scholarly journals Frequent Constriction-Like Echocardiographic Findings in Elite Athletes Following Mild COVID-19: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bálint Károly Lakatos ◽  
Márton Tokodi ◽  
Alexandra Fábián ◽  
Zsuzsanna Ladányi ◽  
Hajnalka Vágó ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Distinct Subgroup ◽  
2D And 3D ◽  
Echocardiographic Findings

Background: The cardiovascular effects of SARS-CoV-2 in elite athletes are still a matter of debate. Accordingly, we sought to perform a comprehensive echocardiographic characterization of post-COVID athletes by comparing them to a non-COVID athlete cohort.Methods: 107 elite athletes with COVID-19 were prospectively enrolled (P-CA; 23 ± 6 years, 23% female) 107 healthy athletes were selected as a control group using propensity score matching (N-CA). All athletes underwent 2D and 3D echocardiography. Left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volumes (EDVi) and ejection fractions (EF) were quantified. To characterize LV longitudinal deformation, 2D global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the ratio of free wall vs. septal longitudinal strain (FWLS/SLS) were also measured. To describe septal flattening (SF—frequently seen in P-CA), LV eccentricity index (EI) was calculated.Results: P-CA and N-CA athletes had comparable LV and RVEDVi (P-CA vs. N-CA; 77 ± 12 vs. 78 ± 13mL/m2; 79 ± 16 vs. 80 ± 14mL/m2). P-CA had significantly higher LVEF (58 ± 4 vs. 56 ± 4%, p < 0.001), while LVGLS values did not differ between P-CA and N-CA (−19.0 ± 1.9 vs. −18.8 ± 2.2%). EI was significantly higher in P-CA (1.13 ± 0.16 vs. 1.01 ± 0.05, p < 0.001), which was attributable to a distinct subgroup of P-CA with a prominent SF (n = 35, 33%), further provoked by inspiration. In this subgroup, the EI was markedly higher compared to the rest of the P-CA (1.29 ± 0.15 vs. 1.04 ± 0.08, p < 0.001), LVEDVi was also significantly higher (80 ± 14 vs. 75 ± 11 mL/m2, p < 0.001), while RVEDVi did not differ (82 ± 16 vs. 78 ± 15mL/m2). Moreover, the FWLS/SLS ratio was significantly lower in the SF subgroup (91.7 ± 8.6 vs. 97.3 ± 8.2, p < 0.01). P-CA with SF experienced symptoms less frequently (1.4 ± 1.3 vs. 2.1 ± 1.5 symptom during the infection, p = 0.01).Conclusions: Elite athletes following COVID-19 showed distinct morphological and functional cardiac changes compared to a propensity score-matched control athlete group. These results are mainly driven by a subgroup, which presented with some echocardiographic features characteristic of constrictive pericarditis.

scholarly journals Frequent constriction-like echocardiographic findings in elite athletes following mild COVID-19: in the grasp of SARS-CoV-2?

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
B K Lakatos ◽  
M Tokodi ◽  
A Fabian ◽  
Z Ladanyi ◽  
Z Eles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pericardial Effusion ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Clinical Investigation ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Distinct Subgroup ◽  
Eccentricity Index

Abstract   The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the sports community as well. Despite the vast majority of athletes experiencing mild symptoms, potential cardiac involvement and complications have to be explored to support a safe return to play. Accordingly, we were aimed at a comprehensive echocardiographic characterization of post-COVID athletes (P-CA) by comparing them to a propensity-matched healthy, non-COVID athlete (N-CA) cohort. One hundred and seven elite athletes with COVID-19 were prospectively enrolled after an appropriate quarantine period and formed the P-CA group (23±6 years, 23% female). From our retrospective database comprising 425 elite athletes, 107 age-, gender-, body surface area-, and weekly training hours-matched subjects were selected as a reference group using propensity score matching (N-CA group). All athletes underwent a comprehensive clinical investigation protocol comprising 2D and 3D echocardiography. Left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volumes (EDVi) and ejection fractions (EF) were quantified using dedicated softwares. To characterize LV longitudinal deformation, 2D global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the ratio of free wall versus septal longitudinal strain (FWLS/SLS) were also calculated. In order to describe septal flattening (SF – frequently seen in P-CA), LV eccentricity index (EI) was measured. P-CA and N-CA athletes had comparable LV and RV EDVi (P-CA vs N-CA; 77±12 vs 78±13mL/m2; 79±16 vs 80±14mL/m2, respectively). P-CA group had significantly higher LV EF (58±4 vs 56±4%, p<0.001) and GLS (−18.2±1.8 vs −17.6±2.2%, p<0.05). Eccentricity index was significantly lower in P-CA (0.89±0.10 vs 0.99±0.04, p<0.001), which was attributable to a distinct subgroup of P-CA athletes with a prominent SF (n=34, 32%), further provoked by inspiration. In this subgroup, the eccentricity index was markedly lower compared to the rest of the P-CA group (0.79±0.07 vs 0.95±0.07, p<0.001). In the SF subgroup, LV EDVi was significantly higher (80±14 vs 75±11 mL/m2, p<0.001), while RV EDVi did not differ (82±16 vs 78±15mL/m2). Moreover, the FWLS/SLS ratio was significantly lower in the SF subgroup (0.92±0.09 vs 0.97±0.08, p<0.01). Interestingly, P-CA athletes with SF experienced fatigue (17 vs 34%, p<0.05) or chest pain (0 vs 15%, p=N/A) less frequently during the course of the infection; however, the presence of a mild pericardial effusion was more common (41 vs 12%, p<0.01). Elite athletes following COVID-19 showed distinct morphological and functional cardiac changes compared to a propensity score-matched control athlete group. These results are mainly driven by a subgroup, which presented with some echocardiographic features characteristic of constrictive pericarditis (septal flattening, lower FWLS/SLS ratio, pericardial effusion). Follow-up of athletes and further, higher case number studies are warranted to determine the clinical significance and potential effects on exercise capacity of these findings. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Post-Covid athlete with SF

Abstract 15928: Relative Sparing of Apical Longitudinal Strain for Detection of Cardiac Amyloidosis: Intervendor Variation

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia M Simkowski ◽  
Michael Jiang ◽  
NADIA El HANGOUCHE ◽  
Jeesoo Lee ◽  
Milica Marion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Amyloidosis ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lower Sensitivity ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Roc Curve Analysis

Introduction: Relative apical longitudinal strain (RALS) is defined as (average apical LS/(average basal & mid-ventricular LS)). A threshold of 2 has been found to have high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating cardiac amyloidosis (CA) from other causes of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This threshold was developed using General Electric (GE) software, and its reproducibility among different software vendors is unknown. Hypothesis: In patients with CA, regional segmental LS patterns and relative apical longitudinal strain will vary among software vendors. Methods: Speckle-tracking echocardiography was retroactively performed by an experienced technician on two patient cohorts, CA (n=52) and LVH (n=52), using software from two independent vendors: EchoPAC (GE Medical Systems) and TomTEC (TOMTEC Imaging Systems GMBH). For each vendor and patient, strain values for the basal, mid, and apical segments were averaged to obtain three regional LS values which were then used to calculate global longitudinal strain (GLS) and RALS. Results: EchoPAC demonstrated greater average apical LS (-16.5±5.7 vs -13.1±6.6, p<0.001) and RALS (2.1±0.9 vs 1.7±0.7, p<0.001) compared to TomTEC. Bland-Altman analysis yielded a mean bias of -0.4 with limit of agreement 2.2 (p<0.001) in RALS between the two vendors. ROC curve analysis using a RALS cutoff of 2 to differentiate CA from the overall control group showed similarly high specificity (EchoPAC 85%, TomTEC 83%) between vendors but lower sensitivity for TomTEC (23% vs 45%) (Figure 1). LVH subgroup analysis showed similar comparisons. Overall difference in area-under-curve (AUC) was significant (AUC = 0.78 EchoPAC vs AUC = 0.52 TomTEC, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Software measurements of regional LS and thus RALS vary between vendors. Further efforts are needed for intervendor regional strain fidelity. For now, different RALS thresholds to diagnose CA may be needed for various vendors.

scholarly journals 1187 Evaluation of left and right ventricular functions with 3D speckle tracking in patients with mitral stenosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Seckin ◽  
S Unlu ◽  
G Tacoy
Keyword(s):  
Right Ventricular ◽  
Mitral Stenosis ◽  
Speckle Tracking ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Free Wall ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background The function of both ventricles have been suggested to be affected in patients with mitral stenosis. In this study, it was aimed to investigate deformation properties of right (RV) and left ventricles (LV) in mild and moderate rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) patients with three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE). Methods A total of 60 patients were included in the study (20 patients with mild MS diagnosis, 20 patients with moderate MS diagnosis and 20 healthy volunteers). Three-dimensional echocardiography datasets were obtained for both ventricles in all patients. An example for RV assessment is shown in Figure 1. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV torsion, RV free wall (FW) LS and interventricular septal (IVS) LS measurements were analyzed. Results The LV ejection fraction (EF), RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values were statistically similar and in the normal range. The LV GLS measurements were significantly different among the groups by being highest in the control group and least in the moderate stenosis group (ANOVA,p &lt; 0.001) (Table 1). Patients with MS showed higher torsional values, correlated with MS severity (ANOVA,p &lt; 0.001) (Table 1). IVS LS, RVFW LS values obtained by RV analysis also differed significantly among groups. The FW-GLS values only showed significant difference between the control group and moderate MS group (Table 1). Conclusion Patients with mitral stenosis showed lower LV-GLS and higher LV torsion values. Although the LV GLS is affected; the LV EF was detected to be normal due to increase in LV torsion. RV deformation indices showed signıficant decrease in correlation with the severity of the mitral stenosis. In conclusion, our data suggest that subclinical LV and RV systolic dysfunction is present in mild-moderate MS patients and this dysfunction can be detected by 3D-STE. Table 1 Parameters Control group Mild MS Moderate MS P LV GLS (%) 23.3 ± 2.08 18.9 ± 1.3 17.5 ± 1.8 &lt;0.001 LV torsion 1.5 ± 0.6 2.1 ± 0.6 2.6 ± 0.5 &lt;0.001 IVS LS (%) 23 ± 3.0% 20 ± 2.6 17.1 ± 2.9 &lt;0.001 RV FW LS (%) 25.4 ± 5 22.7 ± 3.2 21.1 ± 4.8 &lt;0.001 FW; free-wall, GLS; global longitudinal strain, IVS; interventricular septum, LV; left ventricular, RV; right ventricular Abstract 1187 Figure 1

scholarly journals Contribution of Global and Regional Longitudinal Strain for Clinical Assessment of HFpEF in Coronary and Hypertensive Patients

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 1372
Author(s):  
Gheorghe Stoichescu-Hogea ◽  
Florina Nicoleta Buleu ◽  
Ruxandra Christodorescu ◽  
Raluca Sosdean ◽  
Anca Tudor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diastolic Dysfunction ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Systolic Dysfunction ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hypertensive Patients ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Artery Disease

Background: Contribution of global and regional longitudinal strain (GLS) for clinical assessment of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is not well established. We sought to evaluate subclinical left ventricular dysfunction secondary to coronary artery disease (CAD) in HFpEF patients compared with hypertensive patients and age-matched healthy subjects. Material and methods: This was a retrospective study that included 148 patients (group 1 = 62 patients with HFpEF, group 2 = 46 hypertensive patients, and group 3 = 40 age-matched control subjects). Peak systolic segmental, regional (basal, mid, and apical), and global longitudinal strain were assessed for each study group using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Results: GLS values presented statistically significant differences between the three groups (p < 0.001); markedly increased values (more negative) were observed in the control group (−20.2 ± 1.4%) compared with HTN group values (−18.4 ± 3.0%, p = 0.031) and with HFpEF group values (−17.6 ± 2.3%, p < 0.001). The correlation between GLS values and HTN stages was significant, direct, and average (Spearman coefficient rho = 0.423, p < 0.001). GLS had the greatest ability to detect patients with HFpEF when HFpEF + CAD + HTN diastolic dysfunction (n = 30) + CON diastolic dysfunction (n = 2) from HFpEF + CAD + HTN + CON was analyzed. (optimal GLS limit of −19.35%, area under curve = 0.833, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Global longitudinal strain can be used for clinical assessment in differentiating coronary and hypertensive patients at higher risk for development of systolic dysfunction.

P5002The impact of diabetes mellitus on global longitudinal strain of patients with acute heart failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kwak ◽  
I.-C Hwang ◽  
J.-J Park ◽  
J.-H Park ◽  
G.-Y Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Heart Failure ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Systolic Function ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
P Value ◽  
Matched Cohort ◽  
Entire Cohort ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) aggravates the clinical features and the prognosis of heart failure (HF) patients. However, the impact of DM on the ventricular systolic function of HF patients is not well delineated. Purpose The present study aimed to investigate the impact of DM on HF, regarding the systolic function presented by the global longitudinal strain (GLS). Methods In 4312 patients with acute HF, left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) GLS were acquired by speckle-tracking echocardiography. HF patients with DM were compared to those without DM from the entire cohort (n=4312), as well as the propensity-score matched cohort (n=3034). Results Our cohort consisted of 1750 DM patients (40.6%). Both LV-GLS and LVEF were significantly lower within the patients with DM (10.1±4.8% vs. 11.3±5.1%, p<0.001 for LV-GLS; 39.1±15.5% vs. 41.7±15.6%, p<0.001 for LVEF) in the entire cohort. In the propensity-score matched cohort, LV-GLS was significantly reduced in the patients with DM compared to those without DM (10.2±4.9% vs. 10.9±5.0%, p<0.001), even with the matched LVEF (Table 1). Decreased LV-GLS in the DM patients was consistently identified in both subgroups of preserved EF and reduced EF (Table 1). Although RV-GLS was slightly lower in the patients with DM from the matched cohort, it was not significant in neither the preserved EF nor the reduced EF subgroup. When comparing the adverse outcome in the propensity-score matched cohort, the survival of patients with DM was significantly lower (Figure 1-A, 1-B), except for the preserved EF group (Figure 1-C). Comparison between heart failure patients with and without diabetes in the matched cohort Matched cohort p-value HFrEF (matched) p-value HFpEF (matched) p-value No-DM (n=1517) DM (n=1517) No-DM (n=823) DM (n=801) No-DM (n=652) DM (n=669) Age, years 71±14 71±11 0.962 69±14 70±11 0.305 75±11 74±10 0.061 Ischemic heart disease, n (%) 545 (35) 575 (37) 0.275 375 (36) 402 (39) 0.238 150 (34) 147 (34) 0.945 GFR, mL/min/1.73m2 56±27 55±27 0.282 58±28 56±27 0.253 54±27 54±26 1.000 HbA1C, % 5.7±0.4 7.3±1.4 <0.001 5.7±0.4 7.3±1.4 <0.001 5.7±0.4 7.2±1.4 <0.001 LV ejection fraction, % 39±15 39±15 0.871 31±9 31±10 0.99 59±5 59±6 0.279 LV-GLS, % 10.9±5.0 10.2±4.9 <0.001 9.1±3.8 8.3±3.6 <0.001 15.5±4.5 14.9±4.5 0.036 RV-GLS, % 13.1±6.5 12.7±6.2 0.045 12.1±6.2 11.8±5.9 0.188 15.6±6.5 15.0±6.4 0.157 Figure 1. Outcome by DM status Conclusions DM is associated with the impaired LV systolic function presented by GLS in HF patients, even with the adjustment of LVEF. The result indicates that GLS is a more sensitive marker of systolic function than LVEF, in terms of the DM status among the HF patients.

P1494Usefulness of longitudinal strain adjusted to regional thickness in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Mansencal ◽  
S Utado ◽  
M Hauguelf-Moreau ◽  
S Mallet ◽  
P Charron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Strain Analysis ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Myocardial Wall ◽  
Regional Strain ◽  
Standard Software

Abstract Background In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), longitudinal strain analysis allows to early detect left ventricular (LV) contraction abnormalities despite preserved LV ejection fraction. In current software, the width of the region of interest (ROI) is the same over the entire myocardial wall, and might analyze partially LV hypertrophic segments. Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate a novel software for strain analysis with an adjustable ROI according to each segment thickness. Methods We included 110 patients: 55 patients with HCM (HCM group) and 55 healthy subjects (age- and sex-matched control group). All patients underwent echocardiography using a Vivid 9 GE system and measurements were performed using EchoPAC software. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and regional strain for each of the 17 segments was calculated with standard software (for 2 groups) and with software adjusted to the myocardial wall thickness (for HCM group). Results GLS was significantly decreased in the HCM group as compared to the control group (−15.1±4.8% versus −20.5±4.3%, p<0.0001). In HCM group, GLS (standard method versus adjusted to thickness) were not significantly different (p=0.34). Interestingly, regional strain adjusted to thickness was significantly lower than standard strain in hypertrophic segments, especially in basal inferoseptal segment (p=0.0002), median inferoseptal segment (p<0.001) and median anteroseptal segment (p=0.02). Strain adjusted to thickness was still significantly lower in the most hypertrophic segments (≥20 mm) (−3.7±3%, versus −5.9±4.4%, p=0.049 in the basal inferoseptal segment and −5.7±3.5% versus −8.3±4.5%, p=0.0007 in the median inferoseptal segment). Analysis of strain adjusted to thickness had a better feasibility (97.5% versus 99%, p=0.01). Conclusion Analysis of longitudinal strain adjusted to regional thickness is feasible in HCM and allows a better evaluation of myocardial deformation, especially in the most LV hypertrophic segments.

P4134Impaired left ventricular systolic function in alcohol abusers expressed by both 3D calculated ejection fraction and longitudinal strain by AFI

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Hamala ◽  
J D Kasprzak ◽  
P Lipiec ◽  
K Wierzbowska-Drabik
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Abuse ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Systolic Function ◽  
Global Longitudinal Strain ◽  
Harmful Effect ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lv Function ◽  
Alcohol Abusers

Abstract Aim Despite knowledge regarding the existence of alcohol cardiomyopathy the exact impact of alcohol abuse in consecutive subject is poorly examined. We aimed to evaluate the left ventricle (LV) function in chronic abusers group and compared classical and novel echocardiography parameters in alcohol abusers (ALC) and control group (C). Methods We compared 75 adults (mean age 48±12, 60 male) without other overt heart disease, coronary artery disease excluded, but with alcohol abuse history: average alcohol intake 32 alcohol unit per week (AUW) with control group consisted of 40 subjects without history of excessive drinking, abstinents or drinking ≤8 AUW (mean age 50±4, 16 men). One unit was defined as 10 grams of pure etanol. All patients underwent TTE examination including ejection fraction (EF) calculation with 3D and longitudinal strain assessment by AFI method. Results ALC group showed LV systolic dysfunction expressed as EF 48±14 vs 60±9%, global longitudinal strain (AFI GLS) −15.6±6.6 vs −18.7±3.4; p<0.0001 and p 0.0064, respectively. On the other hand the LV and left atrial diameters as well as diastolic function were similar in both groups, indicating on relatively low advancement of heart remodeling. ALC vs Control group comparison ALC N75 C N40 p value Age 48±12 50±4 ns BMI 24±6 28±6 0.0009 LVd 48±13 47±4 ns LVs 34±15 32±4 ns LA 38±9 38±3 ns EF 48±14 60±9 <0.0001 E/A 1.1±0.6 1.1±0.3 ns E' lateral 10.6±3.9 10.6±2.9 ns AFI 2ch −15.9±6.9 −18.8±4.8 0.0143 AFI 3ch −15.9±6.9 −18.9±3.6 0.0116 AFI 4ch −15.2±7.1 −18.6±3.5 0.0053 AFI GLS −15.6±6.6 −18.7±3.4 0.0064 Conclusions Chronic alcohol abuse revealed harmful effect on LV systolic function which can be assessed quantitatively by both decreased EF and absolute values of myocardial longitudinal strain. This systolic function impairment seems to anticipate the overt remodelling of the heart.

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