Speckle-tracking global longitudinal strain predicts death and cardiovascular events in patients with systemic...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Heart involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a significant predictor of mortality.
• Global longitudinal strain (GLS) can detect subclinical cardiac dysfunction in SSc patients.
• The prognostic value of GLS in SSc clinical outcomes requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between left and right GLS and all-cause mortality in SSc patients.
• To evaluate the association between left and right GLS and hospitalization rates in SSc patients.
• To determine if GLS serves as a reliable prognostic tool for SSc patients.

Main Methods:

• Prospective longitudinal study of 164 SSc patients without pre-existing cardiac disease.
• Measurement of left and right ventricular GLS at enrollment.
• Follow-up for mortality and hospitalization events over a median of 3 years.

Main Results:

• Biventricular GLS impairment was independently associated with increased all-cause mortality and hospitalization.
• Patients with biventricular GLS impairment had a 4.2- to 13.9-fold increased risk of death compared to those with no or single-ventricle impairment.
• Hospitalization incidence was significantly higher in patients with biventricular GLS impairment.

Conclusions:

• Biventricular GLS is a reliable prognostic marker in SSc.
• GLS can predict mortality and hospitalization in SSc patients.
• GLS is a valuable tool for early detection and monitoring of cardiac involvement in SSc.