RESUMEN
Assessment of right ventricular function is important. However, this is not easy to achieve due to the complex anatomy and geometry of the right ventricle, making the evaluation of its function limited. Therefore, a simple reliable and easy method is needed. This work was to evaluate the use of right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening obtained by M-mode echocardiography as a measure of right ventricular systolic function in patients having inferior wall myocardial infarction with or without evidence of right ventricular infarction [as a model of right ventricular disease]. Fifty patients with first acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, their ages ranged from 30 to 80 years with [mean +/- SD = 54.56 +/- 11.5], were investigated. Ten healthy controls also were studied. M-mode echocardiography was used to measure right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening and right ventricular long axis excursion. Two-dimension echocardiography was used to measure right ventricular ejection fraction. Ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening [p<0.0001], right ventricular long axis excursion [p<0.0001] and right ventricular ejection fraction [p<0.0001] were reduced in patients compared to controls. Also were reduced in patients in group [B] compared to patients in group [A]. Right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening correlated with long axis excursion [r=0.86, p<0.0001], right ventricular ejection fraction [r=-0.84, p<0.0001]. Right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening provides a simple and non-invasive measure of right ventricular systolic function and could be helpful in diagnosis of right ventricular infarction in patients have inferior wall MI. In combination with long axis excursion and Doppler velocities, they should provide comprehensive assessment of right ventricular function