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Objective Aim of the study was to determine the influence of right heart volume overload in children with atrial septal defect ( ASD) on right ventricular outflow tract ( RVOT) variables. Methods A prospective study was conducted in 115 children (age range: 2 days-18.1 years) with a moderate to large ASD. We determined effects of age, body length ( BL), body weight ( BW), and body surface area ( BSA) on the variables RVOT diameter, RVOT velocity time integral ( VTI), and RVOT systolic excursion ( SE), and tested the predictive value of published normal values for age, BW, BL, and BSA in our ASD patients. Results In our pediatric ASD patients, the age-specific RVOT diameter (z-score: +2.2, 95% CI: 2.0-2.4, P < 0.001) was significantly increased compared to normal values with 54% of our ASD patients having a z-score >2.0. The age-specific RVOT VTI z-score (z-score: +3.6, 95% CI: 3.2-3.9, P < 0.001) was significantly increased compared to normal values with 81% of our ASD patients having a z-score >2.0. The age-specific RVOT SE z-score was not increased but slightly lower compared to normal values (z-score: −0.5, 95% CI: −0.7 to −0.3, P < 0.001) with 3% of our ASD patients having a z-score >2.0 while 12% of the patients had a z-score <−2. Conclusion In our study population, we show the RVOT VTI and diameter to be relevant predictors in identifying an enlarged RVOT size and flow in children with moderate to large ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research study conducted to analyse growth-related changes of right ventricular tract systolic excursion (RVOT SE) in chidren. It states that 711 healthy paediatric patients, between the age group, one day to 18 years, were selected for the study, and the impact of age and body surface area (BSA) on RVOT SE values was noted. It concludes the existence of a positive relationship between RVOT SE values and age.

Background: The tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (S′) is an echocardiographic measurement to assess systolic right ventricular function in adults and children. Objective: We determined growth and birth weight-related changes of S′ to establish reference values in preterm and term neonates. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a group of 290 preterm and term neonates (gestational age 26 + 0 to 40 + 6 weeks of gestation; birth weight 660-4,460 g). A correlation of S′ values with established tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values was performed. Results: The S′ ranged from a mean of 4.5 cm/s (Z-score ± 2 SD: 3.6-5.5 cm/s) in preterm neonates in week 260-6 of gestation to 7.8 cm/s (Z-score ± 2 SD: 5.5-10.1 cm/s) in term neonates in week 400-6 of gestation. The S′ values increased from 26 to 40 weeks of gestation. S′ and week of gestation are strongly correlated: Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.66 for week of gestation - S′ (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between S′ and TAPSE values (r = 0.67; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Z-scores of S′ values were calculated and percentile charts were established to serve as reference data for preterm and term neonates with structurally normal hearts. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The Munich Triathlon Heart Study: ventricular function, myocardial velocities, and two-dimensional strain in healthy children before and after endurance stress," by M. Hauser and colleagues in the 2013 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Normal pediatric data for isovolumic acceleration of the lateral tricuspid annulus -- a heart rate-dependent measure of right ventricular contractility" by C. G. Weismann and colleagues in the July 2014 issue.

A letter from the editor is presented in response to the article "Cardiovascular effects of 3 months of football training in overweight children examined by comprehensive echocardiography: a pilot study" by P. R. Hansen and colleagues in the 2013 issue.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Feasibility of Right Ventricular Longitudinal Systolic Function Evaluation with Transthoracic Echocardiographic Indices Derived from Tricuspid Annular Motion: A Preliminary Study in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome” by J. Fichet et al.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "The Forgotten Chamber: Right Ventricular Functions in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis," by Abul and colleagues.