Decreased Native T1 Values and Impaired Myocardial Contractility in Anabolic Steroid Users

AbstractAnabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse leads to myocardial toxicity. Human studies are conflicting about the myocardial fibrosis in AAS users. We evaluated cardiac tissue characterization, left ventricle (LV) function, and cardiac structure by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Twenty strength-trained AAS users (AASU) aged 29±5 yr, 20 strength-trained AAS nonusers (AASNU), and 7 sedentary controls (SC) were enrolled. Native T1 mapping, late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE), extracellular volume (ECV), and myocardial strain were evaluated. AASU showed lower Native T1 values than AASNU (888±162 vs. 1020±179 ms p=0.047). Focal myocardial fibrosis was found in 2 AASU. AASU showed lower LV radial strain (30±8 vs. 38±6%, p<0.01), LV circumferential strain (–17±3 vs. −20±2%, p<0.01), and LV global longitudinal strain (–17±3 vs. –20±3%, p<0.01) than AASNU by CMR. By echocardiography, AASU demonstrated lower 4-chamber longitudinal strain than AASNU (–15±g3 vs. –18±2%, p=0.03). ECV was similar among AASU, AASNU, and SC (28±10 vs. 28±7 vs. 30±7%, p=0.93). AASU had higher LV mass index than AASNU and SC (85±14 vs. 64±8 vs. 58±5 g/m2, respectively, p<0.01). AAS abuse may be linked to decreased myocardial native T1 values, impaired myocardial contractility, and focal fibrosis. These alterations may be associated with maladaptive cardiac hypertrophy in young AAS users.

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Feature tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance in asymptomatic patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jeab090.069 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

R Panovsky ◽

M Doubkova ◽

ML Mojica-Pisciotti ◽

T Holecek ◽

J Machal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Feature Tracking ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Myocardial Strain ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Strain Analysis ◽

Lv Function ◽

Development Fund ◽

Asymptomatic Patients

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): European Regional Development Fund - Project ENOCH (No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000868) and the Specific University Research (MUNI/A/1685/2020) provided by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (MEYS CR) in the year 2020. Introduction Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease affecting many organs including heart. Myocardial strain analysis could potentially detect early stadia of cardiac dysfunction in sarcoidosis patients. Purpose The study aims to assess use cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) strain analysis using feature tracking (FT) in the detection of early cardiac involvement in asymptomatic patients with sarcoidosis. Methods One hundred thirteen CMR studies of patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis without pre-existing known cardiovascular disease were included into the study and analysed using FT and compared to 22 age and gender matched controls. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) and global radial strain (GRS) of left ventricle (LV) were measured. Results The sarcoidosis patients did not significantly differ from controls in basic demographic data and had normal global and regional systolic LV function – LV ejection fraction (EF) 66 ± 7% vs 65 ± 5% in controls (p = NS). No statistically significant differences were found in all strain parameters between patients and controls: GLS (-13.9 ± 3.1 vs. -14.2 ± 2.5), GCS (-23.4 ± 4.0 vs. -22.2 ± 2.9) and GRS (53.4 ± 13.5 vs. 51.2 ± 13.6%) (p = NS). Conclusion Asymptomatic patients with extracardiac sarcoidosis had normal myocardial deformation measured by CMR-FT derived global strain.

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Sensitive marker for Evaluation of Hypertensive Heart Disease: Extracellular Volume and Myocardial Strain

10.21203/rs.3.rs-20541/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Junqiao Niu ◽

Zeng Mu ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Jun Liu ◽

Jia Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Disease ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Systolic Dysfunction ◽

Myocardial Strain ◽

Extracellular Volume ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Hypertensive Heart Disease ◽

Local Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Control Group

Abstract Background : Evaluation of tissue fibrosis and myocardial hypertrophy in left ventricular (LV) remodeling is the basis of post-treatment evaluation of hypertensive heart disease（HHD). Extracellular volume (ECV) and myocardial strain parameters can indirectly reflect the changes of both. Our objective was to analyze the characteristics of ECV and strain parameters in LV myocardium of HHD with varying degrees of systolic dysfunction, and to explore the changes of both after treatment for hypertension.Methods: A total of 62 HHD patients were divided into 3 groups according to ejection fraction (EF<30%, 30%≦EF<50%, EF≧50%). Twenty-one of these patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance（CMR）reexamination more than six months after receiving antihypertensive medication. The initial T1 time and post-enhancement T1 time of each segment were measured, and the ECV was calculated. Radial strain (RS), circumferential strain (CS) and longitudinal strain (LS) of LV were measured by cvi42 software, and the differences in CMR parameters between different groups and before and after treatment were compared.Results: ①The mean, basal and middle ECV value of HHD groups with different EF were all higher than that of the control group ( p <0.05), but the difference between HHD groups was not statistically significant. ② With the decrease of EF, the absolute value of both the global or local strain decreased. Strain is related to LVMI and ECV. ③In general, ECV, global RS (GRS) and global CS（GCS） improved after treatment, but the improvement of LS impairment in HHD patients is difficult.Conclusions: ECV and myocardial strain parameters are more sensitive to myocardial abnormalities, and ECV, GRS and GCS are more sensitive to treatment. Although it is difficult to improve longitudinal strain impairment in HHD patients, it is more important for prognosis evaluation. ECV and myocardial strain parameters can be used as good makers for long-term monitoring of the efficacy of HHD patients.

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Layer-specific strain analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography reveals differences in left ventricular function between rats and humans

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00017.2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 299 (3) ◽

pp. H664-H672 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Noa Bachner-Hinenzon ◽

Offir Ertracht ◽

Marina Leitman ◽

Zvi Vered ◽

Sara Shimoni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Speckle Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography ◽

Heart Function ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Strain Analysis ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Lv Function ◽

Disease States

The rat heart is commonly used as an experimental model of the human heart in both health and disease states, assuming that heart function of rats and humans is alike. When studying a rat model, echocardiography is usually performed on sedated rats, whereas standard echocardiography on adult humans does not require any sedation. Since echocardiography results of sedated rats are usually inferred to alert humans, in the present study, we tested the hypothesis that differences in left ventricular (LV) function may be present between rats sedated by a low dose of ketamine-xylazine and alert humans. Echocardiography was applied to 110 healthy sedated rats and 120 healthy alert humans. Strain parameters were calculated from the scans using a layer-specific speckle tracking echocardiography program. The results showed that layer longitudinal strain is equal in rats and humans, whereas segmental strain is heterogeneous ( P < 0.05) in a different way in rats and humans ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, layer circumferential strain is larger in humans ( P < 0.001), and the segmental results showed different segmental heterogeneity in rats and humans ( P < 0.05). Radial strain was found to be homogeneous at the apex and papillary muscle levels in humans and heterogeneous in rats ( P < 0.001). Additionally, whereas LV twist was equal in rats and humans, in rats the rotation was larger at the apex ( P < 0.01) and smaller at the base ( P < 0.001). The torsion-to-shortening ratio parameter, which indicates the transmural distribution of contractile myofibers, was found to be equal in rats and humans. Thus, when evaluating LV function of sedated rats under ketamine-xylazine, it is recommended to measure the global longitudinal strain, LV twist, and torsion-to-shortening ratio, since no scaling is required when converting these parameters and inferring them to humans.

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Left ventricular myocardial deformation assessment in asymptomatic patients with recently diagnosed sarcoidosis of the respiratory tract and/or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases ◽

10.1186/s13023-021-02038-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Roman Panovský ◽

Martina Doubková ◽

Mary Luz Mojica-Pisciotti ◽

Tomáš Holeček ◽

Jan Máchal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Myocardial Strain ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Strain Analysis ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Myocardial Deformation ◽

Lv Function ◽

Asymptomatic Patients

Abstract Background Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease affecting different organs including the heart. Myocardial strain analysis could potentially detect the early stages of cardiac dysfunction in sarcoidosis patients. The present study aims to assess the use of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) strain analysis using feature tracking (FT) in the detection of early cardiac involvement in asymptomatic patients with sarcoidosis. Methods One hundred and thirteen CMR studies of patients with sarcoidosis of the respiratory tract and/or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis without pre-existing known cardiovascular disease were included in the study and analysed using FT and compared to 22 age and gender-matched controls. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) and global radial strain (GRS) of the left ventricle (LV) were measured. Results The sarcoidosis patients did not significantly differ from the controls in basic demographic data and had normal global and regional systolic LV function—LV ejection fraction (EF) 66 ± 7% vs 65 ± 5% in the controls (p = NS). No statistically significant differences were found in all strain parameters between patients and controls: GLS (− 13.9 ± 3.1 vs. − 14.2 ± 2.5), GCS (− 23.4 ± 4.0 vs. − 22.2 ± 2.9) and GRS (53.4 ± 13.5 vs. 51.2 ± 13.6%) (p = NS). Conclusion Patients with sarcoidosis of the respiratory tract and/or extrapulmonary sarcoidosis had normal myocardial deformation measured by CMR-FT derived global strain

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Diffuse myocardial fibrosis precedes impairment of myocardial strain in patients with systemic sclerosis

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jeab090.057 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

A Gotschy ◽

S Jordan ◽

CT Stoeck ◽

C Von Deuster ◽

M Gastl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Myocardial Fibrosis ◽

Functional Impairment ◽

Myocardial Strain ◽

Extracellular Volume ◽

Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Post Contrast ◽

Native T1 ◽

Myocardial Involvement

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background - Myocardial involvement is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and causes myocardial fibrosis and subtle ventricular dysfunction. However, the temporal onset of myocardial involvement during the progression of the disease is yet unknown. Purpose - To investigated the presence of subclinical functional impairment and diffuse myocardial fibrosis in patients with very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) and to compared the findings to patients with established SSc and healthy controls. Methods - 110 SSc patients (86 with established SSc and 24 with VEDOSS) and 15 healthy controls were prospectively recruited. The study subjects underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance on a clinical 1.5T system. Pre- and post-contrast T1 mapping was performed using a MOLLI (Modified Look-Locker Inversion Recovery) sequence. For extracellular volume (ECV) measurements, a single bolus protocol with image acquisition 15-20 min. post-contrast injection was used. For the assessment of subtle functional impairment, global longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential (GCS) myocardial strain were evaluated. Results - Native T1 values and ECV were elevated in VEDOSS and in patients with established SSc compared to controls (p < 0.001; Figure 1 A & B). GLS was similar in VEDOSS and controls but significantly reduced in patients with established SSc (p < 0.001; Figure 1 C). GCS was similar over all groups (p = 0.88). Patients with clinical evidence of pulmonary or gastrointestinal involvement had higher ECV or T1 values, respectively. Patients with clinical signs of cardiac involvement had lower absolute GLS. SSc subtype, classification or disease duration were not associated with the extent of myocardial fibrosis or impaired strain. Conclusion - Subclinical myocardial involvement first manifests as diffuse myocardial fibrosis identified by expansion of ECV and increased native T1 in VEDOSS patients while subtle functional impairment as measured by GLS only occurs in established SSc. No single clinical feature of SSc shows a strong association with subtle myocardial involvement.

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Cardiac magnetic resonance derived global longitudinal strain outperfoms established functional parameters in prognostication after ST-elevation myocardial infarction

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0234 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

M Holzknecht ◽

M Reindl ◽

C Tiller ◽

I Lechner ◽

T Hornung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Prognostic Value ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Independent Predictor ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Lv Function ◽

St Elevation

Abstract Background Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the parameter of choice for left ventricular (LV) function assessment and risk stratification of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, its prognostic value is limited. Other measures of LV function such as global longitudinal strain (GLS) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) might provide additional prognostic information post-STEMI. However, comprehensive investigations comparing these parameters in terms of prediction of hard clinical events following STEMI are lacking so far. Purpose We aimed to investigate the comparative prognostic value of LVEF, MAPSE and GLS by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in the acute stage post-STEMI for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Methods This observational study included 407 consecutive acute STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Comprehensive CMR investigations were performed 3 [interquartile range (IQR): 2–4] days after PCI to determine LVEF, GLS and MAPSE as well as myocardial infarct characteristics. Primary endpoint was the occurrence of MACE defined as composite of death, re-infarction and congestive heart failure. Results During a follow-up of 21 [IQR: 12–50] months, 40 (10%) patients experienced MACE. LVEF (p=0.005), MAPSE (p=0.001) and GLS (p<0.001) were significantly related to MACE. GLS showed the highest prognostic value with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.71 (95% CI 0.63–0.79; p<0.001) compared to MAPSE (AUC: 0.67, 95% CI 0.58–0.75; p=0.001) and LVEF (AUC: 0.64, 95% CI 0.54–0.73; p=0.005). After multivariable analysis, GLS emerged as sole independent predictor of MACE (HR: 1.22, 95% CI 1.11–1.35; p<0.001). Of note, GLS remained associated with MACE (p<0.001) even after adjustment for infarct size and microvascular obstruction. Conclusion CMR-derived GLS emerged as strong and independent predictor of MACE after acute STEMI with additive prognostic validity to LVEF and parameters of myocardial damage. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Atrial and Ventricular Structural and Functional Alterations in Obese Children

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57060562 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 562

Author(s):

Rima Šileikienė ◽

Karolina Adamonytė ◽

Aristida Ziutelienė ◽

Eglė Ramanauskienė ◽

Jolanta Justina Vaškelytė

Keyword(s):

Speckle Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography ◽

Myocardial Dysfunction ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Radial Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Z Score ◽

Obese Children ◽

2D Speckle Tracking

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.

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Abstract 12952: Global Longitudinal Strain is Simple, Effective & Sensitive Assessment of Cardiac Chamber Function in Patients With Acute-phase Myocarditis

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.12952 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Shaun Khanna ◽

Aditya Bhat ◽

Henry H Chen ◽

Kennith Gu ◽

Gary Gan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Phase ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Myocardial Dysfunction ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Disease Process ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Lv Function ◽

Lv Mass ◽

Echocardiographic Parameters ◽

Cardiac Therapy

Introduction: Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease process with growing clinical relevance in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Acute-phase myocarditis is known to result in subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) function despite normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF), as assessed by myocardial deformation indices. The presence of right ventricular (RV) and left atrial (LA) subclinical dysfunction however has not been well described in current literature. Hypothesis: Myocarditis patients have subclinical impairment of LV, RV and LA function as assessed by global longitudinal strain (GLS) on speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods: Consecutive patients with clinical diagnosis of myocarditis admitted to our institution during 2013-2018 were assessed (n=76). Patients who did not meet appropriate diagnostic criteria (n=14), had impaired LVEF or prior cardiac disease (n=8) or poor transthoracic echocardiogram images (n=14) were excluded from analysis. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were compared to age- , gender- and risk factor- matched controls. GLS was performed by two independent observers using vendor independent software (TomTec Arena, Germany v4.6). Results: The final cohort consisted 40 patients with myocarditis (age 44.3±16.7, 60% male) and 40 matched controls (44.5±16.6, 60% male). No significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics were observed between groups. No differences in LVEF, indexed LV mass, RV fractional area change, indexed LA volume or TR pressure gradient (p>0.05 for all) were demonstrated between the two groups. Patients with myocarditis had a lower mean LV strain (GLS%: -16.4±2.9 vs -19.7±2.7, p=0.0001), a lower mean RV Free Wall Strain (FWS) (GLS%: -22.1±4.1 vs -26.2±6.9, p=0.03) and a lower mean LA reservoir strain (GLS%: 27.5±4.6 vs. 33.7±6.3, p<0.0001) when compared to controls. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the presence of significant subclinical global myocardial dysfunction despite normal traditional echocardiographic indices, in patients with acute-phase myocarditis. Routine assessment of GLS may identify such patients for early targeted cardiac therapy.

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Abstract 2819: Identification and Characterization of Super-Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: An Echocardiographic Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.118.suppl_18.s_781 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽

Author(s):

Amira Zaroui ◽

Patricia Reant ◽

Erwan Donal ◽

Aude Mignot ◽

Pierre Bordachar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Strain Analysis ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Cardiac Resynchronization ◽

Lv Function ◽

Resynchronization Therapy ◽

Systolic Volume ◽

End Systolic Volume

In some patients, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been recently shown to induce a spectacular effect on left ventricular (LV) function and inverted remodeling with nearby normalization of LV contraction. Objectives: To analyze and characterize super-responders (CRTSR) by echocardiography before CRT. 186 patients have been investigated before and 6 months after implantation of a CRT device with conventional indication according to ESC guidelines. Echocardiographies including measurements of LV dimensions, and contraction by 2-dimensional strain, and pressure assessment, mitral valve analysis were performed at baseline and at 6 months in an independent core-center lab. CRTSR were defined as a reduction of end-systolic volume of at least 15% and an ejection fraction (EF)>50% and were compared to normal responder patients (CRTNo, patients with a reduction of end-systolic volume of at least 15% but an EF <50%). 17/186 patients (9.1%) were identified as CRTSR, only 2 with ischemic cardiomyopathy (p<0.01). No difference was observed regarding NYHA status, EKG duration or EF between CRTSR and CRTNo at baseline. CRTSR presented with significant lower end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters (64±9mm vs 73±9mm (p<0.01) and 53±7.4mm vs 63±8.4mm (p<0.01), respectively), and end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes 161±44ml vs 210±76ml (p<0.02) and 123±43ml vs 163±69ml (p<0.01)) as well as a higher LV dP/dt max (714±251mmHg.s −1 vs 527±188 mmHg.s −1 (p<0.05)). Regarding strain analysis, CRTSR had significantly higher longitudinal values than CRTNo (−12.8±3% vs −9±2.6%, p<0.001) whereas no difference was observed for other components (p ns). Global longitudinal strain obtained by ROC curves was identified as the best parameter for predicting CRTSR with a cut-off value of −11% (Se=80%, Spe=87%, AUC=0.89, p<0.002) and was confirmed as an independent predictor by the logistic regression (RR: 21.3, p<0.0001). In a large multicenter study, CRT super-responders (EF>50%) were observed in 9% of the population and were associated with less-depressed LV function as determined by strain analysis. Global longitudinal strain appears to be the best predictor of CRTSR.

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Association Between 2D- and 3D-Speckle-Tracking Longitudinal Strain and Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Evidence of Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis in Heart Transplant Recipients

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.727745 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Wei Sun ◽

Xuehua Shen ◽

Jing Wang ◽

Shuangshuang Zhu ◽

Yanting Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Myocardial Fibrosis ◽

Heart Transplant ◽

Speckle Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Myocardial Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

2D And 3D

Objective: This study aimed to: (1) evaluate the association between myocardial fibrosis (MF) quantified by extracellular volume fraction (ECV) and myocardial strain measured by two-dimensional (2D)- and three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) and (2) further investigate which strain parameter measured by 2D- and 3D-STE is the more robust predictor of MF in heart transplant (HT) recipients.Methods: A total of 40 patients with HT and 20 healthy controls were prospectively enrolled. Left ventricular (LV)-global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global radial strain (GRS) were measured by 2D- and 3D-STE. LV diffuse MF was defined by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-ECV.Results: The HT recipients had a significantly higher native T1 and ECV than healthy controls (1043.8 ± 34.0 vs. 999.7 ± 19.7 ms, p < 0.001; 26.6 ± 2.7 vs. 24.3 ± 1.8%, p = 0.02). The 3D- and 2D-STE-LVGLS and LVGCS were lower (p < 0.005) in the HT recipients than in healthy controls. ECV showed a moderate correlation with 2D-LVGLS (r = 0.53, p = 0.002) and 3D-LVGLS (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), but it was not correlated with 2D or 3D-LVGCS, or LVGRS. Furthermore, 3D-LVGLS and 2D-LVGLS had a similar correlation with CMR-ECV (r = 0.60 vs. 0.53, p = 0.670). A separate stepwise multivariate linear analysis showed that both the 2D-LVGLS (β = 0.39, p = 0.019) and 3D-LVGLS (β = 0.54, p < 0.001) were independently associated with CMR-ECV.Conclusion: CMR marker of diffuse MF was present in asymptomatic patients with HT and appeared to be associated with decreased myocardial strain by echocardiography. Both the 2D- and 3D-LVGLS were independently correlated with diffuse LVMF, which may provide an alternative non-invasive tool for monitoring the development of adverse fibrotic remodeling during the follow-up of HT recipients.

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