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LVGFI is a strong, independent predictor of incident HF and CVD that provides incremental prognostic value compared with LVEF. Male sex, black race, obesity, hypertension, and smoking are associated with worse LVGFI in the early adult lifespan.

Background Strain and strain rate are sensitive markers of left ventricular (LV) myocardial function. This study sought to assess reference ranges and regional patterns of LV strain and strain rate using two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in a large black and white population. Methods This study involved a retrospective review of prospectively collected images in 557 CARDIA study participants who remained healthy at the year-25 examination. LV deformation parameters were measured in apical four-chamber, apical two-chamber and parasternal short-axis views in 509, 391 and 521 subjects respectively. Results Mean age was 49.6 ± 3.6 years, 61.6% women and 69.5% white. White women showed the highest LV systolic and diastolic deformation values, reflected by more negative reference range for apical four-chamber longitudinal strain [−16.4% (95% prediction interval: −20.8 to −12.0)], and higher positive reference range for early diastolic strain rate [0.93 (1/s) (95% PI: 0.41 to 1.46)] respectively. The lowest LV systolic and diastolic deformation values were found in black men, with apical four-chamber longitudinal strain [14.7% (95% PI: −19.1 to −10.3)] and early diastolic strain rate [0.79 (1/s) (95% PI: 0.42 to 1.16)]. Absolute strain increased from the epicardium toward the endocardium. A base-to-apex gradient of longitudinal strain toward the apex is exhibited in inferior and inferoseptal regions and, in contrast, in the opposite direction in anterior and anterolateral walls. Sex had the strongest influence on LV deformation variability. Conclusions Strain and strain rate reference values were sex-and race-related. White women showed the highest reference ranges for LV deformation, while the lowest values were found in black men. Significant layer- and level-specific patterns in regional LV deformation were identified.

The prolonged use of DIPY in this experimental model of CCC has reduced the rest myocardial perfusion defects, supporting the notion that those areas correspond to viable hypoperfused myocardium.

Aims Cumulative blood pressure (BP) is a measure that incorporates the severity and duration of BP exposure. The prognostic significance of cumulative BP in young adults for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in comparison to BP severity alone is, however, unclear. Methods and results We investigated 3667 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults participants who attended six visits over 15 years (year-0 (1985–1986), year-2, year-5, year-7, year-l0, and year-15 exams). Cumulative BP was calculated as the area under the curve (mmHg × years) from year 0 through year 15. Cox models assessed the association between cumulative BP (year 0 through year 15), current BP (year 15), and BP change (year 0 and year 15) and CVD outcomes. Mean (standard deviation) age at year 15 was 40.2 (3.6) years, 44.1% were men, and 44.1% were African-American. Over a median follow-up of 16 years, there were 47 heart failure (HF), 103 coronary heart disease (CHD), 71 stroke, and 191 CVD events. Cumulative systolic BP (SBP) was associated with HF (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.14 (1.58–2.90)), CHD (HR = 1.49 (1.19–1.87)), stroke (HR = 1.81 (1.38–2.37)), and CVD (HR = 1.73 (1.47–2.05)). For CVD, the C-statistic for SBP (year 15) was 0.69 (0.65–0.73) and change in C-statistic with the inclusion of SBP change and cumulative SBP was 0.60 (0.56–0.65) and 0.72 (0.69–0.76), respectively. For CVD, using year-15 SBP as a reference, the net reclassification index (NRI) for cumulative SBP was 0.40 ( p < 0.0001) and the NRI for SBP change was 0.22 ( p = 0.001). Conclusions Cumulative BP in young adults was associated with the subsequent risk of HF, CHD, stroke, and CVD. Cumulative BP provided incremental prognostic value and improved risk reclassification for CVD, when compared to single BP assessments or changes in BP.

IMPORTANCE Long-term blood pressure (BP) variability has emerged as a reproducible measure that is associated with heart failure independent of systemic BP. Visit-to-visit BP variability may be associated with the risk of heart failure early in the life course and thus may be reflected in subclinical alterations in cardiac structure and function.OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between visit-to-visit BP variability in early adulthood and myocardial structure and function in middle age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTSThis cohort study used data from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a community-based cohort study of 5115 participants aged 18 to 30 years at baseline (year 0; March 25, 1985, to June 7, 1986 and followed up over a 30-year interval. A total of 2400 CARDIA study participants underwent evaluation at 4 field sites

CRF in young adulthood and CRF change were associated with measures of LV systolic function and diastolic filling pressure in middle age. Low CRF-associated abnormalities in systolic function were related to the associated higher cardiovascular risk factor burden. In contrast, the inverse association between CRF and LV diastolic filling pressure was independent of cardiovascular risk factor burden.

Chagas disease (CD) will account for 200,000 cardiovascular deaths worldwide over the next 5 years. Early detection of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a challenge. We aimed to test if speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) can detect incipient myocardial damage in CD. METHODS: Among 325 individuals with positive serological tests, 25 (age 55±12yrs) were selected to compose the group with indeterminate form of Chagas disease (IFCD), based on stringent criteria of being asymptomatic and with normal EKG/X-ray studies. This group was compared with a group of 20 patients with CCC (55±11yrs) and a group of 20 non-infected matched control (NC) subjects (48±10yrs). CD patients and NC were submitted to STE and CD patients were submitted to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium administration to detect cardiac fibrosis by the late enhancement technique. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential (GCS) and radial strain (GRS) were defined as the average of segments measured from three apical view (GLS) and short axis views (GRS and GCS). Regional left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (Reg LS) was measured from each of the 17 segments. Twist was measured as systolic peak difference between basal and apical rotation and indexed to LV length to express torsion. RESULTS: STE global indices (GLS, GCS, twist and torsion) were reduced in CCC vs NC (GLS: -14±6.3% vs -19.3±1.6%, p = 0.001; GCS: -13.6±5.2% vs -17.3 ±2.8%; p = 0.008; twist: 8±7° vs 14±7°, p = 0.01 and torsion: 0.96±1°/cm vs 1.9±1°/cm, p = 0.005), but showed no differences in IFCD vs NC. RegLS was reduced in IFCD vs NC in four LV segments: basal-inferior (-16.3±3.3% vs -18.6±2.2%, p = 0.013), basal inferoseptal (-13.1±3.4 vs -15.2±2.7, p = 0.019), mid-inferoseptal (-17.7±3.2 vs -19.4±2, p = 0.032) and mid-inferolateral (-15.2±3.5 vs -17.8±2.8, p = 0.014). These abnormalities in RegLS occurred in the absence of myocardial fibrosis detectable with CMR in nearly 92% of subjects with IFCD, while myocardial fibrosis was present in 65% with CCC. CONCLUSION: RegLS detects early regional impairment of myocardial strain that is independent from fibrosis in IFCD subjects.