Intra-study and inter-technique validation of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging derived left atrial ejection fraction as a prognostic biomarker in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

AbstractThe aim of this study was to assess the agreements of both biplane and short-axis Simpson ’s (SAX) methods for left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF) calculation utilising cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and evaluate their relation to clinical outcomes. One hundred and thirty six subjects (HFpEF n = 97, control s n = 39) underwent CMR, six-minute walk tests and blood sampling in our prospective, observational, single-centre study. Overall, LAEF (%) was lower in HFpEF patients compared to controls (SAX 34 ± 13 vs 47 ± 8, biplane 34 ± 16 vs 51 ± 11; p <  0.0001 for both). Atrial fibrillation (AF) was present in 24% of HFpEF and was associated with higher LA volumes and lower LAEF compared to sinus rhythm (p <  0.0001) with both methods. Biplane LAEF correlated strongly with SAX measurements (overall Pearson’s r = 0.851, sinus rhythm r = 0.651, AF r = 0.882; p <  0.0001). Biplane LAEF did not differ significantly compared to SAX LAEF (overall 34 ± 16 vs 34 ± 13%; p = 0.307) except in AF subjects in whom biplane LAEF was lower (mean difference 2 ± 4%, p = 0.013). There were 44 composite events (25 deaths, 19 HF hospitalizations) in H FpEF during median follow-up of 1429 days. LAEF below the median was associated with increased risk of composite endpoints (Log-Rank biplane p <  0.0001; SAX p = 0.009). In...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research