The spatial ventricular gradient is associated with adverse outcomes in acute pulmonary embolism

Abstract

Abstract Background The spatial ventricular gradient (SVG) is a vectorcardiographic measurement that reflects cardiac loading conditions via electromechanical coupling. Objectives We hypothesized that the SVG is correlated with right ventricular (RV) strain and is prognostic of adverse events in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Methods Retrospective, single‐center study of patients with acute PE. Electrocardiogram (ECG), imaging, and outcome data were obtained. SVG components were regressed on tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), qualitative RV dysfunction, and RV/left ventricular (LV) ratio. Odds of adverse outcomes (30‐day mortality, vasopressor requirement, or advanced therapy) after PE were regressed on demographics, RV/LV ratios, traditional ECG signs of RV dysfunction, and SVG components using a logit model. Results ECGs from 317 patients (48% male, age 63.1 ± 16.6 years) with acute PE were analyzed; 36 patients (11.4%) experienced an adverse event. Worse RV hypokinesis, larger RV/LV ratio, and smaller TAPSE were associated with smaller SVG X and Y components, larger SVG Z components, and smaller SVG vector magnitude (p < .001 for all). In multivariable logistic regression, odds of adverse events after PE decreased with increasing SVG magnitude and TAPSE (OR 0.32 and 0.54 per standard deviation increase; p = .03 and p = .004, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that, when combined with imaging, replacing traditional ECG criteria with the SVG significantly improved the area under the ROC from 0.70 to 0.77 (p = .01). Conclusion The SVG is correlated with RV dysfunction and adverse outcomes in acute PE and has a better prognostic value than traditional ECG markers.

Keywords

• pulmonary embolism
• risk stratification
• spatial ventricular gradient
• vectorcardiography