title: Right ventricular dysfunction in adolescents with mild cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients the right ventricle (RV) suffers a progressive deterioration, but it is not clear when these changes begin. The aim of this study was to analyze the RV function in CF patients with mild respiratory disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Color-Doppler-Echocardiographic studies were prospectively performed in CF adolescent patients and an age-matched control group. Findings were correlated with pulmonary function tests (PFT), genotype, chronic bacterial colonization, pancreatic status and clinical scores. Only patients with mild CF were selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty seven CF patients and 40 healthy controls were recruited. In CF patients all echocardiographic parameters were abnormal compared to controls. Doppler analysis showed slightly elevated pulmonary artery pressure values, and abnormal relaxation and systolic function for all indexes. No correlation was found with any of the features studied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In CF patients, abnormalities in the structure and function of the RV may be present at early stages of the disease. These abnormalities are subclinical and do not correlate with clinical scores, PFT, genotype, chronic bacterial colonization or pancreatic insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesus, Madrid, Spain. antonio_bano@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baño-Rodrigo
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salcedo-Posadas
authors.forename: Jose R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Villa-Asensi
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamariz-Martel
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez-Neyra
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blanco-Iglesias
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000235:genetics; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011660:Pulmonary Heart Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000502:physiology; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: C505032:CFTR protein, human; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator