A Test in Context: Myocardial Strain Measured by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery

Reliability of left ventricular function measurements depends on actual biological conditions, repeated registrations and their analyses. To investigate test–retest reliability of speckle-tracking-derived strain measurements and its determinants compared to the conventional parameters, such as ejection fraction (EF), LV volumes and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE). In 30 patients with a wide range of left ventricular function (mean EF 46.4 ± 16.4%, range 14–73%), standard echo views were acquired independently in a blinded fashion by two different echocardiographers in immediate sequence and analyzed off-line by two independent readers, creating 4 data sets per patient. Test–retest reliability of studied parameters was calculated using the smallest detectable change (SDC) and a total, inter-acquisition and inter-reader intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The smallest detectable change normalized to the mean absolute value of the measured parameter (SDCrel) was lowest for MAPSE (10.7%). SDCrel for EF was similar to GLS (14.2 and 14.7%, respectively), while SDCrel for CS was much higher (35.6%). The intra-class correlation coefficient was excellent (> 0.9) for all measures of the left ventricular function. Intra-patient inter-acquisition reliability (ICCacq) was significantly better than inter-reader reliability (ICCread) (0.984 vs. 0.950, p = 0.03) only for EF, while no significant difference was observed for any other LV function parameter. Mean intra-subject standard deviations were significantly correlated to the mean values for CS and LV volumes, but not for the other studied parameters. In a test–retest setting, both with normal and impaired left ventricular function, the smallest relative detectable change of EF, GLS and MAPSE was similar (11–15%), but was much higher for CS (35%). Surprisingly, reliability of GLS was not superior to that of EF. Acquisition and reader to a similar extent influenced the reliability of measurements of all left ventricular function measures except for ejection fraction, where the reliability was more dependent on the reader than on the acquisition.

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Test–retest reliability of new and conventional echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular systolic function

BACKGROUND Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is peculiar clinical condition often resembling an acute coronary syndrome and mostly affecting postmenopausal women after a stressful trigger. TTS was initially thought to be a relatively benign condition. However, current data have shown it may be associated with considerable inpatient morbidity and carry a small, but important, mortality risk. METHODS We hypothesized that left ventricular (LV) regional and global longitudinal strain (GLS) assessed with 2D speckle tracking echocardiography could identify early systolic functional impairment and predict in-hospital cardiovascular events. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study reviewing patients with the discharge diagnosis of TCM between 2003 and 2016 at our institution. RESULTS One hundred patients with TSS met the Modified Mayo Clinic criteria. Using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography, two independent cardiologists assessed the LV GLS as well as the longitudinal strain (LS) of 7 individual segments [basal-septal (BS); mid-septal (MS), apical-septal (AS), apex, basal-lateral (BL), mid-lateral (ML), and apical-lateral (AL)]. The inter-observer variability was <5%. Mean age was 69.1 years, 87% were females, and 53% were African Americans. Mean initial LV EF was 32% ± 9.8%. In univariate analysis, patients with worse BL, ML, and GLS profiles (means: -5.7; -3.3, and -4, respectively) had higher in-hospital mortality (P < .05). Worse BL and ML profiles (means: -8.6 and -7.3, respectively) were associated with higher prevalence of MACE (major adverse cardiovascular outcomes) (P < .05). In a multivariate analysis, mid-lateral strain ≥ -7 and basolateral strain ≥ -10 were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality and MACE + in-hospital heart failure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Assessment of LV global and segmental longitudinal strain by speckle tracking has important prognostic value in the acute phase of TTS. Additional large-scale studies will be needed to confirm our findings.

Usefulness of left ventricular strain analysis in patients with takotsubo syndrome during acute phase

http://r4d.dfid.gov.uk/PDF/Outputs/Ehca_RPC/SickleCellChildHealth_CD003427_March2011_Final.pdf

In children with sickle cell disease, does penicillin prevent pneumococcal infection? Evidence Update, Sickle Cell and Child Health Series, March 2011

Barrett's esophagus is the precursor lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Screening and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus are undertaken with the goal of earlier detection and lowering the mortality from esophageal adenocarcinoma. The widely used technique is standard esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies per the Seattle protocol for screening and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus. Surveillance intervals vary depending on the degree of dysplasia with endoscopic eradication therapy confined to patients with Barrett's esophagus and confirmed dysplasia. In this review, we present various novel techniques for screening of Barrett's esophagus such as unsedated transnasal endoscopy, cytosponge with trefoil factor-3, balloon cytology, esophageal capsule endoscopy, liquid biopsy, electronic nose, and oral microbiome. In addition, advanced imaging techniques such as narrow band imaging, dye-based chromoendoscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy, volumetric laser endomicroscopy, and wide-area transepithelial sampling with computer-assisted three-dimensional analysis developed for better detection of dysplasia are also reviewed.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2040622319837851

Barrett's esophagus: novel strategies for screening and surveillance.

Background Sickle cell hepatopathy (SCH) is an inclusive term referring to any liver dysfunction among patients with sickle cell disease. Acute sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis is one of the rarest and most fatal presentations of SCH. We present the 23rd reported case of liver transplantation (LT) for SCH; a rare case of acute sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis managed with LT from a hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleic acid amplification test positive donor. Case summary A 29-year-old male with a past medical history of sickle cell disease presented with vaso-occlusive pain crisis. On examination, he had jaundice and a soft, non-tender abdomen. Initially he was alert and fully oriented; within 24 h he developed new-onset confusion. Laboratory evaluation was notable for hyperbilirubinemia, leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury and elevated international normalized ratio (INR). Imaging by ultrasound and computed tomography scan suggested a cirrhotic liver morphology with no evidence of biliary ductal dilatation. The patient was diagnosed with acute sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis after excluding competing etiologies of acute liver injury. He underwent LT from an HCV nucleic acid amplification test positive donor 9 d after initial presentation. The liver explant was notable for widespread sinusoidal dilatation with innumerable clusters of sickled red blood cells and cholestasis. On postoperative day 3, HCV RNA was detectable in the patient's peripheral blood and anti-HCV therapy with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir was initiated on postoperative day 23. He subsequently achieved sustained virologic response after completing 3 mo of therapy and has been followed clinically for 12 mo post-transplant. Conclusion This case highlights the utility of LT as a viable treatment option for acute sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis.

Successful liver transplantation for acute sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis: A case report and review of the literature.

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is used to evaluate left ventricular (LV) performance after chemotherapy. Differentiating between reduction in GLS due to clinical change and normal temporal variability in measurement remains a challenge. We quantified interobserver, test-retest variability of GLS by expert observers in relation to variability of GLS quantified for clinical assessment by sonographers in our laboratory. We examined the temporal variability of GLS in 30 patients with normal LV ejection fraction (LVEF >53%) undergoing chemotherapy in the absence of change in medications and clinical symptoms in up to 5 sequential echocardiograms. GLS was quantified using EchoPAC (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and 2-dimensional biplane LVEF was measured from 4- and 2- chamber views. Interobserver test-retest variability of GLS measured in 10 random patients by 2 expert readers was calculated using a one-way analysis of variance. Square root of mean squared error provided the SEM for temporal variability. Baseline LVEF was 59.3 ± 5.1% and remained relatively unchanged over 12 months, p = 0.87. Temporal variability of GLS measured by sonographers was 1.28% and similar to interobserver test-retest variability of GLS measured by expert observers, 1.12% (p = 0.17). Maximum detectable difference in GLS measured by expert observers was similar to that derived from sequential measurements of GLS (3.2% vs 3.6%, respectively). Temporal variability of GLS among clinically stable patients is 1.28% and similar to interobserver test-retest variability of 1.12% measured by expert observers. In conclusion, a reduction in strain >3.2% during sequential echocardiograms under these conditions may be significant.

Temporal Variability of Global Longitudinal Strain in Stable Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy With Trastuzumab

Hypernatremia is a frequent cause of intensive care unit admission. The patient presented in this article had hypernatremia refractory to D5W (dextrose 5% water) therapy, which led to a complex investigation. Workup revealed central diabetes insipidus most likely secondary to flare up of neurosarcoidosis. The challenge in terms of diagnosis was a presentation with low urine output in the setting of hypernatremia resistant to treatment with desmopressin. This case unfolded the role of hypothyroidism causing secondary renal dysfunction and hence needed continued treatment with thyroxine in addition to treatment for hypernatremia.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2324709616667511

Unusual Presentation of Central Diabetes Insipidus in a Patient With Neurosarcoidosis

Purpose:Needs, risks, and outcomes of patients admitted to a post liver transplant intensive care unit (POLTICU) differ in important ways from those admitted to pretransplant intensive care units (...

Vedha Sanghi

Papers

Barrett's esophagus: novel strategies for screening and surveillance.

Successful liver transplantation for acute sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis: A case report and review of the literature.

Temporal Variability of Global Longitudinal Strain in Stable Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy With Trastuzumab

Unusual Presentation of Central Diabetes Insipidus in a Patient With Neurosarcoidosis

The EMALT Score: An Improved Model for Prediction of Early Mortality in Liver Transplant Recipients.