Longitudinal wall fractional shortening: an M-mode index based on mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) that correlates and predicts left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS) in intensive care patients.

Background: Left ventricular longitudinal strain (LVLS) is a modern measurement for LV function. However, strain measurement is often difficult in critically ill patients. We sought to show LVLS can be estimated using M-mode-derived longitudinal wall fractional shortening (LWFS), which is less dependent on image quality and is easier to perform in critically ill patients.

Methods: Transthoracic echocardiographic records were retrospectively screened and 80 studies suitable for strain and M-mode measurements in the apical 4-chamber view were selected. Longitudinal wall fractional shortening was derived from conventional M-mode (LWFS) and curved anatomical M-mode (CAMMFS). The relationships between LVLS and mitral annular plane systolic excusion (MAPSE) and M-mode-derived fractional shortening were examined using univariate generalized linear model in a training set (n = 50) and was validated in a separate validation set (n = 30).

Results: MAPSE, CAMMFS, and LWFS demonstrated very good correlations with LVLS (r = 0.852, 0.875 and 0.909, respectively). LWFS was the best unbiased predictor for LVLS (LVLS = 1.180 x LWFS - 0.737, P < 0.001). Intra- and inter-rater agreement and reliability for LWFS measurement were good.

Conclusions: LVLS can be estimated by LWFS in the critically ill patients. It provides a fast and accurate prediction of LVLS. LWFS is a reproducible and reliable measurement which can be used as a potential index in place of LVLS in the critically ill population.