Evaluation of myocardial functions with strain and strain rates echocardiography measurements in atrial septal defect patients with percutaneous closure

BACKGROUND: In this study we aimed to evaluate myocardial functions of patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) by strain and strain rate echocardiography. Because, evaluation of myocardial functions is very important for management of responsive to treatment in congenital heart disease. However, due to complex structure and physiology it is difficult to evaluate right ventricle. Recently, strain and strain rate echocardiography have been introduced as an encouraging method to evaluate myocardial functions. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with ASD and 31 control subjects with similar chracteristics were included in the study. All patients' defect was closed with ASD occlude?' device. In control patients, strain and strain rate echocardiography measurements were conducted additional to conventional echocardiographic parameters. Patients with ASD data were divided into three groups: preprocess, postprocess first and sixth month. The data obtained were compared with the control group and within themselves. RESULTS: After ASD closure, procedure strain and strain rate echocardiography values at right ventricular mid segment (-27.21,1.6/-32.6 +/- 1.1 P <= 0.001 and -2.100.36/-2.90 +/- 0.29 P <= 0.001), right ventricular basal segment (-29.41,1.3/-34.7 +/- 1.2 P <= 0.001 and -2.20-+/- 0.28/-3.09-+/- 0.23 P <= 0.001) and right atrium(37.4 +/- 1.6/43.6 +/- 0.9 P <= 0.001 and 2.60 +/- 0.47/3.47 +/- 0.24 P <= 0.001) were determined to have improved. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that strain and strain rate echocardiography could be used for response to treatment and follow up for ASD patients.