Echocardiographic Parameters of the Right Ventricle in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Review.

Abstract

To diagnose pulmonary hypertension (PH) and assess its severity, accurate measurement of pulmonary artery (PA) pressure is crucial. However, there can be significant discrepancies between echocardiography (Echo) and invasive catheterization. The right ventricle (RV) has a complex structure, and its remodeling in PH is diverse, making it challenging to evaluate RV physiology with a single imaging modality. While right heart catheterization is the gold standard, its practicality in clinical settings is limited. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is valuable for RV evaluation, with 4-dimensional flow MRI showing promise, yet accessibility remains a concern. Thus, in PH patient management, Echo plays a central role as a practical decision-making tool. This review aims to elucidate Echo parameters in PH patients, highlighting differences in PA systolic pressure measurements, RV-PA coupling, RV remodeling patterns crucial for understanding PH progression, and clinical evidence regarding RV strain. Additionally, it aims to introduce new Echo parameters that help understand RV in PH.