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Nichting TJ, de Vet CM, van der Ven M, van der Woude DAA, Regis M, van Sloun RJG, Oei SG, van Laar JOEH, van Oostrum NHM. The impact of angles of insonation on left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain estimation in fetal speckle tracking echocardiography. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287003. [PMID: 37437044 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography has been considered an angle-independent modality. However, current literature is limited and inconclusive on the actual impact of angle of insonation on strain values. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of angles of insonation on the estimation of fetal left ventricular and right ventricular global longitudinal strain. Secondarily, the impact of different definitions for angles of insonation was investigated in a sensitivity analysis. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study with 124 healthy subjects. The analyses were based on the four-chamber view ultrasound clips taken between 18+0 and 21+6 weeks of gestation. Angles of insonation were categorized into three groups: up/down, oblique and perpendicular. The mean fetal left and right ventricular and global longitudinal strain values corresponding to these three groups were compared by an ANOVA test corrected for heteroscedasticity. RESULTS Fetal left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain values were not statistically different between the three angles of insonation (p-value >0.062 and >0.149, respectively). When applying another definition for angles of insonation in the sensitivity analysis, the mean left ventricular global longitudinal strain value was significantly decreased for the oblique compared to the up/down angle of insonation (p-value 0.041). CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence of a difference in fetal left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain between the different angles of insonation in fetal two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Nichting
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Chantelle M de Vet
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Myrthe van der Ven
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Daisy A A van der Woude
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marta Regis
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud J G van Sloun
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - S Guid Oei
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Judith O E H van Laar
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Máxima MC, Veldhoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Eindhoven MedTech Innovation Centre, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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Semmler J, Day TG, Georgiopoulos G, Garcia-Gonzalez C, Aguilera J, Vigneswaran TV, Zidere V, Miller OI, Sharland G, Charakida M, Simpson JM. Fetal Speckle-Tracking: Impact of Angle of Insonation and Frame Rate on Global Longitudinal Strain. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2020; 33:1141-1146.e2. [PMID: 32423727 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2020.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing body of research on fetal speckle-tracking echocardiography because it is considered to be an angle-independent modality. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether angle of insonation and acquisition frame rate (FR) influence left ventricular endocardial global longitudinal peak strain (GLS) in the fetus. METHODS Four-chamber views of 122 healthy fetuses were studied at three different angles of insonation (apex up/down, apex oblique, and apex perpendicular) at high and low acoustic FRs. GLS was calculated, and a linear mixed-model analysis was used for analysis. Six hundred fifty-six fetal echocardiographic clips were analyzed (288 in the second trimester, at a median gestation of 21 weeks [interquartile range (IQR), 1 week], and 368 in the third trimester, at a median gestation of 36 weeks [IQR, 2 weeks]). RESULTS Angle of insonation and FRs were significant determinants of GLS. Ventricular septum perpendicular to the ultrasound beam was associated with higher (more negative) GLS compared with apex up/down (at high FR: -21.8% vs -19.7%, P < .001; at low FR: -24.1% vs -21.4%, P < .001). Higher frames per second (FPS; median 149 FPS [IQR, 33 FPS] = 61 frames per cycle [FPC] [IQR, 17 FPC]) compared with lower FPS (median 51 FPS [IQR, 15 FPS] = 22 FPC [IQR, 7 FPC]) at the same insonation angle resulted in lower GLS (apex up/down: -19.7% vs -21.4%, P < .001; apex oblique: -21.2% vs -22.7%, P < .001; apex perpendicular: -21.8% vs -24.1%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The present findings show that insonation angle and FR influence GLS significantly. These factors need to be considered when comparing studies with different acquisition protocols, when establishing normative values, and when interpreting pathology. Speckle-tracking echocardiography cannot be considered an angle-independent modality during fetal life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Semmler
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas G Day
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Georgios Georgiopoulos
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Coral Garcia-Gonzalez
- Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesica Aguilera
- Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Trisha V Vigneswaran
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vita Zidere
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen I Miller
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gurleen Sharland
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marietta Charakida
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John M Simpson
- Fetal Cardiology Unit, Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina London Children's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom; Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine, Fetal Medicine Research Institute, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Enzensberger C, Rostock L, Graupner O, Götte M, Wolter A, Vorisek C, Herrmann J, Axt-Fliedner R. Wall motion tracking in fetal echocardiography-Application of low and high frame rates for strain analysis. Echocardiography 2018; 36:386-393. [PMID: 30585350 DOI: 10.1111/echo.14238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compared to adults, fetal heart rates (HR) are elevated necessitating higher frame rates (FR) for strain analysis by speckle tracking echocardiography. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of high FR compared to low FR on strain analysis in 2D speckle tracking. METHODS Fetal echocardiography was prospectively performed and acquired from the apical or basal four-chamber views of the heart. Images were optimized for clear delineation of myocardial walls and stored in either raw Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) cine-loop format for offline analysis with a low FR of 60 frames per second (fps) or in the original FR (acoustic FR = AFR). For each loop, right (RV) and left (LV) ventricular fetal longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) values were assessed by 2D Wall Motion tracking. RESULTS One hundred and three healthy fetuses were included with a mean gestational age of 26.3 ± 5.5 weeks. Mean AFR was 127 ± 26 fps. A mean FR/HR ratio was assessed of 0.42 and 0.90 between the low FR and AFR group, respectively. Relating to LPSS values, there was a significant difference between low FR and AFR for both ventricles (LV: -16.5% ± 3.9% (low FR) vs -13.6% ± 3.5% (AFR); and RV: -15.1% ± 3.6% (low FR) vs -12.6% ± 3.7% (AFR), both P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Fetal LV and RV LPSS values derived with high AFR were significantly lower than corresponding LPSS values analyzed with low FR of 60 fps. Future studies are needed to clarify the clinical importance of this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Enzensberger
- Department of OB/GYN, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura Rostock
- Department of OB/GYN, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Graupner
- Department of OB/GYN, University Hospital, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität, München, Germany
| | - Malena Götte
- Department of OB/GYN, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Aline Wolter
- Department of OB/GYN, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Carina Vorisek
- Department of OB/GYN, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Roland Axt-Fliedner
- Department of OB/GYN, Division of Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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McBrien A, Hornberger LK. Early fetal echocardiography. Birth Defects Res 2018; 111:370-379. [PMID: 30430770 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the technical aspects and clinical utility of early fetal echocardiography and screening of the fetal heart in early pregnancy. Also, to document differences in cardiac structure and function which can be demonstrated in the late first/early second trimesters. METHODS In addition to summarizing our own experiences of late first/early second trimester fetal echocardiography, we reviewed the literature to explore clinical indications for, technical aspects, safety, accuracy, strengths and weaknesses of early fetal echocardiography. RESULTS In the current era, an increasing number of fetuses are identified as being at risk of congenital heart disease from as early as the late first trimester. In experienced hands, early fetal echocardiography can pick up a high proportion of congenital heart disease with good reliability for the majority of lesions. Early fetal echocardiography is relatively poor at assessing pulmonary veins, the atrioventricular valves and lesions that typically occur later or progress during the course of pregnancy. There is increasing interest in widespread implementation of an early obstetric anomaly screen which includes an assessment of the fetal heart for all pregnancies. There are a variety of hemodynamic differences in the late first/early second trimester compared with later in pregnancy. CONCLUSION Early fetal echocardiography is has become an established tool for detection of congenital heart disease. It affords opportunities to learn about the true spectrum and progression of congenital heart disease in-utero. Operators should be mindful of safety issues, technical aspects and hemodynamic findings which differ when performing echocardiograms at this stage of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela McBrien
- Fetal & Neonatal Cardiology Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lisa K Hornberger
- Fetal & Neonatal Cardiology Program, Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,Women and Children's Health Research Institute, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.,The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Enzensberger C, Achterberg F, Graupner O, Wolter A, Herrmann J, Axt-Fliedner R. Wall-motion tracking in fetal echocardiography-Influence of frame rate on longitudinal strain analysis assessed by two-dimensional speckle tracking. Echocardiography 2017; 34:898-905. [DOI: 10.1111/echo.13542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Enzensberger
- Division of Prenatal Medicine; Department of OB/GYN; University Hospital UKGM; Justus-Liebig University; Giessen Germany
| | - Friederike Achterberg
- Division of Prenatal Medicine; Department of OB/GYN; University Hospital UKGM; Justus-Liebig University; Giessen Germany
| | - Oliver Graupner
- Department of OB/GYN; University Hospital, Technical University; Munich Germany
| | - Aline Wolter
- Division of Prenatal Medicine; Department of OB/GYN; University Hospital UKGM; Justus-Liebig University; Giessen Germany
| | | | - Roland Axt-Fliedner
- Division of Prenatal Medicine; Department of OB/GYN; University Hospital UKGM; Justus-Liebig University; Giessen Germany
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Enzensberger C, Achterberg F, Degenhardt J, Wolter A, Graupner O, Herrmann J, Axt-Fliedner R. Feasibility and Reproducibility of Two-Dimensional Wall Motion Tracking (WMT) in Fetal Echocardiography. Ultrasound Int Open 2017; 3:E26-E33. [PMID: 28210715 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-124501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and reproducibility of 2-dimensional speckle tracking imaging based on the wall motion tracking (WMT) technique in fetal echocardiography. The secondary objective was to compare left and right ventricular global and segmental longitudinal peak strain values. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was performed. Global and segmental longitudinal peak strain values of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) were assessed prospectively. Based on apical 4-chamber views, cine loops were acquired and digitally stored. Strain analysis was performed offline. Intra- and interobserver variabilities were analyzed. Results A total of 29 healthy fetuses with an echocardiogram performed between 19 and 37 weeks of gestation were included. Analysis was performed with a temporal resolution of 60 frames per second (fps). For both examiners, in all cases Cronbach's alpha was>0.7. The interobserver variability showed a strong agreement in 50% of the segments (ICC 0.71-0.90). The global strain values for LV and RV were -16.34 and -14.65%, respectively. Segmental strain analysis revealed a basis to apex gradient with the lowest strain values in basal segments and the highest strain values in apical segments. Conclusion The assessment of fetal myocardial deformation parameters by 2D WMT is technically feasible with good reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Enzensberger
- Division of Prenatal Medicine, Department of OB&GYN, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Friederike Achterberg
- Division of Prenatal Medicine, Department of OB&GYN, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jan Degenhardt
- Division of Prenatal Medicine, Department of OB&GYN, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Aline Wolter
- Division of Prenatal Medicine, Department of OB&GYN, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Oliver Graupner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Herrmann
- Statistical Consulting Service Giessen, Statistikberatung, Giessen, Germany
| | - Roland Axt-Fliedner
- Division of Prenatal Medicine, Department of OB&GYN, University Hospital UKGM, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
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