Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Using 2-D Tracking Method

Background: 2 dimensional (2D) tracking method recognizes the speckle pattern automatically in the every frame and trace on 2D imaging. This method makes it possible to calculate the strain and the strain rate from any part and direction, because the method has no angle reliance. This study evaluated left ventricular (LV) diastolic function using the values of strain 2D speckle tracking method. Methods: 2D images of the LV short axis section (papillary muscle level) were recorded in 61 healthy persons. 2D strain including circumferential strain (SC) and radial strain (SR) were analyzed. Global and average values were used in SC and SR, respectively. Strain value of each segment was also measured. Results: 1) Comparison of each segment. SC-peak G, that is the peak strain value, was lowest in the posterior segment (11.267.2%) and highest in the anteroseptal segment (40.9611.1%, p50.00001 vs. posterior segment). 2) Effect of aging. SR declined with age, however, SC was not influenced by age. 3) Correlation. SR-Peak DS, that is the first peak of strain or inflection point on the strain pattern curve after the start of LV relaxation, showed correlation with early filling wave (E) (γ=−0.4435, p=0.0003), early filling wave/atrial filling wave (E/A) (γ=−0.5156, p=0.00001), deceleration time (DcT) (γ=0.3691, p=0.0034). SC-Peak ΔS showed correlation with isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (γ=−0.5538, p=0.00001). Conclusions: It was suggested that the strain in LV diastolic period reflected LV diastolic function. Analysis of the strain pattern curve would be useful to evaluate the impairment of LV diastolic dysfunction.