Primary mitral regurgitation: Toward a better quantification on left ventricular consequences.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and ejection fraction (LVEF) are the parameters to look for when discussing repair in asymptomatic patients with a primary mitral regurgitation (PMR). Loading conditions are altering LV-function quantification. LV-myocardial work (LVMW) is a method based on pressure-strain loops. HYPOTHESIS: We sought to evaluate the additive value of the LVMW for predicting clinical events in patients with PMR. METHODS: 103 patients (66% men, median age 57 years) with asymptomatic severe PMR were explored at rest and during an exercise stress echocardiography. LV myocardial global work index (GWI), constructive work (GCW), wasted work (GWW), and work efficiency (GWE) were measured with speckle-tracking echocardiography at rest and low workload. The indication for surgery was based on the heart teams' decision. The median follow-up was 670 days. RESULTS: Clinical events occurred for 50 patients (48.5%) with a median of event-free survival distribution of 289 days. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) at rest was 32.61 ± 8.56 mmHg and did not predict the risk of event like LVEF and LVESD. Changes in, GLS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.55; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 0.36-0.83; p = .005), GWI (HR 1.01; 95% Cl: 1.00-1.02; p = .002) and GCW (HR 1.85; 95% Cl: 1.28-2.68; p = .001) in addition to Left Atrial Volume Index (HR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.28 - 2.33; p < 0,001) were independent predictors of events. CONCLUSION: Changes in myocardial work indices related to low-dose exercise are relevant to best predict PMR patient prognosis It might help to better select patient's candidate for "early-surgery."

Evolution and prognostic value of left ventricular deformation and myocardial work parameters in Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Wild-type transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an increasingly recognized condition. It remains challenging to estimate the extent of disease and the prognosis for most patients. Myocardial work is a sensitive echocardiographic approach that improves the characterization of myocardial damage. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate myocardial work parameters in ATTR-CM patients and it changes over time. METHOD: We analyzed clinical, electrocardiographic, biological, and echocardiographic characteristics in 113 consecutive patients (median age 82 [77-85], 90.4% male) diagnosed with wild-type ATTR-CM based on international consensus at a single centre. Baseline and follow up data at 18-month were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients died and twelve were hospitalized for heart failure at a median follow-up of 935 days (IQR 691-1159 days). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left atrial strain during reservoir phase (LASr), left ventricular longitudinal strain, Global Work Index (GWI), Global Constructive Work, and TAPSE significantly decreased from baseline to 18 months while wall thickness increased. Left ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF), Right Ventricular Free Wall Strain, Global Wasted Work (GWW) and Global Work Efficiency (GWE) did not alter significantly. Using a multivariate analysis, strain parameters were identified as prognostic on baseline evaluation: GWW and RV-free wall-Strain (FWS) especially. They were significantly associated with the risk of death and hospitalization for heart failure. CONCLUSION: Myocardial Work parameters, particularly GWW, were valuable predictors for outcome in ATTR-CM patients.