Guidance for performance, utilization, and education of cardiac and lung point-of-care ultrasonography from the Japanese Society of Echocardiography.

In recent years, bedside ultrasound examinations have been used in many clinical departments and are called point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Regarding POCUS in the cardiac field, a protocol called focus (focused) cardiac ultrasound (FoCUS) has been developed in Europe and the United States, is being used clinically, and an educational syllabus has been created. According to them, FoCUS is defined as a point-of-care cardiac ultrasound examination using standardized limited sections and protocols. FoCUS is primarily intended to be performed by non-cardiologists, and in order to avoid making mistakes in judgment, it is important to be familiar with its limitations and it is necessary to understand pathological conditions that can only be diagnosed using conventional comprehensive echocardiography. The Japanese Society of Echocardiography has edited this clinical guideline because we believe that FoCUS should be used effectively and appropriately in Japan, and that appropriate education is essential to popularize FoCUS in Japan. Furthermore, lung POCUS has recently come into clinical use. Lung POCUS is useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of heart failure when used in conjunction with FoCUS, and is especially useful in primary care where chest X-rays are not available. The working group that created this manual agreed that it is desirable to educate patients about lung POCUS in conjunction with FoCUS, so we decided to include the basic techniques of lung POCUS and how to use them in this manuscript.

Microvascular Endothelial Function Assessed Using Peripheral Arterial Tonometry in Adolescents with Repaired Congenital Heart Disease.

Atherosclerosis can develop in adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and should be given attention. Endothelial function is well known as a predictor of the development of atherosclerosis but has not been well investigated in patients with repaired CHD. This study aimed to clarify the endothelial function and its relationship with clinical backgrounds and parameters in adolescents with various types of repaired CHDs. Endothelial function was evaluated using peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT). The reactive hyperemia index (RHI) was evaluated and compared between adolescents with repaired CHD and those in the control group. The relationship between the clinical background and parameters was also investigated in patients with repaired CHD. Forty-eight patients with repaired CHD (age 14.0 ± 3.3 years) and 114 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Patients with repaired CHD comprised 16 with repaired non-cyanotic CHD, 14 with repaired tetralogy of Fallot, and 18 who underwent the Fontan procedure. RHI in the repaired CHD group was significantly lower than in the control group. There was no significant correlation between the RHI and blood biochemical markers, such as uric acid, creatine, and brain natriuretic peptide levels. The RHI was significantly higher in patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) than in those not taking them. Endothelial function was impaired in adolescents with repaired CHD compared to that in the control group. Microvascular endothelial dysfunction developed even in adolescents with simple non-cyanotic CHD.

Multiple atrial septal defects closure with a single device using radiofrequency energy-assisted wire atrial septostomy: A new method.

Percutaneous closure of multiple atrial septal defects can be more challenging. It is often discussed whether a single or dual device closure is appropriate for two or more large atrial septal defects with insufficient distance between defects. In this case, we used radiofrequency energy-assisted wire atrial septostomy to break intervening tissue between two adjacent oval fossa defects, thereby combining them into a single hole and facilitating device closure using a single device. This technique could be considered in patients with multiple adjacent secundum defects separated by intervening tissue.

Assessment of left atrial deformation in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare congenital heart disease of newborns characterized by impaired left ventricle growth and diastolic dysfunction. We hypothesized that the patients with TAPVC reduced blood flow into the left heart prenatally could affect left atrium (LA) not just growth but function. We compared the age-related changes in LA deformation using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) in Patients with TAPVC. METHOD: This single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted on consecutive isolated TAPVC patients who underwent neonatal surgery between January 1, 2009 and January 1, 2022. The LA datasets in TAPVC patients were analyzed before surgery (n = 28) and follow-ups at 1-2 (n = 24) and 5-7 years of age (n = 13) and compared with those of age-matched healthy controls (January 2009-2022). The LA strain (ε), indicating LA function, was analyzed using QLAB represented by reservoir (εR), conduit (εCD), and contractile (εCT) strains. LA pressure was evaluated by periodic follow-up catheterization after repair. RESULTS: Compared to the controls, the TAPVC patients had significantly smaller LA maximum volume preoperatively, and with age, the LA maximal volumes reached normal levels, while the LA minimal volumes were larger. All 2DSTE-determined LA strains showed significant reductions at all time points in the TAPVC group compared to those in the control (median εR, εCD, and εCT; before surgery: 17.0% vs. 26.0%, 12.9% vs. 15.9%, and 6.3% vs. 10.4%; follow-up at 1-2 years: 30.0% vs. 45.7%, 23.2% vs. 29.6%, and 6.1% vs. 16.3%; follow-up at 5-7 years: 31.2% vs. 43.1%, 25.0% vs. 31.2%, and 5.2% vs. 10.8%, respectively; p < 0.05). Only εCT did not represented a significant change over time even though after correction of blood flow (median εCT: 6.0% → 5.9%). Patients with pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO) at birth showed significantly decreased εR and εCD and higher LA pressure compared to those without PVO. CONCLUSION: This study showed that nevertheless maximum volume of LA was recovered within the normal range, reduced LA strains, especially contractile function lasted from birth even after repair in Patients with TAPVC.

Hemoptysis due to progressive scoliosis associated with congenital heart disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) are associated with an increased incidence of scoliosis, often with severe progression. We report a case of hemoptysis caused by rapid scoliosis progression subsequent to surgery for CHD that was successfully managed by surgical curve correction following coil embolization. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old girl with scoliosis had undergone open heart surgery for CHD at the age of 1 year. She was first noted to have scoliosis at 12 years of age, which began to progress rapidly. At age 13, her main thoracic curve Cobb angle was 46°, and hemoptysis with high pulmonary vein pressure due to vertebral rotation was detected. Nine months after coil embolization, she received posterior spinal fusion from T5 to L2 for scoliosis correction. Postoperatively, her pulmonary vein diameter was enlarged, with no detectable signs of hemoptysis. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered a case of hemoptysis caused by advanced scoliosis after cardiac surgery that was successfully treated by correction of the scoliotic curve following coil embolization. Patients with secondary scoliosis after surgery for CHD should be carefully monitored for the possibility of cardiovascular system deterioration.

Clinical impact of subcutaneous treprostinil in trisomy 21 patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with CHD.

Subcutaneous treprostinil is commonly used to improve idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in children. However, its effectiveness has not been reported in trisomy 21. We report the case of 9-year-old boy in trisomy 21 with CHD-pulmonary artery hypertension after surgical correction of CHD. Haemodynamics and exercise capacity dramatically improved with a transition from oral selexipag to subcutaneous treprostinil.

Ventricular myocardial response to exercise in patients with Fontan circulation.

BACKGROUND: Exercise stress echocardiography has been used to assess myocardial reserve in various heart diseases. This study examined the ventricular myocardial response to exercise in Fontan patients using exercise stress echocardiography. METHODS: Twenty-five Fontan patients and 19 control subjects underwent semi-supine bicycle exercise stress echocardiography in this prospective, single-center, cross-sectional study. Pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging peak systolic (s') and diastolic (e') velocities, longitudinal strain and systolic strain rate, and early diastolic strain rate data at rest and at peak exercise were obtained for the systemic ventricle. The myocardial reserve of functional parameters was calculated as the difference between peak exercise and rest. RESULTS: Inter- and intra-observer reliability were both high for exercise stress echocardiography measurements. Compared with controls, Fontan patients had significantly lower s', e', longitudinal systolic strain and strain rate, and early diastolic longitudinal strain rate at rest and at peak exercise as well as reduced myocardial reserve. CONCLUSIONS: Fontan patients have markedly reduced myocardial reserve during exercise. The use of exercise stress echocardiography assessment may improve the clinical management of Fontan patients.

Adverse impact of univentricular pacing for the patient with functional single ventricle: successful conversion to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

BACKGROUND: In a Fontan candidate, univentricular pacing may cause delay in interventricular conduction, which induces asynchronous contraction. Cardiac resynchronization therapy is expected to be an effective mode of therapy in such a case. CASE PRESENTATION: A 7-month-old girl, diagnosed with dextrocardia, congenitally corrected transposition of the great artery [situs solitus, L-loop, and L-transposition], ventricular septal defect, infundibular and pulmonary valvular stenosis, and straddling of the tricuspid valve, was considered as a candidate for the Fontan procedure. She had undergone Blalock-Taussig shunt, and epicardial univentricular pacemaker implantation for persistent complete atrioventricular block. She underwent a bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt concomitant with ventricular lead translocation from the morphological left ventricle to the morphological right ventricle. After discharge, ventricular dyssynchrony was noted and cardiac failure persisted. She was converted to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) at 13 months of age. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging was used by cardiologists to determine the most suitable pacing site. CRT rapidly corrected the heart failure; thus, she underwent the Fontan procedure after 1.5 years. Five years have passed since the cardiac resynchronization therapy; her interventricular synchrony is maintained well and the level of brain natriuretic peptide remains within normal range. CONCLUSION: We describe the successful conversion from single ventricular pacing to CRT, in a case of congenitally corrected transposition of the great artery indicated for the Fontan procedure. The long-term prognosis of cardiac resynchronization therapy is undetermined in the pediatric population; therefore, further follow-up is required.

Novel Urinary Biomarkers for Acute Kidney Injury and Prediction of Clinical Outcomes After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of pediatric cardiac surgery, with high morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the perioperative risk factors for AKI, and the validity of novel diagnostic urinary biomarkers after pediatric cardiac surgery. We analyzed 103 consecutive pediatric patients (≤ 18 years old), who underwent cardiac surgery. AKI was defined by ≥ 50% increase in serum creatinine levels from baseline. Urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were measured postoperatively at the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, subsequently at 4, 12, and 24 h. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUC) were calculated at each assessment time. AKI had developed in 47 patients (45.6%) by the second postoperative day. Univentricular status, aortic cross-clamping time, and intraoperative fluid balance were independently associated with AKI (p = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). Urinary L-FABP and NGAL were significantly higher in the AKI group at each point (p < 0.05). The predictive abilities of both biomarkers (AUC = 0.78-0.90) at ICU admission and 4 h after were especially high. The patients with L-FABP greater than the cutoff value at ICU admission and 4 h after ICU admission had significantly longer intubation and hospitalization periods (p < 0.05). Those with elevated NGAL levels at admission, and 4 h and 24 h after ICU admission, had significantly longer intubation, ICU stay, and hospitalization (p < 0.05). L-FABP and NGAL can be useful biomarkers for detecting early AKI after pediatric cardiac surgery and predicting adverse clinical outcomes.

Neo-aortic insufficiency late after staged reconstruction for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: impact of differences in initial palliative procedures.

The neo-aortic insufficiency in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome is an important sequela. We assessed the risks of the neo-aortic valve deterioration by the difference of initial palliations: Group I underwent primary Norwood (Nw) with systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunt (SPS), Group II underwent bilateral pulmonary artery banding (bPAB) and subsequent Nw with SPS (bPAB-Nw/SPS), Group III underwent bPAB and subsequent Nw with bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure (bPAB-Nw/BDG). The neo-aortic valve z score changes over time did not reach statistical significance in all groups (p = 0.43 for Group I, 0.20 for Group II, and 0.30 for Group III). The degree of neo-aortic valve insufficiency did not change significantly over time during this period except for Group III (p = 0.34 for Group I, 0.20 for Group II, and 0.02 for Group III). On the other hand, dimensions of the neo-aortic annulus and degrees of neo-aortic insufficiency did not differ significantly among the 3 groups at any pre-determined time. The presence or absence of incision into the sino-tubular junction at Nw did not affect the late neo-aortic valve z score or insufficiency. These data indicate that the difference of initial palliative procedures does not affect late neo-aortic valve insufficiency in Nw survivors. Because valve failure may develop in longer follow-up, further observation should be conducted.

Development of suction force during early diastole from the left atrium to the left ventricle in infants, children, and adolescents.

Although the suction force that moves blood into the left ventricle during early diastole is thought to play an important role in diastolic function, there have been a few studies of this phenomenon in normal children. Suction force is measured as the intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) and intraventricular pressure gradient (IVPG), which is calculated as IVPD divided by left ventricular length. The purpose of this study was to determine the suction force in infants, children, and adolescents using IVPD and IVPG. We included 120 normal children categorized into five groups based on age: G1 (0-2 years), G2 (3-5 years), G3 (6-8 years), G4 (9-11 years), and G5 (12-16 years). The total, basal, and mid-apical IVPD and IVPG were calculated using color M-mode Doppler imaging of the mitral valve inflow using the Euler equation. The total IVPD increased with age from G1 to G5 (1.75 + 0.51 vs. 2.95 + 0.72 mmHg, respectively; p < 0.001), due to an increase in mid-apical IVPD with constant basal IVPD. Although total IVPG was constant, mid-apical IVPG was larger in G5 than in G1 (0.21 + 0.06 vs. 0.16 + 0.07 mmHg/cm, respectively; p = 0.006). Total, basal, and mid-apical IVPDs were significantly correlated with age and the parameters of heart size and mitral annular e'. Mid-apical IVPG correlated with age and e' positively, but basal IVPG did with age negatively and did not with e'. The suction force increased at the mid-apical segment, correlating with increasing heart size and developing left ventricular relaxation, even after adjustment for left ventricular length.

Establishment of a Healthcare System for Patients With Adult Congenital Heart Disease in Collaboration With Children's Hospital　- The Nagano Model.

BACKGROUND: Despite the best efforts of pediatricians, healthcare for adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD) has proven challenging because of the increased numbers. This study presents the process of establishing an ACHD care system as a collaborative effort between Shinshu University Hospital and Nagano Children's Hospital. Methods and Results: Establishing an outpatient clinic for transition, a cooperation agreement for in-patient care between the 2 hospitals, and quality management of diagnostic imaging and educational meetings for adult cardiologists were the 3 major challenges. Of the 99 patients who visited the transition clinic in the children's hospital between May 2014 and December 2016, 3 returned to the pediatrician's clinic. Between June 2013 and December 2017, 273 patients visited the ACHD center in Shinshu University Hospital. Until December 2017, mortality and fatal arrhythmia were noted in 3 and 2 cases, respectively. Catheter ablation for arrhythmia was performed in 12 cases, and 4 cases of pregnancy with moderate/severe ACHD or estimated as high risk were managed with healthy livebirths. Surgical interventions for moderate/severe ACHD were performed in collaboration with the children's hospital or Sakakibara Heart Institute. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were successfully transferred to adult cardiology departments. Surgical and nonsurgical interventions for ACHD were provided. Collaboration between adult and pediatric cardiologists assists in the establishment of healthcare systems for ACHD.

Measurement of Aortic Valve Coaptation and Effective Height Using Echocardiography in Patients with Ventricular Septal Defects and Aortic Valve Prolapse.

Decreased coaptation height in adults has been identified as a marker of early valve failure. We evaluated aortic valve coaptation and effective height in healthy children and in children with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) with aortic cusp prolapse (ACP), using echocardiography. We included 45 subjects with VSD with ACP, 27 did not develop aortic regurgitation (AR) by ACP and 18 developed AR by ACP, and 83 healthy children as controls. Aortic root anatomy was estimated using the parasternal long-axis view. We measured the diameter of aortic valve (AV), coaptation height (CH), and effective height (EH) of the aortic valve. We defined the ACH (CH/AV ratio) and AEH (EH/AV ratio) indices as follows: [Formula: see text]. There were significant differences in ACH and AEH between the groups (control vs VSD with ACP vs VSD with ACP and AR, median ACH [%], 35.1 vs 32.0 vs 22.1; median AEH [%], 52.0 vs 48.0 vs 34.4, respectively; P < 0.01]). Intra-cardiac repair (ICR) was performed in 15 cases. Significant increases were observed in ACH and AEH before and after ICR (median ACH [%], before: 27.0, after: 32.7, P < 0.05; median AEH (%), before 38.5, after 45.8, P < 0.05). Measurement of ACH and AEH may allow direct and non-invasive assessment of the severity of VSD with ACP, which could aid clinicians in determining the need and timing for surgical intervention.

Study design for control of HEART rate in inFant and child tachyarrhythmia with heart failure Using Landiolol (HEARTFUL): A prospective, multicenter, uncontrolled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Persistent tachycardia in pediatric patients after congenital heart surgery further deteriorates their hemodynamic condition, and may become fatal. Therefore, immediate control of the tachycardia is mandatory in these patients. For this purpose, quick-acting, short-acting, titratable intravenous agents are required. However, there are no agents with such characteristics among the drugs approved for control of pediatric arrhythmias in Japan, and thus novel and effective medications for these patients are awaited. Landiolol, an ultrashort-acting ß-blocker, was approved in 2013 for tachyarrhythmias in adult patients with heart failure. However, its efficacy and safety in pediatric patients remain unclear. The aim of this prospective, multicenter, open-label phase IIb/III study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of landiolol in pediatric patients with tachyarrhythmias as well as heart failure. METHODS: Eligible patients are aged ≥ 3 months and <15 years, and have tachyarrhythmia (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia) as well as heart failure. The primary endpoint of the study is ≥20% reduction from baseline heart rate or return to normal sinus rhythm within 2h after starting intravenous administration of landiolol. Patients will receive intravenous infusion of landiolol, starting at 1µg/kg/min. The dose will be increased by 1µg/kg/min every 15-20min until the tachycardia rate has decreased by >20% or tachycardia has terminated, and the dose will then be maintained or further increased depending on the patient's condition. The study was started in April 2015 and will end within a few years. CONCLUSIONS: The study was designed and designated the "HEARTFUL study" in the hope of establishing a basis for control of HEART rate in inFant and child tachyarrhythmia Using Landiolol in children with heart failure.

Sildenafil reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in single ventricular physiology.

BACKGROUND: High pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) may be a risk factor for early and late mortality in both Glen shunt and Fontan operation patients. Furthermore, PVR may increase long after the Fontan operation. Whether pulmonary vasodilators such as phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors can decrease PVR in patients with single ventricular physiology remains undetermined. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a prospective, multicenter study. Patients with single ventricular physiology who have a PVR index higher than 2.5 Wood units·ãŽ¡ (WU) were enrolled. Cardiac catheterization was performed before and after administration of sildenafil in all patients. After the Fontan operation, a six minute walk test (6MWT) was also performed. A total of 42 patients were enrolled. PVR was significantly decreased in each stage of single ventricular physiology after sildenafil administration: from 4.3±1.5WU to 2.1±0.6WU (p<0.01) in patients before a Glenn shunt, from 3.2±0.5WU to 1.6±0.6WU (p<0.001) in patients after a Glenn shunt, and from 3.9±1.7WU to 2.3±0.8WU (p<0.001) in patients after Fontan. In patients after Fontan, the 6MWT increased from 416±74m to 485±72m (p<0.01), and NYHA functional class improved significantly (p<0.05) after sildenafil administration. No major side effects were observed in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil reduced PVR in patients with single ventricle physiology. Sildenafil increased exercise capacity and improved NYHA functional class in patients after a Fontan operation. This implies that pulmonary vasodilation is a potential therapeutic target in selected patients with elevated PVR with single ventricle physiology. Long-term clinical significance warrants further study.

Normal values and clinical relevance of left atrial myocardial function analysed by speckle-tracking echocardiography: multicentre study.

AIMS: The aim of this multicentre study was to determine the normal range and the clinical relevance of the myocardial function of the left atrium (LA) analysed by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 329 healthy adult subjects prospectively included in 10 centres and a validation group of 377 patients with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). LA myocardial function was analysed by LA strain rate peak during LA contraction (LA-SRa) and LA strain peak during LA relaxation (LA-Strain). The range of values of LA myocardial function in healthy subjects was LA-SRa -2.11 ± 0.61 s(-1) and LA-Strain 45.5 ± 11.4%, and the lowest expected values of these LA analyses (calculated as -1.96 SD from the mean of healthy subjects) were LA-SRa -0.91 s(-1) and LA-Strain 23.1%. Concerning the clinical relevance of these LA myocardial analyses, LA-SRa and LA-Strain detected subtle LA dysfunction in patients with LVDD, even though LA volumetric measurements were normal. In addition, in these patients we found that the functional class (dyspnoea-NYHA classification) was inversely related to both LA-Strain and LA-SRa. CONCLUSION: In the present multicentre study analysing a large cohort of healthy subjects and patients with LVDD, the normal range and the clinical relevance of the myocardial function of the LA using 2DSTE have been determined.

Assessment of the developmental change in the left atrial volume using real time three-dimensional echocardiography.

AIMS: Real time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) has been applied for the assessment of left atrial (LA) function in patients with adult heart disease; however, LA function is not well known in children. We aimed at determining the normal range of LA volume (LAV) using RT3DE and the feasibility and reproducibility of this method in healthy subjects and at elucidating the developmental changes in the LAV with aging. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, 359 healthy people (mean age, 23.9 ± 21.3; range, 0.1-76.4 years) were enrolled. We performed transthoracic RT3DE and measured the maximum and minimum LAV. Simultaneously, we measured the LAV using the 2D biplane Simpson's method. Inter-observer and intra-observer variability and the agreement of LAV measurements between RT3DE and 2DE were assessed in a subset of subjects. The RT3DE feasibility for LAV measurement was 93%. Both maximum and minimum LAVs exponentially increased with age and linearly increased with increasing of body surface area (BSA). The LA distensibility, which demonstrates LA reservoir function, decreased with age and BSA. The LAVs measured by RT3DE were significantly smaller than those measured by the 2D biplane Simpson's method. The 3D volumetric method had favorable intra-observer and inter-observer agreement. CONCLUSION: The reference values of LAV from early infancy to adulthood were obtained using RT3DE, which could be useful for future studies in children with congenital heart disease. RT3DE is a reproducible method and a feasible tool for evaluating the LAV in children. LA reservoir function is likely to decrease with age and increasing of body size.

Multidirectional global left ventricular systolic function in normal subjects and patients with hypertension: multicenter evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this multicenter study was to determine the normal ranges and the clinical relevance of multidirectional systolic parameters to evaluate global left ventricular (LV) systolic function. METHODS: Three hundred twenty-three healthy adult subjects prospectively included at 10 centers and a cohort of 310 patients with hypertension were analyzed. Multidirectional global LV systolic function was analyzed using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography by means of two indices: longitudinal-circumferential systolic index (the average of longitudinal and circumferential global systolic strain) and global systolic index (the average of longitudinal, circumferential, and radial global systolic strain). RESULTS: The ranges of values of the multidirectional systolic parameters in healthy subjects were -21.22 ± 2.22% for longitudinal-circumferential systolic index and 29.71 ± 5.28% for global systolic index. In addition, the lowest expected values of these multidirectional indices were determined in this population (calculated as -1.96 SDs from the mean): -16.86% for longitudinal-circumferential systolic index and 19.36% for global systolic index. Concerning the clinical relevance of these measurements, these indices indicated the presence of subtle LV global systolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension, even though LV global longitudinal systolic strain and LV ejection fraction were normal. Moreover, in these patients, functional class (dyspnea [New York Heart Association classification]) was inversely related to both the longitudinal-circumferential index and the global systolic index. CONCLUSIONS: In the present multicenter study analyzing a large cohort of healthy subjects and patients with hypertension, the normal range and the clinical relevance of multidirectional systolic parameters to evaluate global LV systolic function have been determined.