Importance of frame rate for the measurement of strain and synchrony in fetuses using speckle tracking echocardiography
Author:
Haeger Christina1ORCID, Hammer Kerstin1, Braun Janina1, Oelmeier Kathrin1, Köster Helen Ann1, Möllers Mareike1, Koch Raphael2, Steinhard Johannes3, Klockenbusch Walter1, Schmitz Ralf1
Affiliation:
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology , University Hospital of Münster , Münster , Germany 2. Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster , Münster , Germany 3. Department of Fetal Cardiology , Heart and Diabetes Center North Rhine-Westphalia , Bad Oeynhausen , Germany
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
To assess the influence of frame rate settings on longitudinal strain (LS) and mechanical synchrony (SYN) values in Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) of healthy fetuses.
Methods
In this prospective study, we collected transversal or apical four-chamber-views of 121 healthy fetuses between 20 and 38 weeks of gestation using three different frame rate (FR) settings (≥ 110, 100 ± 10, 60 ± 10 frames per second). We assessed the segmental and the global LS of both ventricles (2C) and of the left ventricle (LV) offline with QLab 10.8 (Philips Medical Systems, Andover, MA, USA). Inter- and intraventricular SYN were calculated as time difference in peak myocardial strain between the mid-segments of left and right ventricle (interventricular, 2C_Syn) and lateral wall and septum of the left ventricle (intraventricular, LV_Syn), respectively.
Results
In 84.3% STE was feasible at all three FR settings. The LS increased in both views at higher FRs to a statistically noticeable extent. SYN measurements and the absolute differences at patient level between the FR settings showed no statistically noticeable alterations.
Conclusions
STE is feasible at low and high FR settings. SYN emerges to be a robust parameter for fetal STE as it is less affected by the FR. High FRs enable high temporal resolutions and thus an accurate examination of fetal hearts. Future research for the technical implementation of tailored fetal STE software is necessary for reliable clinical application.
Publisher
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynecology,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health
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