Real-time 3D echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking imaging in evaluation on right ventricular shape and systolic function changes in divers after scuba diving / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective:To observe changes of right ventricular shape and systolic function in divers after scuba diving with real-time 3D echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking imaging. Methods: Recording of heart rate (HR) and conventional echocardiography were performed in 60 healthy divers before and immediately, 1 day, 3 days after scuba diving (wearing self-contained underwater respirator, constant temperature diving 11 m and 60 min), respectively, then 2D apical four-chamber heart and 3D right ventricular volumes dynamic images were stored. The right ventricle diameters and volume, right ventricle index of myocardial performance (RIMP), 2D global longitudinal strain of right ventricle free wall (2DGLS[F]), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right ventricular fractional area change (FAC), 3D right ventricular ejection fraction (3DRVEF) and 3D global longitudinal strain of right ventricle free wall (3DGLS[F]) were obtained before and immediately, 1 day, 3 days after scuba diving. All the parameters were compared before and after scuba diving. Results: There was no significant difference of right ventricle middle transverse diameter, RIMP, right ventricular systolic volume, stroke volume, TAPSE nor 3DRVEF before and immediately, 1 day, 3 days after scuba diving (P>0.05). Compared with the results before scuba diving, HR, 2DGLS(F), FAC and 3DGLS(F) decreased, while right ventricular end diastolic volume, right ventricular base transverse diameter and right ventricular long axis diameter increased immediately after scuba diving (all P0.05). Three days later, there was no significant difference of the above parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion: After scuba diving, right ventricular shape and systolic function of divers can slightly change in a short term, which can be sensitively observed with real-time 3D echocardiography of RV volume quantification analysis and 2D speckle tracking imaging technique.