scholarly journals Efficacy of echocardiography for differential diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy: special focus on speckle-tracking longitudinal strain

Author(s):  
Hidekazu Tanaka

AbstractLeft ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) is a frequent imaging finding in daily clinical practice, and its presence is associated with poor outcomes and ventricular arrhythmias. It is commonly detected in athletes, arterial hypertension, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac amyloidosis, Fabry disease, or Friedreich’s ataxia. Echocardiography plays an important role in detecting LVH and underlying causes in current clinical practice. While echocardiography is essential for the quantification and early detection of LV structural findings for various cardiovascular diseases, it has been reported that speckle-tracking echocardiographic parameters are also useful for the detection of early LV structural abnormalities. In particular, global longitudinal strain (GLS) assessed by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is reportedly a sensitive marker for early subtle abnormalities of LV myocardial performance, helpful for the prediction of outcomes for various cardiac diseases, and superior to conventional echocardiographic indices. GLS is determined as the averaged peak longitudinal strain of 18 LV segments from standard apical views and can be assessed as a polar plot. This polar plot longitudinal strain mapping offers an intuitive visual overview of the global and regional LV longitudinal myocardial function status of various cardiomyopathies with LVH. This mapping is clinically practicable and the plot patterns obtainable as the result of further development of this technique for clinical practice provide clues to the etiology of cardiomyopathies. This article reviews the efficacy of echocardiography for differential diagnosis of LVH, with a special focus on the utility of speckle-tracking longitudinal strain.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saikrishna Ananthapadmanabhan ◽  
Giau Vo ◽  
Tuan Nguyen ◽  
Hany Dimitri ◽  
James Otton

Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) are well-established strain imaging modalities. Multilayer strain measurement permits independent assessment of endocardial and epicardial strain. This novel and layer specific approach to evaluating myocardial deformation parameters may provide greater insight into cardiac contractility when compared to whole-layer strain analysis. The aim of this study is to validate CMR-FT as a tool for multilayer strain analysis by providing a direct comparison between multilayer global longitudinal strain (GLS) values between CMR-FT and STE. Methods We studied 100 patients who had an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), who underwent CMR imaging and echocardiogram at baseline and follow-up (48 ± 13 days). Dedicated tissue tracking software was used to analyse single- and multi-layer GLS values for CMR-FT and STE. Results Correlation coefficients for CMR-FT and STE were 0.685, 0.687, and 0.660 for endocardial, epicardial, and whole-layer GLS respectively (all p < 0.001). Bland Altman analysis showed good inter-modality agreement with minimal bias. The absolute limits of agreement in our study were 6.4, 5.9, and 5.5 for endocardial, whole-layer, and epicardial GLS respectively. Absolute biases were 1.79, 0.80, and 0.98 respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values showed moderate agreement with values of 0.626, 0.632, and 0.671 respectively (all p < 0.001). Conclusion There is good inter-modality agreement between CMR-FT and STE for whole-layer, endocardial, and epicardial GLS, and although values should not be used interchangeably our study demonstrates that CMR-FT is a viable imaging modality for multilayer strain


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kupczynska ◽  
D Miskowiec ◽  
B Michalski ◽  
L Szyda ◽  
K Wierzbowska-Drabik ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) impairs mechanical function of the heart, especially atria and restoration of sinus rhythm (SR) leads to improvement of mechanics. The predicting role of changes in strain parameters for AF recurrence is not established yet. Purpose To analyse changes in left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) mechanical function after conversion to SR and their prognostic values for AF recurrence during 24 months follow-up. Methods Prospective study involved 59 patients after successful electrical cardioversion (EC) because of nonvalvular AF (mean age 65±4 years, 47% female). Speckle tracking analysis (STE) was applied to calculate longitudinal strain of LV and LA before EC and within 24 hours after restoration of SR and additionally total left heart strain (TS) defined as a sum of absolute peak LV and LA strain. We calculated change in strain between AF and SR analyses expressed as delta (Δ). During follow-up we noticed AF recurrence in 42 (71%) patients, most of them (93%) during 1st year after EC. Median time of AF recurrence was 3 months. Results We noticed significant immediate post-EC improvement in peak LA longitudinal strain (PALS) and LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) (table). Unlike CHA2DS2-VASc score, strain parameters were predictors of AF recurrence. Every 1% increment in ΔLVGLS was related with 13% increase in AF recurrence risk (p=0.02) and every 1% increment in ΔPALS and ΔTS were related with 9% decrease in AF recurrence risk (p=0.007 and p=0.0014, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed ΔTS as a strongest predictor with 9% decrease in AF risk per every 1% increment. The criterion of ΔTS ≤7.5% allows to predict AF recurrence with 81% sensitivity and 63% specificity. Conclusions Speckle tracking measurements are able to detect early mechanical changes in LA even within 24 hours of SR and these absolute changes in LVGLS as well as PALS can predict AF recurrence, with optimal stratification by novel parameter - TS. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Rima Šileikienė ◽  
Karolina Adamonytė ◽  
Aristida Ziutelienė ◽  
Eglė Ramanauskienė ◽  
Jolanta Justina Vaškelytė

Background and objectives: Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the world. Obesity in children is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or above the 95th percentile for age and sex. The aim of this study was to determine early changes in cardiac structure and function in obese children by comparing them with their nonobese peers, using echocardiography methods. Materials and methods: The study enrolled 35 obese and 37 age-matched nonobese children. Standardized 2-dimensional (2D), pulsed wave tissue Doppler, and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography were performed. The z-score BMI and lipid metabolism were assessed in all children. Results: Obese children (aged 13.51 ± 2.15 years; 20 boys; BMI z-score of 0.88 ± 0.63) were characterized by enlarged ventricular and atrial volumes, a thicker left ventricular posterior wall, and increased left ventricular mass. Decreased LV and RV systolic and diastolic function was found in obese children. Atrial peak negative (contraction) strain (−2.05% ± 2.17% vs. −4.87% ± 2.97%, p < 0.001), LV and RV global longitudinal strain (−13.3% ± 2.88% vs. −16.87% ± 3.39%; −12.51% ± 10.09% vs. −21.51% ± 7.42%, p < 0.001), and LV global circumferential strain (−17.0 ± 2.7% vs. −19.5 ± 2.9%, p < 0.001) were reduced in obese children. LV torsion (17.94° ± 2.07° vs. 12.45° ± 3.94°, p < 0.001) and normalized torsion (2.49 ± 0.4°/cm vs. 1.86 ± 0.61°/cm, p = 0.001) were greater in obese than nonobese children. A significant inverse correlation was found between LV and RV global longitudinal strain and BMI (r = −0.526, p < 0.01; r = −0.434, p < 0.01) and total cholesterol (r = −0.417, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that the BMI z-score was independently related to LV and RV global longitudinal strain as well as LV circumferential and radial strain. Conclusion: 2D speckle tracking echocardiography is beneficial in the early detection of regional LV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions, with preserved ejection fraction as well as additional RV and atrial involvement, in obese children. Obesity may negatively influence atrial and ventricular function, as measured by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography. Obese children, though they are apparently healthy, may have subclinical myocardial dysfunction.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 117954682093001
Author(s):  
Manal F Elshamaa ◽  
Fatma A Mostafa ◽  
Inas AES Sad ◽  
Ahmed M Badr ◽  
Yomna AEM Abd Elrahim

Background: Cardiac systolic dysfunction was potentially found in adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who have preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF%). In children with ESRD, little data are available on early changes in myocardial function. This study aimed to detect the early changes in myocardial mechanics in pediatric patients with ESRD using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods: Thirty ESRD children receiving hemodialysis (HD) and30 age-matched controls were prospectively studied. Patients underwent echocardiographic studies before and after HD. Left ventricular longitudinal strain (LS), circumferential strain (CS), and radial strain (RS) myocardial deformation parameters (strain, strain rate) were evaluated by STE. Results: The LS was significantly reduced in pre-HD and post-HD patients compared with controls ( P = .000). Controls showed the highest global longitudinal strain. The RS measurements did not differ significantly among the studied groups except for the inferior segment that is significantly reduced after HD compared with controls ( P < .05). The CS was significantly reduced in pre-HD and post-HD patients compared with controls at the lateral and posterior segments ( P = .035 and P = .013, respectively). Conclusion: Speckle-tracking echocardiography might detect early changes in myocardial mechanics in children with ESRD with preserved EF%.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Seckin ◽  
S Unlu ◽  
G Tacoy

Abstract Background The function of both ventricles have been suggested to be affected in patients with mitral stenosis. In this study, it was aimed to investigate deformation properties of right (RV) and left ventricles (LV) in mild and moderate rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) patients with three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). Methods A total of 60 patients were included in the study (20 patients with mild MS diagnosis, 20 patients with moderate MS diagnosis and 20 healthy volunteers). Three-dimensional echocardiography datasets were obtained for both ventricles in all patients. An example for RV assessment is shown in Figure 1. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV torsion, RV free wall (FW) LS and interventricular septal (IVS) LS measurements were analyzed. Results The LV ejection fraction (EF), RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values were statistically similar and in the normal range. The LV GLS measurements were significantly different among the groups by being highest in the control group and least in the moderate stenosis group (ANOVA,p &lt; 0.001) (Table 1). Patients with MS showed higher torsional values, correlated with MS severity (ANOVA,p &lt; 0.001) (Table 1). IVS LS, RVFW LS values obtained by RV analysis also differed significantly among groups. The FW-GLS values only showed significant difference between the control group and moderate MS group (Table 1). Conclusion Patients with mitral stenosis showed lower LV-GLS and higher LV torsion values. Although the LV GLS is affected; the LV EF was detected to be normal due to increase in LV torsion. RV deformation indices showed signıficant decrease in correlation with the severity of the mitral stenosis. In conclusion, our data suggest that subclinical LV and RV systolic dysfunction is present in mild-moderate MS patients and this dysfunction can be detected by 3D-STE. Table 1 Parameters Control group Mild MS Moderate MS P LV GLS (%) 23.3 ± 2.08 18.9 ± 1.3 17.5 ± 1.8 &lt;0.001 LV torsion 1.5 ± 0.6 2.1 ± 0.6 2.6 ± 0.5 &lt;0.001 IVS LS (%) 23 ± 3.0% 20 ± 2.6 17.1 ± 2.9 &lt;0.001 RV FW LS (%) 25.4 ± 5 22.7 ± 3.2 21.1 ± 4.8 &lt;0.001 FW; free-wall, GLS; global longitudinal strain, IVS; interventricular septum, LV; left ventricular, RV; right ventricular Abstract 1187 Figure 1


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori B Croft ◽  
Parasuram Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Richard Ro ◽  
Malcolm Anastasius ◽  
Wenli Zhao ◽  
...  

COVID-19 infection can affect the cardiovascular system. We sought to determine if left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) is affected by COVID-19 and if this has prognostic implications. Materials & methods: Retrospective study, with LVGLS was measured in 58 COVID-19 patients. Patients discharged were compared with those who died. Results: The mean LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and LVGLS for the cohort was 52.1 and -12.9 ± 4.0%, respectively. Among 30 patients with preserved LVEF(>50%), LVGLS was -15.7 ± 2.8%, which is lower than the reference mean LVGLS for a normal, healthy population. There was no significant difference in LVGLS or LVEF when comparing patients who survived to discharge or died. Conclusion: LVGLS was reduced in COVID-19 patients, although not significantly lower in those who died compared with survivors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ramos Polo ◽  
S Moral Torres ◽  
C Tiron De Llano ◽  
M Morales Fornos ◽  
J M Frigola Marcet ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION Differential diagnosis by echocardiography between cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is based on the evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the entire myocardial wall. Nevertheless, histopathological studies describe a higher involvement of subendocardial tissue in CA. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether the subanalysis of the GLS by layers (subendocardial and subepicardial) and segments (apical and basal) can provide further information. METHODS Retrospective study including 33 consecutive patients diagnosed with CA (with histological confirmation and imaging tests) or HCM by established criteria. Advanced myocardial deformation analysis software was used for both subendocardial and subepicardial evaluation of the left ventricle wall by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS Seventeen patients (52%) had CA and sixteen (48%) had HCM. Differences were observed in LVEF (52.9 ± 10.9% vs 62.4 ±5.0%; p = 0.004), but not in the analysis of the entire wall GLS (-12.3 ± 4.9 vs -13.4 ± 2.8; p = 0.457) nor in the LVEF/GLS ratio (4.7 ± 1.4 vs 4.8 ± 1.1; p = 0.718). In the layered analysis there was no difference in subendocardial GLS (-16.2 ± 5.0 vs -16.4 ± 3.2%; p = 0.916) or subepicardial GLS (-11.7 ± 4.1 vs -11.6 ±2.7%; p = 0.945); however, the increase in GLS from base to apex was greater for CA than for HCM both at subepicardial level (increase: 101% vs 16%; p = 0.006) and subendocardial level (increase: 242% vs 114%; p = 0.006), with inversion of the greatest values for each group (Fig. 1).The ratio (apical GLS/basal GLS) was diagnostic predictor of CA (area under the curve = 86%; p = 0.002): a value &gt;2 presented a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 85% for the diagnosis of CA. CONCLUSIONS CA presents an impairment of both subendocardial and subepicardial deformation in transthoracic echocardiography. These patterns provide additional information on differential diagnosis with HCM. Abstract P940 Figure. Subendo vs subepicardial mean values


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. e0008795
Author(s):  
Minna Moreira Dias Romano ◽  
Henrique Turin Moreira ◽  
José Antônio Marin-Neto ◽  
Priscila Elias Baccelli ◽  
Fawaz Alenezi ◽  
...  

Chagas disease (CD) will account for 200,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide over the next 5 years. Early detection of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a challenge. We aimed to test if speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) can detect incipient myocardial damage in CD. METHODS: Among 325 individuals with positive serological tests, 25 (age 55±12yrs) were selected to compose the group with indeterminate form of Chagas disease (IFCD), based on stringent criteria of being asymptomatic and with normal EKG/X-ray studies. This group was compared with a group of 20 patients with CCC (55±11yrs) and a group of 20 non-infected matched control (NC) subjects (48±10yrs). CD patients and NC were submitted to STE and CD patients were submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium administration to detect cardiac fibrosis by the late enhancement technique. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS) were defined as the average of segments measured from three apical view (GLS) and short axis views (GRS and GCS). Regional left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (Reg LS) was measured from each of the 17 segments. Twist was measured as systolic peak difference between basal and apical rotation and indexed to LV length to express torsion. RESULTS: STE global indices (GLS, GCS, twist and torsion) were reduced in CCC vs NC (GLS: -14±6.3% vs -19.3±1.6%, p = 0.001; GCS: -13.6±5.2% vs -17.3 ±2.8%; p = 0.008; twist: 8±7° vs 14±7°, p = 0.01 and torsion: 0.96±1°/cm vs 1.9±1°/cm, p = 0.005), but showed no differences in IFCD vs NC. RegLS was reduced in IFCD vs NC in four LV segments: basal-inferior (-16.3±3.3% vs -18.6±2.2%, p = 0.013), basal inferoseptal (-13.1±3.4 vs -15.2±2.7, p = 0.019), mid-inferoseptal (-17.7±3.2 vs -19.4±2, p = 0.032) and mid-inferolateral (-15.2±3.5 vs -17.8±2.8, p = 0.014). These abnormalities in RegLS occurred in the absence of myocardial fibrosis detectable with CMR in nearly 92% of subjects with IFCD, while myocardial fibrosis was present in 65% with CCC. CONCLUSION: RegLS detects early regional impairment of myocardial strain that is independent from fibrosis in IFCD subjects.


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