Role of strain imaging by echocardiography in pericardial diseases; a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Pericardial diseases significantly contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
• Accurate diagnosis of pericardial conditions is crucial for effective patient management.
• Left ventricular (LV) twist is essential for normal cardiac function, influenced by the pericardium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of strain imaging by echocardiography in diagnosing various pericardial diseases.
• To highlight the role of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in assessing LV function and torsion in pericardial disease.
• To emphasize the importance of strain imaging for early detection and management of pericardial conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) to calculate strain and strain rate.
• Assessed left ventricular (LV) torsion and rotation using STE-derived data.
• Reviewed the application of ultrasonic strain imaging across a spectrum of pericardial diseases.

Main Results:

• Strain imaging effectively evaluates LV function, independent of global heart motion or tethering forces.
• Ultrasonic strain imaging can identify pericardial diseases at earlier stages.
• STE provides crucial data for assessing conditions including pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, and congenital pericardial abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Strain imaging by echocardiography is a valuable tool for the comprehensive assessment of pericardial diseases.
• Familiarity with STE data acquisition can enhance the diagnostic capabilities of specialists in pericardial centers.
• This imaging modality offers a non-invasive method to evaluate cardiac function affected by pericardial pathology.