Left Ventricular Pressure–Strain Loop-Based Quantitative Examination of the Global and Regional Myocardial Work of Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

The aim of our prospective pilot study was to explore the distribution characteristics of myocardial work (MW) of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and their clinical value in evaluation of therapeutic effects. Thirty patients with DCM were enrolled in the case group, and 30 healthy patients were randomly allocated to the control group. Global myocardial work (GMW) and regional myocardial work (RMW) of the control and case groups before and after therapy were evaluated by using left ventricular pressure–strain loops and then compared. We found significant differences in GMW and RMW between the control and case groups (p < 0.05). Compared with before therapy, the global work index and 6-min walking distance increased, but LV ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain did not significantly change after therapy. GMW was significantly correlated with LV ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain (p < 0.01). Bland–Altman plot analysis revealed that GMW values were consistent between and within the groups. The results suggest that LV MW values were diffusely impaired in patients with DCM and that the global work index may be used as an indicator in evaluation of therapeutic effects.