Comparison of global and regional right and left ventricular longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate and velocity in healthy fetuses using a novel feature tracking technique

Aims: To compare the feature tracking derived measurements of the right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocardium in healthy fetuses and evaluate the correlation with advancing pregnancy. Methods: Global and segmental longitudinal peak systolic strain, strain rate and velocity of the RV and LV myocardium were assessed with feature tracking technique in 150 healthy fetuses (13-39, median 22 weeks). Results: RV global and free wall strain and strain rate values were significantly higher than those in the LV segments (P<0.001 and P<0.001). In all segments on both ventricles longitudinal peak systolic velocity measurements exhibited a significant base to apex gradient (P<0.001) and increased with advancing pregnancy (P<0.001). LV global strain and strain rate values remained constant throughout gestation, whereas RV measurements decreased (P