Aim: to assess the usefulness of associated evaluation of fractional shortening (FS) and left ventricular wall motion in the diagnosis of LVD in preterm newborns.

Method: cardiac performance was assessed within 4 hours of age in 16 infants with a birth weight < 1500g using 2-D and M-mode echocardiography. The infants were divided into two groups (A and B), according to FS value. Group A consisted of 8 infants with LVD (FS ≤ 28%), mean gestational age (GA) 26.9 ± 2.3 wks (25-31) and mean birth weight(BW) 907 ± 255g (550-1320). Group B consisted of 8 infants with normal ventricular function (FS > 28%), mean GA 27.6 ± 1.4 wks (25-29) and mean BW 945 ± 205g (750-1340). In each group we have assessed clinical and echocardiographic dimensional parameters: left atrium (LA), left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVdD), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricular mass (LVMass). The presence of normal or abnormal motion of LV eleven segments was also studied. No infant was receiving cardiovascular therapy at the time of study.

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