Speckle tracking echocardiography

ABCIC

Review Article

Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Atrial Function in Aging Adults

Fernando Rodrigues da Camara Oliveira et al. Marcos Valerio Coimbra de Resende Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death in Brazil, with aging being a major risk factor. Research indicates that there is a higher occurrence of cardiovascular disease as individuals age, impacting ventricular hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation. Atrial myopathy, associated with aging, has received considerable attention, with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation under investigation as contributing factors. Left atrial function has been extensively studied, focusing on its role in cardiac performance. Modern echocardiographic techniques, such as speckle tracking, provide a detailed assessment of atrial function, offering advantages over traditional methods of assessing maximum atrial volume. Studies reveal the important role of atrial strain in predicting cardiovascular events. The aging process brings a progressive reduction in atrial functions, and new measures are being developed to detect atrial dysfunction early, with a potential impact on future guidelines and the definition of normal age-related standards.

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ABCIC

Original Article

Myocardial Deformation (Strain) and Myocardial Fibrosis in Mild Cardiac Chagas Disease

Polyana Evangelista Lima et al. Rafael de Castro da Silva André Maurício Souza Fernandes Marta Silva Menezes Edmundo José Nassri Camara

Abstract

Background:

The early identification of myocardial damage seems important in the management of patients with Chagas disease. However, it is unknown whether speckle tracking echocardiography strain and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging are promising methods for assessing myocardial involvement and fibrosis, respectively.

Objective:

To evaluate myocardial involvement in the mild chronic cardiac form of Chagas disease using speckle tracking strain and myocardial fibrosis by cardiac magnetic resonance and assess their correlations.

Method:

This cross-sectional study analyzed patients with the mild chronic cardiac form of Chagas disease (preserved ejection fraction) using speckle tracking echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance.

Results:

The study included 21 participants (women: 62%; age: 54 ± 5 years). The prevalence of myocardial fibrosis was 50% on delayed myocardial enhancement. The median global longitudinal strain was decreased (14.1%; interquartile range, 12.1–16.3%) in 17 patients (81%). The mean T1 mapping value was high in patients with Chagas disease (993 ± 163 ms). The T1 map was significantly correlated with the global longitudinal strain (r = 0.634; p = 0.015). In addition, the mechanical dispersion index obtained by strain was increased (>55 ms) by 84%, with the largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve, 0.696; 95% confidence interval, 0.412–0.981) for fibrosis discrimination by delayed myocardial enhancement.

Conclusion:

Myocardial strain and T1 mapping are early markers of myocardial damage in mild chronic Chagas heart disease. The mechanical dispersion index was high and the most closely correlated with delayed myocardial enhancement.

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Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Atrial Function in Aging Adults

Abstract

Myocardial Deformation (Strain) and Myocardial Fibrosis in Mild Cardiac Chagas Disease

Abstract

Background:

Objective:

Method:

Results:

Conclusion:

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Electronic Document Format (Vancouver)

Electronic Document Format (ABNT)

Electronic Document Format (APA)

Electronic Document Format (ISO)