Myocardial systolic strain is decreased after aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic insufficiency

Benjamin J. Pomerantz, Jason R. Wollmuth, Marc D. Krock, Brian P. Cupps, Pavlos Moustakidis, Nicholas T. Kouchoukos, Victor G. Davila-Roman, Michael K. Pasque

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Left ventricular three-dimensional nonlinear systolic strain determinations have potential to detect small decrements in ventricular function in patients with aortic insufficiency before and after aortic valve replacement. Methods. Magnetic resonance imaging with tissue-tagging was performed on 42 normal volunteers and 14 patients with chronic aortic insufficiency both before and 28 ± 11 months after aortic valve replacement. Preoperative and postoperative left ventricular volume, dimensions and ejection fraction were determined for all subjects. Left ventricular systolic radial, circumferential, longitudinal, and minimum principal strain were calculated for six left ventricular regions. Results. After aortic valve replacement, left ventricular volume and dimensions decreased significantly (p < 0.001) and ejection fraction increased nonsignificantly (p = 0.096). Strain values in preoperative aortic insufficiency patients did not differ significantly from controls. At an average of 28 ± 11 months postoperatively, however, regional three-dimensional minimum principal and longitudinal strain was decreased in all six ventricular regions as well as globally (p < 0.03) compared with normal control values. Circumferential strain was significantly decreased globally and in all but two regions (p < 0.03). Conclusions. These magnetic resonance imaging-based techniques are sensitive enough to detect a previously unrecognized, significant decrease in both global and regional three-dimensional left ventricular systolic strain 2 years after aortic valve replacement for minimally symptomatic chronic aortic insufficiency despite improvement in ejection fraction and a decrease in left ventricular size. The reasons for a significant decline in left ventricular systolic strain after successful aortic valve replacement in minimally symptomatic chronic aortic insufficiency patients are not clear and warrant further investigation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2186-2192
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Thoracic Surgery
Volume80
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Myocardial systolic strain is decreased after aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic insufficiency'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this