Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography evaluation of left atrial function according to glycemic state in patients with coronary artery disease.

Prediabetes and diabetes are dysglycemic conditions associated with increased cardiovascular risks and subtle myocardial injuries. The aim of our study was to evaluate left atrial (LA) function by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in prediabetic and diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and compare the results with those in euglycemic patients with CAD.

Methods: The study population comprised 205 consecutive patients with CAD: 104 diabetic, 51 prediabetic, and 50 euglycemic patients. LA function was evaluated with two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and the longitudinal deformation indices of the LA were measured.

Results: Our results showed that early diastolic strain was lower in the diabetic patients than in the prediabetic and euglycemic patients. The absolute value of early diastolic strain rate was reduced in the diabetic patients compared with the euglycemic patients. Late diastolic strain was increased in the diabetic patients compared with the prediabetic and euglycemic patients. The multivariate analysis showed that diabetes was a determinant of early diastolic strain and strain rate, but not late diastolic strain.

Conclusion: LA conduit function, as evaluated in terms of early diastolic strain and strain rate, was impaired in the diabetic CAD patients compared with the prediabetic and euglycemic CAD patients.