Abstract
Introduction
Right sided heart failure (RVF) is recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Despite the publication of several risk scores and predication models, identifying patients at risk for RVF after LVAD implantation remains a challenge. The right ventricle is complex in structure and not possible to fully assess from one echocardiographic 2D plane. Our centre previously introduced a novel multi-plane approach whereby four different RV free wall segments (lateral, anterior, inferior and inferior coronal – figure 1) can be imaged from the same echocardiographic position using electronic plane rotation.
Purpose
The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility of using multi-plane echocardiography to quantify right ventricular function in a small cohort of advanced heart failure patients prior to LVAD implantation.
Methods
Twelve advanced heart failure patients underwent detailed RV assessment by multi-plane echocardiography prior to LVAD implantation (median -15 [6.3–29.8] days before). Feasibility and values of the established RV functional echo parameters tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tissue Doppler imaging derived tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity (TDI S') were assessed by an experienced sonographer on each of the 4 free wall segments. Mean values were calculated from an average of 3 measurements. Conventional 2D echo parameters and clinical outcome data post LVAD implantation were also collected.
Results
Feasibility of TAPSE and TDI measurements in all four RV free wall segments was 100%, with the exception of the inferior coronal wall (91.7% – TDI S' only). Mean 4 wall averaged TAPSE was 13.9±5.1mm, whilst mean TDI S' was 9.4±2.6cm/s. Mean TAPSE and TDI values were lower in the inferior and inferior coronal walls (13.3±5.8mm; 8.8±3.1cm/s and 10.9±5.7mm; 8.9±3.7cm/s) than those of the lateral and anterior walls (15.6±5.1mm; 9.9±2.3cm/s and 15.9±5.1mm; 10.1±2.6cm/s). The cohort was split by using a four wall averaged TAPSE value of 16mm as a cutoff. Mean 4 wall averaged TAPSE was 20.6±1.9mm in the >16mm group compared to 10.5±1.7mm for the <16mm group, whilst mean TDI S' was 9.4±2.6cm/s vs 7.7±0.7cm/s. Post LVAD implantation, there were 3 (25%) deaths and 6 (50%) incidences of acute kidney injury. Median length of stay in ICU and hospital was 4 (1–13.5) and 42.5 (30.3–65) days respectively. The <16mm group had higher incidences of negative outcomes and longer stay in both ICU and hospital following LVAD implantation (p: 0.07).
Conclusion
Multi-plane echocardiographic evaluation of the right ventricle appears feasible in advanced heart failure with potential for a more comprehensive quantification of right ventricular function pre-LVAD implantation. Larger, ideally multi-centre studies are required to further assess these preliminary findings.
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