Background and objectives. Mitral regurgitation (MR) is usually dynamic and increasing with exertion. Stress may provoke symptoms, cause the progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and unmask subclinical changes of the left and right ventricle function. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of right ventricle (RV) functional parameters during stress and to find out determinants of RV function in patients with MR. Materials and methods. We performed a prospective study that included patients with asymptomatic primary moderate to severe MR and preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) at rest (≥60%). Conventional 2D echocardiography at rest and during stress (bicycle ergometry) and offline speckle tracking analysis were performed. Results. 80 patients were included as MR (50) and control (30) groups. Conventional functional and myocardial deformation parameters of RV were similar in both groups at all stages of exercise (p > 0.05). The grade of MR (p = 0.004) and higher LV global longitudinal strain (p = 0.037) contributed significantly to the changes of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) from rest to peak stress. Changes of MR ERA from the rest to peak stress were related to RV free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) and four chambers longitudinal stain (4CLS) at rest (p = 0.011; r = −0.459 and p = 0.001; r = −0.572, respectively). Significant correlations between LV EF, stroke volume, cardiac output and RV fractional area change, S′, TAPSE, FWLS, 4CLS were obtained. However, systolic pulmonary artery pressure and RV functional, deformation parameters were not related (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Functional parameters of LV during exercise and severity of MR were significant determinants of RV function while PH has no correlation with it in patients with primary asymptomatic moderate to severe MR.

Background and objectives: Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the world. Obesity in children is defined as a body mass index (BMI) equal to or above the 95th percentile for age and sex. The aim of this study was to determine early changes in cardiac structure and function in obese children by comparing them with their nonobese peers, using echocardiography methods. Materials and methods: The study enrolled 35 obese and 37 age-matched nonobese children. Standardized 2-dimensional (2D), pulsed wave tissue Doppler, and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography were performed. The z-score BMI and lipid metabolism were assessed in all children. Results: Obese children (aged 13.51 ± 2.15 years; 20 boys; BMI z-score of 0.88 ± 0.63) were characterized by enlarged ventricular and atrial volumes, a thicker left ventricular posterior wall, and increased left ventricular mass. Decreased LV and RV systolic and diastolic function was found in obese children. Atrial peak negative (contraction) strain (−2.05% ± 2.17% vs. −4.87% ± 2.97%, p < 0.001), LV and RV global longitudinal strain (−13.3% ± 2.88% vs. −16.87% ± 3.39%; −12.51% ± 10.09% vs. −21.51% ± 7.42%, p < 0.001), and LV global circumferential strain (−17.0 ± 2.7% vs. −19.5 ± 2.9%, p < 0.001) were reduced in obese children. LV torsion (17.94° ± 2.07° vs. 12.45° ± 3.94°, p < 0.001) and normalized torsion (2.49 ± 0.4°/cm vs. 1.86 ± 0.61°/cm, p = 0.001) were greater in obese than nonobese children. A significant inverse correlation was found between LV and RV global longitudinal strain and BMI (r = −0.526, p < 0.01; r = −0.434, p < 0.01) and total cholesterol (r = −0.417, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that the BMI z-score was independently related to LV and RV global longitudinal strain as well as LV circumferential and radial strain. Conclusion: 2D speckle tracking echocardiography is beneficial in the early detection of regional LV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions, with preserved ejection fraction as well as additional RV and atrial involvement, in obese children. Obesity may negatively influence atrial and ventricular function, as measured by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography. Obese children, though they are apparently healthy, may have subclinical myocardial dysfunction.