Three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography assessment of right
ventricular function in non--acute coronary syndrome angina patients
after percutaneous coronary intervention
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to assess alterations in right
ventricular (RV) function following percutaneous coronary intervention
(PCI) in patients with non–acute coronary syndrome angina utilizing
three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE).
Methods A prospective study was conducted involving 136
patients diagnosed with non–acute coronary syndrome angina undergoing
PCI, constituting the study group, alongside 110 age and gender-matched
healthy volunteers serving as the control group. Echocardiographic
evaluations, including both conventional and three-dimensional
assessments, were performed on all study participants at 1 week, 6
months, and 12 months post-PCI. Parameters such as tricuspid annular
plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were derived from conventional
echocardiography, while tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S’)
was measured via tissue Doppler imaging. Three-dimensional speckle
tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) was utilized to quantify metrics
including right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), right
ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS), right ventricular
global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), right ventricular stroke volume
(RVSV), and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). Results
TAPSE, S’, RVFAC, RVFWLS, RVGLS, RVSV and RVEF exhibited significant
increases from 1 week to 6 months post-PCI ( P < 0.05).
However, from 6 to 12 months post-PCI, RVFAC, RVGLS, RVSV and RVEF
demonstrated no notable changes ( P > 0.05).
Meanwhile, TAPSE, S’, and RVFWLS sustained significant elevations: TAPSE
(19.63±3.253% to 22.603±2.885%, P < 0.001); S’
(10.57±2.643 cm/s to 12.61±2.189 cm/s, P < 0.001);
RVFWLS (18.64±2.745% to 19.926±3.291%, P = 0.002).By the
12-month mark post-PCI, S’, RVFAC, RVFWLS, RVGLS and RVEF were notably
lower compared to those in the healthy control group: S’ (12.61±2.189
cm/s vs. 13.20±1.946 cm/s, P < 0.001), RVFAC
(48.469±2.402% vs. 49.20±3.222%, P < 0.001), RVFWLS
(19.926±3.291% vs. 22.10±1.994%, P < 0.001), RVEF
(49.191±5.801% vs. 50.15±4.844%, P < 0.001).
Conclusion Following PCI, right ventricular systolic function
in patients with non–acute coronary syndrome angina improves
significantly over time. However, even at the 12-month post-PCI mark,
the right ventricular systolic function remains inferior to that of the
control group. Notably, 3D-STE emerges as a non-invasive method for
quantifying right ventricular systolic function post-PCI in non–acute
coronary syndrome angina patients.