A comparison of semi-automatic and manual analysis of right ventricular strain in speckle tracking echocardiography

Abstract

The aim was to compare the reproducibility of the traditional manual analysis of the right ventricle (RV) strain with a semi-automatic analysis (an automatic method with the possibility of adjustment) in speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE).Materials and methods. Evaluation of RV by speckle-tracking echocardiography was performed in 71 patients with two approaches: manual (Q-Analysis) and semi-automatic (AutoStrainRV). Such parameters as RV global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), RV longitudinal free wall strain (RVLFWS), RV longitudinal free wall segmental strain, and the amplitude of movement of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were compared.Results. There were no significant differences between the values of RVGLS (21.9 ± 4.7% vs. 21.6 ± 3.6%, p = 0.488, respectively) and RVLFWS (24.6 ± 5.1% vs. 25.3 ± 4.6%, p = 0.212, respectively) obtained by manual and semi-automatic strain analysis. The significant differences were revealed in the values of RVLFWS in the basal and middle segments estimated by a semi-automatic method and by a manual method (22.6 ± 7.1% vs. 27.0 ± 10.1%, p < 0.002, and 23.8 ± 5.9% vs. 25.8 ± 8.0%, p < 0.05, respectively). Bland-Altman analysis showed mean bias for RVGLS -0.31 (95% CI: -7.62–7.00) and for RVLFWS - 0.70 (95% CI: -8.44–9.83). The values of the TAPSE obtained by semi-automatic analysis were lower and significantly different from the values calculated in the M-mode (22.6 ± 3.8 mm vs. 24.9 ± 4.5 mm, p < 0.001). Strain analysis by the semi-automatic method requires less time than the manual method (22.9 ± 4.5 seconds vs. 38.9 ± 7.8 seconds, p < 0.05).Conclusions. The choice of approach for RV strain assessment (manual or semi-automatic) does not significantly affect the values of RV strain but may affect the result of segmental RV strain in the basal and middle segments. The semi-automatic strain analysis of RV provides a faster and more reproducible assessment of RV function. The values of the TAPSE by semi-automatic strain analysis are significantly lower compared to the values of the TAPSE in M-mode.