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Rako ZA, Yogeswaran A, Yildiz S, Weidemann P, Zedler D, da Rocha BB, Kryvenko V, Schäfer S, Ghofrani HA, Seeger W, Kremer NC, Tello K. Liver stiffness is associated with right heart dysfunction, cardiohepatic syndrome, and prognosis in pulmonary hypertension. J Heart Lung Transplant 2024; 43:1105-1115. [PMID: 38373557 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2024.02.013] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can lead to congestive hepatopathy, known as cardiohepatic syndrome (CHS). Hepatic congestion is associated with increased liver stiffness, which can be quantified using shear wave elastography. We aimed to investigate whether hepatic shear wave elastography detects patients at risk in the early stages of PH. METHODS Sixty-three prospectively enrolled patients undergoing right heart catheterization (52 diagnosed with PH and 11 with invasive exclusion of PH) and 52 healthy volunteers underwent assessments including echocardiography and hepatic shear wave elastography. CHS was defined as increased levels of ≥2 of the following: gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin. Liver stiffness was defined as normal (≤5.0 kPa) or high (>5.0 kPa). RESULTS Compared with normal liver stiffness, high liver stiffness was associated with impaired right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) function (median [interquartile range] RV ejection fraction: 54 [49; 57]% vs 45 [34; 51]%, p < 0.001; RA reservoir strain: 49 [41; 54]% vs 33 [22; 41]%, p < 0.001), more severe tricuspid insufficiency (p < 0.001), and higher prevalence of hepatovenous backflow (2% vs 29%, p < 0.001) and CHS (2% vs 10%, p = 0.038). In the patient subgroup with precapillary PH (n = 48), CHS and high liver stiffness were associated with increased European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society 2022 risk scores (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Shear wave liver elastography yields important information regarding right heart function and may complement risk assessment in patients with (suspected) PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zvonimir A Rako
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Athiththan Yogeswaran
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Selin Yildiz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter Weidemann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniel Zedler
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Bruno Brito da Rocha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Vitalii Kryvenko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Simon Schäfer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Hossein Ardeschir Ghofrani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany; Department of Pneumology, Kerckhoff Heart, Rheuma and Thoracic Center, Bad Nauheim, Germany; Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Werner Seeger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Nils C Kremer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany
| | - Khodr Tello
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Giessen, Germany.
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Lloyd JW, Anavekar NS, Oh JK, Miranda WR. Multimodality Imaging in Differentiating Constrictive Pericarditis From Restrictive Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Overview for Clinicians and Imagers. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2023; 36:1254-1265. [PMID: 37619909 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2023.08.016] [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] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
In the evaluation of heart failure, 2 differential diagnostic considerations include constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy. The often outwardly similar clinical presentation of these 2 pathologic entities routinely renders their clinical distinction difficult. Consequently, initial assessment requires a keen understanding of their separate pathophysiology, epidemiology, and hemodynamic effects. Following a detailed clinical evaluation, further assessment initially rests on comprehensive echocardiographic investigation, including detailed Doppler evaluation. With the combination of mitral inflow characterization, tissue Doppler assessment, and hepatic vein interrogation, initial differentiation of constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy is often possible with high sensitivity and specificity. In conjunction with a compatible clinical presentation, successful differentiation enables both an accurate diagnosis and subsequent targeted management. In certain cases, however, the diagnosis remains unclear despite echocardiographic assessment, and additional evaluation is required. With advances in noninvasive tools, such evaluation can often continue in a stepwise, algorithmic fashion noninvasively, including both cross-sectional and nuclear imaging. Should this additional evaluation itself prove insufficient, invasive assessment with appropriate expertise may ultimately be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- James W Lloyd
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Nandan S Anavekar
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Jae K Oh
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - William R Miranda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
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Ultrasound Imaging of the Superior Vena Cava: A State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2023; 36:447-463. [PMID: 36754099 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2023.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Greater interest in imaging the superior vena cava (SVC) in recent years has arisen because of increased focus on disorders of the right heart; the growing use of transvenous access lines, dialysis catheters, and device leads; and the emergence of right ventricular mechanical circulatory support systems via the transcatheter approach. As a low-pressure venous conduit in the right upper mediastinum, the SVC is prone to compression by various pathologic processes, to invasion by malignancies originating in nearby structures, and to complications arising from intraluminal device leads and indwelling catheters. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance venography are the modalities of choice for structural imaging of the SVC. Ultrasound allows a reasonable, yet less detailed anatomic assessment of this venous conduit. Spectral and color Doppler imaging by ultrasound are the most valuable noninvasive tools for the interrogation of SVC blood flow, a marker of the filling pattern of the right heart. Analysis of the velocity, duration, and direction of the Doppler waveforms and their phasic response to respiration makes it possible to distinguish normal from abnormal flow patterns and offers diagnostic insights into disorders that affect right heart function. The aims of this review are to demonstrate the added value SVC imaging provides during transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic studies, to outline its usefulness for the detection and evaluation of structural abnormalities, and to detail the role of spectral Doppler imaging in aiding the diagnosis of various disorders that affect the right heart.
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Fadel BM, Mohty D, Husain A, Alassas K, Echahidi N, Dahdouh Z, Di Salvo G. Spectral Doppler of the Hepatic Veins in Rate, Rhythm, and Conduction Disorders. Echocardiography 2015; 33:136-40; quiz 135. [PMID: 26492947 DOI: 10.1111/echo.13091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Doppler interrogation of blood flow in the hepatic veins (HVs) provides valuable information regarding a wide spectrum of pathological processes that affect the right heart. Systematic analysis of the direction, velocity, and phasicity of the HV waveforms allows one to distinguish normal from abnormal patterns and provides important diagnostic information. Abnormalities in heart rate, rhythm, and intracardiac conduction are commonly encountered during echocardiographic studies. Sinus bradycardia and tachycardia, bradyarrhythmias and tachyarrhythmias as well as atrioventricular conduction disturbances influence the flow pattern in the HVs and may pose a challenge to the correct interpretation of the HV Doppler. Alterations in HV flow that are induced by the electrical abnormalities may mimic right heart pathology. Awareness of these alterations allows one to avoid misinterpretation of the HV signal, helps diagnose the underlying rhythm or conduction abnormality, and permits assessment of the impact on right heart hemodynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahaa M Fadel
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Aysha Husain
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khadija Alassas
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ziad Dahdouh
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Giovanni Di Salvo
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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