146 Right ventricular function in elderly assessed by two-dimensional strain

Abstract

Two-dimensional strain (2D strain) has shown its usefulness for the assessment of right ventricular function. Normal values in elderly are still unknown and could have a prognostic value. To compare right ventricular (RV) regional and global longitudinal 2D strain (LS) in old healthy people to young healthy subjects and to patients with a pathological RV. Old subjects without cardiac disease history were prospectively enrolled in a geriatric department after complete standard echocardiographic examination. Exclusion criteria were LV hypertrophy, LV dilation or dysfunction, significant valve disease, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hepertension and right ventricular enlargement or dysfunction. 2D strain values were obtained from 3 segments of the RV lateral wall in 4 chamber apical view for longitudinal strain and were compared to values in young healthy people (from the medical staff) and to values in patients with Fallot disease or idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. 30 old subjects (25 females) with mean age of 85.8±3.94 yrs [75 to 95 yrs] (group 1), 30 young healthy subjects (19 females) with mean age of 29.2±4.77 yrs [17 to 39 yrs] (group 2) and 26 subjects with RV disease …were analyzed. The group 1 global LS values were significantly lower than those of group 2 and significantly higher than those of group 3. On the contrary tissue Doppler systolic wave (S’) showed no difference between group 1 and 2 and were significantly lower in group 3. Group 1 N=30 Group 2 N=30 Group 3 N=26 Global RV LS –23±7 * , † –27±5 14.8±5.2 RV S’ 13.9±3.0 † 12.8±2.7 9.4±2.7 * p<0.05 vs group 2 † p<0.05 vs group 3 2D strain allows RV function assessment and could note impairment this function in old people with “healthy” hearts not detected by conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler velocities.