IBD, and especially perianal disease in CD, is associated with periodontitis. Optimal therapeutic strategies should probably focus on treating both local oral and systemic inflammation.

This study aims at understanding left ventricular (LV) mechanics of non-compaction (LVNC) phenotype using echocardiographic strain analysis and at assessing the association of functional parameters with cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Methods and results: Longitudinal (GLS) and circumferential strain (GCS) as well as rotation of the LV were analyzed in 55 LVNC patients and 55 matched controls. Cardiovascular outcomes were documented for a median follow-up duration of 6 years. GLS and GCS were impaired in LVNC. Similary, regional longitudinal and circumferential strain as well as twist were reduced. CV events occurred in 28 LVNC patients. Apical peak circumferential strain (APCS), peak systolic rotation of apical segments (APSR), and twist were strongly associated with events. This was independent of and incremental to LVEF and non-compacted to compacted myocardial thickness ratio (NC:C ratio). The association of twist with events was also independent of and slightly superior to GLS. Conclusions: GLS, GCS, regional strain, and twist were impaired in LVNC. APCS, APSR, and twist exhibited strong association with CV events independent of and incremental to LVEF and NC:C ratio, and in case of twist even GLS. Thus, STE-derived parameters may complement the echocardiographic assessment of LVNC patients in clinical routine.

Introduction Echocardiography-based deformation analysis is used for studying left ventricular (LV) mechanics and have an emerging role in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathies. Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy characterised by a two-layered LV myocardium with prominent trabeculae separated by deep recesses perfused from the LV cavity. Left ventricular hypertrabeculation (LVHT) may be difficult to differentiate from LVNC. In this study, we aim to develop a diagnostic algorithm based on the circumferential deformation (CD) of LVNC, LVHT and controls; and find their associations with LVNC outcomes. Methods We compared 45 LVNC patients, 45 LVHT individuals, and 45 matched healthy controls. LVNC was diagnosed according to current echocardiographic criteria. LVHT was defined as presence of three or more trabeculae in the LV apex visualised in both parasternal short axis and apical views. Controls had a normal echocardiographic examination and no evidence of cardiovascular disease. Strain analysis was performed using TomTec Image-Arena (version 4.6). Results Receiver observer characteristics curve (ROC) analyses revealed that GCS <22.3% differentiated LVNC from control or LVHT. In individuals with global circumferential strain (GCS) below 22.3%, an apical peak circumferential strain (PCS) cut-off value of 18.4% differentiated LVNC [<18.4%] and LVHT [≥18.4%] (fig. 1). An independent echocardiographer (Table 1) performed blind validation of diagnosis on 32 subjects from each group. Combined endpoint of cardiovascular events in LVNC (CVE) is described in figure 2. Multi-variate regression analyses have shown that GCS was associated with 11-fold increased risk of CVE independent of LVEF and NC:C ratio, while global longitudinal strain (GLS) displayed only 2-fold increased risk. Regional basal and apical peak circumferential or longitudinal strain, left ventricular twist, basal-apical rotation ratio have shown significant associations (Fig. 3). Conclusions A diagnostic algorithm with GCS and aPCS (threshold value 18.4%) differentiates LVNC from LVHT and control with very high sensitivity and specificity independent of additional echocardiographic or clinical information. Circumferential strain derived parameters exhibit a very strong association with outcomes independent of LVEF and NC:C ratio. Absence of CVE in LVHT provides further evidence on the distinct nature of LVNC and LVHT. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): 2018 research grant from the Swiss Heart Foundation

Introduction Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy with a progressive clinical course, resulting in symptoms such as heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias, or thrombo-embolic events. Little is known about the natural course of disease, in particular in individuals with normal LV ejection fraction (EF) at diagnosis. In this study, we aim to evaluate the outcome of this group of patients. Methods 48 LVNC patients with normal LV EF at diagnosis (defined as ≥50% by Simpson) were retrospectively analysed followed-up for median duration of 3656 days (2017–4965). All outcome data and conventional echocardiographic parameters were obtained; and in 27 patients, LV and right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) were also determined using TomTec Image Arena (v.4.6). Results Mean age was 25.5 years. Median LVEF was 58.5% [IQR: 52.75 - 65.25]). The localization of non-compacted segments displayed a typical distribution with apical and inferolateral midventricular segments most frequently involved. Although LVEF was normal at baseline, median LV GLS was 16.8% (IQR: 20.0 - 14.2) and RV GLS was 18.7% (23.3–15.6). Furthermore, only 30 patients (73.2%) had a normal diastolic function, while others showed impaired relaxation (19.5%; n=8) or restrictive filling pattern (7.3%; n=3). During follow-up, LVEF decreased slightly from the initial visit (59%, [53.3–65.0]) to last follow-up (56%, [53.0–61.8], p=0.0009), and LV end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes increased (p=0.009 and 0.001, respectively). The other echocardiographic parameters did not show any significant changes. During follow-up, 3 patients (7.7%) died, 5 (12.8%) were hospitalized for heart failure, 3 (7.7%) had a thromboembolic event, 5 (12.8%) a syncope, 3 (8.1%) a non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, 9 (22.5%) a supraventricular tachycardia, and 14 (35.9%) suffered other complications during follow-up. The change in LVEF and LV volumes during follow-up was not significantly associated with outcome. Conclusion Patients presenting with a LVNC phenotype and normal LVEF did not display a completely normal LV function as revealed by LV strain and LV diastolic function. LVEF decreased slightly during follow-up, but was surprisingly stable in most patients. Nevertheless, a significant number of individuals experienced a clinically relevant event. Hence, a LVNC phenotype is important even in individuals with normal LVEF and such patients should be followed-up regularly.