Comparison of two continuous wave doppler-echo methods in assessment of right-side intracardiac pressure: validation by simultaneous catheterization

ABSTRACT

Determination of right-side intracardiac pressures is important in clinical decision-making, evaluation of therapeutic interventions and postoperative follow-up in many cardiac diseases. To compare two methods [transseptal gradient and transtricuspid gradient] respectively with invasive measurements in the same patient, continuous wave Doppler-echo and left and right catheterization were performed in 27 patients with congenital ventricular septal defects and associated tricuspid regurgitation. Right ventricular and pulmonary artery systolic pressures were respectively estimated by subtracting transseptal peak gradient from systolic blood pressure or by maximal tricuspid regurgitant gradient plus assumed right atrial pressure. There were high correlations [r=0.944, Standard estimate error [SEE]=4.9 mmHg and r=0.932, SEE=5.6 mmHg] between transseptal method and invasive results, and excellent correlations [r=0.981, SEE=2.6 mmHg and r=0.983, SEE=2.8 mmHg] were also observed between transtricuspid method and catheter measurements. The present report further demonstrated that the Doppler technique was a reliable and accurate method in assessment of right ventricular and pulmonary artery systolic pressures, and the different Doppler method possessed its practical value and offered the alternative way in particular clinical status