Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance

Apical sparing is an echocardiographic pattern where myocardial strain is preserved at the apex compared to the basal segments. In a normal heart, longitudinal strain shows a gradient with lower values at the base and higher at the apex. This gradient becomes more pronounced in pathological states,...

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Main Authors: Marina Leitman, Vladimir Tyomkin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-08-01
Series:Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/9/262
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author Marina Leitman
Vladimir Tyomkin
author_facet Marina Leitman
Vladimir Tyomkin
author_sort Marina Leitman
collection DOAJ
description Apical sparing is an echocardiographic pattern where myocardial strain is preserved at the apex compared to the basal segments. In a normal heart, longitudinal strain shows a gradient with lower values at the base and higher at the apex. This gradient becomes more pronounced in pathological states, such as cardiac amyloidosis, resulting in a relative apical sparing effect. This study explores cardiac conditions associated with apical sparing and the underlying mechanisms. We reviewed echocardiography examinations reporting apical sparing from 2021 to 2024 in our hospital database. Relevant echo exams and clinical data were retrieved and analyzed. Apical sparing was identified in 74 patients. Cardiac amyloidosis was diagnosed in 12 patients (16.2%). Other cardiac pathologies potentially contributing to apical sparing included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension, end-stage renal disease, coronary artery disease (involving the right coronary artery and left circumflex), reversed Takotsubo syndrome, and chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. The clinical context of echocardiography was crucial in guiding the diagnostic work-up. Apical sparing is a nonspecific echocardiographic finding associated with various cardiac conditions. Its diagnostic value depends heavily on the clinical context. Understanding the broader clinical picture is essential for accurate interpretation and diagnosis.
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spelling doaj-art-2bb6a00980a648d5a750eb2e8e4efe522025-08-20T01:55:34ZengMDPI AGJournal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease2308-34252024-08-0111926210.3390/jcdd11090262Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical SignificanceMarina Leitman0Vladimir Tyomkin1Department of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, IsraelDepartment of Cardiology, Shamir Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, IsraelApical sparing is an echocardiographic pattern where myocardial strain is preserved at the apex compared to the basal segments. In a normal heart, longitudinal strain shows a gradient with lower values at the base and higher at the apex. This gradient becomes more pronounced in pathological states, such as cardiac amyloidosis, resulting in a relative apical sparing effect. This study explores cardiac conditions associated with apical sparing and the underlying mechanisms. We reviewed echocardiography examinations reporting apical sparing from 2021 to 2024 in our hospital database. Relevant echo exams and clinical data were retrieved and analyzed. Apical sparing was identified in 74 patients. Cardiac amyloidosis was diagnosed in 12 patients (16.2%). Other cardiac pathologies potentially contributing to apical sparing included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension, end-stage renal disease, coronary artery disease (involving the right coronary artery and left circumflex), reversed Takotsubo syndrome, and chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. The clinical context of echocardiography was crucial in guiding the diagnostic work-up. Apical sparing is a nonspecific echocardiographic finding associated with various cardiac conditions. Its diagnostic value depends heavily on the clinical context. Understanding the broader clinical picture is essential for accurate interpretation and diagnosis.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/9/262apical sparingamyloidosishypertrophic cardiomyopathyaortic stenosisend-stage renal diseasehypertension
spellingShingle Marina Leitman
Vladimir Tyomkin
Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
apical sparing
amyloidosis
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
aortic stenosis
end-stage renal disease
hypertension
title Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance
title_full Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance
title_fullStr Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance
title_full_unstemmed Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance
title_short Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance
title_sort apical sparing in routine echocardiography occurrence and clinical significance
topic apical sparing
amyloidosis
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
aortic stenosis
end-stage renal disease
hypertension
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/9/262
work_keys_str_mv AT marinaleitman apicalsparinginroutineechocardiographyoccurrenceandclinicalsignificance
AT vladimirtyomkin apicalsparinginroutineechocardiographyoccurrenceandclinicalsignificance