부산대학교 도서관

Objective: Quantification of right ventricular (RV) volume and function by conventional echocardiography remains a challenge because of RV complex geometry. The purpose of this study was to assess RV global and regional longitudinal function in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) by 2-dimentional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging (STI).Methods: Data on 30 ASD pts (age 42.9±13.1 years, 21 F) admitted for echocardiography were analysed. All pts had an isolated secundum ASD with pulmonary to systemic blood flow - Qp:Qs ratio 1.7 ± 0.7 (1.2-3.5). A group of 20 healthy volunteers (age 41.9±12.1years, 14 F), matched for age and gender served as controls.A symptom-limited treadmill exercise test and echocardiographic study were performed in all the pts. RV segmental and global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPSS) was analyzed.Results: GLPSS of RV was significantly higher than in the control group (-24.0± 4.7 vs -21.9± 4.1, p<0.05). The apical longitudinal peak systolic strain parameters were higher in ASD pts as compared with the controls (Table 1).In ASD pts: there was a significant correlation between GLPSS and parameters of exercise test: time of exercise (min) (p<0.05 r =90913) as well as VO2peak (ml/kg/min) (p<0.05 r =84512).Conclusions: Two-dimentional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging permits assessment of right ventricular function in patients with atrial septal defects.Volume overload in patients with ASD is associated with elevated global peak systolic values. By measuring RV function using speckle tracking we might predict exercise tolerance in ASD patients.