The correlation between cardiac magnetic resonance T2* and left ventricular global longitudinal strain in people with β-thalassemia

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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Early impairment of myocardial deformation assessed by regional speckle-tracking echocardiography in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease without fibrosis detected by cardiac magnetic resonance

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0008795 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. e0008795

Author(s):

Minna Moreira Dias Romano ◽

Henrique Turin Moreira ◽

José Antônio Marin-Neto ◽

Priscila Elias Baccelli ◽

Fawaz Alenezi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Myocardial Fibrosis ◽

Chagas Disease ◽

Speckle Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Indeterminate Form

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

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jeaa356.268 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽

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 ◽

Acute Stemi ◽

St Elevation

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Although left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is recommended for left ventricular (LV) systolic function assessment and risk stratification of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 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 acute STEMI patients. 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. Patients with MACE showed significantly lower LVEF (49% vs. 53%, p = 0.005) and MAPSE (7.9 mm vs. 9.1 mm, p = 0.001), as well as higher GLS values (-10.2% vs. -12.3 %, p < 0.001). 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 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.

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Myocardial Inflammation and Dysfunction in COVID-19–Associated Myocardial Injury

Circulation Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1161/circimaging.120.011713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ludwig T. Weckbach ◽

Adrian Curta ◽

Stephanie Bieber ◽

Angelina Kraechan ◽

Johannes Brado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Myocardial Injury ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Elevated Troponin ◽

Lymphocytic Myocarditis

Background: Myocardial injury, defined by elevated troponin levels, is associated with adverse outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The frequency of cardiac injury remains highly uncertain and confounded in current publications; myocarditis is one of several mechanisms that have been proposed. Methods: We prospectively assessed patients with myocardial injury hospitalized for COVID-19 using transthoracic echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and endomyocardial biopsy. Results: Eighteen patients with COVID-19 and myocardial injury were included in this study. Echocardiography revealed normal to mildly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction of 52.5% (46.5%–60.5%) but moderately to severely reduced left ventricular global longitudinal strain of −11.2% (−7.6% to −15.1%). Cardiac magnetic resonance showed any myocardial tissue injury defined by elevated T1, extracellular volume, or late gadolinium enhancement with a nonischemic pattern in 16 patients (83.3%). Seven patients (38.9%) demonstrated myocardial edema in addition to tissue injury fulfilling the Lake-Louise criteria for myocarditis. Combining cardiac magnetic resonance with speckle tracking echocardiography demonstrated functional or morphological cardiac changes in 100% of investigated patients. Endomyocardial biopsy was conducted in 5 patients and revealed enhanced macrophage numbers in all 5 patients in addition to lymphocytic myocarditis in 1 patient. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected in any biopsy by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Finally, follow-up measurements of left ventricular global longitudinal strain revealed significant improvement after a median of 52.0 days (−11.2% [−9.2% to −14.7%] versus −15.6% [−12.5% to −19.6%] at follow-up; P =0.041). Conclusions: In this small cohort of COVID-19 patients with elevated troponin levels, myocardial injury was evidenced by reduced echocardiographic left ventricular strain, myocarditis patterns on cardiac magnetic resonance, and enhanced macrophage numbers but not predominantly lymphocytic myocarditis in endomyocardial biopsies.

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Incremental value of feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in detecting myocardial dysfunction in patients with idiopathic ventricular arrhythmias

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jeaa356.275 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

C Nikolaidou ◽

C Kotanidis ◽

J Leal-Pelado ◽

K Kouskouras ◽

VP Vassilikos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Ventricular Arrhythmias ◽

Feature Tracking ◽

Myocardial Dysfunction ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Volume Index ◽

Control Subjects ◽

Cmr Imaging

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can identify the underlying substrate in patients with ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and normal echocardiography. Myocardial strain has emerged as a superior index of systolic performance compared to ejection fraction (EF), with an incremental prognostic value in many cardiac diseases. Purpose To assess myocardial deformation using 2-D feature-tracking CMR strain imaging (CMR-FT) in patients with frequent VAs (≥500 ventricular premature contractions (VPC)/24 hours; and/or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia), and structurally normal hearts on echocardiography without evidence of coronary artery disease. Methods Sixty-eight consecutive patients (mean age 46 ± 16 years; 54% female) and 72 healthy controls matched for age and body surface area were included in the study. CMR imaging was performed on a 1.5T Magnetom Avanto (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) scanner using a standard cardiac protocol. Results CMR showed normal findings in 30 patients (44%), while 16 (24%) had previous myocarditis, 6 (9%) had a diagnosis of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), 15 (22%) were diagnosed with VPC-related cardiomyopathy, and 1 patient had subendocardial infarction [excluded from strain analysis]. Mean left ventricular EF (LVEF) in patients was 62% ± 6% and right ventricular EF 64% ± 6% (vs. 65% ± 3% and 66% ± 4% in controls, respectively). Compared to control subjects, patients with VAs had impaired peak LV global radial strain (GRS) (28.88% [IQR: 25.87% to 33.97%] vs. 36.65% [IQR:33.19% to 40.2%], p < 0.001) and global circumferential strain (GCS) (-17.73% [IQR: -19.8% to -16.33%] vs. -20.66% [IQR: -21.72% to -19.6%], p < 0.001, Panel A). Peak LV GRS could differentiate patients with previous myocarditis from patients with NICM and those with VPC-related cardiomyopathy (Panel B). Peak LV GCS could differentiate patients with previous myocarditis from patients with NICM (Panel C). Peak LV GRS showed excellent diagnostic accuracy in detecting patients from control subjects (Panel D). In a multivariable regression model, subjects with a low GRS (<29.91%-determined by the Youden’s index) had 5-fold higher odds of having VAs (OR:4.99 [95%CI: 1.2-21.95]), after adjusting for LVEF, LV end-diastolic volume index, age, sex, BMI, smoking, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia. Peak LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and RV strain indices were not statistically different between patients and controls. Conclusion Peak LV GRS and GCS are impaired in patients with frequent idiopathic VAs and can detect myocardial contractile dysfunction in patients with different underlying substrates. Our findings suggest that LV strain indices on CMR-FT constitute independent markers of myocardial dysfunction on top and independently of EF. Abstract Figure.

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Feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance left ventricular global longitudinal strain improves 6 months after kidney transplantation associated with reverse remodeling, not myocardial tissue characteristics

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1007/s10554-021-02284-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maurício Fregonesi Barbosa ◽

Mariana Moraes Contti ◽

Luis Gustavo Modelli de Andrade ◽

Alejandra del Carmen Villanueva Mauricio ◽

Sergio Marrone Ribeiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kidney Transplantation ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Feature Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Reverse Remodeling ◽

Myocardial Tissue ◽

Tissue Characteristics

AbstractTo determine whether left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) measured by feature-tracking (FT) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) improves after kidney transplantation (KT) and to analyze associations between LV GLS, reverse remodeling and myocardial tissue characteristics. This is a prospective single-center cohort study of kidney transplant recipients who underwent two CMR examinations in a 3T scanner, including cines, tagging, T1 and T2 mapping. The baseline exam was done up to 10 days after transplantation and the follow-up after 6 months. Age and sex-matched healthy controls were also studied for comparison. A total of 44 patients [mean age 50 ± 11 years-old, 27 (61.4%) male] completed the two CMR exams. LV GLS improved from − 13.4% ± 3.0 at baseline to − 15.2% ± 2.7 at follow-up (p < 0.001), but remained impaired when compared with controls (− 17.7% ± 1.5, p = 0.007). We observed significant correlation between improvement in LV GLS with reductions of left ventricular mass index (r = 0.356, p = 0.018). Improvement in LV GLS paralleled improvements in LV stroke volume index (r = − 0.429, p = 0.004), ejection fraction (r = − 0.408, p = 0.006), global circumferential strain (r = 0.420, p = 0.004) and global radial strain (r = − 0.530, p = 0.002). There were no significant correlations between LV GLS, native T1 or T2 measurements (p > 0.05). In this study, we demonstrated that LV GLS measured by FT-CMR improves 6 months after KT in association with reverse remodeling, but not native T1 or T2 measurements.

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Echocardiographic global longitudinal strain is associated with infarct size assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance in acute myocardial infarction

Echo Research and Practice ◽

10.1530/erp-19-0026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 81-89

Author(s):

Gowsini Joseph ◽

Tomas Zaremba ◽

Martin Berg Johansen ◽

Sarah Ekeloef ◽

Einar Heiberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Myocardial Infarction ◽

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Early Stage ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Apical Part ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Percent Increase ◽

Study Population

The aim of this study was to investigate if there was an association between infarct size (IS) measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and echocardiographic global longitudinal strain (GLS) in the early stage of acute myocardial infarction in patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were assessed with CMR and transthoracic echocardiogram within 1 week of hospital admission. Two-dimensional speckle tracking was performed using a semi-automatic algorithm (EchoPac, GE Healthcare). Longitudinal strain curves were generated in a 17-segment model covering the entire left ventricular myocardium. GLS was calculated automatically. LVEF was measured by auto-LVEF in EchoPac. IS was measured by late gadolinium enhancement CMR in short-axis views covering the left ventricle. The study population consisted of 49 patients (age 60.4 ± 9.7 years; 92% male). The study population had preserved echocardiographic LVEF with a mean of 45.8 ± 8.7%. For each percent increase of IS, we found an impairment in GLS by 1.59% (95% CI 0.57–2.61), P = 0.02, after adjustment for sex, age and LVEF. No significant association between IS and echocardiographic LVEF was found: −0.25 (95% CI: −0.61 to 0.11), P = 0.51. At the segmental level, the strongest association between IS and longitudinal strain was found in the apical part of the LV: impairment of 1.69% (95% CI: 1.14–2.23), P < 0.001, for each percent increase in IS. In conclusion, GLS was significantly associated with IS in the early stage of acute myocardial infarction in patients with preserved LVEF, and this association was strongest in the apical part of the LV. No association between IS and LVEF was found.

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P364 The first prospective study of non-compaction cardiomyopathy patients with preserved ejection fraction using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez319.213 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A Kiss ◽

A Szucs ◽

A Furak ◽

Z S Gregor ◽

M Horvath ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Ejection Fraction ◽

Feature Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Apical Part ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Functional Parameters ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Feature tracking (FT) is a new cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) technique for strain measurement to reveal changes e.g. in noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCMP) patients with good ejection fraction (EF). Our aim was to describe, first in the literature, the functional and CMR-FT strain values of NCMP patients with good EF and to compare them with their previous scans taken 4 years ago. At the Heart and Vascular Center of Semmelweis University 6743 CMR examinations were done between 2009-2015 and 232 NCMP patients were diagnosed. We followed up 27 patients, who had a previous examination at least 4 years ago, had no co-morbidities and whoes EF were above 50% (mean age: 37 ± 14.4 years, 18 males, mean follow up: 5.7 ± 1.5 years). Their parameters were compared to a matched control (C) group. The Medis Suite software was used for analysis, the MedCalc software for statistics, (p < 0.05). We compared the patient’s previous (PREV) and recent (REC) functional parameters but did not find significant changes. Comparing the global longitudinal and global circumferential strains (GLS, GCS) and rotation (R) no difference was found between the PREV and the REC values. The GCS showed significant difference between NCMP and C groups (-30.2 ± 5.0 vs -35.9 ± 4.5; p < 0.0001). We compared the segmental longitudinal and circumferential strain values of PREV vs. REC groups and NCMP vs C groups and found significant differences just in a few segments. The left ventricular (LV) apical part’s mean longitudinal strain value showed significant decrease on the REC scans compared to the PREV (PREV vs REC: -24.4 ± 7.7 vs -20.6 ± 5.1%; p < 0.05) and a non-significant decrease compared to the C (C vs REC: -22.8 ± 7.5 vs -20.6 ± 5.1%; p= n.s.). The ratio of the average longitudinal strain value of the apical and basal part of the left ventricle was significantly smaller in the REC group compared to the PREV but did not differ from the C subjects ( PREV vs. REC: 1.5 ± 0.8 vs 1.0 ±0.3; C vs REC: 1.5 ± 0.3 vs 1.2 ± 0.5; p < 0.05) We did not find worsening in the functional parameters of NCMP patients with good EF by the end of the follow up period. However, subclinical changes can be detected in the affected apical part of LV when using FT suggesting the need for follow up.

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Left Ventricular Morphology and Function as a Determinant of Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina55100711 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (10) ◽

pp. 711

Author(s):

Birute Gumauskiene ◽

Lina Padervinskiene ◽

Jolanta Justina Vaskelyte ◽

Audrone Vaitiekiene ◽

Tomas Lapinskas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Hypertension ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Aortic Valve ◽

Aortic Stenosis ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Severe Aortic Stenosis ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Volume Index ◽

And Function

Background and Objectives: The influence of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) derived left ventricular (LV) parameters on the prognosis of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) was analyzed in several studies. However, the data on the relations between the LV parameters and the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in severe AS is lacking. Our objectives were to evaluate the CMR-derived changes of the LV size, morphology, and function in patients with isolated severe AS and PH, and to investigate the prognostic impact of these parameters on elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with isolated severe AS (aortic valve area ≤1 cm2) underwent a 2D-echocardiography (2D echo) and CMR before aortic valve replacement. Indices of the LV mass and volumes and ejection fraction were analyzed by CMR. The LV global longitudinal (LV LGS) and circumferential strain (LV CS) were calculated using CMR feature tracking (CMR-FT) software (Medis Suite QStrain 2.0, Medis Medical Imaging Systems B.V., Leiden, The Netherlands). The LV fibrosis expansion was assessed using a late gadolinium enhancement sequence. PH was defined as having an estimated sPAP of ≥45 mm Hg. The statistical analysis as performed using SPSS version 23.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) Results: 30 patients with severe AS were included in the study, 23% with severe isolated AS had PH (mean sPAP 55 ± 6.6 mm Hg). More severe LV anatomical and functional abnormalities were observed in patients with PH when compared with patients without PH—a higher LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (140 [120.0–160.0] vs. 90.0 mL/m² [82.5–103.0], p = 0.04), larger LV fibrosis area (7.8 [5.6–8.0] vs. 1.3% [1.2–1.5], p = 0.005), as well as lower LV global longitudinal strain (GLS; −14.0 [−14.9–(−8.9)] vs. −21.1% [−23.4–(−17.8)], p = 0.004). By receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, LV EDVi > 107.7 mL/m² (Area Under the Curve (AUC) 95.7%), LV GLS < −15.5% (AUC 86.3%), and LV fibrosis area >5% (AUC 89.3) were found to be robust predictors of PH in severe AS patients. Conclusions: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, a larger end-diastolic LV volume, impaired LV global longitudinal strain, and larger LV fibrosis extent can predict the development of pulmonary hypertension.

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Left ventricular myocardial strain and tissue characterization by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in immune checkpoint inhibitor associated cardiotoxicity

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246764 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0246764

Author(s):

Angela Y. Higgins ◽

Amit Arbune ◽

Aaron Soufer ◽

Elio Ragheb ◽

Jennifer M. Kwan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Immune Checkpoint ◽

Tissue Characterization ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Myocardial Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Normal Lvef

Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are highly effective in treating cancer; however, cardiotoxicity can occur, including myocarditis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is useful for evaluation of myocarditis, although it has not been well studied in ICI cardiotoxicity. Methods We identified patients referred for CMR evaluation of ICI cardiotoxicity from September 2015 through September 2019. We assessed structural and functional parameters, feature tracking (FT) left ventricular and atrial strain, T2- weighted ratios and quantitative late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). We also applied the Updated Lake Louise Criteria for diagnosis of myocarditis. Results Of the 20 patients referred, the median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 52.5% ± 19.1 and 50% had a normal LVEF (≥53%). FT strain analysis revealed an average abnormal global longitudinal strain (GLS) of −9.8%± 4.2%. In patients with a normal LVEF, the average GLS remained depressed at −12.3%± 2.4%. In all patients, GLS demonstrated a significant negative correlation with LVEF (rs = −0.64, p 0.002). Sixteen patients (80%) had presence of LGE (14 non-ischemic pattern and 2 ischemic). Percent LGE did not correlate with any CMR parameters and notably did not correlate with LVEF (rs = −0.29, p = 0.22) or GLS (rs = 0.10, p = 0.67), highlighting the value of tissue characterization beyond functional assessment. Nine patients (45%) met full Updated Lake Louise Criteria and 85% met at least one criterion, suggestive of myocarditis in the correct clinical context. Thirteen patients (65%) were treated for ICI-associated myocarditis and, of these, 54% (n = 7) had recovery of LVEF to normal. There was no correlation between LVEF (p = 0.47), GLS (0.89), or % LGE (0.15) and recovery of LVEF with treatment. Conclusion In patients with suspected ICI cardiotoxicity, CMR is an important diagnostic tool, even in the absence of overt left ventricular dysfunction, as abnormalities in left ventricular strain, T2 signal and LGE can identifying disease.

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