The usefulness of subxiphoid view in the evaluation of acceleration time and pulmonary hypertension in ICU patients

Abstract

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is very frequent in ICUs. Estimation of systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) by using tricuspid regurgitation velocity (TRV) is impossible in 25% of patients. However, it may be possible to estimate PHT in these patients by obtaining subxiphoid imaging of short axis (SX‐SAX) and measuring pulmonary artery diameter (PAD) and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) acceleration time (AT). We first aimed to compare the values of AT and PAD measured at the parasternal short axis view (PSAX) and SX‐SAX and then to compare AT measurements obtained in the RVOT and pulmonary artery (PA) in ICU patients. Methods This prospective observational study was conducted in a 7‐bed ICU of a tertiary academic teaching hospital. Measurements of TRV, PAD, and AT in parasternal and subxiphoid SAX were obtained. AT was measured in RVOT and PA locations. We measured other echocardiographic signs of PHT to assess the probability of PHT in addition to TRV measurements. Results The study consisted of 61 patients. TRV was measured in 85% of the patients, and SX‐SAX was visualized in 78%. The probability of PHT was high (49%) in this study population. There were agreement and no proportional bias between the measurements of PAD and AT at both SX‐SAX and PSAX. Measurements of AT in the RVOT and PA were similar, as well. Conclusion These results suggested that measurements of AT in the PSAX and SX‐SAX and RVOT and PA were similar in the ICU patients.