PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - A. Vitarelli AU - Y. Conde AU - E. Cimino AU - S. Stellato AU - S. D'Orazio AU - I. D'Angeli AU - B. L. Nguyen AU - V. Padella AU - F. Caranci AU - A. Petroianni AU - L. D'Antoni AU - C. Terzano TI - Assessment of right ventricular function by strain rate imaging in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease AID - 10.1183/09031936.06.00072005 DP - 2006 Feb 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 268--275 VI - 27 IP - 2 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/27/2/268.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/27/2/268.full SO - Eur Respir J2006 Feb 01; 27 AB - The purpose of the current study was to compare right ventricular (RV) myocardial wall velocities (tissue Doppler imaging) and strain rate imaging (SRI) parameters with conventional echocardiographic indices evaluating RV function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. In total, 39 patients with COPD and 22 healthy subjects were included in the current study. Seventeen patients had pulmonary artery pressure <35 mmHg (group I) and 22 patients had pulmonary artery pressure >35 mmHg (group II). Tissue Doppler imaging, strain and strain rate (SR) values were obtained from RV free wall (FW) and interventricular septum. Respiratory function tests were performed (forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity (FEV1/VC) and carbon monoxide diffusion lung capacity per unit of alveolar volume (DL,CO/VA)). Strain/SR values were reduced in all segments of group II patients compared with group I patients and controls with lowest values at basal FW site. A significant relationship was shown between peak systolic SR at basal FW site and radionuclide RV ejection fraction. A significant relationship was shown between peak systolic SR at basal FW site and DL,CO/VA and FEV1/VC. In conclusion, in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, strain rate imaging parameters can determine right ventricular dysfunction that is complementary to conventional echocardiographic indices and is correlated with pulmonary hypertension and respiratory function tests.