Global longitudinal strain and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular geometry and systolic function in healthy adult Angolans: Effect of age and gender.

INTRODUCTION

Studies on the normal echocardiographic reference values in Africans are limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to establish the normal left ventricular echocardiographic parameters for adult Angolans, stratified by gender and age.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed involving healthy adults attending a diagnostic center in Luanda, Angola. The two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was performed according to the Guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.

RESULTS

A total of 103 men (47.5%) (mean age: 39.5 ± 10,8) and 114 women (52.5%) (mean age: 43.0 ± 12,5 years) were included. Compared to men, women were older (p = 0.025) and had a significantly smaller body surface area (BSA) (p < 0.001). Left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension and volume (LVEDV), left ventricular mass (LVM) and LVM indexed to BSA (LVMi) were significantly lower in women (p < 0.005). LVEDD indexed to BSA and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were significantly higher in women than in men (p = 0.007), (p = 0.01), respectively. Mitral annular plane systolic excursion, LVEF by strain, and global longitudinal strain showed no gender differences. Posterior wall thickness showed a statistically significant increase in the older groups (p = 0.043). The VST, relative wall thickness, LVM, and LVMi showed no significant differences between age categories. In turn, the shortening fraction and the ejection fraction increase with age.

CONCLUSION

For a more sensitive morphological and functional assessment of the left ventricle, it is necessary to take into account the gender and age of the individual.