Comparison of two different speckle tracking software systems: Does the method matter?

Patric Biaggi, Shemy Carasso, Patrick Garceau, Matthias Greutmann, Christiane Gruner, Wendy Tsang, Harry Rakowski, Yoram Agmon, Anna Woo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Echocardiographic speckle tracking strain has gained clinical importance. However, the comparability of measurements between different software systems is not well defined. Methods: In 47 healthy subjects left ventricular (LV) two-dimensional (2D) peak strain and time to peak strain (TTP) generated by EchoPAC (2DS) and velocity vector imaging (VVI) were compared. For each type of strain (longitudinal [LS], circumferential [CS], and radial strain [RS]) we compared global, anatomical level and segmental values. Results: When comparing 2DS to VVI, Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of global LS, CS, and RS were 0.68, 0.44, and 0.59, respectively (all P < 0.05). Correlation of global TTP was higher: 0.81(LS), 0.80 (CS), and 0.68 (RS), all P < 0.01. Segmental peak strain differed significantly between 2DS and VVI in 8/18 (LS), 17/18 (CS), and 15/18 (RS) LV segments (P < 0.05). However, segmental TTP significantly differed only in 5/18 (LS), 7/18 (CS), and 4/18 (RS) of LV segments. Similar strain gradients were found for both systems: apical strain was higher than basal and midventricular strain in LS and CS, with a reversed pattern for RS (P < 0.05). Conclusion: TTP strain as well as strain gradients were comparable between VVI and 2DS, but most peak strain values were not. The software-dependency of peak strain values must be considered in clinical application. Further studies comparing the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of strain values generated by different software systems are mandatory.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)539-547
Number of pages9
JournalEchocardiography
Volume28
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • echocardiography
  • left ventricular function
  • myocardial strain

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