Stress echocardiography expert consensus statement: European Association of Echocardiography (EAE) (a registered branch of the ESC)

Pulmonary haemodynamics during recovery from maximum incremental cycling exercise

Assessment of cardiac function during exercise can be technically demanding, making the recovery period a potentially attractive diagnostic window. However, the validity of this approach for exercise pulmonary haemodynamics has not been validated.The present study, therefore, evaluated directly measured pulmonary haemodynamics during 2-min recovery after maximum invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients evaluated for unexplained exertional intolerance. Based on peak exercise criteria, patients with exercise pulmonary hypertension (ePH; n=36), exercise pulmonary venous hypertension (ePVH; n=28) and age-matched controls (n=31) were analysed.By 2-min recovery, 83% (n=30) of ePH patients had a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) <30 mmHg and 96% (n=27) of ePVH patients had a pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) <20 mmHg. Sensitivity of pulmonary hypertension-related haemodynamic measurements during recovery for ePH and ePVH diagnosis was ≤25%. In ePVH, pulmonary vascular compliance (PVC) returned to its resting value by 1-min recovery, while in ePH, elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and decreased PVC persisted throughout recovery.In conclusion, we observed that mPAP and PAWP decay quickly during recovery in ePH and ePVH, compromising the sensitivity of recovery haemodynamic measurements in diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. ePH and ePVH had different PVR and PVC recovery patterns, suggesting differences in the underlying pulmonary hypertension pathophysiology.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in rheumatology: Current status and recommendations for use

Targeted therapies in connective tissue diseases (CTDs) have led to improvements of disease-associated outcomes, but life expectancy remains lower compared to general population due to emerging co-morbidities, particularly due to excess cardiovascular risk. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a noninvasive imaging technique which can provide detailed information about multiple cardiovascular pathologies without using ionizing radiation. CMR is considered the reference standard for quantitative evaluation of left and right ventricular volumes, mass and function, cardiac tissue characterization and assessment of thoracic vessels; it may also be used for the quantitative assessment of myocardial blood flow with high spatial resolution and for the evaluation of the proximal coronary arteries. These applications are of particular interest in CTDs, because of the potential of serious and variable involvement of the cardiovascular system during their course. The International Consensus Group on CMR in Rheumatology was formed in January 2012 aiming to achieve consensus among CMR and rheumatology experts in developing initial recommendations on the current state-of-the-art use of CMR in CTDs. The present report outlines the recommendations of the participating CMR and rheumatology experts with regards to: (a) indications for use of CMR in rheumatoid arthritis, the spondyloarthropathies, systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis of small, medium and large vessels, myositis, sarcoidosis (SRC), and scleroderma (SSc); (b) CMR protocols, terminology for reporting CMR and diagnostic CMR criteria for assessment and quantification of cardiovascular involvement in CTDs; and (c) a research agenda for the further development of this evolving field.

Combination of single quantitative parameters into multiparametric model for ischemia detection is not superior to visual assessment during dobutamine stress echocardiography

Background

To evaluate if the combination of several quantitative parameters into a mathematical model would enhance the detection of myocardial ischemia during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) when compared to conventional wall motion analysis.

Methods

In a prospective study design 151 patients (age 61.8 ± 9.2) in test group and 105 patients (age 64.0 ± 10.6) in validation group were selected and underwent DSE between January 2008 and December 2012. In all patients coronary angiography was performed within 6-8 weeks from DSE, considering at least one stenosis ≥50 % per patient as significant coronary artery disease (CAD). Results of DSE visual assessment and myocardial velocity, strain and strain rate parameters derived from speckle tracking imaging were imported automatically to an originally created software. A mathematical model calculating prognosis of at least one stenosis per patient and stenosis in separate arteries was constructed.

Results

Myocardial ischemia was visually detected in 60 (39.7 %) and in 58 (54.2 %) patients of the test and validation group, respectively. A total of 76 (50.3 %) patients in the test group and 69 patients (65.7 %) in the validation group had ≥50 % coronary stenosis. Sensitivity and specificity of the mathematical model per patient in the test group were 91.6 % and 86.3 % compared to 76.8 % and 89.0 % of the visual assessment, respectively. However, in the validation group the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value dropped down significantly becoming lower to visual assessment.

Conclusions

Myocardial deformation imaging may potentially replace visual assessment with an automated predictive model for stress-induced ischemia detection. However, a multiparametric mathematical model based on quantitative deformation markers did not demonstrate incremental value to visual assessment of wall motion.

Speckle-tracking global longitudinal strain as an early predictor of cardiotoxicity in breast carcinoma

PURPOSE

Recent development in anticancer therapies for breast carcinoma allowed an improvement in patients' survival, notwithstanding a parallel increase of cardiovascular morbidity. Cardiotoxicity of anticancer therapies represents a relevant problem due to its insidious onset and potentially irreversible cardiac damage. The aim of the present study was to test whether 2D speckle tracking analysis can help in predicting overt systolic dysfunction.

METHODS

A "real world" cohort of 69 patients with breast carcinoma undergoing adjuvant and/or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was tested 2D-speckle tracking analysis before the beginning of chemotherapy and every 3 months for 1 year. Clinical data, 12-lead ECGs, and lab tests were collected according to the same visit protocol.

RESULTS

Over 1-year follow-up, 19 patients (27 %) developed cardiac dysfunction according to the CREC criteria, with an average onset time from enrolment of 6.8 months. A global longitudinal strain (GLS) threshold ≥-16 % at 3 months from chemotherapy was able to predict subsequent systolic dysfunction development with high sensitivity (80 %) and specificity (90 %) and a negative predictive value of 92 %. After the introduction of cardioprotective drugs, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) progressively recovered, while alterations of GLS persisted at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Strain imaging with 2D speckle tracking allows the identification of patients at low-risk for chemotherapy-related systolic dysfunction and can help optimizing resources allocations and improving follow-up quality. GLS can also provide a more accurate prognostic index of resolved systolic dysfunction when compared to standard LVEF.

Refractory Hypotension after Liver Allograft Reperfusion: A Case of Dynamic Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction

Hypotension after reperfusion is a common occurrence during liver transplantation following the systemic release of cold, hyperkalemic, and acidic contents of the liver allograft. Moreover, the release of vasoactive metabolites such as inflammatory cytokines and free radicals from the liver and mesentery, compounded by the hepatic uptake of blood, may also cause a decrement in systemic perfusion pressures. Thus, the postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) can materialize if hypotension and fibrinolysis occur concomitantly within 5 min of reperfusion. Treatment of the PRS may require the administration of inotropes, vasopressors, and intravenous fluids to maintain hemodynamic stability. However, the occurrence of the PRS and its treatment with inotropes and calcium chloride may lead to dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (DLVOTO) precipitating refractory hypotension. Expedient diagnosis of DLVOTO with transesophageal echocardiography is extremely vital in order to avoid potential cardiovascular collapse during this critical period.

Simultaneous Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion, Wall Motion, and Deformation during Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography: A Feasibility Study

AIMS

Ultrasound contrast agents may be used for the assessment of regional wall motion and myocardial perfusion, but are generally considered not suitable for deformation analysis. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility of deformation imaging on contrast-enhanced images using a novel methodology.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We prospectively enrolled 40 patients who underwent stress echocardiography with continuous intravenous infusion of SonoVue for the assessment of myocardial perfusion imaging with flash replenishment technique. We compared longitudinal strain (Lε) values, assessed with a vendor-independent software (2D CPA), on 68 resting contrast-enhanced and 68 resting noncontrast recordings. Strain analysis on contrast recordings was evaluated in the first cardiac cycles after the flash. Tracking of contrast images was deemed feasible in all subjects and in all views. Contrast administration improved image quality and increased the number of segments used for deformation analysis. Lε of noncontrast and contrast-enhanced images were statistically different (-18.8 ± 4.5% and -22.8 ± 5.4%, respectively; P < 0.001), but their correlation was good (ICC 0.65, 95%CI 0.42-0.78). Patients with resting wall-motion abnormalities showed lower Lε values on contrast recordings (-18.6 ± 6.0% vs. -24.2 ± 5.5%, respectively; P < 0.01). Intra-operator and inter-operator reproducibility was good for both noncontrast and contrast images with no statistical differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that deformation analysis on postflash contrast-enhanced images is feasible and reproducible. Therefore, it would be possible to perform a simultaneous evaluation of wall-motion abnormalities, volumes, ejection fraction, perfusion defects, and cardiac deformation on the same contrast recording.

Myocardial perfusion echocardiography and coronary microvascular dysfunction

Our understanding of coronary syndromes has evolved in the last two decades out of the obstructive atherosclerosis of epicardial coronary arteries paradigm to include anatomo-functional abnormalities of coronary microcirculation. No current diagnostic technique allows direct visualization of coronary microcirculation, but functional assessments of this circulation are possible. This represents a challenge in cardiology. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was a breakthrough in echocardiography several years ago that claimed the capability to detect myocardial perfusion abnormalities and quantify coronary blood flow. Research demonstrated that the integration of quantitative MCE and fractional flow reserve improved the definition of ischemic burden and the relative contribution of collaterals in non-critical coronary stenosis. MCE identified no-reflow and low-flow within and around myocardial infarction, respectively, and predicted the potential functional recovery of stunned myocardium using appropriate interventions. MCE exhibited diagnostic performances that were comparable to positron emission tomography in microvascular reserve and microvascular dysfunction in angina patients. Overall, MCE improved echocardiographic evaluations of ischemic heart disease in daily clinical practice, but the approval of regulatory authorities is lacking.

Coronary calcification with no flow limiting lesions: A potential cause for ischaemic dysfunction in syndrome X patients

Aim

Exertional angina in patients with no coronary flow limiting lesions remains a clinical puzzle. We aimed to assess the extent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) and its relationship to ventricular wall motion function using stress echocardiography in a group of patients limited by exertional angina, but no obstructive lesions.

Methods

We compared CT coronary calcium score (CACS) and dobutamine stress echocardiography in 55 patients (age 64.7 ± 7.7 years), divided into Group 1 (CACS ≤ 100) and Group 2 (CACS > 100). No patient had LV ejection fraction-EF < 55%, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmia, renal failure or parathyroid disease. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the association between gender-standardized continuous echocardiographic parameters and patient groups adjusted for age, body surface area, osteoporosis and CV risk factors and CACS.

Results

At rest, LV long axis ‘subendocardial’ function was reduced (amplitude: β − 1.11 SD, p < 0.05, R² 0.6 and systolic velocity: β − 1.08 SD, p < 0.05, R² 0.44), left atrial (LA) indexed volume was raised (β 1.06 SD, p < 0.05, R² 0.37) and its systolic velocity decreased (β − 1.05 SD, p < 0.05, R² 0.35) in Group 2. With stress, wall motion score index increased (p < 0.05) and long axis disturbances worsened only in the same group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated clear relationship between ischaemic LV disturbances, reduced long axis amplitude, global longitudinal systolic strain and early diastolic strain rate. Resting and stress RV lengthening velocity also correlated with CAC score.

Conclusion

In symptomatic patients with no obstructive coronary lesions and with more than mild CAC, long axis disturbances and wall motion score index rise occur with stress, at the time of symptom development and correlate with severity of arterial calcification. These findings suggest CAC as a potential mechanism for coronary wall stiffness and consequently exertional ischaemic changes as a result of limited flow reserve.

Stress echocardiography in paediatrics: implications for the evaluation of anomalous aortic origin of the coronary arteries

Stress echocardiography in paediatrics is used to evaluate pre- and post-operative coronary artery conditions, as well as to gain haemodynamic information for a variety of diagnoses, although evidence regarding sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value is lacking. This review will consider the available literature with a focus on anomalous aortic origin of the coronary arteries and discuss a practical approach to test selection and use.

Prognostic value of non-invasive stress testing for coronary artery disease in obese patients

Detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) in obese patients remains a challenge but can have substantial prognostic implications for this patient group. Until now, sufficient data was not available on which to base the selection of the imaging modality in obese patients. The decision on which imaging modality to use should therefore follow the general guidelines. In this article, the authors discuss the prognostic value of the different non-invasive stress testing methods for CAD in obese patients.

Incremental value of exercise echocardiography over exercise electrocardiography in a chest pain unit

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available on the added value of exercise echocardiography (ExEcho) over exercise electrocardiography (ExECG) in patients with suspected acute coronary syndromes (ACS) referred to a chest pain unit. We aimed to assess the incremental value of ExEcho over ExECG in this setting.

METHODS

ExECG and ExEcho were performed in parallel in 1052 patients with suspected ACS, nondiagnostic but interpretable electrocardiograms, and negative serial troponin results. The primary outcome was a composite of coronary death, nonfatal myocardial infarction or unstable angina with angiographic documentation of significant coronary artery disease within 6 months.

RESULTS

The primary outcome occurred in 2/614 patients (0.3%) with both negative ExECG and ExEcho, 3/60 (5%) with positive ExECG and negative ExEcho, 73/135 (54.1%) with negative ExECG and positive ExEcho, 106/136 (77.9%) with both positive ExECG and ExEcho, and 8/107 (7.5%) with inconclusive results. The addition of ExEcho data to a model based on clinical and ExECG data significantly increased the c statistic from 0.898 to 0.968 (change +0.070, 95% confidence interval 0.052-0.092), with a continuous net reclassification improvement of 1.56 and an integrated discrimination improvement of 22% (p<0.001). Decision curve analysis showed that a strategy of referral to coronary angiography based on ExEcho was associated with the highest net benefit and with the largest reduction in unnecessary coronary angiographies.

CONCLUSION

ExEcho provides significant incremental prognostic information and higher net clinical benefit than a strategy based on ExECG in patients referred to a chest pain unit for suspected ACS and negative troponin levels.

Ivabradine reduces myocardial stunning in patients with exercise-inducible ischaemia

Ivabradine is an effective treatment for angina in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and for heart failure. Experiments in a canine model have shown that ivabradine reduces both acute left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and post-ischaemic stunning. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ivabradine on LV dysfunction and stunning in patients with CAD and exercise-inducible ischaemia. Fifteen patients with ejection fraction >40 % and heart rate >70 bpm were enrolled. After pharmacologic washout, echocardiography was performed at rest, at peak treadmill exercise and during recovery until return to baseline. After 2 weeks of ivabradine (7.5 mg bid) stress echocardiography was repeated at the same workload achieved during washout. Peak global and segmental (ischaemic vs. remote normal segments) LV longitudinal strain (LS) was assessed by 2D speckle tracking analysis. At washout, LS was significantly impaired in ischaemic compared to remote segments at peak stress and for several minutes during recovery. After ivabradine a smaller, albeit still significant, impairment of LS in ischaemic segments was observed at peak whilst no difference with remote segments was present during recovery. Furthermore, the average global LS value improved significantly after treatment. In conclusion, ivabradine reduces both acute LV dysfunction and stunning in patients with CAD and exercise-inducible ischaemia. We hypothesise that this mechanism might contribute to reduce chronic LV dysfunction in patients with CAD. In this setting the drug might limit the development of hibernating myocardium which is believed to result from repeated episodes of ischaemia and stunning.

Left Bundle Branch Block Negatively Affects Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve and Myocardial Contractile Reserve in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and myocardial contractile reserve are often impaired in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Whether they are affected by the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) remains unaddressed. The aim of the study was to investigate how LBBB influences CFVR of the LAD and myocardial contractile reserve in patients with DCM.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-one patients with DCM (116 men; mean age, 63 ± 12 years) underwent high-dose dipyridamole (0.84 mg/kg over 6 min) stress echocardiography with CFVR evaluation of the LAD by Doppler. All patients had ejection fractions < 40% (mean, 31 ± 8%) and angiographically normal or near normal coronary arteries. CFVR was defined as the ratio between hyperemic peak and basal peak diastolic coronary flow velocities. CFVR > 2.0 was considered normal. Inotropic reserve was defined as rest-stress variation in wall motion score index ≥ 0.20. This was a prospective analysis of an unselected sample consecutively enrolled and retrospectively selected.

RESULTS

The study group was separated on the basis of presence (n = 122) or absence (n = 59) of LBBB. Patients with LBBB were older (64 ± 11 vs 59 ± 12 years, P = .004) and had reduced resting ejection fractions (30 ± 9% vs 33 ± 7%, P = .02), CFVR of the LAD (1.96 ± 0.41 vs 2.23 ± 0.73, P = .001), and myocardial contractile reserve (variation in wall motion score index, -0.18 ± 0.17 vs -0.33 ± 0.28; P < .001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, resting ejection fraction (hazard ratio [HR], 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03-1.29; P = .01), smoking habit (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.23-5.62; P = .01), and LBBB (HR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.05-5.04; P = .04) were independently associated with reduced CFVR, while restrictive transmitral pattern (HR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.18-5.55; P = .02), end-diastolic volume (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.67-0.99; P = .02), and LBBB (HR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.11-4.34; P = .02) independently predicted reduced myocardial contractile reserve.

CONCLUSIONS

CFVR during vasodilator stress echocardiography is a suitable tool for assessing microvascular dysfunction in routine clinical practice. Patients with DCM and LBBB show more severe forms of microvascular dysfunction, which is related to worse left ventricular function and lack of contractile reserve. Therapeutic interventions to restore microvascular function may improve left ventricular function parameters in patients with DCM.

Ivabradine and Bisoprolol on Doppler-derived Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Beyond the Heart Rate

Introduction

Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is an important prognostic marker in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Beta-blockers and ivabradine have been shown to improve CFVR in patients with stable CAD, but their effects were never compared. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of bisoprolol and ivabradine on CFVR in patients with stable CAD.

Methods

Patients in sinus rhythm with stable CAD were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. Patients had to be in a stable condition for at least 15 days before enrollment, on their usual therapy. Patients who were receiving beta-blockers or ivabradine entered a 2-week washout period from these drugs before randomization. Transthoracic Doppler-derived CFVR was assessed in left anterior descending coronary artery, and was calculated as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline diastolic coronary flow velocity (CFV). Hyperemic CFV was obtained using dipyridamole administration using standard protocols. After CFVR assessment, patients were randomized to ivabradine or bisoprolol and entered an up-titration phase, and CFVR was assessed again 1 month after the end of the up-titration phase.

Results

Fifty-nine patients (38 male, 21 female; mean age 69 ± 9 years) were enrolled. Transthoracic Doppler-derived assessment of CFV and CFVR was successfully performed in all patients. Baseline characteristics were similar between the bisoprolol and ivabradine groups. No patient dropped out during the study. At baseline, rest and hyperemic peak CFV as well as CFVR was not significantly different in the ivabradine and bisoprolol groups. After the therapy, resting peak CFV significantly decreased in both the ivabradine and bisoprolol groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups (ivabradine group 20.7 ± 4.6 vs. 22.8 ± 5.2, P < 0.001; bisoprolol group 20.1 ± 4.1 vs. 22.1 ± 4.3, P < 0.001). However, hyperemic peak CFV significantly increased in both groups, but to a greater extent in patients treated with ivabradine (ivabradine: 70.7 ± 9.4 vs. 58.8 ± 9.2, P < 0.001; bisoprolol: 65 ± 8.3 vs. 58.7 ± 8.2, P < 0.001). Accordingly, CFVR significantly increased in both groups (ivabradine 3.52 ± 0.64 vs. 2.67 ± 0.55, P < 0.001; bisoprolol 3.35 ± 0.70 vs. 2.72 ± 0.55, P < 0.001), but it was significantly higher in ivabradine group, despite a similar decrease in heart rate (63 ± 7 vs. 61 ± 6; P not significant).

Conclusion

Ivabradine improves hyperemic peak CFV and CFVR to a greater extent than bisoprolol in patients with stable CAD, despite a similar decrease in heart rate. These data demonstrate that the benefits from ivabradine therapy go beyond the heart rate. This could be due to a different mechanism such as diastolic perfusion time, isovolumic ventricular relaxation, end-diastolic pressure, and collaterals.

Funding

Servier.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12325-015-0237-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessment of dipyridamole stress echocardiography for risk stratification of diabetic patients

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in medical therapy, cardiovascular disease, mainly coronary artery disease (CAD), remains the leading cause of mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). The objective of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of dipyridamole stress echocardiography in identify diabetic patients at high risk for cardiovascular events.

METHODS

Dipyridamole stress echocardiography was administered to 483 diabetic patients (294 women; mean age 63.41 ± 11.28 years) between July 2006 and December 2012.

RESULTS

Follow-up data were available for 264 patients (163 women; mean age 64.3 ± 10.5 years): 250 with a negative stress echocardiography and 14 with a positive stress echo. During a mean follow-up time of 18 ± 14 months, a cardiovascular event occurred in 18 (6.8%) patients, 12 (4.8%) in patients with a negative stress echo (n = 250) during a mean follow-up period of 20 ± 16 months and 6 (42%) in patients with positive stress echo (n = 14) during a mean follow-up of 13 ± 13 months. The positive and negative predictive values of stress echocardiography were 42% and 96% respectively. The accuracy value was 92%. A Cox regression model showed that CAD (hazard ratio [HR] 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-15.4; p = 0.002) and positive stress echocardiography (HR 7.1, 95% CI 2.5-20.5; p < 0.001) were significant predictors of cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with diabetes, a negative dipyridamole stress echocardiogram predicts favorable outcome during the first year of follow-up. A new stress imaging test should be done after 12 months in diabetic patients.

Typical blood pressure response during dobutamine stress echocardiography of patients without known cardiovascular disease who have normal stress echocardiograms

AIMS

Blood pressure (BP) responses during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) have not been systematically studied. Consequently, it is not known what constitutes a normal or an abnormal BP response to dobutamine stress. We sought to define the typical BP response during DSE of patients not known to have cardiovascular disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Of 24 134 patients who underwent DSE from November 2003 to December 2012 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2968 were selected for inclusion in this retrospective study. Excluded were patients with a history of hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease, and those taking vasoactive medications. Patients who had baseline and/or stress-induced wall motion abnormalities were also excluded. The distribution of the study population's BP responses during DSE was Gaussian; we defined cut-point values for normative BP responses at 2 SD for each decade of age and for the whole study population. During DSE, systolic BP (SBP) increased from baseline to peak stress (Δ +2.9 ± 24 mmHg, P < 0.0001) and diastolic BP (DBP) decreased (Δ -7.4 ± 14 mmHg). BP changes were age and sex dependent; men and younger patients had greater ΔSBP and lesser ΔDBP, compared with women and older patients. Patients who received atropine had higher peak BP values than patients who did not receive atropine, due to greater ΔSBP (+7.4 ± 26 vs. -0.5 ± 22 mmHg, P < 0.0001) and lesser ΔDBP (-4 ± 14 vs. -9.7 ± 12 mmHg, P < 0.0001). This atropine effect was present in men and women, and was more pronounced in younger patients. The normative peak SBP values ranged from 82 to 182 mmHg.

CONCLUSION

BP responses during DSE vary and depend on patients' age, gender, and the use of atropine. We describe the typical BP responses seen during DSE and report normative reference values, which can be used for defining normal and abnormal BP responses to dobutamine stress.

Coronary flow reserve during dobutamine stress in Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES

Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (TSC) is an increasingly recognised and diagnosed disease, although the underlying pathophysiology is still unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effect of the catecholamine dobutamine on coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured non-invasively in patients with TSC and controls. Our hypothesis was that dobutamine stress can induce microvascular dysfunction in patients with a previous episode of TSC.

SETTING

This is a case-control study and a substudy of the Stockholm Myocardial Infarction with Normal Coronaries (SMINC) study. Elective dobutamine investigations were performed focusing on non-invasive measurements of CFR. The investigations were performed more than 6 months after the acute event.

PARTICIPANTS

22 patients with a previous episode of TSC and 22 sex-matched and age-matched controls were recruited from the SMINC study. All patients with TSC had a previous normal cardiovascular MR investigation.

RESULTS

CFR at low-dose dobutamine was significantly lower in the TSC group compared with controls, 1.51 and 1.72, respectively (p=0.017). At high-dose dobutamine, CFR was 1.95 and 2.21 in the TSC group and controls, respectively (p=0.098).

CONCLUSIONS

We could not confirm that the catecholamine dobutamine induced microvascular dysfunction in patients with TSC. However, we found a small but significant difference in CFR at low-dose dobutamine, which implies that the role of microvascular function in TSC needs to be further explored.

Coronary Flow Velocity Reserve Assessment with Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography

Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) reflects global coronary atherosclerotic burden, endothelial function and state of the microvasculature. It could be measured using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in a non-invasive, feasible, reliable and reproducible fashion, following a standardised protocol with different vasodilatory stimuli. CFVR measurement is a recommended complement to vasodilator stress echocardiography. It could serve as a diagnostic tool for coronary microvascular dysfunction and in the setting of epicardial coronary artery stenoses could help in identification and assessment of functional significance of coronary lesions and follow-up of patients after coronary interventions. CFVR has also a prognostic significance in different clinical situations.

Prediction of mortality by stress echocardiography in 2835 diabetic and 11 305 nondiabetic patients

BACKGROUND

To compare the capability by stress echocardiography results to predict overall mortality in a large unselected cohort of diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study group comprised 14 140 patients (2835 diabetics and 11 305 nondiabetics) who underwent stress echocardiography for evaluation of known (n=5671) or suspected (n=8469) coronary artery disease. Ischemia at stress echocardiography was observed in 768 (27%) diabetics and 2644 (23%) nondiabetics. During a median follow-up of 30 months (first quartile, 9; third quartile, 63), 1213 patients died. In diabetics, multivariable indicators of mortality were age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.09), rest wall motion abnormality (HR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.83-3.22), and ischemia at stress echocardiography (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.34-2.18). In nondiabetics, multivariable indicators of mortality were age (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.06-1.08), rest wall motion abnormality (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.86-2.57), male sex (HR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.41-1.93), ischemia at stress echocardiography (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.32-1.80), and antischemic therapy at the time of test (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32). In stress echo negative subjects for ischemia, antischemic therapy showed increased annual mortality in nondiabetic patients with (3.8% versus 3.1%; P=0.04) or without rest wall motion abnormality (1.6% versus 0.9%; P<0.0001); it failed to do so in diabetic patients with (5.7% versus 5.8%; P=0.89) or without rest wall motion abnormality (2.6% versus 1.9%; P=0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Ischemia at stress echocardiography is a strong and independent predictor of total mortality in diabetic as well as nondiabetic patients. Antischemic therapy markedly affects the negative predictive value of stress echocardiography in nondiabetic patients, whereas it is prognostically neutral in the diabetic population.

Principles of transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation

Transthoracic echocardiography is the most widely used imaging test in cardiology. Although completely noninvasive, transthoracic echocardiography has a well-established role in the diagnosis of numerous cardiovascular diseases, and also provides critical qualitative and quantitative information on their prognosis and pathophysiological processes. The aim of this Review is to outline the broad principles of transthoracic echocardiography, including the traditional techniques of two-dimensional, colour, and spectral Doppler echocardiography, and newly developed advances including tissue Doppler, myocardial deformation imaging, torsion, stress echocardiography, contrast and three-dimensional echocardiography. The advantages and disadvantages, clinical application, prognostic value, and salient research findings of each modality are described. Advances in complex imaging techniques are expected to continue unabated, and this Review highlights technical improvements that will influence the diagnosis and improve our understanding of cardiovascular function and disease.

Dual imaging stress echocardiography versus computed tomography coronary angiography for risk stratification of patients with chest pain of unknown origin

Background

Dual imaging stress echocardiography, combining the evaluation of wall motion and coronary flow reserve (CFR) on the left anterior descending artery (LAD), and computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) are established techniques for assessing prognosis in chest pain patients. In this study we compared the prognostic value of the two methods in a cohort of patients with chest pain having suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

A total of 131 patients (76 men; age 68 ± 9 years) with chest pain of unknown origin underwent dipyridamole (up to 0.84 mg/kg over 6 min) stress echo with CFR assessment of LAD by Doppler and CTCA. A CFR ≤ 1.9 was considered abnormal, while > 50% lumen diameter reduction was the criterion for significant CAD at CTCA.

Results

Of 131 patients, 34 (26%) had ischemia at stress echo (new wall motion abnormalities), and 56 (43%) had reduced CFR on LAD. Significant coronary stenosis at CTCA was found in 69 (53%) patients. Forty-six patients (84%) with abnormal CFR on LAD showed significant CAD at CTCA (p < 0.001). Calcium score was higher in patients with reduced than in those with normal CFR (265 ± 404 vs 131 ± 336, p = 0.04). During a median follow-up of 7 months (1st to 3rd quartile: 5–13 months), there were 45 major cardiac events (4 deaths, 11 nonfatal myocardial infarctions, and 30 late [≥6 months] coronary revascularizations). At Cox analysis, independent prognostic indicators were calcium score > 100 (HR 2.84, 95% CI 1.33-6.07, p = 0.007), significant CAD at CTCA (HR 2.68, 95% CI 1.23-5.82, p = 0.013), and inducible ischemia or CFR <1.9R on LAD on dual imaging stress echo (HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.05-4.84, p = 0.038).

Conclusions

Functional and anatomical evaluation using, respectively, dual imaging stress echocardiography and CTCA are both effective modalities to risk stratify patients with chest pain of unknown origin, yielding independent and comparable prognostic value. Compared to CTCA, however, stress echocardiography has the advantage of lower cost and of being free of radiations.

Differing autonomic responses to dobutamine stress in the presence and absence of myocardial ischaemia

KEY POINTS

Dobutamine stress echocardiography is a validated tool for the non-invasive evaluation of myocardial ischaemia and enables the recording of heart rate variability in non-resting conditions. In this study we determined whether individuals with transient myocardial ischaemia had different autonomic responses to the stress of dobutamine infusion compared to non-ischaemic (normal) responders. Non-ischaemic responders had a residual predominance of parasympathetic over sympathetic activity. However, under conditions of myocardial ischaemia, there was a directionally opposite cardiac autonomic response with a residual increase of sympathetic over parasympathetic modulation. The sympathetic response to dobutamine stress is augmented as the burden of myocardial ischaemia is increased.

ABSTRACT

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction has prognostic significance in patients with coronary artery disease. This investigation aimed to assess changes in autonomic modulation induced by dobutamine stress in the presence and absence of myocardial ischaemia. In total, 314 individuals underwent dobutamine stress echocardiography to detect or exclude myocardial ischaemia. Simultaneous autonomic and haemodynamic data were obtained using a plethysmographic device. Total power spectral density and associated low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) power spectral components in absolute (ms(2) ) and normalised units (nu) were determined. Participants were categorised as non-ischaemic (NI) or ischaemic (IS) responders. There were no significant differences in LFnu or HFnu between groups at baseline. At peak stress, LFnu decreased from baseline in NI (43 ± 1.8 to 40 ± 1.8%), but increased from baseline in IS responders (39.5 ± 2 to 56 ± 2%, P < 0.05). In contrast, HFnu increased in NI patients (57 ± 1.8 to 60 ± 1.8%) but decreased in IS responders (60.5 ± 2 to 44 ± 2%, P < 0.05). Those with a high ischaemic burden [more than three ischaemic left ventricular (LV) segments] had a greater increase in LFnu (41 ± 4.8 to 65 ± 3.2% vs. 44.8 ± 3.8 to 57.7 ± 3.1%, P < 0.05) and greater decrease in HFnu (59 ± 4.8 to 35 ± 3.2% vs. 55.2 ± 3.8 to 42.3 ± 3.1%, P < 0.05) compared to patients with a low ischaemic burden (1-3 ischaemic LV segments) respectively, at peak stress. In the absence of myocardial ischaemia, dobutamine stress is associated with a residual predominance of parasympathetic over sympathetic activity. Under conditions of ischaemia, there is a directionally opposite autonomic response with a significant residual increase of sympathetic over parasympathetic modulation. This response is augmented as the burden of ischaemia is increased.

Dobutamine stress echocardiography in the diagnosis of asymptomatic ischemic heart disease in patients with chronic kidney disease--review of literature and single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) may be present in kidney transplant (KT) candidates without the presence of CAD clinical symptoms. This study joins an ongoing discussion about appropriate noninvasive diagnostic approaches for ischemic heart disease (IHD) assessment and patient selection for revascularization procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in IHD diagnosis in initially asymptomatic maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

Forty HD patients aged 52.4 ± 2.0 years, were studied for 2.5 years. At inclusion, they were free of both symptoms and history of IHD. Standard electrocardiography (ECG), chest X-ray, standard echocardiography, DSE, 24-hour Holter ECG, and Doppler ultrasonography (carotids and lower extremities) were performed. Results were analyzed according to a predefined diagnostic algorithm.

RESULTS

DSE yielded negative results in all patients. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction ≤ 60%, LV hypertrophy, and Holter ECG silent ischemia features were noticed in 15%, 70%, and 10% of patients, respectively. Atherosclerotic lesions in lower extremities and carotid arteries were present in 50% and 37.5% of patients, respectively. During the follow-up, 9/40 patients died, including 6 cardiovascular (CV) deaths: 2 with intermediate and 4 with high CV risk according to the proposed algorithm.

CONCLUSIONS

In asymptomatic KT candidates, not only DSE, but also other noninvasive tests (eg, echocardiography and Doppler ultrasonography of the carotid and peripheral arteries) along with a detailed profile of the remaining CV risk factors should be performed and analyzed. Defined composition of risk factors and particular changes in noninvasive tests may be an indication for coronary angiography.

Prognostic importance of tissue velocity imaging during exercise echocardiography in patients with systolic heart failure

Resting echocardiography measurements are poor predictors of exercise capacity and symptoms in patients with heart failure (HF). Stress echocardiography may provide additional information and can be expressed using left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), or diastolic parameters (E/E'), but LVEF has some major limitations. Systolic annular velocity (S') provides a measure of longitudinal systolic function, which is relatively easy to obtain and shows a good relationship with exercise capacity. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among S', E/E' and LVEF obtained during stress echocardiography and both mortality and hospitalisation. A secondary objective was to compare S' measured using a simplified two-wall model. A total of 80 patients with stable HF underwent exercise stress echocardiography and simultaneous cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Volumetric and tissue velocity imaging (TVI) measurements were obtained, as was peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). Of the total number of patients, 11 died and 22 required cardiac hospitalisation. S' at peak exertion was a powerful predictor for death and hospitalisation. Cut-off points of 5.3 cm/s for death and 5.7 cm/s for hospitalisation provided optimum sensitivity and specificity. This study suggests that, in patients with systolic HF, S' at peak exertion calculated from the averaged spectral TVI systolic velocity of six myocardial segments, or using a simplified measure of two myocardial segments, is a powerful predictor of future events and stronger than LVEF, diastolic velocities at rest or exercise and VO2 peak. Results indicate that measuring S' during exercise echocardiography might play an important role in understanding the likelihood of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

Role of multimodality cardiac imaging in the management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an expert consensus of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Endorsed by the Saudi Heart Association

Taking into account the complexity and limitations of clinical assessment in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), imaging techniques play an essential role in the evaluation of patients with this disease. Thus, in HCM patients, imaging provides solutions for most clinical needs, from diagnosis to prognosis and risk stratification, from anatomical and functional assessment to ischaemia detection, from metabolic evaluation to monitoring of treatment modalities, from staging and clinical profiles to follow-up, and from family screening and preclinical diagnosis to differential diagnosis. Accordingly, a multimodality imaging (MMI) approach (including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac nuclear imaging) is encouraged in the assessment of these patients. The choice of which technique to use should be based on a broad perspective and expert knowledge of what each technique has to offer, including its specific advantages and disadvantages. Experts in different imaging techniques should collaborate and the different methods should be seen as complementary, not as competitors. Each test must be selected in an integrated and rational way in order to provide clear answers to specific clinical questions and problems, trying to avoid redundant and duplicated information, taking into account its availability, benefits, risks, and cost.

A New Integrated Clinical-Biohumoral Model to Predict Functionally Significant Coronary Artery Disease in Patients With Chronic Chest Pain

BACKGROUND

In patients with chronic angina-like chest pain, the probability of coronary artery disease (CAD) is estimated by symptoms, age, and sex according to the Genders clinical model. We investigated the incremental value of circulating biomarkers over the Genders model to predict functionally significant CAD in patients with chronic chest pain.

METHODS

In 527 patients (60.4 years, standard deviation, 8.9 years; 61.3% male participants) enrolled in the European Evaluation of Integrated Cardiac Imaging (EVINCI) study, clinical and biohumoral data were collected.

RESULTS

Functionally significant CAD-ie, obstructive coronary disease seen at invasive angiography causing myocardial ischemia at stress imaging or associated with reduced fractional flow reserve (FFR < 0.8), or both-was present in 15.2% of patients. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were the only independent predictors of disease among 31 biomarkers analyzed. The model integrating these biohumoral markers with clinical variables outperformed the Genders model by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) (area under the curve [AUC], 0.70 [standard error (SE), 0.03] vs 0.58 [SE, 0.03], respectively, P < 0.001) and reclassification analysis (net reclassification improvement, 0.15 [SE, 0.07]; P = 0.04). Cross-validation of the ROC analysis confirmed the discrimination ability of the new model (AUC, 0.66). As many as 56% of patients who were assigned to a higher pretest probability by the Genders model were correctly reassigned to a low probability class (< 15%) by the new integrated model.

CONCLUSIONS

The Genders model has a low accuracy for predicting functionally significant CAD. A new model integrating HDL cholesterol, AST, and hs-CRP levels with common clinical variables has a higher predictive accuracy for functionally significant CAD and allows the reclassification of patients from an intermediate/high to a low pretest likelihood of CAD.

Prognostic value of Doppler echocardiographic-derived coronary flow velocity reserve of left anterior descending artery in octogenarians with stress echocardiography negative for wall motion criteria

AIMS

Doppler-derived coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) of left anterior descending (LAD) artery is an effective tool to predict overall mortality. The aim was to investigate the capability of CFVR to predict outcome in an unselected cohort of patients older than 80 years having stress echo negative by wall motion criteria.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study group refers to 369 patients aged > 80 years (156 men; mean age 83 ± 2 years) who had undergone dipyridamole stress echocardiography with CFVR assessment of LAD artery of known (n = 144) or suspected (n = 225) coronary artery disease. Stress echocardiography was negative for wall motion criteria in all cases. Mean CFVR was 2.07 ± 0.53. During a median follow-up of 21 months, there were 62 major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; 45 deaths and 17 non-fatal myocardial infarctions). With a receiver operating characteristic analysis, a CFVR of ≤ 1.93 was the best cut-off for predicting mortality and MACE. At individual patient analysis, 152 (41%) subjects had a CFVR of < 1.93. Annual mortality was 9.8% in patients with CFVR <1.93 and 3.7% in those with CFVR > 1.93 (P = 0.001); an annual MACE rate was 14.8% in the former and 4.5% in the latter (P < 0.0001). Of 15 clinical and echocardiographic parameters analysed, CFVR ≤ 1.93 [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.17, 95% CI 1.14-4.10] and resting wall motion abnormality (RWMA; HR = 2.60; 95% CI 1.35-5.00) were multivariable indicators of mortality. Moreover, CFVR ≤ 1.93 (HR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.56-4.67), and RWMA (HR = 2.38; 95% CI 1.31-4.33) were also strong independent predictors of MACEs. At incremental analysis, CFR ≤ 1.93 added prognostic information over clinical evaluation and RWMA when both mortality and MACE were taken as clinical end points.

CONCLUSIONS

A reduced CFVR of LAD artery is a strong and independent indicator of both mortality and MACE, adding prognostic information over clinical evaluation and RWMA. Conversely, a preserved CFVR predicts a favourable outcome particularly in subjects with no RWMA.

[Immediate and remote results of endovascular treatment of patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis]

Two approaches in treatment of 131 patients with postinfarction cardiosclerosis are compared in the work. Tactics of "total" myocardial revascularization means restoration of coronary blood flow in all arteries with hemodynamically significant lesion while "selective" revascularization provides restoration of coronary blood flow only in those arteries which have a viable myocardium in their pool. It was concluded that restoration of coronary blood flow in patients after myocardial infarction permits to prevent postinfarction heart remodeling, development of heart failure thereby affecting on the prognosis. Evaluation of myocardial viability in the area of suggested surgery increases efficiency of revascularization, reduces number of implantable stents and decreases frequency of unfounded coronary interventions. Elimination of ischemia in the area of hibernation provides a rapid restoration of myocardial contractility in most of left ventricle segments with initially impaired kinetics. It was revealed that terms of contractility restoration of hibernating myocardium depend on duration of hibernation period up to revascularization.

Appropriateness criteria for cardiovascular imaging use in heart failure: report of literature review

The Imaging Task Force appointed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) identified the need to develop appropriateness criteria for the use of cardiovascular imaging in heart failure as a result of continuously increasing demand for imaging in diagnosis, definition of aetiology, follow-up, and treatment planning. This article presents the report of literature review performed in order to inform the process of definition of clinical indications and to aid the decisions of the appropriateness criteria voting panel. The report is structured according to identified common heart failure clinical scenarios.

Dobutamine stress for evaluation of right ventricular reserve in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Right ventricular contractile response to pharmacological stress in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has not been characterised. We evaluated right ventricular contractile reserve in adults with PAH using dobutamine stress echocardiography.

16 PAH patients and 18 age-matched controls underwent low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography. Contractile reserve was assessed by the change (Δ; peak stress minus rest value) in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (S′). A subgroup of 13 PAH patients underwent treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise testing for peak oxygen uptake (V′O2peak).

At rest, TAPSE and S′ were reduced in the PAH group compared with controls (1.7±0.4 versus 2.4±0.2 cm and 9.7±2.6 versus 12.5±1.2 cm·s−1, respectively; p<0.05). Contractile reserve was markedly attenuated in PAH compared to controls (ΔTAPSE 0.1±0.2 versus 0.6±0.3 cm and ΔS′ 4.6±2.8 versus 11.2±3.6 cm·s−1; p<0.0001). In the sub-group of PAH patients with preserved right ventricular systolic function at rest, contractile reserve remained depressed compared to controls. V′O2peak was significantly correlated with ΔS′ (r=0.87, p=0.0003) and change in stroke volume (r=0.59, p=0.03).

Dobutamine stress can reveal sub-clinical reduction in right ventricular contractile reserve in patients with PAH. A correlation with exercise capacity suggests potential clinical value beyond resting measurements.

Comparison of exercise electrocardiogram and exercise echocardiography in intermediate-risk chest pain patients

BACKGROUND

The novel exercise computer-assisted high-frequency QRS analysis (HF/QRS) has demonstrated improved sensitivity and specificity over the conventional ST/electrocardiogram-segment analysis (ST/ECG) in the detection of myocardial ischemia. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic value of the validated exercise echocardiography (ex-Echo) with the novel exercise ECG (ex-ECG) including HF/QRS and ST/ECG analysis.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted in the emergency department of a tertiary care teaching Hospital. Patients with chest pain (CP), normal resting ECGs, troponins, and echocardiography, labeled as "intermediate-risk" for adverse coronary events, underwent the novel ex-ECG and ex-Echo. An ST-segment depression of at least 2 mV or at least 1 mV when associated with CP was considered as an index of ischemia, as well as a decrease of at least 50% in HF/QRS intensity, or new wall motion abnormalities on ex-Echo. Exclusion criteria were QRS duration of at least 120 milliseconds, poor echo-acoustic window, and inability to exercise. Patients were followed up to 3 months. The end point was the composite of coronary stenoses of 50% or greater at angiography or acute coronary syndrome, revascularization, and cardiovascular death on the 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 188 patients enrolled, 18 achieved the end point. The novel ex-ECG and ex-Echo showed comparable negative predictive value (97% vs 96%; P = .930); however, sensitivity was 83% vs 61%, respectively (P = .612), and specificity was 64% vs 92%, respectively,(P = .026). The areas on receiver operating characteristic analysis were comparable (ex-ECG: 0.734 [95% confidence interval, or CI, 0.62-0.85] vs ex-Echo: 0.767 [CI, 0.63-0.91]; C statistic, P = .167). On multivariate analysis, both ex-ECG (hazard ratio, 5; CI, 1-20; P = .017) and ex-Echo (HR, 12; CI, 4-40; P < .001) were predictors of the end point.

CONCLUSIONS

In intermediate-risk CP patients, the novel ex-ECG including HF/QRS added to ST/ECG analysis was a valuable diagnostic tool and might be proposed to avoid additional imaging. However, the novel test needs additional study before it can be recommended as a replacement for current techniques.

The value of assessing myocardial deformation at recovery after dobutamine stress echocardiography

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether performing an assessment of myocardial deformation using speckle tracking imaging during the recovery period after dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) allows detection of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with chest discomfort.

Methods

DSE and coronary angiography were performed in 44 patients with chest discomfort. The mean global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS) was measured at rest, at low stress (dobutamine infusion rate of 10 µg/kg/min) and at recovery (5 min after cessation of dobutamine infusion) of DSE using automated function imaging with apical views. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) was also performed in patients with intermediate coronary stenosis. CAD was defined as having a ≥ 70% diameter stenosis on coronary angiography or as having a FFR < 0.8. Patients were divided two groups based on the absence or presence of CAD [CAD (-) group vs. CAD (+) group].

Results

There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics and results of conventional echocardiography between the two groups. GLS at recovery was lower in the CAD (+) group than in the CAD (-) group (-18.0 ± 3.4% vs. -21.0 ± 1.9%, p = 0.003). The optimal cutoff of GLS at recovery for detection of CAD was -19% (sensitivity of 70.6%, specificity of 83.3%).

Conclusion

Assessment of GLS at recovery of DSE is a reliable and objective method for detection of CAD. This finding may suggest that systolic myocardial stunning remains even after recovery of wall motion abnormalities in patients with CAD.

Vulnerability to sympathetic stress does not persist in takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to investigate whether dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) could induce abnormal cardiac function in takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (TSC) patients in a stable condition after the acute attack.

METHODS AND RESULTS

This was a case-control study and a substudy of the Stockholm Myocardial Infarction With Normal Coronaries (SMINC) study. Twenty-two patients with a previous episode of TSC and 22 sex- and age-matched control subjects were recruited from the SMINC study and investigated with the use of DSE. All TSC patients had a previous normal cardiovascular magnetic resonance investigation. Tissue Doppler imaging-derived time phases of the cardiac cycle were recorded to calculate myocardial performance index (MPI) to assess ventricular function. Compared with control subjects at rest, TSC patients had a slightly but significantly higher left ventricular MPI (LV-MPI; 0.53 vs 0.59; P = .01) and as a trend higher right ventricular MPI (0.38 vs 0.47; P = .08), although during DSE these variables did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

We found no difference in standard diastolic parameters between TSC and control subjects, but a significant higher value in LV-MPI in the TSC group at rest. However, no such difference could be demonstrated during DSE between the groups, indicating that vulnerability to sympathetic stimulation does not persist in TSC patients.

Non-ischaemic cardiac conditions: role of stress echocardiography

Stress echocardiography (SE) has a unique ability for simultaneous assessment of both functional class and exercise-related haemodynamic changes and as such is increasingly recognised for the evaluation of non-coronary artery disease pathologies. Some indications such as valvular heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have been well established already, while others such as diastolic exercise testing are emerging of late. This paper addresses the main and best established indications for SE in non-ischaemic conditions, providing a practical perspective correlated with updated guidelines.