TY - JOUR
T1 - Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography of the Left Atrium
T2 - Feasibility and Regional Contraction and Relaxation Differences in Normal Subjects
AU - Vianna-Pinton, Rita
AU - Moreno, Carlos A.
AU - Baxter, Christy M.
AU - Lee, Kwan S.
AU - Tsang, Teresa S.M.
AU - Appleton, Christopher P.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the A.J. Sigismunda Palumbo Charitable Trust.
Funding Information:
Dr Vianna-Pinton is supported by the “Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq),” Brazil. There are no financial conflicts on the part of any authors.
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - Background: Increased left atrial (LA) size and reduced global contractility are related to adverse cardiac events. The potential incremental value of assessing regional LA contractility is unknown. To assess the feasibility of measuring this variable angle, independent 2-dimensional speckle-tracking strain echocardiography (2D-SpTr) was used to measure regional LA strain (ε) and strain rate (SR) in normal individuals of various ages. Methods: From standard apical views, 2D-SpTr was used on 84 normal subjects to measure longitudinal velocity, ε, and SR in 13 LA segmental regions. The values obtained from the different atrial regions were compared with each other and corresponding LA volumes before and after LA contraction. Results: Regional LA ε and SR could be measured in 77 of 84 normal subjects (94%). A consistent pattern of differences in LA regional function was noted with the annular regions, and particularly the inferior wall having a larger average peak velocity and ε and SR values in comparison with the mid and superior LA segments. Peak ε and SR during LA contraction had only a modest correlation with LA volumes. Conclusion: The angle-independent technique of 2D-SpTr tracking can analyze regional LA ε and SR in 94% of normal subjects. Regional differences in LA contractility are consistently present. The annular regions, and especially the inferior wall have the highest values for LA ε and SR. The significance of these findings and their possible use in identifying disease states will require further study.
AB - Background: Increased left atrial (LA) size and reduced global contractility are related to adverse cardiac events. The potential incremental value of assessing regional LA contractility is unknown. To assess the feasibility of measuring this variable angle, independent 2-dimensional speckle-tracking strain echocardiography (2D-SpTr) was used to measure regional LA strain (ε) and strain rate (SR) in normal individuals of various ages. Methods: From standard apical views, 2D-SpTr was used on 84 normal subjects to measure longitudinal velocity, ε, and SR in 13 LA segmental regions. The values obtained from the different atrial regions were compared with each other and corresponding LA volumes before and after LA contraction. Results: Regional LA ε and SR could be measured in 77 of 84 normal subjects (94%). A consistent pattern of differences in LA regional function was noted with the annular regions, and particularly the inferior wall having a larger average peak velocity and ε and SR values in comparison with the mid and superior LA segments. Peak ε and SR during LA contraction had only a modest correlation with LA volumes. Conclusion: The angle-independent technique of 2D-SpTr tracking can analyze regional LA ε and SR in 94% of normal subjects. Regional differences in LA contractility are consistently present. The annular regions, and especially the inferior wall have the highest values for LA ε and SR. The significance of these findings and their possible use in identifying disease states will require further study.
KW - Left atrial contractility
KW - Left atrial function
KW - Left atrial strain
KW - Strain imaging
KW - Two-dimensional speckle tracking
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U2 - 10.1016/j.echo.2008.12.017
DO - 10.1016/j.echo.2008.12.017
M3 - Article
C2 - 19258177
AN - SCOPUS:61349161777
SN - 0894-7317
VL - 22
SP - 299
EP - 305
JO - Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
JF - Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography
IS - 3
ER -