The value of Autostrain RV technique combined with TDI-Tei index in evaluating the right ventricular systolic function of patients with pulmonary heart disease

Objective To investigate the value of Autostrain right ventricle (RV) technique combined with tissue doppler imaging (TDI) Tei index in evaluating the right ventricular systolic function of patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD).Methods According to pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure (PASP), 111 CPHD patients with tricuspid valve regurgitation were divided into three groups: group A (35-49 mmHg, n=40, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), group B (50-69 mmHg, n=36), and group C (≥70 mmHg, n=35). Meanwhile, 40 healthy physical examination subjects were included as a control group. Then, their conventional ultrasonic parameters and TDI-Tei index were measured. The RV global four-chamber longitudinal strain (RV4CSL), the RV longitudinal free wall strain (RVFWSL), longitudinal strain of the base segment of the right ventricular free wall (B-RVFWSL), longitudinal strain of the middle segment of the right ventricular free wall (M-RVFWSL), longitudinal strain of the apical segment of the right ventricular free wall (A-RVFWSL) were obtained by Autostrain RV for comparison of the differences among the groups.Results Compared with the control group, the absolute values of RV4CSL, RVFWSL, B-RVFWSL, M-RVFWSL, A-RVFWSL and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in groups A, B and C decreased (P＜0.05), along with the increase of PASP. Meanwhile, TDI-Tei index increased (P＜0.05), along with the increase of PASP. Statistical differences were found among the groups (P＜0.05). According to correlation analysis, TDI-Tei index was highly related to RVFWSL (r=0.553, P＜0.001). ROC curve showed that the AUC of Autostrain RV, TDI-Tei index and both in evaluating the right ventricular systolic function were all greater than 0.70, where the combined AUC was higher.Conclusions Autostrain RV can sensitively and accurately evaluate the early myocardial dysfunction of CPHD patients. The combination of Autostrain RV and TDI-Tei index can further improve the evaluation efficiency and provide objective evidence for timely clinical intervention.