Background .– 2D speckle imaging is a useful tool to evaluate right ventricular (RV) function at rest; however, the response of the RV to exercise has not been well established.

Aim of the study .– This study attempts to determine RV mechanics at rest and during exercise in healthy subjects using 2D speckle imaging and usual parameters of RV function.

Methods .– We studied 12 male healthy volunteers (mean age: 24 ± 2 years) who underwent an intensive treadmill stress echocardiogram (GE Vivid E9) with levels of 30 Watts every 3 minutes. In addition to LV views, we stored apical 4C and 2C RV views at high frame rates and recorded PW DTI of the RV free wall at baseline, at 50%, 60% and 85% of theoretical maximum heart rate (TMHR) and during recovery. We measured TAPSE (mm), RV fractional area shortening (RV FAC, %), S maximal velocity (S max, cm/s) at each exercise level. We also measured RV strain (%) values in the basal (BAS), median (MED) and apical (AP) segment of the lateral (LAT) and inferior (INF) RV walls. We calculated a global RV strain as the mean of those six segments. We compared values at different levels of exercise.

Results .– Maximal charge was 180 to 210 W for all participants. Strain measurements could be performed in all patients until 60% of the TMHR, and in ten patients at 85%. Baseline and recovery values were similar. At every exercise level, FRAC, TAPSE and S were significantly higher than baseline values but all strain values tend to decrease, although not significantly. Baseline and 60% values are reported in Table.

Conclusion .– Despite an increase in all classical echocardiographic parameters of RV function, RV strain did not increase during exercise in normal patients. Increase in preload during exercise is responsible for an increase in RV end diastolic volume and an increase in following contraction according to Frank Starling mechanism. As longitudinal strain is an equivalent of myocardial fibre shortening fraction, one could assume that the magnitude of changes in longitudinal myocardial fibre lengthening and shortening during intensive exercise remains relatively proportional in healthy volunteers. Further studies should confirm these preliminary results and compare them to those obtained in patients with cardiac diseases.