Abstract
In order to enchance the echocardiographic assessment of the size and function of the right ventricle (RV), we evaluated the measurement of the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) on echogram, and compared it with that of the aortic root (AO). Thus ultrasound examinations were performed in a standard fashion in 40 clinically normal school children (5-6 years of age), and measurements were obtained at the onset of the QRS compex of the EKG, during several cardiac cycles. The RVOT was measured as the distance from the endocardium of the anterior RV wall to the outer aspect of the anterior wall of the aorta, in an ultrasound sector containing the aortic valve leaflets. The aorta was measured as the distance between the inner aspect of the anterior and posterior walls in the same echo plane. The ratio of RVOT/AO was then computed. The results were as follows for the mean and standard error of mean: RVOT=2.06cm (0.49), AO=1.65 cm (0.28) and RVOT/AO=1.258 (0.036). These results show that the RVOT can be measured in a reliable manner and that it bears a stable relationship to the AO diameter in normal children. Thus measurement of the RVOT and RVOT/AO ratio may provide additional criteria for the detection of abnormalities in RV size and function on echogram.
(Sponsor: Eli Gold)
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George, L., Demaria, A., Riemenschneider, T. et al. ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT IN NORMAL CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 11, 391 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00131
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00131