2016 Left ventricular diastolic function guideline have better prognostic value than 2009 guideline in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Brazil and worldwide. In the context of diastolic dysfunction, echocardiography is the best non-invasive diagnostic method. However, the comparison of the two main guidelines for evaluate left ventricular diastolic function in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is scarce. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prognostic value of both guidelines of American Society of Echocardiography, from 2009 and 2016, in patients with ACS. METHODS: This is a sub-analysis of a prospective cohort observational study with 109 patients admitted to the emergency with ACS. The follow up was performed within 1 year and combined outcome was cardiovascular death or new heart failure. We used the non-parametric Spearman method to assess the correlation between the categories of diastolic function according to the guideline used. The Cox model and the Log rank test with Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare the prognostic value of categorizing patients according to the guideline used. The results were expressed as hazard ratio with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The mean age was 63 years ± 11, most male patients (73.4%) and the predominant color of patients was white (60.4%). Among the main risk factors, the most frequent for coronary artery disease was dyslipidemia (78%), followed by systemic arterial hypertension (77.1%) and sedentary lifestyle (65.9%). The study identified a mean borderline ejection fraction, a high E/E' ratio, and LV diastolic and systolic volumes presented means above normal. The most common electrocardiographic change on admission was T-wave inversion (45%), and NSTEMI was the main clinical diagnosis (74%). The categories in which there was a greater disagreement between the guidelines were grade II diastolic dysfunction and normal function. The correlation between the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction when compared to the use of the 2009 and 2016 guidelines was weak (R = 0.56 by Spearman's method; p<0.001). By the Kaplan-Meier curves, dividing the groups into with or without LA pressure elevation, the distinction between the evolution of the two groups is significant when performed by the 2016 guideline (Log Rank = 8.17; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The current guideline (2016) for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction showed a higher prognostic value of combined outcome of cardiovascular death or new heart failure within one year, when compared to the guideline of 2009 in patients.

Left atrial minimum volume is better correlate of left atrial dysfunction by two-dimensional strain

BACKGROUND: The analysis of left atrial (LA) function can add important information to the understanding of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, to assess its functioning the use of volumetric measurements is adopted. The maximum LA volume is the most echocardiography parameter used, however, some studies demonstrated that minimum LA volume is better to correlate with atrial dysfunction. Purpose: The purpose of this study was compare the accuracy of the phasic volumes of the left atrium in determining LA dysfunction identified by the two-dimensional strain. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study admitted 109 participants with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome non-ST-segment elevation. The exams were performed within 72 hours of admission. LA volume was defined by the mean of measurements performed in the four and two-chamber apical windows using Simpson's method. The phasic volumes of the left atrium were measured using an electrocardiogram synchronized with the device. Reservoir LA strain less than 21% was the cut off to LA dysfunction. RESULTS: The phasic LA volume variables analyzed were maximal (LAVMAX), minimal (LAVMIN) and before atrial contraction (LAVBAC) volume, and each variable indexed for body surface (LAVIMAX, LAVIMIN and LAVIBAC). Therefore, a Roc curve was generated for each volume variable to assess which would be more accurate in predicting left atrial dysfunction. The Youden index was used to determine the cutoff point for each one of them. The areas under the Roc curves were: 0.83 (LAVIMIN), 0.81 (LAVMIN), 0.78 (LAVBAC), 0.76 (LAVIMAX), 0.74 (LAVIBAC) and 0.71 (LAVMAX). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that phasic volumes were good determinants of left atrial dysfunction identified by 2D strain. The minimum left atrial volume was the better correlated with left atrial dysfunction.

Left atrial minimum volume is better correlate of left atrial dysfunction by two-dimensional strain

BACKGROUND: The analysis of left atrial (LA) function can add important information to the understanding of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, to assess its functioning the use of volumetric measurements is adopted. The maximum LA volume is the most echocardiography parameter used, however some studies demonstrated that minimum LA volume is better to correlate with atrial dysfunction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was compare the accuracy of the phasic volumes of the left atrium in determining LA dysfunction identified by the two-dimensional strain. METHODS: This observational, cross-sectional study admitted 109 participants with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome non-ST-segment elevation. The exams were performed within 72 hours of admission. LA volume was defined by the mean of measurements performed in the four and two-chamber apical windows using Simpson's method. The phasic volumes of the left atrium were measured using an electrocardiogram synchronized with the device. Reservoir LA strain less than 21% was the cut off to LA dysfunction. RESULTS: The phasic LA volume variables analyzed were maximal (LAVMAX), minimal (LAVMIN) and before atrial contraction (LAVBAC) volume, and each variable indexed for body surface (LAVIMAX, LAVIMIN and LAVIBAC). Therefore, a Roc curve was generated for each volume variable to assess which would be more accurate in predicting left atrial dysfunction. The Youden index was used to determine the cutoff point for each one of them. The areas under the Roc curves were: 0.83 (LAVIMIN), 0.81 (LAVMIN), 0.78 (LAVBAC), 0.76 (LAVIMAX), 0.74 (LAVIBAC) and 0.71 (LAVMAX). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that phasic volumes were good determinants of left atrial dysfunction identified by 2D strain. The minimum left atrial volume was the better correlate with left atrial dysfunction.

Association between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic function is an important prognostic marker in acute coronary syndrome. However, classification of the dysfunction grade using isolated echocardiographic parameters remains difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to combine multiple data in diagnostic algorithms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of left atrial strain (LAS) components to classify left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) grade. METHODS: Cross-sectional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Patients were divided according to the diastolic dysfunction grade for later association with the LAS. RESULTS: The three LAS components showed moderate correlation with most diastolic variables(left atrial volume index, E/e' ratio and e' wave). In addition, there was related reduction of the LAS, which was inversely proportional to the DD grade (p < 0.05). LAS was effective for the identification of patients with DD grade III [area under the curve (AUC) for the reservoir = 0.99; conduit AUC = 0.89; contraction AUC = 0.99) and also those with DD grade II or III (reservoir AUC = 0.94; conduit AUC = 0.92; contraction AUC = 0.80]. CONCLUSIONS: LAS alone presented excellent capacity to classify DD in patients with acute coronary syndrome and may represent an additional tool for this purpose. (AU)

Comportamento hemodinâmico e da função cardíaca de recém-nascidos com encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica submetidos a hipotermia terapêutica, avaliados pelas técnicas ecocardiográficas convencionais e avançadas / Hemodynamic behavior and cardiac function of newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy undergoing therapeutic hypothermia, evaluated by conventional and advanced echocardiographic techniques

INTRODUÇÃO: a encefalopatia hipóxico-isquêmica (EHI) corresponde a uma das maiores causas de morbidade e mortalidade neonatal. Ocorre em consequência à asfixia perinatal aguda, representada por baixo escore de Apgar e evidências de distúrbios neurológicos ao nascimento. A hipotermia terapêutica (HT) tem mostrado benefícios relevantes no prognóstico neurológico a longo prazo. Os efeitos da HT no sistema cardiovascular são pouco estudados, suscitando questionamentos quanto a adequada interpretação dos achados ecocardiográficos nesta condição terapêutica. OBJETIVO: avaliar o comportamento hemodinâmico e da função cardíaca de recém-nascidos (RN) com EHI submetidos a HT, utilizando-se técnicas ecocardiográficas convencionais e avançadas. MÉTODO: trata-se de um estudo observacional prospectivo desenvolvido em três instituições que avaliou 22 RN com EHI nas duas fases da HT (durante a hipotermia e após o reaquecimento) e 22 RN saudáveis. Os bebês foram submetidos a HT seguindo critérios do protocolo de hipotermia de cada um dos serviços. RESULTADOS: houve redução da frequência cardíaca durante a hipotermia (p < 0,001) com significativa elevação após o reaquecimento (p < 0,001). Os valores do débito cardíaco direito e esquerdo foram maiores após a fase de reaquecimento (p = 0,005 e p < 0,001 respectivamente). A pressão sistólica da artéria pulmonar estava mais elevada nas duas fases da HT (p = 0,02 e p = 0,01). As frações de ejeção e encurtamento ficaram estáveis durante a HT, porém foram maiores após o reaquecimento comparados ao grupo controle (p = 0,003 e p = 0,002 respectivamente). Não se observou diferença no comportamento do strain longitudinal global, circunferencial e radial, twist e torção do ventrículo esquerdo durante o processo terapêutico. Observou-se aumento da velocidade da onda s´ do ventrículo direito (VD) após o reaquecimento comparado ao período de hipotermia e ao grupo controle (p < 0,001 para ambos). Houve queda da variação fracional das áreas do VD após o reaquecimento em relação ao grupo controle (p = 0,03). O strain longitudinal global do ventrículo direito (STLGVD) foi pior no grupo estudo. CONCLUSÃO: a função ventricular esquerda permanece estável nas duas fases da HT, demonstrando o baixo comprometimento cardíaco esquerdo do resfriamento induzido. Disfunção ventricular direita foi observada nos momentos em que a pressão pulmonar estava elevada. O STLGLVD foi a única ferramenta capaz de identificar comprometimento da função sistólica durante a HT. (AU)

Association between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular diastolic function is an important prognostic marker in acute coronary syndrome. However, classifcation of the dysfunction grade using isolated echocardiographic parameters remains difcult. Therefore, it is necessary to combine multiple data in diagnostic algorithms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of left atrial strain (LAS) components to classify left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) grade. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with 109 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome. Patients were referred for echocardiographic evaluation within 72 h. Mean values of LAS, corresponding to three phases of atrial function (reservoir, conduit and contraction), were obtained by speckle-tracking echocardiography. Patients were divided according to the diastolic dysfunction grade for later association with the LAS. RESULTS: The three LAS components showed moderate correlation with most diastolic variables (left atrial volume index, E/e' ratio and e' wave). In addition, there was related reduction of the LAS, which was inversely proportional to the DD grade (p< 0.05). LAS was efective for the identifcation of patients with DD grade III [area under the curve (AUC) for the reservoir=0.99; conduit AUC=0.89; contraction AUC=0.99) and also those with DD grade II or III (reservoir AUC=0.94; conduit AUC=0.92; contraction AUC=0.80]. CONCLUSIONS: LAS alone presented excellent capacity to classify DD in patients with acute coronary syndrome and may represent an additional tool for this purpose.

Prospective comparison between three TAVR devices: ACURATE neo vs. CoreValve vs. SAPIEN XT. A single heart team experience in patients with severe aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the new transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device ACURATE neo (ACT) with the already established CoreValve (MCV) and SAPIEN XT (SXT) for the treatment of severe aortic stenosis (AS). BACKGROUND: Very few data on TAVR devices are available beyond MCV and SAPIEN and there is no previous study comparing ACT with MCV and SXT. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral TAVR for the treatment of severe AS. Clinical outcomes were reported following Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 (VARC-2) criteria.RESULTS:A total of 162 patients (ACT n = 49, MCV n = 56, SXT n = 57), were included. MCV group had higher valve embolization/migration rates (ACT none; MCV 9%; SXT 2%; P = 0.034) causing lower device success rates (ACT 98%; MCV 86%; SXT 95%; P = 0.043). At 30 days, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (P = 0.22), cardiovascular mortality (P = 0.20), periprocedural myocardial infarction (P = 0.40), stroke (P = 0.64), major vascular complications (P = 0.48), life-threatening bleeding (P = 0.29), acute kidney injury stage 2/3 (P = 0.69), or VARC-2 composite early safety endpoints (P = 0.21). MCV group had higher rates of new permanent pacemaker implantation (ACT 6%; MCV 25%; SXT 11%; P = 0.013). Follow-up echocardiography showed no significant difference in aortic valve mean pressure gradient (P = 0.73) or moderate/severe aortic regurgitation (P = 0.19) between groups...

Serial assessment of arterial structure and function in patients with coarctation of the aorta undergoing stenting

Stenting for CoA has become an acceptable treatment modality in the last 20 years. However little is known about arterial changes after this procedure. To assess arterial structure and function including peripheral reactivity and stiffness and intima-media thickness (IMT) pre and post stenting for coarctation of the aorta (CoA). Twenty-one patients [median age: 15 years (8-39)] were studied at baseline, 1 day, 6 months and 1 year after stenting. Twenty-one healthy subjects (1:1 matched) were used as controls. Left ventricular (LV) mass, ejection fraction, flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) of left brachial artery, common carotid (CC) and right subclavian artery (RSCA) IMT and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were assessed by echocardiography and vascular ultrasound. CoA patients had higher LV indexed mass (p < 0.0001), impaired FMD (p < 0.0001) and NMD (p < 0.0001), increased PWV (p < 0.0001), carotid and RSCA IMT (both p < 0.0001). All procedures were successful and resulted in significant gradient reduction (p < 0.001). One year after stenting there was improvement in LV function (p = 0.034) and although there was significant reduction of LV mass (103.29 ± 24.77 vs...

Early Improvement in Left Atrial Remodeling and / Function after Mitral Valve Repair or Replacement in / Organic Symptomatic Mitral Regurgitation Assessed / by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Left atrial (LA) dilation is associated with worse prognosis in various clinical situationsincluding chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). Real time three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) hasallowed a better assessment of LA volumes and function. Little is known about LA size and function inearly postoperative period in symptomatic patients with chronic organic MR. We aimed to investigatethese aspects. Methods: By means of 3DE, 43 patients with symptomatic chronic organic MR were prospectivelystudied before and 30 days after surgery (repair or bioprosthetic valve replacement). Twentysubjects were studied as controls. Maximum (Vol-max), minimum, and preatrial contraction LA volumeswere measured and total, passive, and active LA emptying fractions were calculated. Results: Before surgerypatients had higher LA volumes (P < 0.001) but smaller LA emptying fractions than controls(P < 0.01). After surgery there was a reduction in all 3 LA volumes and an increase in active atrial emptyingfraction (AAEF). Multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors of early postoperativeVol-max reduction were preoperative diastolic blood pressure (coefficient = 0.004; P = 0.02), lateralmitral annular early diastolic velocity (e0) (coefficient = 0.023; P = 0.008), and the mean transmitral diastolicgradient increment (coefficient = 0.035; P < 0.001). Furthermore, e0 was also independentlyassociated with AAEF increase (odds ratio = 1.66, P = 0.027). Conclusion: Early LA reverse remodelingand functional improvement occur after successful surgery of symptomatic organic MR regardless ofsurgical technique. Diastolic blood pressure and transmitral mean gradient augmentation are variablesnegatively related to Vol-max reduction. Besides, e0 is positively correlated with both Vol-max reductionand AAEF increase.

Early improvement in left atrial remodeling and function after mitral valve repair or replacement in organic symptomatic mitral regurgitation assessedby three dimensional echocardiography

Left atrial (LA) dilation is associated with worse prognosis in various clinical situationsincluding chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). Real time three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) hasallowed a better assessment of LA volumes and function. Little is known about LA size and function inearly postoperative period in symptomatic patients with chronic organic MR. We aimed to investigatethese aspects. Methods: By means of 3DE, 43 patients with symptomatic chronic organic MR were prospectivelystudied before and 30 days after surgery (repair or bioprosthetic valve replacement). Twentysubjects were studied as controls. Maximum (Vol-max), minimum, and preatrial contraction LA volumeswere measured and total, passive, and active LA emptying fractions were calculated. Results: Before surgerypatients had higher LA volumes (P < 0.001) but smaller LA emptying fractions than controls(P < 0.01). After surgery there was a reduction in all 3 LA volumes and an increase in active atrial emptyingfraction (AAEF). Multivariate analysis showed that independent predictors of early postoperativeVol-max reduction were preoperative diastolic blood pressure (coefficient = 0.004; P = 0.02), lateralmitral annular early diastolic velocity (e0) (coefficient = 0.023; P = 0.008), and the mean transmitral diastolicgradient increment (coefficient = 0.035; P < 0.001). Furthermore, e0 was also independentlyassociated with AAEF increase (odds ratio = 1.66, P = 0.027). Conclusion: Early LA reverse remodelingand functional improvement occur after successful surgery of symptomatic organic MR regardless ofsurgical technique. Diastolic blood pressure and transmitral mean gradient augmentation are variablesnegatively related to Vol-max reduction. Besides, e0 is positively correlated with both Vol-max reductionand AAEF increase.

Hipotensão arterial durante a ecocardiografia de estresse com dobutamina: implicação clínica e diagnóstica / Hypotension during dobutamine stress echocardiography: clinical and diagnostic implications

Introdução: A ecocardiografia de estresse com Dobutamina (ECO estresse) é um método acurado para detectar a presença de coronariopatia. Para alguns pacientes o teste é interrompido pela presença de hipotensão sistólica (HS) ou diastólica (HD) cuja etiologia e significado clínico são controversos e é pobre a literatura sobre a hiopotensão diastólica. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência, magnetude e implicação clínica da hipotensão sistólica (HS) e diastólica(HD) durante a ecocardiografia de estresse com Dobutamina. Método: Em 3223 pacientes (p) submetidos ao ECO estresse observou-se a presença de HS e/ou HD durante o teste em 977p/3223p (30,3 por cento). Resultados: Ocorreu HS em 312p/977p (31,9 por cento), sendo lenta (queda gradual em dois ou mais estágios >-10mmHg em 88p/312p (28,2 por cento) e brusca(queda acentuada em um estágio >- 20mmHg)...

Estimation of Right Ventricular Mass by Two-dimensional Echocardiography

Background: This report describes two original echocardiographic approaches to measure right ventricular (RV) mass (RVM).Methods: In the bullet formula (5/24 D1 D2 L), where D1 and D2 are short axes and L the log axis, the RVM is obtained by subtracting the cavity volume from the RV total volume and subsequently multiplying the difference by myocardium density. The second method uses 3 endocardium segments measured at: (1) short axis plane of the aortic valve and left atrium (b1); (2) short axis plane at the midpoint between the tricuspid valve annulus and the apex (b2); and (3) 4-chamber view (h). Thosesegment lengths are applying in the formula A [(b1 b2)/2] h. The result is multiplied by the wallthickness and by myocardium density. Results: Both formulas were primarily tested in 30 mongrel dogs and have shown good correlation with the true mass (r 0.869 with the segments formula and r 0.819 with the bullet formula). The same method was used in 20 human patients before heart transplant with similar results (r 0.810 with the segments formula and r 0.836 with the bulletformula).Conclusions: The RVM can be satisfactorily estimated by 2-dimensional echocardiography. The linear regression between the calculated mass (using the smoothest and thinner myocardium thickness) and the actual mass may provide the correction factor for the RVM calculation.Two echocardiographic methods were used to measure right ventricular mass. One of them used a bullet formula variant (5/24 D1 D2 L). The second method used 3 endocardium segments measured in 3 2-dimensional echocardiographic planes (short axis of aortic valve and left ventricle, and 4-chamber view), and applied in the formula A [(b1 b2)/2] h. Both formulas have shown good correlation with the true mass in 30 mongrel dogs (r 0.869 with the segments formula and r 0.819 with thebullet formula) and in 20 human patients before heart transplant (r 0.810 and r 0.836, respectively).