Mild echocardiographic pulmonary hypertension (ePH) is a condition of high blood pressure in the arteries that go from the heart to the lungs. Severe pulmonary hypertension is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, but the risk factors associated with mild ePH are not established. This study aims to assess the effect of mild ePH on mortality and right ventricular function (RVF).
This cohort study included a total of 47,784 participants with mild PH who were referred for echocardiography. The RVSP value was used to define mild ePH (33 to 39 mm Hg), and RVF was evaluated using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). The primary outcome of the study was the association of mild ePH with mortality and declined RVF.
The findings suggested that the participants with mild ePH had two-fold worse RVF, as compared to those with no ePH. Higher RVSP value was also related to increased mortality, with the risk commencing at 27 mm Hg (HR 1.32). In addition, females were at a higher risk of mortality at all RVSP values.
The research concluded that mild ePH was associated with an increased risk of all cause mortality and worsened right ventricular function.
Ref: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamacardiology/article-abstract/2751319?resultClick=1
