2D speckle-tracking assessment of left ventricular myocardial strain in healthy children and adolescents

Abstract

Introduction . To determine the relevant indicators of strain and strain rate of the left ventricular myocardium in children and adolescents. Materials and methods. Have been examined 67 patients form aged from 7 up to 17 years old. 1-st group – 30 children from 7 to 11 years old; 2-nd group – 37 adolescents from 12 to 17 years old. Аt an echocardiographic examination the systolic function of the left ventricle was determined: ejection and shortening fractions, in 2D-speckle-tracking mode – global and segmental longitudinal, circular and radial strain and strain rates. Results . Have been studied the relevant indicators of global and segmental longitudinal, radial, circular deformities of the left ventricular myocardium and their rates in healthy children and adolescents. A statistically significant increase in global and segmental longitudinal strain, radial and circular strain rates in the 2-nd group compared with the 1-st group had revealed. Had found that the uniform distribution of indicators in the ranges of confidence intervals, noted in the assessment of global radial strain and circular strain rate, as well as a statistically significant predominance of strain indicators in the subendocardial layers compared with the subepicardial layers of the myocardium left ventricle. Conclusions. 1. In adolescents 12–17 years old, compared with children 7–11 years old, there is a statistically significant predominance of global and segmental longitudinal strain, radial and circular strain rates of the left ventricular myocardium. Radial strain and circular strain rate of the left ventricular myocardium are the most uniform in contrast to other indicators of strain. 2. In healthy children and adolescents, had observed statistically significant higher strain and strain rate in the subendocardial layer compared to the subepicardial layer of the myocardium. 3. The obtained indicators of global and segmental myocardial strain can serve as normative for children and adolescents in assessing the systolic function of the left ventricle.