Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jun 2014
Assessment of longitudinal myocardial mechanics in patients with degenerative mitral valve regurgitation predicts postoperative worsening of left ventricular systolic function.
The optimal timing of mitral valve repair (MVr) in patients with chronic severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) remains controversial and is broadly based on either measurable loss of systolic function, as determined by left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (LVEF) and/or LV chamber remodeling. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the assessment of LV deformation by speckle-tracking echocardiography might uncover subclinical changes for predicting reduction of LVEF after MVr. ⋯ In chronic severe degenerative MR, disproportionately higher LV global longitudinal strain signifies a maladaptive preload-related change that is associated with substantial loss of LVEF immediately after MVr. Preoperative assessment of longitudinal strain may be potentially useful for optimizing the timing of MVr for degenerative MR.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Jun 2014
Multicenter StudyHemodynamic performance during exercise of the new St. Jude Trifecta aortic bioprosthesis: results from a French multicenter study.
Initial experience with the new St. Jude Trifecta pericardial aortic stented bioprosthesis shows an excellent resting hemodynamic profile. Little is known about changes in the hemodynamic profile of the Trifecta valve during exercise. ⋯ The new Trifecta bioprosthesis provides an excellent hemodynamic profile both at rest and during exercise. This type of valve could be an appropriate choice in patients with small aortic annular diameters, to avoid prosthesis-patient mismatch.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · May 2014
Editorial Randomized Controlled TrialRelationship between two-dimensional speckle-tracking septal strain and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and left bundle branch block: a prospective pilot study.
Previous studies have demonstrated variable patterns of longitudinal septal deformation in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and left bundle branch block. This prospective single center study was designed to assess the relationship between septal deformation patterns obtained by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). ⋯ Septal deformation strain pattern 1 or 2 is highly predictive of CRT response. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of "nonresponse" in patients with a pattern 3.
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J Am Soc Echocardiogr · May 2014
Review Meta AnalysisNormal ranges of right ventricular systolic and diastolic strain measures in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Establishment of the range of normal values and associated variations of two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE)-derived right ventricular (RV) strain is a prerequisite for its routine clinical application in children. The objectives of this study were to perform a meta-analysis of normal ranges of RV longitudinal strain measurements derived by 2D STE in children and to identify confounders that may contribute to differences in reported measures. ⋯ This study is the first to define normal values of 2D STE-derived RV strain in children on the basis of a meta-analysis. The normal mean value in children for RV global strain is -29.03% (95% CI, -31.52% to -26.54%). The normal mean value for RV global systolic strain rate is -1.88 sec(-1) (95% CI, -2.10 to -1.59 sec(-1)). RV segmental strain has a stable base-to-apex gradient that highlights the dominance of deep longitudinal layers of the right ventricle that are aligned base to apex. Variations among different normal ranges did not appear to be dependent on differences in demographic, clinical, or equipment parameters in this meta-analysis. All of the eligible studies used equipment and software from one manufacturer (GE Healthcare).