Background Myocardial injury is frequent among patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanisms of myocardial injury remain unclear and prior studies have not reported cardiovascular imaging data. Objectives This study sought to characterize the echocardiographic abnormalities associated with myocardial injury and their prognostic impact in patients with COVID-19. Methods We conducted an international, multicenter cohort study including 7 hospitals in New York City and Milan of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who had undergone transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) and electrocardiographic evaluation during their index hospitalization. Myocardial injury was defined as any elevation in cardiac troponin at the time of clinical presentation or during the hospitalization. Results A total of 305 patients were included. Mean age was 63 years and 205 patients (67.2%) were male. Overall, myocardial injury was observed in 190 patients (62.3%). Compared with patients without myocardial injury, those with myocardial injury had more electrocardiographic abnormalities, higher inflammatory biomarkers and an increased prevalence of major echocardiographic abnormalities that included left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, global left ventricular dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction grade II or III, right ventricular dysfunction and pericardial effusions. Rates of in-hospital mortality were 5.2%, 18.6%, and 31.7% in patients without myocardial injury, with myocardial injury without TTE abnormalities, and with myocardial injury and TTE abnormalities. Following multivariable adjustment, myocardial injury with TTE abnormalities was associated with higher risk of death but not myocardial injury without TTE abnormalities. Conclusions Among patients with COVID-19 who underwent TTE, cardiac structural abnormalities were present in nearly two-thirds of patients with myocardial injury. Myocardial injury was associated with increased in-hospital mortality particularly if echocardiographic abnormalities were present.

Background: Myocardial strain assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography is a sensitive marker of cardiac dysfunction. Both left-ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RV-LS) were affected by severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, data about cardiac involvement in patients with asymptomatic/mild Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still lacking.Aim: To evaluate myocardial function using LV-GLS and RV-LS in patients with previous asymptomatic/mild COVID-19.Methods: Forty young adults without previously known comorbidities/cardiovascular risk factors and with a confirmed diagnosis of asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection were retrospectively included. A 2D-transthoracic echocardiogram with speckle tracking analysis was performed at least 3 months after the diagnosis. Forty healthy subjects, matched for age, sex, and body surface area in a 1:1 ratio were used as the control group.Results: Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV-LS were comparable between the two groups. LV-GLS was significantly lower in the cases compared to the control group (−22.7 ± 1.6% vs. −25.7 ± 2.3%; p < .001). Moreover, the prevalence of regional peak systolic strain below −16% in at least two segments was three times higher in patients with previous COVID-19 compared to controls (30% vs. 10%, p = .02). In multivariable logistic regression, previous COVID-19 infection was independently associated with reduced LV-GLS values (p < .001). Conclusion:SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect left ventricular deformation in 30% of young adult patients despite an asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic acute illness. Speckle-tracking echocardiography could help early identification of patients with subclinical cardiac involvement, with potential repercussions on risk stratification and management.

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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Myocardial strain assessed with speckle tracking echocardiography is a sensitive marker of cardiac dysfunction, with long-term prognostic value in many cardiac conditions. Both left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and right ventricular longitudinal strain (RV-LS) were affected by severe SARS-CoV 2 infection but little is known about cardiac involvement in patients with asymptomatic/mild disease that did not require hospitalization.  Aim To assess if subclinical myocardial dysfunction could be identified using LV-GLS and RV-LS in patients with previous asymptomatic/mild SARS-CoV 2 infection. Methods 40 young adults patients (70% males, mean age 24.4 ± 8.4 years), who had a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and were asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, without previous known comorbidities/cardiovascular risk factors, were retrospectively included. Patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiogram and speckle tracking echocardiographic study at least 3 months after diagnosis. A total of 44 age, sex, and body surface area comparable healthy subjects were used as control group.  Results LV-GLS was within normal limits but significantly lower in the cases group compared to controls (-22.7 ± 1.6% vs. -25.7 ± 2.3%; p &lt; 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction (63.3 ± 4.1% vs 63.9 ± 4.6%; p = 0.5), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (24.3 ± 3.7 vs. 23.7 ± 3.3; p = 0.5) and RV-LS (-23.2 ± 3 vs. -23.6 ± 2.7; p = 0.6) were comparable between the two groups. Moreover, in the infection group, there were 25 subjects (30.1% vs 9.6% in the control group, p &lt; 0.001) with a regional peak systolic strain of the left ventricle below -16% in at least two segments. At multivariable logistic regression corrected for age, gender and body surface area, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was an independent predictor of reduced LV-GLS values (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection may affect left ventricular deformation in 30% of young adults patients despite an asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic acute illness.  Speckle tracking echocardiography could help in early identification of patients with subclinical cardiac involvement. Since long-term complications of COVID-19 are not yet known, myocardial deformation imaging could be important for risk stratification, treatment and planning of long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is a rare correctable congenital heart lesion. According to the modified World Health Organization classification (mWHO) of maternal cardiovascular risk, pregnant patients with successfully repaired TAPVC are at low cardiovascular risk (mWHO class I), but the risk rises to mWHO class III if left ventricular (LV) impairment and ventricular arrhythmias are present. CASE SUMMARY A 34 years old woman with corrected supracardiac TAPVC, pregnant with a spontaneous monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy (TP) complicated by twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) was referred to the cardiologist in preparation for fetoscopic laser coagulation (FLC). She was born with a TAPVC to the innominate vein associated with an atrial septal defect (ASD), repaired at the age of 3 months by anastomosing the PVC to the posterolateral wall of the left atrium and closure of the ASD with a pericardial patch. At follow up a few years later she developed asymptomatic mild LV dysfunction and alternating brady and tachyarrhythmias including non-sustained ventricular tachycardias (NSVT). At 17th weeks of gestation she presented mild dyspnoea (NYHA functional class II) and an alternance of sinus bradycardia, atrial fibrillation and NSVT. 2D echocardiography showed moderate LV dilatation and dysfunction (LVEF 47%). She was treated with loop-diuretics, but refused antiarrhythmic and anticoagulant therapy. At 19th weeks, TTTS was diagnosed and successful FLC of placental anastomoses was carried out. Symptomatic worsening of LV function and functional class developed in the ensuing weeks (NYHA III, LVEF 40%). Induction of foetal lung maturity with maternal administration of steroids was carried out at 28 weeks but stopped because of spontaneous preterm labour. After delivery, the arrhythmic burden increased to the point of requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) where pacemaker implant was indicated, but refused by the patient. Diuretics and ACE-inhibitors were titrated, but no beta-blockers nor other antiarrhythmics could be started due to intermittent av block. At discharge, the patient was asymptomatic at rest and there were no clinical signs of heart failure. At 17 months of follow-up, she was still asymptomatic, though LV function remained poor. The 2 newborns were discharged after a stormy 4 months in the neonatal ICU and are still being treated for bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the sequels of intraventricular haemorrages. DISCUSSION We are not aware of other described twin pregnancies in repaired TAPVC with residual LV dysfunction and arrhythmia. As the haemodynamic load of twin pregnancy is more severe and the twin pregnancy itself at high risk both for prematurity and maternal cardiac deterioration, evaluation by a Specialist Multidisciplinary referral Unit should occur before conception especially in mNYHA class III and higher, as per current guidelines. Abstract P1265 Figure. Image 1

Background MitraClip system is a device for percutaneous edge-to-edge repair of the mitral valve in symptomatic patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) not eligible for surgery, but frequently heart failure symptoms remain substantial on mid-term follow-up. Recently, right ventricular (RV) to pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling has emerged as a relevant prognostic predictor in heart failure but little is known about its prognostic role in patients after MitraClip implantation. Purpose To identify echocardiographic predictors of clinical outcome after MitraClip procedure, with a particular focus on RV-PA coupling. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with severe MR who underwent MitraClip implantation between April 2015 and October 2019 at our Institution. Echocardiographic data were assessed at baseline, 3 and 12 months after the procedure; RV to PA coupling was assessed using the ratio between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). Functional class was assessed at 12 months of follow-up. Significance level was set to 0.05 and SPSS was used for statistical analysis. Results 41 patients were included (age 77.1±7.3, 71% male, BMI 25.8±5.5). MR was primary, functional and mixed in 22, 76 and 2% of patients, respectively. 1/2/3 mitraclips were implanted in 39/56/5% of patients, respectively. Echocardiographic data at baseline, at 3 and 12 months follow-up are shown in Table. NYHA class at 12 months significantly correlated with TAPSE and PASP at 3 months follow-up echocardiogram (beta coefficient −0.83 and 0.78 respectively). On the contrary, NYHA class did not show a correlation with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or residual MR grade. At 12 months 44% of patients showed an improvement in NYHA class; these patients had a better TAPSE (22.7±1.3 vs 19.4±4.6 mm), a lower PASP (37.9±10.2 vs 48.5±12.9 mmHg) and a better TAPSE/PASP (0.61±0.2 vs 0.42±0.2) compared to patients who did not improve their functional class, while LVEF and residual MR did not differ. Conclusion In this sample of significant MR undergoing repair with MitraClip System, patients with functional class improvement at 12 months follow-up showed a better RV-coupling without difference in LV function and residual MR. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Table 1

The behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by modifications of personality, social behavior and cognition and relies on a neurodegenerative process [1]. However, vascular lesions affecting subcortical structures, mainly the caudate nucleus and thalamus, may result in a clinical syndrome resembling bvFTD [2,3].We report a case of paramedian thalamic stroke mimicking frontotemporal dementia. A 58-year-old righthanded man was referred to our hospital because of behavioral and cognitive changes formerly diagnosed as bvFTD. His medical history was negative for previous illness and the patient neither smoked nor drank alcohol. In July 2010, the patient suddenly presented with loss of consciousness and was admitted to a nearby hospital. After a few days the decreased level of consciousness resolved and he developed amnesia and personality changes such as disinhibition, apathy and loss of selfactivation. Toxicological exams, routine CSF analysis including total proteins, count cell, glucose and CSF culture were normal at admission. CT scan performed within twelve hours the onset of disturbances was also normal. The patient was diagnosed as affected by a conversion disorder. Because of the disturbances, the patient left his job and moved to live with his sister since he was not able to care for himself. After 6 months, the patient was submitted to a neuropsychological screening, showing an impairment of executive functions and amnesia. A diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia was supposed. The patient was referred to our Center in January 2011. The neurological examination was normal. Neuropsychological tests confirmed an alteration of executive functions as well as verbal and visual memory deficits. This was coupled with behavioral disturbances of apathy and depression. Brain MRI showed a mild frontotemporal atrophy with ventricular dilatation but also a left thalamic infarct in the paramedian territory (Fig. 1). The patient started therapy with paroxetine (20 mg/day) and memantine (10 mg/day). At 6-month and 1-year, follow-up neuropsychological test showed a further recovery of cognitive functions and behavioral disturbances (Table 1). The caregivers also reported a gradual improvement of disturbances since the onset. Brain CT confirmed thalamic infarction. We made a diagnosis of a thalamic stroke as the cause of dementia, because of the sudden onset and the gradual improvement of the clinical syndrome and the correspondent finding of an ischemic lesion. Routine blood tests, hemocoagulative screening and autoantibody pattern were normal. Electrocardiogram and carotid ultrasonography did not show any alterations. The transthoracic echocardiogram, the transcranial Doppler sonography and the transoesophageal echocardiography detected the patent foramen ovale (PFO) and the patient was started anticoagulant therapy. After 2 years, the