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Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) provides a quantitative tool to evaluate LV function at the regional level. The purpose of this study was to classify the types of regional longitudinal strain curves (LSC). Moreover, we propose a novel longitudinal strain curve index (LSCI) which we compared to the wall motion score index (WMSI).

Testosterone exerts an important regulation of cardiovascular function through genomic and nongenomic pathways. It produces several changes in cardiomyocytes, the main actor of cardiomyopathies, which are characterized by pathological remodeling, eventually leading to heart failure. Testosterone is involved in contractility, in the energy metabolism of myocardial cells, apoptosis, and the remodeling process. In myocarditis, testosterone directly promotes the type of inflammation that leads to fibrosis, and influences viremia with virus localization. At the same time, testosterone exerts cardioprotective effects that have been observed in different studies. There is increasing evidence that low endogenous levels of testosterone have a negative impact in some cardiomyopathies and a protective impact in others. This review focuses on the interrelationships between testosterone and cardiomyopathies and heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite standardization efforts, vendors still use specific proprietary software algorithms for echocardiographic strain measurements, which result in high inter-vendor variability. Using vendor-independent software could be one solution. Little is known, however, how vendor specific image characteristics can influence tracking results of such software. We therefore investigated the reproducibility, accuracy, and scar detection ability of strain measurements on images from different vendors by using a vendor-independent software. A vendor-independent software (TomTec Image Arena) was used to analyse datasets of 63 patients which were obtained on machines from four different ultrasound machine vendors (GE, Philips, Siemens, Toshiba). We measured the tracking feasibility, inter-vendor bias, the relative test-re-test variability and scar discrimination ability of strain measurements. Cardiac magnetic resonance delayed enhancement images were used as the reference standard of scar definition. Tracking feasibility on vendor datasets were significantly different (p < 0.001). Variability of global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurements was similar among the vendors whereas variability of segmental longitudinal strain (SLS) showed modest difference. Relative test-re-test variability of GLS and SLS showed no relevant differences. No significant difference in scar detection capability was observed. Average GLS and SLS values were similar among vendors. Reproducibility of GLS measurements showed no difference among vendors and was in acceptable range. SLS reproducibility was high but similar for all vendors. No relevant difference was found for identifying regional dysfunction. Tracking feasibility showed a substantial difference among images from different vendors. Our findings demonstrate that tracking results depend mainly on the software used and show little influence from vendor specific image characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease affects about 30% of the population and it has a growing tendecy with the increasing incidence of obesity. Currently, a large amount of clinical evidence has shown that cardiovascular disease represents the main cause of mortality in patients suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Objective: In this study we investigated the structural and functional changes of the left ventricle in young adults with hepatic steatosis using modern echocardiographic techniques. Methods:By using tissue Doppler imaging and also Speckle tracking echocardiography the left ventricle systolic function was assessed. Results: All patients included in the study had a normal left ventricular ejection fraction but, when the longitudinal function of the left ventricle was assessed using the tissue Doppler technique (maximum systolic velocity S) statistically significant differences were found in both the group of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver as well as in the group of patients associated with diabetes. Using speckle tracking echocardiography, we found a statistically significant decrease of the global longitudinal strain in the endocardium, in the group of patients with non-alcoholic liver disease but also in the group of those with diabetes. The overall longitudinal strain at the myocardium was significantly reduced only in the group of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes, while the overall longitudinal strain at the epicardium showed no changes in any of the groups studied. Also, no changes were observed at the circumferential strain. Conclusion: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, diagnosed in asymptomatic young adults may be a risk factor for remodeling the left ventricle over time, being associated with subclinical myocardial dysfunction, regardless of the presence of other cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Foreshortening of apical views is a common problem in echocardiography. It results in an abnormally thick false apex and a shortened left ventricular (LV) long axis. We sought to evaluate the impact of foreshortened (FS) on LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and layer-specific 2D speckle tracking based segmental (S) and global (G) longitudinal strain (LS) measurements. Methods and results We examined 72 participants using a GE Vivid E9 system. FS apical views were collected from an imaging window one rib-space higher than the optimal images. Ejection fraction as well as layer-specific GLS and SLS measurements were analysed by GE EchoPAC v201 and TomTec Image Arena 4.6 and compared between optimal and FS images. On average, LV long axis was 10% shorter in FS images than in optimal images. FS induced a relative change in LVEF of 3.3% and 6.9% for GE and TomTec, respectively (both, P  < 0.001). Endocardial GLS was 9.0% higher with GE and 23.2% with TomTec (P  < 0.001). Midwall GLS measurements were less affected (7.8% for GE and 14.1% for TomTec, respectively, both P  < 0.001). Segmental strain analysis revealed that the mid-ventricular and apical segments were more affected by foreshortening, and endocardial measurements were more affected than midwall. Conclusion Optimal image geometry is crucial for accurate LV function assessment. Foreshorhening of apical views has a substantial impact on longitudinal strain measurements, predominantly in the apex and in the endocardial layer. Our data suggest that measuring midwall strain might therefore be the more robust approach for clinical routine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]