Thesis (M.Sc) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pediatrics

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common of the auto-inflammatory syndromes and is the most frequent periodic fever syndrome. It is important to early recognizing cardiovascular involvements as some of them are associated with increased morbidities and mortality. The aim of the study is to detect subtle systolic myocardial dysfunction in FMF patients by 2D STE. Methods: Forty- six Egyptian children diagnosed as having FMF and in attack-free period, were included in the study together with forty-six healthy children, age and sex- matched. Patients have been recruited from pediatric rheumatology clinics in Cairo University. Conventional and 2D STE was performed to all patients and control subjects. Results: Though no statistically significant difference was noted between cases and controls by conventional echocardiographic parameters, compared to normal subjects, FMF patients had a statistical significant reduction of both left ventricular global longitudinal strain (- 18.3 ± 5.5 % vs -23.9 ± 1.4 % ,p<0.0001) and left ventricular circumferential strain (-10.5 ± 2.1% vs -20 ± 2% ,p <0.0001). GLS was significantly correlated with genotype of FMF patients. Conclusions: 2D derived GLS and GCS proves to be promising tools for early detection of subtle myocardial injury in FMF patients

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