Impaired right atrial function before right ventricle systolic dysfunction: clinical utility and prognostic value in pulmonary hypertension

Motivation: Understanding the characteristics of right atrium(RA) dysfunction before right ventricle systolic dysfunction(RVSD) is the key to take appropriate interventions and improve the prognosis of Pulmonary hypertension(PH). Goal(s): Assess the characteristics of RA function before RVSD in the early stage of PH, and evaluate its long-term prognostic significance. Approach: Cardiac morphology and functional parameters derived from cardiac magnetic resonance were compared among PH patients with and without RVSD and health controls.Cox regression analysis were also conducted. Results: RA function has the potential role in detecting the right-side heart dysfunction before RVSD and monitoring the disease progression.RA reservoir function predicts long-term prognosis independently in PH . Impact: Early detection of PH before RVSD by RA function from CMR can monitor the disease progression and long-term prognosis in patients with PH, so as to prevent treatment failure and improve the prognosis.