Speckle Tracking Imaging Combined With Myocardial Comprehensive Index to Evaluate Left Ventricular Function Changes in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ObjectiveTo evaluate left ventricular systolic function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI). MethodsThirty patients with SLE (SLE group) and 30 healthy people (control group) were examined using 3D-STI, and their clinical characteristics were collected. The following conventional 3D parameters were obtained: left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), spherical index (SPI), left ventricular end-diastolic mass (LV EDmass), and left ventricular end-systolic mass (LV ESmass). The following 3D-STI strain parameters were obtained: global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), left ventricular twist angle (LVtw), torque (Tor), peak strain dispersion (PSD), and myocardial comprehensive index (MCI). Statistical analysis was used to analyze the differences in the above indicators among the groups and their correlations. ResultsLVEDV and LVEF decreased; LV EDmass and LV ESmass increased; GLS, GCS, LVtw, Tor, and MCI decreased; and PSD increased in the SLE group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve of the MCI was the highest (0.940), the sensitivity of the Tor and MCI was the highest (90.00%), and the specificity of the Tor was the highest (93.33%). Correlation analysis showed that there was a good correlation between the MCI and hs-TropT. ConclusionThe systolic function of the left ventricle is decreased in patients with SLE. 3D-STI technology can detect abnormal left ventricular systolic function in patients with SLE in the early stage.