Comparison of global and regional right and left ventricular longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate and velocity in healthy fetuses using a novel feature tracking technique

Aims: To compare the feature tracking derived measurements of the right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocardium in healthy fetuses and evaluate the correlation with advancing pregnancy. Methods: Global and segmental longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate and velocity of the RV and LV myocardium were assessed with feature tracking technique in 150 healthy fetuses (13-39, median 22 weeks). Results: RV global and free wall strain and strain rate values were significantly higher than those in the LV segments (P<0.001 and P<0.001). In all segments on both ventricles longitudinal peak systolic velocity measurements exhibited a significant base to apex gradient (P<0.001) and increased with advancing pregnancy (P<0.001). LV global strain and strain rate values remained constant throughout gestation, whereas RV measurements decreased (P<0.05). With advancing pregnancy the difference between RV and LV global longitudinal velocity increased significantly, whereas the difference of strain and strain rate decreased significantly. Conclusion: RV deformation parameters and velocity values are significantly higher compared to LV values. LV deformation parameters are stable throughout gestation, whereas RV measurements decrease significantly. The difference between global RV and LV myocardial values were significant throughout gestation, velocity values increased, whereas deformation parameters decreased.