Strain Imaging: The Emergence of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography into Clinical Pediatric Cardiology

Abstract

Speckle tracking echocardiography measures myocardial strain and allows for the quantification of regional and global left and right ventricular function. A growing body of literature is supporting its transition from research into clinical practice. This article aims to provide a practical review of strain imaging as it applies to congenital and pediatric heart disease, with the goals of increasing literacy and advocating for greater clinical integration.

Decreased biventricular longitudinal strain shortly after congenital heart defect surgery

“…The role of STE‐derived strain has now been established and has been described in various reviews . The ability to provide quantitative information makes it an attractive clinical tool.…”

Using speckle‐tracking echocardiography to assess fetal myocardial deformation: are we there yet?

“…When ultrasound images are acquired, irregular surfaces, such as the myocardium, give rise to a characteristic speckled pattern [21][22][23][24] . Although this pattern has a random appearance, it is characteristic of each particular area 23 .…”

Serial cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking indicates early worsening of cardiac function in Fontan patients

“…Reliable quantification of ventricular function in patients with a univentricular heart is challenging due to the complex and diverse cardiac morphology. Ejection fraction (EF), a potent and reliable indicator of ventricular systolic function in structurally normal hearts, is less suitable in functionally univentricular hearts [2]. Cardiovascular imaging has evolved from obtaining qualitative diagnostic information towards more quantitative assessment methods.…”