The role of artificial intelligence in standardizing global longitudinal strain measurements in echocardiography.

Aims: To evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of artificial intelligence (AI) in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) analysis as compared to conventional (Manual) and semi-automated (SemiAuto) method in echocardiography (Echo).

Methods And Results: GLS validation was performed on 550 standard Echo exams by expert cardiologists. The performance of a beginner cardiologist without experience of GLS analysis was assessed on a subset of 90 exams.

Improved assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction using artificial intelligence in echocardiography: A comparative analysis with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurement in echocardiography (Echo) using the recommended modified biplane Simpson (MBS) method is operator-dependent and exhibits variability. We aimed to assess the accuracy of a novel fully automated (Auto) artificial intelligence (AI) in view selection and biplane LVEF calculation compared to MBS-Echo, with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) as reference.

Methods: Each of the 301 consecutive patients underwent CMR and Echo on the same day.

Accuracy of Devereaux and Teichholz formulas for left ventricular mass calculation in different geometric patterns: comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass is important in the evaluation of cardiac remodeling and requires accurate assessment when performed on linear measurements in two-dimensional echocardiography (Echo). We aimed to compare the accuracy of the Devereaux formula (DEV) and the Teichholz formula (TEICH) in calculating LV myocardial mass in Echo using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as the reference method. Based on preceding mathematical calculations, we identified primarily LV size rather than wall thickness as the main source of bias between DEV and TEICH in a retrospective derivation cohort (n = 1276).

The Impact of Right Atrial Size to Predict Success of Direct Current Cardioversion in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

Background And Objectives: The prognostic implication of right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) size for an immediate success of direct current cardioversion (DCCV) in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to compare RA and LA size for the prediction of DCCV success.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, 734 consecutive outpatients were screened for our prospective registry.

Single-Site Experience with an Automated Artificial Intelligence Application for Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Measurement in Echocardiography.

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a key parameter in evaluating left ventricular (LV) function using echocardiography (Echo), but its manual measurement by the modified biplane Simpson (MBS) method is time consuming and operator dependent. We investigated the feasibility of a server-based, commercially available and ready-to use-artificial intelligence (AI) application based on convolutional neural network methods that integrate fully automatic view selection and measurement of LVEF from an entire Echo exam into a single workflow. We prospectively enrolled 1083 consecutive patients who had been referred to Echo for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

Benefit of 3D Vena Contracta Area over 2D-Based Echocardiographic Methods in Quantification of Functional Mitral Valve Regurgitation.

Background: The two-dimensional proximal isovelocity surface area (2D PISA) method in the quantification of an effective regurgitation orifice area (EROA) has limitations in functional mitral valve regurgitation (FMR), particularly in non-circular coaptation defects.

Objective: We aimed to validate a three-dimensional vena contracta area (3D VCA) against a conventional EROA using a 2D PISA method and anatomic regurgitation orifice area (AROA) in patients with FMR.

Methods: Both 2D and 3D full-volume color Doppler data were acquired during consecutive transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) examinations.

Calculation of Aortic VAlve and LVOT Areas by a Modified Continuity Equation Using Different Echocardiography Methods: The CAVALIER Study.

Background: The area of the left ventricular outflow tract (A) represents a major component of the continuity equation (CE), which is, i.a., crucial to calculate the aortic valve (AV) area (A).

Evaluation of systemic inflammation in response to remote ischemic preconditioning in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background: Systemic inflammation can occur after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and correlates with adverse outcome. The impact of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on TAVR associated systemic inflammation is unknown and was focus of this study.

Methods: We performed a prospective controlled trial at a single center and included 66 patients treated with remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) prior to TAVR, who were matched to a control group by propensity score.

Purposeful use of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of caseous mitral annular calcification: a case series report.

Background: Caseous mitral annular calcification (CMAC) is a rare liquefactive variant of mitral annular calcification (MAC) and superficially mimics a cardiac vegetation or abscess. CMAC is viewed as a benign condition of MAC, while MAC has clinical implications for patients' lives. Correctly diagnosing CMAC is essential in order to avoid unnecessary interventions, cardiac surgery or even psychological suffering for the patient.

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning Neither Improves Survival nor Reduces Myocardial or Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI).

Background: Peri-interventional myocardial injury occurs frequently during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We assessed the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on myocardial injury, acute kidney injury (AKIN) and 6-month mortality in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods: We performed a prospective single-center controlled trial.

Cardiac and autonomic function in patients with Wilson's disease.

Background: The clinical effect of copper accumulation on the heart of patients suffering from Wilson's disease (WD) is not completely understood. We aimed to determine if patients with WD show signs of cardiac involvement, structural heart disease or autonomic dysfunction. In this prospective trial, we studied 61 patients (mean age 44.

Left Ventricular Torsion - A New Echocardiographic Prognosticator in Patients With Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) torsion is a key parameter in cardiac function and predicts functional capacity (FC) more appropriately than LV ejection fraction (EF). We sought to investigate LV torsion as a marker of hospitalization for worsening heart failure (HF) in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients.

Methods and results: The 91 outpatients with newly diagnosed DCM (53±13 years, 20% female) were evaluated with 3D speckle-tracking imaging and followed up for 12 months; 43 healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers served as controls.

Repetitive squatting exercise as a diagnostic predictor in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objectives: Non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterised by a highly variable disease progression. Stress echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) are beneficial in risk assessment, but are labour intensive. Repetitive squatting and standing without weights is a simple exercise (EX).

Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography is crucial for valid assessment of mitral valve leaflet morphology in severe mitral regurgitation prior to interventional repair.

Background: Interventional mitral valve (MV) repair of severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation (MR) is a therapeutic option in high-risk surgical or inoperable patients. Assessment of the MV remains a crucial part of pre-interventional screening. Three-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (3D-TOE) may compensate for well-known pitfalls that occur in 2D-TOE.

ELMSTREET (Esophageal Lesions during MitraClip uSing TRansEsophageal Echocardiography Trial).

Aims: We aimed to evaluate possible detrimental effects of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on the oesophageal tissue during percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR).

Methods And Results: From March 2014 to July 2015, 186 patients were treated for severe mitral regurgitation with PMVR using the MitraClip system. In 40 patients, oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy was performed due to symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract.

Three-Dimensional Left Ventricular Torsion in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy - A Marker of Disease Severity.

Background: LV twist has a key role in maintaining left ventricular (LV) contractility during exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate LV torsion instead of twist as a surrogate marker of peak oxygen uptake (peak V̇O) assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).Methods and Results:We evaluated 45 outpatients with DCM (50±12 years, 24% females) with 3D speckle-tracking electrocardiography prior to CPET.