Detection of subtle left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with significant aortic regurgitation and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction: speckle tracking echocardiographic analysis

Aims The aim of this study was to characterize left ventricular (LV) mechanics in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe or severe aortic regurgitation (AR) and preserved ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). The association between baseline LV strain and development of indications for surgery in asymptomatic patients was also evaluated. Methods and results Atotal of 129 patients withmoderate-to-severe or severeARand LVEF >50%(age 55 +/- 17 years, 64% male, 53% asymptomatic at baseline) were included. Standard echocardiography and 2D-STE were performed at baseline. Compared with asymptomatic patients, symptomatic patients had significantly impaired LV longitudinal (-14.9 +/- 3.0 vs. -16.8 +/- 2.5%, P < 0.001), circumferential (-17.5 +/- 2.9 vs. -19.3 +/- 2.8%, P = 0.001), and radial (35.7 +/- 12.2 vs. 43.1 +/- 14.7%, P = 0.004) strains. Among 49 asymptomatic patients whowere followed up, 26 developed indications for surgery (symptoms onset or LVEF <= 50%). These patients had comparable LV volumes, LVEF, and colour Doppler assessments of AR jet at baseline, but more impaired LV longitudinal (P = 0.009) and circumferential (P = 0.017) strains compared with patients who remained asymptomatic. Impaired baseline LV longitudinal (per 1% decrease, HR = 1.21, P = 0.04) or circumferential (per 1% decrease, HR = 1.22, P = 0.04) strain was independently associated with the need for surgery. Conclusion Multidirectional LV strain was more impaired in symptomatic than in asymptomatic patients with moderate-to-severe or severe AR, despite preserved LVEF. In asymptomatic AR patients, longitudinal and circumferential strains identified patients who would require surgery during follow-up.