Echocardiographic evaluation from a different perspective in asthmatic patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pulmonology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Asthma is linked to cardiovascular issues, with studies noting pulmonary hypertension and arrhythmias in asthmatics.
• Echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG) reveal cardiac abnormalities in asthma patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess cardiovascular physiology in asthma patients using tissue Doppler imaging (TDIE) and conventional echocardiography (CEI).
• To evaluate arrhythmia indexes on ECG and echocardiographic parameters in mild-moderate and severe asthma.

Main Methods:

• 89 asthma patients were categorized into mild-moderate and severe groups.
• Conventional echocardiography (CEI) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDIE) were used to assess cardiac function.
• Electrocardiography (ECG) was employed to evaluate arrhythmia indexes.

Main Results:

• Severe asthma patients showed higher left ventricular A wave velocity and maximal left atrial (LA) volume.
• Significant differences were observed in diastolic filling velocity time intervals (Pa'm-3 and Pa's-3) via TDIE.
• No significant differences were found in most ECG arrhythmia indexes, MAPSE, TAPSE, or other LA filling parameters.

Conclusions:

• Severe asthma is associated with impaired left atrial (LA) mechanical function.
• Electromechanical durations within the atria appear to be affected in severe asthma patients.
• Echocardiographic parameters, particularly LA function, may serve as indicators of cardiovascular impact in severe asthma.