Correlation study between three different methods that estimate right ventricular function after an acute pulmonary embolism (PE)

Right ventricular(RV) systolic function assessment is helpful estimating pulmonary hypertension when Transthoracic Echocardiography(TTE) fails to detect tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity.TAPSE(tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion) has emerged as the most useful parameter.Right Tei-index and systolic excursion velocity of lateral tricuspid annulus (S´),have claimed as alternative parameters. AIM: to analyze the correlation between TAPSE and S´ or with Tei-index, in TTE performed 6 months after an acute PE. METHODS/MATERIAL: Prospective study of patients with acute PE attended in Hospital Universitario Araba from June2014 to June2015,treated according to SEPAR2014 recommendations.Echocardiographic measurements were done according to American Society of Echocardiography Guideline (2010).All made 6 month after the acute PE,including all rutinary measurements and also TAPSE, S´ and Tei-index. RESULT: From 119 patients,48% were male with medium age of 67(±8).The medium TAPSE was 22,87(±4,42),medium S9 12,91(±2,60) and medium Tei-index 0.39(±0,15).Spearman Rho correlation coefficient was 0.364(p=0,002) to TAPSE/S´ and -0,132(p=0,293) to TAPSE/Tei-index.Kappa for TAPSE/S´ was 0,144 and for TAPSE/Tei-index -0,028. CONCLUSION: Correlation observed between TAPSE and the other 2 methods to estimate RV systolic function in the TTE medium-term follow-up after acute PE, is poor in our study.