[Pulmonary artery pressure evaluation in adults by Doppler echocardiography].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) in the indirect assessment of pulmonary artery (PA) pressure (P), analysing the pulmonary velocity blood flow curves (PVBFC) profile.


METHODS
Sixty-one adults with several kinds of heart disease were submitted to heart catheterization to obtain PAP (systolic, diastolic, mean), and other hemodynamic variables. A PDE examination was performed in all to obtain the PVBFC at the level of the pulmonic annulus. Qualitative features of the curve were analysed (morphological pattern, presence of pulmonic regurgitation) as well as quantitative data (acceleration time = AT, right ventricle ejection time = RVET index, AT/RVET index AT corrected for heart rate = ATC), which were compared to the invasive measurements.


RESULTS
An abnormal rapid acceleration of the PVBFC, with triangular configuration, was noted in patient with pulmonary hypertension (PH), in contrast to the dome-like shape of the PVBFC in normal PAP. Pulmonary regurgitation was more frequent (p less than 0.05) in patients with severe PH (mean PAP greater than or equal to 40 mmHg), comparing with patients with PAP less than 40 mmHg. Inverse linear correlations were observed between AT and mean PAP, particularly when sinus rhythm was present (r = 0.89; p less than 0.05) excluding patients with atrial fibrilation (19 cases).


CONCLUSIONS
PDE is an useful and noninvasive method for indirect evaluation of PAP in adults, especially during stable sinus rhythm, in heart rate range from 60 to 115 bpm.
Campos Filho
O
O
Disciplina de Cardiologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo.
Andrade
J L
JL
Carvalho
A C
AC
Luna Filho
B
B
Pfeferman
A
A
Arroyo
J B
JB
Leão
L E
LE
Martinez Filho
E E
EE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000502:physiology*
Avaliação da pressão arterial pulmonar em adultos pela ecodopplercardiografia.