Left atrial strain: A memory of the severity of atrial myocardial stress in atrial fibrillation.

Background: Left atrial (LA) strain is a simple marker of LA function. The aim of the study was to evaluate the determinants of atrial cardiomyopathy in AF.

Methods: In this pilot study, we prospectively evaluated clinical, biological, metabolomic and echocardiographic parameters for 85 consecutive patients hospitalized for atrial fibrillation (AF) with restoration of sinus rhythm at 6 months.

Restoring Sinus Rhythm Reverses Cardiac Remodeling and Reduces Valvular Regurgitation in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Cardiac chamber remodeling in atrial fibrillation (AF) reflects the progression of cardiac rhythm and may affect functional regurgitation.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the 3-dimensional echocardiographic variables of cardiac cavity remodeling and the impact on functional regurgitation in patients with AF with/without sinus rhythm restoration at 12 months.

Methods: A total of 117 consecutive patients hospitalized for AF were examined using serial 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography at admission, at 6 months, and at 12 months (337 examinations).

Does layer-specific strain using speckle tracking echocardiography improve the assessment of left ventricular myocardial deformation? A review.

An increasing number of studies of left ventricular myocardial deformation have been published. Layer-specific strain using speckle tracking echocardiography to evaluate left ventricular function is not recommended in clinical practice. However, evaluation of myocardial mechanics using longitudinal and circumferential layer-specific strain enables the detection of subclinical impairment of myocardial deformation in various diseases.

[Cardiovascular imaging in heart failure].

Transthoracic echocardiography remains the first-line cardiac imaging for diagnosis, management and screening of heart failure, whatever its phenotype (heart failure with reduced, mid-range and preserved ejection fraction). It allows anatomic characterization, systolic and diastolic functions of left and right ventricles assessment, intracardiac hemodynamic evaluation and for the assessment of valve disease. Myocardial deformation imaging (strain) is indicated in patients with heart failure for the assessment of systolic ventricles function and the diagnosis of specific heart diseases.

Biatrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation: A three-dimensional and strain echocardiography insight.

Background: Atrial remodelling has been poorly investigated in atrial fibrillation (AF), and few studies have focused on biatrial remodelling.

Aim: To evaluate right atrial (RA) and left atrial (LA) remodelling in AF using global atrial reservoir strain and three-dimensional (3D) atrial volumes, according to rhythm outcome at mid-term follow-up.

Methods: Two-dimensional and 3D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) were performed within 24hours after admission (M0) and at 6-month follow-up (M6) in patients admitted for AF.

Is von Willebrand factor associated with stroke and death at mid-term in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation?

Background: Heart failure and atrial fibrillation share common mechanisms that may contribute to hypercoagulability and thrombotic risk. Elevated von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentration has been associated with increased risk of thromboembolism and cardiovascular events.

Aim: To investigate whether increased vWF plasma concentration predicts occurrence of a composite endpoint (all-cause death and stroke) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Multilayer global longitudinal strain in patients with cancer: A comparison of two vendors.

Background: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) has several sources of variation. Strain multilayer tracking is a new tool that has not yet been validated in clinical practice.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate intervendor variability when measuring multilayer strain in patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer.

[Early detection of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction].

Anthracyclines and molecular targeted agents have improved prognosis of patients undergoing chemotherapeutics for malignancy. However, the use of these therapies is limited because of risk of cardiac toxicity. The severity of the cardiomyopathy can range from an asymptomatic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction to a severe congestive heart failure.