Value of global longitudinal strain by two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in predicting coronary artery disease severity

Resting segmental speckle tracking strain and strain rate in stable coronary artery disease and revascularized myocardial infarction

Patients with acute coronary artery disease (CAD) exhibit reduced global and regional strain and strain rate (S/SR). However, knowledge about segmental S/SR in stable CAD patients is still limited. This study aimed to investigate whether resting segmental S/SR measurements differ in patients with chronic chest pain who have normal coronary arteries or stenotic coronary arteries, and to compare these measurements to those in patients with revascularized myocardial infarction (MI). We prospectively enrolled 510 patients with chronic chest pain referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) and 102 patients revascularized after MI. All participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography featuring S/SR analysis. In addition to the patients with MI, patients with suspected CAD based on CCTA findings subsequently underwent invasive coronary angiography (CAG). We assessed global longitudinal strain (GLS) and averaged segmental peak longitudinal strain during systole (PLS), peak systolic strain rate (SRs), peak early diastolic strain rate (SRe), and post systolic shortening (PSS). We also determined functionally reduced segment percentages using differing S/SR cut-off values. There were significant disparities in all average segmental S/SR metrics between the No-CAD and MI groups. SRe was the only S/SR metric that differed significantly between the No-CAD and PCI groups. Differences in SRe, PLS and GLS measurements were observed between the No-CAD and CABG groups. The proportion of diminished segmental S/SR mirrored these findings. For the percentage of pathological segments with varying cut-off values, segmental SRe below 1.5 s- 1 displayed the most marked difference among the four groups (p < 0.001). Revascularized MI patients or those referred to CABG present with diminished segmental S/SR values. However, among patients with chronic chest pain, only segmental SRe discerns subtle disparities between the No-CAD and the PCI group. The diagnostic accuracy of SRe warrants further exploration in subsequent studies.

Effect of residual myocardial ischemia on recovery of left ventricular function after primary percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

It is unknown whether the existence of severe bystander damage will affect left ventricular (LV) healing following primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The aim of the present analysis was to follow LV recovery using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2-D STE) in cases with single versus multiple vessel disease with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who underwent PPCI and to assess major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) within 3 months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This work was conducted at Assiut University Heart Hospital. Of 1026 screened subjects with AMI needing PPCI and assessed for eligibility, only 89 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. They were classified into Group A: single vessel and Group B: multiple vessel (≥ 2 vessels) disease. Their data were obtained on admittance and after 90 days.

RESULTS

In group A compared to group B, there was a statistically preferable value at baseline in the global longitudinal strain- Apical 2 chamber (GLS-A2C) (-12.05 ± 3.57 vs. -10.38 ± 3.92, P = 0.039). At follow-up, the improvement was in all 2-D STE variables, including GLS-long axis (GLS-LAX) (-13.09 ± 3.84 vs.-10.75 ± 3.96, P = 0.006), GLS- apical 4 chamber (GLS-A4C) (-13.23 ± 3.51 vs.-10.62 ± 4.08, P = 0.002), GLS-A2C (-13.85 ± 3.41 vs-10.93 ± 3.97, P < 0.001) and GLS- average (GLS-AVG, P = 0.001). There was a considerable negative correlation between the recovery of LV performance and the existence of multi-vessel lesions (P = 0.009). There was no variance between the groups regarding MACEs.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with single vessel lesions who underwent PPCI to the culprit lesion had better recovery of LV function than those with multi-vessel (≥ 2 vessels) lesions who underwent PPCI to the culprit lesion only. The presence of multivessel involvement was an independent risk factor for deterioration in GLS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Registered in clinical trial, clinicalTrial.gov ID NCT04103008 (25/09/2019). IRB registration: 17,100,834 (05/11/2019).

The possible utility of global longitudinal strain in the risk-stratifying process of non-ST elevation-acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

There are various ways that coronary artery disease (CAD) might present itself. Individual risk stratification for non ST-elevation-acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients should determine whether invasive coronary angiography and revascularization should be scheduled.

AIM OF WORK

To assess the possible utility of left ventricular global longitudinal strain in the risk-stratifying process of NSTE-ACS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The cardiology department of Zagazig University in Egypt organized and oversaw this cross-sectional study. The practical portion was carried out on 90 patients with NSTE-ACS based on European society of cardiology (ESC) guidelines (and they agreed for invasive strategy) between May 2019 and December 2020 at Salalah Heart Center in Sultanate of Oman. All patients underwent a full clinical examination, 12-lead ECG, and serial high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) in addition to a thorough history taking process. On patient's admission, the GRACE risk score was assessed. All patients who were suspected of having NSTE-ACS upon admission underwent transthoracic echocardiography, including two-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-ST). Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS %) was measured and analyzed using 2D speckle tracking. SYNTAX Score was determined for all patients.

RESULTS

By analysis of the performance of LV-GLS% in prediction of high risk by GRACE score, we found that with cutoff (≥-13.8), the AUC was (0.944) with sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy (0.944, 93.3%, 84%, 53.8%, 98.4%, 85.6%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Global longitudinal strain can predict accurately high-risk NSTE-ACS patients by GRACE score.

Acute global longitudinal strain evaluation in patients with subacute to chronic chest pain: A pilot, observational study

Background

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) imaging is a multifaceted modality that has been utilized in various fields of clinical cardiology in the recent past; however, its implementation for the assessment of ischemia has been limited.

Objectives

This study aimed to document the functional changes in GLS secondary to acute myocardial ischemia in patients with chronic chest pain.

Methods

In this unblinded, single-center, investigator-initiated, prospective pilot study, the functional changes in GLS at baseline, during, and immediately following coronary percutaneous intervention were monitored in 10 ambulatory patients who underwent elective catheterization. The exclusion criteria included a low ejection fraction, or a history of chemoradiation, myopathy, and congenital heart disease.

Results

The average GLS at baseline, during the balloon intervention (BI), and 1-2 min after BI was -15.4 % ± 3.3 %, -10.2 % ± 3.6 %, and -16.1 % ± 4.2 %, respectively. The average GLS decreased significantly by 5.1 % (95 % CI, -7.9 % to -2.3; P = 0.0013) from baseline to BI, increased by 6.3 % (95 % CI, 3.7 % to 8.9 %; P < 0.001) from BI to immediately post-BI, and increased by 0.7 % from baseline to post-BI (95 % CI, -0.4 % to 2.7 %; P = 0.161).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing BI showed a significant decrease in the average GLS within 1-2 min of BI, with GLS returning to baseline subsequently, clearly demonstrating the efficacy of the modality and the clinical significance of data obtained. These functional changes replicate cardiac perfusion to the segments supplied by respective vessels and its effect with reperfusion or ballooning. The slight increase in GLS from baseline to post-intervention was not statistically significant, which could be attributed to the confounding factors. Analyzing our data, we can safely conclude that GLS is potentially a sensitive, temporal, and quantitative tool for identifying patients with acute ischemia with its limitations and need for further perfection of this modality. Therefore, GLS assessments on 2D echo can be used for risk stratification of patients with subacute to chronic chest pain concerning for ischemia in addition to EKG, troponins and other data obtained by non-invasive testing and evaluation.

Myocardial strain of the left ventricle by speckle tracking echocardiography: From physics to clinical practice

Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a reliable imaging technique of recognized clinical value in several settings. This method uses the motion of ultrasound backscatter speckles within echocardiographic images to derive myocardial velocities and deformation parameters, providing crucial insights on several cardiac pathological and physiological processes. Its feasibility, reproducibility, and accuracy have been widely demonstrated, being myocardial strain of the various chambers inserted in diagnostic algorithms and guidelines for various pathologies. The most important parameters are Global longitudinal strain (GLS), Left atrium (LA) reservoir strain, and Global Work Index (GWI): based on large studies the average of the lower limit of normality are -16%, 23%, and 1442 mmHg%, respectively. For GWI, it should be pointed out that myocardial work relies primarily on non-invasive measurements of blood pressure and segmental strain, both of which exhibit high variability, and thus, this variability constitutes a significant limitation of this parameter. In this review, we describe the principal aspects of the theory behind the use of myocardial strain, from cardiac mechanics to image acquisition techniques, outlining its limitation, and its principal clinical applications: in particular, GLS have a role in determine subclinical myocardial dysfunction (in cardiomyopathies, cardiotoxicity, target organ damage in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension) and LA strain in determine the risk of AF, specifically in ambulatory patients with arterial hypertension.

Early detection of reduced left ventricular systolic function by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with primary mitral regurgitation in a Vietnamese cohort

Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common heart valve disease, causing many serious complications in several organ systems, especially the cardiovascular system. The 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a new technique for detecting potential cardiac dysfunction when only tissue function abnormalities are present. The study aimed to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic function early by STE in patients with primary MR through global LV deformity along the global longitudinal strain (GLS). Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 46 patients with moderate to severe primary MR as recommended by the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 2017. Results: The prevalence of patients with GLS reduction with ejection fraction (EF) >60%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) I, and left ventricular internal diameter systolic (LVIDs) <40 mm was 38.1%, 35.7%, and 39.5%, respectively. 100% of patients with EF<60% and LVIDs ≥40 mm had reduced GLS (<16%). The GLS index strongly correlates with the NYHA classification, degree of MR, EF, and echocardiographic parameters. Conclusion: GLS index gives a significant sign in the early detection of cardiac function abnormalities before symptoms or other echocardiographic parameters in patients with MR.

Correlation of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography with Traditional Biomarkers in Predicting Cardiotoxicity among Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Patients: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Anthracycline Dosages and Treatment Protocols

Speckle tracking-echocardiography (STE) is a novel non-invasive imaging tool capable of quantifying myocardial deformation, and thus holds promise in detecting early subclinical myocardial injury. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of STE with traditional biomarkers in predicting anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in the context of varying dosages and treatment protocols in pediatric hemato-oncology patients. We conducted a retrospective study involving pediatric hemato-oncology patients undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy. A total of 99 patients were included in the final analysis, with 82 receiving Doxorubicin, of which 58.5% were males, and 17 receiving Epirubicin, of which 70.6% were males, with a median of 10 years old. Traditional biomarkers, such as Troponin I (cTnI) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), were compared with STE parameters, including the global longitudinal strain (GLS), Simpson method of discs (SMOD), and myocardial performance index (MPI). A comprehensive evaluation was conducted based on different dosages of anthracyclines and different treatment protocols, with a follow-up period of one year post-chemotherapy. It was observed that the cTnI levels in the Doxorubicin group were significantly higher (3.2 ng/mL, p = 0.002) than in the Epirubicin group (2.7 ng/mL). However, BNP and NT-proBNP levels were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.096 and p = 0.172, respectively). Regarding STE parameters, a significant negative correlation was observed between the anthracycline dose and GLS (Rho = -0.411, p = 0.001), indicating increased cardiotoxicity with dose elevation. The SMOD and MPI gave significantly better values in the Epirubicin group (59.2 and 0.41 vs. 54.4 and 0.36, respectively). However, the ROC analysis did not find GLS, SMOD, or MPI to be significant independent predictors of cardiotoxicity (p > 0.05). There was also considerable variation in cardiotoxicity between the Doxorubicin and Epirubicin study groups, suggesting that the risk of cardiotoxicity is not solely determined by dose. Our study underlines the potential of STE as a sensitive tool for the early detection and prediction of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in pediatric hemato-oncology patients, but only in association with the clinical findings and cardiac biomarkers. While traditional biomarkers still play a role, STE can offer a more accurate prediction of cardiac risk, potentially leading to better management and outcomes for these patients.

Myocardial strain analysis by 4D-speckle tracking echocardiography for prediction of coronary artery disease severity in patients with stable angina pectoris

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the myocardial strain by four-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (4D-STE) in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) to determine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) based on the Gensini score.

METHODS

The present study comprised of 150 patients with SAP. Patients with history of SAP, normal left ventricular ejection fraction, and without regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) were scheduled for elective coronary angiography. Based on Gensini score, there were two groups: non-critical stenosis group [Gensini score (0-19), n=117] and critical stenosis group [Gensini score ≥20, n=33]. Correlation between Gensini score and 4D-STE strain parameters were investigated.

RESULTS

Out of 150 patients, critical stenosis group had significantly depressed values of all 4D-STE strain parameters than non-critical stenosis group (P <0.001), except global radial strain (GRS) parameter. Significant positive correlation was found between Gensini score and 4D global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS) with Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) as 0.626, 0.548, and 0.631, respectively (P <0.001), whereas significant negative correlation was found between Gensini score and GRS (ρ = -0.433, P <0.001). A 4D GLS value of ≥ -17 had 84.9% sensitivity and 97.4% specificity, GAS ≥ -31 (90.9% sensitivity, 78.6% specificity), GCS ≥ -17 (69.7% sensitivity, 92.3% specificity), and GRS < 47 (sensitivity 72.7%, specificity 76.1%) to detect critical CAD described by Gensini score ≥20.

CONCLUSION

The 4D-STE can aid in the assessment of severe CAD stenosis with good sensitivity and specificity in the patients with SAP without RWMA on traditional echocardiography.

The Association Between Postsystolic Index and SYNTAX Score in Hospitalized Patients With Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective:

Non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) is a heterogeneous disorder including subgroups with a low or high risk for myocardial ischemia. The presence of postsystolic index (PSI) is associated with myocardial ischemia. The focus of this study was to find probable association between PSI and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a cohort of patients.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study that consisted of 83 patients with unstable angina, non-ST-segment myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI), and a left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%, without visible regional wall motion abnormalities. All patients underwent echocardiography, and global longitudinal strain (GLS), PSI, and mitral annular peak systolic (s′) and early diastolic (e′) velocities were measured. Coronary angiography was then performed, and a SYNTAX score was calculated.

Results:

The patient cohort was divided into two groups based on their high and low SYNTAX scores. PSI and GLS were higher in those patients with a higher SYNTAX score than in individuals with a lower score (85.04% ± 67.02% vs 46.67 ± 39.03, P = .001 and −16.09 ± 3.70 vs −17.99 ± 2.87, P = .012, respectively). Among the different variables assessed, only PSI was an independent predictor of a high SYNTAX score ( B = 1.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.001–1.027, P = .034).

Conclusion:

This cohort study demonstrated that a cumulative PSI may be predictive of much more complex and extensive CAD, especially in patients with UA/NSTEMI.

Diagnostic accuracy of global longitudinal strain in prediction of severity and extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome

BACKGROUND

2 D Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a non-invasive, angle-independent, semiautomatic and objective technique that quantitatively assesses global and regional longitudinal systolic strain and provides a single bull's eye map for segmental wall strain of the left ventricle.

OBJECTIVES

assessment of the accuracy of global longitudinal strain (GLS) using STE in the detection of resting myocardial ischaemia and its severity compared with visual assessment of wall motion score index by conventional 2 D echo.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

100 patients who presented with ACS were included. Wall motion score index (WMSI) was calculated in a 16-segment model and compared with GLS assessed in left ventricle 17 segments and calculated automatically by summation of regional longitudinal peak systolic strain (RLS) using STE. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed on clinical indication and significant stenosis was defined as a 70% reduction of the arterial lumen.

RESULTS

56 patients (56%) of patients were males with a mean age of 58.3 years. GLS showed a significant positive correlation between ejection fraction (EF) and GLS (p < 0.05), (r value 0.514) and a good significant negative correlation between WMSI and GLS (p < 0.05), (r value 0.593). And a good significant correlation between GLS and both severity of the lesion and the number of affected vessels was found (p < 0.05). ROC curves showed the cut-off point of GLS was (-15.9) for predicting lesion ≥70% with 88.1% sensitivity, 90.2% specificity respectively.

CONCLUSION

GLS has higher specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of the severity of lesion and number of the vessel affected than WMSI.

Estimation of the segmental left ventricular physical and mechanical parameters using echocardiographic imaging for stent candidate patients

PURPOSE

Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction can be assessed by quantifying LV structure. In this study, physical parameters were extracted, including the systolic strain, wall stress, and elastic modulus of LV to diagnose stent candidate patients from the control group.

METHODS

Based on angiography results, 88 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into 64 patients candidates for PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) and 24 patients in the control group. With the thick-walled ellipsoidal model, the passive wall stresses at end-systole and end-diastole were estimated. Regional circumferential strain and regional longitudinal strain were obtained by speckle tracking technique.

RESULTS

The inferoseptal circumferential wall stress in end-systole was statistically significant for the PCI group compared to the control group (p = .026). Anterior and inferoseptal circumferential strain for the PCI group (-17.25 ± 4.22 and -18.21 ± 4.04%) compared to the control group (-21.71 ± 4.74 and 20.58 ± 3.04%) were statistically significant, respectively (p = .000 and p = .011). Anterior and inferoseptal circumferential elastic modulus were statistically significant (p = .000 and p = .005). The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that anterior and inferoseptal circumferential elastic modulus had the highest area under the curve with 76.6% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity for anterior circumferential, 68.8% sensitivity, and 70.8% specificity for inferoseptal circumferential, for the diagnosis of stent candidate patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Regional elastic modulus parameter is suggested as a noninvasive and quantitative method for measuring LV function. Strain and stress parameters using the STE method and geometrical model can be helpful for diagnostic stent candidate patients.

The correlation between speckle-tracking echocardiography and coronary angiography in suspected coronary artery disease with normal left ventricular function

Introduction: Our study objects to determine the diagnostic accuracy of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) in predicting presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: Patients with stable angina pectoris with normal left ventricular function (>50%) undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled and subjected to speckle tracking echocardiography. Global longitudinal peak systolic strain was measured and correlated to the results of coronary angiography for each patient. Results: Number of male (P=0.001), diabetes (P=0.01) and smoking (P=0.01) patients were significantly higher in the CAD group compared to non-CAD patients. Global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPSS) was significantly (P=0.0001) lower in CAD patients in comparison to non- CAD patients. GLPSS showed significantly lower in patients with Syntax score (SS)≥22 in comparison to SS<22. Cut-off value -19 for GLPSS could be used to predict the presence of significant CAD with 80.6% sensitivity and 76.5% specificity (area under curve (AUC) -0.83, P=0.0001). The mean GLPSS value decreased as the number of diseased coronary vessels increased (P=0.0001). The optimal cut-off value of -16 GLPSS with a sensitivity of 76.7% and specificity of 83.3% [AUC 0.84, P<0.0001] was found significant to predict CAD severity. Multivariate regression of GLPSS and another risk factor for predicting significant CAD, GLPSS showed OR=1.55 (CI-1.36-1.76) P=0.0001 for predicting the presence of CAD. Conclusion: 2DSTE can be used as a non-invasive screening test in predicting presence, extent and severity of significant CAD patients with suspected stable angina pectoris.

Myocardial strain analysis as a non-invasive screening test in the diagnosis of stable coronary artery disease

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most prevalent diseases around the world; however, finding the best noninvasive, low-cost, and more easily accessible test for its screening has been a challenge for several years. Eighty-nine patients suspected of stable CAD underwent 2D-speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) at resting position and offline longitudinal myocardial strain analysis, followed by coronary angiography. The correlation of the global longitudinal strain (GLS) and territorial longitudinal strain (TLS) with significant CAD (70% and more stenosis in at least one coronary artery) was then evaluated.

Results

The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between low GLS and significant CAD (P=0.0001). The results also showed a significant correlation between low TLS and significant CAD in the left and right coronary artery territories. The optimal cut-off point of GLS for the detection of significant CAD was −19.25, with a sensitivity of 76.5% and specificity of 76.6%.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the usefulness of 2DSTE myocardial strain analysis in diagnosis of CAD for detecting the affected coronary arteries using GLS and SLS.

Speckle Tracking Echocardiography: Early Predictor of Diagnosis and Prognosis in Coronary Artery Disease

Echocardiography represents a first level technique for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) which supports clinicians in the diagnostic and prognostic workup of these syndromes. However, visual estimation of wall motion abnormalities sometimes fails in detecting less clear or transient myocardial ischemia and in providing accurate differential diagnosis. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a widely available noninvasive tool that could easily and quickly provide additive information over basic echocardiography, since it is able to identify subtle myocardial damage and to localize ischemic territories in accordance to the coronary lesions, obtaining a clear visualization with a "polar map" useful for differential diagnosis and management. Therefore, it has increasingly been applied in acute and chronic coronary syndromes using rest and stress echocardiography, showing good results in terms of prediction of CAD, clinical outcome, left ventricular remodeling, presence, and quantification of new/residual ischemia. The aim of this review is to illustrate the current available evidence on STE usefulness for the assessment and follow-up of CAD, discussing the main findings on bidimensional and tridimensional strain parameters and their potential application in clinical practice.

Two-year left ventricular systolic function of percutaneous coronary intervention vs optimal medical therapy for patients with single coronary chronic total occlusion

In this study, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) were applied to compare the changes of left ventricular systolic function associated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus optimal medical therapy (OMT) in patients with single chronic total occlusion (CTO). 63 single CTO patients (age 61.88 ± 8.86 years) were examined by echocardiography and were divided into the PCI group (n = 27) and OMT group (n = 36) according to the initial treatment strategy. Two-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction (2D-LVEF), two-dimensional indexed left ventricular end-systolic volume (2D-LVESVI), and two-dimensional indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume (2D-LVEDVI) were measured using two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). Three-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction (3D-LVEF), three-dimensional indexed left ventricular end-systolic volume (3D-LVESVI), and three-dimensional indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume (3D-LVEDVI) were measured using RT-3DE. Global circumferential strain (GCS) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured using 2D-STE. After 2 years of follow-up, there were no significant differences in the 2D-LVEF, 2D-LVESVI, 3D-LVEF, 3D-LVESVI, 3D-LVEDVI, and GCS, except for GLS (P = .001) between the CTO-PCI and CTO-OMT groups. GLS decreased significantly in OMT group (P = .016) in contrast with PCI group in which GLS increased significantly (P = .007). Left ventricular systolic function assessment using 2D-STE showed a significant difference in GLS between CTO-PCI and CTO-OMT. And the patients who chose PCI revascularization at the 2-year follow-up had better left ventricular systolic function improvement than those who were conservatively treated with OMT.

[Comparative capabilities of the speckle-tracking echocardiography technologiesin two-dimensional and three-dimensional modes in the detection of subclinical cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer]

AIM

The study was to assess the deformation properties of the left ventricle (LV) myocardium in patients with breast cancer initially and after anthracycline chemotherapy according to 2D and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

the study included 99 patients with triple negative breast cancer with hypertensionandnormotension. All patients underwent standard transthoracic echocardiography with assessment of systolic function of the LV. To assess the indicator of global longitudinal strain (GLS), as a marker of cardiotoxicity, STE was used in two-and three-dimensional modes. In the three-dimensional STE mode, a new strain parameter, the global area strain (GAS) was evaluated.

RESULTS

The study showed that in patients with breast cancer for a more accurate assessment of LV systolic function (ejection fraction) it is advisable to use 3D-echocardiography. A comparative analysis revealed statistically significantly lower values of the GLS according to the three-dimensional mode of STE compared to two-dimensional. The study also evaluated a new strain parameter GAS (%). In patients with breast cancer during ROC analysis with a value of -14.0, the GAS indicator for the development of subclinical cardiotoxicity showed a sensitivity of 81.5% and a specificity of 73.3%. Сonclusion.the advantage of the STE in the three-dimensional mode, in contrast to the two-dimensional mode, is the simultaneous and more accurate assessment of LVEF. The value of the additional parameter of LV deformation the area of deformation requires further study.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Global Longitudinal Strain for Detecting Significant Coronary Artery Disease in Diabetic Patients without Regional Wall Motion Abnormality

AIMS

Speckle-tracking imaging is a novel method for assessing left ventricular (LV) function and ischemic changes. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of global longitudinal strain (GLS) and regional longitudinal strain (RLS) parameters at rest in comparison to stress echocardiography findings for detecting significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

We prospectively studied echocardiographic characteristics at rest with Speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) measures; then stress echocardiography and coronary angiography data in 34 diabetic patients without regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) at rest. Patients were grouped according to coronary angiography and stress echocardiography results into two groups CAD (+) vs control group CAD (-).

RESULTS

GLS at rest was lower in the CAD (+) group ((-14.2 % ± 3.1 vs -17.8 % ± 3.1 in the control group CAD (-), P=0.004). GLS at rest had the highest area under the ROC curve (AUC) (AUC 0.78, sensitivity 61%, specificity 91%,P=0.009) with the cut-off of -14.5% which is equal to predictive power of wall motion scoring index (WMSI) at peak stress to detect significant CAD (AUC=0.76 (95% CI 0.58-0.94, P= 0.016) with the cut-off value of 1.21).

CONCLUSIONS

Global longitudinal strain at rest by STE showed excellent specificity (>90%) and good sensitivity (60%) for the diagnosis of severe CAD among the diabetic population with unknown CAD. This is the first study showing that GLS at rest with cutoff value at -14.5% had good and equal diagnostic accuracy as WMSI at peak stress to detect significant CAD among the diabetic population.

Comparison of mitral annular displacement and global longitudinal strain imaging for predicting significant coronary atherosclerotic disease in patients of chronic stable angina pectoris

Myocardial strain by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is a validated clinical index of myocardial deformation, for predicting CAD in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP) with preserved ejection fraction (EF). However, it is complex, imaging dependant with intra and intervendor variability. The mitral annulus displacement (MAD) has been correlated to left ventricular (LV) longitudinal deformation and may be interchanged with strain imaging. This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with suspected CSAP (n = 146) and preserved LVEF without wall motion abnormalities. We excluded patients with prior heart disease, ACS, arrhythmia, heart failure or poor imaging. GLS, Average MAD and normalized MAD were calculated using 2D-STE by automated function imaging. CAG was gold standard. MAD had significantly lesser dropout due to suboptimal imaging. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that GLS had significantly better area under curve (AUC) compared to Normalised MAD and Average MAD (P = 0.035) in predicting significant CAD in patients of CSAP. The optimal cut-off of GLS, normalized MAD and Average MAD were ≥  - 20.67% (sensitivity 94.2%, specificity 86.7%), ≤ 15.22% (sensitivity 90.7%, specificity 80%) and ≤ 11.18 mm (sensitivity 83.7%, specificity 71.1%) respectively. GLS showed strong correlation with Normalised MAD (R = 0.669, P < 0.001) and good correlation to Average MAD (R 0.572, P < 0.001). Absolute GLS and Normalised MAD showed significant inverse correlation to SYNTAX score. GLS is a more accurate measure for predicting presence and severity of CAD then MAD however latter is a reliable simpler, robust, and expeditious tool with lesser dropouts. It can be at least of complementary value to other imaging markers for myocardial function when LV curvatures are poorly visualized or in busy outdoors with time constraint.

Correlation between Myocardial Strain by 2-D Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography and Angiographic findings by Coronary Angiogram in Stable Angina

Background and aims: Identification of coronary artery disease by non-invasive means is a subject of interest for all. Myocardial strain has shown some promising results. This study intends to see if change in strain value correlates with the angiographic findings in patients with stable angina. It is also assessing whether myocardial strain can predict the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in stable angina patients. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 84 stable angina patients with no previous cardiac history and normal LV function undergoing coronary angiogram for guideline-based indication. After careful history, clinical examination and investigations, including conventional echocardiography, selected participants underwent 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography for measurement of myocardial strain by automated functional imaging. All participants underwent coronary angiogram and stenosis >70% was considered significant. Gensini score was calculated. The myocardial strain value and Gensini score were correlated. Results: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was significantly lower in patients with significant CAD than those with non-significant CAD (-16.1±2.6% vs -19.4±2.2%; p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value of GLS, which discriminated between patients with and without significant coronary artery disease, was -18.05% (sensitivity=81.8% and specificity=85%). Also, GLS declined incrementally with the increasing severity of CAD defined by increasing number of stenotic vessels. There was an inverse correlation between GLS and severity of CAD (expressed in Gensini score) in this study (r = 0.669, p< 0.001), meaning that GLS decreased with increasing severity of CAD. GLS remained an independent predictor for the presence of significant CAD after multivariate adjustment for other significant baseline characteristics and echocardiographic parameters. Conclusions: The myocardial strain by 2DSE correlates with the angiographic severity by coronary angiogram in patients with stable angina. It is an independent predictor of significant coronary artery disease, which it can detect with good sensitivity and specificity.

The value of 2D speckle-tracking strain echocardiography in evaluating the relationship between carotid elasticity and left ventricular systolic function in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Objective

To investigate the relationship between the elasticity of the carotid artery and the LV (left ventricle) systolic function in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) by using two-dimensional speckle-tracking strain echocardiography (2D-STE).

Methods

DN patients (n = 108) and control subjects (n = 112), all of whom underwent echocardiography and carotid ultrasound. Analysis of LV GLS (global longitudinal strain) from the apical two-chamber (2C), three-chamber (3C), and four-chamber (4C) views. Meanwhile, the circumferential strain (CS) of the carotid artery was obtained from the view of the short-axis right common carotid artery. The differences between the two groups were compared, and a correlation analysis between CS and GLS was performed.

Results

The 4CGLS, 2CGLS, 3CGLS, and CS of the DN group were significantly lower at significant levels in contrast to the control group (p < 0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation of CS with 4CGLS, 2CGLS, and 3CGLS in all subjects (r = 0.809, p = 0.000; r = 0.830, p = 0.000; r = 0.830, p = 0.000, respectively).

Conclusion

2D-STE is a relatively new technique for assessing the mechanical characteristics of the carotid artery in patients with DN. Reduced values of CS correlate with reduced LV systolic function as evaluated by strain measurements, which can predict the risk of systolic dysfunction of LV.

The predictive value of speckle tracking during dobutamine stress echocardiography in patients with chronic stable angina

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

The Outcome of Diabetic Patients with Cardiomyopathy in Critical Care Unit: Hospital and Short-Term Outcome in a Period of Six Months to One Year

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease (CAD). DM may cause structural changes involving the left ventricle (LV) systolic and diastolic function.

AIM

To compare patients who have diabetes and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) to those with diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMCMP) regarding LV systolic function, diastolic function, in hospital long term and short-term mortality.

METHODS

Ninety diabetic patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 35%, admitted to Critical Care Medicine department Cairo University were divided into two groups based on coronary angiography results; group I (ICM) n = 48 patients and group II (DMCMP) n = 42 patients.

RESULTS

Group I patients had higher mean age (63 ± 7 years), (p = 0.004), Hypertension (p < 0.001) and dyslipidemia (p = 0.008) were significantly more present in group I compared to group II. No significant differences were found regarding LVEF, global longitudinal strain (GLS), E/A and E/É ratio in both groups. A significant difference in the wall motion score index (WMSI) in group I; (1.4 ± 0.4) versus group II; (1.1 ± 0.2), (p = 0.005) was found. In the study, 6 patients had a cardiogenic shock with no documented in-hospital mortality. At 6 months, statistically, significantly higher mortality rates were found in group I, (p = 0.006), while at one year there was no significant difference in the mortality between the two groups, (p = 0.077). In comparison of the survived and non-survived patients at 6 months and one year in group I (ICM) there was a significant difference in LVEF (40 ± 6% vs 23 ± 6%, p < 0.001), GLS (- 8.1 ± 2.4 vs - 4.6 ± 2.6, p = 0.007), E/A (1.25 ± 0.91 vs 1.8 ± 0.5, p = 0.038), E/É (11.68 ± 7.5 vs 21.3 ± 3.6, p = 0.001) respectively. In group ll (DMCMP) there was no documented mortality at 6 months follow up, however, at one year there was statistically significant difference in the mortality between survived and non-survived patients; the LVEF (35 ± 8% vs 25 ± 2%, p = 0.014), GLS (-7.9 ± 2.9% vs -5 ± 0.1%, p = 0.032), E/A (1.45 ± 0.8 vs 3.3 ± 0, p = 0.006) respectively. The E/É ratio in group ll was not significantly different between the groups (15.73 ± 5.3 vs 15 ± 1, p = 0.873).

CONCLUSION

The combination of cardiomyopathy and diabetes affects LV systolic and diastolic function; however; ischemic cardiomyopathy and diabetic cardiomyopathy had a similar systolic and diastolic function. Ischemic cardiomyopathy is associated with worse prognosis compared to diabetic cardiomyopathy.

The correlation between speckle tracking echocardiography and coronary artery disease in patients with suspected stable angina pectoris

Background

To examine the value of speckle tracking echocardiography to detect the presence, extent and severity of coronary artery affection in patients with suspected stable angina pectoris.

Methods

Two hundred candidates with suspected stable angina pectoris and normal resting conventional echocardiography were subjected to speckle tracking echocardiography and coronary angiography. Global and segmental longitudinal peak systolic strain were assessed and were correlated to the results of coronary angiography for each patient.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference in the mean of global longitudinal peak systolic strain between normal coronaries and different degrees of coronary artery disease (CAD) (−20.11 ± 0.8 for normal, −18.34 ± 2.52 for single vessel, −16.14 ± 2.85 for two vessels, −14.81 ± 2.12 for three vessels, −13.01 ± 2.92 for left main disease). GLPSS showed high sensitivity for the diagnosis of single vessel CAD (90%, specificity 95.1%, cutoff value: −18.44, AUC: 0.954); two vessels disease (90%, sensitivity 88.9%, cutoff value −17.35, AUC: 0.906) and for three vessels CAD (cutoff value −15.33, sensitivity 63% and specificity 72.2% AUC 0.681) segmental LPSS also showed statistical significance for localization of the affected vessel for left anterior descending, left circumflex and right coronary artery (ρ = 0.001) and inverse correlation with syntax score that was significant with high and intermediate score (ρ = 0.001) and insignificant for low syntax score (ρ value 0.05).

Conclusion

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has good sensitivity and specificity to predict the presence, extent and severity of CAD.