End-diastolic wall thickness as a predictor of recovery of function in myocardial hibernation

Jucylea M. Cwajg, Eduardo Cwajg, Sherif Nagueh, Zuo Xiang He, Usman Qureshi, Leopoldo I. Olmos, Miguel A. Quiñones, Mario S. Verani, William L. Winters, Jr., William A. Zoghbi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

171 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives. The study assessed whether end-diastolic wall thickness (EDWT), measured with echocardiography, is an important marker of myocardial viability in patients with suspected myocardial hibernation, and it compared this index to currently established diagnostic modalities of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and rest-redistribution thallium-201 (Tl-201) scintigraphy. Background. Because myocardial necrosis is associated with myocardial thinning, preserved EDWT may provide a simple index of myocardial viability that is readily available from the resting echocardiogram. Methods. Accordingly, 45 patients with stable coronary artery disease and ventricular dysfunction underwent rest 2D echocardiograms, DSE and rest- redistribution Tl-201 tomography before revascularization and a repeat resting echocardiogram ≥2 months later. Results. Global wall motion score index decreased from 2.38 ± 0.73 to 1.94 ± 0.82 after revascularization (p < 0.001). Thirty-eight percent of severely dysfunctional segments recovered resting function. Compared to segments without recovery of resting function, those with recovery had greater EDWT (0.94 ± 0.18 cm vs. 0.67 ± 0.22 cm, p ≤ 0.0001) and a higher Tl-201 uptake (78 ± 13% vs. 59 ± 21%; p < 0.0001). An EDWT >0.6 cm had a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 48% for recovery of function. Similarly, a Tl-201 maximal uptake of ≥60% had a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 50%. Receiver operating characteristic curves for prediction of recovery of regional and global function were similar for EDWT and maximum Tl-201 uptake. Combination of EDWT and any contractile reserve during DSE for recovery of regional function improved the specificity to 77% without a significant loss in sensitivity (88%). Conclusions. End-diastolic wall thickness is an important marker of myocardial viability in patients with suspected hibernation, and it can predict recovery of function similar to Tl-201 scintigraphy. Importantly, a simple measurement of EDWT ≤0.6 cm virtually excludes the potential for recovery of function and is a valuable adjunct to DSE in the assessment of myocardial viability. (C) 2000 by the American College of Cardiology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1152-1161
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume35
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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