Abstract 13179: New Insights Into Right Ventricular Performance During Exercise Using High-Fidelity Conductance Catheters to Generate Pressure Volume Loops

IntroductionDespite a growing interest in right ventricular (RV) function in health and disease, RV performance has not been extensively characterized. Therefore, we prospectively assessed RV function during exercise with high-fidelity conductance catheters to generate real-time pressure-volume (PV) loops.MethodsSeven healthy individuals (five males, age 37±10years, 77±14kg) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing on an upright cycle ergometer. Resting hemodynamics were assessed with Swan-Ganz catheter, following which RV PV loops were obtained by high-fidelity conductance catheters at rest, two submaximal workloads (mild - defined by rate of perceived exertion score [RPE] 7-9, and moderate - defined by RPE score of 11-13) that reflect normal activities of daily living, and peak exercise. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was analyzed by indirect calorimetry.ResultsA representative tracing of RV PV loops is displayed in figure 1. Metrics of RV performance are displayed in table 1. Compared to resting conditions, submaximal exercise led to a significant increase in RV end-diastolic pressure and ventricular contractility as measured by dp/dt. RV contractility continued to increase in concert with exercise intensity. With regard to RV energetics, there was a stepwise increase in external stroke work and pressure volume area as exercise intensity increased.ConclusionsThe present study describes RV performance among healthy individuals at rest, submaximal and peak exercise. These values establish reference ranges by which comparisons may be made between healthy persons and those with RV dysfunction due to cardiopulmonary disease(s) in future investigations.