Sequential changes in myocardial function after valve replacement for aortic stenosis by speckle tracking echocardiography.
OBJECTIVE
Regional myocardial function may change differently in different pathology. Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was applied to evaluate longitudinal, radial, and circumferential function in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) before, within 1 week, and 6 months after aortic valve replacement (AVR).


RESULTS
In 40 consecutive patients with severe AS, we acquired apical four-, three-, and two-chamber views and standard short-axis view pre- and post-AVR and after 6 months. Longitudinal, radial, and circumferential (LS, RS, and CS) were calculated by commercial STE software. Further, we analysed diastolic myocardial function by measuring E/e' ratio. With AVR, valve area increased and remained stable at 6 months follow-up. Left ventricular mass was unchanged 1 week after AVR (270 +/- 58 g vs. 267 +/- 58 g, n.s.) but decreased significantly during the next 6 months (219 +/- 50 g, P < 0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction remained unchanged. Strain values did not change significantly within 1 week after AVR but increased significantly after 6 months (LS by 16%, RS by 21%, and CS by 28% of baseline values). E/e' ratio was highly augmented before AVR (26.1 +/- 12.5) and decreased significantly 6 months after AVR (15.9 +/- 5.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Myocardial function significantly recovers after replacing the stenosed aortic valve. However, there is a considerable difference between the response of longitudinal, radial, and circumferential function. Our data suggest that echocardiographic assessment of regional function is feasible and of potential clinical importance.
Rost
Christian
C
University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany. rost.christian@gmx.net
Korder
S
S
Wasmeier
G
G
Wu
M
M
Klinghammer
L
L
Flachskampf
F A
FA
Daniel
W G
WG
Voigt
J-U
JU
D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000517:prevention & control*