Evaluation of left ventricular short- and long-axis function in severe mitral regurgitation using 2-dimensional strain echocardiography

• Published in: The American heart journal 2009-02, Vol.157 (2), p.345-351
• Main Authors: Kim, Min-Seok, MD, Kim, Yong-Jin, MD, Kim, Hyung-Kwan, MD, Han, Joo-Yong, MD, Chun, Hong-Gu, PhD, Kim, Hee-Chan, MD, Sohn, Dae-Won, MD, Oh, Byung-Hee, MD, Park, Young-Bae, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Age; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular system; Chronic Disease; Echocardiography; Echocardiography, Doppler; Endocardial and cardiac valvular diseases; Female; Flow velocity; Heart; Heart attacks; Heart rate; Humans; Intubation; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging; Mitral Valve Insufficiency - physiopathology; Stroke; Surgery; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - diagnostic imaging; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - physiopathology; Ventricular Function, Left - physiology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0002-8703; 1097-6744
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2008.10.004

Background Few data exist on the changes in left ventricular (LV) short- and long-axis function and their usefulness as markers of LV contractile function in patients with chronic, severe mitral regurgitation (MR). Methods We studied 59 patients who had severe MR with an ejection fraction ≥50% and 34 healthy controls. Speckle tracking imaging was performed to measure peak systolic radial (SRR ), circumferential (SRC ), and longitudinal strain rates (SRL ). In all patients, the peak rate of LV pressure rise (peak dP/dt) was measured using a micromanometer-tipped catheter. The patients were subdivided into patients with preserved (group 1, peak dP/dt ≥1,300 mm Hg/s [n = 30]) and depressed (group 2 [n = 29]) contractile function. Results SRL was significantly depressed in groups 1 and 2 when compared with the control group, but there was no difference between groups 1 and 2. In contrast, SRR and SRC were depressed only in group 2, whereas there were no differences between the control group and group 1. SRR and SRC correlated well with peak dP/dt ( r = 0.71, P