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Updated: Nov 26, 2025
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Evaluation of left ventricular systolic functions in two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in children
Ozgur Kizilca1, Derya Ozmen2, Tulay Demircan1
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty of Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
Insights
Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography can detect early left ventricular dysfunction in children with chronic kidney disease, even when conventional echocardiography appears normal. This aids in preventing future cardiovascular issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children can lead to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction.
- Early detection of cardiovascular disease in pediatric CKD is crucial for preventing adult morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify subclinical LV dysfunction in early-stage pediatric CKD using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE).
Main Methods:
- Compared 2DSTE parameters in 34 children with CKD and 37 healthy controls.
- Assessed LV dimensions, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, mitral inflow, and global strain (longitudinal and circumferential).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in conventional LV function parameters (e.g., ejection fraction) between groups.
- Higher pulmonary artery pressures and LV mass index in the CKD group.
- Significantly reduced longitudinal global strain and some circumferential global strain values in children with CKD.
Conclusions:
- 2DSTE can identify subclinical LV dysfunction in pediatric CKD patients.
- This technique is valuable when conventional echocardiography results are unremarkable.
- Early detection via 2DSTE may guide interventions to prevent cardiovascular complications.
Background And Aim:
Chronic kidney disease may lead to left ventricular dysfunction. Early detection of cardiovascular disease in children with chronic kidney disease is essential to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in early adulthood. This study aimed to document the dysfunction using methods such as two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in the early stage.
Methods:
A total of 34 patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (mean age ± standard deviation, 10.5 ± 4.1 years) and 37 sex- and age-matched (mean age 9.8 ± 4.2 years) healthy controls were studied. The results of the two groups were compared along with those of the published studies.
Results:
The echocardiography measurements had no significant difference in the end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter values of left ventricular, ejection fraction, shortening fraction, mitral E value, mitral A value, and E/A ratio between the groups. Pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressure and left ventricular mass index were significantly higher in the patient group (p < 0.01). The longitudinal global strain values in the apical four-chamber, three-chamber, and two-chamber views and the total global strain values were significantly lower in the patients (p < 0.01). The circumferential global strain values in the apical, mid, basal, and total global strain were lower in the patient group, but this difference was statistically significant in the apical global and total global strain values (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Speckle-tracking echocardiography might help identify subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease with unremarkable conventional echocardiography.
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