Correlation between pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular myocardial performance index in TOF patients after surgical repair

Objective and aimResidual PR after repair of tetralogy of Fallot is an important determinant of the outcome of patients.Patients and methodsWe aim to assess severity of PR by PR index and diastolic/systolic time velocity integrals (DSTVI) and to correlate both of them to RVMPI, to detect which is more likely to reflect RV global function. This is a cross sectional study in which 33 patients with repaired TOF, and 46 controls were enrolled. For each patient full medical history and examination were obtained, conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography were done, to measure pulmonary regurgitation by two indices: PR index and diastolic systolic time velocity integrals (DSTVI), to measure myocardial tissue velocities at the tricuspid annulus, to determine RVMPI, and to correlate it to the PR indices.Resultsour study included 33 patients with totally corrected TOF, and 46 controls, there were statistically significant differences in S′,E′,A′ velocities, and RVMPI between cases and controls, no statistically significant correlation between PR index, DSTVI and the RVMPI of the patients.ConclusionTissue Doppler RVMPI in patients after surgical repair of Fallot tetralogy is not correlated to the degree of PR measured by two indices: PR index and DSTVI, a new index that can assess severity of PR and correlate to RV functions is required.