Tricuspid Regurgitation Velocity/Tricuspid Annular Plane Systolic Excursion (TRV/TAPSE) Ratio as a Novel Indicator of Disease Severity and Prognosis in Patients with Precapillary Pulmonary Hypertension.

BACKGROUND

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) are two echocardiographic parameters with prognostic value in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). When analyzed concurrently as the TRV/TAPSE ratio, they allow the ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling (RVPAC) to be assessed. This could better predict disease severity in patients with PH.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the TRV/TAPSE ratio echocardiographic parameter in adults with precapillary PH.

METHODS

This study included 39 patients (74% women; average age, 63 years) with precapillary PH (pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic PH) The mean follow-up period was 16.6 ± 13.3 months. Twelve patients (31%) died during the observation time. We measured TAPSE as a surrogate of RV contractility and TRV reflecting RV afterload, while ventricular-arterial coupling was evaluated by the ratio between these two parameters (TRV/TAPSE). To assess disease progression and the patient's functional capacity, the World Health Organization functional class (WHO FC) was determined. Patient physical capacity was also evaluated using the 6 min walk test (6MWT). The analysis included values of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which were taken routinely during the follow-up visit.

RESULTS

The mean calculated TRV/TAPSE ratio was 0.26 ± 0.08 m/s/mm. Upon comparison of the TRV/TAPSE ratio to the disease prognostic indicators, we observed a statistically significant correlation between TRV/TAPSE and the results of the WHO FC, 6MWT, and NT-proBNP. The TRV/TAPSE ratio is thus a good predictor of mortality in PH patients (AUC, 0.781). Patients with a TRV/TAPSE ratio > 0.30 m/s/mm had a shorter survival time, with log-rank test < 0.0001. Additionally, ROC analysis revealed higher AUC for TRV/TAPSE than for TAPSE and TRV alone.

CONCLUSIONS

TRV/TAPSE is a promising practicable echocardiographic parameter reflecting RVPAC. Moreover, TRV/TAPSE could be viable risk stratification parameter and could have prognostic value in patients with PH.