Assessment of right ventricular systolic function with dP/dt in healthy subjects: an observational study

The objective of our study is to determine the mean values of right ventricular (RV) dP/dt and to compare it with other right ventricular function parameters by echocardiography.

This observational study consisted of 112 healthy subjects who had trivial tricuspid regurgitation. Full echocardiographic examination was performed. RV systolic function was assessed by using myocardial performance index (RV MPI), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), myocardial acceleration during isovolumic contraction (RV IVA), RV fractional area change (RV FAC), tissue Doppler-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity (Tri S`) and RV dP/dt (dP/dt). Pearson correlation test was used in examining the correlation between parameters. Differences between correlations were compared with Fisher's z transformation.

The mean of RV dP/dt (0.5-2) was 1016±421 mmHg/s (95% CI=891-1142) and the mean of RV dP/dt (1-2) was 1524±573 mmHg/s (95% CI=1354-1694). RV pulse Doppler MPI and RV tissue Doppler imaging MPI were negatively correlated with RV dP/dt (0.5-2) (r=-0.482 and r=-0.504, p<0.01). Tri S' was positively correlated with RV dP/dt (0.5-2) (r=0.667, p<0.01) and with the RV dP/dt (1-2) (r=0.312, p<0.05). TAPSE was positively correlated with RV dP/dt (0.5-2) (r=0.585, p<0.01) and with the RV dP/dt (1-2) (r=0.323, p<0.05). RV IVA was positively correlated with RV dP/dt (0.5-2) (r=0.512, p<0.01). FAC (%) was not correlated with both RV dP/dt (0.5-2) and RV dP/dt (1-2).

The results of our study were as follows: 1) we described the mean of RV dP/dt (0.5-2) and RV dP/dt (1-2) in healthy population; 2) the correlation between dP/dt (0.5-2) and RV function parameters was better than between dP/dt (1-2) and RV function parameters.