title: Velocity vector imaging shows normal cardiac systolic function in survivors of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia at six to 16 years of age.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated global myocardial function and associations between cardiac function and lung function in very low birth weight (VLBW) children, with and without severe radiographic bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), at six to 14 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 34 VLBW and 19 term-born controls, and the VLBW group was further divided into a BPD group with severe radiographic BPD and those without radiographic BPD in infancy. Detailed right and left ventricular myocardial functions were analysed by velocity vector imaging, and the left ventricular mass was calculated. The associations between cardiac function and lung function were assessed by impulse oscillometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The right and left ventricular myocardial systolic functions and the left ventricular mass were similar in the three groups. Lung function was not associated with cardiac systolic function. Neonatal exposure to dexamethasone treatment was negatively associated with right ventricular function, as measured by the automated fractional area change, with an odds ratio of 7.9 and 95% confidence interval of 1.9-33.5 (p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lung function measurements were not associated with cardiac systolic function in preterm infants at six to 14 years of age. Neonatal exposure to dexamethasone, used for weaning from the ventilator, was negatively associated with right ventricular function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.|Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Piia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suursalmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital, University Hospital of Helsinki and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ojala
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Tuija
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Poutanen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Anneli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eerola
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.|Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Korhonen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.|Department of Pediatrics, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland.
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kopeli
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.|Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Outi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tammela
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013599:Systole; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right
keywords: Fractional area change; Lung function; Right ventricular function; Velocity vector imaging; Very low birth weight child