Measuring isovolumic contraction peak velocity at the tricuspid annulus by Doppler tissue imaging to ;assess right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of the isovolumic contraction peak velocity (IVCv) of right heart function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) by echocardiography and Doppler tissue imaging. Methods In 41 patients with suspected diagnosis of PH, IVCv at the tricuspid annulus were measured by echocardiography and Doppler tissue imaging. The right heart systolic function parameters such as tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), peak systolic velocity (PSv) and right ventricular fractional area change (RVFCA) were also measured. The pulmonary artery pressure was detected by right-heart catheterization (RHC). According to different levels of pulmonary arterial systolic pressure, patients were classiifed into four groups to compare and analyze if any signiifcance could be found, including without PH group, mild PH group, moderate PH group and severe PH group. The sensitivity and speciifcity for diagnosing right heart impairment were assessed by ROC curves. Last, correlation analysis was performed. Results IVCv was signiifcantly and positively correlated with the right heart systolic function parameters, such as TAPSE (r=0.557, P0.05). Using the lower limit of right ventricular systolic function parameter obtained by common echocardiographic assessment as standard (TAPSE<16 mm, PSv<10 cm/s and RVFAC<35%), the sensitivities of IVCv<6.5 cm/s for diagnosing right ventricular systolic function reduction were 91%, 96%and 87%and the speciifcities were 70%, 53%and 77%, respectively. Conclusions IVCv obtained by Doppler tissue imaging is a new objective parameter for diagnosing right ventricular systolic function reduction. It is worth further study and application in clinic.