title: Right ventricular performance in preterm and term neonates: reference values of the tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity measured by tissue Doppler imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (S') is an echocardiographic measurement to assess systolic right ventricular function in adults and children.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We determined growth and birth weight-related changes of S' to establish reference values in preterm and term neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted in a group of 290 preterm and term neonates (gestational age 26 + 0 to 40 + 6 weeks of gestation; birth weight 660-4,460 g). A correlation of S' values with established tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The S' ranged from a mean of 4.5 cm/s (Z-score ± 2 SD: 3.6-5.5 cm/s) in preterm neonates in week 26(0-6) of gestation to 7.8 cm/s (Z-score ± 2 SD: 5.5-10.1 cm/s) in term neonates in week 40(0-6) of gestation. The S' values increased from 26 to 40 weeks of gestation. S' and week of gestation are strongly correlated: Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.66 for week of gestation - S' (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between S' and TAPSE values (r = 0.67; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Z-scores of S' values were calculated and percentile charts were established to serve as reference data for preterm and term neonates with structurally normal hearts.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. Martin.Koestenberger@medunigraz.at
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koestenberger
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ravekes
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gamillscheg
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pichler
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avian
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heinzl
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Binder
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cvirn
authors.forename: Berndt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Urlesberger
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D047929:Term Birth; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right