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Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, subsequently leading to left ventricular (LV) impairment. The mechanism underlying ventricular interdependence is largely uninvestigated., Purpose: To explore the biventricular dysfunction and the ventricular interdependence in PH patients., Study Type: Retrospective., Population: One hundred and seven PH patients (mean pulmonary artery pressure >20 mmHg) and 72 age- and sex-matched controls with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies., Field Strength/sequence: 3.0 T/balanced steady-state free precession sequence., Assessment: LV and RV ejection fractions (EF) and RV and LV radial, circumferential, and longitudinal strains were assessed using commercial software. Strains were compared between controls, PH patients with preserved RVEF (RVEF ≥40%, N = 48), and PH patients with reduced RVEF (RVEF <40%, N = 59)., Statistical Tests: Chi-squared tests or Fisher's exact test, t tests or Mann-Whitney U test, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's post hoc correction or Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson or Spearman correlation, and multivariable linear regression analysis. A two-tailed P < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant., Results: RV strain decreased sequentially from controls, through PH with preserved RVEF, to PH with reduced RVEF. PH patients with reduced RVEF had significantly lower LV strain, especially septal strain, and LV peak diastolic strain rate compared with both controls and PH patients with preserved RVEF. Multivariable analyses showed that RVEF was independently correlated with LV strain; furthermore, independent of RVEF, RV strain was significantly correlated with LV strain (LVGRS: β = 0.416; LVGCS: β = -0.371; LVGLS: β = 0.283)., Data Conclusion: Subclinical impairment of RV function was found in PH with preserved RVEF. LV strain was impaired when RV was dysfunctional, which was associated with worsening RV strain. Therefore, while focusing on improving RV function, LV dysfunction in PH patients should also be monitored and treated early in order to slow the progression of the disease., Level of Evidence: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most prevalent complication of diabetes, and has been demonstrated to be independently associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. This aim of this study was to investigate the subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without DPN., Methods: One hundred and thirty T2DM patients without DPN, 61 patients with DPN and 65 age and sex-matched controls who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging were included, all subjects had no symptoms of heart failure and LV ejection fraction ≥ 50%. LV myocardial non-infarct late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was determined. LV global strains, including radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain (PS) and peak systolic and diastolic strain rates (PSSR and PDSR, respectively), were evaluated using CMR feature tracking and compared among the three groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the independent factors of reduced LV global myocardial strains in T2DM patients., Results: The prevalence of non-infarct LGE was higher in patients with DPN than those without DPN (37.7% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.008). The LV radial and longitudinal PS (radial: 36.60 ± 7.24% vs. 33.57 ± 7.30% vs. 30.72 ± 8.68%; longitudinal: - 15.03 ± 2.52% vs. - 13.39 ± 2.48% vs. - 11.89 ± 3.02%), as well as longitudinal PDSR [0.89 (0.76, 1.05) 1/s vs. 0.80 (0.71, 0.93) 1/s vs. 0.77 (0.63, 0.87) 1/s] were decreased significantly from controls through T2DM patients without DPN to patients with DPN (all p < 0.001). LV radial and circumferential PDSR, as well as circumferential PS were reduced in both patient groups (all p < 0.05), but were not different between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Radial and longitudinal PSSR were decreased in patients with DPN (p = 0.006 and 0.003, respectively) but preserved in those without DPN (all p > 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for confounders demonstrated that DPN was independently associated with LV radial and longitudinal PS (β = - 3.025 and 1.187, p = 0.014 and 0.003, respectively) and PDSR (β = 0.283 and - 0.086, p = 0.016 and 0.001, respectively), as well as radial PSSR (β = - 0.266, p = 0.007)., Conclusions: There was more severe subclinical LV dysfunction in T2DM patients complicated with DPN than those without DPN, suggesting further prospective study with more active intervention in this cohort of patients., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) can increase the risk of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease and obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD), which usually have a poor prognosis. This study aimed to explore the impact of MetS on left ventricular (LV) deformation and function in OCAD patients and investigate the independent factors of impaired LV function and deformation., Materials and Methods: A total of 121 patients with OCAD and 52 sex- and age-matched controls who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance scanning were enrolled in the study. All OCAD patients were divided into two groups: OCAD with MetS [OCAD(MetS+), n = 83] and OCAD without MetS [OCAD(MetS-), n = 38]. LV functional and global strain parameters were measured and compared among the three groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were constructed to investigate the independent factors of LV impairment in OCAD patients. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to test the prediction efficiency of MetS for LV impairment., Results: From controls to the OCAD(MetS-) group to the OCAD(MetS+) group, LV mass (LVM) increased, and LV global function index (LVGFI) and LV global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) decreased (all p < 0.05). Compared with the OCAD(MetS-) group, the LV GLPS declined significantly (p = 0.027), the LVM increased (p = 0.006), and the LVGFI decreased (p = 0.043) in the OCAD(MetS+) group. After adjustment for covariates in OCAD patients, MetS was an independent factor of decreased LV GLPS (β = - 0.211, p = 0.002) and increased LVM (β = 0.221, p = 0.003). The logistic multivariable regression analysis and ROC analysis showed that combined MetS improved the efficiency of predicting LV GLPS reduction (AUC = 0.88) and LVM (AUC = 0.89) increase., Conclusions: MetS aggravated the damage of LV deformation and function in OCAD patients and was independently associated with LV deformation and impaired LV strain. Additionally, MetS increased the prediction efficiency of increased LVM and decreased LV GLPS. Early detection and intervention of MetS in patients with OCAD is of great significance., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Sarcopenia is frequently found in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and is associated with reduced exercise capacity, poor quality of life and adverse outcomes. Recent evidence suggests that axial thoracic skeletal muscle size could be used as a surrogate to assess sarcopenia in HFrEF. Since diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common comorbidities with HFrEF, we aimed to explore the potential association of axial thoracic skeletal muscle size with left ventricular (LV) remodeling and determine its prognostic significance in this condition., Methods: A total of 243 diabetes patients with HFrEF were included in this study. Bilateral axial thoracic skeletal muscle size was obtained using cardiac MRI. Patients were stratified by the tertiles of axial thoracic skeletal muscle index (SMI). LV structural and functional indices, as well as amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), were measured. The determinants of elevated NT-proBNP were assessed using linear regression analysis. The associations between thoracic SMI and clinical outcomes were assessed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model., Results: Patients in the lowest tertile of thoracic SMI displayed a deterioration in LV systolic strain in three components, together with an increase in LV mass and a heavier burden of myocardial fibrosis (all P < 0.05). Moreover, thoracic SMI (β = -0.25; P < 0.001), rather than body mass index (β = -0.04; P = 0.55), was independently associated with the level of NT-proBNP. The median follow-up duration was 33.6 months (IQR, 20.4-52.8 months). Patients with adverse outcomes showed a lower thoracic SMI (40.1 [34.3, 47.9] cm 2 /m 2 vs. 45.3 [37.3, 55.0] cm 2 /m 2 ; P < 0.05) but a similar BMI (P = 0.76) compared with those without adverse outcomes. A higher thoracic SMI indicated a lower risk of adverse outcomes (hazard ratio: 0.96; 95% confidence interval: 0.92-0.99; P = 0.01)., Conclusions: With respect to diabetes patients with HFrEF, thoracic SMI is a novel alternative for evaluating muscle wasting in sarcopenia that can be obtained by a readily available routine cardiac MRI protocol. A reduction in thoracic skeletal muscle size predicts poor outcomes in the context of DM with HFrEF., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Microvascular pathology is one of the main characteristics of diabetic cardiomyopathy; however, the early longitudinal course of diabetic microvascular dysfunction remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the early dynamic changes in left ventricular (LV) microvascular function in diabetic pig model using the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived quantitative perfusion technique., Methods: Twelve pigs with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in this study, and longitudinal CMR scanning was performed before and 2, 6, 10, and 16 months after diabetic modeling. CMR-derived semiquantitative parameters (upslope, maximal signal intensity, perfusion index, and myocardial perfusion reserve index [MPRI]) and fully quantitative perfusion parameters (myocardial blood flow [MBF] and myocardial perfusion reserve [MPR]) were analyzed to evaluate longitudinal changes in LV myocardial microvascular function. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationship between LV structure and function and myocardial perfusion function., Results: With the progression of DM duration, the upslope at rest showed a gradually increasing trend (P = 0.029); however, the upslope at stress and MBF did not change significantly (P > 0.05). Regarding perfusion reserve function, both MPRI and MPR showed a decreasing trend with the progression of disease duration (MPRI, P = 0.001; MPR, P = 0.042), with high consistency (r = 0.551, P < 0.001). Furthermore, LV MPR is moderately associated with LV longitudinal strain (r = - 0.353, P = 0.022), LV remodeling index (r = - 0.312, P = 0.033), fasting blood glucose (r = - 0.313, P = 0.043), and HbA1c (r = - 0.309, P = 0.046). Microscopically, pathological results showed that collagen volume fraction increased gradually, whereas no significant decrease in microvascular density was observed with the progression of DM duration., Conclusions: Myocardial microvascular reserve function decreased gradually in the early stage of DM, which is related to both structural (but not reduced microvascular density) and functional abnormalities of microvessels, and is associated with increased blood glucose, reduced LV deformation, and myocardial remodeling., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Due to the heterogeneity of anatomic anomalies in Ebstein's anomaly (EA), particularly in the subset of patients with atrial septal defect (ASD), hemodynamic changes, which ultimately cause left ventricular (LV) deterioration remain unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of concomitant ASD on LV function using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with EA., Methods: This study included 31 EA patients with ASD, 76 EA patients without ASD, 35 patients with simple ASD and 40 healthy controls. Left/right ventricular (RV, the RV was defined as a summation of the functional RV and atrialized RV in EA patients) volumes and functional parameters, LV strain parameters, and echocardiogram indices were compared among the four groups. Associations between variables were evaluated via Spearman or Pearson correlation analyses. The association between risk factors and LV ejection fraction (EF) was determined via multivariate linear regression analysis., Results: Both EA patients and ASD patients had a higher RV/LV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV/LVEDV) as well as lower LV and RV ejection fractions (LVEF/RVEF) compared to healthy controls (all p < 0.05). Moreover, the EA patients with ASD had a significantly higher RVEDV/LVEDV and a lower LVEF and RVEF than those without ASD (all p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of ASD was independently associated with LVEF (β = - 0.337, p < 0.001). The RVEDV/LVEDV index was associated with LVEF (r = - 0.361, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the LV longitudinal peak diastolic strain rate (PDSR) was lower in EA patients with ASD than those without ASD, patients with simple ASD, and healthy controls (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: Concomitant ASD is an important risk factor of LV dysfunction in patients with EA, and diastolic dysfunction is likely the predominate mechanism related to LV dysfunction., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common metabolic disease worldwide and a major risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events, while the additive effects of DM on left ventricular (LV) deformation in the restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) cohort remain unclear. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the additive effects of DM on LV deformation in patients with RCM., Materials and Methods: One hundred thirty-six RCM patients without DM [RCM(DM-)], 46 with DM [RCM (DM+)], and 66 age- and sex-matched control subjects who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scanning were included. LV function, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) type, and LV global peak strains (including radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions) were measured. The determinant of reduced LV global myocardial strain for all RCM patients was assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed to illustrate the relationship between DM and decreased LV deformation., Results: Compared with the control group, RCM (DM-) and RCM(DM+) patients presented increased LV end-diastolic index and end-systolic volume index and decreased LV ejection fraction. LV GPS in all three directions and longitudinal PDSR progressively declined from the control group to the RCM(DM-) group to the RCM(DM+) group (all p < 0.05). DM was an independent determinant of impaired LV GPS in the radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions and longitudinal PDSR (β =  - 0.217, 0.176, 0.253, and - 0.263, all p < 0.05) in RCM patients. The multiparameter combination, including DM, showed an AUC of 0.81(95% CI 0.75-0.87) to predict decreased LV GLPS and an AUC of 0.69 (95% CI 0.62-0.76) to predict decreased LV longitudinal PDSR., Conclusions: DM may have an additive deleterious effect on LV dysfunction in patients with RCM, especially diastolic dysfunction in RCM patients, indicating the importance of early identification and initiation of treatment of DM in patients with RCM., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Mitral regurgitation may occur when hypertension causes left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) remodeling. However, its role in LA function in hypertensive patients remains unclear., Purpose: To explore how mitral regurgitation affects LA function in hypertension and to investigate atrioventricular interaction in hypertensive patients with mitral regurgitation., Study Type: Retrospective., Population: A total of 193 hypertensive cases and 64 controls., Field Strength/sequence: A 3.0 T/balanced steady-state free precession., Assessment: LA volume (LAV), LA strain (reservoir, conduit, and active), LA ejection fraction, and LV strain (global peak longitudinal [GLS], circumferential [GCS], and radial strain [GRS]) were evaluated and compared among groups. Regurgitant fraction (RF) was evaluated in regurgitation patients and used to subdivide patients into mild (RF: 0%-30%), moderate (RF: 30%-50%), and severe (RF: >50%) regurgitation categories., Statistical Tests: One-way analysis of variance, Spearman and Pearson's correlation coefficients (r), and multivariable linear regression analysis. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Hypertensive patients without mitral regurgitation showed significantly impaired LA reservoir and conduit functions and significantly decreased LV GLS but preserved pump function and LAV compared to controls (P = 0.193-1.0). Hypertensive cases with mild regurgitation (N = 22) had significantly enlarged LAV and further reduced LA reservoir function, while the group with moderate regurgitation (N = 20) showed significantly reduced LA pump function, further impaired conduit function, and significantly reduced LV strain. The severe regurgitation (N = 13) group demonstrated significantly more severely impaired LA and LV functions and LAV enlargement. Multivariable linear regression showed that regurgitation degree, GRS, GCS, and GLS were independently correlated with the LA reservoir, conduit, and active strain in hypertensive patients with mitral regurgitation., Data Conclusion: Mitral regurgitation may exacerbate LA and LV impairment in hypertension. Regurgitation degree, LV GRS, GCS, and GLS were independent determinants of the LA strain in hypertensive patients with mitral regurgitation, which demonstrated atrioventricular interaction., Evidence Level: 4., Technical Efficacy: Stage 3., (© 2023 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was recently recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases., Purpose: To examine the effect of MAFLD on cardiac function in metabolic syndrome by MRI., Study Type: Retrospective., Population: One hundred seventy-nine patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS), 101 with MAFLD (MAFLD [+]) and 78 without (MAFLD [-]). Eighty-one adults without any of the components of MetS or cardiac abnormalities were included as control group., Field Strength/sequence: 3.0 T; balanced steady-state free precession sequence., Assessment: Left atrial (LA) strain was assessed during three phases: reservoir strain (LA-RS), conduit strain (LA-CS), and booster strain (LA-BS). Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal (LV-GLS) strain was also derived. The left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) was calculated as the ratio of LA end-diastolic volume (LA-EDV) and LV-EDV., Statistical Tests: Student's t test or Mann-Whitney U test; One-way analysis of variance. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Among MetS patients, individuals with MAFLD had significantly lower magnitude LV-GLS (-11.6% ± 3.3% vs. -13.8% ± 2.7%) than those without MAFLD. For LA strains, LA-RS (36.9% ± 13.7% vs. 42.9% ± 13.5%) and LA-CS (20.0% ± 10.6% vs. 24.1% ± 9.2%) were also significantly reduced in MAFLD (+) compared to MAFLD (-). The LACIs (17.2% [12.9-21.2] % vs. 15.8% [12.2-19.7] %) were significantly higher in patients with MAFLD compared to those without MAFLD. After adjustment for other clinical factors, MAFLD was found to be independently correlated with LV-GLS (β = -0.270) and LACI (β = 0.260)., Data Conclusion: MAFLD had an unfavorable effect on LV myocardial strain in MetS. Moreover, LA strain and atrioventricular coupling were further impaired in patients with concomitant MAFLD compared to those without MAFLD. Last, MAFLD was independently associated with subclinical LV dysfunction and atrioventricular coupling after adjustment for other clinical factors., Evidence Level: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 3., (© 2023 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Insulin is commonly used in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to achieve glycemic control. However, recent evidence showed that insulin use is associated with poor outcomes in the context of heart failure (HF). Since heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) accounts for approximately 50% of cases in the general HF population, we aimed to evaluate the effect of insulin treatment on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and contractility abnormalities in a HFrEF cohort and assess whether insulin was a predictor of adverse outcomes in this entity., Methods: A total of 377 HFrEF patients who underwent cardiac MRI were included and divided according to diabetes status and the need for insulin treatment. LV structural and functional indices, as well as systolic strains, were measured. The determinants of impaired myocardial strains were assessed using linear regression analysis. The associated endpoints were determined using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model., Results: T2DM patients on insulin displayed a higher indexed LV end-diastolic volume and LV mass than those with T2DM not on insulin or those without T2DM, despite similar LV ejection fractions, accompanied by a higher three-dimensional spherical index (P < 0.01). Worse longitudinal and circumferential peak systolic strain was shown to occur in T2DM patients on insulin (P < 0.01). Insulin treatment was independently associated with impaired magnitudes of systolic strain. The median follow-up duration was 32.4 months (IQR, 15.6-43.2 months). Insulin treatment remained consistently associated with poor outcomes after adjustment for established confounders, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 3.11; (95% CI, 1.45-6.87; P = 0.009) in the overall cohort and 2.16 (95% CI, 1.08-4.59; P = 0.030) in the diabetes cohort., Conclusions: Insulin may further lead to adverse LV remodeling and contractile dysfunction in the context of HFrEF with T2DM. Considerable care should be taken when treating HFrEF patients with insulin., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and anemia are related to some cardiovascular diseases and can predict poor outcomes. Both of them can damage the heart in their own ways, but their combined effects have not been well explored. This study aimed to explore the combined effects of T2DM and anemia and the interaction between left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) function by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)., Materials and Methods: A total of 177 T2DM patients without anemia, 68 T2DM patients with anemia and 73 sex-matched controls were retrospectively enrolled in this study from June 2015 to September 2022. Their LA phasic function and LV function parameters were compared to explore the combined effects of T2DM and anemia and the interaction between LA and LV function. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were done to explore the independent factors influencing LA phasic function and LV function., Results: Compared with controls and T2DM patients without anemia, T2DM patients with anemia were older and had higher heart rate, higher creatinine, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and lower hemoglobin (Hb) (all p < 0.05). LV global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) significantly declined from T2DM patients with anemia to T2DM patients without anemia to controls (p < 0.001). LA volumetric function and strain were significantly impaired in T2DM patients with anemia compared with the other groups (all p < 0.05). In addition to age, eGFR, Hb and HbA1c, the LV GLPS was independently associated with all LA phasic strains (LA reservoir strain, β =0.465; LA conduit strain, β = 0.450; LA pump strain, β = 0.360, all p < 0.05). LA global conduit strain, total LA ejection fraction (LAEF) and active LAEF were independently associated with LV GLPS and LVEF., Conclusion: Both LA and LV function were severely impaired in T2DM patients with anemia, and T2DM and anemia were independently associated with LA phasic function. Deleterious interaction between LA function and LV function would happen in T2DM patients with or without anemia. Timely and effective monitoring and management of both LA and LV function will benefit T2DM patients., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is highly prevalent in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) patients, but little is known about its impact on left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling., Purpose: To evaluate the effect of hypertension on LV function and remodeling in NIDCM patients., Study Type: Retrospective., Population: Two-hundred and twelve NIDCM (HTN-) patients, 91 NIDCM (HTN+) patients, and 74 normal controls., Field Strength/sequence: 3.0 T/bSSFP and phase-sensitive inversion recovery sequence., Assessment: The LV geometry, myocardial strain, remodeling index (calculated as LVM/LVEDV), and LGE were measured and compared between groups. Determinants of LV strain and remodeling in NIDCM were investigated., Statistical Tests: Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis test, univariable and multivariable linear regression. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Compared with normal controls, NIDCM patients had significantly higher LVEDV and significantly impaired LV strains, including LV global peak strain (PS) and peak systolic and diastolic strain rates in the radial, circumferential, and longitudinal directions. The NIDCM (HTN+) group had significantly decreased LV global longitudinal PS and peak diastolic strain rate (PDSR), and significantly increased LV mass index and remodeling index compared to the NIDCM (HTN-) group, despite there being no significant difference in ejection fraction (P = 0.241). The prevalence of LV LGE was significantly higher in the NIDCM (HTN+) group than in the NIDCM (HTN-) group. In multivariable regression models adjusted for potential confounders, hypertension was independently associated with LV global longitudinal PS and PDSR. Male sex, resting heart rate, and log(NT-proBNP) level were independent determinants of LV strains. Moreover, male sex, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and presence of LGE were independent determinants of LV remodeling index., Data Conclusion: These findings suggest that coexistence of hypertension may further exacerbate the reduction in LV global strain and the aggravation of LV remodeling in NIDCM patients., Level of Evidence: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3., (© 2022 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Metabolic and hemodynamic alterations in metabolic syndrome (MetS) can cause a reduced myocardial energetic efficiency (MEE). Indexed MEE (MEEi), as a simple estimate of MEE, is emerging as a novel and useful imaging parameter., Purpose: To investigate the impact of MetS on MEE and systolic myocardial strain and to assess any sex difference., Study Type: Retrospective., Population: A total of 161 patients with MetS (female: n = 82, 52.2 ± 11.7 years; male: n = 79, 51.8 ± 10.6 years) and 77 healthy subjects (female: n = 46, 52.7 ± 8.2 years; male: n = 31, 54.1 ± 11.2 years). Patients with left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction <50% were excluded., Field Strength/sequence: A 3.0 T; balanced steady-state free precession sequence., Assessment: LV volumes and mass (LVM) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were obtained by MRI. Stroke volume (SV) divided by HR was used as a surrogate measure of MEE and normalized to LVM (MEEi)., Statistical Tests: Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test; Multivariable linear regression (coefficient of determination, R 2 ). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: For both males and females, MEEi and GLS were lower in MetS patients than in the normal controls. Among MetS patients, men had significantly higher LVM (59.7 ± 13.4 g/m 2 vs. 48.8 ± 11.3 g/m 2 ) and significantly lower MEEi (0.68 ± 0.23 mL/g/s vs. 0.84 ± 0.23 mL/g/s) and GLS (-11.7% ± 2.8% vs. -13.9% ± 2.7%) than women. After adjustment for clinical variables, male gender (β = -0.291) was found to be inversely correlated with MEEi. Multivariable analysis showed that MEEi (β = 0.454) were independently associated with GLS (adjusted R 2  = 0.454) after adjustment for clinical and other MRI parameters., Data Conclusion: MEEi was significantly impaired in MetS without overt systolic dysfunction. There was a sex difference regarding the cardiac alterations in MetS, with men having significantly lower MEEi and GLS and significantly higher LVM than women. Further, MEEi was independently associated with GLS., Evidence Level: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3., (© 2022 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

We aimed to investigate sex-related differences in left ventricular (LV) deformation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients with comorbid hypertension (HTN) by cardiac MRI. A total of 281 patients with HFrEF who underwent cardiac MRI were enrolled in this study. Sex-related differences in LV structure, function and strains derived from cardiac cine MRI in the context of HTN were measured and compared. The clinical variables associated with LV strains in HFrEF patients with comorbid HTN and determinants of impaired LV strains were investigated for both sexes. The prevalence of HTN did not differ between the sexes (P > 0.05). Despite having a similar LVEF, hypertensive men displayed decreased LV deformation in all 3 directions compared with hypertensive women (all P < 0.05). Male sex and its interaction with HTN were associated with higher LV mass index, reduced LV GCPS and GLPS compared with hypertensive women (all P < 0.05). Male sex was associated with LV deformation impairment in hypertensive HFrEF patients (all P < 0.05). After adjustment for covariates in HFrEF patients, HTN was found to be an independent determinant of impaired LV GCPS [β = 0.17; P = 0.022] and GLPS [β = 0.25; P < 0.001]) in men but not in women (all P > 0.05). Sex had a modifying effect on LV deformation in hypertensive HFrEF patients, with greater adverse effects on LV strains in men than in women. Sex-tailored treatment approaches may be considered in the future for HFrEF patients with comorbid HTN., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: To investigate the difference of right ventricular (RV) structural and functional alteration in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and the ventricular interdependence in these patients, using cardiac MR (CMR) feature tracking., Methods: From December 2016 to February 2022, 148 clinically diagnosed patients with DM who underwent cardiac MR (CMR) in our hospital were consecutively recruited. Fifty-four healthy individuals were included as normal controls. Biventricular strains, including left/right ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-/RVGLS), left/right ventricular global circumferential strain (LV-/RVGCS), left/right ventricular global radial strain (LV-/RVGRS) were evaluated, and compared between patients with DM and healthy controls. Multiple linear regression and mediation analyses were used to evaluate DM's direct and indirect effects on RV strains., Results: No differences were found in age (56.98 ± 10.98 vs. 57.37 ± 8.41, p = 0.985), sex (53.4% vs. 48.1%, p = 0.715), and body surface area (BSA) (1.70 ± 0.21 vs. 1.69 ± 0.17, p = 0.472) between DM and normal controls. Patients with DM had decreased RVGLS (- 21.86 ± 4.14 vs. - 24.49 ± 4.47, p = 0.001), RVGCS (- 13.16 ± 3.86 vs. - 14.92 ± 3.08, p = 0.011), and no decrease was found in RVGRS (22.62 ± 8.11 vs. 23.15 ± 9.05, p = 0.743) in patients with DM compared with normal controls. The difference in RVGLS between normal controls and patients with DM was totally mediated by LVGLS (indirect effecting: 0.655, bootstrapped 95%CI 0.138-0.265). The difference in RVGCS between normal controls and DM was partly mediated by the LVGLS (indirect effecting: 0.336, bootstrapped 95%CI 0.002-0.820) and LVGCS (indirect effecting: 0.368, bootstrapped 95%CI 0.028-0.855)., Conclusions: In the patients with DM and preserved LVEF, the difference in RVGLS between DM and normal controls was totally mediated by LVGLS. Although there were partly mediating effects of LVGLS and LVGCS, the decrease in RVGCS might be directly affected by the DM., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a major risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI), and MI patients with DM have a poor prognosis. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the additive effects of DM on LV deformation in patients after acute MI., Materials and Methods: One hundred thirteen MI patients without DM [MI (DM-)], 95 with DM [MI (DM+)] and 71 control subjects who underwent CMRscanning were included. LV function, infarct size and LV global peak strains in the radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions were measured. MI (DM+) patients were divided into two subgroups based on the HbA1c level (< 7.0% and ≥ 7.0%). The determinants of reduced LV global myocardial strain for all MI patients and MI (DM+) patients were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses., Results: Compared with control subjects, both MI (DM-) and MI (DM+) patients presented higher LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index and lower LV ejection fraction. LV global peak strains progressively declined from the control group to the MI(DM-) group to the MI(DM+) group (all p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that LV global radial PS and longitudinal PS were worse in MI(MD+) patients with poor glycemic control than in those with good glycemic control (all p < 0.05). DM was an independent determinant of impaired LV global peak strain in radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions in patients after acute MI (β = - 0.166, 0.164 and 0.262, both p < 0.05). The HbA1c level was independently associated with a decreased LV global radial PS (β =  - 0.209, p = 0.025) and longitudinal PS (β = 0.221, p = 0.010) in MI (DM+) patients., Conclusions: DM has an additive deleterious effect on LV function and deformation in patients after acute MI, and HbA1c was independently associated with impaired LV myocardial strain., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: To explore the additive effects of anemia on left ventricular (LV) global strains in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or without anemia via cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking technology., Materials and Methods: 236 T2DM patients with or without anemia and 67 controls who underwent CMR examination were retrospectively enrolled. LV function parameters, LV global radial peak strain (GRPS), longitudinal peak strain (GLPS), and circumferential peak strain (GCPS) were used to analyze the function and global strain of the heart. One-way analysis of variance and the chi-square test were used for intergroup analysis. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed for the two T2DM groups to explore factors associated with LV global strains., Results: The T2DM group with anemia was oldest and had a lowest hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, lowest estimated glomerular filtration rate, highest LV end-systolic volume index, highest end-diastolic volume index and highest LV mass index than the control group and T2DM without anemia group (all P ≤ 0.001). Besides, The LV global peak strains in all three directions worsened successively from the control group to the T2DM without anemia group to the T2DM with anemia group (all p < 0.001). Among all clinical indices, the decrease in Hb was independently associated with the worsening in GRPS (β = 0.237, p = 0.001), GCPS (β = 0.326, p < 0.001), and GLPS (β = 0.265, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: Anemia has additive deleterious effects on LV function and LV global strains in patients with T2DM. Regular detection and early intervention of anemia might be beneficial for T2DM patients., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Previous researches on large animal models of diabetic cardiomyopathy were insufficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate early changes in left ventricular (LV) function and morphology in diabetic pigs using a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) time-volume curve and feature tracking technique., Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce diabetic in sixteen pigs. 3.0T MRI scanned the pig's heart before and 2, 6, 10 and 16 months after modelling. CMR biomarkers, including time-volume curve and myocardial strain, were compared to analyse the longitudinal changes in LV function and morphology. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between LV strain and remodelling. Cardiac specimens were obtained at 6, 10, and 16 months after modelling to observe the myocardial ultrastructural and microstructure at different courses of diabetes., Results: Twelve pigs developed diabetes. The 80% diastolic volume recovery rate (DVR) at 6 months after modelling was significantly higher than that before modelling (0.78 ± 0.08vs. 0.67 ± 0.15). The LV global longitudinal peak strain (GLPS) (- 10.21 ± 3.15 vs. - 9.74 ± 2.78 vs. - 9.38 ± 3.71 vs. - 8.71 ± 2.68 vs. - 6.59 ± 2.90%) altered gradually from the baseline data to 2, 6, 10 and 16 months after modelling. After 16 months of modelling, the LV remodelling index (LVRI) of pigs increased compared with that before modelling (2.19 ± 0.97 vs. 1.36 ± 0.45 g/ml). The LVRI and myocardial peak strain were correlated in diabetic pigs (r= - 0.40 to - 0.54), with GLPS being the most significant. Electron microscopy and Masson staining showed that myocardial damage and fibrosis gradually increased with the progression of the disease., Conclusion: Intravenous injection of STZ can induce a porcine diabetic cardiomyopathy model, mainly characterized by decreased LV diastolic function and strain changes accompanied by myocardial remodelling. The changes in CMR biomarkers could reflect the early myocardial injury of diabetic cardiomyopathy., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Previous studies reported that there was right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on RV systolic dysfunction and interventricular interactions using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) in patients with essential hypertension., Methods and Methods: Eighty-five hypertensive patients without T2DM [HTN(T2DM -)], 58 patients with T2DM [HTN(T2DM +)] and 49 normal controls were included in this study. The biventricular global radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strains (GRS, GCS, GLS, respectively) and RV regional strains at the basal-, mid- and apical-cavity, were calculated with CMR-FT and compared among controls and different patient groups. Backward stepwise multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the effects of T2DM and left ventricular (LV) strains on RV strains., Results: The biventricular GLS and RV apical longitudinal strain deteriorated significantly from controls, through HTN(T2DM-), to HTN(T2DM +) groups. RV middle longitudinal strain in patient groups were significantly reduced, and LV GRS and GCS and RV basal longitudinal strain were decreased in HTN(T2DM +) but preserved in HTN(T2DM-) group. Multivariable regression analyses adjusted for covariates demonstrated that T2DM was independently associated with LV strains (LV GRS: β = - 4.278, p = 0.004, model R 2  = 0.285; GCS: β = 1.498, p = 0.006, model R 2  = 0.363; GLS: β = 1.133, p = 0.007, model R 2  = 0.372) and RV GLS (β = 1.454, p = 0.003, model R 2  = 0.142) in hypertension. When T2DM and LV GLS were included in the multiple regression analysis, both T2DM and LV GLS (β = 0.977 and 0.362, p = 0.039 and < 0.001, model R 2  = 0.224) were independently associated with RV GLS., Conclusions: T2DM exacerbates RV systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension, which may be associated with superimposed LV dysfunction by coexisting T2DM and suggests adverse interventricular interactions., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate myocardial fibrosis using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) T1 mapping in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and investigate the association between left ventricular (LV) subclinical myocardial dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis., Methods: The study included 37 short-term (≤ 5 years) and 44 longer-term (> 5 years) T2DM patients and 41 healthy controls. The LV global strain parameters and T1 mapping parameters were compared between the abovementioned three groups. The association of T1 mapping parameters with diabetes duration, in addition to other risk factors, was determined using multivariate linear regression analysis. The correlation between LV strain parameters and T1 mapping parameters was evaluated using Pearson's correlation., Results: The peak diastolic strain rates (PDSRs) were significantly lower in longer-term T2DM patients compared to those in healthy subjects and short-term T2DM patients (p < 0.05). The longitudinal peak systolic strain rate and peak strain were significantly lower in the longer-term T2DM compared with the short-term T2DM group (p < 0.05). The extracellular volumes (ECVs) were higher in both subgroups of T2DM patients compared with control subjects (all p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that diabetes duration was independently associated with ECV (β = 0.413, p < 0.001) by taking covariates into account. Pearson's analysis showed that ECV was associated with longitudinal PDSR (r = - 0.441, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: T1 mapping could detect abnormal myocardial fibrosis early in patients with T2DM, which can cause a decline in the LV diastolic function., Key Points: • CMR T1 mapping could detect abnormal myocardial fibrosis early in patients with T2DM. • The diabetes duration was independently associated with ECV. • Myocardial fibrosis can cause a decline in the LV diastolic function in T2DM patients., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Society of Radiology.)

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a comorbidity of myocardial infarction (MI), which may promote the incidence of adverse cardiovascular clinical events. However, it is not yet completely understood how MR in MI patients is associated with impaired myocardial deformation., Purpose: To determine the damaging myocardium effects of MR in MI patients in terms of the global peak strain (PS) and left ventricular (LV) function, and evaluate the independent risk factors impacting LV deformation after MI., Study Type: Retrospective., Population: One hundred eighty-six MI patients (17.7% female) and 84 normal control subjects (27.4% female)., Field Strength/sequence: 3.0T; late gadolinium enhancement sequence, balanced steady-state free precession., Assessment: LV function and LV global PS (global radial peak strain [GRPS]; global circumferential peak strain [GCPS]; and global longitudinal peak strain [GLPS]) were compared among normal controls, MI without MR (MR-) and MI with MR (MR+, mild, moderate, severe) patients., Statistical Tests: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regressions were used. A P value <0.05 indicated statistically significant difference (two-tailed)., Results: The MI (MR+) patients showed significantly lower LV global PS than both MI (MR-) and control groups in three directions (GRPS 16.66 ± 7.43%; GCPS -11.27 ± 4.27%; GLPS -7.75 ± 3.44%), and significantly higher LV end-systolic (128.85 [87.91, 188.01] mL) and end-diastolic volumes (210.29 [164.07, 264.00] mL) and significantly lower LV ejection fraction (38.23 ± 13.02%). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that MR was independently associated with LV GCPS (β = -0.268) and GLPS (β = -0.320). LV infarct size was an independent indicator of LV GRPS (β = -0.215) and GCPS (β = -0.222). LV end-diastolic volume was an independent indicator of LV GRPS (β = -0.518), GCPS (β = -0.503), and GLPS (β = -0.331)., Data Conclusion: MR may further exacerbate the reduction of LV global peak strains and function. The MR, infarct size, and LV end-diastolic volume can be used as independent association indicators for LV global PS in MI (MR+) patients., Level of Evidence: 4 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 TOC Category: Chest., (© 2022 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients induced by left ventricular (LV) enlargement and mitral valve abnormality may aggravated the impairment in left atrial (LA) compliance. Thus, this study aimed to depict how FMR and LV dysfunction affect LA compliance in T2DM patients with FMR., Materials and Methods: A total of 148 patients with T2DM and 49 age- and sex-matched normal controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. LA longitudinal strain and LA and LV functional indices were compared among controls and different T2DM patients. The multivariate analysis was used to identify the independent indicators of LA longitudinal strain., Results: T2DM Patients without FMR had a lower total LA empty fraction (LAEF) compared with the controls (all P < 0.05). T2DM patients with mild and moderate FMR showed increased LA volume (LAV) and LV volume while decreased LAEF, LA strain, and LV ejection fraction (P < 0.05). T2DM patients with severe FMR showed markedly increased LAV and LV volume while decreased LAEF, LA strain, and LVEF (P < 0.05). In T2DM patients with FMR, reservoir strain (εs) was independently correlated with LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (β = - 0.334) and regurgitation degree (β = - 0.256). The passive strain (εe) was independently correlated with regurgitation degree (β = - 0.297), whereas the active strain (εa) was independently correlated with LVESV (β = - 0.352) and glycated haemoglobin (β = - 0.279)., Conclusion: FMR may aggravate LA and LV dysfunction in T2DM patients. Regurgitation degree was an independent determinant of the εs and the εe, LVEDV was an independent determinant of the εs, and LVESV was an independent determinant of the εa in T2DM patients with FMR., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of worse long-term outcomes in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM). However, the additive effects of T2DM on left ventricular (LV) function in NIDCM remain unclear. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the impact of comorbid T2DM on LV deformation in NIDCM individuals., Materials and Methods: Three hundred forty-two NIDCM patients without T2DM [NIDCM (T2DM-)], 93 with T2DM [NIDCM (T2DM+)] and 80 age- and sex-matched normal controls who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance scanning were included. LV geometry, function, and LV global strains, including peak strain (PS), peak systolic strain rate (PSSR) and peak diastolic strain rate (PDSR) in the radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions, were measured. NIDCM (T2DM+) patients were divided into two subgroups based on the HbA1c level (< 7.0% and ≥ 7.0%). The determinants of reduced LV myocardial strain for all NIDCM individuals and NIDCM (T2DM+) patients were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses., Results: Compared with normal controls, both NIDCM (T2DM -) and NIDCM (T2DM+) patients exhibited increased LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index and decreased LV ejection fraction. LV global strains progressively declined from the normal controls to the NIDCM (T2DM-) group to the NIDCM (T2DM+) group (all p < 0.017), except for radial PDSR and PSSR. Subgroup analysis showed that LV global radial PS and longitudinal PS, PSSR-L and PDSR-L were worse in NIDCM patients with poor glycemic control than in those with good glycemic control (p < 0.017). T2DM was an independent determinant of reduced LV global circumferential PS and longitudinal PS in patients with NIDCM (both p < 0.05). An increased HbA1c level was independently associated with a decreased global radial PS (β = - 0.285, p < 0.01) and longitudinal PS (β = 0.320, p < 0.01) in NIDCM (T2DM+) patients., Conclusions: T2DM has an additive deleterious effect on LV systolic and diastolic function in NIDCM patients. Among NIDCM patients with T2DM, HbA1c was found to be associated with reduced LV myocardial strain., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a major health burden worldwide with high morbidity and mortality. Comorbidities of HFrEF complicate treatment and lead to poor prognosis, among which hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are common and frequently cooccur. DM was found to have additive effects on cardiac function and structure in hypertensive patients, while its effects on the HFrEF cohort in the context of HTN remain unclear., Methods: A total of 171 patients with HFrEF were enrolled in our study, consisting of 51 HFrEF controls, 72 hypertensive HFrEF patients (HTN-HFrEF [DM-]) and 48 hypertensive HFrEF patients with comorbid DM (HTN-HFrEF [DM+]). Cardiac MRI-derived left ventricular (LV) strains, including global radial (GRPS), circumferential (GCPS) and longitudinal (GLPS) peak strain, and remodeling parameters were measured and compared among groups. The determinants of impaired LV function and LV remodeling in HFrEF patients were investigated by multivariable linear regression analyses., Results: Despite a similar LV ejection fraction, patients in the HTN-HFrEF (DM+) and HTN-HFrEF (DM-) groups showed a higher LV mass index and LV remodeling index than those in the HFrEF control group (all p < 0.05). Compared with the HTN-HFrEF (DM-) and HFrEF control groups, the HTN-HFrEF (DM+) group exhibited the most severe GLPS impairment (p < 0.001). After adjustment for covariates in HFrEF patients, DM was found to be an independent determinant of impaired LV strains in all three directions (GRPS [β = - 0.189; p = 0.011], GCPS [β = 0.217; p = 0.005], GLPS [β = 0.237; p = 0.002]). HTN was associated with impaired GLPS (β = 0.185; p = 0.016) only. However, HTN rather than DM was associated with LV remodeling in HFrEF patients in the multivariable regression analysis (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: DM aggravated LV longitudinal dysfunction in hypertensive HFrEF patients without further changes in LV remodeling, indicating that HFrEF patients with comorbid HTN and DM may have a hidden high-risk phenotype of heart failure that requires more advanced and personalized management., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus causes left ventricular (LV) remodeling and increases the risk of aortic regurgitation (AR), which causes further heart damage. This study aimed to investigate whether AR aggravates LV deformation dysfunction and to identify independent factors affecting the global peak strain (PS) of LV remodeling in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who presented with AR and those without T2DM., Methods: In total, 215 patients with T2DM and 83 age- and sex-matched healthy controls who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination were included. Based on the echocardiogram findings, T2DM patients with AR were divided into three groups (mild AR [n = 28], moderate AR [n = 21], and severe AR [n = 17]). LV function and global strain parameters were compared, and multivariate analysis was performed to identify the independent indicators of LV PS., Results: The T2DM patients with AR had a lower LV global PS, peak systolic strain rate (PSSR), and peak diastolic strain rate (PDSR) in three directions than those without AR and non-T2DM controls. Patients without AR had a lower PS (radial and longitudinal) and PDSR in three directions and higher PSSR (radial and longitudinal) than healthy controls. Further, regurgitation degree was an independent factor of LV global radial, circumferential, and longitudinal PS., Conclusion: AR may aggravate LV stiffness in patients with T2DM, resulting in lower LV strain and function. Regurgitation degree and sex were independently correlated with LV global PS in patients with T2DM and AR., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) confers considerable morbidity and mortality in diabetes. However, the role of CAD in additive effect of left ventricular (LV) function has rarely been explored in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This study aimed to investigate how CAD affect LV systolic and diastolic function in T2DM patients., Materials and Methods: A total of 282 T2DM patients {104 patients with CAD [T2DM (CAD +)] and 178 without [T2DM (CAD -)]} and 83 sex- and age- matched healthy controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance scanning. LV structure, function, global strains [including systolic peak strain (PS), peak systolic (PSSR) and diastolic strain rate (PDSR) in radial, circumferential and longitudinal directions] and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) parameters were measured. T2DM (CAD +) patients were divided into two subgroups based on the median of Gensini score (60) which was calculated to assess the severity of CAD. Multivariable linear regression analyses were constructed to investigate the determinants of reduced LV function., Results: Compared with normal controls, T2DM (CAD -) patients exhibited increased LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume index and decreased LV global strains, while T2DM(CAD +) patients showed more marked increase and decrease than T2DM(CAD-) and healthy controls, except for longitudinal PDSR (PDSR-L) (all P < 0.017). All of LV global strains demonstrated a progressive decrease from normal controls, through Gensini score ≤ 60, to Gensini score > 60 group, except for PDSR-L (all P < 0.017). CAD was an independent predictor of reduced LV global circumferential PS (GCPS, β = 0.22, p < 0.001), PSSR (PSSR-C, β = 0.17, p = 0.005), PDSR (PDSR-C, β = 0.22, p < 0.001), global radial PS (GRPS, β = 0.19, p = 0.001), and global longitudinal PS (GLPS, β = 0.18, p = 0.003) in T2DM. The Gensini score was associated with decreased GCPS, PSSR-C, PDSR-C, GRPS, and GLPS in T2DM (CAD +) (all p < 0.05)., Conclusion: CAD has an additive deleterious effect on LV systolic and diastolic function in T2DM patients. Among T2DM (CAD +) patients, the Gensini score is associated with reduced LV contractile and diastolic function. Trial registration Retrospectively registered., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a heterogeneous syndrome with sex-specific pathophysiology. Estrogen deficiency is believed to be responsible for the development of HFpEF in women. However, estrogen deficiency does not seem to be completely responsible for the differences in HFpEF prevalence between sexes. While diabetes mellitus (DM) frequently coexists with HFpEF in women and is associated with worse outcomes, the changes in myocardial contractility among women with HFpEF and the DM phenotype is yet unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sex-related differences in left ventricular (LV) contractility dysfunction in HFpEF comorbid with DM., Methods: A total of 224 patients who underwent cardiac cine MRI were included in this study. Sex-specific differences in LV structure and function in the context of DM were determined. LV systolic strains (global longitudinal strain [GLS], circumferential strain [GCS] and radial strain [GRS]) were measured using cine MRI. The determinants of impaired myocardial strain for women and men were assessed., Results: The prevalence of DM did not differ between sexes (p > 0.05). Despite a similar LV ejection fraction, women with DM demonstrated a greater LV mass index than women without DM (p = 0.023). The prevalence of LV geometry patterns by sex did not differ in the non-DM subgroup, but there was a trend toward a more abnormal LV geometry in women with DM (p = 0.072). The magnitudes of systolic strains were similar between sexes in the non-DM group (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, in the DM subgroup, there was significant impairment in women in systolic strains compared with men (p < 0.05). In the multivariable analysis, DM was associated with impaired systolic strains in women (GLS [β = 0.26; p = 0.007], GCS [β = 0.31; p < 0.001], and GRS [β = -0.24; p = 0.016]), whereas obesity and coronary artery disease were associated with impaired systolic strains in men (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Women with DM demonstrated greater LV contractile dysfunction, which indicates that women with HFpEF comorbid with DM have a high-risk phenotype of cardiac failure that may require more aggressive and personalized medical treatment., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is one of the most common heart valve diseases in diabetes and may increase left ventricular (LV) preload and aggravate myocardial stiffness. This study aimed to investigate the aggravation of FMR on the deterioration of LV strain in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and explore the independent indicators of LV peak strain (PS)., Materials and Methods: In total, 157 T2DM patients (59 patients with and 98 without FMR) and 52 age- and sex-matched healthy control volunteers were included and underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. T2DM with FMR patients were divided into T2DM patients with mild (n = 21), moderate (n = 19) and severe (n = 19) regurgitation. LV function and global strain parameters were compared among groups. Multivariate analysis was used to identify the independent indicators of LV PS., Results: The T2DM with FMR had lower LV strain parameters in radial, circumferential and longitudinal direction than both the normal and the T2DM without FMR (all P < 0.05). The mild had mainly decreased peak diastolic strain rate (PDSR) compared to the normal. The moderate had decreased peak systolic strain rate (PSSR) compared to the normal and PDSR compared to the mild and the normal. The severe FMR group had decreased PDSR and PSSR compared to the mild and the normal (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that the regurgitation degree was independent associated with radial (β = - 0.272), circumferential (β = - 0.412) and longitudinal (β = - 0.347) PS; the months with diabetes was independently associated with radial (β = - 0.299) and longitudinal (β = - 0.347) PS in T2DM with FMR., Conclusion: FMR may aggravate the deterioration of LV stiffness in T2DM patients, resulting in decline of LV strain and function. The regurgitation degree and months with diabetes were independently correlated with LV global PS in T2DM with FMR., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain impairment has been demonstrated in hypertension despite normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF); however, limited data exist on any difference in results between genders. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of gender on LV deformation in patients with essential hypertension. This was a cross-sectional study, in which 94 patients (47 men and 47 women) with essential hypertension and 62 age- and gender-matched controls (31 men and 31 women) were enrolled. A 3.0 T/two-dimensional balanced steady-state free precession cine, late gadolinium enhancement was used. The LV endocardial and epicardial contours were drawn by radiologists, then LV volumes, mass, function, and myocardial strain, including peak global radial (GRS), circumferential (GCS), and longitudinal strain (GLS) were automatically calculated. Chi-square test, Student's t-test, general linear model analysis, univariate linear regression analysis, stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficient analysis were performed. Women had significantly higher magnitudes of LV GRS, GCS, and GLS than men in both patients and controls (all p < 0.05). In the overall patients, LV GLS was significantly reduced compared with controls (p < 0.05), while GRS and GCS were preserved (p = 0.092 and 0.27, respectively). Compared with their counterpart controls, LV GRS, GCS, and GLS (all p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in hypertensive men, while only GLS (p < 0.05) was reduced in hypertensive women. Male gender and its interaction with hypertension were associated with higher LV mass and volume, decreased LV GRS, GCS, and GLS compared with hypertensive women. Multivariate analyses revealed that gender and LVEF were independently associated with GRS, GCS, and GLS (all p < 0.001) in hypertension. LV deformation is significantly reduced in hypertension, and gender may influence the response of LV deformation to hypertension, with men suffering more pronounced subclinical myocardial dysfunction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3., (© 2021 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Essential hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two common chronic diseases that often coexist, and both of these diseases can cause heart damage. However, the additive effects of essential hypertension complicated with T2DM on left ventricle (LV) diastolic function have not been fully illustrated. This study aims to investigate whether T2DM affects the diastolic function of the LV in patients with essential hypertension using the volume-time curve from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)., Methods: A total of 124 essential hypertension patients, including 48 with T2DM [HTN(T2DM +) group] and 76 without T2DM [HTN(T2DM-) group], and 52 normal controls who underwent CMR scans were included in this study. LV volume-time curve parameters, including the peak ejection rate (PER), time to peak ejection rate (PET), peak filling rate (PFR), time to peak filling rate from end-systole (PFT), PER normalized to end-diastolic volume (PER/EDV), and PFR normalized to EDV (PFR/EDV), were measured and compared among the three groups. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effects of T2DM on LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension. Pearson correlation was used to analyse the correlation between the volume-time curve and myocardial strain parameters., Results: PFR and PFR/EDV decreased from the control group, through HTN(T2DM -), to HTN(T2DM +) group. PFT in the HTN(T2DM-) group and HTN(T2DM +) group was significantly longer than that in the control group. The LV remodelling index in the HTN(T2DM -) and HTN(T2DM +) groups was higher than that in the normal control group, but there was no significant difference between the HTN(T2DM -) and HTN(T2DM +) groups. Multiple regression analyses controlling for covariates of systolic blood pressure, age, sex, and heart rate demonstrated that T2DM was independently associated with PFR/EDV (β = 0.252, p < 0.05). The volume-time curve method has good repeatability, and there is a significant correlation between volume-time curve parameters (PER/EDV and PFR/EDV) and myocardial peak strain rate, especially circumferential peak strain rate, which exhibited the highest correlation (r = - 0.756 ~ 0.795)., Conclusions: T2DM exacerbates LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension. The LV filling model changes reflected by the CMR volume-time curve could provide more information for early clinical intervention.

Objective: We aimed to comprehensively determine the effects of hypertension on left ventricular (LV) structure, microcirculation, tissue characteristics, and deformation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging., Methods: We prospectively enrolled 138 asymptomatic patients with T2DM (80 normotensive and 58 hypertensive individuals) and 42 normal glucose-tolerant and normotensive controls and performed multiparametric CMR examination to assess cardiac geometry, microvascular perfusion, extracellular volume (ECV), and strain. Univariable and multivariable linear analysis was performed to analyze the effect of hypertension on LV deformation in patients with T2DM., Results: Compared with controls, patients with T2DM exhibited decreased strain, decreased microvascular perfusion, increased LV remodeling index, and increased ECV. Hypertension lead to greater deterioration of LV strain (peak strain-radial, P = 0.002; peak strain-longitudinal, P = 0.006) and LV remodeling index (P = 0.005) in patients with T2DM after adjustment for covariates; however, it did not affect microvascular perfusion (perfusion index, P = 0.469) and ECV (P = 0.375). In multivariable analysis, hypertension and diabetes were independent predictors of reduced LV strain, whereas hypertension is associated with greater impairment of diastolic function (P = 0.009) but not systolic function (P = 0.125) in the context of diabetes, independent of clinical factors and myocardial disorder., Conclusion: Hypertension in the context of diabetes is significantly associated with LV diastolic function and concentric remodeling; however, it has little effect on systolic function, myocardial microcirculation, or fibrosis independent of covariates, which provide clinical evidence for understanding the pathogenesis of comorbidities and explaining the development of distinct heart failure phenotypes., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are susceptible to coexisted with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which may increase cardiovascular mortality in these patients. The present study aimed to verify whether CKD aggravates the deterioration of left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain in T2DM patients and to explore the risk factors associated with LV strain., Materials and Methods: In total, 105 T2DM patients and 52 healthy individuals were included and underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. Patients were divided into the following two groups: T2DM with CKD (n = 33) and T2DM without CKD (n = 72). The baseline clinical and biochemical indices were obtained from hospital records before the cardiac magnetic resonance scan. Cine sequences, including long-axis views (2-chamber and 4-chamber) and short-axis views, were acquired. LV function and global strain parameters were measured based on cine sequences and compared among three groups. Pearson's analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between LV strain parameters and clinical indices. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the independent indicators of LV strain., Results: Compared with normal controls, T2DM patients without CKD had a significantly decreased magnitude of peak strain (PS; radial), peak systolic strain rate (radial), and peak diastolic strain rate (radial and circumferential) (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, T2DM patients with CKD displayed markedly lower magnitudes of PS (radial, circumferential, and longitudinal) and peak diastolic strain rate (circumferential and longitudinal) than both normal controls and T2DM patients without CKD (all P < 0.05). The eGFR was positively associated with the magnitude of PS (R = radial, 0.392; circumferential, 0.436; longitudinal, 0.556), while uric acid was negatively associated with the magnitude of PS (R = radial, - 0.361; circumferential, - 0.391; longitudinal, - 0.460) (all P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression indicated that the magnitude of PS was independently associated with eGFR (β = radial, 0.314; circumferential, 0.292; longitudinal, 0.500) and uric acid (β = radial, - 0.239; circumferential, - 0.211; longitudinal, - 0.238) (all P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Kidney dysfunction may aggravate the deterioration of LV strain in T2DM patients. LV strain is positively associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate and negatively associated with uric acid, which may be independent risk factors for predicting reduction of LV strain.

Background: Diabetes mellitus-related cardiomyopathy has recently been described as a distinct progression of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Pathological changes in the myocardium may explain the development of two different phenotypes. We evaluated the effects of LV geometry, myocardial microcirculation, and tissue characteristics on cardiac deformation in patients with subclinical type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) utilizing multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging., Methods: A total of 135 T2DM patients and 55 matched controls were prospectively enrolled and performed multiparametric CMR examination. CMR-derived parameters including cardiac geometry, function, microvascular perfusion, T1 mapping, T2 mapping, and strain were analyzed and compared between T2DM patients and controls., Results: The univariable and multivariable analysis of systolic and diastolic function revealed that longer duration of diabetes was associated with decreased longitudinal peak systolic strain rate (PSSR-L) (β = 0.195, p = .013), and higher remodeling index and higher extracellular volume (ECV) tended to correlate with decreased longitudinal peak diastolic strain rate (PDSR-L) (remodeling index, β = -0.339, p = .000; ECV, β = -0.172, p = .026), whereas microvascular perfusion index and T2 value affected both PSSR-L (perfusion index, β = -0.328, p = .000; T2 value, β = 0.306, p = .000) and PDSR-L (perfusion index, β = 0.209, p = .004; T2 value, β = -0.275, p = .000) simultaneously., Conclusions: The LV concentric remodeling and myocardial fibrosis correlated with diastolic function, and perfusion function and myocardial edema were associated with both LV systolic and diastolic function., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risks of heart failure and mortality in patients with hypertension, however the underlying mechanism is unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of coexisting T2DM on left ventricular (LV) deformation and myocardial perfusion in hypertensive individuals., Materials and Methods: Seventy hypertensive patients without T2DM [HTN(T2DM-)], forty patients with T2DM [HTN(T2DM+)] and 37 age- and sex-matched controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. Left ventricular (LV) myocardial strains, including global radial (GRPS), circumferential (GCPS) and longitudinal peak strain (GLPS), and resting myocardial perfusion indices, including upslope, time to maximum signal intensity (TTM), and max signal intensity (MaxSI), were measured and compared among groups by analysis of covariance after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and heart rate followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. Backwards stepwise multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the effects of T2DM on LV strains and myocardial perfusion indices in patients with hypertension., Results: Both GRPS and GLPS deteriorated significantly from controls, through HTN(T2DM-), to HTN(T2DM+) group; GCPS in HTN(T2DM+) group was lower than those in both HTN(T2DM-) and control groups. Compared with controls, HTN(T2DM-) group showed higher myocardial perfusion, and HTN(T2DM+) group exhibited lower perfusion than HTN(T2DM-) group and controls. Multiple regression analyses considering covariates of systolic blood pressure, age, sex, BMI, heart rate, smoking, indexed LV mass and eGFR demonstrated that T2DM was independently associated with LV strains (GRPS: p = 0.002, model R 2 = 0.383; GCPS: p < 0.001, model R 2 = 0.472; and GLPS: p = 0.002, model R 2 = 0.424, respectively) and perfusion indices (upslope: p < 0.001, model R 2 = 0.293; TTM: p < 0.001, model R 2 = 0.299; and MaxSI: p < 0.001, model R 2 = 0.268, respectively) in hypertension. When both T2DM and perfusion indices were included in the regression analyses, both T2DM and TTM were independently associated with GRPS (p = 0.044 and 0.017, model R 2 = 0.390) and GCPS (p = 0.002 and 0.001, model R 2 = 0.424), and T2DM but not perfusion indices was independently associated with GLPS (p = 0.002, model R 2 = 0.424)., Conclusion: In patients with hypertension, T2DM had an additive deleterious effect on subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and myocardial perfusion, and impaired myocardial perfusion by coexisting T2DM was associated with deteriorated LV systolic dysfunction.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities that collectively cause an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nonatherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to evaluate the role of myocardial steatosis in T2DM patients with or without MetS, as well as the relationship between subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction and myocardial steatosis., Methods and Materials: We recruited 53 T2DM patients and 20 healthy controls underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. All T2DM patients were subdivide into two group: MetS group and non-MetS. LV deformation, perfusion parameters and myocardial triglyceride (TG) content were measured and compared among these three groups. Pearson's and Spearman analysis were performed to investigate the correlation between LV cardiac parameters and myocardial steatosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed to illustrate the relationship between myocardial steatosis and LV subclinical myocardial dysfunction., Results: An increase in myocardial TG content was found in the MetS group compared with that in the other groups (MetS vs. non-MetS: 1.54 ± 0.63% vs. 1.16 ± 0.45%; MetS vs. normal: 1.54 ± 0.63% vs. 0.61 ± 0.22%; all p < 0.001). Furthermore, reduced LV deformation [reduced longitudinal and radial peak strain (PS); all p < 0.017] and microvascular dysfunction [increased time to maximum signal intensity (TTM) and reduced Upslope; all p < 0.017)] was found in the MetS group. Myocardial TG content was positively associated with MetS (r = 0.314, p < 0.001), and it was independently associated with TTM (β = 0.441, p < 0.001) and LV longitudinal PS (β = 0.323, p = 0.021). ROC analysis exhibited that myocardial TG content might predict the risk of decreased LV longitudinal myocardial deformation (AUC = 0.74) and perfusion function (AUC = 0.71)., Conclusion: Myocardial TG content increased in T2DM patients with concurrent MetS. Myocardial steatosis was positively associated with decreased myocardial deformation and perfusion dysfunction, which may be an indicator for predicting diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Early detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) is essential for recommending therapeutic interventions that can prevent or reverse heart failure, thereby improving the prognosis in such patients. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation and perfusion using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate the association between LV subclinical myocardial dysfunction and coronary microvascular perfusion., Methods: We recruited 71 T2DM patients and 30 healthy individuals as controls who underwent CMR examination. The T2DM patients were subdivided into two groups, namely the newly diagnosed DM group (n = 31, patients with diabetes for ≤ 5 years) and longer-term DM group (n = 40, patients with diabetes > 5 years). LV deformation parameters, including global peak strain (PS), peak systolic strain rate, and peak diastolic strain rate (PSDR), and myocardial perfusion parameters such as upslope, time to maximum signal intensity (TTM), and max signal intensity (Max SI, were measured and compared among the three groups. Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between LV deformation and perfusion parameters., Results: Pooled data from T2DM patients showed a decrease in global longitudinal, circumferential, and radial PDSR compared to healthy individuals, apart from lower upslope. In addition, increased TTM and reduced Max SI were found in the longer-term diabetics compared to the normal subjects (p < 0.017 for all). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that T2DM was independently associated with statistically significant CMR parameters, except for TTM (β = 0.137, p = 0.195). Further, longitudinal PDSR was significantly associated with upslope (r = - 0.346, p = 0.003) and TTM (r = 0.515, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Our results imply that a contrast-enhanced 3.0T CMR can detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction and impaired myocardial microvascular perfusion in the early stages of T2DM, and that the myocardial dysfunction is associated with impaired coronary microvascular perfusion.

Background: To assess left ventricular myocardial deformation in patients with primary cardiac tumors., Methods: MRI was retrospectively performed in 61 patients, including 31 patients with primary cardiac tumors and 30 matched normal controls. Left ventricular strain and function parameters were then assessed by MRI-tissue tracking. Differences between the tumor group and controls, left and right heart tumor groups, left ventricular wall tumor and non-left ventricular wall tumor groups, and tumors with and without LV enlargement groups were assessed. Finally, the correlations among tumor diameter, myocardial strain, and LV function were analyzed., Results: Left ventricular myocardial strain was milder for tumor group than for normal group. Peak circumferential strain (PCS) and its diastolic strain rate, longitudinal strains (PLS) and its diastolic strain rates, and peak radial systolic and diastolic velocities of the right heart tumor group were lower than those of the left heart tumor group (all p<0.050), but the peak radial systolic strain rate of the former was higher than that of the latter (p=0.017). The corresponding strains were lower in the left ventricular wall tumor groups than in the non-left ventricular wall tumor group (p<0.050). Peak radial systolic velocities were generally higher for tumors with LV enlargement than for tumors without LV enlargement (p<0.050). Peak radial strain, PCS, and PLS showed important correlations with the left ventricular ejection fraction (all p<0.050)., Conclusion: MRI-tissue tracking is capable of quantitatively assessing left ventricular myocardial strain to reveal sub-clinical abnormalities of myocardial contractile function., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To evaluate the regional left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain of early stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients by magnetic resonance (MR) tissue tracking., Materials and Methods: In all, 114 adult HCM patients classified as NYHA I or II and 32 healthy volunteers were enrolled and underwent 3.0T MR examination. Vertical 2-chamber long axis, horizontal 4-chamber, and short axis cine sequence as well as late gadolinium enhancement images (LGE) were scanned. The cardiac function, regional LV tissue tracking variables, end-diastolic wall thickness (EDTH), and LGE extent were measured., Results: In the HCM group, 38 were NYHA I and 76 were NYHA II. By regional analysis, peak strain (PS) and peak displacement (PD) with radial, circumferential direction of hypertrophic segments (n = 283) were significantly lower than nonhypertrophic segments (n = 1541) (all P < 0.05). Radial PS was significantly correlated with LVEDTH (r = -0.467, P < 0.0001). Radial PD was negatively associated with LVEDTH (r = -0.331, P < 0.0001). The PS and PD of all directions were decreased in segments with LGE (n = 723) compared with those without LGE (n = 1101) (all P < 0.05). In addition, radial PS and PD were negatively associated with LGE extent (radial PS, r = -0.441; radial PD, r = -0.274; both P < 0.0001). All strain parameters showed excellent inter- and intraobserver agreements., Conclusion: Decreased regional LV myocardial strain hypertrophic and fibrotic segments of early-stage HCM patients can be measured by MR tissue tracking based on routine cine images. Moreover, myocardial strain may decrease with the increasing of myocardial hypertrophy as well as fibrosis., Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1368-1376., (© 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) may induce epicardial coronary artery diseases and left ventricular myocardial damaging as well. Left ventricular dysfunction was found in DM2. In this research, we compared the left ventricular dysfunction of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as normal controls using the volume-time curve of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)., Methods: Sixty-one CAD patients (28 with DM2 and 33 without DM2) and 18 normal individuals were enrolled in this study. Left ventricular function parameters, including the end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes (EDV, ESV), stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF), and morphologic dimension parameters (end diastolic and systolic diameter (EDD and ESD), were measured and compared. Volume-time curve parameters, including the peak ejection rate (PER), peak ejection time (PET), peak filling rate (PFR), peak filling time from ES (PFT), peak ejection rate normalized to EDV (PER/EDV), and peak filling rate normalized to EDV (PFR/EDV), were derived automatically and compared., Results: LVEF in the diabetic CAD group was markedly reduced when compared to the normal and CAD without DM2 groups (all p < 0.05). LVEDD of the diabetic CAD group was significantly enlarged compared to the normal and non-diabetic CAD groups (all p < 0.05). More importantly, the lowest parameters of the left ventricle volume time curve (i.e., PER, PFR, PER/EDV and PFR/EDV) were obtained in diabetic CAD patients (all p < 0.05). In diabetic CAD patients, logistic regression analysis indicated that PET, PFT and PFR/EDV were independent predictors of left ventricular dysfunction (odds ratio [OR]: 1.1208, 1.0161, and 0.0139, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of PET were 81.2 and 90%, respectively, when the threshold value was greater than 164.4 msec; for PFT, the sensitivity and specificity were 87.5 and 95.0%, respectively (criterion >166.0 msec). Higher sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (100.0%) were obtained for PFR/EDV (criterion ≤3.7EDV/s)., Conclusions: Parameters that are derived from the volume-time curve on CMR, including PET, PFT and PFR/EDV, allow clinicians to predict left ventricular dysfunction in diabetic CAD subjects with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify the feasibility of myocardial strain using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) deformation in patients with Ebstein's anomaly (EA)., Materials and Methods: We recruited 32 patients with EA and 30 controls for CMR examination and measured LV function, dimension and tissue tracking parameters (the global and regional radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain), together with the right ventricle (RV) dimension. LV strain parameters were compared among the controls, patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF; ≥55%), and patients with reduced LVEF (<55%). Pearson's correlation was used to evaluate relationships between tissue tracking parameters with the RVEDD/LVEDD index and LVEF. An ROC analysis was also performed to determine whether the cut-off values for PS could be used to differentiate LV dysfunction between patients with EA and controls. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the inter- and intra-observer variability., Results: The global strain parameters all decreased significantly in the EA group compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the global radial and circumferential peak strain (PS) were obviously even lower in the reduced LVEF group than the strain measured in preserved LVEF groups (28.64% vs. 37.39%, p<0.05; and -8.20% vs. -17.89%; p<0.05; respectively). The regional strain abnormalities in EA patients were mainly involved in basal and middle segments. The results also demonstrated a significant correlation between the ratio of the RV end-diastolic dimension to the LV end-diastolic dimension (RVEDD/LVEDD index) with the global circumferential PS (r=0.508) and the longitudinal PS (r=0.474), as well as a good correlation between radial PS and LVEF (r=0.465). The ICCs for intra- and inter-observer variability were 0.797-0.904 and 0.701-0.896., Conclusions: LV strain serves an earlier and more comprehensive measurement of LV dysfunction than LVEF in EA, which could potentially be included as a supplementary diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of EA., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coronary microvascular dysfunction is highly prevalent in patients with amyloid light-chain (AL) cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA). The aim of this study was to clarify the feasibility of first-pass perfusion imaging using 3 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for evaluating the difference in left ventricular (LV) regional myocardial microvascular function among normal subjects and in patients with AL-CA. The amyloidosis patients were classified into those with impaired systolic function [LV ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50 %] and those with preserved systolic function., Methods: In total, 32 patients with biopsy-proven AL-CA, including 11 AL-CA patients with systolic dysfunction, 21 AL-CA patients with preserved systolic function, and 25 healthy subjects, underwent CMR examination. LV regional myocardial perfusion parameters included upslope, time to maximum signal intensity (TTM) and max signal intensity (MaxSI) were compared among the three patient groups. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine whether perfusion parameters could be used in discriminating regional myocardial microvascularity between AL-CA patients and normal subjects., Results: The patients with AL-CA had significantly reduced first-pass perfusion upslope and MaxSI, and increased TTM compared with the normal subjects (all P < 0.01). Compared with the patients with AL-CA and preserved LVEF, the patients with AL-CA and impaired systolic function had a longer TTM in the basal (47.05 ± 16.59 vs. 39.68 ± 19.11; P = 0.002) and mid-ventricular (44.61 ± 16.34 vs. 37.74 ± 18.25; P = 0.002) segments; lower upslope in the basal (2.41 ± 1.32 vs. 3.60 ± 1.68; P < 0.0001), mid-ventricular (2.82 ± 1.34 vs. 4.15 ± 2.02; P < 0.0001), and apical (3.71 ± 1.38 vs. 4.97 ± 2.55; P = 0.004) segments; and lower MaxSI (31.67 ± 15.23 vs. 37.96 ± 11.15; P < 0.0001) in the basal segment. The ROC curve analysis revealed that the first-pass upslope, TTM, and MaxSI may be used as indicators for differentiating microcirculation between AL-CA patients with preserved or impaired systolic function and normal subjects., Conclusions: The differences in LV regional myocardial microvascular function among normal subjects, AL-CA patients with systolic dysfunction, and AL-CA patients with preserved systolic function can be monitored using first-pass perfusion CMR.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of results of heart functions determined by 64-slice multidetector row computed tomography (64-MDCT) in patients with single valvular insufficiency leision in left ventricle., Methods: 58 patients with single valvular insufficiency leision in left ventricle were enrolled in this study. Their heart functions were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 64-MDCT and echocardiography (Echo) respectively. The assessed parameters included left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volume (LVEDV, LVESV), stroke volume (LVSV), ejection fraction (LVEF), and effective ejection fraction (eLVEF). The correlations between eLVEF and some clinical indicators, such as cardiopulmonary bypass time (CPBT), ventilation time (VT), vasoactive drug used time (VDUT), and length of ICU stay (ICUST) were analyzed., Results: No significant differences were found in the parameters measured by 64-MDCT, Echo and MRI. A strong correlation between 64-MDCT and MRI (r: 0.79-0. 92) was found with all of the parameters. The eLVEF measured by 64-MDCT and MRI correlated with CPBT, VT, VDUT and ICUST well (r: 0.56-0. 84)., Conclusion: 64-MDCT is a rapid, accurate and cheap choice for assessing heart functions of patients with single valvular insufficiency leision in left ventricle. eLVEF is a good predictor for the outcomes of operations.

Quantitative values of left ventricular (LV) function and muscle mass in patients with mitral regurgitation are independent predictors of cardiac morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether 64-MDCT can assess the LV function in patients with mitral regurgitation with high accuracy when compared with the MRI and echocardiography results. Fifty-one patients with mitral regurgitation underwent retrospectively ECG-gated 64-MDCT, echocardiography, and MRI for assessing the global ventricular function. End-diastolic and end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and mass were measured on 64-MDCT and echocardiography, and compared with the results measured on MRI which served as the reference standard. Intertechnique agreement was tested by using Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman analyses. No significant differences were revealed in calculated LV function and mass between the 64-MDCT and MRI (paired t test, p = 0.07-0.53). Pearson's correlation analysis showed the functional parameters and mass correlated closely between the 64-MDCT and MRI (r = 0.89-0.96, p < 0.001). When compared with MRI, echocardiography underestimated the volumetric parameters of LV (paired t test, p = 0.0003-0.004), but significantly overestimated the EF values (p = 0.003), and moderate correlations of functional parameters were obtained (r = 0.78, 0.60, 0.81, and 0.62, respectively). ECG-gated 64-MDCT allows for accurate and reliable assessment of LV function in patients with mitral regurgitation, whereas LV volumes measured by two-dimensional echocardiography were underestimated and the ejection fraction was overestimated when compared with those achieved by using MRI.