Recovery of Left Ventricular Systolic Longitudinal Strain After Valve Replacement in Aortic Stenosis and Relation to Natriuretic Peptides

LV longitudinal systolic strain is severely depressed despite preserved LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening in AS. A significant association exists among natriuretic peptides, myocardial longitudinal contractility, and the degree of symptoms. Reverse LV remodeling after aortic valve replacement with regression of myocardial hypertrophy results in improvement of LV longitudinal myocardial strain and decrease of Nt-pro-BNP plasma levels. LV strain analysis might have the potential to identify patients with asymptomatic AS who might benefit from earlier surgical intervention to preserve overall LV function.