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Comprehensive Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Ventricle Function in a Rat Model of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
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Right heart function and scleroderma: insights from tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion
Chiu-Yen Lee1, Shu-Mei Chang, Shih-Hung Hsiao
1Cardiovascular Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|February 23, 2007
Summary
Echocardiographic measures like tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) can predict rehospitalization in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. These findings highlight the cardiac involvement in scleroderma.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease.
- Cardiac involvement is a significant complication in SSc patients.
- Predicting rehospitalization risk is crucial for managing SSc patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate echocardiographic parameters as predictors of rehospitalization in SSc patients.
- To assess the utility of transmitral flow pattern, TAPSE, LVEF, and RVEF in predicting outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic studies were performed on 38 SSc patients and 45 age-matched controls.
- Key parameters assessed included transmitral flow pattern, TAPSE, LVEF, and RVEF.
- Patients were followed for one year to track rehospitalization rates.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in mitral E velocity and TAPSE were observed between SSc patients and controls.
- SSc patients exhibited lower RVEF compared to controls, while LVEF was similar.
- TAPSE and RVEF were inversely correlated with rehospitalization frequency in SSc patients.
Conclusions:
- Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) can predict rehospitalization rates in SSc patients.
- These echocardiographic parameters underscore the multi-organ involvement in scleroderma, including the heart.
- Echocardiography provides valuable insights into cardiac function and prognosis in SSc.
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