The value of diastolic speckle-tracking parameters in predicting outcome after surgical ventricular restoration

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research) BMBF (German Ministry of Education and Research)

Background. Parameters of speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) are incorporated into the integrative assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function 1. In this study we aimed to evaluate both established and novel STE parameters of LV diastolic function and their prognostic role in patients with LV anteroapical aneurysm planned for surgical ventricular restoration (SVR).

Methods. We retrospectively examined data of 137 patients (60 ± 11 years, 25% women) with anteroapical LV aneurysm who underwent SVR and for whom preoperative echocardiography was available and feasible for STE and for conventional assessment of LV diastolic function by transmitral flow. STE parameters evaluated were: left atrial reservoir strain (LAS), early and late global diastolic strain rate (GLSRe and GLSRa), ratio of early-to-late diastolic strain rate (GLSRe/GLSRa), and ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) to GLSRe and to GLSRa. In 24 patients we evaluated an association of diastolic echocardiographic parameters with mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWPm) obtained invasively within 6 days of echocardiography. Preoperative echocardiographic parameters were assessed in whole cohort of patients for the association with an outcome, defined as all-cause mortality, LV assist device implantation, or heart transplantation.

Results. During a median follow-up of 4.7 years (IQR: 1.4-8.1 years) events occurred in 59 patients. GLSRa, E/GLSRa and LAS demonstrated significant correlation with PAPm and PCWPm (Table 1). GLSRa with optimal cut-off value of ≤ 0.41 s-1 was able to detect PAPm >30 mmHg with sensitivity of 0.8 and specificity of 0.8 (AUC 0.85; 95% CI 0.68-1.0; p = 0.008). E/GLSRa ≥1.24 m was able to detect PAPm >30 mmHg with sensitivity of 1.0 and specificity of 0.8 (AUC 0.87; 95%CI 0.7-1.0; p = 0.005). There was significant difference in event-free survival between groups stratified by cut-offs for GLSRa (Fig. 1A) and E/GLSRa (Fig. 1B). After adjustment for important clinical (age, sex, plasma creatinine, atrial fibrillation) and echocardiographic parameters (fractional shortening and LV end-systolic volume index) GLSRa and E/GLSRa remained an independent predictors of events (HR 0.16; 95% CI: 0.03-0.86; p = 0.032 and HR 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03-1.43; p = 0.018) and demonstrated higher prognostic value compared to LAS, other STE parameters and conventional parameters of LV diastolic function.

Conclusion. Late diastolic longitudinal strain rate and ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow velocity to late diastolic longitudinal strain rate demonstrated association with hemodynamic parameters in patients with LV anteropaical aneurysm and might be used for the evaluation of LV diastolic function. These parameters showed prognostic value for patients underwent SVR and could be implemented for preoperative evaluation of these patients. Abstract Table 1. Correlation data  Abstract Figure 1. Survival curves

Mechanical unloading by miniature axial flow pumps in late cardiac allograft failure due to acute rejection

Allograft failure secondary to rejection commonly requires a multimodal treatment, ultimately including mechanical circulatory support. A few case reports have demonstrated the use of Impella-devices due to its assumed favorable safety profile in this fragile cohort. However, this treatment option does not play a role in choice of anti-rejective therapy in clinical routine up to date. We summarize our institutional experiences and literature mini-review on Impella-based treatment strategies in allograft rejection after heart transplantation. In all seven cases, three from our institution and four reported in the literature, Impella-based therapies led to hemodynamic stabilization in allograft failure secondary to rejection. Adverse events included hemolysis, non-fatal bleeding and in one patient a relevant aortic valve insufficiency occurred. All patients showed an improvement of allograft function. Two patients died in context of severe immunosuppression or late secondary organ failure. Based on the limited available data, we propose that Impella-mediated mechanical unloading represents a valuable option for hemodynamic stabilization in severe allograft failure due to rejection, enabling an initiation of causal therapy and thereby potentially representing an opportunity to prevent mortality. Furthermore, we hypothesize it might add to the traditional therapeutic approaches by facilitating recovery by decompressing the myocardium in allograft rejection.

Circulatory efficiency in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis before and after aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND

Circulatory efficiency reflects the ratio between total left ventricular work and the work required for maintaining cardiovascular circulation. The effect of severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) and aortic valve replacement (AVR) on left ventricular/circulatory mechanical power and efficiency is not yet fully understood. We aimed to quantify left ventricular (LV) efficiency in patients with severe AS before and after surgical AVR.

METHODS

Circulatory efficiency was computed from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging derived volumetric data, echocardiographic and clinical data in patients with severe AS (n = 41) before and 4 months after AVR and in age and sex-matched healthy subjects (n = 10).

RESULTS

In patients with AS circulatory efficiency was significantly decreased compared to healthy subjects (9 ± 3% vs 12 ± 2%; p = 0.004). There were significant negative correlations between circulatory efficiency and LV myocardial mass (r = - 0.591, p < 0.001), myocardial fibrosis volume (r = - 0.427, p = 0.015), end systolic volume (r = - 0.609, p < 0.001) and NT-proBNP (r = - 0.444, p = 0.009) and significant positive correlation between circulatory efficiency and LV ejection fraction (r = 0.704, p < 0.001). After AVR, circulatory efficiency increased significantly in the total cohort (9 ± 3 vs 13 ± 5%; p < 0.001). However, in 10/41 (24%) patients, circulatory efficiency remained below 10% after AVR and, thus, did not restore to normal values. These patients also showed less reduction in myocardial fibrosis volume compared to patients with restored circulatory efficiency after AVR.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, circulatory efficiency is reduced in patients with severe AS. In 76% of cases, AVR leads to normalization of circulatory efficiency. However, in 24% of patients, circulatory efficiency remained below normal values even after successful AVR. In these patients also less regression of myocardial fibrosis volume was seen. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov NCT03172338, June 1, 2017, retrospectively registered.

Two-dimensional echocardiography compared to cardiac computed tomography for assessment of left ventricular volume and function in patients with anteroapical aneurysm

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background. Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography is widely accepted method for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) morphology and function after myocardial infarction and for initial preoperative evaluation of patients planned for surgical ventricular repair (SVR). Magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac computer tomography (CT) provide more accurate measurements, but not always available.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to compare 2D-echocardiography and CT for preoperative assessment of patients with LV aneurysm in order to optimize the perioperative management in SVR.

Methods. Patients (n = 179, mean age 62.6 ± 11 years, 23.5% women) with LV anteroapical aneurysm due to myocardial infarction were examined by echocardiography and CT before SVR. LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (LVEDV and LVESV) and ejection fraction (EF) obtained by two methods were compared pairwise. Prognostic role for the prediction of all-cause death was assessed for preoperative parameters in multivariate Cox regression model adjusted for patient age, sex, NYHA class, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension.

Results. There was a strong correlation for preoperative LVEDV and LVESV measured by echocardiography and CT (r = 0.85, r = 0.87, p &lt; 0.0001), however volumes obtained by echocardiography were smaller compared to those by CT (Table) with higher difference in patients with more dilated LV, as demonstrated by Bland-Altman analysis (Fig.). No significant difference in mean preoperative EF was observed with moderate correlation between two methods (r = 0.67, p &lt; 0.0001). In total 68 patients died during median follow up of 5.3 years (IQR: 1.7-8.7 years) after SVR. Comparable predictive value was demonstrated for LVEDV measured by CT and echocardiography (for 10 ml increase HR = 1.04, p = 0.004 and HR = 1.06, p = 0.0001), as well as for LVESV (for 10 ml increase HR = 1.04, p = 0.001 and HR = 1.07, p = 0.0001) and for EF (for 5% increase HR = 0.83, p = 0.004 and HR = 0.81, p = 0.004).

Conclusion. In patients with LV aneurysm 2D-echocardiography may be used for the assessment of LV volumes and function and have similar prognostic role compared to CT in patients evaluated for SVR. Underestimation of LV volumes by echocardiography must be considered, especially in patients with more dilated LV.

Comparison of CT and echocardiography Parameter CT Echo Mean difference p-value LVEDV, ml LVESV, ml EF, % 289 ± 104 198 ± 97 34 ± 12 222 ± 81 149 ± 67 35 ± 9 67 ± 56 49 ± 51 -0.9 ± 9.2 &lt;0.0001 &lt;0.0001 0.215 Abstract Figure. Bland-Altman plots for LVEDV and LVESV

Prognostic role of left ventricular diastolic function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography in patients after surgical ventricular repair

Background

Assessment of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function brings important prognostic information for patients with heart failure and could be evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Less known about its role in patients planned for surgical ventricular repair due to LV aneurysm.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of STE parameters of LV diastolic function for prediction of all-cause mortality in patients after surgical ventricular repair.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated data of 163 consecutive pts (mean age 62.3±11.5 years, 74.8% males) with anteroapical LV aneurysm who underwent surgical ventricular repair combined with coronary artery bypass surgery (71.8%) Prognostic role for prediction of all-cause mortality was assessed for various STE parameters, including left atrial strain (LAS) measured as peak reservoir strain and for the ratio of early to late global longitudinal strain rate (GLSRe/GLSRa).

Results

During a median follow-up of 4.7 years (IQR: 1.6–8.9 years) there were 65 deaths, 5 year survival rate was 73.8 (95% CI 67–79%). Baseline ejection fraction, end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes of LV did not differ between pts who died and survived at 5 year after the surgery, whereas LAS was significantly higher and GLSRe/GLSRa was significantly lower in survivors. Cox proportional hazard model adjusted to demographic and clinical variables demonstrated that LAS and GLSRe/GLSRa were independent predictors of all-cause death, with HR of 0.79 (95% CI 0.66–0.95, p=0.012) for each 5% increase of LAS and HR of 1.24 (95% CI 1.1–1.4, p=0.001) for each 0.5 increase of GLSRe/GLSRa. Moreover, GLSRe/GLSRa remained an independent predictor after additional adjustment for LV end-systolic volume, sphericity index and presence of mitral insufficiency of grade 2 and higher. A significant difference in median survival time was demonstrated according to the following cut-offs: LAS ≥16.7% (12.1 vs. 6.4 years, p=0.01), GLSRe/GLSRa ratio ≥2.3 (3.3 years vs. 10.2 years, p=0.0005) (Figure). The classification and regression tree analysis with the application of all two-dimensional, Doppler and various speckle-tracking echocardiographic parameters revealed that GLSRe/GLSRa and LAS were the most important echocardiographic variables for risk stratification for 5-year mortality.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that STE parameters of LV diastolic function are important predictors of all-cause mortality after surgical ventricular repair due to anteroapical aneurysm of LV and could be used in the preoperative decision-making process.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

1036 Prognostic role of left ventricle longitudinal strain for the prediction of survival after surgical ventricular repair

Background

Surgical ventricular repair (SVR) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy is aimed to reshape left ventricle (LV) and reduce its volume in order to improve prognosis and quality of life. There are controversies regarding benefit of SVR, especially in patients with severely enlarged LV.

Purpose

Our purpose was to investigate prognostic value of LV longitudinal strain for survival and for the improvement of LV function after SVR in patients with anteroapical LV aneurysm.

Methods

218 pts (2005-2018, mean age 63.6 ± 11.2y, 73.9% males) with anteroapical LV aneurysm due to myocardial infarction underwent SVR combined with coronary bypass grafting (77.5%), mitral valve repair (18.3%) and LV thrombectomy (22.0%). Preoperative strain analysis was done retrospectively for 146 patients. Prognostic value of strain was tested in pts according to the LV end systolic volume index (LVESVI) with the cut-off value of 60ml/m². In 17 pts 1-year follow-up with strain quantification was done.

Results

During a median follow-up of 3.9 years (IQR: 1.0-6.8 years) there were 68 deaths and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. 30-days survival rate was 93.5% (95%CI: 90.3; 96.9%), 5 year survival – 72.5% (95%CI: 66.0-79.6%). Pts who died were significantly older, with higher proportion of diabetes (DM), peripheral artery disease, renal failure (RF) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Baseline ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) did not differ significantly. Whereas basal longitudinal strain (BLS) was higher (more negative) in pts who survived (-11.4 ± 3% vs. -10.1 ± 4%, p = 0.027). Risk stratification by tertiles revealed that BLS was a significant predictor of survival. The risk of dying was 3 times higher for pts in the lowest tertile compared to those in the highest tertile (HR: 2.94, 95%CI:1.37-6.25, p = 0.013). When adjusted to age, AF, DM, RF, and previous heart surgery, BLS was an independent predictor of death (HR = 1.14, 95%CI:1.03;1.26, p = 0.032). At 1-year follow-up (12.7 ± 5.1 months) there was significant decrease of LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indices, from 102.8 ± 24.1 ml/m² to 77.9 ± 24 ml/m² (p &lt; 0.001) and from 67 ± 23.2 ml/m² to 44.3 ± 7.6 ml/m² (p &lt; 0.001), correspondingly, and increase of EF from 36.3 ± 9.4% to 44.4 ± 7.6% (p = 0.001). The mean systolic GLS improved from -6.6 ± 2.6% to -8.7 ± 3.2%, p = 0.008. Among 81 segments with baseline hypokinesia, 44 segments (54.3%) recovered their contractility, 36 segments (44.4%) remained hypokinetic and 1 segment deteriorated to akinesia. Mean systolic strain of segments which showed recovery was -6.6 ± 4.0% compared to -3.8 ± 4.5% with no improvement (p = 0.005). Cut-off value of systolic strain for prediction of recovery was -5.4 % (AUC = 0.69, p = 0.004; PPV = 0.73, NPV = 0.61).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that BLS is an independent predictor of survival after SVR in patients with LV anteroapical aneurysm. Furthermore, higher systolic strain predicts recovery of LV regional function at 1-year after SVR.

Gender-specific predictors of early mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BACKGROUND

Female gender is a risk factor for early mortality after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Yet, the causes for this excess mortality in women have not been fully explained.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse gender differences in early mortality (30 days post surgery) after CABG and to identify variables explaining the association between female gender and excess mortality, taking into account preoperative clinical and psychosocial, surgical and postoperative risk factors.

METHODS

A total of 1,559 consecutive patients admitted to the German Heart Institute Berlin (2005-2008) for CABG were included in this prospective study. A comprehensive set of prespecified preoperative, surgical and postoperative risk factors were examined for their ability to explain the gender difference in early mortality.

RESULTS

Early mortality after CABG was higher in women than in men (6.9 vs. 2.4 %, HR 2.91, 95 % CI 1.70-4.96, P < 0.001). Women were older than men (+4.7 years, P < 0.001), had lower self-assessed preoperative physical functioning (-16 points on a scale from 0 to 100, P < 0.001), and had higher rates of postoperative low cardiac output syndromes (6.6 vs. 3.3 %, P = 0.01), respiratory insufficiency (9.4 vs. 5.3 %, P = 0.006) and resuscitation (5.2 vs. 1.8 %, P = 0.001). The combination of these factors explained 71 % of the gender difference in early mortality; age and physical functioning alone accounted for 61 %. Adjusting for these variables, HR for female gender was 1.36 (95 % CI 0.77-2.41, P = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Age, physical function and postoperative complications are key mediators of the overmortality of women after aortocoronary bypass surgery. Self-assessed physical functioning should be more seriously considered in preoperative risk assessment particularly in women.