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Cardiology Research

Original Article

Volume 10, Number 2, April 2019, pages 83-88

Assessment of Mitral Annular Plane Systolic Excursion in Patients With Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction

Mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) represents a useful surrogate of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function and has been long used as a complimentary measure to ejection fraction (EF) [1]. Additionally, MAPSE has been suggested as an important prognostic factor in the risk stratification for patients with atrial fibrillation, post-myocardial infarction and heart failure [2-5]. As a marker of longitudinal systolic function, it may have increased sensitivity over traditional methods of systolic performance such as EF, at times aiding in detection of early systolic dysfunction. Furthermore, good correlation with longitudinal strain measurements has been previously reported [6]. However, strain measurements are not only always infeasible, especially in patients with poor echocardiographic window, but also not widely available in all echocardiographic laboratories for day-to-day clinical studies.

Conceptually, the mitral annulus (MA) lies between two different structures (left atrium (LA) and LV). Therefore, it stands to reason that geometrical distortions in both chambers may affect the excursion of the mitral apparatus from base to apex. However, although many studies highlight the importance of MAPSE in the assessment of longitudinal systolic function [1], little is known about its role in LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) with or without associated reduced systolic function.

Our group has recently highlighted the relationship between MA ascent motion and changes in LA pressure [7]. However, whether this atrio-ventricular coupling was the result of chamber geometry or anatomic continuity was never determined. Hence, since MA is both anatomically and functionally related to this left atrio-ventricular dependence, we now sought to identify both clinical and echocardiographic determinants of MAPSE in patients with LVDD in view of recent data suggesting that MAPSE might be a promising tool in the stratification of LVDD in obese adults with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [8].

Study approval was obtained from the University of Cincinnati Institutional Board Review (Protocol # 12061302) and since this was a retrospective study, no informed consent was therefore needed. Data was collected over a 3-month period using a consecutive sample technique. Our echocardiographic database was queried for studies of patients with any indication of echocardiography in normal sinus rhythm with no ectopy or any other arrhythmia and no significant left-sided valvular disease. Also, M-mode and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the MA were required from all individuals as well as a good acoustic window. Patients with stage 3 LVDD were excluded, as we considered that the significant LV systolic dysfunction observed in these patients could be an important cofounder in the assessment of possible associations between LVDD and MAPSE.

The studied population was allocated into three groups: LVDD 0, LVDD 1 and LVDD 2, in accordance with LVDD stages recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines [9].

Two-dimensional echocardiographic studies were performed using commercially available systems (Vivid 7 and 9; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA). Images were obtained in the parasternal and apical views with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position and in the subcostal view with the patient in the supine position using a 3.5 MHz transducer. Standard two-dimensional, color, pulsed, and continuous-wave Doppler data were digitally acquired in gently held end-expiration, and saved in regular cine loop format for subsequent offline analysis.

Additionally, a complete spectral Doppler study was also performed to examine LV diastolic function in accordance with American Society of Echocardiography guidelines [9]. LV diastolic function was classified as normal (LVDD 0), impaired relaxation (LVDD 1), and pseudonormal pattern (LVDD 2). All echocardiographic parameters including LV volumes, LVEF, left atrial volume index, LV mass, MAPSE, and all Doppler variables used to determine LV diastolic function were measured as previously reported by our group [10, 11].

All echocardiographic parameters were calculated using the commercially available software Merge Cardio Workstation (Merge Healthcare). Baseline characteristics were compared among groups using Chi-square for categorical data and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction for continuous variables assuming equal variances. A simple linear regression test was used to determine the correlation between all measurements and MAPSE. Additionally, a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine which of the correlated parameters was the best predictor of maximal of MA motion. Finally, a linear regression model was obtained to determine the contribution of age and LVEF toward MAPSE and a two-way contour plot was illustrated to better understand such contribution. Reliability of these measurements has already been published [7]. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS software version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA), and P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

A total of 107 patients with echocardiographic studies performed for any clinical indication met inclusion criteria. They were divided into three groups based on left ventricular diastolic function: LVDD 0 with no diastolic dysfunction (n = 23), LVDD 1 with impaired LV relaxation (n = 43) and LVDD 2 with pseudonormal pattern (n = 41). Table 1 shows clinical and echocardiographic characteristics of the study population. Gender and body surface area (BSA) were the only studied variables that were not associated with the LVDD stage (P > 0.05). Moreover, the mean MAPSE was 1.22 ± 0.32 cm and one-way ANOVA revealed that MAPSE was significantly different between the three LVDD groups (P < 0.01) (Fig. 1).

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Table 1. Demographic and Echocardiographic Data of the Study Population

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Figure 1. (a) Distribution of MAPSE by LVDD group. (b) Least square means adjustment for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni correction. The graphic shows significant differences between all the possible group pairs (LVDD 0 vs. 1; LVDD 0 vs. 2; LVDD 1 vs. 2).

Significant linear correlation was observed between MAPSE and most of evaluated variables. Interestingly, age, LVDD, LA volume index (LAVI), LV mass index (LVMI), mitral velocity (MV) E/A and MV E/MA TDI E’ ratios were inversely correlated with MAPSE (P < 0.05). All the remaining variables showed a positive linear correlation (P < 0.05) with the exception of gender, BSA, MV E and MA TDI E’/A’ (Table 2). When groups of LVDD stages 1 and 2 were separately correlated with MAPSE using as a reference LVDD, we observed that the correlation coefficient significantly decreased as the LVDD worsened (-0.2114 and -0.4257, P < 0.01, respectively).

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Table 2. Simple Linear Regression Analysis Between Evaluated Variables and MAPSE

All the relevant clinical and echocardiographic variables associated with MAPSE were evaluated by a stepwise selection method. As shown in Table 3, an initial multiple linear regression analysis was performed with age, LVEF, LAVI, LVMI and MV E/MA TDI E’. LVDD was included as a dummy variable, being the reference value LVDD 0, and both LVDD 1 and 2 were considered together as one category LVDD. Only age, LVEF and LVMI were significantly associated with MAPSE after adjusting for all evaluated variables. Hence, a nested model was constructed with age and LVEF and the final equation is represented as follow: MAPSE = 0.9063 - 0.0076*Age + 0.0113*LVEF.

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Table 3. Stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis to Determine the Best Predictors of MAPSE

Overall, 46% of the MAPSE variation was explained by this model (R² = 0.4596, P < 0.01). A model diagnostics analysis shows a normal distribution of residuals and a good direct visual correlation between the observed versus fitted MAPSE values (Fig. 2). However, to ease the interpretation of the final model, a two-way contour illustrative graphic is depicted in Figure 3. Notice that a 60-year-old individual with a LVEF of 60% should have a MAPSE close to 1.2 cm, while in the case of an 80-year-old person with a LVEF of 30%, the MAPSE value should fall between 0.6 - 0.8 cm.

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Figure 2. Model diagnostics analysis. (a) Q-Q plot for normality analysis of residuals showing a normal distribution. (b) Observed versus fitted MAPSE showing a good visual correlation. Q-Q: quantile-quantile.

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Figure 3. Contour fit plot for MAPSE by age and left ventricular ejection fraction.

Based on our results, the process of normal aging as well as increases in LV mass both diminish the longitudinal function of the LV reflected by a decreased MAPSE. Similarly, LVEF and mitral valve (MV) deceleration were positively associated with MAPSE. However, left atrial volume and pressure (as estimated by MV E / MA TDI E’ ratio) parameters were not correlated with MAPSE after adjusting for possible confounders, suggesting minimal contribution of the left atrial volumetric and pressure parameters to MA descent.

Several studies have shown a tendency to have a decreased MAPSE in hypertensive patients with normal systolic function [12, 13]. It is theorized that changes in subendocardial longitudinal fibers lead to a decreased base-to-apex contractility, which is compensated in the early stages by augmented radial function, thereby preserving EF.

MA motion has been also associated with abnormal LV diastolic filling pressures and elevated LV mass [14]. Some studies have also revealed that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels correlate with worsening MAPSE [15]. It is possible that high filling pressures generated by the LA restrict the net ascent of the MA, therefore diminishing its net descent. MAPSE may therefore be a sensitive marker of global LV function.

Moreover, we proposed a simplified model to predict MAPSE by multiple regression analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which an algorithm to predict MA motion in LVDD patients has been developed. Additionally, a graphical representation was illustrated to ease the model interpretation. However, whether this algorithm may have clinical relevance needs to be further tested.

Our study has some limitations. First, it is of retrospective nature and has a small simple size. Second, our results may not be generalizable to patients with arrhythmias and/or significant valvular disease, as they were excluded. Third, we had no speckle tracking imaging information; consequently, information that could improve the impact of MAPSE in LVDD was not included. However, we show preliminary results in the assessment of MA motion in diastolic dysfunction that might set a benchmark to further speckle tracking studies. Likewise, it would be interested to have included cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance data considering recent report of Rangarajan et al and associates on the impact of reduced long axis function over major adverse cardiovascular events [6]. Finally, although recommendations for the evaluation of LV diastolic function by echocardiography have been recently updated [16], yet most of LVDD patients remain under this classification by new guidelines. Thus, since echocardiographic measurement of MAPSE remains unchanged, we anticipate that our results would not have significantly differed if recent LVDD classification criteria are used.

In summary, our study highlights the importance of age and LV measures in determining MAPSE in patients with diastolic dysfunction. Furthermore, a simplified model to predict MAPSE based on age and LVEF with an appropriate illustrative representation to ease its interpretation is proposed. Additional studies are now warranted to explore whether a reduced MAPSE may affect the symptomatic profile or the overall prognosis in LVDD patients.

Acknowledgments

None to declare.

Funding

This publication was partially supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health Award Numbers U54MD007587, U54MD007600, S21MD001830, and CCTRECD-R25MD007607. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Conflict of Interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Informed Consent

Not applicable.

Author Contributions

None to declare.

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