Evaluation of Cardiac Mechanics in Asthmatic Female Patients During Exacerbation and After Stabilization: A Speckle-tracking Echocardiography Study

Abstract

Aim: There is a complex relationship between asthma and cardiac functions. According to speckle-tracking echocardiography studies, asthma, especially severe asthma, was associated with left and right ventricular subclinical dysfunction. The literature lacks data comparing the cardiac functions during exacerbations and stable periods in patients with asthma. In this study, we aimed to investigate cardiac functions using speckle-tracking echocardiography during exacerbations and in the stable phase in female patients with asthma. Material and method: A total of 51 female adult asthma patients who were admitted to our center due to asthma exacerbations were included in this study. All participants had a previous diagnosis of asthma. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed both during hospitalization and after the asthma exacerbation was stabilized. Echocardiographic findings, including left ventricular longitudinal strain, in the two periods were compared. All patients were discharged in good condition after their asthma attacks stabilized. Results: White blood cell count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher during exacerbation than in the stable phase. Regarding echocardiographical findings, isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) was significantly longer and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) was significantly lower during exacerbation compared to the stable phase [median (IQR), 70 (61–76) msec vs. 66 (57–72) msec, p=0.011 and -12.9 (-13.8 – -12.1) vs. -14.2 (-14.8 – -13.2), p<0.001, respectively]. According to the multivariate analysis, IVCT, LVGLS, and WBC were independently associated with asthma exacerbation. Conclusion: Our study showed that asthma exacerbations might have an oppressive and adverse impact on cardiac functions, particularly when analyzed by STE.

Keywords

• asthma exacerbation
• heart function
• left ventricular longitudinal strain

References

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