Clinical Studies on the Right Ventricular Function

Abstract

1) The hemodynamic values of fifty-three patients with mitral stenosis were analysed, in respect to the right ventricular function. 2) The functional capacity of the heart was more deteriorated, when the cardiac index was lower. 3) Right ventricular end-diastolic pressure showed significant correlations with pulmonary artery pressures, and significant inverse correlations with cardiac and stroke indices. 4) The decrease in cardiac index occurred concomitantly with the elevation of right ventricular end-diastolic pressures and pulmonary artery pressures, and with the decrease in right ventricular work in a minute or a stroke. 5) Right ventricular work had no significant correlation with right ventricular end-diastolic pressure or cardiac index. 6) An imaginary line was presented in the right ventricular work-end-diastolic pressure relation, and it was suggested that the line may divide the cases into two groups ; a group with compensated and hyperdynamic heart, and the other with decompensated and hypodynamic heart. 7) Relation between pulmonary artery wedge pressure and pulmonary artery diastolic pressure was reviewed, and the clinical significance of the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure was discussed.