Multimodality Evaluation of the Right Ventricle: An Updated Review

Echocardiographic evaluation of the right ventricle: Clinical implications

Interest in evaluation of the right ventricle (RV) has increased recently. With the growth of new echocardiographic techniques and technology, there has been a corresponding increase in the ability to evaluate the RV, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Older echocardiographic techniques, such as right ventricular fractional area of change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and tissue S', and newer echocardiographic techniques including 3-dimensional evaluation and global longitudinal strain, can improve our evaluation of RV function. These techniques provide both diagnostic and prognostic data on a large variety of clinical diseases including pulmonary hypertension and congestive heart failure. With the continuing and exponential advances in technology, echocardiography is well poised to become the primary modality to evaluate the RV.

Myocardial performance index correlates with the BODE index and affects quality of life in COPD patients

Background and objective

COPD, a systemic illness associated with the impairment of different organs, affects patient prognosis and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between right ventricle (RV) function, the BODE (body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) index (a multifunctional scale for the assessment of mortality risk), and quality of life in patients with COPD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 107 outpatients presenting with stable COPD who underwent clinical assessment, spirometry, arterial blood gas analyses, a 6-minute walk test, electrocardiography, and echocardiogram and who responded to the Saint George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).

Results

Among the study subjects, 53% (57/107) were males, and the mean age was 65.26±8.81 years. A positive correlation was observed between RV dysfunction measured by the myocardial performance index using tissue Doppler (MPIt) and the BODE index, even after adjustment for age and partial pressure of oxygen (r²=0.47; P<0.01). Patients with alterations in the MPIt had worse quality of life, and a statistically significant difference was found for different domains of the SGRQ. Patients with a normal MPIt had a mean total score of 46.2±18.6, whereas for those with MPIt alterations, the mean total score was 61.6±14.2 (P=0.005). These patients had a 1.49-fold increased risk of exhibiting SGRQ total score above the upper limit of the 95% CI (P=0.01).

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that RV dysfunction as measured by the MPIt was associated with impairment in quality of life and a worse BODE index in COPD patients, irrespective of age and hypoxemia status.