Right ventricular global dysfunction score: a new concept of right ventricular function assessment in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)

Background Right ventricular (RV) function is currently being evaluated solely according to the properties of RV myocardium. We have tested a concept that in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), RV assessment should integrate the information about both RV function as well as size. Methods A total of 836 stable patients with HFrEF (LVEF 23.6 ± 5.8%, 82.8% males, 68% NYHA III/IV) underwent echocardiographic evaluation and were prospectively followed for a median of 3.07 (IQRs 1.11; 4.89) years for the occurrence of death, urgent heart transplantation or implantation of mechanical circulatory support. Results RV size (measured as RV-basal diameter, RVD 1 ) was significantly associated with an adverse outcome independent of RV dysfunction grade ( p = 0.0002). The prognostic power of RVD 1 was further improved by indexing to body surface area (RVD 1 i, p 0.05 compared to non-indexed value). A novel parameter named RV global dysfunction score (RVGDs) was calculated as a product of RVD 1 i and the degree of RV dysfunction (1–4 for preserved RV function, mild, moderate and severe dysfunction, respectively). RVGDs showed a superior prognostic role compared to RV dysfunction grade alone (ΔAUC 0.03, p 0.0001). In every subgroup of RVGDs (20, 20–40, 40–60, 60), patients with milder degree of RV dysfunction but more dilated RV had similar outcome as those with more severe degree of RV dysfunction but smaller RV size (all p 0.50), independent of tricuspid regurgitation severity and degree of pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion RV dilatation is a manifestation of RV dysfunction. The evaluation of RV performance should integrate the information about both RV size and function.