Impaired right atrial function preceding right ventricular systolic dysfunction: clinical utility and long-term prognostic value in pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Objectives

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with right ventricular systolic dysfunction (RVSD) is associated with a poor prognosis. This study assessed the characteristics of right atrial (RA) function using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) before RVSD onset and evaluated the long-term prognostic significance of these characteristics.

Materials and methods

A total of 96 PH patients, including 36 without RVSD (PH-nonRVSD) and 60 with RVSD (PH-RVSD), were compared to 20 healthy controls (HCs). The RA reservoir, conduit, booster pump functions, and the right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) were evaluated. Ventricular morphological and functional parameters of the RA and right ventricle (RV) were also acquired.

Results

Compared with HCs, both RA reservoir and conduit functions were significantly reduced (p_s < 0.05) in the PH-nonRVSD, without significant morphological changes in either the RA or RV (p_s > 0.05). The RA reservoir and conduit function were significantly correlated with the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), RVGLS, pulmonary vascular resistance, brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac index, and 6-min walk distance. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that RA conduit function outperformed RVGLS and RVEF in differentiating PH-nonRVSD and HCs. However, a reduction in RA booster pump function was observed only in the PH-RVSD group (p < 0.001). During a median follow-up period of 97 (80–106) months, 45% of the included patients died. RA reservoir function was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.963, 95% CI: 0.935–0.992, p = 0.014).

Conclusions

RA function can detect right heart dysfunction prior to RVSD and monitor disease progression in patients with PH. Moreover, RA reservoir function independently predicts long-term prognosis.

Critical relevance statement

Impairment of right atrial (RA) function, assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT), in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients is sensitive in detecting right-sided heart dysfunction before right ventricular systolic dysfunction and can be utilized to monitor disease progression and long-term prognosis.

Key Points

RA function is sensitive in detecting early right heart dysfunction in PH patients.

The disease progression of PH can be monitored by assessing RA function.

RA function can serve as a tool for predicting long-term prognosis.