Author : Ahmadi Kalatehahmad Mahnaz MD and Jalalyazdi Majid MD

Background: Assessment of the right ventricular (RV) function by echocardiography in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is complex and problematic. Tricuspid annular systolic plane excursion has been used for the assessment of this chamber, although with some limitations. We evaluate the Tissue Doppler S velocity (Pulsed Doppler peak velocity at the annulus)of right Ventricle for this reason.
Objective: To evaluate RV function in PTE using tissue-Doppler echocardiography, in addition to brain natriuretic peptide (NT PRO BNP(.
Methods: Patients with PTE were studied using tissue-Doppler myocardial velocities (S) and NT PRO BNP up to 12 hours after diagnosis. RV dysfunction was diagnosed by S velocity less than 10 cm/s. According to their pro NT PRO BNP levels, the patients were divided into Group I, NT PRO BNP<1000 pg/mL and Group II, NT PRO BNP> 1000 pg/mL.
Results: Of 68 patients (40 men, age = 45 ± 12 years); RV dysfunction was observed in 43%, more frequently in group II (22 vs. 7 patients, p < 0.001). Patients in group II were older (45 ± 11 vs. 38 ± 15 years), and had lower S velocity (8.5 ± 2.4 vs. 11.4 ± 2.6 cm/s), and higher pulmonary pressure (44 ± 5 vs. 36± 6mmHg), p < 0.001. S velocity has moderate correlation with NT PRO BNP (r = -0.39(
Conclusion: RV dysfunction by S velocity is twin with NT PRO BNP elevation. Tissue-Doppler imaging confirms the presence of RV dysfunction.

Keywords: RV, Echocardiography etc

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.7, No.6 (Nov/Dec 2017)