Abstract 1962: Quantification of Longitudinal Right Ventricular Systolic Function and Its Coupling to Left Ventricular Global Function Using Speckle-Tracking Strain Imaging in Patients with Old Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Background: We tested the hypothesis that speckle-tracking strain imaging can quantify longitudinal right ventricular (RV) function and its association with left ventricular (LV) function in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: To quantify longitudinal RV function, 39 patients with old MI (OMI: LV ejection fraction 17 – 77 %, 45 ±16 %) and 29 age matched normal controls (Control: LV ejection fraction 65 ± 5 %) were studied with echocardiography. Longitudinal RV global peak systolic strain was assessed from apical four-chamber view using speckle-tracking imaging (EchoPAC, GE Electronic). RV fractional area change was also analyzed. Results: Longitudinal RV global peak systolic strain was significantly impaired in OMI compared to Control (−18 ± 5* and −25 ± 4 %, *p < 0.05 vs. Control) whereas RV fractional area change failed to discriminate from normal to impaired RV function (OMI: 48 ± 11 vs. Control: 52 ± 6 %, p = NS). When divided OMI into three groups regarding to plasma BNP level (Group A: BNP < 100 pg/ml; n = 14, Group B: 100 pg/ml ≤ BNP < 500 pg/ml; n = 14, and Group C; BNP ≥ 500 pg/ml; n = 11), Group A had no significant relations between longitudinal RV global peak systolic strain and LV ejection fraction (y = −0.07x − 11, r = 0.30, p = NS) whereas those were significantly correlated in Group B (y = −0.18x − 11, r = 0.59*, *p < 0.05). Furthermore, the strongest correlation between longitudinal RV global peak systolic strain and LV ejection fraction was observed in Group C (y = −0.58x + 5, r = 0.90*, *p < 0.05). Conclusion: Speckle tracking strain imaging quantified longitudinal RV global systolic function and exhibited its BNP-related dependency to LV systolic function in patents with OMI.