Prognostic Value of Serial Global Longitudinal Strain Measured by Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

The aim of this study was to determine whether assessment of global longitudinal strain (GLS) before revascularization could predict adverse cardiac events after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In addition, the relation between GLS and cardiac biomarkers was investigated. From July 2006 through December 2009, 98 patients with first STEMI underwent conventional and speckle tracking echocardiography at initial presentation and 3 days after primary coronary intervention. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to percent changes of GLS compared to baseline GLS values: group 1, improved GLS >10%; group 2, unchanged GLS from −10% to 10%; and group 3, decreased GLS