Assessment right atrial function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus by speckle tracking and three-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate right atrial function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with normal pulmonary pressure by using two dimensional-speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE). Methods: A totoal of 40 patients with SLE and 40 control subjects were collected between December 2011 and May 2014 from Ningbo Medical Treatment Center Lihuili Hospital. Right atrial global longitudinal strain (RAGLS) and all kinds of right atrium volume index (RAVI) were detected. Relationship between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion(TAPSE), tricuspid annulus systolic peak velocity (S'), right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI), ETV/e'TV and the right atrium parameters were analyzed. Results: SLE group's right atrium maximal volume index(RAVImax)(33.5±11.1) ml/m2, right atrium minimal volume index (RAVImin)(13.2±4.5) ml/m2, right atrium presystolic volume index (RAVIpre) (2.57±10.2) ml/m2, right atrium total emptying volume index(RAVIt)(20.2±8.1)ml/m2, right atrium active emptying volume index (RAVIa)(12.5±7.5) ml/m2) were increased .But right atrium passive emptying volume index(RAVIp)( 7.8±2.7) ml/m2 and right atrial global longitudinal strain (RAGLS) (38.2%±7.7% ) were decreased (both P<0.05). RAGLS was positive correlated with S' and TAPSE, the r value were 0.565 and 0.445 respectively (both P<0.01). ETV/e'TV was positive correlated with RAVIpre, RAVIa, the r value were 0.469 and 0.481 respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Detecting right atrial function by 2D-STI and RT-3DE could diagnose right atrial dysfunction in early stage of SLE patients with normal pulmonary pressure. The method is simple, has significant clinical value.