Comparison between Different Echocardiographic Parameters of Right Ventricular Function in Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: Right ventricular (RV) failure and cardiac output measures are the most vital hemodynamic prognostic indicators in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the RV function in PH patients using several echocardiographic measures. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 40 patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation maximum velocity above 2.8 m/s and 20 healthy individuals as control. All patients were measured by electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiograph parameters of the right ventricle. Results: The 2D echocardiographic measures of RV functions (Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TAPSE), Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) (S' velocity), Myocardial Performance Index (MPI), Fractional Area Change (FAC), and RV Free Wall Strain) were strongly and significantly correlated with pulmonary hypertension in the patient group. While smoking was significantly negatively correlated with MPI, it was significantly positively correlated with TAPSE, FAC, and RV Free Wall Strain. Conclusion: Substantively impaired RV function and higher RV remodeling are found in PH. The degree of PH showed robust correlations with echocardiographic indices.