Subclinical Hypothyroidism as an Independent Determinant of Left Atrial Dysfunction in the General Population

Author(s):  
Koki Nakanishi ◽  
Masao Daimon ◽  
Yuriko Yoshida ◽  
Naoko Sawada ◽  
Kazutoshi Hirose ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Although subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common clinical entity and carries independent risk for incident heart failure (HF), its possible association with subclinical cardiac dysfunction is unclear. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and left atrial (LA) phasic strain can unmask subclinical left heart abnormalities and are excellent predictors for HF. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SCH and subclinical left heart dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease. Methods We examined 1078 participants who voluntarily underwent extensive cardiovascular health check-ups, including laboratory tests and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LVGLS and LA reservoir, conduit, and pump strain. SCH was defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level with normal concentration of free thyroxine. Results Mean age was 62 ± 12 years, and 56% were men. Seventy-eight (7.2%) participants exhibited SCH. Individuals with SCH had significantly reduced LA reservoir (37.1 ± 6.6% vs 39.1 ± 6.6%; P = 0.011) and conduit strain (17.3 ± 6.3% vs 19.3 ± 6.6%; P = 0.012) compared with those with euthyroidism, whereas there was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction, LA volume index, LVGLS, and LA pump strain between the 2 groups. In multivariable analyses, SCH remained associated with impaired LA reservoir strain, independent of age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters. including LVGLS (standardized β −0.054; P = 0.032). Conclusions In an unselected community-based cohort, individuals with SCH had significantly impaired LA phasic function. This association may be involved in the higher incidence of HF in subjects with SCH.

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Koki Nakanishi ◽  
Masao Daimon ◽  
Yuriko Yoshida ◽  
Naoko Sawada ◽  
Jumpei Ishiwata ◽  
...  

Background: Although subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a common clinical entity and carries independent risk for incident heart failure (HF), its possible association with subclinical cardiac dysfunction has not been extensively evaluated. Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and left atrial (LA) phasic strain can unmask subclinical left heart dysfunction and are excellent predictors for HF. This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SCH and subclinical left heart dysfunction in a sample of the general population without overt cardiac disease. Methods: We examined 1,078 participants who underwent extensive cardiovascular health check-up including laboratory tests and 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LVGLS and LA reservoir, conduit and pump strain. SCH was defined as an elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone level with normal concentration of free thyroxine. Results: Mean age was 62±12 years, and 56% were men. Seventy-eight (7.2%) participants exhibited SCH. Individuals with SCH had significantly reduced LA reservoir and conduit strain (both p<0.05) compared with those with euthyroidism, whereas there was no significant difference in LV ejection fraction, LA volume index, LVGLS and LA pump strain between the 2 groups. In multivariable analyses, the presence of SCH was significantly associated with impaired LA reservoir strain, independent of age, traditional cardiovascular risk factors and pertinent laboratory and echocardiographic parameters including LVGLS. Conclusions: In an unselected community-based cohort, individuals with SCH had significantly impaired LA function. This association may be involved in the higher incidence of HF in subjects with SCH.


2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Grazia De Angelis ◽  
Daniela Tomasoni ◽  
Edoardo Pancaldi ◽  
Elisa Pezzola ◽  
Nicola Saccani ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims To describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) and to compare the two most common phenotypes of CA, transthyretin (ATTR) and immunoglobulin light-chain (AL). Methods and results One-hundred and eighty patients [n = 115 (64%) men, 74 ± 11 years] were retrospectively included from January 2013 to April 2021 in a single centre in Northern Italy. The majority [n = 102 (57%)] had ATTR-CA, whereas 78 patients (43%) had AL-CA. ATTR-CA patients were older (79 ± 7 vs. 66 ± 10 years, P &lt; 0.001) and with higher prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, compared to those with AL-CA. ATTR-CA patients had higher N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) and troponin levels, and lower haemoglobin and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Echocardiographic findings suggested a more advanced stage of the disease in the ATTR-CA subgroup [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 51 ± 10% vs. 60 ± 9%; global longitudinal strain (GLS), −11 ± 3% vs. −13 ± 4%; peak systolic wall motion velocity, 4.9 ± 1.7 vs. 6.4 ± 1.9; left ventricular mass index (LVMI) 316 ± 133 g/m2 vs. 157 ± 72 g/m2; left atrium volume index (LAVI) 48 ± 17 ml vs. 40 ± 16 ml; right ventricular diameter 31 ± 9 mm vs. 22 ± 5 mm; tricuspidal annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) 17 ± 5 vs. 19 ± 5; all P &lt; 0.05). During a median follow-up of 15 (6–31) months, 68 (38%) patients died. All-cause death occurred in 31% vs. 46% patients with ATTR- and AL-CA, respectively. AL-CA was an independent predictor of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.62, 95% confidence interval 1.55–4.43; P &lt; 0.001). Other independent predictors of mortality were age, systolic blood pressure, Nt-proBNP, troponin and GLS. When cardiovascular (CV) death was considered, there was no significant difference between the two phenotypes (log rank P = 0.384). Conclusions Despite ATTR-CA patients showed worse baseline characteristics, suggesting a more advanced disease at presentation, AL-CA phenotype was associated with a higher risk of all-cause death. Of note, CV mortality was comparable between the two groups.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Nagaoka ◽  
Y Mukai ◽  
S Kawai ◽  
S Takase ◽  
K Sakamoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, morphological mechanisms of AFMR are poorly understood. Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the morphological characteristics in patients with AFMR. Methods Among consecutive 795 patients undergoing initial radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) at our hospital, twenty-five patients with persistent AF accompanied by AFMR (≥ moderate) before RFCA (AFMR group) were studied. Age-matched 25 patients with persistent AF without MR were defined as a control group. Results Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower and left atrium volume index was larger in the AFMR group (Table). Mitral valve annulus diameter and length of anterior mitral leaflet (AML) were similar between groups, whereas length of posterior mitral leaflet (PML) was significantly shorter in the AFMR group. Smaller tethering angle of AML (γ in the figure) and shorter tethering height were significantly associated with the occurrence of AFMR, which were different from morphology of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with dilated LV. Multiple regression analysis revealed that less tenting height (p<0.05) and LA dilatation toward the posterior (p<0.01) were significantly related to AFMR. Echocardiographic parameters AFMR (n=25) Control (n=25) P value Age, y 69±8 66±10 NS Male, n (%) 9 (36) 20 (80) P=0.001 LVEF,% 60±9 67±6 P=0.004 LAD, mm 44±5 41±7 NS LAVI, ml/m2 56±17 41±13 P<0.001 MV diameter, mm 3.9±0.4 3.8±0.5 NS α angle, ° 34±9 35±7 NS β angle, ° 48±9 50±8 NS γ angle, ° 32±5 37±5 P=0.0005 AML length, mm 3.0±0.5 3.0±0.5 NS PML length, mm 2.1±0.1 2.4±0.1 P=0.03 Tenting height, mm 1.5±0.1 1.8±0.1 P=0.02 D, mm 0.8±0.3 0.5±0.3 P=0.001 LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; LAD: left atrial diameter; LAVI: left atrial volume index; AML: anterior mitral leaflet; PML: posterior mitral leaftlet. Conclusions AFMR occurs in patients with unique morphological features, such as less tethering height and LA dilatation toward the posterior.


2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Sugimoto ◽  
F Bandera ◽  
G Generati ◽  
E Alfonzetti ◽  
M Guazzi

Abstract Background The hemodynamic impact of left atrial (LA) dynamics in aortic stenosis (AS) in relation to cardiopulmonary response to exercise has never been studied. We aimed at investigating the link between LA function vs hemodynamics and prognosis in asymptomatic severe AS patients. Methods A total of 106 patients: 76 asymptomatic severe AS patients (aortic valve area (AVA) &lt;1.0 cm2 or AVA index &lt;0.6 cm2/m2) and 30 gender-matched control subjects underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing combined with Echo-Doppler with assessment of LA strain. AS patients were divided into 4 groups according to peak aortic jet velocity (PV), mean pressure gradient (MPG), stroke volume index (SVI), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Results Normal-flow low-gradient AS (NFLG: PV &lt;4 m/s and MPG &lt;40 mmHg, SVI &gt;35ml/m2, LVEF ≥50%, N=23), High-gradient AS (HG: PV ≥4 m/s or MPG ≥40 mmHg, LVEF ≥50%, N=23), Paradoxical low-flow low-gradient AS (PLFLG: PV &lt;4 m/s and MPG &lt;40 mmHg, SVI ≤35ml/m2, LVEF ≥50%, N=18), and Classical low-flow AS (CLF: LVEF &lt;50%, N=12) had a higher LA volume index than Control (Control 22±6, NFLG 38±12*, HG 33±9*, PLFLG 33±11*, and CLF 49±15* ml/m2, *P&lt;0.05 vs Control). In PLFLG and NFLG AS, LA strain at rest (21±9 and 26±13%) and during exercise (26±12 and 31±14%) were decreased compared to Control (37±8% at rest, 43±11% during exercise) but LA strain was increased from rest to exercise (P&lt;0.001). HG and CLF AS had no increase in LA strain (31±15 and 19±10% at rest, 28±15 and 18±9% during exercise) (figure). In Cox proportional hazards analysis, age and gender adjusted hazard ratio for the composite end point (aortic valve replacement, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause mortality) of changes in LA-strain from rest to exercise (1% increase) was 1.05 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.09, P=0.044) among AS patients. Conclusions In asymptomatic severe AS, the study of LA functional adaptation to exercise plays a key role in the hemodynamic unfavorable cascade signaling major adaptive differences in dynamics during physical challenge. Overall, LA dynamics provides prognostic information also in AS patients. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsuyoshi Tabata ◽  
Kazuhiro Shimizu ◽  
Yukihiro Morinaga ◽  
Naoaki Tanji ◽  
Ruiko Yoshida ◽  
...  

Background: To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness, reflected by cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) value, and left atrial (LA) phasic function in hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).Methods: We retrospectively studied 165 consecutive patients (mean age, 66.5 ± 11.7 years) diagnosed with hypertension with preserved LVEF who had undergone CAVI measurement and echocardiography on the same day. The latter included speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess LA phasic function (reservoir, conduit, and pump strain) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS).Results: The results of univariate analysis showed CAVI value to be correlated with LA reservoir strain and LA conduit strain (r = −0.387 and −0.448, respectively; both P &lt; 0.0001). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed CAVI value to be independently related to age (β = 0.241, P = 0.002) and LA conduit strain (β = −0.386, P = 0.021) but not LV mass index, LA volume index, or LV systolic function (including LVGLS).Conclusion: In hypertensive patients with preserved LVEF, increased CAVI value appears to be independently associated with impaired LA phasic function (particularly LA conduit function) before LA and LV remodeling. CAVI determination to assess arterial stiffness may be useful in the early detection of interactions between cardiovascular abnormalities in hypertensive patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Frigy ◽  
I A Szabo ◽  
L Kocsis ◽  
S Z Laszlo ◽  
H Gabor Kelemen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Early repolarization pattern (ERP) takes part from the J-wave syndromes and is associated with enhanced ventricular arrhythmogenesis in susceptible individuals. The main reason of our study was, that possible existence of subtle structural and functional cardiac changes related to ERP is still not well estabilished. Methods We compared 32 echocardiographic parameters (standard measures and specle tracking derived strain) of 30 young men (mean age 21.5 years) with ERP and 32 age and body-mass matched young men without ERP. T-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis (significant difference if p &lt; 0.05). Results Only the presence of mild mitral regurgitation was significantly more frequent in the ERP group (36.7% vs. 9.5%, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences regarding the other parameters, e.g., the interventricular septum (9.5 mm vs. 9.4 mm, p = 0.97), the end-diastolic diameters of the left and right ventricles (45 mm vs. 46.6 mm, p = 0.11; 34.9 mm vs. 33.8 mm, p = 0.42), the left ventricular ejection fraction ( 62.4% vs. 60.9 %, p = 0,3), the longitudinal diameters of the left and right atrium (51.8 mm vs. 53.1 mm, p = 0.27; 36.8 mm vs. 36.1 mm, p = 0.20), and the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (-21.75% vs. -21.28, p = 0.77). Conclusion In young males with ERP the vast majority of echocardiographic parameters was not different from those measured in their counterparts without ERP. The existence and clinical significance of the more prevalent mild mitral regurgitation in the ERP group has to be confirmed in a larger cohort.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadali Habibi ◽  
Joao Lima ◽  
Irfan Khurram ◽  
Stefan L Zimmerman ◽  
Vadim Zipunnikov ◽  
...  

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with left atrial (LA) electrical, structural, and contractile remodeling. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and feature tracking are capable of noninvasive quantification of LA fibrosis and myocardial motion, respectively. Hypothesis: Increased LA fibrosis measured with LGE is associated with worsening of the phasic LA function measured with feature tracking CMR. Methods: The cohort included 90 patients (age 61 ± 10 years, 76% male) with symptomatic drug-resistant AF referred for ablation. Peak global longitudinal LA strain (PLAS), LA systolic strain rate (SR-s), and early (SR-ed) and late diastolic (SR-ld) strain rates were measured using cine-CMR images acquired during sinus rhythm. The degree of LGE was quantified using normalized image intensity. Results: Compared to patients with paroxysmal AF (60% of cohort), those with persistent AF had larger maximum LA volume index (LAVImax, 56 ± 17ml/m2 versus 49 ± 13ml/m2 p=0.036), and increased LGE (27.1± 11.7% versus 36.8 ± 14.8% p<0.001). Aside from LA active emptying fraction, all LA parameters (passive emptying fraction, PLAS, SR-s, SR-ed and SR-ld) were lower in patients with persistent AF (p< 0.05 for all). Increased LA fibrosis was associated with lower LA passive emptying fraction, PLAS, SR-s, SR-ed, and SR-ld after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, heart failure, left ventricular ejection fraction, type of AF, and LA volume (p<0.05 for all). Conclusions: Increased LA fibrosis is associated with decreased LA reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions. Phasic measurement of LA function using feature-tracking CMR is feasible and may add important information regarding the physiological importance of LA fibrosis.


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