English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most common, single, native valvular heart disease in adult population. The purpose of this study was to detect abnormalities in global longitudinal strain (GLS) and strain rate using 2D - STI in patients with severe AS and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The effect of aortic valve replacement (AVR) on changes in strain parameters 30 days after surgery was also analysed. METHODS A total number of 60 patients aged more than 18 years with aortic valve disease scheduled for surgical aortic valve replacement admitted in Department of Cardiology, KMC hospital Mangalore, were included over a period of 18 months from January 2017 to June 2018. RESULTS A total of 60 patients with severe AS, defined by an aortic valve area of < 1 cm², mean transaortic pressure gradient ( P) of > 40 mmHg and maximum aortic velocity (Vmax) of > 4 m/sec were studied. Mean age of the study population was 63.5 years. 60 % of the population were males and 40 % being females. Most common risk factor present in the study population was diabetes mellitus (DM). 83% of the patients in the study population had at least one symptom. Most common symptom with which the patients presented was exertional dyspnoea. All patients had normal left ventricle (LV) cavity dimensions and LVEF prior to surgery with diastolic dysfunction being present in all patients. The LV ejection fraction is not significantly altered. The aortic valve area calculated by continuity equation has significantly increased post AVR with a significant reduction in transaortic peak and means pressure gradients. Mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) improved from -15.1 % to - 16.9 % (P < 0.001) and longitudinal strain rate improved from -0.8 to -0.9/s (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Global longitudinal strain and strain rate can be adequately measured by 2D speckle-tracking imaging and can be used to detect subtle changes of myocardial function in patients with severe AS with preserved LVEF. KEYWORDS Aortic Stenosis, Exertional Dyspnoea, Global Longitudinal Strain, Transaortic Pressure Gradient, Ventricular Hypertrophy