Evaluation Of Subclinical Left Ventricular Systolic Function Using Two-dimensional Speckle-tracking Imaging In Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

Objective: To discuss the value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI)in the evaluating left ventricular systolic function in patients of liver cirrhosis.Methods: We evaluated 50 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and LVEF≥50 based on clinical,laboratory,ultrasonographic and/or biopsy criteria,to our echocardiography laboratory between January 2017 and September 2018.They were further divided into:cirrhotic patients without Portal hypertension(group NPH)and cirrhotic patients with Portal hypertension(group PH),and 25 control subjects(group NC).The longitudinal strain(LS),circumferential strain(CS)and radial strain(RS)were obtained by 2D-STI of the off-line Echo PAC software.Results: Dilated LV dimension and decreased diastolic e’ was found in patients of liver cirrhosist.Compared with the NC group,the global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle in the cirrhotic group decreased(p<0.05),and no significant difference was found between the two subgroups with and without portal hypertension(p>0.05),and there was no significant change in the circumferential and radial strain.Conclusion: The left ventricle myocardial contraction of cirrhotic patients was impaired in the longitudinal direction,although the left ventricle pump function was preserved.While there is no significant change in the circumferential and radial strain,and there is no significant difference between the groups with and without portal hypertension.Left ventricle systolic function damage can be detected early in the subclinical stage in cirrhotic patients by 2D-STI.