INFLUENCE OF PULMONARY DENERVATION ON THE MECHANICAL FUNCTION OF THE RIGHT HEART CHAMBERS IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Aim.  To estimate mechanical function of the right heart chambers after the pulmonary denervation in comparison with the sham procedure using right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography. Methods.  Twelve patients with different clinical types of pulmonary hypertension were included in the study. All patients were randomized into two groups: Group I patients (n = 6) underwent the pulmonary denervation, Group II patients (n = 6) had sham procedure. All the patients had functional class 3 pulmonary hypertension. The patient screening was performed using echocardiography findings, and the final decision was made after RHC. After including in the study the RHC was done three times: before the procedure, immediately after it, and on the 12th months of the follow-up. Echocardiographic measurement of the right heart parameters was performed four times: a day before the procedure, immediately after it, on the 5th day and on the 12th months of the follow-up. Results.  No complications during the procedure and the follow-up were registered. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the RHC parameters between groups at the second and the third control points. The same findings were determined after echocardiographic analysis. Conclusion . Pulmonary denervation does not have statistically significant effect on the mechanical function of the right heart chambers within the 12-months follow-up.