Echocardiographic Parameters in Acute Pulmonary Edema

Abstract

Purpose: The present study proposes the comprehensive ultrasound evaluation of a consecutive batch of patients with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Method: The registry included all patients with acute pulmonary edema from 2 emergency hospitals between February and May 2016. During the first 3 days of admission, a transthoracic ultrasound was performed which included the parameters of systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle, right ventricular systolic function, heart cavity dimensions, estimated pulmonary pressure, and the presence and severity of valvular disease.

Results: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the registry. The mean ejection fraction of the left ventricle was 39.5±11.4% and the average indexed end-diastolic volume was 77.7±29.5ml/m⊃2, above the upper limit of normal. All patients in whom diastolic function could be evaluated had a degree of diastolic dysfunction. Functional parameters of the right ventricle were normalized as average, and the mean pulmonary artery pressure was increased: 40.9±16.7mmHg. The most common valvular heart disease were mitral and tricuspid insufficiency, with moderate or severe impairment in 82.8%, respectively 65.7% of the patients.

Keywords: acute pulmonary edema; echocardiography; sistolic function.

Figure 1

End-diastolic area (EDA) and end-systolic (ESA) area of the right ventricle. The fractional area change (FAC) is calculated as follows: FAC=(EDA-ESA)/EDA x 100