Male Sex Is Associated With Severe Pulmonary Hypertension and Worse Outcome in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Referred for Right Heart Catheterization

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is primarily measured using motion-mode (M-mode) echocardiography. However, image resolution doesn't always provide clear visualization. In these cases, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) may offer a valuable alternative for right ventricular assessment.

Right heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography are integral in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cardiac function for lung transplant (LT) candidates. However, the impact of these metrics on post-LT outcomes remains unclear. 

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined by elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP). Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and SvO2 (mixed venous oxygenation), measured by right heart catheterization (RHC), are key determinants of disease severity and prognosis.

Level 3 cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can unmask the dynamic burden of pulmonary vascular disease (PVD), while submaximal exercise testing offers a simpler, noninvasive alternative.