Assessment of Cardiac Function in Children by Strain Imaging and its Correlation with Conventional Echocardiographic Parameter

Background: The objectives of this study were to find out of normal reference value for age?dependent longitudinal strain values in children and find its correlation with conventional echocardiographic parameters. Methods: In total, 100 healthy normal children aged between 2 and 15 years were enrolled and divided into three age groups, namely, 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years. Using the GE Vivid 7 ultrasound platform with 4 or 7 MHz probes, both LV and RV global longitudinal strains and conventional echocardiographic parameters were acquired. Results: In normal healthy children, left ventricular GLS values were –20.10 to –19.68 (mean: –19.89), –21.93 to –21.02 (mean: –21.48), and –20.87 to –20.41 (mean: –20.64)) in children aged 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years and right ventricular GLS values were –16.80 to –16.44 (mean: –16.62), –27.85 to –27.27 (mean: –27.56), –28.44 to –27.93 (mean: –28.19) in the above three groups, respectively. No significant increase was noted in the left ventricular strain value from basal to the apical segment from age group 2 years to 15 years and no gender differences were seen. None of the conventional echocardiographic parameters commonly used to assess the left or right ventricular systolic function had a significant correlation with LVGLS and RVGLS. Conclusions: The mean LVGLS values were –19.89, –21.48, and –20.64 and RVGLS were –16.62, –27.56, and –28.19 in healthy normal children aged 2–5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years, respectively, and conventional echocardiographic parameters did not have any significant correlation with these values.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus using duct occluder: an eleven-year experience from a single tertiary cardiac center

Background: Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a common congenital disorder. As an isolated lesion, PDA constitutes 6 to 11% of all congenital heart disease. PDA needs closure to eliminate pulmonary over circulation leading to volume overload of left ventricle, pulmonary vascular obstructed disease.Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in pediatric cardiology unit of Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata from September 2005 to August 2016, which included 503 patients.Results: Device closure was attempted in 492 patient’s Procedural success was achieved in 85% cases on table, in who check aortogram revealed complete closure of PDA. In 15% cases, residual shunt was present. In 12% of cases, residual shunt disappeared during follow-up echocardiogram over 6-month follow-up. In 3% cases, small shunt remained at 6-month and 1-year follow up.Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of PDA by duct occluder is safe and effective with good mid-term outcome. The optimum assessment of ductul size and anatomy is crucial for optimum device size, which prevents residual shunt, device embolization and protrusion.