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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
09:05
Transthoracic Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for the Quantitative Assessment of Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation
Published on: October 20, 2016
Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain Improves Risk Stratification in Chronic Aortic Regurgitation.
Bo Li1, Yujie Liu1, Linlin Dai1
1Department of Radiology, Fuwai Hospital and National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular Imaging
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking-derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (FT-LVGLS) predicts adverse events in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR). This strain measurement offers added prognostic value beyond current surgical guidelines, improving risk identification for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Prognostics
Background:
- Chronic moderate to severe aortic regurgitation (AR) poses significant risks.
- Current guidelines (ESC/EACTS) for surgical intervention in AR are based on specific parameters.
- Accurate prognostic assessment is crucial for timely management decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prognostic capability of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking-derived left ventricular global longitudinal strain (FT-LVGLS) for adverse outcomes in patients with chronic moderate to severe AR.
- To evaluate if FT-LVGLS provides incremental prognostic value beyond established ESC/EACTS Class I/IIb surgical indication parameters.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 385 patients (NYHA class I-II) with chronic moderate to severe AR who underwent CMR.
- Primary endpoint: Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including mortality, heart transplantation, heart failure hospitalization, or ICD discharge.
- Multivariable Cox regression and model discrimination analyses (C-index, likelihood ratio χ2) were used to assess prognostic value.
Main Results:
- FT-LVGLS was independently associated with MACE (adjusted HR: 1.210 per 1% decrease in absolute FT-LVGLS, P < .007).
- Incorporating FT-LVGLS into models significantly improved MACE prediction compared to guideline parameters alone (C-index increased from 0.730-0.768 to 0.783-0.791).
- An FT-LVGLS cutoff of 12% refined risk stratification.
Conclusions:
- FT-LVGLS is an independent predictor of MACE in asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic patients with moderate to severe chronic AR.
- FT-LVGLS offers incremental prognostic information beyond current ESC/EACTS guideline surgical indications.
- FT-LVGLS may enhance risk stratification and guide management decisions in AR patients.
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