Multi-parametric non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance for the differentiation between cardiac amyloidosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

AIM

To evaluate the ability of fast strain-encoded (SENC) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) derived myocardial strain and native T1 mapping to discriminate between hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac amyloidosis.

METHODS

Ninety nine patients (57 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 42 with cardiac amyloidosis) were systematically analysed. LV-ejection fraction, LV-mass index, septal wall thickness and native T1 mapping values were assessed. In addition, global circumferential and longitudinal strain and segmental circumferential and longitudinal strain in basal, mid-ventricular, and apical segments were calculated. A ratio was built by dividing native T1 values by basal segmental strain (T1-to-basal segmental strain ratio).

RESULTS

Myocardial strain was equally distributed in apical and basal segments in HCM patients, whereas an apical sparing with less impaired apical strain was noticed in cardiac amyloidosis (apical-to-basal-ratio of 1.01 ± 0.23 versus 1.20 ± 0.28, p < 0.001). T1 values were significantly higher in amyloidosis compared to HCM patients (1170.7 ± 66.4 ms versus 1078.3 ± 57.4ms, p < 0.001). The T1-to-basal segmental strain ratio exhibited high accuracy for the differentiation between the two clinical entities (Sensitivity = 85%, Specificity = 77%, AUC = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.81-0.95, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that age and the T1-to-basal-strain-ratio were the most robust factors for the differentiation between HCM and cardiac amyloidosis.

CONCLUSION

The T1-to-basal-segmental strain ratio, combining information from segmental circumferential and longitudinal strain and native T1 mapping aids the differentiation between HCM and cardiac amyloidosis with high accuracy and within a fast CMR protocol, obviating the need for contrast agent administration.

Systematic review and meta-analysis for the value of cardiac magnetic resonance strain to predict cardiac outcomes

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for the diagnostic classification and risk stratification in most patients with cardiac disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of Strain-encoded MR (SENC) for the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA Guidelines, including patients with or without cardiovascular disease and asymptomatic individuals. Myocardial strain by HARP were used as pulse sequences in 1.5 T scanners. Published literature in MEDLINE (PubMed) and Cochrane's databases were explored before February 2023 for studies assessing the clinical utility of myocardial strain by Harmonic Phase Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HARP), Strain-encoded MR (SENC) or fast-SENC. In total, 8 clinical trials (4 studies conducted in asymptomatic individuals and 4 in patients with suspected or known cardiac disease) were included in this systematic review, while 3 studies were used for our meta-analysis, based on individual patient level data. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used, testing the ability of myocardial strain by HARP and SENC/fast-SENC for the prediction of MACE. Strain enabled risk stratification in asymptomatic individuals, predicting MACE and the development of incident heart failure. Of 1332 patients who underwent clinically indicated CMR, including SENC or fast-SENC acquisitions, 19 patients died, 28 experienced non-fatal infarctions, 52 underwent coronary revascularization and 86 were hospitalized due to heart failure during median 22.4 (17.2-28.5) months of follow-up. SENC/fast-SENC, predicted both all-cause mortality and MACE with high accuracy (HR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.2-7.6, p = 0.02 and HR = 4.1, 95% CI = 3.0-5.5, respectively, p < 0.001). Using hierarchical Cox-proportional hazard regression models, SENC/fast-SENC exhibited incremental value to clinical data and conventional CMR parameters. Reduced myocardial strain predicts of all-cause mortality and cardiac outcomes in symptomatic patients with a wide range of ischemic or non-ischemic cardiac diseases, whereas in asymptomatic individuals, reduced strain was a precursor of incident heart failure.

Guideline adherence in the use of coronary angiography in patients presenting at the emergency department without myocardial infarction - Results from the German ENLIGHT-KHK project

Background

For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), direct coronary angiography (CA) is recommended, while for non-AMI patients, the diagnostic work-up depends on clinical criteria. This analysis provides initial prospective German data for the degree of guideline-adherence (GL) in the use of CA on non-AMI patients presenting at the emergency department (ED) with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) according to the 2015 ESC-ACS-GL. Furthermore the implications of the application of the 2020 ESC-ACS-GL recommendations were evaluated.

Methods

Patient symptoms were identified using a standardized questionnaire; medical history and diagnostic work-up were acquired from health records. In accordance with the 2015 ESC-ACS-GL, CA was considered GL-adherent if intermediate risk criteria (IRC) were present or non-invasive, image-guided testing (NIGT) was pathological.

Results

Between January 2019 and August 2021, 229 patients were recruited across seven centers. Patients presented with chest pain, dyspnea, and other symptoms in 66.7%, 16.2% and 17.1%, respectively, were in mean 66.3 ± 10.5 years old, and 36.3% were female. In accordance with the 2015 ESC-ACS-GL, the use of CA was GL-adherent for 64.0% of the patients. GL-adherent compared to non-adherent use of CA resulted in revascularization more often (44.5% vs. 17.1%, p < 0.001). Applying the 2020 ESC-ACS-GL, 20.4% of CA would remain GL-adherent.

Conclusions

In the majority of cases, the use of CA was adherent to the 2015 ESC-ACS-GL. With regard to the 2020 and 2023 ESC-ACS-GL, efforts to expand the utilization of NIGT are crucial, especially as GL-adherent use of CA is more likely to result in revascularization.(German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00015638; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00015638; (registration date: 19 February 2019)).

Evaluation of the guideline-adherence of coronary angiography in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome - Results from the German prospective multicentre ENLIGHT-KHK project

Background

With 900'000 coronary angiographies (CA) per year, Germany has the highest annual per capita volume in Europe. Until now there are no prospective clinical data on the degree of guideline-adherence in the use of CA in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in Germany.

Methods

Between January 2019 and August 2021, 458 patients with suspected CCS were recruited in nine German centres. Guideline-adherence was evaluated according to the current European Society of Cardiology and German guidelines. Pre-test probability (PTP) for CAD was determined using age, gender, and a standardized patient questionnaire to identify symptoms. Data on the diagnostic work-up were obtained from health records.

Results

Patients were in mean 66.6 years old, male in 57.3 %, had known CAD in 48.4 % and presented with typical, atypical, non-anginal chest pain or dyspnoea in 35.7 %, 41.3 %, 23.0 % and 25.4 %, respectively. PTP according to the European guidelines was in mean 24.2 % (11.9 %-36.5 % 95 % CI). 20.9 % of the patients received guideline-recommended preceding non-invasive image guided testing. The use of CA was adherent to the European and German guideline recommendations in 20.4 % and 25.4 %, respectively. In multivariate-analysis, arterial hypertension and prior revascularization were predictors of guideline non-adherence.

Conclusion

These are the first prospective clinical data which demonstrated an overall low degree of guideline-adherence in the use of CA in patients with suspected CCS in the German health care setting. To improve adherence rates, the availability of and access to non-invasive image guided testing needs to be strengthened. (German Clinical Trials Registry DRKS00015638 - Registration Date: 19.02.2019).

Atrial Giant Cell Myocarditis as a Cause of Heart Failure

We present a patient with acute heart failure and new onset atrial fibrillation secondary to giant cell myocarditis with lone atrial involvement. The diagnosis was managed with cardiac magnetic resonance and confirmed by interventionally guided biopsy. In the future, diagnosis could be managed noninvasively for this rare entity as the gold standard. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

Fast-Strain Encoded Cardiac Magnetic Resonance During Vasodilator Perfusion Stress Testing

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance perfusion imaging during vasodilator stress is an established modality in patients with suspected and known coronary artery disease (CAD). Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of fast-Strain-Encoded-MRI (fast-SENC) for the diagnostic classification and risk stratification of patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods: Perfusion and fast-SENC cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images were retrospectively analyzed in 111 patients who underwent stress CMR. The average myocardial perfusion score index, global and segmental longitudinal and circumferential strain (GLS and GCS and SLS and SCS, respectively), were measured at rest and during stress. The combination of SLS and SCS was referred to as segmental aggregate strain (SAS). Segments exhibiting perfusion defects or SAS impairment during stress were defined as "ischemic." All-cause mortality, non-fatal infarction, and urgent revascularization were deemed as our combined clinical endpoint. Results: During adenosine stress testing, 44 of 111 (39.6%) patients exhibited inducible perfusion abnormalities. During a mean follow-up of 1.94 ± 0.65 years, 25 (22.5%) patients reached the combined endpoint (death in n = 2, infarction in n = 3 and urgent revascularization in n = 20). Inducible perfusion defects were associated with higher number of segments with inducible SAS reduction ≥6.5% (χ² = 37.8, AUC = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71-0.87, p < 0.001). In addition, patients with inducible perfusion defects or SAS impairment exhibited poorer outcomes (AUC_Perf = 0.81 vs. AUC_SAS = 0.74, p = NS vs. each other, and χ² = 30.8, HR = 10.3 and χ² = 9.5, HR = 3.5, respectively, p < 0.01 for both). Conclusion: Purely quantitative strain analysis by fast-SENC during vasodilator stress was related to the diagnosis of ischemia by first-pass perfusion and is non-inferior for the risk stratification of patients with ischemic heart disease. This may bear clinical implications, especially in patients with contraindications for contrast agent administration.

Multi-parametric assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy using late gadolinium enhancement, T1 mapping and strain-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance

AIM

To evaluate the ability of single heartbeat fast-strain encoded (SENC) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) derived myocardial strain to discriminate between different forms of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH).

METHODS

314 patients (228 with hypertensive heart disease (HHD), 45 with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 41 with amyloidosis, 22 competitive athletes, and 33 healthy controls) were systematically analysed. LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass index and interventricular septal (IVS) thickness, T1 mapping and atypical late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were assessed. In addition, the percentage of LV myocardial segments with strain ≤ - 17% (%normal myocardium) was determined.

RESULTS

Patients with amyloidosis and HCM exhibited the highest IVS thickness (17.4 ± 3.3 mm and 17.4 ± 6 mm, respectively, p < 0.05 vs. all other groups), whereas patients with amyloidosis showed the highest LV mass index (95.1 ± 20.1 g/m2, p < 0.05 vs all others) and lower LVEF compared to controls (50.5 ± 9.8% vs 59.2 ± 5.5%, p < 0.05). Analysing subjects with mild to moderate hypertrophy (IVS 11-15 mm), %normal myocardium exhibited excellent and high precision, respectively for the differentiation between athletes vs. HCM (sensitivity and specificity = 100%, Area under the curve; AUC%normalmyocardium = 1.0, 95%CI = 0.85-1.0) and athletes vs. HHD (sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 75%, AUC%normalmyocardium = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.78-0.90). Combining %normal myocardial strain with atypical LGE provided high accuracy also for the differentiation of HHD vs. HCM (sensitivity = 82%, specificity = 100%, AUCcombination = 0.92, 95%CI = 0.88-0.95) and HCM vs. amyloidosis (sensitivity = 83%, specificity = 100%, AUCcombination = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.60-0.96).

CONCLUSION

Fast-SENC derived myocardial strain is a valuable tool for differentiating between athletes vs. HCM and athletes vs. HHD. Combining strain and LGE data is useful for differentiating between HHD vs. HCM and HCM vs. cardiac amyloidosis.

Fast Strain-Encoded Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for Diagnostic Classification and Risk Stratification of Heart Failure Patients

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of fast-strain encoded magnetic resonance (fast-SENC) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) to classify and risk stratify all-comer patients with different stages of chronic heart failure (Stages of heart failure A to D) based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines with standard clinical and CMR imaging data.

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, resulting in millions of deaths and hospitalizations annually.

METHODS

The study population consisted of 1,169 consecutive patients between September 2017 and February 2019 who underwent CMR for clinical reasons, and 61 healthy volunteers. In addition, clinical follow-up was performed in Stages A and B patients after 1.9 ± 0.4 years. Wall motion score and late gadolinium enhancement score indexes, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, and global circumferential and longitudinal strain based on fast-SENC acquisitions, were calculated in all subjects. The percentage of myocardial segments with strain ≤-17% (% normal myocardium) was determined in all subjects.

RESULTS

LV ejection fraction, global circumferential and longitudinal strain, and % normal myocardium significantly decreased with increasing heart failure stages (p < 0.001 for all by analysis of variance). By multivariable analysis, % normal myocardium remained an independent predictor of heart failure stages, exhibiting closer association than LV ejection fraction (rpartial = 0.76 vs. rpartial = 0.30; p < 0.001). Importantly, 149 of 399 (37%) with Stage A were reclassified to Stage B, that is, as having subclinical LV dysfunction based on % normal myocardium <80%. Such patients exhibited significantly higher rates of all-cause mortality and hospital stay due to heart failure during follow-up, compared with patients with % normal myocardium ≥80% (chi-square = 6.9; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The % normal myocardium, determined by fast-SENC, enables improved identification of asymptomatic patients with subclinical LV dysfunction compared with LV ejection fraction and risk stratification of patients with so far asymptomatic heart failure. The identification of such presumably healthy patients at high risk for heart failure-related outcomes may bear important medical implications.

Multiparametric Early Detection and Prediction of Cardiotoxicity Using Myocardial Strain, T1 and T2 Mapping, and Biochemical Markers: A Longitudinal Cardiac Resonance Imaging Study During 2 Years of Follow-Up

BACKGROUND

Our goal was to evaluate the ability of cardiovascular magnetic resonance for detecting and predicting cardiac dysfunction in patients receiving cancer therapy. Left ventricular ejection fraction, global and regional strain utilizing fast-strain-encoded, T1 and T2 mapping, and cardiac biomarkers (troponin and BNP [brain natriuretic peptide]) were analyzed.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients (47 with breast cancer, 11 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and 3 with Hodgkin lymphoma) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance scans at baseline and at regular intervals during 2 years of follow-up. The percentage of all left ventricular myocardial segments with strain ≤-17% (normal myocardium [%]) was analyzed. Clinical cardiotoxicity (CTX) and sub-CTX were defined according to standard measures.

RESULTS

Nine (15%) patients developed CTX, 26 (43%) had sub-CTX. Of the 35 patients with CTX or sub-CTX, 24 (69%) were treated with cardioprotective medications and showed recovery of cardiac function. The amount of normal myocardium (%) exhibited markedly higher accuracy for the detection of CTX and sub-CTX compared with left ventricular ejection fraction, T1, and T2 mapping as well as troponin I (Δareas under the curve=0.20, 0.24, and 0.46 for normal myocardium (%) versus left ventricular ejection fraction, troponin I, and T1 mapping, P<0.001 for all). In addition, normal myocardium (%) at baseline accurately identified patients with subsequent CTX (P<0.001), which was not achieved by any other markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Normal myocardium (%) derived by fast-strain-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance, is an accurate and sensitive tool that can establish cardiac safety in patients with cancer undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy not only for the early detection but also for the prediction of those at risk of developing CTX. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03543228.

Left and right ventricular strain using fast strain-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the diagnostic classification of patients with chronic non-ischemic heart failure due to dilated, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or cardiac amyloidosis

AIMS

To compare the ability of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) strain measured by fast-strain encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) (fast-SENC) with LV- and RV-ejection fraction for the diagnostic classification of patients with different stages of chronic heart failure (stages A-D based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines) due to non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.

METHODS

Our study population consisted of 276 consecutive patients who underwent CMR for clinical reasons, and 19 healthy subjects. Wall motion score index and non-infarct related late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) and global LV- and RV-longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential strain (GCS) based on fast-SENC acquisitions, were calculated in all subjects. The percentage of LV and RV myocardial segments with strain ≤ - 17% (%normal LV and RV myocardium) was determined in all subjects.

RESULTS

LVEF and RVEF, LV-GLS, LV-GCS, RV-GLS, RV-GCS and %normal LV- and RV myocardium depressed with increasing heart failure stage (p < 0.001 for all by ANOVA). By multivariable analysis, %normal LV and RV myocardium exhibited closer associations to heart failure stages than LVEF and RVEF (r_partial = 0.79 versus r_partial = 0.21 for %normal LV myocardium versus LVEF and r_partial = 0.64 versus r_partial = 0.20 for %normal RV myocardium versus RVEF, respectively). Furthermore, %normal LV and RV myocardium exhibited incremental value for the identification of patients (i) with subclinical myocardial dysfunction and (ii) with symptomatic heart failure, surpassing that provided by LVEF and RVEF (ΔAUC = 0.22 for LVEF and ΔAUC = 0.19 for RVEF with subclinical dysfunction, and ΔAUC = 0.19 for LVEF and ΔAUC = 0.22 for RVEF with symptomatic heart failure, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). %normal LV myocardium reclassified 11 of 31 (35%) patients judged as having no structural heart disease by clinical and imaging data to stage B, i.e., subclinical LV-dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, %normal LV and RV myocardium, by fast-SENC, enables improved identification of asymptomatic patients with subclinical LV-dysfunction. This technique may be useful for the early identification of such presumably healthy subjects at risk for heart failure and for monitoring LV and RV deformation during pharmacologic interventions in future studies.

Left and right ventricular strain using fast strain-encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the diagnostic classification of patients with chronic non-ischemic heart failure due to dilated, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or cardiac amyloidosis

AIMS

To compare the ability of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) strain measured by fast-strain encoded cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) (fast-SENC) with LV- and RV-ejection fraction for the diagnostic classification of patients with different stages of chronic heart failure (stages A-D based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines) due to non-ischemic cardiomyopathies.

METHODS

Our study population consisted of 276 consecutive patients who underwent CMR for clinical reasons, and 19 healthy subjects. Wall motion score index and non-infarct related late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) and global LV- and RV-longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential strain (GCS) based on fast-SENC acquisitions, were calculated in all subjects. The percentage of LV and RV myocardial segments with strain ≤ - 17% (%normal LV and RV myocardium) was determined in all subjects.

RESULTS

LVEF and RVEF, LV-GLS, LV-GCS, RV-GLS, RV-GCS and %normal LV- and RV myocardium depressed with increasing heart failure stage (p < 0.001 for all by ANOVA). By multivariable analysis, %normal LV and RV myocardium exhibited closer associations to heart failure stages than LVEF and RVEF (rpartial = 0.79 versus rpartial = 0.21 for %normal LV myocardium versus LVEF and rpartial = 0.64 versus rpartial = 0.20 for %normal RV myocardium versus RVEF, respectively). Furthermore, %normal LV and RV myocardium exhibited incremental value for the identification of patients (i) with subclinical myocardial dysfunction and (ii) with symptomatic heart failure, surpassing that provided by LVEF and RVEF (ΔAUC = 0.22 for LVEF and ΔAUC = 0.19 for RVEF with subclinical dysfunction, and ΔAUC = 0.19 for LVEF and ΔAUC = 0.22 for RVEF with symptomatic heart failure, respectively, p < 0.001 for all). %normal LV myocardium reclassified 11 of 31 (35%) patients judged as having no structural heart disease by clinical and imaging data to stage B, i.e., subclinical LV-dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, %normal LV and RV myocardium, by fast-SENC, enables improved identification of asymptomatic patients with subclinical LV-dysfunction. This technique may be useful for the early identification of such presumably healthy subjects at risk for heart failure and for monitoring LV and RV deformation during pharmacologic interventions in future studies.

CMR fast-SENC segmental intramyocardial LV strain monitors decline in heart function before ejection fraction in patient with arterial hypertension

Background

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is commonly used to assess cardiac function for patients with chronic cardiac diseases. LVEF, like most systemic function assessments, detects dysfunction once enough damage has occurred to prevent common compensatory mechanisms from maintaining cardiac output. More sensitive metrics are being evaluated to more accurately identify subclinical regional dysfunction before cardiac remodeling results in changes in LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Fast-SENC intramyocardial strain (fSENC) is a unique cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) modality that measures intramyocardial contraction in 1 heartbeat per image plane. This prospective registry compares segmental fSENC to standard CMR calculations (e.g. LVEF, volumes, mass, etc.) for patients with arterial hypertension in the absence of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Methods

A single center, prospective registry of CMR scans acquired with a 1.5T scanner were evaluated for standard CMR calculations as well as fSENC scans. Intramyocardial LV & RV strain was quantified with MyoStrain software. Three short axis scans (basal, midventricular, & apical) were used to calculate peak strain in 16 LV & 6 RV longitudinal segments while three long axis scans (2-, 3-, & 4-chamber) were used to calculate 21 LV & 5 RV circumferential segments.

Results

A total of 773 scans in 650 patients with arterial hypertension but without non-ischemic cardiomyopathies were included in the study. Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 64 (13) yrs and BMI of 28 (5) kg/m2; 24% diabetes mellitus, 10% atrial fibrillation, 15% pulmonary disease, and 39% coronary artery disease. Figure 1 shows a Box & Whisker's plot demonstrating the non-linear relationship between segmental fSENC strain (% of normal LV segments ≤−17%) versus LVEF. The progression of hypertensive heart disease was associated with reduction in septal circumferential contraction despite normal LVEF.

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC detects subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with early hypertensive heart disease before changes in LVEF. Evaluating segmental longitudinal and circumferential fSENC peak strain provides an alternative metric that shows consistent changes in cardiac function in patients with arterial hypertension.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

CMR fast-SENC segmental intramyocardial LV strain monitors decline in heart function before ejection fraction in patient with mitral valve disease

Background

Ejection fraction is the standard metric to analyze cardiac function in the left (LV) or right (RV) ventricles. However, these global metrics are not able to characterize patients in which the heart compensates for regional dysfunction. More sensitive metrics are needed to detect subclinical regional dysfunction before cardiac remodeling results in changes in ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Fast-SENC intramyocardial strain (fSENC) is a unique cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) modality that measures intramyocardial contraction in 1 heartbeat per image plane. This prospective registry compares segmental fSENC to standard CMR calculations (e.g. LVEF, volumes, mass, etc.) in patients with mitral valve disease.

Methods

A single center, prospective registry of CMR scans acquired with a 1.5T scanner were evaluated for standard CMR calculations as well as fSENC scans. Intramyocardial LV & RV strain was quantified with MyoStrain software. Three short axis scans (basal, midventricular, & apical) were used to calculate peak strain in 16 LV & 6 RV longitudinal segments while three long axis scans (2-, 3-, & 4-chamber) were used to calculate 21 LV & 5 RV circumferential segments.

Results

A total of 493 scans in 424 patients with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation were included in the study. Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 60 (15) yrs and BMI of 27 (4) kg/m2; 63% had arterial hypertension, 19% diabetes mellitus, 10% atrial fibrillation, 15% pulmonary disease, and 32% coronary artery disease. Figure 1 shows the non-linear relationship between segmental fSENC strain (% of normal LV segments ≤−17%) versus LVEF (R=0.81).

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC detects subclinical LV dysfunction before changes in LVEF. Evaluating segmental longitudinal and circumferential fSENC peak strain provides an alternative metric that shows consistent changes in cardiac function in patients with mitral valve disease irrespective of global calculations that are dependent on loading conditions.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Intramyocardial fast-SENC is less impacted by compensatory mechanisms while monitoring cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy than echocardiography and conventional CMR: the PREFECT study

Background

Cancer treatments (CT) have been shown to occasionally elicit a toxic reaction on the heart. Echocardiography (ECHO) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) have been used to monitor cardiotoxicity through left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Fast-SENC (fSENC) CMR testing directly measures intramyocardial contraction to quantify subtle changes in function capable of detecting cardiotoxicity missed by conventional imaging modalities. The PREFECT study compares fast-SENC vs ECHO in terms of sensitivity of predicting and detecting subclinical (sCTX) or clinical cardiotoxicity (cCTX) irrespective of loading conditions or changes in cardiac output.

Methods

A single center, prospective clinical trial of patients receiving anthracycline-based CT had fSENC acquired during CMR exams with a 1.5T scanner. Intramyocardial LV & RV strain was quantified with MyoStrain software. Three short axis scans (basal, midventricular, & apical) were used to calculate peak strain in 16 LV & 6 RV longitudinal segments while three long axis scans (2-, 3-, & 4-chamber) were used to calculate 21 LV & 5 RV circumferential segments.

Results

63 patients had 323 scans; 41% experienced sCTX and 15% cCTX. Figure 1 shows a Box and Whisker's plot for the % of fSENC ≤−17 by cardiotoxicity status. Both fSENC and CMR LVEF detected sCTX and cCTX based on ANOVA analysis (p&lt;0.001) although fSENC had better delineation of both sCTX and cCTX. However, ECHO LVEF and GLS did not detect sCTX or cCTX (p=NS). CMR stroke volume index decreased while blood pressure and heart rate increased for both sCTX and cCTX (p&lt;0.001). Meanwhile, mass index and end-systolic volume index increased for cCTX (p&lt;0.001).

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC detected early CT-induced sCTX regardless of loading conditions. ECHO did not detect sCTX potentially due to compensatory mechanisms or acoustic window limitations in breast cancer and lymphoma patients that had less effect on CMR.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Myocardial solution (MSI)

Abstract P5-14-18: Cardioprotective therapy in breast cancer patients with subclinical and clinical cardiotoxicty

Background: Modern breast cancer (BC) therapies have led to significant improvement in disease free and overall survival, but are associated with off target toxicity including cardiotoxicity. Current cardio-protective strategies have included all patients (pts) receiving potential cardiotoxic cancer therapy with modest clinic benefit. In this pilot study, we examined the role of cardioprotective therapy (CPT) in BC pts identified as having subclinical or clinical cardiotoxicity.

Methods: Early BC patients (pts) in the PREFECT Study (NCT03543228) were serially examined for cardiac function up to 1-year after initiation of chemotherapy (CT) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. CT included epirubucin and cyclophosphamide every 2 weeks x 4 followed by paclitaxel (weekly x 12 or every 2 weeks x 4) and targeted therapy (e.g trastuzumab) if human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive. Myocardial strain was quantified using fast-strain encoded (fast-SENC) across 37 left and 11 right ventricular segments. The percent of segments with normal strain (≤17%) was calculated (% normal MyoStrain). Clinical cardiotoxicity (CTx) was defined as an absolute change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &gt; 10 % to below 53 %; subclinical CTx was defined as an asymptomatic decrease in LVEF of 15 % or worsening global longitudinal strain (GLS) &gt; 15 %, or abnormal cardiac biomarkers (troponin, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N terminal-BNP). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize subject demographics, medical history, cardiovascular measures, and response to CPT. Response to CPT was defined as restoration of cardiac function, wall motion, absence of cardiac symptoms, and normalization of cardiac biomarkers.

Results: A total of 40 BC pts age 50 (+/- 12.5) years and body mass index of 25.4 (+/- 5.8 kg/m2) were enrolled and followed for 273 +/- 126 days. Clinical CTx was observed in 4 (10 %) patients and subclinical CTx in 15 (37.5%). Pts with clinical CTx were older, had a higher Charlson co-morbidity index, and had significantly reduced cardiac function (49.5% +/- 9.5% normal MyoStrain) despite normal CMR LVEF (54.2% +/- 4.0%). Pts with subclinical CTx had a smaller decline in cardiac function (58.6% +/- 9.1% normal MyoStrain) despite normal CMR LVEF (56.4% +/- 4.9%). 12/19 pts with CTx showed improvement with CPT (candesartan -9, ramipril -2, lisinopril -1, and beta-blockers (BB): yes -8, no -4); 1 did not improve, 4 did not receive CPT and 2 remained on ineffective anti-hypertensive medication. Pts at baseline, without CTx, or showing improvement based on CPT, had significantly higher % normal MyoStrain (79.0% +/- 11.8%, 79.5% +/- 9.3%, and 80.4% +/- 9.8% respectively) and normal CMR LVEF (59.7% +/- 4.2%, 59.9% +/- 4.9%, and 60.7% +/- 5.1% respectively).

Discussion: Identifying BC pts at high risk of experiencing cancer therapy related cardiotoxicity enables a more tailored approach to cardio-preventative strategies. In this pilot study the majority (12/19) of BC pts identified with subclinical or clinical CTx demonstrated improvement in cardiac function with CPT. Proactive tailored cardio-protection may also prevent long term permanent cardiac dysfunction and associated heart failure. Larger, multi-center trials are warranted to evaluate the short and long term benefits of CPT in this pt population.

Citation Format: Susan Faye Dent, Henning Steen, Moritz Montenbruck, Sebastian Esch, Pia Wulfing, Kyle Janson, Daniel Lenihan. Cardioprotective therapy in breast cancer patients with subclinical and clinical cardiotoxicty [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-14-18.

P3556Segmental intramyocardial CMR Fast-SENC objectively quantifies cardiac dysfunction that causes symptoms based on NYHA classification before global longitudinal strain or ejection fraction

Background

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has become an alternative to ejection fraction (EF) in identifying reduced cardiac function. However, these global metrics are not able to characterize patients in which symptoms occur even while the heart compensates for regional dysfunction. More sensitive metrics are needed to detect subclinical regional dysfunction and determine the relationship to symptoms that may or may not be associated with cardiac causes. Fast-SENC intramyocardial strain (fSENC) is a unique cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) modality that measures intramyocardial contraction in 1 heartbeat per image plane. This prospective registry compares segmental fSENC to global metrics GLS and LVEF based on NYHA classification.

Methods

A single center, prospective registry of MRI scans acquired with a 1.5T scanner were evaluated for conventional CMR diagnostics including biventricular EF, volumes and mass. In addition, fSENC scans were acquired and processed with the MyoStrain software to quantify intramyocardial LV & RV strain. Three short axis scans (basal, midventricular, & apical) were used to calculate strain in 16 LV & 6 RV longitudinal segments while three long axis scans (2-, 3- & 4-chamber) were used to calculate 21 LV & 5 RV circumferential segments. All metrics were compared based on NYHA classification.

Results

A total of 977 scans in 779 patients were included in the study; this population included 210 myocarditis, 46 dilated cardiomyopathy, and 30 ischemic cardiomyopathy cases. Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 55 (17) yrs and BMI of 26 (5) kg/m2; 48% had arterial hypertension, 12% diabetes mellitus, 33% valve disease, 24% cancer, 7% atrial fibrillation, 13% pulmonary disease, 5% left bundle branch block, 35% hypercholesterolemia, and 24% coronary artery disease. Figure 1 shows the relationship between segmental strain, calculated as the percent of normal LV segments (longitudinal & circumferential) based on intramyocardial fSENC <−17%, versus GLS and LVEF. All metrics were compared based on NYHA classification.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC identified changes in NYHA classification well before changes in EF or GLS. Measuring segmental fSENC provides an objective view of symptomatic heart failure progression and can serve as surrogate endpoints for trials instead of purely relying on quality of life and subjective symptom perception.

4304Fast-SENC quantifies segmental right ventricular intramyocardial strain to assess subclinical RV dysfunction prior to changes in RV ejection fraction

Methods

A single center, prospective registry of MRI scans acquired with a 1.5T scanner were evaluated for conventional CMR diagnostics including RVEF. In addition, fSENC scans were acquired and processed with the MyoStrain software to quantify intramyocardial RV strain. Two short axis scans (basal & midventricular) were used to calculate strain in 6 longitudinal RV segments while two long axis scans (3-chamber & 4-chamber) were used to calculate 5 circumferential RV segments.

CMR and fSENC metrics were compared based on progression of heart failure in which the ACC/AHA Heart Failure stage was determined by CMR findings including LGE in cases in which contrast was injected. HF Stages B and C were separated into different degrees of structural heart disease with “−” representing lower levels and “+” higher levels to provide better delineation of progression of heart dysfunction leading to heart failure.

Results

A total of 977 scans in 779 patients were included in the study. Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 55 (17) yrs and BMI of 26 (5) kg/m2; 48% had arterial hypertension, 12% diabetes mellitus, 33% moderate or severe valvular heart disease, 25% cancer, 7% atrial fibrillation, and 24% coronary artery disease.

Figure 1 shows the relationship between % normal RV myocardium (RV fSENC <−17%) and CMR RVEF in the y-axis versus modified ACC/AHA Heart Failure Stage in the x-axis respectively.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC detects subclinical RV dysfunction well before changes in RVEF. The ability to directly measure intramyocardial RV strain allows quantification various subclinical right heart diseases, the impact and monitoring of pharmacological therapiesand device interventions on RV function.

P600CMR Fast-SENC segmental intramyocardial LV strain detects heart disease progression based on ACC/AHA Heart Failure stage before global longitudinal strain or ejection fraction

Background

Global longitudinal strain has become an alternative to ejection fraction in identifying reduced cardiac function in the left (LV) or right (RV) ventricles. However, these global metrics are not able to characterize patients in which the heart compensates for regional dysfunction. More sensitive metrics are needed to detect subclinical regional dysfunction before cardiac remodeling results in changes in ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Fast-SENC intramyocardial strain (fSENC) is a unique cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) modality that measures intramyocardial contraction in 1 heartbeat per image plane. This prospective registry compares segmental fSENC to global metrics GLS and LVEF based on modified ACC/AHA Heart Failure Stage that categorized differing levels of structural heart disease for Stage B and C.

Methods

A single center, prospective registry of MRI scans acquired with a 1.5T scanner were evaluated for conventional CMR diagnostics including biventricular EF, volumes and mass. In addition, fSENC scans were acquired and processed with the MyoStrain software to quantify intramyocardial LV & RV strain. Three short axis scans (basal, midventricular, & apical) were used to calculate strain in 16 LV & 6 RV longitudinal segments while three long axis scans (2-, 3- & 4-chamber) were used to calculate 21 LV & 5 RV circumferential segments. All metrics were compared based on ACC/AHA Heart Failure Stage determined by full CMR exam.

Results

A total of 977 scans in 779 patients were included in the study; this population included 210 myocarditis, 46 dilated cardiomyopathy, and 30 ischemic cardiomyopathy cases. Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 55 (17) yrs and BMI of 26 (5) kg/m2; 48% had arterial hypertension, 12% diabetes mellitus, 33% valve disease, 24% cancer, 7% atrial fibrillation, 13% pulmonary disease, 5% left bundle branch block, 35% hypercholesterolemia, and 24% coronary artery disease. Figure 1 shows the relationship between segmental strain, calculated as the percent of normal LV segments (longitudinal & circumferential) based on intramyocardial fSENC <−17%, versus LVEF based on ACC/AHA Heart Failure stage.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC detects subclinical LV dysfunction well before changes in EF or GLS. Incorporating both longitudinal and circumferential components into segmental fSENC metrics provides an alternative metric that shows consistent changes in heart failure progression irrespective of risk factors or underlying cardiac disease.

P3554CMR Fast-SENC intramyocardial LV & RV segmental strain helps manage cardioprotective therapy in patients exhibiting cardiotoxicity during cancer treatment

Background

Cardiotoxicity during cancer treatment has become an acknowledged problem of chemotherapy medications and radiation therapy. Limitations of biomarkers and imaging tests such as echocardiography left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) hinder early detection of cardiotoxicity and proactive cardioprotective therapy. Once the heart is unable to compensate for subclinical dysfunction, systemic damage and remodeling occurs increasing the potential for heart failure. Fast-SENC segmental intramyocardial strain (fSENC) is a unique cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) test that regionally detects subclinical intramyocardial dysfunction in 1 heartbeat. This study evaluates the ability of fSENC to detect subclinical cardiotoxicity and manage cardioprotective therapy in cancer patients.

Methods

This single center, prospective Prefect Study was used to evaluate cardiotoxicity and the impact of cardioprotective therapy in Breast Cancer and Lymphoma patients (NCT03543228). fSENC was acquired with a 1.5T MRI and processed with the MyoStrain software to quantify intramyocardial strain. Segmental strain was measured in three short axis scans (basal, midventricular & apical) with 16LV/6RV longitudinal segments & three long axis scans (2-, 3-, 4-chamber) with 21LV/5RV circumferential segments. fSENC CMR was performed before chemotherapy, during and after anthracycline/taxan therapy, at 1 year follow-up, and as needed in between designated follow-up periods. Cardioprotective therapy was offered to patients meeting the definition of cardiotoxicity by the ESC Guidelines on Cardiotoxicity and/or ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines or those observing a substantial decline in cardiac function. Comparisons were made with paired t-Test with a 95% confidence interval.

Results

Two hundred eight (208) CMRs were performed in fifty-two (52) patients (44 female). Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 53 (15) yrs, BMI of 26 (5) kg/m2; 77% had breast cancer, 23% had Lymphoma. fSENC CMRs required 11 (2) min total exam time. Figure 1 shows bar graphs of the % of normal LV myocardium (e.g. % LV MyoStrain Segments <−17%) at baseline and sequential follow-ups for patients without cardiotoxicity and with cardiotoxicity requiring cardioprotective therapy. Patients observing cardiotoxicity had a statistically significant decline in cardiac function measured by segmental fSENC (p=0.0002) which resolved after cardioprotective therapy.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC intramyocardial strain detects subclinical cardiotoxicity during chemotherapy and impact of cardioprotective therapy. The ability to serve as a surrogate safety endpoint for chemotherapy or other pharmacological agents, and aid management of cardiotoxicity by serving as a surrogate efficacy endpoint for cardioprotection agents, dosage, and patient compliance may help physicians detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction, and proactively manage cancer patients to avoid early or late heart failure.

P3118CMR Fast-SENC intramyocardial LV & RV segmental strain detects cardiotoxicity during oncology treatment and impact of cardioprotection therapy before echocardiography

Background

The incidence of cardiotoxicity during cancer therapy is underestimated due to limitations of current diagnostic tests. Current biomarkers (BNP, NT-pro-BNP, hs-Troponin, etc.) and imaging calculations (e.g. echocardiography) such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) are currently included in the guidelines to designate cardiotoxicity during cancer therapy. Unfortunately, these diagnostics identify systemic damage in symptomatic patients after the heart is unable to compensate for regional dysfunction. Fast-SENC segmental intramyocardial strain (fSENC) is a unique cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) test that regionally detects subclinical intramyocardial dysfunction in 1 heartbeat.

Methods

This single center, prospective Prefect Study was used to evaluate cardiotoxicity and the impact of cardioprotective therapy in Breast Cancer and Lymphoma patients (NCT03543228). fSENC was acquired with a 1.5T MRI and processed with the software to quantify intramyocardial strain. Segmental strain was measured in three short axis scans (basal, midventricular, apical) with 16 LV/6 RV longitudinal segments & three long axis scans (2-, 3-, 4-chamber) with 21 LV/5 RV circumferential segments. fSENC CMR was performed before chemotherapy, during and after anthracycline/taxane therapy, at 1 year follow-up, and as needed in between designated follow-up periods. Cardioprotective therapy was offered to patients meeting the definition of cardiotoxicity by the ESC Guidelines on Cardiotoxicity and/or ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines or those observing a substantial decline in cardiac function.

Results

Two hundred eight (208) CMRs were performed in fifty-two (52) patients (44 female). Patients had an average (± stdev) age of 53 (15) yrs, BMI of 26 (5) kg/m2; 77% had breast cancer, 23% had Lymphoma. fSENC CMRs required 11 (2) min total exam time. The % of normal fSENC (segmental stain <−17%) with a threshold of 65% showed a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 89% in detecting cardiotoxicity while echocardiography GLS with a threshold of −17% observed a sensitivity of 20% and specificity of 88%. Figure 1 shows receiver operating characteristic curves for fSENC based on the percent of normal myocardium, and echocardiography global longitudinal strain (GLS) respectively. Global fSENC had substantially lower sensitivity than segmental fSENC despite having higher accuracy than the other global metrics.

Figure 1

Conclusion

Segmental fSENC intramyocardial strain detects subclinical dysfunction due to cardiotoxic response of chemotherapy before other biomarkers and imaging modalities. The ability to detect the subclinical cardiotoxicity of chemotherapy agents, or other pharmacological agents that cause or worsen heart failure, enables proactive prescription of cardioprotective medications to avoid tissue remodeling that precedes systemic cardiac dysfunction and worsening of global measures such as LVEF and current biomarkers.