Background
Right ventricular – arterial (RV‐PA) coupling can be estimated by echocardiography using the ratio between (TAPSE) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP). TAPSE/PASP ratio proved to be a prognostic parameter in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Objective
To evaluate the significance of RV‐PA coupling in patients with HFrEF undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
Methods
Patients undergoing CRT in our center between January 2017 and November 2019 were eligible. Response to CRT was defined by a reduction of more than 15% of left ventricle systolic volume (LVESV) one year after CRT. Primary endpoint was a composite of HF hospitalizations and death during follow‐up.
Results
54 patients (Age 64.0 ± 13.8 years; 58% male; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 28.4 ± 1.3%) were prospectively included. After a mean follow‐up of 31 ± 12.9months, the primary endpoint had occurred in 18 (33.3%) patients. A lower TAPSE/PASP ratio was associated with baseline worse HF symptoms, lower LVEF and long‐term less LV reverse remodeling (P < .05). After one year CRT improved RV systolic function (TAPSE, RV global longitudinal strain, P < .05), but not TAPSE/PASP ratio (P = .4). The ratio TAPSE/PASP (AUC=0.834) ≥ 0.58 mm/mm Hg showed good sensitivity (90%) and specificity (81.8%) for predicting response to CRT while a ratio <0.58 mm/mm Hg was associated with a higher risk of death and HF hospitalizations during the follow‐up (HR 5.37 95%CI [1.6–18], P < .001).
Conclusion
RV‐PA coupling evaluation using TAPSE/PASP ratio predicts CRT response. A lower TAPSE/PASP ratio is associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events.
Even though the results are not always statistically significant, they demonstrate that placentation parameters improve with higher doses of aspirin started before 11 weeks.
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