Predictors of shear wave propagation speed assessed by shear wave elastography

Abstract Background Cardiac shear wave elastography (SWE) is a novel ultrasound-based method that assesses the propagation speed of waves travelling in myocardium induced by e.g. mitral valve closure (MVC). The these related to stiffness myocardium. capability SWE evaluate myocardial has already been demonstrated several publications. However, which factors beside intrinsic mechanical properties influence vivo not extensively investigated. Purpose aim this study was investigate clinical parameters as well echocardiographic indicators tissue and left ventricular (LV) filling pressures on after MVC. Methods 219 subjects (59±17 years; 140 males) were included study. Of those, 49 healthy volunteers, 25 patients with cardiac amyloidosis, 42 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 35 hypertensive heart disease 68 coronary artery disease. Subjects scanned an experimental ultrasound scanner using diverging imaging acquire images at high temporal resolution (average frame rate: 1167±414 Hz). Shear MVC visualized M-mode maps along interventricular septum colour coded for acceleration (Figure 1). calculated semi-automatically measuring spatiotemporal slope wave. Univariate multivariate linear regression analysis performed identify variables associated speed. Results revealed association following speed: age, BMI, systolic blood pressure, E wave, average e', E/e', atrial volume index (LAVI), grade diastolic dysfunction, isovolumic relaxation time, septal wall thickness, LV mass presence cardiomyopathy. These added model. Predictors LAVI, cardiomyopathy (R2=0.53) (Table Conclusions results indicate both structural (reflected predictors cardiomyopathy) e' LAVI) affect findings suggest potential assess functional changes LV, should be further explored. Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main source(s): Research foundation Flanders - FWO