Purpose
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is the gold standard technique for the assessment of right ventricular (RV) function.
There is,
however,
scarce data on its use in the assessment of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
The aim of our study is to reveal the potential value of CMR in the evaluation of RV dysfunction as expressed by the pulmonary annular plane systolic excursion (PAPSE)
Methods and Materials
All patients underwent CMR (Avanto Siemens 1,5T) and echocardiographic study the same day.
Left ventricular eccentricity index in end-systole (LVSei) and end- diastole (LVDei) were defined in the short-axis view at the level of papillary muscles.
Tricuspid and pulmonary annular plane systolic excursion (CMR-TAPSE and PAPSE) were defined in the 4-chamber and RVOT view (Image A) respectively by measuring the straight-line distance travelled by the lateral tricuspid or pulmonary annulus from end-diastole to end-systole.
Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was obtained with the use of...
Results
Our study included 29 patients with PAH (22 women,
mean age 49.7±14.3 years).
A direct linear correlation between PAPSE and RVEF (r= 0.463,
p<0.001),
LVSei (r= -0.402,
p<0.005),
LVDei (r= -0.426,
p<0.005),
CMR-TAPSE (r= 0.529,
p<0.0001) and Echo-TAPSE (r= 0.415,
p<0.001) was observed (Table Image B).
Conclusion
CMR is a useful tool for the non invasive and reproducible evaluation of RV function and pressure overload of PAH patients.
References
corresponding author:
Alexandros Kallifatidis,
Radiology Department,
St.Luke's Hospital,
Panorama-Thessaloniki,
Greece.
e-mail:
[email protected]
