Decreased right ventricular function in healthy pediatric cystic fibrosis patients versus non-cystic fibrosis patients

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction may occur in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and strain and strain rate analysis are new echocardiographic tools that can quantitate RV function. This study aimed to compare the RV function between healthy CF patients and non-CF patients to determine whether differences exist. Healthy CF children and age-matched non-CF children were enrolled in the study. In this study, TDI analysis of the RV free wall was performed at the level of the tricuspid valve annulus. Two-dimensional speckle echocardiography was used to measure global strain and strain rates in a six-segment model of the RV. Independent t tests were used to compare the groups. The study enrolled 18 CF patients (age, 7.7 ± 2.0 years) and 15 non-CF patients (age, 6.4 ± 2.5 years). The age difference was not significant. The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV ₁) for the CF patients was 91 ± 15 %. The systolic annular velocity by TDI was significantly lower in the CF group. The RV strain values in the CF group were significantly lower in four of the six segments (RV free-wall base, RV free-wall mid, RV septal apex, and RV septal mid). The global strain value, the systolic strain rate, and the early diastolic strain rate were significantly lower in the CF group. Decreased systolic and diastolic RV properties were present in young healthy CF patients. Further studies with longitudinal follow-up evaluation are needed to determine the significance of these findings for the pediatric CF population.