Modifications in Electrocardiographic and Vectordardiographic Morphological Parameters in Elderly Males as Result of Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes Mellitus

PURPOSE

Morphological electrocardiographic and vectorcardiographic features have been used in the detection of cardiovascular diseases and prediction of the risk of cardiac death for a long time. The objective of the current study was to investigate the morphological electrocardiographic modifications in the presence of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus in an elderly male population, most of them with multiple comorbidities.

METHODS

A database of ECG recordings from the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging (ILSA-CNR), created to evaluate physiological and pathological modifications related to aging, was considered. The study examined a group of 1109 males with full clinical documentation aged 65-84 years. A healthy control group (219 individuals) was compared to the groups of diabetes mellitus (130), angina pectoris (99), hypertension (607), myocardial infarction (160), arrhythmia (386), congestive heart failure (73), and peripheral artery disease (95). Twenty-one electrocardiographic features were explored, and the effects of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes on these parameters were analyzed. The three-years mortality index was derived and analyzed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial infarction and arrhythmia were the diagnostic groups that showed a significant deviation of 11 electrocardiographic parameters compared to the healthy group, followed by hypertension and congestive heart failure (10), angina pectoris (9), and diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease (8). In particular, a set of three parameters (QRS and T roundness and principal component analysis of T wave) increased significantly, whereas four parameters (T amplitude, T maximal vector, T vector ratio, and T wave area dispersion) decreased significantly in all cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus with respect to healthy group. The QRS parameters show a more specific discrimination with a single disease or a group of diseases, whereas the T-wave features seems to be influenced by all the pathological conditions. The present investigation of disease-related electrocardiographic parameters changes can be used in assessing the risk analysis of cardiac death, and gender medicine.

Pulmonary congestion during Exercise stress Echocardiography in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background

B-lines detected by lung ultrasound (LUS) during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE), indicating pulmonary congestion, have not been systematically evaluated in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Aim

To assess the clinical, anatomical and functional correlates of pulmonary congestion elicited by exercise in HCM.

Methods

We enrolled 128 HCM patients (age 52 ± 15 years, 72 males) consecutively referred for ESE (treadmill in 46, bicycle in 82 patients) in 10 quality-controlled centers from 7 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, Spain). ESE assessment at rest and peak stress included: mitral regurgitation (MR, score from 0 to 3); E/e’; systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) and end-diastolic volume (EDV). Change from rest to stress was calculated for each variable. Reduced preload reserve was defined by a decrease in EDV during exercise. B-lines at rest and at peak exercise were assessed by lung ultrasound with the 4-site simplified scan. B-lines positivity was considered if the sum of detected B-lines was ≥ 2.

Results

LUS was feasible in all subjects. B-lines were present in 13 patients at rest and in 38 during stress (10 vs 30%, p < 0.0001). When compared to patients without stress B-lines (n = 90), patients with B-lines (n = 38) had higher resting E/e’ (14 ± 6 vs. 11 ± 4, p = 0.016) and SPAP (33 ± 10 vs. 27 ± 7 mm Hg p = 0.002). At peak exercise, patients with B-lines had higher peak E/e’ (17 ± 6 vs. 13 ± 5 p = 0.003) and stress SPAP (55 ± 18 vs. 40 ± 12 mm Hg p < 0.0001), reduced preload reserve (68 vs. 30%, p = 0.001) and an increase in MR (42 vs. 17%, p = 0.013) compared to patients without congestion. Among baseline parameters, the number of B-lines and SPAP were the only independent predictors of exercise pulmonary congestion.

Conclusions

Two-thirds of HCM patients who develop pulmonary congestion on exercise had no evidence of B-lines at rest. Diastolic impairment and mitral regurgitation were key determinants of pulmonary congestion during ESE. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating hemodynamic stability by physiological stress in HCM, particularly in the presence of unexplained symptoms and functional limitation.

TUMOR MASSES IN THREE OF THE FOUR HEART CHAMBERS

We present a case of a 47-year-old man who was admitted to the cardiac surgery department with a clinical picture of heart failure and multiple Tu-formations in three of the heart cavities. He underwent extraction of the tumor formations from the heart cavities with an excellent outcome.

Prognostic value of rest B-lines with the simplified 4-site scan for predicting survival: incremental value over transthoracic echocardiography

Background

Lung ultrasound (LUS) detects pulmonary congestion as B-lines at rest.

Methods

After preliminary exclusion of 154 patients lost to follow-up, we analyzed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) plus LUS (4-site simplified scan) data in 5165 subjects (age 64±11 years) referred to 19 certified centers of 9 countries for known or suspected coronary artery disease (n=3891, 75%), dyspnea (n=591, 12%), or screening in asymptomatic patients with risk factors (n=667, 13%). We analyzed the anterior and lateral hemi-thoraces, scanning from mid-axillary to mid-clavicular lines on the third intercostal space. B-lines score ranged from 0 (normal) to 40 (severely abnormal). By selection, follow-up information was available in all. All-cause death was the predetermined end-point.

Results

Feasibility of B-lines was 100% in all subjects. B-lines (median) were 0.1 [0–1]. Rest B-lines (≥2) were present in 863 patients (16.7%). Ejection fraction was 61±10%. After a median follow-up of 690 (Interquartile range 420–1065) days, 96 all-cause deaths occurred. Two-year mortality was 3.6% in patients with and 1.5% in patients without B-lines (p&lt;0.001) and increased progressively with the increasing number of B-lines, from 2.4% in mild (2–4, n=630), 5.0% in moderate (5–9, n=160) and 8.2% in patients with severe (≥10, n=73) B-lines (see figure). At multivariable analysis, rest B lines (HR 1.812, 95% CI: 1.165–2.916, p=0.008) and ejection fraction (HR 0.987, 95% CI: 0.976–0.998, p=0.020) were independent predictors of all-cause death, in addition to age (HR 1.045, 95% CI: 1.023–01.067, p&lt;0.001) and diabetes (HR 1.643, 95% CI: 1.079–2.503, p=0.021).

Conclusion

In all-comers referred for TTE, resting B-lines assessed by focused LUS with the simplified 4-site scan are detected in 1 out of 4 patients with symptos or coronary risk factors and are associated with worse survival. The severity of pulmonary congestion predicts the severity of outcomes. The prognostic value of resting B-lines is independent and additive over standard clinical and TTE predictors such as diabetes and ejection fraction. Focused LUS for pulmonary congestion can easily be incorporated in standard TTE examination.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

ESC Working Group on e-Cardiology Position Paper: accuracy and reliability of electrocardiogram monitoring in the detection of atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients : In collaboration with the Council on Stroke, the European Heart Rhythm Association, and the Digital Health Committee

The role of subclinical atrial fibrillation as a cause of cryptogenic stroke is unambiguously established. Long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring remains the sole method for determining its presence following a negative initial workup. This position paper of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on e-Cardiology first presents the definition, epidemiology, and clinical impact of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke, as well as its aetiopathogenic association with occult atrial fibrillation. Then, classification methods for ischaemic stroke will be discussed, along with their value in providing meaningful guidance for further diagnostic efforts, given disappointing findings of studies based on the embolic stroke of unknown significance construct. Patient selection criteria for long-term ECG monitoring, crucial for determining pre-test probability of subclinical atrial fibrillation, will also be discussed. Subsequently, the two major classes of long-term ECG monitoring tools (non-invasive and invasive) will be presented, with a discussion of each method's pitfalls and related algorithms to improve diagnostic yield and accuracy. Although novel mobile health (mHealth) devices, including smartphones and smartwatches, have dramatically increased atrial fibrillation detection post ischaemic stroke, the latest evidence appears to favour implantable cardiac monitors as the modality of choice; however, the answer to whether they should constitute the initial diagnostic choice for all cryptogenic stroke patients remains elusive. Finally, institutional and organizational issues, such as reimbursement, responsibility for patient management, data ownership, and handling will be briefly touched upon, despite the fact that guidance remains scarce and widespread clinical application and experience are the most likely sources for definite answers.

Pulmonary Congestion During Exercise Stress Echocardiography in Ischemic and Heart Failure Patients

BACKGROUND

Lung ultrasound detects pulmonary congestion as B-lines at rest, and more frequently, during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE).

METHODS

We performed ESE plus lung ultrasound (4-site simplified scan) in 4392 subjects referred for semi-supine bike ESE in 24 certified centers in 9 countries. B-line score ranged from 0 (normal) to 40 (severely abnormal). Five different populations were evaluated: control subjects (n=103); chronic coronary syndromes (n=3701); heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n=395); heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n=70); ischemic mitral regurgitation ≥ moderate at rest (n=123). In a subset of 2478 patients, follow-up information was available.

RESULTS

During ESE, B-lines increased in all study groups except controls. Age, hypertension, abnormal ejection fraction, peak wall motion score index, and abnormal heart rate reserve were associated with B-lines in multivariable regression analysis. Stress B lines (hazard ratio, 2.179 [95% CI, 1.015-4.680]; P=0.046) and ejection fraction <50% (hazard ratio, 2.942 [95% CI, 1.268-6.822]; P=0.012) were independent predictors of all-cause death (n=29 after a median follow-up of 29 months).

CONCLUSIONS

B-lines identify the pulmonary congestion phenotype at rest, and more frequently, during ESE in ischemic and heart failure patients. Stress B-lines may help to refine risk stratification in these patients.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov; Unique identifier: NCT03049995.

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment for hospitalized patients with COVID- 19

OBJECTIVE

Studies have indicated that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) exerts antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. However, trials regarding its effects in patients are very controversial. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of (HCQ) in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 260 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Heart and Brain Center of Excellence- Pleven, Bulgaria, for the period from November 6 to December 28, 2020. This study is not randomized, which we compensated for with Propensity Score Matching. Patients in the HCQ group were given HCQ 200 mg 3 times a day (600mg daily) for the duration of their hospitalization plus conventional treatment, while those in the control group were given conventional treatment only. The primary endpoints were transferred to the intensive care unit, needed for mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death.

RESULTS

Of the 260 COVID-19 patients, 178 (68,5%) were male and the mean age was of 63,78 ± 12.45 years, with the most prevalent comorbidity hypertension (68,5%). We had two subgroups: treated with HCQ and conventional treatment (128 patients) and treated with conventional treatment only (132 patients). In the primary analysis, patients in HCQ group presented with less comorbidities and were younger than the group without HCQ. Patients treated with HCQ demonstrated a significant benefit in the primary endpoints compared to those without HCQ, namely, transferred to ICU - 20 (20,8%) vs 41 (36,9%), p=0,011, need for mechanical ventilation 13 (13,4%) vs 33 (28,2%), p=0,009 and in- hospital death 14 (10,9%) vs 35 (26,5%), p=0,001, respectively. We repeated this analysis with PSM, where 70 matched pairs were identified. Regarding the primary endpoints, we found again a statistically significant difference between the groups. Comparing transferring to ICU, better outcomes were presented in the HCQ group: 8 (17,4%) vs 27 (44,3%), with p= 0,003. Besides, a smaller proportion of the patients needed mechanical ventilation: 6 (12,8%), compared to the control group, 23 (35,4%), p= 0,007. Notably, patients from the HCQ group died during hospitalization: 8 (11,4%) in comparison with 19 (27,1%) from the control group, p= 0,018.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with HCQ demonstrated a significant benefit in the primary endpoints in our study, namely, transfer to the intensive care unit, need for mechanical ventilation, and in-hospital death. HCQ improves prognosis in hospitalized patients with COVID- 19.

On a Possible Approach to Risk Prediction of Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation аfter Catheter Ablation According to Data from the Pre-procedure Period

The aim of the study is to identify and evaluate predictors of recurrent paroxysms of atrial fibrillation (AF) paroxysms based on data from the preprocedural period among personal indices, history, comorbidities, ultrasound examination, and morphological components of f-waves, such as spectral amplitude and frequency. 39 patients with antral pulmonary vein isolation using radiofrequency or cryoenergy were included. Spectral analysis of f-waves was performed by fast Fourier transform of the ECG signal after suppression of the T-wave and QRS-complex. The performed U-test for the difference between the amplitude and frequency indicators in the groups without and with recurrence of AF shows a significant difference between the amplitude values in the two studied groups of patients. Through a stepwise discriminant analysis of a total of 14 indicators, 5 reliably separated groups without and with recurrence were determined: Echo LV-EF, spectral amplitude of f-waves, heart failure, Stroke/TIA, diabetes. The discriminator synthesized on these indicеs classified among the 39 patient – 25 without relapse (group 1) and 14 with relapse (group 2), 3 patients wrong from group 1 to group 2 (false positive), or 12%, and 1 patient was wrong from group 2 to group 1 (false negative), or 7.1%. These results give grounds to accept the hypothesis that it is possible to develop a decision rule for determining the degree of risk of post-procedural recurrence of AF from pre-procedural period data.

The ischemic cascades in contemporary patients: five distinct phenotypes assessed by ABCDE stress echocardiography

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

OnBehalf

Stress Echo 2020 study group of the Italian Society of Echocardiography and Cardiovascular Imaging (SIECVI)

Background

The classical pathophysiological cornerstone of stress cardiac imaging is the ischemic cascade: alterations in coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) come first, regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) second, and global alterations of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function last.

Aim

To evaluate the ischemic cascade with stress echo (SE) assessed with ABCDE protocol.

Methods

We analyzed 1616 patients (age 66 ± 10 years, 1156, 72% males) with chest pain and angiographically documented coronary artery disease (CAD): 928 (57.4%) with previous myocardial infarction and 1451 (89.8%) with previous coronary revascularization. CAD patients were studied with ABCDE-SE protocol by 13 certified laboratories of 5 countries. Stress modality was exercise in 427 (26.4%) dobutamine in 173 (10.7%) and vasodilator stress in 1016 (62.9%) patients (dipyridamole in 982 – 60.8% and adenosine in 34 – 2.1% patients). Step A assessed RWMA; step B, B-lines (diastolic function); step C, left ventricular contractile reserve based on force; step D, CFVR in left anterior descending artery; step E, heart rate reserve. SE response ranged from score 0 (all steps normal) to score 5 (all steps abnormal). Follow up was obtained in all patients.

Results

Results were abnormal in 350 (21.7) % for step A, 572 (35.4%) for B, 666 (41.2%) for C, 546 (33.5%) for D and 643 (39.8%) for E. The distribution of positivity is shown in figure. The dominant "solitary phenotype" (only one biomarker abnormal during the test) was step A in 10 (0.6%), step B in 124 (7.7%) step C in 100 (6.2%), step D in 64 (4.0%) and step E in 157 (9.7%) patients. The overall sensitivity for CAD detection including each step of ABCDE score (≥1) was 95.7%. During median follow-up of 22 months [IQ range: 13-37 months] 279 coronary revascularizations occurred. ABCDE score predicted coronary revascularization with score 1: HR: 3.182, 95% CI: 1.699-6.067; score 2: HR: 4.921, 95% CI: 2.571-9.420; score 3: HR: 7.234, 95% CI: 3.743-13.979; score 4: HR: 24.570, 95% CI: 13.390-45.086; and score 5: HR: 38.720, 95% CI: 20.975-71.478

Conclusion

Inducible ischemia with CAD is characterized by the complexity and multiplicity of diagnostic phenotypes. The overall ABCDE score predicts clinically driven revascularization. Abstract Figure. The 5 circles of ischemia biomarkers

Left atrial volume changes during exercise stress echocardiography in heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Exercise echocardiography and left atrial changes

BACKGROUND

We assessed feasibility and functional correlates of LAVI (left atrial volume index) changes during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE).

METHODS

ESE on bike or treadmill was performed in 363 patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n = 173), reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n = 59) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n=131). LAVI stress-rest increase ≥ 6.8 ml/m² was defined as dilation.

RESULTS

LAVI measurements were feasible in 100%. LAVI did not change in HFrEF being at rest 32 (25-45) vs. at stress 36 (24 - 54) ml/m², P = NS and in HCM at rest 35 (26 - 48) vs. at stress 38 (28 - 48) ml/m², P = NS whereas it decreased in HFpEF from 30 (24 -40) to 29 (21 - 37) ml/m² at stress, P = 0.007. LA dilation occurred in 107 (30%) patients (27% with treadmill vs. 33% with bike ESE, P = NS): 26 with HFpEF (15%), 26 with HFrEF (44%) and 55 with HCM (42%) with P < 0.001 for HFrEF and HCM vs. HFpEF. Multivariate analysis revealed as the predictors for LAVI dilation E/e' > 14 at rest with OR 4.4, LVEF < 50% with OR 2.9, and LAVI at rest < 35 ml/m² with OR 2.7.

CONCLUSION

LAVI assessment during ESE was highly feasible and dilation equally frequent with treadmill or bike. LA dilation was threefold more frequent in HCM and HFrEF and could be predicted by increased resting E/e' and impaired EF as well as smaller baseline LAVI.

Prognostic value of ABCDE stress echocardiography

Background

Stress echocardiography (SE) was recently upgraded to the ABCDE protocol: step A, regional wall motion abnormalities; step B, B-lines; step C, left ventricular contractile reserve; step D, Doppler-based coronary flow velocity reserve in left anterior descending coronary artery; and step E, EKG-based heart rate reserve. Aim: to assess the prognostic value of ABCDE-SE in a prospective, large scale, multicenter, international, effectiveness study.

Methods

From July 2016 to November 2020, we enrolled 3,574 all-comers (age 65±11 years, 2,070 males, 58%; ejection fraction 60±10%) with known or suspected chronic coronary syndromes referred from 13 certified laboratories. All patients underwent ABCDE-SE. The employed stress modality was exercise (n=952, with semi-supine bike, n=887, or treadmill, n=65 with adenosine for step D) or pharmacological stress (n=2,622, with vasodilator, n=2,151; or dobutamine, n=471). SE response ranged from score 0 (all steps normal) to score 5 (all steps abnormal). All-cause death was the only end-point.

Results

Rate of abnormal results was 16% for A, 30% for B, 36% for C, 28% for D and 37% for E step. During a median follow-up of 21 months, 73 deaths occurred. At univariable analysis, predictors of all-cause mortality were step B (hazard ratio, HR: 2.621, 95% Confidence Intervals, CI: 1.654–4.152, p&lt;0.001), step D (HR: 2.578, 95% CI: 1.624–4.093, p&lt;0.001), and step E (HR: 2.955, 95% CI: 1.848–4.725, p&lt;0.001), but not step A (HR: 1.333, 95% CI: 0.731–2.430, p=0.349) and step C (HR1.581, 95% CI: 0.997–2.506, p=0.051). At multivariable analysis, ABCDE-SE was an independent predictor of mortality with score 3 (HR: 3.472, 95% CI: 1.483–8.135, p=0.004), 4 (HR: 4.045, 95% CI: 1.595–10.259, p=0.003) and 5 (HR: 5.678, 95% CI: 2.106–15.313, p=0.001) (Figure). Annual mortality rate ranged from 0.4% person/year for score 0 up to 2.4% person/year for score 5.

Conclusion

ABCDE-SE allows an effective risk stratification of patient global vulnerability.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Survival curves based on ABCDE score

Left atrial volume changes during exercise stress echocardiography in heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background

Left atrial volume (LAV) may dilate acutely during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) in chronic coronary syndromes.

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and functional correlates of LAV during ESE outside coronary artery disease.

Methods

We performed ESE (semi-supine bike in 159 or treadmill in 105 patients) in 264 patients (155 male, age 58±15 years) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF, n=82), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, n=51) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n=131). LAV was measured with the biplane disk summation method. LAV-dilators were defined as those with stress-rest increase in LAV index ≥6.8 ml/m2, a cutoff derived from a calculated reference change value above the biological, analytical and observer variability of LAV. Average E/e', mitral regurgitation (MR, graded from 0 = absent to 3 = severe), left ventricular ejection fraction, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) from tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity and B-lines (4-sites simplified scan) were also measured.

Results

Measurement success rate was 264/264 (100%) in technically adequate images. At group analysis LAV changes during ESE were heterogeneous, with LAV index increase in HFrEF (rest = 41±26 vs stress = 44±27 ml/m2, p=0.563) and HCM (rest = 39±18 vs stress = 41±17 ml/m2, p=0.444) and mild decrease in HFpEF (rest= 28±12 vs stress = 26±11 ml/m2, p=0.020). At individual patient analysis, LAV dilation occurred in 88 (33%) patients: 9 with HFpEF (11%), 24 with HFrEF (47%), 55 with HCM (42%, p&lt;0.001 vs HFpEF). Prevalence of LAV dilation was 33/105 with treadmill and 55/159 with semi-supine ESE (31 vs 35%, p=0.588). In the overall population, LAV stress-rest change was directly related to stress SPAP (r=0.264, p=0.001), peak E/e'(r=0.288, p&lt;0.001), stress B-lines (r=0.223, p=0.003) and peak MR grade (r=0.295, p&lt;0.0001). LAV-dilators more frequently showed abnormal values of SPAP, B-lines, MR and E/e'during ESE compared to non-dilators (see figure).

Conclusion

LAV assessment during ESE is feasible with high success rate, and LAV dilation is equally frequent with upright treadmill or semi-supine bike exercise. LAV individual response to stress is unpredictable, with a significant dilation occurring more frequently in HCM and HFrEF compared to HFpEF patients. Across all conditions, LAV dilation is correlated to more advanced pulmonary and hemodynamic congestion, higher left ventricular filling pressures and more severe MR during stress.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. LAV dilators vs non-dilators comparison. SPAP value ≥40 mm Hg; E/e' ≥15; MR grade ≥2; B-lines &gt;10 in patients with (blue bars) and without (red bars) LAV dilation.

Comprehensive diastolic exercise stress echocardiography in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Background

In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), diastolic exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) is currently recommended with E/e' and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) from tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV).

Purpose

To evaluate conventional and advanced ESE parameters in patients with HFpEF.

Methods

We prospectively screened 124 patients with suspected HFpEF (dyspnea, resting EF &gt;50%, increased natriuretic peptide levels) and HFA-PEFF score ≥1. Of these 124, 10 patients were excluded for history of coronary artery disease, 3 for severe mitral regurgitation (MR), 12 for inducible ischemia. The final study population consisted of 99 patients (mean age 63±7 yrs, 57 females). All underwent ESE, with semi-supine bike (n=35), upright bike (n=20) or treadmill (n=44 patients) in 11 accredited labs from 9 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia and Spain). In addition to E/e' average (abnormal stress response ≥15 units) and TRV (abnormal stress response &gt;3.4 m/s), we measured 8 additional criteria: B-lines (4-site simplified scan, abnormal stress value ≥2); cardiac index (CI) reserve (increase from rest to stress, abnormal &lt;1.63 l/min/m2), ejection fraction (EF, abnormal increase &lt;5%), global longitudinal strain (GLS, abnormal increase &lt;2%), end-diastolic volume (EDV, abnormal stress &lt; rest); heart rate reserve (HRR, abnormal &lt;1.80); left atrial volume index, (LAVI, abnormal increase &gt;6.8 ml/m2); MR (abnormal, stress value more than mild).

Results

Technical success rate during stress ranged from 100% for B-lines to 75% for GLS: see Table. At individual criteria analysis, positivity rate in interpretable studies ranged from 67% of HRR to 10% of peak MR: see table. At individual patient analysis, an abnormal response in 1 ESE criterion occurred in 4 pts (4%), of 2 to 4 criteria in 71 pts (72%) and of ≥5 criteria in 24 (24%).

Conclusion

In suspected HFpEF, ESE is helpful in the screening phase to identify extra-diastolic causes of dyspnea such as myocardial ischemia or severe MR. In the diagnostic phase, a comprehensive ESE captures the functional heterogeneity of HFpEF, with variable association of multiple phenotypes, the most frequent represented by reduced chronotropic, cardiac or contractile reserve and pulmonary congestion.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Pulmonary congestion during exercise stress echocardiography in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background

B-lines detected by lung ultrasound (LUS) indicate pulmonary congestion during exercise stress echo (ESE).

Aim

To assess B-lines during ESE in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods

We enrolled 110 HCM patients (age 52±16 years, 74 males) referred for ESE (treadmill in 39, semi-supine bicycle in 71 patients) in 10 quality-controlled centers from 8 countries (Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Spain). ESE assessment included: left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG); mitral regurgitation (MR, score from 0 to 3); E/e'; systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP, from tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity); end-diastolic volume (EDV); left atrial volume (LAV). B-lines were assessed by LUS with the 4-site simplified scan, each site scored from 0 (normal A-lines) to 10 (coalescing B-lines). The positivity criterion was a B-line score stress ≥2 points.

Results

LUS was feasible in all subjects, with additional scanning and analysis time &lt;1 minute for each stage (rest and peak stress). B-lines were present in 13 patients at rest and in 33 during stress (12 vs 30%, p&lt;0.001). When compared to patients without stress B-lines (Group 2, n=77), patients with B-lines (Group 1) showed higher values of change from rest to stress (Δ) in LVOTG (Group 1= 39±54 vs Group 2= 21±24 mm Hg, p=0.015) and ΔMR grade (Group 1= 0.7±0.8 vs Group 2= 0.1±0.5, p&lt;0.001), more frequent peak stress E/e' ≥15 (Group 1=61% vs Group 2=27%, p=0.007), lower peak EDV (Group 1= 86±35 vs Group 2= 102±33 ml, p=0.039) and higher peak SPAP (Group 1= 60±21 vs Group 2= 39±12 mm Hg, p&lt;0.001): see figure. At multivariable logistic regression analysis, presence of stress B-lines was predicted by ΔMR grade (odds ratio: 3.96, 95% CI 1.46–10.71) and stress E/e' ≥15 (odds ratio: 4.95, 95% CI 1.24–19.70).

Conclusion

B-lines are found in about 1 of 10 HCM patients at rest and in 1 of 3 during ESE. Acute backward heart failure during exercise can recognize multiple mechanisms in HCM, and ESE can help to capture this heterogeneity.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Functional correlates of stress B-lines

Prognostic value of stress echocardiography assessed by the ABCDE protocol

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ABCDE-SE in a prospective, large scale, multicentre, international, effectiveness study. Stress echocardiography (SE) was recently upgraded to the ABCDE protocol: step A, regional wall motion abnormalities; step B, B lines; step C, left ventricular contractile reserve; step D, Doppler-based coronary flow velocity reserve in left anterior descending coronary artery; and step E, electrocardiogram-based heart rate reserve.

METHODS AND RESULTS

From July 2016 to November 2020, we enrolled 3574 all-comers (age 65 ± 11 years, 2070 males, 58%; ejection fraction 60 ± 10%) with known or suspected chronic coronary syndromes referred from 13 certified laboratories. All patients underwent clinically indicated ABCDE-SE. The employed stress modality was exercise (n = 952, with semi-supine bike, n = 887, or treadmill, n = 65 with adenosine for step D) or pharmacological stress (n = 2622, with vasodilator, n = 2151; or dobutamine, n = 471). SE response ranged from score 0 (all steps normal) to score 5 (all steps abnormal). All-cause death was the only endpoint. Rate of abnormal results was 16% for A, 30% for B, 36% for C, 28% for D, and 37% for E steps. During a median follow-up of 21 months (interquartile range: 13-36), 73 deaths occurred. Global X2 was 49.5 considering clinical variables, 50.7 after step A only (P = NS (not significant)) and 80.6 after B-E steps (P < 0.001 vs. step A). Annual mortality rate ranged from 0.4% person-year for score 0 up to 2.7% person-year for score 5.

CONCLUSION

ABCDE-SE allows an effective prediction of survival in patients with chronic coronary syndromes.

Hemodynamic Heterogeneity of Reduced Cardiac Reserve Unmasked by Volumetric Exercise Echocardiography

Background: Two-dimensional volumetric exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) provides an integrated view of left ventricular (LV) preload reserve through end-diastolic volume (EDV) and LV contractile reserve (LVCR) through end-systolic volume (ESV) changes. Purpose: To assess the dependence of cardiac reserve upon LVCR, EDV, and heart rate (HR) during ESE. Methods: We prospectively performed semi-supine bicycle or treadmill ESE in 1344 patients (age 59.8 ± 11.4 years; ejection fraction = 63 ± 8%) referred for known or suspected coronary artery disease. All patients had negative ESE by wall motion criteria. EDV and ESV were measured by biplane Simpson rule with 2-dimensional echocardiography. Cardiac index reserve was identified by peak-rest value. LVCR was the stress-rest ratio of force (systolic blood pressure by cuff sphygmomanometer/ESV, abnormal values ≤2.0). Preload reserve was defined by an increase in EDV. Cardiac index was calculated as stroke volume index * HR (by EKG). HR reserve (stress/rest ratio) <1.85 identified chronotropic incompetence. Results: Of the 1344 patients, 448 were in the lowest tertile of cardiac index reserve with stress. Of them, 303 (67.6%) achieved HR reserve <1.85; 252 (56.3%) had an abnormal LVCR and 341 (76.1%) a reduction of preload reserve, with 446 patients (99.6%) showing ≥1 abnormality. At binary logistic regression analysis, reduced preload reserve (odds ratio [OR]: 5.610; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.025 to 7.821), chronotropic incompetence (OR: 3.923, 95% CI: 2.915 to 5.279), and abnormal LVCR (OR: 1.579; 95% CI: 1.105 to 2.259) were independently associated with lowest tertile of cardiac index reserve at peak stress. Conclusions: Heart rate assessment and volumetric echocardiography during ESE identify the heterogeneity of hemodynamic phenotypes of impaired chronotropic, preload or LVCR underlying a reduced cardiac reserve.

ESC working group on e-cardiology position paper: use of commercially available wearable technology for heart rate and activity tracking in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention-in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association, European Association of Preventive Cardiology, Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professionals, Patient Forum, and the Digital Health Committee

Commercially available health technologies such as smartphones and smartwatches, activity trackers and eHealth applications, commonly referred to as wearables, are increasingly available and used both in the leisure and healthcare sector for pulse and fitness/activity tracking. The aim of the Position Paper is to identify specific barriers and knowledge gaps for the use of wearables, in particular for heart rate (HR) and activity tracking, in clinical cardiovascular healthcare to support their implementation into clinical care. The widespread use of HR and fitness tracking technologies provides unparalleled opportunities for capturing physiological information from large populations in the community, which has previously only been available in patient populations in the setting of healthcare provision. The availability of low-cost and high-volume physiological data from the community also provides unique challenges. While the number of patients meeting healthcare providers with data from wearables is rapidly growing, there are at present no clinical guidelines on how and when to use data from wearables in primary and secondary prevention. Technical aspects of HR tracking especially during activity need to be further validated. How to analyse, translate, and interpret large datasets of information into clinically applicable recommendations needs further consideration. While the current users of wearable technologies tend to be young, healthy and in the higher sociodemographic strata, wearables could potentially have a greater utility in the elderly and higher-risk population. Wearables may also provide a benefit through increased health awareness, democratization of health data and patient engagement. Use of continuous monitoring may provide opportunities for detection of risk factors and disease development earlier in the causal pathway, which may provide novel applications in both prevention and clinical research. However, wearables may also have potential adverse consequences due to unintended modification of behaviour, uncertain use and interpretation of large physiological data, a possible increase in social inequality due to differential access and technological literacy, challenges with regulatory bodies and privacy issues. In the present position paper, current applications as well as specific barriers and gaps in knowledge are identified and discussed in order to support the implementation of wearable technologies from gadget-ology into clinical cardiology.

The additive prognostic value of B-lines and heart rate reserve during “kindergarten” stress echocardiography

Background

B-lines by lung ultrasound (LUS) were added to stress echo (SE) as a direct sign of pulmonary congestion useful to establish an objective link between dyspnoea symptoms and acute heart failure. They are feasible with “kindergarten” training of few hours and pocket size instruments.

Aim

To assess the prognostic value of “kindergarten SE” only based on B-lines and imaging-independent heart rate reserve (HRR).

Methods

We enrolled 2,149 patients (age 63±16 yrs, 831 women, 39%) with known or suspected coronary artery diseasereferred for exercise (n=1,015), dipyridamole (n=1,039), adenosine (n=16) or dobutamine (n=79) SE. By LUS, we adopted the 4-site simplified scan, each site scored from 0=normal A-lines, to 10=coalescing B-lines. HRR was assessed as peak/rest ratio of heart rate. All patients were followed-up.

Results

Interpretable HRR and LUS data were obtained in all patients (feasibility=100%). Abnormal B-lines (≥2) at peak stress were present in 756 patients (35%). Abnormal HRR (≤1.80 for exercise and dobutamine and ≤1.22 for vasodilator) was found in 986 patients (46%), both positivity in 388 patients (18%). During a median follow-up time of 15 months, 137 spontaneous events occurred in 120 patients: 38 deaths, 28 myocardial infarctions, 60 acute heart failures, 11 strokes. B-lines ≥2 and/or reduced HRR were independently associated with adverse outcome (see figure). At multivariable analysis, a three-fold increased risk of death was observed when both B-lines and HRR were abnormal (Hazard ratio: 3.097, 95% Confidence Intervals 1.095–8.754, p=0.03).

Conclusions

A super-simplified stress test (“SE without SE”) with simple heart rate assessment by EKG and LUS for B-lines evaluates key variables such as chronotropic incompetence (due to reduced sympathetic reserve) and pulmonary congestion (due to backward acute heart failure) and allows an accurate prediction of outcome.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Left atrial volume stress echocardiography in chronic coronary syndromes

Background

An enlarged left atrial volume index (LAVI) at rest mirrors increased LA pressure and/or impairment of LA function. A cardiovascular stress may acutely modify LAVI within minutes.

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and functional correlates of LAVI-stress echocardiography (SE)

Methods

Out of 514 subjects referred to 10 quality-controlled labs, LAVI-SE was completed in 490 (359 male, age 67±12 yrs, ejection fraction 60±10%) with suspected or known chronic coronary syndromes (n=462) or asymptomatic controls (n=28). The utilized stress was exercise in 177, vasodilator in 167, dobutamine in 146. LAVI was measured with the biplane disk summation method. SE was performed with the ABCDE protocol. In a single center sub-study in 50 subjects, including 28 controls and 22 patients, also peak longitudinal atrial strain (PALS, %) was measured as an index of LA reservoir function.

Results

The intra-observer and inter-observer LAVI variability were 5% and 8%, respectively. Δ-LAVI changes (stress-rest) were negatively correlated with resting LAVI (r=−0.271, p&lt;0.001), heart rate reserve (r=−0.239, p&lt;0.001), and Δ-PALS (n=50, r=−0.374, p=0.007).LAVI-dilators were defined as those with stress-rest increase ≥6.8 ml/m2, a cutoff derived from a calculated reference change value above the biological, analytical and observer variability of LAVI. LAVI dilation (see figure) occurred in 56 patients (11%). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, B-lines ≥2 (OR: 2.586, 95% CI =1.1293–5.169, p=0.007) and abnormal left ventricular contractile reserve (OR: 2.207, 95% CI=1.111–4.386, p=0.024) were associated with LAVI dilation.

Conclusion

LAVI-SE is feasible, with high success rate and low variability, in patients with chronic coronary syndromes. A wet (increased B-lines) and weak (reduced LV contractile reserve and LA reservoir function) heart frequently portends LAVI dilation during stress.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Feasibility and functional correlates of left atrial volume changes during stress echocardiography in chronic coronary syndromes

An enlarged left atrial volume index (LAVI) at rest mirrors increased LA pressure and/or impairment of LA function. A cardiovascular stress may acutely modify left atrial volume (LAV) within minutes. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and functional correlates of LAV-stress echocardiography (SE) Out of 514 subjects referred to 10 quality-controlled labs, LAV-SE was completed in 490 (359 male, age 67 ± 12 years) with suspected or known chronic coronary syndromes (n = 462) or asymptomatic controls (n = 28). The utilized stress was exercise in 177, vasodilator in 167, dobutamine in 146. LAV was measured with the biplane disk summation method. SE was performed with the ABCDE protocol. The intra-observer and inter-observer LAV variability were 5% and 8%, respectively. ∆-LAVI changes (stress-rest) were negatively correlated with resting LAVI (r = - 0.271, p < 0.001) and heart rate reserve (r = -.239, p < 0.001). LAV-dilators were defined as those with stress-rest increase ≥ 6.8 ml/m², a cutoff derived from a calculated reference change value above the biological, analytical and observer variability of LAVI. LAV dilation occurred in 56 patients (11%), more frequently with exercise (16%) and dipyridamole (13%) compared to dobutamine (4%, p < 0.01). At multivariable logistic regression analysis, B-lines ≥ 2 (OR: 2.586, 95% CI = 1.1293-5.169, p = 0.007) and abnormal contractile reserve (OR: 2.207, 95% CI = 1.111-4.386, p = 0.024) were associated with LAV dilation. In conclusion, LAV-SE is feasible with high success rate and low variability in patients with chronic coronary syndromes. LAV dilation is more likely with reduced left ventricular contractile reserve and pulmonary congestion.

Lung Ultrasound and Pulmonary Congestion During Stress Echocardiography

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to assess the functional and prognostic correlates of B-lines during stress echocardiography (SE).

BACKGROUND

B-profile detected by lung ultrasound (LUS) is a sign of pulmonary congestion during SE.

METHODS

The authors prospectively performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and LUS in 2,145 patients referred for exercise (n = 1,012), vasodilator (n = 1,054), or dobutamine (n = 79) SE in 11 certified centers. B-lines were evaluated in a 4-site simplified scan (each site scored from 0: A-lines to 10: white lung for coalescing B-lines). During stress the following were also analyzed: stress-induced new regional wall motion abnormalities in 2 contiguous segments; reduced left ventricular contractile reserve (peak/rest based on force, ≤2.0 for exercise and dobutamine, ≤1.1 for vasodilators); and abnormal coronary flow velocity reserve ≤2.0, assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler sampling in left anterior descending coronary artery and abnormal heart rate reserve (peak/rest heart rate) ≤1.80 for exercise and dobutamine (≤1.22 for vasodilators). All patients completed follow-up.

RESULTS

According to B-lines at peak stress patients were divided into 4 different groups: group I, absence of stress B-lines (score: 0 to 1; n = 1,389; 64.7%); group II, mild B-lines (score: 2 to 4; n = 428; 20%); group III, moderate B-lines (score: 5 to 9; n = 209; 9.7%) and group IV, severe B-lines (score: ≥10; n = 119; 5.4%). During median follow-up of 15.2 months (interquartile range: 12 to 20 months) there were 38 deaths and 28 nonfatal myocardial infarctions in 64 patients. At multivariable analysis, severe stress B-lines (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.544; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.466 to 8.687; p = 0.006), abnormal heart rate reserve (HR: 2.276; 95% CI: 1.215 to 4.262; p = 0.010), abnormal coronary flow velocity reserve (HR: 2.178; 95% CI: 1.059 to 4.479; p = 0.034), and age (HR: 1.031; 95% CI: 1.002 to 1.062; p = 0.037) were independent predictors of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe stress B-lines predict death and nonfatal myocardial infarction. (Stress Echo 2020-The International Stress Echo Study [SE2020]; NCT03049995).

Feasibility and value of two-dimensional volumetric stress echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Stroke volume response during stress is a major determinant of functional status in heart failure and can be measured by two-dimensional (2-D) volumetric stress echocardiography (SE). The present study hypothesis is that SE may identify mechanisms underlying the change in stroke volume by measuring preload reserve through end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) with systolic blood pressure and end-systolic volume (ESV).

METHODS

We enrolled 4735 patients (age 63.6±11.3 years, 2800 male) referred to SE for known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or heart failure (HF) in 21 SE laboratories in 8 countries. In addition to regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), force was measured at rest and peak stress as the ratio of systolic blood pressure by cuff sphygmomanometer/ESV by 2D with Simpson's or linear method. Abnormal values of LVCR (peak/rest) based on force were ≤1.10 for dipyridamole (N.=1992 patients) and adenosine (N.=18); ≤2.0 for exercise (N.=2087) or dobutamine (N.=638).

RESULTS

Force-based LVCR was obtained in all 4735 patients. Lack of stroke volume increase during stress was due to either abnormal LVCR and/or blunted preload reserve, and 57% of patients with abnormal LVCR nevertheless showed increase in stroke volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Volumetric SE is highly feasible with all stresses, and more frequently impaired in presence of ischemic RWMA, absence of viability and reduced coronary flow velocity reserve. It identifies an altered stroke volume response due to reduced preload and/or contractile reserve.

Feasibility and value of two-dimensional volumetric stress echocardiography

BACKGROUND

Stroke volume response during stress is a major determinant of functional status in heart failure and can be measured by two-dimensional (2-D) volumetric stress echocardiography (SE). The present study hypothesis is that SE may identify mechanisms underlying the change in stroke volume by measuring preload reserve through end-diastolic volume (EDV) and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) with systolic blood pressure and end-systolic volume (ESV).

METHODS

We enrolled 4,735 patients (age 63.6 ± 11.3 yrs, 2800 male) referred to SE for known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or heart failure (HF) in 21 SE laboratories in 8 countries. In addition to regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), force was measured at rest and peak stress as the ratio of systolic blood pressure by cuff sphygmomanometer/ESV by 2D with Simpson's or linear method. Abnormal values of LVCR (peak/rest) based on force were ≤1.10 for dipyridamole (n=1,992 patients) and adenosine (n=18); ≤2.0 for exercise (n=2,087) or dobutamine (n=638).

RESULTS

Force-based LVCR was obtained in all 4,735 pts. Lack of stroke volume increase during stress was due to either abnormal LVCR and/or blunted preload reserve, and 57 % of patients with abnormal LVCR nevertheless showed increase in stroke volume.

CONCLUSIONS

Volumetric SE is highly feasible with all stresses, and more frequently impaired in presence of ischemic RWMA, absence of viability and reduced coronary flow velocity reserve. It identifies an altered stroke volume response due to reduced preload and/or contractile reserve.

P1403 Prognostic value of B-lines during stress lung ultrasound

OnBehalf

Stress Echo 2020 study group of the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging

Background

B-lines (also known as comets) by lung ultrasound (LUS) are a marker of pulmonary congestion and interstitial pulmonary edema during stress echocardiography (SE).

Aim

To assess the prognostic value of B-lines during SE.

Methods

We prospectively performed transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and LUS (4-site simplified scan) evaluation at rest and peak stress in 1437 patients (age 63 ± 11 years; 874 males, 61%) referred for exercise (n = 581), vasodilator (n = 819: dipyridamole, n= 809 and adenosine, n= 10) or dobutamine (n = 37) SE for known or suspected coronary artery disease or heart failure. B-lines were assessed by LUS with a 4-site simplified scan (total score from 0-1, dry lung, to 40, alveolar pulmonary edema). Follow-up (median 16 months) was completed in all.

Results

B-lines were 1.14 [0-35] at rest and increased during stress (2.10 [0-40], p&lt;.001). At individual patient analysis, B-lines appeared de novo/increased (≥2 points) during stress in 306 (21.3%), remained absent or fixed in 1097 (76.3%) and decreased/disappeared in 34 (2.4%). At follow-up, there were 174 events: 17 deaths, 14 non-fatal myocardial infarctions, 51 hospital admissions for acute heart failures, and 92 late (&gt; 3 months from SE) myocardial revascularizations. At multivariable analysis, stress-induced regional wall motion abnormalities (Hazard Ratio, HR, 2.842, 95% Confidence Intervals, CI: 2.016-4.005, p&lt;.0.001) and B-lines change during stress (HR 1.471, 95% CI: 1.054-2.052, p=.022) were independent predictors. Kaplan-Meier curves showed progressively worsening event-free survival for 943 pts with absent (score 0-1), 333 with mild (2-5), 90 with moderate (6-10) and 71 with severe (&gt;10) B-lines at peak stress: see figure.

Conclusion

B-lines by LUS are a useful adjunct to regional wall motion abnormalities for risk stratification during SE. The presence and number of B-lines during stress allow a titration of risk. The outcome is darker with more comets in the SE sky.

Abstract P1403 Figure. Survival curves and peak stress B-lines

1675 ABCDE vasodilator stress echocardiography in non-ischemic heart failure

OnBehalf

Stress Echo 2020 study group of the Italian Society of Cardiovascular Imaging

Background

ABCDE-stress echocardiography (SE) may explore different aspects in the heterogeneous entity of known or suspected heart failure (HF).

Aim

To assess ABCDE-vasodilator SE in non-ischemic HF

Methods

In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we recruited 428 patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries: 148 patients with HF and preserved (&gt;50%) ejection fraction (HFpEF, Group 1); 100 with HF and mid-range (40-50%) ejection fraction (HFmrEF, Group 2); 180 with HF and reduced (&lt;40%) ejection fraction (HFrEF, Group 3). A group of 75 healthy asymptomatic patients (30 male, 40%, age 57 ± 14 years) referred to testing for screening was also selected (Controls). All patients underwent vasodilator SE with dipyridamole (0.84 mg/kg) in 14 accredited laboratories of 5 countries (Argentina, Brasil, Russian Federation, Serbia and Italy). The ABCDE-SE protocol was adopted: A for regional wall motion abnormalities; B for B-lines (positivity criterion: stress ≥ rest for ≥ 2 points in a 4-site simplified scan available in 181 pts and 10 controls); C for left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) based on force (systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume, positivity criterion: peak/ rest ≤1.1); D for pulsed wave Doppler-based assessment of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in left anterior descending coronary artery (positivity criterion: peak/rest ≤2.0); E for EKG-based assessment of heart rate reserve (positivity criterion: peak/rest ≤1.22).

Results

All positivity criteria, except A, were more prevalent (p&lt;.01) in Group 3 compared to Group 2, in Group 2 compared to Group 1, and Group 1 compared to controls: see figure. In particular, a blunted heart rate reserve was found in 4/75 controls (5%), 27/148 pts of Group 1 (18%), 28/100 of Group 2 (28%) and 98/180 of Group 3 (54%).

Conclusions

ABCDE-vasodilator SE can help to identify the profound pathophysiological heterogeneity underlying a similar clinical presentation in patients with known or suspected HF with angiographically normal coronary arteries. These patients rarely show stress-induced regional wall motion abnormalities (A), but may exhibit pulmonary congestion (B), reduced myocardial functional reserve (C), altered coronary microcirculation (D) and cardiac autonomic dysfunction (E).

Abstract 1675 Figure. The positivity rate of ABCDE criteria

Predictors of Recurrence of AF in Patients After Radiofrequency Ablation

Catheter ablation is a well-known treatment for patients with AF. Despite the growing knowledge in the field, the identification of predictors of recurrence of AF after catheter ablation is one of the primary goals and is of major importance to improve long-term results of the procedure. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of what has been published in recent years and to summarise the major predictors, helping cardiac electrophysiologists in the selection of the right candidates for catheter ablation.

P4985Blunted heart rate reserve as an imaging-independent predictor of abnormal left ventricular contractile reserve

Background

Stress echocardiography (SE) relies on regional wall motion and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) based on force (systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume). An additional non-imaging parameter based on EKG is the blunted heart rate reserve (HRR) which is a simple marker of altered autonomic balance and is associated with worse prognosis independently of ischemia.

Aim

To assess the relationship between HRR and LVCR in patients undergoing SE.

Methods

We enrolled 4707 patients (age 63.6±11.3 yrs, 2800 males) referred to SE for known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or heart failure (HF) in 21 SE laboratories in 8 countries. The employed stress was exercise (n=2062), dipyridamole (n=2007) or dobutamine (n=638). We assessed LVCR (stress/rest ratio of force=systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume, ESV). Stress-specific abnormal cutoff value of LVCR were <2.0 for exercise and dobutamine and <1.1 for dipyridamole. All readers had passed the upstream quality control reading for wall motion abnormalities and ESV. HR (with 12-lead ECG) was obtained each minute and recorded at rest and peak stress. HR reserve (HRR) was calculated as the peak/rest HR ratio.

Results

HRR was related to LVCR at cumulative (n=4707; r=0.351; p<0.001: see figure) and stress-specific analysis for exercise (r=0.351; p<0.001), dipyridamole (r=0.241; p<0.001) and dobutamine (r=0.214; p<0.001). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, blunted HRR (optimal cutoff: 1.73 for exercise, 1.306 for dipyridamole, 1.932 for dobutamine) was a significant predictor of abnormal LVCR at stress-specific analysis for exercise (Odds ratio = 0.285, 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.149–0.546, p=0.0001), dobutamine (Odds ratio = 0.187, 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.057–0.617, p=0.0001) and dipyridamole (Odds ratio = 0.263, 95% Confidence Intervals: 0.115–0.602, p=0.002).

Conclusion

A blunted HRR is a useful non-imaging predictor of abnormal LVCR response during exercise or pharmacological SE. HRR is a simple biomarker of autonomic unbalance of physiologic and potentially prognostic meaning. A “slow heart” during stress (with blunted HRR) is more often a “weak heart”, with blunted increase in force.

P4566Comparison of standard renal denervation procedure versus novel distal and branch vessel ablation with brachial arterial access

Objectives

We assessed a novel approach to percutaneous renal denervation for uncontrolled hypertension consisting of ablation beyond the proximal main renal artery (Y-pattern), including the primary branches, and compared it to the standard procedure applied only within the main vessel. We also assessed the safety and practicality of a brachial access approach.

Methods and results

Renal denervation was performed on 119 consecutive patients (60±13 years). In 68 of the patients, femoral arterial vascular approach was used and in 51 brachial. In 80 patients treated with the standard ablation, 12.0±3.0 total ablations (both sides) were applied while 20.4±3.9 total ablations were delivered for the group of 39 patients with Y-pattern denervation (P<0.001). Technically successful renal denervation was achieved in all patients. Office blood-pressure levels at baseline were 170±17/93±10 mm Hg for the standard group and 169±13/96±9 mm Hg for the Y-pattern group. No major adverse events occurred during the procedure or in the postprocedural in-hospital period. Renal denervation was associated with significant decreases in both office and ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both groups. The reduction in 24-hour mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 6 months was significantly greater (P=0.002) for the Y-Pattern group (−22.1±15.4 mm Hg) compared to the Standard group (−11.8±16.2 mm Hg). Changes in diastolic office and ambulatory pressure were also significantly greater at 6 months in the Y-pattern ablation group. Indices of blood pressure variability improved in both groups.

Between group comparison of blood pressure and other parameters at follow up Standard Y-Pattern P (Standard vs Y) Change in Office Diastolic Blood Pressure (mmHg)   1 Month −8.0±13.2* −9.8±8.5* 0.49   3 Months −6.3±6.9* −6.4±9.0* 0.96   6 Months −5.0±9.0* −9.9±10.8* 0.01 Change in Ambulatory Diastolic Pressure (mmHg)   24-Hour −5.2±8.4* −6.2±10.0* 0.61   Daytime −3.2±9.4* −5.6±10.0* 0.24   Night Time −7.6±8.4* −6.5±11.5* 0.56 Antihypertensive Medication Classes 4.9±1.1* 5.3±0.8* 0.07 otal Number of Lesions† 12.0±3.0 20.4±3.9 <0.001

Conclusion

Renal denervation using a Y-pattern ablation strategy combined with a greater number of lesions is safe and resulted in significant greater decreases in mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the conventional

P4981The reduction of coronary flow velocity reserve in heart failure with reduced, mid-range or preserved ejection fraction

Background

Coronary microvascular disease has been described in heart failure (HF) in presence of angiographically normal epicardial coronary arteries. The prevalence of a reduction of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) in different types of HF and its link with left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) is unclear.

Aim

To assess CFVR and LVCR in HF.

Methods

In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we recruited 380 patients (234 male, 61%, age 66±11 years): 143 (38%) with HF and reduced (<40%) ejection fraction (HFrEF); 98 (26%) with HF and mid-range (40–50%) ejection fraction (HFmrEF); 139 (36%) patients with HF and preserved (>50%) ejection fraction (HFpEF). A control group of 52 asymptomatic patients (23 male, 44%, age 61±14 years) referred to testing for screening was also selected (Controls). All patients underwent dipyridamole (0.84 mg/kg) stress echocardiography in 12 accredited laboratories of 3 countries (Argentina, Brazil and Italy). CFVR was calculated as the stress/rest ratio of diastolic peak flow velocity pulsed-Doppler assessment of left anterior descending (LAD) artery flow. We assessed left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) based on global LV Force (systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume).

Results

Reduced (≤2.0) CFVR was observed in 0/52 controls (0%); 25/139 HFpEF (18%); 28/98 HFmrEF (29%); 78/143 HFrEF (54%, p<0.001 vs all other groups). CFVR was highest in controls (2.80±0.57), lower in HFpEF (2.51±0.57) and HFmrEF (2.26±0.44), lowest in HFrEF (2.04±0.48, p<0.001 vs all other groups). The correlation with LVCR was absent in controls (r=0.098, p=0.491) and HFmrEF (r=0.032, p=0.756), present in HFrEF (r=0.375, p<0.001) and HFpEF (r=0.314, p<0.001).

LVCR vs CFVR

Conclusions

CFVR is frequently abnormal in all types of HF, although more frequently and more profoundly in HFrEF. CFVR mirrors contractile reserve in HFrEF and - less tightly - in HFpEF.

P4984The functional and coronary anatomic correlates of coronary flow velocity reserve during stress echocardiography

Background

The assessment of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) on left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) expands the risk stratification potential of stress echocardiography (SE) based on regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA).

Aim

To assess the feasibility and functional correlates of CFVR.

Methods

In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we initially screened 3,410 patients (2061, 60%, male; age 63±11 years; ejection fraction, EF=61±9%) with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or heart failure (HF). All patients underwent SE (exercise, n=1288; vasodilator, n=1860; dobutamine, n=262) based on RWMA in 20 accredited laboratories of 8 countries. CFVR was calculated as the stress/rest ratio of diastolic peak flow velocity pulsed-Doppler assessment of LAD flow. We also assessed B-lines (a sign of pulmonary congestion) with lung ultrasound and left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) based on Force (systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume).

Results

The success rate for CFVR on LAD was 3,002/3,410 (feasibility=88%): 1,025/1,288 for exercise (80%), 1,766/1,860 (95%) for vasodilator (dipyridamole, n=1,841 and adenosine= 18) and 211/262 (81%) for dobutamine (p<0.001 vs vasodilator, p=NS vs exercise). Imaging time was <3 min and analysis time <1 min per patient. Reduced (≤2.0) CFVR was found in 896/3,002 (30%) patients. At multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio, OR: 1.025, 95% Confidence intervals, CI: 1.015–1.036, p<0.001), diabetes (OR: 2.271, 95% CI: 1.218–4.235, p=0.10), RWMA (OR: 6.550, 95% CI: 4.989–8.599, p<0.01), abnormal LVCR (OR: 3.446, 95% CI: 2.774–4.281, p<0.01) and stress-rest B-lines change (OR: 1.519, 95% CI: 1.174–1.99, p=0.01) were associated with reduced CFVR. In the 1149 patients with coronary angiographic information, a reduced CFVR was present in 103/455 patients (23%) with no CAD, 119/432 (27%) with 1-, 72/167 (43%) with 2-, and 62/95 (65%) with 3-vessel disease (p<0.001 by ANOVA for trend).

Figure 1

Conclusions

CFVR is feasible with all SE protocols. The reduced CFVR is often accompanied by RWMA, abnormal LVCR and pulmonary congestion during stress.

Focus on echovascular imaging assessment of arterial disease: complement to the ESC guidelines (PARTIM 1) in collaboration with the Working Group on Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Diseases

The main goal of the present document is to provide a set of practical recommendations for ultrasound imagers who are interested in artery diseases or for physicians who intend to undertake vascular procedures. This is the first part of the work. It is dedicated to general principles of ultrasonography, cervicoencephalic, subclavian, aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries, abdominal aorta, and popliteal aneurysms. It also discusses miscellaneous items such as medial arterial calcinosis, arterial embolism, arteritis, arterial stents and bypasses, false aneurysms, aortic dissection, popliteal entrapment syndrome, and iliac endofibrosis.

The analysis of left atrial function predicts the severity of functional impairment in chronic heart failure: The FLASH multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) patients present with a variety of symptoms at different stages of the disease, but the underlying pathophysiology still is unclear. Left atrial (LA) function might be tightly related to changes in patients' symptoms, more than morphological and anatomic heart features, measurable by ultrasound imaging technique. This study sought to investigate the correlation between LA function, assessed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) and Quality of Life (QoL), assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ), in patients with chronic HF.

METHODS

Clinically stable HF outpatients (n = 369) were enrolled from 7 different international centres and underwent echocardiographic studies. Patients >75 years old and with atrial fibrillation were excluded. LA strain during reservoir phase (LASr) by STE was measured in all subjects by averaging the 6 atrial segments. LA size was assessed using biplane volume and 4-chamber area acquisition.

RESULTS

LASr strongly correlated with both MLHFQ total score (r = -0.87; p < 0.0001). Less significant correlations between MLHFQ and either LA volume or left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) were found (r = 0.28; p = 0.05 and r = 0.30; p = 0.01, respectively). No significant correlation was found between MLHFQ score, LVEF (r = -0.15; p = ns), E/E' ratio (r = 0.19; p = ns), and E/A ratio (r = 0.20; p = ns). Among all echocardiographic parameters analyzed, LASr presented the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.74) in predicting a poor QoL (>45), when compared with LV-GLS (AUC = 0.61), LA volume (AUC = 0.54) and E/e' ratio (AUC = 0.51).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with HF, irrespective of etiology, LA function strongly correlates with patients' QoL.

T-wave Area Dispersion in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting is Indicative for Increased Risk of Adverse Events in Diabetics

Problems in measuring the QT-dispersion are associated mostly with the inaccurate location of the T-wave end. The complications are: (i) In methodology due to various definition for Tend, (ii) In automatic measurements, due to low amplitude of T-wave, presence of U-wave and noise, and (iii) In manual measurements, due to lack of repeatability in the results, and involuntary subjectivism, when the QT-dispersion is measured by a person familiar with the ultimate goal of the study. New ECG repolarization parameter, 'T-Wave Area Dispersion' (TWAD), has been defined by Kenttä et al. 2018. Clustering ability of TWAD for prediction of risk for Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) has been proven by the authors, working with a large database. We have measured TWAD in peri-, and postoperative ECG recordings of patients, undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Analysis of perioperative TWAD has shown an increased risk of adverse events in diabetics. Postoperative TWAD parameters have deteriorated proportionally in both diabetics/ non-diabetics groups indicating increased cardiac risk within the first ten postoperative days. The ability for diabetics/non-diabetics clustering of TWAD has been proven even in case of inaccurate location of the Tend. So far this is a reasonable advantage of TWAD vs. QT-dispersion in the study of ECG repolarization.

Quality control of B-lines analysis in stress Echo 2020

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness trial "Stress echo (SE) 2020" evaluates novel applications of SE in and beyond coronary artery disease. The core protocol also includes 4-site simplified scan of B-lines by lung ultrasound, useful to assess pulmonary congestion.

PURPOSE

To provide web-based upstream quality control and harmonization of B-lines reading criteria.

METHODS

60 readers (all previously accredited for regional wall motion, 53 B-lines naive) from 52 centers of 16 countries of SE 2020 network read a set of 20 lung ultrasound video-clips selected by the Pisa lab serving as reference standard, after taking an obligatory web-based learning 2-h module ( http://se2020.altervista.org ). Each test clip was scored for B-lines from 0 (black lung, A-lines, no B-lines) to 10 (white lung, coalescing B-lines). The diagnostic gold standard was the concordant assessment of two experienced readers of the Pisa lab. The answer of the reader was considered correct if concordant with reference standard reading ±1 (for instance, reference standard reading of 5 B-lines; correct answer 4, 5, or 6). The a priori determined pass threshold was 18/20 (≥ 90%) with R value (intra-class correlation coefficient) between reference standard and recruiting center) > 0.90. Inter-observer agreement was assessed with intra-class correlation coefficient statistics.

RESULTS

All 60 readers were successfully accredited: 26 (43%) on first, 24 (40%) on second, and 10 (17%) on third attempt. The average diagnostic accuracy of the 60 accredited readers was 95%, with R value of 0.95 compared to reference standard reading. The 53 B-lines naive scored similarly to the 7 B-lines expert on first attempt (90 versus 95%, p = NS). Compared to the step-1 of quality control for regional wall motion abnormalities, the mean reading time per attempt was shorter (17 ± 3 vs 29 ± 12 min, p < .01), the first attempt success rate was higher (43 vs 28%, p < 0.01), and the drop-out of readers smaller (0 vs 28%, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Web-based learning is highly effective for teaching and harmonizing B-lines reading. Echocardiographers without previous experience with B-lines learn quickly.

Ranking of the most reliable beat morphology and heart rate variability features for the detection of atrial fibrillation in short single-lead ECG

OBJECTIVE

This study participated in the 2017 PhysioNet/CinC Challenge dedicated to the classification of atrial fibrillation (AF), normal sinus rhythm (Normal), other arrhythmia (Other) and strong noise, using single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings with a duration  <60 s. The aim is to apply a linear threshold-based strategy for arrhythmia classification, ranking the most powerful time domain ECG features that could be easily reproduced on any platform.

APPROACH

An algorithm for time domain ECG analysis was designed to extract 44 features with focus on the following: noise detection; heart rate variability (HRV) analysis; beat morphology analysis and delineation of P-, QRS-, and T-waves in the robust average beat; detection of atrial activity by the presence of P-waves in the average beat and atrial fibrillatory waves (f-waves) during TQ intervals. A linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier was optimized on the Challenge training set (8528 ECGs) by stepwise selection of a nonredundant feature set until maximization of the Challenge F1 score. Heart rate (HR) was an independent factor for the LDA classifier design, particular to bradycardia (HR  ⩽  50 bpm), normal rhythm (HR  =  50-100 bpm), tachycardia (HR  ⩾  100 bpm).

MAIN RESULTS

The algorithm obtained official Challenge F1 scores of 0.80 (Overall), 0.90 (Normal), 0.81 (AF), 0.70 (Other), and 0.54 (Noise) on the hidden Challenge test set (3658 ECGs). This is equivalent to a true positive rate (TPR)  =  90.1% (Normal), 81.5% (AF), 67.7% (Other), and 69.5% (Noise), and a false positive rate (FPR)  =  13.6% (Normal), 2.3% (AF), 7.7% (Other), and 1.5% (Noise).

SIGNIFICANCE

The top five features, which together contributed to about 94% of the maximal F1 score were ranked: (1) proportion of RR intervals differing by  >50 ms from the preceding RR interval; (2) Poincaré plot geometry estimated by the ratio of the minor-to-major semi-axes of the fitted ellipse; (3) P-wave presence in the average beat; (4) mean percentage of the RR interval first differences; and (5) mean correlation of all beats against the average beat. The global rank of feature extraction methods highlighted that HRV alone was able to provide 92.5% of the maximal F1 score (0.74 versus 0.8). The added value of more complex ECG morphology analysis was less significant for Normal, AF, and Other rhythms (+0.02 to 0.08 points) than for Noise (+0.19 points); however, these were indispensable for wearable ECG recording devices with frequent artefact disturbance.

B-lines with Lung Ultrasound: The Optimal Scan Technique at Rest and During Stress

Various lung ultrasound (LUS) scanning modalities have been proposed for the detection of B-lines, also referred to as ultrasound lung comets, which are an important indication of extravascular lung water at rest and after exercise stress echo (ESE). The aim of our study was to assess the lung water spatial distribution (comet map) at rest and after ESE. We performed LUS at rest and immediately after semi-supine ESE in 135 patients (45 women, 90 men; age 62 ± 12 y, resting left ventricular ejection fraction = 41 ± 13%) with known or suspected heart failure or coronary artery disease. B-lines were measured by scanning 28 intercostal spaces (ISs) on the antero-lateral chest, 2nd-5th IS, along with the midaxillary (MA), anterior axillary (AA), mid-clavicular (MC) and parasternal (PS) lines. Complete 28-region, 16-region (3rd and 4th IS), 8-region (3rd IS), 4-region (3rd IS, only AA and MA) and 1-region (left 3rd IS, MA) scans were analyzed. In each space, the B-lines were counted from 0 = black lung to 10 = white lung. Interpretable images were obtained in all spaces (feasibility = 100 %). B-lines (>0 in at least 1 space) were present at ESE in 93 patients (69%) and absent in 42. More B-lines were found in the 3rd IS and along AA and MA lines. The B-line cumulative distribution was symmetric at rest (right/left = 1.10) and asymmetric with left lung predominance during stress (right/left = 0.67). The correlation of per-patient B-line number between 28-S and 16-S (R² = 0.9478), 8-S (R² = 0.9478) and 4-S scan (R² = 0.9146) was excellent, but only good with 1-S (R² = 0.8101). The average imaging and online analysis time were 5 s per space. In conclusion, during ESE, the comet map of lung water accumulation follows a predictable spatial pattern with wet spots preferentially aligned with the third IS and along the AA and MA lines. The time-saving 4-region scan is especially convenient during stress, simply dismissing dry regions and focusing on wet regions alone.