Evaluation of left ventricular function after percutaneous recanalization of chronic coronary occlusions : The role of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

Effects of Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention on Subtle Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease as Assessed by Global Longitudinal Strain Imaging

Aim The study aimed to detect subtle left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction, reflected by abnormal global longitudinal strain (GLS), in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and to evaluate any improvement in GLS at 24 hours and six months post-PCI. Methods A total of 94 patients with stable CAD scheduled for elective PCI at our hospital were evaluated using conventional 2D echocardiography and GLS prior to the procedure. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 24 hours and six months post-PCI. Results Our study revealed evidence of subclinical LV dysfunction in the form of reduced baseline GLS (-16.72 ± 1.98) despite a normal ejection fraction (59.21 ± 2%). Baseline GLS showed a significant correlation with the severity of CAD, declining progressively with an increasing number of stenotic coronary vessels. Notably, there was significant improvement in subclinical LV dysfunction following PCI, as evidenced by enhanced GLS values at the six-month follow-up (-21.87 ± 1.70; p < 0.001). Among patients stratified into single-vessel disease (SVD, 63.8%), double-vessel disease (29.8%), and triple-vessel disease (3VD, 6.4%), GLS improved significantly at both 24 hours and six months post-PCI compared to baseline. Conclusions Patients with stable CAD, normal LVEF, and no regional wall motion abnormalities on 2D echocardiography were found to exhibit subtle LV dysfunction as detected by GLS. GLS parameters showed significant improvement following successful PCI. The degree of GLS impairment progressively worsened with the severity of CAD, increasing from SVD to 3VD.

Effect of Coronary Collateral Supply on Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain after Recanalization of Chronic Total Occlusion

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to chronic total occlusion (CTO) is still a subject of debate. The primary goal of revascularization is to provide symptomatic relief and enhance left ventricular (LV) functions. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is proven to be more sensitive than the ejection fraction (EF), especially for subtle ischemic changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement in LV GLS after revascularization of symptomatic stable coronary patients with single-vessel CTO, categorized according to their collateral supply grades. Sixty-nine patients with successful CTO-PCI were grouped, according to their collateral supply grades, as well-developed (WD) and poor collateral groups and followed-up for 3 months. Basal characteristics were similar for both groups, except for a lower EF (p = 0.04) and impaired GLS (p < 0.0001) in the poor collateral group. At the end of 3 months follow-up, symptomatic relief was similar in both groups (p = 0.101). GLS improvement reached statistical significance only for the poor collateral, not for the WD group (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.054, respectively). The EF did not change significantly in both groups. Poorly collateralized CTO lesions may not only result in baseline LV dysfunction, but also appear to carry potential for recovery after revascularization. This may not be the case for WD collaterals.

Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging cardiac motion-based quantitative evaluation of global longitudinal strain among patients with coronary Heart Disease and functions of left ventricular ischemic myocardial segment

To investigate two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI)-based quantitative evaluation of the influences of different levels of coronary artery stenosis on left ventricular functions and its clinical diagnostic values, 120 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were divided into control group (30 cases), mild stenosis group (30 cases), moderate stenosis group (30 cases), and severe stenosis group (30 cases) according to coronary angiography (CAG) results. They underwent routine ultrasound examination and 2D-STI examination. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of different levels of coronary artery stenosis. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) of left ventricular myocardium among patients in moderate and severe stenosis groups remarkably declined (P < 0.05). Global radial strain (GRS) and global circular strain (GCS) among patients in severe stenosis group dramatically reduced (P < 0.05). ROC curves revealed that available GLS=-17.2 was the cut-off value for screening moderate coronary stenosis. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) amounted to 57.3%, 58.4%, and 0.573, respectively. GLS, GRS, and GCS could be used to screen severe coronary stenosis. When GLS=-16.5 was the cut-off value for screening severe coronary stenosis, sensitivity, specificity, and AUC amounted to 84.3%, 82.5%, and 0.893, respectively. With the aggravation of stenosis, left ventricular systolic function of CHD patients was impaired more significantly. 2D-STI technique could be adopted for the quantitative evaluation of left ventricular strain of patients with coronary stenosis and provided a new method for early clinical diagnosis of CHD.

Evaluation of the early effect of elective percutaneous coronary intervention on left ventricular diastolic and systolic function

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an effective treatment for coronary artery disease. Previous studies have demonstrated the delayed effects of PCI on left ventricular diastolic and systolic function. However, the early impact on these parameters has not been systematically examined. Moreover, no study has compared the impact of revascularization on the global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS) strains of the left ventricle. Using echocardiographic parameters, the present study aimed to investigate the reversibility of diastolic and systolic abnormalities in patients with significant coronary artery stenosis within 1 to 2 days after PCI. Additionally, this study will compare the effects on both global and longitudinal strains.

METHODS

This study included 80 consecutive patients admitted to the angiography department for elective PCI with normal left ventricular function. Echocardiography was performed before PCI and 1 to 2 days post-procedure to assess left ventricular diastolic and systolic function indices in these patients.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 58.0±11.9 years, with a predominantly male cohort (65%). All the patients exhibited normal left ventricular systolic function and various degrees of diastolic dysfunction. One to 2 days after revascularization, significant improvements were observed in all diastolic function indices and GLS. However, no significant improvement was found in GCS.

CONCLUSION

Revascularization of a significantly stenotic coronary artery can enhance diastolic function and systolic longitudinal strain of the left ventricular myocardium as early as 1 to 2 days, with no significant impact on GCS.

Assessment of Myocardial Work of the Left Ventricle before and after PCI in Patients with Non-ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome by Pressure-Strain Loop Technology

Objectives

Noninvasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop (PSL) is a new method for quantitative evaluation of myocardial work, which is developed on the basis of speckle tracking echocardiography. It is necessary to fit the noninvasive left ventricular pressure and the strain by speckle tracking echocardiography to construct a pressure-strain loop. Compared with traditional left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS), it has potential application value and is a useful supplement for clinical evaluation of left ventricular systolic function. We perform this study to evaluate the changes of myocardial function in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with noninvasive left ventricular pressure-strain loop (PSL).

Methods

33 NSTE-ACS patients admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University who successfully underwent early PCI were included as the PCI group. At the same time, 30 healthy patients matched in age and sex were selected as the control group. All patients received routine echocardiography. The parameters such as GWI, GCW, GWW, and GWE were obtained by EchoPAC 203 software. The differences in the general clinical data and echocardiographic parameters between the two groups, including controls and patients 1 day before surgery and 1 month after surgery, were compared.

Results

Compared with the control group, GWI, GCW, and GWI in the PCI group were decreased 1 day before surgery and 1 month after surgery, while GWW was increased, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). In the PCI group, compared with 1 day before surgery, GWI and GCW were all increased 1 month after surgery (P < 0.05), and GWW and GWE were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The noninvasive left ventricular PSL technology can early and accurately evaluate the myocardial function impairment in NSTE-ACS patients and the recovery of myocardial function after PCI, providing a new noninvasive method for clinical postoperative myocardial function evaluation.

The Role of Multimodality Imaging for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Chronic Total Occlusions

Background

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of Chronic total occlusions (CTOs) has been traditionally considered a challenging procedure, with a lower success rate and a higher incidence of complications compared to non-CTO-PCI. An accurate and comprehensive evaluation of potential candidates for CTO-PCI is of great importance. Indeed, assessment of myocardial viability, left ventricular function, individual risk profile and coronary lesion complexity as well as detection of inducible ischemia are key information that should be integrated for a shared treatment decision and interventional strategy planning. In this regard, multimodality imaging can provide combined data that can be very useful for the decision-making algorithm and for planning percutaneous CTO recanalization.

Aims

The purpose of this article is to appraise the value and limitations of several non-invasive imaging tools to provide relevant information about the anatomical characteristics and functional impact of CTOs that may be useful for the pre-procedural assessment and follow-up of candidates for CTO-PCI. They include echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), nuclear imaging, and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). As an example, CCTA can accurately delineate CTO location and length, distal coronary bed, vessel tortuosity and calcifications that can predict PCI success, whereas stress CMR, nuclear imaging and stress-CT can provide functional evaluation in terms of myocardial ischemia and viability and perfusion defect extension.

Left Ventricular Functional Remodeling after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Improvement in left ventricular (LV) function after revascularization is an important determinant of long-term prognosis in a patient with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, data on the changes of LV function after revascularization are scarce in our population. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the changes in LV function and dimensions by echocardiography at 3 and 6 months after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 188 patients were recruited in this study who had undergone primary PCI. Patients with preexistent LV dysfunction, prior PCI, or with congenital heart disease were excluded. Echocardiography was performed at baseline (within 24 h of intervention), 3 months, and 6 months of intervention. Remodeling in terms of change in LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), LV end-systolic dimension, and wall motion score index (WMSI) was evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of the 188 patients, 90.4% were male, and mean age was 53.94 ± 9.12 years. Baseline mean LVEF was 39.79 ± 6.2% with mean improvement of 5.11 ± 3.87 (P < 0.001) at 3 months and 6.38 ± 4.29 (P < 0.001) at 6 months. Baseline LVEDD was 46.23 ± 3.86 mm which improved to 44.68 ± 2.81 mm at 6 months. Basal WMSI decreased by -0.09 ± 0.08 and -0.13 ± 0.09 at 3 and 6 months, respectively, after revascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary PCI is the recommended mode of reperfusion in patients with AMI. It reduces infarct size, maintains microvascular integrity and preserves LV systolic function hence improving LV function.

The indications and utility of adjunctive imaging modalities for chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention

Coronary chronic total occlusions (CTO) are common in patients undergoing coronary angiography, yet the optimal management strategy remains uncertain, with conflicting results from randomized trials. Appropriate patient selection and careful periprocedural planning are imperative for successful patient management. We review the role of adjunctive imaging modalities including myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), echocardiography and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in myocardial ischemic quantification, myocardial viability assessment, as well as procedural planning for CTO revascularization. An appreciation of the value, indications and limitations of these modalities prior to planned intervention are essential for optimal management.

Functional recovery after percutaneous revascularization of coronary chronic total occlusions: insights from cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking

To evaluate the effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs) on left ventricular (LV) strain assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) tissue tracking. In 150 patients with a CTO, longitudinal (LS), radial (RS) and circumferential shortening (CS) were determined using CMR tissue tracking before and 3 months after successful PCI. In patients with impaired LV strain at baseline, global LS (10.9 ± 2.4% vs 11.6 ± 2.8%; P = 0.006), CS (11.3 ± 2.9% vs 12.0 ± 3.5%; P = 0.002) and RS (15.8 ± 4.9% vs 17.4 ± 6.6%; P = 0.001) improved after revascularization of the CTO, albeit to a small, clinically irrelevant, extent. Strain improvement was inversely related to the extent of scar, even after correcting for baseline strain (B =  − 0.05; P = 0.008 for GLS, B =  − 0.06; P = 0.016 for GCS, B =  − 0.13; P = 0.017 for GRS). In the vascular territory of the CTO, dysfunctional segments showed minor improvement in both CS (10.8 [6.9 to 13.3] % vs 11.9 [8.1 to 15.0] %; P < 0.001) and RS (14.2 [8.4 to 18.7] % vs 16.0 [9.9 to 21.8] %; P < 0.001) after PCI. Percutaneous revascularization of CTOs does not lead to a clinically relevant improvement of LV function, even in the subgroup of patients and segments most likely to benefit from revascularization (i.e. LV dysfunction at baseline and no or limited myocardial scar).

The effect of external counterpulsation on intrinsic myocardial function evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography in refractory angina patients: a randomized controlled trial

External Counterpulsation (ECP) is one of the therapeutic options in patients with refractory angina inadequately controlled by medical, interventional, or surgical therapy. The 2D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (2D-STE) method is considered superior in assessing clinical improvement. We would like to evaluate any improvement of myocardial intrinsic function using 2D-STE in patients underwent standard ECP protocol (35 sessions). We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients with refractory angina who could not be revascularized conventionally were randomized into two groups: (1) the ECP group (300 mmHg) and (2) the Sham/control group (75 mmHg). ECP standard therapy was given for 35 sessions (1 h/day/session). The 2D-STE data, including longitudinal strain and post systolic index (PSI) were obtained before and after therapy. 43 subjects were analyzed, with 22 subjects in ECP group and 21 control subjects (Sham group). A homogenous baseline strain was found either globally (12.42 ± 4.55 vs 12.00 ± 4.92 [- %]; P = 0.774) or segmentally/regionally (12.63 (0.01-25.16) vs 12.43 (0.01-27.20) [- %]; P = 0.570). There was no statistically significant improvement between groups in the left ventricle longitudinal strain globally (P = 0.535) and segmentally/regionally (P = 0.434). PSI parameters showed improvement in the ECP group (P = 0.049), and segments with PSI ≥ 20% seemed to improve longitudinal strains in the ECP group after therapy (P = 0.042). In conclusion, 35 ECP therapy sessions did not improve either global or segmental/regional left ventricular mechanical function in patients with refractory angina. However, the mechanical function of myocardial segments with PSS tends to improve after ECP therapy.

Evaluation of the impact of percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusion on regional myocardial function using strain echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Successful revascularization of chronic total occlusions has been associated with potential effects on left ventricular (LV) function. Strain and strain rate are more sensitive measures of LV mechanics than LV ejection fraction (LVEF). This study was conducted to investigate the impact of revascularization of chronic total occlusion (CTO) on LV function using tissue Doppler (TDI) strain echocardiography.

RESULTS

This study included 60 patients divided into two main groups: the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) group including patients who had a successful PCI of CTO on left anterior descending (LAD) artery and was presented for elective PCI with symptomatic angina and/or positive functional ischemic study. They included 18 males with a mean age of 57 ± 5 years. The optimum medical treatment (OMT) group, including 30 patients, had non-revascularized CTO-LAD and was kept on OMT alone; 20 of them were males with a mean age of 58 ± 4 years. In the PCI group, there was a significant improvement in all the TDI strain parameters of the LAD territory segments. Six months after PCI, the peak systolic strain rate improved from - 0.65 ± 0.21 to 1.05 ± 0.31 1/s (p value < 0.01), the peak systolic strain improved from 6.54 ± 2.48 to 11.51 ± 3.33% ( p value < 0.001 ), and the end systolic strain improved from 7.88 ± 2.77 to 10.51 ± 3.14% (p value < 0.01 ). There was no significant improvement in the mean LVEF (60.70 ± 8.33 vs 61.91 ± 8.16% (p value = 0.6)). In the OMT group, there was no improvement in all the strain parameters and there was no change in the mean LVEF. In the PCI group, there was a significant improvement in the angina class (p value = 0.03) while, in the OMT group, there was no significant improvement (p value = 0.835).

CONCLUSIONS

Successful PCI for CTO improved regional LV myocardial function assessed by TDI strain echocardiography. This improvement was associated with improvement in the angina class.