title: Physiologic correlates of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in 1168 healthy subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  TAPSE provides a simple, reproducible estimate of the longitudinal function of the right ventricle (RV). However, the normal limits and physiologic correlates of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) are not exactly known. The aim of this study was to explore the full spectrum of TAPSE values and determine the physiologic correlates of TAPSE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From June 2007 to December 2013, 1168 healthy subjects [mean age 45.1±16years, range 16 to 92; 555 (47.5%) men] underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as recommended by current guidelines. TAPSE values were higher in men than women (24.0±3.5 vs 23.2±3.0mm, p value<0.0001) but did not vary according to age. On multivariable linear regression analysis, cardiac output, RV basal and longitudinal dimensions were the only variables independently associated with TAPSE (β coefficient=0.161, 0.116 and 0.115 respectively). On the other hand echocardiographically-derived systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), pulmonary vascular resistance and mitral E/e' ratio were significantly higher in older subjects. Therefore a significant decrease of TAPSE/SPAP was detected in >60years old cohort (p=0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our large cohort of healthy subjects provides sex and age-based TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP normal cut-offs. TAPSE was found to be higher in men but not influenced by age. It was mainly correlated with echo-Doppler indices reflecting pre-load as opposed to afterload. On the other hand a significant decrease of TAPSE/SPAP with older age was registered as a direct consequence of increased SPAP with aging.
authors: Cardiology Division, "Cava de' Tirreni and Amalfi Coast" Hospital, Heart Department, University Hospital of Salerno, Salerno, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Ferrara
authors: Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Lawrence G
authors: LG
authors: Rudski
authors: Hospital of San Daniele del Friuli, Cardiology and Emergency Department, Udine, Italy.
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Vriz
authors: Institute of Clinical Physiology - C.N.R., Pisa, Italy.
authors: Luna
authors: L
authors: Gargani
authors: Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Afilalo
authors: Second University of Naples, Department of Cardiology, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Antonello
authors: A
authors: D'Andrea
authors: Second University of Naples, Department of Cardiology, Napoli, Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: D'Alto
authors: IRCCS S.D.N., Naples, Italy.
authors: Alberto M
authors: AM
authors: Marra
authors: Cardiology Division, University of Messina, Italy.
authors: Edvige
authors: E
authors: Acri
authors: Department of Respiratory Diseases, Monaldi Hospital, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors: Anna Agnese
authors: AA
authors: Stanziola
authors: Cardiology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Ghio
authors: Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Cittadini
authors: Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Naeije
authors: Cardiology Division, "Cava de' Tirreni and Amalfi Coast" Hospital, Heart Department, University Hospital of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. Electronic address: ebossone@hotmail.com.
authors: Eduardo
authors: E
authors: Bossone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013599:Systole; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Echocardiography; Healthy subjects; Pulmonary artery systolic pressure; Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion