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

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

Echocardiography ◽

10.1111/echo.13801 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 438-444 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mozhgan Parsaee ◽

Nehzat Akiash ◽

Azita Azarkeivan ◽

Zahra Alizadeh Sani ◽

Ahmad Amin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular

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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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Early change in left atrial and left ventricular strain predicts sinus rhythm maintenance after cardioversion

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0142 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

K Kupczynska ◽

D Miskowiec ◽

B Michalski ◽

L Szyda ◽

K Wierzbowska-Drabik ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Left Atrial ◽

Speckle Tracking ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Recurrence Risk ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Mechanical Function ◽

Af Recurrence

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

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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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Impact of rhythm in non-valvular atrial fibrillation on four cardiac chamber deformation imaging

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.0139 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

P Philabout ◽

L Soulat-Dufour ◽

I Benhamou-Tarallo ◽

S Lang ◽

S Ederhy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Sinus Rhythm ◽

Cardiac Rhythm ◽

Longitudinal Strain ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Cardiac Chamber ◽

Deformation Imaging ◽

And Function

Abstract Background Few studies have assessed the evolution of cardiac chambers deformation imaging in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) according to cardiac rhythm outcome. Purpose To evaluate cardiac chamber deformation imaging in patients admitted for AF and the evolution at 6-month follow-up (M6). Methods In forty-one consecutive patients hospitalised for AF two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed at admission (M0) and after six months (M6) of follow up. In addition to the usual parameters of chamber size and function, chamber deformation imaging was obtained including global left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) reservoir strain, global left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) free wall longitudinal strain. Patients were divided into three groups according to their cardiac rhythm at M0 and M6: AF at M0 and sinus rhythm (SR) at M6 (AF-SR) (n=23), AF at M0 and AF at M6 (AF-AF) (n=11), SR at M0 (spontaneous conversion before the first echocardiography exam) and SR in M6 (SR-SR) (n=7) Results In comparison with SR patients (n=7), at M0, AF patients (n=34)) had lower global LA reservoir strain (+5.2 (+0.4 to 12.8) versus +33.2 (+27.0 to +51.5)%; p<0.001), lower global RA reservoir strain (+8.6 (−5.4 to 11.6) versus +24.3 (+12.3 to +44.9)%; p<0.001), lower global LV longitudinal strain (respectively −12.8 (−15.2 to −10.4) versus −19.1 (−21.8 to −18.3)%; p<0.001) and lower global RV longitudinal strain (respectively −14.2 (−17.3 to −10.7) versus −23.8 (−31.1 to −16.2)%; p=0.001). When compared with the AF-SR group at M0 the AF-AF group had no significant differences with regard to global LA and RA reservoir strain, global LV and RV longitudinal strain (Table). Between M0 and M6 there was a significant improvement in global longitudinal strain of the four chambers in the AF-SR group whereas no improvements were noted in the AF-AF and SR-SR group (Figure). Conclusion Initial atrial and ventricular deformations were not associated with rhythm outcome at six-month follow up in AF. The improvement in strain in all four chambers strain suggests global reverse remodelling all cardiac cavities with the restoration of sinus rhythm. Evolution of strain between M0 and M6 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

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Optimal timing of follow-up cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with acute myocarditis

European Heart Journal ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.1754 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

M Ciabatti ◽

L Ferri ◽

A Camporeale ◽

E Saletti ◽

M Chioccioli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Complete Resolution ◽

Time Course ◽

Acute Myocarditis ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Optimal Timing ◽

2D Echocardiography ◽

Prognostic Stratification

Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) plays a central role in the diagnosis, follow-up and prognostic stratification of acute myocarditis. Several CMR features, including the extent of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) at baseline, have been proposed as factors associated with a worse outcome. Recent studies evaluated temporal evolution of LGE and edema repeating CMR either at 6 months or at 12 months, demonstrating that persistence or worsening of LGE represents a negative prognostic marker. However, the time-course of edema resolution and LGE stabilization is currently unknown and therefore the optimal timing to repeat CMR for acute myocarditis prognostic stratification remains unclear. Purpose We aimed to assess the time course of edema and LGE evolution in order to identify the optimal timing to repeat CMR in patients with acute myocarditis. Methods We enrolled 36 patients with a diagnosis of acute myocarditis according to ESC position statement definition. All patients underwent CMR at clinical presentation (CMR-1), after 3–4 months (CMR-2) and after 12-months (CMR-3) follow-up. CMR evaluation included assessment of edema and LGE, and evaluation of structural and functional parameters including left (LVEF) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), left (LVGLS) and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) and indexed left ventricular mass (iLVM). After CMR-3 all patients were followed-up by yearly clinical evaluation, electrocardiogram (ECG) and 2D-echocardiography. Results The mean age was 28,8±10,3 years with 35 (97%) being male. All patients showed edema and LGE at CMR-1 with a LVEF of 58,5±12,2. At CMR-2 a significant reduction of edema (T2 positive segments 0,4±0,9 vs. 4,1±3,2 p<0.0001) and LGE extent (LGE ≥5SD 5,1±5,3 vs. 9,6±8,4 p<0.0001) was observed, with only 3 patients showing edema persistence. A significant improvement of LVEF (62,7±5,6 vs. 58,5±12,2 p<0.05), RVGLS (−24,4±5,4 vs. −21,6±7,4 p<0.05), associated with a significant reduction of iLVM (71,2±13,7 vs 78,1±15,2 g/mq) was also observed. At CMR-3 no further significant reduction of LGE extent was observed with no further improvement of LVEF, RVGLS and iLVM. In the 3 patients with persisting edema at CMR-2, a complete resolution was observed at CMR-3. After a mean follow-up of 60±23 months, no major cardiovascular events nor myocarditis recurrences were observed, with no patients showing left ventricular dysfunction nor progression to dilated cardiomyopathy at 2D-echocardiography. Conclusions In most patients with acute myocarditis a complete resolution of the inflammatory process with LGE stabilization and normalization of left ventricular function and mass can be observed after 3–4 months. Further CMR assessment should limited to patients with persisting oedema at 3–4 months CMR. Our findings suggest to redefine the follow-up schedule and imaging-based prognostic stratification strategies in patients with acute myocarditis. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

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