Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure Values Research Articles

A New Perspective on the Management of Primary Immunodeficiencies: Evaluation of Arrhythmia and Cardiac Diseases.

Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), are a growing group of rarely seen diseases. Various clinical conditions like autoimmunity, lymphoproliferative/malignant diseases, chronic lung and gastrointestinal system diseases have been identified which accompanies PIDs besides recurrent infections. However, there is a lack of information about accompanying cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to determine the frequency of cardiovascular diseases and arrhythmias in PID patients. 48 PID patients and 48 control group patients were included to this single-center, prospective controlled study. All patients underwent resting electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and 7-lead 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter) monitoring assessed by an experienced cardiologist. Both supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles were found to be statistically significantly higher in patient group in terms of frequency and sustained, non-sustained, and runs compared to control group. The median of total supraventricular extrasystoles was 8 (0-65) in patient group which was 0.5 (0-4.5) in control group (p<0.001) while the median of total ventricular extrasystoles was 2 (0-45.5) and 0 (0-2) in two groups, respectively (p=0.022). 18 patients (37.5%) had supraventricular and/or ventricular arrhythmias. The patient group had a statistically significantly higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure value compared to control group [20 (16-28) vs. 17.5 (15-25); p=0.036]. We found 7 patients had 13 structural heart diseases including second degree or above valve pathologies in patient group whereas none of the control group patients had these diseases (p=0.013). With the positive findings of higher frequency and risk of arrhythmias and various structural heart diseases, we hope that our study will provide a new perspective on the management of PID patients, contributing positively to their survival and early prevention of cardiovascular comorbidities.

Development and validation of a predicting model for risk of mortality in heart failure patients with mildly reduced ejection fraction post discharge

Abstract Background Prognostic prediction for heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) patients remains challenging. We aimed to create and validate a mortality risk prediction model for HFmrEF patients at 6-month, 1-year, and 3-year post discharge. Methods Clinical data of 1691 HFmrEF patients registered in the heart failure registry from 2015 to 2020 at the Heart Center of our hospital were analyzed. Patients were assigned into a training (1183 patients) and validation cohort (508 patients) at 7:3 ratio. Predictive variables for mortality at various period post discharge were identified by the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression analysis. The predicting model was then established based on these variables. Model performance was evaluated with ROC curve and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA). Results Eight predictors were identified including age, NT-proBNP, hemoglobin levels, use of beta-blockers, ACEI/ARB, invasive ventilation, PCI procedures, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure values. The model achieved a C-index of 0.748 (training set) and 0.755 (validation set). Area Under the Curve (AUC) for training set at 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years were 0.813, 0.784, and 0.774, and AUC for validation set were 0.775, 0.744, and 0.770, respectively. The DCA analysis confirmed the favorable net benefit of the established nomogram model. Conclusion This predicting model might be used for post-discharge risk stratification and individual decision-making of post-discharge management in HFmrEF patients.

Clinical and echocardiographic predictors of outcome in liver transplant patients.

Liver transplant (LT) candidates undergo transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before surgery to assess cardiac function and evaluate the echocardiographic probability of pulmonary hypertension (PHT). The improvement of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAPS) after transplant is associated with higher survival rates in patients with mild or moderate PHT. Although studies analyze the outcomes of LT in patients treated for PHT, the prognostic value of PAPS in patients without PHT in the follow-up is unknown. The aim of our study is to evaluate pre- and post-LT cardiac function, right ventricular function, pulmonary artery pressure, and their association with long-term mortality. 102 patients who underwent LT between 2011 and 2018 were compared for echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters pre- and post-LT. After LT, systolic blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and PASP significantly increased, while tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/PAPS decreased. Moreover, the higher difference in HR and PASP between pre- and post-LT was highlighted in those patients who died during the follow-up period after LT. Among all the parameters tested, in the multi-variable Cox regression for mortality, left ventricular ejection fraction and PASP difference were predictors of mortality. This study highlights the importance of TTE in LT screening as a tool to stratify patients at higher risk of death due to advanced cirrhotic cardiomyopathy and the importance of the change of echocardiographic parameters, in particular right and left ventricular hemodynamics, during the follow-up period. These parameters could be used to guide a more aggressive therapy.

Long-term follow-up in outpatients with mildly elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure on echocardiography: a single-centre retrospective cohort study in Shanghai, China

ObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between mildly elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) on echocardiography and mortality, as well as long-term changes in PASP.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingShanghai, China, a single centre.ParticipantsA total...

Tricuspid repair: short and long-term results of suture annuloplasty techniques and rigid and flexible ring annuloplasty techniques

BackgroundFunctional tricuspid regurgitation may arise from left heart valve diseases or other factors. If not addressed concurrently with primary surgical intervention, it may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality rates during the postoperative period. This study investigates the impact of various repair techniques on crucial factors such as systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), tricuspid valve regurgitation, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional capacity class in the postoperative period.Materials and methodsFrom April 2007 to June 2013, 379 adults underwent open-heart surgery for functional tricuspid regurgitation. Patients were categorized into four groups: Group 1 (156) with De Vega suture annuloplasty, Group 2 (60) with Kay suture annuloplasty, Group 3 (122) with Flexible Duran ring annuloplasty, and Group 4 (41) with Semi-Rigid Carpentier-Edwards ring annuloplasty. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were recorded over a mean follow-up of 35.6 ± 19.1 months. Postoperative SPAP values, tricuspid regurgitation grades, and NYHA functional capacity classes were compared among the groups.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were observed among the groups regarding age, gender, preoperative disease diagnoses, history of previous cardiac operations, or echocardiographic characteristics such as preoperative ejection fraction, SPAP, and tricuspid regurgitation. Hospital and intensive care unit length of stay and postoperative complications also showed no significant differences. However, patients in Group 3 exhibited longer Cardio-Pulmonary Bypass duration, cross-clamp duration, and higher positive inotrope requirements. While the mortality rate within the first 30 days was higher in Group 1 compared to the other groups (p: 0.011), overall mortality rates did not significantly differ among the groups. Significant regression in functional tricuspid regurgitation and a notable decrease in SPAP values were observed in patients from Group 3 and Group 4 (p: 0.001). Additionally, patients in Group 3 and Group 4 showed a more significant reduction in NYHA functional capacity classification during the postoperative period (p: 0.001).ConclusionAmong the repair techniques, ring annuloplasty demonstrated superiority in reducing SPAP, regressing tricuspid regurgitation, and improving NYHA functional capacity in functional tricuspid regurgitation repairs.

The impact of sleeping in an elevated upper body position during acclimatization to high altitude on acute mountain sickness and pulmonary artery systolic pressure

Background: The effect of sleeping positions during acclimatization to high altitude on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is unknown. We tested whether sleeping with the upper body raised by 5° reduces prevalence and severity of symptoms of AMS as well as of elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) values as a risk factor of HAPE. Methods: Randomly assigning trekking tourist volunteers n = 44 (25 m, 19 f; mean age 42.9 yr) sleeping at 4280 m or 5170 m to the experimental group (upper body elevated by 5°), or to the control group. After exclusion of other reasons for AMS-like symptoms those assumed to be related to AMS were rated by Lake Louise Score questionnaire in the evening and the following morning of the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on both occasions to estimate PASP. Results: In the study group, symptoms of AMS were significantly reduced in younger subjects (p = 0.021), prevalence of AMS was reduced in women (p = 0.156), and PASP values were significantly reduced in older subjects and men (p = 0.032; p = 0.031 respectively). Conclusion: Results suggest that sleeping with the upper body in elevated position during a high altitude ascent may benefit those suffering from AMS or at risk of HAPE due to elevated PASP values.

Systolic Pulmonary Artery Pressure Thresholds Predictive of Dyspnea on Stress Doppler Echocardiography in Mitral Stenosis.

On Stress Doppler Echocardiography (SDE) in mitral stenosis, the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) threshold at peak exercise recommended by the guidelines as an indication for percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) used to be 60 mmHg. However, because of the paucity of studies, that threshold has been controversial. The Europeans stopped using the value in 2007, followed by the Americans in 2014. Determine SPAP thresholds on SDE at peak exercise and post-exercise predictive of dyspnea as an indication for PMC in mitral stenosis. Three hundred mitral stenosis patients with a mitral valve area (MVA) ≤ 2 cm2 and NYHA I-II-III were included. A treadmill stress test (Bruce protocol) was used in all cases to distinguish dyspneic patients (n = 182) from non dyspneic patients (n = 118). SDE was performed on a stress echocardiography bed, starting at 30 W and increasing by 30 W every 3 min. At peak exercise, the best SPAP threshold obtained was 75 mmHg: specificity (Sp) = 0.98 (0.94-1), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) = 47 (41-50), positive predictive value (PPV) = 0.99 (0.95-1), and positive predictive error (PPE) = 0.01 (0.002-0.05). This compared with, respectively, 0.34, 1, 0.69 and 0.31 at 60 mmHg. Post-exercise, the best SPAP threshold found was 60 mmHg: Sp = .94 (0.88-0.97), LR = 9 (4-10), PPV = 0.94 (0.87-0.97), and PPE = 0.06 (0.03-0.13). Regarding the prediction of dyspnea as an indication for PMC, our study shows that a SPAP value at peak exercise of 60 mmHg lacks predictive power (LR+=1). The optimal threshold observed was 75 mmHg at peak exercise (LR+ = 47 [41-50]) and 60 mmHg post-exercise (LR+ = 9 [4-10]).

Prevalence, sex differences, and implications of pulmonary hypertension in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a subtype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) that affects up to 25% of Asian patients and is not as well understood in non-Asian patients. Although ApHCM has been considered a more "benign" variant, it is associated with increased risk of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, apical thrombi, stroke, and progressive heart failure. The occurrence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in ApHCM, due to elevated pressures on the left side of the heart, has been documented. However, the exact prevalence of PH in ApHCM and sex differences remain uncertain. We sought to evaluate the prevalence, risk associations, and sex differences in elevated pulmonary pressures in the largest cohort of patients with ApHCM at a single tertiary center. A total of 542 patients diagnosed with ApHCM were identified using ICD codes and clinical notes searches, confirmed by cross-referencing with cardiac MRI reports extracted through Natural Language Processing and through manual evaluation of patient charts and imaging records. In 414 patients, echocardiogram measurements of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) were obtained at the time of diagnosis. The mean age was 59.4 ± 16.6 years, with 181 (44%) being females. The mean PASP was 38 ± 12 mmHg in females vs. 33 ± 9 mmHg in males (p < 0.0001). PH as defined by a PASP value of > 36 mmHg was present in 140/414 (34%) patients, with a predominance in females [79/181 (44%)] vs. males [61/233 (26%), p < 0.0001]. Female sex, atrial fibrillation, diagnosis of congestive heart failure, and elevated filling pressures on echocardiogram remained significantly associated with PH (PASP > 36 mmHg) in multivariable modeling. PH, when present, was independently associated with mortality [hazard ratio 1.63, 95% CI (1.05-2.53), p = 0.028] and symptoms [odds ratio 2.28 (1.40, 3.71), p < 0.001]. PH was present in 34% of patients with ApHCM at diagnosis, with female sex predominance. PH in ApHCM was associated with symptoms and increased mortality.

Prognostic impact of postprocedural pulmonary artery systolic pressure on late mortality after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Abstract Background Pulmonary hypertension is a common finding in patients with aortic stenosis. Although transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is frequently associated with a reduction of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), data regarding the independent impact of postprocedural PASP (post PASP) on long-term clinical outcome are still contradictory. Methods Patients with severe and symptomatic aortic stenosis [effective orifice area (EOA)≤1cm2] referred for TAVI at our institution were consecutively enrolled. Prospectively collected demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic data were retrospectively analysed. Patients were stratified into three groups according to PASP at 30 days: group 1 (≤ 35mmHg), group 2 (36-49mmHg), group 3 (≥50mmHg). Primary clinical endpoint was all-cause mortality at 8 years, as defined by the criteria proposed by the Valve Academic Research Consortium3. Results A total of 166 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study: 76 (45.8%) patients in group 1, 71 (42.8%) in group 2 and 19 (11.4%) in group 3. The primary clinical end point occurred in 76.8% of all patients. The Kaplan–Meier curves for 8 year mortality showed that the high value of post PASP was associated with poor survival. Interestingly, patients in group 3 had the highest rate of all-cause mortality compared to patients in group 1 and 2 ( group 1 : 69%, group 2: 78.5%, group 3: 100%, p=0.016). Performing a multivariable analysis demonstrated that post PASP could independently predict cumulative 8 year mortality [OR 1.151, (95% CI 1.051 – 1.260, p=0.002)]. Using ROC analysis for 8 year survival, PASP had 75% sensitivity, and 64% specificity (p&amp;lt;0.0001, AUC=0.730). Conclusion Patients with increased PASP at 30 days after TAVI are at higher risk of all cause mortality at 8 years. Moreover, post PASP is independent predictor of late mortality and should be performed to determine the best follow up strategy in TAVI patients.

Abstract 12547: Incidence of Pulmonary Hypertension in the Echocardiographic Referral Population

Background: Incident rates (IRs) for pulmonary hypertension (PH) using diagnostic data rather than diagnostic codes (DC) have not been reported. We examined PH IRs, risk factors, and mortality among patients (pts) referred for echocardiography (TTE) in a national healthcare system and a separate tertiary care center. Methods: Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) estimates were extracted from the Veterans Affairs (1999-2020) and Vanderbilt (1994-2020) systems. PH was defined as PASP &gt;35 mmHg. Individuals free of PH at baseline were followed through incident PH, death, or censored at end of study. Secondary outcome was mortality rate (MR) after incident PH. We used Poisson regression to estimate IRs and cox models for hazard ratios. Results: We identified 245,067 veterans (60 years [IQR 55-64], 94% male, 20% Black) and 117,526 VUMC pts (60 years [IQR 46-70], 46% male, 11% Black) free of PH at baseline. Only 22% of pts with TTE-based PH had a DC for PH. PH IRs and adjusted hazard were substantially higher in pts with HF or COPD and highest in pts with both ( Table 1 ). MR after incident PH was highest in pts with both HF and COPD and lowest in pts without either (Figure 1A ). MRs increased markedly at PASP values &gt;45mmHg ( Figure 1B ). Independent risk factors for incident PH included older age (HR 1.07; 95%CI 1.06-1.09), male sex (HR 1.24; 95%CI 1.17-1.30), black race (HR 1.10; 95%CI 1.07-1.13), and cardiometabolic comorbidities. Conclusions: PH IRs estimated by raw diagnostic data are higher than DC-based IRs and strongly associated with HF and COPD. PASP &gt;45mmHg at the time of incident PH is associated with high mortality.

Effect of sleeping position on cardiac output, pulmonary pressure, and superior vena cava flow in healthy term infants

Although the mechanism of action in newborns is unknown, sleep positioning is associated with many pathophysiological events. This study aimed to compare the effects of supine and prone sleeping positions on cardiac output (CO), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP), and superior vena cava (SVC) flow in healthy newborns. In the first 24-72h of life, 40 healthy term newborns born in the same hospital were included in this prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. CO, SVC flow, and SPAP values of newborns in the supine and prone sleeping positions were calculated using echocardiographic examination. The measurements were statistically compared. In the supine sleeping position, CO, SVC flow, and SPAP were 235.00 (193.07-283.30) ml/kg/min, 92.80 (77.82-121.87) ml/kg/min, and 27.85 (24.70-30.48) mmHg. In the prone sleeping position, CO, SVC flow, and SPAP were measured as 195.35 (166.00-229.40) ml/kg/min, 67.25 (51.82-96.66) ml/kg/min, 31.60 (28.45-37.20) mmHg, respectively. Depending on sleeping position, these variables were significantly different between the groups. SVC flow and CO decreased in the prone sleeping position compared to the supine sleeping position in healthy newborns, whereas SPAP increased. The different hemodynamic effects of sleeping position on the cardiac, pulmonary, and nervous systems should be considered as flow and pressure changes are important in newborns.

CT measured pulmonary artery to ascending aorta ratio stratified by echocardiographically obtained systolic pulmonary artery pressure values for noninvasive detection of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) offers a measurement method for the determination of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) with determination of maximal tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRVmax) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP). Radiological parameters for noninvasive detection of PH, most importantly computed tomography (CT) based PA/AA-ratio = ratio of pulmonary artery diameter (PA) and ascending aorta diameter (AA), are also included in the latest ESC guidelines. The aim of the present study was to define cut-off values for PA/AA-ratio taking also into account cardiovascular biomarkers to determine criteria for noninvasive diagnosis of PH. 194 patients with severe AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) underwent pre-procedural TTE and CT with measurement of PA/AA-ratio. Additionally, common cardiovascular biomarkers were determined. TAVR patients with an sPAP ≥ 40mmHg or a TRVmax ≥ 2.9m/s had a PA/AA-ratio ≥ 0.80 in an AUROC analysis. The cut-off value of ≥ 0.80 resulted in a significantly higher mortality rate (log-rank test: p = 0.034) in these patients in a Kaplan-Meier analysis regarding 1-year survival after TAVR. Significant differences in biomarker expression between patients with a PA/AA-ratio ≥ 0.80 or < 0.80 occurred for BNP (p = 0.001), cTnI (p = 0.032), GDF-15 (p = 0.002) and H-FABP (p = 0.015). PA/AA-ratio ≥ 0.80 is a promising radiological parameter that can provide information about mortality in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR; combined with biomarkers it may contribute to noninvasive detection of PH in patients with severe AS.

Study of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in CKD 3b-5ND patients—A single centre cross-sectional study

IntroductionCardiovascular diseases are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among CKD (chronic kidney disease) population. Recent studies have found increasing prevalence of PH (pulmonary hypertension) in CKD population. Present study was done to determine prevalence and predictors of LV (left ventricular) systolic dysfunction, LVDD (left ventricular diastolic dysfunction) and PH in CKD 3b-5ND (non-dialysis) patients. MethodsA cross sectional observational study was done from Jan/2020 to April/2021. CKD 3b-5ND patients aged ≥15 yrs were included. Transthoracic 2D (2 dimensional) echocardiography was done in all patients. PH was defined as if PASP (pulmonary artery systolic pressure) value above 35mm Hg, LV systolic dysfunction was defined as LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)≤50% and LVDD as E/e′ ratio >14 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression model was done to determine the predictors. ResultsA total of 378 patients were included in the study with 103 in stage 3b, 175 in stage 4 and 100 patients in stage 5ND. Prevalence of PH was 12.2%, LV systolic dysfunction was 15.6% and LVDD was 43.65%. Predictors of PH were duration of CKD, haemoglobin, serum 25-OH vitamin D, serum iPTH (intact parathyroid hormone) and serum albumin. Predictors of LVDD were duration of CKD and presence of arterial hypertension. Predictors of LV systolic dysfunction were eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), duration of CKD, serum albumin and urine protein. ConclusionIn our study of 378 CKD 3b-5ND patients prevalence of PH was 12.2%, LV systolic dysfunction was 15.6% and LVDD was 43.65%.

Different right ventricular maladaptation in heart failure patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction: diagnostic and prognostic implication

Abstract Background The prognostic impact of right ventricle (RV) dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients affected by chronic heart failure (HF) has been well described by several studies in both patients affected by HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). It has been been demonstrated that tricuspidal anular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE)/pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ratio, may provide additional prognostic information. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to RV dysfunction may differ in HFpEF and HFrEF. Aims In this study we would like to evaluate: 1. Different RV adaptation in hospitalized HF patients with reduced or preserved EF 2. prognostic significance of an early echocardiographic assessment of RV structure comparing TAPSE/PASP vs s'/PASP in HFrEF and HFpEF. Methods We included 381 patients included in the study, 209 had HFrEF and 172 had HFpEF who were studied by echocardiography. S' wave and RV longitudinal function strain (RVLS) were obtained by apical four chamber view and optimal visualization of RV lateral free wall. RV diameter was measured at basal level below tricuspidal anular plane. Patients were followed for 6 months after discharge for the composite outcome of cardiovascular death and re-hospitalization. Results Patients with HFrEF demonstrated a larger RV end diastolic diameter (EDD) compared to HFpEF (43 [37–45] vs 39 [36–44] mm; p=0.009) and more reduced TAPSE (19 [16–21] vs 20 [17–22] mm; p=0.04). Whereas PASP values were similar in both groups. Conversely, s' wave and RVLS were much more reduced in HFpEF (9 [7–11] vs 12 [9–13] cm/sec; p=0.008; 16 [14–21] vs 20 [15–23]% p&amp;gt;0.05) than in HFrEF. TAPSE/PASP was significantly reduced in HFrEF (0.38 [0.29–0.42] vs 0.43 [0.35–0.48]; p=0.02). Conversely s'/PAPS was lower in HFpEF group (0.29 [0.24–0.33] vs 0.25 [0.21–0.31]; p=0.01). At univariate analysis several parameters were related to outcome: TAPSE≤14 mm, (HR 1.70 [1.14–2.52]; p=0.009), PASP≥40 mmHg (HR 1.51 [1.05–2.17]; p=0.02), RVEDD &amp;gt;38 mm (HR; 1.88 [1.36–2.61]; p&amp;lt;0.001), s wave&amp;lt;9 (HR1.88 [1.30–2.41] p&amp;lt;0.001),inferior cave vein diameter&amp;gt;21 mm (HR 1.90 [1.31–2.75]; p=0.001. Multivariable analysis confirmed prognostic role of TAPSE, RVEDD, IVC and s' wave. Therefore TAPSE /PAPS was associated with adverse event in HFrEF but not in HFpEF (HR 1,75 [1.41–2.92] in HFrEF, p=0.003; HR 1.02 [0.67–1.32] in HFpEF, p=0.55). Whereas, s/PAPS was associated with more increased risk in HFpEF (HR 1.88 [1.65–3.46] in HFpEF, p&amp;lt;0.001; HR 1.34 [1,08–4.32] in HFrEF, p=0.03). Conclusions Right ventricular dysfunction and maladaptation are associated with poor outcome in either HFrEF and HFpEF. Tissue excursion and longitudinal strain are much more impaired in HFpEF, whereas RV dilatation and reduced longitudinal function are closely related to HFrEF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Pulmonary Vasodilator Response of Combined Inhaled Epoprostenol and Inhaled Milrinone in Cardiac Surgical Patients.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction are major complications in cardiac surgery. Intraoperative management of patients at high risk of RV failure should aim to reduce RV afterload and optimize RV filling pressures, while avoiding systemic hypotension, to facilitate weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Inhaled epoprostenol and inhaled milrinone (iE&iM) administered in combination before CPB may represent an effective strategy to facilitate separation from CPB and reduce requirements for intravenous inotropes during cardiac surgery. Our primary objective was to report the rate of positive pulmonary vasodilator response to iE&iM and, second, how it relates to perioperative outcomes in cardiac surgery. This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with PH or RV dysfunction undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery at the Montreal Heart Institute from July 2013 to December 2018 (n = 128). iE&iM treatment was administered using an ultrasonic mesh nebulizer before the initiation of CPB. Demographic and baseline clinical data, as well as hemodynamic, intraoperative, and echocardiographic data, were collected using electronic records. An increase of 20% in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) to mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ratio was used to indicate a positive response to iE&iM. In this cohort, 77.3% of patients were responders to iE&iM treatment. Baseline systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24-2.16 per 5 mm Hg; P = .0006) was found to be a predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while a European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE II) score >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment (≤6.5% vs >6.5% [reference]: OR, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.84-14.66; P = .002). Severity of PH was associated with a positive response to treatment, where a higher proportion of responders had MPAP values >30 mm Hg (42.4% responders vs 24.1% nonresponders; P = .0237) and SPAP values >55 mm Hg (17.2% vs 3.4%; P = .0037). Easier separation from CPB was also associated with response to iE&iM treatment (69.7% vs 58.6%; P = .0181). A higher proportion of nonresponders had a very difficult separation from CPB and required intravenous inotropic drug support compared to responders, for whom easy separation from CPB was more frequent. Use of intravenous inotropes after CPB was lower in responders to treatment (8.1% vs 27.6%; P = .0052). A positive pulmonary vasodilator response to treatment with a combination of iE&iM before initiation of CPB was observed in 77% of patients. Higher baseline SPAP was an independent predictor of pulmonary vasodilator response, while EuroSCORE II >6.5% was a predictor of nonresponse to treatment.

Pulmonary artery systolic pressure at 1-month predicts 1-year survival after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Pulmonary hypertension related to left ventricle heart disease is a common finding in patients with severe aortic stenosis treated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and is associated with a higher mortality rate. The study aimed to analyze the influence of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) changes after TAVI on long-term survival. TAVI was performed in 362 patients between January 2013 and December 2018. The study group comprised 210 patients who underwent a detailed 1-month follow-up. At 1-month, 142 had a stable or decreased PASP value (Group 1), while in 68 patients an increase was observed (Group 2). During 1-year follow-up, 20 patients died (9.5%), 9 in Group 1 and 11 in Group 2 (P = 0.02). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under the curve [AUC], 0.750) revealed a significant value of 1-month measurement for 1-year mortality prediction. The cutoff for the PASP value predictive of mortality was ≤41 mm Hg. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher mortality in patients without a 1-month PASP decrease. In the multivariable analysis, PASP measured at 1-month after TAVI (hazard ratio, 1.040; 95% confidence interval, 1.019-1.062; P < 0.001) was an independent predictor of 1-year mortality. Each 1 mm Hg increase in PASP predicts a 4% increase in the risk of death. Decreased or stable value of PASP at 1-month follow-up may predict better 1-year survival after TAVI, while each 1 mm Hg increase in PASP confers a 4% greater risk of 1-year mortality.

Study of left ventricular systolic dysfunction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension in CKD 3b-5ND patients—A single centre cross-sectional study

IntroductionCardiovascular diseases are associated with increased morbidity and mortality among CKD (chronic kidney disease) population. Recent studies have found increasing prevalence of PH (pulmonary hypertension) in CKD population. Present study was done to determine prevalence and predictors of LV (left ventricular) systolic dysfunction, LVDD (left ventricular diastolic dysfunction) and PH in CKD 3b-5ND (non-dialysis) patients. MethodsA cross sectional observational study was done from Jan/2020 to April/2021. CKD 3b-5ND patients aged ≥15 yrs were included. Transthoracic 2D (2 dimensional) echocardiography was done in all patients. PH was defined as if PASP (pulmonary artery systolic pressure) value above 35mm Hg, LV systolic dysfunction was defined as LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction)≤50% and LVDD as E/e′ ratio >14 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression model was done to determine the predictors. ResultsA total of 378 patients were included in the study with 103 in stage 3b, 175 in stage 4 and 100 patients in stage 5ND. Prevalence of PH was 12.2%, LV systolic dysfunction was 15.6% and LVDD was 43.65%. Predictors of PH were duration of CKD, haemoglobin, serum 25-OH vitamin D, serum iPTH (intact parathyroid hormone) and serum albumin. Predictors of LVDD were duration of CKD and presence of arterial hypertension. Predictors of LV systolic dysfunction were eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate), duration of CKD, serum albumin and urine protein. ConclusionIn our study of 378 CKD 3b-5ND patients prevalence of PH was 12.2%, LV systolic dysfunction was 15.6% and LVDD was 43.65%.

Prediction of pulmonary hypertension using central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratio on three-dimensional cardiothoracic CT in patients with congenital heart disease.

To evaluate whether the central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratio measured using three-dimensional cardiothoracic CT can serve as a potential predictor of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with congenital heart disease. Cardiothoracic CT was used to quantify right and left total, central, and peripheral pulmonary vascular volumes segmented based on a three-dimensional threshold-based approach in 60 patients with congenital heart disease (group with PH, n = 30; group without PH, n = 30). The CT-based central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratios were correlated with the echocardiography-based maximum velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR Vmax) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) values. The diagnostic ability of the central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratio to predict PH was analyzed. The central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratios were significantly higher in the group with PH compared to the group without PH (1.6 ± 0.9 vs. 0.8 ± 0.3 for the right side, p < 0.001; 2.4 ± 2.2 vs. 1.0 ± 1.4 for the left side, p < 0.004). The right central-to-peripheral pulmonary volume ratios were significantly positively correlated with the TR Vmax and estimated systolic PAP values (R = 0.627 and 0.633, respectively; p < 0.001) in patients with and without PH, while the ratios were moderately correlated with the TR Vmax and estimated systolic PAP values (R = 0.431 and 0.435, respectively; p < 0.020) in the group with PH. The right and left central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratios demonstrated a good diagnostic ability for predicting the presence of PH (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve = 0.867, p < 0.001 and 0.859, p < 0.001 for the right and left, respectively). The CT-based central-to-peripheral pulmonary vascular volume ratio can be used to predict PH in patients with congenital heart disease.

Preoperative evaluation of pulmonary hypertension in lung transplant candidates: echocardiography versus right heart catheterization

BackgroundRight heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography are both routinely used for pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) assessment in lung transplantation (LT) candidates, although this is not mandated by current guidelines. We aimed to explore the performance of echocardiographic PASP as an indicator of pulmonary hypertension in LT candidates, in order to assess the necessity of RHC.MethodsFrom a retrospective registry of 393 LT candidates undergoing RHC and echocardiography during 2015–2019, patients were assessed for the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH), defined as mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) above 20 mmHg, according to two methods—echocardiography and RHC. The primary outcome was the correlation between the PASP estimated by echocardiography to that measured by RHC. Secondary outcomes were the prediction value of the echocardiographic evaluation and its accuracy.ResultsThe mean value of PASP estimated by echocardiography was 49.5 ± 20.0 mmHg, compared to 42.5 ± 18.0 mmHg measured by RHC. The correlation between the two measurements was moderate (Pearson’s correlation: r = 0.609, p < 0.01). Echocardiography PASP measurements were moderately discriminative to diagnose PH, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72 (95% CI 0.66–0.77). Echocardiographic overestimation of PASP of more than 10 mmHg was found in 35.0% of the patients, and underestimation was found in 11.6% of the patients.ConclusionIn the pre-surgical evaluation of LT candidates, echocardiographic estimation of PASP had moderate correlation and limited accuracy compared to the PASP measured by RHC. We thus recommend performing routine RHC to all LT candidates, regardless of the echocardiographic estimation of PASP.

Arterial partial pressure of oxygen and procalcitonin levels correlate with pulmonary artery systolic pressure in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis

ObjectWe aimed to study whether arterial blood gas parameters, inflammatory markers, and coagulation indicators correlate with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) values in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). MethodsA total of 121 patients with PTB who had a measurement of PASP by Doppler echocardiography in the active phase of tuberculosis were included in this study. We carried out univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses to determine factors correlated with PASP values. We excluded patients with other diseases or conditions that might lead to increased PASP. ResultsUnivariate linear regression analysis revealed positive correlations of age, white blood cell count, neutrophils ratio, Log procalcitonin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Log C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, Log D-dimer with PASP and showed an inverse correlation of arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) with PASP. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that PaO2 and Log procalcitonin remained correlated with PASP values. ConclusionPaO2 and procalcitonin were strongly correlated with PASP values in patients with active PTB. The degree of hypoxia and severity of secondary respiratory bacterial infection may influence PASP value in active PTB.