Two‐Dimensional Longitudinal Strain and Strain Rate Imaging for Assessing the Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Mitral Stenosis

Background: Longitudinal two‐dimensional strain (L2DS) deformation is a novel technique that evaluates global and regional right ventricular (RV) function. The aim of the study was to investigate the systolic function of RV by using this method in patients with pure mitral stenosis (MS). Methods: Conventional echocardiography and L2DS analysis were performed in 45 MS patients and 21 healthy controls. For strain analysis apical four‐chamber views were obtained and by using a software system, peak systolic strain and strain rates were calculated off‐line in each segment. Results: The mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the whole RV (?20 ± 7 vs. ?24 ± 6%, P= 0.02) and mean GLS of the septum (?19 ± 7 vs. ?23 ± 5%, P = 0.03) were significantly reduced in the MS patients. Compared with the control group no significant change was determined in the mean GLS of the RV free wall (RVFW). While the mean global longitudinal strain rates (GLSR) of the entire RV and RVFW were similar between the groups, a significant difference in the mean GLSR of the septum (?1.2 ± 0.4 vs. ?1.5 ± 0.3 s^?1, P= 0.005) was determined in the patients with MS. A regional analysis demonstrated that MS patients had significantly reduced strain and strain rates in the basal and mid‐segments of the septum, whereas only lower strain values in the basal RVFW. Conclusions: RV systolic function evaluated by L2DS analysis in patients with MS has shown decreased global and segmental systolic functions. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2010;27:525‐533)     

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Study Using Tricuspid Annular Motion

Assessment of right ventricular (RV) function is a challenge due to complex anatomy. We studied systolic and diastolic tricuspid annular excursion and longitudinal RV fractional shortening as geometry‐independent measures in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Forty patients with PE were studied within 24 hours after admission and after 3 months, and compared to 23 healthy subjects used as controls. We recorded tricuspid annular plane systolic (TAPSE) and diastolic (TAPDE) excursion from the four‐chamber view and calculated RV fractional shortening as TAPSE/RV diastolic length. The diastolic RV function was defined as the ratio of the amplitude of tricuspid annular plane excursion during atrial systole to total tricuspid annular plane diastolic excursion (atrial/total TAPDE). In the acute stage, the TAPSE was decreased in PE compared to healthy subjects (19 ± 5 vs. 26 ± 4 mm, P < 0.001), with greater reduction in patients with increased, compared to normal, RV pressure (16.6 ± 5 vs. 20.5 ± 5 mm, P < 0.05). The atrial/total TAPDE was increased in patients compared to healthy subjects (47 ± 13% vs. 38 ± 7%, P < 0.001) and normalized during the follow‐up. Although the patients were asymptomatic after 3 months, the TAPSE recovered incompletely as compared to healthy subjects (21.4 ± 4 vs. 26 ± 4 mm, P < 0.001). Both systolic and diastolic RV function are impaired in acute PE. Diastolic function recovers faster than systolic; therefore, the atrial contribution to RV filling may be a useful measure to follow changes in diastolic function in PE. (Echocardiography 2010;27:286‐293)     

High Dose and Short-Term Streptokinase Infusion in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism: Prospective with Seven-Year Follow-Up Trial

Background: High dose and short-term streptokinase infusion has proved to improve survival among few patients with pulmonary embolism and cardiogenic shock, without increasing hemorrhagic complications. However its efficacy and safety in terms of long follow-up and in major number of patients requires to be established. Methods: Patients with pulmonary embolism proved through high probability V/Q lung scan, suggestive echocardiogram, or deep venous thrombosis were enrolled. All were assigned to receive 1,500,000 IU in one-hour streptokinase infusion. The primary end point was efficacy and safety of streptokinase regimen in terms of pulmonary arterial hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction, perfusion abnormalities, recurrence, mortality and hemorrhagic complications. In long-term follow-up, we assessed functional class, recurrence, chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension, postthrombotic-syndrome and mortality. Results: A total of 40 consecutive patients (47.3±15.3 years of age) with large or massive pulmonary embolism were enrolled. In 35 patients high dose and short-term streptokinase regimen reversed acute pulmonary arterial hypertension, clinical and echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dysfunction and improved pulmonary perfusion without increasing hemorrhagic complications. In acute phase 5 patients died, necropsy study performed in 4 patients showed massive pulmonary embolism and right ventricular myocardial infarction, without significant coronary arterial obstruction. Risk factors for mortality and recurrence were: right ventricular global hypokinesis (p<0.0001), 6 hours or over between onset symptoms and streptokinase regimen (p=0.02), severe systolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (p=0.001) right ventricular hypokinesis (p=0.001), hypoxemia (p=0.02) and right ventricular acute myocardial infarction (p<0.0001). Right ventricular hypokinesis (p=0.02) was the only independent risk factor for recurrence. In a seven-year follow-up of the original 35 patients who survived in acute phase, 2 patients were lost and 33 are alive, in functional class I, without recurrence or chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Conclusions: Our report indicates that among properly selected high-risk PE patients, short-term streptokinase infusion is effective and safe.     

速度向量成像技术评价心血管疾病高危病人左心室收缩功能的临床研究

目的应用速度向量成像(VVI)技术评价心血管疾病高危病人左心室收缩功能,并分析其与心血管疾病高危因素的关系。方法选取85例心血管疾病高危病人为高危组,同期健康体检者50名为对照组,常规超声心动图获取左房收缩末期内径(LAESD)、左室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、室间隔厚度(IVS)、左室后壁厚度(LVPW)及左室射血分数(LVEF)。并采集心尖四腔、三腔、二腔长轴二维图像,测量各节段及整体纵向收缩峰值应变(GLS),分析左心室GLS与三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)及收缩压、舒张压的相关性。结果高危组各亚组LVEF、LVEDD、LAESD、IVS、LVPW值与对照组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);高危组左心室GLS(21.83±1.80)%,小于对照组的(23.00±1.97)%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。相关分析显示,左心室整体平均纵向应变值与TG、LDL-C及收缩压、舒张压均无明显相关性(r=-0.148,P=0.086;r=-0.168,P=0.052;r=-0.098,P=0.260;r=-0.075,P=0.386)。结论VVI可通过心肌纵向应变评价左室心肌的收缩功能,发现心血管疾病高危病人的亚临床左心收缩力异常。     

超声心动图评价肺动脉高压患者右室功能的研究进展

肺动脉高压的发展会导致患者右室功能减低,对肺动脉高压患者右室功能的评价对其预后具有十分重要的临床意义。随着超声技术的不断发展,特别是新型超声技术的出现能敏感、准确地定量反映肺动脉高压患者的右室功能。现就目前超声心动图技术在评价肺动脉高压患者右室功能中的应用做一综述。     

Geometry‐Related Right Ventricular Systolic Function Assessed by Longitudinal and Radial Right Ventricular Contractions

The aim of our study was to evaluate the geometry‐related right ventricular (RV) systolic function under normal hemodynamics by assessing the longitudinal and the radial RV contractions in children. We examined 953 healthy children. We measured tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), RV anterior wall displacement from the interventricular septum (RVWD), and RV to left ventricular diameter ratio (RV/LV ratio) using M‐mode echocardiography. The z‐values were calculated as geometrical parameters of the TAPSE (z‐TAPSE), the RVWD (z‐RVWD), and the RV/LV ratio (z‐RV/LV). The RV stroke volume (RVSV) was measured using Doppler echocardiography and standardized using the z‐value (z‐RVSV). The z‐TAPSE was no or weakly negatively correlated with both the z‐RVWD (r = ?0.18, P < 0.0001) and the z‐RV/LV (r = ?0.12, P < 0.0001). In contrast, the z‐RV/LV correlated positively with the z‐RVWD (r = 0.61, P < 0.0001). The z‐RVSV correlated only with the z‐TAPSE (r = 0.30, P < 0.0001). Although the radial RV motion increases with the progression of RV dilatation, the RVSV is not associated with radial RV motion. In contrast, the RVSV relates to the longitudinal RV motion independently of the radial RV motion under the normal physiological condition. We presume that the RV contraction patterns change related to the RV geometry under various hemodynamic conditions.     

肺动脉高压患者右室功能的多普勒超声评价与进展

肺动脉高压会导致患者右室功能减低,早诊断、早治疗肺动脉高压能明显改善患者的预后。近年来应用多普勒超声技术对肺动脉高压患者右室功能研究的新进展层出不穷,如双多普勒同步技术、Tei指数及三尖瓣环收缩期位移等,均为临床提供了全新的评价肺动脉高压及右室功能的新手段及新参数。