[Echocardiographic diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung diseases]

For the time between 1985 and 1990 we found in the literature 14 reports on 483 patients with chronic lung diseases and 140 healthy controls which were investigated by right ventricular catheter and echocardiographic methods. The critical review about ability of echocardiography to recognise the pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic lung diseases shows following results: 1. Acceleration time (time to peak velocity) revealed correlations to mean or systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) of -0.72 to -0.92. The sample volume of pulsed Doppler should be taken near the pulmonary valve and in the middle of pulmonary artery diameter. Correction of acceleration time by heart frequency is necessary in children (Akiba). 2. Tricuspid regurgitation to SPAP: r = 0.65-0.92, but sensitivity to recognise pulmonary hypertension was only 20 (to 91)%. Accurate quantitative measurement is possible only in 24 to 66% of the patients with chronic lung diseases. 3. Isovolemic relaxation time: r = 0.70-0.89, limitations by some cardiac influences--but also the ability to reflect effects of medication (Hatle). 4. End-diastolic diameter of tricuspid valve/m2 of body surface: r = 0.84, in connection with right ventricular end-diastolic diameter r = 0.90. Diameters of pulmonary valve, of right pulmonary artery, of right ventricle and characteristics of the flow in the Vena cava inferior have a smaller diagnostic value. Thickness of right ventricular systolic time intervals are without reliable informations about pulmonary hypertension. In conclusion there are some echocardiographic parameters with high diagnostic value in the noninvasive diagnostic of pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic pulmonary diseases. A table of practicable values and regression equations completes this review.