Essential Site Maintenance: Authorea-powered sites will be updated circa 15:00-17:00 Eastern on Tuesday 5 November.
There should be no interruption to normal services, but please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any issues.

loading page

Evaluation of Left Atrial and Ventricular Function at Rest and Post-exercise by Speckle Tracking in Patients with Mild Mitral Stenosis
  • irem Muge Akbulut,
  • Cansin Tulunay Kaya,
  • Demet Gerede
irem Muge Akbulut
Ankara University Faculty of Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Cansin Tulunay Kaya
Ankara University School of Medicine
Author Profile
Demet Gerede
Ankara University
Author Profile

Abstract

Rheumatic mitral stenosis is a leading cause of morbidity in developing countries. Symptomatic patients with mitral valve area>1.5 cm2 comprises a gray zone in management. Exercise stress testing is recommended in these patients with symptoms discordant with the severity of the stenosis. Left atrial strain analysis with speckle tracking imaging emerges as a promising technique for the evaluation of haemodynamics better. The aim of our study is to examine the left atrial and ventricular function both during rest and just after exercise by speckle tracking imaging in patients with mild rheumatic mitral stenosis and ascertain early hemodynamic deterioration. We included 46 patients with mild mitral stenosis (mitral valve area>1.5 cm2) The patients were evaluated with comprehensive 2D and Doppler echocardiography during rest, before the exercise stress test. Left atrial and ventricular peak systolic strain values were calculated by using a software program. Exercise stress test was then performed by using treadmill with standard Bruce protocol. Immediately after the termination of the test, the echocardiographic examination was repeated. Both mean trans-mitral gradient and systolic pulmonary artery pressure values were higher following exercise (p<0.001, p=0.001, respectively). Exercise did not cause a significant chance in left atrial and ventricular peak systolic strain value (p=0.708, p=0.854). A negative significant correlation was found between the mean trans-mitral gradient and peak systolic left atrial strain following exercise. In patients with mitral valve area>1.5 cm2, exercise stress test did not cause a significant change in left atrial and ventricular peak systolic strain.