256层螺旋CT肺动脉成像量化评价急性肺动脉栓塞患者右心室功能和肺动脉栓塞程度

目的 应用256层螺旋CT肺动脉成像(CTPA)定量评价急性肺动脉栓塞(APE)患者右心室功能和肺动脉栓塞程度。方法 选择经256层螺旋CTPA证实的APE患者75例, 年龄25~80岁,平均(59.2±13.3)岁,其中男42例,女33例,采用CT肺动脉栓塞分数(obstruction scores,OS)评价APE程度,根据OS值将患者分为轻(n=18,OS<30%)、中(n=25,OS=30%~50%)和重度(n=32,OS<30%),通过测量CT图像上右心室短轴最大直径(RVd)、左心室短轴最大直径(LVd)、右心室短轴与左心室短轴最大直径比率(RVd/LVd)、主肺动脉(MPA)、奇静脉及上腔静脉(SVC)直径评价右心室功能。同时比较3组右心室功能CT参数。结果 CT肺动脉栓塞程度和心血管参数之间有明显相关性(P<0.01),表现为在中、重度APE患者中RVd、RVd/LVd、主肺动脉直径、奇静脉直径及上腔静脉直径均较轻度APE患者高(P<0.05),而LVd值较轻度APE患者低,同时中度和重度APE患者之间这些参数差异也有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 应用CTPA得到的量化CT参数对评价APE患者右心室功能和APE程度是十分有力的工具,APE患者右心室功能障碍和APE程度密切相关。     

瑞替普酶联合华法林在慢阻肺合并急性中危肺栓塞治疗中的有效性分析

目的 观察瑞替普酶(rPA)联合华法林在慢阻肺合并急性中危肺栓塞治疗中的有效性。方法 从近年诊治的慢阻肺合并急性中危肺栓塞的病例中随机挑选76例,分为研究组和对照组且每组病例数相同。研究组使用rPA联合华法林治疗,对照组使用低分子肝素钠序贯华法林治疗。比较治疗总有效率、血气分析、心肌损伤标志物水平、右/左心室最大短轴直径比(RVd/LVd)及不良反应。结果 研究组与对照组治疗有效率分别为94.7%和78.9%,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);研究组PaO2、SaO2升高,PaCO2降低,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组患者治疗后心肌损伤标志物水平及RVd/LVd均降低,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);从各组患者采取溶栓抗凝治疗后开始观察,持续至疗程结束后60天,两组均未出现死亡病例,研究组患者中出现1例异常出血以及1例肺栓塞复发;对照组患者中出现6例异常出血以及3例肺栓塞复发。研究组患者异常出血较少,肺栓塞复发率也明显低于对照组(P＜0.05)。结论 瑞替普酶联合华法林治疗慢阻肺合并急性中危肺栓塞能有效改善症状,抑制心肌损伤,减少不良反应,更加安全有效。     

肺动脉栓塞指数的研究进展

急性肺栓塞(acute pulmonary embolism,APE)是以各种栓子阻塞肺动脉及其分支为其发病原因的一组疾病或综合征,也是临床病死率较高的疾病之一。肺栓塞的诊断方法有螺旋CT、放射性核素肺通气/血流灌注(V/Q)显像、磁共振成像和磁共振肺动脉造影、肺动脉造影。螺旋CT中的多排螺旋CT肺动脉造影诊断肺栓塞的敏感性及特异性较高,因此广泛应用于临床。肺动脉栓塞指数(pulmonary artery obstruction index,PAOI)是通过螺旋CT的多排螺旋CT肺动脉造影进行计算的一种临床指标。本文就PAOI与APE危险分层,PaO2,PaCO2,P(A-a)O2,SaO2,RVd/LVd,MPAd,SVCd,肺动脉高压,D-二聚体等的相关性研究现状作一综述。     

CT-derived atrial and ventricular septal signs for risk stratification of patients with acute pulmonary embolism: clinical associations of CT-derived signs for prediction of short-term mortality

A left-bulging atrial septum (AS) is an abnormal sign indicating hemodynamic overloading of the right heart. We tried to evaluate whether computed tomography (CT)-derived AS bulging and ventricular septum (VS) bowing signs would be used to identify patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and significant hemodynamic derangements. In the prospective registry, 208 consecutive patients with a first episode of acute PE diagnosed by chest CT were grouped by clinical hemodynamic assessment: massive or submassive PE (Group 1), and small PE (Group 2). The curvatures of the AS and VS, and the diameters of right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle were measured on chest CT. Group 1 showed higher degrees of echocardiographic RV dysfunction, and abnormal CT-derived VS and AS curvatures versus Group 2. An abnormal VS bowing sign was observed in 32 (32.7 %) and 6 (5.5 %) patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.001). An abnormal AS bulging sign was observed in 59 (60.2 %) and 32 (29.1 %) patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.001). An algorithm was designed to predict clinically significant hemodynamic abnormality based on these signs. The patients deemed “higher risk” exhibited higher 90-day all-cause mortality than patients in the lower-risk group (P = 0.029). Conventional chest CT-derived hemodynamic findings, including abnormal AS and VS signs, can be used to identify high-risk patients with acute PE and to predict early mortality.     

Chinese multi-center study of lung scintigraphy and CT pulmonary angiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism

To evaluate diagnostic value of the PISA-PED and PIOPED II criteria for lung scintigraphy and compare it with CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the detection of pulmonary embolism (PE). Five hundred and forty-four consecutive patients with suspected PE were enrolled. All patients underwent lung ventilation/perfusion (V/P) scan, chest radiography, and CTPA. Two readers used the PIOPED II criteria, and 2 used the PISA-PED criteria for the interpretation of lung scintigraphy. CTPA scans were interpreted by two experienced radiologists. Lung scintigraphy and CTPA were categorized as PE present, absent or non-diagnostic. PE was present in 321 of 544 patients. Using PIOPED II criteria, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 85.1, 82.5, 88.1, and 78.4% respectively for V/P scan. Using PISA-PED criteria, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 86.0, 81.2, 86.8, and 80.1% respectively, and none was non-diagnostic. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 81.7, 93.4, 94.9, and 77.3%, respectively for CTPA. PISA-PED interpretation has similar diagnostic accuracy to PIOPED II interpretation, does not have non-diagnostic scan, with lower cost and radiation, thus should be considered as a choice for patients with suspected PE.     

Left Ventricular Dysfunction Correlates With Mortality in Pulmonary Embolism

BackgroundRisk stratification of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) is essential to guide advanced interventional management and proper disposition.ObjectivesIn this study, we sought to assess individual echocardiographic markers of right ventricular (RV) strain and left ventricular (LV) function in patients with high-risk PE and identify their association with the need for advanced intervention (such as thrombolysis) and 30-day mortality.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of ED patients with PE who were subject to a pulmonary embolism response team activation over a 5-year period. Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound studies were performed as part of patient care and later assessed for septal bowing, RV hypokinesis, McConnell sign, RV enlargement, tricuspid annular place systolic excursion, and LV systolic dysfunction. Outcome variables included need for advanced intervention and 30-day mortality.ResultsThe pulmonary embolism response team was activated in 893 patients, of which 718 had a confirmed PE. Of these, 90 had adequate cardiac point-of-care ultrasound images available for review. Patients who needed an advanced intervention were more likely to have septal bowing (odds ratio [OR] 8.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.37–31.86), RV enlargement (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.43–11.34), and a McConnell sign (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.09–7.13). LV dysfunction was the only statistically significant predictor of 30-day mortality (OR 9.63, 95% CI 1.74–53.32).ConclusionIn patients with PE in the ED, sonographic findings of RV strain that are more commonly associated with advanced intervention included septal bowing, McConnell sign, and RV enlargement. LV dysfunction was associated with a higher 30-day mortality. These findings can help inform decisions about ED management and disposition of patients with PE.     

瑞替普酶联合华法林在慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并急性中危肺栓塞治疗中的有效性

目的：观察瑞替普酶（rPA）联合华法林在慢性阻塞性肺疾病（以下简称慢阻肺）合并急性中危肺栓塞治疗中的有效性。方法：从近年诊治的慢阻肺合并急性中危肺栓塞的病例中随机挑选76例，分为研究组和对照组，且每组病例数相同。研究组使用rPA联合华法林治疗，对照组使用低分子肝素钠序贯华法林治疗。比较治疗总有效率、血气分析结果、D-二聚体、心肌损伤标志物水平、右/左心室最大短轴直径比（RVd/LVd）及不良反应。结果：研究组与对照组治疗有效率分别为94.7%和78.9%，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。研究组PaO₂、SaO₂升高，PaCO₂降低，D-二聚体降低，与对照组差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗后心肌损伤标志物水平及RVd/LVd均降低，组间比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。从各组患者采取溶栓抗凝治疗后，持续至疗程结束后60 d，两组均未出现死亡病例，研究组患者中出现1例异常出血以及1例肺栓塞复发；对照组患者中出现6例异常出血以及3例肺栓塞复发。研究组患者异常出血较少，肺栓塞复发率也明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：rPA联合华法林治疗慢阻肺合并急性中危肺栓塞能有效改善症状，抑制心肌损伤，减少不良反应，更加安全有效。     

The McConnell Sign is Seen in Patients With Acute Chest Syndrome

Bedside ultrasound is often used as a part of the evaluation of patients who are critically ill. The McConnell sign is an important echocardiographic finding in some critically ill patients with pulmonary embolism and an acute right ventricular infarct. We present 3 critically ill patients with confirmed acute chest syndrome who showed the McConnell sign on echocardiography. In patients with sickle cell disease presenting with chest pain and shortness of breath, the presence of the McConnell sign does not narrow the differential diagnosis between pulmonary embolism, an acute right ventricular infarct, and acute chest syndrome.     

The validity of hyperdense lumen sign in non-contrast chest CT scans in the detection of pulmonary thromboembolism

It is possible to identify high-attenuation clots in pulmonary thromboembolism using non-contrast computed tomography (CT) of the chest. Such detection may be crucial for timely initiation of appropriate therapy. This study was undertaken to determine the validity of the hyperdense lumen (high-attenuation clot) sign in unenhanced chest CT in detecting pulmonary thromboembolism. Non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CT images of the chest of 121 patients who had undergone standard CT pulmonary angiography (pulmonary CTA) were reviewed separately. The absence or presence of luminal hyperdensities within the pulmonary arteries in the non-contrast images was determined. The average CT attenuation differences between the high attenuation clots and pulmonary arteries were computed. Findings in the non-contrast images were correlated with the contrast-enhanced images. Twenty-five patients were positive for pulmonary thromboembolism in the pulmonary CTAs. Of these 25 patients, nine were positive for the hyperdense lumen sign in the non-contrast CT images. The hyperdense lumen sign has an over-all sensitivity of 36.0%, specificity of 99.0%, PPV of 90.0%, and NPV of 85.6% (κ = 0.449; P-value < 0.001). In detecting central thromboembolism, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of this sign were 66.7, 99.1, 88.9, and 96.4%, respectively (κ = 0.740; P-value < 0.001). The sign was less sensitive in peripheral thromboembolism (κ = 0.358; P-value < 0.001). The mean (±SD) attenuation difference between the clot and pulmonary blood pool was 22.76 (±4.20) HU (P-value < 0.001). The hyperdense lumen sign is a useful indicator of acute pulmonary thromboembolism in non-contrast chest CT scans particularly in cases involving the central pulmonary arteries.     

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by acute right heart morphologic and hemodynamic changes observed during exercise stress echocardiography.

In addition to the conventional means of diagnosing pulmonary embolism, resting echocardiography has sometimes been useful. We describe the case of a patient with a normal resting transthoracic echocardiogram, but with a markedly abnormal posttreadmill exercise echocardiogram revealing acute right ventricular dilatation, marked ventricular septal shift, and acute pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary embolism was suspected and subsequently confirmed by chest computed tomographic angiography.     

Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE) for Risk Stratification and Prognostication of Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

BackgroundThe categorization of pulmonary embolism (PE) as non-massive, sub-massive, and massive helps guide acute management. The presence of right ventricular (RV) strain differentiates sub-massive from non-massive PEs. Unlike laboratory markers and electrocardiogram changes, the classic parameters used in the echocardiographic diagnosis of RV strain have a technical component that is operator-dependent.ObjectiveThis narrative review will describe the physiologic effects of a PE on the RV and how this affects prognosis. It will summarize the literature evaluating the accuracy and prognostic ability of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in the echocardiographic assessment of RVfunction. The review will describe the appeal of TAPSE for this purpose, provide cutoff measurements, and then illustrate how to perform the technique itself, while offering associated pearls and pitfalls in this bedside evaluation.DiscussionRV function and dynamics undergo acute changes in the setting of a PE. RV dysfunction predicts poor outcomes in both the short and long term. However, RV strain is difficult to capture on echocardiography due to the chamber's complex geometric shape and contraction. From the apical four-chamber window, TAPSE offers a quantitative measure that is more easily performed with high interobserver reliability for evaluating systolic RV contraction. This measurement carries prognostic value in patients diagnosed with PE.ConclusionsAlong with other more qualitative echocardiographic parameters, TAPSE can be used as a simple quantitative measure of RV dysfunction for differentiating sub-massive from non-massive PEs. This categorization helps guide acute management and disposition.     

Surrogate markers for adverse outcomes in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND: Although echocardiography has proven utility in risk stratifying normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism, echocardiography is not always available. OBJECTIVE: Test if a novel panel consisting of pulse oximetry, 12-lead electrocardiography, and serum troponin T would have prognostic equivalence to echocardiography and to examine the prognostic performance of age, previous cardiopulmonary disease, D-dimer, brain natriuretic peptide, and percentage of pulmonary vascular occlusion on chest computed tomography. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Normotensive (systolic blood pressure of >100 mm Hg) emergency department and hospital inpatients with diagnosed pulmonary embolism who underwent cardiologist-interpreted echocardiography and other measurements within 15 hrs of anticoagulation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: End points were in-hospital circulatory shock or intubation, or death, recurrent pulmonary embolism, or severe cardiopulmonary disability (defined as echocardiographic evidence of severe right ventricular dysfunction with New York Heart Association class III dyspnea or 6-min walk test of <330 m) at 6-month follow-up. The two-one-sided test tested the hypothesis of equivalence with one-tailed alpha = 0.05 and Delta = 5%. Of 200 patients enrolled, data were complete for 181 (88%); 51 of 181 patients (28%) had an adverse outcome, including in-hospital complication (n = 18), death (n = 11), recurrent pulmonary embolism (n = 2), or cardiopulmonary disability (n = 20). Right ventricular dysfunction on initial echocardiogram was 61% sensitive (95% confidence interval, 46-74%) and 57% specific (48-66%). The panel was 71% sensitive (56-83%) and 62% specific (53-71%). The two-one-sided procedure demonstrated superiority of the panel to echocardiography for both sensitivity and noninferiority for specificity. No other biomarker demonstrated equivalence, noninferiority, or superiority for sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: Normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism have a high rate of severe adverse outcomes during 6-month follow-up. A panel of three widely available tests can be used to risk stratify patients with pulmonary embolism when formal echocardiography is not available.     

Transesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale: a comparison with radiological procedures

Objective: The goal of the study was to assess prospectively the value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism complicated by acute cor pulmonale. Design: A prospective study conducted on 44 consecutive patients. Setting: A general intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. Patients and methods: Between May 95 and October 96, 44 consecutive patients with clinically suspected acute pulmonary embolism underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), completed by TEE when acute cor pulmonale was present (30 patients). The results of the echocardiographic studies were compared with radiological investigations by helical CT or contrast angiography. Results: The high sensitivity and specificity of the presence of acute cor pulmonale on TTE for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was confirmed. Nineteen patients only underwent TEE. The sensitivity and the specificity of TEE in detecting a proximal pulmonary embolism were 84 % and 84 %, respectively. Its main limitation concerned the left pulmonary artery, in which only one thrombus was visualized by TEE whereas six were present on helical CT, and lobar pulmonary arteries which could not be visualized with TEE. Thus, the overall sensitivity of TEE for the detection of pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale was only 58 %. Conclusion: In comparison with radiological procedures, TEE had limited accuracy for detecting pulmonary embolism with acute cor pulmonale. When the pulmonary embolism was located in the main or right pulmonary artery, TEE could clarify the diagnosis within a few minutes without further invasive diagnostic procedures. However, a negative TEE did not exclude left proximal or lobar pulmonary embolism. Received: 28 April 1997 Accepted: 28 November 1997     

超声测量右室心肌功能指数评价急性肺栓塞治疗前后右室功能

目的应用超声心动图技术观察急性肺栓塞(APE)患者治疗前后右室舒缩功能的改变,探讨右室心肌功能指数(MPI)对APE患者右室功能的评估价值.方法利用超声对28例正常对照者及33例急性肺栓塞患者(其中大面积急性肺栓塞19例,非大面积急性肺栓塞14例)治疗前后的右室功能进行测定.结果急性肺栓塞患者三尖瓣E峰峰值速度(E)较对照组减低,右室等容收缩与等容舒张时间之和(ICT IRT)延长,右室心肌功能指数增高,大面积急性肺栓塞患者E峰减速时间(VEDT)延长,右室射血时间(ET)缩短;急性肺栓塞患者治疗后右室射血分数(EF)增高,(ICT IRT)缩短,右室心肌功能指数降低;大面积急性肺栓塞患者治疗后右心内径减小,肺动脉收缩压降低,VEDT缩短;非大面积急性肺栓塞患者治疗后右心内径、肺动脉收缩压及VEDT改变不明显.心肌功能指数与(ICT IRT)、EF、ET、VEDT、E间有相关关系(r分别为0.880、-0.513、-0.464、0.485、-0.462,P＜0.01).结论右室心肌功能指数是反映急性肺栓塞时右室功能变化的敏感指标.     

彩色多普勒超声心动图诊断法洛氏三联症及其血流动力学特征分析

目的分析法洛氏三联症超声心动图及其血流动力学特征,提高诊断正确率。方法将47例法洛氏三联症患者超声心动图检测房缺、肺动脉狭窄与手术测量结果进行比较,对法洛氏三联症患者肺动脉瓣狭窄及房水平分流特征进行分析。结果彩色多普勒超声心动图对法洛氏三联症诊断正确率为93.6%。超声测量房缺大小及肺动脉瓣狭窄程度与手术测量相关良好,分别为r＝0.51(P＜0.01)和r＝0.78(P＜0.001)。法洛氏三联症肺动脉瓣上最大流速(375.0±96.9)cm/s,显著大于单纯房缺肺动脉瓣上最大流速(174.0±29.3)cm/s,P＜0.0001。法洛氏三联症彩色多普勒房水平左向右分流、双向分流、右向左分流及无分流者分别占46.8%、36.2%、10.6%和6.4%。结论彩色多普勒超声心动图诊断法洛氏三联症具有较高的准确性。肺动脉瓣狭窄应采用二维超声心动图、彩色多普勒血流图及频谱多普勒联合检测。房水平分流根据肺动脉狭窄程度不同具有多样化特性,检查中应根据情况具体分析。     

Asymptomatic pulmonary embolus masquerading as acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is an uncommon and often overlooked cause of ST-segment elevation on the electrocardiogram (ECG). Emergent echocardiography has been cited as a means to rapidly distinguish acute myocardial infarction from PE. However, both of these conditions can present with focal wall motion abnormalities. We report a case of a 51-year-old asymptomatic male who presented to our emergency department with anterior ST-segment elevation and right-heart strain on an ECG. The clinical diagnosis of ST elevation myocardial infarction was in doubt, and an echocardiogram was obtained while the patient was in the emergency department. Although a focal area of hypokinesia was observed on echocardiography, cardiac catherization did not demonstrate any evidence of acute coronary occlusion. A computed tomographic angiogram of the chest was subsequently obtained, which demonstrated evidence of submassive pulmonary emboli. Our case highlights the limited utility of emergent echocardiography in cases of ST-segment elevation.     

Accuracy of guideline recommendations for two-dimensional quantification of the right ventricle by echocardiography

Background The accuracy of the guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) for the two-dimensional (2D) quantitative assessment of right ventricular (RV) size and function has not been evaluated against MRI-derived RV volumes in patients with congenital heart disease and RV volume overload. Methods Three groups of patients were studied: a normal RV group (Group I, n = 31), a repaired tetralogy of Fallot group (Group II, n = 33), and an unrepaired atrial septal defect and/or partially anomalous pulmonary venous connection group (Group III, n = 23). Recommended 2D linear and cross-sectional area measurements were made on clinical echocardiographic and MRI studies performed less than 6 months apart. Results Most 2D RV parameters were smaller by echocardiography versus MRI. There was weak correlation between 2D RV measurements by echocardiography and MRI-derived RV volumes (Group I: r = 0.15-0.54, Group II: r = 0.33-0.61, Group III: r = 0.32-0.85), and only modest improvement when the same 2D measurements were performed by MRI (Group I: r = 0.37-0.61, Group II: r = 0.44-0.69, Group III: r = 0.28-0.74). The difference between 2D RV measurements by echocardiography and MRI-derived RV volumes was more pronounced in the RV volume overload groups. Conclusions The correlation between currently recommended 2D RV measurements by echocardiography and MRI-derived RV volumes was weak, and improved only modestly when MRI was used to make the same 2D measurements. Moreover, 2D echocardiographic assessment of the RV appears to be less accurate in patients with congenital heart disease and a dilated RV.     

超声新技术评估肺动脉高压患者右心功能研究进展

右心衰竭是肺动脉高压患者共同的死因和结局。如何应用超声准确评价右心功能,是对肺动脉高压患者进行病情分级、治疗监测和预后评估的关键。由于右心室的解剖、生理学复杂,应用传统超声较难准确评价右心功能。近年来涌现出的超声新技术克服了传统超声的不足,使得对右心结构和功能做出准确评价成为可能。本文就各种超声新技术评价肺动脉高压患者右心功能的研究进展进行综述。     

Prognostic value of right ventricular longitudinal peak systolic strain in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background- Right ventricular (RV) function is an important prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The present evaluation assessed the prognostic value of RV longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods and Results- A total of 150 patients with pulmonary hypertension of different etiologies (mean age, 59±15 years; 37.3% male) were evaluated. RV fractional area change and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion index were evaluated with 2-dimensional echocardiography. RV LPSS was assessed with speckle-tracking echocardiography. The patient population was categorized according to a RV LPSS value of -19%. Among several clinical and echocardiographic parameters, the significant determinants of all-cause mortality were evaluated. There were no significant differences in age, sex, pulmonary hypertension cause and left ventricular ejection fraction between patients with RV LPSS <-19% and patients with RV LPSS ≥-19%. However, patients with RV LPSS ≥-19% had significantly worse New York Heart Association functional class (2.7±0.6 versus 2.3±0.8; P=0.003) and lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (16±4 mm versus 18±3 mm; P<0.001) than their counterparts. During a median follow-up of 2.6 years, 37 patients died. RV LPSS was a significant determinant of all-cause mortality (HR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.19-9.72; P=0.02). Conclusions- In patients with pulmonary hypertension, RV LPSS is significantly associated with all-cause mortality. RV LPSS may be a valuable parameter for risk stratification of these patients. Future studies are needed to confirm these results in the pulmonary hypertension subgroups.     

Diagnostic value of Doppler echocardiography for identifying hemodynamic significant pulmonary valve regurgitation in tetralogy of Fallot: comparison with cardiac MRI

Quantification of pulmonary regurgitation (PR) is essential in the management of patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We sought to evaluate the accuracy of first-line Doppler echocardiography in comparison with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify hemodynamic significant PR. Paired cardiac MRI and echocardiographic studies (n?=?97) in patients with repaired TOF were retrospectively analyzed. Pressure half time (PHT) and pulmonary regurgitation index (PRi) were measured using continuous wave Doppler. The ratio of the color flow Doppler regurgitation jet width to pulmonary valve (PV) annulus (jet/annulus ratio) and diastolic to systolic time velocity integral (DSTVI; pulsed wave Doppler) were assessed. Accuracy of echocardiographic measurements was tested to identify significant PR as determined by phase-contrast MRI (PR fraction [PRF]?≥?20%). Mean PRF was 29.4?±?15.7%. PHT?<?100 ms had a sensitivity of 93%, specificity 75%, positive predictive value (PPV) 92% and negative predictive value (NPV) 78% for identifying significant PR (C-statistic 0.82). PRi?<?0.77 had sensitivity and specificity of 66% and 54%, respectively (C-statistic 0.63). Jet/annulus ratio ≥1/3 had sensitivity 96%, specificity 75%, PPV 92% and NPV 82% (C-statistic 0.87). DSTVI had sensitivity 84%, specificity 33%, PPV 84% and NPV 40%, (C-statistic 0.56). Combined jet/annulus ratio ≥1/3 and PHT?<?100 ms was highly accurate in identifying PRF?≥?20%, with sensitivity 97% and specificity 100%. PHT and jet/annulus ratio on Doppler echocardiography, especially when combined, are highly accurate in identifying significant PR and therefore seem useful in the follow-up of patients with repaired TOF.