Objectives .– 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 (2D strain) with those of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this setting.
Methods .– At transthoracic echocardiogram, 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 in the apical 4-chamber view. Measurements were made off-line by txo independent observers. Echocardiographic results were compared to RV indexed end diastolic volume (EDVi), indexed end systolic volume (ESVi) and RV ejection fraction (EF) at MRI.
Results .– Twenty-two pts (16M, 6F) aged 11–62 yrs (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 longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) was −15.5 ± 4.2%, RV 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 EDVi at MRI ( r = 0.73), as well as echo indexed RV end systolic area and ESVi at MRI ( r = 0.71). Global RV 2D strain correlated well with RV EF: r = 0.68, P < 0.05, and with ESVi at MRI: r = 0.63. Feasibility, intra- and interobserver reproducibility of 2D strain were adequate.
Conclusions .– Speckle tracking is a new promising method to improve estimation of RV systolic function in pts operated on for TOF (Fig. 1).
