Introduction: Mitral annular disjunction (MAD) is a structural abnormality characterized by the systolic detachment of the posterior mitral annulus and the ventricular myocardium. It is usually observed coexistent with mitral valve prolapse(MVP) and associated with a mechanical dysfunction despite preserved electrical isolation function of the mitral annulus. Diagnosis depends on the detection of disjunction by imaging modalities as transthoracic echocardiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function using speckle tracking echocardiography in MVP patients with MAD. Methods: This study was designed as a prospective, single-center study including 103 patients with MVP and 40 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess LV function and MAD presence. Results: MAD (+) MVP (n=34), MAD (-) MVP (n=69), and control (n=40) groups were enrolled in the study. Among the MVP patients, 34 (33%) had MAD. T negativity in the inferior leads on electrocardiography was more frequent in the MAD (+) group than in the MAD (-) patients (4.3% vs 20.6%, p=0.014). Mitral regurgitation degree, Pickelhaube sign (17.6% vs. 1.4%, p=0.005), and late gadolinium enhancement frequency (35.3% vs. 10.6%, p=0.002) were significantly higher in MAD (+) patients. MAD (+) patients had significantly impaired global longitudinal strain (GLS) -23.1±2.1 vs. -23.5±2.3, P<0.001), basal longitudinal strain (BLS) (-19.6±1.5 vs -20.5±1.9, P < 0.001), and Mid-Ventricular Longitudinal Strain(MVLS) (-22.2±1.7 vs -23.2±2.2, P<0.001) when compared to MAD (-) MVP patients, despite similar LV ejection fraction. All these values of MVP patients were also significantly lower than the control group. The mean MAD distance was 7.8 ± 3.2 mm in MAD (+) patients. Patients with 2 or more symptoms were higher in the MAD (+) group than in the MAD (-) group (4.3% vs 44.1%, P<0.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated a significant decrease in longitudinal strain in MVP patients with MAD, indicating myocardial dysfunction. These findings suggest that MAD may contribute to LV dysfunction and highlight the importance of early detection in younger patients. Further research is needed to explore the functional implications and long-term outcomes of MAD.

Objective: To evaluate both short and mid-term effects of maternal COVID-19 on cardiac functions of fetuses and children. Methods: The present case-control study was conducted on 36 pregnant women who had COVID-19 infection in the second trimester of pregnancy and 30 pregnant women as healthy controls. Fetal, neonatal and infant cardiac functions were compared between the groups. Assessment of fetal cardiac functions were performed in the last trimester of the pregnancy at least 6 weeks after the recovery of infection. The first postnatal echo was performed within the first two weeks and the follow-up (second) echo was performed in the 6-8 weeks of life. Results: The demografic data were similar between groups. Interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic dimensions were significantly higher in the study group in both fetal, neonatal and infant periods. Impaired diastolic functions of right and left ventricles were detected and myocardial performance indexes with tissue doppler imaging of both lateral walls and septum were significantly higher than controls at all periods. Conclusion: Maternal COVID-19 seems to have a global impact on cardiac functions of babies in the short and mid-term periods after maternal recovery.

Half of patients with heart failure are presented with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The pathophysiology of these patients is complex but increased left ventricular (LV) stiffness is proved to play a key role. However, the application of this parameter was limited since its measurements requires invasive catheterization. With advances in ultrasound technology, new advances have been achieved in the assessment of LV chamber or myocardial stiffness using noninvasive echocardiography. Therefore, this review was carried out to summarize the pathophysiological mechanisms, correlations with invasive LV stiffness constant, applications in different populations as well as the limitations of echocardiography-derived indices for assessment of both LV chamber and myocardial stiffness. LV chamber stiffness indices such as E/e’/LVEDV, E/SRe/LVEDV, and DPVQ were derived on the basis of the relationship between echocardiographic parameters of LVFP and LV size. However, all these methods are surrogate and lumped measurements, relying on E/e’ or E/SRe for evaluating LVFP. The limitations of E/e’ or E/SRe in assessment of LVFP may contribute to the moderate correlation between E/e’/LVEDV or E/SRe/LVEDV and LV stiffness constant. Even the best validated measurement (DPVQ) is considered unreliable in the individual patient. Compared to E/e’/LVEDV and E/SRe/LVEDV, I PVA/IA and F PVA/FA may display better performance in assessing LV chamber stiffness as evidenced by a higher correlation with LV stiffness constant. However, only one study has been conducted in the literature on the exploration and application of I PVA/I A and F PVA/F A, and its accuracy in assessing LV chamber stiffness remains to be confirmed. In terms of echocardiographic indices for LV myocardial stiffness evaluation, the parameters of EMI/DWS, iVP and SWI were proposed. Despite alteration of DWS and its predictive value of adverse outcomes in various populations have been widely validated, it was found that DWS may be better considered as an overall marker of cardiac function performance instead of pure myocardial stiffness. As for the iVP and SWI, the validities of these two indices in assessing LV myocardial stiffness have not been confirmed in invasive studies. More echocardiographic indices with higher sensitivities and specificities warrant to be further uncovered to evaluate LV stiffness.

Background: Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the clinic. It can metastasize to the lung, bone, and other organs. However, postoperative recurrence and metastasis to the tricuspid valve are infrequent.   Case presentation: A 57-year-old female patient, which had an operation history of squamous carcinoma of the cervix(SCC) one year ago, was admitted to the hospital due to the cervical squamous cell carcinoma recurred and metastasized to the tricuspid anterior and septum’ ventricular surface and the chordae tendineae. The patient underwent surgery in our hospital.Then the positron emission tomography-computed tomography of postoperation revealed cervical squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. Histopathology revealed the squamous carcinoma of the cervix.Moreover, the cardiac tumor reappeared after four postoperation months. The postoperative patients did not receive regular chemotherapy. The short-term effect on the patients was not ideal.  Conclusion: To achieve better treatment results, the multi-mode treatment strategy of surgery, medical treatment, and advanced diagnosis has a significant impact on the survival of these patients.

Left atrial dissection is a rare complication of cardiac surgery and percutaneous cardiac procedures. It is defined as a false blood-filled cavity or lumen from mitral annular area to the left atrial free wall or into the atrial septum thereby creating a new chamber with or without communications with the true left atrium [1]. We have reviewed literature and describe a case where echocardiography led to early recognition of this rare entity.

Purpose: Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare complication of pregnancy manifesting with acute cardiac failure. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be complicated by cardiomyopathy, which can be difficult to differentiate from PPCM. The aim of this publication is to investigate different outcomes of cases with cardiomyopathy during pregnancy. Methods: Here, we report 4 peripartum cases with COVID-19 and acute cardiac failure due to cardiomyopathy. Moreover, to find previous similar cases, a comprehensive review on PPCM and COVID-19 associated cardiomyopathy was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. Results: Out of 4 cases we had, two cases deceased and one became a candidate for heart transplant. Despite advanced diagnostic approaches, differentiating COVID-19 associated cardiomyopathy from PPCM was challenging. According to the literature review, 7 cases with similar conditions were found. Conclusion: Pregnant women with COVID-19 may develop acute cardiac failure associated with PPCM or COVID-19 associated cardiomyopathy or both. This condition may be deadly due to rapid disease progression, atypical manifestations, and limited treatment options.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consistency between transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and angiography in grading of paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 (VARC-3) criteria. 31 patients who underwent TEE and angiography during TAVR were retrospectively included. Circumferential extent of PVR, regurgitation volume, regurgitation fraction, and the effective regurgitant orifice area were measured by TEE. Weighted kappa coefficient was used to analyze the consistency of the two techniques. PVR was found in 16 of 31 patients. TEE assessed mild PVR in 14 cases and moderate PVR in 2 cases. Angiography assessed mild PVR in 12 cases and moderate PVR in 2 cases. The grading of TEE and angiography were the same in 29 cases, of which 15 were absent, 12 were mild, and 2 were moderate. The weighted kappa coefficient for both techniques was 0.88 (P < 0.001). The Kendall’s W coefficient of the circumferential extent of PVR, regurgitation volume, regurgitation fraction, and the effective regurgitant orifice area was 0.285 (P<0.005). TEE and angiography had strong consistency in the grading (using the VARC-3 criteria) of PVR during TAVR. TEE was a potential diagnostic tool for classifying PVR.

A document by Andrey Smorgon. Click on the document to view its contents.

We illustrate a case of atrioventricular valve stenosis associated with insufficiency detected in fetal echocardiography performed in a pregnant woman (22 gestational weeks) of 3rd gravida. The early prenatal diagnosis demonstrated, isolated bilateral atrioventricular value stenosis and insufficiency in the absence of any other associated complex congenital heart diseases such as tricuspid atresia, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, endocardial cushion defect. However, the mother of the affected foetus was found to be normal with no risk factors. Thus, fetal echocardiography plays a pivotal role even in low risk pregnancies for early detection of prenatal cardiac anomalies that guide the obstetricians in determining the risk stratification, therapeutic strategies and prognosis.

Objectives —We sought to investigate the technical feasibility, fidelity and the potential applications of three-dimensional(3D) printed atrial septal defect (ASD) models based on three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) images preliminarily. Methods—We retrospectively collected 40 ASD patients’ 3D-TEE images. The 3D-TEE data were imported into post-processing software to create printable 3D digital models, the patient-specific models were then printed by the 3D printer. Fidelity of the 3D printed models were quantitatively evaluated by comparing the measurements from 3D ASD models and echocardiographic data. Results —Ultrasound-derived 3D ASD models were acquired in all the forty cases successfully. There was good consistency and no significant differences in ASD size parameters among 3D printed models, 2D-TEE images and 3D-TEE images（all P>0.05）. Also, it showed small difference among 3D printed models, 2D-TEE images and 3D-TEE images in the absolute difference value of ASD size parameters. There’s a highly significant correlation between the ASD parameters including the maximal diameter, the minimal diameter and circumference measured by 3D ASD printed models and the corresponding parameters of ASD occluders applied in actual surgical procedure. Simulation exercises in the 3D ASD printed models had an impressive effect based on the comprehensive assessment of the ASD parameters. Conclusions—It is feasible to use 3D-TEE images as the data source of ASD 3D printed models. Ultrasound-derived ASD 3D printed models show highly fidelity, which contributes to provide evidence for the clinical application of 3D printing technology in decision of ASD occlusion.

Intramyocardial dissection following cardiac tumor excision is uncommon. The evidence available is limited to few case reports. 1 Herein,we report an infant with large cardiac fibrosarcoma arising from the interventricular septum and underwent surgical excision.One month after surgery echocardiography revealed a cystic dissection located in the interventricular septum with residual shunts within the ventricular chambers. we performed conservative strategy due to the high surgical risk, difficulty of interventional therapy and hemodynamic stability.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is a significant yet rare disease that can have many long-term consequences, including death. Cardiac catheterization is the gold standard for measuring pulmonary artery mean pressures (PAMP), but is invasive and risks potentially serious complications. This study aimed to create a semi-quantitative, non-invasive measure of PAMP using septal positioning. Methods: This study was a retrospective study of patients with and without pulmonary hypertension who had a transthoracic echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization. Patients undergoing atrial septal defect closure represented controls. Two blinded readers calculated the “Echocardiographically-Derived Septal Positional Angle (EDSPA)” which was compared to corresponding catheterization data including mean pulmonary artery pressures. Results: A total of 159 children were included, of which 151 had useable echocardiographic data. 40 children were identified as having pulmonary hypertension while 111 children had an atrial septal defect. Patient age ranged from a minimum of 54 days and maximum of 19 years [mean 7.1 years (SD=5.30)]. Inter-observer variability between two readers [Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.939 (p <0.001)] and intra-observer variability were low [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.95 and 0.96 for each observer respectively]. An EDSPA of ≤39° predicted a PAMP>20 mmHg (as measured by cardiac catheterization) with a 76% sensitivity and 76% specificity (AUC 0.846). Conclusions: EDSPA is a useful, non-invasive, and reproducible echocardiographic measure of PAMP that is easy to perform. With a sensitivity and specificity near 80%, it has significant utility in screening for pulmonary hypertension and determining which patients should undergo further invasive diagnostic testing.

Aims. The management of patients with asymptomatic significant aortic regurgitation (sAR) is often challenging and appropriate timing of aortic valve surgery remains controversial. Prognostic value of diastolic parameters has been demonstrated in several cardiac diseases. In particular, left atrial (LA) function has been shown to be an important determinant of morbimortality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic significance of diastolic function in asymptomatic patients with sAR. Methods and results. A total of 126 patients with asymptomatic sAR were included. Conventional echocardiographic systolic and diastolic function parameters were assessed. LA auto-strain analysis was performed in a subgroup of 57 patients. During a mean follow up of 33±19 months, 25 (19,8%) patients reached the combined end-point. Univariate analysis showed that LV volumes, LVEF, E wave, E/e’ ratio, LA volume and LA reservoir strain (LASr) were significant predictors of events. Multivariate model 1 that tested all echocardiographic variables statistically significant in the univariate model showed that LVEDV [HR=1,02;95% CI:1,01-1,03 (p<0,001)] and E/e’ ratio [HR=1,12;95% CI:1,03-1,23 (p=0,01)] were significant predictors of events. In the subgroup of patients with LA auto-strain analyzed, a second multivariate model including the previous significant variables for the first model as well as LASr, showed that LVEDV [HR=1,05;95% CI:1,01-1,08 (p=0,016)] and LASr [HR=0,8;95% CI:0,65-0,98 (p<0,035)] were the most significant predictors of cardiovascular events. Conclusions. In this population of asymptomatic patients with sAR and normal LV systolic function, baseline diastolic parameters were prognostic markers of cardiovascular events; among them, LASr played a strong independent predictor role.

A rare autosomal recessive condition, Arterial tortuosity syndrome (ATS) presents with ectactic blood vessels, cutaneous laxity, and bowel rupture. We report a case of an asymptomatic infant with arterial tortuosity syndrome who presented with left ventricular hypertrophy without any obvious obstruction to the outflow tract.

Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effect of 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) on exercise tolerance in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). To clarify whether 6WMD and right ventricle (RV) function measured by three-dimensional echocardiography (3D-echo) could result in better correlation with exercise capacity. Methods: 72 consecutive patients underwent right heart catheterization (RHC) and diagnosed with PH. Associations between 6WMD and measures of RV function were evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was applied to evaluate the clinical prognosis of patients. Results: RHC-derived parameters were significantly correlated with 6MWD: (RPVR = -0.719, RPAPs = -0.501, RPAPd = -0.404, and RPAPm = -0.468, all P <0.001). Meanwhile, 6MWD was positively correlated with CO (R = 0.54, P <0.001). Good correlations between 6MWD with 3D-echo parameters were shown as follows: R3D-RVEDV = -0.584, R3D-RVESV = -0.598, R3D-RVEF = 0.554, R3D-RV mass = -0.507, all P <0.001. The predictive value from 6MWD was not much inferior to the predictive values of PVR (AUC6MWD = 0.779 vs. AUCPVR = 0.875, both P <0.0001). Conclusions: 6MWD has a significant correlation with hemodynamic parameters obtained by RHC. And RV function obtained by 3D-echo result in better correlation with exercise capacity. 3D-echo might be candidate for RHC to assess right heart function in patients with PH.

A 13-year-old woman was underwent transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), which revealed that only a small anterolateral papillary muscle was observed in the left ventricle (LV). Additional transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) revealed the posteromedial-papillary muscle which has not correctly delaminated from the LV wall and directly connected to the mitral valve leaflets without tendon chordae. She was diagnosed as a parachute-like asymmetric mitral valve rather than a true-parachute mitral valve. It was difficult to understand the precise anatomy evaluated by the 2DE. However, additional 3DE provided helpful information to reveal the exact characteristics of papillary muscle tissue.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity (ChC) is an important complication among patients receiving anthracyclines. Biomarkers and imaging parameters have been studied for their ability to identify patients at risk of developing this complication. Left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) has been described as a sensitive parameter for detecting systolic dysfunction, even in the presence of preserved left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). Objective: to evaluate the role of the LV-GLS as a predictor of ChC. Methods: This study is a post-hoc analysis of CECCY trial (Carvedilol for Prevention of Chemotherapy-Related Cardiotoxicity) that evaluated the primary prevention of cardiotoxicity with carvedilol during doxorubicin chemotherapy in a population with breast cancer. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a reduction >10% in LVEF. LV-GLS was obtained before chemotherapy in patients with no prior cardiovascular disease or echocardiogram abnormalities. Results: Thirty-one patients who had a complete echocardiography study including measurement of LV-GLS before chemotherapy were included in this analysis. An absolute LV-GLS <16.9% before chemotherapy showed 100% sensitivity and 73% specificity for predicting cardiotoxicity (AUC=0.85; 95%CI 0.680 – 0.959, p<0.001). In this population, LVEF values before chemotherapy did not predict ChC (95%CI 0.478 to -0.842, p=0.17). The association of low LV-GLS (<17%) and BNP serum levels (>17 pg/mL) two months after chemotherapy increased the accuracy for detecting early onset ChC (100% sensitivity, 88% specificity, AUC=0.94; 95%CI 0.781 – 0.995, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Our data suggest that LV-GLS is a potential predictor of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Larger studies are needed to confirm the relevance of this echocardiographic parameter in this clinical setting.

Abstract: Background: This meta-analysis assessed the relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction (DD), which are used in the assessment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). Methods: We searched the databases including Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCO CINAHL from inception up to December 26th, 2020. The search was not restricted to time, publication status or language. Comparisons were made between patients with OSA, diagnosed in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) or home sleep apnea testing (HSAT), and patients without OSA in relation to established markers of diastolic dysfunction. Results: Primary search identified 2512 studies. A total of 18 studies including 2509 participants were included. The two groups were free of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Significant structural changes were observed between the two groups. Patients with OSA exhibited greater LAVI (3.94 CI [0.8, 7.07]; p=0.000) and left ventricular mass index (11.10 CI [2.56,19.65]; p=0.000) as compared to control group. The presence of OSA was also associated with more prolonged DT (10.44 ms CI [0.71,20.16]; p=0.04), IVRT (7.85 ms CI[4.48, 11.22]; p=0.000), and lower E/A ratio (-0.62 CI [-1,-0.24]; p=0.001) suggestive of early DD. The E/e’ ratio (0.94 CI[0.44, 1.45]; p=0.000) was increased. Conclusion: An association between OSA and echocardiographic parameters of DD was detected that was independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. OSA may be independently associated with DD perhaps due to higher LV mass. Investigating the role of CPAP therapy in reversing or ameliorating diastolic dysfunction is recommended.