Echocardiographic strain and mortality in Black Americans with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) presents a significant health burden and is associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This is particularly true in African Americans who generally have higher rates of cardiovascular mortality. Outcomes in ESRD are related to extent of cardiovascular disease, but markers for outcome are not clearly established. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has emerged as an important measure of left ventricular systolic function that is additive to traditional ejection fraction (EF). It can be measured on routine digital echocardiography and is reproducible. This study tested the hypothesis that GLS is associated with mortality in black Americans with ESRD and preserved EF. Forty-eight outpatients undergoing hemodialysis, 59.4 ± 13.3 years, with EF ≥50% were prospectively enrolled. GLS, measured by an offline speckle tracking algorithm, ranged from -8.6% to -22.0% with a mean of -13.4%, substantially below normal (-16% or more negative). The prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, as determined by GLS, was 89%. Patients were followed for an average of 1.9 years; all-cause mortality was 19% (9 deaths). GLS was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.30, p = 0.02), whereas EF was not. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders (age, gender, race, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, coronary disease, heart failure, and EF), GLS remained strongly associated with mortality (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% confidence interval 1.10 to 1.56, p = 0.002). In conclusion, GLS is an important index in patients with ESRD, which is additive to EF as a marker for mortality in this high-risk group.

Prognostic value of prolonged QTc interval in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) can be a life-threatening condition. Right ventricular function evaluated by echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide levels and several patterns on the electrocardiogram have been utilized to guide treatment and prognosis. Case reports described heart rate corrected QT (QTc) prolongation as an ECG finding associated with PE. However, the prognostic value of QTc prolongation has not been studied. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 300 consecutive patients (mean age 60.3 ± 17.6 years; 40.7% men) diagnosed with acute PE by computed tomography pulmonary angiography or ventilation perfusion scan were studied. Patients were divided into two groups: a prolonged QTc group with QTc >460 milliseconds (n=178) and a control group (n=122). We retrospectively reviewed medical records, electrocardiography, echocardiography and radiography results. Statistical analyses included unpaired t-test and Fisher's exact test using Stata version12. RESULTS: The prolonged QTc group demonstrated significantly increased right ventricular dilatation and systolic dysfunction. Additionally, the duration of hospitalization and intensive care unit stay were longer in the prolonged QTc group. Further, the prolonged QTc group had more hypotensive episodes and received thrombolytic treatment more frequently. There was no statistical difference in in-patient mortality rates (4.5% for the study group and 4.2% for the control group, P=1). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged QTc may prove a novel predictor for evaluating prognosis in acute PE. Larger studies will need to confirm this finding.

Calcification of the mitral valve and annulus: systematic evaluation of effects on valve anatomy and function.

BACKGROUND: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is common in chronic kidney disease. It is associated with cardiovascular events and can cause valvular dysfunction, but it has not been systematically characterized. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the prevalence and distribution of MAC, its effects on leaflet motion, and its association with mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation (MR) in a hemodialysis population. METHODS: Echocardiograms were obtained in 75 consecutive hemodialysis outpatients. MAC extent and distribution were graded semiquantitatively using two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiography. Associations with the presence and severity of mitral stenosis and MR were explored. RESULTS: The mean age was 60 ± 14 years; 60% were men, and 87% were African American. MAC was present in 64% (moderate to severe in 48%). Calcium extended more than halfway onto the leaflet in 37% and beyond the annulus in 40%. Leaflet motion was restricted in 37%. Mitral stenosis was present in 28%, and the extent of calcification was associated with mean mitral valve gradient (P < .0001). MR was prevalent (present in 81%) but was severe in none. The severity of MAC was greater in patients with moderate MR than in those with no or mild MR (P = .04). Three-dimensional analysis suggested an uneven distribution of annular calcium; the middle and lateral anterior segments were less often calcified than the anterior-medial or posterior segments. Calcification in any annular segment was highly associated with restricted motion of the attached leaflet segment. CONCLUSIONS: MAC is common and often extensive in hemodialysis patients. Calcium may be unevenly distributed among the annular segments. When present, annular calcification reduces the angle of leaflet opening and can cause valvular dysfunction.

Postoperative right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device placement is predicted by preoperative echocardiographic structural, hemodynamic, and functional parameters.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation results in significant morbidity and mortality. Preoperative parameters from transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) that predict RVF after LVAD implantation might identify patients in need of temporary or permanent right ventricular (RV) mechanical or inotropic support. METHODS AND RESULTS: Records of all patients who had preoperative TTE before implantation of a permanent LVAD at our institution from 2008 to 2011 were screened, and 55 patients (age 54 ± 16 years, 71% male) were included: 26 had LVAD implantation alone with no postoperative RVF, 16 had LVAD implantation alone but experienced postoperative RVF, and 13 had initial biventricular assist devices (BIVADs). The LVAD with RVF and BIVAD groups (RVF group) were pooled for comparison with the LVAD patients without RVF (No RVF group). RV fractional area change (RV FAC) was significantly lower in the RVF group versus the No RVF group (24% vs 30%; P = .04). Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was not different among the groups (1.6 cm vs 1.5 cm; P = .53). Estimated right atrial pressure (RAP) was significantly higher in the RVF group versus the No RVF group (11 mm Hg vs 8 mm Hg; P = .04). Left atrial volume (LAV) index was lower in patients with RVF versus No RVF (27 mL/m(2) vs 40 mL/m(2); P = .008). Combining RV FAC, estimated RAP, and LAV index into an echocardiographic scoring system revealed that the TTE score was highly predictive of RVF (5.0 vs 2.8; P = .0001). In multivariate models combining the TTE score with clinical variables, the score was the most predictive of RVF (odds ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval 1.06-2.62). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative RV FAC, estimated RAP, and LAV index predict postoperative RVF in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. These parameters may be combined into a simple echocardiographic scoring system to provide an additional tool to risk-stratify patients being evaluated for LVAD implantation.