We sought to investigate whether right ventricular deformation parameters as assessed with two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking imaging (STI) could help in identifying patients at low risk according to the ESC guidelines.

From February 2015 to September 2015 all consecutive patients with a PE confirmed by thoracic computed tomography scan or by ventilation/ perfusion scintigraphy were included in the study. 2D Echocardiography was performed at admission. STI Longitudinal strain for the RV free wall and septal wall. We defined as intermediate-to-high risk PE patients with RV systolic dysfunction on echocardiography (defined as RV/LV ratio>0.9) and/or troponin I >0.04 μg/L and/or brain natriuretic peptide >100 pg/mL. When none of these criteria were present, patients were considered at low risk.

Fifty-eight patients (mean age 66.1 ± 18.5 years, 55% male) were prospectively included. None of these patients exhibit hemodynamic instability. Twenty-three patients (40%) showed a RV/LV ratio > 0.9, 25 patients (43%) an elevated BNP levels (mean: 454±494 pg/mL) and 17 patients (29%) an elevated troponin levels (mean: 0.36±0.46 μg/L). According to the ESC guidelines, 14 patients (24%) were classified at low risk PE, and 44 (76%) at intermediate-to-high risk. Global 2D RV strain differed significantly between the 2 groups (23.0% vs. 19.3%, p=0.0035), as did RV strain of the free wall (26.9% vs. 21.1%, p=0.0038). However, 2D RV strain of the septal wall did not differ significantly in the 2 groups (20.0% vs. 18.5%, p=0.12). ROC curves were determined to evaluate the ability of RV strain parameters derived from STI to identify low risk patients. The best performance was obtained with global 2D RV strain and a cut off value of 23.0%.

Global longitudinal 2D strain is significantly reduced in patients with intermediate-to-high risk PE compared with low risk PE. A cut off value of 23% allowed to identify PE patients at low risk.

The author hereby declares no conflict of interest