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Scharf JL, Dracopoulos C, Gembicki M, Rody A, Welp A, Weichert J. How automated techniques ease functional assessment of the fetal heart: Applicability of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography for comprehensive analysis of global and segmental cardiac deformation using fetalHQ®. Echocardiography 2024; 41:e15833. [PMID: 38873982 DOI: 10.1111/echo.15833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal echocardiographic assessment of fetal cardiac function has become increasingly important. Fetal two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) allows the determination of global and segmental functional cardiac parameters. Prenatal diagnostics is relying increasingly on artificial intelligence, whose algorithms transform the way clinicians use ultrasound in their daily workflow. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of whether less experienced operators can handle and might benefit from an automated tool of 2D-STE in the clinical routine. METHODS A total of 136 unselected, normal, singleton, second- and third-trimester fetuses with normofrequent heart rates were examined by targeted ultrasound. 2D-STE was performed separately by beginner and expert semiautomatically using a GE Voluson E10 (FetalHQ®, GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL). Several fetal cardiac parameters were calculated (end-diastolic diameter [ED], sphericity index [SI], global longitudinal strain [EndoGLS], fractional shortening [FS]) and assigned to gestational age (GA). Bland-Altman plots were used to test agreement between both operators. RESULTS The mean maternal age was 33 years, and the mean maternal body mass index prior to pregnancy was 24.78 kg/m2. The GA ranged from 16.4 to 32.0 weeks (average 22.9 weeks). Averaged endoGLS value of the beginner was -18.57% ± 6.59 percentage points (pp) for the right and -19.58% ± 5.63 pp for the left ventricle, that of the expert -14.33% ± 4.88 pp and -16.37% ± 5.42 pp. With increasing GA, right ventricular endoGLS decreased slightly while the left ventricular was almost constant. The statistical analysis for endoGLS showed a Bland-Altman-Bias of -4.24 pp ± 8.06 pp for the right and -3.21 pp ± 7.11 pp for the left ventricle. The Bland-Altman-Bias of the ED in both ventricles in all analyzed segments ranged from -.49 mm ± 1.54 mm to -.10 mm ± 1.28 mm, that for FS from -.33 pp ± 11.82 pp to 3.91 pp ± 15.56 pp and that for SI from -.38 ± .68 to -.15 ± .45. CONCLUSIONS Between both operators, our data indicated that 2D-STE analysis showed excellent agreement for cardiac morphometry parameters (ED and SI), and good agreement for cardiac function parameters (EndoGLS and FS). Due to its complexity, the application of fetal 2D-STE remains the domain of scientific-academic perinatal ultrasound and should be placed preferably in the hands of skilled operators. At present, from our perspective, an implementation into clinical practice "on-the-fly" cannot be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jann Lennard Scharf
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christoph Dracopoulos
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Gembicki
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Achim Rody
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Amrei Welp
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jan Weichert
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
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Qi Y, Chen Z, Guo B, Liu Z, Wang L, Liu S, Xue L, Ma M, Yin Y, Li Y, Liu G. Speckle-tracking echocardiography provides sensitive measurements of subtle early alterations associated with cardiac dysfunction in T2DM rats. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2023; 23:266. [PMID: 37217862 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-023-03239-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic cardiomyopathy results in cardiac structural and functional abnormalities. Previous studies have demonstrated that inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway increases the injury resistance of cardiomyocytes. The early detection of cardiac structural and functional alterations may facilitate an improved understanding of the pathophysiologic progress and guide therapy. This study aimed to identify the optimal diagnostic measures for the subtle early alterations of cardiac dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. METHODS Twenty-four rat models were divided into four groups and received treatments for 4 weeks: the CON group (control rats), the DM group (T2DM rats), the DMF group (T2DM rats receiving fasudil) and the CONF group (control rats receiving fasudil) group. Left ventricular (LV) structure was quantified by histological staining and transmission electron microscopy. LV function and myocardial deformation were assessed by high-frequency echocardiography. RESULTS Treatment with fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor, significantly protected against diabetes-induced myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Impaired LV performance was found in T2DM rats, as evidenced by significant reductions in the ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS) and the mitral valve (MV) E/A ratio (which decreased 26%, 34% and 20%, respectively). Fasudil failed to improve the conventional ultrasonic parameters in T2DM rats, but the myocardial deformation measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) were significantly improved (global circumferential strain, GCS: P = 0.003; GCS rate, GCSR: P = 0.021). When receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used in combination with linear regression analysis, STE parameters were found to be characterized by both optimal prediction of cardiac damage [AUC (95% CI): fractional area change, FAC: 0.927 (0.744, 0.993); GCS: 0.819 (0.610, 0.945); GCSR: 0.899 (0.707, 0.984)] and stronger correlations with cardiac fibrosis (FAC: r = -0.825; GCS: r = 0.772; GCSR: r = 0.829) than conventional parameters. CONCLUSION The results suggest that STE parameters are more sensitive and specific than conventional parameters in predicting the subtle cardiac functional changes that occur in the early stage, providing new insight into the management of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchao Qi
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyan Chen
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingyan Guo
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijie Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Suyun Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Meifang Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Handan Central Hospital, Handan, 056008, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yajuan Yin
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Structural Heart Disease, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cardiac Injury Repair Mechanism Study, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Heart and Metabolism, Shijiazhuang, 050031, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongjun Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
- Heart Center, The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
- Hebei International Joint Research Center for Structural Heart Disease, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Cardiac Injury Repair Mechanism Study, Shijiazhuang, 050031, Hebei, People's Republic of China.
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Heart and Metabolism, Shijiazhuang, 050031, People's Republic of China.
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Sustained Elevated Circulating Activin A Impairs Global Longitudinal Strain in Pregnant Rats: A Potential Mechanism for Preeclampsia-Related Cardiac Dysfunction. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040742. [PMID: 35203391 PMCID: PMC8870359 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mediators of cardiac injury in preeclampsia are not well understood. Preeclamptic women have decreased cardiac global longitudinal strain (GLS), a sensitive measure of systolic function that indicates fibrosis and tissue injury. GLS is worse in preeclampsia compared to gestational hypertension, despite comparable blood pressure, suggesting that placental factors may be involved. We previously showed that Activin A, a pro-fibrotic factor produced in excess by the placenta in preeclampsia, predicts impaired GLS postpartum. Here, we hypothesized that chronic excess levels of Activin A during pregnancy induces cardiac dysfunction. Rats were assigned to sham or activin A infusion (1.25–6 µg/day) on a gestational day (GD) 14 (n = 6–10/group). All animals underwent blood pressure measurement and comprehensive echocardiography followed by euthanasia and the collection of tissue samples on GD 19. Increased circulating activin A (sham: 0.59 ± 0.05 ng/mL, 6 µg/day: 2.8 ± 0.41 ng/mL, p < 0.01) was associated with impaired GLS (Sham: −22.1 ± 0.8%, 6 µg/day: −14.7 ± 1.14%, p < 0.01). Activin A infusion (6 µg/day) increased beta-myosin heavy chain expression in heart tissue, indicating cardiac injury. In summary, our findings indicate that increasing levels of activin A during pregnancy induces cardiac dysfunction and supports the concept that activin A may serve as a possible mediator of PE-induced cardiac dysfunction.
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Pregnancy Complications Lead to Subclinical Maternal Heart Dysfunction—The Importance and Benefits of Follow-Up Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58020296. [PMID: 35208619 PMCID: PMC8877943 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are frequent and influence not only fetal outcomes but also the maternal cardiac function. GDM and HDP may act as a proxy for increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk later in life. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a relatively new imaging technique that provides more sensitive assessment than conventional echocardiography of the maternal cardiac function. Recent research suggests that STE can be used during pregnancy and postpartum as a useful method of early detection of subclinical maternal cardiac changes related to pregnancy complications, such as GDM and HDP, and as an indicator for future maternal cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this review was to underline the current value of STE in the follow-up protocol of high-risk pregnant women, as a mean for pre- and postpartum monitoring. A review of the literature was conducted in the PubMed database to select relevant articles regarding the association of STE changes and HDP or GDM in the prenatal and postpartum maternal evaluations. Both GDM and HDP are associated with subtle myocardial changes in shape, size and function; these preclinical cardiac changes, often missed by conventional evaluation, can be detected using STE. Left ventricular global circumferential strain might be an important predictor of maternal cardiovascular disorders and might help to define a high-risk group that requires regular monitoring later in life and timely intervention.
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Chau K, Welsh M, Makris A, Hennessy A. Progress in preeclampsia: the contribution of animal models. J Hum Hypertens 2022; 36:705-710. [PMID: 34837033 PMCID: PMC8617007 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-021-00637-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Recent advances have been made in understanding the nature of placental dysfunction causing preeclampsia, and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. The contribution of animal studies in the understanding of the effects of inadequate placentation on blood pressure and other target organs will be explored in this review. This will include technical aspects of animal studies in pregnancy, as well as the translation of data regarding newly discovered pathological pathways, in particular the angiogenic pathway, into targets in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Chau
- grid.460687.b0000 0004 0572 7882Department of Renal Medicine, Blacktown Hospital, Blacktown, NSW Australia ,grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XHeart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Mikala Welsh
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia. .,Heart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - Angela Makris
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XHeart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1005.40000 0004 4902 0432South Western Sydney Clinical School, UNSW, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Annemarie Hennessy
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XHeart Research Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.482212.f0000 0004 0495 2383Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW Australia ,grid.460708.d0000 0004 0640 3353Campbelltown Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Campbelltown, NSW Australia
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Ferreira BD, Barros T, Moleiro ML, Guedes-Martins L. Preeclampsia and Fetal Congenital Heart Defects. Curr Cardiol Rev 2022; 18:80-91. [PMID: 35430980 PMCID: PMC9896419 DOI: 10.2174/1573403x18666220415150943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction, impaired implantation and placental insufficiency have been identified as mechanisms behind the development of pre-eclampsia, resulting in angiogenic factors' alteration. Angiogenic imbalance is also associated with congenital heart defects, and this common physiologic pathway may explain the association between them and pre-eclampsia. This review aims to understand the physiology shared by these two entities and whether women with pre-eclampsia have an increased risk of fetal congenital heart defects (or the opposite). The present research has highlighted multiple vasculogenic pathways associated with heart defects and preeclampsia, but also epigenetic and environmental factors, contributing both. It is also known that fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease have an increased risk of several comorbidities, including intrauterine growth restriction. Moreover, the impact of pre-eclampsia goes beyond pregnancy as it increases the risk for following pregnancies and for diseases later in life in both offspring and mothers. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with these conditions, it is of foremost importance to understand how they are related and its causative mechanisms. This knowledge may allow earlier diagnosis, an adequate surveillance or even the implementation of preventive strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tânia Barros
- Address correspondence to this author at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, P.O. Box: 4050-313, Porto, Portugal; Tel/Fax: +351917518938; E-mail:
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