Speckle Tracking-Derived Longitudinal Strain: Validation and Influence of Scanner Settings

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Speckle tracking strain analysis is an emerging method for assessing left ventricular function.
• Understanding the impact of echocardiography machine settings is crucial for accurate strain measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different echocardiography machine settings influence global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPSS) measurements.
• To assess the reproducibility and robustness of GLPSS analysis in a patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated GLPSS in 35 patients using multiple recordings with varying machine parameters (gain, frame rate, transducer frequency, sector depth).
• Correlated ejection fraction with GLPSS values.
• Assessed intra- and inter-observer variability.

Main Results:

• GLPSS showed a strong negative correlation with ejection fraction (r = -0.778).
• Higher transducer frequencies and lower sector depth were associated with statistically significant reductions in absolute GLPSS values.
• Gain and frame rate modifications did not systematically alter GLPSS.
• Intra- and inter-observer variability demonstrated satisfactory repeatability.

Conclusions:

• GLPSS analysis is reproducible and robust in adult echocardiography patients when standard settings are used.
• Echocardiography machine settings, specifically transducer frequency and sector depth, can subtly impact GLPSS values, requiring careful consideration during analysis.