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. 2016 Jun;9(6):10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.115.003792 e003792.
doi: 10.1161/CIRCIMAGING.115.003792. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

Unique Abnormalities in Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

Monica Mukherjee  1 , Shang-En Chung  2 , Von Khue Ton  2 , Ryan J Tedford  2 , Laura K Hummers  2 , Fredrick M Wigley  2 , Theodore P Abraham  2 , Ami A Shah  2
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Unique Abnormalities in Right Ventricular Longitudinal Strain in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

Monica Mukherjee et al. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. 2016 Jun.

Abstract

Background: Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma [SSc]) adversely affects long-term prognosis, often remaining undetectable despite close clinical examination and 2-dimensional echocardiographic monitoring. Speckle-derived strain of the right ventricle (RV) was utilized to detect occult abnormalities in regional and global contractility in SSc patients.

Methods and results: A total of 138 SSc patients with technically adequate echocardiograms was studied and compared with 40 age- and sex-matched healthy non-SSc controls. Standard assessment of RV chamber function included tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and fractional area change. RV longitudinal systolic speckle-derived strain was assessed in the basal, mid, and apical free wall. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion was not different between groups (P=0.307). Although fractional area change was lower in SSc patients than in controls (mean, 48.9 versus 55; P=0.002), the mean fractional area change was still within the normal range (>35). In contrast, RV longitudinal systolic speckle-derived strain measures were significantly different between groups, both globally (-20.4% versus -17.7%; P=0.005) and regionally: they were decreased in the apex (-8.5% versus -17.1%; P<0.0001) and mid segments (-12.4% versus -20.9%; P<0.0001), and increased in the base (-32.2% versus -23.3%; P=0.0001) for the SSc group. The regional difference in the base compared with the apex was significantly greater for SSc than for controls (P<0.0001 for interaction). The differences observed in regional strain between SSc and control were unchanged after adjusting for RV systolic pressure.

Conclusions: Speckle-derived strain reveals a heterogenous pattern of regional heart strain in SSc that is not detected by conventional measures of function, suggestive of occult RV myocardial disease.

Keywords: cardiomyopathies; heart ventricles; hypertension, pulmonary; scleroderma, systemic; ventricular function, right.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of strain by right ventricular free wall segment in systemic sclerosis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Panel A demonstrates normal right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain in a non-SSc control. Panel B shows abnormal right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain in a patient with systemic sclerosis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Panel A demonstrates normal right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain in a non-SSc control. Panel B shows abnormal right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain in a patient with systemic sclerosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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