Key result
Prior VSD repair in children linked to ~3-point lower global longitudinal strain vs controls.
Why the study?
Three-dimensional strain echocardiography is a novel method adapting AI for assessing ventricular function, but its utility and accuracy in children after surgical VSD treatment remained to be tested.
Does three-dimensional strain echocardiography detect regional subclinical cardiac function impairment in children after successful surgical ventricular septal defect repair compared to healthy matched controls?
Observational (n=20)
Does three-dimensional strain echocardiography detect regional subclinical cardiac function impairment in children after successful surgical ventricular septal defect repair compared to healthy matched controls?
Absolute Event Rate: -21.4% vs -24.8%
p-value: p=0.010
3D strain echocardiography can detect regional subclinical left ventricular dysfunction localized to the patched septal area in children who have normal routine 2D echocardiograms after successful surgical VSD repair.
Subclinical LV dysfunction may persist after VSD repair; leaves open whether 3D strain refines pediatric surveillance.
Background: Ventricular septal defect (VSD) has a good prognosis after surgical treatment. Three-dimensional (3D) strain echocardiography is a novel method adapting AI for assessing ventricular function; however, its utility remains to be tested. The aim of the study was to assess accuracy of 3D strain echocardiography based on a specific population of patients. Methods: The study enrolled children after successful surgical VSD treatment. In all patients, 3D echocardiography was performed to assess left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global and segmental longitudinal (LS), circumferential (CS), and radial strain (RS) values. The results were compared with those of healthy individuals matched for age and sex. Results: The study group consisted of 20 children (12 males) aged 3–17 years (mean 7.0 ± 4.3 years), with normal ventricular function on routine 2D echocardiography. The global strain values in all patients were within the standard range in the literature for sex and age. Statistically significant differences between study and control groups were observed in terms of LVEF (55.6 ± 6.9% vs. 59.3 ± 4.8%, p = 0.046), global LS (−21.4 ± 4.3 vs. −24.8 ± 3.5, p = 0.010), and RS (38.7 ± 6.1% vs. 43.6 ± 5.0%, p = 0.010). Segmental strain values showed dysfunction limited to the patched septal area. Conclusions: 3D strain echocardiography is able to detect regional subclinical cardiac function impairment in children after successful surgical treatment of VSD.
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Kamińska et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Surgical ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair (n=20). 3D strain echocardiography in surgical VSD repair vs. Healthy individuals matched for age and sex was evaluated on Global longitudinal strain (LS), radial strain (RS), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p=0.010). 3D strain echocardiography detected reduced global longitudinal strain (-21.4 vs -24.8, p=0.010) and LVEF (55.6% vs 59.3%, p=0.046) in children after VSD repair compared with controls.
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