Associations of 2D speckle tracking echocardiography-based right heart deformation parameters and invasively assessed hemodynamic measurements in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

backgroundWe aimed to evaluate associations of right atrial (RA) and right ventricular (RV) strain parameters assessed by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) with invasively measured hemodynamic parameters in patients with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH).

methodsIn this study, we analyzed 78 all-comer patients undergoing invasive hemodynamic assessment by left and right heart catheterization. Standard transthoracic echocardiographic assessment was performed under the same hemodynamic conditions. RA and RV longitudinal strain parameters were analyzed using 2D STE. PH was defined as invasively obtained mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg at rest and was further divided into pre-capillary PH (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure [PCWP] ≤ 15 mmHg), post-capillary PH (PCWP > 15 mmHg) and combined PH (PCWP > 15 mmHg and difference between diastolic PAP and PCWP of ≥7 mmHg). Correlation analyses between variables were calculated with Pearson's or Spearman's correlation coefficient as applicable.

resultsOut of 78 patients, 45 presented with PH. Within the PH group, 39 had post-capillary, five had combined pre- and post-capillary PH, and one had pre-capillary PH. Patients with PH had a significantly increased RA area (PH 22.0 ± 9.2 cm

conclusionIn an all-comer cohort, RA and RV strain parameters showed significant associations with invasively assessed mPAP and PCWP in patients with predominantly post-capillary PH. These associations may be useful in clinical practice to assess the impact of post-capillary PH on myocardial right heart function.