scholarly journals Revisiting left atrial volumetry by magnetic resonance imaging: the role of atrial shape and 3D angle between left ventricular and left atrial axis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jouni K. Kuusisto ◽  
Pauli A. K. Pöyhönen ◽  
Jani Pirinen ◽  
Lauri J. Lehmonen ◽  
Heli P. Räty ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Accurate measurement of left atrial (LA) volumes is needed in cardiac diagnostics and the follow up of heart and valvular diseases. Geometrical assumptions with 2D methods for LA volume estimation contribute to volume misestimation. In this study, we test agreement of 3D and 2D methods of LA volume detection and explore contribution of 3D LA axis orientation and LA shape in introducing error in 2D methods by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Methods 30 patients with prior first-ever ischemic stroke and no known heart disease, and 30 healthy controls were enrolled (age 18–49) in a substudy of a prospective case–control study. All study subjects underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and were pooled for this methodological study. LA volumes were calculated by biplane area-length method from both conventional long axis (LAVAL-LV) and LA long axis-oriented images (LAVAL-LA) and were compared to 3D segmented LA volume (LAVSAX) to assess accuracy of volume detection. 3D orientation of LA long axis to left ventricular (LV) long axis and to four-chamber plane were determined, and LA 3D sphericity indices were calculated to assess sources of error in LA volume calculation. Shapiro–Wilk test, Bland–Altman analysis, intraclass and Pearson correlation, and Spearman’s rho were used for statistical analysis. Results Biases were − 9.9 mL (− 12.5 to − 7.2) for LAVAL-LV and 13.4 (10.0–16.9) for LAVAL-LA [mean difference to LAVSAX (95% confidence interval)]. End-diastolic LA long axis 3D deviation angle to LV long axis was 28.3 ± 6.2° [mean ± SD] and LA long axis 3D rotation angle to four-chamber plane 20.5 ± 18.0°. 3D orientation of LA axis or 3D sphericity were not correlated to error in LA volume calculation. Conclusions Calculated LA volume accuracy did not improve by using LA long axis-oriented images for volume calculation in comparison to conventional method. We present novel data on LA axis orientation and a novel metric of LA sphericity and conclude that these measures cannot be utilized to assess error in LA volume calculation. Trial registration Main study Searching for Explanations for Cryptogenic Stroke in the Young: Revealing the Etiology, Triggers, and Outcome (SECRETO; NCT01934725) has been registered previously.

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ulbrich ◽  
R S Schoenbauer ◽  
B Kirstein ◽  
J Tomala ◽  
Y Huo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The relation of left atrial low voltage zones (LVZ) to left ventricular function in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is not known. Objective To explore the relationship of left atrial low voltage zones (LVZ) on left ventricular function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods From June to Nov. 2018, 107 (mean age 67y, 70 men, 73 persistent AF) consecutive patients with symptomatic AF underwent a PVI with LVZ mapping. Before PVI the left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and stroke volume (SV) were measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). From feature-tracking of CMR-cine images left ventricular global, systolic and diastolic longitudinal strains (GLS), circumferential strains (GCS) and radial strains (GRS) were calculated. Results Of 59 patients CMR scanning in sinus rhythm was performed, LVZ were present in 24 patients. LVEF was significantly lower in patients with left atrial LVZ (62±9% vs. 55±15%) (p=0,03). Left ventricular stroke volume was significantly decreased by the extent of LVZ (94±23 vs. 72±21ml), (p=0,03). The left ventricular diastolic strains during ventricular filling (caused by atrial contraction) of GLS (r=−0,52), GCS (r=−0,65) and GRS (r=−0,65) were highly signifcantly correlated to the occurence and extent of LVZ (each p<0,001 respectively). The only systolic ventricular strain was GLS, which decreased (r=−0,3, p=0,03) by the occurance of atrial low voltage. Conclusion The active, atrial part of diastolic left ventricular filling properties is impaired by the occurrence and extent of left atrial LVZ. In patients with left atrial LVZ the left ventricular stroke volume and ejection fraction is decreased already in sinus rhythm. It seems possible that atrial mechanical dysfunction and presence of atrial low voltage maybe predicted by LV diastolic strain analysis.


Author(s):  
Shinya Ito ◽  
Akihiro Isotani ◽  
Kyohei Yamaji ◽  
Kenji Ando

Abstract Background  Löffler endocarditis is a condition characterized by cardiac infiltration of eosinophils. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a modality for the diagnosis of myocardial damage. Case summary  This is the case of a 77-year-old man with acute decompensated heart failure who was admitted. Transthoracic echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function along with LV thrombi attached to the septo-apical wall and the posterior wall, consistent with Löffler endocarditis. Cardiac MRI revealed obliteration of the LV apex and partial filling of the LV cavity, as well as near circumferential subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the mid- and apical segments. T2-weighted images showed a near circumferential high-intensity area of the LV subendocardial muscle in the mid- and apical segments. High-dose corticosteroids and intravenous heparin were initiated, followed by maintenance warfarin therapy. At 18 months, follow-up cardiac MRI revealed the disappearance of the LV thrombi, and a reduction of LGE, as well as high-intensity areas in the T2-weighted images. Discussion  The high-intensity area of T2-weighted images indicate the presence of subendocardial oedema. Eosinophil-mediated heart damage evolves through three stages: (i) acute necrotic, (ii) thrombotic, and (iii) fibrotic stages. Since the deposition of toxic eosinophil granule proteins and eosinophil infiltration injured the endocardium, the first-line treatment for Löffler endocarditis is corticosteroid therapy. In this case, LGE in the subendocardium and the high-intensity area in the T2-weighted images were reduced at 18 months. High-intensity areas of T2-weighted images in the acute phase might indicate the possibility of therapeutic response to corticosteroid therapy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document