Aude Mignot

Systolic time intervals as simple echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular systolic performance: correlation with ejection fraction and longitudinal two-dimensional strain

AIMS Conventionally, the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) systolic function is based on ejection fraction assessment, which may be supplemented by other echocardiographic techniques, such as tissue Doppler imaging, 3D evaluation, and speckle tracking strains. However, these imaging modalities have a high technicity and are time-consuming, while being associated with reproducibility limitations. In this context, the usefulness of simpler measurements such as systolic time intervals (STI) by pulsed Doppler echocardiography must be emphasized. METHODS AND RESULTS In this multicentre study, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), dP/dt(max), LV stroke volume, myocardial longitudinal deformation, aortic pre-ejectional period (PEP, ms), and left ventricular ejection time (LVET, ms) were prospectively investigated and compared in 134 consecutive heart failure (HF) patients and 43 control subjects. Feasibility of STI measurements was 100%. Intra-observer reproducibility was 98% for PEP, 96% for LVET, 87% for LVEF, and 93% for global longitudinal strain (GLS). By subgroup analyses, with increasingly altered LVEF or GLS, PEP significantly increased, whereas significantly LVET decreased, resulting in a significantly increased PEP/LVET ratio (P < 0.001). In the HF patients group, a correlation between LVEF and PEP/LVET was found, with r = 0.55 (y = -0.0083x + 0.75, P < 0.001). Based on receiver operating curve analyses, the area under the curve was 0.91 for PEP/LVET > 0.43, which allowed us to detect LVEF < 35% with a sensitivity of 87%, and a specificity of 84%. CONCLUSION STI can be easily and accurately measured in clinical practice, and may be used for detecting alterations in LV systolic function. Moreover, this method is likely to have potential applications in the management of HF patients.

Fast Track Echo of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using a Real Pocket-Ultrasound Device at Bedside

Background: Ultraminiaturization of echographic systems extraordinarily provides the image “within” the clinical examination. Abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) diagnosis based on conventional evaluation with a dedicated operator and ultrasound machine is still controversial due to the lack of evidence of the proposed management and guidelines’ cost‐effectiveness. We hypothesized that less expensive ultraportable devices could identify AAA with the same level of accuracy as conventional approaches. Methods: A first step of this study was to validate the VSCANs image capabilities in patients referred to the vascular Doppler laboratory. Abdominal aorta measurements were performed by an experienced physician using conventional equipment followed by a second blinded physician using the ultraportable device VSCAN. Then, 204 patients hospitalized in our cardiology institute were prospectively included for a systematic screening of AAA at bedside using the VSCAN in order to determine the feasibility and impact of fast track evaluation compared to clinical examination. Results: A strong correlation was obtained between measurements of abdominal aorta diameters using the two ultrasound systems (r = 0.98, CI: 0.97–0.99, P < 0.001) with 100% of agreement for AAA diagnosis. In the second part of the study, visualization and measurement of the transverse diameter of the abdominal aorta was obtained in 199 patients, resulting in a feasibility of 97.5%. Among these patients, 18 AAAs were detected, which corresponds to a prevalence of 9%, whereas clinical evaluation did not detect any of them. Patients with AAA were more likely men (77.77% vs. 57.45%, P < 0.05) and hypertensive (88.8% vs. 56.9%, P < 0.05) as compared to those without AAA. Two patients with large AAA were quickly referred to the surgery department. Conclusion: Considering its low cost, diagnostic accuracy, and widespread availability, screening for AAA using an ultraportable ultrasound device such as VSCAN by an experienced physician is promising and should be used as an extension of routine physical examination in vascular patients. (Echocardiography 2012;29:285‐290)

Effect of catheter ablation for isolated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on longitudinal and circumferential left ventricular systolic function.

Isolated paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction but normal radial systolic contraction. We aim to investigate LV systolic function more precisely using 2-dimensional strain technique in patients with isolated paroxysmal AF and to evaluate evolution of longitudinal, circumferential, and radial (or transverse) strain components after catheter ablation of AF. Thirty patients with isolated paroxysmal AF were investigated by echocardiographic studies before and at 1-day, 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals after radiofrequency ablation. Left heart dimensions and LV systolic and diastolic functions were evaluated at each time interval. LV systolic function was quantified by LV ejection fraction and by 2-dimensional strain evaluation, giving regional and global longitudinal, circumferential, transverse, and radial peak of percentage deformation. Patients with AF were compared with 30 control subjects, paired by age and by sex. Before AF ablation, LV ejection fraction, transverse and radial strains were not significantly different from control subjects. By contrast, global longitudinal and circumferential strains were significantly lower than controls (-17.7%+/-2.4% vs -21.5%+/-2.0% [p<0.01] and -16.0%+/-2.9% vs -20.7%+/-3.4% [p<0.01], respectively). At the end of follow-up, global longitudinal and circumferential strains were significantly improved (-20.8%+/-2.6% vs -17.7%+/-2.4% (p<0.01) and -18.5%+/-3.1% vs -16.0%+/-2.9% [p<0.05], respectively). Global longitudinal strain was not significantly different from normal control subjects at the end of follow-up. In conclusion, this prospective study demonstrates (1) the existence of early longitudinal and circumferential LV systolic function abnormalities in patients with isolated paroxysmal AF but normal ejection fraction and (2) reverse remodeling of these abnormalities after AF ablation.

Validation of the Smallest Pocket Echoscopic Device’s Diagnostic Capabilities in Heart Investigation

We hypothesized that, based on greyscale imaging and color Doppler capabilities, a new pocket ultrasound device (PUD) could accurately record cardiologic diagnostic findings. One hundred patients referred for conventional clinical indications underwent a standard echocardiography. Subsequently, a second physician blinded to the results performed an evaluation using the PUD on the same patients. Study end-points were echocardiographic window quality; left ventricular (LV) morphology; function; hypertrophy; right ventricular, atrial and vena caval morphologies; aortic and mitral valvulopathies; and pericardial structure. Using a scale of three grades, concordance in image quality proved good with a kappa coefficient (κ) of 0.71. Concordances between systems were excellent for LV function and morphology (κ = 0.91 and 0.96). Concordance for LV hypertrophy was good (κ = 0.74). Concordances for mitral regurgitation grades were 0.90, 0.95 and 1.00, respectively. In conclusion, a new PUD enabled scanning examinations, which showed good concordance of basic and qualitative diagnostic capability to standard echocardiographic instruments.

Presentation, diagnosis and management of Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: 11 years of experience with 61 legs

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is still underdiagnosed yet it may significantly interfere with lifestyle, especially among young sportspeople, with symptoms like intermittent claudication. Although case reports and small case series are sometimes published, studies with larger populations are quite rare. This study summarizes our experience with PAES on 61 limbs (35 patients) over a period of 11 years, describing the demographics, the disease, and the diagnostic and therapeutic methods used with PAES patients. In a population of 327 consecutive explored symptomatic sportspersons, PAES was confirmed in 35 patients on 61 pathologic limbs. The median time with the symptoms before diagnosis was 34 months (range, 3‐180 months). The mean age of patients was 30.5 years (range, 17‐52 years) with 83% of males. The proportion of patients diagnosed with bilateral PAES was 74%. The main sports practiced were running (15 patients, 43%), soccer (nine patients, 26%), rugby (two patients), and athletics (two patients). Among 21 patients, intra‐compartmental pressure measurements (ICP) found 18 (86%) to have an associated chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS). Among the patients followed up after PAES surgery, 80% were able to resume sport at a level comparable to that before the onset of pain. PAES could be sought earlier in young sportspeople who experience unexplained leg pain during exercise to diagnose the disease and avoid complications in a timely manner. Compartmental pressures should systematically be measured in the search for an associated CECS.