Normal values for longitudinal function of the right ventricle in healthy women >70 years of age.
OBJECTIVE
The application of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) as an additional echocardiographic tool to analyse right ventricular (RV) systolic function has been recently established and two-dimensional-guided M-mode measurements of systolic long axis function of the RV are simple, repeatable, and highly reproducible. However, rare data are available on normal values. We aimed to analyse normal values in healthy women >70 years of age.


RESULTS
In a cross-sectional survey, we investigated a cohort of randomly selected, non-hospitalized women >70 years of age. History of myocardial infarction, valvular heart disease, and diastolic dysfunction were exclusion criteria. In order to rule out left ventricular or RV dysfunction, a normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal values of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were necessary prior to study inclusion. A detailed echocardiographic examination was performed. A total of 80 participants were included (mean age 75 +/- 2.6 years). Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 63.8 +/- 5.7%. Tissue Doppler derived mean E/E' ratio was 10 +/- 2.3. Mean right atrial diameter was 31.3 +/- 4.7 mm. Mean values for RV outflow tract and RV dimension were 27.3 +/- 3.6 and 28.8 +/- 3.7 mm, respectively. Mean TAPSE was 23.7 +/- 3.5 mm. Mean value of BNP was normal (42.5 +/- 35.7 pg/mL).


CONCLUSIONS
In women >70 years of age without heart failure, structural heart disease, and neurohormonal activation, normal TAPSE values are approximately 24 mm.
Germing
Alfried
A
Medizinische Klinik II, Kardiologie und Angiologie, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Universitätsklinik Bergmannsheil GmbH, Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, D-44789 Bochum, Germany. alfried.germing@rub.de
Gotzmann
Michael
M
Rausse
Ricarda
R
Brodherr
Turgut
T
Holt
Stephan
S
Lindstaedt
Michael
M
Dietrich
Johannes
J
Ranft
Ulrich
U
Krämer
Ursula
U
Mügge
Andreas
A
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013599:Systole; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*