NT-proBNP can be used to detect right ventricular systolic dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension.

Right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) at baseline (pre-treatment) predicts early death in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, RVSD can only be detected reliably by prohibitively invasive or expensive techniques. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide concentration ([NT-proBNP]) correlates with RV function in PH; however, an [NT-proBNP] threshold that indicates RVSD in individual patients has not previously been determined. Twenty-five patients with PH (pulmonary arterial hypertension (n = 19) or chronic thromboembolic PH (n = 6)) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and NT-proBNP measurement at baseline. [NT-proBNP] was correlated against RV dimensions and ejection fraction (RVEF) measured directly by CMR imaging. The ability of NT-proBNP to detect RVSD (defined as a CMR-derived RVEF >2 SDS below control values) was tested and predictors of [NT-proBNP] identified. [NT-proBNP] correlated negatively with RVEF. RVSD was present in nine out of 25 patients. An [NT-proBNP] threshold of 1,685 pg.mL(-1) was sensitive (100%) and specific (94%) in detecting RVSD. RVEF and RV mass index independently predicted [NT-proBNP]. In pulmonary hypertension, a baseline N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide concentration of >1,685 ng.L(-1) suggests right ventricular systolic dysfunction, and thus an increased risk of early death. N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide could prove useful as an objective, noninvasive means of identifying patients with pulmonary hypertension who have right ventricular systolic dysfunction at presentation.     

肺动脉高压患者右室机械活动延迟与右室收缩功能的相关性研究

目的探讨肺动脉高压患者右室机械活动延迟与右室收缩功能之间的关系。方法51例肺动脉高压患者按肺动脉高压程度分为轻、中、重3组,并选取30名健康人为对照组,采用定量组织多普勒技术（QTVI）取心尖四腔切面分别测量右室三尖瓣环、室间隔三尖瓣环收缩期达峰时间,二者差值为右室机械收缩延迟时间（RV—IVSd）;常规二维超声同一切面测量右室舒张末期面积、收缩末期面积,计算出右室面积变化分数（RVa％）。结果（1）与对照组比较,轻、中、重度肺动脉高压组RV-IVSd明显延迟（P〈0．05）,且肺动脉压力越高,延迟越明显;（2）轻度组RVa％与对照组间差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,而中、重度组RVa％低于对照组（P〈0．05）;（3）肺动脉高压各组RV—IVSd与RVa％相关性均良好（r=-0．79;r=-0．66;r=-0．80）。结论RV—IVSd可在一定程度上反映右心收缩功能,为超声评估右室收缩功能提供了一种新指标。     

Influence of verapamil and oxygen on pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular function

The study was designed to elucidate verapamil action on the pulmonary vascular bed and right ventricular function and to compare it with the effect of oxygen in view of the fact that calcium antagonists can attenuate hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. 16 patients with secondary, and 4 with primary, pulmonary hypertension and with a mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 68.6 +/- 28.7 mmHg were examined. After determination of initial haemodynamic values, the oxygen test (OT) was performed; later on, when the values returned to the initial ones, verapamil was infused into pulmonary artery. Measurements were carried out in the 10th min of OT and until the 30th min after verapamil. While verapamil decreased statistically significantly pulmonary artery pressures and resistances, it did not deteriorate right ventricular systolic function, although it lowered its stiffness significantly. The effect of oxygen was comparable with that of verapamil though the magnitude of changes was smaller.     

Plasma VEGF levels and their relation to right ventricular function in pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

A protective role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on right heart function has been reported only in animal studies of pulmonary hypertension. Twenty patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension and fifteen healthy volunteers were involved. Plasma VEGF levels were compared to right heart parameters. Plasma VEGF levels tended to be higher in patients (82/0–345/pg/ml) than in controls (48/0–141/pg/ml, p?=?0.08) with a significant correlation between VEGF concentration and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE; p?=?0.03, r?=?0.48). This is the first study to report a positive association between elevated plasma VEGF levels and right heart function in humans.     

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.     

Pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular function in hypertension

Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics in 16 hypertensive subjects (group I) with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (ECG and echo criteria) and in 17 hypertensive subjects with ECG signs of LV strain (group II), were compared with those in 14 normal individuals. An augmented pulmonary arteriolar resistance (PAR) in group I and to a larger extent in group II accounted for the pulmonary pressure elevation in both groups. Increase in PAR was unrelated to pulmonary blood flow and volume, pleural pressure, arterial PO2, PCO2 and pH, and could not be explained entirely by the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure changes. In group I, left (L.MSEJR) and right (R;MSEJR) mean systolic ejection rate, stroke index (SI) and mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) were enhanced in spite of the heightened pressure load on both sides of the heart. In group II, a large reduction of SI, L.MS.EJR, R.MSEJR and VCF, as well as the relationship between ventricular filling pressures and SI, documented a compromised performance of both ventricles, Findings indicate that: systemic hypertension is associated with elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure and of PAR which is not necessarily a consequence of impairment in LV function; LV hypertrophy is associated with enhanced performance of either ventricle; in coincidence with development of ECG signs of LV strain, the performance of both sides of the heart deteriorates. A functional interdependence of the two ventricles is suggested.     

Left ventricular function in pulmonary hypertension

To elucidate left ventricular function in pulmonary hypertension, we measured parameters of left ventricular as well as right ventricular function by echocardiography in 11 patients with pulmonary hypertension (idiopathic pulmonary artery hypertension in 4, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in 5, and other pulmonary hypertension in 2). The percent change in these parameters 6 months after treatment with pulmonary artery vasodilators (beraprost in 8 and sildenafil in 3) was assessed. There was a correlation between the relative change in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and the relative changes in left ventricular outflow tract velocity–time integral (r = ?0.730, P = 0.011) and mitral valve velocity–time integral (r = ?0.621, P = 0.041). However, there was no correlation between the relative change in RVSP and the relative changes in left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular diastolic dimension, and systolic blood pressure. The relative change in RVSP was also correlated with the relative change in early diastolic myocardial velocity at the medial mitral annulus (r = ?0.675, P = 0.023). Reduction of RVSP by pulmonary artery vasodilators might increase left ventricular preload, leading to an increase in stroke volume. Right ventricular load reduction might improve left ventricular diastolic function in patients with pulmonary hypertension, possibly through altered interventricular septal performance.     

合并肺动脉高压心脏移植患者术后早期血流动力学分析及处理

目的观察和探讨心脏移植患者术前肺动脉压力和肺循环阻力与术后右心功能不全的关系,及降低因术后早期肺动脉高压造成右心功能损害的临床措施。方法54例接受同种原位心脏移植手术的患者,根据术前肺动脉收缩压（sPAP）≥45nmmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa）或〈45mmHg,分为Ⅰ组34例和Ⅱ组20例。统计术前血流动力学指标心排指数（CI）、肺循环阻力（PVR）、中心静脉压（CVP）。Swan-Ganz导管连续监测术后60h内的平均肺动脉压（mPAP）、PVR、CI等指标的动态变化。床旁超声分别监测和评价术后3、7、14、21天和1个月时的三尖瓣反流程度。术后肺动脉高压及右心功能维护治疗措施包括利尿、NO吸入、静脉注射前列环素（llomedin 20）、血液滤过等。结果本组患者无术后早期死亡（术后30天内）。Ⅰ、Ⅱ组患者术前的sPAP分别为（60±12）mmHg和（25±9）mmHg（P〈0．01）;PVR分别为（358±150）dyn·s^-1·cm^-5和（140±68）dyn·s^-1·cm^-5（P〈0．01）。术后早期出现右心功能不全的患者Ⅰ组24／34（70．6％）例,Ⅱ组7／20（35．0％）例,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0．01）。Ⅰ组患者术后早期肺动脉压力和PVR仍明显高于Ⅱ组患者,并且在较长的时间后才逐渐下降至正常或仍维持偏高水平。Ⅰ组患者术后早期三尖瓣反流的严重程度高于Ⅱ组患者（P〈0．05）,但随着术后时间的延长,两组患者三尖瓣反流程度差异无统计学意义。结论心脏移植患者术前肺动脉高压的严重程度是影响术后早期右心功能的关键因素。通过有效的降低和防治术后早期肺动脉高压,降低右心负荷,可以明确降低和缩短因肺动脉高压造成术后早期右心功能损害的严重程度和持续时间,有利于术后早期心功能的恢复并维持良好的远期心功能状态。     

Prognostic value of right ventricular mass, volume, and function in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

AIMS: This study investigated the relationship between right ventricular (RV) structure and function and survival in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). METHODS AND RESULTS: In 64 patients, cardiac magnetic resonance, right heart catheterization, and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. RV structure and function were analysed as predictors of mortality. During a mean follow-up of 32 months, 19 patients died. A low stroke volume (SV), RV dilatation, and impaired left ventricular (LV) filling independently predicted mortality. In addition, a further decrease in SV, progressive RV dilatation, and further decrease in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) at 1-year follow-up were the strongest predictors of mortality. According to Kaplan-Meier survival curves, survival was lower in patients with an inframedian SV index or= 84 mL/m(2), and an inframedian LVEDV相似文献   

Changes in right ventricular structure and function assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in bosentan-treated patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) usually show improvements in symptoms, exercise capacity, and hemodynamics after treatment with approved medical therapies. This study sought to determine whether improvement in right-sided cardiac function measured using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging would also be seen and whether these changes would correlate with improvement in exercise capacity. Sixteen patients with PAH underwent evaluation at baseline and after 12 months of treatment with bosentan. After treatment, cardiac index, pulmonary vascular resistance, and 6-minute walk distance improved, and there was a trend toward improvement in right ventricular (RV) stroke volume (70 +/- 27 to 81 +/- 30 ml; p = 0.08), but no change in RV ejection fraction (RVEF) or RV end-diastolic volume. Six-minute walk distance improved by 59 m (p <0.05) in the overall cohort and improved more in patients in whom RVEF increased compared with those with stable or decreased RVEF (+98 vs -37 m, respectively; p = 0.01). Three patients died during follow-up, and these patients had significantly lower RVEF and left ventricular end-diastolic volume indexes than surviving patients. In conclusion, these results suggest that cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may have value in determining response to therapy and prognosis in patients with PAH.     

Imaging in the evaluation of pulmonary artery hemodynamics and right ventricular structure and function

Among the many approaches for evaluating patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), imaging plays a crucial role. The primary role of imaging is to identify the severity of PH based on noninvasive hemodynamic assessment and to evaluate right ventricular morphology and function. The major modalities used in current clinical practice for these purposes are echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. This review discusses the merits, limitations, and clinical utility of several echocardiographic and CMR techniques used in the evaluation of PH. It also includes a brief discussion of the role of computed tomography and radionuclide imaging.     

Left ventricular function in chronic pulmonary hypertension

Ten patients, all women, with chronic pulmonary hypertension consequent to primary or secondary pulmonary vascular disease were studied with left ventricular micromanometry and cineangiography. Twelve subjects (eight women, four men) with atypical chest pain or a functional murmur served as control subjects. At rest, maximal velocity of contractile element shortening (Vmax), determined from left ventricular total pressure-velocity curves and volumetric measurements derived from right anterior oblique cineangiograms, did not differ significantly between the two groups. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in patients than in control subjects (11.4 versus 8.0 mm Hg). In six patients biplane cineangiographic data were available: The minor left ventricular end-diastolic axis was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller in the left anterior oblique than in the right anterior oblique projection (4.7 versus 5.4 cm). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume from blplane measurements was 13 percent and ejection fraction 11 percent smaller than values obtained from the right anterior oblique cineangiograms. The average biplane ejection fraction was 0.59. Echocardiographic data were consistent with abnormal left ventricular geometry with flattening of the cavity in the left anterior oblique projection because the transverse end-diastolic chamber diameter was significantly (P < 0.01) smaller in the patients than in 10 female volunteers (2.4 versus 2.9 cm/m²). The change of left ventricular shape from end-systole to end-diastole appeared diminished in pulmonary hypertension because the ratio of the angiographic long axis (L) to the minor equatorial axis (M) was less reduced during diastole in patients than in control subjects. Left ventricular lateral (angiographic) and posterior wall (echographic) thickness did not differ significantly between the two groups; however, septal thickness (echographic) was significantly (P < 0.005) larger in patients than in control subjects (1.3 versus 0.9 cm). During handgrip exercise, Vmax increased significantly (P < 0.01) in control subjects but only insignificantly in patients.

It is concluded that in chronic pulmonary hypertension, (1) left ventricular function at rest is within normal limits, (2) left ventricular contractile reserve during isometric exercise is impaired, and (3) there is an abnormal left ventricular end-diastolic pressure-volume relation due to septal bulging, septal hypertrophy and reduced change of shape of the left ventricular cavity during diastole.     

Functional tricuspid regurgitation and right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary hypertension

This study examined the effects of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on the relation between right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction and mean pulmonary pressure. The significant inverse relation between RV ejection fraction and pulmonary artery pressure for the entire group (n = 95, r = -0.38, p less than 0.001) was improved either by looking only at the subset without TR (n = 56, r = -0.54, p less than 0.001) or by combining the RV ejection fraction with the angiographic grade of TR using multivariate analysis (n = 95, r = -0.52, p less than 0.001). Pulmonary hypertension was associated with the development of angiographic TR. These data support the concept that in using the RV ejection fraction as a measure of RV systolic function, it is necessary to consider the presence or absence of TR.     

Pathophysiology of impaired right and left ventricular function in chronic embolic pulmonary hypertension: changes after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the pathophysiology of left and right heart failure in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who were hospitalized to undergo pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE). DESIGN: Thirty-nine patients (16 women and 23 men; mean +/- SD age, 55+/-12 years) with severe CTEPH were examined before and 13+/-8 days after PTE by way of transthoracic echocardiography and right heart catheterization. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Examination results confirmed in all cases that before surgery the right ventricles were enlarged and systolic function was impaired. Moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation was observed. Left ventricular eccentricity indexes reflected a leftward displacement of the interventricular septum. End-diastolic left ventricular size and systolic function had decreased, and the left ventricular filling pattern showed impaired diastolic function. After surgery, mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly lower (48+/- 10 mm Hg vs. 25+/-7 mm Hg; p<0.05). The calculated end-diastolic and end-systolic right ventricular areas had decreased: 30+/-7 cm(2) vs 21 +/-5 cm(2) (p<0.05) and 24+/-6 cm(2) vs. 14+/-4 cm(2) (p<0.05), respectively. Right ventricular fractional area change had increased (20+/-7% vs. 33+/-8%; p<0.05). Most of the patients exhibited a marked decrease in the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Septal motion, left ventricular systolic function, and diastolic filling pattern returned to normal values (early to late diastolic left ventricular inflow ratio, 0.70+/-0.33 vs. 1.35+/-0.51; p<0.05). The mean cardiac index also improved (2.7+/-0.6 L/min/m(2) vs. 3.7+/-0.8 L/min/m(2)). CONCLUSIONS: In CTEPH, functions are impaired in the right as well as the left ventricles of the heart. Improved lung perfusion and the reduction of right ventricular pressure overload are direct results of PTE, which in turn bring a profound reduction of right ventricular size and a recovery of systolic function. Normalization of interventricular septal motion as well as improved venous return to the left atrium lead to a normalization of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function, and the cardiac index improves.     

肺高血压之右心功能评估

肺高血压是一种预后差的严重疾病,可发展为右心衰竭,进而导致死亡。及时、准确地评估右心功能对于判断疾病严重程度、制定治疗方案以及对疾病预后的评估有重要意义。该文对目前常用的评价右心功能的检查技术、指标及临床意义进行介绍,包括心电图、超声心动图、心脏磁共振、电子计算机断层扫描等。超声心动图是重要的筛查手段,通过三尖瓣环收缩期位移幅度(TAPSE)、右室心肌做功指数(RIMP)、面积变化分数(FAC)等指标可较为准确地反映右心功能,心脏磁共振是无创评估右心功能的金标准,电子计算机断层扫描技术除可反映右心功能外,还能反映胸腔内其他结构,有助于寻找导致肺高血压的病因。     

Evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension by different right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling methods

To compare the accuracy of end-systolic elasticity (E_es)/arterial elasticity (E_a) ratio measured by single beat estimation, pressure–volume loop and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) combined volume method in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension, and to find a feasible and reliable method to quantitatively evaluate the function of right ventricle in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension. Forty-nine pulmonary artery hypertension patients enrolled between May 2017 and May 2018 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Firstly, measure E_es/E_a ratio by single beat estimation, pressure–volume loop and CMR combined volume method, then, compare E_es/E_a ratio with New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and NT-proBNP value respectively to evaluate the accuracy of the 3 methods. E_es/E_a ratio measured by single beat estimation is 2.07 ± 1.01, correlation analysis is not statistically significant when compare with NYHA classification and NT-proBNP value (P > .05). E_es/E_a ratio measured by pressure–volume loop is 2.64 ± 1.48, correlation analysis is not statistically significant when compare with NYHA classification and NT-proBNP value (P > .05). E_es/E_a ratio measured by CMR combined volume method is 0.72 ± 0.43, correlation analysis is statistically significant when compare with NYHA classification and NT-proBNP with negative correlation (P < .05). E_es/E_a ratio decrease according to the increase of NT-proBNP value and the NYHA classification. There is linear regression equation between E_es/E_a ratio measured by CMR combined volume method and log (NT-proBNP) value: Y = –0.257X + 1.45, and the linear regression equation is statistically significant (P = .001). E_es/E_a ratio measured by CMR combined volume method is a feasible and reliable method to quantitatively evaluate the function of right ventricule in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension, which might be further verified in a larger patient population.