Background: This study aimed at exploring the correlation of left atrial longitudinal function by speckle tracking echocardiography (left atrial strain) and Doppler measurements (E/E' ratio) with direct measurements of left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in patients stratified for different values of ejection fraction. Methods: The study population was 80 stable patients with sinus rhythm undergoing cardiac catheterization. This population was selected in order to have four groups of 20 patients each with different LV ejection fraction (>55%, 45-54%, 30-44%, and <30%). LVEDP was obtained during cardiac catheterization; peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and mean E/E' ratio were measured in all subjects. Results: Similar correlations with LVEDP of global PALS and E/E' ratio were recorded in patients with preserved (r = À0.79 vs. r = 0.72, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both) or mildly reduced ejection fraction (r = À0.75 vs. r = 0.73, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both). A closer correlation of global PALS compared to E/E' ratio was evident in patients with moderate (r = À0.78 P < 0.0001; vs. r = 0.47 P = 0.01, respectively) and severe reduction (r = À0.74 P < 0.0001; vs. r = 0.19 ns, respectively) of LV ejection fraction. In multivariate analysis of all measurements, global PALS emerged as a determinant of the LVEDP, independent on other confounding factors and, with the cutoff value of 18.0% presented the best diagnostic accuracy to predict a LVDP above 12 mmHg (AUC 0.87). Conclusions: In patients with preserved or mildly reduced LV ejection fraction, global PALS and mean E/E' ratio presented good correlations with LVEDP. In patients with moderate or severe reduction of ejection fraction, E/E' ratio correlated poorly with invasively obtained LV filling pressures. Global PALS provided an overall better estimation of LV filling pressures. (Echocardiography 2016;33:398-405)

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Background In heart failure, the exercise gas exchange Weber (A to D) and ventilatory classifications (VC‐1 to VC‐4) historically define disease severity and prognosis. However, their applications in the modern heart failure population of any left ventricular ejection fraction combined with hemodynamics are undefined. We aimed at revisiting and implementing these classifications by cardiopulmonary exercise testing imaging. Methods and Results 269 patients with heart failure with reduced (n=105), mid‐range (n=88) and preserved (n=76) ejection fraction underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing imaging, primarily assessing the cardiac output (CO), mitral regurgitation, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP)/CO slope. Within both classes, a progressively lower exercise CO, higher mPAP/CO slopes, and mitral regurgitation ( P <0.01 all) were observed. After adjustment for age and sex, Cox proportional hazard regression analyses showed that Weber (hazard ratio [HR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.8–4.7; P <0.001) and ventilatory classes (HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1–2.0; P =0.017) were independently associated with outcome. The best stratification was observed when combining Weber (A/B or C/D) with severe ventilation inefficiency (VC‐4) (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.6–4.8; P <0.001). At multivariable analysis the best hemodynamic determinants of peak oxygen consumption and ventilation to carbon dioxide production slope were CO (β‐coefficient, 0.72±0.16; P <0.001) and mPAP/CO slope (β‐coefficient, 0.72±0.16; P <0.001), respectively. Conclusions In the contemporary heart failure population, the Weber and ventilatory classifications maintain their prognostic ability, especially when combined. Exercise CO and mPAP/CO slope are the best predictors of peak oxygen consumption and ventilation to carbon dioxide production slope classifications representing the main targets of interventions to impact functional class and, likely, event rate.

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