Application of Global Longitudinal Strain as a Parameter of Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Echocardiography

Abstract

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) derived from speckle tracking has emerged as an important tool in assessing myocardial function, offering sensitive insights into cardiac performance. This review highlights GLS as a valuable technique for early detection and monitoring of various cardiac conditions, including heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and valvular heart disease. GLS is a measure of deformation along the longitudinal axis of the heart, providing a quantitative assessment of global left ventricular systolic function. It surpasses traditional parameters like ejection fraction in sensitivity, detecting abnormalities at earlier stages. Additionally, GLS is a robust predictor of adverse events in a wide spectrum of cardiac diseases. While GLS shows promise, it does have some drawbacks like relying on image quality and standardized guidelines. However, its high consistency and lower reliance on the operator make it more reliable in real-world clinical settings. Overall, GLS is an indispensable tool in cardiovascular imaging, empowering clinicians to detect subtle changes in cardiac function, predict adverse events, and optimize patient care and outcomes.