ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) in the quantitative evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and its correlation in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).

MethodsThirty-five severe AS patients with reserved ventricular LVEF ≥ 50% and 25 healthy volunteers with similar gender and age were selected.The LVEF in two groups were measured using the conventional echocardiography with biplane Simpsin.The interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) thickness, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and end-systolic diameter (LVESD) were measured using M mode ultrasonography in two groups.The flow velocity and mean transprosthetic gradient (MPG), aortic valvular area (AVA), and left ventricle overall longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and global annular strain (LVGCS) in two groups were measured using the continuous doppler, continuous equation method and 2D-STI technique, respectively.At the same time, the energy loss index (ELI) for evaluating ventricular injury was measured.

ResultsThe differences of the levels of LVEDD, LVESD and LVEF between two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05).The left ventricle IVS and LVPW thickness in AS group were significantly thicker than those in control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), and the biggest and average MPG in AS group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01).The LVGLS and LVGCS in AS group were significantly lower than those in control group (P < 0.01).The ELI was significantly positively correlated with LVGLS (P < 0.01), and the LVGLS was positively correlated with AVA (P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe left ventricular systolic function in severe AS patients with retained normal left ventricular is impair.2D-STI can early detect the subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with severe AS, and provide the evidence for timely intervention in patients with AS.