[Is Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy really reversible ?]

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by a total reversibility of wall motion abnormalities of the left ventricle (LV) as well as normalization of LV ejection fraction after the acute phase. However, recent studies have shown that some patients present functional, metabolic, and morphologic abnormalities away from the acute phase suggesting an incomplete recovery of the disease. In this revue we discuss about this topic through several tools used in those studies (echocardiography, exercise test, MRI, nuclear imaging, biology, as well).

Evolution of non-invasive myocardial work in tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction with transient wall motion abnormalities (WMA). However, whether systolic performance fully recovers is unclear. Non-invasive myocardial work (MW) is a new tool to assess the LV performance, never described in this setting. To assess MW in apical TTC. Fifty patients with the apical variant TTC (77 ± 10 years, 47 women) were enrolled and underwent a transthoracic echocardiography within 24 h of admission and a median of 36 days at follow-up (FU). Constructive work (CW), wasted work (WW), MW index (MWI) and efficiency (MWE) were derived from a strain- pressure loop obtained from non-invasive brachial blood pressure and 2D strain. Hospital complications (HC) were defined as heart failure, LV apical thrombus, and ventricular arrhythmia. A control group of 24 matched-subjects was used. Myocardial work improved significantly between the acute phase and follow-up (global, and all apical and middle segments for all indices, all, p < 0.01; and some basal segments for MWI and CW, all p < 0.05). The degree of impairment of MW followed an apical-basal gradient (worse in apical segments), which inverted at follow-up. Furthermore, in TTC, global CW and MWI were significantly impaired in patients with HC (n = 10, all p < 0.05). At follow-up, global and regional MW remained significantly reduced by comparison to the control group (CW, MWI, MWE, WW, all p < 0.01), despite similar hemodynamics, LVEF and 2D-strain (all, p = NS). Myocardial work is transiently altered in apical TTC and significantly associated to HC. Despite total recovery of WMA, subtle dysfunction of myocardial performance persists at FU.

Usefulness of Noninvasive Myocardial Work to Predict Left Ventricular Recovery and Acute Complications after Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction Treated by Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND

Predicting left ventricular recovery (LVR) after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is challenging and of prognostic importance. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of noninvasive myocardial work (MW), a new index of global and regional myocardial performance, to predict LVR and in-hospital complications after STEMI.

METHODS

Ninety-three patients with anterior STEMI (mean age, 59 ± 12 years) treated by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were prospectively enrolled and underwent a transthoracic Doppler echocardiography within 24-48 hours after PCI and a median of 92 days at follow-up. Myocardial work is derived from the strain-pressure relation, integrating in its calculation the noninvasive arterial pressure. Segmental LVR was defined as a normalization of wall motion abnormalities of the affected segments and global recovery as an absolute improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 5% in patients with baseline LVEF ≤ 50%. In-hospital complications were defined as a composite of death, reinfarction, heart failure, and LV apical thrombus.

RESULTS

Segmental MW was impaired in infarct segments, more severely in nonrecovering versus recovering segments (P < .01). Furthermore, global constructive MW was significantly correlated with follow-up LVEF (r = 0.58) and global longitudinal strain (r = -0.67; all P < .01). Constructive MW was the best index to predict segmental (P < .01 vs MW index, MW efficiency, and wasted work) and global recovery (P < .05 vs global longitudinal strain) with an independent association (odds ratio = 1.17, 95% CI, 1.13-1.20, and odds ratio = 1.43, 95% CI, 1.18-1.68, respectively; all P < .001). Moreover, global constructive MW was more severely impaired in patients with in-hospital complications (n = 16; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with anterior STEMI treated by PCI, constructive MW is an independent predictor of segmental and global LVR and is significantly impaired in patients with in-hospital complications.

Use of ADAM-C and CHA2DS2-VASc scores to predict complex aortic atheroma after brain ischemia: A prospective observational study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Complex aortic atheroma (CAA) is a common cause of acute brain ischemia (BI), including ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), and is associated with recurrence. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is a useful tool for predicting stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and can also predict cardiovascular events in other populations, including non-AF populations. The ADAM-C score is a new risk score for predicting the diagnostic yield of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after BI. We aimed to evaluate the ability of CHA2DS2-VASc and ADAM-C scores to predict CAA after BI.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter, observational study included 1479 patients aged over 18 years who were hospitalized for BI. CAA was defined as the presence of one or more of the following criteria: thrombus, ulcerated plaque, or plaque thickening ≥ 4 mm.

RESULTS

CAA was diagnosed in 216 patients (14.6%). CHA2DS2-VASc and ADAM-C scores were significantly higher in the CAA group versus the non-CAA group (P < .0001 for both). The CHA2DS2-VASc and ADAM-C scores appear to be good predictors of CAA (AUC 0.699 [0.635, 0.761] and 0.759 [0.702, 0.814], respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the scores for detecting CAA were 94%, 22%, 17%, and 96%, respectively, for a CHA2DS2-VASc score < 2, and 90%, 46%, 22%, and 96%, respectively, for an ADAM-C score < 3 CONCLUSIONS: CHA2DS2-VASc and ADAM-C scores are able to predict CAA after BI. CHA2DS2-VASc < 2 and ADAM-C < 3 both have an interesting NPV of 96%.

Evaluation of non-invasive myocardial work in tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by the presence of transient left ventricular (LV) wall motion abnormalities (WMA). However, whether systolic performance fully recover is unclear. Non-invasive myocardial work (MW) is a new index of global and regional myocardial performance which has never been described in this setting. Objective: to assess global and regional MW in typical TTC (apical variant). Methods: fifty patients with typical TTC (mean age, 77 ± 10 years, 47 women) were prospectively enrolled and underwent a transthoracic Doppler echocardiography within 24 hours of admission and a median of 32 days at follow-up (FU). MW is derived from the non-invasive strain-pressure loop obtained from the 2D strain data, integrating in its calculation the non-invasive brachial arterial pressure. Constructive MW (CMW), MW index (MWI), MW efficiency (MWE), and wasted work (WW) were measured. Hospital complications (HC) were defined as a composite of heart failure, right ventricular extension, and LV apical thrombus. A control group of 24 patients matched for age and sex without overt cardiovascular disease served as a comparative group. Results: In the TTC group, global and regional MW improved significantly between the two examinations (global, regional apical and medial CMW, MWI, MWE, WW, and regional basal CMW, and MWI, all p &lt; 0.01). The acute apical –basal gradient of MW inverted at FU. In TTC, global CMW and MWI were significantly correlated to acute LV systolic function parameters and their change, and were significantly impaired in patients with HC (n = 13) (all, p &lt; 0.01). At FU, despite total recovery of WMA, global and regional MW was significantly reduced in TTC by comparison to the control group (p &lt; 0.01 for all components), although hemodynamics, LV ejection fraction, and 2D global longitudinal strain were similar (all, p = NS). Conclusion: Global and regional myocardial performance is transiently impaired in typical TTC and significantly associated to HC. And despite total recovery of WMA, subtle dysfunction of myocardial performance persist at FU.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced during dobutamine stress echocardiography: an exhaustive review

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) mimics an acute coronary syndrome and corresponds to an acute reversible stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Dobutamine Stress Echocardiography (DSE) has been widely used for more than 30 years and is considered as one of the gold standard non-invasive test to detect myocardial ischemia. DSE responsible for a TTC is a rare clinical entity.

Purpose. Dobutamine induced takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC-DSE) is an exceptional situation. We systematically search for TTC-DSE observations to analyse the specific characteristics of such a cohort.

Methods and Results.  We conducted an extensive search in Medline, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, using the key words "acute cardiomyopathy, takotsubo syndrome and DSE". File selection was based on the following criteria : (a) occurrence of TTC during DSE, (b) Mayo Clinic criteria (1) associating transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction, absence of significant coronary stenosis, ST-T abnormalities on EKG, moderate troponin elevation, and absence of pheochromocytoma or myocarditis. We identified 30 clinical observations of TTC-DSE published between 2006 and 2019, mostly from USA and Europe publications. Symptoms appear at high dobutamine dosages (30 or 40 gammas/kg/min: 24/30), rarely during recovery (4/30). These patients have the typical features of TTC : (1) strong predominance of a female population (26 women; 86.7%), aged over 50 years (24; 93.3%); (2) depression and/or anxiety (8 pts; 26.7%);  (3) ECG: ST elevation (21 pts; 70 %), ST depression (2 pts), no ST change (4 pts), and left conduction block (3 pts); (4) emergency coronary angiography without significant coronary lesion; (5) angiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), calculated in 18/30pts : &lt; 40% for 14/18 pts; (6) segmental LV impairment (echo or angio): apical n = 17 (77.3%); mid-ventricular n = 3 (13.6%); reverse n = 2 (9%) and unspecified (8 pts); (7) low peak of Troponin: 2.65 ± 2.04 ng/ml; (8) one death from an acute heart failure (old lady 86 years age, with intra ventricular gradient), and rapid recovery of LVEF in other patients (29 pts). Despite the heterogeinity in TTC-DSE patients and large cohort of patients in the TTC publications, TTC-DSE and TTC patients have comparable caracteristics.

Conclusion. TTC-DSE is an exceptional, but severe complication of DSE. It provides a unique opportunity to observe TTC in the acute phase. These observational studies show a similar profile between TTC-DSE and TTC patients. Mortality remains low in TTC-DSE cohort, probably because of prompt interruption of the test. Rapid recovery of LV function is consistent. High level of sympathetic stimulation secondary to dobutamine infusion, and frequent anxiety associated with DSE, are probably the major determinants of TTC-DSE. However, the rarity of the TTC-DSE, compared to the widespread daily practice of DSE in echo-laboratories, remains unexplained.

Multimodality imaging in takotsubo syndrome: a joint consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE)

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious adverse in-hospital events and high complication rates during follow-up. Multimodality imaging is helpful for establishing the diagnosis, guiding therapy, and stratifying prognosis of TTS patients in both the acute and post-acute phase. Echocardiography plays a key role, particularly in the acute care setting, allowing for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and the identification of the typical apical-midventricular ballooning pattern, as well as the circumferential pattern of wall motion abnormalities. It is also useful in the early detection of complications (i.e. LV outflow tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, right ventricular involvement, LV thrombi, and pericardial effusion) and monitoring of systolic function recovery. Left ventriculography allows the evaluation of LV function and morphology, identifying the typical TTS patterns when echocardiography is not available or wall motion abnormalities cannot be properly assessed with ultrasound. Cardiac magnetic resonance provides a more comprehensive depiction of cardiac morphology and function and tissue characterization and offers additional value to other imaging modalities for differential diagnosis (myocardial infarction and myocarditis). Coronary computed tomography angiography has a substantial role in the diagnostic workup of patients with acute chest pain and a doubtful TTS diagnosis to rule out other medical conditions. It can be considered as a non-invasive appropriate alternative to coronary angiography in several clinical scenarios. Although the role of nuclear imaging in TTS has not yet been well established, the combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging may provide useful information on myocardial function in both the acute and post-acute phase.

Correction to: Multimodality imaging in takotsubo syndrome: a joint consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE)

In the original publication of the article, the first and the second authors' names should be changed as follows.

Usefulness of non-invasive myocardial work to predict left ventricular recovery and acute complications after acute anterior myocardial infarction treated by primary angioplasty

Background

Predicting left ventricular (LV) recovery after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is challenging and of prognostic importance.

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of non-invasive myocardial work (MW), a new index of global and regional myocardial performance, to predict LV recovery and in-hospital complications after STEMI.

Methods

Ninety-three consecutive patients with anterior STEMI (mean age, 59±12 years) treated by primary angioplasty underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) within 24–48 hours after angioplasty and a median of 92 days at follow-up. MW is derived from the non-invasive strain-pressure loop obtained from the 2D strain data, integrating in its calculation the non-invasive brachial arterial pressure. Segmental LV recovery was defined as a normalization of segmental wall motion abnormalities of the affected segments and global recovery as an absolute improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) greater than 5% in patients with baseline LVEF &lt;50%. In-hospital complications were defined as a composite of death, reinfarction, heart failure, and LV apical thrombus.

Results

1642 segments were studied and MW was impaired in infarct segments, more severely in no recovery versus recovery segments (MW index, constructive MW, MW efficiency, all, p&lt;0.01). Furthermore, global MW was significantly correlated to acute and follow-up LVEF and global longitudinal strain (GLS) (all, p&lt;0.01). Constructive MW was the best indice to predict segmental (p&lt;0.01 versus MW index, MW efficiency, and wasted work), and global recovery (p&lt;0.05 versus GLS) with an independent association (all, p&lt;0.01). Moreover, global constructive MW was independently associated to in-hospital complications which occurred in 18 patients (p&lt;0.01).

Conclusion

In patients with anterior STEMI treated by primary angioplasty, acute constructive MW is an independent predictor of segmental and global LV recovery, as well as in-hospital complications.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

[Infectious and inflammatory complications occurring after cardiac surgery in cardiac rehabilitation centres]

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are older, have complex pathologies and several comorbidities, but need to leave the hospital quickly! Therefore, the mission of cardiac rehabilitation centres has substantially changed. Indeed, if 15 to 25% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery will have a postoperative complication requiring a hospital management (infectious, pericardial, rhythmic, neurologic, pulmonary, digestive, etc.), more than 2/3 of these acute events could be managed by cardiac rehabilitation centres for a lower cost. Therefore, the quickest the patient is transferred to a cardiac rehabilitation centre, the easier the cardiac surgery centre could manage his beds. Infectious complications are the most dreadful, particularly mediastinitis.

Multimodality imaging in takotsubo syndrome: a joint consensus document of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) and the Japanese Society of Echocardiography (JSE)

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a complex and still poorly recognized heart disease with a wide spectrum of possible clinical presentations. Despite its reversibility, it is associated with serious adverse in-hospital events and high complication rates during follow-up. Multimodality imaging is helpful for establishing the diagnosis, guiding therapy, and stratifying prognosis of TTS patients in both the acute and post-acute phase. Echocardiography plays a key role, particularly in the acute care setting, allowing for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and the identification of the typical apical-midventricular ballooning pattern, as well as the circumferential pattern of wall motion abnormalities. It is also useful in the early detection of complications (i.e. LV outflow tract obstruction, mitral regurgitation, right ventricular involvement, LV thrombi, and pericardial effusion) and monitoring of systolic function recovery. Left ventriculography allows the evaluation of LV function and morphology, identifying the typical TTS patterns when echocardiography is not available or wall motion abnormalities cannot be properly assessed with ultrasound. Cardiac magnetic resonance provides a more comprehensive depiction of cardiac morphology and function and tissue characterization and offers additional value to other imaging modalities for differential diagnosis (myocardial infarction and myocarditis). Coronary computed tomography angiography has a substantial role in the diagnostic workup of patients with acute chest pain and a doubtful TTS diagnosis to rule out other medical conditions. It can be considered as a non-invasive appropriate alternative to coronary angiography in several clinical scenarios. Although the role of nuclear imaging in TTS has not yet been well established, the combination of perfusion and metabolic imaging may provide useful information on myocardial function in both the acute and post-acute phase.

International Expert Consensus Document on Takotsubo Syndrome (Part II): Diagnostic Workup, Outcome, and Management

The clinical expert consensus statement on takotsubo syndrome (TTS) part II focuses on the diagnostic workup, outcome, and management. The recommendations are based on interpretation of the limited clinical trial data currently available and experience of international TTS experts. It summarizes the diagnostic approach, which may facilitate correct and timely diagnosis. Furthermore, the document covers areas where controversies still exist in risk stratification and management of TTS. Based on available data the document provides recommendations on optimal care of such patients for practising physicians.

International Expert Consensus Document on Takotsubo Syndrome (Part I): Clinical Characteristics, Diagnostic Criteria, and Pathophysiology

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a poorly recognized heart disease that was initially regarded as a benign condition. Recently, it has been shown that TTS may be associated with severe clinical complications including death and that its prevalence is probably underestimated. Since current guidelines on TTS are lacking, it appears timely and important to provide an expert consensus statement on TTS. The clinical expert consensus document part I summarizes the current state of knowledge on clinical presentation and characteristics of TTS and agrees on controversies surrounding TTS such as nomenclature, different TTS types, role of coronary artery disease, and etiology. This consensus also proposes new diagnostic criteria based on current knowledge to improve diagnostic accuracy.

The left atrial function is transiently impaired in Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy and associated to in-hospital complications: a prospective study using two-dimensional strain

Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by the presence of transient left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Whether left atrial (LA) function is also impaired in this setting is unclear. To assess prospectively LA peak systolic longitudinal strain (LAS) by two-dimensional strain at the acute phase of TTC and after recovery and its association with in-hospital complications. 40 patients with typical TTC (mean age 79.5 ± 10 years) underwent transthoracic-Doppler echocardiography at the acute phase and at follow-up (32 ± 18 days later), including the measurement of the LAS (mean of maximal strain from the 4-2 chamber views). A control group of 15 patients (75 ± 7 years, 13 women) without overt cardiovascular disease served as a comparative group. In-hospital complication was a composite of death, heart failure, cardiogenic shock, LV thrombus, and sustained ventricular arrhythmia. In the TTC group, LAS improved significantly between the two examinations from 15 ± 5.5% to 27 ± 8% (p < 0.01) whereas LA volume did not change (p = NS). In the control group LAS was 30 ± 4% (p < 0.01 vs. TTC acute phase, p = NS vs. TTC follow-up). In TTC, at the acute phase LAS was independently correlated to LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), and after recovery to E/e', and the change of LAS was independently correlated to the change of the LVGLS (all, p < 0.01). Furthermore LAS was independently correlated to in-hospital complications (p < 0.01). LA function (reservoir) is transiently impaired in TTC and associated to in-hospital complications. Furthermore, the improvement of LAS parallel the dynamic improvement of LVGLS suggests that TTC induces a transient global left heart dysfunction.

P6220The non-invasive coronary flow reserve predicts exercise capacity in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation

Background

The benefit of exercise on peripheral muscles is established but the exact role of the coronary microcirculation in exercise capacity after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is unclear. Objective: Our aim was to test the relationship between non-invasive coronary flow reserve (CFR) and exercise capacity in patients undergoing CR after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

CFR was performed by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in the left anterior descending artery 24 h after angioplasty (CFR1) and after 20 sessions of CR program (at 4±1 months) (CFR2) in 60 consecutive patients (57±11 years, 30% women) with an anterior AMI successfully treated by primary coronary angioplasty. CFR was performed in a modified parasternal view using intravenous adenosine infusion (0.14 mg/kg/min within 2 minutes). CR program consisted of a half hour of fractioned exercise added of a half hour session of general gymnastics and body building. To test the exercise capacity, symptom limited exercise echocardiography was performed just after the CFR2, in a semi-supine position, starting at 25 watts, with 20–25 watts increments of workload every two minutes.

Results

CFR was measured successfully in all patients, and CFR2 was significantly higher than CFR1 (2.9±0.65 vs 1.9±0.4, p<0.001). Though CFR1 was correlated to left ventricular systolic function and its improvement at follow-up (all, p<0.01), CFR2 was independently related to exercise capacity (mean workload 100±30 watts, percent maximal heart rate 83±12%, no ischemia, no new wall motion abnormalities in all tests) after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (r=0.6, p<0.01).

Conclusion

CFR predicts exercise capacity in patients undergoing a CR program after AMI. The improvement of CFR contributes to cardiac performance.

Left atrial strain and distensibility in relation to left ventricular dysfunction and prognosis in aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE

To test the relationship between left atrial (LA) distensibility (LAD), LA strain (LAS), and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and prognosis in aortic stenosis (AS).

METHODS

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was performed prospectively in 102 consecutive patients with AS (77 with severe, 25 with moderate, mean age 77 years). LA volume was calculated by the area-length method in apical four- and two-chamber views, immediately before mitral valve opening (Vol_max ) and at mitral valve closure (Vol_min ). LAD was defined as (Vol_max   - Vol_min ) × 100%/Vol_min . LAS (mean of maximal strain from the 4-2 chamber views) was conducted using a dedicated software package. The endpoint was hospitalization for heart failure and death from any cause.

RESULTS

Left atrial strain, LAD, and LA vol/m² were significantly correlated with LV diastolic parameters, and PASP (all, P < 0.05). However, LAD and LAS but not LA vol/m² were significantly correlated with Charlson score, LV global longitudinal strain, and to transaortic mean gradient (all, P < 0.05). At a median follow-up of 25 months, 53 patients had an event. LAS, LAD, LA vol/m², and Charlson index were associated with events (all, P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, LAD, LAS, and Charlson index (all, P < 0.01) remained independently associated with events. Using a ROC curve analysis, LAD ≤ 69% and LAS ≤ 17% were the best cutoffs associated with an event.

CONCLUSION

In patients with moderate to severe AS, LAD and LAS are associated with LV dysfunction, AS severity, and are independently linked to events.

[Cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patient]

According to "OMS" we are old at age 65. Because of the ageing population (life expectancy has increased in Europe) and medical progress, more and more old patients are addressed to cardiac rehabilitation centers. Ageing is a physiological process which varies between individuals, and in the same person organ ageing also differs. Old patient has usually several pathological diseases. Because old patient has restricted functional reserve, acute illness could get him closer to the decompensation area. Complications are more frequent in ageing people, and often need a specific initial treatment which delays rehabilitation. Rehabilitation program of old non-disabled patient is not different from that addressed to youngers. The main objective for dependent people is to restore the ability to perform activities of daily living. Correction of vascular risk factors and therapeutic education are also valuable in elderly. For patients with difficulty to remember or to understand instructions, family help is valuable when possible. The benefit of the rehabilitation in the elderly is demonstrated by several studies.

International Expert Consensus Document on Takotsubo Syndrome (Part I): Clinical Characteristics, Diagnostic Criteria, and Pathophysiology

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a poorly recognized heart disease that was initially regarded as a benign condition. Recently, it has been shown that TTS may be associated with severe clinical complications including death and that its prevalence is probably underestimated. Since current guidelines on TTS are lacking, it appears timely and important to provide an expert consensus statement on TTS. The clinical expert consensus document part I summarizes the current state of knowledge on clinical presentation and characteristics of TTS and agrees on controversies surrounding TTS such as nomenclature, different TTS types, role of coronary artery disease, and etiology. This consensus also proposes new diagnostic criteria based on current knowledge to improve diagnostic accuracy.

ADAM-C score: New risk score for predicting diagnostic yield of transesophageal echocardiography after cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The clinical utility of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) after brain ischemia (BI) remains a matter of debate. We aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of TEE and to build a score that could help physicians to identify which patients should better benefit from TEE.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter, observational study included patients over 18 years old, hospitalized for BI. TEE findings were judged discriminant if the results showed important information leading to major changes in the management of patients. Most patients with patent foramen ovale were excluded. Variables independently associated with a discriminant TEE were used to build the prediction model.

RESULTS

Of the entire population (1479 patients), 255 patients (17%) were classified in the discriminant TEE group. Five parameters were selected as predictors of a discriminant TEE. Accordingly, the ADAM-C score could be calculated as follows: Score = 4 (if age ≥60) + 2 (if diabetes) + 2 (if aortic stenosis from any degrees) + 1 (if multi-territory stroke) + 2 (if history of coronary artery disease). At a threshold lower than 3, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (NPV) of detecting discriminant TEE were 88% (95% CI 85-90), 44% (95% CI 41-47), 21% (95% CI 19-27), and 95% (95% CI 94-97), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A simple score based on clinical and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters can help physicians to identify patients who might not benefit from TEE. Indeed, a score lower than 3 has an interesting NPV of 95% (95% CI 94-97).

Noninvasive Coronary Flow Reserve Predicts Response to Exercise in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND

In patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis (AS), exercise stress echocardiography (ESE) provides additional prognostic information beyond baseline. The coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) is impaired in AS, but its link with exertion is unknown in this setting. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that CFVR could predict exercise capacity and abnormal exercise test results in AS.

METHODS

Noninvasive CFVR and symptom-limited semisupine ESE were prospectively performed the same day in 43 patients with asymptomatic isolated severe AS (mean age, 68.5 ± 11 years; 26% women; mean aortic valve area, 0.8 ± 0.16 cm²; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 70 ± 7%). CFVR was performed in the distal part of the left anterior descending coronary artery using intravenous adenosine infusion (140 μg/kg/min over 2 min), and ESE was performed at an initial workload of 25 W with a 20- to 25-W increase at 2-min intervals. An abnormal result on ESE was defined as onset of symptoms at <75% of maximum predicted workload, electrocardiographic ST-segment depression ≥2 mm during exercise, increase of systolic blood pressure < 20 mm Hg or decrease in blood pressure, and complex ventricular arrhythmia. Seventeen patients with isolated severe asymptomatic AS, unable to exercise because of extracardiac conditions, served as a comparative group.

RESULTS

Resting, hyperemic left anterior descending coronary artery flow velocity and CFVR (2.45 ± 0.8 vs 2.4 ± 0.8) were similar between the group unable to perform ESE and the ESE group (P = NS for all). Compared with patients with normal results on ESE, those with abnormal results on ESE (n = 22) were older, had higher E/e' ratios, had higher resting left anterior descending coronary artery flow velocities (39 ± 12 vs 31 ± 8 cm/sec), and had lower CFVR (2.01 ± 0.3 vs 2.85 ± 0.7; P < .01 for all). Furthermore, CFVR was significantly correlated with age, changes in transvalvular pressure gradient and left ventricular ejection fraction with exercise, workload (in watts), and exercise duration (P < .05 for all). After adjusting for other variables, CFVR remained independently correlated with exercise duration, workload, and abnormal results on ESE (P < .01 for all). On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, CFVR < 2.3 was the best cutoff to predict abnormal results on ESE (area under the curve = 0.88 ± 0.06, P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with asymptomatic severe AS, noninvasive CFVR is correlated with exercise duration and workload, and low CFVR predicts abnormal results on ESE with good accuracy.

Apical rotation, a simplified index of left ventricular twist is independently linked to recovery after acute anterior myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

It is unclear whether apical rotation (Ar), which in normal setting represents the dominant contributions to LV twist by comparison to basal rotation (Br), predicts viability in acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). Our objective was to test the usefulness of Ar as a simple index to predict LV recovery after AMI.

METHODS

Fourty-five consecutive patients (mean age 60±14 years, mean LVEF 44±7%) with first AMI treated successfully by primary angioplasty underwent prospectively a comprehensive transthoracic-Doppler echocardiography including analysis of Ar, Br, and LV twist by 2-dimensional speckle tracking, using a basal and apical short axis-views, within 24h after angioplasty and 3-6months later. Recovery was defined as: - the normalization of the wall motion of more than 50% of initial abnormal segments (R1) and; - absolute improvement of LVEF≥10% (R2).

RESULTS

A better correlation was found between Ar and LV twist at each stage of the disease than between Br and LV twist (acute phase, R=0.77 vs. R=0.35; follow-up, R=0.9 vs. R=0.3 [all, P<0.001 for Ar, and all, P≤0.05 for Br]). Furthermore, a better correlation was found between Ar and follow-up LVEF (R=0.57), wall motion score index (R=0.44), and global longitudinal strain (R=0.54) (all, P<0.001) than between LV twist and the same parameters (R=0.39; R=0.32; R=0.32 respectively, all P<0.05). (For Br, all, P=NS). Ar as well as LV twist were significantly associated with recovery (all, P<0.01) with an area under the curve (AUC) higher for the former than for the latter (R1, N=18: AUC-Ar=0.81 and AUC-LV twist=0.69, P=0.05; R2, N=19: AUC-Ar=0.82, AUC-LV twist=0.75, P=0.1). In multivariate analysis, Ar remained an independent predictor of recovery R1 and R2 instead of LV twist (all, P≤0.01). Using a ROC curve analysis, the best cut-off of Ar to predict recovery R2 was 6.5°, with Se=77% Sp=85%, P<0.001.

CONCLUSION

Apical rotation is an independent predictor of segmental and global LV recovery after anterior acute anterior myocardial infarction treated successfully by primary angioplasty.

[Cardiac rehabilitation in women]

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs later in life in women when compared to men (10 years later). The FAST-MI study has shown that the profile of women with CAD has changed in the past 15 years, they are younger, more obese, and usually smokers. Whatever the age at which CAD occurs in women, the prognosis tends to be worse than in men, despite a higher frequency of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with angiographically normal coronary arteries in women. In women without significant lesion at coronary angiography, the WISE study has shown abnormalities of the coronary vasomotricy. Despite its beneficial effect on morbidity and mortality, cardiac rehabilitation is underused particularly in women. Indeed, several factors do not encourage a woman to follow a cardiac rehabilitation program, even after an ACS. These factors may be cultural, domestic, familial, orthopedic, or even the fear of exercising. Therefore, physicians have to be particularly convincing in women, in order to have them participating in rehabilitation programs. Physical capacity is lower in women when compared to men. However, the weaker the physical capacity, the better the benefit of cardiac rehabilitation. Physical endurance training continuously or in interval, associated to muscle strengthening can improve the physical capacity in women. Vascular risk factors correction is also an important step for the management of women with CAD. Therapeutic education and several available workshops help women to better understand their disease and to improve their self-management when they return home. Anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction frequently deteriorate the quality of life of our patients. Therefore, psychological management is also essential in our departments.

Assessment of left anterior descending artery stenosis of intermediate severity by fractional flow reserve, instantaneous wave-free ratio and non-invasive coronary flow reserve

Assessment of the functional significance of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) stenosis of intermediate severity is challenging and often based on fractional flow reserve (FFR). The instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR), a new vasodilator-free index of coronary stenosis severity, and non-invasive coronary flow reserve (CFR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography are also potentially useful. A direct comparison of FFR, IFR, and non-invasive CFR has never been performed. Our objective was to test the usefulness of non-invasive CFR by comparison to invasive FFR and IFR in patients with LAD stenosis of angiographic intermediate severity and stable coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Ninety-four stable consecutive patients (mean age, 68±10years; 19 women) with angiographic proximal or mid LAD stenosis of intermediate severity (40-70% diameter stenosis on quantitative coronary angiography), were prospectively studied. They underwent IFR that was calculated as a trans-lesion pressure ratio during a specific period of baseline diastole, FFR with intracoronary bolus adenosine (180μg), and CFR using intravenous adenosine (140μg/kg/min over 2min) in the distal part of the LAD, the same day. CFR was defined as hyperemic peak diastolic LAD flow velocity divided by baseline flow velocity and FFR as distal pressure divided by mean aortic pressure during maximal hyperemia.

RESULTS

The mean values of IFR, FFR, and CFR were 0.88±0.07, 0.81±0.09, and 2.4±0.6 respectively. A significant correlation was found between CFR and FFR (R=0.63, curvilinear relationship), FFR and IFR (R=0.6, linear relationship), and between CFR and IFR (R=0.5) (all, P<0.01). Using a ROC curve analysis, the best cut-off to detect a significant lesion based on FFR assessment (FFR≤0.8, N=31) was IFR≤0.88 with a sensitivity (Se) of 74%, specificity (Sp) of 73%, AUC 0.81±0.04; and CFR≤2 with a Se=77%, Sp=89%, AUC 0.88±0.04, (all, P<0.001). Based on these cut-offs, discordant results between CFR and FFR were observed in 14 cases (agreement 85%), between CFR and IFR in 26 cases (agreement 72%), and between IFR and FFR in 26 cases (agreement 72%).

CONCLUSION

In stable patients with LAD stenosis of intermediate severity, non-invasive CFR is a useful tool to detect a significant lesion based on FFR. Furthermore, there was a better correlation and agreement between CFR and FFR than with IFR.

Assessment of left anterior descending artery stenosis of intermediate severity by fractional flow reserve, instantaneous wave-free ratio, and non-invasive coronary flow reserve

To test the usefulness of non-invasive coronary flow reserve (CFR) by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography by comparison to invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR), a new vasodilator-free index of coronary stenosis severity, in patients with left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenosis of intermediate severity (IS) and stable coronary artery disease. 94 consecutive patients (mean age 68 ± 10 years) with angiographic LAD stenosis of IS (50-70 % diameter stenosis), were prospectively studied. IFR was calculated as a trans-lesion pressure ratio during the wave-free period in diastole; FFR as distal pressure divided by mean aortic pressure during maximal hyperemia (using 180 μg intracoronary adenosine); and CFR as hyperemic peak LAD flow velocity divided by baseline flow velocity using intravenous adenosine (140 μg/kg/min over 2 min). The mean values of IFR, FFR, and CFR were 0.88 ± 0.07, 0.81 ± 0.09, and 2.4 ± 0.6 respectively. A significant correlation was found between CFR and FFR (r = 0. 68), FFR and IFR (r = 0.6), and between CFR and IFR (r = 0.5) (all, p < 0.01). Using a ROC curve analysis, the best cut-off to detect a significant lesion based on FFR assessment (FFR ≤ 0.8, n = 31) was IFR ≤ 0.88 with a sensitivity (Se) of 74 %, specificity (Sp) of 73 %, AUC 0.81 ± 0.04, accuracy 72 %; and CFR ≤ 2 with a Se = 77 %, Sp = 89 %, AUC 0.88 ± 0.04, accuracy 85 % (all, p < 0.001). In stable patients with LAD stenosis of IS, non-invasive CFR is a useful tool to detect a significant lesion based on FFR. Furthermore, there was a better correlation between CFR and FFR than between CFR and IFR, and a trend to a better diagnostic performance for CFR versus IFR.

[Voluminous thrombus straddling the patent foramen oval in the setting of massive pulmonary embolism, treated successfully by surgery]

Paradoxical embolism is rarely demonstrated, often suggested, and the diagnosis has been largely presumptive in most cases. The patent foramen ovale (PFO) is an important predisposing anatomic factor for such a complication. We describe a case where a voluminous thrombus straddling the PFO was diagnosed by echocardiography including the 3D modality, in the setting of acute massive pulmonary embolism. The treatment is not codified in this setting, and the thrombus was successfully removed by surgery, associated with PFO closure, and anticoagulation.

Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve in tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy: Still a matter of debate?

We present a case which developed a typical tako-tsubo-like cardiomyopathy (TTC) during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Its originality is related to several findings, which have never been described simultaneously in the same patient. This 63-year-old woman with normal coronary angiography and no evidence of coronary vasospasm had a biphasic response to DSE, a finding which usually occurs in coronary artery disease. Moreover, the symmetric extensive wall motion abnormalities (WMA) occurred simultaneously with the development of a systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) and left ventricular obstruction, and was clinically asymptomatic. Although in TTC the stunning usually occurs for several days, WMA and SAM resolved within few minutes after cessation of dobutamine and administration of a beta-blocker. And finally, exercise echo performed at the same target heart rate few days later did not induce neither a SAM nor WMA, which suggests that left ventricular obstruction could have played a role in the pathogenesis of this case by supply-demand mismatch. Concomitant coronary microvascular dysfunction was also demonstrated by a reduction of the non-invasive coronary flow reserve in the distal part of the left anterior descending artery.

Management of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in non-academic hospitals in France: The Observational French SyndromEs of TakoTsubo (OFSETT) study

BACKGROUND

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a rare condition characterized by a sudden temporary weakening of the heart. TTC can mimic acute myocardial infarction and is associated with a minimal release of myocardial biomarkers in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease.

AIMS

To provide an extensive description of patients admitted to hospital for TTC throughout France and to study the management and outcomes of these patients.

METHODS

In 14 non-academic hospitals, we collected clinical, electrocardiographic, biological, psychological and therapeutic data in patients with a diagnosis of TTC according to the Mayo Clinic criteria.

RESULTS

Of 117 patients, 91.5% were women, mean ± SD age was 71.4 ± 12.1 years and the prevalence of risk factors was high (hypertension: 57.9%, dyslipidaemia: 33.0%, diabetes: 11.5%, obesity: 11.5%). The most common initial symptoms were chest pain (80.5%) and dyspnoea (24.1%). A triggering psychological event was detected in 64.3% of patients. ST-segment elevation was found in 41.7% of patients and T-wave inversion in 71.6%. Anterior leads were most frequently associated with ST-segment elevation, whereas T-wave inversion was more commonly associated with lateral leads, and Q-waves with septal leads. The ratio of peak B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal prohormone BNP (NT-proBNP) level to peak troponin level was 1.01. No deaths occurred during the hospital phase. After 1 year of follow-up, 3 of 109 (2.8%) patients with available data died, including one cardiovascular death. Rehospitalizations occurred in 17.4% of patients: 2.8% due to acute heart failure and 14.7% due to non-cardiovascular causes. There was no recurrence of TTC.

CONCLUSIONS

This observational study of TTC included primarily women with atherosclerotic risk factors and mental stress. T-wave inversion was more common than ST-segment elevation. There were few adverse cardiovascular outcomes in these patients after 1-year follow-up.

[Coronary microvascular dysfunction and aortic stenosis: an update]

The coronary microcirculatory impairment is a key feature of the pathophysiology of aortic stenosis (AS), the most operated valvular disease over the world. Several studies showed this coronary microcirculatory impairment in AS, using different tools and protocols, in various patient population of AS. This article will review the impairment of the coronary microcirculation in AS underlining its multifactorial origin, its functional part related to the hemodynamic consequences of AS, its complex relationship with left ventricular hypertrophy, and its potential diagnostic and prognostic value.

Relationship between acute strain pattern and recovery in tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy and acute anterior myocardial infarction: a comparative study using two-dimensional longitudinal strain

After acute-anterior myocardial infarction (AMI), left ventricular (LV) viable myocardial segments show some degree of active deformation (longitudinal shortening) despite wall motion abnormalities (WMA). Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is characterized by myocardial stunning; however, it is unclear whether in TTC the strain pattern mimics AMI. To compare the strain-pattern in TTC and AMI using the 2D-longitudinal strain by speckle-tracking in segments with WMA, and its relationship with recovery of function at follow-up. 21 consecutive patients with typical TTC and 21 age-matched AMI patients treated by primary angioplasty had an analysis of LV-longitudinal strain at the acute-phase and at follow-up (1 and 6 months later for TTC and AMI respectively). The recovery of a segment was defined as normal wall motion at follow-up. Among the 706 analyzable LV-segments at the acute-phase, 406 had WMA (TTC 229, AMI 177). At follow-up, total recovery was observed for 45 % segments in AMI and 100 % in TTC, (p < 0.01). At the acute phase, systolic lengthening duration (47 ± 43 vs. 18 ± 33 %) and amplitude (0.25 ± 0.29 vs. 0.09 ± 0.19) and post systolic shortening (67 ± 53 vs. 39 ± 38 %) were higher in TTC, when compared to AMI-recovery (all, p < 0.01). In AMI, systolic lengthening duration was an independent predictor of poor recovery in multivariate analysis, linked to segmental longitudinal strain at follow-up (all, p ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, among the 57 % of segments exhibiting any systolic lengthening duration in AMI, only ¼ recovered, versus 62 % of such segments in TTC with 100 % recovery (p < 0.001). The systolic passive motion which is closely and inversely linked to recovery in AMI is paradoxically frequent and severe in TTC. This suggests that myocardial stunning in TTC and AMI is different according to longitudinal strain.

[Incidence, associated factors, and follow-up of hospital heart failure complicating acute anterior myocardial infarction successfully treated by primary angioplasty]

Heart failure (HF) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is of poor prognosis and is often associated with patient's characteristics and success of reperfusion strategies. However, few data is available regarding the high-risk subgroup of patients with anterior AMI treated successfully by primary angioplasty. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence, associated factors, and the future of HF occurring during hospitalisation, in the setting of anterior AMI treated successfully by primary angioplasty.

METHODS

Eighty-five consecutive patients with anterior AMI treated successfully by primary angioplasty (final angiographic TIMI flow grade=3, without residual stenosis) were included. Clinical, biochemical, angiographic, and echocardiographic data were prospectively collected and compared between patients with (Killip 2 and 3) and without HF during hospitalisation.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients had HF (18%) during hospitalisation and 70 did not. By comparison to patients without HF, patients with HF were more frequently diabetics, had troponin peak and CPK, leucocytes count, and fasting glucose higher, LVEF and wall motion score index in the left anterior descending territory (WMSi-lad) poorer, and a lower non-invasive coronary flow reserve (CFR) in the LAD 24hours after angioplasty (all, P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, fasting glucose, leucocytes count after angioplasty, CFR and WMSi-lad were independently associated with HF, even after adjusting with angiographic variables (all, P<0.05). At 6months, patients with HF had less recovery of LV function and higher frequency of adverse LV remodelling (58% versus 20%, P<0.01) by comparison to patients without HF.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, HF is not uncommon even after successful primary angioplasty for anterior AMI (nearly one patient out of 5), is associated with hyperglycaemia and inflammation, a poor microvascular reperfusion, and left ventricular systolic function, and is more frequently complicated by adverse LV remodelling and lack of LV recovery.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: an integrated multi-imaging approach

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by the presence of transient left ventricular wall dysfunction without significant culprit obstructive coronary artery disease. Invasive coronary angiography and ventriculography are the 'gold standard' for definitive diagnosis, with an integrated multi-modality imaging approach offering advantages in various clinical scenarios. Echocardiography is a widely available, first-line, non-invasive imaging technique appropriate both in emergency setting to confirm diagnosis, assess for various potential acute complications, and in serial follow-up to track myocardial recovery. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may be helpful to discriminate TTC from other acute cardiac syndromes with troponin elevation and ventricular dysfunction. Echocardiography, CMR, and nuclear imaging may also provide new insights into possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and myocardial (123)I-metaiodobenzyl-guanidine imaging may have a role for retrospective diagnosis in the subacute phase of late-presenting cases. The potential diagnostic role of coronary computed tomography angiography in the emergency room requires a further study.