Study on the late effect of pneumonectomy on right heart pressures using Doppler echocardiography.

Objective: Changes in the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) and the dimensions of the right ventricle (RV) of the heart, six months after pneumonectomy, were evaluated in order to detect the influence of pneumonectomy on right heart function.

Methods: 35 patients undergoing pneumonectomy (Group A) and 17 patients undergoing lobectomy or bilobectomy (Group B) were evaluated prospectively with spirometry, arterial blood gases determination and Doppler echocardiography at rest, preoperatively and six months postoperatively. Patients of both groups had normal preoperative PASP, RV dimensions and left ventricular ejection fraction.