When the Liver Echoes to the Heart: Assessing Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in NAFLD Using Speckle Tracking Echocardiography—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Aims: Multiple studies demonstrated that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with several structural and functional cardiovascular complications. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in NAFLD assessed with myocardial strain measured by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). Methods: We performed a systematic search on PubMed and EMBASE with predefined keywords searching for observational studies published till 19 March 2020. NAFLD diagnosis was accepted if confirmed by biopsy or imaging techniques and LV systolic function evaluation by STE. Full articles that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the systematic review. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) quality assessment tools were used for evaluation of included studies. Results: Eleven observational studies (9 cross-sectional studies, 1 case-control, 1 longitudinal cohort) were included with a total study population of 5,851 subjects. All included studies evaluated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). Only two studies rated as “good” demonstrated that NAFLD patients had a reduced LVEF, out of which, one study was conducted on type 2 diabetic patients, while the other study was a population-based longitudinal cohort. Moreover, eight studies, out of which four were rated “good”, two as “fair” and two as “poor” demonstrated that GLS was significantly reduced in NAFLD. On the other hand, the remaining three studies that reported a non-significant difference in GLS were conducted on type 2 diabetic patients in two of the studies, one rated as “fair” and one as “good”. Furthermore, the third study was involving only NAFLD patients comparing drinkers with non-drinkers, being rated as “good”. Conclusions: NAFLD patients are at increased risk to develop subclinical LV systolic dysfunction assessed with myocardial strain measured by speckle tracking, despite having normal LVEF values and remaining asymptomatic. This association remains to be confirmed in more studies involving diabetic patients in the presence and absence of NAFLD.

Differential Changes of Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation in Diabetic Patients with Controlled and Uncontrolled Blood Glucose: A Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography–Based Study

Objective To evaluate left ventricular myocardial function alternation by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) in severe aortic stenosis (AS) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and discuss its clinical value. Methods Forty patients with severe aortic stenosis who were hospitalized or outpatient in Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University during the period of October 2014 to October 2016 (AS group), and forty healthy volunteers (normal control group) were enrolled in this study. Normal control group underwent conventional echocardiography and 3D-STI measurement, while the AS group underwent conventional echocardiography and 3D-STI measurement at preoperative, 1 week postoperative and 3 months postoperative, then we obtained left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septum thickness diameter (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness diameter (LVPWd), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), global area strain (GAS) strain and 3D-strain. The independent sample t test was used to compare the difference of conventional ultrasound parameters and 3D-STI parameters between AS preoperative patients and healthy controls, AS patients at 3 months postoperative and healthy controls. The single factor analysis of variance was used to compare the difference of conventional ultrasound parameters and 3D-STI parameters in severe patients at preoperative, 1 week postoperative and 3 months postoperative. LSD-t test was used to compare in different AS groups. Results Compared with normal control group, IVSD, LVPWD and GCS of severe AS patients increased significantly (t=13.824, 11.298 and -6.584, all P<0.001), GLS, GRS and 3D-Strain decreased significantly (t=10.221, -6.237 and -5.674, all P<0.001), LVEDD, LVESD and GAS had no significant difference. Compared with preoperative AS patients, LVEF, GLS, GAS and GCS decreased significantly (t=-2.205, -2.093, -2.034 and -3.152, all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 1 week postoperative, LVEDD, LVESD, IVSD, LVPWD, GRS and 3D-strain had no significant difference at 1 week postoperative; GLS, GRS and 3D-strain increased significantly (t=5.446, -4.923 and -4.388, all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 3 months postoperative, GCS, IVSD and LVPWD decreased significantly (t=-3.988, 4.794 and 4.211, all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 3 months postoperative, LVEDD, LVESD, LVEF and GAS had no significant difference at 3 months postoperative. Compared with AS patients at 1 week postoperative, LVEF, GLS, GRS, GAS and 3D-strain increased significantly (t=-2.631, 7.383, -4.719, 2.923 and -4.154, all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 3 months postoperative, GCS, IVSD and LVPWD decreased significantly (t=-2.109, 4.747 and 4.323, all P<0.05 or 0.01) at 3 months postoperative. But in AS patients at 3 months postoperative, IVSD, LVPWD, GLS and GCS were still higher than those of normal control group (t=9.809, 7.066, 4.752 and -2.553, all P<0.001 or <0.05), LVEDD, LVESD, LVEF, GRS, GAS and 3D-strain had no significant difference. Conclusion The alternation of left ventricular myocardial function have a certain characteristic before and after aortic valve replacement in severe aortic stenosis patients with preserved LVEF, and 3D-STI can evaluate it more accurately. Key words: Three-dimensional speckle tracking; Left ventricular ejection fraction; Aortic valve stenosis; Aortic valve replacement; Myocardium

Use of Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography for Quantitative Assessment of Global Left Ventricular Function: A Comparative Study to Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Background Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is not an isolated RV disease. Left ventricular (LV) or biventricular involvement is being increasingly diagnosed in such patients. There is available research to show that the LV peak strain calculated from feature tracking (FT) cardiac MRI is impaired even before the impairment of function. If present, such involvement is an adverse prognostic marker. Purpose The aim of this study is to calculate LV involvement in patients with ARVC using FT cardiac MRI. Methods 27 patients of ARVC who underwent cardiac MRI with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in our department were identified. 10 healthy volunteers (controls) were also assessed using non-contrast cardiac MRI. LV strain analysis was performed using Cvi42 Circle cardiovascular imaging software; and global LV peak radial, circumferential and longitudinal strain values were calculated. Patients were divided into two sub groups: those with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and those with reduced LVEF. Peak LV strain values were compared between the two groups of ARVC patients; and between ARVC patients with preserved LVEF and healthy volunteers. Results The LV peak global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) and global radial strain (GRS) were −17.7±2.47, −18.16±2.65, 31.04±6.07 respectively in healthy volunteers. LV global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial strain (GRS) were significantly impaired in ARVC/D patients (GLS: −11.97±4.34%, GCS: −14.35±4.32%, GRS: 22.1±7.39%). ARVC patients were divided into 2 subgroups: the preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) group (LVEF ≥55%, n=9) and the reduced LVEF group (LVEF &amp;lt;55%, n=18). In ARVC patients with reduced LVEF, the peak GLS was −9.99±3.94, GCS was −12.88±4.08 and GRS was 19.57±7.56. With preserved LVEF these values were −15.1±3.02, −17.3±3.3 and 27.1±3.67 respectively. In ARVC patients with preserved LVEF, the peak LV strain were impaired when compared with healthy volunteers with significant difference in peak GLS in between the two groups (p=0.05). Conclusion In patients with ARVC, cardiac MRI feature tracking can detect early LV dysfunction and thus adverse prognostic marker. Even in patients with normal LVEF, GLS was found to be significantly impaired as compared to healthy controls. Calculation of longitudinal strain Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Detection of Left Ventricular Dysfunction by Global Longitudinal Systolic Strain in Patients with Chronic Aortic Regurgitation

The main objective of this study was to determine whether myocardial strain and myocardial work are altered in hypertension and whether the strain is independent of hypertension-induced left ventricular hypertrophy. Two systematic literature searches were conducted using Medline and EMBASE through to June 30, 2022. In the first, search terms left ventricular strain or speckle tracking AND hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were used in conjunction with Boolean operators to identify articles reporting left ventricular strain in patients with hypertension. In the second, the terms Global cardiac or myocardial work AND hypertension were used to identify articles. Publication bias was assessed by examination of funnel plots and calculation of the Failsafe N and Duval and Tweedie's Trim and fill. The results were presented as Forrest plots. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was significantly lower in patients with hypertension compared to those without hypertension with a mean difference of 2.0 0.1 (standard error of mean(SEM)) in the fixed effect model. Global circumferential strain (GCS) was significantly lower in hypertension. The mean difference between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups was 1.37 0.17. Global radial strain (GRS) was significantly (p 0.05) greater in hypertension. However, this difference was significant in only 3 and of borderline significance in 3 of 14 studies where GRS was measured. The mean difference between the hypertensive and non-hypertensive groups was 1.5 0.5 using the fixed effects model. There was a significant relationship between GLS and GCS as well as between GCS and GRS but no significant relationship between GLS and GRS. There was no significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between the hypertension and no hypertension groups. There was no significant relationship between LVEF and either GLS or GCS but a significant negative correlation was found between LVEF and GRS. GLS was further reduced in persons with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) compared to hypertension without LVH. In contrast, there were no or minimal differences in GCS and GRS for individuals with hypertension and LVH compared to those without LVH. Global myocardial work index (GWI) and Global constructive work (GCW) were significantly greater in patients with hypertension compared to controls. Global wasted work (GWW) indicated significantly less wasted work in controls compared to hypertension. In contrast, Global work efficiency (GWE) was significantly lower in hypertension compared to the control. There was a significant reduction in GLS and GCS in hypertension while GRS was increased. The reduction in GLS in hypertension was not dependent on the presence of LVH. GLS was further reduced in persons with hypertension when LVH was present. In contrast, there were no or minimal differences in GCS and GRS for individuals with LVH compared to those without LVH. GLS was independent of left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction. GWI, GCW and GWW were greater in hypertension while GWE was lower in hypertension compared to controls. These data support the contention that GLS and indices of global work are early markers of hypertensive heart disease.

Background: The correlation between myocardial strain and infraction size by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is not clear. Objective: To investigate the correlation between myocardial strain and myocardial infarction size in patients of acute STEMI with preserved LVEF. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to assess 31 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) who received cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging during hospitalization at the Central Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from 2019 to 2022 and whose echocardiography indicated preserved LVEF (LVEF≥50%). The control group consisted of 21 healthy adults who underwent CMR during the same period. We compared the CMR characteristics, global and segmental strain between the two groups. Furthermore, the correlation between the global strain and the segmental strain of the left ventricle and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were evaluated. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of STEMI patients with preserved LVEF was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Moreover, the global radial strain (GRS) (24.09% [IQR:17.88–29.60%] vs. 39.56% [IQR:29.19–42.20%], p < 0.05), global circumferential strain (GCS) [−14.66% (IQR: 17.91–11.56%) vs. −19.26% (IQR: 21.03–17.73%), p < 0.05], and global longitudinal strains (GLS) (−8.88 ± 2.25% vs. −13.46 ± 2.63%, p < 0.05) were damaged in patients. Furthermore, GCS and GLS were associated with LGE size (%left ventricle) (GCS: r = 0.58, p < 0.05; GLS: r = 0.37, p < 0.05). In the multivariate model, we found that LGE size was significantly associated with GCS (β coefficient = 2.110, p = 0.016) but was not associated with GLS (β coefficient = −0.102, p = 0.900) and LVEF (β coefficient = 0.227, p = 0.354). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) results showed that GCS emerged as the strongest LGE size (LGE >25%) prognosticator among strain parameters (AUC: 0.836 [95% CI, 0.692—0.981], sensitivity: 91%, specificity: 80%) and was significantly better (p = 0.001) than GLS [AUC: 0.761 (95% CI, 0.583—0.939), sensitivity: 64%, specificity: 85%] and LVEF [AUC: 0.673 (95% CI, 0.469—0.877), sensitivity: 73%, specificity: 70%]. Conclusion: Among STEMI patients with preserved LVEF after PCI, CMR-FT-derived GCS had superior diagnostic accuracy than GLS and LVEF in predicting myocardial infarction size.

Objective:Using three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D-STE), we aimed to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:In total, 97 T2: DM patients were categorized into three groups based on hepatic ultrasonography group A (those without NAFLD, n=30), group B (those with mild NAFLD, n=32), and group C (those with moderate-to-severe NAFLD, n=35). Our conventional echocardiographic parameters included transmitral peak early and late diastolic velocity (E and A), septal and lateral early (e’) mitral annular diastolic tissue velocities, and left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax). LV end-diastolic and -systolic volume, LV mass index (LVMI), and LV ejection fraction were measured using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography. The 3D-STE parameters included LV global radial strain (GRS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global area strain (GAS), and global circumferential strain (GCS).Results:Our results showed that in group C, GCS, GRS, GLS, GAS, and septal and lateral e’ velocity decreased, whereas average E/e’ and LAVImax increased compared to groups B and A (p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that NAFLD is independently associated with 3D-STE parameters, and glycosylated hemoglobin also has negative impacts on all LV 3D strains.Conclusion:When combined with conventional echocardiography, 3D-STE can assess LV function effectively in T2DM patients with NAFLD. Additionally, the severity of LV dysfunction in the moderate-to-severe NAFLD group (group C) was worse than the mild and absent NAFLD groups (groups A and B).

The aim of this study was to detect left ventricular (LV) structure and function abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with or without nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) using 3-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes and a normal LV ejection fraction (≥55%), including 40 with coexistent NAFL, and 40 age- and sex-matched control participants were recruited. Conventional echocardiography and 3-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography were performed, and global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global area strain, and global radial strain values were measured. Significant differences in 2-dimensional LV functional patterns were found among the 3 groups (P = .031), and LV hypertrophy was the most prevalent in patients with diabetes and NAFL. The patients with diabetes only had significantly lower global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, and global radial strain than the controls (all P < .05). The patients with diabetes and NAFL had severely lower global longitudinal strain, global circumferential strain, global area strain, and global radial strain than the controls (all P < .001), and they also had severely lower global longitudinal strain, global area strain, and global radial strain than the patients with diabetes only (all P < 0.001). The hemoglobin A1c level and NAFL were independently associated with strain values in all patients with diabetes. The strain values in multiple directions (≥2 of global longitudinal, global circumferential, global area, and global radial strain) decreased significantly in the patients with diabetes and moderate and severe NAFL compared to those with mild NAFL (all P < .05). Nonalcoholic fatty liver could aggravate LV hypertrophy and dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes. The combined application of conventional and 3-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography could detect these asymptomatic preclinical abnormalities.

Several studies using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) have confirmed the presence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), but there is a paucity of studies on whether three-dimensional (3D)-STE is superior to 2D-STE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of 3D-STE in assessing subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in prediabetic and diabetic patients with preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and to investigate the independent risk factors for this medical disorder. This study included 40 diabetic patients, 35 prediabetic patients, and 33 healthy volunteers. All participants underwent LV peak systolic strain analysis using 3D- and 2D-STE, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to determine the clinical diagnostic value of strain parameters for evaluating subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with prediabetes and type 2 DM (T2DM). Regression models were established to analyze independent risk factors for subclinical LV systolic dysfunction in patients with prediabetes and diabetes. The results of the 3D-STE-based analysis showed that the global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the control, prediabetic, and diabetic groups were (18.64%±2.43%, 15.21%±1.49%, and 13.49%±2.36%, respectively), global circumferential strain (GCS) was (18.09%±2.37%, 14.62%±1.75%, and 12.95%±2.20%, respectively), global area strain (GAS) was (31.30%±3.88%, 27.51%±3.31%, and 24.80%±3.86%, respectively), and global radial strain (GRS) was (49.18%±5.91%, 39.17%±4.55%, and 35.72%±7.19%, respectively). All 3D-STE global strain parameters gradually decreased from the controls, through the prediabetic group to the diabetic group, and there was statistical significance between the three groups (P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of the 3D-STE global strain parameters (GLS, GCS, GAS, and GRS) were 0.898, 0.831, 0.863, and 0.868, respectively. The AUC of the 2D-STE global strain parameters (GLS and GCS) were 0.867 and 0.636, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis identified increased glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) as independent risk factors for subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. Prediabetic and diabetic patients with preserved LVEF are at risk of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction. 3D-STE is a reliable imaging technique for evaluating early damage to LV myocardial mechanics. Early control of blood glucose (Glu) levels and weight can effectively prevent heart failure in the prediabetic and diabetic populations.

Global Longitudinal Strain and Global Circumferential Strain by Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography and Feature-Tracking Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Comparison with Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Background. Anthracycline (ANT)-containing regimens represent the prevalent choice for adjuvant therapy in early breast cancer (EBC) patients. However, cardio toxicity is a major limitation, strongly affecting the quality of life and the overall survival of cancer patients, regardless of the oncologic prognosis. Aims: To assess the diagnostic power of real-time 3D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) in comparison with standard echo Doppler (SED) in detection of early subclinical ANT related cardio toxicity in breast cancer patients. Methods: Fifty-five consecutive patients (F/M = 54/1, mean age = 48 years) with EBC were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients received three cycles of epirubicin (EPI) based chemo regimen followed by taxanes. Overall, average EPI cumulative dose per patient was 505 ± 68 mg/m2 (range = 360-720 mg/m2). Complete SED exam including determination of 2D ejection fraction (EF) and pulsed Tissue Doppler of the mitral annulus were measured at baseline and at the end of the three cycles of EPI. Three-D determination of left ventricular volumes and EF as well as 3D STE-derived global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS) and global radial strain (GRS) were assessed, whenever feasible, at the same time points. Results: All the patients completed the three cycles of EPI as per protocol. No overt clinical manifestation of heart failure was observed. Standard echo doppler was performed in all the patients. Two-D EF did not significantly change with EPI treatment. However, the E/e’ ratio measured by SED, was significantly increased after EPI administration (6.7±1.7 vs. 7.25±1.8 before and after treatment, respectively; p&amp;lt;0.05). Overall, 3D ventricular volumetric assessment was feasible in the 63.6% (35/55) of patients and 3D STE in the 60% (33/55) of patients due to anatomical or technical problems. Among parameters measured by 3D STE, a reduction of EF (58.8±8% vs. 61.7±7.1%, before and after treatment, respectively; p&amp;lt;0.02) and a significant increase of the left ventricular end-systolic volume (p&amp;lt;0.01) was observed. Importantly, a significant decrease of the following 3D STE parameters: GLS (p&amp;lt;0.01), GRS (p&amp;lt;0.001), GCS (p&amp;lt;0.0001) and GAS (p&amp;lt;0.0001) were observed after EPI therapy. Conclusions: Results from the present study confirm the increased sensitivity of real time 3D STE technique in detecting early subclinical signs of cardio toxicity in patients with EBC treated with EPI adjuvant chemotherapy. However, due to technical problems, STE was not feasible in the entire patient population included in the study. Among parameters measured by SED, the E/e’ ratio identifies early signs of cardiac dysfunction more accurately compared to the standard 2D EF determination. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-01-21.

Introduction Serial echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 2D left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) is the gold standard in screening for cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Myocardial deformation assessed with 3D speckle tracking is not currently used in this setting, because of the lack of standardization and cut-off values, in spite of a potential for a greater reliability. Methods Prospective study of female breast cancer patients submitted to anthracycline chemotherapy with or without adjuvant immunotherapy and/or radiotherapy who underwent serial monitoring by 2D and 3D transthoracic echocardiography (ETT). Standard ETT measures and 3D-derived volumetric measures were assessed. Speckle tracking was used to estimate 2D-derived GLS – average and 18 segments – and 3D-derived GLS, global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS) and global radial strain (GRS) – average and 17 segments. CTRCD was defined as an absolute decrease in 2D or 3D LVEF &gt;10% to a value &lt;54% or a relative decrease in 2D GLS &gt;15%. Variables were compared using the t-student paired test and the Wilcoxon sign-rank test, when appropriate. Results 106 patients (mean age 54.6±12.9 years, 33.0% immunotherapy, 16.5% radiotherapy, baseline LVEF 64.5% ± 8.5%, baseline 2D GLS −21.0±2.8) were included. During a mean follow-up of 16.5±9.6 months, an average of 3.9 echocardiographic examinations were performed per patient and 28 patients (26.4%) developed CTRCD. Overall, 3D regional longitudinal strain was determined in 88.9% of the segments analyzed, with lower success rates in the inferobasal (75.0%), the posterobasal (77.7%) and the laterobasal (82.4%) walls. When comparing variables before and during treatment, there was a significant difference in 2D-derived LVEF (64.5 vs. 57.6 p&lt;0.001), 3D-derived LVEF (60.1 vs. 55.7 p 0.002), 2D-derived GLS (−20.6 vs. −18.2 p&lt;0.001), 3D-derived GLS (−13.8 vs. −12.9 p 0.035), 3D-derived GRS (31.9 vs. 33.4 p 0.024), but not in GCS (−14.5 vs. −13.2 p 0.656) and GAS (−21.5 vs. −22.1 p 0.640). Figure 1 shows the segmental analysis of 2D and 3D strain parameters. In 2D GLS, 11 out of 18 segments showed decreased contractility during follow-up (mainly anterior septum and anterior, lateral and inferior walls). In 3D-derived strain parameters, only 3 out 17 for GLS, 2 out of 17 for GCS, 1 out 17 for GRS and none for GAS showed decreased contractility during follow-up. Segmental analysis of 2D and 3D strain Conclusion In this population, there was worsening of 3D GLS and GRS, besides conventional values, such as LVEF and 2D GLS, during anthracycline-based cancer treatment. 3D-derived myocardial deformation parameters show promise in the setting of CTRCD, since 2D and 3D regional strain parameters might shed a light onto the mechanisms of CTRCD, such that subendocardial myocardial fibers seem to be more affected than medial and subepicardial fibers.

To detect potential cardiac abnormalities in asymptomatic methamphetamine abusers using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D STE). Fifty-three male methamphetamine abusers, free of cardiac symptoms/signs, were enrolled in this study. A control group of 53 age-matched male normal subjects was studied for comparison. Standard 3D, flow and tissue Doppler echo with measurements of left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), end-systolic volume (LVESV), ejection fraction (LVEF), the ratio of the early to late diastolic transmitral filling velocity (E/A), the ratio of the early diastolic transmitral filling velocity to the early diastolic septal tissue velocity (E/E') and 3D STE with measurements of global area strain (GAS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS) and global radial strain (GRS) were performed, respectively. These echocardiographic parameters were compared between methamphetamine abusers and normal subjects, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was done to differentiating methamphetamine abusers from normal subjects. LVESV, LVEDV, LVEF, E/A, E/E' ratios and GRS were not significantly different between methamphetamine abusers and normal subjects (p > 0.05). However, GAS, GLS and GCS were significantly less in methamphetamine abusers than in normal subjects (p < 0.05). The areas under ROC (AUC) for GAS were greatest among all the 3D STE derived LV global strains (GAS vs. GLS, GCS and GRS, 0.95 vs. 0.76, 0.69 and 0.61, respectively). The cutoff value with - 30.3% of GAS had sensitivity of 91.8%, specificity of 91.6% and accuracy of 91.3% for differentiating methamphetamine abusers from normal subjects. The potential myocardial function abnormalities can be detected by 3D STE in asymptomatic methamphetamine abusers, and GAS is a good indicator for indentifying methamphetamine abusers from normal population, which can be used to screening and monitor methamphetamine abuse, detect subclinical LV dysfunction, predict potential methamphetamine-related cardiotoxicity, and to initiate early cardioprotective therapy before the onset of overt heart failure in time.