Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025
Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
Published on: February 20, 2017
Correlation between frailty and cardiac structure and function in echocardiography in elderly patients with normal
Li Xi1, Zhong Xuemei2, Yan Ling2
1Department of Cardiology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China.
Objective:
This study aims to accurately evaluate the cardiac structure and function of the frail population in elderly patients with normal ejection fraction (EF) using the 3D volume quantification and speckle tracking of echocardiography, to explore the correlation between frailty and cardiac structure and function.
Methods:
A total of 350 elderly aged 65 and above in-patients, excluding those with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and severe valvular heart disease, were included in the study. Patients were divided into non-frail, pre-frail, and frail group. Echocardiography techniques including speckle tracking and 3D volume quantification, were used to analyze the cardiac structure and function of the study subjects. Comparative analysis was statistically significant if P < 0.05.
Results:
The cardiac structure of the frail group was different compared with non-frail patients, the frail group demonstrated increased left ventricular myocardial mass index (LVMI), but decreased stroke volume. Cardiac function was also impaired in the frail group: reservoir strain and conduit strain of left atrium, strain of right ventricular (RV) free wall, strain of RV septum, 3D EF of RV, and global longitudinal strain of LV were significantly decreased. Frailty was significantly and independently associated with LV hypertrophy (OR 1.889; 95% CI 1.240,2.880; P = 0.003), LV diastolic dysfunction (OR 1.496; 95% CI 1.016,2.203; P = 0.041), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) reduction (OR 1.697; 95% CI 1.192, 2.416; P = 0.003), and reduced RV systolic function (OR 2.200; 95% CI 1.017, 4.759; P = 0.045).
Conclusion:
Frailty is closely associated with several heart structural and functional alterations, which not only manifested as LV hypertrophy and reduced LV systolic function, but also decreased LV diastolic function, RV systolic function, and left atrial systolic function. Frailty is an independent risk factor for LV hypertrophy, LV diastolic dysfunction, LVGLS reduction, and reduced RV systolic function.
Trial Registration Number:
ChiCTR2000033419. Date of registration: May 31, 2020.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...
01:25Correlation between ECG and Cardiac Cycle
A cardiac action potential originates in the SA node and spreads throughout the atria and the AV node in approximately 0.03 seconds. This results in the P wave in an ECG and triggers atrial contraction. The action potential is then briefly slowed at the AV node, allowing the atria to contract and fill the ventricles with blood before...
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for...