Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Author Spotlight: Establishment and Confirmation of a Postnatal Right Ventricular Volume Overload Mouse Model
Published on: June 9, 2023
Temporal Sequential Pattern of Right Ventricular Free Wall Contraction in Normal Children
Yasunobu Hayabuchi1, Akemi Ono1, Yukako Homma1
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokushima.
Insights
Investigating right ventricular (RV) free wall contraction sequence in children reveals distinct patterns. RVOT longitudinal deformation precedes other segments, and anterior circumferential strain peaks earlier, highlighting mechanical time heterogeneity in RV performance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac Mechanics
Background:
- Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is linked to the timing of its deformation.
- Understanding the sequence of RV free wall contraction is crucial for assessing RV function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal sequence of RV free wall deformation in healthy children.
- To evaluate the timing of longitudinal and circumferential strain in different RV segments.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 60 normal children.
- Speckle-tracking echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging used to assess strain profiles and annular motion.
- Measurement of isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and time to peak annular velocity (s').
Main Results:
- Time to peak circumferential strain was significantly earlier in the anterior RV segment compared to lateral and inferior segments.
- Longitudinal deformation occurred earlier in the RV outflow tract (RVOT) than in apical and RV inflow tract (RVIT) segments.
- Isovolumetric contraction time and time to peak s' were shorter for pulmonary annular motion than tricuspid annular motion.
Conclusions:
- Longitudinal deformation of the RVOT precedes RVIT, and anterior circumferential deformation occurs before lateral and posterior segments.
- Mechanical time heterogeneity in RV contraction is present in healthy children.
- This heterogeneity is considered important for overall RV performance.
Background:
The temporal sequence of right ventricular (RV) deformation is related to RV dysfunction. The sequence of RV free wall contraction was investigated.
Methods And Results:
In this prospective study, strain profiles using speckle-tracking echocardiography and tissue Doppler-derived pulmonary and tricuspid annular motion were assessed in 60 normal children. Circumferential RV free wall strain of 3 individual segments (anterior, lateral, and inferior) was evaluated. Longitudinal strain was assessed in 3 individual segments (RV outflow tract [RVOT], apical, and RV inflow tract [RVIT]). The isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and the time interval between the onset of the QRS wave to the peak s' wave were measured for pulmonary and tricuspid annular motion velocities. The time to peak circumferential strain was significantly lower in the anterior than in the lateral and inferior segments (339.1±19.5, 358.3±21.8, and 366.6±22.4 ms, respectively; P<0.0001). Longitudinal deformation of the RVOT segment occurred before the apical and RVIT segments (351.8±23.1, 366.3±20.1, and 369.2±21.3 ms, respectively; P<0.0001). The ICT and the time to peak s' were significantly shorter in pulmonary than in tricuspid annular motion (49.4±10.1 vs 58.0±13.2 ms; and 104.7±12.2 vs. 160.5±27.1 ms; P<0.0001 for each).
Conclusions:
Longitudinal deformation of RVOT precedes RVIT. Circumferential deformation occurs in the anterior segment before the lateral and posterior segments. The presence of mechanical time heterogeneity appears important for RV performance.
More Related Videos
07:11Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
10:33Assessment of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Mouse Model of Pulmonary Artery Constriction by Transthoracic Echocardiography
Published on: February 3, 2014
Related Concept Videos
01:27Development of the Heart
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart...
01:13The Cardiac Cycle
The Process
Electrical signals—sent from the sinoatrial (SA) node in the right atrial wall to the atrioventricular (AV) node between the right atrium and right ventricle—cause both atria to simultaneously contract. When the signal reaches the AV node, it pauses for approximately a tenth of a second, allowing the atria to contract and...
01:29Cardiac Cycle
During the cardiac cycle, blood flow through the heart is regulated entirely by changing pressure gradients. This sequence of events begins with the heart in a state of total relaxation, known as mid-to-late diastole, during which blood passively flows from...