What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine if speckle tracking strain can reveal early cardiac changes in cognitive impairment patients.

March 28, 2026Open Access

Prognostic Value of Cardiac Strain in Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

Key Result

Left atrial global strain and left ventricular global longitudinal strain are associated with cognitive impairment and serve as early echocardiographic markers of cognitive decline.

Key Points

To determine if speckle tracking strain can reveal early cardiac changes in cognitive impairment patients.
Conducted a systematic review across five databases.
Included studies focused on left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and left atrial global strain (LAS).
Performed analysis on data from a total of 20,614 individuals.
Left atrial global strain is the most frequently associated marker with cognitive impairment.
Speckle tracking GLS showed differences between cognitive impairment groups.
Only one study reported no association with left ventricular and left atrial function.

Structured PICO

Does speckle tracking strain (GLS and LAS) demonstrate early cardiac alterations in patients with cognitive impairment?

Population

Individuals assessed for cognitive impairment and myocardial strain (mean/median age 70 years, 55.3% female)

Intervention

Myocardial function assessment via speckle tracking strain (left ventricular global longitudinal strain [GLS] and left atrial global strain [LAS])

Outcome

Association between myocardial strain (GLS and LAS) and cognitive impairmentsurrogate

Left ventricular and left atrial global strain assessed via speckle tracking echocardiography may serve as early markers of cognitive impairment.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Heart failure (HF) increases the risk of cognitive impairment (CI). Consequently, early detection and prevention of HF progression may reduce the impact of cognitive decline. The employment of novel echocardiographic imaging techniques, such as myocardial function assessment via speckle tracking strain, allows for the detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction. The objective of this study is to identify whether speckle tracking strain has the capacity to demonstrate early cardiac alterations in patients with CI. Methods: Following a systematic review across five databases, three studies utilizing left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and seven studies utilizing left atrial global strain (LAS) were included. Results: In the assessment of myocardial strain, the sample totaled 20,614 individuals, with a mean and median age of 70 years and a predominance of females (55.3%). Left atrial global strain was the myocardial deformation marker that most frequently demonstrated an association with cognitive impairment in the listed studies. Speckle tracking GLS also demonstrated differences between groups. Only one study found no association between sensitive measures of left ventricular and left atrial function and the presence of CI. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this systematic review suggest that GLS and LAS are early markers of cognitive impairment.