Abstract 15891: Age-Related Changes of Right Atrial and Right Ventricular Functions Assessed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Abstract

Introduction: Limited data are reported about age-related changes of the RA phasic functions, assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), and their correlation with the RV function. Methods: 131 normal subjects (19-78 yrs, 89 women), divided in 4 age groups, were studied by conventional, tissue Doppler, and STE. Active RA function was assessed from negative global strain at atrial contraction (GSA-) and derived time from P onset (TGSA-), and late diastolic SR (GSRL); passive function from positive global strain at TVO (GSA+) and time from R to peak (TGSA+), and from early negative diastolic global strain rate (GSRE); reservoir function from the sum of GSA- and GSA+ (SUMGSA), positive global SR at the beginning of RV systole (GSR+) and derived time from P onset (TGSR+). RA volumes were measured. RV systolic function was assessed from TAPSE, FAC, S’, global systolic strain (GS) and strain rate (RVSRs); diastolic function from early and late global SR (RVSRe and RVSRl). Results: Active RA function was not affected by age, but RA contraction time was longer over 50 yrs. Reservoir function decreased starting from 50 yrs (GRS+), but especially over 60 yrs (SUMGSA, TGRS+). Passive function also decreased over 50 yrs (GSA+, TGSA+, GSRE). RV systolic function was not affected by age, whereas RVSRe decreased, and RVSRl increased over 50 yrs (Table). Global RV function (TAPSE, FAC) did not correlate with any of the RA functions. However, longitudinal RV systolic function (RVSRs, GS, S’) correlated inversely with active function (GSA-, GSRL). RVSRe had positive correlation with RA reservoir (SUMGSA, GSR+), and also with passive function (GSA+, GSRE) (r=0.4, p<0.001). Atrial volumes were not affected by age. Conclusion: Active RA function is not affected by age. Passive and reservoir RA functions, and diastolic RV function decreased over 50 yrs. Longitudinal systolic RV correlates with active RA function, and diastolic RV function with passive and reservoir RA functions.