Speckle Tracking Using Gray-Scale Information from Tissue Doppler Recordings versus Regular Gray-Scale Recordings in Term Neonates

The use of 2-D strain speckle tracking echocardiography in B-mode images from tissue Doppler (TD) recordings was compared with its use in regular gray-scale (GS) recordings in healthy and asphyxiated neonates at days 1-3. Single-cycle and three-cycle longitudinal deformation indices were assessed. Median B-mode frame rates were 38/s (TD) and 77/s (GS). Systolic indices were similar for TD and GS recordings. Diastolic indices were lower for TD recordings. Single-cycle and three-cycle indices were equal. TD and GS recordings were similar in reproducibility, except for single-cycle inter-observer peak systolic strain rate and three-cycle intra-observer strain rate during atrial systole. Single-cycle reproducibility was lower than three-cycle reproducibility in all TD recording indices, GS recording inter-observer peak systolic strain and GS recording inter-observer early diastolic strain rate. Inter-observer reproducibility and intra-observer reproducibility were similar, except GS recording single-cycle peak systolic strain. In conclusion, use of TD and GS recordings interchangeably was feasible for systolic but not for diastolic indices. Three-cycle analyses improved reproducibility, especially in TD recordings.