Electromechanical delay and 4-chamber longitudinal strain in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate atrial electromechanical delay (AEMD), apical 4-chamber longitudinal strain (4C-LS) and echocardiographic changes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Design: Prospective cross-sectional study Setting: Secondary care hospital Subjects: Forty-six patients (32 male, 14 female) who were diagnosed as mild-to-severe OSA (apnea hypopnea index >= 5 events/h) and control group consisted of 35 healthy subjects (18 male, 17 female) Intervention: Polysomnography, blood samples and transthoracic echocardiograhy (TTE) were evaluated Main outcome measures: TTE was used to evaluate echocardiographic changes, AEMD and 4C-LS Results: Left ventricle end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter, interventricular septum and posterior wall thickness were significantly higher; left ventricular ejection fraction and Ea/Aa mitral ratio were lower; right ventricle basal, mid and vertical diameters, Emax, Amax, and Ea tricuspid, tricuspid regurgitan velocity, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and systolic motion tricuspid were significantly higher in the OSA group. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was significantly lower and AEMD lateral/tricuspid, lateral/mitral and septal were significantly higher in the OSA group. Mid anterolateral, apicolateral, apex, apical septal strains and 4C-LS were decreased significantly in the OSA group Conclusion: Right-left ventricular systolic-diastolic functions were impaired in patients with OSA. In these patients, apical 4C-LS was lower and AEMD was prolonged.