Background LIVE (Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement) with Revivent TC™ is an innovative therapy for symptomatic ischemic Heart Failure (HF). It is designed to reconstruct a negatively remodeled left ventricle (LV) after an anterior myocardial infarction (MI) by plication of the scar tissue. Its indications are specific and, as with any other structural heart intervention, the success of the procedure starts with appropriate patient selection. We aim to present the indications of the technique, crucial aspects in patient selection and individual case planning approach. Methods and Results After clinical evaluation, transthoracic echocardiography is the first imaging modality to be performed in a potential candidate for the therapy. However, definitive indication and detailed case planning rely on late gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging or multiphasic contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography. These imaging modalities also assist with relative or absolute contra-indications for the procedure. Individual assessment is done to tailor the procedure to the specifics of the LV anatomy and location of the myocardial scar. Conclusion LIVE procedure is a unique intervention to treat symptomatic heart failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy after anterior MI. It is a highly customizable intervention that allows a patient-tailored approach, based on multimodality imaging assessment and planification.

Extramedullary involvement of the endocardium is rare in multiple myeloma. Here we describe a case of multiple myeloma (plasma cell) with extramedullary plasmablastic transformation and endocardial involvement, which resulted in partial superior vena cava obstruction. We also conducted a literature review and summary analysis of space-occupying lesions in the heart in 12 patients with multiple myeloma (including the current case) in the last 10 years. Echocardiography is the preferred radiologic examination method for diagnosis and follow-up in multiple myeloma, and surgical resection is effective for alleviating symptoms.

Background: The sustainability of the results of mitraclip procedures is a source of concern. Aims: To investigate risk factors of severe mitral regurgitation (MR) recurrence after Mitraclip in primary MR. Methods and results: Eighty-three patients undergoing successful Mitraclip procedures were retrospectively included. Valve anatomy and Mitraclips placement were comprehensively analyzed by post-processing 3D echocardiographic acquisition. The primary composite endpoint was the recurrence of severe MR. Mean age was 83±7 years-old, 37 (44%) were female. Median follow-up was 381 days (IQR 195-717) and 17 (20%) patients reached the primary endpoint. Main causes of recurrence of severe MR were relapse of a prolapse (64%) and single leaflet detachment (23%). Posterior coaptation line length (HR 1.06 95%CI 1.01-1.12 p=0.02), poor imaging quality (HR 3.84, 95%CI1.12-13.19; p=0.03), and inter-clip distance (HR 1.60, 95%CI 1.27-2.02; p<0.01) were associated with the occurrence of the primary endpoint. Conclusions: Recurrence of severe MR after a MitraClip procedure for primary MR is common and results from a complex interplay between anatomical (tissue excess) and procedural criteria (quality of ultrasound guidance and MitraClips spacing).

Double chambered left ventricle is an exceedingly rare congenital anomaly. We report a case diagnosed prenatally at 24 weeks of gestation and its postnatal evolution to left ventricular dysfunction.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare condition which most often accompanies a malignant disease and involves a hypercoagulable state. We report the incidental finding of a scarce case of NBTE affecting the tricuspid valve in a patient with metastatic pancreatic carcinoma complicated by severe venous and arterial thromboembolisms.

Background: Identification of elevation in pulmonary pressures during exercise may provide prognostic and therapeutic implications in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in CTD patients and subtle interstitial abnormalities detected by lung ultrasound could predict exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods and Results: Echocardiography and lung ultrasound were performed at rest and bicycle exercise in CTD patients (n=41) and control subjects without CTD (n=24). Ultrasound B-lines were quantified by scanning four intercostal spaces in the right hemithorax. We examined the association between total B-lines at rest and the development of exercise-induced PH during ergometry exercise. Compared to controls, the number of total B-lines at rest was higher in CTD patients (0 [0, 0] vs. 2 [0, 9], p<0.0001) and was correlated with radiological severity of ILD assessed by computed tomography (fibrosis score, r=0.70, p<0.0001). Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) was increased with ergometry exercise in CTD compared to controls (48±14 vs. 35±13 mmHg, p=0.0006). The number of total B-lines at rest was highly correlated with higher PASP (r=0.52, p<0.0001) and poor right ventricular pulmonary artery coupling (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/PASP ratio, r=-0.31, p=0.01) during peak exercise. The number of resting B-lines predicted the development of exercise-induced PH with an area under the curve 0.79 (p=0.0003). Conclusions: These data may suggest the value of a simple resting assessment of lung ultrasound as a potential tool for assessing the risk of exercise-induced PH in CTD patients.

Attempting a comprehensive examination of the fetal heart remains challenging for unexperienced operators as it emphasizes the acquisition and documentation of sequential cross-sectional and sagittal views and inevitably results in diminished detection rates of fetuses affected by congenital heart disease. The introduction of three-/four-dimensional spatial-temporal image correlation 3D/4D STIC technology facilitated a volumetric approach for thorough cardiac anatomic evaluation by the acquisition of cardiac 4D datasets by analyzing and correlating numerous images from different heart cycles obtained during an automated sweep and subsequently displaying them in an endless cine loop sequence. However, postanalysis with manipulation and repeated slicing of the volume usually requires experience and in-depth anatomic knowledge, which limits the widespread application of this advanced technique in clinical care and unfortunately leads to the underestimation of its diagnostic value to date. Fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE), a novel method that automatically generates and displays 9 standard fetal echocardiographic views in normal hearts, has shown to be able to overcome these limitations. Very recent data on the detection of congenital heart defects (CHDs) revealed a sensitivity and specificity of 98 % and 93 %, respectively. In this two-part manuscript, we focused on the performance of FINE in delineating abnormal anatomy of typical right and left heart lesions and thereby emphasized the educational potential of this technology for more than just teaching purposes. We further discussed recent findings regarding these morphological changes seen in a pathophysiological and/or functional context.

Pericarditis is a rare but debilitating complication of cytarabine therapy. While echocardiography can aid with the diagnosis, cardiac MRI has superior accuracy in establishing the diagnosis. In this case, we describe a 65-year-old patient receiving cytarabine as part of induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia who developed acute pericarditis. Her cardiac MRI revealed pericardial edema on T2-weighted STIR imaging and pericardial late gadolinium enhancement which confirmed the diagnosis.

Purpose: An elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure is the main finding in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which is estimated with an algorithm using echocardiographic parameters recommended by the recent American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) guideline. In this study, we sought to determine the efficacy of LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) to estimate the elevated LV filling pressure. Methods and Results: 73 prospectively selected patients undergoing left ventricular catheterization (mean age 63.19±9.64, 68.5% male) participated in this study. Using the algorithm, the LV filling pressure was estimated with the echo parameters obtained within 24hrs before the catheterization. The LV GLS was measured using the automated functional imaging system (GE, Vivid E9 USA). Invasive LV pre-A pressure corresponding to mean left atrial pressure (LAP) was used as a reference, and >12 mm Hg was defined as elevated. The invasive LV filling pressure was elevated in 43 (58.9%) and normal in 30 patients (41.1%). In 9 (12.3%) patients of 73 are defined as indeterminate based on the 2016 algorithm. Using the ROC method, -18.1% of LV GLS estimated the LV filling pressure (AUC=0.79, 73% specificity, 84% sensitivity) with higher sensitivity compared with the algorithm (AUC=0.76, 77% specificity, 72% sensitivity). Conclusions: We confirmed that the LV GLS is feasible and reproducible in estimating LV filling pressure. In addition, LV GLS highly predicts elevated LAP as E/e’ and TR jet velocity and may be used as major criteria for the diagnosis of HFpEF

Aims: We have previously shown that 2-dimentional strain is not a useful tool for ruling out acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED). The aim of the present study was to determine whether in patients with suspected ACS, global longitudinal strain (GLS), measured in the ED using 2-dimensional strain imaging, can predict long-term outcome. Methods: Long-term (median 7.7 years [IQR 6.7-8.2]) major adverse cardiac events (MACE; cardiac death, ACS, revascularization, hospitalization for heart failure or atrial fibrillation) and all-cause mortality data was available in 525/605 patients (87%) enrolled in the Two-Dimensional Strain for Diagnosing Chest Pain in the Emergency Room (2DSPER) study. The study prospectively enrolled patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and suspected ACS but without a diagnostic ECG or elevated troponin. GLS was computed using echocardiograms performed within 24 hours of chest pain. MACE of patients with worse GLS (> median GLS) was compared to patients with better GLS ( median GLS). Results: Median GLS was -18.7%. MACE occurred in 47/261 (18%) of patients with worse GLS as compared with 45/264 (17%) with better GLS, adjusted HR 0.87 (95% CI 0.57-1.33, P=0.57). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality or individual end-points between groups. GLS did not predict MACE even in patients with optimal 2-dimensional image quality (n=164, adjusted HR=1.51, 95% CI 0.76-3.0). Conclusions: GLS did not predict long-term outcome in patients presenting to the ED with chest pain and suspected ACS, supporting our findings in the 2DSPER study.

Background: The impact of the increased mitral gradient (MG) on outcomes is ambiguous. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a) periinterventional dynamics of MG, b) the impact of intraprocedural MG on clinical outcomes, and c) predictors for unfavourable MG values after MitraClip. Methods: We prospectively included patients undergoing MitraClip. All patients underwent echocardiography at baseline, intraprocedurally, at discharge, and after six months. 12-month survival was reassessed. Results: 175 patients (age 81.2±8.2 years, 61.2% male) with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) were included. We divided our cohort into two groups with a threshold of intraprocedural MG of 4.5 mmHg, which was determined by the multivariate analysis for the prediction of 12-month mortality (<4.5 mmHg: Group 1, 4.5 mmHg: Group 2). Intraprocedural MG 4.5 mmHg was found to be the strongest independent predictor for 12-month mortality (HR: 2.33, p=0.03, OR: 1.70, p=0.05) and ≥3.9 mmHg was associated with adverse functional outcomes (OR: 1.96, p=0.04). The baseline leaflet-to-annulus index (>1.1) was found to be the strongest independent predictor (OR: 9.74, p=0.001) for unfavourable intraprocedural MG, followed by the number of implanted clips (p=0.01), MG at baseline (p=0.02) and central clip implantation (p=0.05). Conclusion: MG shows time-varying and condition-depended dynamics periinterventionally. Patients with persistent increased (≥4.5 mmHg) MG at discharge showed the worst functional outcomes and the highest 12-month mortality, followed by patients with an intra-hospital decrease in MG to values below 4.5 mmHg. Pre-interventional echocardiographic and procedural parameters can predict unfavourable postprocedural MG.

Introduction: Early repolarization pattern (ERP) has been known a benign electrocardiographic variant for decades. However, it can exist a silent substrate for arrhytmic events in accordance with the previous studies which have shown that there has been evidence of morphological changes in left ventricle (LV) in subjects with ERP. Despite structural changes in ERP subjects, it has not exactly known that whether a change in functional parameters of LV occur in these population. The aim of our study was to investigate LV functional parameters in subjects with ERP by the use of 2D- speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Method: In this study, subjects with ERP (n= 50) and subjects without ERP (n= 50) were recruited between 01.04.2018 and 01.09.2018. For each case, 2D- STE evaluation was performed by the same cardiologist. Results: Mean LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and GLS in all apical chamber views, longitudinal peak systolic strain rate (SRS) at A3C, early diastolic strain rate (SRE) at A3C and late diastolic strain rate (SRA) at A3C in the ERP subjects were significantly lower than those in the subjects without ERP. Furthermore, LV basal segment circumferential SRS and SRE were significantly lower in ERP subjects compared to subjects without ERP. Conclusion: Our study suggests that ERP can be more associated with impaired LV longitudinal function than LV circumferential function. In addition, both LV inferolateral region and LV basal segment can be more affected functionally in ERP subjects.

Background. Whereas dependency of left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOTD) from body surface area (BSA) has been established and a BSA-based LVOTD formula has been derived, the relationship between LVOTD and aortic root and LV dimensions has never been explored. This may have implications for evaluation of LV output in heart failure (HF) and aortic stenosis (AS) severity. Methods. A cohort of 540 HF patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography was divided in a derivation and validation subgroup. In the derivation subgroup (N=340) independent determinants of LVOTD were analyzed to derive a regression equation, which was used for predicting LVOTD in the validation subgroup (N=200) and compared with the BSA-derived formula. Results. LVOTD determinants in the derivation subgroup were sinuses of Valsalva diameter (SVD, beta=0.392, P<0.001), BSA (beta=0.229, P<0.001), LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, beta=0.145, P=0.001), and height (beta=0.125, P=0.037). The regression equation for predicting LVOTD with the aforementioned variables (LVOTD=6.209+[0.201xSVD]+[1.802xBSA]+[0.03xLVEDD]+[0.025xHeight]) did not differ from (P=0.937) and was highly correlated with measured LVOTD (R=0.739, P<0.001) in the validation group. Repeated analysis with LV end-diastolic volume instead of LVEDD and/or accounting for gender showed similar results, whereas BSA-derived LVOTD values were different from measured LVOTD (P<0.001). Conclusion. Aortic root and LV dimensions affect LVOTD independently from anthropometric data and are included in a new comprehensive equation for predicting LVOTD. This should improve evaluation of LV output in HF and severity of AS, avoiding use of LVOT velocity-time integral alone, which can be misleading, especially when LV cavity and aortic root dimensions are abnormal.

A 17-year-old male was admitted for the management of multiple fractures after sustaining blunt thoracic trauma. He was hemodynamically stable and without any cardiac symptoms. He was admitted with fracture of T4 end plate, manubrium and left first rib, right pulmonary contusion, left apical pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. The patient underwent echocardiography and cardiac CT angiogram for the work up of aortic injury as the patient had new aortic regurgitation murmur, troponin rise and RBBB. He was found to have aortic root rupture, type A aortic dissection and acute severe aortic insufficiency. The patient underwent surgical aortic valve and root replacement with Bentall procedure with good outcome.

Background: Right ventricular failure (RVF) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is a major cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of multiple imaging parameters, none of these parameters had adequate predictive accuracy for post-LVAD RVF. Aim: To study whether right ventricular pressure-dimension index (PDI), which is a novel echocardiographic index that combines both morphologic and functional aspects of the right ventricle, is predictive of post-LVAD RVF and survival. Methods: 49 cases that underwent elective LVAD implantation were retrospectively analyzed using data from an institutional registry. PDI was calculated by dividing systolic pulmonary artery pressure to the square of the right ventricular minor diameter. Cases were categorized according to tertiles. Results: Patients within the highest PDI tertile (PDI>3.62 mmHg/cm2) had significantly higher short-term mortality (42.8%) and combined short-term mortality and definitive RVF (50%) compared to other tertiles (p<0.05 for both, log-rank p for survival to 15th day 0.014), but mortality was similar across tertiles in the long-term follow up. PDI was an independent predictor of short-term mortality (HR:1.05–26.49, p=0.031) and short-term composite of mortality and definitive RVF (HR:1.37–38.87, p=0.027). Conclusions: Increased PDI is a marker of an overburdened right ventricle. Heart failure patients with a high PDI is at risk for short-term mortality following LVAD implantation.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction increases mortality in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) in degenerated bioprostheses, annuloplasty rings, and native mitral valves. We aimed to evaluate the left ventricular outflow tract area after TMVI using 3-diensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and to investigate the pre-procedural cardiac geometry affects the LVOT area after TMVI. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed echocardiography data in 43 patients who had TMVI. A change in pressure gradient across LVOT from before to after TMVI (∆PG) and post-procedure 3D cross sectional area (CSA) at the level of the most distal portion of the mitral valve stent that was closest to the LV apex were assessed as evidence of LVOT narrowing. Results: TMVI with the use of balloon-expandable valve system was performed for 24 bioprostheses, 7 annuloplasty rings, and 12 native valves. Compared to patients without increase in LVOT gradient (∆PG <10 mmHg; n=33), patients with increase in LVOT gradient (∆PG ≥10 mmHg; n=10) had smaller LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), greater LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and smaller aorto-mitral (AM) angle. CSA at the valve stent distal edge showed strong association with ∆PG (r=-0.68, P<0.0001). Only small AM angle was associated with small CSA at the valve stent ventricular edge on multivariable analysis, independent of LVESV and LVEF. Conclusion: Pre-procedural AM angle as well as LVESV and LVEF were associated with LVOT narrowing in patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve, valve-in-ring, and valve-in-native valve implantation. These data may be useful for preprocedural planning.

Abstract Background: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in prone position is challenging. Innovative use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe to perform TTE for such patients was described; but reproducibility and correlation of the TTE measurements by this technique with those obtained by the standard supine TTE study are still unknown. Methods: We enrolled 30 non-COVID-19 individuals, with a mean (SD) age 35 (10.9) years and 11 females, to study the agreement between the transthoracic measurements of the left ventricular (LV), left atrial (LA) and aortic dimensions obtained in prone position using an external TEE probe versus the standard supine position using the conventional TTE probe. Results: There were no significant differences between LV end-diastolic and end-systolic diameters, septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness and aortic root dimensions in the prone versus the supine positions. While the mean ejection fraction (EF) (60.3% vs. 63.1%, P = 0.014) and mean LA dimensions (1.8 vs. 1.9 cm/m2, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the prone position. The mean time of scans was significantly longer in the prone as compared to the supine (12.5 vs 4.5 minutes, P < 0.001). All supine studies had good quality while in the prone position 4 studies were of poor quality, and one was non-diagnostic. Conclusions: Assessment of cardiac dimensions and systolic function in the prone position using transthoracic TEE probe was feasible. LV and aortic dimensions agreed well with the standard TTE in supine position, however, LA dimensions and EF were lower in the prone position.

Objective: Cardiovascular involvement due to iron overload is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with beta-thalassaemia major (β-TM). However many patients remain asymptomatic until the late stage. In this study, we investigated the role of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) findings and endothelial dysfunction parameters in asymptomatic β-TM patients, and the relationship between these parameters and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 * value. Methods: 51 asymptomatic β-TM patients who were receiving regular blood transfusions were evaluated by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT3DE examinations including endothelial dysfunction parameters. The study population was divided into two subgroups based on their cardiac MRI T2* values (MRI T2* ≤20ms and >20ms). The relationships between serum ferritin levels, 2DE and RT3DE measurements, endothelial dysfunction parameters, and cardiac MRI T2* values were investigated. Results: Although all left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) values obtained by 2DE were within normal limits (≥50%), they were not associated with MRI T2* values. LVEFRT3D (53.25 +2.33 vs 58.81 +1.02), SDI12 (6.53 +0.56 vs 2.85 +0.48), SDI16 (7.65 +0.75 vs 3.26 +0.49) were significantly different and negatively correlated between two groups respectively . Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) (6.08% + 0.34 vs 14.46% + 1.12), aortic strain (7.79% + 2.19 vs 12.76% + 4.19), and serum ferritin values were significantly different and negatively correlated between two groups respectively. Conclusion: Decreased LVEF and increased SDI by RT3DE could be parameters of early cardiac deterioration. Decreased FMD and aortic strain may be good predictors of subclinical cardiovascular involvement in asymptomatic patients with β-TM.