The effect of septal flash on left ventricular function and systolic synchrony in patients with complete left bundle branch block and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of septal flash (SF) on left ventricular function and systolic synchrony in patients with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (2D-STI). Methods Sixty CLBBB patients with preserved LVEF were selected, and 30 healthy individuals serving as control group. The SF of CLBBB patients were evaluated using 2D-STI, and the CLBBB patients were categorized into two groups (SF group and NSF group) based on the present SF. Conventional echocadiography and 2D-STI were performed for all individuals. Results ①SF was present in 53.3% of CLBBB patients with preserved LVEF and was not present in control group. ②LV longitudinal peak stain of global (LS-G) in SF group was lower than those in both control group and NSF group (P 0.05). ③Compared with control group, there were significant increase of left atrial dimension and Mitral E/e′ and decrease in mitral E/A and mitral e′ in SF group and NSF group (P 0.05). ④There was an increase in standard deviation of time to peak systolic strain for the 18 LV segments (LV-SDt) in SF group and NSF group, and the LV-SDt in SF group was higher than that in NSF group (P<0.01). Conclusions SF is present in 53.3% of CLBBB patients, patients of CLBBB with SF have lower left ventricular systolic function and systolic synchrony. Key words: Echocardiography; Bundle-branch block; Ventricular function, left; Septal flash; Strain