Echocardiographic and Radionuclide Evaluation of Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Children With Pulmonary Hypertension

Attention is presently being focused on the importance of right ventricular function in children with pulınonary hypertension (PHT). The ai m of this study was to evaluate right ventricu lar ejection fraction (RVEF) in patients with PHT, and compare the results with the control group. To evaluate RVEF, "single plane area length method" was used for echocardiographic estimation, and ınu lti p le-gated equilibrium radionuclide angiography (MUGA) was used for radionuclide evaluation. The study group consisted of 20 children with PHT, aged four months to 16 years (mean 4,0±5,1). All had various types of congenital heart disease with left to right shunts. Results were compared to 20 normal children aged five months to 16 years (mean 4,1±4,2). Mean RVEF determined by echocardiography was 0,51±0,13 in the patient group and 0,56±0,08 in the control group. RVEF obtained by MUGA was 0,40±0,16 in the patient group, and 0,44±0,13 in the control group. No s ignificant difference existed between patients and the control group for RVEF deterınined by either echocardiography and MUGA (p>0,05). Although not stati stically signi ficant, RVEF was lower in the patient group than in the control group. There was a significant negative correlation between RVEF obtained by echocardiography and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (r=-0,47; p<0,05). Thiese data suggest that a reduction in right ventricul ar systolic f unction commenced in patients with PHT.