RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Usefulness of transcutaneous Doppler jugular venous echo to predict pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 1128 OP 1131 DO 10.1183/09031936.01.00088401 VO 17 IS 6 A1 W. Matsuyama A1 R. Ohkubo A1 K. Michizono A1 M. Abe A1 Y. Nakamura A1 M. Kawabata A1 M. Osame YR 2001 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/17/6/1128.abstract AB Pulmonary hypertension is an important factor that determines the prognosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Echocardiography is a noninvasive and useful bedside method for measurement of pulmonary artery pressure. However, this method is sometimes difficult because of the overinflated lungs in COPD patients. This study attempted to estimate pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients using transcutaneous Doppler jugular vein flow velocity recording.The mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) of 64 COPD patients was examined using cardiac catheterization. The right jugular vein flow velocity was measured within 24 h using transcutaneous Doppler echo, after which the ratio of diastolic flow (Df) and systemic flow (Sf) velocity was calculated. Subsequently, the statistical correlation of MPAP and the Df/Sf ratio was examined. MPAP was also measured using standard cardiac echo methods and the results were compared.The Df/Sf velocity ratio showed significant correlation with MPAP in COPD patients (r=0.844, p<0.0001). The sensitivity was 71.4%, and the specificity 95.3% (cut-off ratio=1.0). Jugular venous Doppler echo could be performed in all patients while other cardiac echo methods could not be performed in all patients. The specificity of the methods used was higher than other cardiac echo methods.Transcutaneous jugular vein flow velocity measurement may be applicable to bedside prediction of pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.