Comparing 3D and 2D Ultrasound Techniques to Measure Heart Muscle Function in Patients with Reduced or Mildly Reduced Heart Pumping Ability

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing two ultrasound methods, two-dimensional 2D and three-dimensional 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography, to measure how well the heart muscle contracts in patients with heart failure who have reduced or mildly reduced pumping ability. The study focuses on the global longitudinal strain GLS measurements from both techniques to understand how well they agree and to explore whether 3D GLS better predicts the risk of death. The study involves 419 patients from seven cardiac rehabilitation hospitals in Italy with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction HFrEF or mildly reduced ejection fraction HFmrEF. Participants will undergo heart ultrasound imaging using standardized GE Vivid E95 ultrasound systems with specific probes to collect 2D and 3D echocardiographic data. The images will be analyzed offline with specialized software to calculate various strain parameters for each method. Data quality will be carefully checked, and certain datasets will be excluded if image quality or tracking is inadequate. The study aims to assess the agreement between 2D and 3D GLS, factors influencing differences, and the predictive value of 3D GLS for mortality over a one-year follow-up. During the study, participants will have echocardiograms performed with multiple views to collect detailed heart function data. The researchers will analyze these images and measure heart muscle strain using both 2D and 3D techniques. They will track outcomes like all-cause mortality for up to one year. Statistical analyses will compare the two imaging methods and evaluate which better predicts patient outcomes. Participants involvement includes consenting to the imaging procedures and follow-up assessments as part of this observational study.

Comparison of Three-dimensional and Two-dimensional Left Ventricle Strain With Speckle-tracking Echocardiography in Heart Failure With Reduced and Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction.