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Original article Doppler-derived pulmonary pulse transit time measurements in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: reproducibility and cardiopulmonary function
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  • Friederike Löffler,
  • Mechthild Westhoff-Bleck,
  • Tobias Welte,
  • Da-Hee Park,
  • Karen Olsson M,
  • Lea Behrendt,
  • Filip Klimeš,
  • Johann Bauersachs,
  • Frank Wacker,
  • Gesa H. Pöhler
Friederike Löffler
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Kardiologie und Angiologie
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Mechthild Westhoff-Bleck
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Kardiologie und Angiologie
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Tobias Welte
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Pneumologie
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Da-Hee Park
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Pneumologie
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Karen Olsson M
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Pneumologie
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Lea Behrendt
Deutsches Zentrum fur Lungenforschung e V
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Filip Klimeš
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Pneumologie
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Johann Bauersachs
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover Klinik fur Kardiologie und Angiologie
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Frank Wacker
Deutsches Zentrum fur Lungenforschung e V
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Gesa H. Pöhler
Deutsches Zentrum fur Lungenforschung e V

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Introduction: Doppler-derived pulmonary pulse transit time (pPTT) is an auspicious hemodynamic marker in chronic pulmonary diseases. The aim is to compare four distinct pPTT measurements and its relation to right cardiac and pulmonary function. Methods: Prospectively, 22 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (one patient excluded) and 32 healthy subjects underwent repeated distinct pPTT measurements, one standard echocardiography and pulmonary function testing on the same day. pPTT was defined as the interval from the R or Q-wave in the ECG to the corresponding pulse wave Doppler peak late systolic (S2) or diastolic (D) pulmonary vein flow velocity (pPTT R-S , Q-S, R-D, Q-D). Reproducibility was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis, coefficient of variation (COV), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and power calculations. Coherence to right ventricle RV tissue und pulse wave Doppler velocities (RV E´, RV S´, RV A’, RV E, RV A, RV E/E‘, RV E/A (cm/s)), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), vital capacity (FVC) predicted (%) and in (l) were analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference and no bias between pPTT measures (p range: 0.1 - 0.9). COV was in COPD 1.2 - 2.3%, in healthy subjects 1.0 % - 3.1 %. ICC ranged from 0.92 (COPD) to 0.96 (healthy subjects). In COPD significant correlations were found for pPTT R-S , Q-S and R-D with RV E‘, (all >ρ: 0.49,
ρ: 0.49,
ρ: -0.39,
Conclusions: All pPTT measures were highly reproducible and affected by diastolic RV performance. Defining Q as starting point seems clinically advantageous considering electromechanical desynchrony in patients with conduction disorders.
Submitted to Echocardiography
25 Jan 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
06 Mar 20241st Revision Received
06 Mar 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Mar 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Apr 2024Editorial Decision: Accept