[Non-invasive evaluation of systolic pressure of the pulmonary artery in patients with tricuspid regurgitation, using Doppler echocardiography]

Abstract

Study objective: To quantify the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography and record the prevalence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

Design: Prospective analysis of 42 patients (pts), submitted to right heart catheterization (RHC).

Setting: Pts referred to the Echocardiographic Laboratory at Sta. Marta Hospital - H.C.L.

Patients: Sequential sample of 42 pts with several cardiac pathologies, subjected to RHC and 2D Doppler Echocardiography.

Interventions: The right ventricular and SPAP were recorded in the hemodynamic exam. We considered pulmonary hypertension (PH) if SPAP was greater than 35 mmHg or mean pressure greater than 20 mmHg. The pts were divided into two groups: I-pts without PH and II-pts with PH. The 2D Doppler echocardiography was made within 24 H of the hemodynamic one. Peak gradient (pg) of TR and the correlation with catheterization data were analysed.

Results: Hemodynamic--The mean SPAP in the sample was 46 +/- 21.5 mmHg (27 +/- 4.6 in group I and 55 +/- 20.2 mmHg in II). In 35 pts with TR the mean SPAP was 50.3 +/- 21.2 mmHg. Doppler--The pressure gradient was 40 +/- 18.7 mmHg. 57% pts of the group I and 96% II had TR p less than 0.001. The correlation between Doppler gradient and SPAP was r = 0.95, and no change was noted when 7 is used as a constant.

Conclusion: Continuous wave Doppler echocardiography is a non invasive technic useful to the quantitative analysis of SPAP.