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OBJECTIVES@#Early detection of asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction is essential to prevent the development of heart failure in hypertensive patients. Current studies suggest that left atrial strain contributes to the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function, but there are fewer studies on the correlation between left atrial strain and diastolic function in hypertensive patients. In this study, we applied a two-dimensional speckle tracking technique to evaluate the changes in left atrial strain in hypertensive patients, and to investigate the relationship between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function.@*METHODS@#A total of 82 hypertensive patients who were visited the Department of Cardiology at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from July 2021 to January 2022, were enrolled for this study, and 59 healthy subjects served as a control group. According to the number of left ventricular diastolic function indexes recommended by the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography Diastolic Function Guidelines (mitral annular e´ velocity: Septal e´<7 cm/s, lateral e´<10 cm/s, E/e´ ratio>14, left atrial volume index>34 mL/m2, peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity>2.8 m/s), the hypertensive patients were divided into 3 groups: Group Ⅰ (0 index, n=36 ), Group Ⅱ (1 index, n=39), and Group Ⅲ (2 indexes, n=7). Two-dimensional speckle tracking technique was used to measure left atrial reservoir strain (LASr), conduit strain, and contraction strain, and to analyze the correlation between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients.@*RESULTS@#The LASr, left atrial conduit strain (LAScd), and LASr/(E/septal e´) of the hypertension group were lower than those of the control group, and E/LASr was higher than that of the control group. There was no significant difference in left atrium volume index between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Compared with Group Ⅰ, LASr, LAScd, and LASr/(E/septal e´) were decreased in Group Ⅱ and Group Ⅲ, LASr/(E/septal e´) was also decreased in Group Ⅲ compared with Group Ⅱ (all P<0.05). Compared with Group Ⅰ, E/LASr was increased in Group Ⅲ. LASr was positively correlated with septal e´, lateral e´, E, and E/A, and negatively correlated with E/septal e´.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The changes of left atrial function in patients with early hypertension are earlier than those of left atrial structure. Left atrial strain and its combination with conventional ultrasonographic indices [LASr/(E/septal e´)] of diastolic function are potentially useful in assessing left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients.
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Humans , Atrial Fibrillation , Atrial Appendage , Heart Atria/diagnostic imaging , Hypertension/complications , DiastoleABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the fetal heart shape and function in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) by fetal heart quantitative analysis (fetal HQ).Methods:A total of 52 fetuses with TOF diagnosed by fetal echocardiography and 200 normal fetuses matched with their gestational weeks from March 2020 to March 2022 at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University were retrospectively evaluated. The basic parameters of fetal cardiac blood vessels in the two groups were measured by fetal HQ technology and conventional M-mode ultrasound technology: aortic valve diameter(AV), pulmonary artery valve diameter(PV), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPA) and Z-score. The overall morphometric measurements including end-diastolic length diameter, transverse diameter, area, and global spherical index (GSI) of the fetal heart in the 4-chamber view(4CV), area and length of the right and left ventricles and their ratios. Measurements of left and right ventricular function included ejection fraction (EF), fraction area change rate (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), and left and right ventricular end-diastolic diameter (ED), spherical index (SI), and fractional shortening rate (FS) of 24-segments. The differences of above parameters between TOF group and control group were compared. In addition, the relationships between the absolute value of left and right ventricular GLS of TOF fetus and PV/AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score were analyzed. The optimal critical values of GSI, left ventricular EF and left ventricular FAC of TOF fetus were determined by ROC curve, and their corresponding sensitivity and specificity were obtained.Results:Compared with control group, there were significant differences in 4CV end-diastolic length, area, GSI, left ventricular area, left ventricular length, left ventricular EF, left ventricular FAC and left ventricular GLS in TOF group (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in ED between left ventricular 15-24 segments and right ventricular 1-21 segments (all P<0.05). There were significant differences in SI between left ventricular 1-16 segments, 21-24 segments and all segments of right ventricle (all P<0.05). The differences in FS were statistically significant (all P<0.05) when comparing all segments of the left ventricle and 1-2 segments of the right ventricular, and the remaining parameters were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The left ventricular GLS absolute value of TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PV/AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score( rs=0.338, 0.441 and 0.458, all P<0.05), the right ventricular GLS absolute value of TOF fetuses was positively correlated with PV AV, PV Z-score and MPA Z-score( rs=0.418, 0.368 and 0.338, all P<0.05). The optimal critical values of GSI, left ventricular EF, and left ventricular FAC in the diagnosis of fetal TOF were 1.19, 59.05%, and 44.4%, respectively. At this time, the sensitivities of diagnosis of TOF were 0.78, 0.75, and 0.80, respectively. The specificities were 0.88, 0.88 and 0.83, respectively. The areas under ROC curve were 0.89, 0.88 and 0.89, respectively. Conclusions:Fetal HQ technology can provide a simple and reliable quantitative evaluation of fetal heart shape and function, and provide certain theoretical parameters for the study of fetal heart shape and function.
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Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of postsystolic shortening (PSS) and early systolic lengthening (ESL) on myocardial microvascular dysfunction in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:A total of 83 patients with STEMI who received emergency PCI in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. All patiets underwent two-dimensional echocardiography and myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) within 7 days after PCI. The patients were divided into global normal perfusion group and poor perfusion group according to global myocardial perfusion score index (MPSI). Left ventricular myocardium was divided into left anterior descending branch (LAD), left circumflex branch (LCx) and right coronary artery (RCA) regions, which were divided into regional normal perfusion group and poor perfusion group based on whether there were segments with microvascular dysfunction. Left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured by modified biplane Simpson method. Tomtec software was used to obtain conventional echocardiographic parameters, global longitudinal strain (GLS), as well as PSS and ESL parameters including postsystolic index (PSI), duration of postsystolic shortening (PSSduration), early systolic index (ESI) and duration of early systolic lengthening (ESLduration). Differences of parameters of global normal and poor perfusion groups, as well as regional normal and poor perfusion groups were compared. ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of PSS and ESL parameters and GLS in myocardial regions with microvascular dysfunction.Results:Significant differences were observed in LVEF, LVESV, GLS, PSI, ESI and PSSduration between global poor perfusion group and global normal perfusion group (all P<0.05). Compared with regional normal perfusion group, PSI, ESI and ESLduration of LAD and LCx regions, as well as PSI of RCA region in regional poor perfusion group were increased (all P<0.05). For GLS in different myocardial regions, LAD-GLS was the only parameter that decreased in regional poor perfusion group compared to regional normal perfusion group ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed LAD-PSI, LAD-GLS, LCx-PSI, LCx-ESLduration and RCA-PSI were valuable parameters for diagnosis of myocardial microvascular dysfunction in different regions, among which LAD-PSI had the highest area under curve (AUC=0.809). Conclusions:PSS and ESL parameters are helpful for early diagnosis of myocardial microvascular dysfunction in STEMI patients after PCI, and can provide regional myocardial perfusion information according to the blood supply of different coronary arteries.
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Objective:To assess the left ventricular(LV) structure and systolic function in amateur marathon runners using real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography(3D-STE) and analyze its correlation with the running volume.Methods:A total of 84 amateur marathon runners were recruited between January 2019 and October 2021 in Hangzhou and were divided into short-term (ST) group(≤6 months) and more extended-term(MET) group(>6 months–2 years) based on their time of participating in the marathon. Thirty-nine healthy volunteers were enrolled from the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University during the same period as a control group. The running volume of ST and MET runners were recorded, LV end-diastolic volume(EDV), end-systolic volume(ESV), LV mass(LVM), LV ejection fraction(LVEF), LV global longitudinal strain(GLS), global circumferential strain(GCS), global radial strain(GRS), global area strain (GAS), twist, and torsion were measured by conventional echocardiography and 3D-STE. The differences of those parameters among the three groups were compared. The correlation between 3D-STE parameters and the running volume was further analyzed.Results:In ST amateur marathon runners, LV EDV was higher compared with controls( P<0.05). Compared with ST and control groups, LV EDV, ESV, and LVM of MET runners were increased(all P<0.05). In addition, compared with control group, GLS of MET runners was increased( P<0.05). The LVEF, GCS, GRS, GAS, twist, and torsion showed no statistically significant differences among the three groups(all P>0.05). In amateur marathon runners LV EDV, ESV, LVM had statistically significant positive correlations with an average weekly running volume and total running volume (all P<0.01). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the total running volume was an independent correlation factor in LV EDV of amateur marathon runners (β=0.618, P<0.01). Conclusions:Amateur marathon runners participating in a short term marathon mainly show an increase in LV EDV, the longitudinal systolic function of the LV can be enhanced in the early stage of the marathon.
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Objective:To assess the prognostic potential of post systolic shortening (PSS) on cardiac injury in the breast cancer patients after chemotherapy.Methods:This was a prospective cohort study in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy who were followed up to observe the risk of cardiac injury. A total of 69 female patients with HER-2 negative breast cancer were selected in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February to August 2019. The post-systolic strain index (PSI) of each segment of left ventricular myocardium after chemotherapy was obtained by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. PSI (%) was defined as follows: [(peak strain in cardiac cycle-peak strain in systole)/peak strain in cardiac cycle]×100%. PSS was regarded as meaningful if PSI >20%. End point was cardiac injury, which could be manifested as cardiotoxicity, cardiogenic death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, and severe arrhythmias. Occurence of any above mentioned cardiac injuries was considered as end point event. According to the number of myocardial walls with PSS, the patients were divided into three groups: group A (no walls), group B (1 wall), and group C (≥2 walls). Additionally, the patients were also stratified according to tertiles of PSI: layer A (the first tertile), layer B (the second tertile), and layer C (the third tertile).Results:During a median follow-up of 18 months (Q 1=17 months, Q 3=18 months), 17 patients (24.64%) were diagnosed as having end point events. The risk of end point increased with the increase in the number of myocardial walls with PSS and the increase in PSI stratification.After adjusting for age, hypertension, systolic blood pressure, global longitudinal strain, and E peak of mitral early diastolic inflow velocity/average peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity e′ (E/e′), the association remained significant, (Per 1 increase in number of walls with PSS, hazard ratio, 1.96, P=0.007. Per 1% increase in PSI, hazard ratio, 1.44, P<0.001). In terms of predictive ability, the Harrell′s C index of PSS and of PSI was 0.70 and 0.73, respectively, both P<0.01, which indicated moderate accuracy. Conclusions:The presence of PSS in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy can provide independent prognostic information for the future occurrence of cardiac injury.
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Objective:To evaluate the cardiac function and systolic dyssynchrony of fetuses exposed to maternal autoimmune antibodies (anti-SSA/Ro60, anti-SSA/Ro52 and anti-SSB/La) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI).Methods:A total of 52 pregnant women with singleton pregnancy in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from July 2018 to November 2020 were selected. Eighteen fetuses of mothers with autoimmune antibodies were enrolled as autoimmune disease (AD) group and 34 fetuses of healthy mothers without antibodies were included as control group. Maternal baseline characteristics, fetoplacental Doppler parameters, and conventional echocardiographic data of two groups were prospectively collected. The systolic global and regional longitudinal strain of left and right ventricles (LV and RV) and the time to peak strain of regional myocardium were measured using 2D-STI. The differences in time to peak strain between the LV free wall and RV free wall (two-chamber dyssynchrony, 2C-DYS) and between the septum and LV free wall (one-chamber dyssynchrony, 1C-DYS) were also calculated.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in conventional systolic and diastolic functional parameters for the LV and RV(all P>0.05). The myocardial deformation parameters and 2C-DYS obtained by 2D-STI showed no statistical differences between two groups(all P>0.05). However, 1C-DYS was significantly more prolonged in the AD group than control group[28.50(13.50, 39.25)ms vs 19.50(8.00, 29.25)ms, P=0.042]. Conclusions:LV systolic mechanical dyssynchrony in fetuses of mothers with autoimmune antibodies suggests in-utero subclinical damage of the cardiac conduction system.
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Objective:To investigate the value of routine echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluating the left ventricular function of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prenatal and postpartum.Methods:Twenty-two patients with clinically confirmed GDM in Xiamen Zhongshan Hospital from October 2019 to December 2020 were chosed as the case group, and 22 healthy pregnant women were chosed as the control group. Routine echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography were performed in the third trimester and about 3 months postpartum. Routine echocardiographic parameters and longitudinal strain (LS), circumfirential strain (CS) were obtained. The correlation between global longitudinal strain(GLS) and other cardiac function parameters was analyzed. The relationship between clinical parameters of pregnant women and GLS was analyzed by multiple linear regression.Results:In comparison with the control group, the interventricular septal diameter at disatole, left ventricular posterior wall diameter at diastole, Tei index were increased, e′ was decreased in GDM group(all P<0.05); the GLS, each layer LS of GDM group were lower than the control group(all P<0.05), the GLS, each layer LS and torsion parameters were improved at 3 months postpartum(all P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between GLS and Tei( r=-0.224, P=0.036). GLS and HbA 1c was linearly correlated with the regression equation: GLS=-27.458+ 1.534×HbA 1c( R2=0.115). Conclusions:The left heart function of pregnant women with GDM in the third trimester are significantly impaired, but the cardiac function recovers to a certain extent about 3 months after delivery. Two-dimentional speckle-tracking echocardiography is a more accurate and sensitive technique to evaluate the early damage of cardiac function in pregnant women with GDM.
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Objective:To evaluate the left ventricular myocardial strain in patients with light chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI), and to explore the clinical value of 3D-STI in predicting the prognosis of AL-CA patients with normal LVEF.Methods:A total of 80 patients with AL-CA and LVEF≥50% were retrospectively analyzed in the Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from October 2014 to May 2020.According to whether the patients had endpoint events, they were divided into endpoint event group and non-endpoint event group. The clinical data, conventional echocardiographic parameters, 3D-STI related parameters and follow-up results were collected. Cox regression proportional hazards model was used to analyze the survival status of AL-CA patients with univariate and multivariate regression analyses, in order to find the relevant indicators of conventional echocardiography and 3D-STI to predict adverse events.Results:All patients were followed up for 20(7.3, 40.8) months. At the end of follow-up, 25 patients had all-cause deaths. Compared with the non-endpoint group, the endpoint event group had significantly increased left ventricular end diastolic maximum wall thickness (MLVWT), peak early diastolic flow velocity/peak early diastolic velocity at mitral annulus(E/e′) (all P<0.05), and decreased LVEF, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and basal segment longitudinal strain (LS) (all P<0.05). Multivariate cox regression analysis after adjusting for age and gender showed that basal segment LS ( HR=0.812, 95% CI=0.675-0.976, P=0.026) was an independent predictor of end-point events in patients with AL-CA. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that AL-CA patients with basal segment LS≤13.07% were more likely to have endpoint events. Conclusions:Basal segment LS can be used as a predictor of endpoint events in patients with AL-CA.
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Objective:To evaluate the left ventricular myocardial strain and mechanical synchrony in patients suspected of non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE), and to investigate the value of combined echocadiographic parameters in predication of significant coronary artery stenosis.Methods:A total of 95 patients suspected of NSTE-ACS, definitely planed to run coronary angiography (CAG) within 24-72 hours of admission were recruited in the Department of Cardiology, General Hospital of the Southern Theatre Command, PLA from December 2020 to June 2021. Regular echocardiography exam, 2D-STI and RT-3DE were performed prior to CAG.Global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS), territorial longitudinal peak strain (T RCALPS, T LADLPS, T LCXLPS) were computed by 2D-STI; the maximal difference of time to minimal systolic volume of 16-segments (Tmsv16-Dif), standard deviation of time to minimal systolic volume of 16-segment (Tmsv16-SD) and heart rate adjusted standard deviation of time to minimal systolic volume of 16-segment (Tmsv16-SD/R-R) were obtained by RT-3DE. The patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of coronary stenosis.Significant coronary artery stenosis group was defined as ≥70% of left main or any other main branch luminal narrowing ( n=53), non-significant coronary artery stenosis group was defined as <70% of luminal narrowing ( n=42). The differences of general clinical features, left ventricular strain and mechanical synchronization parameters between the two groups were compared. A binary logistic regression model was established to draw the ROC curve for predicting the severity of coronary stenosis by single and combined ultrasound parameters, and calculate the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results:Compared with non-significant coronary artery stenosis group, GLPS were significantly reduced, while Tmsv16-SD, Tmsv16-Dif and Tmsv16-SD/R-R were significantly increased in sginificant coronary artery stenosis group (all P<0.05). The AUC of GLPS and Tmsv16-SD, Tmsv16-Dif and Tmsv16-SD/R-R for predicting significant coronary stenosis in suspected NSTE-ACS patients were 0.78, 0.69, 0.71 and 0.67, respectively. The result of joint test analysis for the dignosis of NSTE-ACS suspected significant coronary stenosis were as follows: the specificity of tandem test was 90.5%; the sensitivity of parallel test was 83.0%; the sensitivity, specificity and AUC of GLPS-Tmsv16-Dif joint index prediction test were 90.7%, 60.1% and 0.82 (95% CI=0.73-0.89) with 0.508 as Youden index. Conclusions:NSTE-ACS suspected patients with significant coronary stenosis are often accompanied by impaired left ventricular myocardial strain and mechanical dyssynchrony. A simple combination of left ventricular myocardial strain and contractility synchronization improves noninvasive prediction of high-risk coronary artery stenosis in suspected NSTE-ACS, which maybe helpful for screening patients requiring invasive examination.
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OBJECTIVES@#To study the application of three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging in evaluating left ventricular systolic function and its correlation with peripheral arterial elasticity in children with simple obesity.@*METHODS@#Random sampling combined with convenience sampling was used to obtain research samples, and then the samples were divided into an obesity group (23 cases), an overweight group (21 cases), and a normal group (24 cases). Three-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging was used to measure the global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), and global circumferential strain (GCS) of the left ventricle. An automatic arteriosclerosis tester was used to measure ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). These parameters were compared among the three groups. The correlation of three-dimensional speckle-tracking parameters with ABI and baPWV was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences in GLS, GRS, and GCS between the obesity and normal groups (P>0.05). The overweight group had a significantly higher GLS than the normal group [(-24±7) vs (-19±12), P<0.05]. The obesity and overweight groups had a significantly lower ABI than the normal group [(1.00±0.09)/(1.09±0.13) vs (2.25±0.13), P<0.05). The obesity group had a significantly higher baPWV than the normal group [(978±109) vs (905±22), P<0.05]. In the children with obesity, GLS was positively correlated with baPWV (r=0.516, P<0.05) , but not correlated with ABI (P>0.05), and GCS and GRS had no significant correlation with ABI or baPWV (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are varying degrees of changes in left ventricular systolic function and peripheral arterial elasticity in children with simple obesity, and there is a certain correlation between them.
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Child , Humans , Ankle Brachial Index , Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional/methods , Elasticity , Obesity , Overweight , Prospective Studies , Pulse Wave AnalysisABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the application value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) in evaluating diaphragm function, and to compare the ability of 2D-STI and conventional diaphragm ultrasonography in diagnosing diaphragmatic dysfunction and evaluating disease severity in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).Methods:A total of 58 AECOPD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January to October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled as AECOPD group, and 34 healthy subjects were recruited as control group during the same period. Repeatability test of diaphragmatic 2D-STI was performed. According to modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores system and COPD Assessment Test (CAT), mMRC 0-1 and CAT<10 was classified as group A, mMRC≥2 and CAT≥10 was classified as group B. The baseline characteristics, conventional diaphragm ultrasonography parameters(thickening fraction and excursion) and 2D-STI parameters (longitudinal and radial strains) were compared between the AECOPD group and the control group, and the Spearman correlation between parameters of AECOPD group and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was analyzed. The differences of these parameters between group A and B were also compared. The ROC curve of conventional diaphragm ultrasonography parameters and 2D-STI parameters was plotted to differentiate group A from group B, and the diagnostic efficacy was evaluated.Results:Great intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was found for all diaphragmatic 2D-STI parameters, with ICCs above 0.80 for all measurements. The control group and the AECOPD group did not differ in age, sex and body mass index( P>0.05), whereas there were significant differences in smoking history, lung function, bilateral thickening fraction, excursion, longitudinal and radial strains( P<0.05). Compared with control group, patients in group A had a significant increase in diaphragm thickness ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in that between group B and control group ( P>0.05). The bilateral longitudinal strains, radial strains and thickening fraction of diaphragm were linearly correlated with FEV1 (right side rs=0.828, 0.794, 0.843, respectively; all P<0.001; left side rs=0.757, 0.704, 0.752, respectively; all P<0.001 ), while the correlation between excursion and FEV1 was not significant(right side rs=0.247, left side rs=0.253; all P>0.05). There were significant differences in bilateral longitudinal strains, radial strains and thickening fraction between group A and group B(all P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in excursion between the two groups ( P>0.05). ROC analysis showed bilateral longitudinal and radial strains had higher accuracy in distinguishing group A from group B than thickening fraction and excursion(right side AUCs 0.90, 0.84, 0.78 and 0.62, respectively; left side AUCs 0.85, 0.83, 0.77 and 0.62, respectively). Conclusions:2D-STI is a real-time noninvasive technique for diaphragm function assessment, which has high clinical value. Compared with conventional ultrasonography, 2D-STI shows more accuracy and effectiveness in diagnosing diaphragmatic dysfunction and evaluating disease severity of patients with AECOPD.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of preoperative pulmonary hypertension (PH) on right ventricular function in patients with heart transplantation(HTx) one year after surgery.Methods:A total of 120 patients who underwent HTx in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively recruited.According to the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) obtained by preoperative right heart catheterization, the research subjects were divided into the pulmonary hypertension group (PH group, n=81) and without pulmonary hypertension group (NPH group, n=39). Conventional echocardiographic indices of right ventricular function such as right ventricular area change (RV-FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S′), and two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) strain parameters including right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS), right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RV-FWLS) were obtained to assess the right ventricular function of grafted hearts. The echocardiographic parameters one year after the operation of the two groups were analyzed to compare the differences in right ventricular function and their correlation with preoperative mPAP. Results:The grafted heart RV-GLS and RV-FWLS were significantly decreased in the PH group (all P<0.01), while RV-FAC, TAPSE, and S′ were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). RV-FWLS and RV-GLS correlated with preoperative hemodynamic parameter mPAP( rs=-0.46, -0.54; all P<0.05)while RV-FAC, TAPSE, and S′ were not significantly correlated with mPAP (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative PH correlates with right ventricular function in HTx patients 1 year after the operation. The absolute values of RV-FWLS and RV-GLS in HTx patients with preoperative PH decrease 1 year after the operation. 2D-STI is more sensitive than conventional echocardiography to monitor the changes in right ventricular function in HTx patients after the operation.
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Objective:To investigate the value of early diastolic strain rate (e′SR) and peak value of early diastolic velocity (E) to e′SR (E/e′SR) in predicting the severity of coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) and with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods:A selection of 70 patients with CAD without RWMA and with preserved LVEF (>50%) admitted to Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital from October 2020 to March 2021 were collected and divided into two groups according to the Gensini score method: low group with a score<34 and high group with a score≥34. Another 30 healthy volunteers with matching gender and age at the same period were selected as the control group. Cardiac structural parameters left atrium diameter (LAD), left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDd), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVEDs), interventricular septum diastolic diameter (IVST), left atrial volume (LAV), E, peak value of late diastolic velocity (A) of mitral inflow, peak value of early diatolic tissue Doppler velocity of septal and lateral walls of mitral annulus and LVEF were routinely measured. Left atrial volume index (LAVI), mean of peak value of early diatolic tissue Doppler velocity of septal and lateral walls of mitral annulus (e′), E/e′were calculated. Speckle tracking imaging (STI) technique was used to collect systolic left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and e′SR, E/e′SR was calculated. The differences in each parameter among the three groups were compared. The ROC curve was used to obtain the best cut-off values of e′SR and E/e′SR for predicting the severity of coronary lesions in CAD patients, respectively, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were obtained, respectively.Results:Compared with the control group, LAV and LAVI were increased in the high group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control and the low group, e′ was decreased and E/e′ was increased in the high group (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, e′SR and GLS were decreased and E/e′SR were increased in the high and low groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the low group, e′SR and GLS were decreased and E/e′SR was increased in the high group (all P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the maximum area of E/e′SR under the curve was 0.717. When the Youden index was maximum, its best cut-off value was 0.75 m, and corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 60.0% and 85.7%, respectively. The maximum area under the e′SR curve was 0.785. When the Youden index was maximum, its best cut-off value was 1.12 s -1, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 85.7% and 68.6%, respectively. Conclusions:For CAD patients without significant RWMA and with preserved LVEF, left ventricular diastolic and systolic function may be impaired to varying degrees, manifesting as decreased e′SR, increased E/e′SR, decreased GLS. The parameters of diastolic strain rate are a reliable basis for early detection of impaired diastolic function in CAD patients, and have certain clinical significance for predicting the severity of coronary lesions.
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Objective:To evaluate the value of mitral annulus displacement(TMAD) measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging in evaluating left ventricular(LV) systolic function before and after immunoglobulin(IVIG) treatment in children with Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods:Thirty-five hospitalized children with acute KD(KD group) and 40 healthy volunteers(control group)were enrolled from September 2020 to March 2021 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All participants underwent echocardiography.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular short axis shortening(LVFS) were calculated from M-mode echocardiography. All children had their apical four-chamber and two-chamber view recorded and stored in real time, and the images of the KD group were recorded in the acute, subacute and convalescent stages, respectively. The data was analyzed by QLab 13.0 offline quantitative analysis software. The TMAD parameters between the KD group and the control group were compared. And the TMAD parameters at different periods in the KD group were compared. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate associations between TMAD parameters and LVEF and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in children with acute KD.Results:①The parameters of TMAD AP4 MV1, TMAD AP4 MV2, TMAD AP2 MV1, TMAD AP2 MV2, TMAD AP4 Midpt, TMAD AP4 Midpt%, TMAD AP2 Midpt and TMAD AP2 Midpt% were decreased in patients with KD at different periods than those of the control group(all P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in LVEF between the two groups( P>0.05). ②After IVIG treatment, the values of TMAD AP4 MV1, TMAD AP4 MV2, TMAD AP2 MV1, TMAD AP2 MV2, TMAD AP4 Midpt, TMAD AP4 Midpt%, TMAD AP2 Midpt and TMAD AP2 Midpt% in subacute stage of KD were higher than those in acute stage(all P<0.05), the values of TMAD AP4 Midpt% and TMAD AP2 Midpt% in the convalescent stage of KD were higher than those in the subacute stage(all P<0.05). ③The parameters of TMAD were positively correlated with LVEF( r=0.36, 0.40, 0.32, 0.28, 0.42, 0.46, 0.35, 0.37; all P<0.05) and negatively correlated with NT-proBNP( r=-0.61, -0.57, -0.40, -0.60, -0.63, -0.47, -0.61, -0.36; all P<0.05). Conclusions:TMAD measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging can quickly and accurately evaluate left ventricular systolic function in children with KD before and after IVIG treatment, and TMAD combined with NT-proBNP can provide a new method for clinical management of KD.
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Objective:To assess the changes of left ventricular systolic function and global myocardial work in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients by speckle tracking layer-specific strain combined with myocardial work technique and explore the diagnostic value of each parameter for HFpEF.Methods:From December 2019 to December 2020, 38 HFpEF patients (HFpEF group) and 38 healthy individuals with age- and sex-matched (control group) were enrolled consecutively in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University. Conventional ultrasound parameters were collected. Layer-specific strain and myocardial work techniques were used to obtain the global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the left ventricular endocardium, mid-myocardium, and epicardium (GLSendo, GLSmid, GLSepi), global myocardial work index (GWI), global myocardial work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW), and global wasted work (GWW). The absolute difference of GLS(ΔGLS) between endocardium and epicardium were calculate.All parameters were analyzed statistically. ROC curves were plotted to compare the effectiveness of layer-specific strain and myocardial work parameters in predicting left ventricular systolic function impairment in HFpEF patients.Results:①Left atrial diameter, interventricular septum at end-diastole, left ventricular posterior wall at end-diastole, relative wall thickness, left ventricular mass index, and average early diastolic peak velocity (E)/early diastolic tissue velocity (e′) in HFpEF group were significantly higher compared with control subjects, while late diastolic peak velocity (A), E/A, and e′ were significantly lower (all P<0.05); E, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume, fraction shortening, and left ventricular ejection fraction were not different between HFpEF and control groups (all P>0.05). ②The global longitudinal strain of the left ventricule was highest in the endocardium and lowest in the epicardium. ③Compared with control subjects, HFpEF patients demonstrated significantly decreased GLSendo, GLSmid, GLSepi, ΔGLS, GWI, GWE, GCW and increased GWW (all P<0.01). ④The ROC results showed that the area under the curve of ΔGLS and GWE for predicting left ventricular contractile function impairment in HFpEF group, was 0.884 and 0.882, respectively; The cutoff values were -5.8% and 95%; The sensitivity were 84.2% and 71.1%, and the specificity was 84.2% and 89.5%, respectively. ⑤The ROC curve of combining the two technologies showed that the maximum area under the curve of the ΔGLS in tandem with GWE was 0.944, the sensitivity was 81.6%, and the specificity was 97.4%. Conclusions:Both speckle tracking layer-specific strain and myocardial work techniques can sensitively detect left ventricular myocardial function impairment in HFpEF patients at an early stage. ΔGLS and GWE are more reliable indexes for predicting left ventricular systolic function damage in HFpEF patients. Combining the two techniques can improve the diagnostic performance in HFpEF patients.
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Objective:To evaluate the fetal left atrial phasic function in normal pregnancy by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI).Methods:The antenatal examination images of 80 normal singleton fetuses from January 2019 to January 2020 in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The following parameters were acquired from apical or basal four-chamber views at 24 weeks, 32 weeks and 37 weeks: global peak systolic strain and strain rate (S-LAs, SR-LAs), global conduit strain and strain rate (S-LAe, SR-LAe), global contractile strain and strain rate (S-LAa, SR-LAa).Results:The possibilities to identify left atrial phasic strain at 24 weeks, 32 weeks and 37 weeks were 97.5%, 88.8% and 87.5%, respectively. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups( P=0.051). Compared with at 24 weeks, S-LAs was decreased at 32 weeks and 37 weeks(all P<0.05), while S-LAe at 37 weeks was higher than at 24 weeks and 32 weeks(all P<0.05). S-LAa decreased gradually among the 3 groups, and reached the lowest at 37 weeks of gestation( P<0.05). SR-LAs and SR-LAa were lower at 32 weeks and 37 weeks than at 24 weeks(all P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in SR-LAe among the three groups( P=0.076). Conclusions:It is feasible to evaluate the phasic function of fetal left atrium by 2D-STI. Compared with the second trimester, the left atrial reservoir function and pump function of the fetus are decreased in the third trimester, while the ductal function is enhanced in the third trimester. The determination of the changes of normal atrial function with gestational weeks can provide a basis for the evaluation of fetal cardiac maturity and the detection of fetal cardiac dysfunction.
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Objective:To evaluate the influence of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) on left atrial strain by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.Methods:Thirty-five patients, who were admitted for TAVR in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from September 2015 to July 2018, were recruited. Echocardiography was performed 1 day before and 12 months after TAVR. Traditional ultrasound results, including aortic valve area (AVA), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left atrial volume index (LAVI), peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (Vtr), peak velocity of the lateral wall of mitral annulus in early diastolic period (e′) and the ratios of peak mitral orifice velocity in early diastolic period to e′ (E/e′), were recorded. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging derived left atrial strain, which included reservoir (LASr), conduction (LAScd) and contraction (LASct), were recorded as well. The differences between pre-operation and post-operation were analyzed.Results:Compared to pre-operation, aortic valve area was increased ( P<0.001). Left ventricular systolic function was improved significantly (LVEDV and LVESV were decreased, LVEF was increased, all P<0.001). As to the left ventricular diastolic function, although LAVI and Vtr were decreased (both P<0.05), e′ and E/e′ were hardly changed (both P>0.05). Meanwhile, left atrial strain, including LASr, LAScd and LASct, were improved significantly 1 year post-TAVR (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Left atrial strain is able to evaluate the left atrial function of reservoir, conduction and contraction.Left atrial strain can be a promising tool of assessing left atrial function in patients underwent TAVR.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical value of real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in the evaluation of early cardiac function damage in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension.Methods:Sixty-five pregnant women with pregnancy induced hypertension (patient group) and 65 healthy pregnant women (healthy group) who received prenatal examination and delivered between January 2018 and June 2020 in Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine were included in this study. The patient and healthy groups were subjected to routine echocardiography and real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography at 24-36 and 32-34 weeks of gestation. The imaging parameters of routine echocardiography and real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography measured at different periods of gestation were compared between the two groups.Results:At 24-36 weeks of gestation, there were no significant difference in routine echocardiography parameters of the left ventricle between patient and healthy groups ( t = 0.793-1.748; P = 0.129-0.458). Left ventricular diameter (LVD), intra-ventricular septum diastole (IVSD) and left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWD) in the patient group at 32-34 weeks of gestation were (34.97 ± 2.66) mm, (11.96 ± 1.85) mm, (12.07 ± 1.73) mm, respectively, which were significantly greater than those in the healthy group at the same time [(31.56 ± 2.58) mm, (9.17 ± 1.70) mm, (9.23 ± 1.62) mm] and those in the patient group at 24-36 weeks of gestation [(32.36 ± 2.61) mm, (10.15 ± 1.79) mm, (10.19 ± 1.64) mm, t = 5.437, 6.274, 6.319, 3.621, 4.017, 5.241, all P < 0.001]. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the patient group at 32-34 weeks of gestation was (54.36 ± 4.71)%, which was significantly lower than (63.27 ± 5.04)% in the healthy group at the same time and (59.65 ± 4.62) % in the healthy group at 24-36 weeks of gestation ( t = 7.682, 5.483, both P < 0.001). At 24-36 and 32-34 weeks of gestation, the absolute values of real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography parameters left ventricular global longitudinal strain, left ventricular global circumferential strain, left ventricular global radial strain and left ventricular global area strain in the patient group were (23.45 ± 2.58)%, (34.09 ± 3.28)%, (22.03 ± 2.31)%, (34.73 ± 3.58)%, (18.63 ± 2.42)%, (30.74 ± 3.07)%, (19.56 ± 2.28)%, (25.85 ± 3.37)%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the healthy group [(26.27 ± 2.74)%, (37.62 ± 3.61)%, (24.67 ± 2.59)%, (39.41 ± 3.96)%, (26.10 ± 2.81)%, (37.56 ± 3.64)%, (24.82 ± 2.59)%, (40.16 ± 3.96)%, t = 4.415, 5.013, 4.724, 6.253, 10.736, 8.592, 7.627, 14.319, all P < 0.001]. In patient group, the absolute values of left ventricular global longitudinal strain, left ventricular global circumferential strain, left ventricular global radial strain and left ventricular global area strain at 32-34 weeks of gestation were (18.63 ± 2.42)%, (30.74 ± 3.07)%, (19.56 ± 2.28)%, (25.85 ± 3.37)%], respectively, which were significantly lower than those at 24-36 weeks of gestation [(23.45 ± 2.58)%, (34.09 ± 3.28)%, (22.03 ± 2.31)% (34.73 ± 3.58)%, t = 7.529, 4.785, 5.194, 8.413, all P < 0.001]. Conclusion:Real-time three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is advantageous in identifying the damage to cardiac function over routine echocardiography. Findings from this study provides a great clinical guiding value for protecting the cardiac function of patients with pregnancy induced hypertension.
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OBJECTIVES@#The high prevalence and high fatality rate of coronary heart disease seriously endanger the safety of human life. The key to its treatment is to restore the perfusion of the narrowed coronary arteries as soon as possible. Two-dimensional echocardiography is limited for assessment of postoperative myocardial function. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) possess good value in assessing myocardial perfusion and systolic function. We used MCE and 2D-STI to explore the changes of myocardial perfusion and systolic function after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary heart disease, and to evaluate the clinical value of MCE and 2D-STI.@*METHODS@#Twenty patients with coronary heart disease undergoing PCI were selected. MCE was performed before and one day after PCI, and 2D-STI and conventional ultrasound were performed before and a month after PCI. The recovery of left ventricular wall motion was used as a standard to evaluate the ability of MCE semi-quantitative analysis and to predict the recovery of myocardial segment motion.@*RESULTS@#The quantitative value of MCE (signal intensity of contrast medium in plateau phase, slope of curve, and their product) one day after PCI and the contractile function of one month after PCI were significantly improved (all @*CONCLUSIONS@#MCE and 2D-STI can evaluate the improvement of myocardial perfusion and systolic function in patients with coronary heart disease after PCI, and MCE semi-quantitative analysis can effectively predict the ability of ventricular wall recovery.
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Humans , Contrast Media , Coronary Circulation , Coronary Disease/diagnostic imaging , Echocardiography , Myocardial Infarction , Percutaneous Coronary Intervention , Perfusion , Predictive Value of Tests , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES@#To compare the left ventricular systolic function between the 1eft bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and right ventricular septum pacing (RVSP) in patients with pacemaker dependence by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI).@*METHODS@#A total of 65 patients with atrioventricular block (AVB) (Mobitz type II second-degree AVB, high-degree AVB, or third-degree AVB), who underwent permanent cardiac pacing implantation including 32 patients receiving LBBP (LBBP group) and 33 patients receiving RVSP (RVSP group) from June 2018 to June 2019,were enrolled in this study. These patients met the following inclusion criterion: pre-operative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)>50% and ventricular pacing rate>40% at 6-month programming follow-up; and the patients underwent echocardiography at pre-operation and 6 months after operation. The 3D-STI was used to obtain global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), and global area strain (GAS).@*RESULTS@#All the patients in the LBBP group and the RVSP group had normal LVEF, there was no significant difference between the 2 group (@*CONCLUSIONS@#For patients with pacemaker dependence and normal LVEF at pre-operation, the cardiac function in the LBBP group is not significantly better than that in the RVSP group in short term follow-up. But in terms of physiologic pacing and long-term cardiac function protection, the 1eft bundle branch pacing is an optimal pacing mode.