Four-Dimensional Flow Echocardiography: Blood Speckle Tracking in Congenital Heart Disease: How to Apply, How to Interpret, What Is Feasible, and What Is Missing Still

Abstract

Blood speckle tracking echocardiography (BSTE) is a new, promising 4D flow ultrafast non-focal plane imaging technique. The aim of the present investigation is to provide a review and update on potentialities and application of BSTE in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and acquired heart disease. A literature search was performed within the National Library of Medicine using the keywords “echocardiography”, “BST”, and “children”. The search was refined by adding the keywords “ultrafast imaging”, “CHD”, and “4D flow”. Fifteen studies were finally included. Our analysis outlined how BSTE is highly feasible, fast, and easy for visualization of normal/abnormal flow patterns in healthy children and in those with CHD. BSTE allows for visualization and basic 2D measures of normal/abnormal vortices forming the ventricles and in the main vessel. Left ventricular vortex characteristics and aortic flow patterns have been described both in healthy children and in those with CHD. Complex analysis (e.g., energy loss, vorticity, and vector complexity) are also highly feasible with BSTE, but software is currently available only for research. Furthermore, current technology allows for BSTE only in neonates and low-weight children (e.g., <40 kg). In summary, the feasibility and potentialities of BSTE as a complementary diagnostic tool in children have been proved; however, its systemic use is hampered by the lack of (i) accessible tools for complex quantification and for acquisition at all ages/weight, (ii) data on the diagnostic/prognostic significance of BSTE, and (iii) consensus/recommendation papers indicating when and how BSTE should be employed.