[Usefulness of isovolumic acceleration and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters for predicting postoperative...

Postoperative right ventricular (RV) systolic dysfunction is associated with perioperative myocardial ischemia, hypothermic cardiac arrest, cardiopulmonary bypass and pericardial injury. As myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction (IVA) and myocardial velocity during isovolumic contraction (IVV) are little affected by loading conditions, they can predict myocardial function better than conventional parameters. We investigated the usefulness of these parameters for predicting postoperative RV systolic function after isolated heart valve surgery.

Overall, 63 patients who underwent isolated heart valve surgery were evaluated by tissue Doppler echocardiography preoperatively, and immediately and 6 months postoperatively.

By the 6-month follow-up, patients' New York Heart Association functional class had improved significantly (P< .026). At that time, functional recovery was observed in 38 of the 63 patients. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that RV IVA (odds ratio [OR]=3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-9.64; P=.047) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (OR=1.07; 95% CI, 0.99-1.15; P=.07) were independent predictors of functional recovery 6 months postoperatively. The RV IVA value had recovered by the 6-month follow-up in 39 patients. A positive correlation was observed between functional recovery and IVA recovery (Spearman's correlation, r=0.499; P< .001). The RV IVA was observed to recover in all patient groups regardless of surgical method or atrial rhythm.

Preoperative RV IVA and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were independent predictors of functional recovery 6 months after isolated heart valve surgery. Given its association with functional recovery, postoperative improvement in these parameters may be a useful clinical indicator after heart valve surgery.