Evaluation of left ventricular systolic synchrony by peak strain dispersion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of the peak strain dispersion (PSD) in evaluating left ventricular (LV) systolic synchrony in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: One hundred eleven patients with RA were divided into two groups according to their disease duration: <5 years (Group I, n = 60) and ≥5 years (Group II, n = 51). The control group comprised 57 healthy subjects without RA. All three groups were examined by transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography. Traditional parameters were measured by conventional echocardiography. Two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging was used to analyze the PSD and LV global longitudinal strain (LVGLS). Related ultrasound and blood test results were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The PSD gradually increased in the order of the control group, Group I, and Group II, and the difference among the groups was statistically significant. The LVGLS gradually decreased in the order of the control group, Group I, and Group II, and the difference among the groups was statistically significant. The PSD was negatively correlated with the LVGLS. CONCLUSIONS: LV systolic synchrony in patients with RA gradually decreases as the disease course progresses. The PSD can be used as a new reliable index to evaluate LV systolic synchrony.