Novel mesh-derived right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain analysis by intraoperative three-dimensional transoesophageal speckle-tracking echocardiography: a comparison with conventional parameters

In this study, a novel method for FWLS analysis on 3D meshes ( “mesh surface”, MS-FWLS,) was tested for feasibility and compared to available parameters. 80 patients undergoing left-sided cardiac valve surgery with intraoperative TEE were included retrospectively. 2D-FWLS, 3D-derived (3Dd)-FWLS (assessed in optimized four-chamber views after volume analysis ) and MS-FWLS were measured and compared to conventional parameters (3Dd-TAPSE, FAC and RVEF). The mean FWLS values did not differ significantly between methods (− 19.0 ± 6.1%, − 20.0 ± 7.3%, − 19.5 ± 7.3% for 2D-, 3Dd- and MS-FWLS, respectively). No significant difference s in the mean FWLS between patients with normal or increased pulmonary artery pressures as well as normal or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction were observed. Agreement was best between 3Dd- and MS-FWLS (r = 0.89, bias = − 1.0%, LOA ± 6.9%). Conventional echocardiographic pa rameters yielded poorer intermodality agreement. In patients with discrepant results between 2D- and 3Dd-FWLS, 3Dd-FWLS and MS-FWLS yielded similar results (r = 0.82, bias = − 0.3%, LOA ± 8.6%), while 2D-FWLS and MS-FWLS did not. Intra- and interobserver variabilities of strain anal yses were low. MS-FWLS might represent a promising method to overcome artefacts associated with 2D analysis. Its prognostic relevance needs to be investigated in prospective studies.
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research