Breath-Holding Effects on Pulmonary Regurgitation Measurement
Author Information
Author(s): Bengt Johansson, Sonya V Babu-Narayan, Philip J Kilner
Primary Institution: Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital
Hypothesis
Breath-holding might affect the amount of pulmonary regurgitation.
Conclusion
Breath-holding during expiration results in a significantly lower pulmonary regurgitant fraction compared to inspiration and free breathing.
Supporting Evidence
- Pulmonary regurgitant fraction was lower in held expiration compared to held inspiration.
- The regurgitant volume was lower in held expiration than in held inspiration.
- Pulmonary forward flow volume was larger during held expiration than during non-breath-hold.
Takeaway
When patients hold their breath while breathing out, the amount of blood that leaks back into the heart is measured to be less than when they hold their breath while breathing in.
Methodology
Forty-three adult patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot underwent CMR to measure pulmonary regurgitant fraction using different breath-holding techniques.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in measurement due to differences in breath-holding techniques.
Limitations
The study may not generalize to all patients with pulmonary regurgitation or other heart conditions.
Participant Demographics
43 adult patients (18 females) with a mean age of 30.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.00017
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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