Using speckling tracking echocardiography to evaluate left cardiac structure and function of heart failure patients with mid⁃range ejection fraction following short⁃term treatment of sacubitril/valsartan
Objective:This study aims to assess the cardiac structure and function in patients of heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction(HFmrEF)by speckling tracking echocardiography after 3 months sacubitril/valsartan treatment. Methods:A total of 35 patients with HFmrEF(EF range:40%~49%)and New York Heart Association(NYHA)class Ⅱ~Ⅲ were enrolled in this study from Jul 2020 to Jan 2021. In these patients,echocardiographic assessments were performed at the baseline and after 3 months sacubitril/valsartan therapy. The left ventricular(LV) global longitudinal strain(LVGLS) and the time to the peak strain were evaluated by using speckling tracking,the LV end-diastolic volume index(LVEDVI),LV end-systolic volume index(LVESVI),LV ejection fraction(LVEF)and left atrial volume index(LAVI)were acquired by Simpson’s method. Color and tissue Doppler ultrasound were utilized to get the ratio of early transmitral Doppler velocity/early diastolic annular velocity(E/e’). The level of serum amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. Results:After the treatment,the NYHA function capacity class improved significantly(P=0.008),and the median NT-proBNP concentration decreased significantly(P < 0.001). The LVGLS increased markedly compared with the baseline,and the time to peak longitudinal strain reduced significantly than the baseline(P < 0.001). There was a modest improvement in the LVEF(P=0.001). The LVEDVI and LVESVI decreased significantly compared with the baseline(P < 0.001). However,there was no significant change for LAVI and the E/e’(both P > 0.05). Conclusion:In HFmrEF patients,3 months sacubitril/valsartan therapy could induce benefit on the left cardiac structure and function. Strain analysis based on speckling tracking echocardiography may act as a useful tool for assessment of the left ventricle remodeling in these patients.