Left atrial strain as a predictor of left ventricular filling pressures in coronary artery disease with preserved ejection fraction: a comprehensive study with left ventricular end-diastolic and pre-atrial contraction pressures.

Assessing left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (LVFP) is challenging in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed to correlate left atrial strain (LAS) with two invasive complementary parameters of LVFP and compared its accuracy to other echocardiographic data to predict high LVFP. This cross-sectional, single-center study enrolled 81 outpatients with LVEF > 50% and significant CAD from a database. Near-simultaneous echocardiography and invasive measurements of both LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and LV pre-atrial contraction (pre-A) pressure were performed in each patient, based on the definition of LVEDP > 16 mmHg and LV pre-A > 12 mmHg as high LVFP. A moderate to strong correlation was observed between LAS reservoir (LASr), contractile strain, and LVEDP (r: 0.67 and 0.62, respectively; p < 0.001); the same was true for LV pre-A (r: 0.65 and 0.63, respectively; p < 0.001). LASr displayed good diagnostic performance to identify elevated LVFP, which was higher when compared to traditional parameters. Median value of LASr was higher for an isolated increase of LVEDP than for simultaneously high LV pre-A. The cutoff found to predict high LVFP was lower for LV pre-A than that one for LVEDP. In the current study, LASr did not provide an additional contribution to the 2016 diastolic function algorithm. LAS is a valuable tool for predicting LVFP in patients with CAD and preserved LVEF. The choice of LVEDP or LV pre-A as the representative marker of LVFP leads to different cutoffs to predict high pressures. The best strategy for adding this tool to a multiparametric algorithm requires further investigation.

Left atrial strain as a predictor of left ventricular filling pressures in coronary artery disease with preserved ejection fraction: a comprehensive study with left ventricular end-diastolic and pre-atrial contraction pressures

Assessing left ventricular (LV) filling pressure (LVFP) is challenging in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF). We aimed to correlate left atrial strain (LAS) with two invasive complementary parameters of LVFP and compared its accuracy to other echocardiographic data to predict high LVFP. This cross-sectional, single-center study enrolled 81 outpatients with LVEF > 50% and significant CAD from a database. Near-simultaneous echocardiography and invasive measurements of both LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and LV pre-atrial contraction (pre-A) pressure were performed in each patient, based on the definition of LVEDP > 16 mmHg and LV pre-A > 12 mmHg as high LVFP. A moderate to strong correlation was observed between LAS reservoir (LASr), contractile strain, and LVEDP (r: 0.67 and 0.62, respectively; p < 0.001); the same was true for LV pre-A (r: 0.65 and 0.63, respectively; p < 0.001). LASr displayed good diagnostic performance to identify elevated LVFP, which was higher when compared to traditional parameters. Median value of LASr was higher for an isolated increase of LVEDP than for simultaneously high LV pre-A. The cutoff found to predict high LVFP was lower for LV pre-A than that one for LVEDP. In the current study, LASr did not provide an additional contribution to the 2016 diastolic function algorithm. LAS is a valuable tool for predicting LVFP in patients with CAD and preserved LVEF. The choice of LVEDP or LV pre-A as the representative marker of LVFP leads to different cutoffs to predict high pressures. The best strategy for adding this tool to a multiparametric algorithm requires further investigation.

O Emprego do strain do átrio esquerdo na análise da função diastólica do VE: pronto para o uso? / Left atrial strain in the analysis of LV diastolic function: ready to use?

RESUMO: A dilatação do átrio esquerdo (AE) é um indicador comum da disfunção diastólica, e sua análise por meio do cálculo de seu volume reflete os efeitos cumulativos das pressões de enchimento do VE. Entretanto, o aumento do volume do AE não é exclusivo da disfunção diastólica, sendo observado também em outras condições clínicas. Assim, a avaliação do strain do AE permite um estudo funcional dessa câmara, complementando a análise morfológica pelo volume. O strain do AE medido pela técnica de speckle tracking traz informações sobre as funções reservatório, conduto e contrátil do átrio esquerdo e está relacionado à função do VE. Além disso, as alterações no strain do AE precedem as alterações volumétricas em quase uma década e correlacionam-se inversamente com o grau de fibrose do AE ­ isso tem importante relação com a disfunção diastólica e sua graduação. Apesar de ser insuficiente para explicar sua totalidade, a fibrose do AE pode justificar parcialmente as alterações funcionais desta câmara cardíaca e favorece o uso dessa variável como complemento aos atuais protocolos de análise da função diastólica. Embora ainda sejam necessários mais estudos para estabelecer outras aplicabilidades clínicas, o strain do AE possui grande destaque na análise da função diastólica e já pode ser considerado pronto para uso e com grande potencial para melhorar a avaliação da função cardíaca.

ABSTRACT: Left atrial (LA) dilation is a common indicator of diastolic dysfunction, and its analysis through a volume calculation reflects the cumulative effects of the left ventricular (LV) filling pressures. However, an increase in LA volume is not exclusive to diastolic dysfunction, which has also been observed in other clinical conditions. Thus, the evaluation of the LA strain enables a functional study of this chamber, adding to the morphological analysis through the volume calculation. The LA strain, measured using the speckle tracking technique, brings information on the reservoir, conduction, and contractile functions of the LA, and is related to the LV function. Moreover, the changes in the LA strain precede the volumetric changes by nearly a decade, and correlate inversely with the degree of LA fibrosis ­ this has an important relationship with the diastolic dysfunction and its grading system. Albeit insufficient to explain its totality, LA fibrosis can partially justify the functional changes of this heart chamber and can favor the use of this variable as a complement to the current protocols for the analysis of the diastolic function. Although further study is still warranted to establish other clinical applications, the LA strain stands out in the analysis of diastolic dysfunction and can be considered ready to use, offering a great potential to improve the evaluation of the overall cardiac function.

E/e` ratio is superior to speckle tracking for detecting elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction

BACKGROUND: A weak correlation has been reported between left ventricular filling pressures and the traditional echocardiographic tools for the evaluation of diastolic function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). On the other hand, studies that compared invasive measurements with speckle tracking echocardiography have shown promising results, but they were not exclusively targeted on this specific population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immediately before the left heart catheterization, a comprehensive two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis was prospectively performed in outpatients referred for coronary angiography. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was measured before any contrast exposure. Eighty-one patients with coronary artery disease were studied, and the group with high LVEDP (n = 40) showed increased left atrial volume index (22 +/- 6 mL/m(2) vs 26 +/- 8.26 mL/m(2) , P = 0.04), E-wave velocity (65 +/- 15 cm/s vs 78 +/- 20 cm/s, P = 0.02), E/e` (average) ratio (8.14 +/- 2.0 vs 11.54 +/- 2.7, P = 0.03), and E/global circumferential strain rate E peak ratio (E/GCSRE ) (39 cm vs 46 cm, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between LVEDP and E/e` (rho = 0.56; P = 0.03), and between LVEDP and E/GCSRE ratio (rho = 0.43; P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.83 and 0.73, respectively (P < 0.05). E/e` and E/GCSRE were both independent predictors of elevated LVEDP (P < 0.05, with a higher C-statistic for the model including E/e` (0.89 vs 0.85). CONCLUSION: The E/e` ratio was able to identify elevated LVEDP in CAD patients with preserved LVEF with more accuracy than the E/GCSRE ratio.(AU)

E/e` ratio is superior to speckle tracking for detecting elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: A weak correlation has been reported between left ventricular filling pressures and the traditional echocardiographic tools for the evaluation of diastolic function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). On the other hand, studies that compared invasive measurements with speckle tracking echocardiography have shown promising results, but they were not exclusively targeted on this specific population. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immediately before the left heart catheterization, a comprehensive two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography and speckle tracking analysis was prospectively performed in outpatients referred for coronary angiography. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was measured before any contrast exposure. Eighty-one patients with coronary artery disease were studied, and the group with high LVEDP (n = 40) showed increased left atrial volume index (22 ± 6 mL/m2 vs 26 ± 8.26 mL/m2 , P = 0.04), E-wave velocity (65 ± 15 cm/s vs 78 ± 20 cm/s, P = 0.02), E/e` (average) ratio (8.14 ± 2.0 vs 11.54 ± 2.7, P = 0.03), and E/global circumferential strain rate E peak ratio (E/GCSRE ) (39 cm vs 46 cm, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between LVEDP and E/e` (ρ = 0.56; P = 0.03), and between LVEDP and E/GCSRE ratio (ρ = 0.43; P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was 0.83 and 0.73, respectively (P < 0.05). E/e` and E/GCSRE were both independent predictors of elevated LVEDP (P < 0.05), with a higher C-statistic for the model including E/e` (0.89 vs 0.85). CONCLUSION: The E/e` ratio was able to identify elevated LVEDP in CAD patients with preserved LVEF with more accuracy than the E/GCSRE ratio.

Correlação entre medidas ecocardiográfica e invasiva da pressão diastólica final do ventrículo esquerdo em coronariopatas com fração de ejeção preservada / Correlation between echocardiographic and invasive measurements of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved ejection fraction

A doença arterial coronária é importante e prevalente manifestação da aterosclerose. A avaliação da função diastólica pelos parâmetros mitrais obtidos com Doppler ecocardiográfico possui limitações nos coronariopatas com fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) preservada. Nestes, a disfunção diastólica, independentemente da FEVE, associa-se a maior incidência de desfechos desfavoráveis. A elevação da pressão diastólica final (PD2) do ventrículo esquerdo (VE) é a principal consequência fisiológica da disfunção diastólica. A pesquisa por melhores formas de determinação da PD2 do VE estendeu-se às modernas técnicas ecocardiográficas de quantificação da mecânica cardíaca. O objetivo deste estudo é correlacionar as medidas de deformação miocárdica, obtidas pelo speckle-tracking ecocardiográfico bidimensional, com a medida invasiva da PD2 do VE em pacientes com insuficiência coronariana e FEVE preservada. Métodos: foram avaliados 81 coronariopatas (idade: 61 ±8 anos) com FEVE >50%, encaminhados para cineangiocoronariografia eletiva, 40 destes com PD2 elevada (>16 mm Hg). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos à avaliação ecocardiográfica convencional imediatamente antes do cateterismo e subsequente avaliação offline, com ecocardiografia speckle tracking (EST) para obtenção de medidas sistólicas e diastólicas de strain e strain rate circunferenciais e longitudinais, e estudo rotacional do VE. Foram analisadas as variáveis diastólicas da EST, tanto de forma isolada, quanto combinada com a velocidade da onda E ao Doppler...

Modulação metabólica em síndromes coronarianas agudas / Metabolic modulation in acute coronary syndromes

Modular o metabolismo do cardiomiócito com o objetivo primordial de reduzir ou impedir a destruição de tecido miocárdico ocasionada por síndrome coronariana aguda, particularmente o infarto agudo do miocárdio, já é uma realidade. Atualmente, vários estudos que avaliam o potencial benefício dessa estratégia terapêutica estão disponíveis ou ainda em fase de recrutamento de pacientes. Entre essas propostas de modulação metabólica, o controle intensivo de glicemia por meio de infusão de insulina é o mais promissor. O uso de solução composta por glicose-insulina-potássio (GIK). O uso de solução composta por glicose-insulina-potássio(GIK) foi o principal motivador do início desses estudos, mas seu racional apesar de ter conduzido aos conceitos atuais, não se mostrou eficaz em termos de redução da mortalidade no infarto agudo do miocárdio quando administrada no ambiente hospitalar como tratamento adjunto ou não à reperfusão coronariana. Entretanto, a hipótese ainda está sendo testada no ambiente pré-hospitalar em um estudo patrocinado pelo National Institutes of Health, nos Estados Unidos. Os resultados negativos com a solução de GIK forneceram a base fisiopatológica para a proposta do controle intensivo da glicemia, que representa a forma mais promissora dessa modalidade de tratamento, motivando a publicação de uma scientific Statement pela American Heart Association, em 2008. Segundo essa recomendação, a mensuração dos níveis plasmáticos de glicose deve ser parte da avaliação clínica inicial e o controle rigoroso da glicemia deve ser feito por meio de infusão de insulina em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio e significante hiperglicemia, a despeito do diagnóstico prévio ou não de diabetes mellitus.

Modulação metabólica em síndromes coronarianas agudas. Do conceito inicial da solucção glicose-insulina-potássio (GIK) ao manuseio atual da hiperglicemia nop infarto agudo do miocárdio / Metabolic modulation in acute coronary syndromes. From the initial concept of glucose-insulin-solucção potassium (GIK) to the current management of hyperglycemia nop acute myocardial infarction

Modular o metabolismo do cardiomiócito com objetivo primordial de reduzir ou impedir a destruição de tecido miocárdico ocasionada por uma síndrome coronariana aguda, particularmente o infarto agudo do miocárdio, já é uma realidade...