Chronic Mitral Regurgitation: A Pilot Study to Assess Preoperative Left Ventricular Contractile Function Using Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

IVS longitudinal speckle tracking-derived strain rate allows the accurate detection of early abnormalities in LV contractile function. It is a powerful predictor of early postoperative LVEF decreases in patients with chronic severe MR. Furthermore, speckle-tracking technology is more accurate than other methods. This new tool might assist clinicians in the optimal timing of surgery in patients with chronic severe MR.