Background: Chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) patients demonstrate left ventricular (LV) remodeling with increased LV mass and volume but may have a preserved LV ejection fraction (EF). We hypothesize that in chronic AR, global longitudinal systolic and diastolic function will be reduced despite a preserved LV EF. Methods: We studied with Doppler echocardiography 27 normal subjects, 87 patients with chronic AR with a LV EF > 50% (AR + PEF), 66 patients with an EF < 50% [AR + reduced LV ejection fraction (REF)] and 82 patients with hypertensive heart disease. LV volume, transmitral spectral and tissue Doppler were obtained. Myocardial velocities and their timing and longitudinal strain of the proximal and mid wall of each of the 3 apical views were obtained. Results: As compared to normals, global longitudinal strain was reduced in AR + PEF (13.8 ± 4.0%) and AR + REF (11.4 ±4.7%) vs. normals (18.4 ± 3.6%, both p < 0.001). As an additional comparison group for AR + PEF, global longitudinal strain was reduced as compared to patients with hypertensive heart disease (p = 0.032). The average peak diastolic annular velocity (e’) was decreased in AR + PEF (6.9 ± 3.3 cm/s vs. 13.4 ± 2.6 cm/s, p < 0.001) and AR + REF (4.8 ± 2.1 cm/s, p < 0.001). Peak rapid filling velocity/e’ (E/e’) was increased in both AR + PEF (14.4 ± 6.2 vs. 6.2 ± 1.3, p < 0.001) and AR + REF (18.8 ± 6.4, p <0.001 vs. normals). Independent correlates of global longitudinal strain (r = 0.6416, p < 0.001) included EF (p < 0.0001), E/e’ (p < 0.0001), and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (p = 0.0176). Conclusion: With chronic AR, there is impaired longitudinal function despite preserved EF. Moreover, global longitudinal strain was well correlated with noninvasive estimated LV filling pressures and pulmonary systolic arterial pressures.

Background: The twisting motion of the left ventricle (LV), with clockwise rotation at the base and counter clockwise rotation at the apex during systole, is a vital part of LV function. Even though LV rotation has been studied for decades, the rotation pattern has not been described in detail. By the introduction of speckle tracking echocardiography measuring rotation has become easy of access. However, the axis around which the LV rotates has never before been assessed. The aims of this thesis were to describe the rotation pattern of the LV in detail (study I), to assess RV apical rotation (study II), develop a method to assess the rotation axis (study III) and finally to study the effect of regional ischemia to the rotation pattern of the LV (study IV). Methods: Healthy humans were examined in study I-III and the final study populations were 40 (60±14 years), 14 (62±11 years) and 39 (57±16 years) subjects, respectively. In study IV six young pigs (32-40kg) were studied. Standard echocardiographic examinations were performed. In study IV the images were recorded before and 4 minutes after occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Rotation was measured in short axis images by using a speckle tracking software. By development of custom software, the rotation axis of the LV was calculated at different levels in every image frame throughout the cardiac cycle. Results: Study I showed significant difference in rotation between basal and apical rotations, as well as significant differences between segments at basal and mid ventricular levels. The rotation pattern of the LV was associated with different phases of the cardiac cycle. Study II found significant difference in rotation between the LV and the RV. RV rotation was heterogeneous and bi-directional, creating a ´tightening belt action´ to reduce it circumference. Study III indicated that the new method could assess the rotation axis of the LV. The motion of the rotation axes in healthy humans displayed a physiological and consistent pattern. Study IV found a significant difference in the rotation pattern, between baseline and after LAD occlusion, by measuring the rotation axes, but not by conventional measurements of rotation. AV-plane displacement and wall motion score (WMS) were also significantly changed after inducing regional ischemia. Conclusion: There are normally large regional differences in LV rotation, which can be associated anatomy, activation pattern and cardiac phases, indicating its importance to LV function. In difference to the LV, the RV did not show any functional rotation. However, its heterogeneous circumferential motion could still be of importance to RV function and may in part be the result of ventricular interaction. The rotation axis of the LV can now be assessed by development of a new method, which gives a unique view of the rotation pattern. The quality measurements and results in healthy humans indicate that it has a potential clinical implication in identifying pathological rotation. This was supported by the experimental study showing that the rotation axis was more sensitive than traditional measurements of rotation and as sensitive as AV-plane displacement and WMS in detecting regional myocardial dysfunction.

Diss. Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2004.

Die chirurgische Mitralklappenrekonstruktion (MKR) ist der konservativen Therapie bei signifikanter Mitralklappeninsuffizienz (MI) überlegen. Bisher fehlen sensitive präoperative Parameter zur Detektion latenter linksventrikulärer Funktionsstörungen. Aufgrund der pathophysiologisch bedingten Nachlastreduktion und Vorlaststeigerung bei MI bergen die konventionell verwendeten Ejektionsindices, Ejektionsfraktion (EF) und Fractional Area Change (FAC), die Gefahr der Überschätzung der effektiven Pumpfunktion des linken Ventrikels (LV). Der dopplersonographisch erhobene Tei Index gilt als ein Marker globaler myokardialer Funktion. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war es, mit dem Tei Index (bzw. dem Myokardialen Performance Index, MPI) einen sensitiveren präoperativen Parameter zur Prädiktion der postoperativen linksventrikulären Funktion zu finden. Hierzu wurden im Rahmen einer prospektiven klinischen Studie 130 Patienten mit signifikanter MI am Herzzentrum Leipzig entsprechend den ASE/SCA Leitlinien vor und nach kardiopulmonaler Bypass-Operation mittels transösophagealer echokardiographischer (TEE) Bildgebung untersucht. Die Quantifizierung der MI erfolgte durch Messung der Vena contracta (VC). Die FAC wurde in der transgastrischen midpapillären kurzen Achse und die EF im midösophagealen Zwei- sowie Vier-Kammer-Blick erfasst. Die Zeitintervalle zur Berechnung des Tei Index wurden im tiefen transgastrischen und midösophagealen Vier-Kammer-Blick erfasst. Eine statistische Korrelation zwischen präoperativen Tei Index und postoperativer EF und FAC konnte zur Validierung unserer Hypothese nicht detektiert werden. Folgend kann der Tei Index nicht als Prädiktor der effektiven linksventrikulären Funktion vor MKR gewertet werden.

The general purpose of this thesis is to establish capability and accuracy of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in assessing left atrial (LA), left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function and their correlation with myocardial fibrosis, filling pressure and clinical outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF) patients before and after heart transplantation (HT). I demonstrated that HT recipients had impaired LV twist dynamics in the form of reduced rotation twist angle and untwist rate but time to peak twist was not different from the age matched controls and other cardiac surgical patients. With a longitudinal study conducted on patients with refractory HF, the best prognostic power has been shown by RV strain analysis. Among the indexes of LV function, the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) demonstrated the lowest diagnostic accuracy; instead LV global circumferential strain (GCS) showed a better sensitivity and specificity than LV global longitudinal strain (GLS). When analyzing the relationship between different severity of myocardial fibrosis and LV cavity function, the strongest function parameter that correlated with severity of myocardial fibrosis was GLS. In contrast, none of diastolic LV function or even measures of exercise capacity correlated with myocardial fibrosis. In patients with end-stage HF, global peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), an index of atrial reservoir function was dependent by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and LV fibrosis, but not influenced by LV systolic function. Results from this study confirm previous evidence of correlation between impaired global PALS and increased PCWP.

No description available.

INTRODUÇÃO: O implante transcateter de prótese valvar aórtica (TAVI) surge nos dias atuais como uma opção terapêutica para os pacientes sintomáticos portadores de estenose aórtica grave. Cerca de 200 mil pacientes em todo o mundo já foram submetidos ao TAVI. Não há grandes estudos que tenham avaliado a correlação prognóstica entre parâmetros ecocardiográficos antes do TAVI e eventos cardiovasculares a longo prazo. É relevante analisar se o strain pré-procedimento e outros parâmetros se comportam como fatores preditores independentes de eventos após o procedimento. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados, de novembro de 2009 a outubro de 2016, 86 pacientes, submetidos a avaliação ecocardiográfica antes do TAVI e 30 dias após o procedimento, com análise do strain do ventrículo esquerdo pelo speckle tracking bidimensional e outros parâmetros ecocardiográficos. Esses pacientes foram acompanhados clinicamente e avaliados quanto aos desfechos: mortalidade global, mortalidade cardiovascular, classe funcional de insuficiência cardíaca e necessidade de reinternação cardiovascular. RESULTADOS: O strain global longitudinal pré-TAVI reduzido (valor absoluto) aumentou a chance de reinternação cardiovascular (OR: 0,87; 0,77 ±0,99; P= 0,038). A redução da relação E/e´ em 30 dias após o TAVI associou-se à queda da mortalidade global (OR: 0,97; 0,95 ±0,99; P = 0,006), bem como valores elevados pré procedimento dessa relação se associaram a maiores taxas de insuficiência cardíaca classe funcional III ou IV da New York Heart Association após a intervenção (OR: 1,08; 1±1,18; P = 0,049). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste trabalho indicam que o strain global longitudinal pré-procedimento demonstrou ser um preditor de reinternação cardiovascular pós-intervenção a longo prazo. A relação E/e´ pré-procedimento apresentou correlação diretamente proporcional com o desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca classe funcional III ou IV a longo prazo, assim como sua queda acentuada 30 dias após o procedimento correlacionou-se com menor mortalidade global. / INTRODUCTION: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a therapeutic option for symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis. Approximately 200,000 patients around the world have already undergone TAVR. No large studies have evaluated prognostic correlation between echocardiographic parameters before TAVR and long-term cardiovascular events. It is relevant to analyze strain before procedure and how other parameters work as independent predictors of events after the procedure. METHODS: A total of 86 patients were evaluated from November 2009 to October 2016. They underwent echocardiographic evaluation before TAVR and 30 days after the procedure with analysis of strain of the left ventricle by bidimensional speckle tracking and other echocardiographic parameters. Patients were followed clinically and evaluated in relation to outcomes: global mortality, cardiovascular mortality, functional class of heart failure and need for cardiovascular readmissions. RESULTS: Global longitudinal strain before reduced TAVR (absolute value) increased the chance of cardiovascular readmission (odds ratio: 0.87; 0.77 ± 0.99; p = 0.038). Reduction of E/e´ relationship 30 days after TAVI was associated with a drop in global mortality (odds ratio: 0.97; 0.95 ± 0.99; p = 0.006). In addition, high values for this relation before the procedure were associated with higher rates of New York Heart Association functional class III or IV heart failure after the intervention (odds ratio: 1.08; 1.00 ± 1.18; p = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study indicate that global longitudinal strain before the procedure is a predictor of cardiovascular readmission after TAVR. The E/e´relationship before the procedure presented a correlation directly proportional to the development of long-term functional class III or IV heart failure as well as its accentuated drop 30 days after the procedure was correlated with lower global mortality.

FUNDAMENTOS: Na cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) a disfunção diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) é causada por hipertrofia dos miócitos e fibrose intersticial. A Angiotensina II (Ang II) pode promover hipertrofia, fibrose e alteração de relaxamento miocárdico. Na hipertrofia secundária a hipertensão o bloqueio dos receptores tipo 1 (AT1) da Ang II diminui a hipertrofia e a fibrose e, em animais com CMH losartan causou reversão da fibrose miocárdica. Os efeitos do antagonismo da Ang II na CMH humana não são conhecidos. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar os efeitos do losartan, um bloqueador dos receptores AT1 da Ang II, sobre a hipertrofia e a função diastólica do VE em pacientes com CMH não obstrutiva. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Foram estudados 27 pacientes consecutivos portadores de CMH na forma não obstrutiva, com média de idade de 34,4 anos, sendo 14 homens, que receberam losartan 100 mg/dia durante 6 meses. Antes do tratamento e ao final do mesmo foram avaliadas: a classe funcional (CF), a hipertrofia e a função diastólica do VE esquerdo pela ecocardiografia (modo-M, Doppler mitral, venoso pulmonar e Doppler tecidual do anel mitral) e a concentração plasmática do fragmento amino-terminal do pro-peptídeo natriurético tipo B (NT-proBNP). Valores bi-caudais de p<0,05 em testes pareados foram considerados estatisticamente significantes. v RESULTADOS: CF - dos 19 pacientes sintomáticos antes do tratamento, 8 (42%) tornaram-se assintomáticos (p=0,008). A CF média passou de 2,04±0,81 para 1,48±0,64 (p=0,0001). Doppler ecocardiografia - redução do diâmetro atrial esquerdo de 43,3±6,2 mm para 40,5±6,1 mm (p<0,0001), diminuição da velocidade da onda atrial reversa do fluxo venoso pulmonar de 36,4±9,7 cm/s para 32,2±6,2 cm/s (p=0,008), aumento da velocidade diastólica inicial (Ea) do anel mitral de 10,7±3,2 cm/s para 11,95±3,01 cm/s (p=0,004), aumento da razão Ea/Aa de 1,11±0,36 para 1,33±0,48 (p=0,009), e diminuição da razão E/Ea de 8,37±5,4 para 6,46±3,2 (p=0,004). Não ocorreram modificações nas espessuras parietais nem nos diâmetros do VE. NT-proBNP - diminuição do valor mediano de 652 pg/ml para 349 pg/ml, assim como dos quartis e dos valores máximo e mínimo (p=0,003). CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com CMH não obstrutiva o antagonismo da angiotensina II com losartan 100 mg/dia durante 6 meses resultou em melhora bioquímica e da função diastólica do VE, sem evidente regressão de hipertrofia ao ecocardiograma. Esses resultados são promissores e indicam possíveis benefícios que podem ser obtidos com medicamentos que atuam inibindo o sistema renina-angiotensina em pacientes com CMH. / BACKGROUND: In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) is caused by myocite hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) has trophic and profibrotic effects on the heart, and may impair myocardial relaxation. In hypertensive LV hypertrophy Ang II type 1 (AT1) receptors blockade can reverse hypertrophy and fibrosis, and in animals with HCM, losartan reversed myocardial fibrosis. The effects of Ang II antagonism in humans with HCM are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of losartan, an AT1 blocker, in patients with non-obstructive HCM, with emphasis on LV diastolic function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 27 consecutive patients, mean age 34.4 years, 14 males, were treated with losartan 100 mg/day during 6 months. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at 6 months, as follows: functional class (FC), left atrium diameter (LAD), LV hypertrophy and LV diastolic function (M-mode echocardiography, mitral flow and pulmonary venous flow Doppler, mitral annulus tissue Doppler), and plasma concentrations of the amino-terminal fragment of proBNP (NT-proBNP). RESULTADOS: FC - of the 19 symptomatic patients before the treatment, 8 (42%) were free of symptoms at 6 months (p=0.008). There were no changes in LV wall and cavity measures. LAD decreased from 43.3±6.2 mm to 40.5±6.1 mm (p<0.0001), and pulmonary venous atrial reverse velocity decreased from 36.4±9.7 cm/s to 32.2±6.2 cm/s (p=0.008). Tissue Doppler: mitral annulus early diastolic velocity (Ea) increased from 10.7±3.2 cm/s to 11.95±3.01 cm/s (p=0.004), Ea/Aa ratio increased from 1.11±0.36 to 1.33±0.48 (p=0.009), and E/Ea ratio decreased from 8.37±5.4 to 6.46±3.2 (p=0.004). NT-proBNP - there was a decrease in the median value from 652 pg/ml to 349 pg/ml, as well as a decrease in quartiles, maximum and minimum values (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: In patients with non-obstructive HCM, treatment with losartan 100 mg/day during 6 months resulted in Doppler echocardiographic and biochemical changes indicative of LV diastolic function amelioration, in the absence of evident LV hypertrophy regression. These preliminary results are promising and suggest that inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system may be benefic in human HCM

<p>Heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction are major causes of morbidity and mortality. In this thesis, metabolic, hormonal, genetic and prognostic aspects of echocardiographically determined left ventricular function were investigated in a fairly large longitudinal population-based study of men. The participants were examined both at age 50 and 70 years and were followed for mortality using the national cause-of-death registry.</p><p>Several factors associated with the insulin resistance syndrome predicted left ventricular systolic dysfunction independent of myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes and the use of cardiovascular medication after twenty years follow-up. Plasma levels of N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP) were significantly increased in men with left ventricular dysfunction in comparison to healthy men. However, the diagnostic accuracy was poor due to the extensive overlapping between the groups. Relations between a haplotype of the novel hUNC-93B1 gene and the E/A-ratio were found and validated in separate samples of the cohort. Myocardial performance index (a Doppler derived index of combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic function) and left ventricular ejection fraction were found to be predictors for cardiovascular mortality independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in a longitudinal analysis with a mean follow-up of seven years.</p><p>In conclusion, this thesis showed that left ventricular function is influenced by metabolic, hormonal and genetic factors and that echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular function, such as the myocardial performance index, are strong independent risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in elderly men.</p>

Heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction are major causes of morbidity and mortality. In this thesis, metabolic, hormonal, genetic and prognostic aspects of echocardiographically determined left ventricular function were investigated in a fairly large longitudinal population-based study of men. The participants were examined both at age 50 and 70 years and were followed for mortality using the national cause-of-death registry. Several factors associated with the insulin resistance syndrome predicted left ventricular systolic dysfunction independent of myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes and the use of cardiovascular medication after twenty years follow-up. Plasma levels of N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (N-ANP) were significantly increased in men with left ventricular dysfunction in comparison to healthy men. However, the diagnostic accuracy was poor due to the extensive overlapping between the groups. Relations between a haplotype of the novel hUNC-93B1 gene and the E/A-ratio were found and validated in separate samples of the cohort. Myocardial performance index (a Doppler derived index of combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic function) and left ventricular ejection fraction were found to be predictors for cardiovascular mortality independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in a longitudinal analysis with a mean follow-up of seven years. In conclusion, this thesis showed that left ventricular function is influenced by metabolic, hormonal and genetic factors and that echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular function, such as the myocardial performance index, are strong independent risk factors for cardiovascular mortality in elderly men.