Reference Ranges of Left Ventricular Hemodynamic Forces in Healthy Adults: A Speckle-Tracking Echocardiographic Study

Abstract

Background: The normal limits of left ventricular (LV) hemodynamic forces (HDFs) are not exactly known. The aim of this study was to explore the full spectrum of HDF parameters in healthy subjects and determine their physiologic correlates. Methods: 269 healthy subjects were enrolled (mean age: 43 ± 14 years; 123 (45.7%) men). All participants underwent an echo-Doppler examination. Tri-plane tissue tracking from apical views was used to measure 2D global endocardial longitudinal strain (GLS), circumferential strain (GCS), and LV HDFs. HDFs were normalized with LV volume and divided by specific weight. Results: LV systolic longitudinal HDFs (%) were higher in men (20.8 ± 6.5 vs. 18.9 ± 5.6, p = 0.009; 22.0 ± 6.7 vs. 19.8 ± 5.6, p = 0.004, respectively). There was a significant correlation between GCS (increased) (r = −0.240, p < 0.001) and LV longitudinal HDFs (reduced) (r = −0.155, p = 0.01) with age. In a multivariable analysis age, BSA, pulse pressure, heart rate and GCS were the only independent variables associated with LV HDFs (β coefficient = −0.232, p < 0.001; 0.149, p = 0.003; 0.186, p < 0.001; 0.396, p < 0.001; −0.328, p < 0.001; respectively). Conclusion: We report on the physiologic range of LV HDFs. Knowledge of reference values of HDFs may prompt their implementation into clinical routine and allow a more comprehensive assessment of the LV function.