Evaluation of Global and Regional Strain in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome without Previous Myocardial Infarction

Background: Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) is a new non-invasive method, which has been recently used as an alternative technique to assess regional and global myocardial function, especially left ventricular function. It is also considered to be a valid technique to evaluate the patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS).

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the capability of STE as a trustable technique to indicate ischemic parts of the heart and compare the results to the information raised from angiography. Then, decision was made about capability of STE as a valid and reliable criterion for determining the indication of performing angiography.

Patients and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 37 patients between 30 and 70 years old with clinical diagnosis of ACS and clinical indications of coronary angiography who had referred to Faghihi hospital. Also, 46 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. STE was performed for all the participants and angiography was done for the patients.

Results: In 20 cases (55.6%), the results of echocardiography completely matched with those of angiography. In 10 cases (27.8%), echocardiography and angiography results were partially matched. According to the results, echocardiography showed involvement of both territories, while angiography revealed involvement of one territory or vice-versa. However, the results were not matched at all in 6 cases.

Conclusions: Our results showed that STE, with the current quality and capacity, could be effective in diagnosis of patients with Non-ST-segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and planning strategies for their treatment.