Apical Sparing in Routine Echocardiography: Occurrence and Clinical Significance

Abstract

Apical sparing is an echocardiographic pattern where myocardial strain is preserved at the apex compared to the basal segments. In a normal heart, longitudinal strain shows a gradient with lower values at the base and higher at the apex. This gradient becomes more pronounced in pathological states, such as cardiac amyloidosis, resulting in a relative apical sparing effect. This study explores cardiac conditions associated with apical sparing and the underlying mechanisms. We reviewed echocardiography examinations reporting apical sparing from 2021 to 2024 in our hospital database. Relevant echo exams and clinical data were retrieved and analyzed. Apical sparing was identified in 74 patients. Cardiac amyloidosis was diagnosed in 12 patients (16.2%). Other cardiac pathologies potentially contributing to apical sparing included hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension, end-stage renal disease, coronary artery disease (involving the right coronary artery and left circumflex), reversed Takotsubo syndrome, and chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy. The clinical context of echocardiography was crucial in guiding the diagnostic work-up. Apical sparing is a nonspecific echocardiographic finding associated with various cardiac conditions. Its diagnostic value depends heavily on the clinical context. Understanding the broader clinical picture is essential for accurate interpretation and diagnosis.