title: Strain rate echocardiography uncovers subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CFTR is expressed in cardiac myocytes. In mice, lack of CFTR alters cardiomyocyte contraction and Ca2+ signaling, and decreases cardiac reserve. We undertook a pilot study evaluating left ventricular (LV) function in CF patients using strain and strain rate echocardiography.
  
  
  METHODS
  Echocardiography with tissue Doppler and strain and strain rate imaging were performed in 8 CF adults following pulmonary function tests. Results were compared to literature values obtained in healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All CF individuals had normal LV ejection fractions. In contrast, 50% of men and 100% of women with CF had decreased LV systolic strain. Strain rates were significantly decreased in 100% of CF individuals. RV function was normal and LV function did not correlate with lung function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strain and strain rate echocardiography identified LV systolic abnormalities in CF individuals not detected by conventional echocardiography. We propose that this echocardiography modality may identify subclinical cardiac dysfunction in CF.
authors: College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA. Electronic address: zsellers@stanford.edu.
authors: Zachary M
authors: ZM
authors: Sellers
authors: Heart and Cardiovascular Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA.
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: McGlocklin
authors: Heart and Cardiovascular Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Brasch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Echocardiography; Heart function; Left ventricle; Strain imaging