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Echocardiographic evaluation of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) severity can lead to diagnostic ambiguity due to few feasible parameters or incongruent findings. The aim of the present study was to improve the diagnostic usefulness of left ventricular (LV) enlargement and aortic end-diastolic flow velocity (EDFV) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) as reference. Patients (n = 120) were recruited either prospectively (n = 45) or retrospectively (n = 75). Severe AR (CMR regurgitant fraction > 33%) was present in 51% and 93% of the patients had LV ejection fraction ≥ 50%. EDFV and LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) were assessed by echocardiography using the traditional (excluding trabeculae) and recommended approach (including trabeculae). The patients were randomised to a derivation (n = 60) or a test group (n = 60). EDVI (traditional/recommended) to rule in (>99/118 ml/m2) and rule out severe AR (≤75/87 ml/m2) were identified using ROC analyses in the derivation group. The corresponding thresholds for EDFV were >17 cm/s and ≤10 cm/s. In the test group, the positive/negative likelihood ratios to rule in/rule out severe AR using EDVI were 10.0/0.14 (traditional), 6.2/0.11 (recommended), and using EDFV were 10.2/0.08. To rule in and rule out severe AR using derived cut-off values instead of >2 SD reduced the false positives by 92%, whereas using EDFV ≤10 cm/s instead of ≤20 cm/s reduced the false negatives by 94%. In conclusion, EDVI and EDFV as quantitative parameters are useful to rule in or rule out severe chronic AR. Importantly, other causes of LV enlargement have to be considered.

Aims Grading right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with left ventricular (LV) disease has earned little attention. In the present study, we established an echocardiographic RVD score and investigated how increments of the score correspond to RVD at right heart catheterization. Methods and results We included 95 patients with LV disease consecutively referred for heart transplant or heart failure work‐up with catheterization and echocardiography within 48 h. The RVD score (5 points) included well‐known characteristics of the development from compensated to decompensated right ventricular (RV) function: pulmonary hypertension, reduced RV strain, RV area dilatation, moderate/severe tricuspid regurgitation, and increased right atrial pressure (RAP) by echocardiography. Comparing three groups with increments of RVD score [1 (mild), 2–3 (moderate), and 4–5 (severe)] showed more advanced RVD with increasing RV end‐diastolic pressure (P

Aims Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction can be triggered by non‐cardiac disease, such as sepsis, hypoxia, major haemorrhage, or severe stress (Takotsubo syndrome), but its clinical importance is not established. In this study, we evaluate the incidence and impact on mortality of LV dysfunction associated with critical illness. Methods and results In this single‐centre, observational study, consecutive patients underwent an echocardiographic examination within 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. LV systolic dysfunction was defined as an ejection fraction (EF)

Objective. Skeletal muscle perfusion during walking relies on complex interactions between cardiac activity and vascular control mechanisms, why cardiac dysfunction may contribute to intermittent claudication (IC) symptoms. The study aims were to describe cardiac function at rest and during stress in consecutive IC patients, to explore the relations between cardiac function parameters and treadmill performance, and to test the hypothesis that clinically silent myocardial ischemia during stress may contribute to IC limb symptomatology. Design. Patients with mild to severe IC (n = 111, mean age 67 y, 52% females, mean treadmill distance 195 m) underwent standard echocardiography, dobutamine stress echocardiography (SE) and treadmill testing. The patient cohort was separated in two groups based on treadmill performance (HIGH and LOW performance). Results. Ten patients (9%) had regional wall motion abnormalities of which three had left ventricular ejection fraction

To elucidate the influence of through-plane heart motion on the assessment of aortic regurgitation (AR) severity using phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI).A patient cohort with chronic AR (n = 34) was examined with PC-MRI. The regurgitant volume (RVol) and fraction (RFrac) were extracted from the PC-MRI data before and after through-plane heart motion correction and was then used for assessment of AR severity.The flow volume errors were strongly correlated to aortic diameter (R = 0.80, p 0.001) with median (IQR 25%;75%): 16 (14; 17) ml for diameter40mm, compared with 9 (7; 10) ml for normal aortic size (p 0.001). RVol and RFrac were underestimated (uncorrected:64 ± 37 ml and 39 ± 17%; corrected:76 ± 37 ml and 44 ± 15%; p 0.001) and ~ 20% of the patients received lower severity grade without correction.Through-plane heart motion introduces relevant flow volume errors, especially in patients with aortic dilatation that may result in underestimation of the severity grade in patients with chronic AR.

This study aimed to investigate if and how complex flow influences the assessment of aortic regurgitation (AR) using phase contrast MRI in patients with chronic AR. Patients with moderate (n = 15) and severe (n = 28) chronic AR were categorized into non-complex flow (NCF) or complex flow (CF) based on the presence of systolic backward flow volume. Phase contrast MRI was performed repeatedly at the level of the sinotubular junction (Ao1) and 1 cm distal to the sinotubular junction (Ao2). All AR patients were assessed to have non-severe AR or severe AR (cut-off values: regurgitation volume (RVol) ≥ 60 ml and regurgitation fraction (RF) ≥ 50%) in both measurement positions. The repeatability was significantly lower, i.e. variation was larger, for patients with CF than for NCF (≥ 12 ± 12% versus ≥ 6 ± 4%, P ≤ 0.03). For patients with CF, the repeatability was significantly lower at Ao2 compared to Ao1 (≥ 21 ± 20% versus ≥ 12 ± 12%, P ≤ 0.02), as well as the assessment of regurgitation (RVol: 42 ± 34 ml versus 54 ± 42 ml, P P = 0.01). This was not the case for patients with NCF. The frequency of patients that changed in AR grade from severe to non-severe when the position of the measurement changed from Ao1 to Ao2 was higher for patients with CF compared to NCF (RVol: 5/26 (19%) versus 1/17 (6%), P = 0.2; RF: 4/26 (15%) versus 0/17 (0%), P = 0.09). Our study shows that complex flow influences the quantification of chronic AR, which can lead to underestimation of AR severity when using PC-MRI.

Purpose: To show that adjustment of velocity encoding (VENC) for phase-contrast (PC) flow volume measurements is not necessary in modern MR scanners with effective background velocity offset corrections. Approach: The independence on VENC was demonstrated theoretically, but also experimentally on dedicated phantoms and on patients with chronic aortic regurgitation ( n = 17 ) and one healthy volunteer. All PC measurements were performed using a modern MR scanner, where the pre-emphasis circuit but also a subsequent post-processing filter were used for effective correction of background velocity offset errors. Results: The VENC level strongly affected the velocity noise level in the PC images and, hence, the estimated peak flow velocity. However, neither the regurgitant blood flow volume nor the mean flow velocity displayed any clinically relevant dependency on the VENC level. Also, the background velocity offset was shown to be close to zero ( 0.6 cm / s ) for a VENC range of 150 to 500 cm / s , adding no significant errors to the PC flow volume measurement. Conclusions: Our study shows that reliable PC flow volume measurements are feasible without adjustment of the VENC parameter. Without the need for VENC adjustments, the scan time can be reduced for the benefit of the patient.

Grading of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is currently based on thresholds, which are neither modality nor quantification method specific. Accordingly, this study sought to identify CMR-specific and quantification method–specific thresholds for regurgitant volumes (RVols), RVol indexes, and regurgitant fractions (RFs), which denote severe chronic AR or MR with an indication for surgery. The study comprised patients with moderate and severe chronic AR (n = 38) and MR (n = 40). Echocardiography and CMR was performed at baseline and in all operated AR/MR patients (n = 23/25) 10 ± 1 months after surgery. CMR quantification of AR: direct (aortic flow) and indirect method (left ventricular stroke volume [LVSV] − pulmonary stroke volume [PuSV]); MR: 2 indirect methods (LVSV − aortic forward flow [AoFF]; mitral inflow [MiIF] − AoFF). All operated patients had severe regurgitation and benefited from surgery, indicated by a significant postsurgical reduction in end-diastolic volume index and improvement or relief of symptoms. The discriminatory ability between moderate and severe AR was strong for RVol >40 ml, RVol index >20 ml/m 2 , and RF >30% (direct method) and RVol >62 ml, RVol index >31 ml/m 2 , and RF >36% (LVSV-PuSV) with a negative likelihood ratio ≤ 0.2. In MR, the discriminatory ability was very strong for RVol >64 ml, RVol index >32 ml/m 2 , and RF >41% (LVSV-AoFF) and RVol >40 ml, RVol index >20 ml/m 2 , and RF >30% (MiIF-AoFF) with a negative likelihood ratio

Funding Acknowledgements The study was financed by grants from the Swedish state under the agreement between the Swedish government and the county councils, the ALF¬-agreement Background and Purpose Grading severity of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) by echocardiography may be challenging in cases with few feasible parameters leading to diagnostic uncertainty. The aim of the present study was to transform left ventricular (LV) volume and diastolic flow reversal to quantitative parameters using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) as reference. Methods Patients (n = 120) were recruited either prospectively (n= 45, CMR performed < 4 hours) or retrospectively (n = 75, CMR performed < 21 days (median)). The latter comprised patients with echocardiographic uncertainty. LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) by Simpson biplane method and end-diastolic flow velocity (EDFV) in the proximal descending aorta were assessed. The patients were randomised to either a derivation (n = 60) or a test group (n = 60). Results Severe AR (regurgitant fraction by CMR > 33%) was present in 51% of the patients. In the derivation group, the area under the ROC curves for LVEDVI was 0.80 (95% CI 0.67-0.93) and for EDFV was 0.83 (95% CI 0.71-0.94). LVEDVI > 99 ml/m2 and ≤ 75 ml/m2 were useful to rule in and rule out severe AR, respectively. The corresponding for EDFV were > 17 cm/s and ≤ 10 cm/s. The diagnostic performances of the cut off values in the test group are presented in the Table. Conclusions LVEDVI and EDFV are useful quantitative parameters to rule in and rule out severe chronic AR in patients with diagnostic ambiguity. Combination of LVEDVI > 99 ml/m2 and EDFV > 17 cm/s is the most useful to rule in severe AR. Sensitivity (%) (95% CI) Specificity (%) (95% CI) Positive likelihood ratio (95% CI) Negative likelihood ration (95% CI) Rule in severe AR LVEDVI (> 99 ml/ m2) 48 (29-67) 95 (77-99) 10.0 (1.4-71) 0.55 (0.37-0.82) Rule out severe AR LVEDVI (≤ 75 ml/m2) 91 (73-98) 62 (41-79) 2.4 (1.4-4.2) 0.14 (0.04-0.55) Rule in severe AR EDFV (> 17 cm/s) 44 (28-63) 96 (79-99) 10.2 (1.4-73) 0.58 (0.41-0.82) Rule out severe AR EDFV (≤ 10 cm/s) 96 (82-99) 48 (29-67) 1.9 (1.2-2.8) 0.08 (0.01-0.56) Rule in severe AR > 99 ml/m2 + > 17 cm/s 36 (20-57) 100 (82-100) - 0.64 (0.46-0.87) Rule out severe AR ≤ 75 ml/m2 + ≤ 10 cm/s 91 (72-98) 29 (13-53) 1.3 (0.92-1.8) 0.31 (0.07-1.4)

Background and aim The occurrence of right ventricular failure (RVF) in patients with chronic left heart disease (LHD) has important therapeutic and prognostic consequences. Echocardiography (Echo) parameters describing the RV longitudinal function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, TAPSE; peak systolic free wall longitudinal strain, RV-Str; tricuspid annulus peak systolic velocity, TAPSm) are today commonly used to define RV dysfunction. In the present study we hypothesised that these parameters are load dependent. Methods We retrospectively included 66 patients with LHD (age 52 ± 13 years, males 79%) that underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) and Echo within 48 hours. RHC was performed as part of diagnostic- or pre-transplant work-up. Fifty-six patients (85%) had left ventricular ejection fraction Results Patients with iRAP had compared with rSVI/nSVI more advanced LHD with higher PAMP, PCWP and larger RV diastolic area (RVdA). TAPSE, RV-Str and FAC did not differ between iRAP and rSVI patients. The ratio RVdA/RV-Str was significantly higher in iRAP patients compared with rSVI and nSVI. The rSVI and nSVI patients did not differ regarding RAP response during supine exercise (P = 0.84). Conclusions Reduced RV longitudinal function in patients with chronic LHD and normal RAP can be due to left ventricular forward failure and not RV systolic dysfunction. iRAP (n = 21) rSVI (n = 21) nSVI (n = 24) Overall P-value iRAP vs rSVI iRAP vs nSVI rSVI vs nSVI RAP (mmHg) 13 ± 2 5 ± 3 4 ± 2

Background and aim Right ventricular failure (RVF) in patients with chronic left heart disease (LHD) has important prognostic implications. RV longitudinal function parameters (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, TAPSE; peak systolic longitudinal strain, RV-Str; tricuspid annulus systolic velocity, TAPSm) are today commonly used to define RV dysfunction. In the present study we hypothesized that longitudinal RV dysfunction (LDF) might be due to loading conditions and not necessarily RV dysfunction. Methods We retrospectively included 66 patients with LHD (age 52 ± 13 years, males 79%) that underwent right heart catheterization (RHC), ergospirometry (n = 47) and echocardiography (Echo) within 48 hours. Patients were divided into three groups from Echo data: normal RV function (TAPSE ≥17 mm + normal central venous pressure (CVP) from collapsibility of cava inferior, n = 18); LDF (TAPSE Results Patients with RVF had compared with normal and LDF lower peak VO2, more advanced LHD, enlarged RV and higher RV afterload (Table). Patients with LDF had compared with normal reduced stroke volume index (SVI). The patients with normal and LDF did not differ regarding right atrial pressure (RAP) response during exercise (P = 0.84). The longitudinal parameters did not differ between patients with LDF and RVF. Conclusions Longitudinal parameters in patients with chronic LHD and normal CVP should be interpreted with caution. Loading conditions with reduced stroke volume might mimic LDF. Normal (n = 18) LDF (n = 22) RVF (n = 26) Overall P-value Normal vs LDF Normal vs RVF LDF vs RVF Peak VO2 (mlO2/min/m2) 14.8 ± 3.3 13.5 ± 3 11 ± 2 0.001 0.29

Background Increased wall thickness in the aortic root has been suggested as an early sign of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, there are no previous studies on the aortic wall thickness after aortic valve replacement (AVR) or in patients with PVE. Purpose To identify a clinically useful cutoff value for aortic wall thickness to detect PVE. Material and Methods Chest computed tomography (CT) studies (n = 303) on patients with a prosthetic aortic valve were retrospectively analyzed. CT studies on patients without PVE (n = 260) were compared with CT studies on patients with definite PVE (n = 43). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. Results In non-PVE patients, the wall thickness during the first 3 months postoperatively (n = 70, 4.5 ± 1.7 mm) was increased compared to beyond 3 months postoperatively (n = 190, 3.2 ± 1.0 mm, P Conclusion In the early postoperative period after AVR, the aortic wall thickness is increased compared to the late postoperative period. After 3 months, the wall thickness has decreased and stabilized. Increased wall thickness (>5 mm) beyond 3 months postoperatively significantly increases the likelihood of PVE.

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the value of electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT) in the surgical decision-making and preoperative evaluation in patients with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). Methods Sixty-eight prosthetic valves in 67 patients with aortic PVE were prospectively evaluated with ECG-gated CT and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Imaging findings considered indications for surgery were as follows: (i) abscess/pseudoaneurysm formation; (ii) prosthetic valve dehiscence; (iii) valve destruction with valvular regurgitation; (iv) large vegetations (>1.5 cm). The coronary arteries were evaluated with ECG-gated CT. Clinical data including surgical reports and mortality data were collected. Results Fifty-eight of 68 cases had indication for surgery based on imaging findings (ECG-gated CT/TEE). In 8 of these cases (14%), there was indication for surgery based on CT but not on TEE findings (all had perivalvular pseudoaneurysms). In 11 cases (19%), there was indication for surgery based on TEE but not on CT findings [non-drained abscess (n = 5), prosthetic valve dehiscence (n = 4), large vegetation (n = 1), valve destruction (n = 1)]. In 31 of 32 patients with indication for preoperative coronary angiography, ECG-gated CT coronary angiography was diagnostic. In 1 patient, ECG-gated CT coronary angiography was inconclusive and invasive coronary angiography was performed. Conclusions In patients with aortic PVE, ECG-gated CT provides additional information over TEE regarding perivalvular extension of infection, which can influence surgical decision-making. Furthermore, ECG-gated CT provides a non-invasive coronary angiogram and can in most cases replace invasive coronary angiography in the preoperative evaluation.

BACKGROUND In this observational study, the effects of norepinephrine-induced changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) on right ventricular (RV) systolic function, afterload and pulmonary haemodynamics were studied in septic shock patients. We hypothesised that RV systolic function improves at higher doses of norepinephrine/MAP levels. METHODS Eleven patients with septic shock requiring norepinephrine after fluid resuscitation were included

BACKGROUND Myocardial injury with regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) is common in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). We hypothesized that the diagnostic performance of left ventricular (LV) global and regional longitudinal strain (GLS and RLS, respectively), assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography is superior to standard echocardiography for the detection of myocardial injury in SAH. METHODS Seventy-one unselected patients with verified SAH were included. Echocardiography was performed within 48 hours after admission. hsTnT was followed daily up to 3 days post-admission. RWMA, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), GLS and RLS were analysed by two experienced echocardiographists, blinded to the information on plasma hsTnT. A reduced GLS was defined as >-15%. Two cut-off levels were used for the definition of RLS, ie when segmental strain was >-15% (liberal) or >-11% (conservative) in ≥2 adjacent segments. Myocardial injury was defined as a peak hsTnT ≥90 ng/L. RESULTS The incidence of myocardial injury was 25%. The hsTnT (median, 25% and 75% percentile) in patients with (a) reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF

Recent studies have shown promising results using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, previous studies did not include negative controls. The aim of this study was to compare (18)F-FDG-uptake around prosthetic aortic valves in patients with and without PVE and to determine the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of PVE. (18)F-FDG PET/CT examinations in patients with a prosthetic aortic valve performed 2008-2014 were retrieved. Eight patients with a final diagnosis of definite PVE were included in the analysis of the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT. Examinations performed on suspicion of malignancy in patients without PVE (n = 19) were used as negative controls. Visual and semi-quantitative analysis was performed. Maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) in the valve area was measured and SUVratio was calculated by dividing valve SUVmax by SUVmax in the descending aorta. The sensitivity was 75 %, specificity 84 %, positive likelihood ratio [LR(+)] 4.8 and negative likelihood ratio [LR(-)] 0.3 on visual analysis. Both SUVmax and SUVratio were significantly higher in PVE patients [5.8 (IQR 3.5-6.5) and 2.4 (IQR 1.7-3.0)] compared to non-PVE patients [3.2 (IQR 2.8-3.8) and 1.5 (IQR 1.3-1.6)] (p 0.001). ROC-curve analysis of SUVratio yielded an area under the curve of 0.90 (95 % CI 0.74-1.0). (18)F-FDG-uptake around non-infected aortic prosthetic valves was low. The level of (18)F-FDG-uptake in the prosthetic valve area showed a good diagnostic performance in the diagnosis of PVE.

Background The recently published integrative algorithms for echocardiographic grading of native aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR) by the American Society of Echocardiography are consensus based and have not been evaluated. Thus, the aims of the present study were to investigate the feasibility of individual parameters and to evaluate the ability of the algorithms to discriminate severe from moderate regurgitation. Methods This prospective study comprised 93 patients with chronic AR ( n = 45) and MR ( n = 48). All patients underwent echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance within 4 hours. The algorithms were evaluated using two different definitions for severe regurgitation: (1) a cardiovascular magnetic resonance standard indicating future need for valve surgery and (2) a clinical standard using patients who underwent valve surgery with proven postoperative left ventricular reverse remodeling and improved functional class (AR/MR, n = 26/26). Results The feasibility of the criteria in the first step of the algorithm was higher (AR/MR, 95%/91%) compared with the second step using quantitative Doppler parameters (74%/57%). For the AR algorithm, sensitivity was 95% and specificity 44%, whereas for the MR algorithm, sensitivity was 73% and specificity 92%. Among patients with benefit of surgery, the algorithms correctly identified 77%, misclassified 8%, and were inconclusive in 15% of the patients with AR; the corresponding figures were 73%, 15%, and 12% in the patients with MR. Conclusions Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance as reference, the recommended algorithms for grading of regurgitation have the ability to rule out severe AR and rule in severe MR. The quantitative Doppler methods are hampered by feasibility issues, and our findings suggest that the decision regarding surgical intervention in symptomatic patients with discordant or inconclusive echocardiographic grading should be based on a consolidated assessment of clinical and multimodality findings.

Background The pulsed-wave Doppler recording in the descending aorta (PWD DAO ) is one of the parameters used in grading aortic regurgitation (AR) severity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the assessment of chronic AR by PWD DAO with insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Methods This prospective study comprised 40 patients investigated with echocardiography and CMR within 4 hours either prior to valve surgery ( n = 23) or as part of their follow-up ( n = 17) due to moderate or severe AR. End-diastolic flow velocity (EDFV) and the diastolic velocity time integral (dVTI) were measured. The appearance of diastolic forward flow (DFF) was noted. Phase-contrast flow rate curves were obtained in the DAO. Results Twenty-five patients had severe and eight had moderate AR by echocardiography (seven were indeterminate). The EDFV was below the recommended threshold (>20 cm/sec) in 13 patients (52%) with severe AR. Lowering the EDFV threshold (>13 cm/sec) and with a dVTI threshold >13 cm showed negative likelihood ratios of 0.27 and 0.09, respectively. Detection of DFF with PWD DAO identified a nonuniform velocity profile by CMR with positive and negative likelihood ratios of 7.0 and 0.19, respectively. The relation between EDFV and DAO regurgitant volume (DAO-RVol CMR ) was strong in patients without ( R = 0.88) and weak in patients with DFF ( R = 0.49). The DAO-RVol CMR as a percent of the total RVol CMR decreased with increasing ascending aorta (AAO) size and increased with increasing AR severity. Conclusions Our findings suggest that PWD DAO provides semiquantitative parameters useful to assess chronic AR severity. The limitations are related to nonuniform velocity contour and variable degree of lower body contribution, which depends on AR severity but also on the AAO size.

Diastolic dysfunction is a recognized complication in heart transplant (HTx) recipients that limits exercise capacity and is a risk factor for mortality. We investigated the ability of echocardiography to detect elevated pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (mean PCWP>15 mmHg) in HTx recipients. This retrospective study comprised HTx recipients with echocardiography and right heart catheterization within 24 hours (n = 100, 113 investigations). Echocardiographic assessment was performed using mitral inflow (E/A ratio, deceleration time [DT], isovolumic relaxation time [IVRT]), tissue Doppler (E/E' lateral) parameters, and the Doppler-estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (Doppler PASP). The right atrial pressure (RAP) was estimated based on size and the effect of respiration or sniffing on the inferior vena cava diameter. Cutoff values were determined from a derivation group (n = 57, receiver operator characteristic curve analysis) and evaluated in a test group (n = 56). Elevated PCWP were found in 38%. The RAP and PCWP were both normal in 58 investigations and elevated in 39 investigations (concordance rate of 86.6%). The presence of signs of increased RAP by echocardiography or with three of five parameters (E/A, DT, IVRT, E/E' lateral, and Doppler PASP) reaching the cutoff values ruled in elevated PCWP with positive likelihood ratios ranging from 15.3 to 9. With normal RAP by echocardiography or none of the other parameters reaching cutoff values elevated PCWP can be ruled out with negative likelihood ratios ranging from 0.07 to 0.19. In conclusion, elevated PCWP in HTx recipients can be assessed using echocardiography.

BackgroundCurrent published literature on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) comes primarily from Western populations. There is no published data on clinical and echocardiographic characteristics and long-term outcome of HCM in an Arab population.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients 16years or older diagnosed with HCM at our institution. Detailed clinical and echocardiographic data were collected and outcome was analyzed.ResultsA total of 69 patients were identified as having HCM. The mean age was 42±16years with 71% male patients. All patients were Saudi citizens with Arab ancestry. Details about family history and presenting symptoms were available for 44 and 48 patients consecutively. Nine (18%) patients were asymptomatic and were diagnosed based on abnormal cardiac auscultation. The commonest presenting symptoms were dyspnea with or without chest pain and palpitations occurring in 40 (81%) patients. Only four (9%) of 44 patients had a family history of HCM and /or sudden cardiac death (SCD). The most common ECG abnormality was left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) present in 60 (86%) patients. The commonest septal hypertrophy morphology was mid-septal (catenoid) in 30 (43%) followed by neutral in 23 (33%), basal septal (sigmoid) in 3 (4%) and apical in 6 (8%) patients. Twenty (28%) patients had evidence of resting left ventricular cavity gradient of ⩾30mmHg. Eleven (16%) patients had evidence of biventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in 65 (94%) patients. Over a median (25–75 percentile) follow-up of 7years (4.5–10), only three patients died, all of non-cardiac causes. There were no cases of SCD during the follow-up period. Six patients required an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD); five for primary prevention and one for secondary prevention. Only one patient progressed to end stage dilated cardiomyopathy.ConclusionThe natural history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the Saudi population appears to be benign with catenoid morphology being the most common septal hypertrophy pattern. Risk of SCD appears to be quite low in this population.

(Echocardiography 2014;31:402–405)Key words: Valsalva maneuver, right ventricular function, tricuspid regurgitation, Doppler echocardi-ography, diastolic dysfunctionCase Presentation:A 40-year-old male with a history of arrhythmo-genic right ventricular cardiomyopathy pre-sented for routine evaluation. He reported NewYork Heart Association class IV symptoms. Anechocardiogram (E-9, General Electric, Wauke-sha, WI, USA) showed a severely dilated rightventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA) with sev-erely reduced RV systolic function (Fig. 1A and B;movie clips S1 and S2). The tricuspid valve(TV) annulus was markedly dilated (diame-ter = 58 mm) with wide lack of coaptation of thetricuspid leaflets during systole (Fig. 1A and B;movie clips S1 and S2) resulting in free and lami-nar tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (movie clip S3). Aleftward shift of the interatrial and intraventricu-lar septa was evident, the latter noted in diastole(Fig. 1A; movie clip S1). The inferior vena cava(IVC) was markedly enlarged and noncollapsiblesuggestive of significantly elevated RA pressure(Fig. 1C). Theleftventricle(LV) wasnormal insizewith mildly reduced systolic function (ejectionfraction = 47% by cardiac MRI) (MAGENTOMAvanto, Siemens, Munich, Germany). ColorDoppler, pulse wave (PW) Doppler and colorM-mode showed systolic and diastolic forwardflow across the RV outflow tract (RVOT) and intothemain pulmonaryartery(PA)(Fig. 1D,E,F,andG; movie clip S4). These findings suggested ahigherdiastolic pressure intheRV thanthePAasaresult of severe RV systolic/diastolic dysfunctionand free TR. PW Doppler across the mitral valve(Fig. 2; Table 1) coupled with tissue Dopplerimaging (Table 1) suggested an elevation inleftatrial(LA)pressure.TransmitralDoppleracqui-sition during the strain phase of the Valsalvamaneuver (VM) showed evidence of furtherincrease in LA pressure (Fig. 2). The latter resultedfrom an increase in pulmonary blood flow as evi-denced by a significant increase in flow across theRVOTandPAinducedbytheVM(Fig. 2;Table 1).Discussion:The assessment of filling pressures is an essentialcomponent of any echocardiographic examina-tion regardless whether LV systolic function isimpaired or preserved.

Careful analysis of the Doppler profile, performance of maneuvers during image acquisition, and comparison of data with prior studies are basic tools that allow us to provide useful clinical information and improved diagnostic accuracy. Here, we discuss a patient in whom a thorough evaluation of the Doppler pattern at rest and during maneuvers and the identification of temporal changes in cardiac hemodynamics helped establish a diagnosis.

Background Several treatment options are available for pulmonary vascular disease, and more patients are considered for right heart catheterization. The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic ability of echocardiography to detect pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). Methods This retrospective study comprised 118 patients investigated within 48 hours of right heart catheterization. Echocardiography was used to assess pulmonary artery systolic pressure and pulmonary artery mean pressure, filling pressures, cardiac output, and PVR. To diagnose increased PVR, three echocardiographic variables related to pressure reflection in the pulmonary circulation were used. Separate cutoff values aimed at ruling in (high positive likelihood ratio [PLR]) and ruling out (low negative likelihood ratio) pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery mean pressure >25 mm Hg) and increased PVR (>3 Wood units) were determined from a derivation group ( n = 59, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) and evaluated in a test group ( n = 59). Results The linear relations between hemodynamic variables assessed with simultaneous echocardiography and right heart catheterization were moderate to strong ( R = 0.55 to 0.95), and there were no significant differences, but the limits of agreement were wide. With Doppler pulmonary artery systolic pressure >39 mm Hg, the PLR for pulmonary artery mean pressure >25 mm Hg was 4.7, and with Doppler pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≤29 mm Hg, the negative likelihood ratio was 0.12. The PLR for pressure reflection variables with ruling-in cutoff values ranged from 4.3 to 6.4. With all three variables positive, the PLR was 9.9. The negative likelihood ratio with ruling-out cutoff values ranged from 0.22 to 0.08. Conclusions Echocardiography that includes assessment of pressure reflection in the pulmonary circulation can rule in and rule out pulmonary hypertension and increased PVR.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a systemic disorder with a tendency for aneurysm formation which may also affect the heart. ADPKD kidney transplant patients were studied by echocardiography.The case-control study consisted of 21 kidney transplant recipients and a group of 21 transplant patients with other diagnoses. They were in a stable phase a median of 3 years (range 1-10) after transplantation. M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography were performed.Age, haemoglobin and renal function were not different between the groups but ADPKD patients had significantly lower systolic blood pressure (p=0.004). There were no abnormalities in the aortic or mitral valve in either group. The diameter of the left ventricular outflow tract, the bulb or the ascending aorta did not differ between the groups. The diameters of the left ventricle or atrium were also similar. The left ventricular mass index was 132+/-36 in ADPKD patients versus 163+/-63 g/m(2) in the controls (p=0.11). The left ventricular ejection fraction was 69+/-9.0 versus 70+/-8.9%. Early and atrial filling waves were equal.Valvular anomalies were infrequent. Aneurysm formation in the aorta and signs of dilated cardiomyopathy were not increased in patients with ADPKD.

Background: Static vascular filling pressures suffer from poor predictive power in identifying the volume-responsive heart. The use of dynamic arterial pressure variables, including pulse pressure variation (PPV) has instead been suggested to guide volume therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of several clinically applicable haemodynamic parameters to predict volume responsiveness in a pig closed chest model of acute left ventricular myocardial infarction. Methods: Fifteen anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs were studied following acute left myocardial infarction by temporary coronary occlusion. Animals were instrumented to monitor central venous (CVP) and pulmonary artery occlusion (PAOP) pressures and arterial systolic variations (SPV) and PPV. Cardiac output (CO) was measured using the pulmonary artery catheter and by using the PiCCO s monitor also giving stroke volume variation (SVV). Variations in the velocity time integral by pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography were determined in the left (DVTILV )a nd right (DVTIRV )v entricular outflow tracts. Consecutive boluses of 4 ml/kg hydroxyethyl starch were administered and volume responsiveness was defined as a 10% increase in CO. Results: Receiver–operator characteristics (ROC) demonstrated the largest area under the curve for DVTIRV [0.81 (0.70–0.93)] followed by PPV [0.76 (0.64–0.88)] [mean (and 95% CI)]. SPV, DVTILV and SVV did not change significantly during volume loading. CVP and PAOP increased but did not demonstrate significant ROC. Conclusion: PPV may be used to predict the response to volume administration in the setting of acute left ventricular myocardial infarction.

Background— We determined the effects of levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer, on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with LV hypertrophy. Methods and Results— In this prospective, randomized, blinded study, 23 patients received either levosimendan (0.1 and 0.2 μg · kg −1 · min −1 ; n=12) or placebo (n=11) after aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. The effects on LV performance, dimensions, filling patterns, and isovolumic relaxation time, as well as systemic hemodynamics, were assessed by pulmonary artery thermodilution catheterization and transesophageal 2-dimensional Doppler echocardiography. To circumvent the confounding effects of the levosimendan-induced hemodynamic changes on Doppler echocardiographic indexes of LV early relaxation, heart rate and mean arterial and central venous pressures were kept constant during levosimendan/placebo infusion by atrial pacing, vasopressor, and colloid infusions. In the levosimendan group, dose-dependent increases in cardiac output (28%; P P P P =0.058) with levosimendan. There were no significant differences in systolic, diastolic arterial, or LV filling pressures or LV end-diastolic area between the 2 groups. Isovolumic relaxation time decreased (−23%; P P P P Conclusion— Levosimendan, in addition to its inotropic effects, exerts a direct positive lusitropic effect in patients with LV hypertrophy as it shortens isovolumic relaxation time and improves LV filling.

Objectives Cut-off values for left ventricular (LV) dimensions indicating severe valve regurgitation have not been defined. The aim of this study was to establish echocardiographic cut-off values for LV dimensions indicating severe chronic aortic (AR) or mitral (MR) regurgitation. Design The hemodynamic significance was confirmed by documented reduction of end-diastolic volume (EDV) and symptom relief after surgery. Eighty-three patients with moderate or severe regurgitation (AR, n = 41; MR, n = 42) without other cardiac conditions underwent prospectively two-dimensional (2DE), real-time three-dimensional (RT3DE) echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exams within 4 h. Results The relationship between EDVCMR and EDV2DE and EDVRT3DE were strong (R 0.95 and 0.91). EDV index cut-offs for 2DE/RT3DE >87/104 ml/m(2) identified AR patients with severe regurgitation with a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) of 5.0/5.0. The corresponding in patients with MR EDV index cut-offs were >69/87 ml/m(2) with a PLR of 14.9/5.5. LV linear dimensions could not identify patients with severe regurgitation. Conclusions LV volumes by echocardiography can support the diagnosis of severe chronic regurgitation. Importantly, other causes for LV enlargement have to be considered.

Background Assessment of pulmonary artery pressures, cardiac output (CO) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) is crucial in the management of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Doppler echocardiography can be used to determine PVR in patients with PAH. Methods Forty-two patients were included and Doppler echocardiography was performed simultaneously ( n = 22) and non-simultaneously ( n = 60) with right heart catheterization. The tricuspid regurgitation velocity was used to estimate pulmonary arterial peak systolic and diastolic (PADP) pressures (Bernoulli equation). At the time of pulmonary valve opening, right ventricular pressure equals PADP. The tricuspid regurgitation velocity at the time of pulmonary valve opening was measured by superimposing the time from the QRS to the onset of pulmonary flow on the tricuspid regurgitation velocity envelope. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, right atrial pressure and CO were assessed using standard Doppler echocardiography methods. Right heart catheterization was performed using Swan–Ganz catheters and thermodilution for CO determination. Results The differences (mean ± SD) between catheter and simultaneous/non-simultaneous Doppler echocardiography were 0.3 ± 0.8 ( p = 0.10)/−0.3 ± 1.1 ( p = 0.06) liter/min for CO, 2.9 ± 5.1 ( p = 0.02)/−1.2 ± 7.4 ( p = 0.2) mm Hg for the transpulmonary gradient (TPG) and 0.3 ± 2.1 ( p = 0.65)/0.8 ± 2.4 ( p = 0.02) Wood unit for PVR. The correlation coefficients between catheter and simultaneous/non-simultaneous Doppler echocardiography were 0.86/0.75 for CO, 0.92/0.90 for TPG and 0.93/0.92 for PVR. Conclusions A comprehensive hemodynamic assessment that includes CO, TPG and PVR can be provided by Doppler echocardiography in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.

In heart transplantation (HTx) with the bicaval technique the whole right atrium (RA) is donor tissue while the left atrium (LA) consists of both donor and recipient tissue. The aims of the study were to describe atrial function in comparison with healthy controls and to identify determinants of dysfunction.Forty-three patients and 30 controls were retrospectively included. Echocardiography was performed within 24 h of right heart catheterization (RHC) (HTx recipients).The peak longitudinal atrial systolic strain (ɛ) described the atrial reservoir function. The LA and RA reservoir function were reduced versus controls (LA-ɛ 18 ± 8 versus 44 ± 10%; RA-ɛ 22 ± 10 versus 69 ± 17%, p 0.001). There were moderate relationships between atrial-ɛ and ventricular filling pressure (r = -0.64 for LA-ɛ; r = -0.57 for RA-ɛ). In a multiple regression analysis the LA-ɛ was determined by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and LA minimum volume index (r = -0.71) while RA-ɛ was dependent on the right ventricular ɛ (r = -0.77).Atrial reservoir function is markedly reduced in HTx recipients related to elevated PCWP and LA-enlargement in the LA and in the RA impaired longitudinal right ventricular function.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of aortic regurgitation and any relation to disease activity and specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 subtypes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 187 patients (105 men), mean age (SD) 50 (13) years, and mean disease duration 24 (13) years, and was related to demographic, clinical, radiographic, electrocardiographic, and laboratory data.Aortic regurgitation was found in 34 patients (18%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 12%-24%): mild in 24, moderate in 9, and severe in one. The prevalence was significantly higher than expected from population data. Conduction system abnormalities were documented in 25 patients (13%; 95% CI, 8%-18%), and significantly more likely in the presence of aortic regurgitation (P = .005), which was related to increasing age and longstanding disease, and increased from ~20% in the 50s to 55% in the 70s. It was also independently associated with disease duration, with higher modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score, and with a history of anterior uveitis. HLA-B27 was present in similar proportions in the presence vs absence of aortic regurgitation. For comparison, clinically significant coronary artery disease was present in 9 patients (5%; 95% CI, 2%-8%).Patients with ankylosing spondylitis frequently have cardiac abnormalities, but they more often consist of disease-related aortic regurgitation or conduction system abnormalities than manifestations of atherosclerotic heart disease. Because aortic regurgitation or conduction abnormalities might cause insidious symptoms not easily interpreted as of cardiac origin, we suggest that both electrocardiography and echocardiography evaluation should be part of the routine management of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Quantification of mitral regurgitation (MR) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance can be achieved by three indirect methods. The aims of the study were to determine their agreement, observer variability and effect on grading MR severity. The study comprised 16 healthy volunteers and 36 MR patients. Quantification was performed using the 'standard' [left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV)-aortic forward flow (AoFF)], 'volumetric' [LVSV-right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV)] and 'flow' method [mitral inflow (MiIF)-AoFF]. In healthy volunteers without MR, LVSV was larger than AoFF (mean difference ±SD: 12 ± 6 ml, P < 0.0001). Only small differences were found between LVSV-RVSV (3 ± 6 ml) and MiIF-AoFF (1 ± 5 ml). In patients, mitral regurgitant volumes (MRVs)/fractions (MRFs) were larger (P < 0.0001) using the 'standard' method (90 ± 31 ml/51 ± 11%) compared with the 'volumetric' (76 ± 30 ml/42 ± 11%) and 'flow' method (70 ± 32 ml/44 ± 15%). Inter-observer variability was lowest for the 'flow' and highest for the 'volumetric' method, while intra-observer variability was similar for all three methods. In 29 operated patients with severe MR, MRVs were above the guideline threshold (≥60 ml) in 100, 86 and 83% of the cases, and MRFs were above the threshold (≥50%) in 76, 32 and 48% of the cases, when using the 'standard', 'volumetric' and 'flow' method respectively. In conclusion, the choice of method can affect the grading of MR severity and thereby eventually the clinical decision-making and timing of surgery.

A ratio15 between the early diastolic pulsed Doppler velocities of the mitral inflow (E) and the basal left ventricular (LV) tissue (e) has been demonstrated to predict an elevated LV filling pressure (FP). An elevated LVFP implies an elevated right ventricular pressure (RVp). In order to investigate the sensitivity of the E/e filling index, we compared E/e and RVp, in their ability to identify a Doppler-assumed elevation of LVFP.Application of pulsed Doppler international recommendations grouped 134 patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and 50 age- and sex-matched controls, according to LV filling: normal; delayed relaxation; an isolated pathological mitral-pulmonary venous-A-wave-duration difference; pseudo normal; or a restrictive filling pattern. An E/e15 and an RVp30 mmHg showed the following (%) sensitivity (32/94), specificity (95/76), positive (68/59), and negative (80/97) predictive values of a Doppler-assumed elevation of LVFP, in terms of either a pseudo normal or a restrictive filling pattern.The low sensitivity of E/e to detect a Doppler-assumed elevation of LVFP could limit its clinical usefulness as a single variable, in ACS. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of RVp support its use as an additional LV filling variable in these patients.

Echocardiography combining Doppler and two-dimensional data is recommended for quantitative assessments of valvular regurgitation. We applied a new method to calculate the mitral annulus (MA) area in combination with multiple sample sites. Individuals without regurgitation in whom the valvular and left ventricular stroke volumes (SV) should be identical were investigated in order to evaluate the feasibility in quantitative assessments of valvular regurgitation.Twenty subjects were included. Flow velocity was registered with pulsed Doppler in different positions in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and in the MA. The MA area was assumed to be either circular, using the diameter from a four-chamber projection, or elliptic, using the major diameter from a parasternal short axis and a minor diameter from an apical long axis. Left ventricular (LV) SV was measured from LV volumes using the biplane method. The overall difference between LVOT SV and mitral SV using one centrally located measurement and elliptic MA was 3.2+/-15.6 ml (P=0.38), 0.9+/-15.7 ml between LVOT SV and LV SV (P=0.80) and -2.2+/-15.2 ml between mitral SV and LV SV (P=0.54). The corresponding standard deviation of the differences as a percentage of the mean value was 24%, 25% and 23%. A circular shaped MA overestimated the mitral SV compared with LVOT SV (P=0.009) and LV SV (P=0.004). Increasing the number of sample sites in the LVOT or MA did not further improve the results.Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography can be used to quantify regurgitation in groups of patients. In individual patients the wide distribution of differences between valves and LV SV implies that the method should be used in conjunction with other Doppler echocardiographic parameters.

Objective We studied long-term outcomes in severe aortic stenosis and the importance of prosthesis type (mechanical vs biologic) and size, preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction, diastolic function, and left ventricular mass. Methods Patients undergoing valve replacement from 1991 to 1993 (n = 399, 45% women) were included. The diastolic function was evaluated by integrating mitral and pulmonary venous flow data with Doppler echocardiography. The patients were classified as having either normal diastolic function to mild diastolic dysfunction or moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction. Left ventricular ejection fraction and the diastolic function category were incorporated together with age, sex, and time since operation into a Poisson regression model with death as the end point. Prosthesis type and size and left ventricular mass were also investigated. Results The age (mean ± SD) was 71 ± 9 years, and the overall survival after 12 years was 50%. Although markedly reduced during the initial 6-month period, mortality risk subsequently increased more than could be explained by age (hazard ratio of 1-year difference=1.12, P = .0005). The moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction pattern independently predicted late mortality (hazard ratio=1.72, P = .0038), whereas left ventricular ejection fraction did not (hazard ratio=0.99, P = .18). The prognostic importance of moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction did not diminish with time; on the contrary, it tended to increase. Mortality after 12 years was not predicted by left ventricular mass ( P = .66), prosthesis type ( P = .57), or prosthesis size ( P = .58). Conclusion This study reveals that moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction in patients with aortic stenosis is an independent predictor of late mortality after valve replacement and that its importance does not decrease with time. Our findings may suggest that moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction implies nonreversible myocardial changes that negatively affect survival.

Despite recent and exponential improvements in diagnostic-therapeutic pathways, an existing "GAP" has been revealed between the "real world care" and the "optimal care" of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We present the T.O.S.CA. Project (Trattamento Ormonale dello Scompenso CArdiaco), an Italian multicenter initiative involving different health care professionals and services aiming to explore the CHF "metabolic pathophysiological model" and to improve the quality of care of HF patients through research and continuing medical education.