The effect of septoplasty on pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular function in nasal septum deviation

Abstract

Nasal septum deviation (NSD) can cause obstruction of the upper airway, which may lead to increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and right ventricle dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of septoplasty on right ventricular function and mean PAP of patients with marked NSD. 25 patients with marked NSD (mean age = 31.8 ± 12.3 years) and 27 healthy volunteers (mean age = 34.5 ± 10.8 years) were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed for all subjects and right ventricular function and mean PAP were evaluated before and 3 months after septoplasty. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annulus early diastolic myocardial velocity (E') were significantly lower in patients with NSD than control subjects, while right ventricle myocardial performance index (RVMPI) and mean PAP were significantly higher (respectively, p = 0.006, 0.037, 0.049, 0.046). When preoperative and postoperative findings were compared, the mean PAP decreased whereas TAPSE increased significantly (respectively, p = 0.007, 0.03). The results of the present study demonstrated that mean PAP increased and right ventricular function worsened in patients with NSD. However, mean PAP decreased and right ventricular function tended to recover after septoplasty.

Keywords: Nasal septum deviation; Pulmonary artery pressure; Right ventricular function; Septoplasty.