Multi-parametric analyses to investigate dependencies of normal left atrial strain by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking

Multiparametric Cardiovascular MRI Assessment of Post-COVID Syndrome in Children in Comparison to Matched Healthy Individuals

BACKGROUND

Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) can adversely affect the quality of life of patients and their families. In particular, the degree of cardiac impairment in children with PCS is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify potential cardiac inflammatory sequelae in children with PCS compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

This single-center, prospective, intraindividual, observational study assesses cardiac function, global and segment-based strains, and tissue characterization in 29 age- and sex-matched children with PCS and healthy children using a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTS

Cardiac MRI was carried out over 36.4 ± 24.9 weeks post-COVID infection. The study cohort has an average age of 14.0 ± 2.8 years, for which the majority of individuals experience from fatigue, concentration disorders, dyspnea, dizziness, and muscle ache. Children with PSC in contrast to the control group exhibited elevated heart rate (83.7 ± 18.1 beats per minute vs 75.2 ± 11.2 beats per minute, P = 0.019), increased indexed right ventricular end-diastolic volume (95.2 ± 19.2 mlm -2 vs 82.0 ± 21.5 mlm -2 , P = 0.018) and end-systolic volume (40.3 ± 7.9 mlm -2 vs 34.8 ± 6.2 mlm -2 , P = 0.005), and elevated basal and midventricular T1 and T2 relaxation times ( P < 0.001 to P = 0.013). Based on the updated Lake Louise Criteria, myocardial inflammation is present in 20 (69%) children with PCS. No statistically significant difference was observed for global strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac MRI revealed altered right ventricular volumetrics and elevated T1 and T2 mapping values in children with PCS, suggestive for a diffuse myocardial inflammation, which may be useful for the diagnostic workup of PCS in children.

Heart Failure Preserved Ejection Fraction in Women: Insights Learned from Imaging

While the prevalence of heart failure, in general, is similar in men and women, women experience a higher rate of HFpEF compared to HFrEF. Cardiovascular risk factors, parity, estrogen levels, cardiac physiology, and altered response to the immune system may be at the root of this difference. Studies have found that in response to increasing age and hypertension, women experience more concentric left ventricle remodeling, more ventricular and arterial stiffness, and less ventricular dilation compared to men, which predisposes women to developing more diastolic dysfunction. A multi-modality imaging approach is recommended to identify patients with HFpEF. Particularly, appreciation of sex-based differences as described in this review is important in optimizing the evaluation and care of women with HFpEF.

Assessment of pulmonary artery stiffness by multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance-surrogate for right heart catheterization

Background

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allows for multiparametric assessment of healthy pulmonary artery (PA) hemodynamics. Gender- and aging-associated PA stiffness and pressure alterations have remained clinically unestablished, however may demonstrate epidemiological differences in disease development. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of CMR as a surrogate for catheter examinations by providing a comprehensive CMR assessment of sex- and age-related reference values for PA stiffness, flow, and pressure.

Methods and Results

PA hemodynamics were studied between gender and age groups (>/<50 years) using phase-contrast CMR. Corresponding correlation analyses were performed. 179 healthy volunteers with a median age of 32.6 years (range 11.3-68.2) were examined. Males demonstrated increased PA compliance (median [interquartile range] or mean ± standard deviation) (20.8 mm2/mmHg [16.6; 25.8] vs. 19.2 ± 7.1 mm2/mmHg; P < 0.033), higher pulse wave velocity (2.00 m/s [1.35; 2.87] vs. 1.73 m/s [1.19; 2.34]; P = 0.018) and a reduced full width half maximum (FWHM) (219 ± 22 ms vs. 235 ± 23 ms; P < 0.001) than females. Mean, systolic, diastolic PA pressure and pulmonary proportional pulse pressure were significantly elevated for males compared to females (P < 0.001). Older subjects (>50 years) exhibited reduced PA elasticity (41.7% [31.0; 52.9] vs. 66.4% [47.7; 83.0]; P < 0.001), reduced PA compliance (15.4 mm2/mmHg [12.3; 20.7] vs. 21.3 ± 6.8 mm2/mmHg; P < 0.001), higher pulse wave velocity (2.59 m/s [1.57; 3.59] vs. 1.76 m/s [1.24; 2.34]; P < 0.001) and a reduced FWHM (218 ± 29 ms vs. 231 ± 21 ms; P < 0.001) than younger subjects.

Conclusions

Velocity-time profiles are dependent on age and gender. PA stiffness indices deteriorate with age. CMR has potential to serve as a surrogate for right heart catheterization.