Clinical Usefulness of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is defined as HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) not less than 50%. HFpEF accounts for more than 50% of all HF patients, and its prevalence is increasing year to year with the aging population, with its prognosis worsening. The clinical assessment of cardiac function and prognosis in patients with HFpEF remains challenging due to the normal range of LVEF and the nonspecific symptoms and signs. In recent years, new echocardiographic techniques have been continuously developed, particularly speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE), which provides a sensitive and accurate method for the comprehensive assessment of cardiac function and prognosis in patients with HFpEF. Therefore, this article reviewed the clinical utility of STE in patients with HFpEF.

Automated summary

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a condition where the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is not less than 50%. It accounts for more than 50% of all heart failure cases and its prevalence is increasing due to the aging population. However, assessing cardiac function and prognosis in HFpEF patients is challenging due to the normal range of LVEF and nonspecific symptoms and signs. Speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has emerged as a sensitive and accurate method for comprehensive assessment of cardiac function and prognosis in HFpEF patients.