Evaluation of left ventricular function by three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

  AIM  To evaluate the left ventricular systolic function in euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (eHT) patients with normal thyroid functions using three-dimensional spot tracking technology (3D-STI).

  METHODS  Forty-three patients diagnosed with euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis were selected as eHT group and forty healthy controls matched by sex and age were selected by three-dimensional spot tracking technology (3D-STI). The parameters obtained by conventional echocardiography mainly included left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial volume index (LAVI), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the ratio of the mitral valve late early diastolic blood flow velocity (E/A), early diastolic interventricular septum and left ventricular wall average peak velocity (Avg e'), and mitral valve late early diastolic blood flow velocity and peak early diastolic interventricular septum and left ventricular wall velocity ratio of the average (E/e'). The left ventricular strain parameters obtained by 3D-STI technology included the overall longitudinal left ventricular systolic peak strain (LVGLS), left ventricular whole circumference (LVGCS), left ventricular systolic peak strain whole radial (LVGRS) and left ventricular systolic peak strain of whole area of systolic peak strain (LVGAS).

  RESULT  S There were no statistically significant differences in the parameters of LAD, LAVI, LVEDD, LVEDV, LVEF, E/A, Avg e 'and E/e' between eHT group and control group (all P<0.05). The 3D strain parameter LVGLS in eHT group was smaller than that in control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between eHT group and control group in three-dimensional ultrasonic parameters LVGCS, LVGRS and LVGAS.

  CONCLUSION  The findings suggest that the dynamics of left ventricular myocardium remain negatively altered in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis patients with normal thyroid function. Therefore, medication is needed to prevent damage to left ventricular systolic function even in patients with normal thyroid functions.