Late Breaking Abstract - 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 standard assessment has poor sensitivity and high logistical footprint. In this single-center prospective observational cohort study on bilateral LUTX patients, the preoperative RV free-wall longitudinal strain (RVFWLS) was compared to conventional RV echocardiographic (tricuspid annular plane excursion – TAPSE, fractional area change – FAC, tricuspid peak annulus systolic velocity - S9) and ventriculographic tests. Of the 44 enrolled patients, 10 had poor RV window. 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 (Fig1). RVFWLS identified the highest percentage of impaired RV function (47%) compared to conventional echocardiographic parameters (TAPSE, 32%; S9, 27%; FAC, 26%) and ventriculography (15%) (Table1: Conventional RV tests vs. RVFWLS). The RVFWLS provides sensitive, non-invasive, repeatable, and radiation-free RV assessment compared to standard tools in LUTX candidates.