[Assessment of pulmonary arterial pressure in adults with 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 < 0.05) in patients with severe PH (mean PAP > or = 40 mmHg), comparing with patients with PAP < 40 mmHg. Inverse linear correlations were observed between AT and mean PAP, particularly when sinus rhythm was present (r = 0.89; p < 0.05) excluding patients with atrial fibrillation (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
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
Martínez Filho
E E
EE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
Avaliação da pressão arterial pulmonar em adultos pela Eco-Dopplercardiografia.