Key result
Diastolic dysfunction was associated with significantly reduced left atrial strain and higher left atrial stiffness compared to normal controls, partially independent of left atrial volume.
Why the study?
Does two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging detect impaired left atrial strain in patients with early diastolic dysfunction compared to normal controls?
Case-Control (n=150)
Does two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging detect impaired left atrial strain in patients with early diastolic dysfunction compared to normal controls?
Left atrial strain measured by speckle tracking imaging is significantly reduced in early diastolic dysfunction and may serve as a more sensitive marker than left atrial enlargement.
May support LA strain by speckle tracking as sensitive marker beyond volume; leaves open prospective validation for clinical use.
BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (STI) has recently been applied to the study of left atrial (LA) reservoir function. We utilized STI to analyze LA function in diastolic dysfunction (DD), hypothesizing that LA strain abnormality is part of the pathogenesis of diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: We applied STI to 50 patients with Grade 1-2 DD, comparing these results to 100 normal controls. Complete Doppler analysis of filling was made using peak E, peak A and tissue Doppler e' velocities; E/e' was used as a surrogate for LA pressure and LA stiffness index was calculated. RESULTS: In analysis of covariance, adjusting for age and gender, compared with controls, DD patients had higher E/e', greater LA volume and greater LA stiffness, but lower E/A ratio and global LA strain. LA strain appears to be inversely related to LA volume, but not to other indices of LV diastolic function. In subgroup analysis, LA strain was significantly lower, and stiffness significantly higher in DD, even after correction for differences in LA volume and E/A ratio. Analysis of ROC curves suggests that abnormal LA strain is a better marker for diastolic dysfunction than LA enlargement. CONCLUSION: LA strain by STI is significantly reduced in early diastolic dysfunction and is related to higher LA stiffness and LA size. Reduction in LA strain is partially independent of LA volume; accordingly we hypothesize that reduced atrial strain indicates impaired atrial distensibility.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Khan et al. (2012) conducted a case-control in Diastolic dysfunction (n=150). Diastolic dysfunction vs. Normal controls was evaluated on Left atrial strain and stiffness. Diastolic dysfunction was associated with significantly reduced left atrial strain and higher left atrial stiffness compared to normal controls, partially independent of left atrial volume.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: