Association of Apical Longitudinal Rotation with Right Ventricular Performance in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension: Insights into Overestimation of Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend the routine use of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as a simple method for estimating right ventricular (RV) function. However, when ventricular apical longitudinal rotation (apical-LR) occurs in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients, it may result in overestimated TAPSE. METHODS: We studied 105 patients with PH defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mmHg at rest measured by right heart cardiac catheterization. TAPSE was defined as the maximum displacement during systole in the RV-focused apical four-chamber view. RV free-wall longitudinal speckle tracking strain (RV-free) was calculated by averaging 3 regional peak systolic strains. The apical-LR was measured at the peak rotation in the apical region including both left and right ventricle. The eccentricity index (EI) was defined as the ratio of the length of 2 perpendicular minor-axis diameters, one of which bisected and was perpendicular to the interventricular septum, and was obtained at end-systole (EI-sys) and end-diastole (EI-dia). Twenty age-, gender-, and left ventricular ejection fraction-matched normal controls were studied for comparison. RESULTS: The apical-LR in PH patients was significantly lower than that in normal controls (-3.4 ± 2.7° vs. -1.3 ± 1.9°, P = 0.001). Simple linear regression analysis showed that gender, TAPSE, EI-sys, and EI-dia/EI-sys were associated with apical-LR, but RV-free was not. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that gender, EI-dia/EI-sys, and TAPSE were independent determinants of apical-LR. CONCLUSIONS: TAPSE may be overestimated in PH patients with clockwise rotation resulting from left ventricular compression. TAPSE should thus be evaluated carefully in PH patients with marked apical rotation.

Utility of Isovolumic Contraction Peak Velocity for Evaluation of Adult Patient Status after Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure is a well-established treatment for patients with atrial septal defect (ASD), but long-term outcome prognostic factors for adults have not been fully identified yet. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients (age 57 ± 17 years, 59% female), who underwent transcatheter closure of ASD, were the subjects of this study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and midterm after the procedure (6 ± 1 months). Isovolumic contraction peak velocity (IVV) was measured at the lateral site of the tricuspid annulus using spectral tissue Doppler imaging, and ΔIVV was determined as the absolute change at midterm follow-up. Long-term unfavorable outcome events, tracked for 19 ± 9 months, were prespecified as primary end points comprising newly developed atrial fibrillation, cerebral infarction, and heart failure. RESULTS: Symptomatic improvement, defined as an improvement in New York Heart Association functional class by one grade or more at midterm after the procedure, was observed in 24 patients (49%), and the remaining 25 (51%) were classified as not symptomatically improved. ΔIVV was significantly larger for patients with symptomatic improvement than for those without (from 11.5 ± 4.3 cm/s to 14.2 ± 3.7 cm/s vs. from 11.8 ± 4.1 cm/s to 12.5 ± 2.9 cm/s; P = 0.045). An important finding of the multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analysis was that only ΔIVV was independently associated with cardiovascular events (HR: 0.701; 95% CI 0.537-0.916; P = 0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that more patients with enhanced ΔIVV presented with favorable long-term outcome than those with diminished ΔIVV (log-rank P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: IVV, which is a less volume-sensitive parameter, can be useful for comprehensive evaluation of ASD patients referred for transcatheter closure.

Clinical features of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic dysfunction has been identified even in asymptomatic patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). However, its relevant clinical features have not been fully evaluated. METHODS: We studied 144 asymptomatic DM patients without coronary artery disease. Their mean age was 57 ± 15 years, 79 (55%) were female, and mean LVEF was 66 ± 4% (all ≥50%). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was determined as the average peak strain of 18 segments from the three standard apical views, and was expressed as an absolute value. With the pre-defined cutoff for subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in DM patients with preserved LVEF set at GLS < 18%, this dysfunction was detected in 53 patients (37%). RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that type 2 DM, hypertriglyceridemia, overweight/obesity, nephropathy and neuropathy were independently associated with GLS < 18%, with nephropathy being the highest risk factor (OR: 5.26; 95% CI 2.111-13.12, p < 0.001). For sequential logistic regression models, a model based on clinical variables including gender, type 2 DM and DM duration (χ(2) = 24.1) was improved by addition of overweight/obesity and hypertriglyceridemia (χ(2) = 45.6, p < 0.001), and further improved by addition of nephropathy and neuropathy (χ(2) = 70.2, p < 0.001) as variables. Furthermore, albuminuria significantly correlated with GLS (r = -0.51, p < 0.001), and a multivariate regression model showed it to be the factor most closely associated with GLS (ß = -0.33, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic complications, hypertriglyceridemia and overweight/obesity were closely associated with early stage of LV systolic longitudinal myocardial dysfunction in asymptomatic DM patients with preserved LVEF. Our findings can be clinically noticeable for the management of DM patients.

Association of peripheral nerve conduction in diabetic neuropathy with subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Subclinical left ventricular (LV) longitudinal myocardial systolic dysfunction occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and is closely related to DM-related complications. However, the association of diabetic neuropathy (DN) with subclinical LV systolic longitudinal dysfunction in such patients has not been fully clarified. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 112 consecutive DM patients with preserved LVEF (all ≥50%) without coronary artery disease and overt heart failure (aged 59 ± 14 years; 60 women, 52 men). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was determined as the average peak strain of 18 segments from the three standard apical views, and was expressed as an absolute value. DN was diagnosed by experienced diabetologists. Median, ulnar, and sural nerves were subjected to motor and sensory nerve conduction studies. F-wave latency was defined as the minimum F-wave latency after a total of 16 stimulations of the tibial nerve. RESULTS: Forty-one (37%) patients were clinically diagnosed with DN. LV functions of DM patients with and without DN were similar except for GLS being significantly smaller in patients with than in patients without DN (18 ± 2% vs. 20 ± 2%, p < 0.001). It was noteworthy that, of the parameters for the nerve conduction study, only F-wave latency correlated with GLS (r = -0.34, p < 0.001), and also was identified as an independent determinative value of GLS in a multivariate linear regression model (ß = -0.25, p = 0.001) even after adjustment for other closely related GLS factors. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring of F-wave latency may aid early detection of not only DN but also subclinical LV dysfunction. Joint planning of assessment by diabetologists and cardiologists is therefore advisable for better management of DM patients.

Combined baseline strain dyssynchrony index and its acute reduction predicts mid-term left ventricular reverse remodeling and long-term outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that combining assessment of baseline radial strain dyssynchrony index (SDI), that expressed both left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony and residual myocardial contractility, and of acute changes in this index can yield more accurate prediction of mid-term responders and long-term outcome after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Radial SDI for 75 CRT patients was calculated as the average difference between peak and end-systolic speckle tracking strain from 6 segments of the mid-LV short-axis view before and 8 ± 2 days after CRT. Mid-term responder was defined as ≥ 15% decrease in LV end-systolic volume 6 ± 2 months after CRT. Long-term outcome was tracked over 5 years. Baseline radial SDI ≥ 6.5% is considered predictive of responder and favorable outcome, as previously reported. Acute reduction in radial SDI ≥ 1.5% was found to be the best predictor of mid-term responders with CRT. Furthermore, patients with acute reductions in radial SDI ≥1.5% were associated with a significantly more favorable long-term outcome after CRT than those with radial SDI <1.5% (log rank P < 0.001). An important findings were that baseline radial SDI ≥6.5% and acute reductions in radial SDI ≥ 1.5% in 42 patients were associated with the highest event-free survival rate of 92%, whereas, 21 patients corresponding values of <6.5% and <1.5% were associated with low event-free survival rate of 46% (log rank P < 0.001). Combined assessment of baseline radial SDI and its acute reduction after CRT may have clinical implications for predicting responders and thus patients' care.

Efficacy of right ventricular free-wall longitudinal speckle-tracking strain for predicting long-term outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The development of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients is associated with adverse outcome, so that the assessment of RV function has become increasingly important in the management of such patients. The present objective was to test the hypothesis that RV free-wall longitudinal speckle-tracking strain (RV-free), an independent echocardiographic predictor of hemodynamic RV performance, can predict long-term outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-two PH patients were studied. RV-free was calculated by averaging the 3 regional peak systolic strains for the RV free wall. For comparison, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV fractional area change, RV index of myocardial performance, and tissue Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity were also studied. Long-term follow-up was performed for 4 years after adding PH-specific drugs. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified RV-free ≤ 19.4% as the best predictor of cardiovascular events with 90% sensitivity, 69% specificity, and area under the curve of 0.819 (P=0.0001). Furthermore, the Kaplan-Meier curve indicated that patients with RV-free >19.4% experienced fewer cardiovascular events than those with RV-free ≤ 19.4% (log-rank P=0.0008). Importantly, the co-occurrence of RV-free ≤ 19.4% and TAPSE <16 mm was associated with the highest frequency of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: RV-free may serve as a non-invasive predictor of cardiovascular events for PH patients. Combining RV-free with TAPSE may be more effective for predicting long-term cardiovascular events.

Impact of left ventricular afterload on longitudinal dyssynchrony in patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and preserved ejection fraction (EF) have dyssynchrony and whether it improves after aortic valve replacement (AVR). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 30 consecutive patients with severe AS and preserved EF undergoing AVR. For baseline comparison, we studied 17 EF-matched patients with mild-to-moderate AS, and 18 EF-matched normal volunteers. Longitudinal dyssynchrony was determined as the standard deviation for time-to-peak speckle-tracking strain in apical 4- and 2-chamber views at the basal- and mid-levels. Radial and circumferential dyssynchrony was determined as the difference for time-to-peak strain between the anteroseptum and posterior wall from the mid-left ventricular (LV) short-axis view. Each of the myocardial functions was also evaluated by averaging each peak systolic strain. Longitudinal dyssynchrony and function in patients with severe AS was significantly worse than in the patients with mild-to-moderate AS and the controls (94 ± 46 vs. 66 ± 18 ms* and 52 ± 17 ms*, and 12.5 ± 3.7% vs. 16 ± 3.5%* and 18.7 ± 3.7%*, respectively, *P<0.05, vs. severe AS). In contrast, radial and circumferential dyssynchrony were similar for the 3 groups. Importantly, the dyssynchrony of patients with severe AS significantly improved after AVR from 94 ± 46 ms to 68 ± 22 ms (P<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Significant longitudinal dyssynchrony was present in patients with severe AS and preserved EF, and it improved after AVR.

Tissue Doppler imaging-derived myocardial acceleration during isovolumetric contraction predicts pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging-obtained isovolumetric myocardial acceleration (IVA) is load independent, reportedly predicts systolic functions, and correlates with exercise capacity in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF). We hypothesized that IVA correlates with the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in patients with reduced EF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 113 patients, correlations between PCWP and IVA were done for all patients, 48 patients with EF ≥55%, and 65 patients with EF <55%. Results were compared to the correlation between PCWP and other echocardiographic predictors. IVA correlated moderately with PCWP in all patients (r=0.54, P<0.0001) and was comparable to the E/A and E/e' ratios. In patients with EF ≥55%, IVA lost correlation and the only predictor was the E/e' ratio (r=0.08, 0.58, P=0.58, <0.0001). In patients with EF <55%, IVA was better than E/A and E/e' (r=0.72, 0.61, 0.51, P<0.0001), especially for atrial fibrillation or when E/e' fell between 8 and 15. Furthermore, IVA >1.60 m/s(2) can predict PCWP ≥15 mmHg, with a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 73%, and an area under the curve of 0.867 (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: IVA can predict PCWP in patients with reduced EF, and can be considered an alternative to the E/e' ratio for patients with atrial fibrillation or E/e' ratio between 8 and 15.

Effect of left ventricular dyssynchrony on cardiac sympathetic activity in heart failure patients with wide QRS duration.

BACKGROUND: Dyssynchrony has various detrimental effects on cardiac function, but its effect on cardiac sympathetic activity is not fully understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 50 heart failure patients who underwent cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Cardiac sympathetic activity was assessed by (123)I-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) scintigraphy as the delayed heart-to-mediastinum ratio (H/M ratio). Echocardiography was performed before and 7 months after CRT, and response was defined as a ≥15% decrease in end-systolic volume. Dyssynchrony was determined by the time difference between the anteroseptal-to-posterior wall using speckle-tracking radial strain (≥130 ms predefined as significant). H/M ratio in patients with dyssynchrony was less than that in patients without dyssynchrony (1.62 ± 0.31 vs. 1.82 ± 0.36, P<0.05), even though ejection fraction was not significantly different (24 ± 6% vs. 25 ± 7%). Patients with dyssynchrony and H/M ratio ≥1.6 had a higher frequency of response to CRT (94%) and favorable long-term outcome over 3.0 years. In contrast, patients without dyssynchrony and H/M ratio <1.6 were more likely to show a lower frequency of response to CRT (0%) and unfavorable long-term outcome after CRT. CONCLUSIONS: Dyssynchrony is associated with cardiac sympathetic activity, and (123)I-MIBG scintigraphy may be valuable for predicting the response to CRT.

Efficacy of longitudinal speckle tracking strain in conjunction with isometric handgrip stress test for detection of ischemic myocardial segments.

BACKGROUND: Isometric handgrip stress test is a simple method for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the value of this method alone is limited by relatively low sensitivity. This study thus aimed to investigate the usefulness of two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain combined with handgrip for CAD patients. METHOD: We studied 35 patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Longitudinal (L-ɛ) and transverse peak systolic (T-ɛ) strains were measured from three standard apical views before and 1 month after PCI. Segments corresponded to perfusion territories of coronary arteries were divided into two groups based on coronary angiography results: stenotic (S) and nonstenotic (NS) segment. RESULTS: L-ɛ in S segments increased significantly after PCI, from -15.8% to -17.6% (P < 0.01), but not in NS segments. Moreover, L-ɛ in S segments increased significantly during handgrip before PCI, from -15.8% to -17.6% (P < 0.01), but decreased after PCI, from -17.6% to -16.7% (P = 0.02). In contrast, L-ɛ in NS segments decreased significantly during the isometric handgrip stress test before and after PCI (P < 0.05). Especially noteworthy is that a relative change in L-ɛ of >1.2% during handgrip before PCI could detect significant coronary stenosis with a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 66%, and area under the curve of 0.77 (P < 0.001). On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in either T-ɛ segments during handgrip either before or after PCI. CONCLUSION: Longitudinal speckle-tracking strain combined with handgrip may constitute a valuable tool for detection of ischemic myocardial segments and prediction of improvement of regional contraction after revascularization.

Regional heterogeneity of systolic dysfunction is associated with ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and narrow QRS complex.

BACKGROUND: Regional heterogeneity of left ventricular (LV) contraction, known as dyssynergy, in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) patients has been previously reported, but no comprehensive analysis of this abnormality has been made. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that regional heterogeneity of systolic dysfunction is associated with LV dyssynchrony in IDC patients with a narrow QRS complex using novel three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking strain. METHODS: We studied 54 consecutive IDC patients with ejection fraction (EF) of 34 ± 12% and QRS duration of 102 ± 13 msec (all <120 msec), and 30 age-matched normal controls. The 3D speckle-tracking LV dyssynchrony (LV dyssynchrony index) was quantified from all 16 LV sites to determine the standard deviation (SD) of time-to-peak strain. Similarly, regional heterogeneity of LV systolic function (LV dyssynergy index) was quantified from all 16 LV sites to establish the SD of peak 3D speckle-tracking strain. RESULTS: The LV dyssynergy and dyssynchrony indices of IDC patients were significantly larger than those of normal controls. Furthermore, IDC patients showed significantly higher Z-scores for septum and inferior regions than for the free wall (3.34 ± 1.21 vs. 1.69 ± 1.06 and 2.79 ± 1.30 vs. 1.69 ± 1.06, respectively, P < 0.001). An important findings of multivariable analysis was that the LV dyssynergy index (ß = 0.69, P < 0.001) and LVEF (ß = -0.34, P = 0.001) were independent determinants of the LV dyssynchrony index. CONCLUSION: 3D speckle-tracking strain revealed that the myocardial systolic dysfunction of IDC patients with a narrow QRS complex has a marked heterogeneous regional distribution. This regional heterogeneity as well as systolic dysfunction is thought to lead to LV dyssynchrony.

Comparison of mitral valve area by pressure half-time and proximal isovelocity surface area method in patients with mitral stenosis: effect of net atrioventricular compliance.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that, unlike calculation of the mitral valve area (MVA) with the pressure half-time method (PHT), the proximal isovelocity surface area method (PISA) is not affected by changes in net atrioventricular compliance (C(n)). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 51 patients with mitral stenosis (MS) from two centres. MVA was assessed with the PISA (MVA(PISA)), PHT (MVA(PHT)), and planimetry (MVA(PLN), serving as the gold standard) method. C(n) was calculated with a previously validated equation using 2D echocardiography. MVA(PISA) closely correlated with MVA(PLN) (r = 0.96, P < 0.0001), while MVA(PHT) and MVA(PLN) showed a weaker but still good correlation (r = 0.69, P < 0.0001). The correlation between MVA(PHT) and MVA(PLN) for patients with C(n) between 4 and 6 mL/mmHg (considered to be normal) was excellent (r = 0.93, P < 0.0001), but that for patients with C(n) of less than 4 or more than 6 mL/mmHg was not as good (r = 0.64, P < 0.0001). Importantly, a significant inverse correlation was detected between the percentage difference among MVA(PHT), MVA(PLN), and C(n) (r = -0.77, P < 0.0001), but the line of fit was nearly flat for the percentage difference among MVA(PISA), MVA(PLN), and C(n) (r = 0.1, P = 0.388). CONCLUSION: MVA calculated with both the PISA and PHT methods correlated well with MVA calculated with the planimetry method. However, the PISA rather than PHT is recommended for patients with MS and extreme C(n) values because PISA, unlike PHT, is not affected by changes in C(n).

Strain dyssynchrony index determined by three-dimensional speckle area tracking can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported strain dyssynchrony index assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking strain, and a marker of both dyssynchrony and residual myocardial contractility, can predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). A newly developed three-dimensional (3-D) speckle tracking system can quantify endocardial area change ratio (area strain), which coupled with the factors of both longitudinal and circumferential strain, from all 16 standard left ventricular (LV) segments using complete 3-D pyramidal datasets. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that strain dyssynchrony index using area tracking (ASDI) can quantify dyssynchrony and predict response to CRT. METHODS: We studied 14 heart failure patients with ejection fraction of 27 ± 7% (all≤35%) and QRS duration of 172 ± 30 ms (all≥120 ms) who underwent CRT. Echocardiography was performed before and 6-month after CRT. ASDI was calculated as the average difference between peak and end-systolic area strain of LV endocardium obtained from 3-D speckle tracking imaging using 16 segments. Conventional dyssynchrony measures were assessed by interventricular mechanical delay, Yu Index, and two-dimensional radial dyssynchrony by speckle-tracking strain. Response was defined as a ≥15% decrease in LV end-systolic volume 6-month after CRT. RESULTS: ASDI ≥ 3.8% was the best predictor of response to CRT with a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 100% and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 (p < 0.001). Two-dimensional radial dyssynchrony determined by speckle-tracking strain was also predictive of response to CRT with an AUC of 0.82 (p < 0.005). Interestingly, ASDI ≥ 3.8% was associated with the highest incidence of echocardiographic improvement after CRT with a response rate of 100% (7/7), and baseline ASDI correlated with reduction of LV end-systolic volume following CRT (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ASDI can predict responders and LV reverse remodeling following CRT. This novel index using the 3-D speckle tracking system, which shows circumferential and longitudinal LV dyssynchrony and residual endocardial contractility, may thus have clinical significance for CRT patients.

Exercise-induced left bundle branch block and subsequent mechanical left ventricular dyssynchrony--resolved with pharmacological therapy.

A 53-year-old man with depressed ejection fraction (EF) of 35% and QRS width of 88 ms at rest was admitted to our institution with a complaint of exertional chest discomfort and dyspnea. During treadmill exercise, left bundle-branch block (LBBB) with a QRS width of 152 ms occurred at a heart rate of 100 bpm. During LBBB, the patient showed significant mechanical dyssynchrony as evidenced by a two-dimensional speckle tracking radial strain of 260 ms (≥ 130 ms), defined as the time difference between anterior-septum and posterior wall. Five-month after carvedilol and candesartan administration, EF had improved to 49% and LBBB did not occur until a heart rate of 126 bpm was attained during treadmill exercise. It appears that pharmacological therapy may be useful for patients with heart failure and exercise-induced LBBB.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with cancer of unknown origin complicated with thrombus in the left auricular appendage: case report.

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of right lateroabdominal pain. He was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer, and then developed multiple brain embolic infarctions 7 days after admission. Transesophageal echocardiography showed that mobile, echo-dense masses were attached to the anterior and posterior mitral valve leaflet. Furthermore, there was a thrombus in the left auricular appendage despite sinus rhythm. These findings led to a diagnosis of suspected infectious endocarditis with subsequent multiple brain infarctions. The patient's general condition worsened and he died 13 days after admission. An autopsy was performed, and, while poorly differentiated cancer was observed in multiple organs, no primary tumor could be identified. Histological analysis showed that the masses of the mitral valve consisted mainly of fibrin without bacteria or oncocytes. This patient was therefore diagnosed with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis associated with cancer of unknown origin complicated with thrombus in the left auricular appendage.

Comparative long-term outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy in right ventricular paced patients versus native wide left bundle branch block patients.

BACKGROUND: The current guidelines do not clearly state when we should upgrade a patient with right ventricular pacing (RVP) to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), although the deleterious effect of chronic RVP has been established with recent trials. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare the long-term survival after CRT in patients upgraded from RVP with that in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) with QRS duration ≥ 150 ms and to compare the mechanical properties associated with CRT response in these groups. METHODS: Overall, 135 patients with implanted CRT from a single center (85 (63%) with native wide LBBB and 50 (37%) with RVP) were studied prospectively. Baseline left ventricular typical contraction pattern was determined using speckle tracking echocardiography in the apical 4-chamber view. The predefined end point was death, heart transplantation, or left ventricular assist device implantation over a period of 4 years. RESULTS: Patients with RVP had a significantly favorable long-term outcomes with adjusted hazard ratio of 0.36 (95% confidence interval 0.14-0.96; P = .04). Both groups had ~70% of patients with typical contraction pattern. The absence of typical contraction pattern was associated with a higher risk of an end point with adjusted hazard ratio of 5.43 (95% confidence interval 2.31-12.72; P < .001). In patients with typical contraction pattern, activation of the apical septal segment occurred more frequently in the RVP group and of the base or mid septal segments in the LBBB group. CONCLUSION: Patients with HF upgraded from RVP have more favorable long-term outcomes after CRT than do native LBBB patients with QRS duration ≥ 150 ms. Contraction pattern assessment can be used to identify potential responders in the RVP group.

The Prognostic Utility of a Simplified Biventricular Echocardiographic Index of Cardiac Remodeling in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) remodeling has been associated with outcomes in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, the additive prognostic significance of RV remodeling and left ventricular (LV) morphology in PH is unclear. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the ratio of RV end-diastolic area to LV end-diastolic area is a biventricular index predictive of outcome in patients with PH. METHODS: In total, 139 patients with precapillary PH (mean age, 55 ± 15 years; 75% women) and 22 control subjects (mean age, 40 ± 17 years; 73% women) were studied. The apical four-chamber view was used to measure the RV-to-LV end-diastolic area ratio as an index of biventricular cardiac remodeling. RV free wall and global strain were measured using speckle-tracking echocardiography. The study design was prospective, with all-cause mortality over 5 years predefined as the outcome event. RESULTS: Patients with PH had significantly larger RV to LV end-diastolic area ratios than normal subjects, as expected (1.06 vs 0.67, P < .0001). There were 72 deaths over 5 years. Using a cutoff value of 0.93, patients with RV-to-LV ratios ≥ 0.93 had significantly higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio,1.84; 95% CI, 1.14-2.96; P = .019). RV global strain was also significantly associated with survival using a cutoff of ≥-15% (hazard ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.03-2.67; P = .044). In a multivariate analysis, only age and biventricular index were independent predictors of survival among other clinical and echocardiographic features. CONCLUSIONS: The RV-to-LV end-diastolic area ratio is a simplified biventricular echocardiographic index of cardiac remodeling that is predictive of long-term survival in patients with PH.

Significant prognostic impact of improvement in ventriculo-arterial coupling induced by dobutamine stress on cardiovascular outcome for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the changes in ventriculo-arterial (VA) coupling during dobutamine stress on the cardiovascular events for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: For this study, 89 DCM patients with ejection fractions of 32 ± 10% and 30 normal controls were recruited. Ees was estimated with the non-invasive single-beat method using three-dimensional echocardiography at rest and during dobutamine stress (20 µg/kg/min). Effective arterial elastance (Ea) was calculated as left ventricular (LV) end-systolic pressure divided by stroke volume, and VA coupling was calculated as Ea/Ees. Event-free survival was then tracked for 32 months. At baseline, VA coupling was far from optimal in patients with DCM compared with controls (Ea/Ees: 2.49 ± 1.02 vs. 1.04 ± 0.21, P < 0.001). During the follow-up period, 22 patients developed adverse cardiovascular events. During dobutamine stress, VA coupling was significantly improved in patients without cardiovascular events (from 2.47 ± 1.09 to 1.59 ± 0.68, P < 0.001), but remained unchanged in those with cardiovascular events. A multivariate Cox proportional-hazards analysis revealed that age, NYHA functional class (>II), and the change in VA coupling during dobutamine stress were the independent determinants of cardiovascular events (P < 0.05, <0.01, and <0.001, respectively). When patients were divided into two subgroups based on the finding of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, patients with good VA coupling reserve (cut-off: change in VA coupling> 0.29) showed significantly favourable event-free survival than those with poor VA coupling reserve (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in VA coupling during dobutamine stress is an important determinant of cardiovascular outcome for patients with DCM.