Right Ventricular Function in Heart Failure Patients with Normal Left Ventricular Size: Analysis by Conventional Echocardiographic Parameters and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Background: Hypokinetic non-dilated cardiomyopathy (HNDC) is a subgroup of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) spectrum, known by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction despite normal LV size. Objectives: In this study, we are going to evaluate right ventricular (RV) function in these patients as an important prognostic factor in HF patients. Methods: 31 HNDC patients were enrolled in the study. RV function was evaluated by TTE using RV dysfunction score calculated as the summation of TAPSE, RV S', RVMPI, and RVFAC scores. Ultimately, echocardiographic data were compared to right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Results: The prevalence of RV at dysfunction was estimated at 47.3%. Furthermore, we found a strong negative correlation between RV dysfunction score and CMR-RVEF. Conclusions: RV S', RVFAC, and RVMPI would offer an appropriate assessment of RV function in HNDC group. HNDC population exhibited RV dysfunction as prevalent as DCM patients reported in other studies.