Comprehensive Left Ventricular Mechanics Analysis by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in COVID-19

Background: Cardiac involvement and the consequences of inflammation induced by SARS-CoV2 infection could have catastrophic long-term consequences. Left ventricular mechanics could identify a specific pattern of myocardial fiber damage in patients infected with COVID-19. To our knowledge there are no publications referring to the global description of ventricular mechanics in patients with COVID-19. Objective: To describe left ventricular mechanics in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 40 hospitalized patients with confirmed diagnostic of COVID-19, from April 11, 2020, to September 6, 2020. Demographic and laboratory data, clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were collected, as well as events during hospitalization. Left ventricular deformation was analyzed and reported. Results: Subclinical dysfunction was observed in 82.5% (left ventricular longitudinal strain [LVGLS] -17.05% and global circumferential strain [GCS] -18.6%) of the patients, likewise, the mean twist and apical rotation were preserved, and even increased as part of the compensating mechanism to maintain the ejection fraction. Conclusion: In patients hospitalized with COVID-19, despite having a normal left ventricular ejection fraction, subclinical myocardial damage was found, manifested by a decrease in Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) and Global Circumferential Strain (GCS). This behavior is similar to that of cardiomyopathies in the early stage of the disease, and given the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the disease, its long-term consequences should be monitored and evaluated.

Application of three-dimensional speckle tracking technique in measuring left ventricular myocardial function in patients with diabetes

BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy is considered as a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus(DM).Therefore,early detection of left ventricular systolic function(LVSF)damage in DM is essential.AIM To explore the use of the three-dimensional speckle tracking technique(3D-STI)for measuring LVSF in DM patients via meta-analysis.METHODS The electronic databases were retrieved from the initial accessible time to 29 April 2023.The current study involved 9 studies,including 970 subjects.We carried out this meta-analysis to estimate myocardial function in DM compared with controls according to myocardial strain attained by 3D-STI.RESULTS Night articles including 970 subjects were included.No significant difference was detected in the left ventricular ejection fraction between the control and the diabetic group(P>0.05),while differences in global longitudinal strain,global circumferential strain,global radial strain,and global area strain were markedly different between the controls and DM patients(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION The 3D-STI could be applied to accurately measure early LVSF damage in patients with DM.

Subclinical impairment of left ventricular myocardium function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with or without hypertension

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients over the last decade.AIM To determine whether layer-specific global longitudinal strain(GLS)combined with peak strain dispersion(PSD)can be used to assess left ventricle(LV)myocardium systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients or without hypertension(HP).METHODS We enrolled 97 T2DM patients,70 T2DM+HP patients and 101 healthy subjects.Layer-specific GLS and PSD were calculated by EchoPAC software in apical three-,four-and two-chamber views.GLS of the epimyocardial,middle-layer and endomyocardial(GLSepi,GLSmid,and GLSendo)were measured and recorded.Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to detect LV myocardium systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients.RESULTS There were significant differences in GLSepi,GLSmid,GLSendo,and PSD between healthy subjects,T2DM patients and T2DM patients with HP(P<0.001).Trend tests yielded the ranking of healthy subjects>T2DM patients>T2DM with HP patients in the absolute values of GLSepi,GLSmid and GLSendo(P<0.001),while PSD was ranked healthy subjects<T2DM<T2DM with HP(P<0.001).Layer-specific GLS and PSD had high diagnostic efficiency for detecting LV myocardium systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients,however,the area under the curve(AUC)for layer-specific GLS and PSD combined was significantly higher than the AUCs for the individual indices(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Layer-specific GLS and PSD were associated with LV myocardium systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients,T2DM patients with HP.T2DM patients with HP have more severe LV myocardium systolic dysfunction than T2DM patients without HP and normal control patients.The combination of layer-specific GLS and PSD may provide additional prognostic information for T2DM patients with or without HP.

Evaluation of left ventricular systolic function in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without peripheral vascular disease

BACKGROUND Peripheral vascular disease(PVD)is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Patients with T2DM have twice the risk of PVD as nondiabetic patients.AIM To evaluate left ventricular(LV)systolic function by layer-specific global longitudinal strain(GLS)and peak strain dispersion(PSD)in T2DM patients with and without PVD.METHODS Sixty-five T2DM patients without PVD,57 T2DM patients with PVD and 63 normal controls were enrolled in the study.Layer-specific GLS[GLS of the epimyocardium(GLSepi),GLS of the middle myocardium(GLSmid)and GLS of the endocardium(GLSendo)]and PSD were calculated.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis was performed to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of LV systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with PVD.We calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficients between biochemical data,echocardiographic characteristics,and layer-specific GLS and PSD.RESULTS There were significant differences in GLSepi,GLSmid and GLSendo between normal controls,T2DM patients without PVD and T2DM patients with PVD(P<0.001).Trend tests revealed a ranking of normal controls>T2DM patients without PVD>T2DM patients with PVD in the absolute value of GLS(P<0.001).PSD differed significantly between the three groups,and the trend ranking was as follows:normal controls<T2DM patients without PVD<T2DM patients with PVD(P<0.001).ROC analysis revealed that the combination of layer-specific GLS and PSD had high diagnostic efficiency for detecting LV systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients with PVD.Lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol was positively correlated with GLSepi,GLSmid and PSD(P<0.05),while LV ejection fraction was negatively correlated with GLSepi,GLSmid and GLSendo in T2DM patients with PVD(P<0.01).CONCLUSION PVD may aggravate the deterioration of LV systolic dysfunction in T2DM patients.Layer-specific GLS and PSD can be used to detect LV systolic dysfunction accurately and conveniently in T2DM patients with or without PVD.

Tissue Doppler,speckling tracking and four-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND Right ventricular(RV)function is frequently overlooked during dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)evaluation.AIM To evaluate RV function in children with idiopathic DCM using relatively recent echocardiographic modalities.METHODS We prospectively studied the cardiac function in 50 children with idiopathic DCM and 50 healthy children as a control group,using four-dimensional echocardiography(4-DE),Tissue Doppler Imaging(TDI),and two-dimensional-speckles tracking echocardiography(2-D-STE).RV EF was measured by 4-DE.RESULTS The auto left(LV)ejection fractions(EF)measured by 2-D-STE were significantly lower in the patients'group than in the control.The sphericity index was also significantly lower in children with DCM than in the control.RV EF measured by 4-DE was significantly lower in the patient's group than the control.RV S wave,e´/a'ratio,myocardial performance index(MPI),and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE)were significantly impaired in children with DCM than in control.Both LV and RV global longitudinal strains(GLS)were significantly reduced in children with DCM than in control.RVGLS was significantly associated with the duration since diagnosis,tricuspid annulus S wave,RV MPI,and TAPSE,but not with the age of the patients,RV EF,or e´/a'ratio.CONCLUSION There was impairment of the RV LGS and other systolic and diastolic parameters in children with DCM.STE and TDI can help to detect the early decline of RV function.

Atrial fibrillation in the elderly： predisposing factors and management

In the last twenty years, new imaging techniques to assess atrial function and to predict the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after treatment have been developed. The present review deals with the role of these techniques in the detection of structural and functional changes of the atrium and diagnosis of atrial remodeling, particularly atrial fibrosis. Echocardiography allows the detection of anatomical, functional changes and deformation of the atrial wall during the phases of the cardiac cycle. For this, adequate acquisition of atrial images is necessary using speckle tracking imaging and interpretation of the resulting strain and strain rate curves. This allows to predict new-onset atrial fibrillation and recurrences. Its main limitations are inter-observer variability, the existence of different software manufacturers, and the fact that the software used were originally developed for the evaluation of the ventricular function and are now applied to the atria. Cardiac magnetic resonance, using contrast enhancement with gadolinium, plays a key role in the visualization and quantification of atrial fibrosis. This is the established method for in vivo visualization of myocardial fibrotic tissue. The non-invasive evaluation of atrial fibrosis is associ- ated with the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation and with electro-anatomical endocardial mapping. We discuss the limitations of these techniques, derived from the difficulty of demonstrating the correlation between fibrosis imaging and histology, and poor intra- and inter- observer reproducibility. The sources of discordance are described, mainly due to image acquisition and processing, and the challenges ahead in an attempt to eliminate differences between operators.

The Prognostic Value of Myocardial Deformation in Patients with Congenital Aortic Stenosis

Aims:To assess the prognostic value of left ventricular(LV)global longitudinal strain(GLS)and global longitudinal early diastolic strain rate(GLSre)with regard to cardiovascular events,as congenital aortic stenosis(AoS)is associated with significant mortality and morbidity but predictors for clinical outcome are scarce.Strain analysis provides a robust and reproducible method for early detection of LV dysfunction,which might be of prognostic value.Methods:This prospective study,included clinically stable patients with congenital AoS between 2011–2013.LV GLS and GLSre was performed in the apical 4,3 and 2-chamber views using Tomtec software.The endpoint was a composite of death,heart failure,hospitalization,arrhythmia,thrombo-embolic events and re-intervention.Results:In total 138 patients were included(33[26–43]years,86(62%)male),NYHA class I:134(97%).Mean LV GLS was–15.3±3.2%,GLSre 0.66±0.18 s–1.Both correlated with NT-proBNP,LV volumes and ejection fraction(strongest LV GLS with LV EF:r–0.539,p<0.001,strongest LV GLSre with age:r–0.376,p<0.001).During median follow-up of 5.9[5.5–6.2]years,the endpoint occurred in 53(38%)patients:4 patients died,9 developed heart failure,22 arrhythmias,8 thrombo-embolic events and 35 re-interventions.Both LV GLS(standardized HR(sHR 0.62(95%CI 0.47–0.81)and GLSre(sHR 0.62(95%CI 0.47–0.83)were associated with the endpoint.Additional multivariable analysis showed that both GLS and GLSre were associated independent of left atrial volume,NT-proBNP and prior re-interventions.Conclusion:Left ventricular GLS and GLSre are reduced in adult patients with congenital AoS.Both markers are associated with adverse cardiac events and have clear clinical relevance.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Right Ventricle Function after Right Ventricle-Pulmonary Artery Shunt vs.Blalock-Taussig Shunt

Background:Still little is known about the impact on right ventricle function of the 2 main approaches to Norwood palliation in Hypoplastic left heart syndrome,the right ventricle-pulmonary artery shunt(RVPAS)and the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt(mBTS).Methods:The cohort included 27 patients with Hypoplastic left heart syndrome(10 in the mBTS group,17 in the RVPAS group).Longitudinal strain,tricuspid annulus peak systolic excursion and fractional area change were evaluated before Norwood and in four different breakpoints in the steady-state after Norwood procedure(30-days,90-days,140-days and 200-days after Norwood).Results:No significant differences were found in all standard echocardiographic functional parameters between the two groups at any times.However,when we compared right ventricle function before and after Norwood procedure,longitudinal strain significantly improved in mBTS group compared to pre-surgical assessment(after 90-days:mBTS+27,35%±43,47 vs.RVPAS-8,20%±25,25,p=0,03;after 200-days:mBTS+10.19%±36.58 vs.RVPAS-21.64%±30.43,p=0.04).Conclusion:The mBTS group,which did not receive any ventriculotomy,showed a significant increase in right ventricle longitudinal strain during convalescence.These data support the use of longitudinal strain in Hypoplastic left heart syndrome evaluation and may suggest potential value in terms of cardiac mechanics in using mBTS,preserving the right ventricle integrity.

Atrial Myocardial Deformation Changes in Patients with Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It increases cardiovascular morbidity, especially embolic stroke and mortality. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) is a useful method that has been used to detect changes in atrial myocardial deformation in AF patients. Objectives: To study atrial myocardial deformation changes in patient with non-valvular AF using 2D STE. Patients and Methods: This study included 25 patients with non-valvular AF and 25 normal healthy controls. 2D STE was used for assessment of strain and strain rate of septal and free walls of both right atrium (RA) and LA and left ventricle (LV). Results: Mean LA septal and lateral strain and strain rate were significantly reduced in the AF group compared to the control group (-7.2% ± 5.2% vs. -20.4% ± 3.9%, -8.7% ± 8.8% vs. -21.7% ± 3.4%) and (-0.9 ± 0.5 S-1 vs. -1.9 ± 0.4 S-1, –1.1 ± 0.6 S-1 vs. -2.04 ± 0.3 S-1) respectively. Mean RA septal and lateral strain and strain rate were significantly reduced in the AF group compared to the control group (-5.9% ± 6.1% vs. -23.4% ± 4.5%, -8.9% ± 9.3% vs. -21.7% ± 3.4%) and (-0.98 ± 0.6 S-1 vs. -1.9 ± 0.3 S-1, -1.3 ± 0.9 S-1 vs. -2.1 ± 0.5 S-1) respectively. Mean LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate were significantly reduced in the AF group compared to the control group (-8.8% ± 4.6% vs -19.6% ± 2.4%) and (-0.8 ± 0.3 S-1 vs -1.5 ± 0.4 S-1) respectively (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: AF is a bi-atrial disease, LA and RA myocardial deformation properties as well as LV GLS and strain rate measured by 2D STE were significantly impaired in AF patients compared to healthy controls.

Role of speckle tracking imaging in the assessment of myocardial regional ventricular function in experimental blunt cardiac injury

Purpose： To evaluate the usefulness and information collecting ability of speckle tracking imaging techniques in the assessment of myocardial regional ventricular contractility in a rabbit model with blunt cardiac injury. Methods： Fifteen healthy New Zealand rabbits weighing （2.70 ± 0.28） kg were anesthetized （3% pentobarbital sodium/i.v） and impacted using the BIM-II biological impact machine to induce myocardial contusion （MC）. Hemodynamic parameters, such as heart rate, systolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure and central venous pressure, were determined before and after MC. Further, param- eters reflecting left ventricular functions, such as left ventricular end systolic pressure, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, isovolumic pressure （IP） and the maximal increasing/decreasing rate of left intraventricular pressure （±dp/dtmax）, were also determined before and after MC. Left ventricular functions were determined either by two dimensional transthoracic echocardiography or by speckle tracking imaging for segmental abnormal ventricular wall motions. Results： Heart rate, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and mean arterial pressure decreased signifi- cantly but transiently, while central venous pressure markedly increased after MC. In contrast to significant changes in diastolic functions, there was no significant change in cardiac systolic functions after MC. The speckle tracking imaging demonstrated that strain values of different myocardial segment significantly decreased post impact, and that of the ventricular segment decreased from segment to segment. Conclusion： Speckle tracking imaging is useful and informative to assess myocardial regional dysfunctions post MC.

Temporal echocardiography findings in patients with fulminant myocarditis: beyond ejection fraction decline

The features of myocardial strains from speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) have not been well defined in fulminant myocarditis (FM) patients.In this study,changes in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global and layer-specific myocardial strains over time were monitored.We aimed to determine the echocardiographic patterns of FM and ascertain their significance in FM treatment.Twenty patients who were clinically diagnosed with FM and received mechanical life support were prospectively enrolled.Conventional echocardiographic measurements were obtained,and serial strain echocardiography was performed from admission to hospital discharge until LVEF recovery (> 50%).Global/regional peak systolic longitudinal strains (GLS/RLS) and layer-specific longitudinal strains were quantified,and their changes with time were monitored in 14 FM patients.All patients had severely impaired cardiac function.Steep improvement in LVEF and GLS were observed within 6 days.Layer-specific strain analysis showed that reduction at admission or recovery at discharge in the endocardium and epicardium strains were equal.In conclusion,FM patients who received mechanical circulatory supports exhibited steep improvement in ventricular function within 6 days.The patchy and diffused distribution pattern of reduced RLS and equally and severely impaired strain in the endocardium and epicardium are valuable features in the diagnosis of FM.