Assessment of Inter-observer Reproducibility of Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain between an Expert and Novice Observer

Abstract

two-, three-, and four-chamber views. TDI (expressed as average of septal and lateral values) and GLS were analysed using EchoPac. Results: Mean BP of the study group was 136 ± 20/78 ± 10 mmHg, 35 (70%) had hypertension, 21 (42%) had diabetes. As mandated, average e velocity was low (4.6 ± 0.9 cm/s) however mean GLS was relatively preserved at −17.8 ± 2.7%. Ten patients (20%) had GLS > −16%, and three patients (6%) had GLS > −14%. There was no significant correlation between GLS and either septal or lateral e. GLS was weakly correlated to both s' (r = 0.36, p = 0.01) and s' integral (r = 0.42, p < 0.01). Conclusion: In a population with a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and markedly abnormal e velocities (but preserved LVEF) the majority of patients had normal 2D strain values and the two parameters were unrelated. GLS and e are not equivalent methods for the identification of subclinical myocardial dysfunction. This may have important practical significance.