Speckle-tracking right ventricle free wall longitudinal strain: a new non-invasive highly sensitive tool for screening right ventricle function of lung transplant candidates

Lung transplant (LUTX) candidates frequently have secondary right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, which standardassessment has poor sensitivity and high logistical footprint. In this single-center prospective observational cohortstudy on bilateral LUTX patients, the preoperative RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) was compared toconventional RV echocardiographic (tricuspid annular plane excursion – TAPSE, fractional area change – FAC,tricuspid peak annulus systolic velocity - S') and ventriculographic tests. Of the 44 enrolled patients, 10 had poor RVwindow. Compared to standards, LUTX candidates had statistically significant impaired RVFWLS (20.1% [-22.5% –-17%], p<0.001): 47% having pathologic RVFWLS (> -20%), and 15% normal standard tests, but altered RVFWLS