BACKGROUND

Strain analysis of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is important for the prognosis of heart failure (HF). Herein, we aimed to identify the characteristics and prognostic value of strain analysis revealed by CMR in different HF phenotypes.

METHODS

Participants with HF, including HF with reduced ejection fraction, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction, and HF with preserved ejection fraction, and controls were enrolled. The baseline information and clinical parameters of participants were collected, and echocardiography and CMR examination were performed. Three-dimensional strain analysis was performed in the left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, and right atrium using CMR. A multifactor Cox risk proportional model was established to assess the influencing factors of cardiovascular adverse events in patients with HF.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 999 days (range: 616-1334), 20.6% of participants (73/354) experienced adverse events (HF readmission and/or cardiovascular death). Univariable Cox regression revealed that a 1% increase in left atrial global longitudinal strain (LAGLS) was associated with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.21 [95% confidence interval (CI):1.15-1.28;  < 0.001]. Left ventricular global circumferential strain (LVGCS) (HR, 1.18; 95% CI: 1.12-1.24;  < 0.001), and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) (HR, 1.27; 95% CI: 1.20-1.36;  < 0.001) were also associated with HF hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths. Among clinical variables, hypertension (HR, 2.11; 95% CI: 1.33-13.36;  = 0.002), cardiomyopathy (HR, 2.26; 95% CI: 1.42-3.60;  < 0.001) were associated with outcomes in univariable analysis. Multivariable analyses revealed that LAGLS (95% CI: 1.08-1.29;  < 0.001), LVGLS (95% CI:1.08-1.29; < 0.001) and LVGCS (95% CI: 1.19-1.51;  < 0.001) were significantly associated with outcomes. Among clinical variables, hypertension (95% CI: 1.09-3.73;  < 0.025) remained a risk factor.

CONCLUSION

CMR plays an obvious role in phenotyping HF. Strain analysis, particularly left atrial and left ventricular strain analysis (LAGLS, LVGLS, and LVGCS) has good value in predicting adverse outcome events.