Phase left atrial strain in young and middle-aged male volunteers without cardiovascular disease

Aim. To investigate the relationship between phase left atrial (LA) strain components using the speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), traditional parameters of left ventricular diastolic function, and age in male volunteers without cardiovascular disease.

Material and methods. Data from 331 male volunteers was analyzed. The study included 167 volunteers (mean age 40,7±7,9 years) without cardiovascular disease or obesity. Group I (n=86) included individuals aged ≤40 years; group II (n=81) >40 years. STE was used to assess left atrial reservoir strain (LASr).

Results. According to the correlation analysis, in the general group, relationships were found between age and LASr (r=-0,243; p=0,002), age and left atrial conduit strain (LAScd) (r=-0,455; p<0,001), age and left atrial contractile strain (r=0,293; p<0,001), and age and left ventricular filling pressure (E/e’) (r=0,310; p<0,001). According to logistic regression, the complex of LAScd (odds ratio (OR) 0,917; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0,863-0,974; p=0,005), early diastolic velocity of the septal part of the mitral annulus (OR 0,747; 95% CI: 0,6200,900; p=0,002) and peak transmitral flow velocity A (OR 1,043; 95% CI: 1,011-1,076; p=0,008) was independently associated with age >40 years. In the ROC analysis, the sensitivity and specificity of the model were 76,5 and 70,9%, respectively (area under the ROC curve (AUC)=0,783; p<0,001).

Conclusion. In male volunteers without cardiovascular disease, an association between traditional and modern measures of diastolic function and age was found. The median normal LASr values for ages 18-60 years was 37,1%, for ages ≤40 years — 38,5%, and for ages >40 years — 36,2%.

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