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Association of hypercholesterolemia and cardiac function evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography in a rabbit
Liyun Liu, Yuming Mu1, Wei Han
1Department of Echocardiography, Center of Medical Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, No, 137, Li Yu Shan South Road, Urumqi 830011, China. mym1234@126.com.
Insights
Hypercholesterolemia significantly impairs left ventricular (LV) systolic function, particularly longitudinal and circumferential strain, even without coronary artery disease. Early detection of LV dysfunction is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Hypercholesterolemia is a primary risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Limited data exist on hypercholesterolemia's direct impact on myocardial function independent of CAD.
- This study investigates the direct effects of hypercholesterolemia on left ventricular (LV) systolic function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate LV systolic function in hypercholesterolemia using speckle-tracking echocardiography.
- To determine the relationship between elevated cholesterol levels and myocardial function.
- To identify specific patterns of systolic dysfunction associated with hypercholesterolemia.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight rabbits were fed either normal chow or an atherogenic diet for 2-3 months.
- Global systolic radial, circumferential, and longitudinal peak strain were assessed using speckle-tracking echocardiography.
- Serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, and myocardial cholesterol levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Longitudinal strain decreased significantly in rabbits fed the atherogenic diet.
- Circumferential strain was significantly reduced, while radial strain increased, in the hypercholesterolemic groups.
- Elevated serum and myocardial cholesterol levels correlated inversely with longitudinal and circumferential strain and positively with radial strain.
Conclusions:
- Elevated cholesterol, particularly LDL-C, is significantly associated with LV systolic dysfunction.
- Longitudinal strain reduction appears first, followed by circumferential strain reduction, with radial strain compensation.
- Speckle-tracking echocardiography can detect subclinical LV dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia.
Background:
Although hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), only limited data are available regarding its direct effect on myocardial function apart from CAD. The aim of this study was to evaluate LV systolic function using speckle-tracking echocardiography and investigate the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and myocardial function.
Methods:
Twenty-eight rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: 8 were fed normal chow for 3 months (group 1) and the remaining 20 were fed an atherogenic diet for 2 (group 2) or 3 months (group 3). Global systolic radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain were calculated. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and myocardial cholesterol levels were measured.
Results:
Global systolic longitudinal strain were both decreased in the group 2 and 3 (P < 0.001), whereas radial strain were increased (P < 0.001) compared with group 1. Global circumferential strain in the group 3 was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Serum and myocardial cholesterol concentration markedly increased in the group 2 and group 3 (P < 0.001). There was a significant inverse correlation between longitudinal strain and serum TC, LDL-C as well as myocardial cholesterol levels (r = - 0.723, r = - 0.794, r = - 0.700, P both < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was also noted between circumferential strain and serum TC, LDL-C as well as myocardial cholesterol levels (r = - 0.518, P = 0.007; r = - 0.691, P < 0.001; r = - 0.659, P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between radial strain and serum TC, LDL-C as well as myocardial cholesterol levels (r = 0.432, P = 0.028; r = 0.602, P = 0.001; r = 0.469, P = 0.016).
Conclusion:
Although LV morphology and ejection fractions were not different among the three groups, elevated concentration of cholesterol, especially in serum LDL-C, was significantly associated with LV systolic dysfunction. The findings also indicate that reductions in longitudinal was the first appeared, followed by circumferential, and was compensated for by increasing radial strain.
