The noninvasive echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular myocardial work in a healthy population

Abstract Background: Right ventricular (RV) myocardial work (RVMW) is the latest indicator to assess RV function. Nevertheless, the physiological determinants of RVMW have not been studied and reference ranges for normal RVMW indices remain to be established.Methods: A total of 263 healthy volunteers (median age 34 years, 38% men) were prospectively enrolled. RVMW indices were analysed by RV pressure-strain loop (RVPSL) in a specific software.Results: The lowest values for RV global work index (RVGWI) were 133 mmHg% and 206 mmHg%, RV global constructive work (RVGCW) were 165 mmHg% and 241 mmHg%, and RV global work efficiency (RVGWE) were 78% and 83% in men and women, respectively. The highest values for RV global wasted work (RVGWW) in men and women were 67 mmHg% and 79 mmHg%, respectively. RVGWI and RVGCW were significantly lower in men than in women. RVGWW significantly increased according to age in men and women. RVGWE significantly decreased with age in women. Multivariable analysis revealed RVGWI, RVGCW and RVGWE increased along with increasing pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP).Conclusions: Normal reference values of RVMW were obtained by echocardiography. Quantitative data on RVMW could be essential in clinical work and clinical experiments.