[Evaluation of right ventricular function using radioisotope angiography in patients with chronic obstructive...

The aim of the study was the evaluation of equilibrium gated blood pool angiography in noninvasive assessment of right ventricular ejection fraction in 50 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The degree of ventilatory disturbances was measured using plethysmography to calculate air flow indexes--FEV1, MEF50 and Rt and gasometric values of arterialized capillary blood--PaO2, PaCO2, pH. The used method allowed calculation of RVEF in 41 patients, which were divided into three groups according to presence of symptoms of right ventricular failure and RVEF values. In 12 patients free of RV failure symptoms RVEF was decreased (below 40%). Basing on results of this study the authors believe that this method is useful in diagnosing subclinical states of RV failure.