What does this research mean for the field?

The median mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients with normal cardiac function is 2.25 mm, which is lower than previously reported values for both adults and children. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to establish normal EPSS values in pediatric patients to assist in evaluating heart function.

May 20, 2026Pediatric Emergency Care0 citations

Establishing Age-Specific and Sex-Specific Norms for EPSS in Pediatric Patients

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: Pediatric patients (n=455). Intervention: Mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) measurement. Primary outcome: Median EPSS for all measurements.

Establishing Age-Specific and Sex-Specific Norms for Mitral Valve E-Point Septal Separation (EPSS) Measurements in Pediatric Patients

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Why the study?

Mitral valve EPSS can estimate systolic function in pediatric heart failure, but unlike in adults, literature on normal pediatric EPSS values is limited.

What are the normal reference values for mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients?

Population

455 pediatric patients aged 17 years or younger with normal cardiac findings

Design

Single-center retrospective study

Key result

In a sample of 455 pediatric patients, the median mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) was 2.25 mm, which is lower than previously reported values in adults and children.

Authors

JRJaya C. Ruffin CSChristopher T. Stem SPScott Pletzer

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

EPSS measurements warrant no immediate practice change in children; leaves open their potential role in point-of-care cardiac assessment.

Key Points

This study aims to establish normal EPSS values in pediatric patients to assist in evaluating heart function.
Cross-sectional retrospective study involving 455 pediatric patients aged 17 or younger with transthoracic echocardiograms.
Patients with reduced ejection fraction or cardiac abnormalities were excluded from the analysis.
Evaluated relationships between EPSS and biometric/echocardiographic measurements, with interclass correlation assessed.
The median EPSS across all patients was 2.25 mm (IQR 2.06 mm), while the lowest 3 EPSS measurements had a median of 1.33 mm (IQR 2.56 mm).
Significant correlations were found between EPSS and age, height, weight, and body surface area (p < 0.05), but not with sex.
The interclass correlation coefficient (Cronbach Alpha) for EPSS measurement consistency was 0.951.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=455)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

What are the normal reference values for mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients?

Population

455 pediatric patients aged 17 years or younger who had an outpatient transthoracic echocardiogram, excluding those with reduced ejection fraction and cardiac abnormalities

Intervention

Mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) measurement from parasternal long-axis B-mode views

Outcome

Normal pediatric EPSS values (median EPSS)surrogate

This study establishes normal reference values for mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients, finding them to be lower than previously reported in adults and children.

Limitations

Single-center retrospective design
Differences in imaging and measurement technique may explain observed differences from prior reports

Cite This Study

Ruffin et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Pediatric patients (n=455). Mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) measurement was evaluated on Median EPSS for all measurements. In a sample of 455 pediatric patients, the median mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) was 2.25 mm, which is lower than previously reported values in adults and children.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0d5089f03e14405aa9c58b https://doi.org/10.1097/pec.0000000000003625

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May 20, 2026Pediatric Emergency Care0 citations

Establishing Age-Specific and Sex-Specific Norms for EPSS in Pediatric Patients

Establishing Age-Specific and Sex-Specific Norms for Mitral Valve E-Point Septal Separation (EPSS) Measurements in Pediatric Patients

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Why the study?

Mitral valve EPSS can estimate systolic function in pediatric heart failure, but unlike in adults, literature on normal pediatric EPSS values is limited.

What are the normal reference values for mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients?

Population

455 pediatric patients aged 17 years or younger with normal cardiac findings

Design

Single-center retrospective study

Key result

In a sample of 455 pediatric patients, the median mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) was 2.25 mm, which is lower than previously reported values in adults and children.

Authors

JRJaya C. Ruffin CSChristopher T. Stem SPScott Pletzer

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

EPSS measurements warrant no immediate practice change in children; leaves open their potential role in point-of-care cardiac assessment.

Key Points

This study aims to establish normal EPSS values in pediatric patients to assist in evaluating heart function.
Cross-sectional retrospective study involving 455 pediatric patients aged 17 or younger with transthoracic echocardiograms.
Patients with reduced ejection fraction or cardiac abnormalities were excluded from the analysis.
Evaluated relationships between EPSS and biometric/echocardiographic measurements, with interclass correlation assessed.
The median EPSS across all patients was 2.25 mm (IQR 2.06 mm), while the lowest 3 EPSS measurements had a median of 1.33 mm (IQR 2.56 mm).
Significant correlations were found between EPSS and age, height, weight, and body surface area (p < 0.05), but not with sex.
The interclass correlation coefficient (Cronbach Alpha) for EPSS measurement consistency was 0.951.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=455)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

What are the normal reference values for mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients?

Population

455 pediatric patients aged 17 years or younger who had an outpatient transthoracic echocardiogram, excluding those with reduced ejection fraction and cardiac abnormalities

Intervention

Mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) measurement from parasternal long-axis B-mode views

Outcome

Normal pediatric EPSS values (median EPSS)surrogate

This study establishes normal reference values for mitral valve E-point septal separation (EPSS) in pediatric patients, finding them to be lower than previously reported in adults and children.

Limitations

Single-center retrospective design
Differences in imaging and measurement technique may explain observed differences from prior reports

Cite This Study

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0d5089f03e14405aa9c58b https://doi.org/10.1097/pec.0000000000003625

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

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