Asynchronous movement of mitral annulus: an additional mechanism of ischaemic mitral regurgitation

Relationship of Mechanical Dyssynchrony and LV Remodeling With Improvement of Mitral Regurgitation After CRT

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore the association between mechanical dyssynchrony of the left ventricle before cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and improvement of mitral regurgitation (MR) after CRT.

BACKGROUND

MR is very frequent among patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction delay.

METHODS

Echocardiograms (pre-CRT and 12 ± 3.8 months thereafter) of 314 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and any degree of MR, who underwent CRT device implantation according to guidelines, were analyzed. Left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony was assessed by apical rocking (ApRock) and septal flash (SF), while MR severity was graded from I to IV on the basis of vena contracta width, regurgitation jet size, and proximal isovelocity surface area.

RESULTS

At baseline, 30% of patients presented with severe MR (grade III or IV). In 62% of patients, MR decreased after CRT, and these patients more frequently had left bundle branch block, had more severe MR, had more dilated left ventricles, had lower ejection fractions, and more often had ApRock and SF. Reverse remodeling was more frequent among patients with MR reduction (ΔLV end-systolic volume -35.5% ± 27.2% vs -4.1% ± 33.2%; P < 0.001). In a multivariable logistic stepwise regression, only ApRock (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.7-8.5; P = 0.001), SF (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.6-7.9; P = 0.002), and baseline MR (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.9; P = 0.046) remained significantly associated with MR reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

ApRock, SF, and severity of MR at baseline are strongly associated with MR reduction after CRT, while LV reverse remodeling is its underlying mechanism. Therefore, in patients with heart failure with LV dyssynchrony on optimal medical treatment, CRT should be the primary treatment attempt for relevant MR.

Temporal Views of Flattened Mitral Valve Geometries

The mitral valve, one of the four valves in the human heart, controls the bloodflow between the left atrium and ventricle and may suffer from various pathologies. Malfunctioning valves can be treated by reconstructive surgeries, which have to be carefully planned and evaluated. While current research focuses on the modeling and segmentation of the valve, we base our work on existing segmentations of patient-specific mitral valves, that are also time-resolved ( 3D+t) over the cardiac cycle. The interpretation of the data can be ambiguous, due to the complex surface of the valve and multiple time steps. We therefore propose a software prototype to analyze such 3D+t data, by extracting pathophysiological parameters and presenting them via dimensionally reduced visualizations. For this, we rely on an existing algorithm to unroll the convoluted valve surface towards a flattened 2D representation. In this paper, we show that the 3D+t data can be transferred to 3D or 2D representations in a way that allows the domain expert to faithfully grasp important aspects of the cardiac cycle. In this course, we not only consider common pathophysiological parameters, but also introduce new observations that are derived from landmarks within the segmentation model. Our analysis techniques were developed in collaboration with domain experts and a survey showed that the insights have the potential to support mitral valve diagnosis and the comparison of the pre- and post-operative condition of a patient.

Right and left ventricular 24-segment sphericity index is abnormal in small-for-gestational-age fetuses

OBJECTIVE

Fetuses with growth restriction have been reported to have an abnormal sphericity index (SI), which is indicative of the shape of the ventricular chambers of the heart. Our aim was to evaluate the SI for 24 transverse segments distributed from base to apex of the right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles to determine whether, in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) fetuses, the SI is abnormal at locations other than the basal segment.

METHODS

We evaluated 30 SGA fetuses between 25 and 37 weeks of gestation. SI was computed for both ventricles by dividing the end-diastolic mid-basal-apical length by each of 24 end-diastolic transverse segmental widths, from base (Segment 1) to apex (Segment 24). For each ventricle, the Z-score and centile for the SI from each of the 24 segments were computed using the mean and SD from published equations. The 24-segment method, defining abnormal SI as values < 10^th centile or > 90^th centile, was compared with that of using only the basal segment by chi-square analysis to determine the number of fetuses identified with an abnormal SI.

RESULTS

In 23 of the 30 (77%) SGA fetuses, at least one of the 24 transverse segments in one or both ventricles had an abnormal SI; in 17% of cases, both ventricles were affected, in 23% of cases only the RV was involved and in 37% of cases only the LV was involved. Compared with the 24-segment model, significantly fewer fetuses with an abnormal SI were identified using only basal Segment 1, from the RV base (58%, 7/12; P < 0.01) or only Segment 12, in the mid portion of the RV (50%, 6/12; P < 0.005). Combining measurements of Segment 1 and Segment 12 from the RV identified 83% of fetuses with at least one abnormal SI and was not significantly different from using the 24-segment model. Similarly, significantly fewer fetuses with an abnormal SI were identified using only LV basal Segment 1 (63%, 10/16; P < 0.006) or only Segment 12, in the mid portion of the LV (75%, 12/16; P < 0.03), when compared with the 24-segment model. Combining measurements of both LV Segment 1 and Segment 12 identified 81% (13/16) of fetuses with an abnormal SI and was not significantly different from using the 24-segment model.

CONCLUSION

The 24-segment SI of RV and LV provides a comprehensive method with which to examine the shape of the ventricular chambers and identifies more SGA fetuses with an abnormal SI than are identified using only the basal segment SI. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Left ventricular regional dyssynchrony predicts improvements in moderate ischaemic mitral regurgitation after off-pump coronary artery bypass

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore the predictors of the improvement in moderate ischaemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) focusing on left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed among 135 patients (age at surgery, mean ± SD: 67.0 ± 8.2 years, 33.3% women) with prior myocardial infarction and moderate IMR undergoing OPCAB from 2008 to 2015. Preoperative and follow-up clinical and echocardiographic parameters were analysed, focusing on LV global/regional dyssynchrony. Patients were grouped by IMR at 1 year postoperatively: improved group with no or mild IMR (n = 61) and failure group with moderate or severe IMR (n = 67). Data were compared between groups to explore the predictors of IMR improvement after OPCAB.

RESULTS

Seven patients who died before the 1-year postoperative assessment were excluded. At the 1-year follow up, there were 61 patients in the improved group and 67 patients in the failure group. Preoperatively, the improved group had smaller LV global dyssynchrony, LV regional dyssynchrony (papillary muscle systolic dyssynchrony; improved group versus failure group: 48.5 ± 4.5 ms vs 57.1 ± 3.9 ms; P < 0.001) and greater LV ejection fraction (improved group versus failure group: 44.7 ± 5.0% vs 36.7 ± 6.7%; P < 0.001) than the failure group. Papillary muscle systolic dyssynchrony (odds ratio 1.556, 95% confidence interval 1.313-1.845; P < 0.001) and preoperative ejection fraction (odds ratio 0.799, 95% confidence interval 0.691-0.924; P = 0.002) were independent predictors of moderate IMR improvement after OPCAB.

CONCLUSIONS

In the selected patients, preoperative moderate IMR could be relieved by coronary artery bypass grafting. Greater ejection fraction and absence of LV regional dyssynchrony may predict the improvement in moderate IMR after coronary artery bypass grafting, suggesting that LV dyssynchrony especially regional dyssynchrony and preserved ventricular function would be important to the outcome of patients with moderate IMR.

24-segment sphericity index: a new technique to evaluate fetal cardiac diastolic shape

OBJECTIVE

Because of parallel circulation in the fetus and the differential effect that various disease states may have on the shape of the right and left ventricles, this study was conducted to evaluate the sphericity index (SI) of 24 transverse segments distributed from the base to the apex of each of the ventricular chambers.

METHODS

Two hundred control fetuses were examined between 20 and 40 weeks of gestation. The displacement of the ventricular endocardium during the cardiac cycle was computed using offline speckle-tracking software. From the ASCII output of the analysis, we analyzed 24 end-diastolic transverse segments, distributed from the base to the apex of each ventricle, as well as the end-diastolic mid-basal-apical length. The SI was computed for each of the 24 segments by dividing the mid-basal-apical length by the transverse length for each segment. Regression analysis was performed against biometric measurements and gestational age according to last menstrual period and ultrasound. Eight fetuses, in which the four-chamber view appeared subjectively to demonstrate chamber disproportion, were evaluated as examples to demonstrate the utility of this technology.

RESULTS

The SI for each segment was independent of gestational age and fetal biometric measurements. The SI of the right ventricle was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of the left ventricle for segments 1-18, suggesting that the right ventricle was more globular in shape than was the left ventricle at the base, mid and a portion of the apical segments of the chamber. Fetuses with various cardiac structural abnormalities and abnormal fetal growth had abnormal SI values that reflected either a more globular or a more flattened ventricular chamber.

CONCLUSION

Determination of SI for each of 24 segments of the fetal right and left ventricles provides a comprehensive method to examine the shape of the ventricular chambers. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Abnormal Fetal Findings Associated With a Global Sphericity Index of the 4-Chamber View Below the 5th Centile

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the global sphericity index (GSI) of the 4-chamber view and correlate the results with abnormal ultrasound findings.

METHODS

The epicardial end-diastolic basal-apical length (BAL) and transverse length (TL) of the 4-chamber view were measured to compute the GSI (BAL/TL) in 200 control fetuses between 20 and 40 weeks' gestation. Three hundred study fetuses were prospectively examined between 17 and 39 weeks' gestation. The GSI, Z score, and centile were computed for each of the fetuses.

RESULTS

The GSI (1.233; SD, 0.0953) in the control fetuses was independent of gestational age. Eighteen percent of the study fetuses (55 of 300) had a GSI below the 5th centile (<1.08), of whom 96% (53 of 55) had additional abnormal ultrasound findings. Fetuses with an estimated fetal weight below the 10th centile had a significantly (P < .05) higher rate of an umbilical artery Doppler pulsatility index above the 95th centile (27% versus 17.7%), a middle cerebral artery Doppler pulsatility index below the 5th centile (27% versus 0%), an abnormal cerebroplacental ratio (27% versus 4.5%), and an amniotic fluid index of less than 5 cm (36% versus 9%). The TL was significantly increased compared with the BAL in fetuses with cardiac dysfunction, irrespective of the estimated fetal weight.

CONCLUSIONS

An abnormal GSI below the 5th centile is associated with abnormal fetal ultrasound findings.

Clinical implication of mechanical dyssynchrony in heart failure

Mechanical dyssynchrony is a common phenomenon in patients with congestive heart failure, which usually identified by noninvasive cardiac imaging tools such as echocardiography. It demonstrates electromechanical delay in some regions of the failing heart which in turn contributes to further impairment of cardiac function. The diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic values of mechanical dyssynchrony have been reported in a number of studies. Therefore, this review describes briefly the methods of measurement, but more importantly, explains the clinical implication of its assessment in heart failure related aspects including cardiac resynchronization therapy, functional mitral regurgitation, diastolic heart failure and mortality.

Incremental value of global systolic dyssynchrony in determining the occurrence of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of left ventricular (LV) systolic dyssynchrony to functional mitral regurgitation (MR).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients (n = 136) with LV systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction <50%) and at least mild MR were prospectively recruited. The effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) was assessed by the proximal isovelocity surface area method. Left ventricular global systolic dyssynchrony [the maximal difference in time to peak systolic velocity among the 12 LV segments (Ts-Dif)] and regional systolic dyssynchrony (the delay between the anterolateral and posteromedial papillary muscle attaching sites) were assessed by tissue Doppler imaging. Left ventricular global and regional remodelling, systolic function, indices of mitral valvular and annular deformation were also measured. The size of the EROA correlated with the degrees of mitral deformation, LV remodelling, systolic function, and systolic dyssynchrony. By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the mitral valve tenting area (OR = 1.020, P < 0.001) and the Ts-Dif (OR = 1.011, P = 0.034) were independent determinants of significant functional MR (defined by EROA ≥20 mm(2)). From the receiver-operating characteristic curve, the tenting area of 2.7 cm(2) (sensitivity 83%, specificity 82%, AUC 0.86, P < 0.001) and the Ts-Dif of 85 ms (sensitivity 66%, specificity 72%, AUC 0.74, P < 0.001) were associated with significant functional MR. The assessment of Ts-Dif showed an incremental value over the mitral valve tenting area for determining functional MR (χ(2) = 53.92 vs.49.11, P = 0.028).

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional study showed that LV global, but not regional systolic dyssynchrony, is a determinant of significant functional MR in patients with LV systolic dysfunction, and is incremental to the tenting area that is otherwise the strongest factor for mitral valve deformation.

Papillary muscle dyssynchrony in patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

Papillary muscles (PM) dyssynchrony is among the crucial mechanisms leading to mitral valve regurgitation (MR). The purpose of this study was to find a potential relationship between the level of PM asynchrony and the degree of MR in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies (ICM and nICM, respectively).

DESIGN

Twenty-one ICM and ten nICM patients with EF ≤ 35% and sinus rhythm were enrolled in the study. The parameters describing the degree of MR and the deformation of mitral apparatus and PM function were obtained using standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging, respectively. The difference of 65 ms and more in time to peak strain (ε) between anterolateral and postero-medial PM was considered indicative of PM dyssynchrony.

RESULTS

PM dyssynchrony correlated with mitral tenting area and left atrial area. The correlation between nICM PM dyssynchrony and nICM LAA was stronger and far exceeded the one observed for ICM patients. The relationship between the PM asynchrony and the remainder of the indices characterizing the degree of MR was weak.

CONCLUSIONS

PM dyssynchrony did not reflect the degree of MR but seems to be associated with the deformation of mitral apparatus measured by tenting area. The level of haemodynamic consequences of MR can be better characterized by PM dyssynchrony in nICM than in ICM patients.