Work

Right Ventricular Strain in Healthy Children: Insights from Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) strain using two-dimensional speckle tracking is a reliable and clinically significant tool for detecting RV systolic dysfunction, but it varies by age, vendor, and software. OBJECTIVES: To establish pediatric age-specific normal values and Z-score equations for biventricular strain using GE Healthcare equipment and software. METHODS: Children 0-18 years with structurally and functionally normal hearts, who visited the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Utrecht between October 2020 and December 2023, were retrospectively included and divided into age groups: 0 years, 1-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-13 years, and 14-18 years. Left ventricular (LV) and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and RV free wall longitudinal strain (FWGLS) were analyzed. RESULTS: values were strain-adjusted for age, height, and body surface area (all < 0.3), and the sample size limited Z-score equation reliability. Therefore, data are presented as mean ± SD or median [IQR] stratified by age. LV GLS, RV GLS, and RV FWGLS showed a nonlinear relationship with age, peaking at the 1-4 years age group and decreasing with age. CONCLUSIONS: LV GLS, RV GLS, and RV FWGLS showed age-related differences in children using GE equipment and software, which highlights the importance of age-specific normal strain values, including Z-score equations as a function of age.

Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease

DOI: 10.3390/jcdd12090322

Authors: Renée S. Joosen, Eva A. M. Meulblok, Esther H. Mauritz-Fuite, Martijn G. Slieker, Johannes M. P. J. Breur

Institution: University Medical Center Utrecht

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular Function and Risk Factors

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258