Basal septal hypertrophy in patients with hypertension: a non-invasive assessment of segmental myocardial work with left ventricular pressure-strain relations

    Authors

    Keywords

    myocardial work, basal septal hypertrophy, hypertension, speckle-tracking

    DOI

    https://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2018.411

    Full Text

    Background : A subgroup of patients with chronic hypertension develop basal septal hypertrophy (BSH). Non-invasive left ventricular (LV) pressure estimates and speckle-tracking deformation curves can be used to quantify myocardial work (MW) ( 1 ). Incorporation of afterload into deformation analysis demonstrates a potential advantage over isolated global longitudinal strain (GLS). The aim is to assess segmental MW indices of the septum in hypertensive patients. Patients and Methods : An echocardiogram and cuff blood pressure measurement were prospectively performed on 115 patients with hypertension. The interventricular septum was measured in parasternal long axis and 4-chamber (4C) views. LV speckle-tracking was performed in 4C, 2C and 3C views. Myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (CW), wasted work (WW), and work efficiency (WE) were calculated between mitral valve closing and opening. BSH was defined by having both a positive visual assessment of an abrupt change in septal thickness in 4C view and a basal septal-mid septal ratio ≥ 1.4. Results : BSH was present in 18% (n=21) of the cohort. Patients with BSH had higher systolic blood pressure at presentation. There was no group difference in cavity dimensions, LV ejection fraction, LV GLS, global MWI, CW or WW. The basal inferoseptum and anteroseptum were significantly thicker in patients with BSH ( Figure 1 ). The hypertrophy was related to a decrease of longitudinal strain (LS) in the inferoseptum, but not in the anteroseptum. The segmental MWI and CW were significantly reduced in the inferoseptum of patients with BSH, whereas there was no difference in WW or WE. No differences in MW indices were notable in the basal anteroseptum ( Table 1 ). There was a pronounced gradient of LS in both groups, with a decrease from apex to base. The averaged LS of the six basal segments was significantly lower in patients with BSH, with no differences in the mid or apical segments ( Figure 2 ). Comparison of LV measurements in hypertensive patients with and without basal septal hypertrophy. LV = left ventricle; 4C = 4-chamber view; PLAX = parasternal long axis view. Averaged segmental longitudinal strain of basal, mid and apical levels in hypertensive patients. Conclusion : Basal segments are first affected in chronic exposure to increased afterload, resulting in a gradient of LS. BSH in hypertension indicates a more advanced functional impairment of the LV with further decrease in basal segment function. In this setting the basal inferoseptum is most affected, demonstrating a significant decrease in work performed between mitral valve closing and opening.

    Cardiologia Croatica
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    Basal septal hypertrophy in patients with hypertension: a non-invasive assessment of segmental myocardial work with left ventricular pressure-strain relations

    Extended Abstract
    Issue11-12
    Published
    Pages411-412
    PDF via DOIhttps://doi.org/10.15836/ccar2018.411
    myocardial work
    basal septal hypertrophy
    hypertension
    speckle-tracking

    Authors

    Filip Lončarić*ORCIDInstitute of Biomedical Research August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
    Maciej MarciniakORCIDDepartment of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, London, United Kingdom
    Joao Filipe FernandesORCIDDepartment of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, London, United Kingdom
    Loredana NunnoORCIDCardiovascular Institute, Barcelona, Spain
    Laura SanchisORCIDCardiovascular Institute, Barcelona, Spain
    Bart BijnensORCIDDepartment of Information Technology and Communications, Barcelona, Spain
    Marta SitgesORCIDCardiovascular Institute, Barcelona, Spain

    Full Text

    Background : A subgroup of patients with chronic hypertension develop basal septal hypertrophy (BSH). Non-invasive left ventricular (LV) pressure estimates and speckle-tracking deformation curves can be used to quantify myocardial work (MW) ( 1 ). Incorporation of afterload into deformation analysis demonstrates a potential advantage over isolated global longitudinal strain (GLS). The aim is to assess segmental MW indices of the septum in hypertensive patients. Patients and Methods : An echocardiogram and cuff blood pressure measurement were prospectively performed on 115 patients with hypertension. The interventricular septum was measured in parasternal long axis and 4-chamber (4C) views. LV speckle-tracking was performed in 4C, 2C and 3C views. Myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (CW), wasted work (WW), and work efficiency (WE) were calculated between mitral valve closing and opening. BSH was defined by having both a positive visual assessment of an abrupt change in septal thickness in 4C view and a basal septal-mid septal ratio ≥ 1.4. Results : BSH was present in 18% (n=21) of the cohort. Patients with BSH had higher systolic blood pressure at presentation. There was no group difference in cavity dimensions, LV ejection fraction, LV GLS, global MWI, CW or WW. The basal inferoseptum and anteroseptum were significantly thicker in patients with BSH ( Figure 1 ). The hypertrophy was related to a decrease of longitudinal strain (LS) in the inferoseptum, but not in the anteroseptum. The segmental MWI and CW were significantly reduced in the inferoseptum of patients with BSH, whereas there was no difference in WW or WE. No differences in MW indices were notable in the basal anteroseptum ( Table 1 ). There was a pronounced gradient of LS in both groups, with a decrease from apex to base. The averaged LS of the six basal segments was significantly lower in patients with BSH, with no differences in the mid or apical segments ( Figure 2 ). Comparison of LV measurements in hypertensive patients with and without basal septal hypertrophy. LV = left ventricle; 4C = 4-chamber view; PLAX = parasternal long axis view. Averaged segmental longitudinal strain of basal, mid and apical levels in hypertensive patients. Conclusion : Basal segments are first affected in chronic exposure to increased afterload, resulting in a gradient of LS. BSH in hypertension indicates a more advanced functional impairment of the LV with further decrease in basal segment function. In this setting the basal inferoseptum is most affected, demonstrating a significant decrease in work performed between mitral valve closing and opening.