Quantification of Myocardial Fibrosis in Aortis Stenosis

High frame rate ultrasound with quantification of myocardial mechanical wave velocities provides a new approach to evaluation of myocardial stiffness.

Principle: An elastic medium (the left ventricle) is incited by a force (naturally occuring mechanical wave generated by atrial contraction and/or closure of mitral and aortic valve), and the resulting oscillation wave propagates through the medium with a speed that depends only on the density and stiffness of the medium. If the density of the medium is known, measuring the propagation velocity of the wave is the same as measuring the stiffness of the medium.

There is a lack of longitudinal data in this research area. A follow-up study of the described cohort, will add valuable insight into high frame rate ultrasound as a potential tool to quantify myocardial fibrosis in heart failure patient, and to monitor any changes from baseline.

Inclusion criteria

• Part of the initial cohort that were included in the baseline study
• Still able to undergo protocolled investigations
• Patients: Mild, moderate or severe AS

Exclusion criteria

• Renal insufficiency
• Previously myocardial infarction (ECG, echocardiogram or hospital record)
• Severe valvular heart disease (except patients)
• Other cardiac disease known to cause myocardial fibrosis
• Severe hypertension
• Other medical conditions deterring protocolled investigation and follow-up
• Other medical conditions affecting 5-years prognosis (cancer, pulmonary disease)
• Severely reduced image-quality (echocardiography and MRI)