Systolic right ventricular function in pediatric and adolescent patients with tetralogy of Fallot: echocardiography versus magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE

The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as an echocardiographic index to assess right ventricular (RV) systolic function has not been investigated thoroughly in pediatric patients and adolescents with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) after surgical repair.

METHODS

TAPSE was determined in 131 patients with TOF and 252 age-matched normal subjects. TAPSE values were compared with RV ejection fraction (EF) and indexed RV end-diastolic volume (EDVi) determined by magnetic resonance imaging in a cross-sectional study design. TAPSE values were also correlated to QRS duration (QRSd) determined by electrocardiogram.

RESULTS

The TAPSE values showed a positive correlation with age in normal subjects. The TAPSE was not decreased in infants and young children with TOF compared with normal subjects. A significant reduction of TAPSE values with increasing time after surgical repair was observed. After a mean of 7 years after surgical repair, the TAPSE values become significantly reduced compared with age-matched controls, being below the lower bound of -2 standard deviations. A positive correlation between TAPSE with RVEF and a negative correlation between TAPSE with RVEDVi were observed. A significant positive correlation was found between QRSd and RVEDVi, and a significant negative correlation was found between QRSd and RVEF.

CONCLUSION

Although TAPSE was initially preserved, impaired TAPSE was observed with increasing time after surgical repair in pediatric patients with TOF.