1 Introduction
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a diffuse connective tissue
disease that is characterized by an inflammatory immune response. The
mortality rate of SLE is increasing year by year owing to its propensity
to induce severe cardiovascular damage [1, 2].
Echocardiography is widely used in the detection of cardiac structure
and function because of its unique advantages such as its dynamic and
non-invasive nature; however, it cannot detect changes in cardiac
function in the early stage of disease progression[3]. As a new technique that is superior to
conventional two-dimensional echocardiography, three-dimensional speckle
tracking imaging (3D-STI) can be used to evaluate left ventricular
systolic function in the early stage of disease progression[4]. The purpose of this study was to use 3D-STI
to detect the effect of SLE on left ventricular systolic function, to
explore its application value, and to provide an objective diagnostic
basis for clinical use.
Materials and Methods