Noninvasive assessment of left atrial phasic function in patients with hypertension and diabetes using two-dimensional speckle tracking and volumetric parameters.

Objective To evaluate the left atrial phasic function of hypertensive patients with or without coexisting diabetes using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)-based strain and strain rate imaging and volumetric parameters. Methods The study included an isolated hypertension group (HT group) comprising 99 patients, a hypertension and diabetes group (HT + DM group) comprising 65 patients, and 26 age-matched healthy controls. The 2DSTE-based strain and strain rate images were studied, and the following parameters were measured: peak left atrial longitudinal strain (LAS-S), early diastolic (LAS-E) and late diastolic (LAS-A) atrial longitudinal strains, and systolic (LASR-S), early diastolic (LASR-E) and late diastolic (LASR-A) strain rates. Results The LAS-S and LASR-S were lower in the HT group and the HT + DM group compared with the control group (P   0.05). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that HT and DM were independently related to LAS-E and LASR-E. Conclusions Hypertension can lead to abnormal left atrial reservoir and conduit functions, and coexisting diabetes can further impair conduit function. 2DSTE-derived strain and strain rate imaging are sensitive methods for evaluating left atrial phasic function.