The echocardiographic evaluation of cardiac functions in children with obstructive airway symptoms

In this study, we demonstrated the effect of obstructive airway diseases on cardiac function. Bronchial asthma was selected as the example for diseases with lower airway obstructions while hypertrophie tonsils and/or adenoids were selected as example of upper airway obstructions. Among the 55 children who were included in the study, 25 were bronchial asthma patients, 10 had hypertrophie tonsils and/or adenoids, 20 were healthy control patients. These 55 children were evaluated for right and left ventricle systolic and diastolic functions using M - mode two dimensional Doppler echocardiography. It was seen that systolic and diastolic functions of the heart were not affected by bronchial asthma and hypertrophie tonsils and adenoids in childhood. However, it was found that right ventricle diameter was increased in patients with hypertrophie tonsils and adenoids. In conclusion, it should be useful to monitor cardiac functions in patients especially with upper airway obstructive diseases. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc