Pulmonary hypertension echocardiography or ultrasound

, Richard Channick, M.D.; Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ralph Matar.

Echocardiogram for patients with pulmonary hypertension:
Once pulmonary hypertension is suspected in a patient, a transthoracic echocardiogram should be done to assess right heart function including:
 * 1) Pulmonary arterial pressure.
 * 2) Tricuspid regurge.
 * 3) Increased velocity of pulmonary valve regurge and short acceleration time of right ventricle ejection into the pulmonary artery.
 * 4) Enlarged right heart chambers.
 * 5) Abnormal shape and function(displacement)of interventricular septum.
 * 6) Right ventricular wall hypertrophy.
 * 7) Dilated main pulmonary artery.
 * 8) Pericardial effusion.
 * 9) Doppler echocardiographic index(Tei index or myocardial performance index) which is the sum of both isovolumetric contraction and relaxation intervals, divided by ejection time.

Video showing Top 10 echocardiographic findings in moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension
Disclaimer: Adapted from Billy Cathey RDCS:Pulmonary hypertension 2D findings:  Abbreviations:
 * RVE:Right ventricular enlargement.
 * RVH:Right ventricular hypertrophy.
 * RAE:Right atrial enlargement.
 * TR:Tricuspid regurge.
 * PFO:Patent foramen ovale
 * RVSP:Right ventricular systolic pressue.
 * SPAP:Systolic pulmonary artery pressure.
 * RVOT:Right ventricular outflow tract.
 * IVC:Inferior vena cava