Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography to Assess Global and Regional Left Ventricular Function in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Speckle tracking is a useful tool in assessing global & regional myocardial function in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is a robust parameter to assess regional and global LV function. Global longitudinal strain helps in predicting short term outcomes in these patients and has shown to be better than ejection fraction, and as good as wall motion scoring, wall motion scoring index and myocardial performance index. A Lower global longitudinal strain parallels the rise in troponin T and CPKMB in acute myocardial infarction. Global longitudinal strain may have the potential to be an echocardiographic parameter which is useful in identifying multivessel disease. Assessment of regional myocardial function by speckle tracking echocardiography, particularly GLS, can be useful in ACS patients undergoing PCI in predicting short term recovery of the affected segments. Speckle tracking echocardiography can be used independent of the conventional markers to assess regional and global LV function.