scholarly journals Right Ventricular Strain Is Common in Intubated COVID-19 Patients and Does Not Reflect Severity of Respiratory Illness

2021 ◽  
pp. 088506662110063
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Gibson ◽  
Raffaele Di Fenza ◽  
Min Lang ◽  
Martin I. Capriles ◽  
Matthew D. Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Lung Compliance ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lung Mechanics ◽  
Chest Imaging ◽  
Imaging Findings ◽  
Right Ventricular Strain ◽  
Ventilatory Parameters

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is common and associated with worse outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In non-COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome, RV dysfunction develops due to pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction, inflammation, and alveolar overdistension or atelectasis. Although similar pathogenic mechanisms may induce RV dysfunction in COVID-19, other COVID-19-specific pathology, such as pulmonary endothelialitis, thrombosis, or myocarditis, may also affect RV function. We quantified RV dysfunction by echocardiographic strain analysis and investigated its correlation with disease severity, ventilatory parameters, biomarkers, and imaging findings in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: We determined RV free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) in 32 patients receiving mechanical ventilation for COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. Demographics, comorbid conditions, ventilatory parameters, medications, and laboratory findings were extracted from the medical record. Chest imaging was assessed to determine the severity of lung disease and the presence of pulmonary embolism. Results: Abnormal FWLS was present in 66% of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients and was associated with higher lung compliance (39.6 vs 29.4 mL/cmH2O, P = 0.016), lower airway plateau pressures (21 vs 24 cmH2O, P = 0.043), lower tidal volume ventilation (5.74 vs 6.17 cc/kg, P = 0.031), and reduced left ventricular function. FWLS correlated negatively with age (r = −0.414, P = 0.018) and with serum troponin (r = 0.402, P = 0.034). Patients with abnormal RV strain did not exhibit decreased oxygenation or increased disease severity based on inflammatory markers, vasopressor requirements, or chest imaging findings. Conclusions: RV dysfunction is common among critically ill COVID-19 patients and is not related to abnormal lung mechanics or ventilatory pressures. Instead, patients with abnormal FWLS had more favorable lung compliance. RV dysfunction may be secondary to diffuse intravascular micro- and macro-thrombosis or direct myocardial damage. Trial Registration: National Institutes of Health #NCT04306393. Registered 10 March 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04306393

scholarly journals Speckle tracking echocardiography in primary mitral regurgitation: should we reconsider the time for intervention?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Concetta Pastore ◽  
Giulia Elena Mandoli ◽  
Aleksander Dokollari ◽  
Gianluigi Bisleri ◽  
Flavio D’Ascenzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitral Regurgitation ◽  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Speckle Tracking ◽  
Speckle Tracking Echocardiography ◽  
Right Ventricular Dysfunction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Cardiac Damage ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Right Ventricular Strain

Abstract Thanks to the improvement in mitral regurgitation (MR) diagnostic and therapeutic management, with the introduction of minimally invasive techniques which have considerably reduced the individual surgical risk, the optimization of the timing for MR “open” or percutaneous surgical treatment has become a main concern which has highly raised scientific interest. In fact, the current indications for intervention in MR, especially in asymptomatic patients, rely on echocardiographic criteria with high severity cut-offs that are fulfilled only when not only mitral valve apparatus but also the cardiac chambers’ structure and function are severely impaired, which results in poor benefits for post-operative clinical outcome. This led to the need of new indices to redefine the optimal surgical timing in these patients. Speckle tracking echocardiography provides early markers of cardiac dysfunction due to subtle myocardial impairment; therefore, it could offer pivotal information in this setting. In fact, left ventricular and left atrial strains have already shown evidence about their usefulness in recognizing MR impact not only on symptoms and quality of life but also on cardiovascular events and new-onset atrial fibrillation in these patients. Moreover, right ventricular strain could be used to identify those patients with advanced cardiac damage and different grades of right ventricular dysfunction, which entails higher risks for cardiac surgery that could overweigh surgical benefits. This review aims to describe the importance of reconsidering the timing of intervention in MR and to analyze the potential additive value of speckle tracking echocardiography in this clinical setting.

scholarly journals Right ventricular strain rate during exercise accurately identifies male athletes with right ventricular arrhythmias

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Claeys ◽  
Guido Claessen ◽  
Piet Claus ◽  
Ruben De Bosscher ◽  
Christoph Dausin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Strain Rate ◽  
Exercise Intensity ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Exercise ◽  
Deformation Imaging ◽  
Strain And Strain Rate ◽  
Right Ventricular Strain ◽  
Moderate Exercise Intensity

Abstract Aims Athletes with right ventricular (RV) arrhythmias, even in the absence of desmosomal mutations, may have subtle RV abnormalities which can be unmasked by deformation imaging. As exercise places a disproportionate stress on the right ventricle, evaluation of cardiac function and deformation during exercise might improve diagnostic performance. Methods and results We performed bicycle stress echocardiography in 17 apparently healthy endurance athletes (EAs), 12 non-athletic controls (NAs), and 17 athletes with RV arrhythmias without desmosomal mutations (EI-ARVCs) and compared biventricular function at rest and during low (25% of upright peak power) and moderate intensity (60%). At rest, we observed no differences in left ventricular (LV) or RV function between groups. During exercise, however, the increase in RV fractional area change (RVFAC), RV free wall strain (RVFWSL), and strain rate (RVFWSRL) were significantly attenuated in EI-ARVCs as compared to EAs and NAs. At moderate exercise intensity, EI-ARVCs had a lower RVFAC, RVFWSL, and RVFWSRL (all P < 0.01) compared to the control groups. Exercise-related increases in LV ejection fraction, strain, and strain rate were also attenuated in EI-ARVCs (P < 0.05 for interaction). Exercise but not resting parameters identified EI-ARVCs and RVFWSRL with a cut-off value of >−2.35 at moderate exercise intensity had the greatest accuracy to detect EI-ARVCs (area under the curve 0.95). Conclusion Exercise deformation imaging holds promise as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to identify intrinsic RV dysfunction concealed at rest. Strain rate appears to be the most accurate parameter and should be incorporated in future, prospective studies to identify subclinical disease in an early stage.

scholarly journals Biventricular strain by speckle tracking echocardiography in COVID-19: findings and possible prognostic implications

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parasuram Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Lori B Croft ◽  
Richard Ro ◽  
Malcolm Anastasius ◽  
Wenli Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Speckle Tracking ◽  
Speckle Tracking Echocardiography ◽  
Myocardial Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Strain ◽  
Strain Measurements ◽  
Right Ventricular Strain ◽  
Prognostic Implications ◽  
Poor Outcomes

The COVID-19 infection adversely affects the cardiovascular system. Transthoracic echocardiography has demonstrated diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic utility. We report biventricular myocardial strain in COVID-19. Methods: Biventricular strain measurements were performed for 12 patients. Patients who were discharged were compared with those who needed intubation and/or died. Results: Seven patients were discharged and five died or needed intubation. Right ventricular strain parameters were decreased in patients with poor outcomes compared with those discharged. Left ventricular strain was decreased in both groups but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Right ventricular strain was decreased in patients with poor outcomes and left ventricular strain was decreased regardless of outcome. Right ventricular strain measurements may be important for risk stratification and prognosis. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals AB0611 STRAIN ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHT VENTRICLE USING 2D-SPECKLE TRACKING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN A COHORT OF PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1601.1-1602
Author(s):  
A. Spinella ◽  
P. Macripo’ ◽  
E. Cocchiara ◽  
E. Galli ◽  
F. Lumetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Right Ventricle ◽  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Speckle Tracking ◽  
Speckle Tracking Echocardiography ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Right Ventricular Strain ◽  
2D Speckle Tracking ◽  
The Right

Background:Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare and life-threatening connective tissue disease with multiple organ impairment. Cardio-pulmonary involvement is common: pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and electrical disorders are the most serious complications and causes of increased mortality.Objectives:We evaluated features related with the onset and development of PH in a cohort of SSc patients. We further studied ecocardiographic abnormalities, by means of 2D-speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) with specific reference to the right ventricular strain measure (RV-strain).Methods:We analyzed data from 50 SSc patients (pts) referred to our University-based Rheumatology Centre and SSc Unit from January 2007 to June 2019 (F/M 45/5; lc/dcSSc 45/5; mean age 59.20±14.357 years; mean disease duration 12.08±8.75 years). All pts underwent general and cardio-pulmonary assessment in our Cardio-Rheumatology Clinic. The following parameters were considered: blood exams, in particular inflammation indexes, uric acid test and serum autoantibodies; pulmonary function tests; high resolution scan of the lungs (HRCT); standard electrocardiogram (ECG) and RV-strain measured by 2D-STE. These examinations were performed according to clinical picture and current methodologies. We compared SSc subjects with (10/50) and without (40/50) PH diagnosis during follow-up regardless of treatments.Results:SSc pts with PH didn’t show significant alterations concerning RV-strain if compared with pts without PH (p=0.707). Nevertheless, RV-strain value was modified in relation to TAPSE alterations in all pts but this data correlated with right ventricular dilatation only in PH subjects. Furthermore, interesting significant values about dilatation of right and left atria (p=0.007, p=0.048), dilatation of inferior vena cava (p=0.037) and right ventricle (p=0.023) were observed. Left ventricular hypertrophy (p=0.012) as well as valvular insufficiencies (mitral and aortic) were more frequent in PH group too (p=0.016). These pts showed higher incidence of skin ulcers (p=0.0001), higher values of blood pressure (p=0.004), elevated uric acid levels (p=0,027) and anti-centromere antibodies positivity (p=0.0001).Conclusion:Our research provides further evidence of the prognostic value of echocardiographic findings in SSc subjects, with focus on PH. Population enlargement is ongoing in order to identify more accurate results about RV-strain, considering the efficacy of PH treatments on cardiac contractility. Speckle tracking echocardiography proves to be a sensitive, low-cost, non-invasive and reliable tool to detect early cardiac impairment in Ssc, full of potential future prospects.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

P2471Adaptation of ventricular function the first year after heart transplantation assessed with echocardiography

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ingvarsson ◽  
A Werther Evaldsson ◽  
G Radegran ◽  
J Waktare ◽  
J G Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Transplantation ◽  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Ventricular Function ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
First Year ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
Right Ventricular Strain ◽  
Rv Function

Abstract Background/Introduction Echocardiography is commonly used in evaluation patients after heart transplantation (HTx). Detecting discrete changes in ventricular function is important but challenging using standard echocardiographic parameters. Furthermore, interpretation of findings are complicated by the fact that data on early possible adaptation is sparse. Purpose We sought to detect alterations in biventricular function primarily using speckle tracking derived strain at four time-points during the first year post HTx. Methods Fifty HTx patients (40 males, mean age 50±12 years) were prospectively included. Patients were examined 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after HTx using an iE33 platform with a S5–1 transducer and strain analysis was performed offline with a dedicated software: CMQ, Q-lab 10.3 (Philips Healthcare, Eindhoven, NL). Values were compared using paired t-test and expressed as mean±SD, 95% CI. Results Regarding left ventricular (LV) parameters no difference were detected between 1 and 12 months. LV ejection fraction (EF) was 58±5% vs. 58±7%, global longitudinal strain (GLS) was −15±5% vs. −16±4% and global circumferential strain (GCS) was −22±7% vs. −21±6% respectively. Conventional parameters of right ventricular (RV) function: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) improved from 12±2 mm at 1 month to 15±5 mm (p<0.01) at 12 months and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (S') improved from 8.1±1.9 cm/s to 9.5±2.7 cm/s (p<0.01) at 12 months. Fractional area change (FAC) remained unaltered. Strain measurements of RV function improved gradually between 1 and 12 months. RV GLS was −15±3% vs. −17±3% (p<0.01) and strain for the RV lateral wall (RVfree) was −15±3% vs. −18±3% (p<0.001) respectively. Progressive improvement in RV strain is illustrated in Fig 1. Right ventricular strain post HTx Conclusion Our data indicate that clinically stable HTx recipients have reached steady state regarding LV function already 1 month after transplantation. This suggests that alterations in LV function parameters after this time-point can be used to detect adverse events. On the contrary, right ventricular longitudinal function show significant gradual improvement during the first year following HTx indicating that the RV adaptation-process is extended in comparison to the LV. We found that measurements of LV function at 1 month and RV function at 12 months post HTx are comparable to previously published normal values in clinically stable HTx patients. Nevertheless, further studies addressing possible continuous improvement in RV function beyond 1 year post HTx would be of interest.

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