Evaluation of left ventricular longitudinal function and synchrony after dual chamber pacemaker implantation

To evaluate left ventricular (LV) longitudinal function and dyssynchrony mechanisms after dual chamber pacemaker implantation. The speckle tracking imaging technique was used for quantification of global longitudinal function of the left ventricle and for dyssynchrony evaluation before pacemaker implantation and after 3-month follow-up. The study group consisted of 98 patients with conventional indications for dual chamber pacemaker implantation. Speckle tracking echocardiographic methods and image postprocessing revealed impairment of global longitudinal strain and significant LV dyssynchrony derived from 12 basal and mid-septum segments usually untraceable with conventional echocardiographic methods. Despite good physical performance and ejection fraction, global longitudinal strain significantly decreased in all patients from −15.08±0.46 to −13.56±0.5 (P