© 2006 European Society of Cardiology
The influence of sex on right ventricular dysfunction in patients with severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction
Cardiology Department. Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón Dr. Esquerdo, 46. 28007 Madrid, Spain
* Corresponding author. Tel./fax: +34 915868276. E-mail address: mmselles{at}secardiologia.es
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Abstract |
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Aim: To assess the influence of sex on right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) in patients with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Methods and results: We studied 385 consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <0.35. All patients underwent invasive measurement of right ventricular and pulmonary artery pressures and evaluation of RVD by standard transthoracic echocardiography.
Female patients (n=84, 21.8%) were significantly older than male patients (62.0±11.4 vs. 58.2±10.7 years), p=0.005. The prevalence of RVD was lower in women (26.5%) than in men (38.9%), p=0.03; both in patients with and without coronary artery disease (19.4% vs. 34.5% and 31.9% vs. 44.4%, respectively). Haemodynamic parameters and LVEF were similar in men and women. Low LVEF, pulmonary systolic pressure, degree of mitral regurgitation, male sex, and absence of significant coronary artery disease were independently correlated with RVD.
Conclusion: Women with severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction have less RVD than men, despite similar haemodynamic parameters and LVEF.
Key Words: Sex • Right ventricle • Systolic dysfunction
Received February 17, 2005; Revised September 20, 2005; Accepted December 20, 2005