Echocardiography algorithms to assess high left atrial pressure and grade diastolic function in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND

Relaxation, restoring forces, myocardial stiffness and atrial function determine left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of diastolic function in preterm infants using conventional echocardiography and speckle tracking imaging and determine the diagnostic accuracy of various algorithms to detect high left atrial pressure (LAP).

METHODS

Preterm infants received an echocardiogram 1 week after birth and diastolic reference values were derived from the outer percentiles of stable preterm infants. Impaired relaxation, LV stiffness and high LAP were defined by using algorithms where at least half of the parameters were outside the normal range. Diastolic function was graded using the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography algorithm and expanded with the EA ratio and left atrial strain. The diagnostic accuracy of various algorithms to detect high LAP was determined with sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

We studied 146 infants (59 stable) with a mean of 27(1) weeks gestation. Impaired relaxation, LV stiffness and high LAP were found in 8%, 7%, and 14% of infants. The patent ductus arteriosus was a contributing factor to high LAP and LV stiffness, not impaired relaxation. Diagnostic accuracy improved from 90% to 96% and sensitivity from 40% to 90% by adding left atrial strain to the 2016 algorithm.

CONCLUSION

Various grades of diastolic dysfunction could be appreciated in preterm infants using a multi-parameter approach. Adding left atrial strain improved sensitivity to detect infants with high LAP.