3D Ultrasound Imaging to Measure Heart Muscle Stiffness in Patients with Primary Mitral Regurgitation

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the relationship between left ventricular LV myocardial stiffness and myocardial interstitial fibrosis in people with primary mitral regurgitation MR, a common heart valve disease that can lead to heart failure. The study aims to evaluate how 3D ultrasound measurements of mechanical wave velocity MWV in the heart muscle relate to fibrosis measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging CMR. Participants will undergo routine tests including 2D and 3D echocardiography with MWV imaging, CMR scans, 24-hour electrocardiogram monitoring, blood tests including brain natriuretic peptide levels, and symptom-limited exercise echocardiography with oxygen uptake measurements. This observational study involves no treatment but collects detailed imaging and clinical data to better understand myocardial stiffness and fibrosis. During the study, patients will have comprehensive heart imaging and monitoring to assess heart function and stiffness. Researchers will measure correlations between LV stiffness and myocardial fibrosis, as well as links to clinical stages of MR, LV mass, and heart strain. The primary outcome is the correlation between LV stiffness assessed by 3D MWV and fibrosis measured by CMR extracellular volume. The study starts in October 2024 and continues through November 2027.

3D Ultrasound Myocardial Mechanical Wave Measurements