Myocardial bridge and beta blockers: effect on left ventricular strain parameters

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the effect of beta-blocker treatment on left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV Gls) as measured by echocardiography in patients with MB (Myocardial Bridge).

Patients and methods

Between January 2019 and February 2022, a prospective, single-center study was undertaken in which myocardial bridging was identified in individuals who had coronary angiography. One hundred patients with myocardial bridging were systematically recruited and strain echocardiography was performed. Patient data were analysed in two groups – those who weren’t using beta-blockers in the last six months (Group I: n = 50) vs. those who were (Group II: n = 50).

Results

One hundred patients participated in the study (38 females, 62 males; average age: 57.4 years). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean heart rate between groups I and II (p < 0.001). LV Gls was found to be statistically significantly improved in favour of group II when compared to group I [Group I: (–12.57)±3 vs. Group II: (–15.92)±2.9, p < 0.001].

Conclusion

The negative chronotropic effect of beta-blocker medication in individuals with MB identified by coronary angiography has a beneficial effect on LV Gls as measured by echocardiography.

Keywords:

• Myocardial bridge
• global longitudinal strain
• betablocker theraphy
• echocardiogpahy

Ethics approval

Bakircay University Non-Invasive Clinical Ethics Committee (Decision No. 2022/511) approved the study, which was designed in conformity with the Helsinki Declaration.

Patient consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Author contributions

FSY collected study data, wrote the main manuscript text and prepared figure and tables. EG applied statistics and reviewed the article. All authors have read and approved the final article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.