Open AccessBiventricular strain by speckle tracking echocardiography in COVID-19: findings and possible prognostic implications
Author(s) -
Parasuram Krishnamoorthy,
Lori B. Croft,
Richard Ro,
Malcolm Anastasius,
Wenli Zhao,
Gennaro Giustino,
Edgar Argulian,
Martin E. Goldman,
Samin K. Sharma,
Annapoorna Kini,
Stamatios Lerakis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
future cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-8298
pISSN - 1479-6678
DOI - 10.2217/fca-2020-0100
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , strain (injury) , speckle tracking echocardiography , risk stratification , intubation , covid-19 , heart failure , surgery , ejection fraction , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
The COVID-19 infection adversely affects the cardiovascular system. Transthoracic echocardiography has demonstrated diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic utility. We report biventricular myocardial strain in COVID-19. Methods: Biventricular strain measurements were performed for 12 patients. Patients who were discharged were compared with those who needed intubation and/or died. Results: Seven patients were discharged and five died or needed intubation. Right ventricular strain parameters were decreased in patients with poor outcomes compared with those discharged. Left ventricular strain was decreased in both groups but was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Right ventricular strain was decreased in patients with poor outcomes and left ventricular strain was decreased regardless of outcome. Right ventricular strain measurements may be important for risk stratification and prognosis. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.