Biventricular deformation assessment in neonates: a comparison between bedside automated function imaging and offline clinical workstation software

Myocardial deformation imaging by two-dimensional speckletracking echocardiography (STE) is an area of increasing interest in neonatal intensive care.(1) Recent studies in premature and term infants have demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of measuring left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) strain using standard STE via offline analysis software away from the bedside.(2-5) Automated function imaging (AFI) is a computer software algorithm present on the ultrasound machine that automatically tracks LV and RV wall deformation in the longitudinal plane (based on selection of three points along the endocardial wall), allowing online instant results obtainable at the bedside. There is a distinct lack of feasibility, reproducibility, and validity data in neonates. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility, reproducibility, and validity of AFIderived LV and RV longitudinal strain when compared with offline analysis of deformation using EchoPAC software in preterm and term infants.