You are here

Article Text

Article menu

Download PDFPDF

Congenital heart disease
Original research article
Major adverse events and atrial tachycardia in Ebstein’s anomaly predicted by cardiovascular magnetic resonance
  1. Riikka Rydman1,2,
  2. Yumi Shiina1,3,
  3. Gerhard-Paul Diller1,4,5,
  4. Koichiro Niwa3,
  5. Wei Li1,
  6. Hideki Uemura1,
  7. Anselm Uebing1,
  8. Umberto Barbero1,6,
  9. Beatriz Bouzas1,
  10. Sabine Ernst1,4,
  11. Tom Wong1,
  12. Dudley J Pennell1,4,
  13. Michael A Gatzoulis1,4,
  14. Sonya V Babu-Narayan1,4
  1. 1 NIHR Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, England
  2. 2 Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Section of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  3. 3 Cardiovascular Centre, St. Luke’s International Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
  4. 4 National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, England
  5. 5 Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Adult Congenital and Valvular Heart Disease, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
  6. 6 Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
  1. Correspondence to Dr Sonya V Babu-Narayan, NIHR Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit, Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, England; S.Babu-Narayan{at}rbht.nhs.uk

Abstract

Objectives Patients with Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve (EA) are at risk of tachyarrhythmia, congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. We sought to determine the value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) for predicting these outcomes.

Methods Seventy-nine consecutive adult patients (aged 37±15 years) with unrepaired EA underwent CMR and were followed prospectively for a median 3.4 (range 0.4–10.9) years for clinical outcomes, namely major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs: sustained ventricular tachycardia/heart failure hospital admission/cardiac transplantation/death) and first-onset atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT).

Results CMR-derived variables associated with MACE (n=6) were right ventricular (RV) or left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.168 to 3.623, p=0.012 and HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.348 to 4.082, p=0.003, respectively), LV stroke volume index (HR 2.82, 95% CI 1.212 to 7.092, p=0.028) and cardiac index (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.366, p=0.037); all remained significant when tested solely for mortality. History of AT (HR 11.16, 95% CI 1.30 to 95.81, p=0.028) and New York Heart Association class >2 (HR 7.66, 95% CI 1.54 to 38.20, p=0.013) were also associated with MACE; AT preceded all but one MACE, suggesting its potential role as an early marker of adverse outcome (p=0.011).

CMR variables associated with first-onset AT (n=17; 21.5%) included RVEF (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.103 to 2.160, p=0.011), total R/L volume index (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.32, p=0.002), RV/LV end diastolic volume ratio (HR 1.55, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.10, p=0.005) and apical septal leaflet displacement/total LV septal length (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07, p=0.041); the latter two combined enhanced risk prediction (HR 6.12, 95% CI 1.67 to 22.56, p=0.007).

Conclusion CMR-derived indices carry prognostic information regarding MACE and first-onset AT among adults with unrepaired EA. CMR may be included in the periodic surveillance of these patients.

  • Ebstein’s anomaly
  • arrhythmia
  • sudden cardiac death
  • cardiovascular magnetic resonance

This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt and build upon this work, for commercial use, provided the original work is properly cited. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2017-311274

Statistics from Altmetric.com

    Request Permissions

    If you wish to reuse any or all of this article please use the link below which will take you to the Copyright Clearance Center’s RightsLink service. You will be able to get a quick price and instant permission to reuse the content in many different ways.

    Introduction

    Mortality in Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) of the tricuspid valve relates to ventricular tachyarrhythmia, congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Several predictors of adverse outcomes have been reported such as age at presentation, anatomic severity, grade of tricuspid regurgitation, cyanosis, male gender, increased cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), prolonged/fragmented QRS, reduced exercise capacity and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class have been reported.1–7 The onset of atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) in adults is associated with significant morbidity.8 9 Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used to image adults with Ebstein’s anomaly due to unrestricted views of heart structures and its place as the gold standard for quantification of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes and function without geometrical assumption.10–13 Recent studies correlated CMR-derived measures in EA with known heart failure markers and/or exercise capacity,14 15 but its value to guide prognosis is not reported. We aimed to study the prognostic significance of CMR for significant adverse cardiac events in a large, prospective, single-centre and contemporary cohort of adult patients with unrepaired EA.

    Methods

    Patients and study design

    Eighty-six consecutive patients with unrepaired EA underwent protocolised CMR and were prospectively followed for events from November 2002 until July 2014. Seven patients were lost to follow-up, thus the final study cohort consisted of 79 patients including 4 patients with prior atrial septal defect closure (surgical n=2, catheter n=2). EA was defined as apical displacement of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve by at least 8 mm/m2 body surface area in relation to the insertion of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. Patients with permanent pacemaker/automated implantable defibrillator (n=10/2) were not included in this study due to relative contraindication to CMR.

    The prespecified clinical endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) consisted of new-onset clinically documented sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmia/heart failure hospital admission/transplantation or death. Ventricular tachyarrhythmia was defined as ventricular tachycardia (VT) associated with presyncope/syncope, sustained VT (≥30 s) or ventricular fibrillation. Heart failure admission was defined as admission for diuresis of fluid overload not secondary to acute arrhythmia presentation. Follow-up started from CMR study and was continued until the first MACE or to surgical repair (patients were censored at surgery; n=31; 39%) or to the last clinical visit for the remainder of patients. All events during follow-up were recorded including AT for all patients, censored or not for the MACE endpoint.

    A separate analysis for first-onset AT was conducted on a subset of the original study cohort excluding patients with AT prior to study inclusion, with exception for prior AT due to accessory atrioventricular pathways and Mahaim fibres (atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia (AVRT)). Only first-onset AT defined as new clinically documented sustained focal AT, atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia, atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation during follow-up contributed to subsequent analysis.

    Baseline data including demographics, previously documented arrhythmia, NYHA class, ECG, CTR and cardiovascular exercise testing data were obtained from medical records and clinical attendances. Mortality data from the Office for National Statistics, which registers all UK deaths, was complete for all 79 patients.

    CMR acquisition and analysis

    Retrospective ECG-gated balanced steady-state free precession cine images were acquired from the atrioventricular ring to the apex for measurement of LV volumes and from the diaphragm to the aortic arch for measurement of RV and atrial volumes at 1.5 T CMR. Biventricular and biatrial volumetric and functional analyses were performed by manual planimetry (CMR tools, Cardiovascular Imaging Solutions, London, UK). Native (RA) and functional right atrial and atrialised (aRV) and functional RV volumes were measured as described previously16 (figure 1). In short, the functional RV was defined as the aspect of the ventricle distal to the attachment points of the tricuspid valve leaflets and limited by the pulmonary valve. The malformed tricuspid valve was traced in detail to demarcate the border between the functional RV and aRV. With the aim of simple quantification of the degree of paradoxical LV motion, the magnitude of apical displacement of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve (defined as the distance from the atrioventricular ring to the attachment of the septal leaflet) was indexed to LV septal length measured in ventricular diastole and expressed as a percentage (figure 1). Total right/left-volume index was calculated using the equation (RA+aRV+RV)/(LA+LV) in end diastole15 and severity index using the equation (RA+aRV)/(RV+LA+LV).16 Phase contrast flow acquisitions were performed in the ascending aorta and pulmonary trunk. Cardiac output was calculated from aortic flow measurement and cardiac shunt as the ratio of pulmonary and aortic flows. Tricuspid regurgitant fraction was calculated using antegrade and retrograde flow through the pulmonary artery (PAante and PAretro) and functional RV stroke volume (RVSV) using the equation [(RVSV–PAante)/(RVSV–PAretro)] x100.16 LV non-compaction was defined as the end diastolic ratio of non-compacted to compacted (NC:C) myocardium >2.3:1.17 A single experienced observer made all measurements. Twelve random patients were remeasured by the same observer (minimum 6-month interval) as well as a second blinded observer for intraobserver and interobserver variability.

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Measurements of native right atrial (RA) and atrialised right ventricular (RV) volumes, functional RV volumes and apical septal leaflet displacement/left ventricular (LV) septal length (A/B*100%). Steady-state free precession sequence and axial stack were used.

    Other investigations

    Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEX) was performed using a symptom-limited graded treadmill exercise within 6 months of the CMR study. Peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), the per cent of predicted peak VO2 (peak VO2%), peak VO2 pulse, ratio of minute ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2), heart rate reserve (HRR; peak minus resting pulse rate) and anaerobic threshold were recorded. Tests were excluded from subsequent analysis if the respiratory quotient value was <1 (n=5). Venous blood was taken for brain natriuretic peptides (BNP; monoclonal antibody assay, Shionoria, Schering, West Sussex, England) at the time of the CMR examination. CPEX and BNP were performed as a part of the clinical care and were therefore not available for all patients. NYHA classification and QRS duration/QRS fractionation from standard 12-lead ECG were collected at the time point of the CMR exam. Chest X-ray within 1 month of the CMR study was included for measurement of CTR.

    Statistical methods

    Continuous data are presented as mean (±SD) or median (first and third quartiles) as appropriate. Comparisons between groups were made using t-test, Mann-Whitney test and Fisher’s exact test as appropriate. Correlation was tested with Pearson’s coefficient or Spearman’s r. The association between variables and event-free survival was tested using a Cox proportional hazards model and survival curves were constructed to illustrate the impact of impaired ventricular function, RV to LV volume ratio and apical septal leaflet displacement/LV septal length based on the results of the analyses. The proportional hazards assumption was verified using generalised linear regression analysis, testing for a non-zero slope of the scaled Schoenfeld residuals in addition to visual inspection of the graphs of the regression. Due to the relatively small number of outcome events, we focused on univariable analyses. Variability was expressed as the mean per cent error, derived as the absolute difference between two sets of observations, divided by the mean of the two sets of observations. All tests were two-sided and a p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Analysis was performed using SPSS V.22.

    Results

    Patient characteristics

    Seventy-nine patients with EA (mean age 37.1±15.1 years, 36 males) were prospectively followed for a median 3.4 (range 0.4–10.9) years (table 1). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 118±16 mm Hg and 77±11 mm Hg, respectively. Resting oxygen saturation was ≤90% in 5% and plasma BNP levels were increased in 76% (>5 pmol/L). The QRS duration was prolonged in 14% (>110 ms). In total, 45 patients (57%) had severe and 23 (29%) moderate tricuspid regurgitation, respectively. Eighty-six per cent of patients (68/79) had increased functional RV end diastolic volume index (>100 mL/m2) clearly above the range for normal RV,18 whereas cardiac index was impaired in 16% (<2.3 L/min/m2).19 No significant difference was found in the tested variables presented in table 1 between patients with data available from CPEX and BNP (n=50 for both) compared with patients without these data. No difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or stroke volume, or right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was seen when patients with LV non-compaction (n=15) were compared with the reminder. LVEF correlated with RVEF (r=0.58, p<0.001) and inversely with NYHA class, aRV indexed volume (rs=−0.37, p=0.001 for both) and functional RV end systolic volume (rs=−0.36, p=0.001). RVEF and LV stroke volume both related inversely with NYHA class (rs=−0.38, p=0.001 and rs=−0.44, p<0.001, respectively). All cardiac events during follow-up are presented in table 2. Patients referred for surgery on clinical grounds during follow-up (n=31; 39%) differed significantly from those without surgery (table 1). Post surgery there was no difference in RVEF (45.0±5.7 vs 44.3±8.0, p=0.743), but LVEF and peak VO2 ameliorated (52.2±6.2 vs 65.7±8.9, p<0.001 and 19.5±6.0 vs 22.8±5.3, p=0.003, respectively).

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Patient characteristics for the whole cohort, and for patients with surgery versus patients without surgery during the follow-up

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Clinical outcomes of unrepaired Ebstein’s anomaly patients at median 3.4 (range 0.4–10.9) years follow-up

    Association of CMR-derived variables with MACE

    At latest follow-up, six (7.6%) patients had reached the composite endpoint (median time to event of 3.4 years). Events contributing to the composite endpoint were three sustained VT and three sudden deaths; one patient that presented with VT was later hospitalised for heart failure and died 2 years after heart transplantation (table 2). MACEs were preceded by clinically documented AT in all but one patient (p=0.011). Univariable predictors of MACE are summarised in table 3. Survival analysis showed an almost ninefold higher rate of MACE during follow-up in patients with biventricular impairment compared with RV or LV impairment only (lower quartile RVEF; <41% and LVEF; <51%; HR 8.69, 95% CI 1.57 to 48.10, p=0.001) (figure 2). RVEF and LVEF were significantly related (r=0.58, p<0.001). When tested solely for mortality, all univariable predictors with the exception of previous documented AT remained significant. The presence of LV non-compaction was not associated with outcome. No MACE occurred in patients post surgery.

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Freedom from death, sustained ventricular tachycardia, heart failure hospital admission or cardiac transplant stratified by lower quartile ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <51%, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) <41%).

    View this table:
    Table 3

    Association of clinical features, cardiopulmonary exercise and CMR with MACE (ventricular tachycardia/heart failure/transplant/death) in unrepaired Ebstein’s anomaly patients during 3.5±2.6 years follow-up

    Association of CMR-derived variables with first-onset AT

    Sixty-five patients (mean age 34.5±14.8 years, 25 males) formed a subset from the original study cohort for analysis of first-onset AT (n=17). Cumulative mid-term freedom from first-onset AT at 6 months, 1 year, 5 years and 7 years was 93.7%, 83.6%, 70.3% and 60.3%, respectively. Univariable predictors are summarised in table 4. Per cent predicted peak VO2 was borderline significant (p=0.052). As the number of outcome events was relatively small we did not perform multivariable analysis. Instead, we sought to estimate the combined prognostic value of the univariable predictors. Therefore, several models were established including subsets of the univariable variables. When upper quartile RV/LV end diastolic ratio (>2.4) and upper quartile apical tricuspid septal leaflet displacement indexed to total LV septal length (>67%) were combined, the created model yielded higher rate of first-onset AT (HR 6.12, 95% CI 1.67 to 22.56, p=0.007) compared with other combined models or models using a single univariable parameter (figure 3).

    Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Survival curves for first-onset atrial tachycardia (n=65) stratified by univariable predictors with upper quartile functional right ventricular:left ventricular (LV) ratio (>2.4) and apical septal leaflet displacement/LV septal length (>67%) cut-offs accordingly.

    View this table:
    Table 4

    Association of CMR with first-onset atrial arrhythmia during follow-up

    Reproducibility of CMR measurements

    The coefficient of variability for intraobserver reproducibility for the native RA/aRV/functional RV end diastolic volume/end systolic volume/stroke volume/EF was 2.3%/2.1%/1.4%/2.4%/1.7%/2.4%, respectively. Interobserver variabilities were 3.4%/3.2%/3.0%/4.5%/3.3%/4.0%, respectively.

    Discussion

    In this prospective study of adults with unrepaired EA, CMR-derived markers of biventricular function, namely RV and LV systolic dysfunction, reduced LV stroke volume and reduced cardiac index, were associated with mortality and sustained VT. Second, AT was common, preceded VT and death in all but one patient, and was associated with right but not left-sided impairment. First onset of AT showed strongest correlation with a composite of ventricular volumes and displacement of the septal tricuspid valve leaflet indexed to LV length. Indexing to LV length incorporates a measure of paradoxical interventricular septal motion and consequent impaired LV filling. Lastly, our data suggest that RV impairment precedes biventricular involvement which precedes mortality.

    Association of CMR-derived biventricular EF and cardiac output with MACE

    We found that standard CMR-derived parameters for ventricular dysfunction were associated with mortality and sustained VT. A 5% decrease in RVEF and LVEF, respectively, was associated with a twofold higher rate of MACE over a median of 3.4 years follow-up. In addition, biventricular impairment (lower quartile RVEF <41% and LVEF <51%, respectively) carried nearly ninefold increased rate of adverse outcome. LV stroke volume (from manual planimetry) was related to cardiac index (from flow mapping) as might be expected and like RVEF or LVEF also was associated with onset of MACE. A 10 mL/m2 decrease in LV stroke volume increased the probability of MACE nearly threefold.

    RVEF and LVEF were significantly inter-related providing evidence of ventricular–ventricular interaction in unrepaired patients. This can be explained by impaired systolic RV contractility combined with tricuspid regurgitation and loss of synchrony between the native RA and aRV resulting in decreased effective RVSV and hence reduced LV preload and stroke volume. Right-sided dilatation, in the presence of an intact pericardium, causes undesirable changes to LV size and geometry, ‘stiffer’ LV and impaired LV diastolic filling. Right-sided volume overload additionally causes leftward bulging of the interventricular septum, leading to limited filling and discoordinate contraction of the LV.9 20–25

    Previous studies have reported several parameters as predictors of outcomes in EA.1–5 When tested in the present study, only NYHA class >2 proved to be prognostic. We could not confirm the previous finding of peak VO2% and HRR as predictors of outcomes. However, the previous study2 included a more heterogeneous patient sample with patients that had already undergone tricuspid valve surgery and the endpoints included elective tricuspid valve surgery (16 out of 22 endpoint events); clinical decision to refer for surgery was made unblinded to peak VO2%.2 In the present study, peak VO2% was lower in patients referred for tricuspid valve surgery (n=31) during follow-up compared with the remainder, as expected.26 Most of the studied variables were more adversely affected in the group that was selected for surgery compared with the rest. This might suggest risk prediction of MACE is enhanced using the CMR-derived combined variable of lower quartile RVEF <41% and LVEF <51% and this could be tested for a potential role in facilitating earlier and more accurate surgical decision-making. However, rather than using a single variable for decision-making we suggest for clinical purposes a combination of the clinical features, NYHA class and arrhythmia propensity, with imaging markers.

    Association of CMR with AT; an early marker of MACE

    We showed that AT was associated with sustained VT and death during follow-up, suggesting its potential role as an early marker of adverse outcome. Furthermore, AT occurred mostly in the presence of deranged right-sided CMR indices, suggesting that right-sided dilatation and dysfunction occur first and may influence the later development of left-sided pathology. Different mechanisms have been suggested for the functional RV dilatation and dysfunction we observed in the present study including volume overload due to tricuspid regurgitation, thinner free wall of the dilated functional RV with fewer myocardial fibres and disrupted myofibril continuity. The enlarged RA, compensatory to the chronic haemodynamic stress due to right-sided volume overload and functional RV stiffness/systolic impairment, may become arrhythmogenic.27–30 We propose that the magnitude of displacement of the septal tricuspid valve leaflet indexed to total LV septal length reflects not only the severity of the atrialisation of the RV, but more specifically the degree of the paradoxical interventricular septal motion leading to adverse changes in LV geometry and impaired LV filling.9 20–25 In addition, parameters recently proposed for assessing disease severity due to their relationship to known heart failure parameters, such as the functional RV/LV end diastolic volume ratio and total right/left volume index, also correlated with outcomes in our cohort.14 15

    As the number of univariable predictors was high, we sought to ascertain the discriminative value of common and easily measured CMR parameters and found the combination of two such measures resulted in a greater predictive value than when used alone. Our findings revealed a sixfold increased rate for first-onset AT when a model including functional RV/LV end diastolic volume ratio and apical tricuspid septal leaflet displacement indexed to total LV septal length was used (upper quartile RV/LV >2.4 and displacement index >67%, respectively). The functional RV/LV end diastolic volume ratio reflects the inter-related change in the ventricular volumes within an intact pericardium (transversal interaction). Combining the RV/LV end diastolic volume ratio with the indexed tricuspid septal leaflet displacement adds longitudinal interaction (atrium and ventricle) in the model. We could not confirm an association between tricuspid regurgitation and outcome, perhaps due to the high prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation (moderate/severe in 80%).

    Limitations

    Patients with permanent pacemaker/automated cardiac defibrillator were not included which may cause selection bias. As the CPEX and BNP were performed as a part of the clinical care, there is a limitation in testing prospective CMR data against CPEX and BNP. Nevertheless, we found no significant difference in the tested variables presented in table 1 between patients with data available from CPEX and BNP compared with patients without these data. RA and RV volumes and function are more time consuming and more challenging to measure in EA compared with structurally normal RV and consensus on the best method for quantification is lacking. We performed manual planimetry and opted to use the gold standard methods for each cardiac chamber for best interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility which we found to be satisfactory. All measures were made by a single observer measuring anonymised scans. Due to the relatively small number of outcome events, we could not perform multivariable analysis and therefore cannot determine which of the parameters being significant in univariable analyses would remain significant in multivariable analyses. The CMR-derived indices we found to be associated with outcomes in our cohort should be examined in future, larger studies with a longer period of observation to ascertain any role towards optimal timing of surgery, determine if they are modifiable by treatment such as surgery and whether their modification improves prognosis.

    Conclusions

    CMR-derived biventricular impairment and diminished LV stroke volume showed strong association with mortality and VT in a large, contemporary cohort of adults with unrepaired EA. AT preceded VT and death. First onset of AT was best predicted by a composite of ventricular volumes and displacement of the septal tricuspid valve leaflet indexed to LV length. These preliminary data support incorporating CMR as a prognostic tool in the periodic assessment of patients with EA.

    Key messages

    What is already known on this subject?

    Patients with Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) are at risk of tachyarrhythmia, congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Recent studies correlated cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived measures in EA with known heart failure markers and/or exercise capacity, but its value to guide prognosis is not reported.

    What might this study add?

    We studied the prognostic value of CMR for significant major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in a large, prospective, single-centre and contemporary cohort of unrepaired adult patients. CMR-derived markers of biventricular function were associated with mortality and sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). Atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) was common, preceded VT and death, and was associated with right-sided impairment. First onset of AT showed strongest correlation with a composite of ventricular volumes and displacement of the septal valve leaflet/LV length. Right ventricular impairment precedes biventricular involvement which precedes mortality.

    How might this impact on clinical practice?

    Risk prediction of MACE is enhanced using the CMR-derived biventricular impairment and this could be tested for a potential role in facilitating earlier/more accurate surgical decision-making. These data support incorporating CMR as a prognostic tool in the periodic assessment of patients with EA. However, rather than using a single variable for decision-making we suggest for clinical purposes a combination of the clinical features/New York Heart Association class/arrhythmia propensity, with imaging markers.

    Acknowledgments

    The authors would like to thank Mr Steven Collins and Mr Ricardo Wage for CMR IT and CMR technical support.

    References

    1. ↵
      2. Celermajer DS ,
      3. Bull C ,
      4. Till JA , et al
      . Ebstein’s anomaly: presentation and outcome from fetus to adult. J Am Coll Cardiol 1994;23:170–6.doi:10.1016/0735-1097(94)90516-9
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    2. ↵
      2. Radojevic J ,
      3. Inuzuka R ,
      4. Alonso-Gonzalez R , et al
      . Peak oxygen uptake correlates with disease severity and predicts outcome in adult patients with Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Int J Cardiol 2013;163:305–8.doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.06.047
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    3. ↵
      2. Oechslin EN ,
      3. Harrison DA ,
      4. Connelly MS , et al
      . Mode of death in adults with congenital heart disease. Am J Cardiol 2000;86:1111–6.doi:10.1016/S0002-9149(00)01169-3
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    4. ↵
      2. Brown ML ,
      3. Dearani JA ,
      4. Danielson GK , et al
      . Functional status after operation for Ebstein anomaly: the Mayo Clinic experience. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008;52:460–6.doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2008.03.064
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    5. ↵
      2. Attie F ,
      3. Rosas M ,
      4. Rijlaarsdam M , et al
      . The adult patient with Ebstein anomaly. outcome in 72 unoperated patients. Medicine 2000;79:27–36.doi:10.1097/00005792-200001000-00003
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    6. ↵
      2. Park SJ ,
      3. Chung S ,
      4. On YK ,
      5. Keun Y , et al
      . Fragmented QRS complex in adult patients with Ebstein anomaly and its association with arrhythmic risk and the severity of the anomaly. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2013;6:1148–55.doi:10.1161/CIRCEP.113.000636
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    7. ↵
      2. Egidy Assenza G ,
      3. Valente AM ,
      4. Geva T , et al
      . QRS duration and QRS fractionation on surface electrocardiogram are markers of right ventricular dysfunction and atrialization in patients with Ebstein anomaly. Eur Heart J 2013;34:191–200.doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehs362
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    8. ↵
      2. Walsh EP ,
      3. Cecchin F
      . Arrhythmias in adult patients with congenital heart disease. Circulation 2007;115:534–45.doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.592410
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    9. ↵
      2. Attenhofer Jost CH ,
      3. Connolly HM ,
      4. Dearani JA , et al
      . Ebstein’s anomaly. Circulation 2007;115:277–85.doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.619338
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    10. ↵
      2. Kilner PJ ,
      3. Geva T ,
      4. Kaemmerer H , et al
      . Recommendations for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in adults with congenital heart disease from the respective working groups of the european Society of Cardiology. Eur Heart J 2010;31:794–805.doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehp586
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    11. ↵
      2. Yalonetsky S ,
      3. Tobler D ,
      4. Greutmann M , et al
      . Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and the assessment of Ebstein anomaly in adults. Am J Cardiol 2011;107:767–73.doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.10.058
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    12. ↵
      2. Fratz S ,
      3. Chung T ,
      4. Greil GF , et al
      . Guidelines and protocols for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children and adults with congenital heart disease: scmr expert consensus group on congenital heart disease. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2013;15:51.doi:10.1186/1532-429X-15-51
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    13. ↵
      2. Attenhofer Jost CH ,
      3. Edmister WD ,
      4. Julsrud PR , et al
      . Prospective comparison of echocardiography versus cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Ebstein’s anomaly. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2012;28:1147–59.doi:10.1007/s10554-011-9923-1
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    14. ↵
      2. Tobler D ,
      3. Yalonetsky S ,
      4. Crean AM , et al
      . Right heart characteristics and exercise parameters in adults with Ebstein anomaly: new perspectives from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging studies. Int J Cardiol 2013;165:146–50.doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.08.004
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    15. ↵
      2. Hösch O ,
      3. Sohns JM ,
      4. Nguyen TT , et al
      . The total right/left-volume index: a new and simplified cardiac magnetic resonance measure to evaluate the severity of Ebstein anomaly of the tricuspid valve: a comparison with heart failure markers from various modalities. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2014;7:601–9.doi:10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.113.001467
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    16. ↵
      2. Fratz S ,
      3. Janello C ,
      4. Müller D , et al
      . The functional right ventricle and tricuspid regurgitation in Ebstein’s anomaly. Int J Cardiol 2013;167:258–61.doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2011.12.081
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    17. ↵
      2. Petersen SE ,
      3. Selvanayagam JB ,
      4. Wiesmann F , et al
      . Left ventricular non-compaction: insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:101–5.doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2005.03.045
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    18. ↵
      2. Maceira AM ,
      3. Prasad SK ,
      4. Khan M , et al
      . Reference right ventricular systolic and diastolic function normalized to age, gender and body surface area from steady-state free precession cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Eur Heart J 2006;27:2879–88.doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehl336
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    19. ↵
      2. Carlsson M ,
      3. Andersson R ,
      4. Bloch KM , et al
      . Cardiac output and cardiac index measured with cardiovascular magnetic resonance in healthy subjects, elite Athletes and patients with congestive heart failure. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2012;14:51.doi:10.1186/1532-429X-14-51
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    20. ↵
      2. Benson LN ,
      3. Child JS ,
      4. Schwaiger M , et al
      . Left ventricular geometry and function in adults with Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Circulation 1987;75:353–9.doi:10.1161/01.CIR.75.2.353
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    21. ↵
      2. Goleski PJ ,
      3. Sheehan FH ,
      4. Chen SS , et al
      . The shape and function of the left ventricle in Ebstein’s anomaly. Int J Cardiol 2014;171:404–12.doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2013.12.037
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    22. ↵
      2. Brown ML ,
      3. Dearani JA ,
      4. Danielson GK , et al
      . Effect of operation for Ebstein anomaly on left ventricular function. Am J Cardiol 2008;102:1724–7.doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2008.08.018
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    23. ↵
      2. Louie EK ,
      3. Lin SS ,
      4. Reynertson SI , et al
      . Pressure and volume loading of the right ventricle have opposite effects on left ventricular ejection fraction. Circulation 1995;92:819–24.doi:10.1161/01.CIR.92.4.819
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    24. ↵
      2. Saxena A ,
      3. Fong LV ,
      4. Tristam M , et al
      . Left ventricular function in patients greater than 20 years of age with Ebstein’s anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Am J Cardiol 1991;67:217–9.doi:10.1016/0002-9149(91)90451-P
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMed
    25. ↵
      2. Louie EK ,
      3. Bieniarz T ,
      4. Moore AM , et al
      . Reduced atrial contribution to left ventricular filling in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation after tricuspid valvulectomy: a Doppler echocardiographic study. J Am Coll Cardiol 1990;16:1617–24.doi:10.1016/0735-1097(90)90311-C
      OpenUrlFREE Full Text
    26. ↵
      2. Baumgartner H ,
      3. Bonhoeffer P ,
      4. De Groot NM , et al
      . Task Force on the management of Grown-up Congenital Heart disease of the European Society of C, Association for European Paediatric C, guidelines ESCCFP. ESC guidelines for the management of grown-up Congenital heart disease (new version 2010). Eur Heart J 2010;31:2915–57.
      OpenUrlCrossRefPubMedWeb of Science
    27. ↵
      2. Henry WL ,
      3. Morganroth J ,
      4. Pearlman AS , et al
      . Relation between echocardiographically determined left atrial size and atrial fibrillation. Circulation 1976;53:273–9.doi:10.1161/01.CIR.53.2.273
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    28. ↵
      2. Gaynor SL ,
      3. Maniar HS ,
      4. Bloch JB , et al
      . Right atrial and ventricular adaptation to chronic right ventricular pressure overload. Circulation 2005;112:I212–8.doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.104.517789
      OpenUrlPubMedWeb of Science
    29. ↵
      2. Barbier P ,
      3. Solomon SB ,
      4. Schiller NB , et al
      . Left atrial relaxation and left ventricular systolic function determine left atrial reservoir function. Circulation 1999;100:427–36.doi:10.1161/01.CIR.100.4.427
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
    30. ↵
      2. Sallach JA ,
      3. Tang WH ,
      4. Borowski AG , et al
      . Right atrial volume index in chronic systolic heart failure and prognosis. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging 2009;2:527–34.doi:10.1016/j.jcmg.2009.01.012
      OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    Footnotes

    • Contributors All authors have made substantial contribution to the design, writing and critical review of the paper. RR: collecting data, planning study/design, writing paper, statistics and submitting the study. YS: collecting data, planning study/design and writing paper. GPD: statistics and critical review of the study. KN: planning and critical review of the study. WL: planning, supervising and critical review of the study. HU: review of the study. AU: supervising and review of the study. UB and BB: collecting data. SE: supervising and critical review of the study. TW: critical review of the study. DJP: critical review of the study. MAG: planning, supervising and critical review of the study. SBN: planning, supervising, writing and critical review of the study. All authors have read and approved the manuscript.

    • Funding This project was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Cardiovascular Biomedical Research Unit of Royal Brompton and Harefield National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and Imperial College London. This report is independent research by the NIHR Biomedical Research Unit Funding Scheme.

    • Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the National Institute for Health Research or the Department of Health.

    • Competing interests RR was supported by the Swedish Society of Medicine, Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation and Swedish Society for Medical Research and by the Section of Clinical Physiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. SVB-N was supported by an Intermediate Clinical Research Fellowship from the British Heart Foundation (FS/11/38/28864).

    • Ethics approval The study complies with the Declaration of Helsinki, was locally registered and approved by local ethics committee.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.