Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
Biventricular Assessment of Cardiac Function and Pressure-Volume Loops by Closed-Chest Catheterization in Mice
Published on: June 15, 2020
Interactions between commonly used left and right ventricular function indexes in stable patients
P Giovanardi1, G Stefanelli, F Turrini
1Cardiovascular Medicine Nuovo Ospedale S. Agostino‑Estense Modena, Italy - p.giovanardi@ausl.mo.it.
Insights
Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) are key echocardiographic indicators of both left and right heart function in patients with cardiovascular disease. These measures reveal significant interactions across various cardiac function parameters.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Understanding the interplay between left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function is crucial in managing cardiovascular disease.
- Echocardiographic indices provide valuable insights into systolic and diastolic performance of both ventricles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactions between LV and RV systolic and diastolic function echocardiographic parameters.
- To identify key echocardiographic indices that reflect overall cardiac function in patients with cardiovascular disease and risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A transthoracic echocardiography study involving 683 stable patients.
- Evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV and RV systolic function (LVSys, RVSys, TAPSE), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and comprehensive LV and RV diastolic function parameters.
Main Results:
- Significant interactions were observed between various echocardiographic indices of LV and RV function.
- Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) demonstrated significant relationships with most evaluated parameters.
- TAPSE, similar to LVEF, emerged as a pivotal index reflecting both LV and RV function.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms significant interactions between LV and RV function indices.
- These findings support the concept of the heart functioning as an integrated structure.
Aim:
Aim of this study was to better understand interactions between left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) systolic and diastolic function echocardiographic indexes in stable cardiovascular diseased patients and in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors.
Methods:
The study enrolled 683 stable patients who were submitted to standard transthoracic echocardiography with evaluation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (Simpson biplane method), LV and RV systolic peak on Doppler tissue imaging (LVSys and RVSys), tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP), and multiparameter evaluation of LV and RV diastolic function utilizing E and A peak, their ratio, E peak deceleration time, E' and A' peak on Doppler tissue imaging, their ratio, and E/E' ratio.
Results:
Part of the considered indexes had interactions but only LVEF and TAPSE were related to all the others (LVEF P<0.001 with all the considered parameters; TAPSE P<0.001 with all parameters except with PASP=0.003). Unexpectedly TAPSE seems to have, such as LVEF, a pivotal position among LV and RV function.
Conclusion:
The study demonstrates the existence of interactions between LV and RV function indexes; these results may be considered as a piece of evidence in favor of heart seen as a single structure.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
01:24Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
01:20Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction
01:21Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology