Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Moderate Aortic Stenosis

BackgroundModerate aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with an increased risk for adverse events. Although reduced left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with severe AS, its prognostic value in patients with moderate AS is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic implications of LV GLS in patients with moderate AS.MethodsLV GLS was evaluated using speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with moderate AS (aortic valve area 1.0-1.5 cm2) and reported as absolute (i.e., positive) values. Patients were divided into three groups: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ResultsA total of 760 patients (mean age, 71 ± 12 years; 61% men) were analyzed. During a median follow-up period of 50 months (interquartile range, 26-94 months), 257 patients (34%) died. Patients with LVEF P P = .592). LV GLS discriminated higher risk patients even among those with LVEF ≥ 60% (P P P P ConclusionsIn patients with moderate AS, reduced LV GLS is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality, even if LVEF is still preserved.