Pulmonary Hypertension,Right Ventricular Function,and Clinical Outcome in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

BackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction have been associated with adverse outcome in patients with chronic heart failure. However, data are lacking in the setting of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). We sought to determine prognostic significance of PH in patients with ADHF and its interaction with RV function.MethodsWe studied 326 patients with ADHF. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and RV function were determined with the use of Doppler echocardiography, with PH defined as PASP >50 mm Hg. The primary end point was all-cause mortality during 1-year follow-up.ResultsPH was present in 139 patients (42.6%) and RV dysfunction in 83 (25.5%). The majority of patients (70%) with RV dysfunction had PH. Compared with patients with normal RV function and without PH, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for mortality was 2.41 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44–4.03; P = .001) in patients with both RV dysfunction and PH. Patients with normal RV function and PH had an intermediate risk (adjusted HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.11–2.86; P = .016). Notably, patients with RV dysfunction without PH were not at increased risk for 1-year mortality (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.43–2.41; P = .94). PH and RV function data resulted in a net reclassification improvement of 22.25% (95% CI 7.2%–37.8%; P = .004).ConclusionsPH and RV function provide incremental prognostic information in ADHF. The combination of PH and RV dysfunction is particularly ominous. Thus, the estimation of PASP may be warranted in the standard assessment of ADHF.     

Clinical and Electrophysiological Difference Between Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Arrhythmias and Pulmonary Artery Arrhythmias

Characteristics of Pulmonary Artery Arrhythmias. Introduction: The precise incidence and characteristics of ventricular arrhythmias originating from the pulmonary artery have not been fully described. The purpose of this prospective study was to clarify these points. Methods: Thirty‐three consecutive patients with an idiopathic left bundle branch block and inferior‐axis deviation type ventricular arrhythmia were included. All patients underwent detailed electroanatomical mapping (CARTO, Biosense‐Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA) during sinus rhythm prior to the catheter ablation. The precise location of the catheter tip at the successful ablation site was confirmed by both electroanatomical mapping and contrast radiography. The clinical and electrophysiological data were compared between the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) arrhythmia patients (RVOT group) and PA arrhythmia patients (PA group). Results: Eight patients (8/33 patients: 24.2%) had their ventricular arrhythmias successfully ablated within the PA. The local bipolar electrogram at the successful ablation sites in the PA group exhibited a significantly greater duration (P < 0.05) and lower amplitude (P < 0.05) than did those in the RVOT group (n = 19). In the PA group, all patients exhibited a multicomponent electrograms composed of a spiky potential and a dull potential, which might have consisted of near‐field PA activation and a far‐field ventricular activation, respectively, at the successful ablation site. Direct ablation to the spiky electrogram was able to eliminate the arrhythmias in all the PA group patients. Conclusions: PA arrhythmias may be more common than previously recognized. Careful mapping and interpretation of low amplitude and multicomponent electrograms are important for recognizing ventricular arrhythmias originating from the PA. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 163‐169, February 2010)     

超声心动图评价肺动脉高压患者右室功能的研究进展

肺动脉高压的发展会导致患者右室功能减低,对肺动脉高压患者右室功能的评价对其预后具有十分重要的临床意义。随着超声技术的不断发展,特别是新型超声技术的出现能敏感、准确地定量反映肺动脉高压患者的右室功能。现就目前超声心动图技术在评价肺动脉高压患者右室功能中的应用做一综述。     

Right Ventricular Function Predicts Clinical Response to Specific Vasodilator Therapy in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Introduction: We followed patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) receiving specific vasodilator therapy and tested for predictors of clinical outcome. Methods: Thirty‐two patients (mean age 39 ± 15 years, 22 women, diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension; PH): 29 with PAH and 3 patients with inoperable chronic thromboembolic PH received therapy with either bosentan, sildenafil, or both and were evaluated with clinical parameters, biomarkers (B‐type natriuretic peptide values), and echocardiography before receiving specific medication and every 3 months thereafter. A right heart catheterization was performed at baseline. A composite endpoint of death, worsening of functional class, or the need of a second vasodilator agent was used to define the clinical nonresponders. Results: Patients were followed for 14 months (7.5–21). The endpoint was reached by 15 patients: four patients died (two idiopathic PAH and two PAH in context of Eisenmenger syndrome), seven patients showed 1 functional class worsening, and four patients needed to be switched to combination therapy. Patients who remained clinically stable or improved had at baseline a better cardiac output with a less remodeled right ventricle (RV) and better functioning RV (all P < 0.05). A RV fractional area change (RVFAC) lower than 25.7% and a RV global strain value higher than ?13.4% predict with 87% sensitivity and 83% specificity (AUC 87.3%, P = 0.001) and 73% sensitivity and 91% specificity (AUC 84.2%, P = 0.003), respectively, patients who will deteriorate clinically under specific vasodilator therapy. A multivariate model showed RVFAC to be the only independent predictor of the endpoint with a HR of 0.87 (0.8–0.96), P = 0.007. Conclusions: Over an average period of 1 year, almost half of patients showed signs of clinical deterioration despite specific vasodilator therapy. Parameters of right ventricular morphology and function had prognostic value in these patients.     

Branch Pulmonary Artery Valve Implantation Reduces Pulmonary Regurgitation and Improves Right Ventricular Size/Function in Patients With Large Right Ventricular Outflow Tracts

Objectives

The authors sought to assess the intermediate-term effects of percutaneous placed valves in the branch pulmonary artery (PA) position.

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。     

Coexistence of Primary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma of the Right Ventricle and Absence of Right Pulmonary Artery

We describe the imaging features of a 48‐year‐old woman with primary sarcomatoid carcinoma originating from right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and isolated absence of right pulmonary artery (RPA). Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) demonstrated the absence of RPA. Both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and CTPA revealed multiple masses filling and obstructing the RVOT. A palliative operation was performed on the patient, and the postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemical examination confirmed primary sarcomatoid carcinoma originating from the RVOT. The operation also confirmed the absence of RPA.     

Right Ventricular Hypertrophy and Dilation in Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in the Absence of Clinical or Echocardiographic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background

Involvement of right-sided heart chambers (RSHCs) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is common and is usually attributed to pulmonary arterial or venous hypertension (PH). However, myocardial involvement in patients with HIV is also common and might affect RSHCs even in the absence of overt PH. Our aim was to define morphologic and functional alterations in RSHC in patients with HIV and without PH.

Three-Dimensional Speckle Tracking of the Right Ventricle : Toward Optimal Quantification of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Pulmonary Hypertension

Background

Quantitative assessment of right ventricular (RV) systolic function largely depends on right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). Three-dimensional speckle tracking (3D-ST) has been used extensively to quantify left ventricular function, but its value for RV assessment has not been established.

Objectives

This study sought to prospectively assess whether 3D-ST would be a reliable method for assessing RV systolic function and whether strain values were associated with survival.

Methods

Comprehensive 2-dimensional echocardiographic assessment, 3D-ST of the RV free wall, and measurement of RVEF was performed in 97 consecutive patients with established pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (RVEF 31.4 ± 9.6%, right ventricular systolic pressure [RVSP] 76.5 ± 26.2 mm Hg) and 60 healthy volunteers (RVEF 43.8 ± 9.4%, RVSP 25.9 ± 4.3 mm Hg).

Results

Area strain (AS) (−24.3 ± 7.3 vs. −30.8 ± 7.2; p < 0.001), radial strain (23.2 ± 14.4 vs. 34.9 ± 18.2; p < 0.001), longitudinal strain (LS) (−15.5 ± 3.8 vs. −17.9 ± 4.4; p = 0.001), and circumferential strain (CS) (−12.2 ± 4.5 vs. −15.7 ± 6.1; p < 0.001) were all reduced in patients with PHT, compared with normal individuals. AS and CS strongly correlated to RVEF (r = 0.851, r = −0.711; p < 0.001). Systolic dyssynchrony index was greater in PHT (0.14 ± 0.06 vs. 0.11 ± 0.07; p = 0.003) and correlated to RVEF (r = −0.563, p < 0.001). AS (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 7.07; p = 0.017), CS (HR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.93 to 12.97; p < 0.001), LS (HR: 7.63; 95% CI: 1.76 to 10.27; p = 0.001), and RVEF (HR: 2.43; 95 CI: 1.00 to 5.92; p = 0.050) were significant determinants of all-cause mortality. Only AS (p = 0.029) and age (p = 0.087) were predictive of death after logistic regression analysis.

Conclusions

PHT patients have reduced RV strain patterns and more dyssynchronous ventricles compared with controls, which was relatable to clinical outcomes. AS best correlated with RVEF and provides prognostic information independent of other variables.     

Isolated Left Ventricular Apical Hypoplasia with Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction: A Rare Combination

Isolated left ventricular (LV) apical hypoplasia is a unusual and recently recognized congenital cardiac anomaly. A 19‐year‐old man was found to have an abnormal ECG and cardiac murmur identified during a routine health check since joining work. His ECG revealed normal sinus rhythm, right‐axis deviation, poor R wave progression, and T wave abnormalities. On physical examination, a 2/6～3/6 systolic murmur was heard at the second intercostal space along the left sternal border. Subsequent echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the LV apical hypoplasia. Of note, we first found that LV apical hypoplasia was accompanied by RV outflow tract obstruction due to exaggerated rightward bulging of the basal‐anterior septum during systole. A close follow‐up was performed for the development of heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and potentially tachyarrhythmia.     

Frequent Premature Ventricular Complexes Originating from the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Are Associated with Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Background : Recent case series have shown reversal of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction after catheter ablation of frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of patients with frequent RVOT PVCs (≥10 per hour) and LV dysfunction. Methods : RVOT PVC was defined as PVC with left bundle branch block morphology and inferior axis on a 12‐lead ECG. We included patients with frequent RVOT PVCs on 24‐hours Holter monitor who had a recent evaluation of LV function. Patients with structural heart disease, including obstructive coronary artery disease, were excluded. Patients were divided into three groups based on the number of PVCs (<1000/24 hour, 1000–10,000/24 hour, ≥10,000/24 hour), and the prevalence of LV dysfunction was evaluated in each group. Results : Our analysis included 108 patients: 24 patients had <1000PVCs/24 hour, 55 patients had 1000–10,000PVCs/24 hour, and 29 patients had ≥10,000PVCs/24 hour. The prevalence of LV dysfunction was 4%, 12%, and 34%, respectively (P = 0.02). With logistic regression analysis, non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia was an independent predictor of LV dysfunction with odds ratio of 3.6 (1.3–10.1). Conclusion : We demonstrated a significant association between frequent RVOT PVCs and LV dysfunction in patients without structural heart disease.     

右室流出道起搏现状

右室心尖部作为传统的永久心脏起搏器植入位点,主要是因为电极容易放置及电极脱位率低。但是心尖部起搏属非生理性起搏,它使心室除极和机械收缩发生异常,从而导致长期的血流动力学紊乱(心室收缩和舒张异常)和组织结构的改变。随着近年主动固定的螺旋电极及螺旋电极操作手柄的问世,使右室流出道起搏成为可能。大量动物实验和临床研究提示右室流出道靠近房室结、希氏束部位,在此部位起搏心室激动和收缩顺序趋于正常,从而能明显的改善血流动力学指标。目前右室流出道起搏尚处于临床实验阶段,且关于右室流出道解剖位点的确定,适宜患者群的筛选标准、监测和评价指标的选择尚无统一的标准。其长期效果及能否改善患者预后等还有待更深入的研究。现就目前国内外关于右室流出道起搏的研究现状综述如下。