title: Feasibility and observer reproducibility of speckle tracking echocardiography in congenital heart disease patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The twisting motion of the heart has an important role in the function of the left ventricle. Speckle tracking echocardiography is able to quantify left ventricular (LV) rotation and twist. So far this new technique has not been used in congenital heart disease patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility and the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of LV rotation parameters in adult patients with congenital heart disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 66 consecutive patients seen in the outpatient clinic (67% male, mean age 31 ± 7.7 years, NYHA class 1 ± 0.3) with a variety of congenital heart disease. First, feasibility was assessed in all patients. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed for the patients in which speckle tracking echocardiography was feasible. Adequate image quality, for performing speckle echocardiography, was found in 80% of patients. The bias for the intra-observer reproducibility of the LV twist was 0.0°, with 95% limits of agreement of -2.5° and 2.5° and for interobserver reproducibility the bias was 0.0°, with 95% limits of agreement of -3.0° and 3.0°. Intra- and inter-observer measurements showed a strong correlation (0.86 and 0.79, respectively). Also a good repeatability was seen. The mean time to complete full analysis per subject for the first and second measurement was 9 and 5 minutes, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Speckle tracking echocardiography is feasible in 80% of adult patients with congenital heart disease and shows excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Thorax Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Palwasha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mokhles
authors.forename: Annemien E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: van den Bosch
authors.forename: Jackie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vletter-McGhie
authors.forename: Ron T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Van Domburg
authors.forename: Titia P E
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Ruys
authors.forename: Floris
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kauer
authors.forename: Marcel L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Geleijnse
authors.forename: Jolien W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Roos-Hesselink
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014102:Torsion Abnormality / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology
keywords: congenital heart disease; feasibility; left ventricle twist; rotation; speckle tracking echocardiography; speckle tracking imaging