Right ventricular function declines after cardiac surgery in adult patients with congenital heart disease

Right ventricular function (RVF) is often selectively declined after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) the incidence and persistence of declined RVF after cardiac surgery is unknown. The current study aimed to describe RVF after cardiac surgery in these patients. Adult CHD patients operated between January 2008 and December 2009 in the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam were studied. Clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, surgical data and intensive care unit outcome were obtained from medical records. RVF was measured by trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) and expressed by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tissue Doppler imaging (RV S’) and myocardial performance index (MPI) pre-operatively and direct, at intermediate and late follow up. Of a total of 185 operated, 86 patients (mean age 39?±?13?years, 54% male) had echo data available. There was a significant fall in RVF after cardiac surgery. TAPSE and RV S’ were significantly higher and MPI was significantly lower pre-operatively compared to direct post-operative values (TAPSE 22?±?5 versus 13?±?3?mm (P?<?0.01), RV S’ 11?±?4 versus 8?±?2?cm/s (P?<?0.01) and MPI 0.36?±?0.14 vs 0.62?±?0.25; P?<?0.01). There were no significant differences in left ventricular function pre-operatively compared to post-operative values. Right-sided surgery was performed in 33, left-sided surgery in 37 and both sided surgery in 16 patients. Decline in RVF was equal for those groups. Patients with severe decline in RVF, were patients who underwent tricuspid valve surgery. Decline in RVF was associated with post-operative myocardial creatine kinase level and maximal troponin T level. There was no association between decline in RVF and clinical outcome on the intensive care unit. 18?months post-operatively, most RVF parameters had recovered to pre-operative values, but TAPSE which remained still lower (P?<?0.01). CHD patients have a decline in RVF directly after cardiac surgery, regardless the side of surgery. Although a gradual improvement was observed, complete recovery was not seen 18?months post-operatively.     

Left ventricular dysfunction after cardiac resynchronization therapy in congenital heart disease patients with a failing systemic right ventricle

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy is rapidly emerging as an effective strategy for managing ventricular dysfunction and heart failure associated with congenital heart disease. Indications for therapy, optimal lead placement, and late outcomes are however lacking.
Methods: We present three patients, one with Mustard procedure and two with congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries, who developed subpulmonic ventricular dysfunction 3–6 months after biventricular pacing ± implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation, despite initial favorable result of resynchronization therapy. Possible factors for adverse outcome are relatively high pacing rate, unfavorable alteration of torsional contraction, and increased atrioventricular valve regurgitation due to suboptimal placement of larger diameter defibrillation leads.
Results: Careful evaluation of patients, particularly indications for therapy, need to be rigorous; assessment of hemodynamic response at the time of implant and appropriate programming may improve the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in this patient population.
Conclusion: Our case series emphasizes the need for a registry in the absence of randomized controlled trials, in order to identify patients who benefit most from CRT, and, importantly, recognize subgroups that respond poorly.     

Right ventricular dysfunction after thrombolysis in patients with right ventricular infarction.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) infarction is frequently associated with highest risk of death and major complications. Doppler echocardiography can be useful in the diagnosis of RV involvement. The goal of this study was to evaluate Doppler echocardiography features associated with RV involvement and a poor prognosis. METHODS: Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography was performed before and after thrombolysis in 108 consecutive patients with an RV infarction. The bedside examination was performed before and 2 to 3 hours after thrombolytic therapy, and repeated after 1 and 7 days. All patients underwent coronary angiography after 20 days, and the perfusion of the coronary-related artery (> thrombolysis in myocardial infarction [TIMI] 3 grade) was evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the recovery of global and regional RV function after thrombolytic therapy. In the group of patients who showed a normalization or improvement of RV wall motion (as assessed by RV wall motion score index), we found a TIMI grade III perfusion in 78% of patients. The analysis of interatrial septal motion and interventricular septal motion showed a normalization in all reperfused patients. Major complication and deaths were more frequent in patients with echocardiographic findings of RV dysfunction persisting after thrombolytic therapy. CONCLUSION: In patients with RV infarction treated with thrombolysis, persistent RV dysfunction is associated with a higher risk for the development of major cardiac complications and death.     

The effect of exercise training in symptomatic patients with grown-up congenital heart disease: a review

Introduction: The number of grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH) patients is steadily increasing. Unfortunately, the majority of these patients suffer from late sequelae, with heart failure being the most common cause of death. Exercise training is beneficial and safe in patients with acquired heart failure, as well as in asymptomatic GUCH patients. However, its effect remains unknown in symptomatic GUCH patients. This could cause reticence on positive sports advice, with possible counterproductive effects.

Areas covered: A review of current literature was performed to evaluate the effect of exercise training in symptomatic (NYHA≥2) GUCH patients. The search yielded a mere three studies including symptomatic patients, and another six studies including also patients in NYHA 1 without making clear distinction between the NYHA subgroups.

Expert commentary: Suboptimal trial designs, low patient numbers, and homogeneity of investigated cardiac anomalies make this review insufficient to draw definite conclusions. However, all studies describe overall positive effects of exercise training in symptomatic GUCH patients in terms of exercise capacity and quality of life. There were no safety concerns. Larger-scaled, randomized controlled trials are needed to obtain certainty.     

肺癌患者肺切除术后右心功能及肺功能的改变

目的观察肺癌患者肺切除术后右心功能及肺功能的改变。方法回顾性分析本院肺切除术的肺癌患者85例临床资料,比较肺叶切除及全肺切除术后右心功能及肺功能的改变。结果术后第3天,2组平均动脉压（mPAP）、心率（HR）及右心室舒张末期容积指数（RVEDVI）均较术前显著增加（P〈0.01）,右心室射血分数（RVEF）较术前显著降低（P〈0.01）;术后第3天,肺叶切除组PaO2水平较术前显著下降（P〈0.01）,术后第8天,PaO2恢复至接近术前水平。全肺切除组各指标变化较肺叶切除组更加明显（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。全肺切除组肺功能下降百分比较肺叶切除组更明显（P〈0.01）。结论与肺叶切除术比较,全肺切除术右心功能及肺功能下降较为明显,建议在保证彻底切除病灶的基础上,应最大限度地保留正常肺组织,以减少手术并发症,改善生活质量。     

Chronic right ventricular pacing and ventricular function in patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block

Evaluation of: Kim JJ, Friedman RA, Eidem BW et al. Ventricular function and long-term pacing in children with congenital complete atrioventricular block. J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol. 18, 373–377 (2007).

Cardiac pacing from right ventricular apex and free wall positions alters inter- and intraventricular impulse conduction and distorts biventricular contractility. In patients with congenital atrioventricular block there is a risk for heart failure, mitral regurgitation, syncope and sudden death before pacemaker implantation, and development of heart failure or mitral regurgitation after long-term ventricular pacing. Recently, selective site pacing has been recommended as a therapeutic option in patients with complete atrioventricular block. The evaluated study demonstrated that left ventricular dysfunction in patients with congenital complete atrioventricular block is rare, even in those who have been paced for more than 10 years. Right ventricular apex pacing and prolonged QRS duration may be associated with decreased ventricular function over time. At this time, with such a low incidence of cardiac dysfunction, right ventricular pacing should be considered an acceptable first-line therapy in this population.     

Right ventricular hemangioma causing right ventricular inflow obstruction and right heart failure.

We report a patient who presented with symptoms of right heart failure. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a right ventricular mass, causing right ventricular inflow obstruction. Coronary angiography revealed a characteristic tumor blush. After successful surgical resection, histologic findings were consistent with a right ventricular hemangioma.     

Study of right ventricular function in ischaemic heart disease using radionuclide angiocardiography

A technique for the estimation of LVEF from first passage radionuclide angiocardiography was adapted to provide estimates of RVEF. In 17 subjects with no history of cardiovascular disease mean LVEF was 0.71±0.08 and mean RVEF 0.65±0.08. Mean values for 15 subjects with coronary artery disease but no previous history of myocardial infarction were 0.66±0.10 for LVEF and 0.65±0.08 for RVEF. Depressed ejection fractions were found after acute myocardial infarction. LVEF was lower after anterior (0.43±0.06) than inferior (0.51±0.10) infarction. RVEF was normal in the majority of subjects with anterior infarction (0.58±0.10) but was depressed after inferior infarction (0.50±0.05). Similar, although less marked, results were found in a group of subjects with old myocardial infarction.     

右侧开胸手术治疗先天性心脏病

目的探讨右侧开胸体外循环手术治疗先天性心脏病的应用指征及效果。方法回顾性分析678例经右侧开胸体外循环手术治疗的先天性心脏病患者的临床资料。结果室间隔缺损修补术512例,房间隔缺损修补术113例,法洛四联症根治术32例,部分型心内膜垫缺损矫治术11例,三房心矫治术5例,其他畸形手术5例;本组手术无死亡病例,术后发生并发症28例,其中术后出血行开胸止血6例,迟发心包积液经心包引流1例,Ⅲ度房室传导阻滞安装永久起搏器1例,<2mm的残余分流19例,行二次气管插管1例。结论右侧开胸手术治疗先天性心脏病由于切口隐蔽,创伤小,术后恢复快,对患儿心理影响较小,在熟练掌握常规手术技术及特殊手术技巧的基础上,是治疗先天性心脏病的较好选择。     

Improvement in right ventricular systolic function after surgical correction of isolated tricuspid regurgitation.

Chronic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) may lead to impairment in right ventricular (RV) function. Whether surgical correction results in restoration of normal RV geometry and function is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical correction of TR results in improved RV geometry and function. Measurements of RV areas were made from digitized 4-chamber echocardiographic views. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV), and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated with the single-plane subtraction method. There was a significant decrease in RVEDV (109.06 +/- 12.45 versus 71.63 +/- 6. 83; P =.005) and RVESV (76.2 +/- 9.83 versus 44.5 +/- 5.58; P =.002) and a significant increase in RVEF (0.30 +/- 0.05 versus 0.38 +/- 0. 05; P =.01) at a mean follow-up of 130 +/- 63 days after surgery. These results demonstrate significant remodeling of the right ventricle with reduction in size and improved EF after tricuspid valve surgery.     

Resynchronization therapy after congenital heart surgery to improve left ventricular function

This report describes the mid-term beneficial hemodynamic effect of biventricular pacing in an infant with congestive heart failure after congenital heart surgery, due to resynchronization of the left and right ventricle, optimization of the AV delay, and (partial) correction of the LV dyssynchrony.     

多普勒组织超声对冠心病患者右室舒张功能的评价

目的:利用脉冲多普勒组织成像技术(Dopplertissueimaging,DTI)比较正常人及冠心病心绞痛和急性心肌梗死患者右室舒张功能。方法:实验于2003-02/08在哈尔滨医科大学第一临床医学院心内科完成。符合冠心病标准患者81例,分为急性心肌梗死组(36例)和心绞痛组(45例)。同期本院门诊健康体检自愿者能与心绞痛组年龄、性别相匹配健康体检者45例作为对照组。对所有研究对象行DTI,测定其左、右心室舒张功能指数,比较各组间DTI变化情况。结果:①心绞痛组左室舒张早晚期运动速度比(0.9±0.2)及右室舒张早期的峰值速度Em峰值犤(4.8±1.5)cm/s犦较对照组犤(1.3±0.4),(5.6±1.1)cm/s犦低(t=4.2,2.9,P<0.05),等容舒张时间(isovolumicrelaxationtime,IVRT)犤(141±35)ms犦显著长于对照组犤(89±38)ms犦(t=3.3,P<0.05)。②急性心肌梗死组左、右心室Em峰值、Em/Am比值较对照组低,Em峰减速时间、等容舒张时间较对照组长,差异有显著性意义(t=3.7,3.3,P<0.05)。③急性心肌梗死组左、右心室Em峰值、Em/Am比值较心绞痛组低,等容舒张时间较心绞痛组长,差异有显著性意义(t=2.9～3.6,P<0.05)。同时左室舒张功能也明显降低,左、右心室舒张功能有显著的相关性(r=0.36～0.62,P<0.01)。结论:右室舒张功能障碍在冠心病早期即可出现,DTI     

Right ventricular diastolic function after experimental right ventricular infarction: effects independent of the pericardium.

To determine if an isolated right ventricular wall infarct (RVI) alters right ventricular diastolic function (RVDF), 6 mongrel dogs were studied before and after a right ventricular wall infarct was produced by ligating the right coronary artery and embolizing the distal right coronary artery with mercury. Right ventricular diastolic function was assessed by prior instrumentation of the animals with an RV Millar catheter and segment length crystals attached to the infarct (I) and non-infarct (NI) territory of the right ventricle. The time constant of RV isovolumic relaxation (Tau) was assessed by fitting right ventricular pressure decline after minimum dp/dt to the equation 1nP = At + B, where A represents the slope of the relationship, a negative number, tau = -1/A. The right ventricular diastolic pressure segment length relationship (RVD PSR) was analyzed using a multiple linear regression model whereby the independent effects of heart rate, segment length, and right ventricular wall infarct could be assessed. Right ventricular wall infarct reduced stroke volume to 63% of baseline values largely by increases in RV-I end-systolic segment length. Tau was significantly prolonged. However, there was no significant upward shift in RVDPSR in any animal. These data suggest that in this model RV diastolic relaxation is impaired. However, the degree of this impairment is not significant enough to shift the right ventricular diastolic pressure segment length relationship, as long as the pericardium remains open.     

Right ventricular function in late-onset Pompe disease

Pompe’s disease is a glycogen storage disease (type II) characterized by inherited autosomal recessive transmission. The right ventricular (RV) function is a determinant parameter of clinical outcome in patients with heart failure. We sought to characterize the RV function using Doppler-echocardiography completed by Doppler tissular imaging and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) measurement. We analyzed retrospectively clinical and Doppler-echocardiographic data of patients with adult late onset Pompe disease and compared to a control group. Ten patients with late onset Pompe disease were included in our study and were compared to a control group (seven patients). Mean age was 56.7 ± 10.2 years in late onset Pompe disease versus 55 ± 21 years in control group (p  = 0.65). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was similar in the two groups (LVEF 63.7 ± 9 vs 63.7 ± 6.6 % in control group p  = 0.99). LV end diastolic diameter was 40.8 ± 6 mm in Pompe disease versus 45.8 ± 6 mm in control group (p  = 0.11). Mean TAPSE was similar in the two groups (25.6 ± 6.2 vs 21.5 ± 2.7 mm p = 0.23). Mean peak systolic RV velocity Sm was not significantly different in the two groups (17.11 ± 3.4 cm/s in Pompe disease vs 16.14 ± 3.8 cm/s in control group p = 0.61). Mean peak early diastolic Ea velocity in the RV were not significantly different in the two groups (15.6 ± 5.6 vs 18.2 ± 4.9 cm/s p = 0.34). According to our data, RV systolic function seems preserved in late-onset Pompe disease.     

心脏移植术后左右心室功能变化的临床价值

目的探讨心脏移植术后左右心室收缩及舒张功能的变化的临床价值。方法2000年8月至2007年6月在复旦大学附属中山医院行心脏移植后随访的患者20例，行常规超声检查；应用脉冲多普勒记录二尖瓣、主动脉瓣、三尖瓣、肺动脉瓣血流图；组织多普勒记录心尖四腔心切面图谱；实时三维超声心动图测量左心室射血分数。并与正常对照组进行比较。结果心脏移植组左房内径较正常对照组明显增大（P〈0．01），右室的Tei指数较正常对照组高（P〈0．05）。三尖瓣口血流图心脏移植组A峰的峰值速度较正常对照组高（P〈0．01），E／A比值心脏移植组较正常对照组低（P〈0．05）；三尖瓣瓣环右室侧壁的收缩速度、E峰的峰值速度、A峰的峰值速度均较正常对照组低（P〈0．01，P〈0．05，P〈0．05），E／A比值较正常对照组高（P〈0．05）；右室侧壁的收缩速度、E峰的峰值速度、A峰的峰值速度均较正常对照组低（P均〈0．05），E／A比值较正常对照组高（P〈0．05）。结论心脏移植组其右室收缩功能减退，而左室收缩功能及左右室舒张功能未见明显异常。     

Effects of piroximone on the right ventricular function in severe heart failure patients

Objectives

To assess the effects of piroximone, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on right ventricular function in patients with heart failure.

Design

Randomized study: patients were randomly assigned to the piroximone infusion rate of 5 or 10 μg/kg/min.

Setting

Cardiologic intensive care unit.

Patients

12 consecutive patients with severe heart failure.

Interventions

Right heart catheterization was performed using a Swan-Ganz ejection fraction thermodilution catheter.

Measurements and results

Measurements of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), end-diastolic and end-systolic right ventricular volumes were obtained using the thermodilution principle. To determine contractility indexes, the relationships between end-systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (ESPAP) over right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV) and ESPAP over RVEF were calculated during the infusion of prostacyclin at incremental infusion rates of 2, 4, 6 and 8 ng/kg/min. The slope of the relation between ESPAP over RVESV shifted during piroximone therapy from 7.635±1.632 to 1.975±0.432 (p<0.01) and from 6.092±1.99 to 1.028±0.853 (p<0.05) at 5 and 10 μg/kg/min piroximone infusion, respectively. The slope of the relation between ESPAP over RVEF decreased from ?0.414±0.296 to ?0.821±0.257 (p<0.01) and from ?0.127±0.048 to ?0.533±0.135 (p<0.05) at 5 and 10 μg/kg/min piroximone infusion, respectively.

Conclusions

This study suggests a positive action of piroximone on right ventricular contractility at these 2 dosages. This approach using this type of catheter allowed us to determine right ventricular inotropic indexes.