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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND Myocardial work (MW) estimation by pressure-strain loops (PSL) allows a non-invasive evaluation of myocardial performance, as recently demonstrated in adult patients. Aim of this study is to provide the reference values for global myocardial work index (MWI), constructive work (MCW), wasted work (MWW), and work efficiency (MWE) in a group of healthy children. METHODS Assessment of MW was performed using a commercially available software package (Echopac, GE). MW was measured from PSLs areas, derived from non-invasive LVP curves combined with strain acquired speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). After calculating GLS, values of brachial blood pressure were inserted and the time of valvular events by echocardiography were indicated, then the software was able to measure non-invasive PSLs. RESULTS Two-dimensional (2D) standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography were performed in 90 healthy children (mean age 9.9 ±4.9 [1-17] years, females: 57%) together with the assessment of MW by means of PSLs. Mean ± standard deviation, 5° and 95° percentile values for global MWI, MCW, MWW, and MWE in the whole population were 1769 ± 254 mm Hg, (1354-2193); 2201 ± 290 mm Hg, (1657-2658); 78 ± 47 (29-163) mm Hg%; 96 ± 1.8 (92-99)%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The assessment of MW is feasible in healthy children. This study provides useful 2-dimensional echocardiographic reference ranges for novel indices of non-invasive MW.

Introduction Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a well-established marker for heart failure in the general population however limited data are available on the value of BNP as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD). The purpose of our study is to evaluate the relation between BNP levels and biventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with ACHD. Methods We evaluated clinically stable ACHD patients who underwent echocardiography from May 2015 until January 2018. We studied the correlation of BNP with the degree of systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. Moreover we also investigate the relation of BNP with the right tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), the fractional area change (FAC) and the pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP). Results In total, 385 patients were included in our study (median age, 43 ±12 years; 61% male). Of the 385 patients, 193 (50%) had tetralogy of Fallot, 94 (24%) had systemic RV, including patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) after atrial switch operation (Mustard or Senning) and congenitally corrected TGA -ccTGA , 43 (11%) had univentricular hearts and Fontan physiology, 55 (14%) had other lesions. BNP levels were 66 ± 26 pg/mL and 93, ±31pg/mL, for patients with EF > 50% and 50%> EF >35% respectively (p = 0.003). BNP levels correlate with parameters reflecting LV filling pressure, including transmitral early diastolic velocity (E) 81 ± 29pg/mL and its ratio to early diastolic annular myocardial tissue velocity (E/Ea) 77 ± 17pg/mL. (r=-0.607, p = 0.003 r=-0.598, p = 0.005, respectively) BNP levels were also significantly higher in patients with impaired tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion 87 ± 21 pg/mL (TAPSE