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Echocardiographic right ventricular strain from multiple apical views is superior for assessment of right ventricular systolic function
Author(s) -
Werther Evaldsson A.,
Ingvarsson A.,
Smith J. G.,
Rådegran G.,
Roijer A.,
Waktare J.,
Ostenfeld E.,
Meurling C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/cpf.12552
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , contractility , ejection fraction , ventricular function , cardiac magnetic resonance imaging , cardiac magnetic resonance , pulmonary hypertension , fractional shortening , magnetic resonance imaging , heart failure , radiology
Summary Background Right ventricular ( RV ) systolic function is an important determinant of outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension ( PH ). Conventional echocardiographic measures of RV are mainly based on longitudinal contractility. Recently, measurement of RV global longitudinal strain derived from multiple windows ( RVGLS ) has emerged as an option but has not been well evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate which echocardiographic RV function parameter correlates best with RV ejection fraction derived from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging ( RVEF CMR ). Methods and results Fifty‐five patients evaluated for PH underwent RV assessment with echocardiography and CMR . Conventional echocardiographic parameters of RV function including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion ( TAPSE ), tricuspid annular systolic velocity (S′), RV fractional area change ( RVFAC ) and RV index of myocardial performance ( RIMP ). RVGLS was measured from three separate apical views using a 17‐segment model and strain from the lateral free wall was calculated separately ( RV free). The study included 55 patients, whereas assessment of RVGLS could be obtained in 29 patients. The Pearson correlation coefficient with RVEF CMR was strong for RVGLS ( r = 0·814, P <0·001) and RV free ( r = 0·778, P <0·001), modest for RVFAC ( r = 0·681, P <0·001), TAPSE ( r = 0·592, P <0·001) and RIMP ( r =−0·521, P <0·01), and weak for S′ ( r = 0·385, P <0·01). Conclusion The echocardiographic RV measures, RVGLS and RVfree correlated well with RVEF CMR , whereas correlation with TAPSE , RIMP and S′ was unsatisfactory. Our findings suggest that RVGLS and RVfree are the preferred echocardiographic methods for clinical practice. RVfree is easiest to perform but RVGLS could provide incremental value in selected patients.