The diastolic inflow and longitudinal movement of the heart in the African full-term newborn infant

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24170/22-03-6514

Abstract

Introduction: Echocardiography is essential in the assessment of systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function. The diastolic component of the cardiac cycle which is a crucial aspect of cardiac output has been less researched in the neonatal population.

Aim: To determine normal echocardiographic references for diastolic inflow and longitudinal movement of both the left and right heart in healthy full-term Black African neonates.

Methodology: A descriptive, bidirectional study design was undertaken. Healthy African (Black) full-term newborn infants who met inclusion criteria were recruited at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Left and right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic function were assessed using various echocardiographic M-mode, flow Doppler and tissue Doppler measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and Statistica version 13.1. Normal ranges were calculated using means ± standard deviations.

Results: Two hundred and ninety-two neonates (142 males, 152 females; median gestational age 39 weeks, range 37–42 weeks) were included in the study. Most subjects (175/292;60%) were born by caesarean section.
Median body surface area was 0.20 m2 (range 0.16–0.25 m2). Median weight was 3.12 kg (range, 2.5–4.43 kg). Median post-delivery age at echocardiography was 31 hours (range 12–216 hours). The following measurements (means ±SD) were documented: LVEF and LVFS were 73.56% (±8.93) and 40.34% (±7.91) respectively. Mitral valve (MV) peak E = 0.58 m/s (±0.113), MV peak A = 0.59 m/s (±0.123), MV peak E/A ratio = 1.01 (±0.21), MV E’ = 0.058m/s (±0.012), MV E/E’ ratio = 10.38 (±2.65), MV S’ = 0.052 m/s (±0.009) and LV Tei = 0.306 (±0.139). Measurements pertaining to the RV function were: TAPSE = 7.51 mm (±1.304), tricuspid valve (TV) peak E = 0.512 m/s (±0.126), TV peak A = 0.616 m/s (±0.127), TV E/A = 0.845 (±0.199), TV E’ = 0.079 m/s (±0.021), TV E/E’ ratio = 6.78 (±2.02), TV S’ = 0.071 m/s (±0.045) and RV Tei = 0.283 (±0.132).

Conclusion: This large study established normal reference values for diastolic function and longitudinal systolic and diastolic movement of the heart in healthy full-term African neonates using echocardiography.

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Author Biographies

BJ Beckerling, Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital

Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, South Africa

DR Prakaschandra, Durban University of Technology

Durban University of Technology, South Africa

NM Hadebe, University of the Witwatersrand

Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

HN Ntsinjana, University of the Witwatersrand

Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

AM Cilliers, University of the Witwatersrand

Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

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Published

2025-10-02

How to Cite

Beckerling, B., Prakaschandra, D., Hadebe, N., Ntsinjana, H., & Cilliers, A. (2025). The diastolic inflow and longitudinal movement of the heart in the African full-term newborn infant. SA Heart Journal, 22(3), 162–173. https://doi.org/10.24170/22-03-6514

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Original Research