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Usefulness of layer-specific strain in diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina pectoris

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Abstract

Novel software allows for layer-specific evaluation of myocardial strain by speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). However, the potential of layer-specific strain at rest for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with suspected stable angina pectoris (SAP) remains unknown. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of layer-specific 2DSTE at rest for diagnosis of CAD in patients with SAP. In total, 285 patients referred with clinically suspected SAP, normal ejection fraction, and no previous cardiac history were prospectively enrolled. All patients were examined by echocardiography, including 2DSTE, exercise ECG, and coronary angiography (CAG). Layer-specific 2DSTE was performed in three apical views to provide longitudinal peak systolic strains. Stenosis ≥ 70% in ≥ 1 major coronary artery on CAG was considered as significant CAD. Of 285 patients included, 104 had significant CAD (36%). Endocardial, epicardial, and mid-myocardial GLS were all significantly impaired in CAD patients (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis including baseline clinical parameters, conventional echocardiographic measurements, Duke score, and layer-specific strain measurements revealed epicardial [odds ratio 1.19 (P = 0.048)] and mid-myocardial [odds ratio 1.16 (P = 0.047)] global longitudinal strain (GLS) as the only independent predictors of CAD. In direct comparison, epicardial and mid-myocardial GLS had a significantly higher diagnostic performance compared to endocardial GLS (P = 0.038 and P = 0.031, respectively). In conclusion, layer-specific GLS from 2DSTE at rest was significantly impaired in patients with significant CAD. In addition, epicardial and mid-myocardial GLS were independent predictors of CAD.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Jan S. Jensen, our dear friend and esteemed colleague, for his contribution towards collecting the data and for intellectual discussion and critical revision of the manuscript. Regrettably, Prof. Jan S. Jensen passed away shortly before final completion of this manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by the Fondsbørsvekselerer Henry Hansen og Hustrus Hovedlegat 2016 (TBS). The sponsor had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or writing of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Kildegårdsvej 28, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark

    Christoffer A. Hagemann, Rikke A. Hagemann, Thomas Fritz-Hansen, Flemming J. Olsen, Peter G. Jørgensen & Tor Biering-Sørensen

  2. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, 2400, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Søren Hoffmann

  3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Tor Biering-Sørensen

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  1. Christoffer A. Hagemann
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Hagemann, C.A., Hoffmann, S., Hagemann, R.A. et al. Usefulness of layer-specific strain in diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina pectoris. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 35, 1989–1999 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-019-01652-3

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