Values of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a top life-threatening disease and early and sensitive detection of CAD remains a challenge. This study aimed to assess the value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) in diagnosing CAD patients and investigate the parameters of 3D-STI associated with disease severity. Methods: A total of 260 suspected CAD patients who met the study criteria underwent coronary angiography within one week after the ultrasound examination. Based on the examination results, 142 patients were confirmed to have CAD (CAD group), while 118 patients were classified as non-CAD (NCAD group). Age, gender, family history, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, electrocardiogram, BMI, heart rate, and left ventricular ejection fraction were compared between the two groups. Additionally, 3D-STI parameters including left ventricular global radial strain (GRS), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), left ventricular global area strain (GAS), and left ventricular global circumferential strain (GCS) were analyzed. Results: No significant differences were found between the CAD and NCAD groups in terms of demographics, smoking history, physiological measurements, and common comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. However, when comparing the 3D-STI parameters, all four parameters, including GLS, GRS, GCS, and GAS, were significantly different in the CAD group compared to the NCAD group. The results suggest that 3D-STI parameters have diagnostic value for CAD, and their changes are associated with CAD severity. Conclusions: Combined detection of these parameters enhances diagnostic accuracy compared to individual detection.