Noninvasive assessment of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure with tissue Doppler imaging in patients with mitral regurgitation

Diagnostic Accuracy of Tissue Doppler Index E/e' for Evaluating Left Ventricular Filling Pressure and Diastolic Dysfunction/Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Tissue Doppler index E/è is used clinically and in multidisciplinary research for estimation of left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) and diastolic dysfunction (DD)/heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Its diagnostic accuracy is not well studied.

Methods and Results

From the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases, we identified 24 studies reporting E/è and invasive LVFP in preserved EF (≥50%). In random‐effects models, E/è had poor to mediocre linear correlation with LVFP. Summary sensitivity and specificity (with 95% CIs) for the American Society of Echocardiography–recommended E/è cutoffs (lateral, mean, and septal, respectively) to identify elevated LVFP was estimated by using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic analysis. Summary sensitivity was 30% (9–48%), 37% (13–61%), and 24% (6–46%), and summary specificity was 92% (82–100%), 91% (80–99%), and 98% (92–100%). Positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was <5 for lateral and mean E/è. LR+ was slightly >10 for septal E/è obtained from 4 studies (cumulative sample size <220). For excluding elevated LVFP, summary sensitivity for E/è (lateral, mean, and septal, respectively) was 64% (38–86%), 36% (3–74%), and 50% (14–81%), while summary specificity was 73% (54–89%), 83% (49–100%), and 89% (66–100%). Because of data set limitations, meaningful inference for identifying HFpEF by using E/è could not be drawn. With the use of quality assessment tool for diagnostic accuracy studies (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies questionnaire), we found substantial risks of bias and/or applicability.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to support that E/è can reliably estimate LVFP in preserved EF. The diagnostic accuracy of E/è to identify/exclude elevated LVFP and DD/HFpEF is limited and requires further validation in a well‐designed prospective clinical trial.

Noninvasive estimation of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure in patients with mitral regurgitation: A speckle tracking echocardiography study

BACKGROUND

Echocardiographic parameters to predict pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) in mitral regurgitation (MR) are not yet elucidated. We reported that PCWP could be accurately estimated by novel KT index which is defined as log10[left atrial (LA) emptying function (EF)/LA volume]. We examined the usefulness of the KT index as a predictor of PCWP in primary and secondary MR with sinus rhythm and also MR with atrial fibrillation.

METHODS

LA dimension, strain, volume, EF, and E/e' were measured in moderate to severe MR with sinus rhythm (n=58, age: 67±8 years) and MR with atrial fibrillation (n=24, age: 69±11 years) just before catheterization and in normal subjects (n=26, age: 67±11 years) using speckle tracking echocardiography. MR with sinus rhythm was divided into primary MR (n=27) and secondary MR (n=31). The estimated PCWP (ePCWP) was calculated as 10.8-12.4×KT index.

RESULTS

There was a correlation between PCWP and LA dimension, E/e', minimum LA volume index, active LAEF, total LAEF, or LA strain (r=0.32, r=0.31, r=0.55, r=-0.61, r=-0.51, and r=-0.50, respectively, p<0.05). The better correlation was found between PCWP and ePCWP in MR including both primary and secondary MR and also MR with atrial fibrillation (r=0.70, r=0.67, and r=0.58, respectively, p<0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that ePCWP was an independent predictor of PCWP in MR. The ePCWP demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve of 0.86) and sensitivity (81%) and specificity (71%) to predict elevated PCWP >15mmHg using a cut-off of 16mmHg.

CONCLUSION

The ePCWP was the reliable echocardiographic parameter to predict PCWP in primary and secondary MR and might also be useful in MR with atrial fibrillation. The ePCWP may have an incremental value in a clinical setting.

The impact of total bile acid levels on fetal cardiac function in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy using fetal echocardiography: a tissue Doppler imaging study

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess total bile acid (TBA) levels and its impact on systolic and diastolic functions in fetuses of mothers with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and to explore the correlation between TBA levels and fetal cardiac function.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study employed 98 pregnant women with ICP who were divided into two groups according to their bile acid levels. Fifty pregnant women without ICP represented the control group.

RESULTS

Significant differences in the myocardial tissue velocities of both mitral and tricuspid valves were found between the fetuses of mothers with ICP and TBA levels of <40 mmol/L and the control group, versus fetuses of mothers with ICP and TBA levels >40 mmol/L. There was a significant increase in neonatal respiratory distress, meconium staining and neonatal TBAs in group II compared to the control group and group I. There was a correlation between maternal TBA levels and preterm delivery, APGAR scores and neonatal TBA levels at birth. There was also a positive correlation between maternal TBA and fetal myocardial tissue velocities of both mitral and tricuspid, and fetal diastolic myocardial tissue Doppler velocities.

CONCLUSION

ICP is a very serious condition especially when maternal TBA levels are >40 mmol/L. Fetal echocardiography with tissue Doppler is a useful tool for fetal assessment in patients with ICP. It could be an indication of induction of labor in cases of ICP and bile acid levels ≥40 mol/L. Neonatal echocardiography is mandatory for follow-up and management of these neonates.

Echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with mitral valve stenosis

Background

Estimation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) among patients with mitral valve disease may help to explain their symptoms. However, conventional Doppler measurements have limitations in predicting LVEDP in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to construct a Doppler-derived LVEDP prediction model based on the combined analysis of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity curves.

Methods

Thirty-three patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis (MS) who had indications for left heart catheterisation enrolled. Two-dimensional, M-mode, colour Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging indices, such as annular early diastolic velocity (Ea), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), pulmonary vein systolic and diastolic flow velocities, velocity propagation, left atrium area (LAA), interval between the onset of mitral E and annular Ea (TE–Ea), and Tei index were obtained. LVEDP was measured in all patients during left cardiac catheterisation. Linear correlation and multiple linear regressions were used for analysis.

Results

The mean of LVEDP was 9.9 ± 5.3 mmHg. In univariate analysis, the only significant relationship was noted with LAA (p = 0.05, R² = 0.11). However, in multivariate regression, LAA, Tei index and Ea remained in the model to predict LVEDP (p = 0.02, R² = 0.26). For prediction of LVEDP ≥ 15 mmHg, the best model consisted of LAA, IVRT and Ea, and had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 85%.

Conclusion

Our results provided evidence that, in patients with moderate to severe MS, LVEDP can be estimated by combining Doppler echocardiographic variables of mitral flow. However, more studies are required to confirm these results.

Use and Limitations of E/e' to Assess Left Ventricular Filling Pressure by Echocardiography

Measurement of left ventricular (LV) filling pressure is useful in decision making and prediction of outcomes in various cardiovascular diseases. Invasive cardiac catheterization has been the gold standard in LV filling pressure measurement, but carries the risk of complications and has a similar predictive value for clinical outcomes compared with non-invasive LV filling pressure estimation by echocardiography. A variety of echocardiographic measurement methods have been suggested to estimate LV filling pressure. The most frequently used method for this purpose is the ratio between early mitral inflow velocity and mitral annular early diastolic velocity (E/e'), which has become central in the guidelines for diastolic evaluation. This review will discuss the use the E/e' ratio in prediction of LV filling pressure and its potential pitfalls.

Tissue Doppler and strain rate imaging detect improvement of myocardial function in iron deficient patients with congestive heart failure after iron replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency may contribute to diminished exercise tolerance in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) even in absence of anemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of correction of iron deficiency on functional capacity and myocardial function in patients with CHF.

METHODS

We studied 40 patients with ejection fraction <40%, hemoglobin% >12 g/dL, serum ferritin <100 ug/L, and transferrin saturation <20%. Patients received 200 mg weekly doses of iron dextran complex until serum ferritin level was between 200 and 300 ug/L or transferrin saturation level was between 30% and 40%. Transthoracic echocardiogram, tissue Doppler imaging, peak systolic strain rate, and 6 minute walk test were performed before iron therapy and at 12-week follow up. Peak early diastolic myocardial tissue velocity (E'), peak late diastolic myocardial tissue velocity (A'), and peak systolic myocardial tissue velocity (S') were measured.

RESULTS

There was a significant improvement of New York Heart Association functional class (3.0 ± 0.4 vs. 2.1 ± 0.3, P < 0.05) and 6minutes walk distance (322 ± 104 vs. 377 ± 76, P < 0.01) from rest to follow up, respectively. Ejection fraction did not change significantly (32 ± 8% vs. 34 ± 9%, respectively). There was a significant improvement of S'-wave (3.0 ± 0.8 cm/sec vs. 6.0 ± 1.2 cm/sec, P < 0.05), E/E' ratio (22 ± 3 vs. 13 ± 3, P < 0.05), and peak systolic strain rate (-0.72 ± 0.11/s vs. -1.09 ± 0.37/s, P < 0.05) from baseline to follow-up, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Correction of iron deficiency improves functional class and walking distance in nonanemic iron deficient patients with systolic heart failure. Tissue Doppler and strain rate demonstrated a significant improvement of diastolic and systolic function after therapy despite lack of improvement of ejection fraction. (Echocardiography 2012;29:13-18).