原位心脏移植肺动脉压及右心功能的彩色多普勒超声评价

目的 探讨终末期扩张型心肌病病人心脏移植术前和术后早期肺动脉压和右心功能的临床意义。方法 近2年6例心脏移植病人，术前和术后3～7d用彩色多普勒超声测量右心室前后径、右心室射血分数、肺动脉收缩压与舒张压、心包积液和三尖瓣反流程度。回顾分析术前肺动脉压和右心功能对术后早期右心功能和肺动脉压的影响。结果 术前肺动脉高压病人右心室前后径增加（r=0.8227，n=6），右心室射血分数减少（r=-0.7361，n=6）。肺动脉压升高是引起右心扩大和衰竭的重要因素;术前肺动脉高压患者术后有明显下降，但仍处于高值;术前肺动脉压与术后右心室和肺动脉径和右心室射血分数改变不显著;术后三尖瓣反流和心包积液与术前和术后肺动脉压有关。结论 手术前后应用彩色多普勒超声评估肺动脉压对心脏移植术前受体选择和早期术后恢复具有重要的临床意义。彩色多普勒超声测量肺动脉压和右心功能简便易行，重复性较好。     

COPD肺动脉高压患者肺血管局部血小板激活的证据

COPD 肺动脉高压患者肺动脉内血栓形成发生率很高,其外周静脉血β-血栓球蛋白(β-TG)水平升高,血小板聚集增加,提示肺血管阻力增加与血小板激活有关。本文研究了血小板激活在COPD 肺动脉高压患者中的作用。确诊COPD 的29(男26、女3)例患者,平均年龄60.2岁,均处于临床稳定状态。以肺动脉压20 mmHg 为界将患者分为两组:①正常肺动脉压组(Ⅰ)组,14例,平均肺动脉压13.9±3.6mmHg,平均肺血管阻力113±52.4 dyn·s·cm~(-5);③肺动脉高压组(Ⅱ组),15例,平均肺动脉压33.43±11.22     

肺动脉血栓内膜剥脱术治疗慢性栓塞性肺动脉高压

目的报告肺动脉血栓内膜剥脱术治疗慢性栓塞性肺动脉高压的经验。方法回顾性总结了连续8例肺动脉血栓内膜剥脱术的手术要点、围术期处理以及近中期结果。结果8例均存活。肺动脉收缩压由术前的(101±24)mmHg降至术后的(39±15)mmHg、动脉血氧分压由(59±11)mmHg升至(92±7)mmHg。动脉血氧饱和度由(0.89±0.06)升至(0.98±0.01),均有显著改善。随访显示患者心功能为纽约心功能协会分级标准(NYHA)Ⅰ级(3例)或NYHAⅡ级(5例),生活质量明显改善。结论肺动脉血栓内膜剥脱术是治疗慢性栓塞性肺动脉高压的有效手段。     

伴肺动脉高压的中老年房间隔缺损的外科治疗

目的：总结伴肺动脉高血压的中、老年房缺病人的外科治疗经验。方法：伴肺动脉高压的中、老年房缺28例，肺动脉收缩压38．0－85．2mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa）,缺损直接缝闭7例，自体心包补片21例，6例中度以上三尖瓣关闭不全行三尖瓣成形术。结果：全组无手术死亡。肺动脉收缩压降至19．4－40mmHg。术后心功能均改善至Ⅰ～Ⅱ级（NYHA分级）。结论：对本类病人，只要肺动脉高压是动力性的，就应尽早积极采用手术治疗。补片修补有多种优点。完善处理三尖瓣病变有利于术后恢复。     

单向活瓣补片矫治间隔缺损合并重度肺动脉高压双向分流的术后效果分析

目的评估应用单向活瓣补片治疗合并重度肺动脉高压双向分流的先天性房室问隔缺损患者的术后效果。方法对32例伴有重度肺动脉高压双向分流的房室间隔缺损患者进行回顾性分析，进行常规补片矫治术的17例，进行单向活瓣补片矫治术的15例，术后分析两组的肺动脉收缩压（SPAP）与死亡率。结果常规补片矫治组死亡3例，死亡率17．65％，2例死于肺高压危象，1例死于右心衰；活瓣补片矫治组死亡1例，死于低血容量性休克与DIC，死亡率6．67％，单向活瓣补片矫治较之常规补片矫治的围手术期死亡率明显降低；常规补片组术前SPAP平均（93．2±22．6）mmHg，术后平均（85．4±17．9）mmHg，活瓣补片组术前SPAP平均（90．4±19．5）mmHg，术后平均（57．8±12．3）mmHg，大多数患者肺动脉压逐渐下降，其中活瓣补片组肺动脉压下降比常规补片组明显。活瓣矫治组回访5例，心功能均Ⅱ级；常规补片矫治组回访6例，心功能Ⅱ-Ⅳ级。结论单向活瓣补片矫治能有效地降低间隔缺损合并重度肺高压双向分流的围手术期死亡率及术后肺动脉收缩压，同时合理的围手术期治疗及术前综合评估，手术适应症的严格掌握是降低先心间隔缺损合并重度肺动脉高压双向分流患者死亡率、提高术后近中期生活质量的关键因素。     

超声心动图评价红斑狼疮患者右心功能损伤的可行性研究

目的探讨超声心动图评价系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）患者右心功能损伤的可行性和敏感性。方法将57例研究对象分为4组,即Ⅰ组（对照组）:超声心动图及查体均正常的体检者18例;Ⅱ组:左室收缩、舒张功能均正常的SLE患者18例;Ⅲ组:左室收缩功能正常、舒张功能减低的SLE患者13例;Ⅳ组:SLE并发肺动脉高压的患者8例。用脉冲多普勒采集三尖瓣口舒张期血流频谱,计算舒张早期和晚期速度的比值（TrE/A）;用组织多普勒采集三尖瓣环右室游离壁舒张早期峰值速度（Em）、舒张晚期峰值速度（Am）,并计算Em/Am值。根据公式（ICT+IRT）/ET计算右心Tei指数,并测量右室射血分数（RVEF）。结果Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的右心Tei指数依次增大,分别为0.25±0.062、0.29±0.087、0.41±0.15及0.53±0.21。Ⅳ组患者的各项心功能指标与其他组的差异均有显著性意义（P<0.05）。Ⅲ组患者的右心Tei指数、Em和Em/Ea的比值较Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组减低（P<0.05）,而Ⅲ组患者的RVEF和TrE/A的比值与Ⅱ组和对照组的差异未见显著性意义。结论右心Tei指数和三尖瓣环组织多普勒频谱能评估SLE患者右心功能的损害,较RVEF和TrE/A更为敏感。     

影响经皮二尖瓣球囊成形术术后肺动脉压力正常化的相关因素研究

目的　探讨继发性肺小动脉病变对经皮二尖瓣球囊成形术 (PBMV)术后肺动脉高压正常化的影响。方法　对 5 2 3例二尖瓣狭窄合并肺动脉高压的患者 ,PBMV术前、后测定其肺动脉收缩压 (PASP)、左房收缩压 (LASP)等血流动力学指标 ,运用多因素logistic回归分析影响术后肺动脉压正常化的因素 ,并将患者分为重度肺动脉高压组 (A组 )和非重度肺动脉高压组 (B组 )进行比较分析。结果　A组患者的PASP由术前的 (89 6 9± 16 2 7)mmHg(1mmHg =0 133kPa)下降为术后的 (5 3 0 4±16 5 2 )mmHg ,B组患者的PASP值由术前的 (48 2 3± 11 4 7)mmHg降至术后的 (33 6 4± 9 0 1)mmHg。logistic回归表明 ,术前PASP水平高是影响术后肺动脉压正常化的显著因素。A组中术后肺动脉压力下降至正常的患者比例 (4 5 % )明显低于B组 (42 5 % ) ;与B组比较 ,A组患者无论在术前、术后LASP与PASP均缺乏良好的线性关系。结论　由于继发性肺小血管改变引起的“二级狭窄”是造成PBMV术后肺动脉压力不能恢复至正常的主要原因。     

法舒地尔对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期合并肺动脉高压患者安全性及有效性评价的研究

目的 探索法舒地尔对慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期合并肺动脉高压患者肺循环血流动力学及氧动力学影响,从而评价法舒地尔在此类患者中的安全性和有效性.方法 对10例慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期合并肺动脉高压患者给予静脉注射法舒地尔,行漂浮导管监测血流动力学及氧动力学变化.结果 10例患者用药前平均肺动脉压为(39.60±9.4) mmHg,在静脉注射法舒地尔48 h后可降至(32.63±6.05) mmHg,P＜0.05;72 h后降至(33.71±4.99) mmHg,P＜0.05;肺血管阻力指数仅表现存在下降趋势,由基线值(746.8±509.49) dyn·s·m2·cm-5下降为72 h时肺血管阻力指数为(482.43±198.21) dyn·s·m2·cm5,P＞0.05.其中3例患者在用药过程中发生血压降低,因而减小法舒地尔用量或暂停.心率、心脏指数、右室每搏功和肺动脉楔顿压等其他血流动力学参数无显著变化.用药后氧动力学指标提示氧摄取率、氧消耗指数、氧输送指数存在升高趋势,分流率存在降低趋势,但差异均无统计学意义.结论 静脉注射法舒地尔早期可降低慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期合并肺动脉高压患者的肺动脉压力及肺血管阻力,改善缺氧,但仍需进一步评价其安全性.     

单中心开展全胸腔镜下体外循环心脏手术初期临床效果

目的 总结单中心开展全胸腔镜下体外循环心脏手术初期临床效果。 方法 2017年7月至2020年2月完成全胸腔镜下心脏手术198例,包括继发孔型房间隔缺损146例,部分型房室间隔缺损11例,左房粘液瘤36例,右房粘液瘤3例,左房恶性血管内皮瘤及左侧三房心各1例。其中男69例,女129例,年龄14～76（44.5±14.6）岁。术前心功能分级（NYHA）Ⅰ级76例,Ⅱ级98例,Ⅲ级24例;左室射血分数（LVEF）45～75（60.1±3.1）%,肺动脉收缩压（sPAP）24～89（53.2±12.9）mmHg。通过右侧胸壁3孔入路,股动静脉建立外周体外循环,在全胸腔镜下完成心脏手术。 结果 全组198例患者均治愈出院,患者手术时间1.9～7.7（4.0±0.9）h,体外循环时间46～270（101.7±30.0）min,主动脉阻断时间0～153（38.5±19.9）min。术后呼吸机辅助时间2.6～86.7（10.1±9.8）h,重症监护室时间14～125.5（23.6±15.0）h,术后胸腔引流量90～2540（293.6±157.9）ml,术后住院时间4～20（6.6±1.7）d。全组患者发生并发症11例,发生率为5.5%：包括术中中转开胸及扩大切口各1例,术后二次胸腔镜下止血3例,切口愈合不良3例,心室颤动、呼吸功能不全及脑水肿各1例。患者术后随访1～31（12.9±8.0）月,随访出现二尖瓣轻中度关闭不全1例,无再次手术及残余分流,患者随访心功能分级（NYHA）Ⅰ级152例,Ⅱ级46例,心功能明显好转。 结论 开展全胸腔镜下心脏手术临床效果良好,手术安全可行,手术创伤小及具有较好的近期疗效。     

利用多普勒超声对二尖瓣球囊扩张术后肺动脉高压预后的随访评价

目的评价经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术(PBMV)对二尖瓣狭窄合并肺动脉高压患者的近、中、远期疗效.方法对26例术前、术后、随访中均存在经超声证实的三尖瓣反流,同时合并肺动脉高压的二尖瓣狭窄患者,利用多普勒超声估测其肺动脉收缩压(PASP)值,并进行随访评价,随访时间1～10.6(平均3.5±1.5)年.结果26例患者PASP估测值由术前的65.66±19.50mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)降至术后即时的43.85±11.97mmHg,近、中、远期随访估测值分别为41.81±8.26mmHg、41.77±9.30mmHg和44.04±10.05mmHg,均较术前有显著下降,有非常显著性差异(P＜0.01),较术后即时值无明显差异(P＞0.05),但远期随访估测值较中期有显著意义的升高(P＜0.01).结论PBMV对二尖瓣狭窄合并肺动脉高压患者有较好的近、中期疗效,其远期疗效尚不确定,还有待进一步研究.     

Time course of resolution of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular remodeling after orthotopic cardiac transplantation

Most patients with severe congestive heart failure have secondary pulmonary hypertension (PHT). Elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) to greater than 480 dynes.sec.cm-5 (6 Wood units) is currently the principle hemodynamic contraindication to orthotopic cardiac transplantation. We performed serial two-dimensional Doppler echocardiographic examinations and right heart catheterizations in 24 recipients (21 men, 14-58 years old) of orthotopic cardiac transplants to determine the time course of resolution of PHT and the concomitant remodeling of the donor right ventricle. Right and left heart filling pressures declined in parallel and reached the upper normal range at 2 weeks after the transplant procedure and remained unchanged at 1 year follow-up. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mm Hg) decreased from 38 +/- 9 preoperatively to 22 +/- 5 at 2 weeks and was 19 +/- 5 at 1 year after the transplantation procedure. At 1 year after surgery, PVR had decreased from 202 +/- 89 dynes.sec.cm-5 preoperatively to 99 +/- 36 dynes.sec.cm-5 (p less than .001), while cardiac output increased from 3.7 +/- 1.2 to 6.3 +/- 1.5 liters/min (p less than .001). Echocardiographic analysis showed that transplant recipients had an enlarged right ventricle on day 1 after surgery, and a volume overload contraction pattern and tricuspid regurgitation was present in the majority. This increase in right ventricular size was maintained at 1 year follow-up while the incidence of tricuspid regurgitation decreased. We conclude that there is rapid resolution of moderately elevated pulmonary arterial pressures after cardiac transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pathophysiology of tricuspid insufficiency: analysis of the motion of the tricuspid valve annulus using 2-dimensional echocardiography

We investigated tricuspid annular motion in patients with pulmonary hypertension and in normal controls to determine the greatest minimal diameter and percentage shortening of the tricuspid annulus required for functional tricuspid regurgitation. 73 patients were studied by 2-dimensional echocardiography: a control group of 30 patients (group I); 43 patients had pulmonary hypertension, 9 of whom were still in sinus rhythm (group II), the other 34 patients had atrial fibrillation. 19 of these showed competent tricuspid valve with contrast echocardiography (group III), whereas the 15 remaining patients had functional tricuspid regurgitation (group IV). An analysis of shape and position changes of tricuspid annulus during the heart cycle was performed. The maximal diameter (mm/m2) in the apical 4 chamber view was in group I 17.5 +/- 1.4, in group II 20.7 +/- 3.2 (vs. group I p less than 0.05), in group III 19.0 +/- 3.4 (vs. group II NS) and in group IV 25.7 +/- 6.0 (vs. group III p less than 0.001). The values for the minimal annular diameter (mm/m2) were in group I 13.7 +/- 1.2, in group II 17.4 +/- 3.5 (vs. group I p less than 0.01), in group III 16.6 +/- 3.3 (vs. group II NS) and in group IV 23.6 +/- 5.7 (vs. group p less than 0.001). The percent decrease (%) in group I was 21.5 +/- 3.3, in group II 17.0 +/- 6.9 (vs. group I p less than 0.05), in group III 12.8 +/- 4.7 (vs. group II p less than 0.05) and in group IV 7.9 +/- 3.4 (vs. group III p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Can echocardiographic evaluation of cardiopulmonary hemodynamics decrease right heart catheterizations in end-stage heart failure patients awaiting transplantation?

Candidacy for heart transplantation is influenced by the severity of pulmonary hypertension. In this study, invasive hemodynamics from right-sided cardiac catheterization were compared with values obtained by validated equations from Doppler 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. This prospective study was conducted in 40 patients with end-stage heart failure evaluated for heart transplantation or ventricular assist device implantation. Transthoracic echocardiography and right-sided cardiac catheterization were performed within 4 hours. From continuous-wave Doppler of the tricuspid regurgitation jet, pulmonary artery systolic pressure was calculated as the peak gradient across the tricuspid valve plus right atrial pressure estimated from inferior vena cava filling. Mean pulmonary artery pressure was calculated as (0.61 × pulmonary artery systolic pressure) + 2. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated as (tricuspid regurgitation velocity/right ventricular outflow tract time-velocity integral × 10) + 0.16. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was calculated as 1.91 + (1.24 × E/E'). Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman analysis of mean differences between echocardiographic and right-sided cardiac catheterization measurements were statistically significant for all hemodynamic parameters (pulmonary artery systolic pressure: r = 0.82, p < 0.05, mean difference 3.1 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.2 to 6.3; mean pulmonary artery pressure: r = 0.80, p < 0.05, mean difference 2.5 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.3 to 4.6; PVR: r = 0.52, p < 0.05, mean difference 0.8 Wood units, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.4; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: r = 0.65, p < 0.05, mean difference 2.2 mm Hg, 95% CI 0.1 to 4.3). Compared with right-sided cardiac catheterization, PVR by Doppler echocardiography identified all patients with PVR > 4 Wood units (n = 4), 73% of patients with PVR <2 Wood units (n = 8), and 52% of patients with PVR from 2 to 4 Wood units (n = 10). In conclusion, echocardiographic estimation of cardiopulmonary hemodynamics is reliable in patients with end-stage cardiomyopathy. The noninvasive assessment of hemodynamics by echocardiography may be able to decrease the number of serial right-sided cardiac catheterizations in selected patients awaiting heart transplantation. However, in patients with borderline PVR, right-sided cardiac catheterization is indicated to assess eligibility for transplantation.     

Evolution of repaired and non-repaired tricuspid regurgitation in rheumatic mitral valve surgery without severe pulmonary hypertension

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of repairing significant tricuspid regurgitation (> or = grade 2) without severe pulmonary hypertension (< or = 50 mm Hg). Between 1993 and June 2001, 88 consecutive patients were operated on for rheumatic mitral valve disease associated with significant tricuspid regurgitation and without severe pulmonary hypertension. The severity of the tricuspid valve disease was assessed by echocardiography. Sixty-three patients had severe (> or = grade 3) tricuspid regurgitation (Group I), and 25 patients had moderate (grade 2) tricuspid regurgitation (Group II). There was no hospital mortality. six patients died during follow-up. The overall actuarial survival rate for 8 years was 92.1% +/- 3.1%. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( p = 0.006) and pulmonary complication ( p = 0.01) were associated with increased late mortality. Freedom from death was similar in both groups at 8 years (93.1% +/- 3.3% versus 88% +/- 8%, p = 0.7). Severe postoperative tricuspid regurgitation (> or = grade 3), caused by the failure of tricuspid repair or leaving the valve untouched, impaired long-term survival after surgery, and actuarial survival was 96.1% +/- 2.7% and 83% +/- 7.8% at 7 years ( p = 0.048), respectively. Severe tricuspid regurgitation, functional or organic, should be corrected at the time of mitral valve surgery, whereas untouched functional moderate tricuspid regurgitation improves after mitral valve surgery.     

Functional tricuspid insufficiency: conservative or operative management

Between 1978 and 1982 mitral valve replacement was performed in a total of 43 patients with mitral valve disease in the presence of functional tricuspid insufficiency (TI). The concomitant tricuspid valve regurgitation was treated conservatively in 17 patients, a Carpentier ring prosthesis was implanted in 9 patients. De Vega annuloplasty was performed in 13 patients and 4 times the valve was replaced with a Hancock bioprosthesis. The hospital mortality of 26% (11 patients) was high, due to the poor clinical condition of the patients. In a mean follow-up of 43.1 +/- 18,0 months, 20 patients could be restudied by clinical and echocardiographical investigation. Tricuspid insufficiency was found in all of the 9 patients who had been treated conservatively. Seven out of 11 patients operated showed no signs of TI, 3 had mild TI and 1 patient had severe TI. In the conservatively treated group, the preoperative mean pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR = 296 +/- 161 dynes x sex x cm-5), pulmonary artery pressure (PAP = 46.1 +/- 16.2 mmHg) and rise of right atrial V-wave (15.8 +/- 3.6 mmHg) were only slightly higher than n the operatively treated group (PVR - 274 +/- 146 dynes x sex x cm-5), PAP = 43.2 +/- 13.6 mmHg, V-wave = 18.5 +/- 6.4 mmHg) with no statistically significant difference. Preoperative hemodynamic findings in patients with and without TI a follow-up were also not significantly different. These results indicate that the recurrence of functional TI depends on the method of treatment, rather than preoperative increased PVR, PAP or V-wave rise.     

Comparison of pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with COPD and patients with overlap syndrome with similar severity of airway obstruction and gas exchange

It may be assumed that pulmonary hypertension due to apnea related desaturations during sleep develops earlier in the natural course of the overlap syndrome (OS) than in patients with COPD only. We aimed to verify this hypothesis by comparing pulmonary haemodynamics in COPD patients and patients with OS with similar severity of airway limitation and of pulmonary gas exchange. We studied pulmonary haemodynamics in 17 males with OS--group I (mean AHI 63.9 +/- 18.9), and in 20 males with COPD--group II. Both groups were age (I = 51.4 +/- 8.3 years, II = 53.7 +/- 7.7 years), FVC (I = 2.7 +/- 0.7 L, II = 2.9 +/- 0.6 L), FEV1 (I = 1.5 +/- 0.7 L, II = 1.3 +/- 0.3 L), PaO2 (I = 56.9 +/- 9.5 mm Hg, II = = 61.7 +/- 14.6 mm Hg) and PaCO2 (I = 46.9 +/- 9.8 mm Hg, II = 48.3 +/- 6.6 mm Hg) matched. Haemodynamic measurements were performed at rest and in 7th minute of exercise if 40 Watts using Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheter. Both groups presented with similar severity of pulmonary hypertension at rest (mean PPA = 24.2 +/- 7.4 mm Hg in OS and 24.3 +/- 9.2 mm Hg in COPD) and on exercise (mean PPA 41.2 +/- 15.1 mm Hg in OS and 44.5 +/- 11.5 mm Hg in COPD). COPD patients had higher PVR than OS (335 +/- 138 d.s.cm-5 versus 229 +/- 97 d.s.cm-5, p < 0.005). We concluded that pulmonary hypertension in OS patients is not more advanced than in COPD patients with matched ventilatory and gas exchange impairment.     

Quantitative assessment of pulmonary hypertension in patients with tricuspid regurgitation using continuous wave Doppler ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound examination was performed in 69 patients with a variety of cardiopulmonary disorders who were undergoing bedside right heart catheterization. Patients were classified into two groups on the basis of hemodynamic findings. Group I consisted of 20 patients whose pulmonary artery systolic pressure was less than 35 mm Hg and Group II consisted of 49 patients whose pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 35 mm Hg or greater. Tricuspid regurgitation was detected by Doppler ultrasound in 2 of 20 Group I patients and 39 of 49 Group II patients (p less than 0.001). Twenty-six of 27 patients with pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than 50 mm Hg had Doppler evidence of tricuspid regurgitation. In patients with tricuspid regurgitation, continuous wave Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the velocity of the regurgitant jet, and by applying the Bernoulli equation, the peak pressure gradient between the right ventricle and right atrium was calculated. There was a close correlation between the Doppler gradient and the pulmonary artery systolic pressure measured by cardiac catheterization (r = 0.97, standard error of the estimate = 4.9 mm Hg). Estimating the right atrial pressure clinically and adding it to the Doppler-determined right ventricular to right atrial pressure gradient was not necessary to achieve accurate results. These findings indicate that tricuspid regurgitation can be identified by Doppler ultrasound in a large proportion of patients with pulmonary hypertension, especially when the pulmonary artery pressure exceeds 50 mm Hg. Calculation of the right ventricular to right atrial pressure gradient in these patients provides an accurate noninvasive estimate of pulmonary artery systolic pressure.     

Effect of tricuspid annuloplasty on the clinical course following mitral or aortic valve operation

To assess the effect of additional tricuspid annuloplasty during mitral/aortic valve surgery on the clinical postoperative course in patients with severe preoperative tricuspid insufficiency, 64 patients were investigated pre- and 11 +/- 4 months postoperatively. Extent of left-side heart failure was graded as well as severity of right-side heart failure using a defined clinical score. Using preoperative biplane angiography of the right ventricle the patients were assigned to three different groups: group I (n = 30) with no preoperative tricuspid insufficiency (TI), group II (n = 19) with preoperative TI and without tricuspid annuloplasty, group III (n = 15) with preoperative TI and with annuloplasty of the tricuspid valve. The patients of all three groups postoperatively improved from an average of NYHA class III to class II. The clinical score of right-side heart failure in gr. III and gr. II was 1.4 +/- 1.0 and 1.5 +/- 1.0, respectively, and was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than in gr. I (0.8 +/- 0.8). In all three groups there was a postoperatively significant decrease: gr. I: 0.3 +/- 0.5 (p less than 0.01); gr. II: 0.6 +/- 0.9 (p less than 0.02); gr. III: 0.7 +/- 0.8 (p less than 0.05). Mortality was 3% in gr. I; 5% in gr. II and 6% in gr. III. 3% of patients in gr. I, 30% in gr. II and 6% in gr. III had early postoperative hemodynamic complications.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Does lowering pulmonary arterial pressure eliminate severe functional tricuspid regurgitation? Insights from pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

OBJECTIVES: Because pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) can result in an immediate reduction in pulmonary artery (PA) pressure, we sought to evaluate the effect of PTE on severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) without tricuspid annuloplasty. BACKGROUND: Few data exist regarding the frequency and magnitude of functional TR improvement after reduction in PA pressure. METHODS: We identified 27 patients with severe TR, defined by a regurgitant index (RI) >33%, who underwent PTE. The RI, tricuspid annular diameter (TAD), apical displacement of leaflet coaptation, and estimated PA systolic pressure were determined on pre- and post-PTE echocardiograms. Patients were stratified based on resolution (RI < or =33%) or persistence (RI >33%) of severe TR. RESULTS: Comparing pre- and post-PTE echocardiography results, severe TR resolved in 19 of 27 (70%) patients. This group had a more effective PA systolic pressure reduction after PTE (49 +/- 20 mm Hg vs. 32 +/- 16 mm Hg by echocardiography, p = 0.075, and 37 +/- 16 mm Hg vs. 16 +/- 13 mm Hg by catheter measurement, p = 0.004). No difference was observed in TAD, apical displacement of the tricuspid valve, or other features compared with the group with persistent severe TR. There was a trend toward longer hospital stays in the group with persistent severe TR (19 +/- 15 days vs. 14 +/- 9 days; p = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: After significant PA pressure reduction by PTE, severe functional TR with a dilated annulus may improve without annuloplasty despite dilated tricuspid annulus diameters.