Options to invasively assess myocardial deformation properties

Objective: to evaluate myocardial deformation properties of LV in patients at different terms after heart transplantation. Material and methods: this study encompassed 45 individuals who undergone orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) and 25 volunteers with no heart disorders. Onstandard heart transthoracic echocardiography (EchoCG), myocardial LV wall deformation (global strain) in four-chambered (LV4GS), three-chambered (LV3GS) and two-chambered (LV2GS) projections was evaluated, and the mean GS was calculated. The studies were performed at the following terms: first one- in a month after OHT, second- 1-6 months after OHT, and the third- at 6-12 months after OHT. Results: LV myocardial deformation properties in patients at different terms after heart transplantation. In 1 month after the OHT in the presence of normal LV EF estimates, the decreased myocardial deformation properties tended to the improvement at 6 months after the operation was registered. The statistically significant positive value dynamics characterizing the myocardial fiber systolic strain was noted at 12 month: absolute estimates of 2GS, 4 GS and GScp increased by 19.9%, 20.1% and 22.4%, accordingly compared to those observed 1 month later after OHT. At 12 months, patients having 4GS and GScp who undergone heart transplantation was not different form the healthy individuals. Conclusion. Our data suggest that the study of myocardial deformation reveals myocardial dysfunction prior to changes registered in standard EchoCG, i.e. at early terms of its development.