ABSTRACT
Pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR] index is an important hemodynamic variable in determining the severity of cardiopulmonary diseases. This study was done to define the relationship of echocardiographic parameters of ventricular function with PVR. Mean PVR of 40 patients with cardiac disease was compared with the left ventricle diastolic function indices [LVEF] and the Systolic Pulmonary Arterial Pressure, [SPAP]. Results were analyzed by Linear Regression Test; also right ventricle TAPSE index was compared with mean PVR by Mann- Whitney Test, using SPSS Ver. 15. The comparison between PVR and TAPSE showed that the mean PVR reduces significantly with increase of TAPSE [cut off point 1.8; p= [0.0 26]. The study of the relation between SPAP and PVR made it clear that an increase in SPAP [mean PAP>25 mmHg] will cause the PVR to increase significantly [P<0.0001]. The study of LVEF and PVR showed that PVR decreases significantly parallel with an increase in EF [P= 0.004]. The study of mean PVR in LV Diastolic dysfunction groupings showed that the mean PVR difference in Restrictive Pattern was significantly higher than the Normal grouping [P<0.0001]. Measurement of right and left ventricles function indices by echocardiography is a reliable and accessible instrument for PVR estimation and monitoring. Noting the significance of PVR measurement in the process of treating cardiovascular diseases, we recommend use of echocardiography as a simple, accessible and noninvasive method for determining PVR, and an also as an index for estimating prognosis