effective regurgitant orifice area (ERO) of any regurgitant mitral valve in patients with coronary artery disease with the semiquantitative integrated scale of IMR. DESIGN: From March 15 through June 15, 2006, 510 consecutive CABG patients in three tertiary centres were included in the study. All patients showing any sign of mitral regurgitation (MR) at the referring hospital underwent a preoperative transthoracic echocardiographic estimation of the degree of MR using the integrated scale (1-4) and ERO. RESULTS: IMR was found in 141 patients (28%). The prevalence of moderate 2+ or worse IMR was 4% (95% CI; 2.5-6.1%) and the ERO corresponding to 2+ IMR or more ranged from 5 to 30 mm(2). Fourteen patients had an ERO between 15-30 mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: According to our study, patients with moderate IMR, defined as an ERO between 15-30 mm(2), account for only 2.7% (95% CI; 1.5-4.7%) of a non-emergency CABG population.

Moderate mitral regurgitation in patients undergoing CABG--the MoMIC trial.

BACKGROUND: The presence of mild to moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) marks a significantly reduced long-term survival and increased hospitalizations due to heart-failure. However, it is common practice in many institutions to refrain from repairing the mitral valve in these patients. There are no available conclusive data to support this practice, and thus there is a need for an adequately powered randomized trial. STUDY DESIGN: The Moderate Mitral Regurgitation In Patients Undergoing CABG (MoMIC) trial is the first international multi-center, large-scale study to clarify whether moderate IMR in CABG patients should be corrected. A total of 550 CABG patients with moderate IMR are to be randomized to treatment of either CABG alone or CABG plus mitral valve correction. The primary end point is a composite end point of mortality and rehospitalization for heart failure at five years. The inclusion and randomization of patients started in February 2008. IMPLICATION: If correction of moderate IMR in CABG patients proves to be the superior strategy, most patients should be treated accordingly.

B-type natriuretic peptide as a predictor of postoperative heart failure after aortic valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been established as a biomarker for heart failure. The objective was to evaluate BNP measured on arrival in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a predictor for heart failure defined as need for inotropic support or IABP beyond 24 hours postoperatively after aortic valve replacement. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: A cardiothoracic surgery unit at a tertiary level hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-one patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two levels of BNP were evaluated: the median (BNP >133 pg/mL) and a cutoff (BNP >82 pg/mL) based on receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to identify predictors of postoperative heart failure. Patients with postoperative heart failure (n = 37) showed a more than 10-fold increase in 30-day mortality (8.1%, 3/37) compared with patients without postoperative heart failure (0.8%, 1/124) (p = 0.038). Elevated postoperative BNP levels were identified as an independent predictor of postoperative heart failure: BNP >82 pg/mL (p = 0.004) and BNP >133 pg/mL (p = 0.013). The area under the ROC curve for BNP as a predictor of postoperative heart failure was 0.69. CONCLUSION: Postoperative heart failure after aortic valve replacement is still a very serious condition with increased early mortality. The results of the present study suggest that an elevated BNP level on arrival in the ICU is an independent predictor of postoperative heart failure after aortic valve replacement. In the authors' opinion, an increased BNP level on arrival in the ICU may support early diagnosis and allow optimal management of heart failure after aortic valve replacement.

Impact of gender on echocardiographic characteristics in heart transplant recipients.

AIMS: Assessment following heart transplantation (HTx) is routinely performed using transthoracic echocardiography. Differences in long-term mortality following HTx related to donor-recipient matching have been reported, but effects of gender on cardiac size and function are not well studied. The aims of this study were to evaluate differences in echocardiographic characteristics of HTx recipients defined by gender. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study prospectively enrolled 123 (n = 34 female) HTx recipients of which 23 recipients was donor-recipient gender mismatched. Patients were examined with 2-dimensional echocardiography using Philips iE33 ultrasound system. Data were analysed across strata based on recipient gender and gender mismatch. Male recipients had larger left ventricular (LV) mass, thicker septal wall (P<0·001) and larger absolute LV volumes (P<0·001). Mean LV ejection fraction (EF) was higher in females (P<0·05), but no differences in conventional parameters of right ventricular (RV) function were found. Ventricular strain was higher in females than in males: LV global longitudinal strain (P<0·01), RV global longitudinal strain (P<0·05) and RV lateral free wall (P<0·05). The male group receiving a female donor heart had comparable EF and strain parameters to the female group receiving a gender-matched heart. CONCLUSION: We found that female recipient gender was associated with smaller chamber size, higher LV EF and better LV and RV longitudinal strain. Gender-mismatched male recipients appeared to exhibit function parameters similar to gender-matched female recipients. Our results indicate that the gender aspect, analogous to current reference guidelines in general population, should be taken into consideration when examining patients post-HTx.

Changes in clot lysis levels of reteplase and streptokinase following continuous wave ultrasound exposure, at ultrasound intensities following attenuation from the skull bone.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound (US) has been used to enhance thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of stroke. Considerable attenuation of US intensity is however noted if US is applied over the temporal bone. The aim of this study was therefore to explore possible changes in the effect of thrombolytic drugs during low-intensity, high-frequency continuous-wave ultrasound (CW-US) exposure. METHODS: Clots were made from fresh venous blood drawn from healthy volunteers. Each clot was made from 1.4 ml blood and left to coagulate for 1 hour in a plastic test-tube. The thrombolytic drugs used were, 3600 IU streptokinase (SK) or 0.25 U reteplase (r-PA), which were mixed in 160 ml 0.9% NaCl solution. Continuous-wave US exposure was applied at a frequency of 1 MHz and intensities ranging from 0.0125 to 1.2 W/cm2. For each thrombolytic drug (n = 2, SK and r-PA) and each intensity (n = 9) interventional clots (US-exposed, n = 6) were submerged in thrombolytic solution and exposed to CW-US while control clots (also submerged in thrombolytic solution, n = 6) were left unexposed to US.To evaluate the effect on clot lysis, the haemoglobin (Hb) released from each clot was measured every 20 min for 1 hour (20, 40 and 60 min). The Hb content (mg) released was estimated by spectrophotometry at 540 nm. The difference in effect on clot lysis was expressed as the difference in the amount of Hb released between pairs of US-exposed clots and control clots. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's signed rank test. RESULTS: Continuous-wave ultrasound significantly decreased the effects of SK at intensities of 0.9 and 1.2 W/cm2 at all times (P < 0.05). Continuous-wave ultrasound significantly increased the effects of r-PA on clot lysis following 20 min exposure at 0.9 W/cm2 and at 1.2 W/cm2, following 40 min exposure at 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and at 1.2 W/cm2, and following 60 min of exposure at 0.05 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and at 1.2 W/cm2 (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increasing intensities of CW-US exposure resulted in increased clot lysis of r-PA-treated blood clots, but decreased clot lysis of SK-treated clots.

Discriminatory ability of right atrial volumes with two- and three-dimensional echocardiography to detect elevated right atrial pressure in pulmonary hypertension.

AIMS: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients have high mortality due to right ventricular failure. Predictors of poor prognostic outcome are increased right atrial volume (RAV) and elevated mean right atrial pressure (mRAP). Our aim was to determine whether RAV measured with 2D echocardiography (2DE) and 3D echocardiography (3DE) can detect elevated mRAP in patients evaluated for PH. METHODS: Of 85 patients prospectively evaluated for PH, 44 patients (63 ± 15 years, 57% female) had 2DE, 3DE and right heart catheterization within 48 h and were in sinus rhythm. Maximum (RAVmax ) and minimum (RAVmin ) volumes were measured with 3DE. 2D maximum RAV and RA area, inferior vena cava diameter and collapsibility were measured. Invasive mRAP > 8 mmHg was predefined as elevated. RESULTS: RAVmax and RAVmin correlated with mRAP (r = 0·40 and r = 0·35, P<0·05, for both), and so did 2DE maximum RAV (r = 0·42, P = 0·005) and RA area (r = 0·40, P = 0·008). Area under the curve (AUC) from receiver-operating characteristics curves was for 3DE 0·77 for RAVmax , 0·74 for RAVmin , from 2DE, 0·76 for maximum RAV and 0·75 for RA area to discriminate elevated mRAP (P<0·01 for all). PH patients had larger 3D RAV compared with controls (P<0·01). IVC diameter correlated with mRAP (r = 0·41, P = 0·007), but collapsibility did not (P = 0·078). AUC was neither significant for IVC diameter nor for collapsibility for predicting mRAP>8 mmHg. The optimal threshold was 57 ml m-2 for RAVmax , 31 ml m-2 for RAVmin and 36 ml m-2 for 2DE RAV. CONCLUSIONS: Enlarged RA measures with 2DE and 3DE have better discriminatory ability compared with IVC measures, to detect elevated mRAP in patients evaluated for PH.

Normal Reference Ranges for Transthoracic Echocardiography Following Heart Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Heart function following heart transplantation (HTx) is influenced by numerous factors. It is typically evaluated using transthoracic echocardiography, but reference values are currently unavailable for this context. The primary aim of the present study was to derive echocardiographic reference values for chamber size and function, including cardiac mechanics, in clinically stable HTx patients. METHODS: The study enrolled 124 healthy HTx patients examined prospectively. Patients underwent comprehensive two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations according to contemporary guidelines. Results were compared with recognized reference values for healthy subjects. RESULTS: Compared with guidelines, larger atrial dimensions were seen in HTx patients. Left ventricular (LV) diastolic volume was smaller, and LV wall thickness was increased. With respect to LV function, both ejection fraction (62 ± 7%, P < .01) and global longitudinal strain (-16.5 ± 3.3%, P < .0001) were lower. All measures of right ventricular (RV) size were greater than reference values (P < .0001), and all measures of RV function were reduced (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion 15 ± 4 mm [P < .0001], RV systolic tissue Doppler velocity 10 ± 6 cm/sec [P < .0001], fractional area change 40 ± 8% [P < .0001], and RV free wall strain -16.9 ± 4.2% [P < .0001]). Ejection fraction and LV global longitudinal strain were significantly lower in patients with previous rejection. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that the distribution of routinely used echocardiographic measures differs between stable HTx patients and healthy subjects. In particular, markedly larger RV and atrial volumes and mild reductions in both LV and RV longitudinal strain were evident. The observed differences could be clinically relevant in the assessment of HTx patients, and specific reference values should be applied in this context.