Value of tissue Doppler myocardial velocities of tricuspid lateral annulus for the diagnosis of right heart failure in patients with COPD

OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to investigate the value of systolic indices of tricuspid valve annular motion measured by tissue Doppler imaging for the diagnosis right ventricular failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Patients with COPD with right heart failure symptoms and/or right ventricular dilatation were enrolled for the study. The control group consisted of age and sex matched patients referred to the echocardiography laboratory who had normal echocardiographic examination. Tricuspid valve annulus peak systolic velocity and myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction were recorded by tissue Doppler imaging. RESULTS: IVA and Sa wave velocities were found to be significantly decreased in patients with right ventricular failure. For the prediction of right heart failure IVA <3.8 m/sec2 had 91% sensitivity, 80% specificity, 90% positive predictive value (PPV), and 82% negative predictive value (NPV) and Sa wave velocity <9.2 cm/sec had 80% sensitivity, 62% specificity, 75% PPV, and 68% NPV. CONCLUSION: Tricuspid valve annular velocities measured by tissue Doppler imaging especially IVA, offer potential diagnostic value for the diagnosis of right heart failure in patients with COPD.