The impact of medical therapy on left ventricular strain: Current state and future perspectives

The speckle tracking strain is becoming a frequently used marker of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Despite the wide range of data concerning left ventricular strain variability in the general population and its changes in various pathologic conditions, the information about the impact of medical therapy on left ventricle strain is limited. This article provides an analysis of published studies of left ventricle strain changes in response to different agents and combinations of medical therapies used for hypertension and congestive heart failure. An example of GLS improvement in patient with hypertension and CHF with preserved EF initially and after 1 month of enhanced treatment with ACEi, diuretics (thiazide and loop) and BB. Left side – GLS = −12% on therapy with perindopril 10 mg, amlodipine 10 mg, spironolactone 25 mg; Right side – GLS = −16% on therapy with enalapril 40 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, spironolactone 25 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 12,5 mg, torasemide 5 mg, metoprolol 25 mg