Background:
Previous studies showed that 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) correlates with the extent of left ventricular(LV)myocardial fibrosis (MF). However, the utility of 3D-STE in predicting LV MF remains unknown. We aimed to identify which LV strain assessed by 2D- and 3D-STE is the most reliable parameter to predict LV MF in patients with end-stage HF.
Methods:
105 patients with end-stage HF undergoing heart transplantation were enrolled in our study. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) and global radial strain (GRS) were measured by 2D- and 3D-STE. LV ejection fraction (EF) was determined by 3D-STE.The degree of MF was quantified by using Masson trichrome stain in LV myocardial samples. The study population was divided into 3 groups according to the degree of MF on histology (mild, moderate, and severe MF).
Results:
Patients with severe MF had lower 2D-STE, 3D-STE, and LVEF compared with those with mild and moderate MF. LV MF strongly correlated with 3D-LVGLS (r =0.73; P < 0.001), modestly with 3D-LVGRS (r =0.53; P< 0.001), weakly with 2D-LVGLS (r =0.49, P<0.001), 3D-LVGCS(r = 0.37, P <0.01), and LVEF (r =-0.46, P<0.001), but did not correlated with 2D-LVGCS and 2D-LVGRS. 3D-LVGLS correlated best with the degree of MF (r = 0.73 vs 0.37~0.53; P<0.05) compared with other 2D- and 3D-STE, and LVEF. 3D-LVGLS had the highest accuracy for detecting severe MF (area under the curve 0.90 VS 0.62~0.80; P< 0.05) compared with the 2D- and 3D-STE, and LVEF. Stepwise multivariate analysis showed that 3D-LVGLS (β=0.79, p < 0.001) was the only independent predictor of the degree of MF.
Conclusion:
3D-LVGLS may be an ideal surrogate marker for LV MF in patients with end-stage HF.
POST-SYSTOLIC STRAIN INDEX MEASURED BY 2D SPECKLE TRACKING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY PREDICTS CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE IN VERY ELDERLY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
