Left ventricular long-axis function: reference values of the mitral annular plane systolic excursion in 558 healthy children and calculation of z-score values.
BACKGROUND
Longitudinal myocardial function has gained more interest in the last years. The mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is an echocardiographic measurement to assess left ventricular (LV) long-axis function in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate MAPSE values in a healthy pediatric population and to propose reference values.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted in a group of 558 healthy children and adolescents (age day 1 to 18 years) (body surface area [BSA] 0.18-2.21 m(2)). We determined the effects of age and BSA on MAPSE values and a possible correlation of MAPSE values with LV ejection fraction values.


RESULTS
The MAPSE ranged from a mean of 0.57 cm (z-score ±2: 0.38-0.76 cm) in neonates to 1.63 cm (z-score ±2: 1.31-1.95 cm) in 18-year-old adolescents. The MAPSE values showed a positive correlation with age (r = 0.87, P < .001) and BSA (r = 0.89, P < .001) with a nonlinear course. There was no significant difference in MAPSE values between females or males. A positive correlation was found between MAPSE values and LV ejection fraction values (r = 0.28, P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Z-scores of MAPSE values were calculated, and percentile charts were established to serve as reference data in patients with congenital heart disease or heart failure in the future.
Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Graz, Austria. martin.koestenberger@medunigraz.at
Martin
M
Koestenberger
Bert
B
Nagel
William
W
Ravekes
Alexander
A
Avian
Bernd
B
Heinzl
Peter
P
Fritsch
Andrea
A
Fandl
Thomas
T
Rehak
Andreas
A
Gamillscheg
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D013599:Systole; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left