Effects of endoscopic lung volume reduction on right ventricular myocardial function in patients with advanced emphysema

Background: Endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) using endobronchial valve implantation provides a minimally invasive, effective technique for patients with severe progressive and irreversible lung emphysema. However, its impact on right ventricular (RV) function is unknown. We therefore assessed the extent of global and regional RV dysfunction in patients undergoing ELVR by use of speckle tracking echocardiography based on RV deformation analysis and correlated the results with the clinical outcomes using exercise capacity testing and Nt-proBNP-levels. Methods and results: We enrolled 25 patients (62 ± 9.8yr…