Decreased Right Ventricular Function in Healthy Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patients Versus Non-Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction may occur in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and strain and strain rate analysis are new echocardiographic tools that can quantitate RV function. This study aimed to compare the RV function between healthy CF patients and non-CF patients to determine whether differences exist. Healthy CF children and age-matched non-CF children were enrolled in the study. In this study, TDI analysis of the RV free wall was performed at the level of the tricuspid valve annulus. Two-dimensional speckle echocardiography was used to measure global strain and strain rates in a six-segment model of the RV. Independent t tests were used to compare the groups. The study enrolled 18 CF patients (age, 7.7 ± 2.0 years) and 15 non-CF patients (age, 6.4 ± 2.5 years). The age difference was not significant. The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) for the CF patients was 91 ± 15 %. The systolic annular velocity by TDI was significantly lower in the CF group. The RV strain values in the CF group were significantly lower in four of the six segments (RV free-wall base, RV free-wall mid, RV septal apex, and RV septal mid). The global strain value, the systolic strain rate, and the early diastolic strain rate were significantly lower in the CF group. Decreased systolic and diastolic RV properties were present in young healthy CF patients. Further studies with longitudinal follow-up evaluation are needed to determine the significance of these findings for the pediatric CF population.     

Tissue Doppler Imaging Detects Impaired Biventricular Performance Shortly After Congenital Heart Defect Surgery

Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with the development of a systemic inflammatory response, which can lead to myocardial damage. However, knowledge concerning the time course of ventricular performance deterioration and restoration after correction of a congenital heart defect (CHD) in pediatric patients is sparse. Therefore, the authors perioperatively quantified left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) performance using echocardiography. Their study included 141 patients (ages 0–18 years) undergoing CHD correction and 40 control subjects. The study assessed LV systolic performance (fractional shortening) and diastolic performance (mitral Doppler flow) in combination with RV systolic performance [tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)] and diastolic performance (tricuspid Doppler flow). Additionally, systolic (S′) and diastolic (E′, A′, E/E′) tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) measurements were obtained at the LV lateral wall, the interventricular septum, and the RV free wall. Echocardiographic studies were performed preoperatively, 1 day postoperatively, and at hospital discharge after 9 ± 5 days. Although all LV echocardiographic measurements showed a deterioration 1 day after surgery, only LV TDI measurements were impaired in patients at discharge versus control subjects (S′: 5.7 ± 2.0 vs 7.1 ± 2.7 cm/s; E′: 9.8 ± 3.9 vs 13.7 ± 5.1 cm/s; E/E′: 12.2 ± 6.4 vs 8.8 ± 4.3; p < 0.05). In the RV, TAPSE and RV TDI velocities also were impaired in patients at discharge versus control subjects (TAPSE: 9 ± 3 vs 17 ± 5 mm; S′: 5.2 ± 1.7 vs 11.4 ± 3.4 cm/s; E′: 7.3 ± 2.5 vs 16.3 ± 5.2 cm/s; E/E′: 12.5 ± 6.8 vs 4.8 ± 1.9; p < 0.05). Furthermore, longer aortic cross-clamp times were associated with more impaired postoperative LV and RV performance (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both systolic and diastolic biventricular performances were impaired shortly after CHD correction. This impairment was detected only by TDI parameters and TAPSE. Furthermore, a longer-lasting negative influence of cardiopulmonary bypass on myocardial performance was suggested.     

组织多普勒成像对早期新生儿心室功能的评价

目的 应用组织多普勒成像（TDI）检测新生儿房室环运动，探讨不同胎龄早期新生儿左右心室功能的特点。方法 采用TDI技术检测生后3—7d的36例胎龄32～36周早产儿（早产儿组）和33例足月新生儿（足月儿组）二、三尖瓣环运动，测量收缩期峰值速度（Sa）、舒张早期峰值速度（Ea）及舒张晚期峰值速度（Aa），以脉冲多普勒显像测量舒张期二、三尖瓣口血流E峰及A峰峰值速度。结果 早产儿组各部位Ea、Sa均显著低于足月儿组，早产儿组三尖瓣环Ea／Aa显著低于足月儿组，两组Aa及E／Ea无显著差异；各部位Ea、Sa与胎龄及出生体质量均呈正相关。结论 早产儿左、右室收缩及舒张功能均低于足月儿，早期新生儿心室功能与其出生前成熟程度有关，早产儿及足月新生儿生后早期左室舒张功能均明显增强。     

Tissue Doppler,speckling tracking and four-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUNDRight ventricular (RV) function is frequently overlooked during dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) evaluation. AIMTo evaluate RV function in children with idiopathic DCM using relatively recent echocardiographic modalities. METHODSWe prospectively studied the cardiac function in 50 children with idiopathic DCM and 50 healthy children as a control group, using four-dimensional echocardiography (4-DE), Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI), and two-dimensional-speckles tracking echocardiography (2-D-STE). RV EF was measured by 4-DE. RESULTSThe auto left (LV) ejection fractions (EF) measured by 2-D-STE were significantly lower in the patients'' group than in the control. The sphericity index was also significantly lower in children with DCM than in the control. RV EF measured by 4-DE was significantly lower in the patient''s group than the control. RV S wave, e´/a'' ratio, myocardial performance index (MPI), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were significantly impaired in children with DCM than in control. Both LV and RV global longitudinal strains (GLS) were significantly reduced in children with DCM than in control. RVGLS was significantly associated with the duration since diagnosis, tricuspid annulus S wave, RV MPI, and TAPSE, but not with the age of the patients, RV EF, or e´/a'' ratio. CONCLUSIONThere was impairment of the RV LGS and other systolic and diastolic parameters in children with DCM. STE and TDI can help to detect the early decline of RV function.     

Serial Assessment of Left-Ventricular Function Using Tissue Doppler Imaging in Premature Infants Within 7 Days of Life

Although many echocardiographic parameters can assess cardiac function noninvasively in preterm infants, it has not been determined what indices are the best. We assessed left-ventricular performance in 101 very low-birth weight (VLBW) infants using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography. Echocardiographic examinations, including TDI, were performed serially within 7 days of life. Pulsed-Doppler TDI waveforms were recorded at the mitral valve annulus, and peak systolic velocities (Sa), early diastolic velocities (Ea), and late diastolic velocities (Aa) were measured. Sa and Aa velocities were both decreased significantly from 3 to 12 h and then gradually increased. Ea velocities showed no significant, longitudinal changes, but Ea values in premature groups appeared to be significantly lower than those in mature groups. The ratio of E to Ea (E/Ea) of VLBW infants seemed to be almost stable from birth to day 7, and this also showed no significant differences between different gestational age groups. E/Ea values in infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) appeared to be greater than those in non-PDA infants. Our present findings suggest that TDI assessment in the early neonatal period might be useful in detecting latent systolic/diastolic failure of critically ill preterm infants.     

组织多普勒成像对正常儿童房室环运动的研究

目的探讨组织多普勒成像(TDI)技术定量评价儿童心室功能的应用价值,研究儿童体格及心脏的生长发育对TDI参数的影响。方法用TDI方法测量242例出生后3d至17岁正常健康儿童二尖瓣环侧壁、间壁及三尖瓣环侧壁收缩期峰值速度(Sa)、舒张早期峰值速度(Ea)及舒张晚期峰值速度(Aa),并与临床资料及常规超声心动图指标进行对比研究。结果(1)各取样点Sa、Ea均以<1个月组最低[二尖瓣环侧壁:Sa(4.8±0.7)cm/s,Ea(6.6±1.1)cm/s,间壁:Sa(4.1±0.6)cm/s,Ea(5.0±0.8)cm/s;三尖瓣环Sa(6.2±1.2)cm/s,Ea(6.4±1.0)cm/s],并随年龄增长逐渐增长,1个月～组至1岁～组显著增长[1岁～组二尖瓣环侧壁:Sa(8.5±2.0)cm/s,Ea(16.3±2.6)cm/s,间壁:Sa(7.2±0.8)cm/s,Ea(12.2±1.6)cm/s;三尖瓣环:Sa(12.6±2.3)cm/s,Ea(14.7±2.6)cm/s],1岁～组三尖瓣环Sa、Ea较二尖瓣环更接近年长儿相应测值。二尖瓣环E/Ea值<1个月至7个月～组较高(侧壁9.2±2.1,间壁12.10±2.89),随年龄增长逐渐降低,1岁～组显著降低(侧壁5.9±1.2,间壁7.8±1.3)。(2)年龄、体表面积、心率及左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)对多数TDI参数有显著影响。LVEDD是影响二尖瓣环Sa、Ea的主要因素,是二尖瓣环E/Ea值的独立影响因子。结论正常儿童左、右心室收缩及舒张功能随年龄增长逐渐发育,这一发育过程以婴幼儿期最为快速,右心室功能的发育早于左心室,儿童体格及心脏的正常发育对心室收缩及舒张功能的发育有重要影响,LVEDD是左心室收缩及舒张功能的重要影响因素。     

Early Ventricular Dysfunction After Anthracycline Chemotherapy in Children

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of induction dose of anthracycline chemotherapy on the biventricular function among children with acute hematological malignancies (AHM) using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). Thirty pediatric patients with AHM and a mean age of 9.24 ± 4.14 years performed conventional echocardiography, TDI and 2D-STE. After induction chemotherapy, the RV showed mainly a diastolic alteration in its function manifested in significant reduction in the tricuspid TDI-derived E′ and E′/A′ ratio compared with the baseline (20.40 ± 3.81 vs. 17.47 ± 3.87 cm/s, p = 0.001, 1.29 ± 0.27 vs. 1.03 ± 0.37, p < 0.01, respectively), while the TDI-derived RV MPI and isovolumetric relaxation time of RV were significantly increased (0.32 ± 0.06 vs. 0.36 ± 0.08, p < 0.01, 24.73 ± 8.62 vs. 28.47 ± 11.51 ms, p < 0.05, respectively). The LV showed post-chemotherapy mainly an alteration in its longitudinal systolic function in the form of a reduction in MAPSE (13.61 ± 2.00 vs. 11.95 ± 1.75 mm; p < 0.001), TDI-derived systolic velocity of lateral mitral annulus (10.98 ± 2.34 vs. 10.03 ± 1.83 cm/s, p < 0.05), 2D-STE-derived global longitudinal strain (?21.58 ± 2.54 vs. ?19.18 ± 3.59 %, p = 0.001) and 2D-STE-derived global longitudinal strain rate (?1.76 ± 0.22 vs. 1.55 ± 0.29 1/s, p < 0.05), with preservation of LV diastolic function when compared to baseline. TDI and 2D-STE could be used for early detection of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in the pediatric age group. Early after induction chemotherapy, the RV develops mainly diastolic dysfunction, while the LV showed a relative longitudinal systolic impairment.     

Correlation between pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular myocardial performance index in TOF patients after surgical repair

Objective and aimResidual PR after repair of tetralogy of Fallot is an important determinant of the outcome of patients.Patients and methodsWe aim to assess severity of PR by PR index and diastolic/systolic time velocity integrals (DSTVI) and to correlate both of them to RVMPI, to detect which is more likely to reflect RV global function. This is a cross sectional study in which 33 patients with repaired TOF, and 46 controls were enrolled. For each patient full medical history and examination were obtained, conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography were done, to measure pulmonary regurgitation by two indices: PR index and diastolic systolic time velocity integrals (DSTVI), to measure myocardial tissue velocities at the tricuspid annulus, to determine RVMPI, and to correlate it to the PR indices.Resultsour study included 33 patients with totally corrected TOF, and 46 controls, there were statistically significant differences in S′,E′,A′ velocities, and RVMPI between cases and controls, no statistically significant correlation between PR index, DSTVI and the RVMPI of the patients.ConclusionTissue Doppler RVMPI in patients after surgical repair of Fallot tetralogy is not correlated to the degree of PR measured by two indices: PR index and DSTVI, a new index that can assess severity of PR and correlate to RV functions is required.     

Ratio of Early Diastolic Tricuspid Inflow to Tricuspid Lateral Annulus Velocity Reflects Pulmonary Regurgitation Severity but Not Right Ventricular Diastolic Function in Children With Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

The current study assessed relationships between the ratio of early diastolic tricuspid inflow to tricuspid lateral annular velocity (tricuspid E/e′) and right ventricular (RV) function in children after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repair. The RV function of 25 asymptomatic children with surgically repaired TOF (age 3.3 ± 2.0 years) was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Right ventricular end-diastolic pressure and volume (RVEDP and RVEDV), systolic pressure, and ejection fraction, as well as mean pulmonary arterial pressure, mean right atrial pressure (RAP), and the severity of both pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) were assessed in terms of the contribution to tricuspid E/e′. Univariate analysis discovered a relationship between tricuspid E/e′ and RVEDV (R ² = 0172), pressure half-time of PR (PR-PHT) (R ² = 0.173), and TR grade (R ² = 0.145) (p < 0.01 for each). After multivariate adjustment, PR-PHT was significantly associated with tricuspid E/e′ (β = 0.210; p < 0.001). Tricuspid E/e′ was not significantly associated with RVEDP or RAP. In conclusion, tricuspid E/e′ does not indicate RV diastolic function but reflects the severity of PR in asymptomatic children after TOF repair.     

Right Ventricular Subclinical Diastolic Dysfunction in Obese Children: The Effect of Weight Reduction with a Low-Carbohydrate Diet

This study aimed primarily to identify whether childhood obesity leads to right ventricular (RV) subclinical diastolic dysfunction or not. It also aimed to examine the effect of weight reduction on right ventricular function. Standard and tissue Doppler echocardiography was performed for 28 overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25–30 kg/m²) and 34 obese (BMI, ≥30 kg/m²) children and for 29 age- and sex-matched lean referents (BMI, 17–25 kg/m²). Levels of plasma lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were obtained for all the participants. For 6 months, 30 obese children were given a low-carbohydrate diet and then reevaluated by echocardiography. Conventional echocardiographic parameters all were similar for obese, overweight, and lean control children. The tricuspid free-wall isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), tricuspid lateral annular early diastolic velocity (e’), ratio of early-to-late diastolic velocity (e’/a’), and tricuspid lateral annular IVRT differed significantly between the overweight and control children. The RV tissue Doppler parameters were found to be similar between the preobese and control children. The IVRT of the RV free wall and lateral tricuspid annulus was significantly decreased, and the e’/a’ of the lateral tricuspid annulus was significantly increased after the diet. In conclusion, obesity is associated with subclinical RV diastolic dysfunction in pediatric patients. Weight reduction with a low-carbohydrate diet may reverse the effects of obesity on RV diastolic function.     

The right ventricle in Fabry disease

Aim: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a common feature in Fabry disease-related progressive infiltrative hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and affects both men and women, but at different ages. To date, however, little is known about the role of right ventricular (RV) function in Fabry disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the extent of RV involvement in patients with Fabry disease. Methods: Echocardiographic examination of the right and left ventricle was carried out in 129 patients (80 women and 49 men) with Fabry disease. Results: RV hypertrophy was present in 46 patients (35.7%). Of these patients, 13 showed signs of severely depressed right systolic function (tricuspid annulus movement <10 mm and a prolonged RV pre-ejection period/pulmonary ejection time ratio) and six patients showed additional severe depression of parameters of diastolic function (pseudo-normal or restrictive RV filling patterns). Those patients with RV hypertrophy and severely compromised systolic and diastolic function had the highest LV masses (92±11.7 g/m^2.7).
Conclusion: RV involvement is common in Fabry disease and ultimately progresses to severe systolic and diastolic RV dysfunction. These findings might explain why patients with preserved LV function can develop clinical features such as reduced exercise capacity, organomegaly and lymphoedema.     

Analysis of Atrioventricular Plane Movements by Doppler Tissue Imaging and M-Mode in Children with Atrial Septal Defects Before and After Surgical and Device Closure

Our objective was to compare the effects of surgical and device closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) on atrioventricular plane function. In healthy individuals, both short- and long-axis motion contribute to ventricular pump function. Short-axis function (i.e., the amplitude and velocity of atrioventricular plane movements) may be evaluated by M-mode and Doppler tissue imaging. The study group consisted of 19 children with ASD of the secundum type before and after surgical (n = 12) or device (n = 7) closure and 10 healthy controls. Surgical and device closures were uncomplicated and all defects were completely closed. Registrations of atrioventricular plane systolic and diastolic amplitude and velocity were made from the tricuspid and the mitral annulus and from the septum in the apical four-chamber view. Comparisons were made between examinations before and after closure, between the two subgroups of patients treated by surgical and device closure, respectively, and between the patient group and the control groups. Before ASD closure, all measurements were normal or near normal. After surgery, systolic amplitudes and velocities of the tricuspid annulus and in the septum decreased significantly, whereas no changes were seen in the device group. Less marked changes were seen in diastolic measurements. However, in the surgical group significant decrease to subnormal values were found in the tricuspid annulus and in the septum, which may indicate a decreased diastolic function postoperatively. Mitral valve annulus amplitude and velocity were not affected by the treatment. Atrioventricular function is normal in children with right ventricular volume overload. The decrease to subnormal values after open-heart surgery is not seen after device closure of the ASD, indicating that surgery affects right ventricular function.     

Assessment of Early-Onset Chronic Progressive Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity in Children: Different Response Patterns of Right and Left Ventricles

We aimed to assess early-onset chronic progressive cardiotoxicity in the left and right ventricles with increasing cumulative anthracycline doses. We evaluated 72 patients within the first year after doxorubicin and/or daunorubicin treatment (median 1.3 months; range 0.3–11.5) and 31 healthy controls. Pretreatment and posttreatment QT interval analyzes were performed in 27 newly diagnosed patients. The echocardiographic data of all examinations of 72 patients were classified into three groups according to instant cumulative anthracycline doses: treatment group (TG)-I (≤120 mg/m²; n = 26), TG-II (120–240 mg/m²; n = 39), and TG-III (≥240 mg/m²; n = 40). Diastolic and systolic parameters were analyzed by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and compared with those of healthy controls. The mean age for patients and controls was 8.2 ± 4.5 and 9.6 ± 4.2 years, respectively (p > 0.05). QTc dispersion significantly increased after anthracycline treatment (p = 0.02). TDI showed decreased E′ velocity (p < 0.001) and E′/A′ ratio (p < 0.001) at lateral tricuspid annulus segment in TG-I, and these findings continued in TG-II and -III. In addition, S′ velocity decreased in TG-I, -II, and -III at lateral mitral annulus (10.5 ± 2.6 cm/s, p < 0.05; 9.9 ± 2.2 cm/s, p < 0.001; and 10.1 ± 2.3 cm/s, p < 0.01, respectively). However, decrease in left-ventricular ejection fraction was statistically significant in TG-II and -III (p < 0.001). Although myocardial performance index was significantly increased in all treatment groups in both segments, it was primarily due to significant increases in isovolumic relaxation time at the lateral tricuspid annulus and isovolumic contraction time at the lateral mitral annulus. Abnormalities in diastolic function in right ventricle and systolic function in the left ventricle were observed even with a cumulative anthracycline dose <120 mg/m² by TDI. In addition, anthracycline treatment led to an increase in QTc dispersion.     

The right ventricle in Fabry disease

AIM: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a common feature in Fabry disease-related progressive infiltrative hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and affects both men and women, but at different ages. To date, however, little is known about the role of right ventricular (RV) function in Fabry disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the extent of RV involvement in patients with Fabry disease. METHODS: Echocardiographic examination of the right and left ventricle was carried out in 129 patients (80 women and 49 men) with Fabry disease. RESULTS: RV hypertrophy was present in 46 patients (35.7%). Of these patients, 13 showed signs of severely depressed right systolic function (tricuspid annulus movement < 10 mm and a prolonged RV pre-ejection period/pulmonary ejection time ratio) and six patients showed additional severe depression of parameters of diastolic function (pseudo-normal or restrictive RV filling pattems). Those patients with RV hypertrophy and severely compromised systolic and diastolic function had the highest LV masses (92 +/- 11.7 g/m(2.7)). CONCLUSION: RV involvement is common in Fabry disease and ultimately progresses to severe systolic and diastolic RV dysfunction. These findings might explain why patients with preserved LV function can develop clinical features such as reduced exercise capacity, organomegaly and lymphoedema.     

应用心肌矢量应变技术检测扁桃体腺样体肥大患儿心脏功能变化

目的：探讨心肌矢量应变（Xstrain）技术在检测扁桃体腺样体肥大患儿心脏功能方面的应用价值。方法：应用心肌矢量应变技术对35例扁桃体腺样体肥大患儿（病例组）和20例年龄匹配的正常儿童（对照组）左心室室壁各节段心肌纵向、径向、圆周方向运动和右室三尖瓣环运动进行检测。结果：①三尖瓣环运动速度比较：病例组收缩期及舒张早期三尖瓣环运动速度高于对照组。②圆周方向运动速度比较：病例组左室侧壁、后壁中间段收缩期和舒张期圆周方向运动速度低于对照组。③纵向运动速度比较：病例组左室壁基底段收缩期和舒张早期运动速度高于对照组。④径向运动速度比较：两组间差异无显著性。结论： Xstrain技术可以早期发现扁桃体腺样体肥大患儿心脏功能的改变,为儿童扁桃体腺样体肥大疾病心血管方面的评价及临床治疗提供可靠依据。［中国当代儿科杂志,2009,11（5）：377-379］     

Assessment of Ventricular Functions by Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in Children with Asthma

Patients with asthma develop pulmonary hypertension due to recurrent hypoxia and chronic inflammation, leading to right heart enlargement with ventricular hypertrophy. Patients with severe asthma can experience cor pulmonale later in life, but little is known about ventricular function during the early stages of the disease. This study aimed to investigate ventricular functions in asymptomatic children with asthma as detected by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE). Fifty-one pediatric patients (mean age 10.4 ± 2.2 years) with asthma and 46 age- and sex-matched healthy children (mean age 10.9 ± 2.4 years) were studied. All subjects were examined by conventional echocardiography and TDE, and they had pulmonary function tests on spirometry. The right-ventricular (RV) wall was statistically (p = 0.01) thicker among asthmatic patients (4.7 ± 1.5 mm) compared with healthy children (3.6 ± 0.4 mm). However, conventional pulsed-Doppler indices of both ventricles did not differ significantly between asthmatic patients and healthy children (p > 0.05). The results of TDE examining RV diastolic function showed that annular peak velocity during early diastole (E′), annular peak velocity during late diastole (A′) (16.4 ± 1.8 and 5.1 ± 1.4 cm/s, respectively), E′/A′ ratio (3.2 ± 0.7), isovolumetric relaxation time (67.7 ± 10.2 ms) and myocardial performance index (48.1 % ± 7.0 %) of the lateral tricuspid annulus among asthmatic patients differed significantly (p = 0.01) from those of healthy children (13.2 ± 2.3, 8.2 ± 2.0 cm/s, 1.6 ± 0.5, 46.2 ± 8.7 ms, and 42.0 % ± 5.7 %, respectively). Only peak expiratory flow (PEF) rate from the pulmonary function tests was negatively correlated with the E′/A′ ratio of the tricuspid annulus (r = ?0.38, p = 0.01). This study showed that although the findings of clinical and conventional echocardiography were apparently normal in children with asthma, TDE showed subclinical dysfunction of the right ventricle, which is negatively correlated with PEF. These findings signify the diagnostic value of TDE in the early detection and monitoring of such deleterious effects among asthmatic patients.     

Tissue Doppler-Derived Diastolic Myocardial Velocities Are Abnormal in Pediatric Cardiac Transplant Recipients in the Absence of Endomyocardial Rejection

The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic function in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients free of acute rejection using tissue Doppler. E' and A' velocities at the mitral, septal, and tricuspid annuli in 31 pediatric heart transplant recipients free of acute rejection were compared with 28 controls and with previously published pediatric normative data. E' velocities were lower in the transplant group at the mitral (0.13 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.2 +/- 0.04 m/s, p < 0.0001), septal (0.1 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.14 +/- 0.03 m/s, p = 0.001), and tricuspid annuli (0.1 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.17 +/- 0.04 m/s, p < 0.0001). A' velocities were also lower in the transplant group at the septal (0.04 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.01 m/s, p = 0.001) and tricuspid annuli (0.06 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.1 +/- 0.03 m/s, p < 0.00001). E' and A' were abnormally low at the mitral annulus in 31% and 13%, septal annulus in 50% and 21%, and tricuspid annulus in 63% and 36% of the subjects, respectively. Abnormalities in tissue Doppler-derived diastolic myocardial velocities are common in pediatric cardiac transplant recipients free of acute rejection.     

Comparison of Pressure–Volume Loop and Echocardiographic Measures of Diastolic Function in Patients With a Single-Ventricle Physiology

Echocardiographic measurements of diastolic function have not been validated against invasive pressure–volume loop (PVL) analysis in the single-ventricle population. The authors hypothesized that echocardiographic measures of diastolic function would correlate with PVL indices of diastolic function in patients with a single-ventricle physiology. The conductance-derived PVL measures of diastolic function included the isovolumic relaxation time constant (τ), the maximum rate of ventricular pressure decline (peak ?dP/dt), and a measure of passive diastolic stiffness (μ). The echocardiographic measures included Doppler inflow patterns of the dominant atrioventricular valve (DAVV), tissue Doppler velocities (TDI) at the lateral (ventricular free wall) component of the DAVV annulus, and the TDI-derived isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT′). The correlation between PVL and echocardiographic measures was examined. The study enrolled 13 patients at various stages of surgical palliation. The median age of the patients was 3 years (range 3 months to 19 years). τ correlated well with Doppler E:A (r = 0.832; p = 0.005), lateral E:E′ (r = 0.747; p = 0.033), and IVRT′ (r = 0.831; p = 0.001). Peak ?dP/dt also was correlated with IVRT′ (r = 0.609; p = 0.036), and μ also was correlated with IVRT′ (r = 0.884; p = 0.001). This study represents the first-ever comparison of diastolic echocardiographic and PVL indices in a single-ventricle population. The findings show that Doppler E:A, lateral E:E′, and IVRT′ correlate well with PVL measures of diastolic function. This study supports further validation of echocardiographic measures of diastolic function versus PVL measures of diastolic function in the single-ventricle population.     

The Forgotten Chamber: Right-Ventricular Functions in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Cardiac involvement, such as pericarditis, myocarditis, and endocarditis, is seen in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Although there have been some reports about right-ventricular systolic and diastolic functions of adults with rheumatoid arthritis and left-ventricular systolic and diastolic functions of children with JIA, there have been no studies about RV functions of children with JIA. The aim of this study was to determine RV functions in children with JIA. We performed conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging measurements of the right ventricle of patients with JIA. All patients were in sinus rhythm at the time of examination without overt LV heart failure and with normal LV ejection fraction. Fifty-five children with the diagnosis of JIA and 33 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Peak systolic, early, and late diastolic tricuspid annular velocities were significantly decreased in JIA patients compared with healthy controls (p < 0.05). Isovolumic accelaration (IVA), as a measure of myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction of the right ventricle, was also significantly lower in JIA patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). RV systolic and diastolic functions, in addition to the previously shown LV functions, are affected in JIA patients. IVA decreases in JIA patients and may be used as an alternative, noninvasive parameter for the assessment of RV systolic function in children with JIA.     

Correlations Between Echocardiographic Systolic and Diastolic Function with Cardiac Catheterization in Biventricular Congenital Heart Patients

Newer echocardiographic techniques may allow for more accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. Adult studies have correlated these echocardiographic measurements with invasive data, but minimal data exist in the pediatric congenital heart population. Purpose of this study was to evaluate which echocardiographic measurements correlated best with LV systolic and diastolic catheterization parameters. Patients with two-ventricle physiology who underwent simultaneous echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization were included. Images were obtained in the four-chamber view. LV systolic echocardiographic data included ejection fraction, displacement, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) s′ wave, global longitudinal strain, and strain rate (SR) s′ wave. Diastolic echocardiographic data included mitral E and A waves, TDI e′ and a′ waves, and SRe′ and SRa′ waves. E/TDI e′, TDI e′/TDI a′, E/SRe′, and SRe′/SRa′ ratios were also calculated. Catheterization dP/dt was used as a marker for systolic function, and LV end-diastolic pressure (EDP) was used as a marker for diastolic function. Correlations of the echocardiographic and catheterization values were performed using Pearson correlation. Twenty-nine patients were included (14 females, 15 males). Median age at catheterization was 3.4 years (0.04–17.4 years). dP/dt was 1258 ± 353 mmHg/s, and LVEDP was 10.8 ± 2.4 mmHg. There were no significant correlations between catheterization dP/dt and systolic echocardiographic parameters. LVEDP correlated significantly with SRe′ (r = ?0.4, p = 0.03), SRa′ (r = ?0.4, p = 0.03), and E/SRe′ (r = 0.5, p = 0.004). In pediatric congenital heart patients, catheterization dP/dt did not correlate with echocardiographic measurements of LV systolic function. Further studies are needed to determine which echocardiographic parameter best describes LV systolic function in this population. Strain rate analysis significantly correlated with LVEDP. Strain rate analysis should be considered as an alternative method to estimate LVEDP in this patient population.