Assessment of right atrial function using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to unveil the right atrial function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). METHODS: A total of 120 OSAHS patients were enrolled as the OSAHS group, with 100 healthy individuals served as the control group. Conventional echocardiography assessed right atrial structure, including superior-inferior diameter, transverse diameter, area, and volume. Myocardial longitudinal strain parameters (reservoir strain (RASr), conduit strain (RAScd), and contraction strain (RASct)) were measured using 2D-STE. Comparisons were made between groups, and patients were further stratified by apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) into mild (5-14 events/h), moderate (15-39 events/h), and severe (≥ 40 events/h) subgroups. Correlation with AHI was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the OSAHS group showed progressive decreases in RASr and RAScd, and increases in RASct and transverse diameter with increasing disease severity (P < 0.05). AHI was negatively correlated with RASr and RAScd, and positively correlated with RASct and transverse diameter (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with OSAHS exhibit significant structural and functional alterations of the right atrium. 2D-STE provides a reliable, non-invasive method for early assessment and clinical evaluation of right atrial dysfunction in OSAHS patients.