Evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To evaluate right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE), and compared with cardiac magnetic resonance. Methods A total of 23 patients with PH who underwent MRI and echocardiography in the study. Right ventricular index of myocardial performance (RIMP), fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tissue Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (S') were measured by echocardiography. RV end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) and end-systolic volume (RVESV) were measured by RT-3DE and cardiac magnetic resonance and RV ejection fraction (RVEF) was calculated. Results A positive correlation was found between RVFAC and RVEF (r=0.595, P=0.003), there was a negative correlation between RIMP and RVEF (r=-0.745, P=0.000), has no correlation between TAPSE and RVEF (r=-0.029, P=0.896), a positive correlation was found between S' and RVEF (r=0.489, P=0.018). There were close correlation between RVEDV, RVESV and RVEF measured by RT-3DE and MRI (P<0.001, respectively); Bland-Altman analyses showed good agreement between them. Conclusions RT-3DE can noninvasive, accurate assessment right ventricular systolic function in patients with PH, and provide prognosis and treatment choice for clinical demands. Key words: Echocardiography, real-time three-dimensional; Hypertension, pulmonary; Ventricular function, right