Incorporation of pulmonary vascular resistance measurement into standard echocardiography: Implications for assessment of pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Doppler estimation of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) from tricuspid regurgitation velocity is a simple approach to the detection of pulmonary hypertension but may be influenced by right ventricular stroke volume. We sought the clinical utility of incorporating Doppler calculation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) into determination of pulmonary hypertension in 578 consecutive patients with tricuspid regurgitation. Right atrial pressure was estimated from vena caval dimensions and collapsibility. Pulmonary hypertension was classified on the basis of a) PASP >35mmHg, b) age-/gender normalized PASP, c) PVR >2 Wood units. The mean PASP was 40 ± 13 mmHg and PVR was 1.9 ± 0.8 Wood ..