Comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiographic strain in children with CHD

Comprehensive evaluation of left ventricular deformation using speckle tracking echocardiography in normal children: comparison of three-dimensional and two-dimensional approaches

Background

Three-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) can overcome some of the inherent limitations of two-dimensional (2D) STE; however, clinical experience is lacking. We aimed to assess and compare the feasibility, agreement, and reproducibility of left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal (GLS), and regional strain by 3D vs 2D STE in normal children.

Methods

Healthy pediatric subjects (n = 105, age mean = 11.2 ± 5.5 years) were prospectively enrolled. Three-dimensional and 2D LV GLS, as well as regional strain in 16 myocardial segments were quantified. Bland Altman analysis, intra- class correlation coefficients (ICC), percent error and linear regression were used for agreement and correlation between the two techniques. Analysis and acquisition times were compared. Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was assessed in 20 studies.

Results

There was good to excellent agreement for 2D and 3D global longitudinal strain (ICC =0.82) and modest agreement for regional strain (ICC range 0.43–0.71). Both methods had high feasibility (88.6% for 2D vs 85.7% for 3D, p = 0.21), although 3D STE required significantly shorter acquisition and analysis time than 2D STE (acquisition time 1 ± 1.2 mins vs 2.4 ± 1 mins; p = 0.03, analysis time = 3.3 ± 1 mins vs 8.2 ± 2.5 mins; p = 0.001, respectively). Inter and intra-observer reproducibility was excellent for GLS by the two techniques (ICC = 0.78–0.93) but moderate to poor for regional strain (ICC = 0.21–0.64).

Conclusion

Three-dimensional global LV strain is as feasible and reproducible as 2D strain, with good agreement yet significantly more efficient acquisition and analysis. Regional strain is less concordant and 2D and 3D values should not be used interchangeably. 3D LV GLS may represent a viable alternative in evaluation of LV deformation in pediatric subjects.

1. Adequate feasibility of 3D STE in pediatrics; comparable to 2D STE.

2. Significantly shorter acquisition and analysis time for 3D GLS compared to 2D GLS.

3. Excellent agreement between 3D and 2D LV GLS and moderate to poor agreement between regional strain values.

4. Excellent inter and intra-observer reproducibility for GLS by the two techniques, and fair to poor reproducibility for regional strain (higher for apical than basal regions).

Left Ventricular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Strain Predicts the Onset of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-Associated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Early detection of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction before the onset of overt Duchenne muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy (DMDAC) may direct clinical management to slow onset of dysfunction. We aimed to assess whether LV strain will predict those who develop DMDAC.

METHODS

We performed a single center retrospective case control study of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who underwent serial cardiac magnetic resonance between 2006 and 2019. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with an LV ejection fraction ≥55% on ≥1 cardiac magnetic resonance were identified and grouped into age-matched +DMDAC and -DMDAC. Within 3 years, +DMDAC had a subsequent cardiac magnetic resonance with a decline in LV ejection fraction ≥10% and absolute LV ejection fraction ≤50%. -DMDAC maintained an LV ejection fraction ≥55% on serial cardiac magnetic resonances. Two-dimensional and 3-dimensional global radial strain, global circumferential strain (GCS), and global longitudinal strain were measured using tissue tracking software and their ability to predict DMDAC onset was assessed. Multivariable analysis adjusted for late gadolinium enhancement.

RESULTS

Thirty +DMDAC and 30 age-matched -DMDAC patients were included with a total of 164 studies analyzed. Before DMDAC onset, 2-dimensional global radial strain and GCS were significantly worse in +DMDAC compared with -DMDAC (25.1±6.0 versus 29.0±6.3, P=0.011; -15.4%±2.4 versus -17.3%±2.6, P=0.003). Three-dimensional GCS and global radial strain had similar findings. Among strain measures, 3-dimensional GCS had the highest area under the curve to predict DMDAC in our cohort. These findings persisted after adjusting for the presence of late gadolinium enhancement.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduced global radial strain and GCS may predict those at risk for developing DMDAC before onset of LV dysfunction and its clinical utility warrants further exploration.

Usefulness of speckle-tracking echocardiography for early detection in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Background

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of inherited muscle disease in children. The incidence of cardiomyopathy induced by DMD increases with age. Left ventricular ejection fraction usually fails to reflect the subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. Several studies have assessed this dysfunction using myocardial strain measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE). However, the results were inconsistent and incomplete.

Methods

Several databases were searched from their inception to February 5, 2020. The summarized weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for myocardial strain between DMD and healthy controls and a meta-analysis was conducted. Trial sequential analysis estimated whether the resulting evidence was sufficient.

Results

Eight studies with a total of 269 DMD children and 299 healthy participants were included. STE revealed that global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain, average longitudinal strain (measured by two-dimensional STE at the apical four-chamber view), and average circumferential strain (measured by two-dimensional STE at the papillary muscle short-axis level) decreased (WMD = 4.17, 95% CI: 3.03–5.32; WMD = 3.98, 95% CI: 0.29–7.68; WMD = 4.18, 95% CI: 2.75–5.62; and WMD = 4.90, 95% CI: 2.38–7.43, respectively; all P < 0.05) compared with the controls and global radial strain was unchanged in the DMD group (WMD = − 4.33, 95% CI: − 9.53–0.87, P = 0.103). Trial sequential analysis indicated that available GLS samples were sufficient and confirmed that adequate evidence was accumulated. The credibility of other myocardial strains was questioned due to insufficiently involved studies.

Conclusion

GLS can be useful for early detection of left ventricle myocardial dysfunction in children with DMD.