[Left ventricular function in pulmonary arterial hypertension]

Echocardiographic evaluation was done of left ventricular functional state in 90 patients with primary and secondary pulmonary arterial hypertension with and without intercavitary shunting. Changes in left ventricular function were identified in 86% cases; they reflected disturbances in both ventricles compensatory interaction. The degree of changes depended on the degree of dilatation of the right ventricle and level of interchamber shunting.