Left Ventricular Myocardial Deformation Abnormalities in Ankylosing Spondylitis (Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis): Association With Disease Severity Assessed by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), also termed radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) under current Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) nomenclature, is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular involvement, including subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Conventional echocardiography often fails to detect early myocardial abnormalities despite preserved left ventricular systolic function. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) enables sensitive assessment of myocardial deformation through global longitudinal strain (GLS), facilitating the early detection of subclinical cardiac involvement. This study aimed to evaluate left ventricular myocardial deformation in patients with AS using 2D-STE and investigate its relationship with disease severity and duration.