Predischarge Peak Atrial Longitudinal Strain and Plasma N-terminal Pro-hormone Brain Natriuretic Peptide as a Predictor of Short-term Rehospitalization and Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients with Acute Heart Failure.

Context: The postacute heart failure (AHF) rehospitalization rate is attributed to persistent hemodynamic congestion despite clinical improvement. Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), utilizing speckle tracking echocardiography technology, shows potential in post-AHF prognosis. Meanwhile, N-terminal pro-hormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) remains a known biomarker of intracardiac congestion. Aims: This study aimed to determine the relationship between predischarge PALS and NT-proBNP as predictors of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) in patients after AHF hospitalization. Settings and Design: This study is a prospective cohort study, conducted in Prof. Dr. I G.N.G Ngoerah Hospital, Bali, Indonesia. Subjects and Methods: The study included hospitalized AHF patients, collecting demographic data, comorbidities, therapies, and echocardiographic measures before discharge. Predischarge PALS and NT-proBNP were taken within 24 h before discharge. The main outcome was MACE, defined as rehospitalization and cardiovascular mortality within 90 days. Statistical Analysis Used: Comparative statistical analyses was done using independent t-test for continuous variables (Mann-Whitney U test for variables with abnormal distribution) and Chi-squared tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) used in determining optimal threshold values of predischarge PALS and NT-proBNP as a predictor of MACE. Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to gauge event-free survival differences between these cohorts. Then, independent Cox regression was used to identify the predictors of MACE. Results: The study enrolled 67 patients with varying ejection fraction (EF) (16 - heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, 10 - heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and 41 - heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; mean age: 56.88 ± 14.57 years). Over the 90-day follow-up, 21 patients (31.3%) encountered MACE. Both PALS (area under the curve [AUC] 0.816) and NT-proBNP (AUC 0.856) before discharge served as predictors of MACE. There was no significant AUC difference between ROC curves (area difference: 0.039, P = 0.553). The regression model highlighted that PALS and NT-proBNP level before discharge acted as independent predictors of MACE, irrespective of EF, average E/e', or estimated predischarge pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Conclusions: Predischarge PALS is comparable to NT-proBNP levels as independent predictors of short-term MACE after AHF hospitalization.

Assessment of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer women using a new speckle tracking echocardiography index: The GAVS.

BACKGROUND: Recently, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) has emerged as a possible predictor of Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in cancer patients (CP), in addition to left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS). Thus, considering the link between left atrium and left ventricle, the aim of this study was to assess the global atrio-ventricular strain (GAVS) in CP, to detect early cardiotoxicity. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out enrolling 131 breast cancer women (mean age 51.4 ± 10.4 years) receiving anti-cancer treatment. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed at baseline (T0), 3 (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3) after starting treatment. CTRCD was defined according to the 2022 ESC Cardio-Oncology guidelines. RESULTS: Forty-four patients developed CTRCD (3 moderate and 41 mild CTRCD group A) and 87 patients did not (group B). In group A, significant changes in GLS, PALS, GAVS, LASi (left atrial stiffness index) and LVEF/GLS occurred earlier than LVEF, that reduced significantly only at T3 (p-value < .05). Significant changes in LASi, PALS and GAVS occurred even in group B but reduction in GAVS (-21% vs. -5%) and PALS (-24% vs. -12%) was significantly greater in group A compared to group B (p-value = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirms high sensitivity of speckle tracking echocardiography in detecting subclinical myocardial damage in CP and the usefulness of a multiparametric echocardiographic evaluation including PALS and GLS (GAVS) for having a global evaluation of the phenomenon cardiotoxicity.

Association of Reduced Left Atrial Reserve With Exercise Intolerance and Outcome in Hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is a leading contributor to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the mechanisms behind the transition to the symptomatic phase remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: We sought to find the association of the exercise response of left atrial (LA) mechanical function with functional capacity, symptoms, and outcome across the heart failure (HF) spectrum in hypertension. METHODS: Echocardiography (including LA reservoir peak atrial longitudinal strain [PALS] and peak atrial contractile strain [PACS] and LA stiffness index) was performed at rest and immediately postexercise in 139 patients with HHD-35 with stage A, 48 with stage B, and 56 with stage C HFpEF. Patients were followed for HF and atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Exercise capacity was progressively worse from stage A through stage B to stage C and was accompanied by a gradual impairment of changes in PALS and PACS from rest to exercise, whereas LA stiffness reserve remained unchanged until stage C. Peak atrial longitudinal strain and PACS reserves were independently associated with exercise capacity (P = .017 and .008, respectively). Left atrial stiffness reserve and E/e' were the strongest associations of symptomatic HF. Over a median of 25 months, 35 patients developed HF and/or atrial fibrillation. Peak atrial longitudinal strain and PACS reserves were associated with the study end points after adjusting for age, diabetes, N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide, LA volume index, resting E/e', and resting PALS/PACS. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired exercise reserve of LA strain and stiffness are associated with reduced functional capacity in hypertension, and LA strain reserve is independently associated with outcome. These parameters appear to be determinants of progression to overt HF in HHD; however, their contribution may differ depending on HF stage.

Peak atrial longitudinal strain and risk stratification in moderate and severe aortic stenosis.

AIMS: We sought to investigate the association of left atrial strain with the outcome in a large cohort of patients with at least moderate aortic stenosis (AS). METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 467 patients (mean age 80.6 ± 8.2 years; 51% men) with at least moderate AS and sinus rhythm. The primary study endpoint was the composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure. After a median follow-up of 19.2 (inter-quartile range 12.5-24.4) months, 96 events occurred. Using the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the cut-off value of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) more strongly associated with outcome was <16% {area under the curve (AUC) 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63-0.78], P < 0.001}. The Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated a higher rate of events for patients with PALS < 16% (log-rank P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, PALS [adjusted HR (aHR) 0.95 (95% CI 0.91-0.99), P = 0.017] and age were the only variables independently associated with the combined endpoint. PALS provided incremental prognostic value over left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain, LV ejection fraction, and right ventricular function. Subgroup analysis revealed that impaired PALS was also independently associated with outcome in the subgroups of paucisymptomatic patients [aHR 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.98), P = 0.048], moderate AS [aHR 0.92, (95% CI 0.86-0.98), P = 0.016], and low-flow AS [aHR 0.90 (95% CI 0.83-0.98), P = 0.020]. CONCLUSION: In our patients with at least moderate AS, PALS was independently associated with outcome. In asymptomatic patients, PALS could be a potential marker of sub-clinical damage, leading to better risk stratification and, potentially, earlier treatment.

Effects of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors on Atrial Mechanics Parameters in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with abnormalities in atrial mechanics, atrial remodeling, and an increased risk of heart rhythm disorders. One of the most commonly used approaches to the prevention of cardiac remodeling in arterial hypertension is the administration of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of RAS inhibitors on atrial mechanics parameters in patients with MS. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This longitudinal observational study included 55 patients with hypertension and MS, as defined by the ATP III criteria. The patients were evaluated at the start of antihypertensive treatment with an RAS inhibitor. The patients' clinical characteristics, chosen pharmacological treatment, and transthoracic echocardiography findings were recorded at baseline and 6 months thereafter. A student's dependent sample t-test was used for comparisons between groups. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationships between variables. RESULTS: Patients with MS had higher peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) values at 6 months than at baseline. Meanwhile, systolic strain and peak late strain rates were lower at follow-up than at baseline. The different antihypertensive treatments had comparable effects on the PALS changes during the follow-up period. Higher high-density lipoprotein levels at baseline were correlated with changes in PALS. CONCLUSION: The administration of RAS inhibitors improved atrial mechanics parameters in the early stages of antihypertensive management in MS.

Left atrial strain predicts improvement in left atrial functions of severe rheumatic mitral stenoses undergoing successful percutaneous transmitral commissurotomy.

AIMS: Chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is prevalent in India. The mitral valve in isolation or combination with the aortic or tricuspid valve is involved in 31.6% and 52.8% of chronic RHD patients, respectively. The left atrium (LA) functions as a reservoir during the cardiac cycle. Therefore, the LA enlargement leads to longitudinal lengthening, measured as a positive strain, permitting the measurement of the longitudinal strain of LA. This study aimed to assess the LA functions using peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) in patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenoses (MS) in sinus rhythm who underwent successful percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 56 patients with severe rheumatic MS for the study, of which 06 PTMC procedures were considered unsuccessful. So, 50 patients of chronic severe rheumatic MS in sinus rhythm undergoing PTMC were enrolled in a tertiary care centre of the Armed Forces from August 2017 to May 2019. Patients included in the study were not consecutive, and patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were excluded. RESULTS: PALS improved post-PTMC (P < .001) in this study, effectively concluding that PALS is impaired in patients with severe symptomatic MS and is acutely enhanced after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PALS is a good indicator of LA function and may predict the success of PTMC on the rheumatic mitral valve.

Inter-center reproducibility of standard and advanced echocardiographic parameters in the EACVI-AFib echo registry.

AIM: we sought to test the inter-center reproducibility of 16 echo laboratories involved in the EACVI-Afib Echo Europe. METHODS: This was done on a dedicated setting of 10 patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and 10 with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), collected by the Principal Investigator. Images and loops of echo-exams were stored and made available for labs. The tested measurements included main echo-Doppler parameters, global longitudinal strain (GLS) and peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS). RESULTS: Single measures interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of left ventricular mass and ejection fraction were suboptimal in both patients with SR and AF. Among diastolic parameters, ICCs of deceleration time were poor, in particular in AF (=.50). ICCs of left atrial size and function, besides optimal in AF, showed an acceptable despite moderate concordance in SR. ICC of GLS was .81 and .78 in SR and AF respectively. ICCs of PALS were suitable but lower in 4-chamber than in 2-chamber view. By depicting the boxplot of the 16 laboratories, GLS distribution was completely homogeneous in SR, whereas GLS of AF and PALS of both SR and AF presented a limited number of outliers. GLS mean ± SE of the 16 labs was 19.7 ± .36 (95% CI: 18.8-20.4) in SR and 16.5 ± .29 (95% CI: 15.9-17.1) in AF, whereas PALS mean ± SE was 43.8 ± .70 (95% CI: 42.3-45.3) and 10.2 ± .32 (95% CI: 9.5-10.9) respectively. CONCLUSION: While the utilization of some standard-echo variables should be discouraged in registries, the application of GLS and PALS could be largely promoted because their superior reproducibility, even in AF.

Peak left atrial longitudinal strain is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with ventricular functional mitral regurgitation.

PURPOSE: Chronic mitral regurgitation promotes left atrial (LA) remodeling. However, the significance of LA dysfunction in the setting of ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) has not been fully investigated. Our aim was to assess the prognostic impact of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), a surrogate of LA function, in patients with FMR and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: Patients with at least mild ventricular FMR and LVEF < 50% under optimized medical therapy who underwent transthoracic echocardiography at a single center were retrospectively identified in the laboratory database. PALS was assessed by 2D speckle tracking in the apical 4-chamber view and the study population was divided in two groups according to the best cut-off value of PALS, using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. The primary endpoint-point was all-cause mortality. RESULTS: A total of 307 patients (median age 70 years, 77% male) were included. Median LVEF was 35% (IQR: 27 - 40%) and median effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) was 15mm2 (IQR: 9 - 22mm2). According to current European guidelines, 32 patients had severe FMR (10%). During a median follow-up of 3.5 years (IQR 1.4 - 6.6), 148 patients died. The unadjusted mortality incidence per 100 persons-years increased with progressively lower values of PALS. On multivariable analysis, PALS remained independently associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.052 per % decrease; 95% CI: 1.010 - 1.095; P = 0.016), even after adjustment for several (n = 14) clinical and echocardiographic confounders. CONCLUSION: PALS is independently associated with all-cause mortality in patients with reduced LVEF and ventricular FMR.

Peak atrial longitudinal strain represents atrial fibrillation burden in daily practice: clinical implication of routine left atrial strain measurements.

BACKGROUND: Usefulness of left atrial (LA) strain measurements using speckle tracking echocardiography has been reported in various clinical settings. However, clinical implication of routine LA strain measurements in daily practice remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical utility of routine LA strain measurements in daily practice. METHODS: From January 6, 2020 to December 28, 2021, 338 consecutive patients underwent echocardiography in Takagi Cardiology Clinic, and all comers were enrolled to the study. Echocardiographic measurements including peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) measurement using speckle tracking echocardiography were attempted in all patients. RESULTS: PALS was obtained in 335 patients (age 71 ± 16 years, male 43%, hypertensive 74%), and mean value was 22.3 ± 11.5%. PALS was progressively impaired with worsening atrial fibrillation (AF) burden. PALS in patients without AF, in patients with history of AF (paroxysmal AF &/or ablation therapy), and in patients with AF onsite were 26.8 ± 9.8%, 20.3 ± 7.9%, and 8.1 ± 3.3%, respectively (anova p < 0.0001). In patients without history of AF at the time of echocardiography, using cut-off value of 15.0% (i.e., mean + 2SD of PALS in AF patients), Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that impaired PALS was associated with increased new-onset AF during follow-up period (log-rank p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In daily practice, PALS represents AF burden. Furthermore, impaired PALS is associated with increased new-onset AF. Therefore, routine LA strain measurements using speckle tracking echocardiography will be useful in risk stratification of AF in daily practice.

Association of longitudinal left atrial strain with mortality after tricuspid valve surgery.

AIMS: Tricuspid valve (TV) surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is becoming more common, but the associated mortality remains high. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical and echocardiographic parameters associated with all-cause mortality in patients with severe functional TR who underwent TV surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 286 patients with severe functional TR who underwent TV replacement or repair was analysed between January 2006 and December 2017. We assessed changes in conventional echocardiographic parameters and strain, such as peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS). During a median follow-up period of 5.3 years, 71 (24.8%) patients died due to any cause. When comparing groups with and without all-cause deaths, there were no significant differences in terms of sex, co-morbidities, medication use, and surgery type. However, patients who died were older and more likely to have refractory atrial fibrillation (AF). With multivariate Cox modelling, age >65 years (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59-4.96; P < 0.001), refractory AF (adjusted HR, 2.84, 95% CI, 1.36-5.94; P = 0.006), lower albumin level (adjusted HR, 0.50, 95% CI, 0.31-0.82), and reduced PALS (adjusted HR, 1.87, 95% CI, 1.06-3.33; P = 0.032) were significant determinants of all-cause mortality. PALS decline was associated with refractory AF (adjusted HR, 5.74, 95% CI, 2.81-11.7; P < 0.001) and the absence of a Maze procedure (adjusted HR, 2.95, 95% CI, 1.51-5.78; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A reduction in PALS was significantly associated with all-cause mortality in our cohort of patients with severe functional TR who underwent TV surgery. This phenomenon is related to refractory AF and more aggressive intervention for AF is necessary concomitant with TV surgery.

Assessment of the Left Atrial Reservoir Function and Left Atrial Volume After Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty Using Peak Atrial Longitudinal Strain.

Objective To evaluate the impact of successful percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) on left atrial (LA) reservoir function and LA volume in patients with severe mitral stenosis (MS) using peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS). Method This was a prospective, non-randomized observational study conducted at the Laxmipat Singhania (LPS) Institute of Cardiology, Kanpur from August 2018 to February 2020 among patients with severe rheumatic MS undergoing BMV to assess LA reservoir function and its volume after BMV using PALS. Inclusion criteria were symptomatic severe rheumatic MS (NYHA ≥II), normal ventricular systolic function, and suitable valve morphology. Exclusion criteria were the coexistence of aortic valve involvement, left atrial appendage clot, mitral leak more than mild, pregnancy, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. To assess LA reservoir function and its volume after BMV, PALS was used. LA was divided into six regions of interest and longitudinal strain curves of individual segments together with global strain were recorded. PALS was calculated at baseline 24 hours following the intervention, and at three months of follow-up. Result Successful BMV was performed in 260 patients (109 or 41.9% males and 151 or 58.1% females), resulting in significant improvement in mitral valve area (MVA) (0.89±0.11 cm2 vs. 1.83±0.3 cm2; p<0.001). The mean age of patients was 26.7±4.7 years; 214 (82.3%) patients were in normal sinus rhythm (NSR) while 46 (17.7%) had atrial fibrillation (AF). Significant improvement in PALS was noted immediately following the procedure (6.5±11.6% vs. 7.7±10.5%; p< 0.001) and it continued to improve at three months of follow-up (6.5±11.6% vs. 11.3±12.5%; p<0.001), which was 24% and 74% improvement from baseline respectively. Significant reduction in indexed left atrial (LA) volume was observed immediately following the procedure (56.8±14.3 ml/m2 vs 48.4±12.5 ml/m2; p=0.003), and at three months of follow-up (56.8±14.3 ml/m2 vs. 45.4±13.3 ml/m2; p=0.002). Those with AF had lesser improvement in PALS in comparison to those with NSR (60% vs. 84%; p=0.044) at three months of follow-up. At three months, the increase in PALS was also lower in patients with a history of stroke as compared to those without it (55% vs 80%; p=0.039). Both LA volume and indexed LA volume reduced significantly immediately at 24 hours and during follow-up. Conclusion LA reservoir function, as assessed by PALS, is reduced in patients with severe MS. It improved significantly within 24 hours following BMV and continued to improve at three months of follow-up. It is an underutilized modality among patients of MS for decision-making prior to intervention and to assess the effect of the intervention.

Usefulness of left atrial strain for predicting incident atrial fibrillation and ischaemic stroke in the general population.

AIMS: Left atrial enlargement predicts incident atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the prognostic value of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) for predicting incident AF in participants from the general population is currently unknown. Our aim was to investigate if PALS can be used to predict AF and ischaemic stroke in the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 400 participants from the general population underwent a health examination, including two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography of the left atrium. The primary endpoint was incident AF at follow-up. All participants with known AF and prior stroke at baseline were excluded (n = 54). The secondary endpoint consisted of the composite of AF and ischaemic stroke. During a median follow-up of 16 years, 36 participants (9%) were diagnosed with incident AF and 30 (7%) experienced an ischaemic stroke, resulting in 66 (16%) experiencing the composite outcome. PALS was a univariable predictor of AF [per 5% decrease: hazard ratio (HR) 1.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.19-1.69), P < 0.001]. However, the prognostic value of PALS was modified by age (P = 0.002 for interaction). After multivariable adjustment PALS predicted AF in participants aged <65 years [per 5% decrease: HR 1.46; 95% CI (1.06-2.02), P = 0.021]. In contrast, PALS did not predict AF in participants aged ≥65 years after multivariable adjustment [per 5% decrease: HR 1.05; 95% CI (0.81-1.35), P = 0.72]. PALS also predicted the secondary endpoint in participants aged <65 years and the association remained significant after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSION: In a low-risk general population, PALS provides novel prognostic information on the long-term risk of AF and ischaemic stroke in participants aged <65 years.

Variant Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2*2) as a Risk Factor for Mechanical LA Substrate Formation and Atrial Fibrillation with Modest Alcohol Consumption in Ethnic Asians.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism is a common genetic variant in Asians that is responsible for defective toxic aldehyde and lipid peroxidation metabolism after alcohol consumption. The extent to which low alcohol consumption may cause atrial substrates to trigger atrial fibrillation (AF) development in users with ALDH2 variants remains to be determined. We prospectively enrolled 249 ethnic Asians, including 56 non-drinkers and 193 habitual drinkers (135 (70%) as ALDH2 wild-type: GG, rs671; 58 (30%) as ALDH2 variants: G/A or A/A, rs671). Novel left atrial (LA) mechanical substrates with dynamic characteristics were assessed using a speckle-tracking algorithm and correlated to daily alcohol consumption and ALDH2 genotypes. Despite modest and comparable alcohol consumption by the habitual alcohol users (14.3 [8.3~28.6] and 12.3 [6.3~30.7] g/day for those without and with ALDH2 polymorphism, p = 0.31), there was a substantial and graded increase in the 4-HNE adduct and prolonged PR, and a reduction in novel LA mechanical parameters (including peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and phasic strain rates (reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions), p < 0.05), rather than an LA emptying fraction (LAEF) or LA volume index across non-drinkers, and in habitual drinkers without and with ALDH2 polymorphism (all p < 0.05). The presence of ALDH2 polymorphism worsened the association between increasing daily alcohol dose and LAEF, PALS, and phasic reservoir and booster functions (all Pinteraction: <0.05). Binge drinking superimposed on regular alcohol use exclusively further worsened LA booster pump function compared to regular drinking without binge use (1.66 ± 0.57 vs. 1.97 ± 0.56 1/s, p = 0.001). Impaired LA booster function further independently helped to predict AF after consideration of the CHARGE-AF score (adjusted 1.68 (95% CI: 1.06-2.67), p = 0.028, per 1 z-score increment). Habitual modest alcohol consumption led to mechanical LA substrate formation in an ethnic Asian population, which was more pronounced in subjects harboring ALDH2 variants. Impaired LA booster functions may serve as a useful predictor of AF in such populations.

Peak atrial longitudinal strain is predictive of atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) has been validated in the prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population. If this finding can be applied to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed two different study populations of patients with COPD and acute CAD in SCAP trial (Clinical trial.org identifier NCT02324660) and COPD and stable CAD in the NATHAN-NEVER trial (clinical trial.org identifier NCT02519608). All patients enrolled underwent spirometry and clinical specialistic evaluation to test COPD diagnosis. During the index evaluation, all patients underwent echocardiography. The primary endpoint of the study was the occurrence of AF. Overall, 175 patients have been enrolled. PALS was significantly lower in patients with COPD compared to patients without COPD (26% ± 8% vs. 30% ± 8% for PALS4CV, P = .003). After a mean follow-up of 49 ± 15 months, 26 patients experienced at least one episode of AF. At multivariable analysis, only PALS (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.98, P = .014) resulted as an independent predictor of AF in COPD patients with CAD, with the best cutoff value of 25.5% (sensitivity 87% and specificity 70%). CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed a high incidence of AF events in COPD patients and that PALS is altered and able to independently predict AF in a specific cohort of patients with CAD and COPD. This study points out the need to integrate PALS measurement in the echocardiographic workup of all COPD patients, to early identify those at high risk of AF development.

Prediction of AF in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Incremental Value of Left Atrial Strain.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify the factors associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in a well-characterized heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) population, with special focus on left atrial (LA) strain. BACKGROUND: AF is associated with HFpEF, with adverse consequences. Effective risk evaluation might allow the initiation of protective strategies. METHODS: Clinical evaluation and echocardiography, including measurements of peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), peak atrial contraction strain (PACS), and LA volume index (LAVI), were obtained in 170 patients with symptomatic HFpEF (mean age, 65 ± 8 years), free of baseline AF. AF was identified by standard 12-lead electrocardiogram, review of relevant medical records (including Holter documentation), and surveillance with a portable single-lead electrocardiogram device over 2 weeks. Results were validated in the 103 patients with HFpEF from the Karolinska-Rennes (KaRen) study. RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 49 months, incident AF was identified in 39 patients (23%). Patients who developed AF were older; had higher clinical risk scores, brain natriuretic peptide, creatinine, LAVI, and LV mass; lower LA strain and exercise capacity; and more impaired LV diastolic function. PACS, PALS, and LAVI were the most predictive parameters for AF (area under receiver-operating characteristic curve: 0.76 for PACS, 0.71 for PALS, and 0.72 for LAVI). Nested Cox regression models showed that the predictive value of PACS and PALS was independent from and incremental to clinical data, LAVI, and E/e' ratio. Classification and regression trees analysis identified PACS ≤12.7%, PALS ≤29.4%, and LAVI >34.3 ml/m2 as discriminatory nodes for AF, with a 33-fold greater hazard of AF (p < 0.001) in patients categorized as high risk. The classification and regression trees algorithm discriminated high and low AF risk in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: PACS and PALS provide incremental predictive information about incident AF in HFpEF. The inclusion of these LA strain components to the diagnostic algorithm may help guide screening and further monitoring for AF risk in this population.

Improvement in Left Atrial Strain among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Closure.

BACKGROUND: Various clinical trials provide evidence about the safety, effectiveness, and therapeutic success of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) using various occlusion devices. These devices are foreign materials implanted into the left atrium and may deteriorate left atrial (LA) function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-derived LA strain after LAAC. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 95 patients (age: 75 ± 6.7 years, 67% male) who underwent percutaneous LAAC. LA strain was evaluated at three different time intervals by TEE (baseline, 45 days, and 180 days after the procedure). All data were analyzed using the software Image-Arena (TomTec®). Seventy patients had atrial fibrillation, whereas 25 were in sinus rhythm at baseline and during follow-up. Analysis was performed for peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and peak atrial contraction strain (PACS) from segments of the lateral wall in mid-esophageal four-chamber view. PACS was obtained in patients with sinus rhythm during examinations. Compared to baseline, PALS increased at 45 days after the procedure (12.4% ± 8.4% at baseline vs. 16.0% ± 10.6% after 45 days, P = 0.001) and remained stable from 45 days to 180 days after procedure (13.8% ± 9.1% after 45 days vs. 17.2% ± 12.6% after 180 days, P = 0.092). Similarly, PACS increased at 45 days after the procedure (5.8% ± 3.9% at baseline vs. 10.6% ± 7.6% after 45 days, P = 0.001) and remained stable from 45 days to 180 days after the procedure (7.6% ± 4.5% after 45 days vs. 7.9% ± 3.1% after 180 days, P = 0.876). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated for the first time the improvement in TEE-derived LA strain following LAAC within 45 days of implantation. The findings suggest improved LA function following LAAC.

Left Atrial Strain Impairment Precedes Geometric Remodeling as a Marker of Post-Myocardial Infarction Diastolic Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to test the magnitude of agreement between echocardiography (echo)- and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived left atrial (LA) strain and to study their relative diagnostic performance in discriminating diastolic dysfunction (DD) and predicting atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUNDS: Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) is a novel performance index. Utility of echo-quantified LA strain has yet to be prospectively tested in relation to current DD guidelines or compared to CMR. METHODS: The study population comprised 257 post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients undergoing echo and CMR, including prospective derivation (n = 157) and clinical validation (n = 100) cohorts. DD was graded on echo using established consensus guidelines blinded to strain results. RESULTS: PALS on both echo and CMR was nearly 2-fold lower among patients with versus no DD (p < 0.001) and was significantly different in those with mild versus no DD (p < 0.01). In contrast, LA geometric parameters including echo- and CMR-derived volumes were significantly different between advanced versus no DD groups (p < 0.001) but not between groups with mild versus no DD (all p > 0.05). Echo and CMR PALS yielded small differences irrespective of orientation and similar diagnostic performance for DD in the derivation (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.70 to 0.78) and validation (AUC: 0.75 to 0.78) cohorts. Impaired PALS on both modalities was independently associated with MI size (p < 0.001). During 4.4 ± 3.8 years of follow-up in the derivation cohort, 8% developed AF. Both 2-chamber echo- and CMR-derived PALS stratified arrhythmic risk (p = 0.004 and p = 0.02, respectively), including a 4-fold difference among patients in the lowest versus remainder of quartiles of echo-derived PALS (24% vs. 6%). Similarly, echo and CMR PALS were lower (both p < 0.05) among patients with subsequent heart failure hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS: Echo-derived PALS parallels results of CMR, yields incremental diagnostic utility versus LA geometry for stratifying presence and severity of DD, and improves prediction of AF and congestive heart failure after MI.

Favorable Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on the Peak Atrial Longitudinal Strain in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure and a History of One or More Episodes of Atrial Fibrillation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) is primarily an index of the reservoir function of atrial chambers. The conceptual basis exists to hypothesize that sacubitril/valsartan improves the expandability of atrial chambers in the reservoir phase of the atrial mechanical cycle, as a consequence of its effect of prolonging the half-life of natriuretic peptides. Therefore in this retrospective study we evaluated the repercussions of the administration of sacubitril/valsartan maintained for at least 12 months on the PALS. METHODS: In our retrospective study a cohort of 40 patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan has been compared with a second cohort subjected to the conventional treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker. A general criterion to be satisfied was the presence of at least one episode of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the history of the enrolled patients. The study population was composed of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II/III chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, due to the fact that the treating physicians of the patients whose clinical records were used as source of data, complied with the international guidelines that have so far validated sacubitril/valsartan exclusively for the CHF therapy. The aims were to verify whether the 1-year administration of sacubitril/valsartan is effective in improving the PALS, and also ascertain whether the drug is associated with a decreased risk of AF relapses over a mean retrospective observation period of 12 months. RESULTS: Sacubitril/valsartan cohort was proven to benefit from a significant increase in average values of PALS (median: 26.5%; interquartile range (IQR): 22% - 30%), opposed to the much less pronounced increase in PALS found in the conventional therapy cohort (median: 22.5%; IQR: 18% - 25.5%). Additionally, the comparison made by means of one-way analysis of variance regarding the mean changes of PALS values, outlined clearly that the sacubitril/valsartan users had an increase in PALS after 1 year of therapy significantly greater (P < 0.001) compared to the patients taking the conventional drugs. Moreover, a risk significantly higher of AF recurrences (P = 0.001) was identified in the conventional therapy group compared to the sacubitril/valsartan group during a 12-month retrospective observation period. CONCLUSIONS: In the present retrospective cohort study a higher increase of PALS has been shown in the cohort treated with sacubitril/valsartan. Moreover, a reduced risk of AF recurrences has been shown in the sacubitril/valsartan users compared to the patients with CHF subjected to conventional treatment.

Role of speckle tracking echocardiography in detecting early left atrial dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension adversely affects left atrial (LA) size and function, effect on function may precede effect on size. Many techniques were used to assess LA function but with pitfalls. OBJECTIVES: Early detection of left atrial dysfunction with speckle tracking echocardiography in hypertensive patients with normal left atrial size. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 hypertensive patients and 50 age matched normotensive controls, all with normal LA volume index and free from any other cardiovascular disease that may affect the LA size or function. They were all subjected to history taking, clinical examination and echocardiographic study with assessment of LA functions [total LA stroke volume, LA expansion index by conventional 2D echocardiography and Global peak atrial longitudinal strain by speckle tracking (PALS)], left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions, and LV mass. RESULTS: Different indices of LA dysfunction (Total LA stroke volume, LA expansion index and global PALS) were significantly lower in the hypertensive group despite the normal LA volume index in all the studied subjects. The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and higher grade of LV diastolic dysfunction were significantly associated with lower global PALS. The higher age, systolic blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), LA volume index, and LV mass index and the lower LA expansion index were associated with lower global PALS. CONCLUSION: Speckle tracking echocardiography is a useful novel technique in detecting LA dysfunction in hypertension even before LA enlargement occurs.

Right atrial and ventricular adaptations to training in male Caucasian athletes: an echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the systolic and diastolic properties of the right cardiac chambers (the right ventricle and right atrium) among different subsets of athletes to unveil potential variations in right ventricular and right atrial remodeling secondary to different training modes. METHODS: A cohort of Caucasian male top-level athletes (n = 108; 80 endurance athletes [EAs], mean age, 31.2 ± 10.4 years; 28 strength-trained athletes [SAs], mean age, 27.4 ± 5.7 years) and untrained controls (n = 26; mean age, 26.6 ± 5.6 years) (P = .327) were prospectively enrolled. Conventional echocardiographic parameters, including transtricuspid inflow, Doppler tissue imaging, and two-dimensionally derived peak systolic longitudinal strain and strain rate indices of the right ventricle and right atrium, were calculated. RESULTS: EAs had greater internal right ventricular and right atrial dimensions compared with SAs and controls. There were no significant differences concerning strain between groups (-23.1 ± 3.7% in EAs vs -25.1 ± 3.2% in SAs vs -23.1 ± 3.5% in controls, P = .052), with SAs presenting higher global systolic strain rates (-1.42 ± 0.22 sec(-1) in SAs vs -1.21 ± 0.21 sec(-1) in EAs vs -1.2 ± 0.28 sec(-1) in controls, P = .016), as well as greater right atrial strain rate systolic and diastolic components. Training volume (highly vs moderately trained athletes) did not significantly influence deformation parameters. No significant differences concerning diastolic transtricuspid inflow and Doppler tissue imaging indices were also noted among different athlete groups and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of right geometric alterations in athletes participating in different sport disciplines, few meaningful differences in deformation and diastolic function exist.