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Mora V, Geraldo J, Roldán I, Galiana E, Gil C, Escribano P, Arbucci R, Hidalgo A, Gramage P, Trainini J, Carreras F, Lowenstein J. A New Coding System for the Identification of Left Ventricular Rotation Patterns and Their Relevance to Myocardial Function. Ann Biomed Eng 2024; 52:2509-2520. [PMID: 38853207 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-024-03539-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Rotational mechanics is a fundamental determinant of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The coding system currently employed in clinical practice does not distinguish between rotational patterns. We propose an alternative coding system that makes possible to identify the rotational pattern of the LV and relate it to myocardial function. Echocardiographic images were used to generate speckle tracking-derived transmural global longitudinal strain (tGLS) and rotational parameters. The existence of twist (basal and apical rotations in opposite directions) is expressed as a rotational gradient with a positive value that is the sum of the basal and apical rotation angles. Conversely, when there is rigid rotation (basal and apical rotations in the same direction) the resulting gradient is assigned a negative value that is the subtraction between the two rotation angles. The rotational patterns were evaluated in 87 healthy subjects and 248 patients with LV hypertrophy (LVH) and contrasted with their myocardial function. Our approach allowed us to distinguish between the different rotational patterns. Twist pattern was present in healthy controls and 104 patients with LVH and normal myocardial function (tGLS ≥ 17%, both). Among 144 patients with LVH and myocardial dysfunction (tGLS < 17%), twist was detected in 83.3% and rigid rotation in 16.7%. LVEF was < 50% in 34.7%, and all patients with rigid rotation had a LVEF < 50%. The gradient rotational values showed a close relationship with LVEF (r = 0.73; p < 0.001). The proposed coding system allows us to identify the rotational patterns of the LV and to relate their values with LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mora
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Geraldo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ildefonso Roldán
- Cardiology Department, Universitat de València, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, Avda Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Ester Galiana
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Celia Gil
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Escribano
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosina Arbucci
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto Hidalgo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Gramage
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Trainini
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Francesc Carreras
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Sant Pau, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Lowenstein
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Smiseth OA, Rider O, Cvijic M, Valkovič L, Remme EW, Voigt JU. Myocardial Strain Imaging: Theory, Current Practice, and the Future. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2024:S1936-878X(24)00301-2. [PMID: 39269417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2024.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial strain imaging by echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a powerful method to diagnose cardiac disease. Strain imaging provides measures of myocardial shortening, thickening, and lengthening and can be applied to any cardiac chamber. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain by speckle-tracking echocardiography is the most widely used clinical strain parameter. Several CMR-based modalities are available and are ready to be implemented clinically. Clinical applications of strain include global longitudinal strain as a more sensitive method than ejection fraction for diagnosing mild systolic dysfunction. This applies to patients suspected of having heart failure with normal LV ejection fraction, to early systolic dysfunction in valvular disease, and when monitoring myocardial function during cancer chemotherapy. Segmental LV strain maps provide diagnostic clues in specific cardiomyopathies, when evaluating LV dyssynchrony and ischemic dysfunction. Strain imaging is a promising modality to quantify right ventricular function. Left atrial strain may be used to evaluate LV diastolic function and filling pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto A Smiseth
- Institute for Surgical Research, Division of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Oliver Rider
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, RDM Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marta Cvijic
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ladislav Valkovič
- Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research, RDM Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Imaging Methods, Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Espen W Remme
- Institute for Surgical Research, Division of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; The Intervention Center, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jens-Uwe Voigt
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Mori T, Matsushita S, Morita T, Abudurezake A, Mochizuki J, Amano A. Evaluation of mitral chordae tendineae length using four-dimensional computed tomography. World J Cardiol 2024; 16:274-281. [PMID: 38817650 PMCID: PMC11135327 DOI: 10.4330/wjc.v16.i5.274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitral valvuloplasty using artificial chordae tendineae represents an effective surgical approach for treating mitral regurgitation. Achieving precise measurements of artificial chordae tendineae length (CL) is an important factor in the procedure; however, no objective index currently exists to facilitate this measurement. Therefore, preoperative assessment of CL is critical for surgical planning and support. Four-dimensional x-ray micro-computed tomography (4D-CT) may be useful for accurate CL measurement considering that it allows for dynamic three-dimensional (3D) evaluation compared to that with transthoracic echocardiography, a conventional inspection method. AIM To investigate the behavior and length of mitral chordae tendineae during systole using 4D-CT. METHODS Eleven adults aged > 70 years without mitral valve disease were evaluated. A 64-slice CT scanner was used to capture 20 phases in the cardiac cycle in electrocardiographic synchronization. The length of the primary chordae tendineae was measured from early systole to early diastole using the 3D image. The primary chordae tendineae originating from the anterior papillary muscle and attached to the A1-2 region and those from the posterior papillary muscle and attached to the A2-3 region were designated as cA and cP, respectively. The behavior and maximum lengths [cA (ma), cP (max)] were compared, and the correlation with body surface area (BSA) was evaluated. RESULTS In all cases, the mitral anterior leaflet chordae tendineae could be measured. In most cases, the cA and cP chordae tendineae could be measured visually. The mean cA (max) and cP (max) were 20.2 mm ± 1.95 mm and 23.5 mm ± 4.06 mm, respectively. cP (max) was significantly longer. The correlation coefficients (r) with BSA were 0.60 and 0.78 for cA (max) and cP (max), respectively. Both cA and cP exhibited constant variation in CL during systole, with a maximum 1.16-fold increase in cA and a 1.23-fold increase in cP from early to mid-systole. For cP, CL reached a plateau at 15% and remained elongated until end-systole, whereas for cA, after peaking at 15%, CL shortened slightly and then moved toward its peak again as end-systole approached. CONCLUSION The study suggests that 4D-CT is a valuable tool for accurate measurement of both the length and behavior of chordae tendineae within the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Mori
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, JACCT Japan Animal Cardiovascular Care Team, Osaka 533-0033, Japan
| | - Satoshi Matsushita
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.
| | - Terumasa Morita
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Abulaiti Abudurezake
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Junji Mochizuki
- Department of Radiology, Minamino Cardiovascular Hospital, Tokyo 192-0918, Japan
| | - Atsushi Amano
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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Vasapollo B, Novelli GP, Maellaro F, Gagliardi G, Pais M, Silvestrini M, Pometti F, Farsetti D, Valensise H. Maternal cardiovascular profile is altered in the preclinical phase of normotensive early and late intrauterine growth restriction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024:S0002-9378(24)00597-0. [PMID: 38763339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The maternal cardiovascular profile of patients who develop late fetal growth restriction has yet to be well characterized, however, a subclinical impairment in maternal hemodynamics and cardiac function may be present before pregnancy and may become evident because of the hemodynamic alterations associated with pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate if maternal hemodynamics and the cardiovascular profile might be different in the preclinical stages (22-24 weeks' gestation) in cases of early and late fetal growth restriction in normotensive patients. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective echocardiographic study of 1152 normotensive nulliparous pregnant women at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation. The echocardiographic evaluation included morphologic parameters (left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness, left atrial volume index) and systolic and diastolic maternal left ventricular function (ejection fraction, left ventricular global longitudinal strain, E/A ratio, and E/e' ratio). Patients were followed until the end of pregnancy to note the development of normotensive early or late fetal growth restriction. RESULTS Of the study cohort, 1049 patients had no complications, 73 were classified as having late fetal growth restriction, and 30 were classified as having early fetal growth restriction. In terms of left ventricular morphology, the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was greater in uneventful pregnancies (4.84±0.28 cm) than in late (4.67±0.26 cm) and in early (4.55±0.26 cm) (P<.001) fetal growth restriction cases, whereas left ventricular end-systolic diameter was smaller in uneventful pregnancies (2.66±0.39 cm) than in late (2.83±0.40 cm) and in early (2.82±0.38 cm) (P<.001) fetal growth restriction cases. The relative wall thickness was slightly higher in early (0.34±0.05) and late (0.35±0.04) fetal growth restriction cases than in uneventful pregnancies (0.32±0.05) (P<.05). In terms of systolic left ventricular function, at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation, cardiac output was higher in uneventful pregnancies (6.58±1.07 L/min) than in late (5.40±0.97 L/min) and in early (4.76±1.05 L/min) (P<.001) fetal growth restriction cases with the lowest values in the early-onset group. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain was lower in appropriate for gestational age neonates (-21.6%±2.0%) and progressively higher in late (-20.1%±2.2%) and early (-18.5%±2.3%) (P<.001) fetal growth restriction cases. In terms of diastolic left ventricular function, the E/e' ratio showed intermediate values in the late fetal growth restriction group (7.90±2.73) when compared with the appropriate for gestational age group (7.24±2.43) and with the early fetal growth restriction group (10.76±3.25) (P<.001). The total peripheral vascular resistance was also intermediate in the late fetal growth restriction group (1300±199 dyne·s·cm-5) when compared with the appropriate for gestational age group (993±175 dyne·s·cm-5) and the early fetal growth restriction group (1488±255 dyne.s.cm-5) (P<.001). CONCLUSION Early and late fetal growth restriction share similar maternal hemodynamic and cardiovascular profiles with a different degree of expression. These features are already present at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation and are characterized by a hypodynamic state. The degree of these cardiovascular changes may influence the timing of the manifestation of the disease; a hypovolemic, high resistance, low cardiac output state might be associated with early-onset fetal growth restriction, whereas a milder hypovolemic state seems to favor the development of the disease in the final stages of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vasapollo
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Paolo Novelli
- Prehospitalization Unit, Department of Integrated Care Processes, Policlinico di Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Filomena Maellaro
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Gagliardi
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Pais
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Silvestrini
- Prehospitalization Unit, Department of Integrated Care Processes, Policlinico di Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Department of Sports Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Pometti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Farsetti
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy
| | - Herbert Valensise
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico Casilino, Rome, Italy
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Jaber M, Armand A, Rochette E, Monzy S, Greze V, Kanold J, Merlin E, Paysal J, Nottin S. Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity on regional myocardial work and left ventricular mechanical dispersion in adolescents and young adults in post-lymphoma remission. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e6857. [PMID: 38204211 PMCID: PMC10904967 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial work (MW) is a new echocardiographic tool with a high sensitivity to detect early and subtle alterations of myocardial function. We aimed to evaluate the late effects of anthracyclines by assessing the global and segmental MW and intraventricular mechanical dispersion from speckle tracking echocardiography in childhood lymphoma survivors (CLS). METHODS Thirty-one young adults including CLS and age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. All underwent echocardiography including an evaluation of left ventricular (LV) morphology and regional function. We assessed LV longitudinal (differentiating sub-endocardial and sub-epicardial layers), circumferential strains and twist, global and regional MW index (MWI). LV mechanical dispersion was assessed from the time dispersion of LV longitudinal strain, from myocardial wasted work (MWW) and myocardial work efficiency (MWE). RESULTS The longitudinal strains both at the level of the sub-endocardium and sub-epicardium were reduced in CLS compared to controls. The global MWI was also decreased (1668 ± 266 vs 1870 ± 264%.mmHg in CLS patients and controls, respectively, p < 0.05), especially on the apical segments. An increase of LV intraventricular mechanical dispersion was observed in CLS. MWW and MWE remained unchanged compared to controls. CONCLUSION Our results strongly support that cardiac remodeling is observed in CLS, characterized by a decrease in MW and an increase in LV mechanical dispersion. The apex is specifically altered, but its clinical significance remains uncertain. MW as a complement to strain seems interesting in cancer survivors to detect myocardial dysfunction at early stage and adapt their follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Jaber
- CHU Clermont‐Ferrand, Pédiatrie GénéraleClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Alexandre Armand
- CHU de Clermont‐Ferrand, Service Hématologie Oncologie PédiatriqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Emmanuelle Rochette
- CHU Clermont‐Ferrand, Pédiatrie GénéraleClermont‐FerrandFrance
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERMCIC 1405, CRECHE UnitClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Severine Monzy
- Cardiologue libéral, Pôle Santé RépubliqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Victoria Greze
- CHU de Clermont‐Ferrand, Service Hématologie Oncologie PédiatriqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERMCIC 1405, CRECHE UnitClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Justyna Kanold
- CHU de Clermont‐Ferrand, Service Hématologie Oncologie PédiatriqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
- Université Clermont Auvergne, INSERMCIC 1405, CRECHE UnitClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Etienne Merlin
- CHU Clermont‐Ferrand, Pédiatrie GénéraleClermont‐FerrandFrance
- CHU de Clermont‐Ferrand, Service Hématologie Oncologie PédiatriqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Justine Paysal
- CHU de Clermont‐Ferrand, Service Hématologie Oncologie PédiatriqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
- CHU Clermont‐Ferrand, Néonatologie et Réanimation PédiatriqueClermont‐FerrandFrance
| | - Stéphane Nottin
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Adaptations to ExerciseAvignonFrance
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Kandels J, Richter S, Hagendorff A, Kragholm K, Tayal B, Laufs U, Denecke T, Stöbe S. Comparison of left ventricular deformation abnormalities by echocardiography with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with acute myocarditis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 10:1322145. [PMID: 38264261 PMCID: PMC10803407 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1322145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) represents the gold standard to detect myocarditis. Left ventricular (LV) deformation imaging provides additional diagnostic options presumably exceeding conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The present study aimed to analyze the feasibility to detect myocarditis in patients (pts) with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) by TTE compared to cMRI. It has been hypothesized that the number of pathological findings by deformation imaging correspond to findings in cMRI. Methods and results Between January 2018 and February 2020 102 pts with acute myocarditis according to the modified Lake Louise criteria and early gadolinium enhancement (EGE) by cMRI were identified at the department of cardiology at the University Hospital Leipzig. Twenty-six pts were included in this retrospective comparative study based on specific selection criteria. Twelve pts with normal cMRI served as a control group. LV deformation was analyzed by global and regional longitudinal strain (GLS, rLS), global and regional circumferential and radial strain (GCS, rCS, GRS, rRS), and LV rotation (including layer strain analysis). All parameters were compared to findings of edema, inflammation, and fibrosis by cMRI according to Lake Louise criteria. All pts with acute myocarditis diagnosed by cMRI showed pathological findings in TTE. Especially rCS and LV rotation analyzed by regional layer strain exhibit a high concordance with pathological findings in cMRI. In controls no LV deformation abnormalities were documented. Mean values of GLS, GRS, and GCS were not significantly different between pts with acute myocarditis and controls. Conclusion This retrospective analysis documents the feasibility of detecting regional deformation abnormalities by echocardiography in patients with acute myocarditis confirmed by cMRI. The detection of pathological findings due to myocarditis requires the determination of regional deformation parameters, particularly rCS and LV rotation. The assessment of global strain values does not appear to be of critical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joscha Kandels
- Department of Cardiology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Richter
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Martha-Maria Hospital Halle-Dölau, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Kristian Kragholm
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Unit of Clinical Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Bhupendar Tayal
- Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Department of Cardiology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Timm Denecke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Stöbe
- Department of Cardiology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
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Gherbesi E, Gianstefani S, Angeli F, Ryabenko K, Bergamaschi L, Armillotta M, Guerra E, Tuttolomondo D, Gaibazzi N, Squeri A, Spaziani C, Pizzi C, Carugo S. Myocardial strain of the left ventricle by speckle tracking echocardiography: From physics to clinical practice. Echocardiography 2024; 41:e15753. [PMID: 38284665 DOI: 10.1111/echo.15753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a reliable imaging technique of recognized clinical value in several settings. This method uses the motion of ultrasound backscatter speckles within echocardiographic images to derive myocardial velocities and deformation parameters, providing crucial insights on several cardiac pathological and physiological processes. Its feasibility, reproducibility, and accuracy have been widely demonstrated, being myocardial strain of the various chambers inserted in diagnostic algorithms and guidelines for various pathologies. The most important parameters are Global longitudinal strain (GLS), Left atrium (LA) reservoir strain, and Global Work Index (GWI): based on large studies the average of the lower limit of normality are -16%, 23%, and 1442 mmHg%, respectively. For GWI, it should be pointed out that myocardial work relies primarily on non-invasive measurements of blood pressure and segmental strain, both of which exhibit high variability, and thus, this variability constitutes a significant limitation of this parameter. In this review, we describe the principal aspects of the theory behind the use of myocardial strain, from cardiac mechanics to image acquisition techniques, outlining its limitation, and its principal clinical applications: in particular, GLS have a role in determine subclinical myocardial dysfunction (in cardiomyopathies, cardiotoxicity, target organ damage in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension) and LA strain in determine the risk of AF, specifically in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Gherbesi
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Gianstefani
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Angeli
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Khrystyna Ryabenko
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Bergamaschi
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Armillotta
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emiliano Guerra
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico Di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Domenico Tuttolomondo
- Cardiology Division, Parma University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Nicola Gaibazzi
- Cardiology Division, Parma University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Angelo Squeri
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care and Research, Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Cristina Spaziani
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Carmine Pizzi
- Cardiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences - DIMEC - Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefano Carugo
- Department of Cardio-Thoracic-Vascular Diseases, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
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8
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Giorgione V, Khalil A, O'Driscoll J, Thilaganathan B. Postpartum cardiovascular function in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a longitudinal study. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 229:292.e1-292.e15. [PMID: 36935069 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, which are usually mediated by the development of cardiovascular risk factors, such as chronic hypertension, metabolic syndrome, or subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Increasing evidence has been showing that little time elapses between the end of pregnancy and the development of these cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the persistence of hypertension and myocardial dysfunction at 4 months postpartum in a cohort of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and to compare the echocardiographic parameters between the peripartum and the postpartum period. STUDY DESIGN In a longitudinal prospective study, a cohort of women with preterm or term hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and an unmatched group of women with term normotensive pregnancy were recruited. Women with preexisting chronic hypertension (n=29) were included in the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy cohort. All participants underwent 2 cardiovascular assessments: the first was conducted either before or within 1 week of delivery (V1: peripartum assessment), and the second between 3 and 12 months following delivery (V2: postpartum assessment). The cardiovascular evaluation included blood pressure profile, maternal transthoracic echocardiography (left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness, left atrial volume index, E/A, E/e', peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation, ejection fraction, and left ventricular global longitudinal strain and twist), and metabolic assessment (fasting glycemia, insulin, lipid profile, and waist measurement). Echocardiographic data were compared between V1 and V2 using paired t test or McNemar test in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and in the control groups. RESULTS Among 260 patients with pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and 33 patients with normotensive pregnancies, 219 (84.2%) and 30 (90.9%) attended postpartum follow-up, respectively. Patients were evaluated at a median of 124 days (interquartile range, 103-145) after delivery. Paired comparisons of echocardiographic findings demonstrated significant improvements in cardiac remodeling rates (left ventricular mass index [g/m2], 63.4±14.4 vs 78.9±16.2; P<.001; relative wall thickness, 0.35±0.1 vs 0.42±0.1; P<.001), most diastolic indices (E/e', 6.3±1.6 vs 7.4±1.9; P<.001), ejection fraction (ejection fraction <55%, 9 [4.1%] vs 28 [13.0%]; P<.001), and global longitudinal strain (-17.3±2.6% vs -16.2±2.4%; P<.001) in the postpartum period compared with the peripartum. The same improvements in cardiac indices were observed in the normotensive group. However, at the postnatal assessment, 153 of 219 (69.9%) had either hypertension (76/219; 34.7%) or an abnormal global longitudinal strain (125/219; 57.1%), 13 of 67 (19.4%) had metabolic syndrome, and 18 of 67 (26.9%) exhibited insulin resistance. CONCLUSION Although persistent postpartum cardiovascular impairment was evident in a substantial proportion of patients given that more than two-thirds had either hypertension or myocardial dysfunction postpartum, cardiac modifications because of pregnancy-related overload and hypertension were more pronounced in the peripartum than in the postpartum period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Giorgione
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Asma Khalil
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie O'Driscoll
- Department of Cardiology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; School of Psychology and Life Sciences, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Basky Thilaganathan
- Fetal Medicine Unit, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom; Vascular Biology Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom.
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9
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Holmes JB, Lemieux ME, Stelzer JE. Torsional and strain dysfunction precede overt heart failure in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy pathogenesis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H449-H467. [PMID: 37417875 PMCID: PMC10538988 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00130.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Detailed assessments of whole heart mechanics are crucial for understanding the consequences of sarcomere perturbations that lead to cardiomyopathy in mice. Echocardiography offers an accessible and cost-effective method of obtaining metrics of cardiac function, but the most routine imaging and analysis protocols might not identify subtle mechanical deficiencies. This study aims to use advanced echocardiography imaging and analysis techniques to identify previously unappreciated mechanical deficiencies in a mouse model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) before the onset of overt systolic heart failure (HF). Mice lacking muscle LIM protein expression (MLP-/-) were used to model DCM-linked HF pathogenesis. Left ventricular (LV) function of MLP-/- and wild-type (WT) controls were studied at 3, 6, and 10 wk of age using conventional and four-dimensional (4-D) echocardiography, followed by speckle-tracking analysis to assess torsional and strain mechanics. Mice were also studied with RNA-seq. Although 3-wk-old MLP-/- mice showed normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF), these mice displayed abnormal torsional and strain mechanics alongside reduced β-adrenergic reserve. Transcriptome analysis showed that these defects preceded most molecular markers of HF. However, these markers became upregulated as MLP-/- mice aged and developed overt systolic dysfunction. These findings indicate that subtle deficiencies in LV mechanics, undetected by LVEF and conventional molecular markers, may act as pathogenic stimuli in DCM-linked HF. Using these analyses in future studies will further help connect in vitro measurements of the sarcomere function to whole heart function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY A detailed study of how perturbations to sarcomere proteins impact whole heart mechanics in mouse models is a major yet challenging step in furthering our understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology. This study uses advanced echocardiographic imaging and analysis techniques to reveal previously unappreciated subclinical whole heart mechanical defects in a mouse model of cardiomyopathy. In doing so, it offers an accessible set of measurements for future studies to use when connecting sarcomere and whole heart function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua B Holmes
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | | | - Julian E Stelzer
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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10
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Morrison BN, Campbell AJ, Coté AT, Mohammad A, Sambrook L, Robinson G, George K, Oxborough D. Three-Dimensional-Derived Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Structure and Function and Indices from the 12-Lead Electrocardiogram across the Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Physically Active Females: An Exploratory Study. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:331. [PMID: 37623344 PMCID: PMC10455515 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10080331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The impact of the menstrual phases on left ventricular (LV) structure and function using 3D echocardiography and resting electrocardiogram (ECG) in healthy, eumenorrheic, and physically active females has not been investigated. Methods: sixteen females (20 y ± 2) underwent 3D echocardiography and an ECG at three time points in the menstrual cycle phases (follicular, ovulation, luteal). LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDVi), LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass allometrically indexed to height2.7 (LVMi), torsion, and global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial strain (GLS, GCS, and GRS) were evaluated. ECG data of the P and QRS waves were presented as well as axis deviation, chamber enlargement, and any rhythm abnormalities. Results: LVMi was significantly higher in the luteal phase (36.4 g/m2.7 ± 3.3) compared to the follicular (35.0 g/m2.7 ± 3.7) and ovulation (34.7 g/m2.7 ± 4.3) phases (p = 0.026). There were no differences in other indices of LV structure and function or ECG variables across all phases of the menstrual cycle or evidence of arrhythmia. Conclusions: In physically active females, there is a small but significantly higher LVMi associated with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle with no concomitant change in LV function or ECG parameters. These findings are important to consider when conducting clinical or research serial assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara N. Morrison
- School of Human Kinetics, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1, Canada; (B.N.M.); (A.J.C.); (A.T.C.)
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (A.M.); (L.S.); (G.R.); (K.G.)
| | - Allison J. Campbell
- School of Human Kinetics, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1, Canada; (B.N.M.); (A.J.C.); (A.T.C.)
| | - Anita T. Coté
- School of Human Kinetics, Trinity Western University, Langley, BC V2Y 1Y1, Canada; (B.N.M.); (A.J.C.); (A.T.C.)
| | - Aleah Mohammad
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (A.M.); (L.S.); (G.R.); (K.G.)
| | - Laura Sambrook
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (A.M.); (L.S.); (G.R.); (K.G.)
| | - Georgia Robinson
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (A.M.); (L.S.); (G.R.); (K.G.)
| | - Keith George
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (A.M.); (L.S.); (G.R.); (K.G.)
| | - David Oxborough
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK; (A.M.); (L.S.); (G.R.); (K.G.)
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11
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Lo AKC, Mew T, Mew C, Guppy-Coles K, Dahiya A, Ng A, Prasad S, Atherton JJ. Exaggerated myocardial torsion may contribute to dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL OPEN 2023; 3:oead043. [PMID: 37608844 PMCID: PMC10442061 DOI: 10.1093/ehjopen/oead043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Aims Dynamic left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is associated with symptoms and increased risk of developing heart failure in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The association of LVOTO and LV twist mechanics has not been well studied in HCM. The aim of the study was to compare the pattern of LV twist in patients with HCM associated with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy with and without LVOTO. Methods and results Echocardiography (including speckle tracking) was performed in 212 patients with HCM, divided according to the absence (n = 130) or presence (n = 82) of LVOTO (defined as peak pressure gradient ≥30 mmHg either at rest and/or with Valsalva manoeuvre). Patients with LVOTO were older, had smaller LV dimensions, a higher LV ejection fraction (LVEF), a longer anterior mitral valve leaflet length, and a higher early transmitral pulsed wave to septal tissue Doppler velocity ratio (E/E'). A univariate analysis showed that peak twist was significantly higher in patients with LVOTO compared with patients without LVOTO (19.7 ± 7.3 vs. 15.7 ± 6.0, P = 0.00015). Peak twist was similarly enhanced in patients with LVOTO, manifesting only during Valsalva (19.2 ± 5.6, P = 0.007) and patients with resting LVOTO (19.9 ± 8.0, P = 0.00004) compared with patients without LVOTO (15.7 ± 6.0). A stepwise forward logistic regression analysis showed that LVEF, LV end-systolic dimension indexed to body surface area, anterior mitral valve leaflet length, E/E', and peak twist were all independently associated with LVOTO. Conclusion This study demonstrates that increased peak LV twist is independently associated with LVOTO in patients with HCM. Peak twist was similarly exaggerated in patients with only latent LVOTO, suggesting that it may play a contributory role to LVOTO in HCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada K C Lo
- Cardiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Thomas Mew
- Cardiology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christina Mew
- Cardiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Kristyan Guppy-Coles
- Cardiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Arun Dahiya
- Cardiology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Arnold Ng
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
- Cardiology Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sandhir Prasad
- Cardiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - John J Atherton
- Cardiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Level 3, Dr James Mayne Building, Herston, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
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12
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Magana-Salgado U, Namburi P, Feigin-Almon M, Pallares-Lopez R, Anthony B. A comparison of point-tracking algorithms in ultrasound videos from the upper limb. Biomed Eng Online 2023; 22:52. [PMID: 37226240 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01105-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tracking points in ultrasound (US) videos can be especially useful to characterize tissues in motion. Tracking algorithms that analyze successive video frames, such as variations of Optical Flow and Lucas-Kanade (LK), exploit frame-to-frame temporal information to track regions of interest. In contrast, convolutional neural-network (CNN) models process each video frame independently of neighboring frames. In this paper, we show that frame-to-frame trackers accumulate error over time. We propose three interpolation-like methods to combat error accumulation and show that all three methods reduce tracking errors in frame-to-frame trackers. On the neural-network end, we show that a CNN-based tracker, DeepLabCut (DLC), outperforms all four frame-to-frame trackers when tracking tissues in motion. DLC is more accurate than the frame-to-frame trackers and less sensitive to variations in types of tissue movement. The only caveat found with DLC comes from its non-temporal tracking strategy, leading to jitter between consecutive frames. Overall, when tracking points in videos of moving tissue, we recommend using DLC when prioritizing accuracy and robustness across movements in videos, and using LK with the proposed error-correction methods for small movements when tracking jitter is unacceptable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uriel Magana-Salgado
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Praneeth Namburi
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, 12-3211, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- MIT.Nano Immersion Lab, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | | | - Roger Pallares-Lopez
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Brian Anthony
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, 12-3211, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- MIT.Nano Immersion Lab, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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13
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Papestiev V, Jovev S, Risteski P, Popov AF, Sokarovski M, Andova V, Georgievska-Ismail L. Myocardial Function after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Preoperative Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction-The Role of the Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050932. [PMID: 37241164 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The role of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on postoperative left ventricular (LV) function in patients with preoperatively preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is still being discussed and only a few studies address this question. This study aimed to assess LV function after CABG in patients with preoperatively preserved LVEF using left ventricular longitudinal strain assessed by 2D speckle tracking imaging (STI). Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine consecutive adult patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) referred for a first-time elective CABG surgery were enrolled in the final analysis of this prospective single-center clinical study. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), with conventional measures and STI measures, was performed within 1 week before CABG as well as 4 months after surgery. Patients were divided into groups based on their preoperative global longitudinal strain (GLS) value. Differences in systolic and diastolic parameters between groups were analyzed. Results: Preoperative GLS was reduced (GLS < -17%) in 39% of the patients. Parameters of systolic LV function were significantly reduced in this group of patients compared to the patient group with GLS% ≥ -17%. In both groups, 4 months after CABG there was a decline in LVEF but statistically significant only in the group with GLS% ≥ -17% (p = 0.035). In patients with reduced GLS, there was a statistically significant postoperative improvement (p = 0.004). In patients with preoperative normal GLS, there was not a significant change in any strain parameters after CABG. There was an improvement in diastolic function parameters measured by Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) in both groups. Conclusions: There is improvement in LV systolic and diastolic function after CABG in patients with preserved preoperative LVEF measured by STI and TDI. GLS might be more sensitive and effective than LVEF for monitoring improvements in myocardial function after CABG surgery in patients with preserved LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasil Papestiev
- University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Sasko Jovev
- University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Petar Risteski
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospital Zürich, 8091 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aron Frederik Popov
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Helios Klinikum Siegburg, 53721 Siegburg, Germany
| | - Marjan Sokarovski
- University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Valentina Andova
- University Clinic of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
| | - Ljubica Georgievska-Ismail
- University Clinic of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia
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14
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Mora V, Roldán I, Romero E, Saad A, Gil C, Contreras MB, Trainini J, Escribano P, Gimeno P, Arbucci R, Valls A, Lowenstein J. Myocardial Wringing and Rigid Rotation in Cardiac Amyloidosis. CJC Open 2023; 5:128-135. [PMID: 36880078 PMCID: PMC9984891 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjco.2022.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The motion of the heart is a result of the helicoidal arrangement of the myofibers in the organ's wall. We aimed to study the relationship between the wringing motion state and the degree of ventricular function in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). Methods Fifty patients with CA and decreased global longitudinal strain (LS) were evaluated using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. We have expressed LS as positive values to facilitate understanding. Normal twist, which occurs when basal and apical rotations occur in opposite directions, was coded as positive. When the apex and base rotate in the same direction (rigid rotation), twist was coded as negative. Left ventricular (LV) wringing (calculated as twist/LS, which takes into account actions that occur simultaneously during LV systole [ie, longitudinal shortening and twist]) was evaluated according to LV ejection fraction (LVEF). Results Most of the patients (66%) who participated in the study were diagnosed with transthyretin amyloidosis. A positive relationship was observed between wringing and LVEF (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001). In advanced stages of ventricular dysfunction, rigid rotation appeared in 66.6% of patients with LVEF ≤ 40%, in whom negative values of twist and wringing were observed. LV wringing proved to be a good discriminator of LVEF (area under the curve 0.90, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval 0.79-0.97); for example, wringing < 1.30°/% detected LVEF < 50% with 85.7% sensibility and 89.7% specificity. Conclusions Wringing, which integrates twist and simultaneous LV longitudinal shortening, is a conditioning rotational parameter of the degree of ventricular function in patients with CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mora
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Ildefonso Roldán
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Elena Romero
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Ariel Saad
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Celia Gil
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - M Belen Contreras
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Trainini
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Escribano
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Pau Gimeno
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosina Arbucci
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Amparo Valls
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Lowenstein
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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15
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Ahmadi ZA, Mokhtari Dizaji M, Sadeghpour A, Khesali H, Firouzi A. Estimation of the segmental left ventricular physical and mechanical parameters using echocardiographic imaging for stent candidate patients. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2023; 51:20-28. [PMID: 36069427 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction can be assessed by quantifying LV structure. In this study, physical parameters were extracted, including the systolic strain, wall stress, and elastic modulus of LV to diagnose stent candidate patients from the control group. METHODS Based on angiography results, 88 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into 64 patients candidates for PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) and 24 patients in the control group. With the thick-walled ellipsoidal model, the passive wall stresses at end-systole and end-diastole were estimated. Regional circumferential strain and regional longitudinal strain were obtained by speckle tracking technique. RESULTS The inferoseptal circumferential wall stress in end-systole was statistically significant for the PCI group compared to the control group (p = .026). Anterior and inferoseptal circumferential strain for the PCI group (-17.25 ± 4.22 and -18.21 ± 4.04%) compared to the control group (-21.71 ± 4.74 and 20.58 ± 3.04%) were statistically significant, respectively (p = .000 and p = .011). Anterior and inferoseptal circumferential elastic modulus were statistically significant (p = .000 and p = .005). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that anterior and inferoseptal circumferential elastic modulus had the highest area under the curve with 76.6% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity for anterior circumferential, 68.8% sensitivity, and 70.8% specificity for inferoseptal circumferential, for the diagnosis of stent candidate patients. CONCLUSIONS Regional elastic modulus parameter is suggested as a noninvasive and quantitative method for measuring LV function. Strain and stress parameters using the STE method and geometrical model can be helpful for diagnostic stent candidate patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Alsadat Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Manijhe Mokhtari Dizaji
- Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anita Sadeghpour
- Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamideh Khesali
- Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ata Firouzi
- Cardiovascular Intervention Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Li Y(Y, Craft J, Cheng Y(J, Gliganic K, Schapiro W, Cao J(J. Left Ventricle Wall Motion Analysis with Real-Time MRI Feature Tracking in Heart Failure Patients: A Pilot Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12122946. [PMID: 36552955 PMCID: PMC9776889 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12122946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Volumetric measurements with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are effective for evaluating heart failure (HF) with systolic dysfunction that typically induces a lower ejection fraction (EF) than normal (<50%) while they are not sensitive to diastolic dysfunction in HF patients with preserved EF (≥50%). This work is to investigate whether HF evaluation with cardiac MRI can be improved with real-time MRI feature tracking. In a cardiac MRI study, we recruited 16 healthy volunteers, 8 HF patients with EF < 50% and 10 HF patients with preserved EF. Using real-time feature tracking, a cardiac MRI index, torsion correlation, was calculated which evaluated the correlation of torsional and radial wall motion in the left ventricle (LV) over a series of sequential cardiac cycles. The HF patients with preserved EF and the healthy volunteers presented significant difference in torsion correlation (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). In the scatter plots of EF against torsion correlation, the HF patients with EF < 50%, the HF patients with preserved EF and the healthy volunteers were well differentiated, indicating that real-time MRI feature tracking provided LV function assessment complementary to volumetric measurements. This study demonstrated the potential of cardiac MRI for evaluating both systolic and diastolic dysfunction in HF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu (Yulee) Li
- Cardiac Imaging, DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, St. Fracis Hospital & Heart Center, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA
- Biomedical Engineering, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-516-629-2191
| | - Jason Craft
- Cardiac Imaging, DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, St. Fracis Hospital & Heart Center, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA
| | - Yang (Josh) Cheng
- Cardiac Imaging, DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, St. Fracis Hospital & Heart Center, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA
| | - Kathleen Gliganic
- Cardiac Imaging, DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, St. Fracis Hospital & Heart Center, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA
| | - William Schapiro
- Cardiac Imaging, DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, St. Fracis Hospital & Heart Center, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA
| | - Jie (Jane) Cao
- Cardiac Imaging, DeMatteis Center for Cardiac Research and Education, St. Fracis Hospital & Heart Center, Greenvale, NY 11548, USA
- Clinical Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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17
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Giorgione V, Khalil A, O’Driscoll J, Thilaganathan B. Peripartum Screening for Postpartum Hypertension in Women With Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy. J Am Coll Cardiol 2022; 80:1465-1476. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2022.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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18
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Zhang K, Kumar N, Alfirevic A, Sale S, You J, Bauer A, Duncan AE. Left Ventricular Twist Mechanics Before and After Aortic Valve Replacement: A Feasibility Study and Exploratory Analysis. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2022; 26:226-236. [PMID: 35848424 PMCID: PMC10156174 DOI: 10.1177/10892532221114791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. We examined whether intraoperative assessment of left ventricular (LV) twist mechanics is feasible with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We then explored whether twist mechanics were altered by hemodynamic conditions or patient comorbidities. Methods. In this sub-analysis of clinical trial data, transgastric short-axis echocardiographic images of the LV base and apex were collected in patients having aortic valve replacement (AVR) at baseline and end of surgery. Transvalvular gradients and LV systolic and diastolic function were assessed using two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler echocardiography. 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography was used for off-line analysis of LV twist, twisting rate, and untwisting rate. We examined the intraoperative change in twist mechanics before and after AVR. LV twist mechanics were also explored by diabetic status, need for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and use of epinephrine/norepinephrine. Results. Of 40 patients, 16 patients had acceptable TEE images for off-line LV twist analysis. Baseline median [Q1, Q3] LV twist was 12 [7, 16]°, twisting rate was 72 [41, 97]°/sec, and untwisting rate was -91 [-154, -56]°/s. Median [Q1, Q3] change in LV twist at end of surgery was -2 [-5, 3]°, twisting rate was 7 [-33, 31]°/s, and untwisting rate was 0 [-11, 43]°/s. No difference was noted between diabetic and non-diabetic patients or AVR and AVR-CABG patients. Conclusion. LV twist was augmented in patients with aortic stenosis, though twist indices were not affected by reduced afterload, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. Intraoperative assessment of twist mechanics may provide unique information on LV systolic and diastolic function, though fewer than 50% of TEE examinations successfully assessed twist. Clinical Trial Registry. This work is a sub-analysis of a clinical trial, registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on August 19, 2010 (NCT01187329), Andra Duncan, Principal Investigator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Zhang
- Anesthesiology Institute, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Nikhil Kumar
- Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrej Alfirevic
- Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Shiva Sale
- Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jing You
- Departments of Quantitative Health Sciences and Outcomes Research, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrew Bauer
- Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andra E Duncan
- Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia, 2569Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Outcomes Research, Cleveland clinic, 2569Cleveland, OH, USA
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19
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Fornasier-Santos C, Izem O, Aboukhoudir F, Rupp T, Stridgeon P, Millet GP, Nottin S. Left ventricular function and mechanics in backs and forwards elite rugby union players. Eur J Sport Sci 2022; 23:904-913. [PMID: 35734942 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2092778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to assess left ventricular (LV) morphological and regional functional adaptations in backs and forwards elite rugby union (RU) players. METHODS Thirty-nine elite male RU players and twenty sedentary controls have been examined using resting echocardiography. RU players were divided into two groups, forwards (n = 22) and backs (n = 17). Evaluations included tissue Doppler and 2D speckle tracking analysis to assess LV strains and twisting mechanics. RESULTS The elite RU players exhibited a LV remodeling characterized by an increase in LV mass indexed to body surface area (82.2 ± 13.2 vs. 99.9 ± 16.1 and 119.7 ± 13.4 g.m-2, in controls, backs and forwards; P < 0.001). Compared to backs, forwards exhibited lower global longitudinal strain (19.9 ± 2.5 vs. 18.0 ± 1.6%; P < 0.05), lower early diastolic velocity (16.5 ± 1.8 vs. 15.0 ± 2.3 cm.s-1; P < 0.05) and lower diastolic longitudinal strain rate (1.80 ± 0.34 vs. 1.54 ± 0.26 s-1; P < 0.01), especially at the apex. LV twist and untwisting velocities were similar in RU players compared to controls, but with lower apical (-46.2 ± 22.1 vs. -28.2 ± 21.7 deg.s-1; P < 0.01) and higher basal rotational velocities (33.9 ± 20.9 vs. 48.4 ± 20.7 deg.s-1; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION RU players exhibited an increase in LV mass which was more pronounced in forwards. In forwards, LV global longitudinal strain was depressed, LV filling pressures were decreased and LV relaxation depressed at the apex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charly Fornasier-Santos
- Pharm-Ecology Cardiovascular Laboratory EA4278, Avignon University, Avignon, France.,Rugby Club Toulonnais, Toulon, France
| | - Omar Izem
- Pharm-Ecology Cardiovascular Laboratory EA4278, Avignon University, Avignon, France
| | - Falah Aboukhoudir
- Pharm-Ecology Cardiovascular Laboratory EA4278, Avignon University, Avignon, France.,Service de cardiologie, centre hospitalier d'Avignon, Avignon, France
| | - Thomas Rupp
- Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Science, University of Savoie Mont-Blanc, Chambéry, France
| | | | - Grégoire P Millet
- Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Nottin
- Pharm-Ecology Cardiovascular Laboratory EA4278, Avignon University, Avignon, France
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20
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Sung KT, Chandramouli C, Lo CI, Tsai JP, Lai YH, Hsiao CC, Tsai SY, Yun CH, Hung TC, Kuo JY, Lin JL, Hou CJY, Chen YJ, Su CH, Hung CL, Bulwer BE, Yeh HI, Lam CSP. Association of Female Menopause With Atrioventricular Mechanics and Outcomes. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:804336. [PMID: 35528841 PMCID: PMC9068967 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.804336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundDespite known sex differences in cardiac structure and function, little is known about how menopause and estrogen associate with atrioventricular mechanics and outcomes.ObjectiveTo study how, sex differences, loss of estrogen in menopause and duration of menopause, relate to atrioventricular mechanics and outcomes.MethodsAmong 4051 asymptomatic adults (49.8 ± 10.8 years, 35%women), left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) mechanics were assessed using speckle-tracking.ResultsPost-menopausal (vs. pre-menopausal) women had similar LV ejection fraction but reduced GLS, reduced PALS, increased LA stiffness, higher LV sphericity and LV torsion (all p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed menopause to be associated with greater LV sphericity (0.02, 95%CI 0.01, 0.03), higher indexed LV mass (LVMi), lower mitral e’, lower LV GLS (0.37, 95%CI 0.04–0.70), higher LV torsion, larger LA volume, worse PALS (∼2.4-fold) and greater LA stiffness (0.028, 95%CI 0.01–0.05). Increasing years of menopause was associated with further reduction in GLS, markedly worse LA mechanics despite greater LV sphericity and higher torsion. Lower estradiol levels correlated with more impaired LV diastolic function, impaired LV GLS, greater LA stiffness, and increased LV sphericity and LV torsion (all p < 0.05). Approximately 5.5% (37/669) of post-menopausal women incident HF over 2.9 years of follow-up. Greater LV sphericity [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.04, 95%CI 1.00–1.07], impaired GLS (aHR 0.87, 95%CI 0.78–0.97), reduced peak left atrial longitudinal strain (PALS, aHR 0.94, 95%CI 0.90–0.99) and higher LA stiffness (aHR 10.5, 95%CI 1.69–64.6) were independently associated with the primary outcome of HF hospitalizations in post-menopause. Both PALS < 23% (aHR:1.32, 95%CI 1.01–3.49) and GLS < 16% (aHR:5.80, 95%CI 1.79–18.8) remained prognostic for the incidence of HF in post-menopausal women in dichotomous analyses, even after adjusting for confounders. Results were consistent with composite outcomes of HF hospitalizations and 1-year all-cause mortality as well.ConclusionMenopause was associated with greater LV/LA remodeling and reduced LV longitudinal and LA function in women. The cardiac functional deficit with menopause and lower estradiol levels, along with their independent prognostic value post-menopause, may elucidate sex differences in heart failure further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Tzu Sung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chanchal Chandramouli
- National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Chanchal Chandramouli,
| | - Chi-In Lo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Peng Tsai
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yau-Huei Lai
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chung Hsiao
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Shin-Yi Tsai
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Chun-Ho Yun
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chuan Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Yuan Kuo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lu Lin
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Charles Jia-Yin Hou
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Ju Chen
- Department of Telehealth, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Huang Su
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lieh Hung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- Chung-Lieh Hung,
| | - Bernard E. Bulwer
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hung-I Yeh
- Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Carolyn S. P. Lam
- National Heart Research Institute, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Academic Clinical Programme, Duke-National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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21
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Obara Y, Mori S, Arakawa M, Kanai H. Appropriate Window Function and Window Length in Multifrequency Velocity Estimator for Rapid Motion and Locality of Layered Myocardium. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2022; 69:1353-1369. [PMID: 35188890 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2022.3153048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The heart wall has a multilayered structure and moves rapidly during ejection and rapid filling periods. Local strain rate (SR) measurements of each myocardial layer can contribute to accurate and sensitive evaluations of myocardial function. However, ultrasound-based velocity estimators using a single-frequency phase difference cannot realize these measurements owing to insufficient maximum detectable velocity, which is limited by a quadrature frequency. We previously proposed a velocity estimator using multifrequency phase differences to improve the maximum detectable velocity. However, the improvement is affected by a spatial discrete Fourier transform (DFT) window length that represents the locality of the velocity estimation. In this article, we theoretically describe that shortening the window increases the interference between different frequency components and decreases the maximum detectable velocity. The tradeoff between the maximum detectable velocity and the window length was confirmed through simulations and a water-tank experiment. Under the tradeoff, the Hanning window, which was used in previous studies, is not always appropriate for the local measurement of the velocity, which sometimes exceeds 100 mm [Formula: see text] depending on the subject, direction of the ultrasound beam to the heart wall, and cardiac periods. In the in vivo measurement with the short window, the Tukey window with a large flat part that has a high-frequency resolution and ameliorates the discontinuity at both edges of the windowed signal was appropriate to measure the maximum velocity. This study offers the potential for local measurements of each myocardial layer using the multifrequency velocity estimator with the appropriate window function and window length.
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22
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Lan Z, Zheng C, Peng H, Qiao H. Adaptive scaled coherence factor for ultrasound pixel-based beamforming. ULTRASONICS 2022; 119:106608. [PMID: 34793999 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic aperture (SA) ultrasound imaging can obtain images with high-resolution owing to its ability to dynamically focus in both directions. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of SA imaging is poor because the pulse energy using one array element is quite low. Thus, the SA method with bidirectional pixel-based focusing (SA-BiPBF) was previously proposed as a solution to this challenge. However, using the nonadaptive delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming still limits its imaging performance. This study proposes an adaptive scaled coherence factor (AscCF) for SA-BiPBF to further boost the image quality. The AscCF exploits generalized coherence factor (GCF) to measure the signal coherence to adaptively adapt the parameters in SNR estimation rather than fixed ones. Comparisons were made with several other weighting techniques by performing simulations and experiments for performance evaluation. Results confirm that AscCF applied to SA-BiPBF offers a good image contrast while reservation of the speckle pattern. AscCF achieves maximal improvements of contrast ratio (CR) by 48.5% and 47.76 % compared with scaled coherence factor (scCF), respectively in simulation and experiment. Simultaneously, the maximum of improvements in speckle signal-to-noise ratio (sSNR) of AscCF are 11.28 % and 20.01 % upon scCF in simulation and experiment, respectively. From the in vivo result, it also appears a potential for AscCF to act in clinical situations to better detect lesion and retain speckle pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengfeng Lan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Chichao Zheng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China.
| | - Hu Peng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Heyuan Qiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
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23
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Yang QM, Fang JX, Chen XY, Lv H, Kang CS. The Systolic and Diastolic Cardiac Function of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Evaluation of Left Ventricular Strain and Torsion Using Conventional and Speckle Tracking Echocardiography. Front Physiol 2022; 12:726719. [PMID: 35069231 PMCID: PMC8777120 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.726719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to quantify left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain and torsion in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and evaluate their systolic and diastolic function using conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods: Forty-seven patients with T2DM were divided into a group without microvascular complications (the DM A group) and a group with microvascular complications (the DM B group), while another 27 healthy participants acted as the control group. All the participants had had an echocardiography examination. All the original data were imported into EchoPAC workstation for the analysis and quantification of LV strain and torsion. Results: Compared with the control group, the LV end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and ejection fraction of the DM A and DM B groups showed no significant differences, but the global longitudinal strain and the global circular strain were reduced in the DM B group. There were significant differences in the left ventricular relative wall thickness (RWT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), the early mitral valvular blood flow velocity peak/left ventricular sidewall mitral annulus late peak velocity, left ventricular sidewall mitral annulus early peak velocity/left ventricular sidewall mitral annulus late peak velocity, isovolumic relaxation time, peak twisting, peak untwisting velocity (PUV), untwisting rate (UntwR), time peak twisting velocity (TPTV), and time peak untwisting velocity (TPUV) between the DM A, DM B, and control groups. While the peak twisting velocity (PTV) was slower in the DM B group compared with the control group, the RWT, PTV, PUV, UntwR, TPTV, and TPUV in the DM B group were significantly different from the DM A group. Conclusion: The cardiac function of patients with T2DM in its early stages, when there are no microvascular complications, could be monitored with the analysis of two-dimensional strain and torsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-mei Yang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian-xiu Fang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-yan Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hong Lv
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chun-song Kang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Ultrasound, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Hasin T, Mann D, Welt M, Barrett O, Shalev A, Godfrey M, Kovacs A, Bogot N, Carasso S, Glikson M, Wolak A. Loss of left ventricular rotation is a significant determinant of functional mitral regurgitation. Int J Cardiol 2021; 345:143-149. [PMID: 34626742 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2021.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate insufficient rotational movement of the left ventricle (LV) as a potential novel mechanism for functional regurgitation of the mitral valve (FMR). METHODS AND RESULTS We compared reference subjects and patients with LV dysfunction (LVD, ejection fraction EF < 50%) with and without FMR (regurgitant volume RVol>10 ml). Subjects without structural mitral valve pathology undergoing cardiac MRI were evaluated. Delayed enhancement, global LV remodeling parameters, systolic twist and torsion were measured (using manual and novel automated cardiac MRI tissue-tracking). The study included 117 subjects with mean ± SD age 50.4 ± 17.8 years, of which 30.8% were female. Compared to subjects with LVD without FMR (n = 31), those with FMR (n = 37) had similar clinical characteristics, diagnoses, delayed enhancement, EF, and longitudinal strain. Subjects with FMR had significantly larger left ventricles (EDVi:136.6 ± 41.8 vs 97.5 ± 26.2 ml/m, p < 0.0001) with wider separation between papillary muscles (21.1 ± 7.6 vs 17.2 ± 5.7 mm, p = 0.023). Notably, they had lower apical (p < 0.0001) but not basal rotation and lower peak systolic twist (3.1 ± 2.4° vs 5.5 ± 2.5°, p < 0.0001) and torsion (0.56 ± 0.38°/cm vs 0.88 ± 0.52°/cm, p = 0.004). In a multivariate model for RVol including age, gender, twist, LV end-diastolic volume, sphericity index and separation between papillary muscles, only gender, volume and twist were significant. Twist was the most powerful correlate (beta -2.23, CI -3.26 to -1.23 p < 0.001). In patients with FMR, peak systolic twist negatively correlates with RVol (r = -0.73, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Reduced rotational systolic LV motion is significantly and independently associated with RVol among patients with FMR, suggesting a novel pathophysiological mechanism and a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Hasin
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Daniel Mann
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Welt
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Cardiology, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Orit Barrett
- Department of Cardiology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Aryeh Shalev
- Department of Cardiology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Max Godfrey
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Andras Kovacs
- Department of Cardiology, Hungarian Defense Forces Medical Center, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Naama Bogot
- Department of Radiology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shemy Carasso
- Department of Cardiology, Padeh Poria Medical Center, Poria, Israel
| | - Michael Glikson
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Arik Wolak
- Jesselson Integrated Heart Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Bharadwaj S, Prasad S, Almekkawy M. An Upgraded Siamese Neural Network for Motion Tracking in Ultrasound Image Sequences. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2021; 68:3515-3527. [PMID: 34232873 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2021.3095299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Deep learning is heavily being borrowed to solve problems in medical imaging applications, and Siamese neural networks are the front runners of motion tracking. In this article, we propose to upgrade one such Siamese architecture-based neural network for robust and accurate landmark tracking in ultrasound images to improve the quality of image-guided radiation therapy. Although several researchers have improved the Siamese architecture-based networks with sophisticated detection modules and by incorporating transfer learning, the inherent assumptions of the constant position model and the missing motion model remain unaddressed limitations. In our proposed model, we overcome these limitations by introducing two modules into the original architecture. We employ a reference template update to resolve the constant position model and a linear Kalman filter (LKF) to address the missing motion model. Moreover, we demonstrate that the proposed architecture provides promising results without transfer learning. The proposed model was submitted to an open challenge organized by MICCAI and was evaluated exhaustively on the Liver US Tracking (CLUST) 2D dataset. Experimental results proved that the proposed model tracked the landmarks with promising accuracy. Furthermore, we also induced synthetic occlusions to perform a qualitative analysis of the proposed approach. The evaluations were performed on the training set of the CLUST 2D dataset. The proposed method outperformed the original Siamese architecture by a significant margin.
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26
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Left ventricular mechanical, cardiac autonomic and metabolic responses to a single session of high intensity interval training. Eur J Appl Physiol 2021; 122:383-394. [PMID: 34738196 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-021-04840-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE High-intensity interval training (HIIT) produces significant health benefits. However, the acute physiological responses to HIIT are poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to measure the acute cardiac autonomic, haemodynamic, metabolic and left ventricular mechanical responses to a single HIIT session. METHODS Fifty young, healthy participants completed a single HIIT session, comprising of three 30-s maximal exercise intervals on a cycle ergometer, interspersed with 2-min active recovery. Cardiac autonomics, haemodynamics and metabolic variables were measured pre-, during and post-HIIT. Conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography was used to record standard and tissue Doppler measures of left ventricular (LV) structure, function and mechanics pre- and post-HIIT. RESULTS Following a single HIIT session, there was significant post-exercise systolic hypotension (126 ± 13 to 111 ± 10 mmHg, p < 0.05), parallel to a significant reduction in total peripheral resistance (1640 ± 365 to 639 ± 177 dyne⋅s⋅cm5, p < 0.001) and significant increases in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and baroreceptor effectiveness index (9.2 ± 11 to 24.8 ± 16.7 ms⋅mmHg-1 and 41.8 ± 28 to 68.8 ± 16.2, respectively) during recovery compared to baseline. There was also a significant increase in the low- to high-frequency heart rate variability ratio in recovery (0.7 ± 0.48 to 1.7 ± 1, p < 0.001) and significant improvements in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (- 18.3 ± 1.2% to - 29.2 ± 2.3%, p < 0.001), and myocardial twist mechanics (1.27 ± 0.72 to 1.98 ± 0.72°·cm-1, p = 0.028) post-HIIT compared to baseline. CONCLUSION A single HIIT session is associated with acute improvements in autonomic modulation, haemodynamic cardiovascular control and left ventricular function, structure and mechanics. The acute responses to HIIT provide crucial mechanistic information, which may have significant acute and chronic clinical implications.
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Horgan CO, Murphy JG. The effect of fiber-matrix interaction on the kinking instability arising in the torsion of stretched fibrous biofilaments. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021; 124:104782. [PMID: 34536799 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The response of fibrous soft tissues undergoing torsional deformations is a topic of current interest. Such deformations are common in ligaments and tendons and are also of particular interest in cardiac mechanics. The problem of torsion superimposed on extension of incompressible hyperelastic solid circular cylinders is a classic problem of nonlinear elasticity that has been considered by many authors in the context of rubber elasticity particularly for isotropic materials. A striking feature of such problems is the instability that arises with sufficiently large twist where a kink and then a knot suddenly appears. An energy approach to examining this instability when the extension and twist are prescribed was described by Gent and Hua (2004) and illustrated there for a neo-Hookean isotropic elastic material. The theoretical results were compared with experimental observations on natural rubber rods. Murphy (2015) has shown that the approach of Gent and Hua (2004) for isotropic materials can be simplified when the rods are assumed to be thin and this theory was applied to transversely isotropic materials by Horgan and Murphy (2016). In contrast with the case for isotropic materials, it was shown there that the kinking instability occurs even in the absence of stretch, i.e., for the case of pure torsion. Here we are concerned with the implications of this simplified thin rod instability theory for fiber-reinforced transversely isotropic materials that reflect fiber-matrix interaction. It is again shown that the kinking instability occurs even in the absence of stretch, i.e., for the case of pure torsion. The results are illustrated for a specific strain-energy density function that models fiber-matrix interaction. It is shown that the critical twist at which kinking occurs decreases as a measure of fiber-matrix interaction is increased so that the fiber-matrix interaction has a destabilizing effect. The results are illustrated using experimental data of other authors for skeletal muscles and for porcine brain white matter tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius O Horgan
- School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
| | - Jeremiah G Murphy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin, D09 W6Y4, Ireland.
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Huang J, Ni CF, Yang C, Yan ZN, Fan L. Assessment of subclinical left atrial myocardial dysfunction in essential hypertension patients with normal left ventricle function by two-dimensional strain and volume-derived variables. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND : JCU 2021; 49:659-666. [PMID: 33978994 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate subclinical left atrial (LA) myocardial dysfunction in essential hypertension (EHT) patients by using volume-derived and two-dimensional strain. METHODS We enrolled in this study 51 normal subjects and 95 EHT patients. The LA volume-derived index was measured in apical 4- and 2-chamber views. LA strain and strain rate, reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions were measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). RESULTS LA ejection fraction (LAEF) and absolute strain-derived values were significantly lower in EHT patients than in controls. LAEF (total, passive), absolute values of LA strain (S-reservoir and S-conduit), and strain rate (Sr-reservoir and Sr-conduit) were significantly lower in EHT patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than in patients without LVH and in controls. However, there were no significant difference in active LAEF or S-booster pump and Sr-booster pump functions between EHT patients without LVH and normal subjects. The areas under the curves of the combination of volume-derived values, LA strain, and strain rate were significantly higher than those of individual indices. CONCLUSION In our population, EHT patients showed impaired LA functions and greater stiffness than normal subjects. EHT patients with LVH showed greater impairment of LA reservoir and conduit functions than patients without LVH. EHT patients without LVH had normal LA booster pump function, which was impaired in patients with LVH. Volume-derived and 2D strain values could provide a sensitive and reproducible method for detecting subclinical LA myocardial dysfunction in EHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular ultrasound, The Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Cai-Fang Ni
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zi-Ning Yan
- Department of Cardiovascular ultrasound, The Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Li Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular ultrasound, The Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
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Morning blood pressure surge in the early stage of hypertensive patients impacts three-dimensional left ventricular speckle tracking echocardiography. Clin Hypertens 2021; 27:16. [PMID: 34391469 PMCID: PMC8364689 DOI: 10.1186/s40885-021-00173-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine left ventricular (LV) function in untreated, newly diagnosed hypertensive patients with morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) status using three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). METHODS In this study, 163 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were included, and all patients underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). According to ABPM, participants were divided into a MBPS group and a non-MBPS group. The entire study population was examined by complete two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and 3D STE. RESULT The results of this study showed that 3D LV longitudinal strain was significantly decreased in the MBPS group compared with the non-MBPS group (- 30.1 ± 2.0 vs. -31.1 ± 2.7, p = 0.045). Similar trends were observed for 3D twist (9.6 ± 6.1 vs. 12.1 ± 4.8, p = 0.011) as well as for 3D torsion (1.23 ± 0.78 vs. 1.49 ± 0.62, p = 0.042). The LV principal strain was decreased in the MBPS group (- 33.9 ± 1.7 vs. -35.5 ± 2.8, p < 0.001). The 3D LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and principal strain were significantly associated with quartile of MBPS as measured by systolic blood pressure (SBP). CONCLUSION The 3D STE revealed that LV mechanics were more impaired in the MBPS group than in the non-surge newly diagnosed, untreated hypertensive patients; even the 2D TTE parameters showed no difference.
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Sabatino J, Castaldi B, Di Salvo G. How to measure left ventricular twist by two-dimensional speckle-tracking analysis. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 22:961-963. [PMID: 34160033 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeab108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jolanda Sabatino
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 3, 35128 Padua, Italy.,Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Graecia" University, Viale Europa 1, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Biagio Castaldi
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 3, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Di Salvo
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 3, 35128 Padua, Italy
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Huang J, Yang C, Yan ZN, Fan L, Ni CF. Global myocardial work: A new way to detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction with normal left ventricle ejection fraction in essential hypertension patients: Compared with myocardial layer-specific strain analysis. Echocardiography 2021; 38:850-860. [PMID: 34008233 DOI: 10.1111/echo.15063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine whether global myocardial work (MW), derived from non-invasive left ventricle (LV) pressure-strain loops (PSL) at rest, could predict subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction in preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) essential hypertension (EHT) patients. METHODS A total of 105 untreated EHT patients and 55 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Apical 4-, 3- and 2-chamber views were acquired by two-dimensional echocardiography. The peak systolic myocardial layer-specific longitudinal strain (epimyocardial: GLSEpi; middle layer: GLSMid; and endomyocardial: GLSEndo), global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW), and myocardial work efficiency (GWE) were generated by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). RESULTS The values of GLSEpi, GLSMid, and GLSEndo were significantly lower in EHT patients with LVH than in EHT patients without LVH and normal controls. GWW was significantly increased in EHT patients with LVH compared with without LVH and normal subjects, while GWE was significantly reduced in EHT patients with LVH compared with without LVH and normal subjects. ROC analysis showed that combined global MW values were a more sensitive predictor for detecting the accuracy of LV subclinical dysfunction in EHT patients than layer-specific GLS. CONCLUSION From the research, we conclude that global MW is more sensitive to layer-specific GLS in its ability to detect subclinical LV dysfunction even in EHT patients even without LVH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Huang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Department of Echocardiography, the Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zi-Ning Yan
- Department of Echocardiography, the Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Li Fan
- Department of Echocardiography, the Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Cai-Fang Ni
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Mora V, Roldán I, Bertolín J, Faga V, Pérez-Gil MDM, Saad A, Serrats R, Callizo R, Arbucci R, Lowenstein J. Influence of Ventricular Wringing on the Preservation of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Cardiac Amyloidosis. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2021; 34:767-774. [PMID: 33744403 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2021.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this work was to determine the influence of myocardial wringing on ventricular function in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). METHODS Fifteen healthy volunteers (group 1) and 34 patients with CA (17 with left ventricular ejection fractions [LVEFs] ≥ 53% [group 2] and 17 with LVEFs < 53% [group 3]) were evaluated using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. A control group of mass-matched patients (n = 20) with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and LVEFs ≥ 53% was also included. Longitudinal strain (LS), circumferential strain, and LV twist and torsion were calculated. Deformation index (DefI), a new parameter of wringing, calculated as twist/LS, that takes into account actions that occur simultaneously during LV systole (i.e., longitudinal shortening and twist), was evaluated. Torsional and wringing parameters were calculated according to LVEF. RESULTS Lower global values of LS and circumferential strain were observed among patients with CA (LS: group 1, -20.6 ± 2.5%; group 2, -11.6 ± 4.1%; group 3, -9.0 ± 3.1%; circumferential strain: group 1, -22.7 ± 4.9%; group 2, -14.4 ± 8.0%; group 3, -13.6 ± 3.8%; P < .001 for both). Torsion did not vary between group 2 and group 1 (2.5 ± 1.1°/cm vs 2.7 ± 0.8°/cm, P = NS). In contrast, DefI was greater in group 2 than in group 1 (-1.8 ± 0.8°/% vs -1.0 ± 0.3°/%, P < .01). Torsion and DefI were lower in group 3 (1.2 ± 0.7°/cm and -1.1 ± 0.6°/%, respectively, P < .001 for both) than in group 2. DefI was similar in patients with LV hypertrophy (-1.7 ± 0.6°/%, P = NS) and group 2. CONCLUSIONS In patients with CA, preservation of LVEF depends on greater ventricular wringing. DefI, a parameter that integrates the twist and the simultaneous longitudinal shortening of the left ventricle, is a more accurate indicator of the efficacy of this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mora
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Ildefonso Roldán
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Bertolín
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Valentina Faga
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Ariel Saad
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocío Serrats
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ricardo Callizo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Dr. Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosina Arbucci
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jorge Lowenstein
- Cardiodiagnosis Department, Medical Research, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Analysis of left ventricular rotational deformation by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography: a feasibility study in athletes. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021; 37:2369-2386. [PMID: 33738612 PMCID: PMC8302535 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-021-02213-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) is established to analyse left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function. The analysis of LV rotational deformation is challenging and requires standardization of image acquisition as well as postprocessing analysis. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility to analyse LV rotational deformation using 2DSTE by introducing a novel algorithm for the detection of artefacts. The study was performed in 20 healthy subjects serving as a control group and in 53 competitive sportsmen. Circumferential, radial strain (CS, RS) and LV rotation were analysed by 2DSTE in parasternal short axis views. The stepwise algorithm to exclude potential artefacts starts with the visual estimation of the image quality with respect to complete visualization of all myocardial segments during the entire cardiac cycle followed by the exclusion of data sets in participants with conduction abnormalities. The next step is the optimization of tracking areas and a cross-check of implausible strain waveforms in multiple acquired comparable cineloops. The last step is the exclusion of strain curves with persisting implausible waveforms if standardization failures and incorrect LV wall tracking are fixed. Plausible physiological strain curves were observed in 89% (n = 65/73) of all subjects. In controls all implausible waveforms could be verified as artefacts. The algorithm was applied in 53 professional athletes to test and confirm its feasibility. Abnormal CS waveforms were documented in 25 athletes, verified as artefacts due to tracking failures in 22 athletes and due to incorrect image acquisition in 3 athletes. CS artefacts were mostly located in the basal posterior and lateral LV segments. (endocardial: 6%, n = 4/70; p < 0.05) and basal posterior (endocardial: 8%, n = 5/70; p < 0.05) segments were highly susceptible to artefacts. 2DSTE of parasternal short axis views to analyse circumferential and radial deformation as well as LV rotation is feasible in athletes. The proposed algorithm helps to avoid artefacts and might contribute to standardization of this technique. 2DSTE might provide an interesting diagnostic tool for the detection of viral myocarditis, e.g. in athletes.
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Morra S, Hossein A, Rabineau J, Gorlier D, Racape J, Migeotte PF, van de Borne P. Assessment of left ventricular twist by 3D ballistocardiography and seismocardiography compared with 2D STI echocardiography in a context of enhanced inotropism in healthy subjects. Sci Rep 2021; 11:683. [PMID: 33436841 PMCID: PMC7804966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79933-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ballistocardiography (BCG) and Seismocardiography (SCG) assess the vibrations produced by cardiac contraction and blood flow, respectively, by means of micro-accelerometers and micro-gyroscopes. From the BCG and SCG signals, maximal velocities (VMax), integral of kinetic energy (iK), and maximal power (PMax) can be computed as scalar parameters, both in linear and rotational dimensions. Standard echocardiography and 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging echocardiography were performed on 34 healthy volunteers who were infused with increasing doses of dobutamine (5-10-20 μg/kg/min). Linear VMax of BCG predicts the rates of left ventricular (LV) twisting and untwisting (both p < 0.0001). The linear PMax of both SCG and BCG and the linear iK of BCG are the best predictors of the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (p < 0.0001). This result is further confirmed by mathematical models combining the metrics from SCG and BCG signals with heart rate, in which both linear PMax and iK strongly correlate with LVEF (R = 0.7, p < 0.0001). In this setting of enhanced inotropism, the linear VMax of BCG, rather than the VMax of SCG, is the metric which best explains the LV twist mechanics, in particular the rates of twisting and untwisting. PMax and iK metrics are strongly associated with the LVEF and account for 50% of the variance of the LVEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Morra
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Amin Hossein
- Laboratory of Physic and Physiology (LPHYS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Jérémy Rabineau
- Laboratory of Physic and Physiology (LPHYS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Damien Gorlier
- Laboratory of Physic and Physiology (LPHYS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Judith Racape
- Research Centre in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pierre-François Migeotte
- Laboratory of Physic and Physiology (LPHYS), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Philippe van de Borne
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
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Nayak K, Razak A, Megha A, Padmakumar R, Samantha J, Varghese S. Impact of Right Ventricular Function on Left Ventricular Torsion and Ventricular Deformations in Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Patients. Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets 2021; 21:78-86. [PMID: 33797382 DOI: 10.2174/1871529x21666210401150404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ventricular interdependence in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by the use of most recent echocardiographic techniques is still rare. The current case-controlled study aims to assess left ventricular (LV) torsion in patients with PAH. METHODS The study included 42 cases of moderate to severe PAH and 42 age and gender-matched healthy controls between March 2016 and January 2018. All the patients and controls undergo routine practice echocardiography using the Vivid 7-echocardiography (2.5MHz transducer) system. RESULTS The LV twisting parameters, peak basal rotation, peak apical rotation, and twist were similar among both cases and controls, however, LV torsion was significantly (p=0.04) impacted. Right ventricular (RV) longitudinal deformation was clinically significant in the cases compared to controls: RV systolic strain imaging (p=0.001, 95% CI-9.75 to -2.65), RV systolic strain rate (p=0.01, 95% CI-0.99 to -0.09), and RV late diastolic strain rate (p=0.01, 95% CI-0.64 to -0.85). Although PAH did not impact longitudinal LV deformations significantly. At basal level circumferential strain and strain rate were significantly impacted (p=0.005, 95% CI-4.38 to -0.70; p=0.004, 95% CI-0.35 to -0.07) in the PAH group, while the radial strain was preserved. All RV echocardiographic parameters and LV end-diastolic dimension, LV end-systolic volume in the PAH were affected significantly (p=0.002, 95% CI-19.91 to -4.46; p=0.01, 95% CI-8.44 to -2.77). However, only a weak correlation (p=0.05, r =-0.20) was found between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and LV Tei index. CONCLUSION RV pressure overload directly affects RV longitudinal systolic deformation further influences the interventricular septal and LV geometry, which impaired LV torsion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnananda Nayak
- Department of Cardiovascular Technology, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Abdul Razak
- Department of Cardiology Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - A Megha
- Department of Cardiovascular Technology, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - R Padmakumar
- Department of Cardiovascular Technology, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Jyothi Samantha
- Department of Cardiovascular Technology, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sara Varghese
- Department of Cardiovascular Technology, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Bi X, Yeung DF, Salah HM, Arciniegas Calle MC, Thaden JJ, Nhola LF, Schaff HV, Pislaru SV, Pellikka PA, Pochettino A, Greason KL, Nkomo VT, Villarraga HR. Dissecting myocardial mechanics in patients with severe aortic stenosis: 2-dimensional vs 3-dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2020; 20:33. [PMID: 32000672 PMCID: PMC6993452 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-020-01336-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Aortic stenosis (AS) causes left ventricular (LV) pressure overload, leading to adverse LV remodeling and dysfunction. Identifying early subclinical markers of LV dysfunction in patients with significant AS is critical as this could provide support for earlier intervention, which may result in improved long-term outcomes. We therefore examined the impact of severe AS and its consequent increase in LV afterload on myocardial deformation and rotational mechanics by 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography.
Methods
We prospectively measured various strain parameters in 168 patients (42% female, mean age 72 ± 12 years) with severe AS and LV ejection fraction (EF) ≥50%, and compared them to normal values found in literature. 2D and 3D images were analyzed for global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), basal rotation, apical rotation, and peak systolic twist. We further assessed the degree of concordance between 2D and 3D strain, and examined their association with measures of LV preload and afterload.
Results
Patients with severe AS exhibited significantly lower GLS and GRS but higher GCS, apical rotation, and twist by 2D and 3D echocardiography compared with published normal values (P = 0.003 for 3D twist, P < 0.001 for all others). Agreement between 2D- and 3D-GLS by concordance correlation coefficient was 0.49 (95% confidence interval: 0.39–0.57). GLS was correlated with valvulo-arterial impedance, a measure of LV afterload (r = 0.34, p < 0.001 and r = 0.23, p = 0.003, respectively).
Conclusion
Patients with severe AS demonstrated lower-than-normal GLS and GRS but appear to compensate with higher-than-normal GCS, apical rotation, and twist in order to maintain a preserved LVEF. GLS showed a modest correlation with valvulo-arterial impedance.
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Rebholz B, Zheng F, Almekkawy M. Two-dimensional iterative projection method for subsample speckle tracking of ultrasound images. Med Biol Eng Comput 2020; 58:2937-2951. [PMID: 33000434 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-020-02264-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Speckle tracking provides robust motion estimation necessary to create accurate post-processed images. These methods are known to be less accurate in the lateral dimension compared with the axial dimension due to the limitations on the lateral resolution of ultrasound scanning. This paper proposes a two-dimensional iterative projection (TDIP) algorithm using the Riesz transform to generate the analytic signals. The TDIP is an improvement to an already accurate speckle tracking algorithm called the phase coupled (PC) method. The PC method projects the intersection of gradients on the correlation map to the zero phase contour to estimate displacement. The TDIP method performs iterative projections and uses the aggregate of these projected locations to estimate the motion, in addition to rejecting inaccurate projections by checking them against the aggregate projection location. The TDIP additionally adopts the Riesz transform to generate two-dimensional analytic signals to improve lateral accuracy. The Riesz transform is a multidimensional extension of the Hilbert transform into the nD Euclidean space and therefore can be used to include data in both axial and lateral dimensions as opposed to the commonly used Hilbert transform which is one dimensional. The accuracy of the TDIP is quantitatively proven on simulated datasets from the Field II simulation program and on experimental data from two flow phantoms. At all cases, the TDIP is more accurate than the PC algorithm at two-dimensional displacement estimation. Graphical Abstract The lateral estimates from the Phase Coupled algorithm. This method uses the Hilbert transform for the analytic signal. There is large estimated motion within the flow blockage bounded by the red, fin shape in the center of the flow channel. The flow channel itself is also bounded by dashed, red lines. Graphical Abstract The lateral estimates from the TDIP method. This method is not tracking motion within the blockage in the center of the flow channel. The channel and the blockage are both bounded by dashed, red lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Rebholz
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
| | - Fei Zheng
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Mohamed Almekkawy
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
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Tsuda T, Kernizan D, Del Grippo E, Thacker D, Kharouf R, Srivastava S. Echocardiographic assessment of ventricular function: Conventional and advanced technologies and their clinical applications. PROGRESS IN PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2020.101269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Nagueh SF. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: insights into diagnosis and pathophysiology. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 117:999-1014. [PMID: 32717061 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for at least half the cases of heart failure, currently diagnosed. There are several cardiac and non-cardiac manifestations of the syndrome. Structure and function abnormalities can include all four cardiac chambers. The left ventricle has abnormal systolic and diastolic functions which can be examined by invasive and non-invasive measurements. In addition, the left atrium enlarges with abnormal left atrial function, pulmonary hypertension occurs, and the right ventricle can develop hypertrophy, enlargement, and systolic dysfunction. There are a paucity of data on calcium handling in HFpEF patients. Growing literature supports the presence of abnormalities in titin and its phosphorylation, and increased interstitial fibrosis contributing to increased chamber stiffness. A systemic inflammatory state causing reduced myocardial cyclic guanosine monophosphate along with defects in the unfolded protein response have been recently reported. Diagnosis relies on signs and symptoms of heart failure, preserved ejection fraction, and detection of diastolic function abnormalities based on echocardiographic findings and abnormally elevated natriuretic peptide levels or invasive measurements of wedge pressure at rest or with exercise. There are currently two diagnostic algorithms: H2FPEF, and HFA-PEFF with limited data comparing their performance head to head in the same patient population. Despite the growing understanding of the syndrome's pathophysiology, there have been little success in developing specific treatment for patients with HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif F Nagueh
- Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, 6550 Fannin, SM-1801, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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40
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Campos JO, Sundnes J, dos Santos RW, Rocha BM. Uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of left ventricular function during the full cardiac cycle. PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. SERIES A, MATHEMATICAL, PHYSICAL, AND ENGINEERING SCIENCES 2020; 378:20190381. [PMID: 32448074 PMCID: PMC7287338 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Patient-specific computer simulations can be a powerful tool in clinical applications, helping in diagnostics and the development of new treatments. However, its practical use depends on the reliability of the models. The construction of cardiac simulations involves several steps with inherent uncertainties, including model parameters, the generation of personalized geometry and fibre orientation assignment, which are semi-manual processes subject to errors. Thus, it is important to quantify how these uncertainties impact model predictions. The present work performs uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analyses to assess the variability in important quantities of interest (QoI). Clinical quantities are analysed in terms of overall variability and to identify which parameters are the major contributors. The analyses are performed for simulations of the left ventricle function during the entire cardiac cycle. Uncertainties are incorporated in several model parameters, including regional wall thickness, fibre orientation, passive material parameters, active stress and the circulatory model. The results show that the QoI are very sensitive to active stress, wall thickness and fibre direction, where ejection fraction and ventricular torsion are the most impacted outputs. Thus, to improve the precision of models of cardiac mechanics, new methods should be considered to decrease uncertainties associated with geometrical reconstruction, estimation of active stress and of fibre orientation. This article is part of the theme issue 'Uncertainty quantification in cardiac and cardiovascular modelling and simulation'.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. O. Campos
- Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, Leopoldina, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Computational Modeling, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - J. Sundnes
- Simula Research Laboratory, PO Box 134 1325 Lysaker, Norway
| | - R. W. dos Santos
- Graduate Program in Computational Modeling, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
| | - B. M. Rocha
- Graduate Program in Computational Modeling, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
- e-mail:
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Badran HM, Ibrahim WA, Alaksher T, Soltan G. Impact of the left anterior descending artery wrapping around the left ventricular apex on cardiac mechanics in patients with normal coronary angiography. Egypt Heart J 2020; 72:33. [PMID: 32495302 PMCID: PMC7270221 DOI: 10.1186/s43044-020-00059-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We examined the impact of left anterior descending (LAD) wrapping on left ventricular (LV) mechanics in patients with normal coronary angiography. Seventy-one patients with evidence of normal coronary angiography (LAD wrapping: n = 52, 73%) and LAD non-wrapping (n = 19, 27%) were included in the study. Using 2D-strain imaging, we measured LV longitudinal and circumferential (circ) strain (εsys), systolic strain rate (SRsys), early (SRe) and atrial (SRa) diastolic SR, LV electromechanical dyssynchrony (TTP-SD), and LV twist and torsion in study groups. Results No significant difference in age, gender, body surface area (BSA), or ejection fraction (EF%) between groups. LAD-wrapping group showed higher deceleration time (DT) (P < 0.0001), global longitudinal εsys % (P < 0.02), circ SRa at the basal segments (P < .02), circ SRsys and SRe, and SRa (P < 0.0001) at the apical segments and apical rotation compared with the non-wrapped group. LV twist was correlated negatively with LV electromechanical dyssynchrony (r = .25, P < 0.03) and positively with longitudinal εsys (r = .47, P < .0001), circ εsys% (r = .55, P < .0001), circ SRsys (r = .23, P < .05), and circ SRe (r = .55, P < .0001). Using multivariate regression analysis, DT: OR 0.932, CI 0.877–0.991, and P < 0.02 and circ at atrial diastole (SRa): OR 0.000, CI .000–.271, and P < 0.03 were independent predictors of LAD wrapping around LV apex. Conclusion Wrapped LAD is associated with better myocardial relaxation and rotational mechanics in patients with normal coronary angiography. This could explain the worse prognosis in such population when LAD occlusion acutely emerges.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ghada Soltan
- Menoufia University, P.O box 34, 55-El Gish street, Tanta, Egypt
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Qian J, Xie J, Lakshmipriya T, Gopinath SCB, Xu H. Heart Infection Prognosis Analysis by Two-dimensional Spot Tracking Imaging. Curr Med Imaging 2020; 16:534-544. [PMID: 32484087 DOI: 10.2174/1573405615666190130164037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular death is one of the leading causes worldwide; an accurate identification followed by diagnosing the cardiovascular disease increases the chance of a better recovery. Among different demonstrated strategies, imaging on cardiac infections yields a visible result and highly reliable compared to other analytical methods. Two-dimensional spot tracking imaging is the emerging new technology that has been used to study the function and structure of the heart and test the deformation and movement of the myocardium. Particularly, it helps to capture the images of each segment in different directions of myocardial strain values, such as valves of radial strain, longitudinal strain, and circumferential strain. In this overview, we discussed the imaging of infections in the heart by using the two-dimensional spot tracking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Qian
- Department of ICU, Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang, Suqian, Jiangsu 223600, China
| | - Jing Xie
- Department of ICU, Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang, Suqian, Jiangsu 223600, China
| | - Thangavel Lakshmipriya
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Subash C B Gopinath
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kangar 01000, Perlis, Malaysia.,School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau 02600, Perlis, Malaysia
| | - Huaigang Xu
- Department of ICU, Shuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shuyang, Suqian, Jiangsu 223600, China
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Zhuang Z, Liu G, Ding W, Raj ANJ, Qiu S, Guo J, Yuan Y. Cardiac VFM visualization and analysis based on YOLO deep learning model and modified 2D continuity equation. Comput Med Imaging Graph 2020; 82:101732. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compmedimag.2020.101732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Stanley A, Athanasuleas C, Buckberg G. How His bundle pacing prevents and reverses heart failure induced by right ventricular pacing. Heart Fail Rev 2020; 26:1311-1324. [PMID: 32318885 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-020-09962-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Ideal heart performance demands vigorous systolic contractions and rapid diastolic relaxation. These sequential events are precisely timed and interdependent and require the rapid synchronous electrical stimulation provided by the His-Purkinje system. Right ventricular (RV) pacing creates slow asynchronous electrical stimulation that disrupts the timing of the cardiac cycle and results in left ventricular (LV) mechanical asynchrony. Long-term mechanical asynchrony produces LV dysfunction, remodeling, and clinical heart failure. His bundle pacing preserves synchronous electrical and mechanical LV function, prevents or reverses RV pacemaker-induced remodeling, and reduces heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred Stanley
- Cardiovascular Associates of the Southeast, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Constantine Athanasuleas
- Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gerald Buckberg
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular Center at UCLA, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Assessment of cardiac mechanics and biomarkers during headache attack in migraine patients with aura: a prospective study. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020; 36:1321-1331. [PMID: 32253565 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-020-01834-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Migraine with aura (MA) was found to be associated with increased cardiovascular events (CVE), whereas left ventricular (LV) mechanics were not previously studied in migraineurs. In this study, we aimed to assess LV functions with the utility of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and cardiac biomarkers with respect to the headache-free and attack periods and frequency of migraine attacks. Sixty-eight patients with MA were enrolled. During headache-free and attack periods, all patients underwent echocardiographic examination including 2D-STE, and cardiac biomarkers, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high sensitive cTnT (hs-cTnT) were studied. The impact of headache periods and frequency of attacks on cardiac mechanics and biomarkers were investigated. The mean age of study population was 38.1 ± 7.7 years (56 female) and thirty-one patients (44.6%) had high-frequency migraine attacks. Patients who suffered headache-attack periods had higher frequency of detectable hs-cTnT levels and increased NT-proBNP values which did not differ between low- and high-frequency migraine groups in both periods. Headache attack periods had decreased global longitudinal strain (GLS), increased LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), E/Em ratio and LV torsion (LV-tor) during headache-attack periods. In multivariate analysis; LVESV, LV-tor and high frequency of migraine attacks were associated with decreased GLS (≤ - 20.8), (p 0.038, p 0.026 and p 0.013, respectively). Consequently, 2D-STE findings revealed that migraine attacks, especially with increasing frequencies, could have negative impact on LV mechanics, which adds a new perspective about increased CVE in subjects with MA.
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Hodzic A, Garcia D, Saloux E, Ribeiro PAB, Ethier A, Thomas JD, Milliez P, Normand H, Tournoux F. Echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular untwisting-filling interplay. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2020; 18:8. [PMID: 32075637 PMCID: PMC7029574 DOI: 10.1186/s12947-020-00190-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Left ventricular untwisting generates an early diastolic intraventricular pressure gradient (DIVPG) than can be quantified by echocardiography. We sought to confirm the quantitative relationship between peak untwisting rate and peak DIVPG in a large adult population. Methods From our echocardiographic database, we retrieved all the echocardiograms with a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, for whom color Doppler M-Mode interrogation of mitral inflow was available, and left ventricular untwisting rate was measurable using speckle tracking. Standard indices of left ventricular early diastolic function were assessed by Doppler (peaks E, e’ and Vp) and speckle tracking (peak strain rate Esr). Load dependency of DIVPG and untwisting rate was evaluated using a passive leg raising maneuver. Results We included 154 subjects, aged between 18 to 77 years old, 63% were male. Test-retest reliability for color Doppler-derived DIVPG measurements was good, the intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.97 [0.91–0.99] and 0.97 [0.67–0.99] for intra- and inter-observer reproducibility, respectively. Peak DIVPG was positively correlated with peak untwisting rate (r = 0.73, P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, peak DIVPG was the only diastolic parameter that was independently associated with untwisting rate. Age and gender were the clinical predictive factors for peak untwisting rate, whereas only age was independently associated with peak DIVPG. Untwisting rate and DIVPG were both load-dependent, without affecting their relationship. Conclusions Color Doppler-derived peak DIVPG was quantitatively and independently associated with peak untwisting rate. It thus provides a reliable flow-based index of early left ventricular diastolic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Hodzic
- Department of Clinical Physiology, INSERM COMETE, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France. .,Department of Cardiology, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France. .,Research Center of the Hospital of the University of Montreal (Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), Montreal, Canada.
| | - Damien Garcia
- CREATIS, CNRS UMR 5220, INSERM U1206, Université Lyon 1, INSA Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Eric Saloux
- Department of Cardiology, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Paula A B Ribeiro
- Research Center of the Hospital of the University of Montreal (Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), Montreal, Canada
| | - Amélie Ethier
- Research Center of the Hospital of the University of Montreal (Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), Montreal, Canada
| | - James D Thomas
- Department of Cardiology, Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Paul Milliez
- Department of Cardiology, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Hervé Normand
- Department of Clinical Physiology, INSERM COMETE, Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CHU de Caen Normandie, 14000, Caen, France
| | - Francois Tournoux
- Research Center of the Hospital of the University of Montreal (Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal), Montreal, Canada
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Roberts TJ, Barros-Murphy JF, Burns AT, MacIsaac RJ, MacIsaac AI, Prior DL, La Gerche A. Reduced Exercise Capacity in Diabetes Mellitus Is Not Associated with Impaired Deformation or Twist. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2020; 33:481-489. [PMID: 32007323 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2019.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exercise capacity is frequently reduced in people with diabetes mellitus (DM) and may be due to subclinical cardiac dysfunction. Speckle-tracking echocardiography is now widely available; however, the clinical utility and significance of left ventricular (LV) strain and twist parameters remain uncertain. We hypothesized that LV strain and twist would be reduced in DM subjects during exercise. METHODS Adults with type 1 or type 2 DM and age- and sex-matched controls performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (VO2 peak) and supine bicycle exercise echocardiography. Detailed echocardiographic assessment of biventricular function was performed at baseline and repeated during incremental exercise to maximal intensity. RESULTS Of the 60 participants completing the study protocol, 51 (34 DM, 17 controls; mean age, 42 ± 13 years; 69% male; DM duration, 16 ± 10 years) had sufficient image quality to assess LV deformation and twist mechanics at rest. Of these, 38 (25 DM, 13 controls) were able to be assessed immediately after exercise. Baseline LV systolic and diastolic function using standard echocardiography measurements were similar between groups. Resting LV global longitudinal strain, twist, twist rate and untwist rate, and the corresponding peak exercise and reserve measures did not differ significantly. As compared with the control subjects, exercise capacity was reduced in the DM cohort (VO2 peak 33 ± 10 vs 41 ± 12 mL/minute/kg; P = .02); however, no correlation was observed between VO2 peak and LV twist reserve (R = 0.28, P = .09), LV twist rate reserve (R = 0.14, P = .39), or LV untwist rate reserve (R = 0.24, P = .14). CONCLUSIONS Despite reduced VO2 peak, LV twist mechanics at rest and after maximal intensity exercise did not differ significantly in a cohort of asymptomatic DM subjects with normal resting LV systolic and diastolic function compared with age- and sex-matched controls. This would suggest that exercise capacity can be reduced in the absence of subclinical cardiac dysfunction and that noncardiac factors should be considered as alternative explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Roberts
- Department of Cardiology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; St. Vincent's Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia
| | | | - Andrew T Burns
- Department of Cardiology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; St. Vincent's Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Richard J MacIsaac
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; St. Vincent's Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - Andrew I MacIsaac
- Department of Cardiology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; St. Vincent's Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - David L Prior
- Department of Cardiology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; St. Vincent's Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; National Centre for Sports Cardiology, Fitzroy, Australia
| | - André La Gerche
- Department of Cardiology, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; St. Vincent's Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Fitzroy, Australia; National Centre for Sports Cardiology, Fitzroy, Australia; Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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Huang YC, Tsai HH, Fu TC, Hsu CC, Wang JS. High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Left Ventricular Contractile Function. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2020; 51:1420-1428. [PMID: 30829901 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000001931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Improved myocardial contractility is a critical circulatory adaptation to exercise training. However, the types of exercise that enhance left ventricular (LV) contractile and diastolic functions have not yet been established. This study investigated how high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) influence LV mechanics during exercise. METHODS Fifty-four healthy sedentary men were randomized to engage in either HIIT (3-min intervals at 40% and 80% of V˙O2max, n = 18) or MICT (sustained 60% of V˙O2max, n = 18) for 30 min·d, 5 d·wk for 6 wk or to a control group (n = 18) that did not engage in exercise intervention. LV mechanics during semiupright bicycle exercise tests were measured by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. RESULTS Before the interventions, acute bicycle exercise increased (i) peak basal/apical radial and circumferential and peak longitudinal strains and strain rates, (ii) peak basal/apical rotations and torsion, and (iii) peak systolic twisting and early diastolic untwisting velocities in the LV. After the interventions, the HIIT group exhibited greater LV mass and diastolic internal diameter as well as higher ratio of E wave to A wave and early diastolic propagation velocity than did the MICT group. Despite decreased peak apical rotation and torsion, HIIT enhanced peak apical radial strain and strain rate as well as shortened the time to reach peak untwisting velocity in the LV during exercise. However, the LV mechanics during exercise were unchanged in the control group. CONCLUSION HIIT but not MICT induces eccentric myocardial hypertrophy. Moreover, HIIT effectively improves the LV mechanics during exercise by increasing contractile and diastolic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chieh Huang
- Healthy Aging Research Center, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Medical Collage, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, TAIWAN
| | - Hsing-Hua Tsai
- Healthy Aging Research Center, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Medical Collage, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, TAIWAN
| | - Tieh-Cheng Fu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, TAIWAN.,Heart Failure Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, TAIWAN
| | - Chih-Chin Hsu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, TAIWAN.,Heart Failure Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, TAIWAN
| | - Jong-Shyan Wang
- Healthy Aging Research Center, Graduate Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Medical Collage, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, TAIWAN.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, TAIWAN.,Heart Failure Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, TAIWAN
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Wang Y, Zheng C, Zhao X, Peng H. Adaptive scaling Wiener postfilter using generalized coherence factor for coherent plane-wave compounding. Comput Biol Med 2020; 116:103564. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.103564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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50
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Chernyakova T, Cohen D, Shoham M, Eldar YC. iMAP Beamforming for High-Quality High Frame Rate Imaging. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ULTRASONICS, FERROELECTRICS, AND FREQUENCY CONTROL 2019; 66:1830-1844. [PMID: 31398116 DOI: 10.1109/tuffc.2019.2933506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We present a statistical interpretation of beamforming to overcome the limitations of standard delay-and-sum (DAS) processing. Both the interference and the signal of interest are viewed as random variables, and the distribution of the signal of interest is exploited to maximize the a posteriori distribution of the aperture signals. In this formulation, the beamformer output is a maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimator of the signal of interest. We provide a closed-form expression for the MAP beamformer and estimate the unknown distribution parameters from the available aperture data using an empirical Bayes approach. We propose a simple scheme that iterates between the estimation of distribution parameters and the computation of the MAP estimator of the signal of interest, leading to an iterative MAP (iMAP) beamformer. This results in a suppression of the interference compared with DAS, without a severe increase in computational complexity or the need for fine-tuning of parameters. The effect of the proposed method on contrast is studied in detail and measured in terms of contrast ratio (CR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and contrast-to-speckle ratio (CSR). By implementing iMAP on both simulated and experimental data, we show that only 13 transmissions are required to obtain a CNR comparable to DAS with 75 plane waves. Compared to other interference suppression methods, such as coherence factor and scaled Wiener processing, iMAP shows an improved contrast and a better preserved speckle pattern.
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