Normal values of strain in a Spanish paediatric population

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The analysis of systolic-diastolic function by two-dimensional ultrasound speckle-tracking strain (2DSTE) in the paediatric population is becoming progressively more available. Its use can be helpful in the diagnosis of subclinical pathology in paediatric disease, both in acquired cardiovascular pathology, congenital heart disease and especially in cardio-oncology1-4. However, there is a lack of normal reference strain values in our paediatric population. Purpose To provide the normal values of strain in our paediatric population and its relationship with gender, age, and body surface area. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in a population in Andalusia, Spain. Of 265 children who agreed to participate, 156 healthy children aged 6-17 years were selected by excluding congenital or acquired heart disease. Analysis using the new auto-strain software of the left ventricle, right ventricle, and left atrium. Normal values are given for our population, stratified by age, gender and body surface area (BSA). Results Tables 1,2,3 shows the strain values of the different cardiac chambers, categorized by gender, age groups and BSA. Figure 1 presents the bivariate correlations of the strain and the different cardiac chambers with age and BSA. Average strain values were significantly higher in females, except for LALScd. We also found a significant tendency to lower mean strain values with higher age, except for LALScd. Finally, higher BSA was also inversely related to mean strain values for most variables in bivariate correlations although these associations were only significant for right ventricle strain and LALSr when BSA was categorized in tercile groups. Conclusions We provide for the first time in our region normal strain values for left ventricle, right ventricle, and left atrium in the paediatric population through the usage of new auto-strain software. A discrete positive correlation of strain values with respect to female gender and a negative correlation with respect to BSA and age was found. Abstract Figure. STRAIN VALUES CATEGORIZED Abstract Figure. BIVARIATE CORRELATIONS