Regional right ventricular longitudinal systolic strain for detection of severely impaired right ventricular performance in pulmonary hypertension

Objectives Right ventricular (RV) function is identified as a key determinant of the outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Several studies have assessed the role of peak global longitudinal RV strain in PH patients; however, less emphasis was given to the RV regional longitudinal strain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the regional RV systolic strain in PH patients and investigate the relationship of these parameters with the severity of PH. Methods RV regional longitudinal peak systolic strain (LPSS) and strain rate (LPSSR) were measured using speckle tracking echocardiography on 100 patients with PH who underwent right heart catheterization, and 29 control subjects. Severe PH was identified by a decreased cardiac index (CI) (<2.0 L/min/m2). Results LPSS and LPSSR of the RV free wall were significantly lower in PH patients than control subjects, especially when comparing the basal and mid regions (P < .001). When comparing severe PH and nonsevere PH, basal and mid LPSS and LPSSR were significantly lower (P < .001). RV free wall mid LPSSR correlated with CI (r = −.703, P < .001). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, mid LPSSR was identified as an independent predictor of severe PH (odds ratio 1.82; 95% confidential interval 1.39–2.40; P < .001). In the receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, a cutoff value of mid LPSSR of −0.92 s−1 predicted severe PH, with a sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 93.7%, respectively (AUC = 0.889, P < .001). Conclusions RV free wall mid longitudinal peak systolic strain rate may be useful for the detection of severely impaired RV performance in PH.