Age-Related Changes in Left Ventricular Torsion as Assessed by 2-Dimensional Ultrasound Speckle Tracking Imaging

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The newly developed 2-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) has enabled researchers to assess the changes of left ventricular (LV) rotation and torsion. The aims of the present study are to establish normal values and to examine the effect of advancing age on left ventricular torsion. Subjects and Methods: We enrolled 182 healthy persons in this study. After examined the standard clinical echocardiographic parameters, we obtained the degree of the LV rotation at the basal and apical levels of the short axis view with using a customized software program EchoPAC, GE. Results: Among the 182 healthy subjects, 109 healthy subjects were finally included (49 males and 60 females) due to the failure of obtaining reliable rotational patterns (feasibility: 59.8%). The basal and apical peak LV rotations during systole were 8.14±3.55 degrees and 8.48±3.70 degrees, respectively. The basal peak LV rotation and peak LV torsion had a tendency to increase with aging (r=0.277, p=0.004 and r=0.253, p=0.008, respectively). All the values of the basal LV rotation during systole tended to increase with aging. The apical LV rotation had no relationship with aging throughout the entire cardiac cycle. Conclusion: 2D-STI was a feasible methodology to measure the LV rotation. The peak LV torsion during systole shows statistically significant augmentation with advancing age, and this is mainly due to the increased basal LV rotation. (Korean Circ J 2008;38:529-535)