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Updated: May 20, 2026
Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats
Published on: December 13, 2019
Left ventricular long-axis function: reference values of the mitral annular plane systolic excursion in 558 healthy
Martin Koestenberger1, Bert Nagel, William Ravekes
1Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University Graz, Austria. martin.koestenberger@medunigraz.at
Background:
Longitudinal myocardial function has gained more interest in the last years. The mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) is an echocardiographic measurement to assess left ventricular (LV) long-axis function in adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate MAPSE values in a healthy pediatric population and to propose reference values.
Methods:
A prospective study was conducted in a group of 558 healthy children and adolescents (age day 1 to 18 years) (body surface area [BSA] 0.18-2.21 m(2)). We determined the effects of age and BSA on MAPSE values and a possible correlation of MAPSE values with LV ejection fraction values.
Results:
The MAPSE ranged from a mean of 0.57 cm (z-score ±2: 0.38-0.76 cm) in neonates to 1.63 cm (z-score ±2: 1.31-1.95 cm) in 18-year-old adolescents. The MAPSE values showed a positive correlation with age (r = 0.87, P < .001) and BSA (r = 0.89, P < .001) with a nonlinear course. There was no significant difference in MAPSE values between females or males. A positive correlation was found between MAPSE values and LV ejection fraction values (r = 0.28, P < .001).
Conclusions:
Z-scores of MAPSE values were calculated, and percentile charts were established to serve as reference data in patients with congenital heart disease or heart failure in the future.
