FRIDAY, June 26, 2026 (NewsDay News) — Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) is prevalent in 41.7 percent of heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), according to a study published online June 10, 2026. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders.
Xin Du, from Xiamen Human Hospital, China, and colleagues retrospectively analyzed 163 patients with HFpEF from January 2022 to January 2024. Right ventricular function was assessed in all patients; presence of tricuspid annulus plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) lower than 17 mm or right ventricular wall strain (RV-FWS) absolute value below 20% of the described RVD.
The researchers found that the prevalence of RVD among 163 patients was 41.7 percent. Significantly higher levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) characterize the RVD group. The occurrence of RVD was independently predicted by echocardiographic measurements, including RV-FWS, systolic pulmonary artery pressure, mean ratio of early mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity, left atrial volume index, TAPSE, and fractional area change. RV-FWS showed the best predictive performance among individual parameters. Superior discrimination ability was observed in the combined prediction model of these six parameters. The corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic curve after internal testing using the bootstrap method was 0.989.
“A multiparametric echocardiographic approach combined with NT-proBNP assessment significantly improved the early detection and risk stratification of RVD,” the authors wrote. “Routine implementation of this integrated assessment strategy in the management of HFpEF may facilitate early detection and accurate intervention, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”
Abstract / Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
