Performance of Echocardiographic Algorithms for Assessment of High Aortic Bioprosthetic Valve Gradients.

BACKGROUND: Bioprosthetic aortic valve dysfunction (BAVD) is a challenging diagnosis. Commonly used algorithms to classify high-gradient BAVD are the 2009 American Society of Echocardiography, 2014 Blauwet-Miller, and 2016 European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging algorithms. We sought (1) to evaluate the accuracy of existing algorithms against objectively proven BAVD and (2) to propose an improved algorithm. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 266 patients with objectively proven BAVD (pathology of explanted valves, four-dimensional computed tomography prior to transcatheter valve-in-valve replacement, or therapeutically confirmed bioprosthetic thrombosis) who were treated. Of those, 191 had obstruction, 48 had regurgitation, 15 had mixed stenosis and regurgitation, and 12 had patient-prosthesis mismatch (PPM). Normal controls were matched 1:1 (age, prosthesis size, and type), of which 43 had high gradients (PPM in 30, high flow in nine, and normal prosthesis in nine). Algorithm assignment was based on the echocardiogram leading to BAVD diagnosis and the predischarge "fingerprint" echocardiogram after surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement. A novel algorithm (Mayo Clinic algorithm) incorporating valve appearance in addition to Doppler parameters was developed to improve observed deficiencies. RESULTS: The accuracy of existing algorithms was suboptimal (2009 American Society of Echocardiography, 62%; 2014 Blauwet-Miller, 62%; 2016 European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, 57%). The most common overdiagnosis was PPM (22%-29% of patients and controls with high gradients). The novel Mayo Clinic algorithm correctly identified the mechanism in 256 of 307 patients and controls (83%). Recognition of regurgitation was substantially improved (42 of 47 patients, 89%), and the number of PPM misdiagnoses was significantly reduced (five patients). CONCLUSION: Currently recommended algorithms misclassify a significant number of BAVD patients. The accuracy was improved by a newly proposed algorithm.

Post Procedural Peak Left Atrial Contraction Strain Predicts Recurrence of Arrhythmia after Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) function can be impaired by the atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and might be associated with the risk of recurrence. We sought to determine whether the post-procedural changes in LA function impact the risk of recurrence following AF ablation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent AF ablation between 2009 and 2011 and underwent transthoracic echocardiography before ablation, 1-day and 3-month after ablation. Peak left atrial contraction strain (PACS) and left atrial emptying fraction (LAEF) were evaluated during sinus rhythm and compared across the three time points. The primary endpoint was atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence after ablation. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were enrolled (mean age 61 ± 11 years, 77% male, 46% persistent AF). PACS and LAEF initially decreased 1-day following ablation but partially recovered within 3 months in PAF patients, with a similar trend in the PerAF patients. After median 24 months follow-up, 68 (47%) patients had recurrence. Patients with recurrence had higher PACS1-day than that in non-recurrence subjects (-10.9 ± 5.0% vs. -13.4 ± 4.7%, p = 0.003). PACS1-day -12% distinguished recurrence cases with a sensitivity of 67.7% and specificity of 60.5%. The Kaplan-Meier curves showed significant difference in 5-year cumulative probability of recurrence between those with PACS ≥ -12% and PACS < -12% (log rank p < 0.0001). Multivariate regression showed that PACS1-day was an independent risk factor of arrhythmia recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Left atrial function deteriorates immediately following AF ablation and partially recovers in 3 months but remains abnormal in the majority of patients. PACS1-day post procedure predicts arrhythmia recurrence at long-term follow-up.

Echocardiographic mimicker of thrombus on a mechanical aortic valve prosthesis due to cavitation: A paradoxical phenomenon of pressure recovery.

We describe a case of a mass-like echocardiographic density on a mechanical prosthetic aortic valve. We initially suspected a thrombus vs vegetation on transthoracic echocardiography, but after transesophageal echocardiography, the density was subsequently determined to be cavitation by reviewing the initial images in slow motion.

Differential Impact of Mitral Valve Repair on Outcome of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting With or Without Surgical Ventricular Reconstruction in the Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the impact of mitral valve repair (MVRe) on survival of patients with moderate or severe (≥2+) MR and ischemic cardiomyopathy randomized to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus CABG+surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) in the STICH trial. METHODS: Among patients with moderate or severe MR and ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing CABG or CABG+SVR, the impact of MVRe on mortality between the two treatment arms was compared. RESULTS: Among 867 patients with assessment of baseline MR severity, 211 had moderate or severe MR. After excluding 7 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement, 50, 44, 62, and 48 patients underwent CABG, CABG+MVRe, CABG+SVR, and CABG+SVR+MVRe, respectively. Four-year mortality rates were lower following CABG+MVRe than CABG alone (16% vs. 55%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.30; 95% CI 0.13-0.71). In contrast, the CABG+SVR+MVRe and CABG+SVR groups had similar 4-year mortality of 39% vs. 39% (adjusted HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.46-1.70). MVRe had a more favorable effect on survival in patients undergoing CABG alone compared to CABG+SVR (p=0.013). Baseline MR severity was similar between patients that received CABG+MVRe and those that underwent CABG+SVR+MVRe. A larger proportion of patients demonstrated a reduction in MR between 4 and 24 months after CABG+MVRe compared to CABG+SVR+MVRe (50.0% versus 25.0%, p=0.023). CONCLUSION: In patients with moderate or severe MR and ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing CABG, MVRe appears to have a favorable effect on survival. The addition of SVR to CABG may attenuate the anticipated benefits of MVRe by limiting the long-term reduction of MR with MVRe.

Use of speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived strain and systolic strain rate measurements to predict rejection in transplant hearts with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive diagnosis of allograft rejection in heart transplant recipients is challenging. The utility of 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) to predict severe rejection in heart transplant recipients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was evaluated. METHODS: Adult heart transplant patients with preserved LVEF (> 55%) and severe rejection by biopsy (Rejection Grade ≥ 2R) or no rejection between 1997 and 2011 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota were evaluated. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed within 1 month of the biopsy. LV global longitudinal and circumferential strain and strain rates (GLS, GLSR, GCS, and GCSR) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 65 patients included, 25 had severe rejection and 40 were normal transplant controls without rejection. Both groups had more men than women (64 and 75%, respectively). Baseline clinical variables were similar between the groups. Both groups had normal LVEF (64.3% vs 64.5%; P = .87). All non-strain echocardiographic variables were similar between the 2 groups. Strain analysis showed significantly increased early diastolic longitudinal strain rate (P = .02) and decreased GCS (P < .001) and GCSR (P = .02) for the rejection group compared with the control group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for GCS was 0.77. With a GCS cutoff of - 17.60%, the sensitivity and specificity of GCS to detect severe acute rejection were 81.8 and 68.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 2D-STE may be useful in detecting severe transplant rejection in heart transplant patients with normal LVEF.

The Integration of Doppler Ultrasound With Two-Dimensional Echocardiography and the Noninvasive Cardiac Hemodynamic Revolution of the 1980s.

In the 1970s, as cardiac imaging matured from M-mode to two-dimensional echocardiography, investigators in Norway showed that continuous-wave Doppler ultrasonography could be used to accurately measure the mean gradient and pressure half-time for stenotic mitral valves. In the 1980s, continuous-wave Doppler was validated for measurement of the pressure gradient across stenotic aortic valves, and pulsed-wave Doppler combined with two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging was validated for noninvasive measurement of stroke volume and cardiac output. The combination of stroke volume measurement and measurement of the time-velocity integral of flow through the aortic valve was then validated as a means to accurately calculate valve area for patients with stenotic aortic valves or aortic prostheses. This integration of cardiac Doppler ultrasonography with two-dimensional echocardiographic cardiac imaging led to a revolution in noninvasive hemodynamic evaluations, which have replaced invasive hemodynamic evaluations in surgical decision making for most patients with native or prosthetic valvular stenosis.

Reference Values for Mid-Ascending Aorta Diameters by Transthoracic Echocardiography in Adults.

We sought to characterize mid-ascending aorta diameter reference values by age, sex, and body surface area (BSA) in a large echocardiography laboratory practice-based cohort. All subjects with transthoracic echocardiograms with mid-ascending aorta diameter measure from January 2004 to December 2009 were identified, and medical records were reviewed for medical history and anthropometric data. Those with aortic valve disease or replacement, congenital heart disease, any connective tissue or inflammatory disease that may affect the aorta, or known aortic aneurysm (>55 mm) were excluded. Mid-ascending aorta diameter was measured in a standardized manner using "leading edge to leading edge" technique at end-diastole. Of 27,839 eligible subjects, 16,620 did not have history of hypertension and were included in the analysis (56.3% female; mean age 52.0 ± 15.8 years), mean mid-ascending aorta diameter 31.7 ± 4.1 mm. Females had smaller diameter than males (30.5 ± 3.7 mm vs 33.3 ± 4.0 mm; p <0.001). Subjects with history of hypertension (n = 11,219; not included in the analysis) had larger mid-ascending aorta diameter compared with normotensive subjects (33.9 ± 3.8 mm vs 31.7 ± 4.1 mm; p < 0.001). Age had the greatest correlation with aortic size (r = 0.55), followed by sex (r = 0.35) and BSA (r = 0.35). Nomograms for predicted mid-ascending aorta diameter were generated at the 95th percentile using quantile regression for subjects without hypertension stratified by age, sex, and BSA. In conclusion, mid-ascending aorta diameter is predominantly associated with sex, age, and BSA. The nomograms established by this study may serve as useful reference values for echocardiographic screening and surveillance.

Usefulness of Mitral Valve Prosthetic or Bioprosthetic Time Velocity Index Ratio to Detect Prosthetic or Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve Dysfunction.

This study aimed to investigate the utility of transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) Doppler-derived parameters in detection of mitral prosthetic dysfunction and to define optimal cut-off values for identification of such dysfunction by valve type. In total, 971 TTE studies (647 mechanical prostheses; 324 bioprostheses) were compared with transesophageal echocardiography for evaluation of mitral prosthesis function. Among all prostheses, mitral valve prosthesis (MVP) ratio (ratio of time velocity integral of MVP to that of left ventricular outflow tract; odds ratio [OR] 10.34, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 6.43 to 16.61, p<0.001), E velocity (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.61 to 6.47, p<0.001), and mean gradient (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.25, p=0.02) provided good discrimination of clinically normal and clinically abnormal prostheses. Optimal cut-off values by receiver operating characteristic analysis for differentiating clinically normal and abnormal prostheses varied by prosthesis type. Combining MVP ratio and E velocity improved specificity (92%) and positive predictive value (65%) compared with either parameter alone, with minimal decline in negative predictive value (92%). Pressure halftime (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.00, p=0.04) did not differentiate between clinically normal and clinically abnormal prostheses but was useful in discriminating obstructed from normal and regurgitant prostheses. In conclusion, cut-off values for TTE-derived Doppler parameters of MVP function were specific to prosthesis type and carried high sensitivity and specificity for identifying prosthetic valve dysfunction. MVP ratio was the best predictor of prosthetic dysfunction and, combined with E velocity, provided a useful parameter for determining likelihood of dysfunction and need for further assessment.

Exuberant mitral annular calcification.

Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is a chronic, progressive process characterized by calcium deposition on the mitral valve annulus. There is no current grading system to relay the severity of MAC. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the extreme end of the severity spectrum in order to describe "exuberant mitral annular calcification", and a retrospective chart review of all patients with exuberant mitral annulus calcification evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester between January 1996 and December 2014 was performed. This is the first study to define criteria of "exuberant mitral annular calcification", emphasizing the importance of identifying the extreme degree of mitral annular calcification.

Real-time physiologic biomarker for prediction of atrial fibrillation recurrence, stroke, and mortality after electrical cardioversion: A prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity (LAAEV) depends largely on left atrioventricular compliance and may play a role in mediating the perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and AF-related outcomes. METHODS: We identified 3,251 consecutive patients with sustained AF undergoing first-time successful transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided electrical cardioversion who were enrolled in a prospective registry between May 2000 and March 2012. Left atrial appendage emptying flow velocity was stratified into quartiles: ≤20.2, 20.3-33.9, 34-49.9, and ≥50 cm/s. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify independent predictors of AF recurrence, ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 69 (12.6) years and 67% were men. Compared with the fourth quartile, patients in the first-third quartiles were significantly older, had higher CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, stroke/transient ischemic attack [TIA], vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) scores, greater frequency of atrial spontaneous echo contrast, and AF of longer duration. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a decreased probability of event-free survival with decreasing quartiles of LAAEV. Five-year cumulative event rates across first-fourth quartiles were 83%, 80%, 73%, and 73% (P < .001) for first AF recurrence; 7.5%, 7.0%, 4.1%, and 4.0%, for stroke (P = .01); and 31.3%, 26.1%, 24.1%, and 19.4%, for mortality (P < .001), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed an independent association of the first and second quartiles with AF recurrence (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and stroke (P = .03, and P = .04, respectively), and of the first quartile with mortality (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with decreased LAAEV have an increased risk of AF recurrence, stroke, and mortality after successful electrical cardioversion. Real-time measurement of LAAEV by TEE may be a useful physiologic biomarker for individualizing treatment decisions in patients with AF.

Echocardiographic assessment of prosthetic heart valves.

Valvular heart disease is a global health problem. It is estimated that more than 280,000 prosthetic heart valves are implanted worldwide each year. As the world's population is aging, the incidence of prosthetic heart valve implantation and the prevalence of prosthetic heart valves continue to increase. Assessing heart valve prosthesis function remains challenging, as prosthesis malfunction is unpredictable but not uncommon. Transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography is the preferred method for assessing prosthetic valve function. Clinically useful Doppler-derived measures for assessing prosthetic valve hemodynamic profiles have been reported for aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valve prostheses, but echocardiographic data regarding pulmonary valve prostheses remain limited. Complete prosthetic valve evaluation by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is sometimes challenging due to acoustic shadowing and artifacts. In these cases, further imaging with transesophageal echocardiography, fluoroscopy and/or gated CT may be warranted, particularly if prosthetic valve dysfunction is suspected. Being able to differentiate pathologic versus functional obstruction of an individual prosthesis is extremely important, as this distinction affects management decisions. Transprosthetic and periprosthetic regurgitation may be difficult to visualize on TTE, so careful review of Doppler-derived data combined with a high index of suspicion is warranted, particularly in symptomatic patients. A baseline TTE soon after valve implantation is indicated in order to "fingerprint" the prosthesis hemodynamic profile. It remains unclear how frequently serial imaging should be performed in order to assess prosthetic valve function, as this issue has not been systematically studied.

Genotype, echocardiography, and survival in familial transthyretin amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: More than 100 transthyretin (TTR) variants have been identified which cause familial systemic amyloidosis. It has been increasingly recognized that TTR variants of familial systemic amyloidosis contribute to clinical characteristics, including age at diagnosis, cardiac phenotype and survival. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-two patients who underwent genotyping for TTR variants were identified. This study focused on 116 patients representing the three most common TTR variants; T60A (n = 58), V30M (n = 37) and V122I (n = 21). The remaining subjects (n = 61) were distributed amongst 33 different genotypes and excluded from analysis. RESULTS: Age at diagnosis was similar by genotype. Septal, posterior wall thickness, right ventricular systolic pressure and left ventricular mass index were greater and LVEF lower in the V122I subgroup. At mean follow up of 3.0 ± 2.6 years there were 62 deaths. V30M patients had the best survival. Survival was similar between V122I and T60A patients. The association of genotype with mortality persisted after adjustments for clinical variables. CONCLUSIONS: For familial TTR amyloidosis cardiac involvement is frequent and mortality high for T60A, V122I and V30M genotypes. Specific genotype predicted severity of phenotypic expression as measured by echocardiography and survival.

Comprehensive hemodynamic assessment of 368 normal St. Jude Medical mechanical mitral valve prostheses based on early postimplantation echocardiographic studies.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional and Doppler-derived echocardiographic data on normal St. Jude Medical mechanical mitral valve prosthesis function have been reported but remain limited. METHODS: Comprehensive retrospective two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic assessment of 368 normal St. Jude Medical mechanical mitral valve prostheses was performed early after implantation. The early postimplantation hemodynamic profiles of 98 patients were compared with profiles obtained by follow-up transthoracic echocardiography performed <13 months after implantation. RESULTS: Using mean ± 2 SDs to define the normal distribution of values for Doppler-derived hemodynamic variables, the calculated normal ranges of values were as follows: mean gradient, 2 to 7 mm Hg; peak early mitral diastolic velocity (E velocity), 1.1 to 2.4 m/sec; time-velocity integral of the mitral valve prosthesis (TVIMVP) 20 to 50 cm; ratio of the TVIMVP to the time-velocity integral of the left ventricular outflow tract (TVILVOT), 0.9 to 2.5; pressure half-time, 35 to 99 msec; and effective orifice area, 1.12 to 3.24 cm(2). Patients with severe prosthesis-patient mismatch (ie, indexed effective orifice area ≤ 0.9 cm(2)/m(2)) had significantly higher mean gradients, E velocity, TVIMVP, and TVIMVP/TVILVOT. There was a trend for longer pressure half-times for patients with severe prosthesis-patient mismatch than for patients without severe prosthesis-patient mismatch, but none of these patients had pressure half-times > 130 msec. Among the 98 patients with follow-up transthoracic echocardiography <1 year after implantation, no significant differences were observed between early postimplantation findings and follow-up hemodynamic profiles. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes parameters (mean ± 2 SDs) defining the distribution of values for Doppler-derived hemodynamic data with normal St. Jude Medical mechanical mitral valve prostheses. Prostheses with hemodynamic values outside these parameters are likely dysfunctional; however, prosthesis dysfunction may be present even when hemodynamic values are within these ranges.

Inconsistent echocardiographic grading of aortic stenosis: is the left ventricular outflow tract important?

OBJECTIVE: Discrepancy in the echocardiographic severity grading of aortic stenosis (AS) based on current guidelines has been reported. We sought to investigate the left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOTd) as a source of inconsistencies, and to explore hypothetical alternatives for discrepancy improvement. DESIGN: Retrospective echocardiographic cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: From 2000 to 2010, we identified all AS patients with left ventricular EF ≥50%, mean gradient (MG) ≥20 mm Hg, aortic valve area (AVA) ≤2.5 cm(2),

Left and right ventricular strain and strain rate measurement in normal adults using velocity vector imaging: an assessment of reference values and intersystem agreement.

Velocity vector imaging (VVI) software permits quantitative assessment of ventricular function through measurement of myocardial strain (S) and strain rate (SR). The purpose of this study was to define a reference range of ventricular S and SR values in normal adults using VVI software, and to describe the variability among observers and systems. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed in 186 healthy adults free of cardiovascular disease or risk factors, followed by comprehensive ventricular S and SR analysis using VVI software. Images were acquired using three commercial ultrasound systems. The mean age of patients was 44 ± 16 years, and 114 (61 %) were female. Mean global left ventricular (LV) longitudinal, circumferential, and radial S and SR, and right ventricular (RV) longitudinal S and SR values are presented. Significant segmental variation in regional LV and RV S and SR was detected. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated global longitudinal LV (p = 0.05) and RV (p = 0.002) S values decline significantly with age. The overall variability of S and SR values accounted for by patient demographic and hemodynamic variables was low (16 and 8 % for LV longitudinal S and SR, respectively). Interobserver agreement was very good, but was lowest for LV radial S and SR. There were no significant differences of LV and RV S and SR between ultrasound systems. Comprehensive reference values for the normal ranges of LV and RV S and SR measured using VVI software are presented. The ultrasound system used for image acquisition did not significantly influence results.

Speckle tracking echocardiography in acute myocarditis.

To evaluate 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with acute myocarditis. In this retrospective cohort study, 45 patients (age, 39 ± 15 years; 32 male) with suspected acute myocarditis and 83 healthy controls (age, 39 ± 13 years; 27 male) underwent 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Main outcome measures were circumferential and longitudinal strain and strain rate as prognostic and diagnostic markers. Patients with myocarditis had lower circumferential strain (-13.3 ± 5.6 % vs. -22.3 ± 4 %), circumferential strain rate (-0.9 ± 0.3 vs. -1.4 ± 0.3 s(-1)), longitudinal strain (-11.7 ± 4 % vs. -17.7 ± 1.9 %), and longitudinal strain rate (-0.7 ± 0.2 vs. -1.0 ± 0.1 s(-1)) (all P < .001). For diagnostic purposes, longitudinal strain had the greatest area under the curve, 0.93 (optimal cutoff value, -15.1 %; sensitivity, 78 %; specificity, 93 %). Future events were defined as cardiac death, heart transplant, placement of left ventricular assist device or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, pulmonary edema-related respiratory failure, cardiogenic shock, and rehospitalization due to cardiac events. For every 1 % decline in longitudinal or circumferential strain, the hazard ratios (95 % CIs) were 1.26 (1.10-1.47) and 1.34 (1.14-1.63), respectively; for every 0.1 s(-1) decline in longitudinal or circumferential strain rate, the hazard ratios (95 % CIs) were 1.43 (1.09-1.89) and 1.52 (1.19-2.01), respectively (P < .01). Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test showed event-free survival significantly related to these 4 measurements. In acute myocarditis, left ventricular strain and strain rate may be promising diagnostic and prognostic tools, even in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Most importantly, this imaging technique had a role in predicting deterioration and overall event-free survival.

Comparison of right ventricular longitudinal strain imaging, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and cardiac biomarkers for early diagnosis of cardiac involvement and risk stratification in primary systematic (AL) amyloidosis: a 5-year cohort study.

AIMS: To determine the role of assessing right ventricular (RV) function, using standard echocardiography and Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI), in the early diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis and in the prediction of mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis seen at our institution from 1 February 2004 through 31 October 2005 (N=249) were categorized by left ventricular thickness and E' velocity and compared with 38 age- and sex-matched controls. Standard echocardiographic and DMI examination were used to measure echocardiographic parameters of RV function: systolic tissue velocity, strain rate, and strain were determined for basal and middle RV free wall segments. Patients were followed up for the endpoint of mortality. RV tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and all DMI measurements were lower in patients with AL amyloidosis and normal echocardiography results (AL-normal-echo group) than controls. A bivariate model including strain of the basal segment of the RV free wall and TAPSE was the best for distinguishing AL-normal-echo patients from controls. Male sex [hazard ratio (HR), 2.2; P=0.005], brain natriuretic peptide levels (HR 1.4; P=0.003), troponin T levels (HR 1.6; P=0.01), pleural effusion (HR 3.6; P<0.001), E/A ratio (HR 1.3; P=0.006), RV systolic pressure (HR 1.02; P=0.01), and RV strain rate of the middle segment (HR 1.3; P=0.02) were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSION: DMI measures of the RV can identify early impairment of cardiac function or stratify risk of death in patients with AL amyloidosis. Further studies with longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these results.

Core lab analysis of baseline echocardiographic studies in the STICH trial and recommendation for use of echocardiography in future clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: The Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) randomized trial was designed to identify an optimal management strategy for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Baseline echocardiographic examinations were required for all patients. The primary aim of this report is to describe the baseline STICH Echocardiography Core Laboratory data. The secondary aim is to provide recommendations regarding how echocardiography should be used in clinical practice and research on the basis of the experience gained from echocardiography in STICH. METHODS: Between September 2002 and January 2006, 2,136 patients with ejection fractions (EFs) ≤ 35% and coronary artery disease amenable to coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled. Echocardiography was acquired by 122 clinical enrolling sites, and measurements were performed by the Echocardiography Core Laboratory after a certification process for all clinical sites. RESULTS: Echocardiography was available for analysis in 2,006 patients (93.9%); 1,734 (86.4%) were men, and the mean age was 60.9 ± 9.5 years. The mean left ventricular end-systolic volume index, measureable in 72.8%, was 84.0 ± 30.9 mL/m(2), and the mean EF was 28.9 ± 8.3%, with 18.5% of patients having EFs > 35%. Single-plane measurements of left ventricular and left atrial volumes were similar to their volumes by biplane measurement (r = 0.97 and r = 0.92, respectively). Mitral regurgitation severity by visual assessment was associated with a wide range of effective regurgitant orifice area, while effective regurgitant orifice area ≥ 0.2 cm(2) indicated at least moderate mitral regurgitation by visual assessment. Deceleration time of mitral inflow velocity had a weak correlation with EF (r = 0.25) but was inversely related to estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (r = -0.49). CONCLUSIONS: In STICH patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, Echocardiography Core Laboratory analysis of baseline echocardiographic findings demonstrated a wide spectrum of left ventricular shape, function, and hemodynamics, as well as the feasibility and limitations of obtaining essential echocardiographic measurements. It is critical that the use of echocardiographic parameters in clinical practice and research balance the strengths and weaknesses of the technique.