Objective:

To evaluate the left ventricle systolic function in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with normal ejection fraction by two-dimensional speckle-tracking imaging (STI).

Methods:

Twenty five SSc patients with normal ejection and twenty eight age-comparable healthy cases were enrolled in SS group and control group

respectively. The two groups were examined by traditional echocardiogram. Global longitudinal (GL)

global radial (GR) an

d global circumferential (GC) peak strains were analyzed by QLab 9.0 software after using STI.

Results:

The GL and GC peak strains in SS group were lower than those in control group. There was a statistical difference between SS group and control group in GL peak strain (

t

=-3.677

P

0.05) and GC peak strain (

t

=-3.765

P

0.05)

while no statistical difference in GR peak strain (

t

=-1.957

P

0.05).

Conclusion:

STI could detect early deformability in the left ventricle myocardium. It is valuable in evaluating the left ventricle systolic function in SSc patients.