Prognostic implication of right ventricular-pulmonary artery coupling in valvular heart disease.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) leading to inadequate hemodynamic circulation is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Right ventricular-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) coupling integrates the ability of RV contractility to adapt to increased pulmonary arterial afterload. If the right ventricle cannot adapt to the elevated afterload by increasing its contractile function, RV-PA uncoupling occurs. RV-PA uncoupling has been shown to be associated with poor outcomes in VHD. This review summarizes the prognostic significance of RV-PA coupling in patients with VHD.