Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in aortic regurgitation and its influence on outcomes

Abstract Background Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) is known to complicate left heart diseases (LHD) including left sided valvular pathologies such as aortic regurgitation (AR). However, there is a paucity of data on the prognostic importance of PHT in AR patients. Purpose We aimed to describe the prevalence and prognostic importance of PHT in adults with "isolated" ≥ moderate AR. Methods In this retrospective study, we analysed the National Echocardiography Database of Australia (data from 2000-2019). Adults with an estimated right ventricular systolic pressure (eRVSP), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) >50%, with moderate or greater AR and without severe aortic stenosis or prior aortic valve replacement, were included (n= 8392). These subjects were then categorised according to their eRVSP. The relationship between PHT severity and mortality outcomes were evaluated (median follow-up of 3.1 years, interquartile range 1.5-5.7 years). Results Subjects were aged 74±14 years and 58.4% (4901) were female. Overall, 1417 (16.9%) had no PHT (eRVSP60.00mmHg), respectively. Mean eRVSP was slightly higher in females than males (41±13 vs 39±12mmHg, p