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Introduction: In mitral valve replacement (MVR), sudden increases in afterload and disruption of the annular‐chordal‐papillary‐left‐ventricular wall causes left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in the early postoperative period. Preservation of the posterior mitral leaflet apparatus (MVR‐P) has a favorable outcome on LV function. However, there is paucity of data on the impact of complete preservation of the sub‐valvular apparatus (MVR‐C). Objective: We investigated the impact of MVR‐P and MVR‐C on baseline and 3‐months postoperative LV ejection fraction (EF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 29 MVR‐P and 19 MVR‐C patients with complete echocardiography data at our unit, who were operated between 2008 and 2017. Between‐group changes in LVEF and GLS were compared using independent sample T‐test. Results: Median age was 59 years (IQR 50–69 years). Baseline LVEF was 58% (51%– 60%). Baseline GLS was −18.4 (−21.2 to −15.5). There were no significant between‐group differences between all baseline demographics and echocardiographic markers. There was significantly higher absolute postoperative LVEF in MVR‐C patients (p = 0.029). There was also significant worsening in LVEF (p = 0.0121) and GLS (p < 0.0001) after MVR‐P and not MVR‐C, suggesting no reduction in LV function post‐MVR‐C but a reduction post‐MVR‐P. There was significantly less postoperative worsening of GLS per patient in MVR‐C group as compared to the MVR‐P group (p = 0.023), indicating better preservation of LV function. There was also a smaller decline in LVEF per patient in the MVR‐C as compared to the MVR‐P group, although not statistically significant (p = 0.23). Conclusion: MVR with complete preservation of the sub‐valvular apparatus shows a favorable impact on the longitudinal function of the heart at 3 months. Further studies with larger patient numbers are indicated to investigate the long‐term results of this surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a less invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement and is the treatment of choice for patients at high operative risk. The role of TAVI in patients at lower risk is unclear.Objective: To determine whether TAVI is noninferior to surgery in patients at moderately increased operative risk.Design, Setting, and Participants: In this randomized clinical trial conducted at 34 UK centers, 913 patients aged 70 years or older with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis and moderately increased operative risk due to age or comorbidity were enrolled between April 2014 and April 2018 and followed up through April 2019.Interventions: TAVI using any valve with a CE mark (indicating conformity of the valve with all legal and safety requirements for sale throughout the European Economic Area) and any access route (n = 458) or surgical aortic valve replacement (surgery; n = 455).Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 1 year. The primary hypothesis was that TAVI was noninferior to surgery, with a noninferiority margin of 5% for the upper limit of the 1-sided 97.5% CI for the absolute between-group difference in mortality. There were 36 secondary outcomes (30 reported herein), including duration of hospital stay, major bleeding events, vascular complications, conduction disturbance requiring pacemaker implantation, and aortic regurgitation.Results: Among 913 patients randomized (median age, 81 years [IQR, 78 to 84 years]; 424 [46%] were female; median Society of Thoracic Surgeons mortality risk score, 2.6% [IQR, 2.0% to 3.4%]), 912 (99.9%) completed follow-up and were included in the noninferiority analysis. At 1 year, there were 21 deaths (4.6%) in the TAVI group and 30 deaths (6.6%) in the surgery group, with an adjusted absolute risk difference of -2.0% (1-sided 97.5% CI, -∞ to 1.2%; P < .001 for noninferiority). Of 30 prespecified secondary outcomes reported herein, 24 showed no significant difference at 1 year. TAVI was associated with significantly shorter postprocedural hospitalization (median of 3 days [IQR, 2 to 5 days] vs 8 days [IQR, 6 to 13 days] in the surgery group). At 1 year, there were significantly fewer major bleeding events after TAVI compared with surgery (7.2% vs 20.2%, respectively; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.33 [95% CI, 0.24 to 0.45]) but significantly more vascular complications (10.3% vs 2.4%; adjusted HR, 4.42 [95% CI, 2.54 to 7.71]), conduction disturbances requiring pacemaker implantation (14.2% vs 7.3%; adjusted HR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.43 to 2.94]), and mild (38.3% vs 11.7%) or moderate (2.3% vs 0.6%) aortic regurgitation (adjusted odds ratio for mild, moderate, or severe [no instance of severe reported] aortic regurgitation combined vs none, 4.89 [95% CI, 3.08 to 7.75]).Conclusions and Relevance: Among patients aged 70 years or older with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis and moderately increased operative risk, TAVI was noninferior to surgery with respect to all-cause mortality at 1 year.Trial Registration: isrctn.com Identifier: ISRCTN57819173. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of a 61‐year‐old female who, after undergoing frozen elephant trunk surgery, was found to have an unexpected left ventricular pseudoaneurysm on transthoracic echocardiogram. The pseudoaneurysm was caused by the left ventricular vent catheter constantly impinging the LV wall of the beating heart during surgery. Contrast echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) imaging confirmed the diagnosis and served for follow‐up demonstrating the narrow neck and outpouching structure on the apical lateral wall. The patient remains asymptomatic two years after the operation and is being followed up with echocardiography and CT imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mouse models of heart disease are extensively employed. The echocardiographic characterization of contractile function is usually focused on systolic function with fewer studies assessing diastolic function. Furthermore, the applicability of diverse echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function that are commonly used in humans has not been extensively evaluated in different pathophysiological models in mice. Methods and results We used high resolution echocardiography to evaluate parameters of diastolic function in mouse models of chronic pressure overload (aortic constriction), volume overload (aorto-caval shunt), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; DOCA-salt hypertension), and acute sarcoplasmic reticulum dysfunction induced by thapsigargin - all known to exhibit diastolic dysfunction. Left atrial area increased in all three chronic models while mitral E/A was difficult to quantify at high heart rates. Isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and Doppler E/E′ increased significantly and the peak longitudinal strain rate during early filling (peak reverse longitudinal strain rate) decreased significantly after aortic constriction, with the changes being proportional to the magnitude of hypertrophy. In the HFpEF model, reverse longitudinal strain rate decreased significantly but changes in IVRT and E/E′ were non-significant, consistent with less severe dysfunction. With volume overload, there was a significant increase in reverse longitudinal strain rate and decrease in IVRT, indicating a restrictive physiology. Acute thapsigargin treatment caused significant prolongation of IVRT and decrease in reverse longitudinal strain rate. Conclusion These results indicate that the combined measurement of left atrial area plus reverse longitudinal strain rate and/or IVRT provide an excellent overall assessment of diastolic function in the diseased mouse heart, allowing distinction between different types of pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case of a 68‐year‐old man with calciphylaxis, who was found to have a floating thrombus in the descending aorta on a transesophageal echocardiogram. The use of 3D echocardiography demonstrated nicely the free motion of the thrombus, emerging from an atherosclerotic plaque in the descending aorta. Anticoagulation was started for thromboembolism prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of baseline and temporal changes in red cell distribution width (RDW) in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Design: Single-centre retrospective observational study. Setting: Tertiary cardiac centre. Patients: 175 patients undergoing TAVI were included in this study. Main outcome measure: Survival. Results: We analysed data from 175 TAVI patients (mean (±SD) age 83±7 years, 49% men, mean Logistic EuroSCORE 23±1, 66% preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)). Immediately pre-TAVI, mean RDW was 14.6±1.6% with an RDW>15% in 29% of patients. Over median follow-up of 12 months, the median rate of change in RDW was 0.2% per month, and 51 (29%) patients died. On multivariate survival analyses, baseline RDW≥15.5% predicted death (adjusted HR 2.70, 95% CI 1.40 to 5.22, p=0.003) independently of LVEF, transfemoral approach, baseline pulmonary artery systolic pressure, moderate/severe mitral regurgitation and body mass index. A greater rate of increase in RDW over time was associated with increased mortality (adjusted HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.18, p=0.001) independently of baseline RDW and other significant temporal variables including a change in creatinine, bilirubin, mean cell haemoglobin concentration or urea. An increase in RDW>0.1%/month was associated with a twofold increased risk of mortality Conclusions: Baseline RDW≥15.5% and a rising RDW over time strongly correlate to an increased risk of death post-TAVI, and could be used to refine risk stratification. Investigating and ameliorating the causes of RDW expansion may improve survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate early haemodynamic changes after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and the relationship with myocardial injury and neurohormonal activation. Design Single-centre prospective observational study. Setting Tertiary cardiac centre. Patients 42 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI were included in this study. Main outcome measures Haemodynamic measurements and echocardiography-derived indices characterising myocardial function were recorded at baseline, 6 and 24 h postprocedure. Postprocedural myocardial injury was quantified using serum troponin I and CK-MB levels. In addition, biomarkers of myocardial dysfunction/heart failure and neurohormonal activation were measured. Results 6 h Post-TAVI there was a significant deterioration in both systolic and diastolic function as measured by dP/dtmax/EDV, myocardial performance index and mean E/e' index. Recovery of myocardial function was observed at 24 h. These haemodynamic changes were associated with a significant increase in both troponin I (0.0760.01 vs 1.5960.21 mg/l, p<0.005) and CK-MB (1.9960.19 vs 6.8260.7 ng/ml, p<0.005). There was a positive correlation among myocardial injury and NT-BNP (r¼0.34, p<0.0005), aldosterone (r¼0.56, p<0.0001) and ST2 levels (r¼0.21, p<0.05). Conclusions This is the first study to demonstrate that procedurally successful TF-TAVI results in a transient depression of both systolic and diastolic left ventricular function within the first 24 postoperative hours, despite impressive relief of previously severe, chronic pressure overload. The rise in the markers of myocardial damage suggests that this may be due to periprocedural myocardial injury. Complete recovery of contractility is generally observed after 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the case of a 65-year-old man who was diagnosed with late mitral stenosis caused by pannus formation after Duran ring annuloplasty due to ischemicmitral regurgitation. Threedimensional echocardiography provided signifi cant information regarding the anatomy of the valve and the estimation of the severity of mitral stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been used extensively over the last years in the therapeutic management of patients with end-stage heart failure. Data from 4,017 patients have been published in eight large, randomized trials on CRT. Improvement in clinical end points (symptoms, exercise capacity, quality of life) and echocardiographic end points (systolic function, left ventricular size, mitral regurgitation) have been reported after CRT, with a reduction in hospitalizations for decompensated heart failure and an improvement in survival. However, individual results vary, and 20% to 30% of patients do not respond to CRT. At present, the selection criteria include severe heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class III or IV), left ventricular ejection fraction <35%, and wide QRS complex (>120 ms). Assessment of inter- and particularly intraventricular dyssynchrony as provided by echocardiography (predominantly tissue Doppler imaging techniques) may allow improved identification of potential responders to CRT. In this review a summary of the clinical and echocardiographic results of the large, randomized trials is provided, followed by an extensive overview on the currently available echocardiographic techniques for assessment of LV dyssynchrony. In addition, the value of LV scar tissue and venous anatomy for the selection of potential candidates for CRT are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Encouraged by the clinical success of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), the implantation rate has increased exponentially, although several limitations and unresolved issues of CRT have been identified. This review concerns issues that are encountered during implantation of CRT devices, including the role of electroanatomical mapping, whether CRT implantation should be accompanied by simultaneous atrioventricular nodal ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation, procedural complications, and when to consider surgical left ventricular lead positioning. Furthermore, (echocardiographic) CRT optimization and assessment of CRT benefits after implantation are highlighted. Also, controversial issues such as the potential value of CRT in patients with mild heart failure or narrow QRS complex are addressed. Finally, open questions concerning when to combine CRT with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy and the cost-effectiveness of CRT are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the introduction of microbubbles in medical science. Use of contrast agents in imaging; Description of microbubbles, which work by resonating in an ultrasound beam, rapidly contracting and expanding in response to the pressure changes of the sound wave; Development of microbubbles as tools for delivery of gene therapy and other treatments to specific sites.

We present the case of a 34-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital due to community-acquired pneumonia and had a transthoracic echocardiogram which revealed an aneurysm of the membranous interventricular septum. This was further investigated with a transesophageal echocardiogram which showed in detail the anatomical features of this very rare condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitral interventions remain technically challenging owing to the anatomical complexity and heterogeneity of mitral pathologies. As such, multi-disciplinary pre-procedural planning assisted by advanced cardiac imaging is pivotal to successful outcomes. Modern imaging techniques offer accurate 3D renderings of cardiac anatomy; however, users are required to derive a spatial understanding of complex mitral pathologies from a 2D projection thus generating an 'imaging gap' which limits procedural planning. Physical mitral modelling using 3D printing has the potential to bridge this gap and is increasingly being employed in conjunction with other transformative technologies to assess feasibility of intervention, direct prosthesis choice and avoid complications. Such platforms have also shown value in training and patient education. Despite important limitations, the pace of innovation and synergistic integration with other technologies is likely to ensure that 3D printing assumes a central role in the journey towards delivering personalised care for patients undergoing mitral valve interventions., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Although increased left ventricular (LV) mass is associated with adverse outcomes, measured values vary widely depending on the specific technique used. Moreover, the impact of sex, age, and race on LV mass remains controversial, further limiting the clinical use of this parameter. Accordingly, the authors studied LV mass using a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic techniques in a large population of normal subjects encompassing a wide range of ages., Methods: Transthoracic echocardiograms obtained from 1,854 healthy adult subjects (52% men) enrolled in the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) Normal Values Study, were divided into three age groups (young, 18-35 years; middle aged, 36-55 years; and old, >55 years). LV mass was obtained using five conventional techniques, including linear and two-dimensional methods, as well as direct three-dimensional measurement. All LV mass values were indexed to body surface area, and differences according to sex, age, and race were analyzed for each technique., Results: LV mass values differed significantly among the five techniques. Three-dimensional measurements were considerably smaller than those obtained using the other techniques and were closer to magnetic resonance imaging normal values reported in the literature. For all techniques, LV mass in men was significantly larger than in women, with and without body surface area indexing. These technique- and sex-related differences were larger than measurement variability. In women, age differences in LV mass were more pronounced and depicted significantly larger values in older age groups for all techniques, except three-dimensional echocardiography, which showed essentially no differences. LV mass was overall larger in black subjects than in white or Asian subjects., Conclusions: Significant differences in LV mass values exist across echocardiographic techniques, which are therefore not interchangeable. Sex-, race-, and age-related differences underscore the need for separate population specific normal values., (Copyright © 2022 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Aortic valve area (AVA) used for echocardiographic assessment of aortic stenosis (AS) has been traditionally interpreted independently of sex, age and race. As differences in normal values might impact clinical decision-making, we aimed to establish sex-, age- and race-specific normative values for AVA and Doppler parameters using data from the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) Study., Methods and Results: Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic studies were obtained from 1903 healthy adult subjects (48% women). Measurements of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter and Doppler parameters, including AV and LVOT velocity time integrals (VTIs), AV mean pressure gradient, peak velocity, were obtained according to ASE/EACVI guidelines. AVA was calculated using the continuity equation. Compared with men, women had smaller LVOT diameters and AVA values, and higher AV peak velocities and mean gradients (all P < 0.05). LVOT and AV VTI were significantly higher in women (P < 0.05), and both parameters increased with age in both sexes. AVA differences persisted after indexing to body surface area. According to the current diagnostic criteria, 13.5% of women would have been considered to have mild AS and 1.4% moderate AS. LVOT diameter and AVA were lower in older subjects, both men and women, and were lower in Asians, compared with whites and blacks., Conclusion: WASE data provide clinically relevant information about significant differences in normal AVA and Doppler parameters according to sex, age, and race. The implementation of this information into clinical practice should involve development of specific normative values for each ethnic group using standardized methodology., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: M.S., M.B. and N.H. are employees of TOMTEC Imaging Systems. No other direct conflicts of Interest related to this study have been reported by any of the authors., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography is the leading cardiac imaging modality for patients admitted with COVID-19, a condition of high short-term mortality. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that artificial intelligence (AI)-based analysis of echocardiographic images could predict mortality more accurately than conventional analysis by a human expert., Methods: Patients admitted to 13 hospitals for acute COVID-19 who underwent transthoracic echocardiography were included. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS) were obtained manually by multiple expert readers and by automated AI software. The ability of the manual and AI analyses to predict all-cause mortality was compared., Results: In total, 870 patients were enrolled. The mortality rate was 27.4% after a mean follow-up period of 230 ± 115 days. AI analysis had lower variability than manual analysis for both LVEF (P = .003) and LVLS (P = .005). AI-derived LVEF and LVLS were predictors of mortality in univariable and multivariable regression analysis (odds ratio, 0.974 [95% CI, 0.956-0.991; P = .003] for LVEF; odds ratio, 1.060 [95% CI, 1.019-1.105; P = .004] for LVLS), but LVEF and LVLS obtained by manual analysis were not. Direct comparison of the predictive value of AI versus manual measurements of LVEF and LVLS showed that AI was significantly better (P = .005 and P = .003, respectively). In addition, AI-derived LVEF and LVLS had more significant and stronger correlations to other objective biomarkers of acute disease than manual reads., Conclusions: AI-based analysis of LVEF and LVLS had similar feasibility as manual analysis, minimized variability, and consequently increased the statistical power to predict mortality. AI-based, but not manual, analyses were a significant predictor of in-hospital and follow-up mortality., (Copyright © 2022 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Myocardial scar correlates with clinical outcomes. Traditionally, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used to detect and quantify scar. In this prospective study using LGE CMR as reference, the authors hypothesized that nonlinear ultrasound imaging, namely, power modulation, can detect and quantify myocardial scar in selected patients with previous myocardial infarction. In addition, given the different histopathology between ischemic and nonischemic scar, a further aim was to test the diagnostic performance of this echocardiographic technique in unselected consecutive individuals with ischemic and nonischemic LGE or no LGE on CMR., Methods: Seventy-one patients with previous myocardial infarction underwent power modulation echocardiography following CMR imaging (group A). Subsequently, 101 consecutive patients with or without LGE on CMR, including individuals with nonischemic LGE, were scanned using power modulation echocardiography (group B)., Results: In group A, echocardiography detected myocardial scar in all 71 patients, with good scar volume agreement with CMR (bias = -1.9 cm 3 ; limits of agreement [LOA], -8.0 to 4.2 cm 3 ). On a per-segment basis, sensitivity was 82%, specificity 97%, and accuracy 92%. Sensitivity was higher in the inferior and posterior segments and lower in the anterior and lateral walls. In group B, on a per-subject basis, the sensitivity of echocardiography was 62% (91% for ischemic and 30% for nonischemic LGE), with specificity and accuracy of 89% and 72%, respectively. The bias for scar volume between modalities was 5.9 cm 3 , with LOA of 34.6 to 22.9 cm 3 (bias = -1.9 cm 3 [LOA, -11.4 to 7.6 cm 3 ] for ischemic LGE, and bias = 18.9 cm 3 [LOA, -67.4 to 29.7.6 cm 3 ] for nonischemic LGE)., Conclusions: Power modulation echocardiography can detect myocardial scar in both selected and unselected individuals with previous myocardial infarction and has good agreement for scar volume quantification with CMR. In an unselected cohort with nonischemic LGE, sensitivity is low., (Copyright © 2022 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Echocardiography is less than 70 years old, and many major advances have occurred within living memory, but already some pioneering contributions may be overlooked. In order to consider what circumstances have been common to the most successful innovations, we have studied and here provide a timeline and summary of the most important developments in transthoracic and transoesophageal ultrasound imaging and Doppler techniques, as well as in intravascular ultrasound and imaging in paediatric cardiology. The entries are linked to a comprehensive list of first publications and to a collection of first-hand historical accounts published by early investigators. Review of the original manuscripts highlights that it is difficult to establish unequivocal precedence for many new imaging methods, since engineers were often working independently but simultaneously on similar problems. Many individuals who are prominently linked with particular developments were not the first in their field. Developments in echocardiography have been highly dependent on technological advances, and most likely to be successful when engineers and clinicians were able to collaborate with open exchange between centres and disciplines. As with many other new medical technologies, initial responses were sceptical and introduction into clinical practice required persistence and substantial energy from the first adopters. Current developments involve advances in software as much as in equipment, and progress will depend on continuing collaborations between engineers and clinical scientists, for example to identify unmet needs and to investigate the clinical impact of particular imaging approaches., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Background: Recent advances in mitral valve (MV) percutaneous interventions have escalated the need for a more quantitative and comprehensive assessment of the MV, which can be best achieved using three-dimensional echocardiography. Understanding normal valve size, structure, and function is essential for differentiation of healthy from disease states. The aims of this study were to establish normative values for MV apparatus size and morphology and to determine how they vary across age, sex, and race groups using data from the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography Normal Values Study., Methods: Three-dimensional volumetric data sets obtained on transthoracic echocardiography in 748 normal subjects (51% men) were analyzed using commercial MV analysis software (TomTec Imaging Systems) to determine annular and leaflet dimensions and areas. The subjects were divided into groups by sex (378 men and 370 women) and age (18 to 40 years [n = 266], 41 to 65 years [n = 249], and >65 years [n = 233]) to identify sex- and age-related differences. In addition, differences among black, white, and Asian populations were studied. Inter- and intraobserver variability was assessed in a subset of 30 subjects and expressed as mean absolute difference between pairs of repeated measurements., Results: Compared with women, men had larger annular size measurements, larger tenting size parameters, and larger leaflet length and area. Compared with the black and white populations, the Asian population showed significantly smaller mitral annular size. Although many of the age, sex, and race differences in MV parameters were statistically significant, they were comparable with or smaller than the corresponding measurement variability. Indexing to body surface area and height did not eliminate these differences consistently, suggesting that parameters may need to be indexed according to their dimensionality., Conclusions: This analysis of the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography data provides normative values of mitral apparatus size and morphology. Although sex- and age-related differences were noted, they need to be interpreted with caution in view of the associated measurement variability., (Copyright © 2022 American Society of Echocardiography. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)