Indexed atrial volume correlates better with LA pressure surrogates than the anteroposterior diameter, even when this is corrected for body surface.

AimsA specialized three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TOE) reconstruction tool has recently been introduced; the system automatically configures a geometric model of the aortic root from the images obtained by 3D-TOE and performs quantitative analysis of these structures. The aim of this study was to compare the measurements of the aortic annulus (AA) obtained by the new model to that obtained by 3D-TOE and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in candidates to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and to assess the reproducibility of this new method. Methods and resultsWe included 31 patients who underwent TAVI. The AA diameters and area were evaluated by the manual 3D-TOE method and by the automatic software. We showed an excellent correlation between the measurements obtained by both methods: intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.731 (0.508 -0.862), r: 0.742 for AA diameter and ICC: 0.723 (0.662-0.923), r: 0.723 for the AA area, with no significant differences regardless of the method used. The interobserver variability was superior for the automatic measurements than for the manual ones. In a subgroup of 10 patients, we also found an excellent correlation between the automatic measurements and those obtained by MDCT, ICC: 0.941 (0.761-0.985), r: 0.901 for AA diameter and ICC: 0.853 (0.409-0.964), r: 0.744 for the AA area. ConclusionThe new automatic 3D-TOE software allows modelling and quantifying the aortic root from 3D-TOE data with high reproducibility. There is good correlation between the automated measurements and other 3D validated techniques. Our results support its use in clinical practice as an alternative to MDCT previous to TAVI.--

Background: There is no consensus on which right ventricle (RV) strain parameter should be used in the clinical practice: four chamber RV longitudinal strain (4CH RV-LS) or free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS). The aim of this study was to analyze which RV strain parameter better predicts prognosis in patients with left heart disease. Methods: One hundred and three outpatients with several degrees of functional tricuspid regurgitation severity secondary to left heart disease were prospectively included. 4CH RV-LS and FWLS were assessed using speckle tracking. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was determined using LV ejection fraction and RV systolic function using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE).Patients were followed up for 23.1 ± 12.4 months for an endpoint of cardiac hospitalization due to heart failure. [LR] = 22.033; p < 0.001); p < 0.001), TAPSE < 17 mm (LR = 17.4; p < 0.001) and LV systolic dysfunction (LR = 13.3; p < 0.001) [HR] = 3.593; p < 0.002), TAPSE < 17 (HR = 2.093; p < 0.055) and LV systolic dysfunction (HR = 2.087; p < 0,054) had prognostic value, whereas FWLS did not reach significance. Results: The cutoff value related to RV dysfunction (TAPSE < 17 mm) was lower, in absolute value, for 4CH RV-LS (4CH RV-LS = -17.3%; FWLS = -19.5%). There were 33 adverse events during the follow-up. Patients with 4CH RV-LS > -17.3% (log rank had lower event-free survival (Kaplan Meier). In Cox multivariate analysis, 4CH RV-LS > -17.3% (hazard ratio Conclusions: Although both 4CH RV-LS and FWLS have prognostic value, 4CH RV-LS isa better predictor of episodes of heart failure in patients with left heart disease, providing additional information to that obtained by TAPSE. (Cardiol J 2016; 23, 2: 189-194)

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