Relevance of subclinical right ventricular dysfunction measured by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM) is associated with cardiovascular events. To analyze the feasibility of assessing RV myocardial deformation by feature tracking (FT)-cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and its usefulness as a prognostic marker.

METHODS

Retrospective study of NICM patients undergoing CMR. Longitudinal FT-RV free wall (LFT-RVFW) and fractional area change (FAC) were obtained. Correlation with standard RV parameters was studied. An association with combined event (heart failure (HF), ICD implantation or cardiovascular death) was assessed using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

98 patients (64 ± 13 years) were included. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function (LVEF 29.5 ± 9.6%, 47% with LVEF ≥ 30%) and RV (RVEF 52.2 ± 14.6%, 72% with RVEF ≥ 45%). Follow-up of 38 ± 17 months, 26.5% presented at least one admission for HF. An excellent correlation of LFT-RVFW (r = 0.82) and FAC (r = 0.83) with RVEF was evident. No association of RV-FT parameters with prognosis entire study population was found. However, in patients with LVEF ≥ 30%, admissions for HF were associated with lower LFT-RVFW (-21.6 ± 6.6% vs -31.3 ± 10%; p = 0.006) and FAC (36.6 ± 9.6% vs 50.5 ± 13.4%; p < 0.001) values. Similar differences were observed when only patients with RVEF ≥ 45% were considered. An LFT-RVFW cut-off point of -19.5% and FAC of 36.5% showed good prognostic performance. Decreased LFT-RVFW or FAC represented an independent predictor of combined event in patients with LVEF ≥ 30%.

CONCLUSIONS

In NICM patients without severe LV dysfunction, decreased values of LFT-RVFW and/or FAC were associated with HF admissions, independently of RVEF.

Global and regional left ventricular deformation evaluation with feature tracking in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. Comparison with echocardiographic findings

Background

Diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is basically based on imaging techniques. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is crucial to raise suspicion of this disease through detection of the classical features. An specific left ventricular (LV) deformation pattern with apical sparing (“cherry on top”) has been described on speckle tracking (ST) TTE. However, there is no data regarding the role of the LV global and regional analysis with the new tool feature tracking (FT) of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in CA.

Purpose

Our aim is to analyze the concordance of LV deformation between ST-TTE and FT-CMR.

Methods

Consecutive patients with definitive diagnosis of transthyretin (TTR) CA, based on DPD scintigraphy, and imaging evaluation with TTE and CMR were retrospectively included. LV volumes and ejection were calculated from both TTE and CMR following the ongoing recommendations. Global and segmental longitudinal strain values were obtained from apical 2-, 3- and 4-chambers projections on TTE, while the same parameters were calculated on the same cine views of CMR using a dedicated software of FT analysis. Student t-test was used to compared mean measurements derived from both imaging techniques. Apical index was calculated as the ratio between apical and basal-mid longitudinal values. Moreover, agreement was established using Passing-Bablok regression analysis.

Results

27 patients (80 years-old, 88% men) with definitive diagnosis of TTR CA from our tertiary hospital were included. Regarding echocardiographic findings, 80% showed concentric LV hypertrophy with low normal ejection fraction in the majority (52±10%). When longitudinal LV strain parameters were compared (Table 1), no differences were noted in global and apical values whereas basal and mid measurements were higher from CRM resulting in different apical indexes. Although 42% showed a typical “cherry on top” pattern in ST analysis, in only 18% of the FT apical sparing was detected. Consistently, decremental pattern was observed in 60% of TTE and in 20% of CMR. Concordance analysis with Passing-Bablok showed no constant or proportional differences, meaning both techniques were comparable.

Conclusions

Among patients with TTR CA there were no differences in global longitudinal LV strain analysis between ST-TTE and FT-CMR. Nevertheless, discordance in regional parameters resulted in a less frequent detection of apical sparing in CMR.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Relevance of subclinical right ventricular dysfunction measured by feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is associated with worse prognosis in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is considered the gold standard for RV evaluation. However, scarce data is available with the new feature tracking (FT) technique, which allows strain evaluation from conventional cine sequences.

Purpose

Our aim is to analyze the prognostic relevance of RV myocardial deformation measured by FT-CMR in NIDCM.

Methods

Consecutive patients with NIDCM diagnosis and CMR at diagnosis were retrospectively included. Global longitudinal strain of RV free wall (GLS-RVFW) and fractional area change (FAC) were obtained from standard CMR cine sequences with a dedicated FT software. Their association with a composite endpoint (heart failure admission, implantable cardioverter defibrillator in secondary prevention, and death) was evaluated using a logistic regression model.

Results

FT derived strain was obtained in 98 patients (68±13 years, 71.4% males) with NIDCM, mostly idiopathic (75.5%). Although our cohort showed a severely impaired left ventricular systolic function (LVEF = 29.5±9.6%, 47% with LVEF ≥30%) the RV function was relatively preserved on average (RVEF 52.2±14.6%, 72% with RVEF ≥45%). During a 3.2 [2.2–4] years follow-up 26.5% presented at least one admission for heart failure (HF), 5.1% received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in secondary prevention, and 8% died. There was no association of RV-FT parameters with prognosis considering the entire study population. However, in patients with LVEF ≥30%, admissions for HF were associated with worse values of GLS-RVFW (−21.6±6.6% vs −31.3±10%; p=0.006) and FAC (32.8±15.8% vs 47.5±13.9%; p&lt;0.001). Similar differences were observed when only patients with RVEF &gt;45% were considered. An GLS-RVFW cut-off point of −19.5% and FAC of 36.5% showed good prognostic performance. Decreased GLS-RVFW or FAC represented an independent predictor for the composite endpoint in patients with LVEF ≥30%.

Conclusions

In our series of NIDCM decreased values of GLS-RVFW or FAC were able to predict major events independently of RVEF in the subgroup of patients without severe LV dysfunction. Therefore, RV deformation parameters by FT may be early markers of poor prognosis in NIDCM.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of mitral valve anatomy suitability in echocardiographic and clinical evolution in patients referred for percutaneous edge-to-edge repair

Background

Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair has become an effective therapeutic alternative to surgery in high-risk patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR). A traffic light system has been proposed to evaluate echocardiographic suitability for this therapy. However, few data is available regarding prognostic impact of these criteria.

Purpose

To study the impact of imaging eligibility classification in echocardiographic and clinical evolution.

Methods

We evaluated all the consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous mitral repair with the MitraClip system between 2010 and 2020 in our tertiary university hospital, excluding the redo procedures (n=1). Imaging eligibility classification was blindly made by two experts in structural heart disease. Pre and posprocedural echocardiographic measurements were reassessed and clinical events were collected from medical records.

Results

87 patients (65.5% males) with a mean age of 76±10 years were finally included. Regarding mitral valve disease, 13 (14.9%) was graded as moderate-to-severe whereas 74 (85.1%) was considered severe. MR etiology was: functional 44.8%, organic 34.5% and mixed 20.7%. Prior to the procedure the NYHA class was III or higher in 88.5% and LVEF was 44.4±15.4%. Eligibility criteria was: green (44, 50.6%), yellow (39, 44.8%) and red (4, 4.6%). The later patients, with theorical contraindication for the procedure, were excluded from analysis. Although less number of clips were needed in green morphology (1.14 vs 1.46; p=0.01), pulmonary vein flow improved more markedly (Table) in these patients. This resulted only in a slightly greater reduction in MR grade at 6 months (−2.5 vs −1.9; p=0.008). No differences were noted in follow up absolute MR grade or changes in ventricular volumes, LVEF or pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Moreover, there was no impact in MACE during the evolution.

Conclusion

Excluding contraindicated group, no relevant echocardiographic or clinical impact was noted regarding eligibility criteria for percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair. Thus, suboptimal patients may equally benefit from this therapy even in moderate-volume centers.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Postprocedural pulmonary vein flow pattern in relation with eligibility criteria

Correlation of intraprocedural and follow up parameters for mitral regurgitation grading after percutaneous edge-to-edge repair

Background

Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair has merged as an effective therapy for moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) in high surgical risk patients. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is crucial for procedure guiding and immediate result evaluation, whereas transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is largely used in follow up. However, there is no consensus on the best intraprocedural parameter to evaluate residual MR.

Purpose

To evaluate the predictive value of different MR parameters from intraprocedural TEE with grading in consecutive TTE during the follow up.

Methods

All the consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous mitral repair with the MitraClip system between 2010 and 2020 in our tertiary university hospital were considered for this study. Immediate posprocedural MR parameters (number of jets, summatory and maximum vena contracta (VC), summatory and maximum 3D effective regurgitation orifice (ERO) and pulmonary vein (PV) flow parameters) were reassessed when possible blindly to the follow up MR grading in sequential TTE.

Results

We included 88 patients (64.8% males) with a mean age of 76±10 years. Baseline MR was graded as moderate-to-severe in 13 (14.8%) and severe in 75 (85.2%). The most frequent MR etiology was secondary (44.3%) followed by primary (35.2%) and mixed (20.5%). Patients presented with mild left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF 44.5±15.3%) and dilatation (LVEDVi 71.8 [51.5–102.8] mL/m2). MR grading distribution remained stable at 1 and 6 months follow up TTE. Among all the aforementioned criteria only summatory and maximum VC remained significant for different MR grade prediction. Thus, these values were able to identify MR ≥3 at 1 and 6 months (Table). Moreover, on ROC analysis maximum VC demonstrated an excellent discriminatory power to identify significant MR at 6 months (Figure). Thereby, a cut-off point of 0.45 cm was able to predict MR ≥3 with 88% sensitivity and 89% specificity.

Conclusion

Among intraprocedural TEE parameters to evaluate residual MR in percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair, maximum and summatory VC appeared to be the more reliable to predict significant insufficiency in the follow up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Differences in intraprocedural TEE VC in relation with significant MR in follow-up TTEFigure 1. ROC curve of maximum VC for prediction of significant MR at 6 months

Discongruence Index: predictor of prosthesis size loss after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Introduction

Prosthesis under-expansion has been associated with higher rates of complications and worse long term outcome after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The objective of the current study was to assess the value of a new “Discongruence index”, to predict the percentage of prosthesis size loss (compared to its nominal size). The “discongruence index” is obtained from the relation between transcatheter valve size and the patient body surface area.

Methods

A total of 247 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis that underwent TAVR with balloon expandable Edwards-Sapiens prosthesis or CoreValve Revalving system at our institution were included. The “Discongruence index” was calculated pre-procedurally as the ratio: selected transcatheter valve size (mm) / body surface area (cm2). Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography images were studied in the 120–135° plane after the prosthesis deployment, and the maximum anteroposterior diameter was measured (in millimeters). From this measurement was obtained the percentage of prosthesis size loss (compared to the prosthesis nominal size).

Results

Mean age was 82±6 years and 102 patients (41.3%) were men. Mean aortic valvular area before TAVR was 0,87±3,8 cm2, (indexed 0,36±0,1 cm2) and the mean aortic gradient 49,1±16,9 mmHg. Mean prosthesis maximum deployment was 18,9±2,7 mm; absolute loss of prosthesis size compared to nominal 6,5±2,8 mm and the percentage loss of prosthesis size 25.1±9,5%. The “Discongruence index” was predictor of the percentage of prosthesis size loss (y = 5,7650 + 1,3010x, p&lt;0,001), see figure.

Conclusions

The “Discongruence index” is a useful tool to predict the percentage of prosthesis size loss after TAVR. This new index should be taken into consideration in the selection of transcatheter valve sizes to avoid prosthesis under-expansion.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Impact of right ventricular function and ventriculo-arterial coupling in prognosis after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair

Background

Left ventricular systolic function is widely used as selection criteria for appropriateness of percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair in patients with significant mitral regurgitation (MR) and high surgical risk. Although right ventricular (RV) systolic function and ventriculo-arterial coupling (VAC) have demonstrated its relevance in heart failure prognosis as well, few data are available regarding this procedure.

Purpose

To study the value of baseline RV function and VAC determined by transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) on imaging and clinical prognosis.

Methods

We evaluated all the consecutive patients in which a percutaneous mitral edge-to-edge repair with the MitraClip system was performed between 2010 and 2020 in our tertiary university hospital. Baseline RV function was considered depressed if TAPSE &lt;16 mm, tissue Doppler S'&lt;9.5 cm/s or fractional area change (FAC) &lt;35% on TTE. VAC was calculated as ratio of TAPSE by pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) from the same studies. Follow-up echocardiographic measurements were evaluated and clinical events were collected from medical records.

Results

We included 88 patients (64.8% males, 76±10 years) with MR grade ≥3. MR etiology was classified as functional 44.3%, organic in 35.2% and mixed in 20.5%. Previous to the procedure left ventricular systolic function was mildly depressed (LVEF 44.5±15.3%) and 33 patients (37.5%) showed an impaired RV systolic function. At 6 months TTE the prevalence of RV dysfunction lower to 27.3%. Patients with initial RV systolic dysfunction showed greater improvement in TAPSE (3.2 vs −0.53 mm; p=0.052) and FAC (8 vs 0.2%; p=0.016) at 6 months compared to those with normal baseline RV function. However, this variable was not associated with any relevant clinical event during the follow up. Baseline VAC demonstrated a significant inverse correlation with change in TAPSE (r −0.42; p=0.018), FAC (r −0.37; p=0.024) and S' (r −0.52; p=0.041) at 6 months. Among patients with initial RV impairment, VAC was lower in those who persisted with RV systolic dysfunction at 6 months (0.41 vs 0.49; p=0.054). Moreover, VAC was significantly associated with NYHA class ≥3 (0.48 vs 0.63; p=0.042) and cardiovascular hospitalization (0.53 vs 0.63; p=0.07), with a correlation with number of admissions (r −0.27; p=0.053).

Conclusion

In a percutaneous mitral edge-to-edge repair population previous presence of RV systolic dysfunction was not associated with clinical events during the follow up. Conversely, VAC was able to identify RV systolic function recovery and was associated with functional class and cardiovascular hospitalizations.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Correlation between cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking derived left ventricular strain and morphological characteristics of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy at baseline and follow-up

Background

Left ventricular (LV) strain from echocardiography is a known useful predictor of LVEF recovery in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). More recently, feature tracking (FT) has allowed LV myocardial deformation analysis using conventional cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) cine sequences.

Purpose

Our aim is to establish the correlation between LV strain values from CMR-FT at diagnosis and morphological parameters at baseline and during follow-up.

Methods

Consecutive patients with NIDCM who underwent CMR were retrospectively collected. All the studies were performed in a 1.5 Tesla magnet following a standard acquisition protocol of conventional SSFP cine sequences in long and short axis. Global longitudinal, circumferential and radial strain (GLS, GCS and GRS, respectively) were obtained with a dedicated FT software. Correlation with CMR morphological parameters at baseline were evaluated. Likewise, in the cases with follow-up echocardiogram association between FT LV strain and evolution of morphofunctional variables was explored.

Results

CMR-FT strain analysis was performed in 98 patients (age 68±13 years, 72% males) with NIDCM. They showed severe LV dilatation (LVEDVi= 133.6±33.4 mL/m2) and systolic dysfunction (LVEF= 29.5±9.6%) at baseline. Myocardial fibrosis was detected in 38.8% of the patients with late gadolium enhancement (LGE) sequence. All the basal CMR morphological characteristics were significantly correlated with FT strain analysis (Table), even more markedly for GCS. However, there was no association of baseline morphofunctional parameters with LGE. An echocardiogram was performed in 85.7% of the patients during the follow-up (2.4 [1.8–3.4] years), with an LVEF &gt;50% in the 25.5% of the cases. These patients with preserved LVEF in the evolution showed better GCS (−9 vs −7.1%; p=0.019) at baseline, with no differences in the other FT LV strain parameters. Despite less fibrosis in LGE (16.1% vs 37.7%; p=0.037), none of the baseline morphofunctional CMR parameters (LVEF, LVEDVi...) were associated with systolic function restoration. In multivariate analysis, GCS was the only independent predictor (OR 1.16; p=0.045) of LVEF recovery among imaging variables.

Conclusions

All the FT derived LV strain values were correlated with the degree of basal morphofunctional involvement in NIDCM. Furthermore, GCS emerged as an independent imaging predictor of LV systolic function restoration in our series.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. Correlation between myocardial deformation values by feature tracking and morphofunctional variables in basal CMR.

Assessment of mitral valve area by 3D planimetry after percutaneous mitral valve repair

Background

Percutaneous mitral valve (MV) repair has become an effective therapeutic alternative to MV surgery in high-risk surgical patients with severe MR. Persistent pulmonary hypertension after mitral valve replacement has shown an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Improvement of pulmonary systolic arterial pressure (PSAP) post-MitraClip has been reported, however relative mitral stenosis may hamper this benefit. Few data is available regarding the best echocardiographic parameter to determine mitral stenosis after the procedure.

Purpose

To evaluate the correlation between the residual mitral valve area (MVA) by 3D planimetry, the pressure half time (PHT) and the transmitral gradient after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral repair.

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective study. We enrolled 88 consecutive patients who underwent a percutaneous MV repair with the MitraClip system between 2010 and 2020 at our tertiary university hospital, with eligibility evaluation by transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). All patients had moderate to severe (3+) or severe (4+) primary or secondary MR.

Results

The mean age was 76.2±10.4 years and 64.8% of the patients were male. Above 88% of patients were in New York Heart Association class III/IV. Baseline 3D planimetry MVA was 5.3±1.4cm2 and mean gradient pre-implantation was 1.8±0.8mmHg. After the procedure, MVA reduced to 2.9±0.8cm2 and mean gradient was 2.8±1.4mmHg. Both 3D planimetry and mean gradient were very significantly correlated (r −0.5; p&lt;0.001) (Figure 1), whereas no correlation was note between mean gradient and PHT (r 0.17; p=0.117)

Conclusion

After MitraClip implantation, the assessment of mitral valve area by 3D planimetry is significantly correlated with the transmitral mean gradient, unlike PHT.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1. Correlation of post-procedural 3D MVA and transmitral mean gradient

Clinical relevance of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking derived left ventricular strain in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background

Left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation analysis with echocardiography has shown an additive value for risk stratification in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). However, scarce data is available with the new cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) technique feature tracking, which allows strain evaluation from conventional cine sequences.

Purpose

Our aim is to analyze prognostic relevance of FT in NIDCM

Methods

Consecutive patients with NIDCM diagnosis and CMR at diagnosis were retrospectively included. LV global longitudinal, circumferential and radial strain (GLS, GCS and GRS, respectively) were obtained from standard CMR cine sequences with a dedicated FT software. Their association with a composite endpoint (heart failure admission, implantable cardioverter defibrillator in secondary prevention, and death) was evaluated.

Results

FT derived strain was obtained in 98 patients (68±13 years, 72% males) with NIDCM, mostly idiopathic (75.5%). The vast majority showed a severely dilated LV (LVEDVi= 133.6±33.4 mL/m2) with severely impaired systolic function (LVEF= 29.5±9.6%), and in 38.8% of the cases fibrosis was demonstrated in late gadolium enhancement (LGE). During a 3.2 [2.2–4] years follow-up 25.5% had an admission due to heart failure, 5.1% received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in secondary prevention, and 10.2% died. Only a trend towards worse GCS values (−7.1 vs −8.5%; p=0.10) was noted among patients with heart failure hospitalization. Mortality was associated with poorer GCS (−5.9 vs −7.9%; p=0.012) and GLS (−6.9 vs −9.6%; p=0.051) values, whereas GRS was not related with any prognostic variable. Exclusively GCS was associated with the composite endpoint (−6.7 vs −8.2%; p=0.035). Considering other morphological parameters with prognostic relevance (LVEF and LVEDVi), GCS was the only independent predictor (OR 1.15; p=0.038). A cut-off point &lt;−8.2% was able to identify those patients with a worse clinical evolution (Figure, Log Rank 4.6; p=0.032)

Conclusions

In our series LV myocardial deformation analysis with FT has shown prognostic relevance in NIDCM, especially GCS determination.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Expression of an endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase isoform in human neutrophils: modification by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and during acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether human neutrophils express an endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and to study the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on its expression.

BACKGROUND

Several studies have demonstrated the presence of a constitutively expressed nitric oxide svnthase (NOS) in neutrophils. Cardiovascular disease is characterized by increased levels of plasma TNF-alpha, a cytokine that has demonstrated eNOS messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) destabilization in cultured endothelial cells.

METHODS

Neutrophils were obtained from healthy volunteers and from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

RESULTS

Human neutrophils express eNOS mRNA and eNOS protein. Stimulation of neutrophils with TNF-alpha decreased eNOS protein expression by reducing eNOS mRNA stabilization. In the present study, we also show that the cytosol of human neutrophils contains proteins that bind to a specific region within the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of eNOS mRNA. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha increased the binding of the cytosolic proteins to the 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA. Simvastatin reduced the TNF-alpha-related binding activity of neutrophil cytosolic proteins to eNOS mRNA, which was associated with its protective effect on eNOS protein expression. The in vivo reproduction of the in vitro findings was performed in neutrophils obtained from patients with AMI and showed a diminished expression of eNOS protein, which was associated with increased binding of the cytosolic proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations demonstrate that human neutrophils express eNOS, which is downregulated by TNF-alpha and during AMI. This effect is associated with increased binding of neutrophil cytosolic proteins to the 3'-UTR of eNOS mRNA.

Aneurysm of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve secondary to aortic valve endocarditis

Aneurysm of the anterior mitral leaflet is a rare complication of infective aortic valve endocarditis, the natural evolution of which is generally its rupture, with subsequent acute and severe mitral regurgitation. Its presence cannot be recognized with transthoracic echocardiography and even in surgery. We describe a 78-year-old man with aortic valve endocarditis, in whom transesophageal echocardiography was essential for the diagnosis of this complication, its therapeutic management, and the postoperative follow-up after simple valve repair. In addition, the most appropriate surgical approach is discussed.