Background: Left ventricular (LV) function in acute perimyocarditis is variable. We evaluated LV function in patients with acute perimyocarditis with speckle tracking.
Methods: Thirty-eight patients with acute perimyocarditis and 20 normal subjects underwent echocardiographic examination. Three-layers strain and twist angle were assessed with a speckle tracking. Follow-up echo was available in 21 patients.
Results: Strain was higher in normal subjects than in patients with perimyocarditis. Twist angle was reduced in perimyocarditis--10.9° ± 5.4 versus 17.6° ± 5.8, P < 0.001. Longitudinal strain and twist angle were higher in normal subjects than in patients with perimyocarditis and apparently normal LV function. Follow-up echo in 21 patients revealed improvement in longitudinal strain.
Conclusions: Patients with acute perimyocarditis have lower twist angle, longitudinal and circumferential strain. Patients with perimyocarditis and normal function have lower longitudinal strain and twist angle. Short-term follow-up demonstrated improvement in clinical parameters and longitudinal strain despite of residual regional LV dysfunction.
© 2011, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.