Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery
04:48

Noninvasive Determination of Vortex Formation Time Using Transesophageal Echocardiography During Cardiac Surgery

Published on: November 28, 2018

7.8K

Strain Measures of Atrial and Ventricular Diastolic Function in Pediatric Fontan Patients: Comparisons to Controls

Robert W Loar1,2, Ricardo H Pignatelli3, J Christopher Wilkinson3

  • 1Pediatric Cardiology, Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|April 26, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Fontan patients show altered atrial and diastolic function compared to healthy controls, with right ventricle (RV) type Fontan circulation exhibiting more pronounced changes. Further research is needed to establish clinical correlations.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Fontan circulation can lead to abnormal diastolic function, which is not well-characterized by conventional echocardiography.
  • Atrial function and diastolic strain are crucial but understudied aspects in pediatric Fontan patients.
  • Conventional echocardiography has limitations in assessing diastolic function in Fontan patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe atrial function and diastolic strain measurements in pediatric Fontan patients using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE).
  • To compare these parameters between Fontan patients and healthy controls.
  • To investigate differences in diastolic function between right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) type Fontan circulations.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 50 healthy controls and 50 pediatric Fontan patients (29 RV type, 21 LV type).
  • Retrospective analysis of apical four-chamber images using STE to derive atrial and ventricular function parameters.
  • Specific measurements included atrial strain (ac, con, res) and diastolic strain rates (E-SR, A-SR).

Main Results:

  • Fontan patients exhibited significantly lower conduit (Ɛcon) and reservoir (Ɛres) atrial strain compared to controls.
  • Fontan patients showed a longer time to peak atrial filling and greater reliance on atrial contraction for ventricular filling.
  • Right ventricle (RV) type Fontan patients had a longer time to peak atrial filling and lower passive filling strain rate (E-SR) compared to left ventricle (LV) type.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric Fontan patients demonstrate significant alterations in atrial and diastolic strain parameters compared to healthy individuals.
  • Right ventricle (RV) type Fontan patients present with more deranged diastolic function metrics.
  • The findings underscore the necessity for population-specific normal values for STE-derived parameters in Fontan patients and warrant further investigation into their clinical significance.
Abstract

Keywords:
Fontanatrial straindiastolic

More Related Videos

Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography07:11

Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

2.8K
Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography09:31

Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography

Published on: January 27, 2023

815

Related Concept Videos

Chambers of the Heart01:16

Chambers of the Heart

The human heart is a complex organ made up of four chambers: the right and left atria and the right and left ventricles. These internal chambers are separated by partitions known as the interatrial and interventricular septa. The exterior of the heart features a groove known as the coronary sulcus that demarcates the atria from the ventricles, while the anterior and posterior interventricular sulci distinguish between the two ventricles.
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...