Segmentally impaired left ventricular longitudinal strain: a new predictive diagnostic parameter for asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved ejection fraction

• Published in: Perfusion 2022-05, Vol.37 (4), p.402-409
• Main Authors: Kostakou, Peggy M, Tryfou, Elsie S, Kostopoulos, Vassilios S, Markos, Lambros I, Damaskos, Dimitrios S, Olympios, Christoforos D, Kouris, Nikos T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aorta; Aortic stenosis; Aortic valve; Aortic Valve Stenosis - diagnostic imaging; Asymptomatic; Cardiac arrhythmia; Echocardiography; Ejection fraction; Heart; Heart valves; Heart Ventricles - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Impairment; Medical diagnosis; Segments; Septum; Stroke Volume; Ventricle; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left; Ventricular Function, Left
• ISSN: 0267-6591; 1477-111X
• DOI: 10.1177/0267659121995998

Introduction: This study aims to investigate the correlation between severe aortic stenosis (sAS) and impairment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) in particular segments, using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with sAS and normal ejection fraction of left ventricle (LVEF). Methods: The study included 53 consecutive patients with asymptomatic sAS and preserved LVEF. The regional longitudinal systolic LV wall strain was evaluated at the area opposite of the aorta as the median strain value of the basal, middle, and apical segments of the lateral and posterior walls and was compared to the average strain value of the interventricular septum (IVS) at the same views. Results: LVGLS was decreased and was not statistically different between three- and four-chamber views (−12.5 ± 3.6 vs −11.4 ± 5.5%, p = 0.2). The average strain values of the lateral and posterior walls were statistically reduced compared to the average value of the IVS (lateral vs IVS: −7.8 ± 3.7 vs −10 ± 5.3%, p = 0.005, posterior vs IVS: −7.7 ± 4.2 vs −10.3 ± 3.8%, p