Evaluation of right heart function changes in patients with pulmonary hypertension via two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objective: To realize the changes in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients’ right ventricular function.Methods: A total number of 74 patients with PH were included, and the parameters of standard echocardiographic were measured as well as the strain of peak longitudinal of each segment during the systole of the right ventricle to calculate the global longitudinal strain (LS) during systole of the right ventricular free wall.Results: ① As pulmonary arterial pressure increased, the right ventricular area gradually increased, and the case group showed the decreased right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (S’) (p < 0.05). They, RVFAC, and TAPSE depicted significant differences that were statistical (p < 0.05) from the other groups. ② With increasing pulmonary arterial pressure, the right ventricular free wall’s LS gradually reduced (p < 0.05).Conclusion: ① LS right ventricular free wall is useful in detecting changes in right ventricular systolic function early on with greater sensitivity than RVFAC, TAPSE, and S’. In addition, increased right ventricular pressure loading can result in a subsequent impairment of right ventricular myocardial mechanics. ② As right ventricular pressure loading increases, right ventricular strain decreases. ③ In mild PH, the right ventricular free wall’s. LS is more sensitive than standard measures in spotting early alterations in myocardial mechanics.

Keywords:

• Pulmonary hypertension
• right ventricular myocardial mechanics
• echocardiography
• two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging
• right ventricular pressure loading

Acknowledgements

We are particularly grateful to all the people who have given us help on our article.

Authors’ contributions

Chun-song Kang and Zhi-fen Wang conceptualized and designed the research, at the same time, they reviewed and revised the manuscript. Zhi-fen Wang drafted the initial manuscript. Hui-zhan Li, Ji-ping Xue and Ting-hua Feng collected the data. Li-li Su,Hui-zhan Li, Ji-ping Xue and Shuai Li analysed and explained the data. Li-li Su,Shuai Li and Ting-hua Feng analysed the data. All authors read and approved the final draft.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of Shanxi Bethune Hospital(Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences).(SBQLL-2021-008). A written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Disclosure statement

All authors have made significant contributions to the manuscript and declare that the work is original and has not been submitted or published elsewhere. No author has any financial disclosures or conflicts of interest.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analysed during the current study available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received.