Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Schwegel, N.
Longitudinal Left Ventricular Strain Analysis in Conditions of Chronic Heart Failure - Insights of the RoC-HF Study
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medical University of Graz; 2021. pp. 64
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Schwegel Nora
- Betreuer*innen:
- Kolesnik Ewald
- Verheyen Nicolas Dominik
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background and Aim: Chronic heart failure is a major issue in public health, with an increasing prevalence. It is the leading cause of hospitalization worldwide, associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and imposes a fundamental financial burden to health care. Echocardiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of heart failure, and with the admission of myocardial deformation imaging into clinical routine, additional imaging data could facilitate diagnostics and management of heart failure patients. As only limited data on global longitudinal strain (GLS) evaluation in heart failure is available, this thesis aims to give closer insights. Material and Methods: A total of 177 clinically stable and compensated patients with chronic heart failure underwent a comprehensive examination including anamnesis and physical examination. Different GLS parameters were evaluated via post-processing of digitally archived two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography cine loops of the typical apical chamber views. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured according to current guidelines using Simpson’s biplane method (n = 164). Moreover, triplane LVEF was assessed. Venous blood sampling was obtained and NT-proBNP and kidney function was further investigated. Results: There was a significant and strong correlation amongst all strain evaluation methods observed. Furthermore, strain showed significant correlation to almost all included common echocardiographic parameters, including both biplane and triplane LVEF, which also had a strong correlation amongst themselves. In comparison to LVEF, all strain parameters showed stronger correlation to NT-proBNP plasma concentration, especially under consideration of age, BMI, eGFR, and atrial fibrillation history as confounding parameters. Furthermore, strain revealed to be superior to LVEF regarding reproducibility, feasibility, and applicability. Conclusion: Strain showed to be a robust and reproducible parameter regardless of echocardiographic training. In addition to routine echocardiography, strain could facilitate the diagnosis of heart failure and improve therapy management of chronic heart failure.