BACKGROUND: Quantification of left atrial (LA) conduit function and its contribution to left ventricular (LV) filling is challenging because it requires simultaneous measurements of both LA and LV volumes. The functional relationship between LA conduit function and the severity of diastolic dysfunction remains controversial. We studied the role of LA conduit function in maintaining LV filling in advanced diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: We performed volumetric and flow analyses of LA function across the spectrum of LV diastolic dysfunction, derived from a set of consecutive patients undergoing multiphasic cardiac computed tomography scanning (n=489). From LA and LV time-volume curves, we calculated 3 volumetric components: (1) early passive emptying volume; (2) late active (booster) volume; and (3) conduit volume. Results were prospectively validated on a group of patients with severe aortic stenosis (n=110). RESULTS: The early passive filling progressively decreased with worsening diastolic function (P<0.001). The atrial booster contribution to stroke volume modestly increases with impaired relaxation (P=0.021) and declines with more advanced diastolic function (P<0.001), thus failing to compensate for the reduction in early filling. The conduit volume increased progressively (P<0.001), accounting for 75% of stroke volume (interquartile range, 63-81%) with a restrictive filling pattern, compensating for the reduction in both early and booster functions. Similar results were obtained in patients with severe aortic stenosis. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure increased in a near-linear fashion when the conduit contribution to stroke volume increased above 60%. Maximal conduit flow rate strongly correlated with mitral E-wave velocity (r=0.71; P<0.0001), indicating that the increase in mitral E wave in diastolic dysfunction represents the increased conduit flow. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in conduit volume contribution to stroke volume represents a compensatory mechanism to maintain LV filling in advanced diastolic dysfunction. The increase in conduit volume despite increasing LV diastolic pressures is accomplished by an increase in pulmonary venous pressure.

Background: The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFIB) related cardiomyopathy relies on ruling out other causes for heart failure and on recovery of left ventricular (LV) function following return to sinus rhythm (SR). The pathophysiology underlying this pathology is multifactorial and not as completely known as the factors associated with functional recovery following the restoration of SR. Objectives: To identify clinical and echocardiographic factors associated with LV systolic function improvement following electrical cardioversion (CV) or after catheter ablation in patients with reduced ejection fraction (EF) related to AFIB and normal LV function at baseline. Methods: The study included patients with preserved EF at baseline while in SR whose LVEF had reduced while in AFIB and improved LVEF following CV. We compared patients who had improved LVEF to normal baseline to those who did not. Results: Eighty-six patients with AFIB had evidence of reduced LV systolic function and improved EF following return to SR. Fifty-five (64%) returned their EF to baseline. Patients with a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD), worse LV function, and larger LV size during AFIB were less likely to return to normal LV function. Multivariant analysis revealed that younger patients with slower ventricular response, a history of IHD, larger LV size, and more significant deterioration of LVEF during AFIB were less likely to recover their EF to baseline values. Conclusions: Patients with worse LV function and larger left ventricle during AFIB are less likely to return their baseline LV function following the restoration of sinus rhythm.

Recent data indicate that left atrial (LA) function assessment by cardiac computed tomography (CT) is closely related to diastolic dysfunction (DD). Therefore, we aimed to perform a direct comparison between CT and echocardiography for diagnosis of advanced DD and prediction of future heart failure or cardiovascular death. We identified 340 patients who had both spiral cardiac CT and a proximate echocardiogram. LA total emptying fraction (LATEF), a measure of global LA function, was automatically calculated from CT data, as a surrogate for diastolic function and was compared with echocardiographic grades of diastolic function. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for LATEF to differentiate between advanced DD (grades 2 and 3) and all other grades was 0.84 (0.79 to 0.88). Over a median of 4 years, 69 events (admissions for heart failure and cardiovascular deaths) occurred. By multivariate Cox analysis, LATEF < 40% provided incremental prognostic information after adjustments for advanced DD by echocardiography (hazard ratio 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 3.94). There was a significant interaction (p = 0.03) between LATEF and echocardiography-based diastolic grades. Stratified analyses within the diastolic function groups revealed that LATEF <40% was equivalent to echocardiography in predicting events in the subgroup with advanced DD by echocardiography (p = 0.20) but was associated with a significantly higher event rates in patients with normal filling pressures (p = 0.0001) or indeterminate diastolic function (p = 0.04) by echocardiography. In conclusion, LA function derived from CT can accurately detect advanced DD diagnosed by echocardiography and has additive value to echocardiography-derived DD. (c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2022;181:71-78)

We sought to evaluate cardiac CT angiography (CCTA)–based assessment of left atrial (LA) function as a predictor of hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. LA function was evaluated using automatic derivation of LA volumes to calculate LA total emptying fraction (LATEF) in 788 consecutive patients with normal sinus rhythm who had undergone spiral CT scans. The relationship between LATEF evaluated by CCTA and the composite endpoint of admission for HF or CV mortality was analyzed using Cox models. During a median follow-up of 4 years, there were 100 events, 62 HF hospitalizations, and 38 cardiovascular deaths. Mean LATEF was 30.7 ± 10.7% and 40.5 ± 11.2% in patients with and without events, respectively (p < 0.0001). A high LATEF (upper tertile > 46%) was associated with a very low event rate (3.5% at 6 years [95% CI 1.7–7.1%]). The adjusted HR for HF or CV mortality was 4.37 (95% CI 1.99–9.60) in the lowest LATEF tertile, and 2.29 (95% CI 1.03–5.14) in the middle tertile, relative to the highest tertile. For the endpoint of HF alone, adjusted HR for the lowest LATEF tertile was 5.93 (95% CI 2.23–15.82) and for the middle tertile 2.89 (95% CI 1.06–7.86). The association of LATEF with outcome was similar for patients with both reduced and preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (Pinteraction = 0.724). Reduced LATEF was associated with a high event rate, even when coupled with normal LA volume. CCTA-derived LA function is a predictor of HF hospitalization or CV death, independent of clinical risk factors, LA volume, and LV systolic function. • Left atrial function can be automatically derived from cardiac CTA scans. • Cardiac CTA-derived left atrial function is a predictor of hospitalization for heart failure and cardiovascular death. • Evaluation of left atrial function could be useful in identifying patients at risk of heart failure.

Objectives We aimed to assess the agreement between cardiac computed tomography (CT) and echo for diagnosing advanced diastolic dysfunction (DD) and to assess the prognostic value of CT-based parameters. Methods One hundred one consecutive patients who had both CT and echo-Doppler within 1 month were included. Diastolic function was assessed by CT using a previously validated method, based on left atrial volume changes, and compared with echocardiography grades 0 to 3. Patients were followed up for a combined outcome of cardiac death and hospitalization for heart failure. Results By operating characteristic curve analysis, the best CT-based parameter for predicting advanced DD based on echo was left atrial total emptying fraction. Left atrial total emptying fraction <36% had sensitivity/specificity of 76%/86%. Agreement between echo and CT for detecting advanced (grades 2/3) DD was substantial (κ = 0.62, P < 0.0001). By Cox multivariate analysis, left atrial total emptying fraction was a powerful independent predictor of outcome at 3 years (hazard ratio, 8.0 [2.2–28.4]; P < 0.0001). Conclusions Computed tomography–based assessment of DD has a good agreement with echo-Doppler–based results. Left atrial total emptying fraction seems to have a strong prognostic value.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine risk factors for progression to hemodynamically significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and the population burden attributable to these risk factors. BACKGROUND: Few data are available with regard to risk factors associated with the development of hemodynamically significant functional TR. METHODS: A total of 1,552 subjects were studied beginning with an index echocardiogram demonstrating trivial or mild TR. Risk factors for progression to moderate or severe TR were determined by using logistic regression and classification trees. Population attributable fractions were calculated for each risk factor. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 38 (interquartile range [IQR]: 26 to 63) months, 292 patients (18.8%) developed moderate/severe TR. Independent predictors of TR progression were age, female sex, heart failure, pacemaker electrode, atrial fibrillation (AF), and indicators of left heart disease, including left atrial (LA) enlargement, elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), and left-sided valvular disease. Classification and regression tree analysis demonstrated that the strongest predictors of TR progression were PAP of >= 36 mm Hg, LA enlargement, age >= 60 years, and AF. In the absence of these 4 risk factors, progression to moderate or severe TR occurred in similar to 3% of patients. Age (28.4%) and PAP (20.5%) carried the highest population-attributable fractions for TR progression. In patients with TR progression, there was a marked concomitant increase of incident cases of elevated PAP (40%); mitral and aortic valve intervention (12%); reductions in left ventricular ejection fraction (19%), and new AF (32%) (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TR progression is determined mainly by markers of increased left-sided filling pressures (PAP and LA enlargement), AF, and age. At the population level, age and PAP are the most important contributors to the burden of significant TR. TR progression entails a marked parallel increase in the severity of left-sided heart disease. (C) 2020 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Abstract Background Significant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) has been associated with higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Left-sided heart disease (LHD) is a potentially important confounder of this association because it is strongly linked to both TR and to clinical outcome. Methods We studied 5886 patients who were followed for a period of 10-years after the index echocardiographic examination. The relationship between TR severity and the composite endpoint of admission for heart failure or cardiovascular mortality was analyzed using a Cox model. An additional analysis included a propensity-score-matching. To simplify the modeling of the severity of LHD, we calculated an additive score summing the number of LHD components as follows: reduced LVEF, LA enlargement ≥moderate, aortic or mitral valve disease (regurgitation or stenosis ≥moderate) and PASP≥50 mmHg. Results Higher TR grade was associated with markers of LHD including left ventricular systolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease ≥moderate, left atrial enlargement and pulmonary hypertension (All P < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between TR and the presence of LHD with regard to the endpoint of heart failure in the model for admission for heart failure (P = 0.01) and the combined endpoint of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality (P = 0.02). In both models, moderate/severe TR was associated with higher risk for heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] 3.13; 95% CI 2.49–3.93, P < 0.0001) and the combined endpoint of heart failure or cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.61; 95% CI 1.33–5.13, P = 0.005) only in patients without LHD. The interaction plot (Figure) demonstrates that when LHD is present, TR is not a predictor of clinical outcome. Propensity score matching yielded 350 patient pairs, of which 88% had LHD. The HR for heart failure or cardiovascular mortality at 10-years was 0.78 (95% CI 0.56–1.08, P = 0.14) in the moderate/severe TR as compared with the trivial/mild TR. Conclusions Moderate or severe functional TR portends an increased risk for heart failure and cardiovascular mortality only when isolated, without concomitant LHD. Abstract 40 Figure. Interaction plot

Abstract Background Tricuspid regurgitation has been the focus of increasing interest and research in recent years. However, few data are available with regard to risk factors associated with the evolution of TR. purpose The aimed to determine the risk factors for the development of hemodynamically significant functional TR. Methods We studied 1552 subjects with an index echocardiogram demonstrating trivial or mild TR. Risk factors for TR progression to moderate or severe TR during a median follow-up time of 38 months (IQR 26 to 63 months), were determined using logistic regression. Results In the multivariable logistic regression model, older age, female gender, pacemaker electrode and indicators of left heart disease (LA enlargement, increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), atrial fibrillation, and left-sided valvular disease) were associated with future development moderate or severe TR (Table). The strongest predictors of TR progression were PAP, LA size, AF, and age. The final echocardiographic examination demonstrated a marked worsening in the severity of left-sided myocardial and valvular disease, that was more prominent in subjects with TR progression (Figure). Compared with subjects in whom TR did not progress, subjects with TR progression demonstrated an increase in PAP and in the severity of mitral and aortic valve disease, larger increases in LA and reductions in LVEF (Figure). Lager proportions of subjects progressing to significant TR developed AF, were implanted with pacemakers or defibrillators or underwent valvular interventions (Figure). The mean PAP change between the baseline and final echocardiographic examination was 16 ± 15 mm Hg and 3 ± 11 mm Hg with and without TR progression, respectively (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Predictors of TR progression are mostly indicators of more advanced left heart disease. In addition, progression to significant TR is associated with a more acceleration course of left hear disease. Independent Predictors of TR Progression Characteristics HR (95% CI) P value Age (per 10 years increase) 1.35 (1.31-1.50) <0.0001 Female sex 1.50 (1.13-1.99) <0.0001 Heart failure 2.76 (1.43-5.32) 0.002 LA enlargement ≥ Moderate 1.86 (1.29-2.67) 0.001 Atrial fibrillation 2.34 (1.57-3.49) <0.0001 Pacemaker/ICD 2.93 (1.48-5.78) 0.002 Pulmonary artery pressure (per 10 mm Hg increase) 1.47 (1.29-1.69) <0.0001 Valvular heart disease≥ Moderate 1.50 (1.11-2.04) 0.009 Abstract 44 Figure. Proportion of new abnormalities

Background: Significant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is associated with higher risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Left-sided heart disease (LHD) is a potentially important confounder of this association because it is strongly linked to both TR and clinical outcome. Methods: We studied 5,886 patients who were followed for a period of 10 years after the index echocardiographic examination. The relationship between TR severity and the end point of admission for heart failure or cardiovascular mortality was analyzed using competing risk analysis, Cox model, and propensity score matching. Results: Higher TR grade was associated with markers of LHD including left ventricular systolic dysfunction, valvular heart disease $ moderate, left atrial enlargement, and pulmonary hypertension (all P<.001). There was a significant interaction between TR and the presence of LHD with regard to the end point of heart failure in the competing risks model (P=.01) and the combined end point of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality (P=.02). In both models, moderate/severe TR was associated with higher risk for heart failure (hazard ratio [HR]= 3.10; 95% CI, 1.41-6.84; P=.005) and the combined end point of heart failure or cardiovascular mortality (HR= 2.75; 95% CI, 1.33-5.63, P=.006) only in patients without LHD. Propensity score matching yielded 350 patient pairs, of which 88% had LHD. The HR for heart failure or cardiovascular mortality at 10 years was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.56-1.08; P=.14) in the moderate/severe TR group as compared with the trivial/mild TR. Conclusions: Moderate or severe functional TR portends an increased risk for heart failure and cardiovascular mortality only when isolated, without concomitant LHD.

Evaluation of myocardial regional function is generally performed by visual "eyeballing" which is highly subjective. A robust quantifiable parameter of regional function is required to provide an objective, repeatable and comparable measure of myocardial performance. We aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of novel regional myocardial strain software from cardiac computed tomography (CT) datasets. 93 consecutive patients who had undergone retrospectively gated cardiac CT were evaluated by the software, which utilizes a finite element based tracking algorithm through the cardiac cycle. Circumferential (CS), longitudinal (LS) and radial (RS) strains were calculated for each of 16 myocardial segments and compared to a visual assessment, carried out by an experienced cardiologist on cine movies of standard "echo" views derived from the CT data. A subset of 37 cases was compared to speckle strain by echocardiography. The automated software performed successfully in 93/106 cases, with minimal human interaction. Peak CS, LS and RS all differentiated well between normal, hypokinetic and akinetic segments. Peak strains for akinetic segments were generally post-systolic, peaking at 50 ± 17% of the RR interval compared to 43 ± 9% for normokinetic segments. Using ROC analysis to test the ability to differentiate between normal and abnormal segments, the area under the curve was 0.84 ± 0.01 for CS, 0.80 ± 0.02 for RS and 0.68 ± 0.02 for LS. There was a moderate agreement with speckle strain. Automated 4D regional strain analysis of CT datasets shows a good correspondence to visual analysis and successfully differentiates between normal and abnormal segments, thus providing an objective quantifiable map of myocardial regional function.

Purpose We used a large real-world data from community settings to develop and validate a 10-year risk score for new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and calculate its net benefit performance. Methods Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate effects of risk factors in the derivation cohort (n = 96,778) and to derive a risk equation. Measures of calibration and discrimination were calculated in the validation cohort (n = 48,404). Results Cumulative AF incidence rates for both the derivation and validation cohorts were 5.8% at 10 years. The final models included the following variables: age, sex, body mass index, history of treated hypertension, systolic blood pressure >= 160 mm Hg, chronic lung disease, history of myocardial infarction, history of peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and history of an inflammatory disease. There was a 27-fold difference (1.0% vs. 27.2%) in AF risk between the lowest (-1) and the highest (9) sum score. The c-statistic was 0.743 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.737-0.749) for the derivation cohort and 0.749 (95% CI, 0.741-0.759) in the validation cohort. The risk equation was well calibrated, with predicted risks closely matching observed risks. Decision curve analysis displayed consistent positive net benefit of using the AF risk score for decision thresholds between 1 and 25% 10-year AF risk. Conclusion We provide a simple score for the prediction of 10-year risk for AF. The score can be used to select patients at highest risk for treatments of modifiable risk factors, monitoring for sub-clinical AF detection or for clinical trials of primary prevention of AF.

The objectives of this study were to assess whether 2-dimensional strain (2DS) can detect left ventricular (LV) segmental dysfunction and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of various 2DS parameters. Multiple segmental longitudinal 2DS parameters were measured in 54 patients with a first myocardial infarction and single vessel coronary artery disease (age: 56 ± 11 years, 74% men, LV ejection fraction: 47 ± 10%, left anterior descending artery occlusion in 63%) and 14 age-matched subjects. 2DS parameters were compared to visual assessment of segmental function by multiple observers. Using receiver-operating characteristics analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) for peak systolic strain in diagnosing segmental dysfunction (akinetic or hypokinetic LV segments) and for diagnosing akinetic segments was 0.85 (95% confidence interval 0.83–0.88) and 0.88 (0.85–0.90), respectively (all P values < 0.001). Other 2DS strain parameters had similar (peak strain, peak strain rate) or lower (post-systolic shortening, time-to-peak strain, diastolic 2DS parameters) AUC values. An absolute value of peak systolic strain <16.8% (25th percentile in normal subjects) had high sensitivity (0.89) and negative predictive values (0.88), but low specificity (0.55) and positive predictive values (0.59) for diagnosing segmental dysfunction. Similar findings were observed using a cutoff of <13.3% (absolute value of 10th percentile) for diagnosing akinetic segments. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly worse for segments in which visual segmental assessment was discordant between observers. In conclusion, 2DS can be used to diagnose segmental LV dysfunction with high sensitivity but limited specificity. The diagnostic limitation of 2DS is partially related to the visual echocardiographic definition of segmental abnormality.

AimSignificant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is common in heart failure (HF) and portends poor prognosis. We sought to determine whether the poor outcome results from the TR itself, or whether the TR is a surrogate marker of advanced left-sided myocardial or valvular heart disease.Methods and resultsWe studied 639 patients admitted for acute HF. The relationship between TR severity and the endpoint of readmission for HF or mortality was assessed after adjustment for multiple clinical and echocardiographic parameters. Higher TR grade was associated with higher congestion score and with other cardiac abnormalities including reduced left ventricular systolic function, moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension (PH, defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥ 50 mmHg), and right ventricular dysfunction (all P < 0.001). Only 7% of patients with moderate or severe TR were free of other cardiac lesions. In adjusted models, moderate or severe TR was not associated with readmission for HF or mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.97-1.57]. Patients with moderate/severe TR had similar risk for HF readmission or death compared with patients with trivial/mild TR when PH was not present (HR 1.17; 95% CI 0.78-1.75, P = 0.40) whereas the risk was higher in moderate/severe TR and PH (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.34-2.36, P < 0.0001).ConclusionPatients presenting with symptomatic HF and significant TR have multiple coexisting cardiac abnormalities. TR provides no additive risk in the presence of normal or mildly elevated pulmonary pressures. However, it is associated with excess rehospitalizations and mortality in patients with PH.

With increasing use of prospective scanning techniques for cardiac computed tomography (CT), meaningful evaluation of chamber volumes is no longer possible due to lack of normal values. We aimed to define normal values for mid-diastolic (MD) chamber volumes and to determine their significance in comparison to maximum volumes.

BackgroundThe clinical importance of right ventricular (RV) function in acute myocardial infarction is well recognized, but the impact of concomitant pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been studied. Methods and ResultsWe studied 1044 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients were classified into 4 groups according to the presence or absence of RV dysfunction and PH, defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure >35 mm Hg: normal right ventricle without PH (n=509), normal right ventricle and PH (n=373), RV dysfunction without PH (n=64), and RV dysfunction and PH (n=98). A landmark analysis of early (admission to 30 days) and late (31 days to 8 years) mortality and readmission for heart failure was performed. In the first 30 days, RV dysfunction without PH was associated with a high mortality risk (adjusted hazard ratio 5.56, 95% CI 2.05–15.09, P<0.0001 compared with normal RV and no PH). In contrast, after 30 days, mortality rates among patients with RV dysfunction were increased only when PH was also present. Compared with patients having neither RV dysfunction nor PH, the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality was 1.44 (95% CI 0.68–3.04, P=0.34) in RV dysfunction without PH and 2.52 (95% CI 1.64–3.87, P<0.0001) in RV dysfunction with PH. PH with or without RV dysfunction was associated with increased risk for heart failure. ConclusionIn the absence of elevated pulmonary pressures, the risk associated with RV dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction is entirely confined to the first 30 days. Beyond 30 days, PH is the stronger risk factor for long‐term mortality and readmission for heart failure.

BACKGROUND:Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) often accompanies coronary artery disease but is difficult to assess since it involves a complex interaction between LV filling and left atrial (LA) emptying. OBJECTIVE:To characterize simultaneous changes in LA and LV volumes using cardiac computed tomography (CT) in a group of patients with various grades of DD based on echocardiography. METHODS:We identified 35 patients with DD by echocardiography, who had also undergone cardiac CT, and 35 age-matched normal controls. LV and LA volumes were measured every 10% of the RR interval, using semi-automatic software. From these, - systolic, early-diastolic and late-diastolic volume changes were calculated, and additional parameters of diastolic filling derived. Conduit volume was defined as the difference between the LV and LA early-diastolic volume change. RESULTS:Patients with DD had significantly larger LV mass, and LA volumes, reduced early emptying volumes and increased conduit volume as percent of early LV filling (All p<0.001). LA function, manifesting as total emptying fraction (LATEF), decreased proportionately with worsening grades of DD (p<0.001). LA contractile function was maintained until advanced grade-3 DD. By receiver operating characteristic analysis, LATEF had an AUC of 0.88 to separate between normals and DD. At a threshold of <42.5%, LATEF has 97% sensitivity and 69% specificity to detect DD. CONCLUSIONS:DD is characterized by reduced LA function and an alteration in the relative contributions of the atrial emptying and conduit volume components of early LV filling. In patients undergoing cardiac CT, it is possible to identify the presence and severity of DD.

Background: Symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) demonstrate abnormal left ventricular (LV) mechanics. The aim of this study was to compare mechanics in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with severe AS using two-dimensional myocardial strain imaging.Methods: One hundred fifty-four patients with severe AS (aortic valve area <= 1.0 cm(2)) referred to a heart valve clinic from 2004 to 2011 were studied. Thirty patients were asymptomatic, with normal LV ejection fractions (>= 55%), without other significant valvular disease or wall motion abnormalities. Thirty-two symptomatic patients who underwent early aortic valve replacement, with similar age, gender, LV ejection fraction, and aortic valve area, were selected for comparison. Both groups were also compared with 32 healthy subjects with similar age and gender distributions and normal echocardiographic results who served as controls. LV longitudinal and circumferential strain and rotation were measured using speckle-tracking software applied to archived echocardiographic studies. Conventional echocardiographic and myocardial mechanical parameters were compared among the study subgroups.Results: Patients with asymptomatic severe AS demonstrated smaller reductions in longitudinal strain, higher (supernormal) apical circumferential strain (-38 +/- 6% vs -35 +/- 4%, P < .05), and extreme (supernormal) apical rotation (12.2 +/- 4.9 degrees vs 2.9 +/- 1.7 degrees, P < .0005) compared with symptomatic patients. Apical rotation < 6 degrees was the single significant predictor of symptoms in logistic regression analysis of clinical, echocardiographic, and mechanical parameters. Twelve asymptomatic patients underwent eventual aortic valve replacement and showed decreases in strain and apical rotation compared with baseline values.Conclusions: Longitudinal strain was uniformly low in patients with severe AS and lower in those with symptoms. Compensatory circumferential myocardial mechanics (increased apical circumferential strain and rotation) were absent in symptomatic patients. Thus, myocardial mechanics may help in the follow-up of patients with severe AS and timing of valve surgery.

Right ventricular (RV) infarction is associated with increased mortality. Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) may complicate inferoposterior infarction with RV involvement leading to pulmonary hypertension and increased RV afterload, potentially exacerbating RV remodeling and dysfunction. We studied 179 patients with inferior wall left ventricular (IN) ST-elevation myocardial infarction and RV infarction. The presence and severity of FMR and RV function were assessed by echocardiography. FMR was diagnosed based on echocardiographic criteria and when the severity of regurgitation was >= moderate. Eighteen patients (10.0%) had >= moderate FMR. Estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure was higher in patients with FMR than in patients without FMR (43 +/- 10 vs 34 +/- 10 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.002). RV systolic dysfunction was present in 76 patients (42.5%). FMR was a strong predictor of RV dysfunction (odds ratio 5.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65 to 17.48, p = 0.005) independent of reperfusion therapy. During a median follow-up of 4.1 years, 20 (12.4%) and 10 (55.6%) deaths occurred in patients with and without FMR, respectively (p <0.001). In a multivariable Cox regression model, compared with patients without FMR and with normal RV function, the adjusted hazard ratio for mortality was 1.02 in patients without FMR and with RV dysfunction (95% CI 0.39 to 2.69, p = 0.97) and 3.62 in patients with FMR with RV dysfunction (95% CI 1.33 to 9.85, p = 0.01). In conclusion, in patients with RV infarction, the development of concomitant hemodynamically significant FMR is associated with RV dysfunction. The risk for mortality is increased predominantly in patients with both RV dysfunction and FMR. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.