Liver stiffness obtained by ElastPQ ultrasound shear wave elastography independently determines mean right atrial pressure

We aimed to investigate the relationship between right atrial pressure (RAP) and liver stiffness (LS) determined by liver elastography (LE) during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure (HF) and conventional pacemaker (PM) implantation in patients without HF.

60 patients with HF who underwent CRT and 60 patients without HF who underwent PM were enrolled. Routine echocardiography and laboratory examinations were performed. Systolic, diastolic, and mean RAP measurements were performed inversely during PM implantation and LS measurement with ElastPQ technique.

Systolic, diastolic, and mean RAP, left ventricular (LV) systolic-diastolic, right ventricular (RV) diastolic and left atrial diameters, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient, and RV-myocardial performance index (MPI) values were significantly higher in patients with HF (p < 0.05 each-one). LV ejection fraction and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion values were significantly lower in patients with HF group (p < 0.05 each-one). LS values and inspiratory (Ins) and expiratory inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters were significantly higher in the patients with HF (p < 0.05 each-one). Mean RAP was found to be closely related to LS value, Ins-IVC diameter, RV-MPI, and NT-proBNP levels. LS value and Ins-IVC diameter were found to determine patients with mean RAP > 5 mmHg and > 10 mmHg. When the cut-off value of LS was taken as 7 kPa, it was found that the mean RAP > 10 mmHg with 89.6% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity.

The non-invasive LS value determined by LE independently determines the mean RAP in patients with and without HF. According to our study results, > 7 kPa value for LS determined in liver US may be predictive for increased mean RAP.