The Diagnostic Accuracy of Doppler Echocardiography in Assessment of Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure: A Meta‐Analysis

Background: Transthoracic echocardiography is commonly used to estimate pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and to diagnose pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, some recent studies have questioned the accuracy of Doppler echocardiography (DE) in the assessment of PASP. The present meta‐analysis was performed to estimate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of DE in the assessment of PASP. Methods: A literature search and data extraction of English and non‐English articles reported from May 1984 to January 2009 was performed independently by 2 investigators using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Articles were included if they compared DE with right heart catheterization (RHC) in the assessment of PASP. Nine articles met our criteria and were included in our meta‐analysis. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the results of these articles using fixed‐ and random‐effect models to estimate the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of DE in the assessment of PASP. Results: The correlation between PASP estimated by DE and RHC ranged from (r = 0.65, P < 0.001) to (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DE for the diagnosis of PH were 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84–92%), 56% (95% CI, 46–66%), and 63% (95% CI, 53–73%), respectively. Conclusion: DE is a useful noninvasive modality to screen for PH and can reliably determine whether PASP is normal, mildly elevated, or markedly elevated. However, abnormal results from DE need to be confirmed by RHC.     

Doppler Estimation of Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure Revisited

Previous attempts at noninvasive estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PA_S) were limited by the inability to identify adequate spectral signals of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in a significant proportion of patients. Recently, image and color flow directed continuous-wave Doppler have enabled spectral mapping of previously undetectable TR jets. Accordingly, 30 consecutive patients underwent two-dimensional and continuous-wave Doppler echocardiograms immediately before right heart catheterization. PA_S was calculated as ∑ (4V²+ RA) where Vis the maximal velocity of the TR jet in ml sec and RA is right atrial pressure as estimated by the caval respiratory index. Twenty-eight patients (93%) had detectable signals of TR. Directly measured PA_S ranged from 21 to 95 mmHg (mean ± SD, 40 ± 18). Correlation between Doppler and catheter-measured PA_S was R-sq = 0.93 with a standard error of the estimate of 4.7 mmHg. Accurate results were obtained over a wide range of pulmonary pressures. Thus, noninvasive determination of PA_S is feasible in most patients including those with normal PA_S, and correlates extremely well with direct measurements.     

Echocardiographic Estimation of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: Utility of Right Heart Doppler Measurements

The ratio of tricuspid regurgitation velocity divided by the velocity‐time integral of right ventricular outflow tract pulsed‐wave Doppler tracing (TRV/VTI_RVOT) has been used to estimate pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR). However, this method has not been validated in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). We assessed the utility of TRV/VTI_RVOT in patients with CTEPH and PVR from 2 to 20 WU. All had right heart catheterization (RHC) within 2 days of echocardiography. TRV/VTI_RVOT was calculated and RHC‐derived pressures, PVR, and cardiac outputs were recorded. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was 47 ± 12 mmHg, cardiac output: 4.2 ± 1.1 L/min, PVR: 9 ± 4 WU, right atrial pressure: 12 ± 6 mmHg. Mean VTI_RVOT was 13 ± 5 cm; mean TRV was 4.2 ± 0.8 m/s, mean tricuspid regurgitation severity was 2.5 ± 0.8 (1 = trace, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe). Regression analysis demonstrated a correlation between RHC PVR and TRV/VTI_RVOT: PVR = 19.4 × (TRV/VTI_RVOT) + 2.4 (r = 0.74, P < 0.001). However, Bland–Altman analysis found a poor degree of agreement between echo‐derived PVR and RHC PVR. We also studied 28 patients with non‐CTEPH pulmonary hypertension. Similar analysis revealed a regression equation of PVR = 20.1 × (TRV/VTI_RVOT) + 0.3 (r = 0.57, P < 0.01). Conclusion: TRV/VTI_RVOT is only marginally useful for estimating PVR in CTEPH (r = 0.74). Moreover, the regression equation in CTEPH differs significantly from previous studies in pulmonary hypertension. Reasons for this may include the markedly elevated PVR levels in this population and specific effects on VTI_RVOT from CTEPH.     

Under Pressure: Right Heart Catheterization and Provocative Testing for Diagnosing Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a heterogenous disorder involving multiple pathophysiological processes that ultimately affect the vasculature within the lungs. Right heart catheterization (RHC) continues to be the benchmark for diagnosing PH. The use of provocation techniques during RHC can help sub-characterize the type of PH and thus assist in developing appropriate treatment strategies for the management of each PH subtype. This review examines proven and novel approaches for evaluating the pulmonary vasculature during RHC and aspires to provide an accurate, clinically relevant framework for using RHC to diagnose and manage PH. Further improvement in standardized protocols will help optimize the application of RHC in patients with PH.     

41例闭塞性肺动脉高压患者应用多普勒超声心动图法与右心导管法测定肺动脉压力的比较

目的:评价多普勒超声心动图法估测肺动脉收缩压(PASP)的可靠性.方法:用右心导管法(RHC)与多普勒超声心动图法分别测定闭塞性肺动脉高压患者的PASP,并将其结果进行比较.结果:多普勒超声心动图法与右心导管法测量PASP值,两者间比较有显著性差异(P＜0.05),平均差为(11.85±5.02)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),但两种方法得到的数值具有一定的相关性(r=0.635,P＜0.05).PASP值与动脉二氧化碳分压、肺泡-动脉氧差、血氧饱和度有关.结论:多普勒超声心动图法测量PAPS值与右心导管法有相关性,多普勒超声心动图法可作为估测肺动脉压力的一种可靠的无创检查方法.     

肺动脉高压患者右室功能的多普勒超声评价与进展

肺动脉高压会导致患者右室功能减低,早诊断、早治疗肺动脉高压能明显改善患者的预后。近年来应用多普勒超声技术对肺动脉高压患者右室功能研究的新进展层出不穷,如双多普勒同步技术、Tei指数及三尖瓣环收缩期位移等,均为临床提供了全新的评价肺动脉高压及右室功能的新手段及新参数。     

Pulmonary artery diastolic pressure: a simultaneous Doppler echocardiography and catheterization study

Pulmonary hypertension is an important determinant of the clinical presentation of and surgical approach to patients with heart disease. To confirm the utility of continuous wave Doppler echocardiography in assessing the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure in patients with pulmonary regurgitation, 51 patients representing the wide hemodynamic spectrum of pulmonary artery pressure underwent simultaneous determination of pulmonary artery diastolic pressure by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization. Pulmonary artery diastolic pressure was estimated from the Doppler recordings by the end-diastolic pressure gradient obtained by the modified Bernoulli equation plus the estimated right atrial pressure. A correlation was observed (r = 0.935, SEE = 7.4 mmHg) between Doppler and catheterization pulmonary artery diastolic pressure. In addition, comparison between the mean diastolic pressure gradient across the pulmonary valve by Doppler and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure at catheterization yielded a high correlation (r = 0.947, SEE = 5.1 mmHg). These data demonstrate that continuous wave Doppler echocardiography is a useful noninvasive technique for evaluating the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure in patients with pulmonary regurgitation.     

缺氧对肺心病患者肺动脉压力以及右心室结构与功能的影响

目的观察肺心病患者不同缺氧程度时肺动脉压力及右心室结构与功能的变化,同时取健康成人作对照,探讨缺氧对肺心病患者肺动脉压力及右心室结构与功能的影响。方法选择80例肺心病患者为病例组,并选取30名健康成人为对照组。测定治疗前以及病情缓解后血气分析、肺动脉压力(PAPS)、右心室前壁厚度(RVAW)、右心室舒张末期内径(EDRV)、右心室射血分数(EFRV)。结果治疗前,肺心病患者病情不同,缺氧程度不同,与健康成人比较,PAPS、RVAW、EDRV、EFRV均明显异常(P<0.01)。治疗后,与健康成人比较,肺心病患者PAPS、RVAW、EDRV、EFRV均明显异常(P<0.01)。缺氧程度不同的患者之间比较发现,PAPS、EDRV、EFRV等指标均有所异常(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论缺氧对肺心病患者肺动脉压力以及右心室结构与功能有明显的负面影响,改善缺氧有利于降低肺动脉压力,改善右心功能。     

Echocardiographic and Doppler Findings in Primary Sarcoma of the Pulmonary Artery

Primary sarcoma of the pulmonary artery is a rare heart tumor. In the reported case, the clinical findings were nonspecific, and were characterized by progressive dyspnea, fever, and a systolic murmur in the pulmonary area. Echocardiographic examination showed an echogenic mass partially obstructing the pulmonary artery trunk, dilation of the right cardiac chambers, and a pressure overload pattern. Doppler and color Doppler demonstrated a high-velocity systolic flow jet in the pulmonary artery due to obstruction of the vessel by the tumor, as well as severe high-velocity tricuspid regurgitation. The patient died suddenly soon thereafter. The autopsy confirmed almost total occlusion of the pulmonary artery by a neoplastic mass. Histopathological diagnosis was primary vascular leiomyosarcoma of the pulmonary artery. In addition, a large tumor embolus had occluded the right pulmonary artery. Doppler echocardiography proved useful in noninvasively recognizing the sarcoma of the pulmonary artery, and explaining the clinical picture and hemodynamic derangements produced by this tumor. This could, in other patients, allow an early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention.     

左心功能相关参数及左右心室内径比值与中重度肺动脉高压患者预后的关系

目的:探讨超声心动图无创测量左心功能相关参数及左右心室内径比值与中重度肺动脉高压患者预后的关系.方法:回顾性分析2019年1月至2020年11月我院心内科住院的中重度肺动脉高压患者90例,并依据随访中临床恶化[包括全因死亡、肺移植、因肺动脉高压恶化再住院、肺动脉高压治疗升级(增加口服靶向药物种类或增加剂量或增加皮下或静...