There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
With the use of two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), we analyzed apical and subcostal
four-chamber views for evaluation of right ventricular (RV) function in 30 individuals
as compared to RV ejection fraction (RVEF) obtained by radionuclide angiography. In
addition to previously reported parameters of changes in areas and chords, a new simple
measurement of tricuspid annular excursion was correlated with RVEF. A close correlation
was noted between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RVEF (r =
0.92). The RV end-diastolic area (RVEDA) and percentage of systolic change in area
in the apical four-chamber view also showed close correlation with RVEF (r = -0.76
and 0.81); however, the entire RV endocardium could only be traced in about half of
our patients. The end-diastolic transverse chord length and the percentage of systolic
change in chord length in the apical view showed a poor correlation with RVEF. The
correlation between RVEF and both areas and chords measured in the subcostal view
was poor. It is concluded that the measurement of TAPSE offers a simple echocardiographic
parameter which reflects RVEF. This measurement is not dependent on either geometric
assumptions or traceable endocardial edges. When the endocardial outlines could be
traced, the apical four-chamber view was superior to the subcostal view in assessment
of RV function.