多普勒组织成像技术评价急性心肌梗死右心室功能

急性心肌梗死 ( A MI)中右心室发生了一系列病理生理变化。右心室功能对于 A MI的发展及预后有重要意义 ,而右心室功能的评价较为复杂 ,多普勒组织成像 ( DTI)技术的应用为评价右心室功能提供了一种可靠的方法     

心肌组织多普勒评价急性下壁心肌梗死的右心功能

目的　应用心肌组织多谱勒技术 (TDI)结合 M型超声评价急性下壁心肌梗死 (AIWMI)患者右心室整体功能。方法　正常对照组 2 0例 ,AIWMI2 0例 ,在标准心尖四腔心切面 ,采用 M超记录三尖瓣环右心室游离壁处运动曲线 ,测量右心室收缩期、舒张早期与晚期最大运动幅度 (SD、DED、DAD)及其平均速度 (SV、DEV、DAV ) ,求出舒张早期和舒张晚期最大运动幅度比值 (DED/ DAD)。应用 TDI技术测量上述各期峰值运动速度 (Sm、Em和 Am ) ,求出舒张早期峰值运动速度 (Em)和舒张晚期峰值运动速度 (Am )的比值 (Em / Am )。结果　与对照组相比 ,AIWMI组 SD、DED、SV、DEV、DED/ DAD均显著降低 ,Sm、Em及 Em/ Am比值也显著降低。结论　 TDI可以评价心肌梗死后右心室整体功能     

组织多普勒技术评估血栓抽吸治疗对急性下壁心肌梗死患者右室功能的影响

目的 探讨组织多普勒(TDI)技术评估血栓抽吸治疗对急性下壁心肌梗死(AIMI)患者右室功能的影响.方法 将46例AIMI患者随机分为两组,对照组27例行急诊经皮冠脉介入(PCI)治疗,观察组19例行PCI+血栓抽吸治疗.两组均于PCI后1周行超声心动图检查,在胸骨旁长轴用M型超声检测左室舒张末内径(LVEDD)、左房前后径(LAD)、右室舒张末内径(RVEDD)、左室射血分数(LVEF);在标准心尖四腔心切面转换为TDI频谱多普勒形式,检测三尖瓣环收缩期峰值运动速度(Sm)、舒张早期峰值运动速度(Em)、心房收缩期峰值运动速度(Am)及Em/Am比值;并计算右室Tei指数.结果 与对照组比较,观察组三尖瓣环的Sm、Em、Am及Em/Am比值升高,右室Tei指数下降(P均＜0.05),LVEDD、LAD、RVEDD、LVEF均无明显变化(P均＞0.05).结论 TDI技术能检测到AIMI患者的右室功能变化,血栓抽吸治疗可改善其右室功能.     

Tissue Doppler assessment of right ventricular function in female patients with limited form of systemic sclerosis

BackgroundCardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is often clinically occult. The aim of this study was the evaluation of early subclinical right ventricular (RV) involvement in patients with limited form of systemic sclerosis by tissue Doppler.MethodsTwenty female patients with limited cutaneous SSc and 20 control female subjects, matched for age were studied with transthoracic echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) to assess RV function. Patients with pulmonary hypertension, chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy, ischemic or rheumatic heart disease were excluded.ResultsPatients with limited form SSc had significant lower tricuspid annulus peak systolic velocities (S_T) (9.95 ± 1.78 vs. 11.05 ± 1.53 cm/s, p < 0.044), early (E_T) (9.65 ± 1.30 vs. 12.50 ± 1.23 cm/s, p < 0.0001), late (A_T) diastolic velocity (12.60 ± 2.01 vs. 18.15 ± 1.81 cm/s, p < 0.0001), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (23.05 ± 3.50 vs. 26.50 ± 1.90, p < 0.001) compared to controls. Myocardial performance index (MPI) of the RV was higher in SSc patients compared to controls (0.41 ± 0.05 vs. 0.30 ± 0.02, p < 0.0001). There were significant correlations between disease duration and S_T and RV MPI (r = ?0.883, p < 0.0001; r = 0.686, p < 0.001, respectively).ConclusionsPatients with limited form of SSc present with pulsed-tissue Doppler imaging indices indicative of right ventricle dysfunction, which had significant correlations with disease duration. Tissue Doppler is a valuable non-invasive tool for detecting RV myocardial involvement in patients with limited SSc.     

Acute effects of biventricular pacing on right ventricular function assessed by tissue Doppler imaging.

AIMS: The benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on functional status, left ventricular (LV) remodelling and survival in patients with drug-refractory congestive heart failure (CHF), LV systolic dysfunction, and wide QRS have been demonstrated in randomized trials. However, the impact of CRT on right ventricular (RV) function, an independent prognostic factor in CHF remains questionable. This study examined the acute effects of various pacing modes on RV function in recipients of CRT systems. METHODS AND RESULTS: Echocardiographic examinations were performed in 15 patients (median age: 67 years, range 49-78), to compare RV function during atrial (AAI), RV and LV pacing, and biventricular (BiV) pacing, in random order. At baseline, the median LV ejection fraction was 20% (range 10-35) and the median LV end-diastolic diameter was 78 mm (range 62-85). Right ventricular function was impaired, with a median 36% fractional shortening of RV surfaces (7-59). Tissue Doppler systolic peak of velocity (Sa) recorded at the tricuspid annulus increased significantly from 9.9 cm/s (range 4.7-16.5) during AAI pacing, 10 cm/s (range 5.4-20.3) during RV pacing, and 11.7 cm/s (range 4.6-16.7) during LV pacing to 12.6 cm/s (range 6.6-19.1) during BiV pacing (P < 0.01). Trends toward improvements in other indices of RV function, particularly myocardial performance index and systolic excursion of the tricuspid annulus, were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: This short-term study showed a significant improvement in RV systolic function during BiV pacing compared with AAI, RV, or LV pacing in CRT recipients.     

Relationship between mean right atrial pressure and Doppler parameters in patients with right ventricular infarction

BACKGROUND: The incidence of an inferior left ventricular infarction involving the right ventricle is very high, ranging from 14 to 84%. Isolated right ventricular infarction accounts for < 3% of all cases of infarction. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between Doppler parameters of hepatic vein and tricuspid inflow, as well as mean right atrial (RA) pressure in patients with right ventricular infarction. METHODS: In all, 59 consecutive patients with inferior left ventricular infarction involving the right ventricle were selected for the study. All patients underwent Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of tricuspid and hepatic vein parameters and catheterization of the right side of the heart. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of severe tricuspid regurgitation. RESULTS: In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, a significant correlation (r = 0.64; p < 0.001) between RA maximal volume and mean right atrial pressure (RAP) was found, and the sensitivity of RA maximal volume in identifying mean RAP > 7 mmHg was 64% with a specificity of 78%. In patients without severe tricuspid regurgitation, the most significant relationship was observed between mean RAP and inferior vena cava collapse index. Significant correlations between maximal and minimal diameters of the inferior vena cava were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic and Doppler parameters may be useful for evaluating mean RAP in patients with right ventricular infarction. In patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation, the more important parameters are maximal and minimal RA volumes. In patients without severe tricuspid regurgitation together with right atrial volume, the important parameters are acceleration and deceleration time of the tricuspid inflow peak E velocity and hepatic systolic and diastolic venous flow.     

组织多普勒室壁运动时间对肺动脉高压患者右室功能的评价

目的：利用脉冲组织多普勒技术（PW—TDI）测量右室室壁运动时间间期评价肺动脉高压（PH）患者右心功能的变化。方法：PH患者150例,根据PH的程度分为轻度组、中度组、重度组,每组50例,应用PW-TDI测量心尖四腔心切面三尖瓣前瓣瓣环心肌运动的时间间期指标包括：电一机械时间（EMD）、射血前期（PEP）、等容收缩时间（ICT）、心室射血时间（ET）、等容舒张时间（IRT）、充盈时间（FT）,计算Tei指数。将PH组与正常对照组的心肌运动时间间期参数进行比较,通过统计分析了解不同程度PH患者右心功能变化。结果：与正常对照组比较,轻度组IRT延长（P〈0．01）;中度组IRT延长、fvr缩短（均P〈0．01）;重度组IRT、ICT和PEP延长、ET和丌缩短（均P〈0．01）。Tei指数在PH组均增大（均P〈0．01）。中度组较轻度组、重度组较轻度组、重度组较中度组IRT延长、FT缩短（均P〈0．05）;重度组较轻度组ICT和PEP延长、ET缩短、Tei指数增大（均P〈0．05）。EMD在不同水平PH组和正常对照组间无显著性差异。结论：PH导致右室收缩和舒张功能降低,舒张功能降低早于收缩功能降低。     

右心室心肌梗死时头胸导联与Wilson导联心电图的比较

目的:探讨头胸导联(HC导联)心电图对右心室心肌梗死(RVI)的诊断价值。方法:对经临床、生化和冠状动脉造影证实的25例RVI患者进行心电图HC导联与 Wilson导联的同步对比观察。另选 49 例正常人作对照。结果:①对照组HC导联中HV3R~HV8R的QRS波多呈 Rs或 R型,越往右越明显,无≥2 个相邻导联出现Q波。②RVI者HV3R~HV8R的QRS波形态多为 QS形,且 HL3、HO、HR3 导联也以 QS型为主。25例RVI患者HC导联心电图的诊断符合率高于Wilson导联(84.0%∶52.0%,P<0.05)。③下壁梗死时,HL3、HO、HR3 导联Q波的出现与Wilson导联上Ⅱ、Ⅲ和aVF导联有很好的一致性。结论:RVI时HC导联心电图图形变化明显,所涉及的导联多,明显优于Wilson导联。     

Primary angioplasty for infarction due to isolated right ventricular artery occlusion

We report an unusual case of an isolated right ventricular infarction with haemodynamic compromise caused by spontaneous isolated proximal occlusion of the right ventricular branch of the right coronary artery(RCA), successfully treated by balloon angioplasty. A 58-yearold gentleman presented with epigastric pain radiating into both arms. Electrocardiograph with right ventricular leads confirmed ST elevation in V4 R and a diagnosis of isolated right ventricular infarction was made. Urgent primary percutaneous intervention was performed which revealed occlusion of the right ventricular branch of the RCA. During the procedure, the patient’s blood pressure dropped to 80/40 mm Hg, and echocardiography showed impaired right ventricular systolic function. Despite aggressive fluid resuscitation, the patient remained hypotensive, continued to have chest pain and persistent electrocardiograph changes, and hence balloon angioplasty was performed on the proximal right ventricular branch which restored flow to the vessel and revealed a severe ostial stenosis. This was treated with further balloon angioplasty which restored TIMI 3 flow with resolution of patient’s symptoms. Repeat echocardiography showed complete resolution of theST-elevation in leads V4 R and V5 R and partial resolution in V1. Subsequent dobutamine-stress echocardiography at 4 wk showed good left and right ventricular contractions. The patient was discharged after a 3-d inpatient stay without any complications.     

脉冲组织多普勒显像评价原发性高血压患者右室舒张功能

目的:应用脉冲组织多普勒显像(TDI)评价原发性高血压(EH)患者的右室舒张功能。方法:53例Ⅰ~Ⅱ级EH患者(EH组)及50例健康志愿者(对照组)于三尖瓣环与二尖瓣环行脉冲TDI检查,测量舒张早期峰值运动速度(e)、舒张晚期峰值速度(a),计算e/a。对比2组右室舒张功能参数,分析右室舒张功能参数与其他因素的相关关系。结果:EH患者三尖瓣环e明显减低,e/a明显下降,右室等容舒张时间延长,右室舒张功能参数与左室舒张功能参数呈紧密正相关。结论:轻、中度EH患者存在右室舒张功能障碍,两侧心室充盈参数之间相关性良好。脉冲TDI用于评价EH患者右室舒张功能是可行的。     

Regional right ventricular dysfunction in acute pulmonary embolism and right ventricular infarction.

BACKGROUND: A normally contracting right ventricular apex associated to a severe hypokinesia of the mid-free wall ('McConnell sign') has been considered a distinct echocardiographic pattern of acute pulmonary embolism. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical utility of the 'McConnell sign' in the bedside diagnostic work-up of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with an acute right ventricular dysfunction due to pulmonary embolism or right ventricular infarction. DESIGN: Among 201 patients, consecutively selected from our clinical database and diagnosed as having massive or submassive pulmonary embolism or right ventricular infarction, 161 were suitable for an echocardiographic review of regional right ventricular contraction and were included in the study. There were 107 cases with pulmonary embolism (group 1) and 54 cases with right ventricular infarction (group 2). All echocardiographic studies were randomly examined by two experienced and independent echocardiographers, blinded to the patient diagnosis and without Doppler informations. RESULTS: The McConnell sign was detected in 75 of 107 patients in group 1 (70%) and in 36 of 54 patients in group 2 (67%); the finding was absent in 32 cases in group 1 and in 18 cases in group 2 (P=0.657). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the McConnell sign for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism were respectively 70, 33, 67 and 36%. CONCLUSIONS: In a clinical setting of patients with acute right ventricular dysfunction the McConnell sign cannot be considered a specific marker of pulmonary embolism.     

The detailed assessment of left and right ventricular functions by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

In the contrary to other rheumatologic disorders, there have been limited numbers of studies investigating the cardiac involvement in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), although the disease may carry a potential for cardiovascular disorders because of sustained inflammation during its course. In the present study, we used high usefulness tissue Doppler echocardiography for detailed analysis of cardiac changes in FMF patients. The study population included 30 patients with FMF (11 men, 19 women; mean age, 35 ± 7 years, mean disease duration, 15.4 ± 7.6 years) and 30 healthy subjects as controls (12 men, 18 women; mean age, 33 ± 7 years). The diagnosis of FMF was established according to the Tell–Hashomer criteria. Left and right ventricular functions were measured using echocardiography comprising standard two-dimensional, M-mode, and conventional Doppler as well as tissue Doppler imaging. The conventional echocardiographic paratemeters were similar apart from left ventricular relaxation time was longer (107 ± 25 vs 85 ± 10 ms, p < 0.001, respectively) in patients with FMF. According to the tissue Doppler measurements, while systolic velocities of both ventricles were not different, diastolic filling velocities of left ventricle including E′_m (12.6 ± 3.4 vs 14.7 ± 3.3 cm/s, p = 0.04), A′_m (10.1 ± 2.6 vs 8.6 ± 2.0 cm/s, p = 0.015), and E′_m/ A′_m (1.24 ± 0.4 vs 1.71 ± 0.5 cm/s, p = 0.012) values were statistically different between the groups. Left ventricular myocardial performance indices and right ventricular diastolic functions were found similar between two groups. In addition, there were no significant correlations between the disease duration, clinical features, and echocardiographic parameters. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that although systolic functions were comparable in the patients and controls, left ventricular diastolic function indices were impaired in FMF patients by using tissue Doppler analysis.     

实验性急性单纯右心室心肌梗死的心电图变化

为探讨急性单纯右心室梗死的心电图变化,对10条犬实验性闭胸式急性单纯右心室梗死模型(病理解剖证实单纯右心室心肌游离壁梗死,范围31.4％±5.5％)定时描记体表心电图。结果显示:右胸导联(V_(5R)、V_(4R)、V_(3R)V_(1R)ST段显著抬高,R波振幅降低或形成Q波,而V_5和Ⅱ、Ⅲ、aVF导联ST段呈相应程度下移;ST段变化于右冠状动脉堵闭后15min达高峰值。揭示犬右胸前导联与下壁导联存在有对应关系,为临床上右心室与下壁心肌梗死并存的心电图变化提出了可能的机制。     

急性下壁梗死伴或不伴右心室心肌梗死患者临床特征的比较

目的：比较急性下壁心肌梗死（IWMI）伴或不伴右心室心肌梗死（RVMI）患者的临床特征差异。方法纳入2006年10月~2012年12月总参保健处发病12 h内入院的急性下壁心肌梗死（IWMI）患者256例,根据冠状动脉造影（CAG）结果将患者分为IWMI不合并RVMI组（n=167）和IWMI合并RVMI组（n=89）,比较两组患者冠心病发病主要危险因素（包括吸烟、高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症、冠心病家族史）、临床表现、并发症和治疗用药的差异。结果两组患者冠心病主要危险因素无差异（P＞0.05）。IWMI合并RVMI患者出现低血压（80.0% vs.19.8%,P＜0.05）、颈静脉怒张（50.6%vs.1.8%）和Kussmaul征（51.7%vs.1.2%）的比例明显增加（P均＜0.01）,需要更多地应用正性肌力药物（60.7%vs.16.2%）来维持血压,且病死率较高（77.9%vs.0.6%,P＜0.05）。结论在IWMI基础上伴RVMI多合并右心功能障碍,可导致预后不良。     

The use of isovolumic contraction velocity to determine right ventricular state of contractility and filling pressures A pulsed Doppler tissue imaging study.

AIMS: Echocardiographic techniques have not so far been able to provide a good estimation of myocardial contractility in humans. Myocardial motion during the isovolumic contraction phase, measured by Doppler tissue imaging, has only recently in experimental models been shown to describe myocardial contractility. The aim of the present clinical study was to investigate the relationship between right ventricular isovolumic contraction velocity and right ventricular state of contractility. METHODS AND RESULTS: Doppler tissue imaging and cardiac catheterization were performed simultaneously in 26 consecutive patients with different cardiac diseases (18 males, mean age 52 +/- 12, range 23-75 years). Peak isovolumic contraction velocity was measured using Doppler tissue imaging at 2 levels of the right ventricular free wall. During cardiac catheterization, the first derivative of right ventricular pressure related to the pulmonary artery peak pressure (dP/dt/P(max)) was measured. Furthermore, right ventricular end diastolic pressure, right atrial mean pressure, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and pulmonary artery resistance, were also measured. A significant relationship was found between isovolumic contraction velocity and dP/dt/P(max) (r = 0.59, p < 0.01). This relationship was strengthened after excluding patients with elevated right atrial pressures (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a correlation was also found between basal and mid cavity isovolumic contraction velocity and right ventricular end diastolic pressure (r = -0.47, r = -0.49, p < 0.05) as well as right atrial mean pressure (r = -0.63, r = -0.55, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Isovolumic contraction velocity is a reproducible and easily obtainable non-invasive parameter which correlates with invasive measurements of right ventricular state of contractility and right ventricular filling pressures.     

Assessment of right ventricular systolic function: Comparison between cardiac magnetic resonance derived ejection fraction and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging of the tricuspid annulus

Background

Systolic right ventricular (RV) function is an important predictor in the course of various congenital and acquired heart diseases. Its practical determination by echocardiography remains challenging. We compared routine assessment of lateral tricuspid annular systolic motion velocity (TV_lat, cm/s) using pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging from the apical 4-chamber view with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) as reference method.

Methods and results

254 individuals (43 ± 18 years) underwent both CMR (contiguous short axis slices; retrogated cine steady state free precession technique; manual contour tracing) and echocardiography within 2 ± 2 months. Seventy-five had coronary artery disease, 87 congenital heart disease, 17 dilated cardiomyopathy, 15 pulmonary artery hypertension, and 47 normal findings. RV ejection fraction (EF) by CMR was 51 ± 12% (range 17-78%). There was a linear correlation between RVEF and TV_lat (r = 0.60; p < 0.0001). A TV_lat cut-off of 12 cm/s identified patients with normal EF (≥ 50%) with 81% sensitivity and 68% specificity, and a threshold of TV_lat < 9 cm/s identified patients with severely reduced RVEF (< 30%) with 82% sensitivity and 86% specificity.

Conclusions

Systolic long-axis velocity measurements of the lateral tricuspid annulus allow a reliable assessment of RVEF in clinical routine. A threshold of TV_lat < 9 cm/s identifies patients with severely reduced RVEF (< 30%) with high sensitivity and specificity.     

Improved left and right ventricular functions with trimetazidine in patients with heart failure: a tissue Doppler study

Downregulation of glucose and fatty acid oxidation occurs in heart failure (HF). Trimetazidine reduces fatty acid oxidation and increases glucose oxidation. In this single-blind study, trimetazidine, 20 mg three times per day (n = 51) or placebo (n = 36) was added to treatment of 87 HF patients receiving optimal HF therapy. Etiology of heart failure was coronary artery disease in 35 patients (68.6%) in the trimetazidine group and 22 (62.9%) in the placebo group. Fourteen (27.5%) patients in the trimetazidine group and 11 (31.4%) patients in the placebo group had diabetes. Peak systolic velocity (Vs), and the peak early diastolic (Vd) and late diastolic (Va) velocities of various segments left and right ventricles (RV) were obtained with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and averaged. Patients were re-evaluated three months later. Significant increases in mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (33.3% ± 5.6% to 42.4% ± 6.3%, P < 0.001 and 30.6% ± 8.2% to 33.2% ± 6.6%, P = 0.021) and LV and RV myocardial velocities and mitral and tricuspid annular TDI velocities were observed in both groups. However, compared to placebo, increments in LVEF (9.1% ± 4.2% vs. 2.5% ± 1.4%, P < 0.001) and myocardial velocities were significantly higher with trimetazidine (P < 0.001 for LV Vs, Vd, Va; P = 0.035 for RV Vd; and P < 0.001 for RV Va and Vs). Increase in LVEF with trimetazidine was significantly correlated with presence of diabetes (r = 0.524, P < 0.001). With trimetazidine LVEF increased significantly more in diabetic patients compared to nondiabetics (P < 0.001). Also, patients having both diabetes and ischemic HF tended to have greater improvement in LVEF compared to ischemic HF patients without diabetes (P = 0.063). Addition of trimetazidine to current treatment of HF, especially for those who are diabetic, may improve LV and RV functions.     

组织多普勒成像对慢性肺动脉高压患者右心室功能的评价

目的 探讨组织多普勒成像技术评价慢性肺动脉高压患者右心室功能及与肺动脉收缩压的关系.方法 对2006年10月至2007年3月在复旦大学华山医院心内科就诊的35例慢性肺动脉高压和35名正常人进行组织多普勒超声心动图检查,从心尖四腔观获得右室侧壁三尖瓣环的运动速度频谱图,测量收缩期S波峰速度(Sm),舒张早期负向E波峰速度(Em),舒张晚期负向A波峰速度(Am),等容收缩时间(IVCT)和等容舒张时间(IVRT).结果 肺动脉高压组Sm、Em和Em/Am均低于对照组,肺动脉高压组Am、IVRT均高于对照组,差异均有显著性意义.IVRT和肺动脉收缩压(PASP)存在显著的正相关(r=0.78,P＜0.01),IVRT≥60 ms诊断肺动脉高压的敏感度和特异度分别为83%和86%.结论 慢性肺动脉高压导致右心收缩及舒张功能减退,当连续多普勒不能估测肺动脉收缩压时,组织多普勒可作为肺动脉收缩压估测的新方法.     

The E/e filling index and right ventricular pressure in relation to applied international Doppler recommendations of left ventricular filling assessment.

AIM: A ratio>15 between the early diastolic pulsed Doppler velocities of the mitral inflow (E) and the basal left ventricular (LV) tissue (e) has been demonstrated to predict an elevated LV filling pressure (FP). An elevated LVFP implies an elevated right ventricular pressure (RVp). In order to investigate the sensitivity of the E/e filling index, we compared E/e and RVp, in their ability to identify a Doppler-assumed elevation of LVFP. METHODS AND RESULTS: Application of pulsed Doppler international recommendations grouped 134 patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and 50 age- and sex-matched controls, according to LV filling: normal; delayed relaxation; an isolated pathological mitral-pulmonary venous-A-wave-duration difference; pseudo normal; or a restrictive filling pattern. An E/e>15 and an RVp>30 mmHg showed the following (%) sensitivity (32/94), specificity (95/76), positive (68/59), and negative (80/97) predictive values of a Doppler-assumed elevation of LVFP, in terms of either a pseudo normal or a restrictive filling pattern. CONCLUSION: The low sensitivity of E/e to detect a Doppler-assumed elevation of LVFP could limit its clinical usefulness as a single variable, in ACS. The high sensitivity and negative predictive value of RVp support its use as an additional LV filling variable in these patients.     

Differential strain and velocity generation along the right ventricular free wall in pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND:

In contrast to the homogeneously distributed deformation properties within the left ventricle, the right ventricular (RV) free wall (RVFW) shows a more inhomogeneous distribution. It has been demonstrated that pulmonary hypertension (PH) results in significant RVFW mechanical delay.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effect of the degree of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure on the RVFW strain gradient and on myocardial velocity generation.

METHODS:

Peak longitudinal strain and velocity data were collected from three different segments (basal, mid- and apical) of the RVFW in 17 normal individuals and 31 PH patients.

RESULTS:

A total of 144 RV wall segments were analyzed. RVFW strain values in individuals without PH were higher in the mid and apical segments than in the basal segment. In contrast, RVFW strain in PH patients was higher in basal segments and diminished toward the apex. In terms of RVFW velocities, both groups showed decremental values from basal to apical segments. Basal and mid-RVFW velocities were significantly lower in PH patients than in individuals without PH.

CONCLUSIONS:

PH results in significant alterations of strain and velocity generation that occurs along the RVFW. Of these abnormalities, the reduction in strain from the mid and apical RVFW segments was most predictive of PH. It is important to be aware of these differences in strain generation when studying the effect of PH on the right ventricle. Additional studies are required to determine whether these differences are due to RV remodelling.