The impact of different left ventricular geometric patterns on right ventricular deformation and function in...

Right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy and RV systolic dysfunction are predictors of poor outcome. No study has investigated RV deformation and function in hypertensive patients with different left ventricular (LV) geometry patterns.

To investigate RV deformation and function in hypertensive patients with different LV geometric patterns, by using two-dimensional (2D) strain analysis and three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography.

This cross-sectional study included 184 hypertensive subjects, all of whom underwent complete 2D and 3D examinations. The participants were separated into two groups (with and without LV hypertrophy [LVH]), and were then divided into four further groups according to different LV geometry patterns: normal LV geometry, concentric remodelling, eccentric LVH and concentric LVH.

Patients with LVH had significantly higher RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volume indexes and stroke volumes than those without LVH. Conversely, 3D RV ejection fraction was lower among subjects with LVH. 3D RV volume indexes gradually increased from subjects with normal LV geometry to those with concentric LVH, whereas 3D RV ejection fraction progressively decreased in the same direction. Global RV longitudinal strain was significantly lower in LVH subjects than in patients without LVH. 2D RV mechanics progressively deteriorated from patients with normal LV geometry to those with concentric LVH. Eccentric and concentric LVH were associated with reduced longitudinal lateral wall RV strain and early diastolic strain rate.

2D RV myocardial deformation and 3D RV function are affected significantly by LV geometry in hypertensive patients. Concentric and eccentric LVH patterns have the greatest unfavourable effect on RV deformation.