From Tear to Fear: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Patients With Acute Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background Acute type A aortic dissection presents with abrupt onset of pain that requires emergency surgery. However, minimal research exists on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in survivors. We aimed to quantify the prevalence and describe characteristics of PTSD in patients following dissection. Methods and Results A total of 295 adult survivors of surgical dissection with an email on file were administered a cross-sectional online survey about their dissection experience; 137 returned questionnaires, and 129 (94%) responded to the 4-item Primary Care PTSD portion of the survey that was part of a larger lifestyle survey designed to study survivors of aortic dissection and surgery. In addition to the PTSD screening, it inquired about current sexual activity, exercise habits, and employment within the preceding 30 days. At a median of 6.8 years (quartile 1=2.6, quartile 3=8.9 years) after dissection, 23% of patients (30/129) screened positive for PTSD, with 44% (57/129) stating that within the past month they felt constantly on guard or watchful or were easily startled. Of those who screened positive and matched to their electronic medical record (n=27), only 2 (7.4%) had been tested and clinically diagnosed with PTSD. Patients who screened positive for PTSD were more likely to report limited current sexual activity than those who did not (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.9-15 [P=0.0006]). Conclusions PTSD is an important mental health consideration in aortic dissection survivors. Physicians should screen these patients for PTSD at follow-up visits to identify those who test positive and refer them for further testing and treatment, such as trauma-focused psychotherapy or medication.

Teamwork using strain imaging in the echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular systolic function: A cardiac magnetic resonance imaging correlation study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether conventional echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular (RV) systolic function can be improved by the addition of RV strain imaging. Additionally, we also aimed to investigate whether dedicated reading sessions and education can improve echocardiographic interpretation of RV systolic function. METHODS: Readers of varying expertise (staff echocardiologists, advanced cardiovascular imaging fellows, sonographers) assessed RV systolic function. In session 1, 20 readers graded RV function of 19 cases, using conventional measures. After dedicated education, in session 2, the same cases were reassessed, with the addition of RV strains. In session 3, 18 readers graded RV function of 20 additional cases, incorporating RV strains. Computer simulations were performed to obtain 230 random teams. RV ejection fraction (RVEF) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was the reference standard. RESULTS: Correlation between RV GLS and CMR-derived RVEF was moderate: Spearman's rho: 0.70, n = 19, P < 0.001 (first two sessions); 0.55, n = 20, P < 0.05 (third session). Individual readers' assessment moderately correlated with RVEF (Spearman's rho first session: 0.67 ± 0.2; second session: 0.61 ± 0.2; and third session: 0.68 ± 0.09). Team estimates of RV systolic function showed consistently better correlation with RVEF, which were improved further by averaging across all readers. RV strain parameters influenced echocardiographic interpretation, with a net reclassification index of 8.0 ± 3.6% (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The RV strain parameters showed moderate correlations with CMR-derived RVEF and appropriately influenced echocardiographic interpretation of RV systolic function. "Wisdom of the crowd" applied by averaging echocardiographic assessments of RV systolic function across teams of echocardiography readers, further improved echocardiographic assessment of RV systolic function.

Disparity in spatial distribution of pericardial calcifications in constrictive pericarditis.

Background: Pericardial calcification is seen among patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP). However, the pattern of pericardial calcium distribution and the association with clinical outcomes and imaging data are not well described. Methods: This was a retrospective study from 2007 to 2013 to evaluate the pattern of pericardial calcium distribution by CT in CP using a semiquantitative calcium scoring system to calculate total pericardial calcium burden and distribution. Calcium localisation was allocated to 20 regions named after the corresponding heart structure. Baseline clinical data, imaging data and clinical outcomes were collected and compared between the calcified pericardium and non-calcified pericardium groups. We assessed the effect of pericardial calcium on clinical outcomes and echocardiographic data between the two groups. Results: Of the 123 consecutive patients with CP (93 male; mean age 61±13 years) between 2007 and 2013, 49 had calcified pericardium and 74 had non-calcified pericardium. Distribution of calcium on the left ventricle (LV) basal anterior, mid-anterior and apical segments in addition to right ventricle (RV) apical segment was involved in <30% of the cases with the remaining segments involved in >35% of cases. A potential protective role of RV calcium on regional myocardial mechanics was noted. Conclusion: Preferential distribution of calcium in CP in a partial band-like pattern (from basal anterolateral LV going inferiorly and then encircling the heart to reach the RV outflow tract) with extension into the mitral and tricuspid annuli was noted. Pericardial calcium was not significantly associated to clinical outcomes.

Impact of abnormal longitudinal rotation on the assessment of right ventricular systolic function in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function plays an important role in patients with cardiopulmonary disease, and current guidelines recommend parameters including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular systolic excursion velocity (RVS') to assess RV longitudinal function. We assessed the hypothesis that the previously undescribed motion of RV longitudinal rotation (RVLR) is an independent predictor of both TAPSE and RVS'. METHODS: We assessed a series of 100 consecutive patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) undergoing echocardiography. Patients with left ventricular (LV) dilation and dysfunction were excluded. Standard RV parameters were determined using established guidelines, while RVLR and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) measurements were performed using 2-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking technique. RESULTS: Mean peak RVLR measured -4.2±3.7 degrees. By convention, negative values implied clockwise motion. In a multiple linear regression model, TAPSE could be predicted from a combination of RVLR and RVGLS (R=0.56, P<0.001). A similar relationship was found for RVS' which could also be predicted from a combination of RVLR and RVGLS (R=0.52, P<0.001). While no association was found between RVLR and RV size, estimated RV systolic pressure (RVSP) or the presence of a pericardial effusion, a mild correlation was noted between RVLR and QRS duration (R=0.25, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RVLR is an independent predictor of TAPSE and RVS'. Awareness of this motion should be considered in the interpretation of TAPSE and RVS' values as markers of RV systolic function, as abnormal RVLR may account for exaggerated values, particularly in patients with PH and RV dysfunction.

When does asymptomatic aortic stenosis warrant surgery? Assessment techniques.

Asymptomatic but hemodynamically severe aortic stenosis often poses a dilemma: should the aortic valve be replaced, or is watchful waiting acceptable? Patients with this condition are a diverse group with varying prognoses. Here, we review the guidelines for valve replacement in this situation and highlight the variables useful in establishing which patients should be considered for early intervention even if they have no symptoms.

Quantitative assessment of mitral regurgitation: how best to do it.

Decisions regarding surgery for mitral regurgitation (MR) are predicated on the accurate quantification of MR severity. Quantitative parameters, including vena contracta width, regurgitant volume and fraction, and effective regurgitant orifice area have prognostic significance and are recommended to be obtained from patients with more than mild MR. New tools for MR quantification have been provided by 3-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, and cardiac computed tomography, but limited guidance on appropriate image acquisition and post-processing techniques has hindered their clinical application and reproducibility. This review describes optimal image acquisition and post-processing methods for quantification of MR.

Quantitative assessment of mitral regurgitation: validation of new methods.

Accurate assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity is important for clinical decision making, prognostication, and decisions regarding timing of surgical intervention. The most common method for noninvasive assessment of MR has been with 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, which is often used as a qualitative tool. Several newer noninvasive modalities including 3-dimensional echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and cardiac computed tomography have also become available for this purpose; however, their role in routine clinical practice is not clearly defined. In this review, we provide an overview of these newer modalities for quantitative assessment of MR severity.