title: Negative impact of cardiovascular risk factors on left atrial and left ventricular function related to aortic stiffness--new application of 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to detect earlier the negative effect of cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors on left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) function related to abdominal aortic (AAO) stiffness using 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) in asymptomatic patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and twelve patients with CVR factors and 56 healthy individuals were studied. 2DSTE data were acquired for determination of LA and LV myocardial and AAO wall deformations. LA volume index, LV mass index, ratio of early diastolic transmitral flow to mitral annular velocity (E/e')/peak systolic LA strain (S-LAs), and AAO stiffness were greater, and peak early diastolic LV longitudinal strain rate (SR-LVe) was lower in the patient group. Among the significantly correlated variables with AAO stiffness on univariate analysis, multivariate linear regression analysis identified SR-LVe and (E/e')/S-LAs in the patient group, and only age in the healthy group, as independent predictor of AAO stiffness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structural and functional changes in the LA and LV and AAO stiffening were accelerated with CVR factors, and higher AAO stiffness was associated with deteriorated LA compliance and impaired LV relaxation in asymptomatic patients with CVR factors. 2DSTE has a potential for earlier detection of abnormal LA and LV function related to increased AAO stiffness.
authors: Cardiovascular Section, Higashi Tokushima Medical Center, National Hospital Organization, Itano, Tokushima 779-0193, Japan. yoishi@higasitokusima.hosp.go.jp
authors: Yoshifumi
authors: Y
authors: Oishi
authors: Hirokazu
authors: H
authors: Miyoshi
authors: Arata
authors: A
authors: Iuchi
authors: Norio
authors: N
authors: Nagase
authors: Nusrat
authors: N
authors: Ara
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Oki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left