Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for the Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease Severity in Stable Angina Pectoris

Background: In individuals with stable angina, the myocardial strain estimated by 2-D speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) corresponds with the severity of coronary angiography. Significant coronary artery disease (CAD) is an independent predictor of global longitudinal strain.

Aim: The goal of this research is to observe the contribution of STE to the assessment of CAD severity in patient with stable angina pectoris.

Patients and Methods: The study is a prospective one which conducted at Tanta university hospital included forty consecutive patients.

Results: There is inverse correlation between Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) and Gensini Score. The study revealed that there is significant correlation between GLS and both DM and HTN but there is insignificant correlation between GLS and sex, dyslipidemia and smoking. The study revealed that diabetes and smoking are the most significant risk factors associated with high Gensini score respectively. The study revealed no significant correlation between age and GLS. The study revealed that 1 and 2 coronary vessel disease associated with less significant GLS than 3 and 4 coronary vessel disease. The study revealed that LAD, LCX and RCA are the most frequently affected coronaries respectively. The study revealed that sensitivity of STE in detection of LAD lesions severity was higher than that of LCX and RCA respectively. The study revealed that specificity of STE in detection of LAD lesions severity was higher than that of RCA and LCX respectively.

Conclusion: In addition to ECG and biomarkers, echocardiography is also recommended for the acute and chronic assessment of CAD. This work has helped to pave the way for future research on myocardial strain, which promises to be a cost-effective, noninvasive diagnostic tool for cases with stable angina.