by A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Mayo Clinic has revealed that a new 4D echo imaging method, measuring cardiac strain, may be able to detect subtle changes in heart dysfunction during acute myocarditis, a deadly heart disease. The findings, published in the journal iScience, also highlighted the ability of this technology to describe sex-based differences in heart function.
Currently, there are no disease-specific therapies available for the treatment of myocarditis, making it crucial to identify and monitor changes in heart function accurately. Traditional echocardiograms, commonly used to measure heart function, provide insight into the movement of blood through the heart’s chambers and valves. However, the recently developed 4D echo imaging method offers a more precise and comprehensive assessment of cardiac strain, indicating how well the heart muscle can move.
Myocarditis primarily affects men under the age of 50, particularly those in the 16-30 age group. In contrast, women have a higher risk of developing the condition after the age of 50 or during postmenopause. The study conducted by Mayo Clinic researchers involved the use of a viral myocarditis model to compare sex differences in male and female mice with the disease. Upon analyzing the data, researchers discovered previously unknown sex-based differences in cardiac strain during myocarditis and observed that male mice displayed worse cardiac strain and more cardiac inflammation compared to their female counterparts. Furthermore, the severity of cardiac inflammation was found to correlate with poorer cardiac function.
The researchers also compared different echocardiography imaging techniques to measure heart function. They found that traditional methods had limitations and only provided a fragmented understanding of how the heart changes during the disease progression. The novel 4D imaging technique, however, offered a more accurate depiction of functional changes in cardiac strain occurring during myocarditis, enabling the researchers to predict which mice were most likely to develop heart failure.
Dr. DeLisa Fairweather, the senior author of the study and vice-chair of translational research for the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Florida, emphasized the significance of having access to technology that can precisely assess changes in cardiac function during acute myocarditis. The novel 4D echocardiography imaging technique allowed for the precise description of functional changes in cardiac strain by sex, providing valuable insights into the efficacy of potential treatments.
The findings highlight the importance of incorporating cardiac strain assessment into the evaluation of patients with suspected myocarditis. Understanding and monitoring sex differences in heart function could contribute to improved clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the study’s results offer a deeper understanding of how novel treatments and drugs could enhance cardiac function and ultimately save lives.
Moving forward, the research team intends to continue investigating the efficacy of new treatments using their preclinical model. By utilizing this model, they aim to accelerate and enhance the drug assessment process, resulting in faster and more accurate evaluations of potential treatments for myocarditis.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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