[Computer-assisted analysis of one-dimensional left ventricular echocardiograms in children with normal and decreased...

One-dimensional (time-motion) echocardiography allows easy manual determination of the systolic shortening fraction SF of the left-ventricular diameter. Using a computer it is, in addition, possible to calculate the maximal normalized velocity of shortening and lengthening of the left-ventricular diameter VCFmin and VCFmax. We compared these left-ventricular parameters in 20 children with left-ventricular myocardial disease with those of a control group of 146 healthy children and adolescents. SF, VCFmin and VCFmax are decreased in the children with left-ventricular myocardial disease. VCFmin and VCFmax are heart rate- and therefore also age-dependent. Both parameters are suitable for recognition of decreased left-ventricular contractility although there is some overlap with the normal values. SF is independent of age and heart rate, thus mean and limits of normal are equal for infants, children and adolescents. In all 20 children with left-ventricular myocardial disease, SF lies below the 2-SD limit of the normal control group. It is concluded that SF, which can be easily and manually determined by one-dimensional echocardiography, is well suited for the differentiation of children with normal and decreased left-ventricular contractility. For routine diagnostic purposes, computer-assisted calculation of VCFmin and VCFmax does not give additional information.