Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Imaging in Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Essential Hypertension with Normal Ventricular Geometry

Objective: To explore the clinical value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(STI) in assessing the left ventricular(LV) regional and global systolic function in patients with essential hypertension(EH) and normal ventricular geometry.Methods: STI was performed in 25 controls and 26 patients with EH whose left ventricular geometry was normal(LVN).Four-chamber,three-chamber and two-chamber apical views were obtained to determine the indexes including: peak systolic longitudinal strain of the subendocardial myocardium of LV segments,mean peak strain of six segments at basal,middle and apical levels,respectively,and mean peak strain of 18 segments.Results: Compared with those in control group,the peak systolic longitudinal strains of the subendocardial myocardium of each segment in EH patients decreased significantly(P0.05 or P0.01),and average peak strain in the long axis at basal,middle and apical levels and mean peak strain of 18 segments were decreased too(all P0.01).Conclusion: Two-dimensional speckle tracking can assess left ventricular regional and global systolic function early in essential hypertension patients.