A pressure-based single beat method for estimation of right ventricular ejection fraction: proof of concept

Abstract

The utility of considering right ventricular (RV) contractility and afterload as independent entities and summarising their balance or “coupling” using single beat methods has become widely appreciated [1–3]. Typically expressed as the ratio of end-systolic ventricular elastance (Ees, a load-independent measure of contractility), to arterial elastance (Ea, a lumped parameter measure of afterload) data suggest that when Ees/Ea reaches a critical threshold, the risk of cardiovascular decompensation begins to rise [4]. This proof of concept study suggests that estimation of RV ejection fraction based solely on analysis of the RV pressure waveform may be feasible <http://bit.ly/32ZRoOi> The authors would like to thank Daniel Burkhoff for his insightful comments on fundamental principles of cardiac pressure–volume analysis.