Am J Perinatol 2021; 38(14): 1480-1482
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713653
Original Article

Comparison of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Diameter Measurements Using Echocardiography in Newborn Infants

1   Neonatal Unit, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
2   Centre for Genomics and Child Health, Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to compare left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter measurements using two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography at the sino-tubular junction (STJ) and at the aortic valve (AV) hinges in newborn infants.

Study Design This is a retrospective study in a tertiary neonatal unit where infants underwent echocardiography for evaluation of murmur or as part of cardiovascular assessment. Three consecutive cardiac cycles were chosen to measure the LVOT diameter in end systole at the STJ and at the AV hinges. Bias and levels of agreement were examined using Bland–Altman plot. Intraobserver variability was examined using intraclass correlation.

Results A total of 366 measurements were obtained from 61 infants with a mean (standard deviation) gestation and birth weight of 33.4 (6.9) weeks and 2,181 (1369) g, respectively. There was good correlation between the LVOT diameter measurements using the STJ and AV hinges (r = 0.958, p < 0.001). The mean (standard deviation and 95% confidence interval) bias between LVOT diameter measurements using STJ and AV hinges were 0.93 (0.45 and 0.06–1.81) mm. There was good intraobserver variability between the measurements using both methods.

Conclusion Using 2D echocardiography, LVOT measurements using the STJ tend to be higher when compared with LVOT measurements using the AV hinges.

Key Points

  • Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular output is undertaken frequently.

  • Left ventricular outflow tract can be measured at the aortic valve hinges, sinus of valsalva, or sino-tubular junction.

  • Left ventricular outflow tract measured at the sino-tubular junction tends to higher when compared with aortic valve



Publication History

Received: 18 February 2020

Accepted: 21 May 2020

Article published online:
30 June 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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