Global and Regional Right Ventricular Function Assessed by Novel Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography

Background Accurate assessment of global and regional right ventricular (RV) systolic function is challenging. The aims of this study were to confirm the reliability and feasibility of a three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) system, using comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and to assess the contribution of regional RV function to global function. Methods In a retrospective, cross-sectional study setting, RV volumetric data were studied in 106 patients who were referred for both CMR and 3D echocardiography within 1 month. Three-dimensional STE-derived area strain, longitudinal strain, and circumferential strain were assessed as global, inlet, outflow, apical, and septal segments. Results Seventy-five patients (70%) had adequate 3D echocardiographic data. RV measurements derived from 3D STE and CMR were closely related (RV end-diastolic volume, R 2 = 0.84; RV end-systolic volume, R 2 = 0.83; RV ejection fraction [RVEF], R 2 = 0.70; P r = 0.34, P = .003). Among segmental 3D strain variables, inlet area strain ( r = −0.56, P r = −0.42, P Conclusions RV volume and RVEF determined by 3D STE were comparable with CMR measurements. Regional RV wall motion showed that heterogeneous segmental deformations affect global RV function differently; specifically, inlet area strain and outflow circumferential strain were significant factors associated with RVEF in patients with underlying heart diseases.