Abstract
Background and aims: We aimed to evaluate early changes of ventricular function in very low birthweight(VLBW) infants using tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) echocardiography.
Methods: Consecutive assessment of echocardiography from 3h to days 7 was performed for 102 VLBW infants weighing less than 1500g, who were admitted to Kakogawa Municipal Hospital between September 2004 and August 2007. TDI was assessed at a lateral annulus both of mitral valve(MV) and tricuspid valve(TV). Peak annular velocities in systole(Sa), early diastole(Ea), and late diastole(Aa) were measured both on MV and TV.
Results: Mean gestational age of patients was 28.2 weeks (21.0-33.9), and mean birthweight was 1057g (360-1496). Trans mitral(MV) Sa fell down significantly from 3h to 24h (p< 0.0001), then remained to a steady level of 4 cm/second. There was no significant change in time-course of MV Ea within 7 days (4.1±1.0 cm/second), but values of Ea in premature group were significantly lower than those in more mature group (p< 0.01) before 12h of life. Left ventricular E/Ea appeared to keep a steady level of 7.1±2.7, regardless of postnatal hours or their gestational age. Trans tricuspid(TV) Sa also fell down significantly from 3h to 12h (p< 0.001), then kept a constant value (around 5 cm/second). Values of TV Ea appeared to decrease gradually from 3h to days 7 (p< 0.0001). Right ventricular E/Ea also showed no significant change throughout the early neonatal period (7.9±2.8).
Conclusions: In very premature infants, TDI velocities may reflect both systolic and diastolic ventricular function in the early neonatal period.
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Murase, M., Morisawa, T. & Ishida, A. Serial Echocardiographic Assessment of Ventricular Function using Tissue Doppler Imaging in Very Low Birthweight Infants within First 7 Days of Life. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 263 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.488
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.488
