The Impact of Beta-blockade on Right Ventricular Function in Mitral Regurgitation
Hongning, Yin; Stewart, Ralph A.; Whalley, Gillian
Date
2014-04Citation:
Hongning, Y., Stewart, R. A., and Whalley, G. A. (2014). The impact of beta-blockade on right ventricular function in mitral regurgitation. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 23, pp.378-380.Permanent link to Research Bank record:
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/3017Abstract
Background
Although mitral regurgitation (MR) results in left ventricular (LV) volume overload, right ventricular (RV) function may also be impaired. We investigated the influence of short-term beta-blockade on RV function in patients with moderate-severe MR.
Methods
Twenty-six patients were randomised in a cross-over design to receive two weeks of beta-blockade or placebo. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and at the end of the treatment periods. Measure- ments included: RV ejection fraction (RVEF) tricuspid annular motion and Tei index.
Results
No differences in mean RVEF (64.0 ± 6.0 v 67.0 ± 8.0%, p = 0.3), tricuspid annular motion (13.5 ± 3.0 v 14.7 + 2.9 cm/s, p = 0.5), or median Tei index (0.61 (0.54, 0.88) v 0.59 (0.54, 0.74), p = 0.8) were observed between placebo and metoprolol, despite significantly longer cardiac time intervals. Tei index under both conditions was significantly reduced.
Conclusions
Short-term treatment with a beta-blocker did not influence RV function in these patients. Interestingly, the RV Tei index was high suggesting significant RV dysfunction despite normal RVEF.