Prediction of All-Cause Mortality From Global Longitudinal Speckle Strain

BACKGROUND: Although global left ventricular systolic function is an important determinant of mortality, standard measures such as ejection fraction (EF) and wall motion score index (WMSI) have important technical limitations. The aim of this study was to compare global longitudinal speckle strain (GLS), an automated technique for measurement of long-axis function, with EF and WMSI for the prediction of mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Of 546 consecutive individuals undergoing echocardiography for assessment of resting left ventricular function, 91 died over a period of 5.2+/-1.5 years. In addition to Simpson biplane EF, WMSI was determined by 2 experienced readers and GLS was calculated from 3 standard apical…