Arq Bras Cardiol: Imagem cardiovasc 2020; 33(1): 1-7

Echocardiographic Assessment of Right Chambers by Gender and Body Surface Area

DOI: 10.5935/2318-8219.20200008

Abstract

Introduction

Assessment of right chambers dimensions and function according to gender, age, body surface area and body mass index is not uniformly performed.

Objective

To evaluate, by transthoracic echocardiography dimensions and function of right chambers, according to gender, body surface area and body mass index in an outpatient population.

Method

Cross-sectional study. Eighty-one patients were selected, 60.4 ± 13.5 years (57 women, 70%). Parameters assessed were the following: proximal, basal, medium and longitudinal, right ventricle diameter; right atrium area and right atrium volume; right ventricle wall thickness; tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; and tricuspid annulus tissue Doppler and S’ wave. Results: Female sex presented lower diameters (Student’s t-test) of proximal right ventricle diameter (20.6 mm ± 2.4 vs. 22.7 mm ± 2.2; p = 0.001), basal right ventricle diameter (34,4 mm ± 3,5 vs. 38,2 mm ± 4,8; p < 0.001), medium right ventricle diameter (27 mm ± 3.3 vs. 32.4 mm ± 4.9; p < 0.001), right atrium area (13.7 cm² ± 2.7 vs. 16.6 cm² ± 3.9; p = 0.002) and right atrium volume (37 mL ± 10.6 vs. 50.7 mL ± 15.6 ; p = 0.002). Body mass index and body surface area correlated with proximal right ventricle diameter (correlation coefficient – CC 0.24; p = 0.03), basal right ventricle diameter (CC 0.22; p = 0.04), medium right ventricle diameter (CC 0.23; p = 0.04), longitudinal right ventricle diameter (CC 0.28; p = 0.01), right atrium area (CC 0.40; p = 0.001), and right atrium volume (CC 0.24; p = 0.0006).

Conclusion

Right ventricular diameters, right atrial area and volume were lower in females. A correlation was found with body mass index and body surface area. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and S’ were not influenced by sex, body mass index and body surface area.