[Radionuclide evaluation of the state of the heart in chronic post-embolic pulmonary hypertension].

The study examines the potentialities of using radionuclide methods in the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunctions in chronic post-embolic pulmonary hypertension (CPPH). The most informative parameters are shown to be ejection fraction of the right (RV) and left ventricles (LV), severity of RV hypertrophy and dilation, which show changes in relation to the severity of pulmonary hypertension and the disease length. Radiocardiography employed in CPPH has some limitations. Chronic cor pulmonale decompensation due to CPPH is provided by elevated LV contractility. The stage of decompensation is characterized by signs of myocardial dystrophy and impaired perfusion, as judged from 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy, a sharp fall in RV and LV ejection fraction, severe RV myocardial hypertrophy and its cavity dilation.