Abstract
Objective:This study aimed to explore the value of speckle tracing
imaging (STI) for assessment of left atrial (LA) function in uremic
patients. Methods. One hundred uremic patients were divided into four
groups according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) criteria.
Thirty healthy participants were enrolled as a control group. LA
functional parameters were determined using conventional
echocardiography. The strain rate (SR) curve of LA wall was prepared
using STI, and SR in different phases of cardiac cycle were obtained.
+Results. The LA maximal volume (LAVmax) increased and LA passive
ejection fraction (LAPEF) decreased. The LA active ejection fraction
(LAAEF) showed an initial increase followed by a decrease (all
p<0.05). The SR of LA lateral wall and interatrial septum
(IAS) in systole (SRs-LA, SRs-IAS) and early diastole (SRe-LA, SRe-IAS)
showed a steady decrease; the SR of LA lateral and IAS in late diastole
(SRa-LA, SRa-IAS) showed an initial increase followed by a decrease.
Compared with control group, the SRs-LA and SRs-IAS decreased in four
groups with uremia (all p<0.05). A positive correlation was
observed between LAPEF and the absolute value of mean peak early
diastolic SR (|mSRe|) (r=0.862, p<0.05), and
between LAAEF and the absolute value of mean peak late diastolic SR
(|mSRa|) (r=0.756, p<0.05). LAVmax showed a
negative correlation with mean peak systolic SR (mSRs) (r=-0.878,
p<0.05). Conclusion. There was a significant correlation
between LA function and LA strain rate in uremic patients. STI can allow
for an objective and accurate evaluation of LA function in uremic
patients.