Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate RV function by speckle tracking in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Background: Right ventricular failure is the main cause of death in patients with pulmonary hypertension. 2D speckle tracking imaging allows noninvasive measurement of RV strain and strain rate. Patients and methods: RV strain and strain rate analysis in 40 patients with pulmonary hypertension. 20 age and sex matched healthy volunteers free from any cardiovascular risk factors were enrolled as a control group.Results: A highly significant increase was present in PHT patients (group I) compared to control group (group II) as regard TR GR.and PASP (P-value <0.001) and a highly significant decrease was present in group I as regard TAPSE (P-value <0.001). There was a highly significant reduction in group I as regard average right ventricular (septal and lateral walls) peak longitudinal systolic strain (S%) in apical 4 view (P-value <0.001). Also, there was a highly significant reduction of Average right ventricular (septal and lateral walls) peak longitudinal strain rate at systole , early diastole and late diastole (1/sec) in apical 4 view (P-value <0.001).Conclusions: PHT is associated with development of RV dysfunction.RV strain and strain rate were highly significantly depressed in patients with PHT.
