RESULTS OF STUDYING THE FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS, CONTRACTILE AND RELAXATION CAPABILITIES OF THE MYOCARDIUM IN BOTH VENTRICLES OF THE HEART IN CHILDREN AFTER RADICAL CORRECTION OF TETRALOGY OF FALLOT USING MRI AND THE STRAIN PROGRAM BY GENDER GROUPS

Abstract

Introduction: In modern cardiological research, special attention is given to the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with deformation analysis programs such as Strain to assess the functional characteristics of the myocardium. Gender differences in cardiovascular physiology are crucial for evaluating the functional characteristics of the myocardium. This study aims to investigate the contractile and relaxation capabilities of the myocardium in both ventricles of the heart in children after radical correction of Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), with a focus on gender differences. Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate the functional characteristics of the myocardium in children after radical correction of ToF using MRI and the Strain program, considering gender differences. Methods: A retrospective analysis of MRI data from 69 patients (24 girls and 45 boys) with an average age of 11 years was conducted. The cohort was divided into two groups based on the index of end-diastolic volume (EDV) of the right ventricle: the first group (less than 150 ml/m²) and the second group (150 ml/m² and above). Results: In the study conducted from October 2011 to June 2020, the level of EDV of the right ventricle was significantly different between girls (116.8 ml/m²) and boys (137.2 ml/m²) (p < 0.001). A significant difference in circumferential strain was also observed in the basal inferior segment of the left ventricle between boys and girls. Conclusions: The obtained data confirm the presence of significant gender differences in the functions of the left and right ventricles in children after ToF correction, which requires further study and consideration in clinical practice to optimize treatment and improve long-term outcomes.