ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Cardioangiologica 2018 February;66(1):26-37

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4725.17.04394-8

Copyright © 2017 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Assessment of left atrial function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using two-dimensional strain: a comparison with volume-derived values

Jun HUANG ✉, Zi-Ning YAN, Yi-Fei RUI, Li FAN, Dan SHEN, Dong-Liang CHEN

Department of Echocardiography, ChangZhou N. 2 People’s Hospital Affiliated to NanJing Medical University, ChangZhou, China

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common heart disease. Left atrial (LA) function plays an important role in the diastolic function in patients with HCM. In this study, two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) was used to assess left atrial (LA) function in patients with HCM.
METHODS: Thirty-four patients with HCM and thirty-four age- and gender-matched normal subjects were studied. The LA Volume-Derived Index was measured using 2D ultrasonic images. The LA strain (S-reservoir, S-conduit, S-booster pump) and the strain rate (SR-reservoir, SR-conduit, SR-booster pump), representing the reservoir, conduit and booster pump functions, respectively, were measured.
RESULTS: The LA reservoir, conduit and booster pump functions were significantly different between patients with HCM and normal subjects. The values in patients with HCM were less than those in normal subjects. In patients with HCM, S-reservoir and SR-reservoir were significantly correlated with the total LA ejection fraction (LAEF), LA Expansion Index and left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain. S-conduit and SR-conduit were significantly correlated with e’ and LV global longitudinal strain. S-booster pump and SR-booster pump were significantly correlated with the A, a’, active LAEF and LA Expansion Index. S-booster pump was significantly correlated with the LV global longitudinal strain.
CONCLUSIONS: 2D-STI conveniently demonstrated the LA dysfunction in patients with HCM by detecting the LA strain and strain rate. The accurate assessment of LA function could have potential clinical value for the treatment of patients with HCM.

KEY WORDS: Cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic - Atrial function, left - Sprains and strains