P4508Uncoupling of right ventricular and arterial elastance in advanced HFrEF predicts poor survival

Abstract

Abstract Background Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in heart failure (HF) is poorely understood and difficult to recognize due to complex RV geometry and load-dependency. Pressure volume analysis using SPECT ventriculography combined with right heart catheterisation (RHC) ar rest and during load-altering maneuver (7 min 60° leg rise, LR) can improve detection of RVD. Methods Advanced HF patients underwent RHC with thermodilution CO measurement (Corodyne, Braun, Germany) followed by gated 3D equilibrium Tc-labeled blood pool SPECT ventriculography (D-SPECT, Israel). QBS software was used to calculate chamber volumes to derive contractility (EF, elastance: Ees) and afterload (Ea). Patients were followed for occurence of death without Tx, urgent Tx or VAD implant. Results From 157 patients (age 55±12 years, LV EF 22±12%, 86% males), 83% had PH (mPA>25 mmHg) and 58% had RVD (RV EF <35%). Despite afterload (PAm, Ea) correlated with RV function (RVEF, RV Ees), it explained <10% of its variance; at rest or during LR. Leg rise led to significant (p<0.01) increases of RVEDP, PAWP, mPA (+2, +3, +4 mmHg), to increases of RVEDV, RVESV (+18 and +9 ml), but to reductions of LVEDV and LVESV (−14 and −9 ml) and to no change of RV or LV EF, CO, HR. LR inreased RV afterload (Ea), had no change on RV contractility but it further reduced RV-PA coupling (Ees/Ea). With LR, 70% of patients had relative increase in RV diastolic volume compared to LV (REDV/LVEDV ratio), reflecting RV diastolic reserve. After median of 112 (IQR: 33–229) days, 73 pts (46%) had an event (urgent Tx, VAD or death). In Cox analysis, both RVD and PH were associated with adverse outcome. From all volume- and pressure-derived measures acquired at rest and during LR, low resting RV coupling ratio (Ees/Ea) had strongest association with events (Z-standartized RR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2–0.6, p<0.0001). Patients with larger relative increase in RV volume during LR (larger RV diastolic reserve) had better outcome. Conclusion Pressure-volume analysis of RV function provides more precise characterization of RV-PA coupling and allows better event-free survival prediction than isolated volumetric or hemodynamic indexes. Low resting RV Ees/Ea ratio (< median 0.324) predicts particularly poor survival. Acknowledgement/Funding Ministry of Health of the Czech republic, grant AZV 17-28784A