Aortic stiffness is increased in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome being in early necrotic phase

Cardiac Mechanics and Valvular and Vascular Abnormalities in Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is considered to be a rare myeloproliferative disease that is characterized by persistent eosinophilia with associated multiple-organ damage. The heart is often involved in HES, representing a major cause of morbidity and mortality. HES is a heterogeneous group of disorders; the majority of the cases are idiopathic. Summarizing the findings regarding myocardial, valvular, and vascular abnormalities in a series of patients with HES, most studies found normal left ventricular (LV) volumes with reduced LV global longitudinal strain and LV apical rotation and twist in HES cases, accompanied by increased left atrial (LA) volumes and stroke volumes, reduced peak LA circumferential strain (representing systolic abnormalities), and mitral annular dilation and functional deterioration. Regarding the right heart, preserved right ventricular volumes and functional properties, increased right atrial volumes, mild RA functional abnormalities, and dilated tricuspid annular dimensions without functional impairment could be seen in these studies. Aortic and pulmonary valves showed no specific disease-related alterations. Vascular abnormalities included increased aortic stiffness without dilation of the aorta and pulmonary hypertension in some cases. These results suggest disease-specific but relatively mild myocardial, valvular, and vascular abnormalities in HES. The present review aimed to summarize the available clinical data about cardiac mechanics and valvular and vascular abnormalities in a series of patients with HES.

Left ventricular rotational mechanics in hypereosinophilic syndrome-Analysis from the three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR-Path Study

INTRODUCTION

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a very heterogeneous group of disorders with varied etiologies characterized by peripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic tissue/end-organ damage. Three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3DSTE) was used for assessment of left ventricular (LV) rotational mechanics in HES patients.

METHODS

The study comprised 13 HES patients, from which one patient was excluded due to insufficient image quality. The remaining patient population consisted of 12 HES cases (mean age: 59.7 ± 13.7 years, eight males). The control group consisted of 36 healthy volunteers (mean age: 52.9 ± 8.3 years, 23 males). 3DSTE was used for the evaluation of LV rotational abnormalities.

RESULTS

Both LV apical rotation (4.86 ± 1.92 degree vs 10.07 ± 3.92 degree, P < .0001) and LV twist (8.52 ± 2.79 degree vs 14.41 ± 4.26 degree, P < .0001) showed significant deteriorations in most of HES patients. Time-to-peak LV apical rotation (380 ± 115 ms vs 344 ± 69 ms, P = .56), LV basal rotation (335 ± 148 ms vs 337 ± 111 ms, P = .89), and LV twist (348 ± 91 ms vs 320 ± 60 ms, P = .64) were not significantly different between HES patients and controls. No correlations could be detected between absolute eosinophil count and eosinophil ratio and apical LV rotation (r = 0.12, P = .51 and r = 0.23, P = .45, respectively) and LV twist (r = 0.24, P = .39 and r = 0.31, P = .34, respectively). In two subjects, the absence of LV twist called LV "rigid body rotation" (RBR) was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced LV apical rotation and twist could be demonstrated in HES. LV-RBR could be detected in some HES patients.