Speckle tracking and myocardial tissue imaging in infant of diabetic mother with gestational and pregestational diabetes

Diabetes in pregnancy and offspring cardiac function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with impaired offspring cardiac function. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effect of diabetes in pregnancy on cardiac function in the offspring measured by echocardiography.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL and Web of Science databases were searched from 1992 to June 27, 2023. Studies reporting offspring (age < 18 years) cardiac function by echocardiography compared between any type of diabetes in pregnancy and healthy control pregnancies were included. Study selection, quality assessment and risk of bias was independently performed by two reviewers. Meta-analyses was performed where possible.

Results

Thirty-one observational studies were included 1,679 cases and 2,694 controls. In the first week of life (23 studies, n = 2,663), intraventricular septum diastolic diameter (hypertrophy) was increased, while myocardial performance index (global function) and LV E/A-ratio (diastolic function) were decreased. No difference was found for left ventricular ejection fraction (systolic function). At 1-6 months (4 studies, n = 454) studies found hypertrophy, and decreased global function, but no difference in systolic or diastolic function. At 1-8 years (7 studies, n = 1,609) no difference was found. The available data did not allow for sub-analysis based on the type of diabetes, treatment, or glycemic control.

Conclusions

Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with cardiac hypertrophy and impaired global cardiac function in infants up to six months old. The few studies reporting on older children found no difference in the parameters investigated. Longitudinal studies employing more advanced echocardiographic measures or MRI are needed to evaluate consequences for long-term cardiac health.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/, identifier (CRD42022312471).

Fetal Strain and Strain Rate Measured with Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Maternal Diabetes: Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate fetal cardiac function in fetuses of mothers with diabetes compared to those of mothers without diabetes using 2D-STE.

METHODS

Embase, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL were searched for observational studies on 2D-STE fetal left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain and strain rate that included singleton, non-anomalous pregnancies complicated by pregestational or gestational diabetes mellitus compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. The strain values were pooled per 4 weeks of gestation for meta-analysis using random-effects models.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met the criteria, including 990 fetuses of diabetic mothers and 1,645 control fetuses. The study design was cross-sectional in fourteen studies and longitudinal in one study. Gestational age, type of diabetes, ultrasound device, and 2D-STE software varied between the studies. Glycemic control and type of treatment were often lacking. In fetuses of diabetic mothers versus healthy mothers, left ventricular strain was significantly decreased (7 studies), increased (1 study), or not significantly different (7 studies). Right ventricular strain was decreased (7 studies), increased (1 study), or not different (2 studies). Left ventricular strain rate was decreased (3 studies), increased (1 study), or not different (2 studies). Right ventricular strain rate was increased (1 study) or not different (2 studies).

CONCLUSION

Fetuses of mothers with diabetes show evidence of systolic dysfunction, which is more visible in the right ventricle. Contradictory results are probably due to suboptimal study designs and variation in gestational age, diabetes severity, image acquisition, and software. Large prospective longitudinal studies are needed to assess fetal myocardial function with 2D-STE in pregestational diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus pregnancies. The influence of glycemic control, BMI, and treatment should be evaluated.

Guidelines and Recommendations for Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography and Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Update from the American Society of Echocardiography

Targeted neonatal echocardiography (TNE) involves the use of comprehensive echocardiography to appraise cardiovascular physiology and neonatal hemodynamics to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic precision in the neonatal intensive care unit. Since the last publication of guidelines for TNE in 2011, the field has matured through the development of formalized neonatal hemodynamics fellowships, clinical programs, and the expansion of scientific knowledge to further enhance clinical care. The most common indications for TNE include adjudication of hemodynamic significance of a patent ductus arteriosus, evaluation of acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension, evaluation of right and left ventricular systolic and/or diastolic function, and screening for pericardial effusions and/or malpositioned central catheters. Neonatal cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (cPOCUS) is a limited cardiovascular evaluation which may include line tip evaluation, identification of pericardial effusion and differentiation of hypovolemia from severe impairment in myocardial contractility in the hemodynamically unstable neonate. This document is the product of an American Society of Echocardiography task force composed of representatives from neonatology-hemodynamics, pediatric cardiology, pediatric cardiac sonography, and neonatology-cPOCUS. This document provides (1) guidance on the purpose and rationale for both TNE and cPOCUS, (2) an overview of the components of a standard TNE and cPOCUS evaluation, (3) disease and/or clinical scenario-based indications for TNE, (4) training and competency-based evaluative requirements for both TNE and cPOCUS, and (5) components of quality assurance. The writing group would like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Regan Giesinger who sadly passed during the final revisions phase of these guidelines. Her contributions to the field of neonatal hemodynamics were immense.

Longitudinal Strain vs. Conventional Echocardiographic Parameters in the First Week of Life in Healthy Term Newborns

The first week of life is characterized by substantial alterations in hemodynamic conditions. Changes in myocardial contractility will reflect these changes. We aimed to assess right and left ventricular function on the third and seventh days of life in 50 healthy term newborns. To assess myocardial function, we used speckle tracking echocardiography. Pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging, M-mode, Doppler and pulsed-wave Doppler were also used to assess ventricular function. We found a significant increase in both right and left longitudinal strain and an increase in systolic and diastolic tissue Doppler velocities, whereas most other parameters remained unchanged. At both time points, the measured parameters were significantly greater for the right ventricle, but the changes with time were similar for both ventricles. We also found an increase in right ventricular outflow tract acceleration time as an indirect sign of decreasing pulmonary vascular resistance and an increase in systolic blood pressure, pointing to increasing systemic vascular resistance. Together with a decreasing proportion of patients with patent ductus arteriosus, the estimated left ventricular cardiac output decreased and right ventricular cardiac output increased but not to a statistically significant degree. In conclusion, the results of our study show how different echocardiographic techniques capture hemodynamic changes and changes in myocardial contractility and compliance. Both longitudinal strain and tissue Doppler imaging parameters seem to offer greater sensitivity in comparison with conventional echocardiographic parameters.

Assessment of Myocardial Function in Infants of Mothers with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Using Deformation Imaging over the First Year of Age

OBJECTIVE

To assess serial myocardial performance and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) over the first year of life.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a prospective, observational study. Echocardiography was performed at birth, 6 months, and 1 year of age. Pulmonary artery acceleration time and left ventricular (LV) eccentricity index provided surrogate measurements of PVR. Biventricular function was assessed by tissue Doppler imaging and deformation analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty infants of mothers with GDM were compared with 50 controls with no difference in gestation (38.9 ± 0.8 weeks vs 39.3 ± 0.9 weeks; P = .05) or birthweight (3.55 ± 0.49 kg vs 3.56 ± 0.41 kg; P = .95). At 1 year of age, the pulmonary artery acceleration time was lower (70 ± 11 vs 79 ± 10; P = .01) in the GDM group. LV global longitudinal strain (24.7 ± 1.9 vs 28.8 ± 1.8 %; P < .01), LV systolic strain rate (1.8 ± 0.2 vs 2.1 ± 0.3 1/s; P < .01), and RV free wall strain (31.1 ± 4.8 vs 34.6 ± 3.9 %; P < .01) were lower in the GDM cohort at 1 year of age (all P values adjusted for gestation, mode of delivery, and maternal body mass index).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate higher indices of PVR and lower biventricular function in infants of mothers with GDM compared with controls at each time point assessed in this study over the first year of life.

Impaired myocardial deformation persists at 2 years in offspring of mothers with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

A diabetic intrauterine environment has been proposed as a potential etiological mechanism for in utero programming of cardiac disease, and is associated with impaired fetal cardiac function. We aimed to assess cardiac function in offspring of mothers with diabetes mellitus (ODM) and determine whether fetal cardiac abnormalities persist during follow-up.

METHODS

Longitudinal observational study to evaluate and compare myocardial function in 40 ODM to age-matched control offspring (CO). Myocardial deformation was measured using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE).

RESULTS

Significant differences were detected in global longitudinal strain (-20.9 ± 3.1 vs. -23.6 ± 2.2%; p = 0.001), global circumferential strain (-24.4 ± 3.9 vs. -26.9 ± 2.7%; p = 0.017), average radial strain (29.0 ± 9.8 vs. 37.1 ± 7.2%; p = 0.003), average longitudinal systolic strain rate (-1.24 ± 0.25/s vs. -1.47 ± 0.30/s; p = 0.011) and average circumferential systolic strain rate (-1.56 ± 0.37/s vs. -1.84 ± 0.37/s; p = 0.013) in comparison to CO up to 2 years of follow-up. Minimal differences were observed within ODM over the 2-year period.

CONCLUSION

Impaired cardiac function in ODM persists during 2 years follow-up. Functional cardiac assessment might therefore be useful to detect these unfavorable changes, independent of screening for congenital heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in this population.

IMPACT

We demonstrate persistence of subclinical myocardial deformation abnormalities in offspring of mothers with diabetes mellitus from fetal life to early childhood years. These results extend the cellular observations in basic and translational research of developmental programming into the clinical realm. Persistence of subclinical myocardial deformation abnormalities may shed light on the known incidence of early cardiovascular disease in offspring of mother with diabetes. Cardiac myocardial strain assessment can be useful to detect these abnormalities, independent of screening for congenital heart disease or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in this population.

Cardiometabolic effects of breastfeeding on infants of diabetic mothers

BACKGROUND

Breast milk is the best and principal nutritional source for neonates and infants. It may protect infants against many metabolic diseases, predominantly obesity and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic and microvascular disease that affects all the body systems and all ages from intrauterine life to late adulthood. Breastfeeding protects against infant mortality and diseases, such as necrotizing enterocolitis, diarrhoea, respiratory infections, viral and bacterial infection, eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergies, malocclusion, dental caries, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. It also protects against obesity and insulin resistance and increases intelligence and mental development. Gestational diabetes has short and long-term impacts on infants of diabetic mothers (IDM). Breast milk composition changes in mothers with gestational diabetes.

AIM

To investigate the beneficial or detrimental effects of breastfeeding on the cardiometabolic health of IDM and their mothers.

METHODS

We performed a database search on different engines and a thorough literature review and included 121 research published in English between January 2000 and December 15, 2022, in this review.

RESULTS

Most of the literature agreed on the beneficial effects of breast milk for both the mother and the infant in the short and long terms. Breastfeeding protects mothers with gestational diabetes against obesity and type 2 DM. Despite some evidence of the protective effects of breastfeeding on IDM in the short and long term, the evidence is not strong enough due to the presence of many confounding factors and a lack of sufficient studies.

CONCLUSION

We need more comprehensive research to prove these effects. Despite many obstacles that may enface mothers with gestational diabetes to start and maintain breastfeeding, every effort should be made to encourage them to breastfeed.

The Impact of Maternal Preeclampsia and Hyperglycemia on the Cardiovascular Health of the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the impact of maternal preeclampsia or hyperglycemia on the body composition and cardiovascular health in the offspring.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a systematic review utilizing PubMed, EBSCO, CINAHLPlus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to include all studies assessing the impact of preeclampsia/eclampsia and/or gestational/pregestational diabetes mellitus on the health of the offspring (children <10 years of age). The health measures included anthropometry, cardiac dimensions and function, and vascular function. We performed a meta-analysis using Review Manager software and computed net risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for dichotomous data and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI for continuous data.

RESULTS

There were 6,376 studies in total, of which 45 were included in the review and 40 in the meta-analysis. The results demonstrated higher birth weight (MD: 0.12 kg; 95% CI: 0.06-0.18) and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP; MD: 5.98 mm Hg; 95% CI: 5.64-6.32 and MD: 3.27 mm Hg; 95% CI: 0.65-5.89, respectively) in the offspring of mothers with gestational diabetes compared to controls. In contrast, the offspring of mothers with preeclampsia had lower birth weight (MD: -0.41 kg; 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.11); however, they had increased systolic (MD: 2.2 mm Hg; 95% CI: 1.28-3.12) and diastolic BP (MD: 1.41 mm Hg; 95% CI: 0.3-2.52) compared to controls. There is lack of data to conduct a meta-analysis of cardiac morphology, functional, and vascular imaging parameters.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the in-utero milieu can have a permanent impact on the body composition and vascular health of the offspring. Future work warrants multicenter prospective studies to understand the mechanism and the actual effect of exposure to maternal hyperglycemia and high BP on the cardiovascular health of the offspring and long-term outcomes.

KEY POINTS

· Adverse in-utero exposures may have an impact on cardiovascular risk in children.. · Maternal hyperglycemia/preeclampsia lead to changes in birthweight and BP.. · Limited echocardiographic and vascular imaging data in these cohorts necessitates future work..

Comprehensive assessment of biventricular myocardial function by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in infants of gestational diabetic mothers

AIMS

No previous research provided a complete biventricular and multidirectional left ventricular (LV) functional assessment by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in infants of gestational diabetic mothers (IGDM) METHODS: A total of 30 consecutive IGDM and 30 infants of healthy mothers were examined between March 2021 and July 2021. Both groups of infants underwent evaluation by neonatologist and 2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) implemented with 2D-STE quantification of LV-global longitudinal strain (GLS), LV-global circumferential strain (GCS), LV-global radial strain (GRS) and right ventricular (RV)-GLS, within 3 days of life and at 40 days after birth. Predictors of persistent subclinical myocardial dysfunction, defined as a LVGLS less negative than -20% at 40-day follow-up, in IGDM population, were determined.

RESULTS

At 2.2 ± 1.3 days after birth, LV-GLS (- 17.2 ± 1.9 vs. - 23.9 ± 3.8%), LV-GCS (- 17.9 ± 2.7 vs. - 27.3 ± 3.4%), LV-GRS (25.6 ± 3.4 vs. 35.8 ± 3.6%) and RV-GLS (- 17.6 ± 3.6 vs. - 22.6 ± 3.8%) were significantly impaired in IGDM than controls (all p < 0.001). At 36.8 ± 5.2 days of life, LV-GLS was still impaired (less negative than -20%) in 26.6% of IGDM. Maternal third trimester body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.89, 95%CI 1.05-3.39) and third trimester glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) (OR 1.59, 95%CI 1.08-2.19) were independently associated with persistent LV-GLS impairment in IGDM. Maternal BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2 and HbA1C ≥ 38 mmol/mol showed the maximum of sensitivity and specificity for predicting persistent subclinical myocardial dysfunction in IGDM at 40 days of life.

CONCLUSIONS

IGDM have diffuse pattern of myocardial dysfunction during perinatal period. This dysfunction may be persistent up to 40 days of life in infants of GDM women with obesity and uncontrolled diabetes.

Evaluation of Fetal Cardiac Geometry and Contractility in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Technology

Background: The most commonly known cardiac effect of gestational diabetes mellitus (GD) in the fetus is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but recent studies show that it is preceded by subclinical cardiac dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the effect of GD on fetal cardiac geometry and contractility by two-dimensional speckle-tracking technology. Methods: We performed a prospective observational study that included 33 pregnant patients with GD and 30 healthy individuals. For all fetuses, a four-chamber 3 s cine-loop was recorded and analyzed with Fetal Heart Quantification (FetalHQ®), a novel proprietary speckle-tracking software. The following cardiac indices were calculated: global sphericity index (GSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), and 24-segment end-diastolic diameter (EDD), fractional shortening (FS), and sphericity index (SI) for both ventricles. Demographic and cardiac differences between the two groups were analyzed, as well as intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. Results: There were significant changes in right ventricular FAC and FS for segments 4−24 in fetuses exposed to GD (−1 SD, p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected for GSI, GLS, EDD, or SI for either ventricle. Conclusions: Fetuses exposed to GD present impaired right ventricular contractility, especially in the mid and apical segments.

Linking the Perinatal Environment to Neonatal Cardiovascular Outcomes

Cases of high-risk pregnancies continue to rise throughout the United States and globally, increasing rates of maternal and neonatal morbidity. Common pregnancy complications and morbidities include preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, fetal growth restriction, diabetes mellitus, and chorioamnionitis. Exposure to these perinatal conditions contributes to cardiac morbidities in the fetus and neonate, including altered cardiac growth, congenital heart disease, and cardiac dysfunction. Significant research has demonstrated lasting effects of these pregnancy complications, with increased rates of cardiac morbidities seen in children and adults after these perinatal exposures. The link between the perinatal environment and long-term outcomes has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to discuss the current understanding of the implications of a high-risk pregnancy on fetal and neonatal cardiac development.

Tissue Doppler, speckling tracking and four-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function in children with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Right ventricular (RV) function is frequently overlooked during dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) evaluation.

AIM

To evaluate RV function in children with idiopathic DCM using relatively recent echocardiographic modalities.

METHODS

We prospectively studied the cardiac function in 50 children with idiopathic DCM and 50 healthy children as a control group, using four-dimensional echocardiography (4-DE), Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI), and two-dimensional-speckles tracking echocardiography (2-D-STE). RV EF was measured by 4-DE.

RESULTS

The auto left (LV) ejection fractions (EF) measured by 2-D-STE were significantly lower in the patients' group than in the control. The sphericity index was also significantly lower in children with DCM than in the control. RV EF measured by 4-DE was significantly lower in the patient's group than the control. RV S wave, e´/a' ratio, myocardial performance index (MPI), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were significantly impaired in children with DCM than in control. Both LV and RV global longitudinal strains (GLS) were significantly reduced in children with DCM than in control. RVGLS was significantly associated with the duration since diagnosis, tricuspid annulus S wave, RV MPI, and TAPSE, but not with the age of the patients, RV EF, or e´/a' ratio.

CONCLUSION

There was impairment of the RV LGS and other systolic and diastolic parameters in children with DCM. STE and TDI can help to detect the early decline of RV function.

Amount of dissipative energy loss when assessing left ventricular dysfunction in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the current study was to explore the amount of energy loss (EL) using vector flow mapping (VFM) in the detection of early stage left ventricular (LV) dysfunction among patients with SLE. Eighty-nine patients with SLE and fifty-six healthy controls were enrolled. SLE patients were further divided into inactive (SLEDAI ≤ 4, n = 43) and active (SLEDAI ≥ 5, n = 46) subgroups. A prosound F75 echocardiography machine was used for echocardiographic examination. Intra-cardiac flow images were analysed by a VFM workstation. Compared with the healthy group, the inactive SLE group had increased diastolic EL values (38.05 mW/m vs. 33.02 mW/m, p = 0.010). However, the systolic EL values were comparable between the inactive SLE group and the control group (26.07mW/m vs 23.15 mW/m, p = 0.105). The active SLE group exhibited significantly higher diastolic (104.13 mW/m vs 33.02 mW/m, p < 0.001) and systolic (48.83 mW/m vs 23.15 mW/m, p < 0.001) EL values than the control group. The most notable correlation was observed between the values of the diastolic EL and SLEDAI in the inactive SLE group (r = 0.633, p < 0.001) and in the active SLE group (r = 0.824, p < 0.001). LV-dissipative EL assessed by using VFM is useful and feasible for estimating lesions of LV systolic and diastolic function in active SLE patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Increased disease activity may lead to increased risk of LV dysfunction.

Persistent subclinical myocardial dysfunction among infants of diabetic mothers

INTRODUCTION

Offspring of diabetic mothers have five times higher risk of cardiovascular abnormalities than in normal pregnancies. These cardiac anomalies involve fetal cardiac morphological and functional changes. Here, we investigate subclinical cardiovascular abnormalities, including structural and functional changes among infants of diabetic mothers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective cohort study was carried out from March 2017 to September 2020 at a South Indian tertiary care center. One hundred ninety-eight newborns delivered from non-diabetic mothers, well-controlled diabetic mothers (WCDM), and poorly controlled diabetic mothers (PCDM) were studied. Neonates and infantile echocardiographic imaging were performed at the first week of life, at 6-weeks, and 6-months of life. Cardiac structure and function were assessed using 2D, M-mode, Conventional Doppler, and Tissue Doppler imaging.

RESULTS

Out of the total (198) infants, 66 (33.3%) were from the non-diabetic (control) mothers, 60 (30.3%) from the WCDM, and 72 (36.4%) were from the PCDM groups. In both WCDM and PCDM groups, the mean gestational ages at birth were shorter than the control group (37.19 ± 0.82, 36.02 ± 2.15, and 37.91 ± 1.33 weeks respectively). There was a high incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia (p-value <0.001), NICU stay >7 days (p-value <0.018), and persistent fetal transitional cardiac shunt (p-value <0.03) among poorly controlled DM group in comparison to others. Tissue deformation imaging showed a significant reduction in left ventricular global strain and strain rate in the neonatal heart from poorly controlled diabetic mothers. Myocardial wall thickness among neonates of diabetic mothers was higher compared to controls. LV TEI was higher in PCDM groups in comparison with WCDM and control groups; (0.59 ± 0.11, 0.46 ± 0.35, and 0.37 ± 0.12 respectively, p-value =0.01). Similarly, RV TEI was high in the PCDM (0.56 ± 0.09) group compared to the WCDM group (0.33 ± 0.12) and control group (0.28 ± 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants of diabetic mothers are at higher risk of developing cardiac abnormalities, including structural and functional defects. The highest increase in interventricular septal thickening found in poorly controlled diabetic mothers' neonates will disrupt both ventricles' functions, followed by WCDM and the control group.

Cardiac changes in infants of diabetic mothers

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a systemic chronic metabolic disorder characterized by increased insulin resistance and/or β- cell defects. It affects all ages from the foetal life, neonates, childhood to late adulthood. Gestational diabetes is a critical risk factor for congenital heart diseases (CHDs). Moreover, the risk increases with low maternal education, high body mass index at conception, undiagnosed pre-gestational diabetes, inadequate antenatal care, improper diabetes control, and maternal smoking during pregnancy. Maternal DM significantly affects the foetal heart and foetal–placental circulation in both structure and function. Cardiac defects, myocardial hypertrophy are three times more prevalent in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Antenatal evaluation of the cardiac function and structures can be performed with foetal electrocardiography and echocardiography. Postnatal cardiac evaluation can be performed with natal and postnatal electrocardiography and echocardiography, detection of early atherosclerotic changes by measuring aortic intima-media thickness, and retinal vascular changes by retinal photography. Ameliorating the effects of diabetes during pregnancy on the offspring depends mainly on pregestational and gestational diabetes prevention. However, other measures to reduce the risk, such as using medications, nutritional supplements, or probiotics, still need more research. This review discusses the mechanism of foetal sequels and the risk factors that increase the prevalence of CHDs in gestational DM, the various cardiac outcomes of gestational DM on the foetus and offspring, cardiac evaluation of foetuses and IDMs, and how to alleviate the consequences of gestational DM on the offspring.

Assessment of fetal cardiac diastolic function of gestational diabetes mellitus using dual-gate Doppler

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), as a common complication of pregnancy, has an increasing trend globally. GDM leads to maternal complications and fetal complications. Fetal cardiac diastolic dysfunction is strongly associated with GDM. This study aims to assess the ventricular diastolic function of fetuses exposed to GDM by looking into the diagnostic parameters using both conventional method and Dual-gate Doppler method (DD). And to investigate the potential of DD method in early detection of fetal cardiac diastolic dysfunction.56 women diagnosed with GDM and 55 non-GDM pregnant women were enrolled in their 24 to 30 weeks of gestation. Conventional method and DD method were applied to measure mitral and tricuspid inflow velocities E-waves, A-waves on pulsed-wave Doppler, and mitral and tricuspid annular velocities e'-waves, a'-waves on Tissue Doppler imaging. E/A, e'/a' and E/e' ratio was calculated. The difference between GDM and control groups was statistically tested and analysed using one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis test and Bland-Altman plot analysis.Intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficients of E/A, e'/a', and E/e' value of both mitral and tricuspid valve are all greater than 0.80, while interobserver intraclass correlation coefficients are between 0.71 and 0.88. Right (6.35 vs 6.79; P = .001) ventricular function showed significantly lower E/e' ratios in the GDM group compared with control fetuses by conventional method. Both left (6.16 vs 6.59; P = .036) and right (6.28 vs 6.75; P = .01) ventricular function showed significantly lower E/e' ratios in the GDM group compared with control fetuses by DD method.Exposure to high level of maternal blood glucose leads to impaired diastolic function in the fetuses. Fetal right ventricular function is a potential key point to study to enable an early detection for fetal diastolic dysfunction since the alteration and damage are more likely to happen in right ventricular. Measurement of E/e' ratio using DD method is considered as a promising method in fetal cardiac diastolic function assessment. Well or poorly control of the GDM does not have significant influence on the fetal diastolic function thus an early detection of GDM and GDM induced fetal cardiac dysfunction is necessary.

Speckle tracking derived strain in neonates: planes, layers and drift

The aims of this study was to assess the effect of using a four chamber versus a three plane model on speckle tracking derived global longitudinal strain, the effects of drift compensation, the effect of assessing strain in different layers and finally the interplay between these aspects for the assessment of strain in neonates. Speckle tracking derived longitudinal strain was obtained from 22 healthy neonates. ANOVA, Bland-Altman analyses, coefficients of variation and assessment of intraclass correlation coefficients were conducted to assess the effect of the abovementioned aspects as well as assess both inter-observer and intra-observer variability. Neither the use of the three plane model versus the four chamber model nor the use of drift compensation had a substantial effect on global longitudinal strain (less than 1%, depending on which layer was being assessed). A gradient was seen with increasing strain from the epicardial to endocardial layers, similar to what is seen in older subjects. Finally, drift compensation introduced more discrepancy in segmental strain values compared to global longitudinal strain. Global longitudinal strain in healthy neonates remains reasonably consistent regardless of whether the three plane or four chamber model is used and whether drift compensation is applied. Its value increases when one moves from the endocardial to the epicardial layer. Finally, drift compensation introduces more discrepancy for regional measures of longitudinal strain compared to global longitudinal strain.

Evaluation of prenatal changes in fetal cardiac morphology and function in maternal diabetes mellitus using a novel fetal speckle-tracking analysis: a prospective cohort study

Background

Due to metabolic changes in the second trimester and the increasing number of pregnant women with obesity and advanced maternal age, the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains high. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of GDM on fetal cardiac morphology and function, and to determine whether these changes increase with increasing estimated fetal weight (EFW).

Methods

Fifty-eight women with GDM (GDM group) and 58 women with a healthy pregnancy (control group) were included in this prospective observational cohort study. Each group included subgroups of 31 pregnant women with a gestational age between 24⁺⁰ weeks and 27⁺⁶ weeks as well as 27 pregnant women with a gestational age between 28⁺⁰ weeks and 40⁺⁰ weeks. For all fetuses, a cine of 2–3 s in the four-chamber view was obtained, and online speckle-tracking analysis was performed using the GE Automatic Fetal Heart Assessment Tool (fetal HQ; General Electric Healthcare Ultrasound, Zipf, Austria) to measure the global sphericity index (GSI), global longitudinal strain (GLS), fractional area change (FAC), 24-segment sphericity index (SI), and 24-segment end-diastolic diameter of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). Data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, as applicable.

Results

The GDM group (mean HbA1c value was 5.3 ± 0.57 mmol/L) showed a lower GSI value than the control group (1.21 vs. 1.27, P = 0.000), which indicated a rounder shape of the heart. In addition, fetuses in the GDM group demonstrated significant impairment in cardiac function compared to those in the control group (LV-GLS: -18.26% vs. -22.70%, RV-GLS: -18.52% vs. -22.74%, LV-FAC: 35.30% vs. 42.36%, RV-FAC: 30.89% vs. 36.80%; P = 0.000 for all). Subgroup analyses according to gestational age (24⁺⁰–27⁺⁶ weeks and 28⁺⁰–40⁺⁰ weeks) showed that the statistical differences were retained between the GDM and control groups in each subgroup.

Conclusions

Fetuses of women with GDM present with signs of biventricular systolic dysfunction according to deformation analysis using fetal HQ. Additionally, the heart had a rounder shape in the GDM group than in the control group. This study showed that fetal HQ can be used to assess fetal cardiac morphology and function easily and quickly, and the effects of GDM on fetal cardiac morphology and function appeared from the second trimester. Thus, whether earlier and stricter clinical intervention was necessary remained to be further studied. Furthermore, future studies will need to supplement the effects of blood glucose levels on GLS, FAC, GSI, and 24-segment SI. Additionally, the long-term follow-up after birth should also be improved to observe the influence of changes in the indicators on the prognosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12947-021-00256-z.

Use of vasopressin in neonatal hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: case series

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of vasopressin on arterial blood pressure in infants with neonatal hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case study in Neonatal ICU involving six infants; five born to mothers with diabetes mellitus (mean gestational age 37.5 ± 0.9 weeks). Vasopressin infusion was started at a mean dose of 0.3 ± 0.2 mU/kg/min.

RESULT

Initiation of vasopressin was followed by improved mean (p = 0.004), systolic (p = 0.028), and diastolic (p = 0.009) arterial pressure within 2 h. Heart rate (p = 0.025) and oxygen requirement (p = 0.021) also declined after initiation. Serum sodium declined initially and recovered by 72 h (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Although there is limited experience with vasopressin use in neonatal HOCM, our case series suggests it may be beneficial for improving systemic hypotension and stabilization of hemodynamics. The potential for hyponatremia is high, necessitating careful fluid/electrolyte management. A prospective randomized trial is necessary to confirm safety and efficacy of vasopressin treatment in neonatal HOCM.

Fetal echocardiography at term in diabetic pregnancies helps predict the adverse neonatal outcome - Results of a prospective observational study from South India

There is sparse Indian data on whether fetal echocardiography among pregnant diabetics would be useful to predict adverse perinatal/neonatal outcome.

Objectives

To study fetal cardiac changes in diabetic mothers and non-diabetic controls from 24 weeks gestation until the neonatal period; correlate them with maternal glycemic control; study their implications on adverse perinatal/neonatal outcome.

Methodology

Prospective observational cohort study. Pregnant diabetics (17 overt, 66 gestational) recruited beyond 24 weeks, divided as well (39) and poorly (44) controlled, based on American Diabetes Association 2016 criteria. Controls were 102 healthy non-diabetic pregnancies. Fetal echocardiography performed at weeks 24–32, 32–36, >37, and between 4 and 7 days on neonates. The thickness of Interventricular septum (IVS), Right Ventricle (RV), and Left ventricle (LV) assessed with M mode. E/A ratio across Tricuspid/Mitral valves and Tei index determined. TDI(Tissue Doppler imaging) used to assess tissue annular velocities across IVS, RV, and LV. Maternal glycemic control and various perinatal/neonatal adverse outcomes were recorded.

Results

Significant myocardial hypertrophy seen among fetuses of diabetic mothers versus controls, most severe at term among the poorly controlled diabetics. Structural changes persisted in the neonate. At term, fetal myocardial dysfunction was evident among diabetic pregnancies only as poor annular systolic velocity across IVS, RV using TDI. However, Tissue Doppler changes could not predict adverse perinatal/neonatal outcome. Myocardial dysfunction could not be demonstrated in the neonates. Myocardial hypertrophy at term was a surrogate marker for suboptimal glycemic control, and it could predict important neonatal morbidities like hypoglycaemia, hyperbilirubinemia, prolonged NICU stays, and persistent foetal cardiac shunts.

Conclusion

Our study shows a significant association between fetal myocardial hypertrophy and maternal glycemic control among GDM pregnancies. There also seems to be an association between fetal myocardial hypertrophy and some of the adverse perinatal events including hypoglycemia. However these newborns were not found to have clinically relevant cardiac comorbidities even though there was significant septal hypertrophy in utero.

Updates on Management for Acute and Chronic Phenotypes of Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension

Neonatal pulmonary hypertension is a heterogeneous disease in term and preterm neonates. It is characterized by persistent increase of pulmonary artery pressures after birth (acute) or an increase in pulmonary artery pressures after approximately 4 weeks of age (chronic); both phenotypes result in exposure of the right ventricle to sustained high afterload. In-depth clinical assessment plus echocardiographic measures evaluating pulmonary blood flow, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and myocardial contractility are needed to determine the cause and provide individualized targeted therapies. This article summarizes the causes, risk factors, hemodynamic assessment, and management of neonatal pulmonary hypertension.

Impact of maternal diabetes and obesity on fetal cardiac functions

Background

In several developing industrial countries, the incidence of obesity among populations is spreading quickly and dramatically; also, the frequency of maternal obesity is in continuous elevation, which represents a considerable public health problem. Maternal hyperglycemia is a common gestational risk factor for the fetus. Several studies proposed that maternal DM and obesity lead to intrauterine impacts which induce changes in the fetal myocardium, and the pre-pregnancy obesity and diabetes are accompanied with development of cardiovascular alterations in the offspring and subsequent pathological changes in their early life. The aim of this study is to assess the cardiac function in fetuses of obese pregnant women (FOW) and fetuses of diabetic women (FDW) in comparison with fetuses of normal pregnant women (FNW) using tissue Doppler imaging.

Results

There was impairment in systolic and diastolic cardiac function in both fetuses of obese and diabetic women with decreased global longitudinal strain tissue Doppler velocities at 30 weeks of gestation compared to fetuses of normal women.

Conclusion

Imaging of the fetus of pregnant women by Echo Doppler at about 30 weeks of gestations showed a reduced cardiac function of fetuses of obese and diabetic women matched with fetuses of normal BMI women. Our finding proposed that early subclinical alterations in the fetal cardiac output can arise from maternal obesity alone. This explains the predilection of children of obese mothers at advanced ages to cardiovascular disorder.

Assessment of cardiac diastolic function in infants of diabetic mothers using tissue Doppler echocardiography

Background

Limited number of studies evaluated cardiac diastolic function in infants of diabetic mothers using tissue Doppler imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic parameters in full-term infants of diabetic mothers compared to healthy full-term neonates using both conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging. This study is a comparative study. Fifty consecutive infants of diabetic mothers (cases) in the first 3 days of life: 25 neonates with poor maternal glycemic control (Hemoglobin A1c > 7.5 g/dl) and 25 neonates with good maternal glycemic control (Hemoglobin A1c ≤ 7.5 g/dl). Thirty healthy full-term infants of non-diabetic mothers with age and sex matching were included as controls. The studied groups were assessed by conventional pulsed wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging.

Results

Among pulsed wave Doppler parameters, cases had lower values than controls as regards mitral E velocity, mitral E/A ratio, tricuspid E velocity, and tricuspid E/A ratio, while neonates with poor maternal glycemic control had lower values than those with good maternal glycemic control as regards mitral E/A ratio, tricuspid E velocity, and tricuspid E/A ratio as well as higher mitral A velocity (denoting more diastolic dysfunction). Similarly, among tissue Doppler parameters, cases had lower values than controls as regards septal E' velocity, E'/A' ratio, left ventricular E' velocity, E'/A' ratio, and right ventricular E' velocity as well as higher septal A' velocity, left ventricular A' velocity, and right ventricular A' velocity, while neonates with poor maternal glycemic control had lower values than those with good maternal glycemic control as regards septal E' velocity, E'/A' ratio, left ventricular E' velocity, E'/A' ratio, and right ventricular E' velocity, as well as higher left ventricular A' velocity (denoting more diastolic dysfunction). Tissue Doppler was able to detect higher number of neonates with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction than conventional pulsed wave Doppler.

Conclusions

Tissue Doppler imaging was found to be able to detect diastolic dysfunction early in infants of diabetic mothers specifically as regards the left ventricle. Tissue Doppler imaging should be considered an integral part of cardiac function assessment in infants of diabetic mothers.

What is Left Ventricular Strain in Healthy Neonates? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Reference values for left ventricular systolic strain in healthy neonates are necessary for clinical application of strain. The objectives of this systematic review were to identify echocardiographic studies that presented left ventricular strain values in healthy neonates, perform a meta-analysis for speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain, and identify areas that require further investigation. A structured search was applied to MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials in search of echocardiographic studies that presented left ventricular strain in healthy neonates. 244 studies were identified, of which 16 studies including speckle tracking and tissue Doppler strain in the longitudinal, radial, and circumferential directions passed the screening process. Out of these 16 studies, a meta-analysis was performed on the 10 studies that reported speckle tracking global longitudinal strain. Mean speckle tracking-derived global longitudinal strain was 21.0% (95% Confidence Interval 19.6-22.5%, strain given as positive values). When the studies were divided into subgroups, mean speckle tracking global longitudinal strain from the four-chamber view was 19.5% (95% Confidence Interval 18.0-21.0%) and that derived from all three apical views was 22.5% (95% CI 20.6-24.7%), indicating that global longitudinal strain from the four-chamber view is slightly lower than global longitudinal strain from all three apical views. Neonatal strain values were close to strain values in older subjects found in previous meta-analyses. Further studies are recommended that examine strain rate, segmental strain values, strain derived from short axis views, and strain in the first few hours after birth.

Perinatal changes in fetal cardiac geometry and function in diabetic pregnancy at term

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of diabetes in pregnancy on fetal and neonatal cardiac geometry and function around the time of delivery.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of 75 pregnant women delivering at term, comprising 54 normal pregnancies and 21 with a diagnosis of pregestational or gestational diabetes mellitus. Fetal and neonatal conventional and spectral tissue Doppler and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography were performed a few days before and within hours after delivery. Fetal and neonatal cardiac geometry, global myocardial deformation and performance, diastolic and systolic function and left ventricular (LV) torsion were compared between normal pregnancies and those with diabetes, and perinatal changes within the diabetes group were assessed.

RESULTS

Compared with normal pregnancies, diabetic pregnancies demonstrated significant differences in fetal ventricular geometry, myocardial deformation and cardiac function (right ventricular (RV) sphericity index, 0.56 vs 0.65; LV torsion, 2.1 °/cm vs 5.6 °/cm; LV isovolumetric relaxation time, 101 ms vs 115 ms; and RV isovolumetric contraction time, 107 ms vs 119 ms; P < 0.001 for all). Compared with normal pregnancies, diabetic pregnancies demonstrated significant differences in neonatal cardiac parameters (mean RV sphericity index, 0.43 vs 0.55; mean LV torsion, 1.30 °/cm vs 2.78 °/cm; median LV myocardial performance index (MPI'), 0.39 vs 0.51; median RV-MPI', 0.34 vs 0.40; P < 0.01 for all). Paired comparison between fetal and neonatal cardiac indices in diabetic pregnancies demonstrated that delivery resulted in a significant improvement in some, but not all, cardiac indices (mean RV sphericity index, 0.65 vs 0.55; mean LV torsion, 5.60 °/cm vs 2.78 °/cm; median RV-MPI', 0.51 vs 0.40; P < 0.01 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with normal term fetuses and neonates, those of diabetic women exhibit cardiac indices indicative of myocardial impairment, reflecting a response to a relatively hyperglycemic intrauterine environment with alteration in fetal loading conditions (LV preload deprivation and increased RV afterload) and adaptation to subsequent acute changes in hemodynamic load at delivery. Elucidating mechanisms that contribute to the alterations in perinatal cardiac function in diabetic pregnancy could help in refining management and developing better therapeutic strategies to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cardiac Function in Infants Born to Mothers With Gestational Diabetes - Estimation of Early Diastolic Intraventricular Pressure Differences

Background: This study compared the myocardial performance of infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (IGDM) and without GDM (controls) under the new GDM definitions.

Methods and Results: The subjects consisted of 36 IGDM and 39 control infants. GDM diagnosis was based on oral glucose tolerance test during pregnancy or the presence of diabetes prior to the current pregnancy. Between-group infant cardiac function was determined and compared using 2-D speckle tracking analysis, intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) and IVP gradient (IVPG), using color M-mode Doppler imaging. IVPD and IVPG were higher in IGDM than in the controls, particularly the mid–apical IVPG. The global circumferential strain (GCS) and endocardial GCS were higher in IGDM than in controls. Increased maternal glycated hemoglobin was correlated with reduced transmural and epicardial GCS in the IGDM. Maternal maximum fasting blood sugar had a mild, positive correlation with IVPD and IVPG.

Conclusions: Ventricular sucking force, measured as the IVPD, IVPG, and endocardial GCS, were higher in IGDM than in the controls. A hyperglycemic environment during pregnancy leads to impaired cardiac performance in IGDM, compared with control infants. IGDM might have favorable systolic and diastolic cardiac performance due to cardiac metabolic adaptations occurring before poor glucose control causes impaired cardiac performance.

Diabetic Pregnancy and Maternal High-Fat Diet Impair Mitochondrial Dynamism in the Developing Fetal Rat Heart by Sex-Specific Mechanisms

Infants born to diabetic or obese mothers are at greater risk of heart disease at birth and throughout life, but prevention is hindered because underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using a rat model, we showed that prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes and a high-fat diet caused diastolic and systolic dysfunction, myocardial lipid accumulation, decreased respiratory capacity, and oxidative stress in newborn offspring hearts. This study aimed to determine whether mitochondrial dynamism played a role. Using confocal live-cell imaging, we examined mitochondrial dynamics in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCM) from four prenatally exposed groups: controls, diabetes, high-fat diet, and combination exposed. Cardiac expression of dynamism-related genes and proteins were compared, and gender-specific differences were evaluated. Findings show that normal NRCM have highly dynamic mitochondria with a well-balanced number of fusion and fission events. Prenatal exposure to diabetes or a high-fat diet impaired dynamism resulting in shorter, wider mitochondria. Mechanisms of impaired dynamism were gender-specific and protein regulated. Females had higher expression of fusion proteins which may confer a cardioprotective effect. Prenatally exposed male hearts had post-translational modifications known to impair dynamism and influence mitophagy-mediated cell death. This study identifies mitochondrial fusion and fission proteins as targetable, pathogenic regulators of heart health in offspring exposed to excess circulating maternal fuels.

Future perspectives on the use of deformation analysis to identify the underlying pathophysiological basis for cardiovascular compromise in neonates

The assessment of the wellbeing of the cardiovascular status in premature infants has come to the forefront in recent years. There is an increasing realisation that myocardial performance, systemic blood flow and end-organ perfusion (particularly during the transitional period) play an important role in determining short and long-term outcomes in this population. The recent open access series on Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography (NPE) published in this journal outline the necessary techniques for image acquisition and analysis and provide a framework for the potential clinical applications of NPE in neonatal, and specifically preterm care. In this "Future Perspectives" review, we describe the important determinants of adequate cellular metabolism and myocardial performance (e.g. loading conditions, intrinsic contractility and morphological change), we discuss the maladaptive state of the preterm cardiovascular system, and highlight the emerging role that non-invasive echocardiography techniques, such as deformation analysis, serve in identifying the underlying physiological basis for cardiovascular instability.

Is the child at risk? Cardiovascular remodelling in children born to diabetic mothers

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess differences in myocardial systolic and diastolic function and vascular function in children 2-5 years of age born to diabetic as compared to non-diabetic mothers.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective cohort conducted in 2016 at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. It included children between 2 and 5 years of age born to mothers with and without exposure to diabetes in utero (n = 68 in each group) and who were appropriate for gestational age. Myocardial morphology and function using echocardiogram and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave velocity was performed to evaluate cardiac function as well as macrovascular remodelling in these children. Multiple linear regression was used to compare the groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in cardiac morphology, myocardial systolic and diastolic function, and macrovascular assessment between the exposed and unexposed groups of AGA children. Subgroup analysis demonstrated a significantly decreased mitral E/A ratio in children whose mothers were on medications as compared to those on dietary control (median [IQR] = 1.7 [1.6-1.9] and 1.56 [1.4-1.7], respectively, p = 0.02), and a higher cIMT in children whose mothers were on medication as compared to controls (0.48 [0.44-0.52] and 0.46 [0.44-0.50], respectively, p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

In utero exposure to uncontrolled maternal diabetes has an effect on the cardiovascular structure and function in children aged 2-5 years. However, future work requires long-term follow-up from fetal to adult life to assess these changes over the life course.

Assessment of the left ventricular function in patients with uremia using layer-specific 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

The aim of this research is to evaluate the longitudinal and circumferential systolic function of the left ventricle with different configurations from endocardium, midmyocardium, and epicardium, respectively, in patients with uremia using layer-specific 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).According to the different left ventricular (LV) configurations, 119 patients with uremia were divided into 2 groups: LV normal group (LVN group, n = 63) and LV hypertrophy group (LVH group, n = 56). In all, 66 healthy volunteers were selected as controls. High-frame rate 2-dimensional images were recorded from the apical 4-chamber view, apical 2-chamber view, parasternal LV long-axis view, and mitral annulus, papillary muscle, and apical levels of the parasternal LV short-axis view during 3 consecutive cardiac cycles. The peak systolic longitudinal strain (LS) and circumferential strain (CS) were measured in the endocardium, midmyocardium, and epicardium.In the 3 groups, the endocardium had the highest LS and CS, whereas the epicardium had the lowest LS and CS; the LS and CS of each group gradually decreased from the endocardium to the epicardium in all the 3 sections; the LS and CS of the myocardial layers were kept gradient features, namely, endocardium > midmyocardium > epicardium. The LS of the endocardium in the LVN and LVH groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < .05). The LS of the midmyocardium and epicardium in the LVH group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The LS of the endocardium significantly decreased in the LVH group compared with that in the LVN group (P < .05). The CS of the endocardium and midmyocardium in the LVH group significantly decreased compared with those in the control and LVN groups (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the CS between the LVN and control groups (P > .05).In patients with uremia, the longitudinal and circumferential systolic function in 3 myocardial layers of the LVH group, and the longitudinal systolic function in endocardium of the LVN group were found significantly impaired by layer-specific 2D-STE.

Wall motion tracking in fetal echocardiography-Application of low and high frame rates for strain analysis

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.

Effect of gestational diabetes and insulin resistance on offspring's myocardial relaxation kinetics at three years of age

PURPOSE

Scientific evidence on the long-term impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on offspring's myocardial relaxation is scarce. Studies have linked GDM with transient ventricular hypertrophy in newborns resulting in diastolic dysfunction, but long-term assessment is lacking. The main objective of this study was to evaluate myocardial relaxation in 3-year-old children in relation to the degree of insulin resistance of their mother during pregnancy.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed myocardial relaxation by echocardiography imaging on 106 children at 3 years of age. Subjects were divided into 3 groups [GDM, insulin resistance (IR) and normoglycemic (CTRL)], based on their mother's 75g-OGTT and HOMA-IR results at second trimester screening. We collected information on children adiposity and body size, maternal characteristics and maternal and cord blood measurement of C-peptide and insulin.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 29 children from GDM mothers, 36 children from IR mothers and 41 CTRL children. Compared to the CTRL group, we found that a higher proportion of children in the IR group and the GDM group met the criteria for impaired myocardial relaxation, but this did not reach statistical significance (odds ratio adjusted for heart rate and body surface area of 1.4 [0.2-9.5] and 3.5 [0.6-20.6], respectively).

CONCLUSION

We did not detect an increased risk of impaired myocardial relaxation at three years of age in children exposed in-utero to IR and GDM, compared to children from normoglycemic mothers.

Effect of well-controlled gestational diabetes on left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in neonates

BACKGROUND

There are some evidences supporting the relation between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and diastolic dysfunction. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of well-controlled GDM on morphological and functional myocardium.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We designed a prospective cross-sectional study to evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function of 60 neonates born from mothers with well-controlled GDM (case group) on days of 3-5 after birth. The infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) group were divided into two groups: diabetic mothers treated only with diet (class A) and group of mothers on medical therapy by insulin or metformin (class B). Traditional echocardiography and pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were performed for all the neonates.

RESULTS

The study group consisted of 60 neonates as males (M) = 32, (0.53%) and females (F) = 28, (0.46%). Using M-mode echocardiography, interventricular septum thickness (IVS), and LV mass were significantly higher in IDM than control group (p = .0001). The PWD showed both a significantly more peak mitral flow at early diastolic wave (E) and an early filling deceleration time (E-DT) (p = .0001). Tissue Doppler echocardiography parameters A' (cm/s) (p = .0001), E' (cm/s) (p = .002), and E'/A' ratio (p = .0001), left ventricular myocardial performance index (LVMPI), and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) were outstandingly different between the two groups (p = .0001, respectively). Evaluating the GDM group mothers of class A and class B, no significant difference was noted in PWD or TDI parameters compared with the healthy ones.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that neonates of mothers with well-controlled GDM are still at increased risk of cardiac hypertrophy, subclinical diastolic dysfunction, and impaired left ventricular relaxation. This can be interpreted that focusing only on glycemic control is not enough to prevent cardiac dysfunction.

Cardiac function in newborns of obese women and the effect of exercise during pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial

Background

The prevalence of maternal obesity is rising. Pre-pregnancy obesity is associated with later cardiovascular disease in the child and the underlying pathogenesis begins in early life. Therefore, pregnancy and infancy are key periods for potential intervention. The aim of this study was to study the cardiac function in newborns of obese women compared to newborns of normal-weight women, and to determine if exercise intervention during pregnancy could have an effect on cardiac function of newborns to obese women.

Material and methods

Fifty-five pregnant women, 51 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) and four overweight (BMI 28–30 kg/m²), were randomized to an exercise training group (n = 27) or a control group (standard maternity care, n = 28). From gestational week 14 until delivery participants in the intervention group were offered supervised training sessions three times weekly. In addition, they were told to exercise at home once weekly. All newborns had an echocardiogram performed 1–3 days and 6–8 weeks after delivery. The results were compared with newborns of normal weight women (n = 20, standard maternity care).

Results

Newborns of obese women had an impaired systolic and diastolic cardiac function with reduced global strain, strain rate, tissue Doppler velocities and a thicker intraventricular septum at birth and after 6–8 weeks after delivery compared to newborns of normal weight women. Exercise had no statistically significant effect on either of the cardiac function parameters. The mean (± standard deviation) adherence to the exercise protocol was 1.3 ± 0.8 sessions per week for supervised training and 0.8 ± 0.7 sessions per week for home-based exercise training.

Conclusions

Newborns of obese women had reduced cardiac function and thicker intraventricular septum compared to newborns of normal weight women. Exercise training during pregnancy had no significant effect, potentially due to a low number of subjects and low adherence to the exercise protocol.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01243554.

Application of Neonatologist Performed Echocardiography in the Assessment and Management of Neonatal Heart Failure unrelated to Congenital Heart Disease

Neonatal heart failure (HF) is a progressive disease caused by cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular abnormalities. The most common cause of neonatal HF is structural congenital heart disease, while neonatal cardiomyopathy represents the most common cause of HF in infants with a structurally normal heart. Neonatal cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases manifesting with various morphological and functional phenotypes that affect the heart muscle and alter cardiac performance at, or soon after birth. The clinical presentation of neonates with cardiomyopathy is varied, as are the possible causes of the condition and the severity of disease presentation. Echocardiography is the selected method of choice for diagnostic evaluation, follow-up and analysis of treatment results for cardiomyopathies in neonates. Advances in neonatal echocardiography now permit a more comprehensive assessment of cardiac performance that could not be previously achieved with conventional imaging. In this review, we discuss the current and emerging echocardiographic techniques that aid in the correct diagnostic and pathophysiological assessment of some of the most common etiologies of HF that occur in neonates with a structurally normal heart and acquired cardiomyopathy and we provide recommendations for using these techniques to optimize the management of neonate with HF.

Deformation imaging and rotational mechanics in neonates: a guide to image acquisition, measurement, interpretation, and reference values

Advances in neonatal cardiac imaging permit a more comprehensive assessment of myocardial performance in neonates that could not be previously obtained with conventional imaging. Myocardial deformation analysis is an emerging quantitative echocardiographic technique to characterize global and regional ventricular function in neonates. Cardiac strain is a measure of tissue deformation and strain rate is the rate at which deformation occurs. These measurements are obtained in neonates using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) or two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). There is an expanding body of literature describing longitudinal reference ranges and maturational patterns of strain values in term and preterm infants. A thorough understanding of deformation principles, the technical aspects, and clinical applicability is a prerequisite for its routine clinical use in neonates. This review explains the fundamental concepts of deformation imaging in the term and preterm population, describes in a comparative manner the two major deformation imaging methods, provides a practical guide to the acquisition and interpretation of data, and discusses their recognized and developing clinical applications in neonates.

A comparison between Philips and Tomtec for left ventricular deformation and volume measurements in neonatal intensive care patients

BACKGROUND

Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is an emerging technique for analyzing cardiac function in newborns. Strain is a highly reliable and reproducible parameter, and reference values have been established for term and preterm newborns. Its implementation into clinical practice has been slow, partly due to lack of inter-vendor consistency. Our aim was to compare recent versions of Philips and Tomtec speckle tracking software for deformation and semiautomated volume and area measurements in neonatal intensive care patients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Longitudinal and circumferential deformation and cavity dimensions (volume, area) were determined off line from apical and short-axis images in 50 consecutive newborns with a median birthweight of 760 g (range 460-3200 g). Absolute mean endocardial global longitudinal strain measurements were similar between vendors, but with wide limits of agreement (Philips -18.9 [2.1]%, Tomtec -18.6 [2.5]%, bias -0.3 [1.7]%, and limits of agreement -3.6%-3.1%). Longitudinal strain rate and circumferential measurements showed poor correlation. All volume and area measurements correlated well between the vendors, but with significant bias.

CONCLUSION

Global longitudinal strain measurements compared well between vendors but wide limits of agreement, suggesting that longitudinal measurements are preferred using similar hardware and software.

Markers of maternal and infant metabolism are associated with ventricular dysfunction in infants of obese women with type 2 diabetes

BackgroundTo test the hypothesis that infants born to obese women with pre-gestational type 2 diabetes mellitus (IBDMs) have ventricular dysfunction at 1 month that is associated with markers of maternal lipid and glucose metabolism.MethodsIn a prospective observational study of IBDMs (OB+DM, n=25), echocardiographic measures of septal, left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function, and structure were compared at 1 month of age with those in infants born to OB mothers without DM (OB, n=24) and to infants born to non-OB mothers without DM (Lean, n=23). Basal maternal lipid and glucose kinetics and maternal plasma and infant (cord) plasma were collected for hormone and cytokine analyses.ResultsRV, LV, and septal strain measures were lower in the OB+DM infants compared with those in other groups, without evidence of septal hypertrophy. Maternal hepatic insulin sensitivity, maternal plasma free-fatty-acid concentration, and cord plasma insulin and leptin most strongly predicted decreased septal strain in OB+DM infants.ConclusionIBDMs have reduced septal function at 1 month in the absence of septal hypertrophy, which is associated with altered maternal and infant lipid and glucose metabolism. These findings suggest that maternal obesity and DM may have a prolonged impact on the cardiovascular health of their offspring, despite the resolution of cardiac hypertrophy.

Early assessment of the left ventricular function by epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in postoperative breast cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Epirubicin (Epi) is a potent and effective drug for many malignant cancers with serious cardiotoxicity. Therefore, layer-specific two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) was used to evaluate the longitudinal and circumferential systolic function of the left ventricular for the early detection of cardiotoxicity in this retrospective work.

METHODS

Overall, 130 female patients with postoperative breast cancer who did not receive radiotherapy were classified into three groups: Group A (control group, n = 40) without any chemotherapy; Group B (n = 44) administered Epi at 180 ~ 240 mg/m² ; and Group C (n = 46) administered Epi at ≥360 mg/m² . Peak and global systolic longitudinal strains (GLS) in the total and endocardium, mid-myocardium, and epicardium were measured and calculated from apical four-chamber, apical two-chamber, and left ventricular long-axis views, respectively. Peak and global circumferential strains (GCS) in the total and endocardium, mid-myocardium, and epicardium were measured and calculated from mitral annulus, papillary muscle, and apical levels of the short-axis view, respectively.

RESULTS

The total GLS and GLS of the endocardium in every view were significantly reduced in group C compared with both groups A and B (P < .05), but there was no significant difference between groups A and B (P > .05). The GLS of the epicardium and mid-myocardium in groups B and C were not significantly reduced (P > .05). There were no significant differences in the total GCS and layer-specific GCS of endocardium, mid-myocardium, and epicardium among the three groups (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Left ventricular longitudinal systolic dysfunction was detected. Moreover, an impaired endocardium was also detected in an early assessment by layer-specific 2DSTE.

Fetal myocardial deformation in maternal diabetes mellitus and obesity

OBJECTIVE

Experimental evidence suggests that changes in the fetal myocardium result from intrauterine effects of maternal diabetes mellitus and obesity. The aim of this study was to assess fetal cardiac function using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to determine the effects of maternal diabetes and obesity on the fetal myocardium.

METHODS

Comparative cross-sectional evaluation of myocardial function in fetuses of mothers with diabetes mellitus (FDM) or obesity (FO) and normal gestational age-matched control fetuses (FC) was performed using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography at two centers.

RESULTS

In total, 178 fetuses (82 FDM, 26 FO and 70 FC) met the enrolment criteria. Mean gestational age at assessment was similar among groups: 25.3 ± 5.1 weeks for FDM, 25.0 ± 4.6 weeks for FO and 25.1 ± 4.9 weeks for FC. Mean maternal body mass index was significantly higher in FDM and FO groups compared with the FC group. Statistically significant differences in fetal cardiac function were detected between FDM and FC for global longitudinal strain (mean ± SD, -21.4 ± 6.5% vs -27.0 ± 5.2%; P < 0.001), global circumferential strain (mean ± SD, -22.6 ± 6.5% vs -26.2 ± 6.8%; P = 0.002), average longitudinal systolic strain rate (median, -1.4 (interquartile range (IQR), -1.7 to -1.1)/s vs -1.6 (IQR, -2.0 to -1.4)/s; P = 0.001) and average circumferential systolic strain rate (median, -1.4 (IQR, -1.9 to -1.1)/s vs -1.6 (IQR, -2.1 to -1.3)/s; P = 0.006). Cases of non-obese FDM also had abnormal strain parameters compared with FC. Global longitudinal strain (mean ± SD, -21.1 ± 7.5%) and average circumferential systolic strain rate (median, -1.3 (IQR, -1.8 to -1.1)/s) were significantly lower in FO compared with FC.

CONCLUSIONS

Unfavorable changes occur in the fetal myocardium in response to both maternal diabetes mellitus and obesity. The long-term prognostic implications of these changes require further study. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Subclinical Decrease in Myocardial Function in Asymptomatic Infants of Diabetic Mothers: A Tissue Doppler Study

Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are recognized to have impaired myocardial performance, but less is known about ventricular function in IDMs without hypertrophy. We hypothesized that in asymptomatic newborns with normal two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluations, pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) would suggest a subclinical decrease in the cardiac function of IDMs compared to infants of non-diabetics (nIDMs). This is a retrospective cohort study of asymptomatic neonates ≥36 weeks gestation, at 0-7 days of life, with normal standard echocardiograms. Systolic (S'), early diastolic (E'), and late diastolic (A') TDI velocities were measured at the mitral valve (MV) annulus, basal interventricular septum (IVS), and tricuspid valve (TV) annulus, and averaged from three consecutive cardiac cycles. Demographic, perinatal, and echocardiographic variables were compared between IDM and nIDM groups. Of 631 subjects, 75 IDMs were identified. The mean gestational age of the entire cohort was 39.33 weeks (±1.26), birth weight 3.44 kg (±0.56), and body surface area (BSA) 0.21 m² (±0.02). IDMs had significantly greater birth weight and BSA, lower gestational age, older maternal age, and higher incidence of maternal obesity and hypertension than nIDMs (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, IDMs had significantly lower S' (p ≤ 0.03) and E' (p < 0.001) velocities, and higher E/E' ratios (p < 0.001) at the MV, IVS, and TV than nIDMs. In asymptomatic newborn IDMs without cardiac hypertrophy, pulsed wave TDI suggests a subclinical decrease in systolic and diastolic myocardial function compared to nIDMs.

Left Ventricular Function in Healthy Term Neonates During the Transitional Period

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether incorporating conventional, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking echocardiography are reliable and can characterize changes in left ventricular (LV) function properly in healthy neonates in the early transitional newborn period.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective observational study was conducted in 50 healthy term neonates with a mean ± SD gestational age and birth weight of 39.3 ± 1.2 weeks and 3.5 ± 0.44 kg, respectively. All infants underwent serial echocardiograms at 15 ± 2 (day 1) and 35 ± 2 hours (day 2) of age. The LV dimensions and various functional indices including tissue Doppler imaging velocities and speckle tracking echocardiography-derived peak longitudinal strain, and systolic and diastolic strain rate were acquired and compared between time points.

RESULTS

All measurements were feasible from each scan except speckle tracking echocardiography in 10% and 20% of images on days 1 and 2 of age, respectively. LV dimensions, but not functional measures, demonstrated a small to moderate positive correlation with birth weight. On day 2, a small reduction was observed in LV basal diameter, mitral valve inflow velocity time integral, and systolic velocity of the lateral wall and septum. Other indices remained unchanged. Tissue Doppler imaging-derived functional and flow-derived hemodynamic measures demonstrated the least measurement bias, and strain measurements demonstrated better reliability than strain rate, fractional shortening, and ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

The relative reliability of various echocardiographic indices to quantify LV function in neonates establish a normative dataset and provide evidence for their validity during the first 2 days of life.

Myocardial Injury Biomarkers in Newborns with Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND

Troponin I, myoglobin, and creatine kinase-MB mass (CK-MB) are biomarkers of cardiomyocyte injury widely used in the management of adult patients. The role of these biomarkers in newborns is still not established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of cardiac injury biomarkers in newborns with congenital heart disease.

METHODS

From August 2012 to January 2014, 34 newborns with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease were admitted consecutively to a neonatal intensive care unit. As controls, 20 healthy newborns were recruited. Plasma levels of cardiac biomarkers (troponin I, myoglobin, and CK-MB) were evaluated, and echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function on D 1. Patients were followed during the first 28 days of life and, according to outcome, categorized as surgical or conservative treatment group.

RESULTS

Median (P25-75) levels of CK-MB were higher in patients who underwent cardiac surgery in the neonatal period [7.35 (4.90-13.40) ng/mL] than in patients who were discharged home without surgery [4.2 (2.60-5.90) ng/mL; p = 0.032]. A CK-MB cutoff of ≥ 4.6 ng/mL showed sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 63.6%. Troponin I and myoglobin levels were not significantly different between conservative and surgical treatment groups. CK-MB levels correlated with the tissue Doppler image of the mitral valve lateral annulus peak early/late diastolic velocity ratio (ρ = -0.480, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

CK-MB levels during the first hours of life were higher in newborns that needed neonatal cardiac surgery, and these levels may be an indicator of myocardial diastolic function.

Optimal Acquisition Settings for Speckle Tracking Echocardiography-Derived Strains in Infants: An In Vitro Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of frame rate and probe frequency on the accuracy of speckle tracking echocardiography-derived strain measurements in infants. An infant-sized left ventricle phantom with sonomicrometer crystals was made from polyvinyl alcohol. The examined stroke rates were 60, 120 and 180 strokes per min (SPM). Longitudinal strain and circumferential strain measurements were analyzed from a total of 1860 cine loops. These cine loops were acquired using two pediatric probes of different frequencies at both fundamental and harmonic imaging modes. Both probes were examined at different settings (in total, 30 different frame rate-frequency combinations). At optimal settings, both longitudinal and circumferential strain displayed high accuracy. Frequency settings did not have a consistent effect on accuracy, while low frame rates led to less accurate measurements. We recommend a frame rate/heart ratio >1 frame per second/beats per min, especially for circumferential strain.

Hemodynamic instability in the critically ill neonate: An approach to cardiovascular support based on disease pathophysiology

Hemodynamic disturbance in the sick neonate is common, highly diverse in underlying pathophysiology and dynamic. Dysregulated systemic and cerebral blood flow is hypothesized to have a negative impact on neurodevelopmental outcome and survival. An understanding of the physiology of the normal neonate, disease pathophysiology, and the properties of vasoactive medications may improve the quality of care and lead to an improvement in survival free from disability. In this review we present a modern approach to cardiovascular therapy in the sick neonate based on a more thoughtful approach to clinical assessment and actual pathophysiology. Targeted neonatal echocardiography offers a more detailed insight into disease processes and offers longitudinal assessment, particularly response to therapeutic intervention. The pathophysiology of common neonatal conditions and the properties of cardiovascular agents are described. In addition, we outline separate treatment algorithms for various hemodynamic disturbances that are tailored to clinical features, disease characteristics and echocardiographic findings.

Assessment of Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography-Derived Global Deformation Parameters During Supine Exercise in Children

Exercise echocardiography is an underutilized tool in pediatrics with current applications including detecting segmental wall abnormalities, assessing the utility of global ventricular function, and measuring pulmonary hemodynamics. No prior study has applied speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) during exercise echocardiography in children. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of measuring speckle-tracking-derived peak systolic velocities, global longitudinal and circumferential strain, and global strain rates at various phases of exercise. Ninety-seven healthy children underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing using supine cycle ergometry. The exercise stress test consisted of baseline pulmonary function testing, monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate responses, electrocardiographic recordings, and oxygen saturations while subjects pedaled against a ramp protocol based on body weight. Echocardiographic measurements and specifically speckle-tracking analysis were performed during exercise at baseline, at a heart rate of 160 beats per minute and at 10 min after exercise. Peak systolic velocity, peak systolic strain, and peak systolic strain rate at these three phases were compared in the subjects in which all measurements were accurately obtained. We were able to complete peak velocity, strain, and strain rate measurements in all three exercise phases for 36 out of the 97 subjects tested. There was no significant difference between the feasibility of measuring circumferential versus longitudinal strain (p = 0.25, B-corrected = 0.75). In the 36 subjects studied, the magnitude of circumferential strain values decreased from -18.3 ± 4.8 to -13.7 ± 4.0 % from baseline to HR 160 (p < 0.0001, B-corrected < 0.0001), before returning to -19.6 ± 4.4 % at recovery (p = 0.19 when compared to baseline). Longitudinal strain did not vary significantly from baseline to HR 160 (from -17.7 ± 4.4 to -16.6 ± 4.4 %, p = 0.16); likewise the average recovery strain was no different from those values (-18.4 ± 3.6 %; p = 0.34). Peak circumferential and longitudinal strain rates increased from baseline to HR 160, but neither decreased to baseline levels after 10 min of recovery, which correlated with heart rate variations with exercise. We studied the effects of frame rate on deformation measurements and we observed no difference between measurements taken at lower (<60 frames per second, fps) and higher (≥60 fps) frame rates. This study shows that it is technically difficult to retrospectively measure peak velocities, strain, and strain rate in exercising pediatric subjects with STE. The majority of subjects that were excluded from the study had inadequate echocardiographic images when tachycardic from increased respiratory effort and body movements near peak exercise. Improvements in technique and higher image frame rates could make application of STE to pediatric cardiopulmonary testing more successful in the future.

Reference Ranges of Left Ventricular Strain Measures by Two-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Establishment of the range of reference values and associated variations of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)-derived left ventricular (LV) strain is a prerequisite for its routine clinical adoption in pediatrics. The aims of this study were to perform a meta-analysis of normal ranges of LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), and global radial strain (GRS) measurements derived by 2DSTE in children and to identify confounding factors that may contribute to variance in reported measures.

METHODS

A systematic review was launched in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library. Search hedges were created to cover the concepts of pediatrics, STE, and left-heart ventricle. Two investigators independently identified and included studies if they reported 2DSTE-derived LV GLS, GCS, or GRS. The weighted mean was estimated by using random effects models with 95% CIs, heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran Q statistic and the inconsistency index (I(2)), and publication bias was evaluated using the Egger test. Effects of demographic (age), clinical, and vendor variables were assessed in a metaregression.

RESULTS

The search identified 2,325 children from 43 data sets. The reported normal mean values of GLS among the studies varied from -16.7% to -23.6% (mean, -20.2%; 95% CI, -19.5% to -20.8%), GCS varied from -12.9% to -31.4% (mean, -22.3%; 95% CI, -19.9% to -24.6%), and GRS varied from 33.9% to 54.5% (mean, 45.2%; 95% CI, 38.3% to 51.7%). Twenty-six studies reported longitudinal strain only from the apical four-chamber view, with a mean of -20.4% (95% CI, -19.8% to -21.7%). Twenty-three studies reported circumferential strain (mean, -20.3%; 95% CI, -19.4% to -21.2%) and radial strain (mean, 46.7%; 95% CI, 42.3% to 51.1%) from the short-axis view at the midventricular level. A significant apex-to-base segmental longitudinal strain gradient (P < .01) was observed in the LV free wall. There was significant between-study heterogeneity and inconsistency (I(2) > 94% and P < .001 for each strain measure), which was not explained by age, gender, body surface area, blood pressure, heart rate, frame rate, frame rate/heart rate ratio, tissue-tracking methodology, location of reported strain value along the strain curve, ultrasound equipment, or software. The metaregression showed that these effects were not significant determinants of variations among normal ranges of strain values. There was no evidence of publication bias (P = .40).

CONCLUSIONS

This study defines reference values of 2DSTE-derived LV strain in children on the basis of a meta-analysis. In healthy children, mean LV GLS was -20.2% (95% CI, -19.5% to -20.8%), mean GCS was -22.3% (95% CI, -19.9% to -24.6%), and mean GRS was 45.2% (95% CI, 38.3% to 51.7%). LV segmental longitudinal strain has a stable apex-to-base gradient that is preserved throughout maturation. Although variations among different reference ranges in this meta-analysis were not dependent on differences in demographic, clinical, or vendor parameters, age- and vendor-specific referenced ranges were established as well.