Assessment of left ventricular systolic function by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging in patients with essential hypertension

Objective To investigate the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI)in assessing left ventricular systolic function in patients with essential hypertension(EH). Methods A full-volume scan of left ventricle was acquired from the apical view for 3D-STI analysis in 30EH patients without left ventricular hypertrophy(group EH)and 25healthy volunteers(group C). Global longitudinal strain(GLS),global circumferential strain(GCS),global area strain(GAS),global radial strain(GRS)and corresponding segmental peak systolic strains,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and left ventricular mass index(LVMI)were obtained for statistical analysis.Results GLS and GAS were significantly lower in group EH than those in group C[(18.20±2.25)%vs.(22.33± 3.08)%and(33.30±2.67)% vs.(37.42±4.36)%](P0.05).So did the longitudinal strains of basal and middle septum,basal and middle anteroseptum,basal anterior wall,basal and middle lateral wall as well as the area strains of basal septum,basal and middle anteroseptum,basal lateral wall(P0.05).Conclusions EH patients with normal LVEF may have a reduction of longitudinal and area strains.3D-STI can be used to evaluate quantitatively and comprehensively the global and segmental systolic functions in EH patients.