Right ventricular global longitudinal strain is an independent predictor of right ventricular function: a multimodality study of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, real time three-dimensional echocardiography and speckle tracking echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: Accurate assessment of right ventricular (RV) systolic function is important, as it is an established predictor of mortality in cardiac and respiratory diseases. We aimed to compare speckle tracking-derived longitudinal deformation measurements with traditional two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic parameters, as well as real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-derived RV volumes and ejection fraction (EF). METHOD: Subjects referred for CMR also underwent echocardiography. On both RT3DE and CMR, we measured RV volumes and EF. On 2D echocardiography, we analyzed RV fractional area change, RV internal diastolic diameter, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, tricuspid annular tissue Doppler-derived velocity, myocardial performance index, and RV global longitudinal strain (RV GLS). RESULTS: Sixty subjects were recruited (mean age = 45 ± 10 years; 60% male). RV GLS (R = -0.69, P < 0.001) and RT3DE RVEF (R = 0.56, P < 0.001) correlated well with CMR RVEF. RT3DE RV end-diastolic (RVEDV) and end-systolic (RVESV) volumes also correlated with CMR RV volumes: RVEDV, R = 0.74, P < 0.001 and RVESV, R = 0.84, P < 0.001. In addition, RV GLS best predicted the presence of RV dysfunction, defined as RVEF <48% on CMR (hazard ratio = 7.0 [1.5-31.7], P < 0.01). On receiver operator characteristic analysis, a RV GLS of -20% was the most sensitive and specific predictor of RV dysfunction (AUC 0.8 [0.57-1.0], P < 0.02). CONCLUSION: RVEF and volumes estimated on RT3DE were closely correlated with CMR measurements. When compared to more traditional markers of RV systolic function and RT3DE, RVGLS produced the highest correlation with CMR RVEF and was a good predictor of RV dysfunction. RV GLS should be considered a complementary modality to RT3DE and CMR in the assessment of RV systolic function.

Cardiorenal anemia syndrome as a prognosticator for death in heart failure.

Anemia and chronic kidney disease are common in patients with heart failure (HF) and are associated with adverse outcomes. We analyzed the effect of cardiorenal anemia (CRA) syndrome, defined as anemia (hemoglobin <130 g/L for men, <120 g/L for women) and stage 3 or greater chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), in outpatients with HF. Consecutive patients with HF were prospectively enrolled from 2000 to 2005 (n = 748). The baseline clinical characteristics, pathology test results, and medication use were compared between those with and without CRA syndrome. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. The mean follow-up was 2.5 ± 1.6 years, with a left ventricular ejection fraction <45% present in 70% of patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ß blockers, and spironolactone were used in 87%, 67%, and 37%, respectively. CRA syndrome was present in 224 patients (30%). These patients had greater all-cause mortality (51% vs 26%, p <0.001), older age (mean 77 ± 8 vs 67 ± 14 years, p <0.001), and greater rates of diabetes mellitus (35% vs 23%, p <0.001) and ischemic heart disease (50% vs 35%, p <0.001). The independent predictors of mortality were CRA syndrome (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 2.8, p <0.001), left ventricular systolic dysfunction per grade (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.8, p <0.001), the absence of a ß blocker (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.2, p = 0.005), New York Heart Association class per class (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 1.9, p <0.01), and age per decade (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 2.0, p <0.001). In conclusion, CRA syndrome was common in patients with HF and was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Consideration should be given to identifying CRA syndrome and modifying reversible factors.

Impact of concomitant heart failure on outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions: analysis of the Melbourne Interventional Group registry.

AIMS: The presence of heart failure (HF) is an established risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and impact of concomitant HF on major outcomes in contemporary PCI practice. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 5006 consecutive PCIs (2004-2006) enrolled in the Melbourne Interventional Group registry. Baseline characteristics, in-hospital, 30-day, and 12-month outcomes of patients with a history of HF (n = 189, 3.8%) were compared with patients without HF (n = 4817, 96.2%). Patients with a history of HF were older (mean age 72.9 ± 9.8 vs. 64.3 ± 12 years, P < 0.01) and had higher rates of diabetes (37.0 vs. 23.5%, P < 0.01), renal dysfunction (Cr > 200 µmol/L; 16.5 vs. 3.9%, P < 0.01), multi-vessel disease (79.8 vs. 58.7%, P < 0.01), and presentation with cardiogenic shock (4.8 vs. 2.1%, P = 0.02). At 12 months, patients with HF had higher overall mortality (13.7 vs. 3.5%, P < 0.01) and rates of HF admission (10.4 vs. 2.0%, P < 0.01). Independent predictors of recurrent HF admission included history of HF [odds ratio (OR) 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2-4.2, P < 0.01] and renal dysfunction (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.4, P < 0.01). At 12 months, patients with HF had lower rates of statin (73.9 vs. 89.2%, P < 0.01) and beta-blocker use (55.6 vs. 59.0%, P < 0.01). Angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker use was also relatively low in HF patients (79.6%). CONCLUSION: While the overall incidence of HF in patients undergoing PCI is low, underutilization of HF therapies may contribute to an increased likelihood of subsequent re-admission and increased mortality.