Key result
Older pediatric age is linked to a ~3-point lower intracardiac vortex area with stable kinetic energy.
Why the study?
While the clinical applicability of echocardiographic intracardiac flow fluid dynamics analysis has been demonstrated in adults, pediatric reference data and age-specific reference values for key vortex-related parameters and energy fluctuation indices remain limited.
Observational (n=250)
Yes
This multicenter study establishes age-specific reference intervals for echocardiographic intracardiac flow vortex parameters in healthy children and adolescents, revealing significant age-dependent reductions in vortex area and intensity.
Provides pediatric vortex reference values; leaves open whether parameters aid diagnosis or prognosis in disease.
Background Intracardiac flow fluid dynamics analysis is an innovative color Doppler–based echocardiographic technique that enables a non-invasive assessment of myocardial performance and blood flow dynamics within the cardiac chambers. While its clinical applicability has been demonstrated in adults, pediatric reference data remain limited. Aims To define age-specific reference values for key intracardiac flow vortex-related parameters and energy fluctuation indices in healthy pediatric subjects Methods A total of 250 healthy subjects of pediatric age underwent transthoracic echocardiography followed by left ventricular fluid dynamic analysis using apical three-chamber views. Evaluated parameters included vortex area, length, depth and intensity; average kinetic energy; fluctuations of vorticity, kinetic energy and shear stress; and vectorial force (magnitude and angle). Subjects were stratified into three age groups (0–5, 6–12 and 13–18 years) Results Significant age-related differences were observed in vortex morphology across pediatric groups. Vortex area showed a progressive reduction with increasing age, decreasing from 27.17% (25.58–29.11%) in children aged 0–5 years to 24.65% (22.38–26.14%) in adolescents (p = 0.0089). A similar age-dependent trend was observed for vortex intensity, which significantly decreased across age groups (–30% [–33% to –26%] vs –25% [–29% to –22%], p = 0.0275). Vortex length also differed significantly among age groups (p = 0.0402), whereas vortex depth did not show significant age-related variations (p = 0.232). No significant differences were observed across age groups for kinetic energy or for fluctuations in vorticity, kinetic energy and shear stress (all p > 0.05). Vectorial force magnitude and direction remained stable throughout childhood and adolescence. Conclusions This study provides age-specific reference intervals for key intracardiac flow vortex parameters in a cohort of healthy pediatric subjects. These data support the potential role of intracardiac fluid dynamic analysis as a complementary tool in the pediatric echocardiographic evaluation of ventricular function.
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Sarro et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Healthy pediatric subjects (n=250). Intracardiac flow fluid dynamics analysis across pediatric age groups (13–18 years vs 0–5 years) vs. Younger age group (0–5 years) was evaluated on Age-specific reference values for intracardiac flow vortex parameters (specifically vortex area) (p=0.0089). Intracardiac flow fluid dynamics analysis in healthy children showed vortex area decreased with age from 27.17% (0–5 years) to 24.65% (13–18 years; p=0.0089), while kinetic energy remained stable.
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