BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish growth-related standard values and z-values for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) for Japanese children. METHOD: We examined 953 consecutive healthy children and adolescents, ranging from newborn to 22.7 years of age (mean age, 4.4 ± 4.0 years). TAPSE was measured as the longitudinal tricuspid valve annular motion from the apex on M-mode echocardiography. The right ventricular (RV) stroke volume (RVSV) divided by the body surface area (RVSV/BSA) was used as an independent indicator of body size. RVSV was determined from the recordings of the ejection blood flow velocity and the diameter at the level of the pulmonary orifice in the RV outflow tract. RESULTS: TAPSE had positive correlations with age and BSA, ranging from 6.0 to 31.4 mm (mean, 19.1 ± 4.4 mm). The z-values ranged from -3.63 to 3.17. There was no significant difference in TAPSE between the genders (male, 19.0 ± 4.6 mm; female, 19.1 ± 4.2 mm). The z-values positively correlated with RVSV/BSA. CONCLUSIONS: Growth-related normal TAPSE was studied in healthy Japanese children to obtain the TAPSE z-value. TAPSE z-value is one of the parameters that can be used to assess RV systolic function independent of body size.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish growth-related standard values and z-values for tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) for Japanese children. METHOD: We examined 953 consecutive healthy children and adolescents, ranging from newborn to 22.7 years of age (mean age, 4.4 ± 4.0 years). TAPSE was measured as the longitudinal tricuspid valve annular motion from the apex on M-mode echocardiography. The right ventricular (RV) stroke volume (RVSV) divided by the body surface area (RVSV/BSA) was used as an independent indicator of body size. RVSV was determined from the recordings of the ejection blood flow velocity and the diameter at the level of the pulmonary orifice in the RV outflow tract. RESULTS:TAPSE had positive correlations with age and BSA, ranging from 6.0 to 31.4 mm (mean, 19.1 ± 4.4 mm). The z-values ranged from -3.63 to 3.17. There was no significant difference in TAPSE between the genders (male, 19.0 ± 4.6 mm; female, 19.1 ± 4.2 mm). The z-values positively correlated with RVSV/BSA. CONCLUSIONS: Growth-related normal TAPSE was studied in healthy Japanese children to obtain the TAPSE z-value. TAPSE z-value is one of the parameters that can be used to assess RV systolic function independent of body size.