Raluca Dulgheru

Expert Consensus for Multi-Modality Imaging Evaluation of Cardiovascular Complications of Radiotherapy in Adults: A Report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the American Society of Echocardiography

Cardiac toxicity is one of the most concerning side effects of anti-cancer therapy. The gain in life expectancy obtained with anti-cancer therapy can be compromised by increased morbidity and mortality associated with its cardiac complications. While radiosensitivity of the heart was initially recognized only in the early 1970s, the heart is regarded in the current era as one of the most critical dose-limiting organs in radiotherapy. Several clinical studies have identified adverse clinical consequences of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) on the outcome of long-term cancer survivors. A comprehensive review of potential cardiac complications related to radiotherapy is warranted. An evidence-based review of several imaging approaches used to detect, evaluate, and monitor RIHD is discussed. Recommendations for the early identification and monitoring of cardiovascular complications of radiotherapy by cardiac imaging are also proposed.

Expert consensus for multi-modality imaging evaluation of cardiovascular complications of radiotherapy in adults: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the American Society of Echocardiography

Cardiac toxicity is one of the most concerning side effects of anti-cancer therapy. The gain in life expectancy obtained with anti-cancer therapy can be compromised by increased morbidity and mortality associated with its cardiac complications. While radiosensitivity of the heart was initially recognized only in the early 1970s, the heart is regarded in the current era as one of the most critical dose-limiting organs in radiotherapy. Several clinical studies have identified adverse clinical consequences of radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) on the outcome of long-term cancer survivors. A comprehensive review of potential cardiac complications related to radiotherapy is warranted. An evidence-based review of several imaging approaches used to detect, evaluate, and monitor RIHD is discussed. Recommendations for the early identification and monitoring of cardiovascular complications of radiotherapy by cardiac imaging are also proposed.

Determinants and Prognostic Significance of Exercise Pulmonary Hypertension in Asymptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis

Background— Recent studies emphasized the usefulness of exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic patients with aortic stenosis. Nevertheless, the additive value of exercise pulmonary hypertension (Ex-PHT) in such patients remains unexplored. We therefore aimed to identify the determinants and to test the impact on outcome of Ex-PHT in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis. Method and Results— Asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (n=105; aortic valve area <0.6 cm2/m2; age, 71±9 years; male, 59%) and preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction ≥55%) were prospectively submitted to exercise stress echocardiography. Resting PHT and Ex-PHT were defined as a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure >50 and >60 mm Hg, respectively. Ex-PHT was more frequent than resting PHT (55% versus 6%; P<0.0001). On multivariable logistic regression, the independent predictors of Ex-PHT were male sex (odds ratio, 4.3; P=0.002), resting systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (odds ratio, 1.16; P=0.002), exercise indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume (odds ratio, 1.04; P=0.026), exercise e′-wave velocity (odds ratio, 1.35; P=0.047), and exercise-induced changes in indexed left atrial area (odds ratio, 1.36; P=0.006). Ex-PHT was associated with reduced cardiac event-free survival (at 3 years, 22±7% versus 55±9%; P=0.014). In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model, Ex-PHT was identified as an independent predictor of cardiac events (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–3.3; P=0.047). When exercise-induced changes in mean aortic pressure gradient were added to the multivariable model, Ex-PHT remained independently associated with reduced cardiac event-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–3.6; P=0.025). Conclusions— In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis, the main determinants of Ex-PHT are male sex, resting systolic pulmonary arterial pressure, and exercise parameters of diastolic burden. Moreover, Ex-PHT is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of cardiac events. These results strongly support the use of exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic aortic stenosis.

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac chamber size: results from the NORRE study.

AIMS Availability of normative reference values for cardiac chamber quantitation is a prerequisite for accurate clinical application of echocardiography. In this study, we report normal reference ranges for cardiac chambers size obtained in a large group of healthy volunteers accounting for gender and age. Echocardiographic data were acquired using state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound equipment following chamber quantitation protocols approved by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. METHODS A total of 734 (mean age: 45.8 ± 13.3 years) healthy volunteers (320 men and 414 women) were enrolled at 22 collaborating institutions of the Normal Reference Ranges for Echocardiography (NORRE) study. A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was performed on all subjects following pre-defined protocols. There were no gender differences in age or cholesterol levels. Compared with men, women had significantly smaller body surface areas, and lower blood pressure. Quality of echocardiographic data sets was good to excellent in the majority of patients. Upper and lower reference limits were higher in men than in women. The reference values varied with age. These age-related changes persisted for most parameters after normalization for the body surface area. CONCLUSION The NORRE study provides useful two-dimensional echocardiographic reference ranges for cardiac chamber quantification. These data highlight the need for body size normalization that should be performed together with age-and gender-specific assessment for the most echocardiographic parameters.

Role of multimodality cardiac imaging in the management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an expert consensus of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Endorsed by the Saudi Heart Association.

Taking into account the complexity and limitations of clinical assessment in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), imaging techniques play an essential role in the evaluation of patients with this disease. Thus, in HCM patients, imaging provides solutions for most clinical needs, from diagnosis to prognosis and risk stratification, from anatomical and functional assessment to ischaemia detection, from metabolic evaluation to monitoring of treatment modalities, from staging and clinical profiles to follow-up, and from family screening and preclinical diagnosis to differential diagnosis. Accordingly, a multimodality imaging (MMI) approach (including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiac nuclear imaging) is encouraged in the assessment of these patients. The choice of which technique to use should be based on a broad perspective and expert knowledge of what each technique has to offer, including its specific advantages and disadvantages. Experts in different imaging techniques should collaborate and the different methods should be seen as complementary, not as competitors. Each test must be selected in an integrated and rational way in order to provide clear answers to specific clinical questions and problems, trying to avoid redundant and duplicated information, taking into account its availability, benefits, risks, and cost.

The use of echocardiography in acute cardiovascular care: recommendations of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association.

Echocardiography is one of the most powerful diagnostic and monitoring tools available to the modern emergency/critical care practitioner. Currently, there is a lack of specific European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging/Acute Cardiovascular Care Association recommendations for the use of echocardiography in acute cardiovascular care. In this document, we describe the practical applications of echocardiography in patients with acute cardiac conditions, in particular with acute chest pain, acute heart failure, suspected cardiac tamponade, complications of myocardial infarction, acute valvular heart disease including endocarditis, acute disease of the ascending aorta and post-intervention complications. Specific issues regarding echocardiography in other acute cardiac care scenarios are also described.

Linee guida ESC 2015 per il trattamento dell'endocardite infettiva: Task Force per il Trattamento dell'Endocardite Infettiva della Società Europea di Cardiologia (ESC): Con il patrocinio dell'Associazione Europea di Chirurgia Cardiotoracica (EACTS) e dell'Associazione Europea di Medicina Nucleare (EANM)

Authors/Task Force Members: Gilbert Habib* (Chairperson) (France), Patrizio Lancellotti* (co-Chairperson) (Belgium), Manuel J. Antunes (Portugal), Maria Grazia Bongiorni (Italy), Jean-Paul Casalta (France), Francesco Del Zotti (Italy), Raluca Dulgheru (Belgium), Gebrine El Khoury (Belgium), Paola Anna Erba (Italy), Bernard Iung (France), Jose M. Miro (Spain), Barbara J. Mulder (The Netherlands), Edyta Plonska-Gosciniak (Poland), Susanna Price (UK), Jolien Roos-Hesselink (The Netherlands), Ulrika Snygg-Martin (Sweden), Franck Thuny (France), Pilar Tornos Mas (Spain), Isidre Vilacosta (Spain), and Jose Luis Zamorano (Spain)Autori/Membri della Task Force Gilbert Habib (Chairperson) (Francia), Patrizio Lancellotti (co-Chairperson) (Belgio), Manuel J. Antunes (Portogallo), Maria Grazia Bongiorni (Italia), Jean-Paul Casalta (Francia), Francesco Del Zotti (Italia), Raluca Dulgheru (Belgio), Gebrine El Khoury (Belgio), Paola Anna Erbaa (Italia), Bernard Iung (Francia), Jose M. Mirob (Spagna), Barbara J. Mulder (Olanda), Edyta Plonska-Gosciniak (Polonia), Susanna Price (UK), Jolien Roos-Hesselink (Olanda), Ulrika Snygg-Martin (Svezia), Franck Thuny (Francia), Pilar Tornos Mas (Spagna), Isidre Vilacosta (Spagna), Jose Luis Zamorano (Spagna)

Recommendations for the imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging endorsed by the Chinese Society of Echocardiography, the Inter-American Society of Echocardiography, and the Brazilian Department of Cardiovascular Imaging †

Prosthetic heart valve (PHV) dysfunction is rare but potentially life-threatening. Although often challenging, establishing the exact cause of PHV dysfunction is essential to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. In clinical practice, a comprehensive approach that integrates several parameters of valve morphology and function assessed with 2D/3D transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography is a key to appropriately detect and quantitate PHV dysfunction. Cinefluoroscopy, multidetector computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and to a lesser extent, nuclear imaging are complementary tools for the diagnosis and management of PHV complications. The present document provides recommendations for the use of multimodality imaging in the assessment of PHVs.

Left ventricular contractile reserve in asymptomatic primary mitral regurgitation

AIMS There are very few data regarding the assessment and prognostic value of left ventricular contractile reserve (LVCR) in asymptomatic patients with primary mitral regurgitation (MR). We aimed to quantify LVCR and to evaluate its usefulness for risk stratification in asymptomatic patients with primary MR. METHODS AND RESULTS Comprehensive resting and exercise (EX) transthoracic echocardiography, including two-dimensional speckle tracking quantification, were performed in 115 consecutive asymptomatic patients with ≥ moderate degenerative MR and no LV dysfunction/dilatation. Left ventricular contractile reserve was defined as an EX-induced increase in LV ejection fraction (LVCR(LVEF)) ≥ 4% or in LV global longitudinal strain (LVCR(GLS)) ≥ 2%. LVCR(LVEF) was present in 54 patients (47%) and LVCR(GLS) in 58 (50%). The brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level was significantly correlated with EX-induced changes in GLS (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001), but not in LVEF (r = 0.09, P = 0.31). Patients with no LVCR(GLS) had significant lower 3-year cardiac event-free survival (42 ± 8 vs. 69 ± 7%, P = 0.0008). In contrast, there was no significant difference in outcome regarding to the presence or absence of LVCR(LVEF) (60 ± 7 vs. 51 ± 8%, P = 0.40). The multivariable Cox proportional hazard model showed that the absence of LVCR(GLS) was a strong independent predictor of cardiac events (HR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.05-4.76, P = 0.037), even after adjustment for Ex-echo variables and BNP level. The association between LVCR(GLS) and outcome remained significant (HR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3, P = 0.01) after further adjustment for the resting echocardiographic parameters included in the ESC Guidelines. CONCLUSION In asymptomatic primary MR, LVCR seems to be better assessed using EX-induced changes in LV myocardial longitudinal function rather than in LVEF. In patients with preserved LV function, the absence of LVCR is independently associated with two-fold increase in risk of cardiac events. Left ventricular contractile reserve may be useful to improve risk stratification and clinical decision-making in these patients.

The Clinical Use of Stress Echocardiography in Non-Ischaemic Heart Disease: Recommendations from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the American Society of Echocardiography

A unique and highly versatile technique, stress echocardiography (SE) is increasingly recognized for its utility in the evaluation of non-ischaemic heart disease. SE allows for simultaneous assessment of myocardial function and haemodynamics under physiological or pharmacological conditions. Due to its diagnostic and prognostic value, SE has become widely implemented to assess various conditions other than ischaemic heart disease. It has thus become essential to establish guidance for its applications and performance in the area of non-ischaemic heart disease. This paper summarizes these recommendations.