Maria A. Pernetz

Correlates of Tricuspid Regurgitation as Determined by 3D Echocardiography: Pulmonary Arterial Pressure, Ventricle Geometry, Annular Dilatation, and Papillary Muscle Displacement

Background— While it is understood that annular dilatation contributes to tricuspid regurgitation (TR), other factors are less clear. The geometry of the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) may alter tricuspid annulus size and papillary muscle (PM) positions leading to TR. Methods and Results— Three-dimensional echocardiographic images were obtained at Emory University Hospital using a GE Vivid 7 ultrasound system. End-diastolic area was used to classify ventricle geometry: control (n=21), isolated RV dilatation (n=17), isolated LV dilatation (n=13), and both RV and LV dilatation (n=13). GE EchoPAC was used to measure annulus area and position of the PM tips. Patients with RV dilatation had significant (P⩽ 0.05) displacement of all PMs apically and the septal PM and posterior PM away from the center of the RV toward the LV. Patients with LV dilatation had significant (P⩽0.05) apical displacement of the anterior PM. Pulmonary arterial pressure (r=0.66), annulus area (r=0.51), apical displacement of the anterior PM (r=0.26), posterior PM (r=0.49), and septal PM (r=0.40), lateral displacement of the septal PM (r=0.37) and posterior PM (r=0.40), and tenting area and height (r=0.54, 0.49), were significantly (P⩽0.05) correlated to the grade of TR. Ventricle classification (r=0.46) and RV end-diastolic area (r=0.48) also were correlated with the grade of TR. A regression analysis found ventricle classification (P=0.001), pulmonary arterial pressure (P⩽0.001) annulus area (P=0.027), and apical displacement of the anterior PM (P=0.061) to be associated with the grade of TR. Conclusions— Alterations in ventricular geometry can lead to TR by altering both tricuspid annulus size and PM position. Understanding these geometric interactions with the aim of correcting pathological alterations of the tricuspid valve apparatus may lead to more robust repairs.

The Right Ventricular Function After Left Ventricular Assist Device (RVF-LVAD) study: rationale and preliminary results

AIMS Despite improved outcomes and lower right ventricular failure (RVF) rates with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), RVF still occurs in 20-40% of LVAD recipients and leads to worse clinical and patient-centred outcomes and higher utilization of healthcare resources. Preoperative quantification of RV function with echocardiography has only recently been considered for RVF prediction, and RV mechanics have not been prospectively evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS In this single-centre prospective cohort study, we plan to enroll a total of 120 LVAD candidates to evaluate standard and mechanics-based echocardiographic measures of RV function, obtained within 7 days of planned LVAD surgery, for prediction of (i) RVF within 90 days; (ii) quality of life (QoL) at 90 days; and (iii) RV function recovery at 90 days post-LVAD. Our primary hypothesis is that an RV echocardiographic score will predict RVF with clinically relevant discrimination (C >0.85) and positive and negative predictive values (>80%). Our secondary hypothesis is that the RV score will predict QoL and RV recovery by 90 days. We expect that RV mechanics will provide incremental prognostic information for these outcomes. The preliminary results of an interim analysis are encouraging. CONCLUSION The results of this study may help improve LVAD outcomes and reduce resource utilization by facilitating shared decision-making and selection for LVAD implantation, provide insights into RV function recovery, and potentially inform reassessment of LVAD timing in patients at high risk for RVF.

Right Ventricular Function in Adult Patients with Eisenmenger Physiology: Insights from Quantitative Echocardiography

Background: The favorable outcomes of Eisenmenger syndrome (ES) relative to other forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have been partially attributed to a unique adaptation of the right ventricle (RV). However, conventional measures of RV function may not adequately express this adaptation. Methods: We studied 23 patients with ES (age 43 ± 17 years, 16 women, pulmonary artery systolic pressure [PASP] 93 ± 26 mmHg), 25 patients with PAH (age 44 ± 13 years, 17 women, PASP 92 ± 19 mmHg), and 25 subjects without known structural disease (age 45 ± 16 years, 17 women). We evaluated long‐ and short‐axis function of the RV with two‐dimensional strain and anatomical M‐mode echocardiography, respectively. Results: Long‐axis function of the RV was comparable between patients with ES and PAH although depressed relative to controls (global strain, −15.6 ± 4.7, −14.9 ± 4.3, and −22.4 ± 2.8%, respectively, P < 0.001; global RV systolic strain rate, −0.77 ± 0.26, −0.84 ± 0.24, and −1.11 ± 0.21 1/sec, respectively, P < 0.001). However, short‐axis RV function was significantly better in patients with ES versus those with PAH and preserved relative to controls (RV fractional shortening by anatomical M‐mode, median [interquartile range], 21%[14–33%], 14%[10–16%], and 26%[22–36%], respectively, P = 0.002 for ES vs. PAH, P = 0.09 for ES vs. controls). This differential was not reflected in conventional measures of RV function (fractional area change, 32 ± 10 vs. 29 ± 8% in ES and PAH, respectively, P = 0.26). Conclusion: In patients with ES, the RV is characterized by preserved short‐axis function, despite a depressed long‐axis function. Thus, conventional assessment of RV function might not be suitable for patients with ES. (Echocardiography 2010;27:937‐945)

Bad Company: Supracristal VSD Presenting with Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm. A Case Presentation with Echocardiographic Depiction and an Analysis of Contemporary Literature

Supracristal ventricular septal defect (SCVSD), a defect of the infundibular portion of the interventricular septum just below the right aortic cusp, occurs more frequently in Eastern Asian populations. SCVSD may be complicated by right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SoVA). We present the case of a 26‐year‐old male of Korean descent with a history of a childhood murmur who was referred to our institution for progressive heart failure symptoms. He was diagnosed with SCVSD and ruptured right SoVA based on history, physical exam, and echocardiography including three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography with reconstructed surgical views. The patient underwent SCVSD closure, SoVA excision, and valve‐sparing aortic root replacement. We reviewed the echocardiography literature regarding SCVSD and SoVA, and analyzed contemporary literature of SoVA and its relationship with SCVSD. We conclude that a higher prevalence of ruptured SoVA in Eastern Asians is likely related to a higher prevalence of underlying SCVSD in this population.

Cor triatriatum sinister: a patient, a review, and some unique findings.

Introduction: Cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) is an uncommon clinical entity in pediatric and adult congenital clinics and is even rarer in adult cardiology practices. Our patient illustrates the historical and physiologic aspects of this entity and its unique echocardiographic features. This document features our patient and her imaging and goes on to review the important features of CTS, some of which are not commonly recognized.

The use of echocardiography for the evaluation of dyssynchrony

Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), is a new imaging tool that allows measurement of dyssynchrony. In several small studies, TDI predicted clinical response and reverse remodeling after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Moreover, it allowed detection of mechanical dyssynchrony in heart failure patients with narrow QRS. Using TDI, the selection criteria for CRT might be changed to include heart failure patients with narrow QRS. Furthermore, it will help predict responders to this therapy, hence decreasing the percentage of nonresponders and allowing a more cost-effective use of this new technology.

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in an Endurance Athlete Presenting with Ventricular Tachycardia and Normal Right Ventricular Function

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, a genetically inherited disease that results in fibrofatty replacement of normal cardiac myocytes, has been associated with sudden cardiac death in athletes. Long-term participation in endurance exercise hastens the development of both the arrhythmic and structural arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy phenotypes. We describe the unusual case of a 34-year-old, symptomatic, female endurance athlete who had arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in the presence of a structurally normal right ventricle. Clinicians should be aware of this infrequent presentation when evaluating athletic patients who have ventricular arrhythmias and normal findings on cardiac imaging studies.