Agreement Between Echocardiogram and Right Heart Catheterization in the Daily Practice of Investigation of Pulmonary Hypertension

Purpose: Studies in the context of research have shown a significant disagreement between the echocardiographic measurement of the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) and right atrial pressure (RAP) and that obtained by right heart catheterization (RHC). We compare measurements of sPAP and RAP, verified by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) with those detected by RHC in patients being investigated for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods: Cross-sectional study was performed in a context of usual clinical practice in the public referral center for PH, including patients with high or intermediate echocardiographic probability of pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic PH. Bland-Altman test was used to assess the agreement amongthe values and ROC curve to identify sPAP and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) values ​​with better accuracy. Clinically acceptable differences of 10 mmHg for sPAP and 5 mmHg for RAP were considered.Results: Ninety-five patients were included. The Bland-Altman analysis showed a bias of 8.03 mmHg for sPAP and -3.30 mmHg for RAP. Area under the curve for sPAP and TRV measured by TTE were 0.936(95% CI: 0.836-1.0) and 0.919(95% CI: 0.837-1.0), respectively. According to the pre-defined pressure differences, only 33.4% of the echocardiographic estimate of sPAP and 55.1% of RAP were accurate, as compared to the measurements obtained by RHC. Conclusions: Real life study revealed that echocardiographic evaluation demonstrated a high discriminatory power for diagnosis of PH, but sPAP and RAP measurements showed significant disagreements in relation to hemodynamic measures. The technical improvement of diagnostic services may contribute to the earlier recognition of this condition by TTE.

circSnx12 Is Involved in Ferroptosis During Heart Failure by Targeting miR-224-5p

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a subclass of non-coding RNAs that enables the circular transcripts resistant to the exonuclease digestion. Iron homeostasis is essential for the body to maintain normal physiological functions. At present, the relationship among circRNA, iron metabolism and heart failure remains largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of circRNA and iron metabolism in heart failure. We obtained circRNA, miRNA and mRNA data from public databases and built a ceRNA network. The prediction results were verified in the myocardial tissues of pressure overload-induced heart failure mice through the use of histopathological staining methods, iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurement tests, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot analysis and luciferase reporter assay. A total of 4 genes related to iron metabolism and oxidative stress were identified, and a ceRNA network involving 7 circRNAs, 7 miRNAs, and 4 mRNAs was constructed using bioinformatics tools. The results of qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses indicated that the expression level of FTH1 was similar with that predicted by bioinformatics analysis. Echocardiographic measurement showed that heart failure mice have lower fractional shortening and ejection fraction. Moreover, the myocardium of heart failure mice displayed obvious fibrosis as well as increased levels of iron and MDA compared to control mice. Besides, circSnx12 could act as an endogenous sponge to bind with miR-224-5p, and the 3'UTR region of FTH1 also had miRNA binding sites. A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was successfully constructed by identifying differentially expressed genes related to iron metabolism. This new approach reveals potential circRNA targets for the treatment of heart failure.

Validation and Feasibility of Echocardiographic Assessment of Systemic Right Ventricular Function: Serial Correlation With MRI

Background: Inherent to its geometry, echocardiographic imaging of the systemic right ventricle (RV) is challenging. Therefore, echocardiographic assessment of systemic RV function may not always be feasible and/or reproducible in daily practice. Here, we aim to validate the usefulness of a comprehensive range of 32 echocardiographic measurements of systemic RV function in a longitudinal cohort by serial assessment of their correlations with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived systemic RV ejection fraction (RVEF).Methods: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was performed. Adult patients with a systemic RV who underwent a combination of both CMR and echocardiography at two different points in time were included. Off-line analysis of echocardiographic images was blinded to off-line CMR analysis and vice versa. In half of the echocardiograms, measurements were repeated by a second observer blinded to the results of the first. Correlations between echocardiographic and CMR measures were assessed with Pearson's correlation coefficient and interobserver agreement was quantified with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).Results: Fourteen patients were included, of which 4 had congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) and 10 patients had TGA late after an atrial switch operation. Eight patients (57%) were female. There was a mean of 8 years between the first and second imaging assessment. Only global systemic RV function, fractional area change (FAC), and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were consistently, i.e., at both time points, correlated with CMR-RVEF (global RV function: r = −0.77/r = −0.63; FAC: r = 0.79/r = 0.67; GLS: r = −0.73/r = −0.70, all p-values < 0.05). The ICC of GLS (0.82 at t = 1, p = 0.006, 0.77 at t = 2, p = 0.024) was higher than the ICC of FAC (0.35 at t = 1, p = 0.196, 0.70 at t = 2, p = 0.051) at both time points.Conclusion: GLS appears to be the most robust echocardiographic measurement of systemic RV function with good correlation with CMR-RVEF and reproducibility.

Loud P2 on Cardiac Auscultation: A Useful Clinical Clue to Fluid Overload

Patients with renal disease are at risk of fluid overload which escalates as the disease progresses. In the present study, we evaluated the increase in the intensity of the second heart sound generated by its pulmonary component (P2) and its correlation with fluid overload in such patients. To confirm its potentials and avoid interference with patients with cardiac disease; we included only those who lacked echocardiographic evidence of (a) ASD or VSD, (b) primary cardiac defects associated with high P2 viz pulmonary aneurysm, mitral stenosis and myocardial disease, (c) primary cardiac defects associated with soft P2 viz pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary atresia and tetralogy of Fallot, (d) primary cardiac defects associated with low A2 viz mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, low diastolic arterial pressure, severe immobile aortic valve disease. To assess the extent of fluid overload; the clinical examination was complemented with radiological imaging as well as the echocardiographic measurement of systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. There was a significant correlation between P2 intensity and fluid changes. In conclusion; load P2 is a useful clinical clue to fluid overload and decline in its intensity correlates with the extent of fluid removal.

Increased left ventricular stiffness assessed by diastolic wall strain causes symptoms in patients with premature ventricular contraction

Background Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is one of common arrhythmias and only some patients complain of PVC-related symptoms, however the mechanisms which cause the symptoms remain unclear in patients with PVCs. Purpose We investigated whether the left ventricular (LV) stiffness assessed by diastolic wall strain (DWS) relate symptoms or not in patients with PVC. Methods We studied 109 patients (48 males, age 60±19) with frequent monomorphic PVCs who underwent 12-leads electrocardiogram (ECG), signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG), 24h-Holter ECG recording, and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Patients with structural heart disease or other arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation were excluded. Clinical factors, blood samples for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and filtered QRS duration (f-QRS) and root mean square voltage of the terminal 40ms of the QRS complex (RMS40) obtained by SAECG were evaluated. We assessed PVC-SV (stroke volume during PVC), PVC-CI (CI between the previous sinus beat and VPC), and left ventricular (LV) stiffness assessed by diastolic wall strain (DWS). DWS was calculated from the M-mode echocardiographic measurement of the LV posterior wall thickness at end-systole (PWs) and end-diastole (PWd) during sinus rhythm, and DWS was defined as (PWs − PWd)/PWs. Results 31patients (28%) had PVC-related symptoms (18 palpitation and 13 pulse deficit). Patients with PVC-related symptoms showed shorter PVC coupling interval index (52±10 vs. 58±11%, p=0.0140), reduced PVC-SV (21±12 vs. 29±17ml, p=0.0103) and decreased DWS (0.38±0.06 vs. 0.42±0.06, p=0.0011). Meanwhile, the level of BNP and ANP, f-QRS, RMS40, QRS morphology of PVC and the total number of PVC per day were not associated with PVC-related symptoms. On multivariate analysis, decreased DWS was only independently associated with PVC-related symptoms (p=0.0357, OR 2.3629 for each 0.1 decrease in DWS 95% CI 1.0583–5.5815). Conclusion The reduced diastolic wall strain relates with PVC-related symptoms. The increased left ventricular stiffness might cause symptoms in patients with PVC. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Right Atrial Collision Time (RACT): a novel marker of propensity for typical atrial flutter

Background The risk of typical atrial flutter (AFL) is increased by factors that increase right atrial (RA) size or cause scarring to reduce conduction velocity. These characteristics ensure the macro re-entrant wave front does not meet its refractory tail. The time taken to traverse the circuit would take account of both of these characteristics (being equal to distance divided by velocity), and may provide a superior marker of propensity to develop AFL. Purpose To investigate right atrial collision time (RACT) as a marker of typical AFL. Methods This single centre, prospective study recruited consecutive typical AFL ablation cases that were in sinus rhythm. Controls were consecutive cases other than atrial fibrillation and >50 years of age. Exclusion criteria for both groups were a prior ablation in the RA and class I and III antiarrhythmics. While pacing the coronary sinus ostium at 600 ms, a local activation time map was created to locate the latest collision point on the anterolateral wall, excluding the RA appendage (Figure 1). This RACT approximates half a revolution. Results The AFL group's (n=34) mean RACT was 132.5±15.06 vs 98.7±12.23ms in the controls (n=40) (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed for age (mean 65.6 vs 62.6 (p=0.18)), male (68.8% vs 60% (p=0.59)), body surface area (mean 2.1 vs 2.03 m2 (p=0.24)). The RACT also proved to be a superior marker than the echocardiographic measurement of right atrial area in an apical four chamber view (mean 17.8 vs 16.3 cm2 (p=0.21).A ROC curve indicated an AUC of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93–1.0, p<0.01). A RACT cut-off of 120 ms had a specificity of 99% and a sensitivity of 75%. Conclusion RACT is a novel and promising marker of propensity for typical AFL. The ability to predict AFL would be of significant clinical value given the risk of stroke and frequent need for ablation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Left ventricular stiffness assessed by diastolic wall strain predicts asymptomatic atrial high rate episodes in patients with pacemaker implantation

Background Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of embolism. Purpose We investigated whether the left ventricular (LV) stiffness assessed by diastolic wall strain (DWS) predicts atrial high rate episodes (AHREs) in patients with pacemaker implantation (PMI). Methods One hundred forty seven patients (76 males, 75.2±8.9 years, 62 with sick sinus syndrome; SSS and 85 with atrioventricular block) who did not show atrial tachyarrhythmia before PMI were studied. DWS and other measurements were assessed using transthoracic echocardiography before DDD-pacemaker implantation. DWS was calculated from the M-mode echocardiographic measurement of the LV posterior wall thickness at end-systole (PWs) and end-diastole (PWd), and DWS was defined as (PWs-PWd)/PWs. Results AHREs (>5 min and >180 beats/min) were detected in 50/147 patients during follow-up periods (38.3±13.8 months). Patients with AHREs showed reduced DWS (0.29±0.07 vs. 0.39±0.06, p<0.0001), larger left atrial volume index, elevated E/e' ratio, thicker LV PWd, higher prevalence of SSS, and left bundle branch block pattern during ventricular pacing. On multivariate analysis, DWS was only independently associated with AHREs (p<0.0001, HR 1.987 for each 0.1 decrease in DWS, 95% CI 1.553–2.650). Patients with reduced DWS (<0.33) had a higher risk of incidences of AHREs (Figure 1). Conclusions LV stiffness assessed by DWS predicts AHREs in patients with PMI. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None