Background Cardioversion, a rhythm control treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF), requires ruling out cardiac embolic sources, often originating from the left atrial appendage (LAA). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is used for LAA evaluation, but it is invasive and not widely available. This study aimed to identify cardiovascular risk factors linked to LAA abnormalities and predictors of thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality. Methods A single-center retrospective analysis included AF patients admitted to the University Hospital Würzburg between 2009 and 2018 undergoing TEE. Results Among 2400 AF patients (median age 72; 36 % women), 469 (20 %) had LAA abnormalities: 282 (60 %) had spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), 72 (15 %) had thrombus formation (THR), and 115 (25 %) had both. Predictors of LAA abnormalities included age (OR 1.04; p = 0.002), congestive heart failure (OR 1.70; p = 0.009), diabetes (OR 1.74; p = 0.007), stroke history (OR 3.36; p = 0.001), vascular disease (OR 1.57; p = 0.026), elevated alkaline phosphatase (OR 1.15; p = 0.003), prior VKA intake (OR 1.53; p = 0.002), and DOAC intake (OR 0.57; p = 0.038). SEC with or without THR independently predicted thromboembolic events (HR 1.74, p = 0.031 and HR 1.53, p = 0.006) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.77, p = 0.011 and HR 1.57, p = 0.002), adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors, anticoagulation, and laboratory data. Conclusions In AF patients undergoing TEE, SEC, often overlooked in cardioversion decisions, independently predicted thromboembolic events and mortality.

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. INTRODUCTION Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) was shown to be safe and improves outcome in patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR). Mean transmitral pressure gradients (MVG) < 5.0 mmHg are generally tolerated after TMVR. However, the prognostic relevance of this arbitrary threshold remains unclear and dynamic changes during physical exercise are not well examined. METHODS From 2017 to 2019 48 patients with an indication for TMVR were prospectively enrolled in a single center study. The total physical capacity was measured by dynamic stress echocardiography on bicycle at baseline, before discharge and follow-up (FUP, mean (± SD) of 8.2 ± 1.4 months). Patients were classified into two groups: "MVG present" (MVG ≥ 2.5mmHg, measured by transesophageal echocardiography intraoperatively after TMVR) or "MVG absent". Between group differences were compared with a two-sided t-test. For association analysis the Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficient was used. RESULTS 48 with a mean (± SD) age of 72.8 ± 12.1 years were eligible for the analysis. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics concerning the level of the EuroScore II or prevalence of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, cardiovascular risk factors, renal failure or cardiomyopathy and demographic characteristics as age and sex, respectively. Also, most of the standard morphological and functional echocardiographic parameters as well as modern speckle-tracking derived parameters were similar between the 2 groups. There was no difference in remaining mitral regurgitation regarding severity between the two groups (p = 1.00). While the left atrial end systolic volumes (LAESV) at baseline did not differ significantly between groups, patients with an increased MVG after clipping showed an increase in LAESV (plus 56.2 ± 33.6 ml), while the other group showed a decrease in mean value (minus 15.9 ± 42.1 ml; baseline vs FUP: p < 0.001). Further performance in dynamic stress echocardiography was significantly better in patients without development of a gradient (increase in metabolic equivalent of task (METS) changes between FUP and baseline 1.05 vs 0.06, p = 0.014). Most importantly, those patients who had a higher MVG after TMVR showed a significant increase in MVG already during stress-echo at baseline, compared to patients who didn´t develop a significant MVG after intervention (1.45 ± 1,08 mmHg vs. 0.67 ± 1,00 mmHg; p = 0.026). CONCLUSION After TMVR even a low MVG increase of > = 2.5mmHg is associated with impaired performance in dynamic stress echo and with enlargement of LAESV. Increase of MVG in stress echo at baseline may be suitable to identify patients at risk to develop pathological MVG. Therefore, periprocedural caution to hemodynamic changes in MVG should always be given. Maybe a certain residual MR could be accepted before implanting an additional clip, knowing that already a MVG > 2,5 mmHg might have adverse effects.

Objective To assess the influence of pressure recovery (PR)-corrected haemodynamic parameters on outcome in patients with aortic stenosis. Methods Aortic stenosis severity parameters were corrected for PR (increase in static pressure due to decreasing dynamic pressure), assessed using transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), in patients with aortic stenosis. PR, indexed PR (iPR) and energy loss index (ELI) were determined. Factors that predicted all-cause mortality, and 9-month or 10-year New York Heart Association classification ≥2 were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results A total of 25 patients, aged 68 ± 10 years, were included. PR was 17 ± 6 mmHg using CMR, and CMR correlated with TTE measurements. PR correction using CMR data reduced the AS-severity classification in 12–20% of patients, and correction using TTE data reduced the AS-severity classification in 16% of patients. Age (Wald 4.774) was a statistically significant predictor of all-cause mortality; effective orifice area (Wald 3.753) and ELI (Wald 3.772) almost reached significance. Conclusions PR determination may result in significant reclassification of aortic stenosis severity and may hold value in predicting all-cause mortality.

Abstract Background Concomitant aortic stenosis (AS) and functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) are common in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. We evaluated the impact of significant valve diseases on outcome of patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF, LVEF < 40%). Methods A total of 1264 consecutive HFrEF patients referred to our department between 2009 and 2017 were screened. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed at baseline visit in all patients. Patients with primary MR or received mitral valve operation before or after baseline visit (n = 64) as well as patients underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) before baseline visit (n = 66) were excluded. Finally, 1134 HFrEF patients were included for final analysis, and all completed a median clinical follow-up of 26 (12-40) months by medical record review or telephone interview. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality or heart transplantation (HTx). Results Moderate or severe FMR or AS was detected in 902 (79.5%) and in 119 (10.5%) patients by echocardiography, respectively. Of patients with significant AS, 47 patients underwent AVR shortly after baseline visit. In total, 353 (31.2%, including HTx n = 11) HFrEF patients died or underwent HTx during follow-up. Age, body mass index, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and renal dysfunction (all P < 0.05) were defined as clinical covariates associated with all-cause mortality/HTx and served as potential confounders in the multivariable Cox regression models. All-cause mortality/HTx was significantly higher in HFrEF patients with significant FMR than patients without significant FMR (33.8% vs. 20.7%, P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed significant FMR remained as an independent determinant of all-cause mortality/HTx in patients with HFrEF after adjusted for above mentioned confounders (HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.02-1.90, P = 0.035). Patients with significant AS without AVR faced increased risk of all-cause mortality/HTx as compared to patients without significant AS (HR 2.34, P < 0.001), while risk of all-cause mortality/HTx was significantly lower in patients with significant AS and underwent AVR as compared to patients without significant AS after adjustment for confounders (HR 0.36, P = 0.008). In the subgroup of HFrEF patients with significant FMR, significant AS without AVR was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality/HTx as compared to patients without significant AS (HR 2.30, P < 0.001), while outcome is better in AS and FMR patients underwent AVR as compared to patients with significant FMR and without significant AS (survival: 85.4% vs. 67.5%, P < 0.001; HR 0.34, P = 0.010) after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Conclusion Moderate to severe FMR and/or AS is incrementally related to higher all-cause mortality/HTx in HFrEF patients. AVR could significantly improve the survival of HFrEF patients with concomitant significant AS and FMR.

BACKGROUND:Fast progression of the transaortic mean gradient (P mean) is relevant for clinical decision making of valve replacement in patients with moderate and severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients. However, there is currently little knowledge regarding the determinants affecting progression of transvalvular gradient in AS patients. METHODS:This monocentric retrospective study included consecutive patients presenting with at least two transthoracic echocardiography examinations covering a time interval of one year or more between April 2006 and February 2016 and diagnosed as moderate or severe aortic stenosis at the final echocardiographic examination. Laboratory parameters, medication, and prevalence of eight known cardiac comorbidities and risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, peripheral artery occlusive disease, cerebrovascular disease, renal dysfunction, body mass index ≥30 Kg/m2, and history of smoking) were analyzed. Patients were divided into slow (P mean < 5 mmHg/year) or fast (P mean ≥ 5 mmHg/year) progression groups. RESULTS:A total of 402 patients (mean age 78 ± 9.4 years, 58% males) were included in the study. Mean follow-up duration was 3.4 ± 1.9 years. The average number of cardiac comorbidities and risk factors was 3.1 ± 1.6. Average number of cardiac comorbidities and risk factors was higher in patients in slow progression group than in fast progression group (3.3 ± 1.5 vs 2.9 ± 1.7; P=0.036). Patients in slow progression group had more often coronary heart disease (49.2% vs 33.6%; P=0.003) compared to patients in fast progression group. LDL-cholesterol values were lower in the slow progression group (100 ± 32.6 mg/dl vs 110.8 ± 36.6 mg/dl; P=0.005). CONCLUSION:These findings suggest that disease progression of aortic valve stenosis is faster in patients with fewer cardiac comorbidities and risk factors, especially if they do not have coronary heart disease. Further prospective studies are warranted to investigate the outcome of patients with slow versus fast progression of transvalvular gradient with regards to comorbidities and risk factors.

Background Long-term data on evolution and clinical impact of myocardial fibrosis in valvular heart disease are scarce. Methods and Results In this 10 years’ extension of a prospective study in patients undergoing conventional aortic valve replacement because of symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis, the impact of myocardial replacement fibrosis (MRF) on long-term outcome was assessed. Endomyocardial biopsies were acquired during aortic valve replacement in 58 consecutive patients. MRF was graded using the calculated percentage area of fibrosis and patients categorized as severe (n=21), mild (n=15), and no fibrosis (n=22). Echocardiography including strain imaging, as well as cardiovascular magnetic resonance, to assess late gadolinium enhancement was performed at baseline, 1, and 10 years after aortic valve replacement. Death of any cause occurred in 21 patients (38.9%): 3 (14.3%) in the group without MRF, 6 (42.9%) in the mild MRF group, and 12 (63.2%) in the severe MRF group (P=0.006), resulting in the lowest cumulative survival for patients with severe MRF (log-rank P=0.003). In the group without MRF, none died of cardiovascular cause. MRF was found to be an independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio, 1.271; 95% CI, 1.032–1.564; P=0.024). Conclusions This 10-year follow-up study underlines the profound impact of replacement fibrosis with regard to cardiac and all-cause mortality in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement for severe aortic valve stenosis. Integrating cardiovascular magnetic resonance and echocardiographic functional imaging beyond ejection fraction quantification could help in clinical decision making to stratify patient prognosis with regard to myocardial longitudinal function and prevalence of replacement fibrosis.

ObjectivesCurrent guidelines highlight important therapy implications of cardiac fibrosis in patients with Fabry disease (FD). However, association between morphological and functional impairments with cardiac fibrosis in hereditary cardiomyopathies remains elusive. We investigated the association between echocardiography-determined cardiac dysfunction and cardiac MRI (cMRI)-detected myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement, LE) in patients with FD with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥50%).Methods146 patients with FD (aged 39±14 years, 57 men) were analysed, all receiving echocardiography and cMRI within a 1 week interval. Longitudinal systolic strain (LS_sys), strain rate (LSr_sys) and diastolic strain rate (LSr_E/LSr_A) were assessed using speckle-tracking imaging. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to identify the diagnostic performance of various markers for LE.ResultsLE was detected in 57 (39%) patients with FD. LV wall thickness, left atrial volume, septal E/e′, diastolic dysfunction grade, global LS_sys and E/LSr_E, mid-lateral LS_sys and LSr_E, as well as N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide were all associated with LE independent of age, sex, body mass index, New York Heart Association functional class and kidney function. In ROC curve analysis, septal E/e′ performed best (area under the curve=0.86, 95% CI=0.79 to 0.92). Septal E/e′>14.8 was strongly associated with LE (specificity=97.8% and sensitivity=49.1%). In 9% of patients, localised LE was present even though no other cardiac or kidney abnormalities were detected.ConclusionsEchocardiography-derived diastolic dysfunction is closely linked to LE in FD. Septal E/e′ ratio is the best echocardiographic marker suggestive of LE. Diastolic dysfunction is not a prerequisite for LE in FD, since LE can be detected in the absence of measurable cardiac functional impairments.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT03362164).

Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is a valuable tool to distinguish true-severe (TS) from pseudo-severe (PS) low gradient aortic valve stenosis (LGAS) in patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, only scanty studies reported the clinical utility of DSE in differentiating TS-LGAS patients with preserved LVEF. We investigated the clinical utility of DSE in LGAS patients with preserved LVEF and the echocardiographic determinants suggestive of TS-LGAS. 130 consecutive LGAS patients [indexed aortic valve area (AVA) ≤ 0.6cm2/m2 and mean trans-aortic pressure gradient (PGmean) < 40mmHg] with preserved (≥ 50%, n = 63) and reduced (< 50%, n = 67) LVEF were included. DSE defined TS-LGAS (projected AVA ≤ 1 cm2) in 61.2% patients with reduced LVEF and in 68.3% patients with preserved LVEF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline AVA was an independent determinant of TS-LGAS both in LVEF ≥ 50% (OR 0.45, P = 0.004) and LVEF < 50% groups (OR 0.55, P = 0.005). Reduced septal and lateral mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE, OR 0.72 and 0.75, P = 0.013 and 0.016) and septal TDI-s´ were significantly associated with TS-LGAS in patients with LVEF ≥ 50%. Higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP, OR 1.43, P = 0.045) was associated with TS-LGAS in patients with LVEF < 50%. DSE is useful to define TS-LGAS also in patients with preserved LVEF. Lower baseline AVA values are linked with TS-LGAS in both patients with reduced and preserved LVEF. Reduced MAPSE and septal TDI-s´ are suggestive of TS-LGAS in patients with preserved LVEF, while higher SPAP is associated with TS-LGAS in patients with reduced LVEF.

are independent predictors of stenosis after hemostasis with 2 Proglide devices in our series.In vitro study showed that the lumen area becomes smaller when using 2 Proglide devices in small vessels.Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of single Proglide closure approach in CFA.

Kardiovaskuläre Erkrankungen sind häufig, eine adäquate und an Leitlinien orientierte Diagnostik und Therapie deshalb essenziell. Als zentrale Funktionsdiagnostik neben Elektrokardiogramm und (Spiro‑)Ergometrie steht die Echokardiographie im Vordergrund. Sie ist permanent und bettseitig verfügbar und hat eine hohe diagnostische Aussagekraft. Zunehmend halten aber auch Untersuchungen wie die kardiale Magnetresonanztomographie und Computertomographie oder nuklearmedizinische Verfahren (Szintigraphie, Positronenemissionstomographie) Einzug in den klinischen Alltag. Gründe sind das breite Spektrum an Zusatzinformationen und die hohe diagnostische Sicherheit. Im vorliegenden Beitrag sollen nun die einzelnen nichtinvasiven funktionsdiagnostischen Möglichkeiten vorgestellt werden. Dabei wird auch auf die Sinnhaftigkeit ihrer Anwendung eingegangen. Studien zum sinnvollen Einsatz nichtinvasiver Diagnostik gibt es allerdings nur ganz vereinzelt.

Cardiovascular diseases are common; therefore, adequate and guideline-based diagnostics and treatment are essential. In addition to an electrocardiogram (ECG) and (treadmill) exercise tests, echocardiography plays the pivotal role in functional cardiac testing. It is permanently available at the bedside and has a high diagnostic accuracy; however, examinations such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) as well as nuclear medical imaging, e.g. single proton emission CT (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are becoming more and more common in clinical practice. This is due to the wide range of additional information and the high diagnostic accuracy. In the following article, the individual possibilities of non-invasive cardiac functional testing are presented and their meaningful application will be discussed; however, studies on the meaningful application of non-invasive diagnostics are scarce.

Background Aortic valve stenosis is a common finding diagnosed with high sensitivity in transthoracic echocardiography, but the examiner often finds himself confronted with uncertain results in patients with moderate pressure gradients and concomitant systolic heart failure. While patients with true-severe low-gradient aortic valve stenosis with either reduced or preserved left ventricular systolic function are primarily candidates for valve replacement, there is a relevant proportion of patients with pseudo-severe aortic valve stenosis anticipated not to benefit but actually rather deteriorate by interventional therapy or surgery. Case presentation In this article we present a case report of a male patient with pseudo-severe aortic valve stenosis due to cardiac amyloidosis highlighting the diagnostic schedule. The patient underwent stress echocardiography because of discrepant findings in transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac catheterization regarding the severity of aortic valve stenosis. After evaluation of the results, it became clear that he had a need for optimum heart failure medication and implantation of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator. Conclusion Due to the pitfalls in conventional as well as invasive diagnostics at rest, Stress echocardiography should be considered part of the standard optimum diagnostic spectrum in all unclear or borderline cases in order to confirm the correct diagnosis and constitute optimal therapy.

Prognosis of patients with light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) is poor. Speckle tracking imaging (STI) derived longitudinal deformation parameters and Doppler-derived left ventricular (LV) Tei index are valuable predictors of outcome in patients with AL-CA. We estimated the prognostic utility of Tei index and deformation parameters in 58 comprehensively phenotyped patients with AL-CA after a median follow-up of 365 days (quartiles 121, 365 days). The primary end point was all-cause mortality. 19 (33%) patients died during follow-up. Tei index (0.89 ± 0.29 vs. 0.61 ± 0.16, p < 0.001) and E to global early diastolic strain rate ratio (E/GLSR dias ) were higher while global longitudinal systolic strain (GLS sys ) was lower in non-survivors than in survivors (all p < 0.05). Tei index, NYHA functional class, GLS sys and E/GLSR dias were independent predictors of all-cause mortality risk, and Tei index ≥0.9 (HR 7.01, 95% CI 2.43–20.21, p < 0.001) was the best predictor of poor outcome. Combining Tei index and GLS sys yielded the best results on predicting death within 1 year (100% with Tei index ≥0.9 and GLS sys ≤13%) or survival (95% with Tei index ≤0.9 and GLS sys ≥13%). We conclude that 1-year mortality risk in AL-CA patients can be reliably predicted using Tei index or deformation parameters, with combined analysis offering best performance.

Purpose: Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) dimensions are important for calculation of aortic valve areas and planning of valve repair. Mostly, LVOT areas are calculated from echocardiographic longitudinal measurements with the assumption of a round shape. Here, orthogonal phase contrast (PC) MRI with dynamic assessment of LVOT was compared to standard longitudinal tine MRI and 2D echocardiography. Methods: In 19 patients with aortic stenosis (5 female; 69 10 years), LVOT areas were determined on orthogonal PC images, either by planimetry (A(plan)) or by two-diameter measurement (A(ellip)). Data were analyzed in early, middle and late systole (tl/t2/t3). Additionally, standard diameter-based calculation (A(3cv)) of LVOT on longitudinal three-chamber view (3CV) MRI images and 2D echocardiography was performed. Results: Calculated PC LVOT areas strongly correlated to planimetry (r = 0.95; p < 0.001) with almost identical areas (A(plan),1 5.1 +/- 1.1 cm(2) vs. A(ellip) 5.3 +/- 1.0 cm(2)). In PC changes of LVOT-eccentricity during systole were most pronounced in late systole (t1 vs. t3(plan) - 7.4 +/- 18%). Cine 3CV calculation resulted in lower LVOT areas compared to A(plan) (A(3cv) 3.7 +/- 0.9 cm(2); p < 0.001), yet correlating to A(plan) (r = 0.66; p = 0.002). 3CV LVOT areas correlated to echocardiography (r = 0.56; p = 0.014). Conclusions: Calculated LVOT areas seem to be sufficient for daily routine. Compared to the orthogonal view, standard long-axis 3CV underestimates the LVOT size and overestimates the systolic reduction of LVOT-size. Systolic changes are most pronounced in late systole.

In patients with relevant mitral regurgitation (MR), transcatheter edge‐to‐edge repair (also called MitraClip) provides an alternative treatment option especially for inoperable or high‐risk patients. In preparation for the procedure, echocardiography is the method of choice for assessment of mitral valve (MV) morphology and function and thus provides important information if successful treatment of MR can be accomplished by MitraClip. This review article provides structured and detailed guidance how to systematically assess functional and degenerative MR and MV pathology by echocardiography in order to select eligible patients for this procedure. Furthermore, it highlights state‐of‐the‐art echocardiographic methods and potential pitfalls in patient selection.

Background: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction plays an important role in chronic heart failure (CHF). We evaluated the echocardiographic determinants of 1-year all-cause mortality in CHF patients with clinically relevant functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR).Methods and Results: A total of 101 consecutive CHF patients (mean age 74 +/- 10 years, 53% male) with moderate or severe functional TR were enrolled. Each patient underwent at least 2 echocardiography examinations in an interval of >6 months. Clinical follow-up was made after a median of 305 (interquartile range 164-365) days after the last echocardiography. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Forty-two patients (42%) died during follow-up. Baseline right atrial (RA) area, TR volume increase and RV enlargement over time were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than survivors (all P <.05). Compared to baseline levels, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) was significantly reduced in nonsurvivors during follow-up echocardiography (54 +/- 19 vs 49 +/- 21 mm Hg; P = .010), but significantly increased in survivors (48 +/- 17 vs 54 +/- 17 mm Hg; P = .001). Multivariable survival analysis suggested that baseline RA area >= 27 cm(2) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-4.80; P = .013), follow-up TR proximal isovelocity surface area regurgitant volume increase >= 15 mL (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.20-4.31; P =.012), RV middle diameter increase >= 10 mm (HR 2.38, 95% CI 1.10-5.11; P = .027), and sPAP reduction >= 10 mm Hg (HR 3.04, 95% CI 1.51-6.13; P = .002) were determinants of 1-year all-cause mortality after the last echocardiography. Patients with 2 or 3 of these determinants were faced with significantly increased 1-year mortality (88% or 100%).Conclusions: Dynamic RV morphologic and functional changes during serial echocardiography are associated with significantly increased mortality risk in CHF patients with moderate or severe functional TR.