Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Young Adults Born Preterm at Very Low Birth Weight

Abstract

Being born preterm (PT, n = 100). Young adults born preterm at very low birth weight exhibited smaller RV dimensions compared to term-born peers. Standard echocardiographic measures of RV function did not differ, but mildly reduced function was detected by RV longitudinal strain. This difference was related to birth weight and gestational age but not lung function or left ventricular function. Echocardiographic strain imaging may be an important tool to detect differences in RV function preterm and VLBW.

Keywords

• cardiovascular risk
• low birth weight
• preterm birth