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Not yet recruitingNCT07797634Updated Sep 1, 2026

Left Atrial Strain for Predicting MACE in NSTEMI

An observational study in Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), Acute Coronary Syndrome and Myocardial Infarction, sponsored by Assiut University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-01.

Sponsored by Assiut University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
150
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate whether left atrial reservoir strain, measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography, independently predicts 6-month major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and provides incremental prognostic value beyond the GRACE 2.0 score, left ventricular ejection fraction, and left atrial volume index in patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Read the detailed description

Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) carries significant short- and long-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events despite advances in management. Current risk stratification relies on clinical scores such as GRACE 2.0 and conventional echocardiographic parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left atrial volume index (LAVI). These tools have limitations, as LVEF may remain preserved and LAVI mainly reflects chronic remodeling.

Left atrial (LA) reservoir strain assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is a sensitive marker of left ventricular filling pressure and diastolic function. Reduced LA reservoir strain has been associated with adverse outcomes after NSTEMI, but data on its incremental prognostic value beyond established risk models remain limited.

This prospective observational study will assess whether LA reservoir strain independently predicts 6-month MACE and improves risk discrimination when added to the GRACE 2.0 score and conventional echocardiographic parameters in patients with NSTEMI.

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Conditions studied

  • Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome
  • Myocardial Infarction

Keywords

  • Left atrial strain
  • Reservoir strain
  • Speckle tracking echocardiography
  • GRACE score
  • Major adverse cardiovascular events
  • NSTEMI
  • Prognostic value
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Adult patients admitted with NSTEMI to the Cardiology Department / Coronary Care Unit of Assiut University Hospital who meet the eligibility criteria.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age > 18 years
  • Confirmed diagnosis of NSTEMI according to current ESC/ACC guidelines
  • Willingness to provide informed consent and complete 6-month follow-up
  • Undergoing coronary angiography or revascularization during the index hospitalization

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
  • Atrial fibrillation or other significant arrhythmia at presentation
  • Moderate to severe valvular heart disease (especially mitral valve disease)
  • Prior cardiac surgery or valve replacement
  • Poor echocardiographic image quality precluding reliable strain analysis
  • Chronic kidney disease on dialysis
  • Known cardiomyopathy (hypertrophic, dilated, or infiltrative)
  • Pregnancy
  • Refusal to participate
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Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
150 participants (estimated)
Target follow-up
6 Months
Patient registry
Yes
05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 6-month major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)

    Composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization, or life-threatening arrhythmia occurring within 6 months of admission.

    Time frame: 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Left atrial reservoir strain

    Peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) during the reservoir phase measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (EchoPAC software), expressed as percentage (%). Higher values indicate better left atrial function.

    Time frame: Baseline

  2. Change in risk discrimination with addition of LA reservoir strain

    Change in risk discrimination for 6-month MACE when left atrial reservoir strain is added to the GRACE 2.0 score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and left atrial volume index (LAVI), assessed by change in C-statistic, Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI), and Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI).

    Time frame: 6 months

  3. Optimal cutoff value of LA reservoir strain

    Optimal cutoff value of left atrial reservoir strain for predicting 6-month MACE determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

    Time frame: 6 months

  4. Correlation of LA reservoir strain with clinical parameters

    Correlation between left atrial reservoir strain (expressed as percentage) and the following parameters: GRACE 2.0 score, peak troponin level (ng/L), left ventricular ejection fraction (%), and E/e' ratio. Correlation will be assessed using Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient.

    Time frame: Baseline

06

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

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References and documents

Publications

  • Schuster A, Backhaus SJ, Stiermaier T, Navarra JL, Uhlig J, Rommel KP, Koschalka A, Kowallick JT, Lotz J, Gutberlet M, Bigalke B, Kutty S, Hasenfuss G, Thiele H, Eitel I. Left Atrial Function with MRI Enables Prediction of Cardiovascular Events after Myocardial Infarction: Insights from the AIDA STEMI and TATORT NSTEMI Trials. Radiology. 2019 Nov;293(2):292-302. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2019190559. Epub 2019 Sep 17. PubMed 31526253 ↗
  • Iwahashi N, Gohbara M, Kirigaya J, Abe T, Horii M, Hanajima Y, Toya N, Takahashi H, Kimura Y, Minamimoto Y, Okada K, Matsuzawa Y, Hibi K, Kosuge M, Ebina T, Tamura K, Kimura K. Prognostic Significance of the Combination of Left Atrial Reservoir Strain and Global Longitudinal Strain Immediately After Onset of ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction. Circ J. 2022 Sep 22;86(10):1499-1508. doi: 10.1253/circj.CJ-21-0907. Epub 2022 May 10. PubMed 35545531 ↗
  • Leng S, Ge H, He J, Kong L, Yang Y, Yan F, Xiu J, Shan P, Zhao S, Tan RS, Zhao X, Koh AS, Allen JC, Hausenloy DJ, Mintz GS, Zhong L, Pu J. Long-term Prognostic Value of Cardiac MRI Left Atrial Strain in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. Radiology. 2020 Aug;296(2):299-309. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2020200176. Epub 2020 Jun 16. PubMed 32544032 ↗
  • Beyls C, Hermida A, Nicolas M, Debrigode R, Vialatte A, Peschanski J, Bunelle C, Fournier A, Jarry G, Landemaine T, Malaquin D, Kubala M, Mahjoub Y, Leborgne L. Left atrial strain analysis and new-onset atrial fibrillation in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: A prospective echocardiography study. Arch Cardiovasc Dis. 2024 Apr;117(4):266-274. doi: 10.1016/j.acvd.2024.01.002. Epub 2024 Feb 15. PubMed 38423888 ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07797634
Lead sponsor
Assiut University
Responsible party
Ahmed Ali Abu Al-Abbass (Resident, Assiut University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Sep 1, 2026
Start date
Aug 26, 2026 (estimated)
Primary completion
Aug 26, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
May 25, 2028 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 1, 2026

Study contacts

Ahmed A Abu Al-Abbass
Contact
ahmed.18313356@med.aun.edu.eg
0 10 03702766
Hatem A Helmy, prof
study chair · Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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