While there were strong correlations in left ventricular mechanical dispersion (LVMD) among softwares, the confidence interval for the agreement in LVMD measurements among softwares were wide, according to new research presented during AHA 2019 in Philadelphia, PA, and published Nov. 11 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Yoshihito Saijo, MD, et al, looked at software variability in measuring LVMD in 36 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 18 patients with cardiac amyloidosis and 16 with normal systolic and diastolic function (the control group). Researchers acquired and analyzed images from apical 4-, 2- and 3-chamber views using three different ultrasound machine types (GE Vivid7 or Vivid9; Acuson Sequoia SC2000; and EPIQ 7C).

Results showed images were recorded with frame rate of 85±23 beats per minute (bpm) for GE images, 51±3 bpm for Philips images, and 68±6 bpm for Siemens images. LV mass index was 82±23 g/m2 in the control group, 125±37 g/m2 in the HCM group, and 151±30 g/m2 in the amyloid group (p <0.001). LVMD was 38±7 ms in the control group, 65±15 ms in HCM patients, and 64±20 ms in amyloid patients (p <0.001).

According to the researchers, the average LVMD values for individual software packages in all subjects ranged from 52 ms to 62 ms. They also noted that Bland-Altman agreement plots revealed relatively wide confidence intervals for agreement in LVMD measurements among individual softwares when compared to aggregate mean of the others.

Based on their findings, the study authors recommend that "cut-off values for abnormal LVMD should be software specific as the difference in LVMD measurements between patients with and without the risk of untoward event (death or ventricular arrhythmia) may be relatively small compared with variations among softwares."

Clinical Topics: Arrhythmias and Clinical EP, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies, Implantable Devices, SCD/Ventricular Arrhythmias, Atrial Fibrillation/Supraventricular Arrhythmias

Keywords: AHA19, AHA Annual Scientific Sessions, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular, Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic, Systole, Diastole, Amyloidosis, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Software

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