Four chamber right ventricular longitudinal strain versus right free wall longitudinal strain. Prognostic value in patients with left heart disease

Background: There is no consensus on which right ventricle (RV) strain parameter should be used in the clinical practice: four chamber RV longitudinal strain (4CH RV-LS) or free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS). The aim of this study was to analyze which RV strain parameter better predicts prognosis in patients with left heart disease. Methods: One hundred and three outpatients with several degrees of functional tricuspid regurgitation severity secondary to left heart disease were prospectively included. 4CH RV-LS and FWLS were assessed using speckle tracking. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was determined using LV ejection fraction and RV systolic function using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Patients were followed up for 23.1 ± 12.4 months for an endpoint of cardiac hospitalization due to heart failure. Results: The cutoff value related to RV dysfunction (TAPSE < 17 mm) was lower, in absolute value, for 4CH RV-LS (4CH RV-LS = –17.3%; FWLS = –19.5%). There were 33 adverse events during the follow-up. Patients with 4CH RV-LS > –17.3% (log rank [LR] = 22.033; p < 0.001); FWLS > –19.5% (LR = 12.2; p < 0.001), TAPSE < 17 mm (LR = 17.4; p < 0.001) and LV systolic dysfunction (LR = 13.3; p < 0.001) had lower event-free survival (Kaplan Meier). In Cox multivariate analysis, 4CH RV-LS > –17.3% (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.593; p < 0.002), TAPSE < 17 (HR = 2.093; p < 0.055) and LV systolic dysfunction (HR = 2.087; p < 0,054) had prognostic value, whereas FWLS did not reach significance. Conclusions: Although both 4CH RV-LS and FWLS have prognostic value, 4CH RV-LS is a better predictor of episodes of heart failure in patients with left heart disease, providing additional information to that obtained by TAPSE.

Valor pronóstico de la trombocitopenia preoperatoria en la cirugía de la endocarditis infecciosa: experiencia de un centro

Resumen: Introducción: La trombocitopenia preoperatoria se ha relacionado con un peor pronóstico en la endocarditis infecciosa. Objetivo: Valorar la influencia de la trombocitopenia en la cirugía de la endocarditis infecciosa en nuestra serie. Métodos: Análisis retrospectivo unicéntrico de los pacientes intervenidos por endocarditis infecciosa entre 2002 y 2016. Análisis de supervivencia a corto y a largo plazo, estratificado en función de la presencia de trombocitopenia (recuento plaquetario < 150.000 plaquetas/mm3). Resultados: Se incluyeron 180 pacientes, el 32,4% con trombocitopenia. La trombocitopenia fue un marcador independiente de sepsis debido a que, aunque las características preoperatorias eran similares entre ambos grupos, existió mayor proporción de shock séptico, necesidad de inotrópicos y ventilación mecánica preoperatoria en el grupo con trombocitopenia. Observamos una fuerte asociación entre trombocitopenia y mortalidad precoz (odds ratio: 3,41; IC 95%: 1,66-7,02; p = 0,001). Se analizó la asociación de trombocitopenia con la mortalidad tardía, en los pacientes supervivientes, con un seguimiento mediano de 85 meses. La trombocitopenia se asoció a un aumento significativo de la mortalidad tardía (hazard ratio 2,35: IC 95%: 1,16-4,74; p = 0,017) y una mayor tasa de reinfección (20,8 vs. 6,9%; p = 0,013). El Risk-E score es la única escala de riesgo específico que incluye la trombocitopenia, su cálculo en nuestra muestra demostró una correcta calibración (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0,35) y discriminación (área bajo la curva ROC = 0,76). Conclusión: La trombocitopenia se asocia con el aumento de mortalidad. Dado su impacto en la supervivencia, se debe valorar el empleo de escalas de predicción que incluyan la trombocitopenia como factor de riesgo. Abstract: Introduction: Preoperative thrombocytopenia has been associated with worse prognosis in infective endocarditis. Objective: Assess the influence of thrombocytopenia in infective endocarditis surgery in our sample. Methods: Retrospective, single-center analysis of patients operated on for infective endocarditis between 2002 and 2016. Short-term and long-term survival analysis was performed, stratified according to the presence of thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150,000 platelets/mm3). Results: 180 patients were included, 32.4% of the patients suffered from thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia was an independent marker of sepsis. Although patient preoperative characteristics were similar between both groups, there was a higher proportion of septic shock, need of inotropic support and preoperative mechanical ventilation in the group with thrombocytopenia. A strong association between thrombocytopenia and early mortality (Odds Ratio: 3.41, 95%CI: 1.66-7.02, P = .001) was observed. The association between thrombocytopenia and late mortality was analyzed in the surviving patients, with a median follow-up time of 85 months. Thrombocytopenia was associated with a significant increase in late mortality (Hazard Ratio: 2.35; 95%CI: 1.16-4.74, P = .017) and a higher rate of reinfection (20.8% vs 6.9%, p = 0.013). Risk-E score is the only specific risk score that includes thrombocytopenia. Its calculation in our sample showed a correct calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow P = .35) and discrimination (area under the ROC curve = 0.76). Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia is associated with increased mortality. Given its impact on survival, the use of the specific scores that included thrombocytopenia as prognostic factor should be considered. Palabras clave: Endocarditis, Trombocitopenia, Pronóstico, Mortalidad, Keywords: Endocarditis, Thrombocytopenia, Prognosis, Mortalit