Two-dimensional-strain echocardiography in intensive care unit patients: A prospective, observational study

Two-dimensional-strain echocardiography (2D-strain) is a promising technique for the early detection of myocardial dysfunction. Our study was aimed to assess its feasibility in the intensive care unit (ICU). Our secondary goal was to determine if 2D-strain could predict the patient's outcome.

Conventional echocardiography and 2D-strain were performed on 64 consecutive patients admitted to our ICU. Using 2D-strain, the longitudinal deformation of the left ventricle was assessed. Feasibility of 2D-strain, diagnosis performance, and 28-day mortality prediction were determined.

2D-strain measurements could be performed in 77% of our patients. All 2D-strain variables related to ventricular performance were significantly impaired in the patients who died compared with those who survived. Strain global medium was the only independent echocardiographic variable predictor of 28-day mortality rate (odds ratio 0.60; 95% confidence interval 0.43-0.80, p = 0.002).

2D-strain measurement is feasible in ICU patients, enabling identifying early left ventricle dysfunction. Strain global medium is an independent predictor of 28-day mortality. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:368-374, 2016.