Value of Speckle Tracking for the Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in Patients Operated on for Tetralogy of Fallot. Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BackgroundRight 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. MethodsAt 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. ResultsTwenty-two pts (16 M) aged 11-62years (mean 23.210.8) were included. Parameters of RV systolic function were as follows: RVFAC=40 +/- 10%, TAPSE=18 +/- 4mm, S-wave=10 +/- 0.2cm/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. ConclusionsSpeckle tracking is a promising method to estimate RV systolic function in pts operated on for TOF.