Relevance of individual bronchial symptoms for asthma diagnosis and control in patients with rhinitis: A MASK-air study.

RATIONALE: It is unclear how each individual asthma symptom is associated with asthma diagnosis or control. OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of individual asthma symptoms in the identification of patients with asthma and their association with asthma control. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed real-world data using the MASK-air® app. We compared the frequency of occurrence of five asthma symptoms (dyspnea, wheezing, chest tightness, fatigue and night symptoms, as assessed by the Control of Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Test [CARAT] questionnaire) in patients with probable, possible or no current asthma. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of each symptom, and assessed the association between each symptom and asthma control (measured using the e-DASTHMA score). Results were validated in a sample of patients with a physician-established diagnosis of asthma. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: We included 951 patients (2153 CARAT assessments), with 468 having probable asthma, 166 possible asthma and 317 no evidence of asthma. Wheezing displayed the highest specificity (90.5%) and positive predictive value (90.8%). In patients with probable asthma, dyspnea and chest tightness were more strongly associated with asthma control than other symptoms. Dyspnea was the symptom with the highest sensitivity (76.1%) and the one consistently associated with the control of asthma as assessed by e-DASTHMA. Consistent results were observed when assessing patients with a physician-made diagnosis of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Wheezing and chest tightness were the asthma symptoms with the highest specificity for asthma diagnosis, while dyspnea displayed the highest sensitivity and strongest association with asthma control.

Evidence for 2 clusters among patients with noneosinophilic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although asthma is often seen as an eosinophilic disease associated with atopy, patients with noneosinophilic asthma represent a substantial part of the population with asthma. OBJECTIVE: To apply an unsupervised clustering method in a cohort of 588 patients with noneosinophilic asthma (sputum eosinophils < 3%) recruited from an asthma clinic of a secondary care center. METHODS: Our cluster analysis of the whole cohort identified 2 subgroups as cluster 1 (n = 417) and cluster 2 (n = 171). RESULTS: Cluster 1 comprised a predominantly female group with late disease onset, a low proportion of atopy (24%), and a substantial smoking history (53%). In this cluster, treatment burden was low (<50% of inhaled corticosteroid users); asthma control and quality of life were poor, with median Asthma Control Test, Asthma Control Questionnaire, and Asthma Quality of Life scores of 16, 1.7, and 4.5, respectively, whereas lung function was preserved with a median postbronchodilation forced expiratory volume in 1 second of 93% predicted. Cluster 2 was a predominantly male group, almost exclusively comprising patients with atopy (99%) with early disease onset and a moderate treatment burden (median inhaled corticosteroids dose 800 µg/d equivalent beclomethasone). In cluster 2, asthma was partially controlled, with median Asthma Control Test and Asthma Control Questionnaire scores reaching 18 and 1.3, respectively, and lung function well preserved with a median postbronchodilation of 95% predicted. Although systemic and airway neutrophilic inflammation was the dominant pattern in cluster 1, cluster 2 essentially comprised paucigranulocytic asthma with moderately elevated fraction exhaled nitric oxide. CONCLUSION: Noneosinophilic asthma splits into 2 clusters distinguishing by disease onset, atopic status, smoking history, systemic and airway inflammation, and disease control and quality of life.

Benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma in real life: confirmed effectiveness and contrasted effect on sputum eosinophilia versus exhaled nitric oxide fraction - PROMISE.

Background: Randomised controlled trials have shown that benralizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 receptor monoclonal antibody, reduces exacerbations and oral corticosteroid dose and improves asthma control and lung function in severe eosinophilic asthma. The aim of this study was to confirm results of randomised controlled trials in real life in a population of 73 patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with benralizumab for at least 12 months. Methods: Patients underwent careful monitoring of asthma exacerbations, exhaled nitric oxide fraction, lung function, asthma control and quality of life questionnaire responses and sputum induction, and gave a blood sample at baseline, after 6 months and then every year. Results: We found significant reductions in exacerbations (by 92%, p<0.0001) and oral corticosteroid dose (by 83%, p<0.001) after 6 months that were maintained over time, with 78% of patients able to stop oral corticosteroid therapy. Patients improved their Asthma Control Test (ACT) score (from 11.7±5.1 to 16.9±5.35, p<0.0001), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) score (from 2.88±1.26 to 1.77±1.32, p<0.0001) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire score (+1.04, p<0.0001) at 6 months and this was maintained during follow-up. Only 35% and 43% of patients reached asthma control according to an ACT score ≥20 and ACQ score <1.5, respectively. We observed stable post-bronchodilation lung function over time and a significant reduction in sputum eosinophil count, with 85% of patients exhibiting sputum eosinophil counts <3% after 6 months (p<0.01) with no effect on exhaled nitric oxide fraction. Conclusion: In our real-life study, we confirm the results published in randomised controlled trials showing a sharp reduction in exacerbations and oral corticosteroid therapy, an improvement in asthma control and quality of life, and a dramatic reduction in sputum eosinophil count.

Impairment of EQ-5D-5L Domains According to Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma Control: A MASK-air Real-World Study.

BACKGROUND: EQ-5D-5L (EuroQOL, 5 Domains, 5 Levels) is a widely used health-related quality-of-life instrument, comprising 5 domains. However, it is not known how each domain is impacted by rhinitis or asthma control. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between rhinitis or asthma control and the different EQ-5D-5L domains using data from the MASK-air mHealth app. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed data from all MASK-air users (2015-2021; 24 countries). For the levels of each EQ-5D-5L domain, we assessed rhinitis and asthma visual analog scales (VASs) and the combined symptom-medication score (CSMS). We built ordinal multivariable models assessing the adjusted association between VAS/CSMS values and the levels of each EQ-5D-5L domain. Finally, we compared EQ-5D-5L data from users with rhinitis and self-reported asthma with data from users with rhinitis alone. RESULTS: We assessed 5354 days from 3092 users. We observed an association between worse control of rhinitis or asthma (higher VASs and CSMS) and worse EQ-5D-5L levels. In multivariable models, all VASs and the CSMS were associated with higher levels of pain/discomfort and daily activities. For anxiety/depression, the association was mostly observed for rhinitis-related tools (VAS nose, VAS global, and CSMS), although the presence of self-reported asthma was also associated with worse anxiety/depression. Worse mobility ("walking around") was particularly associated with VAS asthma and with the presence of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: A worse rhinitis control and a worse asthma control are associated with higher EQ-5D-5L levels, particularly regarding pain/discomfort and activity impairment. Worse rhinitis control is associated with worse anxiety/depression, and poor asthma control with worse mobility.

Patients With Asthma Only Sensitized to Staphylococcus aureus Enterotoxins Have More Exacerbations, Airflow Limitation, and Higher Levels of Sputum IL-5 and IgE.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SE) may act as superantigens and induce an intense T-cell activation, causing local production of polyclonal IgE and resultant eosinophil activation. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether asthma with sensitization to SE but not to common aeroallergens (AAs) displays different inflammatory characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on a series of 110 consecutive patients with asthma recruited from the University Asthma Clinic of Liège. We compared clinical, functional, and inflammatory characteristics of this general population of patients with asthma categorized into 4 groups according to sensitization to AAs and/or SE. We also compared sputum supernatant cytokines in patients sensitized to SE or not. RESULTS: Patients with asthma sensitized only to AAs represented 30%, while 29% were sensitized to both AAs and SE. One-fifth of the population had no specific IgE. Sensitization to SE but not to AA (21%) was associated with later onset of disease, higher rate of exacerbations, nasal polyps, and more severe airway obstruction. As for airway type 2 biomarkers, patients presenting with specific IgE against SE displayed higher fractional exhaled nitric oxide, sputum IgE, and sputum IL-5 levels but not IL-4. We confirm that the presence of specific IgE against SE is associated with elevated serum IgE to levels well above those observed in patients sensitized only to AAs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that asthma specialists should measure specific IgE against SE during the phenotyping process because it may allow the identification of a subgroup of patients with more asthma exacerbations, more nasal polyposis and chronic sinusitis, lower lung function, and more intense type 2 inflammation.

[Dyspnea «sine materia¼]. / La dyspnée «sine materia¼.

Dyspnea is a symptom of respiratory discomfort commonly encountered in clinical practice which, in most of the cases, relates to a cardiopulmonary or a metabolic disorder. Its genesis is complex and results from numerous interactions within cortical and limbic brain areas following intero- and nociceptive stimuli. The term dyspnea «sine materia¼ points to a state where no clear underlying cardiopulmonary or metabolic pathology has been identified and we include here the hyperventilation syndrome and the physical deconditioning. Treatment of dyspnea «sine materia¼ is based on behavioural psychotherapy and on reathtletisation programme in case of physical deconditioning.

La dyspnée est un symptôme d'inconfort respiratoire extrêmement courant en médecine qui traduit, le plus souvent, un désordre cardiorespiratoire ou métabolique. Sa genèse est complexe et résulte de l'intégration, au niveau du cortex et du système limbique, de messages intéro- et nociceptifs. Par dyspnée «sine materia¼, nous entendons ici une dyspnée sans pathologie cardiorespiratoire ou métabolique sous-jacente avérée et nous y incluons celle du syndrome d'hyperventilation et du déconditionnement physique. La prise en charge de la dyspnée «sine materia¼ et, notamment, celle du syndrome d'hyperventilation repose sur la psychothérapie comportementale et la gestion du déconditionnement physique par des programmes de réathlétisation.

The use of patient-reported outcome measures by healthcare professionals in specialized asthma management centers in French-speaking Belgium: A mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, the literature has promoted the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in clinical practice as a means to foster patient engagement. However, conditions necessary to support the use of PROMs to encourage asthma patient engagement are not clearly defined. Therefore, we sought (1) to explore the current and ideal use of PROMs by healthcare professionals (HP) in specialized asthma management centers in French-speaking Belgium and (2) to understand under which conditions the use of PROMs contributes to patient engagement. METHODS: We undertook a mixed-methods study with both anonymous online survey and in-person qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with HPs to understand their perspectives on the routine use of PROMs. HPs were recruited from 16 asthma centers (French-speaking Belgium) identified via the Belgian Respiratory Society. RESULTS: Of the 170 HPs identified from the 16 participating centers, 51 (30%) responded to the survey (n = 51) and 11 completed semi-structured interviews. 53% (27/51) of the surveyed HPs reported using PROMs primarily for asthma monitoring and clinical research while all reported that PROMs should primarily be used in practice to facilitate communication with the patient and to address neglected aspects of the care relationship such as the psychosocial aspects of the disease. The qualitative interviews revealed avenues for moving from a medical-centered and utilitarian use of PROMs to a use serving patient engagement. This would require HPs to go beyond their current representation of PROMs, to use instruments offering a more holistic image of the patient, to incorporate PROMs into a digital tool and to integrate PROMs in a patient education process. CONCLUSION: The main findings of this study suggest relevant avenues for using PROMs in ways that support patient engagement.

Development and validation of a predictive model combining patient-reported outcome measures, spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide fraction for asthma diagnosis.

Introduction: Although asthma is a common disease, its diagnosis remains a challenge in clinical practice with both over- and underdiagnosis. Here, we performed a prospective observational study investigating the value of symptom intensity scales alone or combined with spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide fraction (F ENO) to aid in asthma diagnosis. Methods: Over a 38-month period we recruited 303 untreated patients complaining of symptoms suggestive of asthma (wheezing, dyspnoea, cough, sputum production and chest tightness). The whole cohort was split into a training cohort (n=166) for patients recruited during odd months and a validation cohort (n=137) for patients recruited during even months. Asthma was diagnosed either by a positive reversibility test (≥12% and ≥200 mL in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)) and/or a positive bronchial challenge test (provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 ≤8 mg·mL-1). In order to assess the diagnostic performance of symptoms, spirometric indices and F ENO, we performed receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and multivariable logistic regression to identify the independent factors associated with asthma in the training cohort. Then, the derived predictive models were applied to the validation cohort. Results: 63% of patients in the derivation cohort and 58% of patients in the validation cohort were diagnosed as being asthmatic. After logistic regression, wheezing was the only symptom to be significantly associated with asthma. Similarly, FEV1 (% pred), FEV1/forced vital capacity (%) and F ENO were significantly associated with asthma. A predictive model combining these four parameters yielded an area under the curve of 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.84) in the training cohort and 0.73 (95% CI 0.65-0.82) when applied to the validation cohort. Conclusion: Combining a wheezing intensity scale with spirometry and F ENO may help in improving asthma diagnosis accuracy in clinical practice.

Predictors of change in asthma-related quality of life: a longitudinal real-life study in adult asthmatics.

PURPOSE: Asthma negatively impacts health-related quality of life (HRQL). The objective is to investigate the longitudinal relationship between HRQL in asthma and disease control, demographic and clinical objective parameters in an adult population in real-life settings. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study on adult asthmatics recruited from Liege University Hospital Asthma Clinic (Belgium) between 2011 and 2019. We selected those who had two visits and completed two patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), the asthma control test (ACT) and the mini asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ) (n = 290). AQLQ was the dependent variable. Demographic, functional and inflammatory characteristics, asthma control, and exacerbations were the independent variables. We applied generalized linear mixed models to identify the factors associated with change in AQLQ and its dimensions. RESULTS: Median (IQR) time interval between the two visits was 7 (5-19) months. Overall, median (IQR) global AQLQ increased from 4.1 (3-5.1) to 4.6 (3.4-5.9) (p < 0.0001). All AQLQ dimensions significantly improved, apart the environmental one. AQLQ improved in patients who had both step-up and step-down pharmacological treatment as well as in patients reporting no change between the two visits. The fitted models indicated that change in ACT was the main predictor of change in AQLQ (p < 0.0001). A rise in 3 units in ACT predicted an improvement of 0.5 AQLQ (AUC-ROC = 0.85; p < 0.0001). Change in BMI inversely impacted global AQLQ (p < 0.01) and its activity dimension (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Asthma control and BMI are key predictors of asthma quality of life acting in an opposite direction. AQLQ may improve without step-up in the pharmacological treatment.

How respiratory symptoms impact asthma-related quality of life in mild asthmatics.

Many studies exploring the factors associated with asthma-specific quality of life (QOL) have shown that asthma control is the main predictor of asthma-related QOL. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has ever explored the individual impact of the five main symptoms of asthma (wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, cough and airway secretion) reported directly by the patient on asthma-related QOL. A cross-sectional study was conducted on untreated adult (≥18 years) asthmatics recruited from the Liege University Hospital Asthma Clinic (Belgium) for asthma diagnosis confirmation between 2018 and 2021 (n = 171). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that dyspnea and chest tightness were the two leading factors associated with asthma-related QOL in a population of mild asthma.

Predictors of asthma-related quality of life in a large cohort of asthmatics: A cross-sectional study in a secondary care center.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, asthma-related quality of life questionnaires have joined objective clinical indicators as important outcome measures. In this study, we sought to investigate the predictors of asthma-related quality of life in a large cohort of patients recruited from a secondary care center. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on asthmatics (N = 1301) recruited from the Liège University Hospital asthma clinic (Belgium). After performing a descriptive analysis highlighting the distribution of scores from the Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini AQLQ) and its four dimensions (symptoms, activity limitation, emotional function, and environmental stimuli), we did multiple regression analysis to identify the independent predictors of AQLQ. RESULTS: Multiple regression beta analysis showed that AQLQ and its four dimensions were primarily associated with asthma control (p < 0.0001 in all instances). Female gender was associated with a lower score for the AQLQ's activity and environmental dimensions (p < 0.05 for both), while current smokers had a higher score on the AQLQ's environmental dimension (p < 0.0001). The burden of asthma treatment was associated with a lower score for the AQLQ's emotional (p < 0.05) and environmental (p < 0.05) dimensions. BMI was associated with a lower score in the AQLQ's activity dimension (p < 0.0001), while the opposite was true for the FeNO test (p < 0.0001). Sputum neutrophils were inversely related to the score for the AQLQ's symptom dimension (p < 0.05), whereas post-bronchodilator FEV1 showed a positive relationship for that same dimension (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Asthma control is the main predictor of AQLQ score and impacts all its dimensions, but demographic, functional, and airway inflammatory parameters may also influence some dimensions of the AQLQ.

Patient partenaire : de la pratique à la recherche.

The “patient as care partner” approach is nowadays considered as a major lever for the optimization of health care systems. Although patients must undeniably represent major stakeholders of a healthcare system, this field of practice on partnership requires to be better documented in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency and to establish good practices. This article raises three main research issues in the field of partnership in health : conceptual clarification, evaluation and understanding of practices. This article aims to initiate a dialogue on the construction of a research agenda on the theme of partnership.

Stabilization of renal function after the first year of follow-up in kidney transplant recipients treated for significant BK polyomavirus infection or BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: BK polyomavirus virus (BKPyV) screening and immunosuppression reduction effectively prevent graft loss due to BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPVAN) during the first year after transplantation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of this infection during longer follow-up periods. METHODS: We reviewed the outcome of our screening and immunosuppression reduction protocol in 305 patients who received a kidney transplant between March 2008 and January 2013. Quantitative BKPyV DNA surveillance in plasma was performed at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation. Patients with significant viremia and/or biopsy-proven BKPVAN were treated with immunosuppression reduction and leflunomide. RESULTS: During the first post-transplant year, 24 patients (7.9%) developed significant viremia at a median time of 95 days, and 18 patients had BKPVAN; 23 of the 24 (7.5%) were treated according to our protocol (group BKV+); 225 patients (73.8%) did not develop any BK viremia (group BKV-). Allograft function was similar in both groups at 1 month post transplantation (P=.87), but significantly worse at 1 year in the BKV+ group (P=.002). Thereafter, kidney function stabilized in the BKV+ group and no differences in patient and graft survival were seen between the groups after a median follow-up of 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the early occurrence of BKPyV replication after transplantation and the short-term decline in renal function. However, early detection of BKPyV replication, prompt diagnosis, and reduction in immunosuppression may offer long-term benefits for graft function.

Review: Most Recent Advancements in Digital Signal Processing of the Phonocardiogram.

The objective of the present paper is to provide a detailed review of the most recent developments in instrumentation and signal processing of digital phonocardiography and heart auscultation. After a short introduction, the paper presents a brief history of heart auscultation and phonocardiography, which is followed by a summary of the basic theories and controversies regarding the genesis of the heart sounds. The application of spectral analysis and the potential of new time-frequency representations and cardiac acoustic mapping to resolve the controversies and better understand the genesis and transmission of heart sounds and murmurs within the heart-thorax acoustic system are reviewed. The most recent developments in the application of linear predictive coding, spectral analysis, time-frequency representation techniques, and pattern recognition for the detection and follow-up of native and prosthetic valve degeneration and dysfunction are also presented in detail. New areas of research and clinical applications and areas of potential future developments are then highlighted. The Final section is a discussion about a multidegree of freedom theory on the origin of the heart sounds and murmurs, which is completed by the authors' conclusion.

Effect of concomitant asymmetric septal hypertrophy when assessing the severity of aortic valve stenosis: an in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) is an important cardiovascular disease that affects between 2% and 7% of the elderly population in industrialized countries. AS often coexists with asymmetric septal hypertrophy (ASH), which is generally caused by a protrusion of the hypertrophied left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) just below the aortic valve. The study aim was to determine, based on measurement of the aortic valve effective orifice area (EOA), if ASH might potentially interfere with the assessment of AS severity. METHODS: The effects of different levels of ASH (from normal to 90%) on the EOA measured from orifices mimicking different AS severities, and from a home-built AS model constructed from a bioprosthetic aortic valve, were examined in a pulsatile flow in-vitro model. RESULTS: For the most severe AS, the level of ASH had no impact on the measured EOA. In contrast, for the less severe AS, beyond an ASH level of 50% the AS severity was progressively overestimated, and reached a reduction of about 60% of EOA for a ASH level of 90%. CONCLUSION: The presence of concomitant ASH may cause an overestimation of the hemodynamic severity of AS. The extent of overestimation is more important in less-severe AS. Hence, the presence of ASH may lead the clinician to conclude, erroneously, that the AS is severe and that aortic valve replacement is indicated. However, beyond an ASH level of 50% the AS severity can be accurately determined.

A simple non-invasive method to predict the mitral valve geometric orifice area after edge-to-edge repair.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: The edge-to-edge repair (EtER) technique consists of anchoring the free edge of the diseased leaflet of the mitral valve to the corresponding edge of the opposing leaflet. When the middle sections of the leaflets are sutured, a 'double-orifice' (DO) mitral valve is artificially created. The main consequence of this technique is that mitral valve geometric orifice area (MGOA) is sensibly reduced and a functional mitral stenosis might be created. The study aim was to determine, mathematically, the MGOA by using a simple non-invasive formula following an EtER, and to examine the influence of suture position on the resulting MGOA. METHODS: The Lemniscate (also called the Lemniscate of Bernoulli), which has a shape similar to the DO EtER, was used to determine the MGOA following an EtER. RESULTS: The reduction in MGOA following EtER was more dramatic for mitral valves with a small initial MGOA. For example, a centered suture reduced the MGOA by 54.9% for an initial MGOA of 6.41 cm2; this resulted in an increase in mean transmitral valve pressure gradient (TPG) of 340%, from 0.5 to 2.2 mmHg, corresponding to a mild mitral valve stenosis. In contrast, the reduction was up to 73.5% for an initial MGOA of 3.77 cm2; this resulted in an increase in TPG of 1,339%, from 1.3 to 18.7 mmHg, corresponding to a severe mitral valve stenosis. CONCLUSION: Although the DO EtER technique appears to be effective for correcting mitral regurgitation, the significant reduction in mitral valve area may become problematic for the patient. However, this simple mathematical model may help clinicians to determine the reduction in MGOA following EtER.

Optimization of Doppler echocardiographic velocity measurements using an automatic contour detection method.

Intra- and interobserver variability in Doppler echocardiographic velocity measurements (DEVM) is a significant issue. Indeed, imprecisions of DEVM can lead to diagnostic errors, particularly in the quantification of the severity of heart valve dysfunctions. To reduce the variability and rapidity of DEVM, we have developed an automatic method of Doppler velocity wave contour detection, based on active contour models. To validate our new method, results obtained with this method were compared with those obtained manually by two experienced echocardiographers on Doppler echocardiographic images of left ventricular outflow tract and transvalvular flow velocity signals recorded in 30 patients with aortic or mitral stenosis, 20 with normal sinus rhythm and 10 with atrial fibrillation. We focused on the three essential variables that are measured routinely using Doppler echocardiography in the clinical setting: the maximum velocity (Vmax), the mean velocity (Vmean) and the velocity-time integral (VTI). Comparison between the two methods has shown a very good agreement. A small bias value was found between the two methods (between -3.9% and 0.5% for Vmax, between -4.6% and -1.4% for Vmean and between -3.6% and 4.4% for VTI). Moreover, the computation time was short, approximately 5 s. This new method applied to DEVM could, therefore, provide a useful tool to eliminate the intra- and interobserver variabilities associated with DEVM and thereby to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. This automatic method could also allow the echocardiographer to realize these measurements within a much shorter period of time compared with the standard manual tracing method. From a practical point of view, the model developed can be easily implemented in a standard echocardiographic system.