Real-time evaluation of longitudinal peak systolic strain (speckle tracking measurement) in left and right ventricles of athletes

Abstract

Abstract. Background. Strain, and particularly Longitudinal Peak Systolic Strain (LPSS), plays a role in investigating the segmental and overall contractility of the heart which is a particularly interesting feature in athletes in whom regular training determines several morphological and functional modifications in both the ventricles, that normally work at different loads. Speckle tracking techniques assess the LPSS of LV and RV from B-mode imaging in real time, with uniform accuracy in all segments, and can verify the possible dissimilar segmental contributions of the two chambers to overall myocardial contraction. The aim of the study is to quantify the LPSS in real time in both the ventricles in order to estimate any possible different deformation properties in them during a systolic period. Methods. 32 subjects (20 athletes and 18 controls) were submitted to a standard echocardiographic examination at rest and after a Hand Grip (HG) stress. From a four-chamber-view image, the LPSS parameter was measured with Speckle Tracking analysis in the basal and medium-apical segments of the two ventricles, at rest and after HG. Results. In both athletes and controls, LPSS values were significantly higher in the RV of athletes (RV LPSS medium-apical-23.87 ± 4.94; basalfreewall-25.04 ± 4.12 at rest) and controls (RV LPSS medium-apical-25.21 ± 4.97; basalfreewall-28.69 ± 4.62 at rest) than in the LV of both (athletes LV LPSS medium-apical-18.14 ± 4.16; basallateralwall-16.05 ± 12.32; controls medium-apical-18.81 ± 2.64; basallateralwall-19.74 ± 3.84) With the HG test a significant enhancement of the LPSS(with P