Abstract: Objective To investigate the application value of three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) in evaluating myocardial function of right ventricle in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods Forty-seven patients with liver cirrhosis were divided into group A, B and C according to Child-pugh score, and 30 healthy volunteers were enrolled as control group. 3D-STI was applied to analyze general area strain (GAS), area strain (AS) and area strain dyssynchrony index (ASDI) of all myocardial segments in different groups. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured by echocardiography in all groups. Results There was no significant difference in all indexes between group A and control group. In terms of some myocardial segments, group B showed high levels of GAS, AS and ASDI than control group and group A (P<0.05), but no significant difference in RVEF than control group. Group C showed significantly lower levels of GAS, AS and RVEF than control group and group A (both P<0.05), but higher level of ASDI (P<0.05). Conclusion Liver cirrhosis could lead to myocardial damages of right ventricle, which could be effectively assessed by STI in different stages of liver cirrhosis.

Key words: Echocardiography, Liver cirrhosis, Speckle tracking imaging, Area strain, Three-dimensional