Global longitudinal strain as a potential prognostic marker in patients with chronic heart failure and systolic dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction and objectiveThe prognostic value of myocardium deformation measurements in chronic heart failure (CHF) is still poorly addressed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) with clinical and prognostic indicators in patients with CHF and systolic dysfunction. MethodsAmbulatory patients with CHF and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% were studied by two-dimensional and Doppler transthoracic echocardiogram with assessment of GLS. An indication of prognostic status was obtained by the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) prognostic estimates for life expectancy. ResultsWe included 54 CHF patients (mean age 55±12 years; 80% male). GLS was significantly correlated with NYHA functional class (r=0.41, p=0.002), BNP levels (r=0.47, p=0.001), LVEF (r=−0.69, p<0.001) and LV end-diastolic pressure, assessed by E/e’ ratio (r=0.35, p<0.014) and left atrial maximal volume index (r=0.57, p<0.001). A significant correlation was found between GLS and SHFM prognostic estimates for life expectancy (r=−0.41, p=0.002). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GLS independently predicted an estimated life expectancy <10 years (OR 2.614 [95% CI 1.010–6.763]). The corresponding area under the ROC curve was 0.802 (0.653–0.951) and the best obtained threshold was −9.5 (80% sensitivity, 65% specificity, p=0.003). ConclusionsGLS was strongly associated with a higher disease severity status and predicted a lower prognostic estimate for life expectancy.