Pulmonary Hypertension and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Heart Failure: Prognosis and 15-Year Prospective Longitudinal Trajectories in Survivors
Evelyn Santiago‐Vacas, Josep Lupón, Giovana Gavidia‐Bovadilla, Francisco Gual‐Capllonch, Marta de Antonio, Mar Domingo, Julio Núñez, Elisabet Zamora, Albert Teis, Pedro Moliner, Pau Codina, Javier Santesmases, Antoni Bayés‐Genís
Abstract
AIMS: Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and TAPSE/SPAP ratio trajectories are not fully characterized in chronic heart failure (HF). We assessed very long-term longitudinal SPAP, TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP trajectories in HF patients, and their dynamic changes in outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective, consecutive, observational registry of real-life HF patients, performing echocardiography studies at baseline and according to a prospectively structured schedule after 1 year, and then every 2 years, up to 15 years. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as SPAP ≥40 mmHg; right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) was defined at TAPSE ≤16 mm; and TAPSE/SPAP ratio was dichotomized at 0.36 mm/mmHg. The clinical endpoints were all-cause death, the composite endpoint of mortality or HF hospitalization and the number of recurrent HF hospitalizations. The study cohort included 1557 patients. Long-term SPAP trajectory Loess curves were U-shaped with a nadir at 7 years. TAPSE Loess curves showed a marked rise during the first year, with stabilization thereafter. TAPSE/SPAP ratio Loess splines were similar to the later with a smooth decline towards the end. Patients who died had higher SPAP, lower TAPSE and lower TAPSE/SPAP ratio in the preceding period than survivors. Baseline PH and/or RVD were independently associated with mortality and HF-related hospitalizations, and the persistence of one or both entities at 1 year conferred a worse long-term prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term trajectories for SPAP, TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP ratio are reported in patients with chronic HF. An increasing SPAP and declining TAPSE and TAPSE/SPAP ratio in the preceding period is associated with higher mortality.