The value of contrast dobutamine stress echocardiography on detecting coronary artery disease in overweight and obese patients

The impact of severe obesity on image quality and ventricular function assessment in echocardiography and cardiac MRI

This study sought to evaluate the impact of severe obesity on image quality and ventricular function assessment in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MRI) and trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE). We studied 100 consecutive patients who underwent clinically indicated cardiac MRI and TTE studies within 12 months between July 2017 and December 2020; 50 (28 females and 22 males; 54.5 ± 18.7 years) with normal body mass index (BMI) (18.5-25 kg/m2) and 50 (21 females and 29 males; 47.2 ± 13.3 years) with severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2). MRI and TTE image quality scores were compared within and across cohorts using a linear mixed model. Categorical left (LVF) and right (RVF) ventricular function were compared using Cohens Kappa statistic. Mean BMI for normal weight and obese cohorts were 22.2 ± 1.7 kg/m2 and 50.3 ± 5.9 kg/m2, respectively. Out of a possible 93 points, mean MRI image quality score was 91.5 ± 2.5 for patients with normal BMI, and 88.4 ± 5.5 for patients with severe obesity; least square (LS) mean difference 3.1, p = 0.460. TTE scores were 64.2 ± 13.6 for patients with normal BMI and 46.0 ± 12.9 for patients with severe obesity, LS mean difference 18.2, p < 0.001. Ventricular function agreement between modalities was worse in the obese cohort for both LVF (72% vs 80% agreement; kappa 0.53 vs 0.70, obese vs. normal BMI), and RVF (58% vs 72% agreement, kappa 0.18 vs 0.34, obese vs. normal BMI). Severe obesity had limited impact on cardiac MRI image quality, while obesity significantly degraded TTE image quality and ventricular function agreement with MRI.

Obesity and Anesthesia: Challenges in the Perioperative Period

The obesity epidemic has significant implications for all aspects of healthcare. The physiological changes of obesity affect every area of perioperative medicine. In this article, we discuss several anesthetic concerns regarding obesity. We will specifically discuss preoperative evaluation, perioperative challenges, and postoperative pain control and monitoring.

Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

The global obesity epidemic is well established, with increases in obesity prevalence for most countries since the 1980s. Obesity contributes directly to incident cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and sleep disorders. Obesity also leads to the development of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease mortality independently of other cardiovascular risk factors. More recent data highlight abdominal obesity, as determined by waist circumference, as a cardiovascular disease risk marker that is independent of body mass index. There have also been significant advances in imaging modalities for characterizing body composition, including visceral adiposity. Studies that quantify fat depots, including ectopic fat, support excess visceral adiposity as an independent indicator of poor cardiovascular outcomes. Lifestyle modification and subsequent weight loss improve both metabolic syndrome and associated systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. However, clinical trials of medical weight loss have not demonstrated a reduction in coronary artery disease rates. In contrast, prospective studies comparing patients undergoing bariatric surgery with nonsurgical patients with obesity have shown reduced coronary artery disease risk with surgery. In this statement, we summarize the impact of obesity on the diagnosis, clinical management, and outcomes of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and arrhythmias, especially sudden cardiac death and atrial fibrillation. In particular, we examine the influence of obesity on noninvasive and invasive diagnostic procedures for coronary artery disease. Moreover, we review the impact of obesity on cardiac function and outcomes related to heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction. Finally, we describe the effects of lifestyle and surgical weight loss interventions on outcomes related to coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

Clinical practice of contrast echocardiography: recommendation by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) 2017

Contrast echocardiography is widely used in cardiology. It is applied to improve image quality, reader confidence and reproducibility both for assessing left ventricular (LV) structure and function at rest and for assessing global and regional function in stress echocardiography. The use of contrast in echocardiography has now extended beyond cardiac structure and function assessment to evaluation of perfusion both of the myocardium and of the intracardiac structures. Safety of contrast agents have now been addressed in large patient population and these studies clearly established its excellent safety profile. This document, based on clinical trials, randomized and multicentre studies and published clinical experience, has established clear recommendations for the use of contrast in various clinical conditions with evidence-based protocols.

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.

Assessment of Myocardial Ischemia in Obese Individuals Undergoing Physical Stress Echocardiography (PSE)

BACKGROUND

Physical stress echocardiography is an established methodology for diagnosis and risk stratification of coronary artery disease in patients with physical capacity. In obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) the usefulness of pharmacological stress echocardiography has been demonstrated; however, has not been reported the use of physical stress echocardiography in this growing population group.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency of myocardial ischemia in obese and non-obese patients undergoing physical stress echocardiography and compare their clinical and echocardiographic differences.

METHODS

4,050 patients who underwent treadmill physical stress echocardiography were studied according to the Bruce protocol, divided into two groups: obese (n = 945; 23.3%) and non-obese (n = 3,105; 76.6%).

RESULTS

There was no difference regarding gender. Obese patients were younger (55.4 ± 10.9 vs. 57.56 ± 11.67) and had a higher frequency of hypertension (75.2% vs. 57, 2%; p < 0.0001), diabetis mellitus (15.2% vs. 10.9%; p < 0.0001), dyslipidemia (59.5% vs 51.9%; p < 0.0001), family history of coronary artery disease (59.3% vs. 55.1%; p = 0.023) and physical inactivity (71.4% vs. 52.9%, p < 0.0001). The obese had greater aortic dimensions (3.27 vs. 3.14 cm; p < 0.0001), left atrium (3.97 vs. 3.72 cm; p < 0.0001) and the relative thickness of the ventricule (33.7 vs. 32.8 cm; p < 0.0001). Regarding the presence of myocardial ischemia, there was no difference between groups (19% vs. 17.9%; p = 0.41). In adjusted logistic regression, the presence of myocardial ischemia remained independently associated with age, female gender, diabetes and hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Obesity did not behave as a predictor of the presence of ischemia and the physical stress echocardiography. The application of this assessment tool in large scale sample demonstrates the feasibility of the methodology, also in obese.

Feasibility of SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in the super-obese using a multi-head semiconductor camera with attenuation correction

BACKGROUND

Obesity is not only associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, but also decreases the accuracy of many diagnostic modalities pertinent to this disease. Advances in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) have mitigated somewhat the effects of obesity, although the feasibility of MPI in the super-obese (defined as a BMI > 50) is currently untested. We undertook this study to assess the practicality of MPI in the super-obese using a multi-headed solid-state gamma camera with attenuation correction.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified consecutive super-obese patients referred for MPI at our institution. The images were interpreted by 3 blinded, experienced readers and graded for quality and diagnosis, and subjectively evaluated the contribution of attenuation correction. Clinical follow-up was obtained from review of medical records.

RESULTS

72 consecutive super-obese patients were included. Their BMI ranged from 50 to 67 (55.7 ± 5.1). Stress image quality was considered good or excellent in 45 (63%), satisfactory in 24 (33%), poor in 3 (4%), and uninterpretable in 0 patients. Rest images were considered good or excellent in 34 (49%), satisfactory in 23 (33%), poor in 13 (19%), and uninterpretable in 0 patients. Attenuation correction changed the interpretation in 34 (47%) of studies.

CONCLUSIONS

MPI is feasible and provides acceptable image quality for super-obese patients, although it may be camera and protocol dependent.

Cardiac imaging to investigate suspected cardiac pain in the post-treadmill era

Symptomatic cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions in the UK; along with emergency attendances, over 100,000 patients are investigated using treadmill testing via rapid access chest pain clinics each year. With the introduction of new technologies, clinicians have a wide choice of investigations including nuclear perfusion scanning, dobutamine stress echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography and stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. These imaging modalities have their strengths and weaknesses, which depend not only on the pre-test likelihood of significant coronary artery disease but also the clinical characteristics of the patient. This article will review the differing imaging modalities, the patient experience, accuracy, prognostic data and future prospects for cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Should we target obesity in advanced heart failure?

OPINION STATEMENT

Obesity is a risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF), but has been associated with improved survival in patients with established HF. Weight loss should clearly be recommended and supported for obese individuals without cardiac pathology to prevent cardiomyopathy development. Clinical recommendations at the other end of the obesity heart failure spectrum are also relatively clear. Morbidly obese individuals (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m(2)) aged <50 years with severely depressed systolic function and NYHA class III-IV symptoms should be considered for malabsorptive bariatric surgery at an experienced center. The goal is either improved systolic function and symptoms, or sufficient weight loss for heart transplant eligibility. Recommendations for patients falling between these extremes are more challenging. Overweight and mildly obese HF patients (25-35 kg/m(2)) may be somewhat protected from cardiac cachexia and weight loss is not expected to enhance survival, but may offer symptomatic benefits.

Prognostic value of normal stress echocardiography in obese patients

BACKGROUND

Chest pain is a common problem in obese patients. Because of the body habitus, the results of noninvasive evaluation for CAD may be limited in this group.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of 1446 consecutive patients who had undergone clinically indicated stress echocardiography (SE). We compared major adverse cardiac events (MACE; myocardial infarction, cardiac intervention, cardiac death, subsequent hospitalization for cardiac events, and emergency department visits) at 1 year in normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects with normal SE.

RESULTS

Excluding patients with an abnormal and indeterminate SE and those who were lost to follow-up, a retrospective analysis of 704 patients was performed. There were 366 obese patients (BMI ≥ 30), 196 overweight patients (BMI 25-29.9), and 142 patients with normal BMI (18.5-24.9). There was no MACE in the groups at 1-year follow-up after a normal SE.

CONCLUSIONS

In obese patients including those with multiple risk factors and symptoms concerning for cardiac ischemia, stress echocardiography is an effective and reliable noninvasive tool for identifying those with a low 1-year risk of cardiac events.

Stress echocardiography with contrast for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease: an evidence-based analysis

In July 2009, the Medical Advisory Secretariat (MAS) began work on Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging Technologies for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), an evidence-based review of the literature surrounding different cardiac imaging modalities to ensure that appropriate technologies are accessed by patients suspected of having CAD. This project came about when the Health Services Branch at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care asked MAS to provide an evidentiary platform on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of non-invasive cardiac imaging modalities.After an initial review of the strategy and consultation with experts, MAS identified five key non-invasive cardiac imaging technologies for the diagnosis of CAD. Evidence-based analyses have been prepared for each of these five imaging modalities: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, single photon emission computed tomography, 64-slice computed tomographic angiography, stress echocardiography, and stress echocardiography with contrast. For each technology, an economic analysis was also completed (where appropriate). A summary decision analytic model was then developed to encapsulate the data from each of these reports (available on the OHTAC and MAS website).The Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging Technologies for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease series is made up of the following reports, which can be publicly accessed at the MAS website at: www.health.gov.on.ca/mas or at www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/mas/mas_about.htmlSINGLE PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: An Evidence-Based AnalysisSTRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: An Evidence-Based AnalysisSTRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH CONTRAST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: An Evidence-Based Analysis64-Slice Computed Tomographic Angiography for the Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease: An Evidence-Based AnalysisCARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: An Evidence-Based AnalysisPease note that two related evidence-based analyses of non-invasive cardiac imaging technologies for the assessment of myocardial viability are also available on the MAS website:POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF MYOCARDIAL VIABILITY: An Evidence-Based AnalysisMAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF MYOCARDIAL VIABILITY: an Evidence-Based AnalysisThe Toronto Health Economics and Technology Assessment Collaborative has also produced an associated economic report entitled:The Relative Cost-effectiveness of Five Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging Technologies for Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease in Ontario [Internet]. Available from: http://theta.utoronto.ca/reports/?id=7 OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to compare echocardiography (ECHO) performed with microsphere contrast agents (contrast echocardiography) to ECHO performed without contrast and to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). CONTRAST ECHO: Contrast agents for ECHO have been available since the technology was first introduced in the 1990s. Composed of tiny 'microbubbles' of an inert gas encapsulated within a lipid, protein, or polymer coat, these agents act to scatter incident ultrasound waves at the gas/liquid interface to increase the strength of a returning ECHO signal. When injected into a patient's arm, they are transported throughout even the smallest capillaries to greatly enhance the blood pool signal, which would otherwise appear black on conventional two dimensional ECHO. The enhanced signal then helps cardiologists to determine what parts of the patient's heart muscle are poorly perfused. The first commercially available microsphere contrast agent was Albunex, which received approval by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States in 1994. This original microsphere agent was limited by its rapid gas volume loss which caused a decline in the ultrasound signal. It worked well in the right chambers of the heart, but dissolved when passing through the pulmonary capillaries and so was unable to provide contrast in the left side. Second generation agents employed different gases that prolonged the life of the microbubbles within the circulation and increased the reproducibility of results. Today, the most common use for contrast ECHO is to enhance the definition of the left ventricular (LV) endocardial border for cases of LV opacification. The aim of contrast ECHO is to provide better quantification of LV volume and assessment of LV wall motion than ECHO alone. The newest area of development in the research of contrast ECHO is myocardial perfusion assessment, also known as myocardial contrast ECHO. Theoretically, since myocardial ischemia and infarction affect both perfusion and contractility (wall motion), contrast ECHO could be an ideal non-invasive imaging test as it could assess both perfusion and contractility, simultaneously and in real time. Notably, critically ill patients on ventilators and those with lung problems are more likely to generate poor or 'suboptimal' echocardiograms than other patients, as are obese patients and those who've undergone recent chest operations. Contrast agents can potentially be used in 10% to 15% of all studies and in approximately 33% of stress tests due to from such suboptimal echocardiograms. Stress can be induced either pharmaceutically (e.g., through dobutamine, dipyrimidamole, adenosine) or with exercise. Generally, contrast agents are used more in pharmaceutical stress echocardiograms than in exercise stress echocardiograms. EVIDENCE-BASED ANALYSIS: This MAS analysis sought to address the following research questions: Is contrast ECHO more effective than 99-technetium SPECT in terms its ability to detect CAD?What is the effectiveness of contrast ECHO in assessing patients with suboptimal echocardiograms?Is contrast ECHO safe compared to other cardiac imaging modalities?Is contrast ECHO cost-effective compared to other cardiac imaging modalities?

LITERATURE SEARCH

Literature searches were performed on June 22, 2009 and July 27, 2009 using OVID MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the International Agency for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA) for studies published from January 1, 2004 until June 30, 2009. Abstracts were reviewed by a single reviewer and, for those studies meeting the eligibility criteria; full-text articles were obtained. Reference lists were also examined for any relevant studies not identified through the search.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, prospective observational studies, retrospective analysesMinimum sample size of 20 enrolled patients (human only)The contrast agent used in the study must be licensed by Health CanadaComparison to reference standard (coronary angiography for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease)Reporting accuracy data on individual patients (rather than accuracy data stratified by segments of the heart)English language

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Non-systematic reviews, case reportsGrey literature (e.g. conference abstracts)

OUTCOMES OF INTEREST

Accuracy outcomes (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value)Adverse eventsCosts

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

Twenty-three observational studies were identified that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of contrast ECHO for the diagnosis of CAD. All of these studies used stress ECHO with contrast. In addition, nine retrospective chart reviews were identified, which assessed the safety of contrast ECHO at rest or stress. Based on the results of these studies the following conclusions were made: Stress ECHO with contrast has a higher diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of CAD than stress ECHO (without contrast).Stress ECHO with contrast seems to have a similar diagnostic accuracy to 99 technetium SPECT.The addition of contrast to ECHO in patients with suboptimal ECHO results significantly improves interpretability of the results.There is not a statistically significantly higher mortality rate in patients who receive contrast compared to those who do not.