PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 1.P - Cardiovascular Medicine and Research

Novel Contrast Echocardiography-based Trabeculation Quantification Method in the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Excessive Trabeculation

Name of the presenter

Farkas-Sütő, Kristóf Attila

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Semmelweis University, Heart and Vascular Center

Authors

Dr. Kristóf Farkas-Sütő¹, Dr. Balázs Mester¹, Dr. Flóra Gyulánczi¹, Krisztina Filipkó¹, Prof. Dr. Hajnalka Vágó¹, Prof. Dr. Béla Merkely¹, Dr. Andrea Szűcs¹
1: Semmelweis University, Heart and Vascular Center

Text of the abstract

Introduction:
Cardiac MRI (CMR) is the gold standard for diagnosing left ventricular excessive trabeculation (LVET), whereas echocardiography (Echo) often does not yield a definitive diagnosis. The use of ultrasound contrast material offers the potential for more accurate imaging of the trabecular system; however, we do not yet have diagnostic criteria developed specifically for contrast Echo (CE-Echo).
Aims:
We aimed to determine the role of CE-Echo in the diagnosis of LVET and to propose a novel method for quantifying trabeculation. Methods: We included 55 LVET subjects and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy Control subjects. All subjects underwent non-contrast Echo, CE-Echo, and CMR examinations. In addition to volumetric parameters and ejection fraction (EF), we measured the area of the trabeculated layer and its ratio to the LV area (Trab/LV_area) on apical CE-Echo views.
Results:
Based on the CMR-derived diagnosis, the Trab/LV_area ratio identified individuals with LVET with high specificity (98%) and sensitivity (95%) when the average of the apical views reached 17% (AUC = 0.98), or when it exceeded 20% in at least one view (AUC = 0.96).
Conclusions:
The use of CE-Echo may assist in the quantitative diagnosis of LVET in addition to its morphological assessment, and the Trab_area/LVarea may be a good additional criterion in the diagnosis of LVET.
Funding: SE250+

farkas.kristof@stud.semmelweis.hu
Semmelweis University
Dr. Andrea Szűcs PhD