title: Value of speckle tracking for the assessment of right ventricular function in patients operated on for tetralogy of fallot. Comparison with magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Right ventricular (RV) function is a major prognostic factor in patients (pts) with operated tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We compared the results of RV speckle tracking (two-dimensional [2D] strain) with those of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  At transthoracic echocardiogram (echo), RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), velocity of S-wave at tricuspid annulus with tissue Doppler, and 2D strain (longitudinal maximal systolic strain) were recorded. Their results were compared to RV indexed end-diastolic volume (EDV), indexed end-systolic volume (ESV), and RV ejection fraction (EF) at MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two pts (16 M) aged 11-62 years (mean 23.2 ± 10.8) were included. Parameters of RV systolic function were as follows: RVFAC = 40 ± 10%, TAPSE = 18 ± 4 mm, S-wave = 10 ± 0.2 cm/sec, and RV EF at MRI = 43 ± 11%. Global RV systolic strain was -15.5 ± 4.2%, free wall strain was -15.1 ± 6.3%, and septal strain was -15.8 ± 3.8% on average for the whole group. Echo indexed RV end-diastolic area correlated with EDV at MRI (r = 0.73), as well as echo indexed RV end-systolic area and ESV at MRI (r = 0.71). Global RV 2D strain correlated well with RV EF at MRI: r = 0.68; P < 0.05, and with ESV at MRI: r = 0.63. Feasibility, intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of 2D strain were adequate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Speckle tracking is a promising method to estimate RV systolic function in pts operated on for TOF.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, EA3920, University Hospital Jean Minjoz, Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: Mathilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Descotes-Genon
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jehl
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meneveau
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schiele
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D013771:Tetralogy of Fallot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 2D strain; echocardiography; magnetic resonance imaging; speckle tracking; tetralogy of fallot