Myocardial Strain in the Healthy Neonate

AIM: Conventional echocardiographic measurements of cardiac function in neonates have several limitations. Deformation imaging like 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) derived strain can contribute to quantifying systolic ventricular and atrial function. Strain is known to detect early changes in cardiac function. While reference values for the paediatric population are available, data for neonates < 30 days of age are scarce. This study aimed to describe myocardial strain in healthy neonates during their first day of life and at 3-4 weeks of age, and to evaluate the feasibility of 2DSTE in this population. METHODS: Full-term neonates (n = 24) were examined twice: on their first day and at 3 weeks of age, according to a designed echocardiographic protocol. RESULTS: Right ventricular free wall strain, left ventricular global longitudinal strain, and right- and left atrial reservoir and conduit strain were all increased (p < 0.001) at the second examination. Conventional measurements of right ventricular function were also higher (p < 0.001) at the second examination. CONCLUSION: Strain analysis is feasible in healthy neonates and contributes to quantifying atrial and ventricular function. The increased myocardial strain at 3-4 weeks of age indicates systolic and diastolic improvement during circulatory adaptation after birth.