THE LEFT ATRIAL FUNCTIONS AND THE ESTIMATED PULMONARY VASCULAR
RESISTANCE IN REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION HEART FAILURE PATIENTS :
ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION GRADES
Aim : In this study , according to the diagnosed left
ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) grades, we aimed to determine
the correlation of the 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)
derived left atrial functional parameters and echocardiographic right
ventricular (RV) systolic functions and pulmonary vascular resistance
(PVR) estimates in reduced ejection fraction heart failure patients
(HFrEF).
Methods : Dilated cardiomyopathy patients with an EF lower than
40% included. Echocardiographic examinations including PVR calculations
and the 2DSTE performed ; LASr: left atrial reservoir strain , LAScd:
left atrial conduit strain, LASct: left atrial contraction strain were
calculated. LVDD grading was performed according to guidelines.
Results: The mean EF was 28.8 ± 6.0 %. The estimated PVR was
strongly correlated with LASr, LAScd and LASct (p<0,0001 for
each parameter) . All of the LA strain parameters were in decreasing
trend along with the increased LVDD grades. The LASct were lower in
Grade III when compared with the Grade II LVDD (p<0.01) .
Conclusion: The decrease of LA contraction function in Grade 3
diastolic dysfunction is evident and it may be associated with the
extent of LA remodelling in these patients. PVR estimates well
correlates with the LA strain parameters. Future studies may evaluate
the value of estimated PVR for grading of LVDD.