Evaluation of the right ventricular ejection fraction according to multislice computed tomography in patients with pulmonary embolism

Aim. Evaluation of the global systolic function of the right ventricle according to multislice computed tomography in patients with pulmonary embolism.

Methods. 37 people aged 31 to 75 years (20 women and 17 men, mean age 55±12 years) were examined. The study group included 15 patients without clinical or instrumental signs of congenital heart disease and myocardial infarction of the left and right ventricles, with signs of pulmonary embolism according to multislice computed tomography. The control group included 22 patients. Tomographic analysis of end-diastolic volume, ejection fraction of the left and right ventricles was performed during noninvasive multislice computed tomography - coronary angiography, angiopulmonography. The study was conducted on a 64-helical computed tomography Aquillon 64 (Toshiba, Japan).

Results. Analyzing group medians in patients with pulmonary embolism there was a decrease of the right ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume of the left ventricle (р <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in left ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume of the right ventricle. An increase of the end-diastolic volumes of right and left ventricles ratio in group of patients with pulmonary embolism compared to control (р <0.05) was found.

Conclusion. Multislice computed tomography (angiopulmonography with electrocardiographic synchronization) allows to diagnose pulmonary embolism and evaluate global contractility of the right ventricle; in patients with pulmonary embolism a decrease of the right ventricular ejection fraction, increase of the end-diastolic volume of the right and left ventricles ratio was observed.